Spring has sprung.

The weather has been absolutely unreal the last week or so here in my corner of the east coast. 75 degrees in March?! Unheard of. This time last year we were hit by of month of storms and were blanketed under a few inches of snow. I'm just hoping mother nature has had her fill of chilly days for the season and is as wholeheartedly pro-spring as I am!

I love the beginning of spring, when it's warm enough to prance about without a jacket, but cool enough that a dress with tights and boots is still comfortable - I have a feeling you'll be seeing me in some similar get-ups to this one, at least while this gorgeous weather lasts.

In the mean time, there's a pile of laundry about the size of Mount Everest in my room that's waiting to be conquered. It might explain the "I have nothing to wear" feeling I've been getting while trying to clothe myself each morning. That, and the fact that a lot of my stuff is too big now. In that vein, keep an eye on the shop - I'll be adding a TON of items very soon!

Dress: ASOS Curve
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: DUO
Scarf: Old Navy
Necklace: H&M
Bracelets (from left): Greece, Brooklyn Flea, Ebay
Rings: MARYJOHN

Long time coming

Wearing this skirt was a long time coming. I picked it up way back in April at the Fat Girl Flea Market. From what I can tell it's quality, made of a thick, almost suede-ish/velveteen sort of fabric (I'll have to check the tag), and really well constructed with finished seams and darting at the waist. It was originally almost ankle length, and a little roomy when I picked it up. -23lbs later, it's way too big and begging for a make over. Last week my most patient mother helped me hem it up and take it in at the seams (thanks, Mom!). Voila! A funky new skirt for work! But, I may have placed an order from Forever21 for snugger, shorter, jersey version for play :)

Top: Lane Bryant
Cardigan: ...no clue
Skirt: FGFM
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Evans
Watch, necklace, belt: Syms

Black and Red

Sweater: gifted. Skirt: Forever21+. Tights: We Love Colors. Boots: Evans. Belt: Misc. Bracelet: Francesca's Collections. Necklace: Macy's. Ring: New York & Company. Sunnies: Cole Haan via Syms.

Back to my default pairing of this red Forever21+ skirt: black! I love the drapey silhouette the sleeves of this top creates with the fitted skirt, and how a thin black belt cinched it so perfectly around my waist. I really can never get enough of black, white silver and red together; it's just so crisp and chic!

In other news: It's looking like these boots, my most favorite pair from Evans circa 2009, are about ready for retirement. Let's be real, they were ready for retirement LAST season, but I just couldn't bear to part with them - they're so comfortable and fit my wide calves perfectly!

But I've got my eye on another pair from Evans to replace my dearly departed friends...

Utility blues

Top: NY&Co Outlet (here on the regular site). Skirt: NY&Co, thrifted. Tights: c/o We Love Colors. Booties: ASOS. Jacket: Macy's. Necklace: gifted. Bangles: Syms. Ring: NY&Co. Polish: Orly Galaxy Girl.

I have this problem. It starts with an innocent, selfless shopping trip to pick up a birthday gift for my sister at the local outlets, and it ends with me in a dressing room in a frenzy, trying on about 20 pieces while my sister's pile sadly stays at about two. But at a New York & Company outlet store where everything is on additional sale, how can you help but try on half the place?! This blue utility shirt is one of the pieces I picked up that day, it came out to about $14 if I'm not mistaken.This one's a hit for me not only because of the modest V-neck, waist-cinching tie belt and fantastic color (thanks, BF, for steering me away from the gray), but because the XL buttons over the girls with nary a gape! Unheard of!

Don't worry, I did manage to purchase bunch of awesome pieces for my little sister as well - between the NY&Co, Banana Republic, and J. Crew outlets and H&M, I got her a few flowy chiffon tops, a red bodycon skirt, as well as a few choice pieces of jewelry :) I love shopping for other people almost as much as I love shopping for myself!

Skirt remixed:

We Love Colors giveaway winners!

And the winners of the tights and socks are:

Congratulations ladies! Send me an email to claim your prize!

We Love Colors Giveaway!

I'm so glad you all liked the maroon tights I was wearing in my last post, because two lucky readers have a chance to win a Halloween themed prize courtesy of We Love Colors!

Two readers will win a pair of tights in Rust or Orange, as well as a pair of Orange and Gold Metallic Splash socks! (not pictured on the site)!

Use the form below to enter, and good luck!

Fun with Colors

I don't think it's possible to fully express my excitement that it's tights weather at last! This weekend we saw temps dip all the way down to the low 50's/high 40's, so I was very happy to have this pair of gorgeous maroon tights courtesy of We Love Colors to keep my legs nice and cozy.

I'm very particular about my tights. It can be tough to find a pair that fits just right, especially for us curvy ladies. I can't stand tights that don't have enough stretch, either they give me the always attractive muffin top and pinch in the oddest places (I'll leave that to your imagination), or they slide down and I end up with the crotch halfway down my thighs. On the other hand, there are those tights that have too much stretch, and they lose their elasticity after one wear and end up pooling around my ankles.

We Love Colors has solved the problem of ill fitting tights and best of all, they've done it for the plus size girl. I'm wearing a pair of their Plus Size Nylon/Lycra Tights and they are absolutely heaven. No tummy squeezing, uncomfortable pinching, crotch drooping, or ankle pooling here. Just vibrant color and insane comfort. I'm wearing a size A/B, and the fit is perfection. If you're between sizes I would recommend sizing down as these are very stretchy and have a lot of give. I will definitely be picking up a few more pairs for the season! I'm thinking Mocha and Hunter Green...

I love the funk that this unexpected pop of color gave to my otherwise classically feminine outfit. This maroon color is so rich and will definitely be in my regular rotation through out fall and winter!

Cardigan: Borrowed from Mom
Dress: Forever21+
Tights: We Love Colors
Wedges: Bandolino via Lord & Taylor
Necklace: Lane Bryant
Ring: H&M
Bracelet: Premier Jewelry
Belt: Off a dress

By the way, did you check out the winner of the LucieLu giveaway?