Indie Spotlight: Honey's Child Boutique

For today's Indie Spotlight, I wanted to feature a local plus size store that I recently tried for the first time - Honey's Child Boutique. 

Skirt:  Honey's Child Boutique (Sold out on-line; shop more skirts here)

Located in downtown St. Louis on Washington Avenue, this boutique also has a web site, so you can have treasures shipped to you wherever you are!  I had been aware of this shop for quite a while, but for some reason, I had never given it a-go.  I'm so glad that I finally did.  I recently ordered two pieces, and I'm really in love with both of them - I featured the striped harem jumpsuit I got from them previously, but today, I'm rocking this dramatic striped maxi skirt. It is sold out, but this shop is continually re-stocking with new treasures.

Tank:  Mossimo for Target (old)

I love black and white stripes, and I was really drawn to the pairing of vertical and horizontal stripes on this one, the self-tie belt, and the POCKETS!!!

Jacket:  Forever 21+ (old)

This skirt is such a statement piece that I wanted to keep things simple on top.  A mustard yellow tank was a good accompaniment, and the look was a great pairing for my black, white, and gold striped necklace.

Necklace:  The Limited

Clutch:  Cameo de Bore (Sold out on-line; shop more clutches here)

Since I decided to wear this skirt to work, I needed a topper to cover my arms and keep me warm in the air conditioning.  A cropped tuxedo jacket was a good fit, allowing me warmth without being overpowering with the full maxi skirt.

Glasses:  Coach

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch

I really enjoy wearing yellow, but surprisingly, I haven't worn much yellow this year and really don't have a lot of yellow in my closet anymore.  I plan to change that with some more mustard pieces this fall, but I leave you with my one other yellow look this year - a citron midi and tee paired with a blue moto jacket.

Spring Double Feature:  Citron Chartreuse

Get more inspiration and ways to wear yellow from my previous Color and Confidence series here and here.

Miss my previous Indie Spotlights?  Catch up with Myrda J and Zelie for She.

Cuff:  Eloquii

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

Are you an independent designer or clothing store who would like to be featured on the blog?  Send me an e-mail at stylecassentials29@gmail.com!

Color and Confidence 2: Mellow Yellow

I hope you've been enjoying my second Color and Confidence series.  Catch up with my red and orange posts here and here.

Skirt:  Eloquii (Available here)

I've delved into the issue of body policing, especially of women's bodies, as it relates to fashion and to concerns over health, but today, I wanted to step back from these larger socio-cultural issues and get a little more mellow.  Today, I'm going to talk a bit about building confidence through fashion and the barriers to personal style that might be holding you back.

Fashion and style don't necessarily come naturally to everyone.  Some people enjoy fashion more than others.  Maybe your joy in fashion has been tempered by lack of options, lack of money, self-esteem issues or other factors.

Top:  eShakti

Jacket:  LOFT Petites (old)

I'm really of the mindset that fashion is for everybody and for every BODY.

For some people, fashion just isn't their thing and thinking about how they adorn their bodies isn't really a big concern.  That's totally okay - we all have our interests and the things that don't appeal to us.  That said, maybe you've turned away from fashion because it seemed too hard to fit your body, because you don't know what looks good on you, or because you're not loving your body at the moment.  If that's the case, then I'm talking to you today.

Please never wait to lose weight to enjoy fashion.  Fashion is your right simply by having a body.  Throw the rule books out the window and wear whatever the heck you want!

Booties:  Target

Afraid?  The best way to conquer fears is by tackling them head on.  Don't think you'd look good in leather pants?  Want to try the 70s trend this fall, but are worried that fringe will look silly on you?  You won't know until you TRY.  Try everything on in the store.  If something even remotely appeals to you on the hanger, give it a try!  You might be really surprised by how you look or feel.

If your self-esteem is down in the dumps, it can be hard to see your fabulousness no matter what you try on, so I also recommend bringing an honest friend or two with you while shopping as well as a phone or camera to take some dressing room selfies.  Those friends will tell you when something looks great.  They will notice that glimmer in your eyes that maybe you have not let yourself see.  They will encourage you to break out of ruts you may have created as a personal safety zone.

I personally tend to prefer shopping alone, but sometimes I have a hard time deciding if something works for me when I first try it on.  I take dressing room selfies to get a different view and capture the look, sometimes sharing it with a friend for a second opinion.  Often, I will take those images and study them a bit to look at myself more objectively. 

Glasses:  Valentino

Clutch:  c/o Cameo de Bore (Sold out; see other options here)

Maybe you're not partaking in fashion as much as you'd like because you have difficulty finding items that fit your body shape or size.  First, please let me reinforce that most ready-to-wear clothes are made to fit one specific body type.  There is NOTHING wrong with your body if you don't fit into that body type.  Clothes are rarely a perfect fit off the rack for ANYONE regardless of size.

I've talked about this on the blog before, but I can't emphasize how much I highly recommend tailoring.  It is simply amazing what a few small tweaks can do to make a garment your own.  A simple change in hemline can take your look from matronly to modern.  Developing a relationship with a tailor can breathe new perspective to your shopping.  Some of us are NEVER going to find a great fit off the rack.  I'm short and curvy - clothes really aren't made for me.  It can be frustrating at times, but your mind opens up to more possibilities when you recognize that every garment can be changed.  Changing closures, sleeves, adding pleats, etc. can give you pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Even better than tailoring?  A custom fit!  There are more and more on-line retailers, like eShakti, Smart Glamour, and Chubby Cartwheels, to name a few, that offer a custom fit for little to no extra charge.

Extensive tailoring can get expensive, and maybe you steer away from fashion because of lack of money.

I definitely understand this issue.  Money's always going to be a concern to the majority of us, no matter our incomes.  While I'm a little better off today than I have been in the past, I spent most of my life struggling with money and haven't always had as much disposable income or credit to spend on fashion.  Lack of money can definitely be frustrating when you're trying to get your look on, but there are still lots of amazing options.  In my college days, I definitely frequented thrift stores and rummage sales to find unique and interesting fashion pieces at a fraction of the cost.  Thrift shopping has gotten much better over the years, and there are even on-line thrift stores nowadays!!  I love hitting pawn shops for unique jewelry at a fraction of the retail cost.

Fast fashion options like H&M, Forever 21, and City Chic offer the latest trends at a low price, and I always scour the ASOS sale pages for superb deals.  Previously, I offered some of my tips for shopping on a budget, and you can check that post out here.

Earrings:  Target and The Limited

After I had my daughter, I had NO clothes that fit.  My husband was in nursing school at the time, and I was working part-time as a sociology instructor.  We had five kids to support on very little money, so shopping was minimal.  As I slowly started rebuilding my wardrobe, I also learned how to get more creative with my clothing.

I mixed prints and color palettes that I normally would not have.  Dare I say it, being broke actually helped me have better style!  Without the ability just to go buy what I wanted or felt I needed to make an outfit just right, I improvised and in many cases, I came up with something a little more daring and unique.  Coming from a low-income family, as a kid, I became an expert at experimentation, using accessories in creative ways, wearing skirts as dresses, layering pieces to create a new effect, etc. 

I also taught myself some simple sewing techniques as a kid.  Before I could afford to get pants altered, I usually did them myself by hand.  It can be a little time-consuming, but it's a super easy alteration.  I also created higher slits in skirts, took tank tops up in the shoulders, repaired small holes, and replaced buttons myself. 

It is easy to get discouraged by fashion when it feels like the deck is stacked against you, but fashion can be such a great joy in life.  It can help you on a path towards seeing your body in new ways.  For me, fashion can be an incredible confidence booster.  Knowing that you deserve to look and feel amazing in your body can help you see fashion in a new light.

As I've said, fashion experimentation can be really fun.  It can lead you on a path towards developing your own personal style.  It's also fun just to mix things up now and again.  Fashion can help you express all the sides of your personality or your mood on any given day.  For example, today's look is definitely a little outside of my personal style.  I love the skirt and blazer, but I wouldn't have normally thought to pair them together.  The floral crop top is sweet and delicate, and the overall effect of this outfit is so soft and springy.  I usually prefer a more modern and edgy style, but sometimes it's fun to play in a new combo.

As for the color yellow, it's one of my favorite colors to wear!!  I just love the way it adds a pop of sunshine to any look.  For me, it's bold, soft, and feminine all at once.

Here are some of the ways I've worn yellow over the last year:

As an accent color

Left, from top to bottom:  Loving Our Bodies vs. Loving Our Fat; Reader's Choice:  Casual Wear; Skirt Week 2:  50s Flair
Middle:  Style Inspiration from Garner Style
Right, from top to bottom:  Unconditional Body Beautiful - Part 3:  My Journey on My Legs; Summer's End

In a great print

Left to right:  Art of Work; Garden Party

As a Central Color Statement

Left, top to bottom:  Bzzzz...Black and Yellow Aren't Just for Bees; Weekend Natural + JORD Wood Watch Feature
Middle:  11 Twenty Eight Designs
Right:  The Slip Dress

Do you like wearing the color yellow?  Do you feel any barriers to partaking in and enjoying fashion?

For last year's Color and Confidence:  Yellow, see here

Color and Confidence: YELLOW

While I don't wear a ton of yellow, I find myself very attracted to the color.  This sunny hue instantly puts me in a happy mood!

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)

With today's look, I really let the yellow stand out by pairing this saffron yellow dress with cognac booties and adding a fun ikat print tote with touches of yellow.

Because it is always FRIGID in my office at work, I added in the sueded moto jacket for extra warmth. 

Jacket:  The Limited

Necklace:  J.C. Penney (old)

While wearing yellow makes me feel great, today's focus on confidence isn't about feeling good about our outsides.  It's about feeling good about our insides.  Confidence comes from feeling accomplished, feeling good about what we do and who we are as people.

I often feel like I spend too much time on my blog.  I don't make much money from doing this (nothing really), and it consumes a lot of my free time. Between a full-time job, five kids, and the man, I question whether I should spend so much time on what right now is essentially a hobby.

Tote:  The Limited (old)

I blog because I'm passionate about sharing fashion and promoting body love...because doing it makes me feel like me, because it nurtures my mind and creative spirit to do so. 

Eventually, I would love to turn my blog and my passion for fashion into something much larger (I have serious goals), but for the time being, blogging helps fuel my fire.

Bracelets:  The Limited

Shoes:  Target (old)

Putting yourself first sometimes isn't selfish.  It's necessary for LIFE! 

As women, we are so often taught to put everyone else's needs before our own, but our needs matter and they matter a LOT.  Nurture YOU.  Feed your mind, nourish your soul; find what moves you, what brings you excitement.  It's amazing how good you will feel doing what you LOVE!  <3 <3

That sense of fulfillment and self-confidence that comes with doing something you love will permeate everything you do.

What skills, activities, or roles make you feel confident?

Need more inspiration for wearing yellow?  Check out these past yellow looks from the blog:

Incorporate yellow shoes and accessories for a simple way to wear this sunny hue:

The Dark Side of the Sun

Second Time's A Charm

Yellow tops and blouses can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe to brighten up casual and work looks:

Color Pop!

Whimsy for Work

Try mustard for a more subdued variation of yellow:

Get Your Motor Runnin'

A citrine yellow cardigan or jacket makes a fun topper for casual looks:

Hello Kitty

Zesty Lemon and Lace

Yellow is one of those colors that many people think is difficult to wear. The trick is to work with your skin tone.  Warmer (yellow) skin tones can work mustard and citrine.  Cooler (blue) skin tones should opt for lemon or banana.

Do you like wearing yellow?

For this dress in another look, see here.
For this jacket in another look, see here.

Whimsy for Work

Hope you all had a great week and are enjoying your weekend!

I've spent the last two weeks in suits, so yesterday, when I had the opportunity to have a little more fun with my work look, I seized it.

Blazer:  Torrid (Available here)
Blouse:  Forenza by The Limited

"Evil eye" ring:  H&M
Bracelets:  Target, World Market

While I try to maintain a fairly conservative look for work, I do love adding a little whimsy sometimes through bold color choices, pattern mixing, and fun accessories like my "evil eye" ring and snake earring (close-ups here and here, respectively).

Pants:  The Limited
Purse:  Target (Available here)

Shoes:  Target

For this blouse in another look, see here and here.

Sun and Sky

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great day!  Things are pretty frenzied at work right now, so I'm doing my best to squeeze in new blog posts.

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in blue; Available in navy and black here)
Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Today's featured look is inspired by the summer sky and sun.

I paired blue pants with an off-white blouse and white blazer.  I added a yellow clutch for a pop of sunny color.

Blazer:  The Limited (old)
Shoes:  Target (old)

Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)
Necklace:  The Limited (Available here)

I added grey heels and silver and blue jewelry to finish off the look.

I love simple, streamlined looks like this for work during the summer.  The pieces are easy and comfortable, the colors light and airy.

Bracelets:  Target and The Limited

How do you make your work wardrobe more summer friendly?

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here
To see this blouse in other looks, see here and here
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here

Zesty Lemon and Lace

I love unexpected pieces that pop into my life.  

Pants:  The Limited (Sold out in navy on-line; Available in black here)
Lace tunic:  Forever 21+ (Available  here)

I was very excited to find this lace top from Forever 21+  It's long enough to wear as a dress (once I find a suitable lining), but I also love it over skinny pants.

Jacket:  The Limited (Available here)
Tank:  Target (Available in other colors )

Remember how I said that petite girls have to be careful not to go too long with tops?  Tops that hit mid to upper-thigh are a no-no (unless you really love them, and then, do whatever you want!).  I think a knee-length top like is a different story.  It works here because the pants are kept narrow.

I threw on my lemon yellow faux leather jacket and added a clutch, and I was good to go!  

To see these pants styled differently, see here, here, here, and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here and here.