Where to find: Plus Size Halloween Costumes

I know it is early for this.. but I love to get a head start on Halloween. Most stores wont even have their costumes out yet, but I'm already ready! As we get closer, if I find more options I will update this post. We take Halloween seriously in the Monus house. Prissy was a shark last year, I was Wednesday Addams and the boo thang was Flatline (a super villain). I literally spent hours on his face paint so I'm glad Wednesday was such an easy pick for me, not to mention she is my spirit animal and soul sister- sorry Melissa McCarthy. Also, before you take on doing your significant other's face paint, make sure your relationship is strong. Love is the only thing that kept me from stabbing him repeatedly with the paint brush. (Ok, so thats a little (read: lot) harsh- but it was still pretty trying.)

It is such a fight every year trying to find a costume as a plus size girl. Even the plus size costumes aren't very plus sized at all. Don't even get me started on our usual plus size stores (ahem, Torrid) with great plus size fitting options carrying a 3rd party brand that doesn't fit like the store's usual sizing. *groans*.

So what does work?

Where to find: Plus Size Active Wear

At some point in recent history, the plus size retailers figured out that we aren't all fat slobs that never worked out and added some plus size active wear into their permanent lines. That feels like a harsh sentence... too harsh? Anyway, so some of us like to work out or go to the gym, or live in something other than potato sacks. Man! The sarcasm is just too real today! Bring it in, Elle... reel it in!

I really am very happy that this has been a new trend for the plus size retailers. It shows that not only are they listening to their customer base, they are starting to shed all of the negative stereotypes of fat = lazy.

UPDATE (4/14/15) GarnerStyle posted a great post on activewear a day after I posted mine- great minds!? I urge you to check hers out to see some great items on a real body. 

Where to find: Plus Size Swimwear

I posted a picture on Facebook of sun tan tights that I found on ASOS and boy was I amused. I went first to a place in my mind where I'm out sun tanning in a hot little bathing suit and my legs look so great and tan and then it slowly pans up and BAM! blinded by the whiteness of my upper body. I often compare my life to a Melissa McCarthy movie, and I feel like this would be one of those moments.

I wont even lie to you- I hate being out in the sun. I'm okay with it a few days a summer, but I just don't do well with sitting out by a pool days on end in the Summer. My skin is vampirey and just as I think Im okay with my 200 proof sunblock Ive got a 3rd degree burn.

I do love swimsuits though. I enjoy looking at them and putting them on with a killer cover up and pretending that Im having drinks at a resort so I put together a list for you guys and dolls that are looking forward to getting a glow this Summer.

Where to find: Wide Width Shoes

My father used to always tease me about my camel feet. He meant that they are wider than they are long- which is a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. Really though... I've got some wide-ass feet. I proudly call them my camel feet because they are mine and they aren't going anywhere.  In fact, they probably help me swim like little flippers.

I have a hard time finding cute shoes that fit properly, and even when they do fit, the sides of them wear out really fast because I obviously don't know how to walk properly. I get around just fine, who are my shoes to protest?! I've put together a list of places I like to pick shoes from because it has taken me literal years to find them and I want to share that joy with your feet if you also have a wide width.