#WeekendwithDia: The Weekend

See Also: Becoming A Brand Ambassador: The Overview


So now that I've given you a week off from Dia&Co news, I wanted to give an overview of the weekend. I want to express how grateful I am to the Dia&Co ladies for bringing me out to NYC for such an amazing experience. I truly had an amazing time and I hope the friends I made will last a lifetime!

If you haven't been keeping up, Dia&Co is a fairly new personal styling company out in New York for plus size women. Its similar to Gwennie Bee in the fact that you pay them a little something every month, every season or just whenever you want  and they send you a box of clothes but instead of just renting, you're actually buying the clothes. You don't have to buy everything- once you try the clothes on you keep what you like and send what you don't like back in a prepaid package. You can sign up here.

So now that we've got all that out of the way, on to the fun stuff. It was a blur of a weekend so I'm going to do the best I can at organizing my thoughts here. Oh and this is extra long and photo heavy so get ready for a long read!

Belt It Out

One of my favorite accessories is a waist belt. I wear them because my smallest part is my high waist and my biggest part is my tummy/butt area so sometimes ya gotta get some shape while still having coverage! Not to mention, I'm short and sometimes tops are too long, so a belt can help shorten it without having to permanently alter it.
Links after the jump

Sugar Coated

I went for real coats in this post, I can do moto jackets and lighter jackets if you guys would like in another post. I also didn't hit the down coats or the "super coats" as I call them because if you live in weather that cold, fashion is secondary to fighting the elements for the rights to your own life. No thanks, Mother Nature. 

When it comes to coats, less is rarely more. I'm talking money. Coats are an investment piece. They should last you years so pick something that will last both in quality and in style. I fudged that a little bit here because I wanted to give you options. I cant say that a cobalt blue coat will always be in style, but the clean lines on that one give it a +1 in the functionality department.   

If you have a fuller bust, a wrap coat is going to work a little better. That gives you the option for room more than the button closure.  If you have a fuller bum/hips (Elle Monus style)  a skirted or flared bottom will give you that nice snug fit up top and the extra room for your bottom half. If youre straight up and down, you can really go any way you'd like, but something with a nip in at the waist will give you a little curve.

Links and larger photo after the jump.

Know Your Worth

This has been weighing heavily on my mind lately and we havent had just a chat in a week or so, so here we are. I posted a meme this morning about confidence, and I've been over that before so I just wanted to talk about a step that gets you from "they wont like it" to "I'll be fine if they dont." You have to know your own worth.

Its a huge task. Easily said, much harder in practice. I still find myself in a position of taking blame and devaluing my own accomplishments. I've always been the "scapegoat". It started when I was very young and my family was trying to find a reason for their dysfunction. I've been the scapegoat in many of my relationships and I'm certainly the scapegoat at work now and have been in the past.

With a history like that, I have to realize that there is a reason and the constant in all of those scenarios is me. Now, keep in mind that doesnt give anyone the right to treat me that way but I have to acknowledge that people treat you the way you allow. I consistently put myself in a position of challenging the status quo. I find potential in situations that are not ready to change. I'm a people pleaser. I want others to like me but more importantly I want them to like for themselves what I see in them.  It is my weakness but also one of my greatest strengths. I'm trucking along and then all of a sudden one day someone says something that triggers a real thought and I stop and think- wait a second... I've done it again. Then I have to work my way back out because I've gone so far in trying to get the other person where I think they should be that I've lost what makes me happy. I have valued them more than I value myself. Its an ongoing learning process for me but I'm getting there.

Why do I bring that up? Well, when I sit here and blog from behind a computer you guys each get your own meaning from it. If all I give you is a preachy "love yourself" "be body positive" script over and over it is easy to get frustrated with the fact that you may not be there or you're not confident all the time or you still have bad days. I think its incredibly important to be transparent with you. I'm not 100% there all the time either. If you have flaws it doesn't mean you aren't worthy.

I'll say it again for those in the back- if you have flaws, it doesnt mean you arent worthy. 

GNO: Girls Night Out- Also, Cleavage Tips

I wanted to give you guys a Dia break. I feel like its been all Dia all the time lately- so I'm going to hold off a few days on the weekend post. I have literally been going non-stop for a few weeks now so it is kind of nice to be able to go back to an OOTD post. The ole faithful.

This weekend it started cooling off here- finally. Friday night I crashed hard after the week before, then woke up Saturday ready for girls night! If you didnt see the hair/makeup selfie I took before, here it is for you. I left the house at 7 but started getting ready around like 2- there was a 2 hour nap in there, so dont judge me! You can judge a little- it still took fo'ever, but I felt great and there is no amount of time that isnt worth that.

 

If this bathroom selfie looks sketchy to you, that's because it is.  Deep Ellum is a neighborhood in Dallas known for its live music- and its rough around the edges charm. This particular bar is a metal/biker bar that we run into occasionally while we bar hop from place to place. Its also very dog friendly and I made friends with Louie the bulldog while drinking my vodka tonic. 

White After Labor Day

This picture makes me laugh- a lot. There is just so much going on! This is the outfit I wore to the panel last weekend, but we got started early that day and I had done about 75 flights of stairs (okay, 8 total by that point- 16 by the end of the day) so I was struggling! That explains my crazy hair. Poor Veronica had to save my life like 3 times that day with her hair and makeup skills. Next- look at my face! I'm so happy and overwhelmed by everything that Im just cheesing so hard. I dont even notice that I'm about to spill my drink... I didnt by the way. I could fall down all 4 stories of stairs and never spill my drink- an early 20s party trick.
Links after the jump.

My #WeekendwithDia | Becoming A Brand Ambassador: The Overview

I'm sure you all saw the pictures on my social media about my time in NYC this last weekend. If it seemed sudden, it kind of was. I wanted to be very clear with you guys about what I'm doing because being honest and transparent is important to me. I haven't sold out in less than a year- although, that would be an impressive time table and I am always striving for perfection.

I have a plan to break this into three parts for easier organization. I'll start with how it all started, how I ended up in NYC and some broad observations and facts I have as of now, and then I'll share everything about the weekend and by the time that post goes up, hopefully I'll have more information about where our relationship is headed in the future.

I've used this program almost since the beginning. I filled out a survey on GarnerStyle's website and got an email about beta testing for the company. I gave feedback as I bought the items in the boxes about the clothes, about the process and about the website; that went on for about a year. About a month or so ago, I got an email from them asking if I wanted to go to NYC to meet with them and 9 other women as a sort of focus group. I obviously said yes.

Fresh & Flirty

I felt super guilty about saying I wasnt going to be sticking to my MWF schedule this week so I thought I'd just give you guys the deets I promised on this outfit from the Dia&Co unboxing post from last week. I'm legitimately exhausted from the last week or so. The weekend in NYC was extremely stimulating and such a blast that it recharged and drained me all at the same time. It is going to take me a few days to get that recap post done...mostly because I'm still processing it in my little bumpkin brain. It certainly didn't feel like real life.

Here's the deal with this outfit, if you missed the unboxing post, I was trying on the clothes I got in my box and came across this skirt. It was too small and I didnt have a top to pair it with in the box that made it flattering. Guys, rolls were on full display. If you're okay with VBO (visible belly outline) then youre golden, but I get a lot of comments from you guys that request suggestions on how to dress to flatter what may be perceived as a problem area for you. I had been shopping at Torrid for their Labor Day sales and got these two tops so I threw them on with the skirt to make a bad into a rad (I just made that up as I went, isnt it cheesy and horrible!?)

Inside the Dressing Room | Nordstrom Rack

A couple weeks ago, Shelby and I went to Nordstrom Rack for the first time. I know, what were we waiting on?! Well, I didn't think their plus size selection would be very good. I wasn't wrong, but it was better than I thought.What you really need to go for is accessories. Holy Moses there was accessory heaven. They even have premium brand makeup there as the items are discontinued or packaging has changed. Urban Decay, Too Faced, etc etc. There were about 5 racks of plus size clothes, very few bottoms-even fewer in my size- but lots of tops. So Shelbert and I picked up a couple and headed to the world's tiniest dressing room.

The pictures aren't amazing, but when you shove two fat girls into a cube of about 8 sq feet, not only is picture space limited but you're lucky the whole building doesn't burn down due to a friction induced fire. Extreme, but you get what I'm saying. Shelby isn't much for the in front of the camera stuff, but I talked her into doing it for the blog since we are slightly differently built and you guys have mentioned wanting different body types. I'm much shorter and carry weight everywhere with a bit more in my tummy and butt. Shelby also carries in her tummy and butt (and maybe one size larger), but shes much more lean in her arms and legs. I can only rarely talk her out of a t-shirt and jeans when I'm always fully done in about six layers. Thats probably why we work so well- shes the chill to my no chill.

Dia&Co. Unboxing | September 2015

Link to the box: https://www.dia.co/r/cc3

I've been a huge fan of Dia&Co. since the beginning so when they asked if I wanted to head out to NYC to meet with them and 9 other women as sort of a "focus group", of course I said yes! This month's box came just in time to keep the process fresh in my mind before the trip this weekend. I want to hear your thoughts! Let me know in the comments section your likes/dislikes, wants/dont wants and questions and concerns about this kind of company. I'll take what you want to know with me to the Dia&Co. headquarters and share it. It isn't every day that you get to have a say in what happens in the fashion industry- so speak up! 

Keep in mind that as we go, I have asked them to send me some things I wouldn't usually pick out for myself. It is a way that I keep myself from drowning in black, neutrals and metallics. I've got to be held accountable or I'll just get out of hand. I've said it before- but there really should be a whole team of people that are trained just to keep me from getting out of hand. I feel like I'm Mariah Carey Diva Status sometimes and that I was born to have a whole team just like those celebrities! Anyway, point of the story is (see what I mean? out of hand.)... sometimes you never know what you'll like until you put it on! 

Right is Relative, But You'll Know When Youre There.

Lane Bryant is doing it again. They are trying out another hashtag. This time it is #plusisequal and I definitely get the sentiment behind it. They are trying, man they are trying to get it right, they just cant get there. They are like the mom that's not really a mom, but a cool mom. They've added some cool clothes in, started buying the pricier items to get a rep at the PTO meetings and now they are using our slang. I also understand that any publicity is good publicity (I'm currently taking celebrity applications for my sex tape. So you know, just let me know on that, Drake) so the fact that I'm talking about if they got it right or not is ultimately a win for them.

I hated the #imnoangel campaign. Yes I am plus and no I don't really fit the standards for being a VS Angel but please do not devalue another woman in order to make me feel good. It worked, it was a very successful marketing campaign actually- because a lot of the plus demographic still needs that "us against them" solidarity. This campaign comes much closer for me- granted we dont know exactly what it is just yet- but based on the knowledge we have so far, its a great concept. A huge portion of women being under served in the fashion industry is a travesty and it does need to change.

Faux-Leather Guide

Okay Faux pas may be a bit extreme, but I needed an F word. The point is, if you want to go for an edgy but classy look you really have to pick your fabrics. Edgy can go from classy to, I hate to say it but- trashy- real fast.

I know I preach "wear what you love" so if you disagree with what I say here, feel free to disregard. I'm here for the positivity and to also gently guide others that want to learn what looks best on days they dont really want to break all the rules. When I was 18, I could get away with ratty jeans, a rock t-shirt black and purple hair under a newsboy cap- now that I'm older and have a job where I meet with clients most of the day that ensemble doesn't work. I'm not saying its, right or fair- that's just how life works. People will look at you and make an assessment and you must portray yourself for whom you want to be seen. For me, on my own time (aka not business attire) a "classy but edgy" style works. I want the girl in line at Starbucks to know that I'm friendly enough to hold her place in line but wont put up with her bringing all her friends to cut in front of me.

Fab Fall Accessories

Yesterday was the official start of Fall meteorologically speaking. (Don't say this isn't an educational blog.) As I'm sure you've noticed by my increasing mention of it, Fall is my favorite season. Granted here in Texas it is still in the high 90s- but I'm no longer in fear of walking outside and bursting into flames. Any progress is appreciated.  I'll be headed to NYC in a week to meet with Dia&Co. and I am expecting an even better version of Fall there so I'm extra excited. You better get ready for pictures!
Links after the jump.