Firmoo Eye Wear Giveaway

Last spring, I told you all about Firmoo.com, a web site that has great affordable eye wear that is simply perfect for those of you who are looking to save some money on eye wear or who want to accessorize with your frames.

Spring Berries & An Eyewear Feature from Firmoo.com

The dark purple frames I received last spring get major use by me and are holding up really well.  They are super lightweight which makes them so comfortable on the face.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Firmoo is now generously allowing me to give away a voucher that can be used for your own pair of glasses, which includes a pair of frames from this selection and standard 1.50 index single vision lenses.  If you need upgraded frames or want any add-ons, these can be added to your freebies at cost.

Here are a few of my favorites currently available:

#DBSN62203

#DBSN62170

#DBSN65096

#Pae9915

Follow the instructions below to enter for your own free pair of glasses!

Don't forget to leave a comment after you check out the frames on Firmoo.com and let me know which pair you would choose!

Giveaway ends 12:00 AM on December 3rd!  Winner will be notified that evening.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 10: My Height

The #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series continues on the blog today, and this month, the participating bloggers and I are talking about our height.

Sweater:  Forever 21 (Available here)

I have been looking forward to this post for a while.  At only 4'9", my height has been a blessing and a curse.

Over the years, I have been called small fry, shorty, and a number of other names, and I have been the unwilling victim of a lot of short jokes. 

Jeans:  The Limited Petites

My height makes people think I am younger than I am.  A contractor once asked my mother if my then boyfriend was my babysitter - I was 22 years old and a college graduate!!!  In high school, I was at a car wash with a male friend.  A little girl, probably all of seven, came up to me and asked me to see if my "dad" would allow me to play with her.  That was actually kind of precious.  :-)
 
My height has at times felt like a liability in regards to my level of attractiveness to the opposite sex.  After dating for a couple months, my first boyfriend once told me, "I didn't think a short girl could be so sexy."  Ummm...thanks? 

T-shirt:  LOFT (Available here)

The reality is that while I have often wished that I was taller so that clothes would fit better off the rack or because of occasional desires to have Giselle legs, I also came to terms with my height many years ago.  My height doesn't define me any more than the shape of my body does. 

Booties:  Target

With all the negatives of being short, not least of which is not being able to reach things from top shelves, I have generally felt just fine about my height.  They say good things come in small packages, and my height has often made me feel cute.  When struggling with body image, my height made me feel a little more positive about my body - I still felt "little" (as though taking up more space is such a bad thing). 

Through the years, for better or worse, my height has just become part of who I am.  I am short like my mother, who is short like her grandmother.  My short stature gives me a lower center of gravity.  If I should fall down, I have less of a fall.  Yep, there are advantages to being short too!

Necklace:  Ann Taylor

Ultimately, I have learned that my height has no bearing on anything.  I have great calves because of standing on my tippy toes to reach for items.  If I can't reach something, I can get a stool or ask for help.  I am attractive, beautiful, sexy, etc. because of who I am, not because of or in spite of my height. 

In the past, I never would have worn cropped jeans with a long sweater as I was taught this was unflattering for someone of my height - that it made me look shorter.  This ideas is based on the idea that being short is a bad thing when in fact being short is great!  Today, I wear what I want! 

Glasses:  Firmoo.com

Purse:  Target (Similar here)

What has your relationship with your height been?  Has it ever affected your body image?

For the other posts in the #UnconditionalBodyBeautiful series, see here:
Part 1:  My Body and I from the Beginning
Part 2:  The Heart (Bust)
Part 3:  My Journey on My Legs
Part 4:  My Belly and Me
Part 5:  My Buttocks
Part 6: Body Hair
Part 7:  My Arms, My Wings
Part 8:  Getting By On My Feet
Part 9:  My Face is Up Here

Catch up with the other bloggers participating in the series this month: 

Katherine Hayward, The Glitter Notebook https://theglitternotebook.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/unconditional-body-love-post-10-good-things-come-in-small-packages/

Zadry Ferrer-Geddes, Curves a la Mode
http://curvesalamode.com/2015/10/19/unconditional-body-beautiful-part-ten-my-height/

To see my jeans styled in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Up Close with Fashionable Addictions

Recently, I was introduced to the boutique Fashionable Addictions and had the opportunity to virtually "meet" the woman behind the company, Danielle Seals, also known as Dr. Dannie.  Dr. Dannie owns Fashionable Addictions in Oak Park, IL, but for those of us not from the Chicago area, Fashionable Addictions also has a web site full of trendy clothes in straight and plus sizes, perfect for clubbing, work, the beach, and everything in between.

Identifying herself as a master marketer and celebrity stylist, Danielle worked for 12 years in retail.  She was working as a buyer for a store when it closed down.  At that time, she decided to go into business for herself and Fashionable Addictions was born!

Taking a hands-on approach to business, Danielle is in store during the weekend shopping rushes so that she can interact with more shoppers and stay abreast of customer feedback to help meet the needs and wants of her clientele.  She tries to live by the golden rule "Treat others as you want to be treated" and believes that keeping communication open with her clientele is pertinent to maintaining and growing her business.

Here a few of my favorite plus size pieces from Fashionable Addictions.  I could definitely see myself wearing any of these items.  In fact... I might just have to nab that white maxi skirt for myself!!

White faux leather pleated skirt $55

Mysterious Jumpsuit $72

Black and White Sally Swimsuit $48

Trina Vanity Dress $60

Gold Faux high low skirt $48

Vicky Jumper $49.99

See any pieces you like?  Check out all the offerings at FashionableAddictions.com!!

Stay tuned to the blog tomorrow for the start of a new series featuring summertime looks in my favorite color to wear - black!!

Fashion Favorites 2: Faux Leather Pencil Skirt, 9 Ways

Yesterday, I featured the light and airy tulle skirt as one of my fashion favorites.  On the other end of that spectrum is a faux leather pencil skirt. 

I seldom wear real leather, so faux is a must for me, but I also look for quality vegan leathers that have properties of real leather (flexibility, weight, soft texture, etc.).

This pencil skirt that I picked up at The Limited early last fall definitely fit the bill.  It fits well without any alterations, is super versatile, and works for all but the hottest of summer days.  For these reasons, it has made it to my list of fashion favorites.

Soft and Cozy
One of my favorite ways to wear a faux leather skirt is to pair it with a sweater.  The softness of the sweater provides a nice contrast to the structured and hardness, if you will, of the skirt.

Playing with Proportions

Cozy in Leather and Lace

All-Black Looks
Nothing is sleeker than black leather mixed into an all black look. 

Oh, For the Love of a Skirt

The Devil Wears ASOS

With Blazers for Work
A faux leather pencil skirt can DEFINITELY work for the office.  Paired with a structured blazer and soft blouses, it becomes almost demure.

Black and Navy

Professional in Faux Leather

Tee Time
Adding a t-shirt takes a faux leather pencil skirt in a more casual direction.  To make this look even more casual (and more comfortable), the booties could be swapped out for white low-top Converse or a similar style sneaker.

Dress Up Tee Time

Warm Weather-ize
A soft blouse has the same effect as a sweater in balancing out the stiffer fabric of the faux leather pencil skirt.  For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, the ideas above are largely in season.  For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere who are warming up to Spring, a soft blouse is a way to transition your faux leather skirts for the season.  I would swap the booties out in these looks for a pair of strappy sandals.

Modern Monochrome

Honorable Mentions 6

I'm looking forward to coming up with a few ways to style this skirt for spring and summer.  I'm thinking more soft tops and pretty sandals.

Are you a fan of faux leather pencil skirts?  How do you style yours?  Do you wear them all year or just in the colder months?

Reader's Choice: What Happens in Vegas

I have been wanting to start a regular feature in which I respond to any questions you have, trends you'd like to see styled, etc.

Today, I am responding to a reader request on advice for what to wear for a casual trip to Vegas.  She wanted looks for casual days and casual, but glitzier, nights.

Vegas Capsule Collection

ASOS Curve plus size top, $62 / Cardigan / T shirt / Chiffon top / Gray tank / Blazer / ASOS Curve shorts, $59 / White pants / H M plus size activewear, $39 / Lizzy Extreme Dip Back Top / Leopard romper / Women's Plus Size Midi Denim Shorts-Ava Viv / Sadie Shorts / Sophie Swing Cami Vest / Wedge sandals / Sandals / Shoes / Shoulder bag / Red bag

When packing for a trip, it's helpful if you can find pieces that you can mix and match and that can go from day to night with ease.  By being able to use pieces for multiple purposes, you minimize what you'll have to pack and save space in your bag for souvenirs!

Since the trip is to the desert in the springtime, I was thinking about warm days and somewhat chilly nights, so I selected lots of shorts and a few layering pieces.

Here are just a few of the options I came up with:

Daytime Casual Looks
A simple denim shorts and t-shirt look is perfect for a quick trip to the Hoover Dam.

Planning a day of playing the penny slots and hitting the buffets, you'll need a comfortable and easy look.  A cardigan will stave off the chill of air conditioning.

Evening Looks
A sequined shorts set paired with blinged out accessories says Vegas all the way.  Plus, this set will easily break up into separates to be paired with other pieces for more evening options.

For a more laid-back evening, try your hand at print mixing by pairing printed pants with tribal print heels and a brightly colored camisole.  A draped blazer on hand will keep you warm should the temperatures drop.

Day to Night OptionsPair a floaty chiffon top with printed shorts and sandals for day, then wear that same top with sequin shorts and blinged-out accessories for evening.

Jean shorts can go from day to night just as you would with your jeans.  Throw a hi-lo tee over jean shorts for day, then add a sequin top and drapey blazer for evening.

A leopard print romper makes for easy Vegas dressing.  Cute wedges and a backpack are perfect for hitting the shops.  Switch out to those trusty tribal print heels and studded bag for an evening of club-hopping.

Faux leather joggers are easy to take from day to night.  Just swap out that hi-lo tee for a dressier style and add the bling!

A few more hints for successful packing - no matter where you're going:

• Jewelry is small and easy to pack, so add variety and interest to your looks by changing up your jewelry.  
• Pack with comfort in mind, and bring at least a few of your favorite pieces.  The last thing you want to do during a vacation is to be fidgeting with your clothes.
• Choose a neutral color palette and then add color and prints from there to maximize your mix-and-match options.  

What would you wear for a casual trip to Vegas?

Do you have any style questions you'd like me to answer?  Respond to this post or send me an e-mail at stylecassentials29@gmail.com, and I'll do my best to address them!

Reverse It

I first featured this dress styled simply and somewhat casually with beige booties and a chocolate clutch. 

The Dress Worn as Designed

When first trying this dress on, my seven-year-old said that I had the dress on backwards.  I explained that it was the design to have a lower vee back. 

She then suggested that I wear it reversed.  What a great idea!  I knew my baby was a genius!  :-)

Dress:  ASOS (Available here)

Dresses are wonderful, but they usually offer rather limited styling possibilities.  

As designed, this dress is versatile enough to style for casual days and evenings, as well as for work, but the fact that I can wear it reversed for another evening possibility gives this one bonus points.

Reversing the dress created a deep v-neckline that was stunning for an evening out with the man.

Jacket:  Torrid (Available here)

Boots:  Target

Clutch:  Target

Earrings:  The Limited

I really played with textures and patterns in this look, mixing an unexpected straw clutch, wood watch, and faux leather jacket to the weaved texture dress.  Lace print glasses added another subtle print.

Watch:  c/o JORD Wood Watches (Available here)

Glasses:  Valentino

Have you ever worn a dress backwards?  How did you like it?

For the dress in another look, see here.
For the jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Maxi Dresses for Spring, Part One

Recently on Facebook, I asked what you would like to see on the blog.  One of the requests was maxi dresses.

So, today on the blog, I have a double-feature planned.  This morning, I'm featuring a maxi dress look that I wore out yesterday, along with a round-up of some of my previous maxi dress looks.  This evening, I will have a round-up of some of my favorite maxi dresses currently on sale in stores and on-line.

Dress:  Peter Som for Kohl's

I personally love maxi dresses for their comfort and ease.  Throwing on a moto jacket to beat the rainy and chilly April weather, this look was a no-brainer for a quick dinner out.

Jacket:  The Limited

Bracelet:  The Limited

Glasses:  Firmoo.com (Available here)

For some more maxi dress inspiration, I pulled together some of my past maxi dress looks:

Pattern Play (L to R):  Saturday Soccer Mom, Coming Up Roses, Weekend Boho

Color Blast (L to R):  Maxi-mize Your Weekend, Color and Confidence:  Green

All Black Everything (L to R):  Ready for the Beach, A Midspring's Night Dream, Easy Like Sunday Morning

I'd love to start a weekly feature where I address YOUR requests.  What trends would you like to see me feature?  What fashion or fit questions do you want answered?  Are there certain styles you'd like to see on the blog?  I'd love to hear from you!

Purse:  Target
Ring:  The Limited

Stay tuned this evening for my maxi dress round-up!

For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.