OOTD: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

 Hey Hey guys!!!! So its my birthday!!! 

Somebody get the Rosé ready!!! 

This girl is bringing in her 2017 38th birthday in style!!!

I decided to go back to my old high school area  to take photos of my birthday outfit. I ended up walking around and looking back at my life in high school.

I see now how much my high school area help create my love for fashion and style.  It all started there.  Green grass, water falls and clean line architecture surrounded me and I realized just how significant they were in my choices for style.

Windows of the Met Opera House

It's been over 20 years (yep 20) and this area still moves my creative juices.  So happy that those years shaped me so well!!

I also gain from the surrounding art schools, my school fashion shows and helping with production.

My high school!!!

It was nice to take some time just before my birthday to revisit my old area.
Special thanks to Brooke for hanging out with me and snapping this photos.

OOTD DETAILS

Top and Skirt is from Jibri Designs

Shades from: Bklyn+ Boutique

THICK THIGHS SAVE LIVES: My Body Positive Story

FOR SO LONG...I was ashamed of my thighs.  I hated that they were the biggest thing on my body. No matter how I improved my self esteem, they were always the thing on my body I didn't like. Plus, being 6 ft tall my legs are the first thing people see. So having big thighs made it even harder.

As you can imagine, wearing anything short was a huge NO NO for me. If I wore a skirt, I added leggings. No matter how hot is was outside, leggings was a must.

With popularity of the maxi dress came my salvation.  My prayers was answered.  No longer would I have to wear short dresses. That was until last summer.

Last summer, my mini me saw me getting dress and asked why I was wearing a long dress on a hot day.  She said, "Just wear your skirt and a top or a shirt dress mom." I said to her, "Mom is not really proud of her legs." She look down and said "But don't you say all part of me is beautiful. So all parts of you is beautiful too." (SMART GIRL RIGHT!!!!) I gave her a huge hug with watery eyes and said thank you.

Now I realize that my think thighs are fine.  If and when I want them to be smaller slimmer then they will be but I shouldn't sacrifice my fashion for my fears.  So let the thick thighs fly!!!!
To all my fashionista..lets pledge to let one body part out this summer.

Rather its your legs, chest, upper arms, or whatever lets you think is too big.....its not.  Throw aside the leggings, cami and sweaters for the summer.

Let your thick ____ shine!!!

Outfit detail

Shirt dress: Eloquii

Shoes: Avenue

Jewelry: Stylist own

Sunglasses: Mariana Collection

photos by Matey @MGPhotograhy

Curves Rock Fashion Weekend 2016

 

For the 5th year sisters Tykesha Reed and Chanell Jones brought fashion fun and education to the Baltimore Area with the Curves Rock Fashion Weekend.

Weekend was filled with Karaoke, mixer, model competitions, work out class, panel discussion, shopping and most important, networking. 

I arrived on Saturday got semi-glam and headed to a large conference room in the Marriott Hotel in Camden Yards.   I meet with new vendors, chatted with some designers, and reconnected with some of my DC-Baltimore girls who I don't get to see too much. 

Congrats ladies for winning the Curves Rock award

After doing a little shopping (and by little I mean a lot) I headed over to the at the "Curvy women who Rock" Brunch and Panel discussion.  With a panel made up of Essie Golden, Alysse Dalessandro, Alexandra Boos and Cassy Jones McBryde, the ladies tackled issue facing the plus size industry such as fat shaming, confidence and working in the plus fashion industry.

But the cherry on the top of the B-more cake was the curvy fashion show hosted by Comedian Lonnie Bee (#goodmorninggirlfriend)
Lonnie kept the crowd excited and entertained.  You can tell this was more than just a "gig" for this Instagram sensation.  He was excited to be with us and we were excited to be here with him.  Hoe he comes back next year because he was amazing.

The fashion show opened with Crystal Diggs of  "The House of Diggnity". This designer "one & done" line is custom made. Priding herself on a one of a kind skirt the show started with a great combination of couture and graphic tees. 

When Curves Rock sponsor Ashley Stewart took the runway, you can tell the proud was much pleases with its reinvented body suits and lace cut out over the knee boots.  (hope they have an overstock of these because women were swooning)

Every year the founders find a way to give back to the Baltimore community.  This year working with Ronald McDonald house they help to make a young girls dream come true.  a young girl suffering from brain injuries, got her chance to walk in a fashion show.  How amazing is that. 

Alek Risimnic Couture

The finally of the show was designer Alek Risimnic Couture.  This designer cracked all of his looks days before Curves Fashion Week.  You would think it would be rushed but if he didn't tell I would have thought he worked on this collection for months.  The care and creativity that went into this collection was amazing and a great way to end a great show.

See below for pictures of some other collections from the fashion show. 
Also visit Curves Rock to see there amazing promo video and Curvysta for more photos

Elaine Olivia Body Contouring Garments

Thanks to founders Tykesha and Chanell for another amazing show.  Cant wait for next year!!!

photos from NEC STYLE and Curvysta Magazine

District of Curves Fashion Showcase

 Last weekend I decided to go to DC on the fly with fellow blogger Natasha, Dressing room 8, for District of Curves Fashion Showcase. I wasn't sure what the show was going to be like or what designers were showing but I wanted to see what DC has to offer in terms of plus size fashion.

We started the day covering the Modeling 101 Workshop hosted by Ausha Smith.  Ausha is the founder of Rèussir School of Modeling, Acting & Refinement and a model herself.  Models was given some simple but much needed (and sometimes forgotten) marketing and modeling tips.  Ausha was VERY hand on with each model and the was #droppinjewels (inside joke...sorry)

Side note: if you ever want to learn about modeling. runway  I would suggest her school as your choice.

I saw these model walk and can tell they worked hard.  I looked at a few of these girls and saw serious model material. From a woman who watched models for a large portion of her career, that is saying a lot.  After seeing these models, I was excited to see them rock that DC runway. 

At the show, we met up with some other bloggers, models, designers and we had an amazing time before the show dancing to Prince and having a serious blogger party!!!!

With Crystal Diggs,  LaTonya BubblestheSocialite Mann, KT-Lex Baker 
Love you ladies!!! Throw my duces up!!!

Now THE fashion....

Over all I really enjoyed myself and DC Fashion Showcase.  I will defiantly be making this trip again. This is a show I am very happy I did not miss.

Photos provided by M. Amstrong photography