WHY I LOVE KIMONOS

I don't know influence from Andre Leon Tally and his caftans but I LOVE Kimonos. I wear them everywhere and ANY where.   I could be chilling around my Brooklyn apartment cooking, writing or watching TV and will have one on.  They are just the bee's knees and they look good no matter what. 
I now have 5 and can you believe I'm still looking to add 5 more before summer starts? Yes you can say obsessed but if Fairy Godfather Tally can do it so can I! My collection ranges from an authentic Japanese Kimono to a thrift store find! The great thing is that they all look good no matter the price. 

Take this one I am wearing for example.  A friend of mine IG'ed about it so I electronically sent her the money and ask her to buy me one.  (technology being used for the greater good of fashion...yes!!!) At a total cost of about 20 bucks you cant beat that right?

Besides the price, I love them for other reasons.  One, this is about as boohoo as my classic style can get.  Two, they're a quick and easy was to add color to my outfit. Three, they fit easy in my bag so I carry them for cold air condition train or cooler nights.   Finally, the style gets to instantly oomph up a bland outfit. 3

SUMMER '18 SWIMSUIT: Jessica Milagros for Boutique+

Recently I had the opportunity to join JCPenney & Jessica Milagros in celebrating the launch of the first-ever Boutique+ Swim collection.  

                                                                     

JCPenney expanded its plus size private label brand, Boutique+, to include swimwear that fits and flatters curvy silhouettes. This first collection was in collaboration with Jessica Milagros, the first plus size Latina model to land a national campaign with JCPenney.

Sitting pool size with fellow plus size beauties, while it was still freezing temperatures outside, was a refreshing and welcoming change.  Through eating, drinking, toasting and conversation we got a chance to see the amazing collection that Jessica has put together.  

I love that the sizing of the swimwear was generious and the colors were very flattering.  Being top heavy, I sometimes find suits that fit my top but is too big for my bottom or vice versa.  

But with this collection, I did not have that problem.  

I also loved all of the patterns and colors that were available in two AND one piece suits.  

Here are a few more suits I am in love with.

The Boutique+ Swim collection is available exclusively at jcpenney.com and in select stores now.

BLOGGER NYC STAY-CATION: GIRLS TRIP HIGH TEA

 After a nights rest from the first day of our vacation (see blogger stay-cation day 1) we headed to the city for brunch.  As we're all bloggers, you know we had to do Start our second day off big right?

In car makeup came out really good

Sunday high tea and brunch at the illustrious Alice's Tea Cup II....that's a great way to start!!!
First, a little about Alice's Tea Cup. The atmosphere is great for conversation, laughter and some fun. Growing up I never watch Alice In Wonderland (the basis for the restaurant) but my blogger boos set me strait so I would understand the restaurant theme more.  I was the only one mad because the tea cups and plates didn't match.  I know better now.  I loved the quaintness of the restaurant (if you can even call it that) and the atmosphere was amazing.   Plus you may get a celebrity citing.  Don't forget this is the location for movies such as "Trainwreck" so you never know when Amy Schumer or Scarlett Johansen will walk by your table and say hello (second part really happened).

via GIPHY

The food at Alice's Tea Cup was amazing too. The food was just AMAZING!!! Our three tier brunch of finger sandwiches, scones plus omelets and three different kinds of tea was perfect for a Sunday brunch.  Not to mention some tea infused drinks that were the perfect topper.

My brunch was looking right!!!!

Everyone brunch was good too!!! 

After brunch what comes next....photos.

We took photos in our Sunday best.  Had a complements all through the streets and we snapped away.  How great we looks and ANOTHER celebrity citing and complement from Jerry Seinfeld.  Thanks to Eloquii, were we able to really show our fashionable Sunday wear.  I love that we all decided to wear color, patterns and designs to show how girls of all size can wear any pattern or color.  We range from 10-28, traditional to sporty, tall to short with all different body types but I have to say we looked really good today.  Here are photos from the day.

Special shout out to our Sponsor Eloquii and Alice's Tea Cup for an amazing day.

Details to purchase my dress is in the outfit detail below.

Stay tuned for the end of our stay-cation coming soon.

Outfit Details

Dress: Eloquii

Shoes: Ashley Stewart

Bag: Prada

sponsored post. 

sponsorship does not affect opinions of this blog post

OOTD: WHITE MAXI DRESS

HAPPY MONDAY STYLISTAS!!!

August is coming to an end but not before a few more hot summer days and cooler nights before this Summer comes to a close.  We have a whole lot more to fun in the sun outfits don't we? This summer has been a hot one but I've kept cool with some great fashion choices and by celebrated them all.

White dresses are still the coolest and best thing to wear hot days and I LOVE a white dress.
This maxi dress is one of my favorite.  Granted being 6 feet tall I have a hard time purchasing maxi dresses but this one was long enough.  I bought just in time to wear a few more warm days of summer.

Chilling on the pier can get a bit windy so, I added a shear colorful scarf to drape over my arms as the sun went down and the winds picked up.

Kept my makeup simple with a dewy face and pale lip. Love this makeup with its warm out.  Looks like I've been kiss by the sun right?
 

I sat on the pier and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing and kids flying their kites (and yes Marry Poppins "Fly a Kite" did pop into my head). What a great summer day with a great summers outfit.


Oh and by the way...here are a few other dresses that are perfect for summer from the same retailer. 

What has been your favorite white dress of Summer16?  Share your look in the comments below.

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN

Dress & Belt: Ashley Stewart

Scarf: Coral & Co. Australia

PHOTOGRAPHER: ARTNLEE

MY SWIM SUIT STORY- PART II

#MYSWIMBODY campaign by Swimsuitforall made me want to share another swimsuit story.
Most recently I attended The Golden Confidence pool party but never got a chance to take photos without my cover up.  Seeing that this swim campaign is all about no cover-ups I thought I'd break this two piece out on the beaches of NYC.

I recently wrote a blog post about the one piece swimsuit and how it made a comeback this summer but I cant deny the sexiness of the two piece suit.  I myself never bought a two piece but recognize that they can be very liberating and sexy. With that notion I decided that this year will be two piece swim summer for me.  Did I bucket list a swimsuit? ...yes I did.

As the swimsuit season started I shopping around and tried on a few suits.  Me being a size 24-26 the pickings were slim.  I guess even plus size retailers don't think the size 24/26 market would buy a two piece but I guess that's another blog post.

Anyway, I tired on a few two piece and found the same problem over and over again.  Even when I did find two piece that came in my size, they just didn't fit correct.  They made me feel sloppy not sexy. They didn't have enough coverage, support, or was just too plain for my taste.

Then I stepped in this two piece from the Liv Collection from Lane Bryant. It was love at first try.  Not only did it support my bust (which was the biggest fail of most two pieces) but it was playful and colorful.  It covered but I still felt sexy.  I didn't feel like at any moment I would fall out or the band on the bottoms would roll down.  In short...it was perfect.

Stylistas, I cant tell you how happy I was when I put this on.  I when through so much when I put on this bathing suit.  Joy and happiness yes but also a sense of relief because I didn't have to search anymore.

I WAS DONE!!!!

I've heard of a few bloggers complaining that Lane Bryant doesn't do this or doesn't do that....but honestly, they are the one retailer that has never let me down.  They made my two piece dreams come true and for that I say thank you. +

OUTFIT DETAILS

Bathing Suit: LIVI by Lane Bryant

Shade: ShadesLA

UNFORTUNATELY THE SUIT IM MODELING HAS SOLD OUT 

HERE IS ANOTHER TWO PIECE THAT I TRIED ON THAT WAS AMAZING 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE. NOW 30% OFF

Photographer: Art-n-Lee

Location Scout & Assistant: LaTonya Bradley

OOTD: WATER SUN & MAXI SKIRTS

The only place I can be in the summer heat is by water and the only thing I can wear are maxi skirts.
This skirt has been my lifesaver. This flowing soft material of this floor length high waist skirt is all I need this summer.

The movement of the shirt is amazing

 Paired with my soft no sleeve (who has time for sleeves) top,  I can't go wrong.

OUTFIT DETAIL

SKIRT: JIBRI

TOP: LANE BRYANT

SANDALS: LANE BRYANT

Jewlery Stylist Own

Photographed by ArtNLee

SUMMER SHADES FEAT. MIRINA COLLECTIONS SHADES

SUMMER TIME!!!!

Summer calls for a lot of things.  Sun screen, tank tops, short and my beloved shades.  This post is dedication to all the big, beautiful, full face women out there.  \It also doubles as a guide on picking sunglasses to fit any face shape. The size of the celebrity face used may not be as yours, but you get the idea.

Hear Face-Aviators Shades

This trendy shape has been going strong for some years but has been updated to lighter colors and reflective lends

For full collection of Aviators from Marina Collection click here 

Oval Face- Cat Eye Shades
Cat eye really works for most face shapes but round to oval faces look amazing in these shades.  Play with metalic mixes and 1/2 frames to make each look different.



see full collection of cat eye from Marina by clicking here

Round Face - Rectangular Shades
I go with over sized rectangular frames most of the time (like the Olsen twins).
Its the most stylish shape for round faces.

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                   see full collection of cat eye from Marina by clicking here

Square Face-Round Shades

Beyoncé  is constantly seen in  oversize circle frames because it fits her face shape best. That being said  the trendiest of cuts feature pearls, reflective and frames built round the frame.



               see full collection of cat eye from Marina by clicking here

The truth is you can try anyone of these cuts on your face shape.  What's important is right size for your face. 

In promotion with Mirina Collection purchase $75 or more and receive free shipping PLUS all my reader receive 20% off first purchase.  Just insert code saf149 at checkout