Outfit of the Day

The worst part about living alone is that I don’t have anyone to take my picture! 🙁 So…I know these pictures kind of suck, but it’s the best I can do at the moment. Oh, and ignore the weird date stamp, I took this picture on Wednesday, but the timer on my camera is way off.

So…here’s me at the end of a very long day. But, I love my dress so much, I had to share. The long peplum is on-trend right now, and the graphic stripes are also in line with some of the architectural details that I’ve seen in the fashion mags lately. The detail at the bodice is my favorite, and the way the stripes interact is very flattering. I hate that I don’t have a pic of the back-it has an exposed zipper! Anyway, let me know what you think. I’ll try to get my camera act together, I promise!

So anyway, I did end up going to the Akira Plus-Size Fashion Show last night…and it was actually pretty fun…if ultimately a gimmick. I’ll post pictures and give a full report soon!
xoxo

Breaking News: Akira’s Plus Size Fashion Show…Is it a Sham?

I just heard that Akira is actually putting on its first ever PLUS SIZE FASHION SHOW!!!! You can bet your benji’s that I’m totally going to be there…

BUT…(isn’t there always a big but?)

While this seems like a positive step forward, I’m a little skeptical about the whole thing, since I tried to find out more information by visiting their website and Facebook page…and get this…they say NOTHING about it. No event notice; no publicity at all. Don’t you think that’s shady?

The only way I found out about it is because of this chicagoist.com post.

Now, the first thing that popped into my head was…NO WAY, Akira is going to carry a plus-size line of clothing???? But…after visiting their sites, I can pretty much say No to that. It looks like the event is actually sponsored, or put on by Curves (the all female exercise chain)…and Akira is just providing the event space.

Now…I could be wrong…I sincerely hope I am!!!! But, I will attend tomorrow and let you all know what I find out for sure.

If you’re in Chicago, come join me.

Thursday, July 28 at 7:00pm
Curves, Cocktails, and Clothing
Akira in Andersonville (5228 N. Clark St.) 
Free Admission

Beach Dress

I recently went to Destin, FL with my family for vacation…and had a FANTASTIC time! If you’ve never been to the Gulf and planted your feet in the warm water and sugar-white sand, you are totally missing out! We spent most of our time laying around the condo or out on the beach, but we did get dressed up for one night out…and this was my outfit. 🙂 What do you think??

Dress: Forever 21 Plus
Shrug: Ashley Stewart
Necklace: Francesca’s

The bright colors and botanical motif of this dress makes it fun and easy to wear. I bought it earlier in the season, but you might be able to find it at a Forever 21 on sale….

*sigh…I’m definitely missing those beaches now!

Other Lust-Worthy Items from Nordstrom’s Plus Size

Here are some other items that filled my dressing room at Nordstrom. All on-trend for fall and totally lust-worthy!!

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Splatter Print Silk Dress 

This dress was beautiful. The bateau neckline and draped sleeves–along with the gorgeous splatter print–made the dress feel artsy and sophisticated…and it was incredibly comfortable. You could totally remove the fabric belt and take it up a notch with another (more substantial and fashionable) colorful leather belt.

The only reason I didn’t buy it was because they didn’t have my size…I think it runs a little big, since I tried on an 18W and it was too baggy. Also, it’s a little pricey for me…at nearly $160. *sigh

It is pretty though…maybe I’ll buy it online later.

Pleione Sheer Print Blouse–Birds!
I love this shirt, but finally bowed to family pressure not to buy it. The bird print was awesome and a little unexpected…you can’t tell what they are until you look closely. But my sisters said that it didn’t do anything for my curves…and they were ultimately right. It was basically just a comfy top that I would wear on a fat day when I don’t want anything to cling to my curves. I still think it’s cute though!!

Sejour Belted Cape
This little capelet is super cute, but I ultimately decided against buying it. It hit me much higher than it looks on this model. It hit me just under my waist…which left too much of my shirt showing. So, if you have a shorter torso, or smaller boobs, it might lay correctly.

Nordstrom’s Encore Section = Heaven

Seriously…my friends have all heard me complain about the horrible clothes–or NO clothes–that most stores offer plus-size women. The stores that do have a plus-size section often fill their racks with shapeless cotton-blend sacks that make bigger women look like a sad balloon that is starting to deflate after a disappointing party.

BUT, ladies–there IS hope!!! I was recently at Nordstrom (not my usual shopping ground since I’m somewhat cheap) and I wandered into the plus-size section that they call Encore. I’m telling you…I’ve never felt so pretty or stylish! The staff was friendly, offering suggestions that were pretty perfect not just for my body type…but for my age, and what little they could tell of my personality. If I had more money in my account, and wasn’t about to go to Vegas…I swear I would have blown my whole paycheck!!! But, I ended up buying 3 things that I’m sure I’m going to wear everyday here in Chicago…once the weather turns cooler, that is. Want to see???

One A Stripe Trim Cardigan
I absolutely LOVE the cascading folds on the front of this cardigan and the button details on the sleeves. It is extremely flattering and very easy to wear. This is going to be one of my most worn tops this fall, I’m sure!!

Sejour Sheer Knit Tee
Even though this is a higher neckline than I usually wear (I love to show off my girls, if ya know what I mean), with a black tank underneath, it shows just the right amount of skin to be alluring. And it’s oh-so-soft…but it is pretty delicate material, so I have to be very careful not to snag it on anything!

Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Flare Leg Stretch
AHHHHHHHHH Can I possibly explain how my heart leapt in my chest when I tried these on in the dressing room??? They are seriously the most comfortable, slimming jeans that I’ve ever put on my body. AND…they didn’t push up the dreaded muffin top…or squeeze the belly to create the unfortunate FUPA look. They were on sale for $85 (which is more than I’ve ever paid for jeans), but I had to have them!

Has anyone else started shopping for Fall?? What are your favorite purchases so far??