Thanks bunches!

It's been a while since I posted on this blog.  It's mainly because life has been so busy the past few weeks--I started a writing/blogging/marketing/social media job for a natural skin care and makeup line back in April and I've been busy with my own primary blog.  Plus, as you know I have two kiddos and a household to run so I've just been busy.

I need to take a break from this blog for a bit until I have more time.

I thank you so much for following along with this little blog! I look forward to connecting again one day in the future to talk about curvalicious fashion!

Va Va Voom!

Just because you're a curvy girl does not mean you need to head to be in a pair of sweats and baggy t shirt. Trust me. Part of embracing your curves is feeling good about yourself--you're beautiful and you deserve to look and feel that way.

Are you thinking, "But wearing something frilly is out of my comfort zone" or "It's just too cold to skip flannel pjs" ? I challenge you to wear something that says Va Va Voom for one weekend. This is your assignment. I know it can be hard. It is so cold this time of year in Upstate New York. I myself have my own favorite Nick and Nora jammies that keep me warm and toasty. Go out of your comfort zone for just one weekend. Wear something girly, something to make you feel glam and sexy.

At the end of your experiment with wearing something other than big jammies that cover you up, notice any changes in your mood and self esteem levels.

Things we adore:

Tap set from Hips & Curves

$24.95

The Ponte d'esprit babydoll by Cacique

$44.50

Chemise from Glamorose

$43.50

casual. chic.

I told you not long ago about my favorite new shrug from Fashion to Figure. FTF is a great shop online and in select areas featuring clothing for sizes 12-26. If you're like me and typically find your clothes in the Misses section, please consider FTF as you may be pleasantly surprised at the fit. I love their clothes and they are cut for the curvy woman. If you generally wear plus sizes, you also must check out this brand because they will cater to your curves as well.

Anyway, I have this great shrug and I love it. I wear it with a black tank or on extra cold days, over a fitted long sleeve black tee. Today I decided to follow my own rule of going outside my comfort zone to try something totally new. I wear jeans on most weekdays and typically go for a dark wash trouser or flare leg cut. The wider leg balances my wider hips. I decided to take advantage of a 40% offer I had for Avenue. Sometimes I can wear a 14 in their jeans. Jeans are so tricky for me. I am a 12 in Not Your Daughter's Jeans and most trouser cuts. I need a 14 at Old Navy. Sometimes those even seem snug. My hips get in the way sometimes....or the waist is just way too big. I have to try, try, try.

We have an Avenue nearby and I decided to stop in there. I found these super cute jeans on the clearance and tried them on. I remembered seeing a 40% online offer, so ended up ordering online today. Now, these are not my typical style. They are boyfriend fit, are slouchy and also have a narrower leg.  I thought they'd look awful and I was actually wrong. These will look cute with a ballet flat and my Fashion to Figure shrug. Add some bracelets and a pop of color, and you'll be effortlessly chic in no time. Here's the look:

Shrug is from Fashion to Figure for $22

Art 2 Wear slim boyfriend jeans from  Avenue $14.96 (use your Visa and coupon code JLA4030 to save another 40%)

Clutch from Let's Glam Up, $21.50

Ballet flats from White House Black Market for $88 (of course, you can find similar ones at a lower price elsewhere if you look!)

{friday's fashion file: a pretty weekend look}

There is something fun about the poncho.  When I was 5, I had a blue, white, and pink poncho that my mom used got for me. I remember wearing it with a corduroy skirt, tights, and brown leather clogs. Now, 30 years later, I am loving them again.

I lucked out the other day at the local Salvation Army thrift shop. I found a stunning fuchsia angora poncho. It was $2.61 with tax. It is warm, yet light, and it looks swell paired with dark denim and a fitted black long sleeved tee underneath. The poncho will cover a multitude of flaws--from the dreaded muffin top to a large chest. When draped properly, it can actually help create a lovely silhouette.

I found a pretty one at Faith 21 as well to show you. I've put it with some other budget-friendly finds that will give you a great weekend look, or for busy moms like me, and everyday look.

Shopping List:

Poncho from Faith 21, $24.80

Jeans are from Fashion to Figure, $40

Bracelet from Etsy's Heaven for Bead, $12

{Welcome!}

Since I shared my thoughts with you the other day on my blog, Chic & Green, about shopping when you're an "average" sized woman, I received several emails from readers who have the same feelings.

I have long been pondering a new project relating to styles for real women and after seeing so many women around me being nit picky over their bodies, I decided to create The Embrace Your Curves Project.

How many of you have looked in the mirror in the fitting room and thought to yourself, "Oh, this will look perfect when I lose five more pounds." Or perhaps you can think back to being in the fitting room trying on bathing suits and being extra hard on yourself. Maybe you fall into the cycle I sometimes do. I remember trying on bathing suits this summer and the routine would be something like this:

"Wow! You're down to a size 12. The last time you tried on a bathing suit, you were a 16." So my inner voice gave me that praise for my hard work. And then, snarky Karley would come into play, "Well, you may be a size 12, but you still have wide hips and a couple bumpy patches on the backs on those thighs. Maybe you should lose a few more pounds before wearing that suit out in public."

Have you been there before? I think most of us have. I have a friend who has three young children. She is a beautiful person inside and out and is so self-critical. We can get together on any given day and talk about how we baked cookies and then we beat ourselves up for being at a weight loss plateau. I know many of my friends and I will do this. I think it is common. Instead of cheering ourselves on for losing weight, being healthy, and getting regular exercise, we find some little thing to criticize.

It is time to stop being our own worst critics. It's also time for fashion magazines to get real. I read In Style, for example, faithfully. I can pretty much guarantee you that the average readership of fashion magazines is not 5'11 and a size 2. If I could open a magazine and see beautiful, real women on every page in all shapes, ages, and sizes, I would be thrilled. Some of the most gorgeous women in Hollywood have curves and aren't toothpicks. They have curves and look healthy:

Queen Latifah

Sarah Rue

Khloe Kardashian

Christina Hendricks from "Mad Men"

America Ferrera

Sarah Ramizrez

Camryn Manheim

At the Embrace Your Curves Project, I have ten affirmations for you:

1. I love myself for who I am.

2. I am a beautiful woman.

3. My curves are beautiful, not something to be ashamed of.

4. I will not focus on the size tag, but rather on how my clothing fits.

5. I will not try to hide my figure in too big, unflattering clothes.

6. I will not shop based on the size I might be in 6 weeks, but for the beautiful woman I am today.

7. I will not pass by an item and say, "Oh I could never wear that." You just may be able to!

8. I will respect my body and treat it with love. I will eat healthfully and exercise, but I will splurge from time to time.

9. I will set a good example for my children and not put myself down. Children are sponges. If they hear you saying, "I look fat today", especially if you have a daughter, they might start doubting themselves.

10. I will see my curves in a positive light. They are feminine and beautiful, as am I!