OOTD:THANK YOU & CAPE COAT

Happy Monday stylistas!!! Hope you had a great holiday.  Hope you were with family, friends and love ones.  I wish most of you had the a chance to let them know how thankful you are for them. 

I spend my holiday with my immediate family and didn't go out as much.  Spent most of my time starting my final project (did I mention I'm getting my Masters).

I am so very thankful for 2016.  Not so much for everything that happened in the word but for my personal accomplishments.  I made great strides in my blog but I'm VERY grateful to friends who have stood by me during this crazy year.  It's not an easy life being so busy but for the people who stand by me I say thanks you!!! I couldn't do it without the late night texting, facetime or the occasional meetup when I've gone dark too long.
Also a special thank you to my mini me.  She is my support and my reason for doing it all.  She recognize where we are and where we want to me and is patient as ever when I say "not right now." I couldn't have ask for a better, more understanding, 11 year old gamer.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.   

Now back to fashion....

The weather is getting colder so the cape coat came out.  I paired this heather grey coat with a blush pink hat jeans and booties. Even though you cant see it too much, I had a blush sweater under my cape. For makeup I kept it simple with a berry lip. 

That's it!!! And shoutout to the hipster Brooklyn women who complemented me on my cape coat.  this is why I love Brooklyn...they never scared to throw a complement from across the street and for that...THANK YOU!!! 

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Cape: Avenue

Hat: Lane Bryant

Jeans: Torrid

Bootie: Avenue

photo by: Art-in-Lee

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS I LOVE AND SO WILL YOU

HEY STYLISTAS, Or should I say Save-istas

There is nothing more stylish then a woman who knows her sales!!!!
I've research, pre-load my carts, and wrote down all of my Black Friday deals that I MUST take advantage of.

Take note!!!
Here are some that I'm looking forward too, you should you...

Eloquii

Everything online will be 50% off .  Plus, there holiday line for 50% off is a steal. Click HERE to start saving.

CVS

YES...CVS! I get small gifts, chocolate boxes, toys, and Christmas stocking suffers this time.  You must be a CVS extra care member to get most of these deals advertised.  If you play your game right you can walk out of there with free items.  So pop into CVS (they are open on Thanksgiving) to get some free candy and free water for when your standing in line for other deals!!

Chick HERE to see more deals.

JIBRI

This is my fave designer (as most of you know).  So anything I can get for 50% off is just what I need.  A jibri pants for 55-60 bucks!!!! Such a steel  Click HERE to find deals

JONQUEL ART STUDIO

Jonquel is known as the plus size artist and her recent collection of re-imagine Disney character has been a major talk in the media.  Her collection of prints, skins and wall art can be purchase at 20% off  Click HERE to shop her store.  

YONA NEW YORK

YONA maybe one of the new designers on the block but they understand how to give a great Black Friday Deal.  BOGO Free will make each about 75-100.  For a private plus line that is amazing!!!!  Click HERE to start saving on YONA

BOOHOO

No need to say any more than 60% off for me to jump all over this deal.  They carry plus size but also menswear as well.  You can get your Christmas gift giving started today.  Click HERE to shop

Lane Bryant

WHAT ISN'T ON SALE HERE!!!! LOL

They have BOGO $5 for clearance, 40% off purchase plus a different discount item every day!!!! Cray right??? Click HERE to see more see more discounts.

Rite Aid

Again I know what your saying but I LOVE shopping at Rite Aid.  With coupons, reward points and sales I should walk out the store paying zero.   If you follow my on SNAPCHAT I plan to show all of my savings.  Click HERE to see all the deals from Rite Aid.

Society +

Society plus already started their Black Friday AND they have add a whole slew of new products for winter.   Can you smell the argyle!!!

Click HERE to shop and save.

OOTD: LETS TRY THIS AGAIN!!!

Happy Friday Stylistas!!!!

Last year I wore this wrap sweater in an outfit post explaining how not all outfit are hits.
Lets just say the outfit wasn't the best I could have done.  (To see the other outfit click HERE). 

As I was turning over my closet for the winter I found this wrap and decided to try it out again.  This time I build the outfit around the sweater using the same color scheme but better execution. 

This outfit of the day is to mend an outfit gone bad. 

For this outfit I thought to just KISS it.  Sweater dress with beautiful sweater heels and shades.  Nothing fancy.

Makeup is where I did a bit more. Instead of orange shades, as I did with the first outfit (don't ask just....don't ask) I decided to add some contrasting colors on my lip with Maybelline Vivid Matt lipstick in fall orange. 

I'm not the one to brag but ....

NAILED IT!!!

OOTD DETAILS

 Dress: Old Navy

Sweater: Thrift store find

Shoes: Avenue

Shades: Christian Siriano

TOP TRENDS IN PLUS COATS 2016

The temperature is falling fast and I have been shopping for a new coat.  there are some fantastic trending winter coats out there.  so much, I'm having a hard time choosing one!!! my research wont be in vain.  I decided to share what my stylistas trends in plus size coats

Enjoy!!!

TREND: SHEARLING

Lane Bryant Sweater Coat

I like this coat for days that are not too cold and I want to show off my outfit. 

TREND: GRAPHIC FUR

Lane Bryant

TREND: SPRING-HAPPY SHADES

both from Eloquii

I love wearing color in the winter.  if you do too, then this is the trend for you. 

TREND: OVERSIZED & Drama

Full Beauty

Lane Bryant

I'm more partial to this Trend for 2016.  Maybe its because I think it will be a colder winter but I also love the exaggeration of a long swinging coat.  i can wear it open, on the shoulder or close.  Most I see are in black but but a few designer carry some in color. 

TREND: crazy capes

Both from Eloquii

McCarthy Seven7 Collection

Trend: Cold weather Accessories

Hot hats, cool color gloves, wide printed scarfs.  You name it...its out there.  The key is this trend is to not over do it. I put everything on then take one thing off.

#OOTD HALF SKIRT

Good Monday to all my stylista!!!!

Hope you all had a great weekend.  With all that has happened over the past week to America, life is starting to not feel so numb. 
As we all get back to normal I have to get back to what I love.  I love fashion and showing that style can have any size.  With this in mind, lets get back to my outfits of the day. 



I love this half skirt so much.  It an amazing pattern and at first I wish I could get it as a full skirt.  But when you wear a 1/2 skirt you get the fun and playfulness of a skirt but can also get something else going on with the other side.  For this look I paired it with high slacks but I could see me wearing this with a body con dress as well.

I kept my makeup fresh and lips dark for the fall temperature.  I really wanted my dark lips to be the highlight of my face.

It feels good to get back to business as usual and work on the thing that I can actually change.  That is helping other see that style comes in all sizes

OUTFIT DETAIL

Crop Top: Jibri

Pants: Torrid

1/2 Skirt: BGU

Shoes: Ashley Stewarts

photos by: Art-n-Lee

#BLOGGERS FOR BLACK LIVES: THE BLACK WOMAN

(I wrote this post days before the election) 

 We came out, voted and now we have a elected president.

 Congratulations to president elect _______ (Please don't let it be Trump).

Have you heard the expression  "Black on a Friday?"  This expression means that a cop will stop, frisked, jail,  shoot and or kill for no other reason than you being black.  It's something the black community thrown around to deal with police brutality in our neightborhoods.  With so much turmiol in 2015-2016 when it came to racial inequality and police brutality, this antitote became something that the whole word got an upclose look at. 

 

Growing up in one of the "worst" neighborhoods in Brooklyn, police harassment and brutality was witnessed almost everyday.  I've had boyfriends, nefews, brothers, nieces and friends both male and female, put in jail for no reason other than they were black.  Thrown in a holding cell over night with no other reason or changed with any crime.  The holding was nothing but a scare tactic to them and even worst to the their families.  Can you picture being in a cell and not knowing why you are there.  Can you image being the family of a person locked up and not told why they are there or when they are getting out.  FEAR is, and will always be, the most lethal weapon of the black community. 

One night not knowing where anyone of you family is and if they will come home alive is not only scary but torture.  The terrible thing is, when its done over and over again it feels like an old wound being reopened.   The fear of jail or death was a CONSTANT scary thing that was so constant I unfortunatly became numb too.  

People often ask how Philando Castile, 32yr old man shot in his car with his girlfriend and child, girlfriend remained so calm.  My theory is the same reason why I became numb to hearing another love one was jailed.  You realize as the black woman you have to remain calm or you too will be gone and who will take care of the children left behind. 

Now  in 2016, after the election of a Black President, that discrimination from the people paid to protect blacks is NOW an issue being broadcast on TV and social media. But for me I have alway had that front row seat to the brutality and have ALWAYS FIGHT THE POWERS THAT BE...

My friend and "Shero" Chardline, Plus Size Beausion, ask me to be apart of the movement Bloggers for Black Lives.  I agreed without hesitation. #Bloggersforblacklives comes together in solidarity, and all black.  We stand up in the fight against public police and goverment officals treating minorities (including black women) as sub citizens. We deem it unconstitutional and NOT acceptable. 

  
Dressed in my all black (and sneakers because I'm way too Brooklyn) I took pictures with my neighborhood as my background.  The grafitti that was said to put my neighborhood as a target, I use as the background to show the beauty in my city.  (Now you know why I always take photos in front of murals and wall art).  The dirty is not fashionable and my neighborhood is now in"transition" but what hasn't changed is police harassment and brutality. 

I will always stand and fight in my own way.

I will support my black own companies (specially black women).  I will continue to speak to girl about self esteem and mental health.  Watch over my family/friend  and educate them on economic independence, the importance of money and the power in it.  Support and visit my local government officials so they know, yes I'm here and I will be watching you. 

  I'm also standing, with pride might I add,  with my fellow bloggers in the movement. I encourage you to do the same.  Here are some other bloggers who have join.  Check them out

#Bloggersforblacklives

"Thorton P." Thorton Paul
"Phat Girl Fresh" Maui Bigelow
"Ready to Stare"Alysse Dalessandro

"Chardline Faiteau" Plus Size Beausion
Kavah King "Gentlemen Curb"

"Natalia Lilly" Beauty Beyond Curves

What I'm wearing...

Dress: Yona NY

Leather Jacket: Lane Bryant

Necklace: Mirina Collections

Backpack: Target

Sneakers: Phillip Lim
#Bloggersforblacklives

OOTD: BLUE & YELLOW/ LEATHER & TULLE

Happy Friday Stylistas!!!

Hope all is well and you have a fun weekend planned.  My outfit of the day is inspired by on of the first outfits I posted of myself a year ago.  I was supper nervous about that first outfit post and wasn't sure if it was right. 

So glad that I did it because it was so right.....

Moto jackets have been my obsession this fall.  They are great and can wear with almost everything.  I decided to keep everything simple and let these colors shine through. 

Paired with gold link necklace for shine and some matching ballet flats and it was a good. 

OOTD Details

Shirt Jacket and Jewelry: Ashley Stewart

Shoes: Lane Bryant

Shirt: Thrift store find

 

 photo by: Artnlee

Penny Loves Kenny® COLLECTION @THE AVENUE

AVENUE is the first place that I turned to when I need shoes that are comfortable, fashionable and affordable. Avenue has added a new Holiday shoe collection called Penny Loves Kenny® Collection.  

The collection include pompom heels, sparkle flats, bright color boots and shirring boots.  

 I am so in love with this collection.  Its perfect for the holidays and a great way to top off your holiday outfit.  PLUS it comes up to a size 13 wide.  Prices range from $59-$99.50.  

 Here are a few from the collection I love (and you may see on the blog soon). 

 

To shop the full collection click HERE.  

This week they are having a BOBO 50% on the shoes so get your shoe on today!!!