Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Portland Plus Size Thrifting

I recently had the opportunity to do some shopping at two plus size resale stores in Portland, OR.  My first stop was Fat Fancy.  They carry a broad range of sizes, including things on the larger end (my end) of the spectrum.  They have fun names for the different size ranges and carry modern to vintage.  Lots of funky stuff!  I wish I would have asked for the name of the woman working the store.  She was very friendly and very helpful.  Between my friend and the woman in the store, they helped me pick out things to try on that I would not have thought about trying.  One of the neat things about Fat Fancy is that they carry some local plus size clothing designer’s lines.  I have been following Chubby Cartwheels and Size Queen online for a while.  I haven’t purchased any of their items because I wasn't sure about fit.  Now I know how their sizes work and what works for me.  From left to right in the photos below:  Size Queen size 5x candy top/dress, me with my purchases in the change area, and a shot of the store.  

The next stop was Savvy Plus.  They have a great assortment of clothes, but not so much in my size of things.  Their tags are color coded and they do have sales on certain tags at certain times.  They were very helpful and the store was set up well.  I did manage to find one fun thing to buy.  They had a Swimsuitsforall pink bikini in a size 24.  It looked like it would fit and was $19.  I decided to give it a go.  I have no idea how it works on my size 32/34 body, but it does. 
The real star of this bikini thrift show is my accessory, the 40 oz. Pabst Blue Ribbon.  I consider this purchase thrifting because it is a cheap and decent beer.  I was in the grocery store in Portland and found this.  We do not have 40 oz. PBR in Texas (at least not that I have seen).   When I was in the beer aisle, it was like a light was shining down from above and highlighting this magnificent specimen.  Someone wanted to make sure I saw it.  I stared in awe.  I bought one for $2.49 and enjoyed every last bit of it.  
(The steam in the picture is from a hot tub.  The hot tub was not part of my thrifting adventure.  LOL)


This blog is part of a blog collective.  Check out the rest of the bloggers take on the topic of "Thrifting" here:  



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Garden Party

This month's Ahead of the Curve blog topic is Garden Party.  When I think of a garden party, I think of vibrant colors, ice cold drinks, and women in cute dresses.  I had been wanting to try one of eShakti's cropped top with skirt combos.  Figured a garden party would be a perfect topic for such an ensemble, especially when I found one in a bright palm frond fabric. Here are a few that they offered:



I ordered the palm frond combo with my measurements.  It is paired with a pink flower headband, Kate Spade clutch, and Jessica Simpsons flats.  Totally ready for a flower garden and some refreshing cocktails!



Check out the rest of the Ahead of the Curve girls here:

Ahead of the Curve Garden Party

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Animal Print with EVERYTHING!

This month's Ahead of the Curve blog topic is "mismatched".  I had a hard time with this topic.  I do have patterns in my closet, but they don't really go together in any way.  I also end up wearing the same patterns with the same solids.  I don't mix things up.  I get stuck in a fashion rut.  This topic forced me to look at my closet with new eyes.  Now I am pairing animal prints with everything!
Last week, I wore this combo.....a zigzag striped dress and animal print shoes.



(Dress is custom size from eShakti, cardigan is from Cato, purse is Lux de Ville, and shoes are Jessica Simpson)

This week, I wore a polka dot dress and a leopard print cardigan.  I am now in love with mixing prints!


(Polka dot dress is from Asos, cardigan and belt are from Torrid)


You can check out the rest of the Ahead of the Curve girls here:




Tuesday, February 4, 2014

My "Red Hot" Moment

I have a love/hate relationship with BBW parties.  If you don't know what they are, put it in the Google machine and learn something!  
Anyhoo, the love part of that equation comes from being allowed to feel normal.  The first time I wore a bikini in my adult life was at a BBW party.  As a fat girl at a BBW party, you are allowed to wear things that "normal" girls would wear and not feel out of place or feel that you are being snickered at and going to wind up in a photo on Facebook as someone's idea of a fat joke. Enter skimpy, sequined red dress here.  I wore this mini dress to a party a few years ago.  It was another first for me.  I am not the type of girl to go to a club.  That is where I would expect to see a dress like this...on a thin girl with a cocktail in her hand, dancing to some DJ in a nightclub with flashing lights that might cause a seizure.  Even though I look like a red Christmas tree ornament, I wore the hell out of this dress at the party.  In real life, it has made it into a couple of Halloween costumes.  That's were a fat girl can wear a dress like this in real life....Halloween. Kinda sad, isn't it?  


Dress is from Torrid in a size 5



February Ahead of the Curve: 2014


We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Red Hot” so check them out by clicking on each link:

AffatshionistA 

The Fat Girl
Harper Valley TV

Young & Thrifted
Curvy is Beautiful by Mary Demetra

You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics here, http://www.aheadofthecurvebloggers.com.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Don’t wait for the perfect occasion, wear it NOW!!!

I love to dress up.  I love all things that sparkle.  The holiday season is the perfect time for both of those.  I was recently invited to a casual Christmas party.  Casual smasual!  I was dressing up!!!  Glam and glitz on the Nikki menu, for sure.  Was I overdressed for the party?  YES.  Did I care?  Not one lick.  Did people notice me and comment?  Yes.  But, because of my size, people usually notice me.  If they are going to look, I might as well have the package wrapped in something worth looking at.  ;-)  I had been waiting for an excuse to wear this Igigi dress and I couldn’t find a better one than “the time to wear it is now”.  This dress was an eBay find for around $40.  Have no idea how much it was originally, but knowing Igigi it was a lot more.  It is a size 30/32 floor length silver dress with a little bit of rhinestone detail at the neckline.  The silver sparkle/bows shoes are from Marshalls.  





December Ahead of the Curve: 2013




Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com 

We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Holiday Glitz and Glam” so check them out by clicking on each link:

AffatshionistA 


The Valerie Gallery

The Fat Girl

It’s Melicious

Plump Up the Frock

Fearlessly Just Me

Lis Finds Bliss

Harper Valley Vlog

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Fat Girls Can

Fat girls can’t wear prints? Yes, they can.  I am fat.  I don’t believe wearing a huge floral print is going to make me look any smaller or bigger than I am.  Yes, some colors and cuts might be more flattering on a particular body, but I am going to wear and do what makes me happy!  I am going to wear prints.  I am going to be a pinup girl.  I am going to leave my house and spread my fabulousness around for the world to enjoy!  
I recently had the pleasure of working with Keke.  She owns Peepshow Studios in Waco, TX.  She specializes in vintage pinup and old Hollywood glamour photography.  She works with women of all shapes/sizes and makes them feel so beautiful and special while doing it!  For my photo shoots, I wore prints. 

Dresses:  Leopard print dress from SWAK’s Curvy Kitten line in a size 4 (this particular dress runs a little big) and Torrid’s Playing Card dress in a size 5.  








Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com

We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have written a post responding to the oft heard point of view “Big Girls Can’t Wear Prints?” so check them out by clicking on each link:



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Halloween Costume Flashback

Anyone who knows me knows Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I love everything about it…the ghouls, the goblins, the candy….but mostly the dressing up.  It is so much fun to be someone else for a few hours.  Halloween is like getting a break from your real life and all the stresses that go along with it.  Every year I have grand plans to construct some elaborate costume.  Do I do it?  No.  My vision has an unlimited budget and mad construction skills.  In reality, I have $5 and a glue gun.  That’s not cutting it!  Not to say I haven’t made or put together costumes, because I have.  I have also purchased costumes.  The purchased costumes usually involved some form of alterations.  When you are a chubbster, it is hard to find anything off the rack that fits well.  Most “plus size” costumes are still too minus for me. 


Here are a few of my costumes from the past.  For reference, the purchased costumes are most likely the largest size available, probably a 3/4.  
 
I purchased this costume from OneStopPlus.  It was too small in the waist/hip area.  I opened up the sides and put in button holes.  I was able to weave ribbon through the button holes to give myself some coverage and breathing room. 



The beer girl costume was also purchased from OneStopPlus.  It was too tight.  I was able to take the seams apart and loosen it up some.  The beer purse is the best part of this costume!  





My spider costume was mostly things I already owned.  I made the jacket from a pattern, Halloween material, and feather boas purchased from Jo-ann Fabric and Craft. 



My Pink Lady costume also involved things from my regular wardrobe.  I made the pink jacket from vinyl and a pattern.  



Last year I was a leopard.  Purchased the main part of my costume and then made a tutu to go with it.  



For 2013, I purchased the Leg Avenue Monster costume from Torrid.  I also purchased some white fur to make some long gloves and leg warmer type things.  I have yet to make this actual part of my costume, that’s why there isn’t a pic of me modeling it yet.  When I do, I will be sure to blog about it!  





We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have a post on “Halloween so check them out by clicking on each link.