There's nothing like putting on a dress and feeling absolutely wonderful. And believe me, I have had many moments where I put a dress on and didn't feel wonderful. I learned the hard way that not everything I love will look good on me. I admire many pieces but now know my body well enough to know what will look good and what won't.

Some aspire to that fashion school of thought of wearing what you love and F**K Flattering! Being a plus size fashionista is like being an activist because you are essentially giving the world the middle finger by stepping out of the house, wearing what you love despite the "rules" society has imposed on us for decades. 

Whether something is flattering or not, at the end of the day, you have to wear what is comfortable to you and what you love. That's what I believe. I see on social media all the time, people making the most insulting comments when they see a dress or look that they don't like. They talk as if their opinion should be fashion law. But the beauty of fashion is that we all get to choose what we want to wear and not conform to what the masses think.


At the end of the day, we all have flaws and we are all in different places in our state of mind when it comes to loving our bodies. And that affects how we feel when it comes to fashion. I say Do You! And be happy. Today, you may not feel as confident but that's okay. As long as you never give up and strive to love yourself a little more each day, you're winning the battle. Always be kind to yourself. Because none of us are perfect.

This faux leather dress from Lane Bryant is one of those dresses that makes me feel absolutely wonderful. From the moment I put it on, I was instantly in love.


Sure, it shows my belly outline but I am okay with that. Again, it's about what makes you feel comfortable and happy. I love how this dress shows off my waist and just looks so chic with a touch of edge.

I paired the dress with a faux leather blazer from Catherines, which I love. It's light but looks expensive. I also wore a necklace from Catherines, paired with red flats from Lane Bryant and this amazing purse from the Cherie Christmas collection at fullbeauty. It gives me a Chanel feel so it adds to the chicness of the look.



I feel so confident wearing this dress and I can't stop smiling when I'm in it. This is a dress I will wear over and over again because of the way it makes me feel. And that is how fashion should be. 




You can shop my look with the following links:

Textured Faux Leather Inset Dress from Lane Bryant - click here

Sleek Street Jacket from Catherines - click here

Faux Suede Ballet Flat in Venetian Red from Lane Bryant - click here

My necklace is sold out but here's a nice similar one here

The Cherie Glam Clutch in Black from fullbeauty - click here

What's your favorite dress or look that makes you feel absolutely wonderful and confident? Let me know!

I have made no secret of my constant work on myself and it has not just been about my grief. I've always been confident but loving myself fully has always been hard. I tend to be very critical and I realized that I became my own worst critic. 

When you're critical of yourself, you are not fully accepting and loving all of you. You are only loving parts of you. And that will not keep your confidence consistent. When your confidence is not 100% or consistent, it affects you in so many areas in your life, even your love life. 

It's all about acceptance. Accepting who you are now but knowing that if you don't like something about yourself or your life, you can change it. When you accept yourself, flaws and all, and accept that no one is perfect but you are still amazing, imperfections and all, it's like a light bulb goes off above your head and your heart bursts with more love.

Because when you're critical of yourself and not fully happy, you project that onto others. But when you accept who you are and focus on the amazing things about yourself, that love for yourself will grow. It's a daily process and not easy but so worth the work. Change your mindset, change your life.

Just remind yourself daily... no one is perfect and will ever be perfect. Someone may seem perfect but you never know the backstory of their life.

I'm still single and for the first time in my life, I don't feel lonely. I feel empowered. Why? Because I am choosing to be single until I meet someone that I truly want to be with. And not just being with any man that comes along because I don't want to be alone. I'm telling you, once your confidence is on point, you will never settle for anything in life. And you will be so happy and determined to chase your dreams. At the age of 45, this is where I am and it feels so good. I don't feel alone. I feel like I'm waiting on someone wonderful to come into my life. And while I wait, I'll continue to be the best ME I can be.

So with that said, my confidence ties in with my style. I am daring to show my legs more and get my sexy on, in a classy way. You can be sexy with clothes on. It's all in your attitude.

This red leopard dress from Lane Bryant spoke to me. You know what it said? "Girl, you better wear me because I am meant to be rocked by you... you know you're fabulous and beautiful and I would look so good on you." LOL!

So wear it I did...







My life goals now are simple... be inspired, stay focused, be empowered and love yourself fiercely. I am having this great love affair with myself and I don't want it to end ever.

You can shop my look with the below links:

Animal Print Dress with Hardware from Lane Bryant - click here

Faux Suede Ballet Flat from Lane Bryant - click here

Moto Jacket Clutch from Pinup Girl Clothing - click here

Fall is my favorite season. The brisk wind, the leaves changing colors, the cool weather and its prelude to winter. it's that season that you know you must enjoy before it goes all in the crapper and winter arrives. Ugh.

I live in New York where we get 4 seasons and I live near the beach so winters are brutal. You get off the train and literally feel like the wind has slapped the crap out of you. You walk up a block and it takes you 20 minutes because you're fighting with the wind and trying to breathe. Sure, snow is pretty but trust me, that cuteness wears off very quickly.

So I try to enjoy Fall to the fullest. I'm not hot and sweaty. I can rock jackets, sweaters and boots. My hair looks great because there's no humidity. Fan-freaking-tastic!!!!

Photobombed by a duck, lol

I had an audience while taking pics, lol

I've loved camo since I was a kid. I don't know why but it just called to me. But back then, camo was more masculine and I like a feminine touch to my looks. But that didn't stop me from wearing camo tees I scored at the Army surplus store tied with a knot to the side over my cargo pants and Doc Martens. Add some huge hoop earrings, a cat eye and some red lipstick and off I went. That was my signature look in college and to say I stood out among the sea of students, is an understatement.

So imagine my excitement when I found out camo was back as a fashion trend and was being paired with sequins, used in dresses and being femmed up in jackets and tops. I was Snoopy dancing for days!

And of course, Lane Bryant fed my fashion wants by offering a few camo pieces. There was a jacket I had my eye on but it sold out fast. But I did manage to score a pleated midi dress and a tee that was so dope that it is one of my favorites this fall. It says "Lipstick Diamonds Champagne" on the front and has a nice v-neck. (The tee has since sold out as well)

I wore the tee during New York Fashion Week last month and learned that red goes well when paired with camo. My red jacket and red shoes are from Lane Bryant as well. I had no idea! See, this is why it is so important to mix different colors and play around with pieces to create different looks.

Me with celebrity stylist Susan Moses, who I am blessed to know

• Red ponte knit moto jacket from Lane Bryant - click here (I need the blue one in my life!)
• Lipstick tee from Lane Bryant - SOLD OUT :-(
• Right Fit jeans (Curvy fit) in black from Catherines - click here
• Faux Suede Ballet Flat in Venetian Red from Lane Bryant - click here (these are so comfy that I am going to get a pair in black too)

• Pleated camo dress - click here
• Jacket is sold out  similar here from Fashion to Figure, which I also have in a 3x and LOVE!
• Extra Wide Calf Harness Riding Boot - click here

"Dress like you're embracing life, not hiding from it." ~ Peter Morrissey

I continue to learn more about myself as I get older. After my brother died last year, I have been in therapy and while I initially went to help with the grief, it has turned out to be this incredible thing where I am learning more about myself and making changes that have helped me be more comfortable in who I am. This rings true when it comes to my style.

I lost my way for a bit because my confidence wasn't at a high point where I felt comfortable enough to truly be me when it comes to fashion. And now with getting older, I am also trying to stay true to my style while dressing for my age. I know some people will say that I should dress how I want but at 45 years old, I'm not a kid anymore and I feel I have to set an example for my nieces, my goddaughter and my younger family members.

So no more F**K you graphic tees or brass knuckles as a fashion accessory. I still rock with my handcuff print handbag that I have had for about 15 years but I think I can get away with that, lol. And I will always love my graphic tees, sneakers and tulle skirts. But as I have gotten older, I have wanted to still keep my style but add some class, maturity and femininity to it while keeping my edge. I also realized that I didn't wear a lot of things because of how critical I was of my body and showing parts of it. At this point of my life, I want to live limitlessly where my fear doesn't stop me from trying new styles.

I don't really like body con dresses or dresses above the knee. I don't know why but I have not felt comfortable in them. When I was a teen and in my 20's, I wore body con dresses and above-the-knee skirts and dresses. But somewhere in my 30's, my confidence took a hit and so did my style. I wore a lot of black and dark colors. B-O-R-R-R-I-N-G! And I am so NOT boring.

So a few months ago, when I attended an event for fullbeauty's Fall 2015 Preview. Designer and TV personality Cherie Christmas was there, wearing this beautiful blue print wrap dress from her new collection with the brand, I was in love! And at first thought, I assumed I could not pull it off. She begged to differ and told me she would make sure I had it when it became available.

Me with Cherie Christmas -- My entire look is from Simply Be except the shoes (from Lane Bryant) and Audrey Hepburn necklace (a gift)

When I think of my pre-teen days in middle school, my memories are of denim. Like Stefano Gabbana, I remember being 12 in my Levi's.

However, the difference here is that I was a plus size kid and had to "borrow" my dad's Levi's. As a child growing up in the 80's, I was thankful for the men's department because for me, the only designer brand that offered my size 36/38 bottom some jeans in the women's department was Gloria Vanderbilt. God bless that woman.

While I loved my colored Gloria Vanderbilt jeans (She was before her time with colored denim), it wasn't quite the same as wearing regular wash denim. When I put on those Levi's, I felt normal. I felt like everyone else. I felt like I didn't have to try hard to fit in fashion-wise because I was wearing what the thinner kids were wearing.

1985 - when acid wash denim was hot (and now it's back!) - I'm on the right

My, how times have changed but still don't feel THAT different.

A few decades later, plus size denim has evolved and there are more options. But now at a size 26, my options are still limited. And let's not even talk about the fact that I have a small waist in comparison to my bust and hips AND I have large upper calves and smaller ankles. So skinny jeans for me are no-go, even in plus sizes. Retailers seem to think all calves are one straight size. But I digress.

However, denim has played such a big part of my life because it is my go-to everyday piece. I love how I can take a pair of jeans and wear it effortlessly from day to night with a switch of shoes and an addition of a jacket or different top. Add some accessories and a hot clutch and BAM, there you go! So I refuse to give up on finding the perfect fitting pair of jeans for me. But it feels like there is still more changes to be made when it comes to offering fashion to women above a size 24.

I have made no secret for my love for Catherines. I've been a brand ambassador for them twice this year and I never endorse a brand unless I truly love the fit and quality of their clothing. They are one of two places I have been able to get denim off the rack, that fits well. And they offer up to a size 34 and 6X. Yes! So when they reached out to me to be a part of their #denimdebut campaign and gifted me some jeans, I jumped at the chance.

I opted to choose a pair of medium wash jeans from their new True Stretch line to try something new and get out of my fashion box. I usually wear dark denim because I am not comfortable showing off my lumpy thighs. But I realized I was making my lumps more visible than they actually are. We see things differently than how the world sees them, when we focus too much on the negative. This is something I am working on one day at a time.