More Bang for Your Buck!!!

I am typically a dress, romper and jumper type of girl, but recently I tried my hand at purchasing two piece outfits, and I must say,"I officially love them!!!!"

Now don't get me wrong, I will always love my one piece outfits due to their convenience. However, separate pieces have given me what my wardrobe needs and that is options.

By buying pieces that can be mixed and matched, it allows you to stretch the items in your wardrobe a little further. Take, for instance, this Ava and Viv two pieces set plus this tee shirt I bought from Target; these 3 separate pieces allowed me to create 6 different outfit options by pairingthem with items I already own.

So, next time when you are in a shopping mood I encourage you to avoid the one pieces for now, and reach for those separates.  I promise your closet and wallet will thank you, mine sure did!!!!!!

Check out how I paired these items and until next time stay fly.

Charlotte Russe Lookbook

If you are anything like me, you love a good sale. Recently I was on Charlotte Russe's website, and stubbled across their Labor Day sale. All dresses were marked down to 20 dollars, and of course I had to pick me up a few.

The first dress I picked up was this flirty pink lace dress with flower details. I am in love with this dress, as you can probably tell from the pictures below. This dress is perfect for a date night with that special someone or a night out with your girls. 

The second dress I purchased was this brown and gold one. I know I will get a lot of wear out of all of these dresses, but I feel like this dress will be in heavy rotation. 

The third dress has actually already been worn. I wore this dress to a recent picnic and it was so comfortable, and it hid the bloat us ladies get after eating.

Last, but certainly not least is this lace dress I purchased. Although this isn't my favorite dress, it is still a much needed piece in my wardrobe. If ever I get a chance to take a vacation, I will definetly be sure to pack this dress in my suitcase. 

**excuse the wrinkles in a few of the dresses - I was trying to get pictures of the dresses, and a post up before the dresses were sold out - I will do better next time.**

What I Am Here For...

I felt the need to address the following. My apologies if it sounds repetitive.

The other day, I came across a video on Facebook of a woman discussing "fat shaming". I clicked on it, thinking the video had a positive message. Wrong. What I saw was hate. To sum it up, she said it’s not okay to be fat. She went on to say more hurtful things, that I may discuss in another blog, but for now I want to focus on "it’s not ok to be fat.”

When I heard her say "it’s not ok to be fat" I thought about the message of this blog and felt led to explain what I’m about as "a plus size blogger."

This blog was created to help inspire, encourage, and motivate people to accept themselves as they are right now, while they work to become who they aspire to be. I do so by showing you my journey. The one thing I am learning to accept so I can change is my body. A body that happens to be obese at the present time.

I do not “promote obesity.” However, it is always okay embrace and adorn yourself as you are--no matter where you are in your life or health journey. 

What is this blog promoting? Love; it’s just that simple. Love yourself, so you can love others; whether you are a size 2 or a size 22. 

Until next time, stay fly.

Laced in Confidence

The dress is from Forever 21 Plus, the swimsuit top is from Monif C, and the swimsuit bottoms are from Sammydress.

Now let’s talk about what it took for me to take this picture. I kept going back and forth on taking a risk and showcasing this beautiful lace maxi with a swimsuit; or playing it safe and wearing a slim fitted dress.

I thought about the way I lived my life in the past--always playing it safe--whether it be in my career, my love life, or my finances. This was mainly due to a lack of confidence in my ability to do great things. Over the years, however, I have been slowly building up my confidence. So, I would be doing myself a disservice if I opted for the fitted dress, right? Right!

After taking the picture, I thought I was hot stuff and strutted around for a bit before hopping back into jeans and a simple tee. BUT my point is I took a risk. That’s what I wanted to show you guys: how to be bold while facing your struggles.

As I write this post, I am reminded of a quote by Joe Namath: "When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things." I am so ready to start doing amazing things, starting by being Laced in Confidence.

Until next time, stay fly.

My Skinny Friends

I was having drinks with one of my best girlfriends recently and the topic of “plus size girls with skinny friends” came up. 

I told her about a recent conversation I had with Kim, a fellow plus size girl, about being the biggest girl in her circle of friends and the added pressure that comes with having to look extra good around them. Being the biggest of all my friends, I could relate to her frustrations. 

This was a big issue for me in college and post-graduation. I missed milestone events in my friends’ lives because of it. “However,” I told Kim, “I eventually got past it because I realized the only person thinking about me being ‘the plus size friend’ and them being ‘the skinny friends’ was me. In the end, they won't remember what you were wearing that night that y’all had a blast. All they will remember was that you were there.”

If your friends cared only about how their clique is perceived, they wouldn’t hang out with you. Trust me, there are definitely girls out there who pick their friends based solely on appearance. People (who are not my friends) have suggested I get bigger friends because I seem “out of place.” But if your friends are begging you to be part of their adventures, they are not those type of girls. 

So please stop comparing yourself to your skinny friends. You will not look like them (right now) in a two piece swimsuit. You don’t look like them in a dress or jeans or skirt and that’s fine because on the flip side they don’t look like you. You can only control how you feel about you and that the clothes you pick suit your style and body type so when it’s time to hang out, you feel confident about looking fabulous with your fabulous friends.  

As my friend and I finished up our drinks she asked “Did someone really say you should pick bigger friends?" When I replied yes, she asked “Well hell, you’re supposed to hang out with a group of big girls just because they are big and be miserable? That’s dumb as f--k.” I always knew I had good friends but when she spoke those words she solidified she wasn’t the kind of girl who picked her friends based solely on how they look. I took her message to mean “I’m your friend. Period.” 

Crop It Out

I have come across quite a few plus size bloggers exclaiming how freeing it is to wear a crop top, and the fact that you are plus size should not stop you from buying one.

Me, in a crop top? Outside of my home? Never! Could I? It couldn't hurt to try, right? Isn't that what this blog is about? Trying new things and stepping outside your comfort zone? Why yes, yes it is.

So I did my research and learned that the best crop tops to wear are the ones that stop about two inches below your breast, and they are most flattering when paired with a high-waisted bottom that comes up right above your natural waist. 

I love this crop top that I am wearing from Torrid. It’s lightweight and doesn’t cling to my body. I paired the top with a high waisted skirt (also from Torrid) that features ruching to camouflage troubling areas, and a slit for added sex appeal.

I must say this was a freeing experience. Feeling the breeze hit your exposed midriff as a plus size girl is one of the best feelings in the world. Try it, and let me know how it goes. If you’ve tried it already, did you like it? Would you wear a crop top again?

Plays, Plays and Plays

Lately, I have been attending a lot of stage plays, mainly because it is one of my favorite things to do. When I attend these plays, I love to get dressed up to the nine and feel sophisticated.  

The dress I am wearing tonight, while seeing The Wiz, is from Old Navy. It features a nice flower detail, perfect for spring, and will be paired with shoes from JC Penney, that I scored for 5 bucks. My accessories will be minimal tonight; just some cute bangles, because I wanted to let the dress be center stage. See below for pictures.

Anchors over the years have been a symbol of security, stability, being grounded and strength as they hold down ships even in the stormiest of weather. 

If and when you run into me, I always have on something with an anchor or it; earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, or just the tattoo on my forearm, shined up peeking out of the rolled up sleeve of my cardigan. If I’m having a bad day, I look down at that anchor and remind myself of all the things stated above that reside in me.

That’s what your clothes should do: (outside of a higher power) bring some type of peace to your life. Whether it’s a crease in your pants that reminds you it’s okay to be straight-laced, the little wrinkles you haphazardly leave in your shirt as a reminder not to take life too seriously, or a kooky pair of socks you put on to make others laugh. 

If you don’t have pieces that bring you peace or happiness, I suggest you reflect on your wardrobe until you find it. It may be a superstition of mine or a crutch (like a child's security blanket) but I believe that your clothing is more powerful than you know. Choose wisely.

Shop Your Closet Update..

This post will be sweet and to the point. Just want to show you the outfits I came up with during "Shop Your Closet” week. I learned a lot about myself while picking out my clothes each day. Here are some of my observations: 

I really like black
I need to incorporate more color into my wardrobe
I dig no-fuss clothing
I look great in jeans

Going into this project, I figured it was a good way to look great without spending any money. And I knew it would teach me how to work with what I’ve got and be grateful for what I have. Those lessons were much-needed, but this challenge also helped me become a more focused and conscious shopper. Knowing what you like and don't like, you avoid buying items that will sit in your closet, with you rifling past them saying “Why did I buy this.” Trust me, your pockets will thank you.

I know a lot of you didn’t participate this week, but I challenge you do so next month. Shop Your Closet was a terrific experience for me and I would love to share it with you all.

So long until next time... 

Shop Your Closet

“I have nothing to wear" is probably the most common phrase uttered by men and women. This phrase transcends generations, gender, race, and social classes. It’s usually followed by the person staring at their closet as if their clothes have failed them horribly. Then comes a complete loss of hope and the inevitable trip to the mall

I’ve played the “nothing to wear” game on many occasions, but recently one of my wise friends overheard me and replied "take a look at your closet, but do it with the mindset that you have absolutely no money to buy new clothes, and watch the ideas you come up with.” Of course I walked away thinking "She has no clue what she is talking about. This will never work.” However, she was correct. As I stood there ideas started to flow and I began thinking “this can go with that, that can go with this.” In no time I HAD SOMETHING TO WEAR.

So I have decided to make a segment for the blog called "Shop Your Closet" and I hope you will join me. We can look at our closets in a new way, and also give me a chance to interact with you guys. If you are like me, you don't have a ton of money to spend on clothes, but still you want to look nice.

Here's how it works: I will post looks I have put together using the items in my closet (I will not go out and purchase anything new for this segment to complete the look). I will post these looks to my blog every third Saturday of the month. We will start this month’s post on April 18th. 

Want to join the fun? Upload your looks online and mention me (Facebook: Marcia Craggett or Instagram: ms_fash) to show off what outfits you put together. I can’t wait to see your looks!

I Haven't Lost it, I Just Gained It

“Have you seen Marcy? Dang, she gained weight,” That sentence has hovered over my life and stopped me from doing things. Just thinking that sentence could be said among my college and high school friends who haven’t seen me over the years has stopped me from attending certain college and high school alumni events and has stopped me from ever posting full body pictures of myself on social media outlets. This may also be the reason why I have not had a very successful weight loss journey so far. 

I recently read an article in Prevention Magazine that said "If you don't fully accept and respect your current body, you will never treat it as the most precious gift that has ever been given to you." So I have decided not to call this a “weight loss journey,” but a self-acceptance journey.

My first order of business is to stop hiding behind selfies and get in front of the camera. Yes, I have gained weight. Who hasn't? I am certainly not the first person to inflate a little, and I won't be the last. My second order of business will be changing how I imagine that sentence will go. I think I will change it to "Have you seen Marcy? She’s has gained weight, but she carries it oh so well." 

Now when my friends say "Get in the picture,” my brain won't be filled with worries of what people will say or think. I will be able to jump in without hesitation or reservations because I have chosen to let it all hang out today.

Giving Up on High Heels

Last week I was at the mall, and I came across a cute pair of heels. As I was about to hand the cashier my debit card for purchase, I had an epiphany. It's like the clouds of heaven parted and an angel screamed "YOU HATE HIGH HEELS!!!! (particularly the ones over 4" inches)

Right at the register I did a quick mental evaluation of my closet. The last couple of times I purchased shoes, they had all been heels, and out of all of those heels, I have worn not one pair. I typically justify my purchase with "Oh, I will have these for summer" or "Oh they are on sale, I can't possible pass these up" but. no. I have come to the realization that I just don't like them (it's almost as strong as my distaste for stockings, but I will get into that in another blog post). 

This has not always been the case. I used to love wearing heels, I use to wear them every where– work, church, dates and to school–but it's just like one day I woke up and suddenly hated them.

I noticed myself reaching for my flats more, and hating having to be at events I could not enjoy, due to the throbbing that was occurring on the balls of my feet. So I said "To hell with the uncomfortable high heels." Since then, I live in the flats section, where I am slowly but surely building a collection of cute, comfy shoes. Boy, are my feet happy. 

I still own a few pair of 3" heels, and they do come out on occasions, but I save my feet from the murderous stiletto every chance I get. Will you stand with me? 

What have you recently realized that you hate to wear, and will never purchase again?