MonifC Swim

There's something about MonifC's swim collection that make you hate where you live, right?  I follow her on instagram and when this designer travels to her Carribean home of Barbados, I am literally envious of the warmth, sunshine, and the water.   I've noticed that this designer has been giving us multiple swim collections and every one MonifC puts out is funkier, more vibrant, and more seductive.  Barbadian people must just be born with that sex appeal gene, i.e., Rihanna.  Anyways, these photos definitely made me want to pack my bag and just move!  Good thing I'm going to my home of Brunswick in a few days and at the end of next month I'll be Miami.  If I weren't, I don't know how I would manage to function another day without seeing the beach.  (I'm from the coast, if we go too long without breathing salty air and we start to feel like the walls are closing in). 

The swimsuits, the background, the styling....I'm loving every single bit of it!!!! And if you are not somewhere warm with sand between you toes, just put this as you screensaver, it will help you make it through one more day until you summer vacation.  Check out more of these fabulous swimsuits here.  

I forgot to add in this video, just makes you a little more bitter.  LOL!

Beneath the Milky Twilight

"Florals? For spring? Ground breaking."  I always think of this line from the Devil Wears Prada when I wear floral.   It's crazy that I can be all bundled up one day and then be able to step out for Sunday brunch the next day with just a cardigan. Dallas, I'm going to need you to pick a season and go with it.  I'm not sure if this sounds crazy, but sometimes when I have a particular dress or outfit I imagine a theme song for the outfit and the perfect place to wear it.  So you might say that sometimes my clothes dictate my activities.  I love Sunday Brunch, but I rarely go.  This dress said I should go to Sunday Brunch in a little nook where it was surrounded by beautiful green shrubs.   That's what the dress said, so I did what the dress said to do.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  I just hope my clothes never tell me to do something that could get me in trouble.  My theme song to this dress is Kiss Me by Sixpence Non the Richer.  I did get a kiss today (wink).

Here's a quick review of the dress given to me by eShakti.  I love the dress and the fabric.   The fabric is light and flowy, perfect for spring.  And yes, that is a bubble hem.  I was able to choose the length of my skirt and this is the longest length.  Bubble hems can be tricky, especially if  you like your skirts to be long and you have a "big booty" like I do.  I hate  the possibility of my skirt riding up in the back.  This dress, in my opinion, ran a little small and the bust portion was small.  I would order one size up.  I ordered an 18, but since the bust portion is carved out there is a risk of the bust seams not being in the appropriate place.  Had my bust been a little bigger, it would have worked.  I would have had that seam in the middle of my bust, which is a no no in my book. 

Dress - eShakti, Belt - Micheal Kors, Cardi - Thrifted, Shoes - Luchiny (similar), Necklace - Target (it's actually a headband)

Designer to Watch: DearCurves

I hate putting this as the designer to watch, because I know this designer has been around for a while now.  But this is my blog and I get to do what I want...LOL.  The dress above really tickled my fancy, so I wanted to share.  Dearcurves is the brainchild of plus size model and fashion designer; Linda Idegwu.    (Sidenote:  She is gorgeous.)  Dearcurves combines African fabrics with western design to create ready to wear fabulousness.  Price points hover around $75 - $125.  I have yet to really incorporate African prints into my wardrobe.  Dearcurves makes me want to really give it a try. 

DearCurves has more pieces available here.  I also heard that their will be a new spring collection on it's way, so keep up with the arrival of new looks through their Facebook page.  I am curious to see what spring will have to offer.  I can really see myself including of of these pieces in my everyday wardrobe.  What do you guys think of the line?  

Journey to Health

For those of  you who've had questions about my weight loss and journey to health, I'm discussing here.  I've disabled the comments, but you can comment on the youtube link at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk37EjnTogw

Happy Ash Wednesday

Happy Ash Wednesday!  The look below is my look for today's mass.  I decided to have some fun and throw in a date night look (top) and a work look for today's leather skirt.  Just to show you can style one piece in many different ways and get that bang for your buck.  The sun was awful while I was taking photos, so please excuse the squinty face.  

I also got to try out my new curling iron.  I've been looking for one for a while now and I eventually settled on the Cortex 4 in 1 iron.  You get four barrel sizes, this allows you achieve different curl and wave sizes.  I saw PassionJonesz us it in her videos.  The hair she uses to curl is heavier than mine, so I figured it should work great for me and it did!  I always wondered about Taylor Swift's curls and by using this iron. I know that's what they must use on her hair.  

Outfit Logistics:  Skirt - JIBRI $160, White Button Down - Nordstrom $58, Leopard Top - (similar) $36, Gray Blazer - $21 (similar), Mesh Top - Asos (soldout), Ruffle Clutch (similar) $30, Faux Fur Cape - Vince Camuto, Wedges - Calvin Klein $80, Glitter Pumps - $15 (similar), Slingbacks - $258 (similar)

Dog Shaming Polka Dots

I was asked by a magazine to break up this outfit for a polka dot story for spring.  It's actually something I've been meaning to do for a long time.   I wanted to show how you can create multiple looks out of two identical pieces or twinsies.  Working such a concept could even save you a dollar or two.  I worked with the JIBRI twinsy, but I've seen duos at Asos & Walmart (Alexis Taylor Collection) as well.  One thing I haven't seen is the intense peplum length on any other brand, but JIBRI.  It's awesomeness.  There are probably a thousand and one different combos you can work.  Everything I used was in my closet and really easy to add into the polka dots.  

Outfit Components - Denim Shirt (similar) $49, Pink Blouse (similar) $33, JIBRI Polka Dot Skirt (similar)$75, JIBRI Peplum Top $75 (similar), Shoes - Cole Haan via Nordstrom Rack, Clip-on Bang $27

Note the shoes worn in this photo were pre-Shug (pro-nounced like Suge Knight) bad dog moment.  Due to my leaving my shoes on the floor, she decided to chew one of them up.  If you follow me on Instagram (@garnerstyle) you might have already seen Shug's dog shaming.  

Dream Girl

Last night, I attended a premier for the indie movie, The Tents.  It's a documentary that tells the story of New York Fashion Week and Bryant Park, from how it got started to how it ended.  I thought the movie was very good, informative, and very entertaining, if you are a fashion-lover or developing an interest in fashion, it's definitely worth seeing.    That's all I'm going to say so I don't spoil anything for anyone.  Check out the trailer here.  

Surprisingly enough, I just bought a black dress for the first time in years.  As a woman and a blogger that is plus size, I feel it so important that wear and show a variety of looks in different colors and patterns to dispel any myths that we can't wear this or that.  Sometimes, even without realizing it, I feel that like I have something to prove with my clothes.  It made me overlook the little black dress.  I finally just broke down and bought one, I actually plan on riding this one out for the next half decade.  I coupled this look with just a straight up comb out of my curls.  I felt very Diana Ross.  I wanted to open my hands and say, "oooohhhhh ahhhhhhhh."  LOL.

Outfit:  Dress - JIBRI $250, Belt - Asos $30, Shoes - Target - $30