{Style} Leather + Lace

As summer slowly comes to a close, I’m finding myself slipping into more fall inspired looks. Technically the first day of fall isn’t for a couple more weeks, but why not start airing out your fall clothes and adding a few new pieces. Adding new pieces to your wardrobe, no matter the season, is exciting, but can leave a dent in your wallet. This is why I always enjoy being introduced to affordable plus size brands. Pink Basis is an online shop that has standard sizes, plus size and accessories. They have a huge selection of killer heels, but plenty of boots and booties for fall. Pink Basis’ plus size section goes from 1x to 3x which roughly translate to 14/16 to 22/24. They have a good mix of items between party dresses to casual wear, even corsets and bedroom wear. Which kind of sums up my plans for the next few months. I have the one year anniversary with my boyfriend and a girls trip to Vegas! I highly suggest checking out the site especially during their amazing sale. Fashion doesn’t always have to cost an arm and a leg, it’s about finding what works for you.

 

Knit Skull Cardigan- c/o Pink Basis || Tank- H&M || Skirt- ING from Macy’s || Ankle Booties-c/o Pink Basis

{Music Monday} Interpol El Pintor

One of my beloved bands Interpol, is releasing their new album El Pintor on September 9, but thanks to NPR you can listen to the full album here. There single All The Rage Back Home, was released about a month ago and if this is any indication of how the album will sound, I’m excited. Since their 2004 album Antics, they lost me for a few years. Their 2007 album Our Live to Admire and 2010 self titled album Interpol, did not sit well with me, I missed the sound and feel of their first two albums and for me, there will be no better album than Turn On The Bright Lights.

From what I’ve heard so far of El Pintor, they seem to be channeling some of that post-punk, new wave feel Turn On The Bright Lights had, but at the same time keeping true to their new clean, dance inspired sound their newer albums have had. They’re getting ready to tour and I failed in getting tickets, damn those hipsters. Everything sold out SO fast, maybe I will have better luck on StubHub. Check out their video for All The Rage Back Home below and happy Music Monday!

{Beauty} L.A. Girl Cosmetics NEW Glazed Lip Paint

Hello Beauties!

On Monday, affordable cosmetics brand L.A. Girl Cosmetics released 12 new shades of their popular and beloved Glazed Lip Paint. There are now a total of 18 shades, the six original shades plus the 12 new ones. I did not buy all 18 shades simply because I wanted shades I know I would wear. In total, I’m swatching 14 of the 18 shades, not too bad. To see the four swatches I’m missing, L.A. Girl just posted an Instagram post with all 18 here.

In case you have not hear of these, they have the pigmentation of lipstick, but the easy wear and shine of a lipgloss. Makeup artists and other bloggers say they’re dupes for Two Face’s Melted lipstick, but I disagree, they’re more of a dupe for OCC’s Lip Tar. But why are so many people loving these? One, because they are very similar to OCC’s Lip Tar ($18 at Sephora) and two, they’re only $4 on the L.A. Girl Cosmetics website. I agree, $4 for a lip product that gives this much pigmentation is a steal.

I do suggest using a lip liner with these because they do tend to feather. They have a wear of about four to six hours depending if you’re eating, drinking, etc. They do start to get a matte finish after about two hours, which I like. The applicator is very basic, expected for $4 and a little goes a long way, so careful when you’re squeezing the tube. I love all the purples’s and pink’s, even the nude’s. I don’t wear nudes too often as I love to wear color, but these I like. As a lipstick junkie and lover of everything lip related, I really love Glazed Lip Paint.

See my swatches below. I swatched all the new shades first, then the six original ones. You can buy the ones you like on the L.A. Girl website here.

My favorite at the moment? Seduce and Peony. ❤ Which one is your favorite?

 

Disclaimer: I do work for L.A. Girl cosmetics however ALL opinions are honest and my own. That’s a promise.

{Style} All Floral Everything

I love a good floral print and they can be hard to come by, it’s true! Not all floral prints are created equal, so when I found this marigold floral maxi dress at Forever 21, I knew I had to have it. I love the natural waistline on this dress, it’s comfortable and flattering, but what surprised me the most about this marigold maxi dress was how much I loved the halter neckline. I’ve stayed away from halter necklines for a long, long time thinking they were’t flattering for plus size women, but I was proved wrong and I’m glad I was. I’ve worn this dress to work, date night and the farmers market, needless to say it’s super easy to take it from day to night.

Ladies, don’t forget, time and time again, don’t be afraid to try new styles! Wear what you want, own it and don’t limit your style options.

Dress-Forever 21+, Sunglasses- Ebay, Shoes- Dolce Vita (similar here and similar in different color here)

Photos taken by: Stephanie Rodriguez 

{News} Hello Again.

It’s been a little shy of a year since I’ve posted on the blog. A few things have happened which led to my lack of blogging. I started a new chapter in my career as a marketing coordinator + social media coordinator for a cosmetics company, I fell in love with an amazing person who I now live with and overall, I’ve been focusing more on meditating as a approached my late 20’s. Let me tell you, approaching my late 20’s, I’ve learn and realized a few things. One thing I realized was that for the first time, I wish I was younger and had “more time” to do things. Not SUPER young, but 24 specifically. It’s taking a lot for me to admit that, but in all, I can’t complain. I’ve learned friends come and go, but it’s the ones who are there those dark nights that you keep forever.

Me and my boo thang

I’m in a happy place right now and I felt the one thing that was missing was making the time to blog. I miss taking photos, I miss writing about all my favorite things, but more than anything, I just missed writing. So, here I am, again in the blogging world sharing my plus size style and my love for beauty+cosmetics and decor. My readership and following is still growing and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes and sharing my blog with new people. After all, blogging isn’t about how big you are, it’s about making quality content and that is what I missed.

Some of my favorite shots from the last few months. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram!

Fun fact: My boyfriend is a chef!

My growing succulents collection from the farmers market

Work swatches

Lookbook Love: Torrid’s Holiday Collections

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to Torrid’s headquarters in Los Angeles to preview their holiday collection. I wasn’t sure how they were going to show off the news items, but when I walked in and saw the glitter background and runway, I instantly became excited. There were more than 30 looks, each I can seeing fitting into every girl’s closet. Below are some of my favorite looks, I love all the leather accents and the lace details. The jewel tones were also fun to watch coming down the runway. Who says fall has to be drab and filled with no color?

Another trend I saw on the runway was combining different styles, for example, adding some sparkle to a grunge inspired outfit or adding some preppy accents to a rock and roll outfit. The coolest part of the fashion show? The models showing off the clothes were Torrid store employees! Real girls, modeling clothes for us curvy ladies, it was amazing.

Most if not all these items are in stores and online now! From updating your fall wardrobe, to holiday parties, to a date night, to just getting your knit sweater fix, there is something for every girl in Torrid’s holiday collection. If you’re torn and are deciding on that ONE item, my pick is the vinyl jacket, the peplum jacket, or that gorgeous red sweater.

Which would you choose? Which looks are your favorite? To see the rest of the photos, head here.

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From Left: Monique from Curves and Chaos, myself and Jay Miranda from jaymiranda.com

Blogger pic<3

Music Monday: Lana Del Rey

 

You either love her or could careless about her, that’s my perspective on how people feel about Lana Del Rey. I love her her music and her style. Her style is her own and it inspires my own, her music is easy to listen to, although sometimes the lyrics are random, I can’t help but be consumed by her beats and melodies. She’s on the cover of the November issue of Nylon and I’m digging the simplicity. I can listen to her albums all day, am I the only one who think her music is trance-like? I may have no clue what she’s singing about sometimes, but I can’t help but hum and sway along with the music.  I’m the first to admit she’s not the greatest performer live, but her music videos and studio recordings are gold.

Leather, Lace and Everything Nice

Life is kicking my butt, in a good way. I have a few posts in my arsenal and I’m finally getting back into the swing of thing, so I tell myself. Thanks to Monique, from the amazing blog Curves and Chaos, I have a (kind of) new outfit post. I wore this look when I attended Torrid’s Holiday Preview. Myself and some of my favorite plus size bloggers were able to catch up and preview Torrid’s holiday collection. Some of the items are in stores now and the rest will be available middle of November. There’s a a bit of leather, lace and just the right amount of sequins, lookbook coming very soon!

I’m wearing a dress (from Torrid!) that I cut the slip, to show off the lace. I threw on a top and jacket with the dress for a layered fall look and added a wide brim hat. I’ve never been one to wear hats, but this one from H&M was calling my name, I had to have it. I stepped outside my fashion box and I like the outcome ;-).

How are you wearing your favorite fall styles? Any fun purchases yet for the colder season?

Music Monday: {NEW} Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire are one the most important band of the last decade, and the music lives up to their universe-affirming mandate. The new single, “Reflektor”, is off their new anticipated new album and it turns a shared sense of isolation …

Eye Love Mascara

If I could only live with two makeup components for the rest of the year, I would choose lipstick and mascara. Mascara as a crucial makeup tool, I can recall hundreds of moments when I looked crazy with my eye makeup before I put mascara on. As soon as add a few coats to each eye, everything else just seems to glamorously come together. A word to the wise, always carry mascara in your purse, makeup bag, pocket, wherever, because lets say you have a crazy night out and have to roll into work the next day, you’re going to be stoked you had some mascara and lipstick in your arsenal.  Keep some at your desk for emergencies, along with other ‘night after’ must haves.

I’ve tried every mascara in this post and no, I don’t always spend $20+ on mascara. I’ve found amazing ones for less than $10, but if I am going to splurge on mascara, I’ve found some that are worth every penny.

COVERGIRL Clump Crusher: This mascara is very buildable, a major plus. My favorite component is the brush, the curved brush and its  bristle spacing reduce clumping (hence the name)  and leaves lashes clean and separated. The brush is also the perfect size to coat bottom lashes too.

Bare Escentuals Lash Domination: This is one of my new favorite mascaras. I received a sample of  lash domination at BeautyCon and LOVED what it did to my lashes. Without using an eyelash curler, I got volume and definition, it was amazing. This mascara give you volume you can see.

L.A. Girl Super Mega Lash: What originally attracted me to this mascara was the packaging. After testing it out, I was really happy with the formula. It didn’t flake, the brush is perfect for your bottom lashes and was great at lengthening my lashes.

DiorShow: This mascara needs little words describing the intense, sultry look it gives lashes. This mascara has been in a number of magazines and ‘Best Mascara’ lists and is an award-winning mascara that has been a cult-favorite for over a decade. The formula is creamy and buildable and the brush also gives that XXL volume we lust for.

Prescriptives False Eyelashes Plush: I received a sample of this mascara when I ordered their foundation (more on that later!) and I was very happy with the fullness and thickness of this mascara. Its wear was great and easily buildable, I went out one night for drinks with the girls and it was easy to layer a couple coats  on top of what I had already put on that morning.

With so many options to choose from and so many great products on the market, at price points for everyone, there is no reason to let your lashes not look their best. After all, isn’t there a cheesy saying out there that the eyes the window to the soul? The bolder the eyes the bolder the soul. 🙂