OOTD: Last Days of Summer

Morning!

   My summer in NY has come to an end and I must say I'm sad. However, work calls and since I've got student loans to pay to the sticks I go! I've had a great summer - caught up with most of my family and friends (most.. not all and I feel bad!) There really is nothing like a New York summer, and I did my best to take full advantage of it. I spent my last days at home making sure I was about and about, I took a few pics, enjoy.

      At the AOL Blogger's Event- you can read about that great event over here at Living Fly On A Dime.

Fashion to Figure was kind enough to send over this beautiful sleeveless ruffle top - so I put it together with my skinny jeans and snakeprint purple pumps.

Here's my glam shot from that night, fun times! (take a look at other blogger's photos here)

I had an "Absolutely Brooklyn" night with my girlfriends to celebrate a very special birthday. How else better to spend my last days of summer than with my friends, dancing at First Saturday's at Brooklyn Museum and topping it off with a Brooklyn BBQ!

 Maxi Dress: Ashley Stewart (I wish you could see the shoes!)

Make the best of the last days of summer!

~Luvin' My Curves

Simply Me Project: Yolanda

Morning!

  Today is the 1st installment of the "Simply Me Project"  (I had to pack on Friday, sorry!). I'm really excited for this project; it's like a 'show & tell' for self-confidence. I can talk about the super hot fall collections but if you don't see yourself in them or feel that you have to change in order to wear them, then what's the point?  I believe that by seeing other curvy ladies be honest about their past insecurities and then see them show it off and tell how they got over it is a great way to maybe take one step closer. Up first is Ms. Yolanda from Diva in Deep Thought, see what she has to say below:

What's the most "daring" thing you've done style-wise?  

My most daring thing was dressing how I wanted and not how my mom’s-voice-in-my-head was telling me to dress. For the longest time, I played it safe and was miserable because I wasn’t being true to myself. I finally one day started dressing like I liked, and then I started becoming the diva I am today.

 Everyone should have the right to bare arms!

What's a fear or insecurity about your body that you've gotten over? 

My arms. They are all fatty and bumpy and it’s the first place I gain weight.  

How did you overcome it? 

Heat!!! It was too hot one day to wear sleeves… and I figured… if it bothered anyone… they could get the heck over it. I next want to overcome mixing patterns. I have overcome mini-skirts, tube/sleeveless tops, leggings, skinny jeans, wearing stripes, and bright eye popping color. I have always wanted to help plus size teens with self esteem… because kids are cruel and sometimes it helps hearing that there is nothing wrong with you…

Jeggings!

I think ALOT of ladies can relate to not wanting to show off their arms, myself included. I hated going sleeveless and during my high school years would sometimes ruin a great dress with a button-down shirt over it. (smh) I hated my arms; and in fits of self-depreciation would call them wings, (yeah I was mean to myself, I've come a long way). I didn't realize that I had overcome it  until my mom saw me, gasped and pointed it out to me one day when I came home from college. From that day on, I figured what's done is done and it's been me and bare arms every since.

Thank You Yolanda for sharing!

How do you feel about your arms? Have you had any fears about showing them? If so, how did you overcome it? If not, what do you think holds you back?

Remember: If you'd like to participate in the Simply Me Project just answer the 2 questions above or take a look here.

~Luvin' My Curves

On the Scene: My Playtex Bra Makeover

Morning!

Earlier this summer, Playtex asked me to participate in their Playtex Makeover Challenge. Since my surgery I've become a sort of bra snob because I NEED the support... in the past it's been hard to find mainstream bras that could not only hold the 'girls' in but also hold them up. So when Playtex asked me to particpate in their Makeover Challenge I jumped at the chance to try again - the chance at saving money on my bras was a no-brainer. (I can spend upwards of $130 on one!)

An ill-fitting bra can ruin an outfit - the same way bad breath can ruin "that" moment. A great fitting bra is essential; even more so than those heels that you've been waiting to buy on payday. I do my best to get fitted either every 6 months or at the very latest once a year but shamefully have not made the time to do so recently. So it was no surprise to find that I was the wrong band size! Lifestyle changes, including weight gain or loss, change in workout routine can all affect a woman's bra size.

Check out my video:

*In the video I said  TWICE that I walked in thinking I was a 46 DD.. sorry I meant DDD. My bad! * 

The bras that I tried on had a great fit, but what I loved most were the straps! No digging, my shoulders can breathe! If you're a fully endowed lady- these are definitely worth a try and now that you can find them at local retailers such as JCPenny and Macy's why wouldn't you?

How vigilant are you about knowing your bra size? Do you agree that an ill-fitting bra can throw off your outfit? How much do you spend on your bras?

~Luvin' My Curves

Luvin' Her Look: BBM

Morning!

Today's Luvin' Her Look feature is from my lovely fellow blogger from  Big Beautyful Mess!

What I absolutely love about her look is that she creatively and tastefully dresses for both play and work. It's a thin line between what's appropriate for work and what may be considered "too much". For me, BBM's style encourages me to keep letting my own personal style shine through in the workplace.

I was psyched when she said she would be a Luvin' Her Look feature, when asked how she defines her style, she replied:

this is a tough question for me. my style really depends on my mood, the season, and the inspirations i get around me. a lot of the outfits that you'll see in my blog are office wear incorporated with a little flirt and fun. on the weekends though, you'll find me wearing just a v-neck and a jean skirt. my husband calls my closet and i, a "beautyful mess" (hence, my blog name) so i think its safe to say that my style is a mess ... but a beautyful one (at least i hope so). ;-)

What does being proud and plus size means to you?

being a BIG filipina girl means you're a minority. i was always the biggest amongst my cousins which made me feel insecure at times but i was blessed enough to have a curves-loving mom. she taught me that size doesn't matter and you better make sure that your carry it well. she taught me that a mixture of humility and confidence is the best accessory and that's what being a proud and plus-size girl means to me. 

I especially appreciate her answer because she defies the bias  that women of other another ethnicities may not have the same size issues as others. I adore her style and hope you do too!

Are you Luvin' Her Look?

~Luvin' My Curves