One of my favorite Instagram Holidays has to be March 6th — National Dress Day! It’s a celebration of my signature piece of clothing.
But a beautiful dress is only the beginning. It’s the women that wear them that change the world.
So whether you’re feeling daring, flirty, bold, structured and sophisticated or dramatic there is a dress out there to bring out what you already have inside.
I love the newest pretties from Lane Bryant that bring all the feels and more.
My signature silhouette is a classic fit and flare but with different fabrics I can still create different vibes, relax or more structured. For instance, this gorgeously bold pink ruffle midi dress.
It encompasses the fit and flare structure with a covered elastic waist that fans out to a flowy handkerchief hem. The material is relaxed, textured and gives movement that adds subtle drama when I move.
I’ve finally found a cropped wide leg jean that looks great on my body and you’ll never guess where I got them from?
Okay well, maybe you could guess if you read the title of this blog post.
My new denim is from the new Spring EV1 Collection by Ellen DeGeneres only at Walmart!
I was so new to this, believe me.
I had no idea Ellen had a clothing line at Walmart and it’s really cute! I was so pleasantly surprised to find classic pieces like chambray button downs, distress skinnies and graphic tees up to a size 20 or 3X and the price point is beyond reasonable.
Great stretch and a stylish wash, these jeans are a steal at only $20! You can’t beat that! Cropped wide leg jeans are so in style right now and I’ve seen them priced at $200.
My top and bag are also for Walmart! I love that I could style a look in a one stop shop and not compromise on personal style or quality.
Fashion and trends should be accessible to everyone and every body! I like what you did there Ellen… EV1! You can shop the newest arrivals of the collection now and have them shipped to your local Walmart too!
Officewear doesn’t have to be drab and I for one love to always add a little panache and personal style to a 9-5 work ‘fit.
Even though my night job requires me to wear a uniform (I’m a Progressive Care Night Nurse), on the days that I do get to wear “street clothes” I definitely want my style choice to reflect my personality and just have fun.
Finding practical and stylish office ‘fits is an easy task at LOFT. I love that they focus on elevating your basics with darling prints and details on classic pieces.
Offices tend to be cold so layer up darlings! You will stay warm and lovely in layers with these pieces from Loft’s new arrivals. You can create so many style options that bring longevity to your wardrobe with unexpected fabrics for blazers,polka doted cardigans and sweaters.
Speaking of sweaters, I absolutely love this one in this ‘fit. I have it in two colors and I always get compliments when I style them tucked in with skirts.
It’s the perfect soft blush hue and the ruffle sleeve details adds a little bit of sweetness to a wardrobe essential.
To make it more fun for the office I paired my sweater with a new fave item from LOFT, these bold bright red pants. You probably already figured I was a sucker for the bow tie detail. Also the fit is spot on. I’m wearing a size 22 for reference.
A sharp blazer, a well-fitting trouser, a classic trench and tons of cardigans and sweaters are my officewear essentials and you can find them all right now at LOFT. I’d love to hear from you though! What are your office wardrobe essentials? Let me know in the comments below!
International Women’s Day is just a month away. How do you empower the women in your life?
A core message that you will see often on Musings of a Curvy Lady is one of positivity, visibility and support for women no matter what they look like.
Support is a verb. It’s an action word which requires effort to carry out. Over the last few years supporting women in particular has been a popular subject to talk, tweet and hashtag about.
#WomenSupportingWomen
But like many things that can be sucked into the social media trend vortex, the significance of an important movement or idea is lost or watered down. It becomes nothing more than a trending hashtag to appear empathetic to an issue or cause when it’s really a branding tactic.
I’m not about that.
What I am about is cultivating and promoting real, genuine and uplifting bonds and relationships with women. There’s plenty of room for all of us to succeed just as we are without having to morph into something that we are not. There is beauty and power in the dynamic differences in women. Where there is balance the world gets better.
That’s why I’m so excited to announce my partnership with Gibson for their International Women’s Day Collection launching exclusively at Nordstrom on March 8th!
Gibson has teamed up with 9 different influencers from diverse backgrounds, styles, stories and strengths that embody IWD’s theme #BalanceforBetter in their lives.
They’ve designed personal namesake pieces that reflect our individual style and differences while the whole collection has a cohesive feel that is totally Gibson.
I can’t wait to update you on my piece — The Thamarr Skirt!
I’m so excited for you to see it and have the opportunity to shop my piece as well as the entire collection next month. It’s definitely feminine and fun and you will want to wear it over and over as the weather gets warmer.
Another awesome part of this special collaboration is that we all got to choose a charity to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Gibson International Women’s Day Collection.
My charity is Pine Castle Jacksonville — an organization that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families helping to empower them to live and achieve their highest potential regardless of the severity of their disability. My sibling with autism has been attending Pine Castle for 4 years and they are so amazing and make such a difference in our lives.
Make sure you are following me along on Instagram to watch sneak peeks of the collection and more information about the launch and the other influencers. You can meet them below and shop my current favorites from Gibson now available at Nordstrom.
Okay ladies! I’ve heard you! You’ve asked to see more casual looks on the blog so I’m just here to please. I present to you, le casual glam via River Island Plus! 😂
I will always and forever be a maxamistbecause more is more.
However, there is something really quite beautiful for in a look that is minimal or low-key.
This look from River Island features two staples that all of need in our wardrobes in the winter. Great fitting denim and knit sweater.
Since discovering River Island denim*I honestly was sleeping on them in that department. I have loved wearing them in my day to day life.
You don’t see many of those looks on the blog because I thought they were too ordinary and not very visually interesting.
Boy, was I wrong.
A lot of you have sent me messages saying that you love my style but would love to see more of me in what I wear out and about everyday.
Shooting this look reminded me of when I first started blogging and captured my looks in real time: that is asking my brother to snap a photo of my outfit on my way out the door. Nothing planned or prepared. Not an extravagant look to wear for a few hours. Just a cute outfit for the curvy girl next door.
In fact this was what I was actually wearing while hanging out at my friends place before dinner.
Do you like to see more looks like this on the blog or do you love the over the top statement looks? Sound off in the comments below!
If you’ve been personally victimized by winter please raise your hand. 🙋🏾♀️🙋🏿♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏻♀️
I don’t know about you but I’m so over wearing layers of clothing and I’m ready to bare some skin in cute tops, skirts and dresses. How about you?!
The new pieces from the Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Resort Collection are just what the doctor order if you’re in need of Vitamin Sea and Sun.
The entire line is perfect if you’re planning an island getaway or if you’re like me and just need a new ‘fit for a weekend of play in the Sunshine State.
I wore my new Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Resort Collection Santa Fe Rickrack Off the Shoulder Top over the weekend and it was the perfect piece to check out the new mobile sangria truck in town.
If I can’t be Tulum I can fake it, right?!
Even thought I was stateside it was a bubbly fiesta and I happened to be dressed appropriately for the fun and festive drinks.
The collection has a pretty inclusive size range from XS to 3X. I’m wearing a 2X in my top but would opt for a larger size if I were to pair it with jeans.
Are you going to be shopping this Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Resort Collection? Where are you planning on wearing your pieces to!?
My love for perfume goes way back. I mean so many of my earliest memories are of my mother and trying on her clothes and shoes and playing in her pretty bottles of Givenchy, Chanel and Chloe.
I remember it made me feel special and fancy and it still does. I secretly love when people know that I’m around because they can recognized my scent.
When it comes to my signature scent I want it to make you smile. It’s always soft, clean, fresh and feminine but not over powering; just pleasant and lovely.
Fragrance should never make people wish they had a gas mask in their back pocket. It should create a positive experience for you and for the people around you.
Perfume also has a close relationship with fashion. Think of the countless beautiful fragrance ads you see as you flip through a magazine; it’s usually full to the brim with couture: think Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawerence or Charlize Theron dripping Dior.
Perfume is also the final touch to your look. It completes your outfit creating this intangible way to tell the world how you feel today if they are ever so fortunate to walk in your scented aura.
So I’m here to help you navigate your way down the aisle endless bottles of perfume so you can narrow down and rock your signature scent.
Oh and it’s okay to be drawn to two or more groups. Sometimes I’ll want to wear a bolder scent so I’ll spritz on a more oceanic/masculine scent where on other days I’m in a fruity mood. The majority of the time I’m going to stick to my clean, soft and floral signature scents.
CLEAN/OCEANIC
Just picture it: you’re on a beach rocking an amazing bikini with perfectly tousled beach waves a la Kristin Ess and a sun kissed glow.
Can you see it?
Now, can you smell it?
Think aromatic notes of fresh crisp nature. These scents are androgynous and typically are described as clean linen, mountain air or ocean spray and will have you planning your next mountain getaway. Lake Tahoe anyone?
Do you have a thing for a freshly mowed lawn? Okay, cool! Me too! I love the smell it creates and instantly it brings me back to my childhood and playing with my brothers and friends.
These scents are naturally energetic. They make you feel alive, in bloom and one with nature. Galbanum is an ingredient that is often found in green scents and is responsible for the “freshly-cut-grass” earthy smell.
Green fragrances would be perfect to wear for an outside event like a cookout or sporting event.
For the (wannabe) good girl next door and hopeless romantic these scents are sweet, powdery and ultra feminine.
Floral scents are typically made up of one base flower or it can me accompanied by other accent florals to create bouquet fragrance that creates that feminine romantic appeal.
These are my ultimate faves and depending on the occasion you can wear the perfect floral scent for Girls’ Night Out or date night with your special guy.
Fruity scents are fun, flirty and oh so familiar to your thankful nose because they remind you of delicious ripe and perfumed produce.
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍌🍉🍇🍓🍈🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥝
There was a lot of alliteration in that sentence.
The base floral scent is still very much there but accents of fruity notes of apricot, apple and berries create and delicious and delectable fragrant duo.
Just use sparingly!
You don’t want to overwhelm anyone with the entire produce section but you want them to kind of do a double take and want to take in more of your subtle sweetness because most likely they recognize the fruity notes of your perfume but can’t quite put their finger on it. It’ll be on the tip of their tongue.
The familiar, warm, alluring and well, er spicy scents make you think of ooey gooey baked goods smothered in creamy icing and loads of cinnamon sugar. These scents are nostalgic and incorporate notes of vanilla, pepper, nutmeg. clove, ginger, cardamon and cinnamon that take you back to your childhood eating gingerbread cookies in front of a roaring fire.
Who am I kidding, that never happened to me when I was kid but let’s pretend.
These scents are great to wear for any outdoors-y event and guys love it for some reason. Maybe because it makes them think of warm pastries.
Fierce and unexpectedly feminine, woodsy fragrances are definitely for the confident, no holds bar kind of gal that loves the great outdoors but is totally in touch with her sexuality.
Think Katniss Everdeen. Can you picture and imagine the smell now?!
Heavily influenced by bark, oak moss, patchouli, and bergamot, these scents combined with earthy floral notes create a soothing and sultry fragrance that can be worn by both men and women.
This post is sponsored by L’Occitane. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The great Carrie Bradshaw once said, “They say nothing ever lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go but friendships never go out of style.”
I couldn’t agree more! There is something about a classic. It’s tried and true; dependable and trustworthy.
Just like my Creative Lady Gang — these women are “mon amours” and I celebrate them today in the spirit of love.
Sure, there maybe a special person in your life, but my girlfriends?
They are my soulmates because they feed and support my creative and entrepreneurial side and I support theirs.
We allow one other to fully be who we are creatively allowing our individuality to shine bright without dimming the light of each other. It’s truly about women supporting women; it’s more than a hashtag or gimmick. It’s the real deal.
Carissa is the powerhouse behind the lens. She’s a mother of two and yet still makes time to work on her craft that she happens to be amazing at so effortlessly.
Ashlea is the creative mind behind all the flower arrangements that you see in my photoshoots. She started her business as many of us do without knowing everything. Her honest and determined spirit make her so successful and I couldn’t be prouder of her.
Natalie is behind the camera creating videos for my channel. She is so impressive to be young, humble, kind and so talented. It was the best decision to slide into her DMs to ask if she wanted to work together.
From right to left: Myself, Carissa, Ashlea and Natalie
I was initially drawn to all of them because of the beautiful work they created and soon quickly we became friends because they embody something authentic. More than that — we are ladies of a tight knit group of creatives and I love our genuine and sincere support for one another.
That’s why I absolutely love the new products and gifts in the L’Occitane and Rifle Paper Co. collaboration — where the enchantment of Provence meets the ultra-femme loveliness behind this amazing lifestyle stationary brand, showing the beauty, strength, and love behind women empowerment and entrepreneurship.
The classic, decadent, best-selling Shea Butter collection gets a vibrant new look with the feminine flair of Rifle Paper Co. (which by the way is a woman founded and owned business)!
But this new design is more than a pretty face. These products help to provide economic opportunities for women in Burkina Faso. Through business development training, L’Occitane empowers over 10,000 women in environmentally friendly shea processing.
Anything from the L’Occitane x Rifle Paper Co. collection would be a perfect gift for the amours in your life. What better way to celebrate your girl squad, creative tribe or lady gang?! Make sure to follow me on LikeToKnow.It and use the code “KISS” to get your free gift and save 20% off a future full priced purchase. Ends 2/14.
It’s always fun to follow fashion trends as they come and go. I myself have jumped on a few trend bandwagons; bellbottoms, butterfly clips, mini backpacks, sweater vests and peplum everything!
I’ve always been a person that loved trends but let’s be real; loving a trend and actually incorporating it IRL are two totally different things.
For example, low waisted jeans. Like, why? Why?Why was that EVER like a thing?!
Or how about platform black slides? Your’s truly, definitely had a pair of Steve Madden knock-offs when I was in middle school. It was very Posh Spice; a Great Value™ Posh Spice but still…
But one trend that I can totally get behind proudly is wearing sneakers with suits.
I love how effortlessly stylish a monochrome suit is and it’s not rocket science to figure out that pairing a killer heel with it would look absolutely amazing.
There is just something about the addition of a sneaker that completely changes the feel of the look from “Miranda Priestly serious” to more of “Ellen” playful and fun.
The key about wearing a trend is to own it! Make it your own so it looks authentically you and less like a gimmick.
The core of my personal style is modern romantic feminine classics. I love timeless pieces because, guess what?! They will always work!
So the monochrome pinksuit is very a la Thamarr because you know, pink is kinda my thing. But my grey runners add a perfect neutral balance against the bright pink and anchors the look quite nicely.
I love how real world wearable this ‘fit is. It’s stylish and practical. I don’t have to skip on style or comfort and want to try this with a suit of a different material, maybe linen or pin stripes?! Lucy Hale recently wore a pin stripe suit to absolute perfection.
Of course I couldn’t style this awesome suit without a pair of pink heels. I love a little style drama and these pink glittery shoes are the best kind.
So which look do you prefer? Suit and Sneakers or Suit and Heels? Let me know in the comments below!
So it’s barely mid January and the arsenal of fitness pages with promotional ads on the latest ways to lose weight, get fit or get bikini body ready is upon us. Welcome to 2019!
I don’t know about you but I have this crazy idea that I can work out and be active without the intentional purpose to lose weight to meet someone else’s idea of having a great year.
My workouts are selfceare sessions. I do so much to take care of my other responsibilities I view hitting the gym as a way to take care of me, both mind and body.
I like to set up my workouts in my schedule so I view them as high priority. Just like I schedule my business meetings or photoshoots. They are important and help me function and feel strong.
I also like to feel cute when working out so gearing up in fun bright prints helps me get and stay motivated to follow through on my workouts. So thanks Old Navy!
I love these floral leggings that are high waisted so when I’m hitting the park for some walking lunges I’m fashionable and secure. Here are some of my current faves from their athletic line.
OLD NAVY ACTIVE WEAR
This year I want to challenge myself and do more fitness classes. Usually when I work out I am all about being in my zone by myself but I want to try classes so I can feed off the positive energy and scope out the athletic fashion too!
Have you tried spin or pilates? That’s what I am leaning towards… or maybe a timed exercise class like Orange Theory. Let me know how you get active!
Whatever way you get physical let it be your choice because you want to feel good, not to morph your body to someone else’s narrow minded standards of beauty
Everybody has the right to attend to their personal fitness no matter how their body looks. I’ll be swagged out in Old Navy Athleticwear and getting myself sweaty selfceare on.
Okay, you ladies have been asking what’s changed in my makeup routine for the longest so this Friday Favorites is a special one featuring an updated list of what I’m currently using to achieve my ultra glam makeup look.
If you head over to my Instagram you may or may not find a giveaway of one of my favorite new products.
A Bardot Inspired Knit Sweater with over the knee boots give an effortlessly sultry and demure way to keep warm and stylish.
Styling sweaters can become a little drab over the winter months.
When the weather gets colder I find it harder to style because honestly the most important thing on my mind is staying warm and comfortable.
This look from River Island is able to achieve both and is super practical and because it’s so simple it can easily be dressed up or down.
This knit sweater has charm with the Bardot style shoulder and balloon sleeves. It also has just the right amount of stretch in the right places so it looks great over your curves.
Sweaters can add bulkiness and but this one kept me equally warm but minus the added layers.
Textured Crepe Ruffle Fit & Flare Midi Dress 
From right to left: Myself, Carissa, Ashlea and Natalie
