It's Been A Long Time!

It's been a while, hasn't it?

I have good excuses reasons but I'll save them for another time.

Let's blame it on Blogger being down for a couple of days.

What?

It's TRUE.

Blogger was down!

So that's my reason.

(Target Tank/Vintage Skirt*/Random Belt, Thrifted clutch)

The pockets on this skirt are fabulous!

My school year is winding down and wedding planning is in high gear.

I never really mention that I'm planning a wedding because I don't want to turn this into a wedding blog.

Like we need another one of those!

But I will give great highlites because you won't believe the gifted people that have come through this blog that will have a heavy influence on that day:)

I will say this...it won't be one of those "awww look at her skip on fake rose petals down the yellow brick road then watch them stuff cake in each other's face and everybody laughs because he got cake in her hair" type of events.

I don't have time for all of that foolishness and HOMIE DON'T PLAY THAT!

And my wedding shoes are leopard print for goodness sake.

I wouldn't have it any other way...but you knew that:)

It'll be lowkey but fun. Emphasis on fun.

 I'll share bits and pieces after it's all said and done.

 Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Yvette, owner of Belle Curve Boutique in Houston.

Chastity from The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style introduced us. (She knows everybody!)

I got to see some of the latest Spring items and I even got to play with the dolls style a few of the newer pieces!

I had great fun and the pieces are fab, affordable and I even taught Yvette that leopard print is neutral.

My work on earth is done!

Bella Curve Dress/Necklace

Belt & 2nd necklace (my own)

If you're in Houston, drop by Belle Curve and check out some of the goodies!

Yvette told me she started her boutique because she got so frustrated with the sizing of online stores and wanted to make fashion accessible to curvy women! Tell her I sent you and give her a big hug for me:)

Belle Curve Boutique

10350 South Post Oak

Suite 100

Houston, Texas

Belle Curve Top/Harem Pants

(These pics don't do the pants justice...the sequin band is part of the pants)

My personal bag by DIY RAVEN

P.S...These pictures SUCK hot boiled eggs! I'm working on getting my real camera back in operation.

*The vintage skirt I'm wearing is technically supposed to go to SFAM but I threatened encouraged Juanette to let me try it...for business purposes of course! (kinda loving it & keeping it) We are each other's personal shoppers so it's hard giving up goodies! *hangs head*

Bloggers Don't Always Love What They're Wearing

Hi. I hate this dress.

I bought it a year or so ago and it was about 2 sizes too big.

But I saw potential in it.

I thought I could save it. Make it work for me.

No.

I should've just left it at the thrift store instead of pouring money into alterations.

The neck is too high (it's asymeterical)

 My "girls" felt caged.

The waist line doesn't hit me in the most awesome place

 It's too short.

All which are my fault...because my alterations lady told me.

I didn't listen.

 Now...once again...I hang my head in shame!

 I tried to "Jedi mind trick" the dress by adding a vest.

Which wasn't originally a vest...it was a Gap Jacket that I've had for a few years.  

I decided it would serve me better as a vest.
I had the sleeves taken off.

I was right about that!

(Thrifted dress,belt/ Gap Trench Jacket Vest, BCBG heels/ Aldo necklace/Vintage handbag)

You win some and you lose some.

P.S...Say hello to my new little friend. The mother in law strikes again. This is the MIL's grandmother's handbag! It's been sitting in her attic doing absolutely nothing since I rescued it. It's perfect in all thy ways.

GFS Series: Christ Chic...Le Sigh

 (Super LONG post! Feel free to just look at the pics but it is SO worth it if you continue reading:)

Vintage blouse/belt, Target Skirt, these Paris Hilton shoes)

Let me start by saying that I went to church on Sunday. It's important that you know that.

So, after church, the Mr., the kiddo and I, needed to swing by JC Penney to get her some sports bras for softball. We walk in and ask the first employee we see to point us in the right direction. We go upstairs and stumble around still not finding what we were looking for.    

We go to the intimate apparel department where three of JC Penney's finest are huddled, engrossed in what I assume is a conversation about the government's impending shutdown...it has to be that serious to ignore us, right?

I ask the group for help finding sports bra. They all pause long enough for Chaka Khan the ring leader to make slight eye contact and POINT to a back wall. The kiddo, the Mr. and I, all look at each other because surely this lady is going to stop her conversation to help us.

Not so much.

(I almost fell in this pic)

My crew automatically looks at me because they know that I can get quite vocal when it comes to poor customer service. But this is where you remember that I went to church. God was still in me.  

So I bit my lip and we all went into the designated area. No sports bras. We wondered back downstairs to look in the athletic department. Sports bras built in shirts but not sports bras alone. We find another employee who directs us back upstairs. Le Sigh.

 

We go back upstairs. Low and behold...who do we see but Chaka Khan again. We tell her that we didn't see any sports bras. She then so graciously turns into Vanna White and points to this one row of sports bras, which were white and gray. There were no signs. Just blended in with the regular bras. We start to look through them as Chaka stands nearby. Since she was standing there just looking, I asked her if she could measure the kiddo. Let me also say that the kiddo is taller and more developed than most ten year olds. She has the body of a young woman.

So...the following conversation ensues...

Me: Could you please measure her since we are here?

Chaka Khan: *without budging* How old is she?

Me: *blank stare* She's 11...(confused)

Chaka Khan: *looking disgusted* Oh no. There is an age limit to get fitted. We only measure ages 16 and up.

Again, a collective blank stare...Chaka Khan included.

Chaka Khan: (continues) Yes, that's policy. We don't measure under age 16 because if we measure her today and then she grows at the end of the week, you're gonna have to buy her a new bra.

Me: *blank stare*

Chaka Khan: I can NOT measure her.

Me: But we've been here before and had her measured before.

Chaka Khan: Oh no. That's against policy.

Remember again, we just came from church. I bite my tongue.

Me: You know what...that's ok.

Chaka Khan: Well let her come back here so I can see.

Me: You know what, don't worry about it. *walking away*

Chaka Khan: (yelling as we walk away) I'm TRYING to give you suggestions.

All of us walk away side eyeing the heck out of each other.

Of course, you know I found a manager.  Ummm hmmm. I explained the "new bra measure policy" and of course the manager never heard of such. The manager asked me to go back to the department with her to confront Chaka Khan, PROTECTOR of the MEASURING TAPE.

Chaka stands her ground and even added that she was trained to not measure preteens because some parents don't want their kids wearing "padded bras."

BLANK STARE!!!! Who said ANYTHING about PADDED BRAS LADY!

I still had a song in my heart from church so I just aggressively politely told both the manager and Chaka that she was no help, her customer service skills are piss poor and that they should agree on a policy.  (My version of Sunday polite atleast.)

Here are my questions though.

1. So what if I have to buy a new bra at the end of the week? Is it your money?

2. Let's say that I do have to come back to get another bra in a week...are you refusing to sell it to me?

3. Why are your nails so long? Is that sanitary?

4. Do you have on two wigs?

5. Do you really know someone whose boobs grew in a week?

There's more...but I can't. I just can't.

Don't forget to Shop SFAM

Did you enter the GFS/Shabby Apple giveaway? Click here.

If you're in Houston, I hope to see you at Dismount Creative's Pre-Launch party! RSVP here.

Polyester, Sugar and Church...OH MY!

Is there an outfit that you wear that personifies who you are as a person? I'm thinking this is that outfit for me. I felt very much ME while wearing this to church and to the movies.

I think it's the skirt. Who says you can't have a little drama in your everyday life. The train on this trumpet shaped skirt does it for me. It makes me feel like I am really going somewhere which in most cases...I am not.

I do have to share one secret...this skirt is HOT AS HELL! It's vintage which means polyester is involved. At random points of the day, I caught myself hiking the skirt up to my knees to give my legs some air! Thank goodness I sat in the back of the church!

Again, I ask...how is it that Polyester became the premier fabric of the 70's!?! How did my mom do it? I have to space my polyester days out or my "sugar" will start to run high. (I don't know what "sugar" has to do with polyester but just go with it.)

Vintage Skirt/clutch

Thrifted Men's Burberry Shirt

Belt: gift

Pour La Victoire Sandals

P.S...I just High fived myself for using the word "sugar" in this post. BWAHAA!

The Big Easy

I had a movie day with my nieces. I only got them popcorn if they agreed to take my outfit pics.

I didn't buy them candy because they didn'tell me my hair was flying all over the place.

That'll teach them:) HA!

I'm off to New Orleans for a wedding. Have you been? What places do you love to go in New Orleans?

What must I see/eat/do?

Vintage Dress

American Apparel Clutch

Random belt

Sam Edelman Shoes

Christ Chic: 80's Revival!

I can't decide if I look more like Shug Avery from The Color Purple...

or an extra in a Lionel Richie video...

Specifically the "All Night Long" video.

I think it's the ruffles:)

 

Vintage Dress gifted from Juanette

Jessica Simpson Heels

Vintage clutch

Or an extra in this video, YOU decide!

Don't forget to shop SFAM!

*Insert Expletives Here*

Spoiler alert...for those who don't want to bother reading the rest of this post...the moral is TODAY SUCKED!

(Forced Smile, Thrifted Men's Blazer,scarf, Thrifted Vintage Blouse, Zara pants, MY ULTIMATE Coupe de' grace THRIFT...authentic LV SAC Plat (yes, I'm a beast when I thrift)

Not all of today sucked...just every second after 4pm. I will try to hit the key points of today's disaster....

 I go to Target to exchange a broken tripod (the reason I haven't blogged much). I get to the customer service booth and of course the Super Target Nazi lady asked for ID to make the EVEN EXCHANGE! I dig for it. No ID. Ah yes...I switched purses this morning and I forgot to put my license back in my wallet. I beg the Target rule enforcer to allow just an even exchange. Same item. NO money back.

Nope. Super Target Nazi Lady/rule enforcer refused. I stay calm because I once worked customer service. I know the drill. Be nice. Smile. Keep voice calm. I ask for a manager and offer to show her other forms of ID, bank cards, even my insuraance policy. The manager who I would assume must be single handedly trying to bring back the 90's by wearing her hair like Salt N Pepa in the Push It video, refused to allow me to exchange.

Fine. I decide to go home, get the ID and exchange at another Target. I drive through rush hour traffic all the while enduring a stressful phone call with a person who refuses to practice good communication skills by actually LISTENING. I get to the second Target...and they have not a one of my tripod in stock! NOT ONE! GRRRR!

You would think I would give up, right? Oh no, I never give up. I go to a third Target. They have the tripod BUT they wanted me to pay a $2 difference because I didn't have a receipt...bla bla bla. Now, I get it technically. No receipt= Suck it up. I couldn't do it. I calmly explained to the apparently new on the job Target representative that it should be an even exchange. She agrees. I finally leave. There's other stuff in between all of this but then you would just say that I'm whining. (Shush...it's my blog...I can whine:)

I get the tripod. It's pitch black by now but I've gone through all of this trouble anyway. I find a spot. Set up the Tripod...then the camera dies after two shots!!!  Oh and my phone died. I left my charger at work. Score. Not.

BUT...I did make it home to watch the TLC show "Addicted to Eating Pillow Cushions" and "Addicted to Ingesting  Household Cleaning Agents."

So, it wasn't a total loss....he he he:)

GFS Series: Christ Chic

I was forced to get dressed  for church in exactly 20 minutes...or I was going to get LEFT!

So, I just kind of remixed some of the pieces from the last few posts to make an outfit.

Not loving any of these pics either:(

 I've been left before. When I was in high school, I went to the football playoff game for my school and I went with my dad. Well, when I got there...I wanted to walk around the Astrodome with my friends. That's what everybody did at the games, right?

(Vintage coat, Zara scarf/skirt, BEBE sweater (super,super old), Banana Republic fedora)

This was before cell phones....I think I may have had a pager/beeper at the time. So, my dad told me to meet him at the 50 yrd line seats at the end of the game...which I did, but that fool wasn't there! I am walking around the dome frantically thinking surely he wouldn't leave me. Oh, I forgot one thing...my dad WORKED at the school I attended. After about an hour of walking around...I got a ride from one of my friends who had to take me all the way home.

(I wasn't even going to post these pics bc they don't wow me but I wore it for the Lord so it has to be good enough  you guys. Amen.)

My dad was there. Sure was. Chilling. Watching Thundercats. Didn't say a word to me. I was so mad and embarrassed because the whole school heard about it. He told me he left early because they were losing and that if I had sat my "fast butt" down, I would've known that. What could I say? Nothing.

For that reason, I can get ready quick, fast and in a hurry!

(Sorry for the lack of posts, but it's been cold and I need another tripod. I will do better:)



When One Doesn't Make it To Church

This is what one looks like the night before they should've gone to church...but didn't:(

Met some old friends and new friends out for a late dinner. One thing I know now that I didn't know before but should have known...apparently it's not illegal to smoke in restaraunts. I didn't know that...and now my vintage coat smells like I've been turning tricks with truck drivers.

(My hair is in a super high bun)

But not just any truck driver...the truck driver who wins awards for smoking the most cigarettes in his rig. I gotta watch the news more or would've known that people still smoke in restaraunts.

Thus...my new year's resolution...WATCH MORE NEWS!

(Urban Outfitters Tee/Zara skirt/Pour La Victoire Booties/LV Speedy 35/ Vintage overcoat/Aldo Earrings)

I would also like to share that I'm a genius (not really). These earrings I'm wearing got tarnished because I accidentally spilled Chic Fil A lemonade on them. I was driving and eating. The earrings were stopping me from enjoying my food so I pulled them off and placed them in the cupholder part of my console. Somehow, I wasted some lemonade on them and they tarnished. I went back to exchange the earrings but they were all gone. One would think that I would have just gotten a store credit. Nope. Not me. I went to Walmart and bought gold spray paint and voila...they were reborn.

Not for the Faint of Heart

Give a girl the choice to thrift or eat for lunch...which do you think I chose? Exactly. Thrifting!

I copped this boys jacket. The minute I saw it, I knew it was something that JJ would have worn on Good Times. You know that thought alone sold me!

(I do not own these other items...just giving you a visual)

Pour La Victoire Heels, Etsy Vintage Clutch, American Apparel Skirt

I can't describe the fabness of this jacket. It's vintage, light wool and fitted. It is awesome and sadly I must part with it because apparently I couldn't convince my boobs to shrink on demand. Sad face. Before I have to part with it, I thought I would style it up a bit. It really could go with anything...wide legged jeans...skinny jeans and boots...pencil skirt. The possibilities are endless.

 Then I saw this dress. It's ugly, right...but that's what makes it fabulous! When I saw it, I knew the solution was to remove the sleeves and voila...a fab dress appears! I'll admit, the jacket and this dress aren't to be worn by "wusses". It's for the fashion gangstas. It's for the chick that dares anyone to tell her that fly collared jackets and Hawaiian print fitted mumu's aren't fashion forward. It's for people like me:)

I just pinned the arms back but doesn't it make a world of difference!?!

Cinch the waist with a belt...and BAM!

 I styled it up for you. All those flowers and patterns needed to be anchored with some black basic classics.

(Chloe Nancy Clutch, Blue Fly Jacket, Pour La Victoire Ankle Boots)

You like?

I'll do an outfit post soon...I've just been to lazy too take pics after work:)

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