Ipsy Final Review

 Lets talk about Ipsy. Actually, lets talk about why I cancelled my subscription to Ipsy. I'd had a subscription about a year- a few more bags than what's pictured above- and I just started to get overloaded with sample products. If you dont know how it works, essentially you sign up, take a quiz with what your likes are and they withdraw $10 every month from your card on file and then send you a bag with 5 items. Thats it.

I love makeup, I love trying new things and I can justify $10 a month on something fun for me. (I can "justify" a lot more than that, so it made this choice easy.) Lets talk about what they got right first.

Rebdolls Review Update

One of my most popular posts is the Rebdolls Review and if you've read that, you know that my view was less than favorable at the time. I caught them pretty early in their development, they had just changed from Custom Plus to Rebdolls and were still only selling t-shirts, crops and sweatshirts. Since so many of you have been reading that post, I wanted to give them another chance with a different style option. After trying it again, I am exactly where I was on them the first time. I dont love it. I dont dislike it completely, definitely more of a "Meh" and a shrug from me. I am Randy Jackson on this. You know man, it just didnt really do it for me.

Rue 107 Review

 First, lets address the fact that plus size swimwear is still pretty horrendous for the most part. There are a few stores that have it mostly together but overall... yikes. Is there some stone tablet out there that has the bathing suit commandments chiseled in it?
I. Must be the same pattern as movie theater carpet
II. Pick one of three necklines
III. Ensure the creation of new rolls if not exposing the ones provided.

The reason I like Rue 107 so much is because they went way outside the traditional bathing suit box. They have cropped tank cuts, cap sleeves and even full sleeve tops. Why has this not been done before?! Why aren't more companies doing it now?

Okay so on to the actual top. I put my leggings on to give you an idea of how it would look with my high waist bottoms- which are currently packed and in another city at the moment. For perspective, remember I'm only 5'2'' and currently wear a 42D in Lane Bryant bras. This top is a 3x (22/24).

Review: Jefferee Star Velour Lipstick

 
I don't know exactly when it happened, but people started to go crazy over these little lippies.  I wasn't the first to notice how amazing they were because when I finally made it over to the site to try to buy a few everything was already sold out and according to the Facebook page, it had been that way for a little while. Stalker Mode engaged. Once I realized this was kind of a cult-like following, I literally checked his Facebook and website daily to see if they had been restocked.

The day after my girls night out for my birthday, I was recovering on the couch and saw a post about 4 hours old on Facebook giving notice of the restock of colors I wanted. Click. Bought 3 right then. Less than 24 hours later- sold out. I felt pretty accomplished that Id gotten them instead of waiting the hangover out. Worth it.

Jeffreestar.tumblr.com

Aside from the amazing quality of the products speaking for themselves, everything that Jeffree Star is and does is art to me. The look, the makeup, the hair, and the tattoos are all stunning. I love a dynamic and interesting person and I could sit and try to absorb everything that makes up (pun totally intended) Jeffree Star all day long. I do understand that not everyone enjoys my favorite type of tea aesthetically speaking, but I highly suggest letting the products speak for themselves.

Why I wanted them:
1.) Super matte and super long lasting formula. I enjoy wearing lipstick, but I also really enjoy eating, drinking and kissing my male. I do not enjoy carrying lipstick around and reapplying all day/night and having lipstick transfer onto my glass really drives me crazy.
2.) The unique colors. I am no lipstick expert and I'm sure there are semi-dupes for all these colors, but I wanted both the color and the matte texture which was going to be a tough match. (If you know of any dupes, let me know in the comments!)
3.) I like a challenge. I wont even lie about this part. As soon as I knew they were always sold out, I made it my mission to get one. When I want something, I go for it... you coy thing you, velour lips!

Before we get into it though, I'm going to give you a disclaimer. No photoshopping, as with all my pictures, so what you get is what you see. The after pictures, I'm usually a few drinks in and the sun has left me to my own devices, so allow for a little error. I've also had to crop out more than one salsa stain on my shirt... so theres that. #classyonfleek

Oxblood

Luvees Review

As you may have noticed, I've been on a mission to find the best way to prevent chub rub this Summer. I first tried the Mish Bandelettes and asked at the end if maybe there could be an option in short form...then I happened across these bad boys. Goes to show I might be a little slow on the revolution train.

The price:
$32.00- product
$6.40 shipping
PayPal option only

They are a little more expensive than the Mish brand I tried, but they cover quite a bit more, which was one of the very few cons to the bandelettes.  Is $40 a little crazy for some lacy undershorts? Probably a little but I will take into consideration that it is a smaller company. Also, when Lane Bryant panties aren't on sale, they are about $16 each- on the surface, for twice the fabric it makes sense for it to be twice the cost.

Hair Gloss | Before & After

As I'm getting older I am trying to take better care of my skin and hair. I'd like to say that I never come home drunk at 3 am and fall asleep with all my makeup on after eating about 6 pounds of nachos from Taco Bueno, but I wont lie to you. That still happens so I take extra care all the other times to make sure I'm doing whats best as if it will make up for the one or two nights of destruction.

All that to say, 'member how I got my hair done recently at Dear Clark? I scheduled my follow up appointment right then to make sure I stayed true to my new Take Better Care routine. After letting my hair grow a bit, I decided I wasn't ready for another cut yet (it has only been 7 weeks) so I called and rescheduled for a gloss. What is a gloss? Hell if I know, I read about it somewhere (I think it was Tess Munster's hair care routine) and thought holy -ish that sounds great!! So I scheduled it. This is pretty much how my entire life is lived.

Scroll down for the tl;dr.

My (maybe not so) Torrid Love Affair

I feel like a traitor to all plus size women everywhere when I say this, but... I'm having a Torrid crisis. I'm struggling with being "over" Torrid.  Not like in the ex-boyfriend that cheated on you and took your dog when he left over it, but over it like an ex that you slowly drifted away from and realized that you were better off as casual friends.

I have been a Torrid Insider (previously Diva Status) since 2008. I know I shopped there at least a year or two before I joined and the place was founded in 2001- so I've been there since allllmost the beginning. I've seen the brand grow and change and aesthetically, it is more pleasing but the last few years have just been a bore style wise and downright depressing in terms of quality.

I've been fighting with this break up for a while now. I almost went into therapy because I didn't know who I was anymore! I talked with friends to see if they were having the same issues I was and double checked that I wasnt just "growing out" of their trendier lines. I even wrote them a letter and no response. I think they knew the relationship was over and it was time to bring in the mediators to separate out the dishware.

First Impression| Mish Lingerie Bandeletts

As I was scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed one day, I happened upon a blogger's picture (I wish I could remember who now) that featured these little guys. Mish had sent her a pair to try out, I went and bought some, a little portion of the world cheered and apparently this means that marketing works.

The middle pair looks like some of those geriatric shoes my grandmother used to wear- what were they? SAS shoes? Hilarious looking but entirely practical for tight white or sheer skirts. To be clear here, I meant the bandelettes were practical, not that my grandmother wore a lot of sheer skirts. If she did, then Heyyyy-ohhhh Grandma!! I bought some of the black ones, the Onyx kind, because chub rub is a real issue in my life and in the summer a pair of leggings or shorts is just too hot under a maxi.

Review: Dear Clark

You know its time for a haircut when you spend most of your day staring at your split ends silently cussing and glaring hatefully at anyone with nice healthy hair. I was becoming obsessed with how damaged the ends of my hair were, so I went searching for a new salon to try. I will admit that I am the worst about just not getting my hair cut. It is an emotional time for me. I literally cry a few tears because of the loss of inches.

There was a traumatic hair cutting incident when I was in 2nd grade. My dad had taken me to Toni & Guy for my birthday and a guy named Vic cut my hair. I wanted a cute little bob and I ended up with a pixi. I cried right then. We went to the movies after and during the movie, I leaned over to my dad and asked if it had grown back yet. It hadn't. I cried for days about my hair. Then I went to school and everyone made fun of the "boy haircut." Now that I think back on it, poor Vic probably had a rough day that day- he made a 9 year old cry. That has to be the worst case scenario for a stylist. Vic, if youre reading this, I FORGIVE YOU!

I ended up at a cute place in uptown called Dear Clark. It is huge! Everyone was very nice; clientele was a tad stuffy, but that's what you get in that part of Dallas. I worked with a stylist named Crystal and she was precious! We talked about my entire life and I am not one to be open with strangers. I had a mimosa, so maybe she made it a bit strong to loosen me up! There was also a shop dog. She had a pink and purple Mohawk. Already winners in my eyes. Booze, dogs and friendly girls. (Sad note: Crystal said that someone had called to complain about the dogs and that starting next week, no animals would be allowed.)

Dear Clark has their own line of products as well, and they will actually be sent out in the Birchbox this month, so if you have that- keep an eye out! She used one of their smoothing creams on my hair to keep frizz down and it was amazing.

I am still adjusting to my new hair as its quite different, but I am so happy with how much healthier it looks. I had to go quite a bit shorter than I wanted because so much of it was damaged. I really liked this little place!  I even scheduled my next apt six weeks out so we can keep it healthy as it grows back to my beloved longer length.

What are your thoughts? Which style is your fav?



blo| Blow Dry Bar Review

If there is one thing I love, it is having a girls day! If there are drinks involved perhaps somewhere on a patio in nice weather, you may never get me to go home. So when I read about Gwenneth Paltrow's new place coming to Dallas, I wanted to check it out. I made some appointments, called up a friend and we headed over to the soft opening of this blow dry bar.

The place is really pretty adorable. Very glam, very uptown but the stylists were the sweetest girls you could ever meet. I was offered a drink as soon as we came in (matching pink moscato it is!) and then my hair was washed and styled by Katie. (Hi, Katie!!)

blo has locations in 11 states here and 4 other countries, so if you're not in the Dallas area, don't worry! To find one near you check here. 

Katie and me on our mugshot wall

P.S. Can we talk about how I was matching all the stylists there that day? Hilarious. I have a full outfit post on this outfit coming up soon, but Im still trying to find some daylight for good pictures! Guys... there is so much pressure taking blog pictures!

Car selfie before lunch. Sunglasses are a Wet Seal purchase made after quite a bit of wine one night. Worth it!

Affordable Personal Shoppers?

Link to the box: https://www.dia.co/r/cc3
It is time to talk about life changers. #1) Almond Joys #2) Comfortable heels #3) Personal shoppers. If you don't like Almond Joys we cant be friends then move personal shoppers up to number one. That is the only one we are going to discuss today anyway. It sounds expensive, doesn't it? A personal shopper. I feel famous just saying it. Well, quite a few months ago I saw GarnerStyle post on Facebook about a new beta testing opportunity for plus size ladies wanting to get into such a thing. Of course I tried it!

Here is how it works. It is a company called Dia&Co based out of California run by two ahhhmazing ladies named Lydia and Nadia. Seriously, Ive talked with them through the entire process and have only grown to love them more. You fill out your style profile, your sizes and what makes you ... you. They charge a card on file for $20 as a shopping fee then send you a box of clothes and a price list. Mine usually has 5 pieces in it. You have 5 days to pick what you like and send the rest back in a prepaid bag they send in your box. They then charge your card for only the items you kept. Best part? That $20 shopping fee then turns into a credit towards your purchase! You can do this every month, seasonally or only when you want to. I'm on the monthly plan... of course. I have no self control.

Is it worth the trouble? Absolutely. I am realllly bad about feeling the need for new things. Just something about putting on a new outfit makes me feel unstoppable and I want that unstoppable feeling all the time. Nobody better mention an intervention! This service takes that shopping need down about 17 notches. Out of the 5 things I get every month, I pick at least 1.  Usually 2 to stay with me. On average the total of all 5 items in my box are around $200. You can absolutely pick your price point as an option! This is a new feature and I honestly have no idea where I am set on the scale, but my items all seem very reasonable for what they are.

I feel like you need this in your life if you hate shopping for yourself, need to be forced out of your comfort zone into something you wouldnt usually pick out or just love new clothes. If you tell them I sent you, I will get a discount, but that is not at all why I'm telling you about this. Mention my name or don't, but if you are at all interested I say go for it! It truly will make your life easier.

In the five days I had this box, there was no sun outside or chances for me to take pictures of what items I got. Sorry! I really wanted to! I will do my very best to make this into a consistent part of the blogging rotation and hopefully the pictures will get better with time... and sunlight!

My sweet note that comes in the box.

Each item comes with styling tips

Rebdolls Review

For an updated review, click here. 

One of my favorite things to do is search for new plus size brands. One brand that I have had my eye on for a while is Rebdolls. It was previously Custom Plus, but as they have added a more broad range of styles, they have also added a straight size selection.

They certainly have an edgy and urban vibe so one day when I was feeling like I needed a little boost in my badassary, I ordered my two favorite items from the line. First, lets talk about how amazing it is that a company has made an effort to include all sizes 0-28. (ModCloth also gets a shout out on this!) Second, let us acknowledge the kinds of clothing they offer for their plus size ladies. No longer do we only have to select from dresses that look like Grandma's 70s couch pattern, or the curtains our mother's may or may not have sewn for the house. (Sorry Mom.. those half rooster/half plaid shorts just weren't on fleek either.)



Rebdolls Hella Dope T-Shirt

One of the best parts of this site is the customization. Most of the tops come with options since it is (Im assuming) just screen printing. You can pick a neckline, you can pick crop or t-shirt, and you can pick color on most styles. I was feeling brave so I picked two casual items I rarely invest in.

The crop top has been washed once (and hung dry) and didnt seem to hold up so well. I feel like a few more washes and its really going to show some age. The sweatshirt... ohhh the sweatshirt. I really havent worn a sweatshirt in years, but I wanted one. I dont know why I wanted one, guys. I just did. As you can see, it is definitely not the most flattering choice. I'll let the picture speak for itself. The crop top is certainly my favorite of the two in terms of fit, but the graphic on the sweatshirt. is. spectacular. It is just a screen-print on a generic unisex sweatshirt so the fit is awful. They suggested sizing down, but I ordered my usual 3x and it fits where it hits my hips perfectly, but up top Im just lacking the ladies to fill it out.

I do have to say, with all the pros, they left me with a quite a bit more to desire. I would only buy from this company during sales and only because they offer something that you cant get anywhere else. I hate to say it, but Im just not a Rebdolls fan.

Beauty Religion B Shade Sweatshirt

The Tess Munster Experience

The Tess and Elle selfie.

So if you haven't heard of her by now, Tess Munster is one of the most popular plus size models in the industry. As of now, she has over 600,000 likes on Facebook and has been named one of the top 10 Best Plus Size Models by Huffington Post. Not impressive enough? Well, there are more awards, Best Of's and mentions of her with a quick Google search. The woman is impressive.

I first heard of her a few years ago when a picture of her was shared by Torrid on Facebook. I recognized my shape in hers and loved her sass! I wanted to keep an eye on this beautiful lady because I felt like she was about to do something great. I was right. She soon established her #effyourbeautystandards movement which is "about embracing your body and being unapologetic". There is no size minimum and there is no max for loving your body and she gets that. So when I heard she would be coming to town with her Pinup for a Day Tour with Dynamite Dames Photography, I knew I had to get in on the action!













Photo By: Dynamite Dames

Pin up isn't really my go-to style and a few years ago, I would have never agreed to go meet a bunch of strange women and have my picture taken in front of them even in a style I was most comfortable in. I made a promise to myself earlier that year that I would start stepping out of my comfort zone and enjoying life so I bought the ticket. I am so happy I did. 

It was a tad chaotic, but it was such a beautiful chaos. There were so many women that were there to celebrate everyone's differences. Thin women, fat women, short women, tall women... all bodies were there and all bodies were kind and loving towards the other. In the end, I had dressed up and had my photos taken but I felt a change that day. As I put on just my long line bra and skirt to be photographed in, I felt such a new peace. I felt comradery. I felt the gap I'd always felt between the straight size girls and the plus size girls close. 

I loved it so much that I attended the makeup tips and tricks course Tess held the second time she came to town. The feel was very much the same. Smaller group and even more diversity. That is what I call the Tess Munster Experience. The woman is a brand, she is a model and she brings about a feeling with the women (even some men) she brings together. She is sassy in person (as expected), she is kind and even sprinkles in a bit of raunchy humor. Soooo my type of hero. If you ever have the chance to attend one of her events, please do! I'm willing to bet that you'll also feel a bit better when you leave than you did when you walked in. 


Photo By: Dynamite Dames







Photo By: Dynamite Dames

Style Sheet: Mean Jeans

The one item of clothing I hear most complaints about never being able to find in the perfect fit is (drum roll please) jeans. I'll be the first to tell you that the perfect pair is elusive, but jeans are like the Tinder of the pants world. There are a lot of choices and most of them wont work for you. Some shouldn't have even been born made, but if you search long enough you could find your soul mate.

As a short but big booty having girl the challenges seem overwhelming at times when searching. Can we talk about how I'd be about 3 sizes smaller if I wasn't carrying that thing behind me? I can hear you now, "oh but at least you have a butt!" Sure, it does have its perks, but with every big booty comes great responsibility. Namely: you've gotta cover that ish up. I've tried many jeans but here are my top 4 in style faves. 

If you're like me and you like a good skinnier fit option, I say go with the Torrid Stiletto Skinny. These wont break the bank, but you could walk in one and walk out with at least a little free money in these jeans. Seriously. They are stellar. They are more of a jegging so they will really stretch and hug all your lady lumps (or humps if you'd rather). They are also ankle length so they show off your killer shoes. I have both the short length, which hits my ankles, and then a regular length pair that fit more like a normal length pair of jeans would on me. I don't know what I'm going to do when the skinny jean fad fades and I have to give these up!

If you prefer a stiffer jean and want a more rigid bootcut option, try the Seven7 brand jeans at Lane Bryant. A bit more expensive than the Stiletto Skinnys, but you are getting a heavier denim. I rarely had to worry about them wearing out in the thighs (chub rub anyone?). You can easily dress these jeans up or down with a simple switch of the shoes. These jeans are not ideal for extra curvy girls because there is very little stretch. If your assets are distributed in places other than hips and booty, these jeans are worth giving a try. Size up or you may have to sacrifice some of your internal organs.  

Have you seen the boyfriend jean trend? Guys... the 90s are coming back! Oh, the nostalgia! Distressed and loose fitting, these jeans are perfect for casual days on the run. Alice & You at Asos has a perfect pair. They tend to run a bit large, so you could get away with sizing down in these. Best part of these jeans? Virtually any body type can pull them off with the right styling. For a chic and trendy look, I like a bit of a tighter fitting shirt and some heels. For a casual but super cool vibe, try something looser in a cool graphic print or grungy plaid.

Finally, my favorite for casual Friday at the office! The ole faithful Trouser Jean. When you think of Avenue, on point style really isn't the first thing that comes to mind so when I saw the jeans at first, I was intrigued. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised! These have a bit of a higher rise and are a material somewhere between the jegging and the heavy denim. They make various lengths and go up to a size 32! This particular pair has a great set of back pockets which is something you definitely want in a pair of trouser jeans. (Can we all agree that the slit pockets and weird faded spots on those early 2000s jeans should stay there?)