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:  

Ahead of the Curve bloggers

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

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:

http://www.aheadofthecurvebloggers.com/2014/04/mismatched-april-2014.html

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 

Ditto.Ditto.Ditto.Always Red Hot

Fatshion Peepshow
Nuclear Red Hot Hair

The Valerie Gallery
Radiant Chaos

The Fat Girl

Feeling the Love in Igigi Polka Dots

It’s Melicious
Red Color Love

Plump Up the Frock
Red Hot Remake: Too-Tight Dress To Peplum Top

Fearlessly Just Me
Fearless Fashion: Channeling My Inner Lady In Red

Harper Valley TV

"Red Hot" Valentine's Day Look

Young & Thrifted

Rouge Blouse

Curvy is Beautiful by Mary Demetra

Red Hot Luxe: My Top Sexy, Fabulous, Gorgeous Valentine's Day Picks for the Plus Size Princess

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