CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

That Simply Be Style

In which I experiment with being a fashion blogger, y'all. Look out.

When I first I discovered Simply Be, it was an online shop for the UK called "Simply Yours." My addiction to their fashionable, plus size line started with their sexy-but-functional lingerie items and grew over the years. Now, with their site expanding to U.S. (so shipping is faster - hooray!) and their inventory evolving, it's one of the sites I visit on the regular to see what's new and find must-haves for my wardrobe. 

As I've been losing weight, sites like Simply Be are essential to me. I refuse to spend a fortune on clothes as the weight comes off and need to get by on staple items that can be worn a variety of ways. Additionally, since our Southern California climate is inconsistent and my job is fast-paced, I also really need to be comfortable, and be able to layer. 

This kaftan Simply Be sent me fit the bill. And it's probably one of the more elegant items of clothing I've ever owned. Wearing it, I got a nice boost of confidence and even allowed some photos to be taken of me in it -- a true rarity for this blog. But I just love it. I'm not gonna lie, I always thought a kaftan meant "old lady clothes" but I looked it up on Wikipedia (the last bastion of internat accuracy, no doubt) and it's simply a term to define a long overcoat-type piece with sleeves. That's it. 

I also love the surprise this piece brings. The print is asymmetrical -- it floats behind you when you move; the backside is really art. 

Simply Be also offers a charge card that can earn you points, with recurring promotions for double points and bonuses that pay off in rewards. I am all about rewards programs. Returns are also free -- bonus! So there's no reason not to create an account and try some things on at home.

My next goal is knee-high boots and they have them in varying calf-widths, up to a size 11! 

Thank you, Simply Be, for giving me a little boost of glam and elegance and letting me play "fashion blogger" with my readers! 

Disclosure: No affiliate links, in case you were wondering. I was just happy for a free, beautiful fashion item and happy to share my honest opinion of the brand.

rue21 – A New Must See Plus Size Collection

There’s been so many more mainstream designers introducing plus size lines lately – it’s been a really refreshing development in the fashion world.  I think back to when I was a teenager and was limited to one store and maybe a couple department stores and it feels like eons ago. Of course, online shopping changed it all, right?

THERE IS NO “MAXIMUM” ON STYLE -- STYLE DOESN’T HAVE A SIZE!

I discovered rue21 last week and wanted to make sure I spread the word.  I don’t know how I missed it. They’re based here in the U.S. with more than 1100 stores in 47 states. Even here in California! In fact, rue21 is one of the fastest-growing fashion retail brands in the country. Inspired by the spirit and style of one of the best times in life (age 21 – cute, right?), their products are designed for people looking for fashion that’s modern, trendy and affordable.

True to that, rue21’s plus section is fashion-forward, flattering and includes everything – tops, plus size leggings, party dresses, outerwear, shoes, accessories and more. They have so much to offer, and their plus size clothing collection has only been around since November!

With spring and summer coming, here are some of my favorites:

Most recently, they launched plus size lingerie. Can I get a HALLELUJAH?! This is the hardest thing to find when you’re overweight. Not just because of size alone, but because a lot of manufacturers assume because you’re big, you’ve put aside any desire to wear sexy under-garments. They even carry plus size sports bras – this has always been the HARDEST item of clothing for me to find. I’m excited to take their line out 

Also, massive bonus points for their sale section. The prices are just beyond reasonable and with this crazy weather, I may blow a few bucks on some $16.99 sweaters!  Shipping is also affordable at a flat rate of $7 (although expedited shipping with higher rates is available), and is always free for orders over $50.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention their social responsibility campaign because stuff like this earns my loyalty. rue21 is a proud supporter of diversity, philanthropy and sustainability initiatives.

Please go check them out and let me know what your top wishlist item is! 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post however all opinions and insight is my own. 

Long Tall Sally With Them Big Feets

Here's a good catch for my fellow big foots. With love. 

Long Tall Sally is a wonderful online shop for tall-lady fashions and large-footed shoes. Seriously, they serve women 5'8" and up as well as shoes, sizes 10 - 15! (15! I wear and 11 or 12 and cannot even imagine. My sympathies to anyone in this position.) 

I was in the market for some comfy everyday shoes so I was excited when they sent me these from one of their premiere partners, Barefoot Tess:

Barefoot Tess mmay be their premiere partner but you'll also find a lot of other familiar brands like Nine West, New Balance, Sam Edelman (one of my faves!) and more. Which is great. Why shouldn't we get to wear the latest trends despite our monster sizes? 

These Dahlia lace-ups are normally $79.00 and they turned out to be super comfy! I love the shine with the snakeskin detailing and the thick soles - they are great to walk in. Of course, I also didn't mind just kicking back and putting 'em up, either! 

Here is something else really fantastic about the site -- accessories. Think about this. If you are a taller gal like me (though to be fair, I'm an eighth below their site's recommended minimum of 5'8"), this can be trickier than you realize! So they have tall-friendly items like gloves (longer fingers!), scarves (longer lengths!), purses (longer straps!) -- get the idea? Suddenly you're going to be so much more comfortable in everything you have on. You won't even realize how awkward you were before, amiright? 

I'm SUCH a sucker for scarves. I cannot wait to order a ton of them. Forget that I'm tall - I'm chesty so extra length on a scarf is really fantastic to me. 

Clothing sizes run up to size 20 and they have everything from pantyhose and jammies up to sweaters and coats. 

I'm so happy to have found this site! My credit card bill is a little annoyed but Mastercard's not the boss of me.... So in closing, a little musical tribute that seemed perfectly appropriate! "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard. A classic! 

 

More:

• Official website
• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter and Instagram

 

 

A Moment for Fabulous Fashion

I've been enjoying every moment since Eloquii returned with a resounding BANG!

Their newest collection is no exception. In fact, it may be my favorite Eloquii unveiling so far. It's filled with abstract prints, stripes and bright colors - all things I normally avoid but can't help but love somehow in these pieces. I am especially eyeing the pieces that can be pulled out as separates and worn with things I already own.

Have a look at some of the highlights and let me know which is your fave!

Amiright? Pretty fab looks here. There's more to come! 

An aside -- they're touting "nothing is over $200" which I guess in this day and age is a fair selling point but I'm a little more pliant at the "under $100" range. ;)

What Happens When Denim Meets Yoga?

I have a rather complicated relationship with denim. Whereas most women report unabashedly that they have several pairs of jeans in their closet, I own one pair. That’s about the norm for me as I’ve just never liked jeans.  When I think of denim, I think of how rough it is, immovable, unforgiving.

Enter Riders^® by Lee^®. While they have always been well known to many for jeans that fit and flatter women of all shapes and sizes at an affordable price, I have remained strangely unaware of how awesome they truly are. Their newest line, Heavenly Touch™ Denim, arrived in stores this year and is a major game changer in my life. It’s the best of both worlds - the softness of sweats or yoga pants, and the slimming fit qualities any woman wants in a pair of jeans.

Let me assure you -- seeing is believing! No joke. At their recent launch event at the famous Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, I watched in awe while other bloggers actually did Yoga in their new Riders.

When I arrived at the event, I couldn’t let go of my skepticism. I’d warned everyone in advance – I don’t do JEANS. But I also agreed to keep an open mind. So I took a couple pairs of Riders by Lee Heavenly Touch jeans into the restroom to try on. Admittedly, I was kind of doing this whole mental “eye roll” through the whole process. However that came to a screeching halt when I was not only able to get the first pair on and button them, but they actually looked pretty great!

(I know. You're all like "where's the photo, AJ?" Hold on - it's coming.)

The skepticism melted away… The second pair fit, too! And my goodness, they really are so, so soft.

Next thing ya know, I’m posing for photos. In my fabulous new jeans. Will wonders ever cease?! I could not believe it. Into the party a jeans-hater, heading home in a pair so soft I can lounge around in them like jammies.

The wonderfully affordable, versatile mid-rise jeans are available in skinny leg and boot cut styles. Along with the Heavenly Touch styles, Riders by Lee’s Fall 2014 line features the brand’s classic jean styles, such as Modern Fit, Glitz and Slender Stretch™, casual pants, tops, and plus-sized styles. For more information about Riders by Lee, please visit www.RiderbyLee.com.

Disclosure: Duh, they gave me a pair of jeans. If I didn't earnestly like them, you would not be reading this. 

Bling Bling This Holiday Season

Sometimes you stumble upon something unique and special (and shiny!) and a girl's just gotta share...

I was immediately in love with Nitya Chandra's collection the moment I laid on eyes on it because I've never seen anything like it before.

That detail on the earings - the Swarovski Crystals - they scream out "we want to be on your ears, AJ!" 

Born and raised in the fashion industry, Nitya traveled the world and was lucky to experience a multitude of cultures and lifestlyes. It was that experience that inspired her designs.

SHINY OBJECTS FOR THE WIN! I want this bracelet in silver. Or rose gold. Or gold. (Clearly I fail at decision making.)

Her love for jewelry in general began as a young Ex-pat in Sri Lanka, where on an excursion, learned to create filigree embossed plates from a local silversmith. It was a souvenir from her travels she’d never forget. This love, and passion eventually manifested into a successful career in the luxury and fashion industry in New York City.

Nitya Chandra is high quality compendium of simplistic concepts that make a Statement. The jewelry connects modern silhouettes with old world techniques and design.  This latest collection inspired by a world of cultures is hand crafted right here in Los Angeles!  

Her motto is everything: "Style is an effortless extension of one’s self."

Use the code #fflaunch to get 20% off anything in her online store plus free ground shipping! Who needs a Christmas gift for their mom/wife/sister/cousin/girlfriend? Well here you go. 

More:

• Official website
• Like it on Facebook
• Follow on Twitter and Instagram

 

 

Spotlight on NYDJ

It is becoming less and less of a challenge to find plus-sized, fashionable clothing, but for me, the biggest challenge remains DENIM. Jeans are torture to me. But the one brand that I've always had luck with is this one - NYDJ. 

NYDJ brings a terrific stretch denim pant to the table. They come in many different styles, lengths, and colors, and do not sacrifice fit and comfort for fashion. They do not make you settle for jeans that mostly fit, or that will fit in a few pounds. 

NYDJ is the original slimming jean, designed with a superior fit that makes women look and feel amazing. They use premium denim that endures, even after multiple washings. Their "Lift Tuck Technology" - their "one-size-smaller fit" - gives you gentle control in front while lifting and shaping in back. 

You'll find their plus size jeans come in skinny, bootcut, straight-leg, trouser, and crop. My favorite is the skinny. Don't let the name intimidate you -- you don't have to be skinny to wear them or have stick legs. I think they're the most slimming and flattering, but then, for dressier or more professional occasions, I might lean more toward a trouser. 

Here are my favorite NYDJ denim looks:

That trouser on the left is a great casual-but-professional style. In the middle is my ideal skinny jean. The pair on the right is a skinny pair as well, but I love the hounds-tooth fabric. It's a nice way to put some extra "oomph" in your jeans, right? 

And though I'm obsessed with the NYDJ denim, I also want to mention they sell non-denim apparel, and more is coming soon. 

I know not everyone who reads this blog is plus sized. The good news is, NYDJ has something for everyone. But FYI, their plus size jeans go up to size 24. ;)

And I also highly recommend following them on Twitter. They post some beautiful photography and inspirational quotes I love like this one:

Go out there and kill it, ladies. Rock them jeans! 

Be All You Can Gwynnie Bee

What does everyone think of the title? I spent three whole minutes on it and am pretty pleased with myself. 

This past Spring, I was enjoying a night in with girlfriends when someone mentioned Gwynnie Bee, an exciting service that helps women discover, experience, and enjoy great clothing without limitations. Consider it a Netflix for plus size clothes (sizes 10 and up). 

(click for larger image)

You won't find frumpy "fat girl" clothes either. Thankfully, these guys have great taste. Here are some examples of current rentables:

The pricing breaks down as follows:

• 1 garment out at a time - $35
• 2 - $59
• 3 - $79
• 5 - $99
• 7 - $129
• 10 - $159

Once you create your account, you browse, put things in your "closet" and off you go! The items come in simple boxes with return bags you can ship out of any mailbox, so no need to hit up the dreaded post office. You can keep garments as long as you want and even buy them at a discount if you simply can't part with it.

New arrivals are added to their inventory every few days, so you never run out of things to want. The only downside is, you can't choose what they send you next - it is randomly selected from what is currently in your closet - so be careful on stashing sweaters in there during the summer. (Lesson learned!!!) 

Everything is thoroughly cleaned between uses -- I have never felt gross putting something from GB on. I was so excited -- I even wore my very first rental to my 35th birthday party. It's from Igig and normally costs more than $200, but a steal to just wear once, which is what I usually do with dresses anyway!

Gwynnie Bee has also been responsible for making me try on clothes I'd never pick up in a store. I often add things to my closet I've always wondered about (how will peplum look on me?!) so I can give it a whirl at home. Use my referral link and give it a go! You can cancel anytime and the first month is free.