TARGET: AVA & VIV REVIEW

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

I hope you guys had a great weekend!

This weekend I decided to go into my local Target and try out some of the new pieces from AVA & VIV.  

AVA & VIV is a new line Target is carrying catering to us plus size females who want fashionable clothing that actually fits. Target has been known to carry top designers lines in their store but, rarely did it cater to us. One of my favorite bloggers Chasity Garner responded by sending Target an open letter stating her frustration and also boycotting the store until they made a conscious effort to give us plus size women options.

My local Target store does carry plus size clothing but, rarely could I wear anything from there.  I gave up on buying clothes at Target a long time ago. I would envy the ones that could actually wear their designer lines because, the pieces were really nice. It wasn’t a hard decision for me to go along with Chasity and stop shopping at Target as well.

To my surprise, Target actually took notice and decided to up the ante on their plus size clothing line and created AVA & VIV.  I am excited to see this line in Target and being able to have more options for us plus size girls. YEAH FOR US!!

Let’s get started on my review of the new plus size line AVA & VIV from Target!

As you can see they had several different choices to choose from which was great.

**Please excuse the dirty mirror pics** 

The palazzo pants and shirt fit was okay for me. This is actually a 4x (Yes 4x!!). I am very bottom heavy and the material is somewhat silky so I wanted to make sure I had enough room.  My only wish was that the pants actually button up instead of having a stretch band. My waist is smaller than my hips which means I would have to get these tailored on the sides to actually fit correctly.

PS. I dupe the floral print look from Garnerstyle becasue she looked so fab wearing it.

If you have large arms I will tell you now you may have to get a 4x in the shirt as the fit is snug. But, they do have several different shirt options so you don’t necessarily have to choose this combo.

The black & white maxi dress is a dream. The material is so soft and it is made from jersey stretch material. I love the length of the dress as well. It is so hard to find a true maxi dress.

They also had several options of swimwear. I loved both pieces. They also carry up to a 26W. Isn’t that great!!

Two Piece: The top is 22/24 but, I could of size down. Bottoms 22/24 and the fit was good.

The full piece bathing suit (I love this color) is a 22/24.

All in all I think the AVA & VIV collection is great and I can’t wait to see more pieces from them.

BOWTIES ROCK!!!

Hello My Gorgeous Divas!

You ever brought an item that you love so much you didn't know how you went without having one for so long?

Well, that is how I feel about my bow tie. I first saw this look on Keeping up with the Kardashians and I was in love with how they made the look so masculine with the bow tie but, still keeping the feminine.

I have worn this bow tie with several looks and each time I fall in love with it again. 

Check it out.

Top: Lane Bryant/Thrifted

Skirt: Fashion Bug/Thrifted

Stockings: Welovecolors

Shoes: Lane Bryant

VERSATILE WAYS TO WEAR A DENIM SHIRT

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

I've never been a fan of denim shirts. The reason why I thought they were just for old plumbers or construction workers who want to look somewhat decent.

But, then I started to see a trend forming with the denim shirt. I started to look at the denim shirt as one of those staple pieces that everyone should have in their closet. Literally, a denim shirt can go from professional to grunge and sophisticated chic. I have seen so many wonderful looks with either denim on denim or denim and plaid.

I must say a denim button up has became the new white button up blouse that every girl needs in their closet.

Check out some of the looks I have styled with the DENIM TREND.

PS: Don't be afraid to mix your denim shirt with different patterns and textures.

EVENING OF LOVE

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Yes, I know it is late but, better late than never.

I am so happy to be back on the scene with some new fashion for you. I have been MIA for awhile as I live a very hectic lifestyle. I vow to be more proactive with my blog as it is one of passions. 

Enough with the small talk let's get into it...

I attended an event called "Evening of Love" with my good girlfriend for a pre-valentine's day celebration. At first I was going to buy something to wear but, I decided to shop my closet. I felt so lady like and sexy. Sometimes less is more.

Check it out..

 This wrap dress was purchased from Walmart Penny Chic Collection about a year ago and has only been worn once. A wrap dress will always be a girl's best go to for a night out on the town.

Cape: Thrifted

Shoes: Payless Shoes Source

Necklace: Walmart(they have some of the best statements necklace for a good price)

Clutch: Thrifted

Sunnies: Forever 21

Makeup: Beat by ME! (I'm getting better)

LADIES WHO ROCK..

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

I hope all has been well with you guys!!! 

Let's get into it...

I attended an event that honored women who rock in our community and my church. Awhile ago I saw some t-shirts on www.fashionbombdaily.com that showed great African American people that have paved the way in the fashion industry. We always see Audrey Hepburn (whom I love) and Marilyn Monroe on t-shirts all the time. It was a breath of fresh air to see images that I have admired for years that I can wear.

It took me a minute to figure out which icon I wanted to wear it was between Grace Jones and Iman.

Check out who I picked below.

YASSSS GRACE!!!

Grace is different (in a good way) unique, fearless and just plain ole ROCKS!!

Shirt: candybomb.com

Skirt: Saving Sequins

Shoes: Payless

Clutch: It's Fashion Metro

Necklace: It's Fashion Metro

They also have t-shirts with faces of Andre Leoon Talley, Iman, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker, Donyale & Josephine Baker.

THIGHS, HIPS AND F PEOPLE JUDGEMENTS

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

Work, Work, Work is the mode I have been in for the last couple of months until this past weekend. I decided to take my favorite girls on a little weekend getaway to Atlanta. I live in a very small town so, to get away even if for a weekend was great for us. We stayed at the Intercontinental Buckhead and I must say it was absolutely wonderful.

 View from the 17th Floor

 Southern Art Restaurant

(located inside the hotel)

 The chandeliers were so pretty and instead of hanging pictures on the wall they were hanging from the ceiling. Neat huh?

 The garden was beautiful and serene!

My breakfast was super yummy!!

 I would definitely recommend this place for anyone visiting the ATL for a weekend trip. 

My girls love to swim and I wanted to have a good time playing in the water with them, As I was taking off my skirt to get into the pool, I saw the stares of petite woman and kids looking at my thighs and staring.  At one point in my life I would have been to embarrassed to get into any type of pool for fear of being ridicule. The plus size swimwear options has come a long way and it seems to be getting better each year. The summertime can be a hard time for us plus size divas due to it being the time for less clothes and sexy swimwear. I recently just started getting into swimwear within the last year thanks to some great bloggers that have inspired me.

I have not always been the self confident person you see today. You would have not caught me in any type of bathing suit especially, not a two piece. I would either wear shorts and a top or opt out of getting in the pool at all. I would make up excuses to my girls as to why I wouldn't get in the pool with them. I was missing out on those fun and special moments because I was afraid and ashamed of my thighs, butt, arms, hips and stomach. 

Last year I wore my first ever Fatkini and it wasn't easy for me to bare that much skin but, I did it. I decided to let go of all those negative feelings about how I look and be free from the judgement of people thoughts and health concern. It takes time to get to that point of not giving a you know what of what other people say, think or feel because to be honest you have no control over that. The only thing you can control is how you feel. 

My advice to any plus size diva that wants to wear a bathing suit and doesn't feel comfortable is to live and enjoy your life freely. Free from other people opinions and judgement of you. You only get to go through this thing called life once don't allow anyone to have that type of control over you. No one!!

I entered the pool with confidence and no fear as to what anyone was thinking. I was there to relax and have a good time with my girls thighs and all.

Check the pics below.

 Swimwear: Monif C 

Courtesy of Garner Style

This is my first time ever wearing a Monif C bathing Suit and I must say ti is the best bathing suit I have ever worn or purchased hands down. 

Skirt: It's Fashion

Sunnies: Forever 21

DARE I WEAR DENIM

Hello My Gorgeous Divas,

I hardly wear jeans because it is extremely hard for me to find the perfect pair that doesn't gap in the back or is to small in the thigh area. I am very bottom heavy and have this issue a lot hence why you see more of my post in either skirts or dresses.

I wanted a pair of nice jeans so I decided to check out Torrid being that I had already brought a great pair from them before. I was not disappointed at all.  These jeans fit great and have a lot of stretch in them. If you are looking for a great pair of jeans for the summer check out www.torrid.com

Blouse: Cato's Fashion
Jeans: Torrid
Shoes: Lane Bryant
Purse: Mommy's Closet
Sunnies: Forever 21