MY GRADUATION OUTFIT IDEA...NEED YOUR HELP

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!! This week I am graduating with my Masters in Fashion Merchandising and what a experience I've had.  Being in my 30's, and out of school for over 10 years, I was so scared that I couldn't do it.  I wondered if I would even be accepted let alone do a term paper?
I had to learn all over again but through the help of the LIM family I made it through.  Thank God I never have to read a text books again!!  Now that my thesis and projects are all done and the robe is pressed the next question of course is.....WHAT TO WEAR?

Just because I'm wearing a robe doesn't mean I didn't put some serious thought into what I will be wearing.
This is a major mild stone for me and I want to look my best. As well as looking good, I want to feel confident and comfortable while being plus size.  I cant say that being plus doesn't weighs on my choices but I do recognize that I represent the community to the fullest extent.  Cant show up with a skirt too short or pants to small. Fashion Master like that....I think not!!!

 With this in mind I have put together some ideas for my graduation outfit. Maybe you can use them to or share with another plus size graduate searching for her perfect outfit.  But mostly, I NEED YOUR HELP.
Help me decide which one to wear?

Outfit 1: All over white

All over white usually means that something is going down.  Since white goes with formal wear I thought this white jumpsuit from Lane Bryant would look great for graduation.  With my robe being dark it would be the best in high low contrast and really make me stand out.   Since the robe is long and the pants are long, I want to pair this with a low block heel from Torrid.  I love the print in the heel and as I am fashion student it gives the look a little fashion edge.

Outfit 2: Power (Pink) Suit

YES I love pink and this suit from Eloquii has been sitting in my closet calling my name.  With the wild swings in weather in NYC these last few weeks I wasn't sure if I ever get a chance to wear this suit.  Well the weather is going to be on the cooler side the day of Graduation so maybe its time to break out the pink power suit.
Since wearing the same color/pattern all over has become a huge trend this season it would be fashionable yet business like.  A heel while waiting in line is not something I would want to do on this day so I will pair the suit with strappy black sandals.
I think these makes for a great kick off to stepping up my fashion career don't you think?

Outfit 3: Casual Blues

Not sure how I feel about being too casual but love the idea of being comfortable.  Because these Allie Ankle pants have such a beautiful pattern and the shirt is a great color on my I think this outfit could work out under my robe.  Once graduation is over, I can add a bomber jacket to finish the look.
With a outfit this casual I will have to bump up the shoes to a heel.  To keep it comfortable block denim heels from Ashley Stewart keep in with the theme of casual, comfortable and fashionable.

Outfit 4: Maxi Floral

It's Spring time so of course I want to wear a long flowing floral dress.  These selections from SheIn were only $20-25 each so of course I purchased both.  I plan to wear flat sandals as my shoes wont be seen too much and I'm tall.

So which one should I wear!!!! Check out my Instagram (nec_style) to find out which one you guys picked and which one I picked.

And to all my 2018 Graduates....Congratulations.  We did it!

                        
                        via GIPHY

OOTD: SUMMER BREEZE....

Nothing says summer like a yellow & lace.  This summer dress brings both together.



I love a fit and flair dress just as much as the next fashioninsta so when I saw this dress I had to try it on.
I did not have to go up in size and the straps were adjustable to fit my shorter upper body.  With the floral applique floral jacket and some wedges and I was ready to go.

I traded in my normal studs for flamingos (great way to add some playfulness to the outfit)

Top off with some rose gold sun glasses and im all set.

OOTD Details

Dress: Ashley N. Tipton Collection @ JCPenny's

Jacket: Ashley N. Tipton Collection @ JCPenny's 

Shoes: Torrid

Sunnies: BKYN+ Boutique 

OOTD: SPRING FLORAL & LACE

Something about floral and lace that always makes my day.  I don't know what it is but when I wear this lace top I end up having a really good time!!! There were so many laughs and giggles in between photos and I ended up having a good time and some really good shots. 

While shooting this outfit with my friend and photographer I realized why I loved this outfit so much. Its the perfect combination of sweet and sexy.  The lace top covers but is see through enough that I feel sexy in it. I could have easily worn this outfit with out the jacket but the cut of it is so great it skims over my body and creates a great silhouette.  

OUTFIT DETAIL

CROP TOP: MONIF C.

SKIRT: LANE BRYANT

JACKET: LANE BRANT

SHOES: ASHLEY STEWART

PHOTOS BY MGPHOTO

#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

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

OOTD: BLACK, WHITE PINK + INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY

HEY STYLISTAS!!!!

I KNOW....I KNOW....

Its been a while since I did an outfit of the day post but I was so focus on getting my Instagram celebration on the way that I didn't take time to take photos of all the fab outfits that you guys love.

For this post I'm also celebrating my 10,000 followers on Instagram.   I wanted to  kept the colors in line with the N.E.C Style colors. I decided to come back with my new favorite designer, Christian Ciriano. This cape is LIFE!!! I've worn it before and every time people ask me where I got it from.
I paired the cape jacket with white jeans and a pink top. 
Minimal on the jewelry and makeup.  Just wanted this jacket to stand out on its own.

I wanted to celebrate with you all in me reaching this goal.  I can not thank you, the stylistas, enough.  I have worked really hard to reach this goal and I hope that I take this to the next level with you all.  I wanted to give a little back by sharing some of my favorite things from the past year.

So, with some amazing sponsors I have put together serval giveaway's for the next few weeks. 
We have kicked off out giveaway with Callio Fragrance which is a natural perfume line owned and operated right out of NY. Some other giveaway's include, Mary Kay, Lane Bryant, Yona NY, Cameo De Bore and many many more.  I hope that you all join in on this celebration.  Get in and share some of this free stuff!!!!

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Cape: C. Siriano for Lane Bryant

Jeans: Ashley Stewart

Top: Torrid

Boots: Avenue

photos by:artnlee

4 WAYS TO REACH "STYLISTA" STATUS

The road to being a stylish is not always easy. Fashion magazines, celebrities even other style bloggers can lead you down the wrong path into the dreaded land of  "TRENDY" (DA-DA-DON)

Don't worry...mamma Nant. is here for my Stylistas.

As you guys may have notice, I call the people who read my blog "Stylistas".  I don't like the word "FANS" (I am no one to have fans). I like "stylistas" because you are stylish or on you way to becoming stylish. For those of you who are already stlyish., use this as a check point.  For the girls with closets FILLED with clothing never to be worn and not sure of you stylista status....here is a quick way to know your Stylist Status.

WE SEE YOU LOOKING!!!

1. DISCOVER your fifteen
THE FIFTEEN are 15 items in your closet that you CAN NOT live without. People tend to wear 15 key items the most out of all the other items in there closet.  The rest complement the 15 so it doesn't seem like they are wearing the same stagnant items (even though they are). Stylistas know there 15 and spend quality money on those items.  It maybe your classic black leather jacket (that's me!!!) or a pair of comfortable yet stylish heels. Every Stylista knows her fifteen .


2. NEVER and I do mean NEVER wear things that don't fit.
In my younger years, I wore things that were too big in order to be the dreaded TRENDY (DA-DA DON).  I still remembering my baggy pant of 1993....shutter. Now I cant imagine putting on something too large or for that matter too small. A Stylistas knows how things should fit her body and has a tailor on hand who can hem, take in a waist or take it out without ruining the fabric.  I love my tailor and known him for over 10 yrs.  I've even eaten with his family as I waited for a skirt to be taken in and picked up a love for Rugby.

What about if  I fluctuate in weight?

No problem.  You just need two sets of THE FIFTEEN.  One for your heaviest and lighter weight.  Don't let weight stop you from being Stylish. 

REMEMBER... "Live your life at any size!!!"

3. ALWAYS take care of you clothing

Remember when moms had you change out your school clothes and hang them up to "air out"? Consider that your first Stylista lesson. (THANKS MOM!!!!)

Airing your garments before putting them away is a great way to protect your garments.

Come home, take off your heels and  toss them in a corner...NEVER

Take off your dress and let it fall to the floor UMMMM.....NO!!!

Stylista's take pride in your garments because she knows their worth.  Plus, would anything you care about be on the floor  (CHILD PLEASE)

4. NEVER follow Trends because well....its a Trend!
In the world of trend report, social media and being in one day and out the next, Stylista's doesn't waist their  hard earned cash on Trends.
I'm not saying she doesn't wear trends..she just doesn't spend loads of money on it.  Tends are what the H&M/Zarah of the world is for.  Low cost trendy items that we can wear for a season are a great way to try a trend and see if it works in your closet.    (I just wish more of us understood that).

"Dresses for yourself...not anyone else" 

Now that you know your way to stylista status, I hope your ready for this stylish fall fashion N.E.C. Style is about to give you.
I KNOW I AM!!!

ILLUSTRATION: JONQUELART

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

OOTD: SPRING FLORAL DRESS

HEY GIRL HEY!!!!
It was a struggle to get the sun to shine over NYC for a few weeks.  My mood kind of fell off so taking pictures while its cloudy or rainy was not exciting to me. I felt more like London in fall then New York in Spring.  So much rain it was hard to accept it was spring.

Was so thankful for the sun coming out that my floral A-line dress HAD to go on.

When I got this dress I thought it would be great for Mothers Day (incase my Mini had somewhere she wanted us to go)  but it also reminded me of 60's housewives.  So I decided to keep the makeup simple but go with a bold fire red lipstick.

I love the print and the vibrant color. The size was a bit too big but fixe that right up by taking the advice of a very smart designer Robert E. Knight, and added a thin belt. S

Spring calls for cooler evening so I always keep my leather draped just in case.

OUTFIT DETAILS

Total outfit from Ashley Stewarts