The one with the tribal romper...

Hi!

Have you ever bought something, threw it in your closet and completely forgot about it? Yeah, that's the story of my life! I recently came across this tribal romper while perusing my closet for a certain top (I never did find it). This gem was poking between an old vintage button down and an orange JCrew sweater.  "Why, hello!" I exclaimed while freeing it from it's confines.

I love this romper because it is super comfy and stretchy! I purchased it at one of Urban Outfitters sales and am glad I took the gamble.  It is a size large but the leg area is very roomy (it's a harem style bottom) and the material is able to accomodate my curves.  If you know me, you know that I don't necessarily care for showing my arms.  In my quest to be more comfortable with all my body parts, I've been doing more and more things that I normally wouldn't be okay with. Well, not only do I feel fabulous in this outfit, but I think I look fabulous o-kay!!! *snaps fingers twice*

I wanted to punch up the black/white colors of the romper by throwing on a lime belt.  The belt is super cute and was a steal for 6 bux at H&M (I think they had additional colors too). I didn't want to be too matchy-matchy but I couldn't resist pulling out my mini lime clutch I purchase from H&M a couple months back. Lastly, I think my vivid pink lip (Rouge Artist Intense #36 by Make Up Forever) helps to make everything *pop* a bit more.

Hey, did you notice my new hairstyle? It's basically a two-stranded twist around my whole head. It was very easy to do and I've gotten many compliments on it.  I feel like a Grecian goddess! See below for a close-up!

I hope you all are having a great day today and if no one has told you this yet....I think you are beautiful!

Jumpsuit: Urban Outfitters (no longer available)

Belt: H&M

Clutch: H&M

Shoes: Dolce Vita "Notty" Pump

Earrings: Pieces via ASOS

A close-up of my "do"

A couple more things! One, don't forget to enter the giveaway for the $50 F21 card! The deadline is fast approaching!

And two, holla at me on Instagram! My handle is Izzygetsbizzy1!

<3 you all!

Giveaway time!

Hi!

I'm sorry for being such a slacky bum with these giveaways.  At the time, offering a giveaway a week for this month seemed like a great idea...too bad my memory is not so good.  Do not fret though, today's giveaway is a great one!

I have a $50 Forever 21 gift card up for grabs to a lucky reader! Use it on clothes or shoes and accessories...the possibilities are endless (not really but you get my point!).  To enter, please see below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!!

Sorbet colorplay...

Hi!

I am really not the one to follow trends too much but I thought I'd experiment a bit with the pastel trend that is so hot right now.  In my opinion, pastel colors come across as looking too saccharine and goody-goody. Next time, I think I'll push the envelope a bit by pairing these colors with a more "tough" texture like leather.  All in all, I think my look is so-so.  I am so used  to bright, bold colors and textures that I felt like I should've been chasing a unicorn while in this outfit.  What do you think of the pastel trend? How would you rock it?

Also *ahem*, did you notice the improved quality of my pics? These are pics taken with my new DSLR which I am in total love with. The camera has forced me to step up my picture taking came for sure which I'm sure you all are relieved about! I can't promise that I won't ever take pics in that dusty corner of my dining room though!

I was trying to show you the shape and color of my earrings (they match my pants) but my hair was in the way! Derp!

Top: H&M (size 12)

Pants: Tarjay (size 16)

Shoes: H&M

Necklace: H&M

Clutch: ASOS

Earrings: H&M

Lastly, I wanted you to know that I'm finally on Instagram! Follow me at Izzygetsbizzy1!  Here are a few pics from this week!

I did them myself! I'm pretty proud of myself! *snaps suspenders*

My daughter Lilah...she has a thing for remotes

I had lunch with a friend a few days ago and she cheffed this up for me. Tri-color rotini in a meat sauce with a fruit salad on the side. Yum!

My friend's Portuguese Water Dog Zazu (yup, like Lion King Zazu)

Thanks so much for reading my blog! You all keep me going!

Every Body...

Hi!

Many of my friends/family come to me for fashion advice because they think I am some fashion guru.  I am flattered by the compliment but admittedly, it makes me feel uncomfortable.  I think fashion is personal and it is hard for me to tell people what they should wear. I am of the adage that you should wear what you feel comfortable in and it should be what you like.  If wearing sequin shorts makes you feel like a rock star than you should wear them!  I am so sick of hearing people make comments that fat people shouldn't wear _______ or that tall skinny people should stay away from________. Seriously???  Life is too short to be boxed in.  Putting yourself in a box/adhering to fashion conventions only serves to solidify the stereotype that only certain bodies can wear certain things.  Haven't we evolved past that thinking?  I know what you are saying to yourself: Izzy, I hear you but what about the designers who don't design for my body? It's true.  As fatshionistas, we are sometimes relegated to what is at our disposal.  It seems a bit disingenuous to tell a size 32 person to "make it work" when the majority of clothes out there won't/don't work for that size. Well now what?  I don't have all the answers but I do know that if we continue to advocate for ourselves and each other changes in the industry will occur.  I'm not just talking about advocating for all the size 20's just because that is the size you happen to be.  I'm talking about advocating for the body to your right or the body to your left no matter how different it may be from your own.  In social work there is a term called "we-ness"--it is essentially the cultivation and promotion of a common agenda and vision and the belief that as a unit, we must commit ourselves to moving that agenda/vision forward.  So what should our agenda be? I believe it should be that all bodies have equal access to fashions/styles that make the individual wearing them feel fabulous, empowered, and just plain beautiful. In war it is a common conception that a soldier fights not for himself or herself on the battlefield but for the person next to him/her.   Now let's all espouse that notion and do the same...

<3
Izzy

Top: Banana Republic

Pants: Gap

Belt: Talbots

Shoes: F21

Clutch: Purchased from Canal Street in NYC

Glasses: UO

Bangle: Ashley Stewart

Earrings: ASOS