It’s SPRING! Spring means flowers and big gorgeous blooms on big, gorgeous curves! This Tapestry Rose Print Dress from London Times that I got from my Gwynnie Bee closet is perfect for the season!
It’s got such great lines…with origami folds at the waist and an asymmetrical neckline are unique details that shape the dress and draw the eyes lightly across your waist and up to your face. And can we talk about the print? It’s a digitalized version of roses, so it’s totally unique and cool, but still ladylike and appropriate for the office.
I snapped these pics at the Lincoln Park Conservatory this weekend…It was the perfect backdrop for this adorable dress! If you’re looking for a dress that perfectly embodies the season and has some flair, put this one in your Gwynnie Bee closet for sure!
OK, y’all know I love my dresses…but sometimes there’s nothing better than a great pair of jeans! I’ve been a fan of Not Your Daughter’s Jeans for a while and was thrilled when Gwynnie Bee decided to add them to their collections. I got to try 4 pairs and came up with some super cute outfits that might beat out some of my dresses for the spring. If you don’t know about Gwynnie Bee, check it out here! And for my fellow GB-ers, put some of these new NYDJ styles in your closet!
First up, the NYDJ Jade Legging in Amethyst.
What a fun color! This dark eggplant purple is unexpectedly versatile…Treat it like black and it works with everything–from casual tees to fancier tops. I chose to go casual and pair it with a graphic-print top from Forever 21. Perfect for running around on Saturdays, popping into shops and grabbing a bite to eat.
The fit of these leggings is perfect. The length hits right at the ankle, and the leg is slim without being constricting. These leggings come in a couple of different colors, so if purple isn’t for you, then try some others!
Have you tried the boyfriend jeans trend? I was avoiding them, since I didn’t think they were a flattering shape for curvy women, but these NYDJ Tanya Boyfriend Jeans in Manchester have changed my mind!
These boyfriend jeans have a slightly cropped feel and look adorable with a cuffed hem, since it reveals the slimmest part of your ankles. They have a slightly looser (but still shapely) fit, and I ordered my normal size, which fit perfectly.
I went for a cool-casual vibe with this outfit and paired it with a loose, colorful floral kimono-esque Bobeau top that I found at Nordstrom Rack, a long mint-green and gold necklace from Dressbarn and my bubble-gum pink Steve Madden heels. I really loved the open detail on the back of this top and the longer hem that lies nicely over the backside.
Next, I switched to classic black NYDJ Hayden Straight Leg jeans, and went for a little edge, but still kept it casual. The straight leg is comfortable and classic–it can be played up or down…and NYDJ jeans have the perfect proportions for curvy women.
I’m loving the perforated leather trend for spring, and this Sejour Black Perforated Faux Leather Overlay Top from Nordstrom was a perfect pairing with these classic, perfectly fitting black jeans and some bright neon peep-toe heels! Simple and cool….just what I was going for!
And now for a little bit of glamour! These NYDJ Sheri Skinny Jeans in Coated Black have some shimmer that make them a surprisingly perfect option for a night out on the town.
All black is always chic, and this Kiyonna lace overlay top is just risque enough to balance out the denim. I’m a tall gal, and these are a smidge too short for me, but overall, they fit nicely.
So…I’d say the NYDJ launch at Gwynnie Bee is a big success! It’s going to be hard for me to send them back…I might have to buy a few of them to keep. 🙂
If you’re like me, you tend to never buy button-down shirts because of the horrible things they do to your figure. Boxy…straining over the boobs…shape suckers…generally, just not a good idea for busty plussize women. However, Foxcroft recently asked me if I wanted to try two of their classic button-down tops…which have been specifically sized and shaped for plus size women’s curves. And, as a bonus, my readers can get 15% off their purchase with code FXBLOG2!
I couldn’t resist the classic collared button-down shirt with 3/4 length sleeves in this gorgeous bright pink.
It’s the first button-down shirt that I’ve ever had that doesn’t strain and gap over the chest! The long darts in the front and back add some nice shape, and the collar stands up nicely to frame the face. The first button is a little lower than a traditional button-down, so it feels more open and will show off any accessories you want to pair with it!
Also, aren’t these paintings gorgeous? Once I saw them in the lobby of the Four Seasons in Chicago, I knew I just had to snap these pictures!
So…all in all…I’m a button-down convert! Foxcroft has the cutest spring collection coming out, so next time you’re looking for a button-down, take a look at the Foxcroft collection online, or go to your local Nordstrom to try them on in person.
Sometimes you just want to throw on a dress that you will look great in, but that you don’t have to think about, am I right? This Igigi Zola dress in Cabernet that I got from Gwynnie Bee totally fit the bill one snowy day in Chicago. We’ve been having a ton of snowy days here…so I knew I had to bulk up on my “wear with black tights” wardrobe…that way, my legs could still have some protection and I can easily go from my bulky snow boots to my sensible heels. Gwynnie Bee was a great resource this winter to add some spice and variety to my outfits without making a long-term commitment to a black-tights wardrobe.
The modest hem length and neckline make it office-appropriate, and a nice dark wine damask print and origami-like draping add some nice detail to this everyday dress. Gwynnie Bee girls, find it here.
See the folds on the bodice? This adds some nice lines and dimension to the dress. If you’re looking for a wardrobe staple…or just a dress to take you through the end of this winter, put this one in your Gwynnie Bee closet. As a side note…I think it runs a little big, so if you’re in between, I’d size down.
Hope you’re all staying warm!
WOWZA. I found some of the cutest, sexiest, hottest bra and panty sets for curvy ladies at Intimacy here in Chicago…just in time for Valentines Day!
But these sets are not just gorgeous and sexy for plussize curves…they are functional…made of high quality materials with supportive seaming and underwires. And of course, the designs range from pin-up cute like this Elomi Betty set…to sultry little numbers like this red lace Simone Perele and royal blue Empreinte…to this sweet pink set from Chantelle.
I visited the Intimacy store at 900 N Michigan (one of 12 locations across the U.S.) and was assisted by the amazing Kristen…She’s the store manager and leads a team of fabulous Bra Fit Stylists. Intimacy prides itself on being a full service boutique, with a highly-trained staff. When you arrive for your appointment, the stylists conducts a mini consultation to determine your problem areas (like your bra straps slipping off your shoulders or underwires digging in at the armpit) and your tastes in clothes and lingerie. The stylists then go and choose different styles from their stock of 90 high-end brands in an A-K cup. They bring them to you while you relax in your room and sip some water. You feel very pampered this way, and it takes a lot of stress out of bra shopping when an expert is assisting you.
I was surprised by how many different styles I was able to try on in a short time, and Kristen explained that the stock is organized by sizes, not by style…so the stylist can see very quickly what options are available in your size and can bring you a wide selection. Kristen also provided me with a few tips for bra shopping, and I’m sharing them with you!
- First of all, you should shop for bras and lingerie in a stress-free environment where you feel comfortable. The stylists at Intimacy thoroughly know their stock and they consult with women day in and day out…women of all shapes and sizes with different stories and challenges with their bodies. They’ve seen it all and they try succeed in creating an inclusive, accepting environment where all of the customers feel comfortable.
- Pay no attention to bra sizes. If you’re like most women…you know about what size you are, and when you shop, you always look for that size, no matter what the brand or style you’re trying. But the problem with this tactic is that every brand is different…some are fuller in the cup or shorter in the straps and with different types of bands. Just because you’re a 40DD in one style, you might be a 38E in another. That’s where the expertise of a stylist really helps!
- The lifespan of a bra is about 1 year…depending on how often you where it and how you wash it. You should always hand wash your lingerie sets and hang them to dry.
- When you purchase a bra, it should fit snugly on the last set of hooks. All bands stretch–this is normal–so buying it on the last hook allows you to move inward and tighten the fit as it stretches.
So…after a thorough consultation, I had to make my choices…I ended up with this adorable Elomi Betty set…
…And this stunning, delicate lace set from Empreinte…
So…have I convinced you yet? Make an appointment at Intimacy and score some sexy delicates for Valentines Day…or everyday!
Thanks Kristen and the Intimacy team for giving me the scoop and finding me these gorgeous sets!
Plus Size Bubble Tank & Cropped JeansSeptember 24, 2024
Plus Size Fall RoundupSeptember 23, 2024
Plus Size Black Vest – 2 Ways!September 16, 2024
Plus Size Target Try OnSeptember 13, 2024
Plus Size Pink Striped DressAugust 24, 2024