Fall has finally arrived...

I live in Central Florida where it can be in the 90's well into December. We Floridians don't always get to wear and enjoy our winter apparel. I've lived here in Central for a couple of years now, but still miss cooler season that you can enjoy living in NYC. I miss wearing things like, fluffy sweaters, wool coats, and those warm cozy boots. In this post and a few of the following posts, I'll share with some of my fall/winter favorite things to wear.


Style note: I choose this gray sweater dress from Forever21. The dress is made from cotton spandex, it has a soft and feels good on. I got it in a size 2x. This dress fits very well, and because of the spandex in the fabric this dress hugs you in all the right places. The dress hugs at the waist and flares out at bottom, giving that skater skirt look. The sleeves on this dress come about mid forearm (for me). I wanted to add some color to this dress, and to show how you accomplish two looks. I looked for a vest, but I couldn't find one that I liked. I decided to pair this dress with a sleeveless shirt. The orange shirt that I choose is from Forever21, its made of a 100% Rayon. I got this in a 3x, It was a little big, but I wanted to make sure that it wasn't to tight fitting over the dress. I added a black belt from Rainbow shops. I didn't see this belt online. If you have a Rainbow shops near you, they have quit a few of these belts in stock. I accessorize the outfit with gold jewelry (form my personal collection). I also paired the outfit with some gray ankle boots. These boots I bought last year from Cato, this is the first time out the box. As I stated in the beginning of this post, many time I buy fall/winter items and don't get an opportunity to wear them, until the following season.


              


                        

       
           

   
           

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday...

So, I celebrated my Birthday this past Saturday (Oct 25th). I feel a bit differently about Birthdays than most people do. Its not that I'm not happy, I'm happy and feel blessed and privileged to live and be healthy enough to experience another year of growth. I think as you get older Birthdays lose the excitement that it had when you were younger. As I age (gracefully) Birthdays for me have become a time of intense self-reflection. I reflect on thoughts like, where I am in my life, where I want to be, and what I could do to improve myself. These thoughts don't depress me, but they make me think (intensely), and move me to set new goals for the next year. For the past few days leading up to my Birthday, this is what I've been doing: Re-thinking my goals, my choices, my habits, things in my life that I'm not quite happy about, and the things that I am happy about. I love this quote from Einstein and reflect on it often, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. My thought is that, most of our problems remain with us and never get solved, because we are trying the same solution over and over again.

Take for instance, this blog that I started. I've followed and read other blogs for many years. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I could write a blog that people would want to read. I don't consider myself a writer at all. The other thing is that I've been camera shy all my life! But, with the nudging of my daughter and the intense love and knowledge of fashion, shopping and beauty, I decided to give a shot. I think that I've got a lot to share with the world and with this blog I can do just that. This past week I drew a complete blank, and fear kicked in. That little annoying voice in my head was try to tell me, you can't do this, your not a writer, who's going to read your post. I had to draw from that inner place that I know exist inside of, and fight the fears and doubt. I told myself, what is worse that can happen, people don't read my post, or they read it and don't like it. Jeff Goins said in one of his newsletters "if only one person reads your post, continue to write, you show up and write, that one person can turn into one hundred and more".

I'll leave you with this these thoughts, It's never too late to start something new, take a honest self inventory. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck. Do better, do something different.

Below I'll share with you the outfits that I chose to wear on my Birthday. Please excuse the picture, I'm trying to learn my camera and use the cyber shots (self portrait). It can only get better.

Styling note: I choose this floral dress with hints of white, purple and blue (my breakfast outfit). I got this dress from Forever21. I got it in a 3x, this dress is made of a stretchy fabric, but it was very true to size. I wanted to break up the floral pattern, so I added this blue denim crop jacket (bought last year). I added a light purple necklace and earrings, a deep purple handbag and a sliver sandal ( all from my collection).

Styling notes: I wore this white dress to a friends party the night of my birthday, It was an all white affair. I choose to break up with the a soft  pink hand bag and shoes. The dress is a XL, I bought this from CatoFashions last year (sold out). I can usually wear some of their XL clothing, its sized like a 14. The dress is lined and has a bit of stretch to it, but its pretty true to size. Handbag is from my collection. The shoe is BCBG from DSW (sold out), I bought these earlier this year. This was the first time I wore them. I choose to wear Gold accessories to compliment the gold broach at the neckline of the dress. Earrings are from Bodycentral (wore these in another blog post). The gold belt is from Rainbow Shops (had for some tine) The gold watch and bracelet worn here are my personal items

 

 

 

Why Wear Pants This Fall....

When you can wear a Maxi skirt! Maxi skirts are a hot fashion item this fall, a must have item in your collection. These skirts are, in a way, taking the place of pants. Once upon a time when you thought about the Maxi Skirts, you would think about Spring, or Summer, or something that you would wear on the beach.

Gone are those days, Maxi Skirts are available in a variety of styles, fabrics, and colors. In this post I'll show how I style my favorite Maxi Skirts, and I'll show you how I get two looks for my Maxi Skirts.

Notes: The pieces that I chose for this are oldies, but goodies. These are pieces that I've had in my collection. I think I bought them last year, or earlier in this year. I live in Florida, and it can be hot (in the 90's) sometimes 10 months out of the year. We Floridians don't always get to wear our fall and winter collections when we buy them.

Styling notes: Keeping fall in mind, I paired this tan and black maxi skirt with an burnt orange shirt, tan belt, and a tan strappy sandals. I accessorize the outfit with gold jewelry.


    


Syling note 2 :  How I achieved looks two and three. I pull my maxi skirt up over my breast. I sometimes wear a strapless bra, depending on the type of jacket or cover up I'm going to wear over the maxi skirt. I then added a belt to add shape to skirt. Then I pulled the back down slightly, to give that high low effect. I then gather the waist to add more style and shape to the skirt. In this look I wore a peach jacket over the maxi skirt and I pinned it (under the lapel, so the pin doesn't show) on the inside of the black band to keep the jacket in place (to hide the bra).

  

Red Bootie Style Note

I wanted to come back and show you how I styled the red ankle boots/booties (from previous post).


Style note:  I choose to style these red ankle boots with a black and white color block flare top, black leggings and red accessories.I got this top in a 1x, the fit was good, because of the flare, it gives a bit more room. The top is made from polyester/rayon/spandex material, so it stretches a bit. I got this top from Forever21 (sold out online). The leggings that I wore is from Ashley Stewart (earlier this year). They were a bit pricy, but they're made from polyester/spandex material. I've washed them and worn them several times, and they still look new. There's no tears or gaps in the seams, there, no fuzz balls on them either. When you buy leggings, you've got to pay attention to the fabric. Leggings that are made from cheap thin material don't hold up well. They don't wear well, they don't wash well, and some even give that see through appearance. I accessorize the outfit with, a red belt from Rainbow. The bracelet and earrings are Bodycentral.


  

      

Ankle boots/bottie.

Okay, after an extensive search for this fall ankle boots/booties. I've selected these 4 ankle boots/booties. In choosing these boots/booties, I looked for style, make, fit, and comfort.    

                                     

1. This taupe bootie is from Rebdolls. Its available in sizes 6 - 10
2. This black bootie is from Steinmart. Its available in sizes 6 -10
3.This purple booties is from Steinmart. Its available in sizes 6 1/2 - 11
4. This red bootie is from Steinmart. Its available in sizes 6 - 10

 

Ankle boots/booties are hot fashion statement this fall. They vary in style, color, fabric, size, and a wide range of prices. These boots/booties can be incorporated in any of your style look that you're trying to create.

You can wear them with almost any outfit like that, boyfriend jeans, pencil skirt, maxi skirt, pants, leggings, and even with a dress,

From the five selective styles that I've shown you above. I selected the red ankle boot/bootie, by
Impo from Stein Mart. I choose this boot because of the style, fit and color. I bought it in a size 8 1/2. The fit is pretty true to size. They were comfortable and the heel height was comfortable for me. With the platform on these boots, you don't really feel the heel height. These are available sizes 6 - 10.

I took a few pictures to show you the style, fit, and color. I'll come back and post another blog to show how I styled these ankle boots/booties.

 

                                                                     
                                      

                          

 

 

 

The boyfriend jeans

 

The boyfriend jeans has always been a favorite of mine. This fall, these are another must have for your closet. You can wear these jeans in so many ways, and to many occasions. You can wear them with an oversize sweater or sweatshirt. Whether you're out shopping, out to lunch with your girlfriends, or out on a date with that special someone. Depending on how you accessorize these jeans they will fit almost every occasion. You can layer it, or you can wear it with that favorite silk blouse or a tee-shirt  I love wearing them with a layered look.  However,you decide to wear these jean, They jeans will always look good.

In my look below I choose to wear a layered look.

Styling note: Boyfriend jeans are from Forever21. I bought them in a size 16. The fit, I've got big thighs and a small waistline. It was a bit snug in the thigh area (but not uncomfortable), the wait was a bit big, I'll have to have them taken in. The sweatshirt (sold out) I found at JCP. I bought the 3x, because I wanted that oversize look. I cut out the neckline(there are a lot of youtube video on how to achieve this effect), so that I could get that off the shoulder effect. The blue tank I wore underneath, I've had it for a while. The necklace earrings, and bracelet (last year) are from Cato. In the second look, I just changed the look by adding a pair of  New York Transit sliver wedge heel strappy sandals(last year). from DSW.


            


             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The Moto jacket.

 

 

 

The Moto jacket is definitely a piece that you want to have in your closet this fall, this jacket is definitely gag worthy. Once you lay eyes on one, and definitely, if you try one on, you won't want to leave the store without one.  They're are several retail shops that are carrying these jackets. They come in a variety of styles, fabric, and colors. The prices vary depending on style and m\fabric (real leather or leather look). Depending on your budget, you'll have wide variety to choose from. These jackets are a thing of beauty and depending on which ones you select (leather or leather look), you can wear these jackets for the next several years. Once you touch, feel, and OMG, try one on, and you will not want to leave the store without one.

After visiting several stores, I decided to purchase mine from Forever21, I know like me many of you are on a budget, but still want to look good. There are several retail stores that are carry these or similar jackets. I'll list a few here for you, Lane Bryant, Simplybe This jacket have a good weight and feel to it. The fit is very snug and true to size, I'm usually between a 1x and a 2x, but in this jacket I had to get a 3x. As you can see in the pictures below, the fit is exact on me I'm very busty and small in the waist, I think this is why I needed to get the 3x. So, if your not as busty as myself, you maybe able to either stay in your size or may need to go up a size. It also depends on if your going wear your jacket zipped or open. Whatever style you choose or how you choose to ware this jacket I know once you purchase one, you will be happy. I know that I'm very happy with mine. "Excuse me",(LOL) I was feeling sexy and loving my jacket.

Styling: I paired my jacket with a leather look skirt, and floral print baby doll top, also from Forever 21..I'll do another post detailing the skirt and the top. The pink shoes (last year) is from Justfab, The jewelry is from my collection Simply Beverly's Plus Size boutique, (website coming soon),its sold out Pink belt is from Rainbow..

 

 

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