Purse Envy: Fossil Jesse Tote

If there's one thing I can be pursuaded to spend a little bit of money on, it's a purse.  I'm actually a bit of a snob when it comes to purses.  They don't have to cost $500 (that's just crazy-talk), but they DO have to be leather, or have leather trim (if they're canvas).  I said in my last post that I'm a bit in love with Fossil and Lucky Brand purses.  They're just so cool.  Plus, I always seem to find really great ones on sale at Dillards.  I'm talking $40 or less people!  Now that's a SALE!

Here's the Fossil purse I'm coveting right now:

Jesse Tote $128.00

Seriously love!!!  I like a tote for a everyday purse so I can carry around all my stuff.  I'm addicted to my Nook Color, and this purse is plenty big enough for that, along with all the other, everyday stuff we all carry around.  I also love the vintage-y vibe it's got going on.  Will DEFINITELY be keeping my eye out for this on the sale rack!!!  Although if someone would like to buy it for me I wouldn't say no.  A girl can dream, right??!!

Fun Finds: Boho Bracelets

I'm the first to admit that my style has been described, more than once, as a little hippy-ish.  I love that boho look with tons of bracelets and necklaces, but sometimes it's hard to find ones that fit that casual, just off the beach, aesthetic.  Here are a few I've found that I LOVE (and remember, they're best when you wear them in multiples!):

Dainty Nuggest Sky Bracelet $26.00 (comes in lots of colors too!)

Skinny Cuff Brass Bracelet $32.00

Braided Leather Wrap Bracelet $17.50

Gold Havana Beaded Cuff $59.00

Okay, I'll admit the last one is pretty pricy, but it's too pretty to leave off.  Plus, it's from Lucky Brand, and I'm a huge fan.  If I could only carry one brand of purse for the rest of my life it would either be Lucky or Fossil.  Please don't make me choose between them though!!!

ALSO!  If you love wearing TONS of funky bracelets and are really on a budget, I suggest hitting up an American Eagle store.  They have a much bigger selection in-store and are also always doing "buy one, get one half off" promotions.  Can't go wrong there!!



American Eagle Floral Peasant Sundress

This dress is currently hanging in my closet and I LOVE it.  I can't wait to wear this on a date.  My guy is a big fan of my summer dresses and he is going to love this one. 

Floral Peasant Sundress $44.50

I'll be honest, when I first picked this up off the rack I didn't really have high hopes.  Dresses like this usually don't look all that cute on me (my tummy is NOT my best feature).  But this one looks GREAT.  Plus, I've been a fan of American Eagle's sizes for a long time.  If you pick up a size 12, it's a size 12.  A large is (according to their size chart) a 10/12, but I'd guess they're cut a little more generously than that.  This particular dress goes up to a size 18 (but they're sold out on-line in sizes above 12, so try your local store).  Another great thing I've learned about American Eagle over the years is that if they're sold out of your size in-store, they'll order and ship your correct size directly to your house.  How cool is that?!  Now if only they didn't make you listen to a 5 minute sales spiel everytime you walk into their store.....can't have everything though, right?!

Anyway, this dress is so cute.  You can accessorize this with a cute brown leather belt, or throw on a denim jacket and wear it to work.  Which reminds me, I need a leather belt!  

Sundance Catalog sale find: the perfect summer dress.

I LOVE dresses in the summer.  So lightweight and cool, especially living in Texas.  I'm also a huge fan of sleeveless things.  I know, a lot of women don't like their arms, but I think my arms are one of my best features so I like to show them off.  My legs?  That's another story. 

I'm in love with this dress from the Sundance Catalog.  AND......it's on sale people!!!

Libby Dress $29.99


Here's a closeup of the braid detail under the bust--so cute!!!

This dress also comes in ivory, which would totally be my pick.  A little (almost) white dress in the summer, a tan (spray-on or real, I won't judge) and some cute sandals....perfect!!!  It also comes in petite sizes.  I'm not really sure how accurace Sundance sizes are, but this dress comes in sizes up to 16, so that's a pretty good range.  I think this dress would be really flattering on a TON of different body shapes and there's enough coverage in the bodice for the more "blessed" of you girls. 

The only drawback?  It's linen.  And dry clean only.  But to me, that just means "handwash".  I haven't met a natural fabric yet that couldn't actually be handwashed. 

I'm so glad that it's almost payday.......

Cute Skirt Alert!

Arctic Gray Cord Mini Skirt $19.99 (on sale!)

Okay, so maybe a 17" long mini skirt isn't really something I would actually wear, but I soooooooo wish I had the legs for it.  And since some of you probably do, I figured I'd share.  I LOVE this skirt.  I think it would look super cute in the summer too as a swimsuit coverup (along with a tank top).  Yes, it's corduroy, but I think the gray color makes it more of a year-round style.  Well, that and the fact that it's short.  It comes in several other colors too and most of the sizes are still in stock.  Plus, you can't really go wrong, quality-wise, with anything from Land's End.  This particular skirt is from Land's End Canvas, which is a more luxe, trendy line (think JCrew or Ann Taylor).  It's definitely NOT your mom's Land's End.  Check out this super-cute scarf (also on sale!):

Cotton Knit Scarf - $9.97 (also comes in pink!)

I'm a big fan of tie-dye.  Really.  It's probably some kind of sickness, but at least I can limit it to things like this scarf.  Knit scarfs like this one are great for taking along to the movies in the summer (or other places where it might be a little cool indoors).  I think this one is going to "accidently" end up in my mailbox in a few days........

What I'm Coveting

Voile Maxi $128.00

I love this dress.  LOVE.  It comes in other prints, but I just think this particular one with the flowers looks a little retro and not super "print-y", if that makes any sense.  I'm not a HUGE fan of multi-colored prints.  I'll like them on the hanger, or on someone else, then I put them on and feel stupid.  Yes, they actual make me feel STUPID.  I also feel the same way when I try on button-down shirts.  I know that makes no sense, but just go with me on this. 

ANYWAY......back to this dress.  It's certainly a splurge on my budget but I keep trying to justify buying it.  It would be perfect just running around on a hot summer day but would also look pretty on a date.  You could also throw on a little cardigan and wear it to work. 

I'm a huge fan of Boden.  Their clothes are trendy, but also grownup, and they come in sizes up to 18 in most cases.  Now, I totally get that their clothes definitely aren't low-cost. They also tend to sell-out quickly, especially in the larger sizes, which means waiting on a sale isn't really an option.  I've noticed, though, that they usually include coupons with their catalogs, as well as free shipping offers.  So if you love their clothes it's definitely worth it to sign up for the catalog.  

So go, shop, and have fun - but don't you DARE buy the last size 12R in the above dress or I'll have to come hunt you down!! 

Stores to Try: Forever 21

According to Possessionista, Forever 21 is where some of our favorite Bachelorettes (Jillian and Emily, just to name a few), love to shop.  If you've never been there, Forever 21 is the mecca of cheap, trendy clothes.  I've personally never been in there and found anything that fits though.  Things are usually just a smidge to small for my c-cup size chest, and of course a large is never quite large enough.  After some research, I realized that's because a large at Forever 21 is actually about a size 9/10.  Um, WHAT?!

So after expressing a bit of outrage, I calmed down enough to realize that there is ALSO a Forever 21+.  Their sizes start at size XL, which corresponds to size 11/12.  Now, I realize that some of you are tag-conscious and don't want to wear something that says "XL".  My solution?  Cut off the tag. 

Check out what I found on Forever 21+:

Disco Inferno Knit Top $22.80

Beaded Topstitched Top $19.80

Tip:  Forever 21 has free shipping on U.S. orders over $50.  Check out their fabulous accessories of you come up a little short of reaching that goal.  Also, check out their site often because things sell out quickly! 

Welcome!

So I love blogs.  LOVE them.  Almost as much as I love reading magazines.  Specifically fashion and lifestyle magazines.  The thing is: I'm a 38 year old mom who can't afford a $150+ shirt (or bowl, or set of sheets), and even if I could afford it, it probably wouldn't come in my size.  I'm not a size 6, or a size 26, I'm just your average 10/12.  Okay, I'll be honest here, most days I'm a 12.  But you get what I'm saying.  Regular size fashion usually stops at 12 and plus sizes start at a 14 (and even those are hard to come by), which leaves us 12's right smack in the middle.  Regular clothes aren't really made to fit us, and neither are plus sizes. I've found that the pricier the clothes, the more likely I am to like how they fit, but I've already said that I'm poor.  And honestly, I think EVERYONE no matter what their size or income level can admit that they're often frustrated by fashion and sizing.  But this is MY take on it.  In this blog I want to share cool things I've found that come in MY size and in MY price-range.  I'll probably also throw in cool things for the home here and there too (because accessories for your house ALWAYS fit).  Anyway, I hope you find something that appeals to you!