Beauty Style Growth: March 2014

Bright Orange and Blue Stripes

It's that time of the year to start layering with a cardigan and wearing some more color. Although it's still cold in this neck of the woods, I think I'm tired of wearing my pullover sweaters and winter scarves. Layering with a cardigan is a good way to transition into spring, and doing it with a bright cardigan is a winner. You can't go wrong with colorful cardigans because they open up endless opportunities for remixing your wardrobe and add an extra punch to any outfit. I was in such a good mood all day with this orange cardi. I guess bright colors bring about some cheeriness.
The striped top has made its round on this blog, and as I mentioned in a previous post, I'm always drawn to blue stripes. A good way to wear stripes if you are not comfortable for fear of looking too wide is by layering like I've done here.

What to wear with orange, orange with blue stripes

Blue Stripes, levis jeans for big tummy, levis 512 perfect slimming

How to wear stripes, stripes for plus size, stripes for busty frame,

Cardigan - Gap / Similar / Similar
Striped Top - Avon (old) / Similar / Option / Option
Jeans - Levis / Similar
Bracelets, Ring, Necklace - Avon

Link ups: Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, I Feel Pretty, Tiny Heart, Three fer Thursday

Yellow Dress Remix

This was church wear for Sunday. I didn't take any outfit pictures this past week because I was down with Strep throat. This is definitely not what I looked like during the week; my face that is. I'm here thanking God that is was just that and for healing. It's not fun to be sick. But I think it's a blessing in disguise sometimes. My body needed to rest. I was in bed for two days and I'm kinda happy I did that. Doing nothing but sleeping. Yes please!

I wore this yellow dress on its own here when the weather was warmer. I'm remixing it today by layering with a cardigan. Layering is my number one trick for dressing slimmer. It also adds interest and dimension to any outfit (See last picture for a side by side comparison).

Have a great week and thanks for reading, commenting and following my blog.

Layered shirt dress, what to wear with yellow, yellow and black

layer to dress slimmer, shirt dress for apple shape, dress for big mid section

how to add interest to a dress, how to wear a dress

Dress - The Limited / Similar/ Printed / Option / Black Option / Black Option / Love this
Lace Sweater - Macy's / Similar / Similar
Tights - Target
Pumps - BCGB / Similar / Similar

Link ups - Sunday Style, Mix it Monday, Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom

Don't Give up just Yet

Happy Friday

Layered Sheath {Turquoise and Brown}

The day I wore this dress on its own, I looked really big. It revealed what an apple shaped body looks like. Layering a sheath dress that's not designed for an apple inverted triangle shape is the way to go. Wearing a belt seals the deal. I bought the dress before I knew what it meant to dress for my shape. The only way I would wear it now is by layering with a cardigan or jacket. Now I stay away from dresses like these and opt for sheaths that are belted or have an A line shape.

Blue dress, leopard belt, dressing an apple shape, boots and tights

P.S excuse the squinty face

Nine west tights, brown tall boots, leopard belt target

Dress - Macy's / Option / Option / Plus
Cardigan - Old Navy
Belt - Target
Boots - TJ Maxx / Similar / Option / Option
Tights - Nine West / Similar

Link ups: Monday Bloom, Style Elixir, Monday Mingle

Styling a Little Red Dress

Here's how I would style this red dress from Avon. I've been looking for the perfect red dress for a while now and this one is in my order cart right now. I love the neck detail and A-line shape. Have you found your little red dress?

what to wear with a red dress, Green chandelier earrings, J crew bracelet, Nude Sandals

Red Dress / Sandals / Bracelet / Clutch / Earrings

Link ups: Favorite Fashion Friday, Style Elixir

Blue Striped Sweater

Happy new week everyone. I hope your weekend was great. Mine was pretty busy as usual. I attended a business seminar on Saturday and spoke a bit about business process improvement and it was off to a prayer meeting after that, and then church on Sunday. The church outfit photos I took on Sunday didn't come out well so here's an outfit from Friday.
I added another striped sweater to my collection. I've heard many say you can't own too many stripes and in my case, most of my striped tops and sweaters are blue. Not sure why I'm always drawn to blue stripes but at least, they're all different shades of blue.

spring sweater old navy, stripes for big bust

Levi's jean fit, boot cut jeans for petite, look tall with jeans

Jeans for big tummy, Jeans for apple shape

Sweater - Old Navy Jeans - Levi's Boots - Nine West / Similar Bag - Coach / Similar / Option Necklace - Avon (old) Link ups: Monday Bloom, Visible Monday, Trend Spin, Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy

Red, Chambray and Khaki + a Social Media Tip

Just a quick post to show what I wore to work sometime this week. What day is it? I lose track of what day it is sometimes. I've been mighty busy trying to do a lot this week and I think I'm beginning to see some results. I'll be sharing with you soon.

I'm beginning to love Instagram a lot now ( I just got serious with it about a month ago). Instagram is where I am finding and connecting with a new set of people. You encounter different kinds of connections on different social media sites. The use of hashtags lets you quickly connect with people who share the same interests or who could be potential customers. I've also learnt that different social media sites work for different kinds of businesses/blogs. Twitter has helped a lot with my blogging, but Facebook, not so much. Focus your efforts on engaging and promoting your business/blog on the social media sites that work for you and fit your audience. Which Social media site(s) have helped your business or blog?

red sweater, chambray Shirt style, How to wear chambray

layering a chambray shirt, Gap Sweater, Macy's Marc Fisher tote, DSW Crown Vintage Booties

Sweater - Gap / Similar / Similar Pants - Gap Boots - DSW Bag - Marc Fisher via Macy's Link ups: What I wore to work, I Feel Pretty, The Pleated Poppy, Look What I Got

Five Uses and Benefits of Lip Liner

I used lipstick for many years long before I was introduced to this beauty product called a lip liner by my sister in law. I had been slapping on the lipstick and not liking the way it looked on me. I ended up staying away from wearing lipstick, especially brighter colors. Once I started using lip liners, I came to fully embrace wearing lipstick. Here's why you need lip liner, in case you don't use it (you don't know what you're missing) or not sure how to use it.

1. The main reason for using a lip liner is to define the lips. When you wear lipstick or lip gloss, a defined lips look much better and more appealing.

2. Line your lips with a lip liner to prevent your lipstick from bleeding out of the lip area.

3. Line your lips with a liner to change the appearance and size of your lips. Line inside your natural lip line to make them look smaller and if you have big lips, line a little outside of your natural lip area. This is my main reason for using a lip liner all the time. I use it to minimize my big lips.

Bonus: Wear a lighter lip color to make lips look bigger and a darker color to make them look smaller.

4. A lip liner can also be used to fill in the lip area prior to applying lipstick. This makes your lipstick or gloss last longer as it helps it adhere to your lips. To do this, fill in the entire lip area lightly prior to lining the lips

5. I use a lip liner as a substitute for lipstick or a lip gloss. Line your lips, fill in the lip area (optional) and apply clear lipgloss or vaseline.

Bonus Tips

You do not have to be scared to use a lip liner. The trick is proper blending after you have applied your liner and lipstick (or lip gloss) to make the line "invisible". A perfectly lined lip should not show traces of the lip liner.
Use a color slightly darker than the color of the lipstick you will be wearing.
Can't find the perfect shade? Mix two different color lip liners to get the perfect shade.
Need a darker shade? Venture into the eyeliner shades. My everyday lip liner is actually the cosmic brown shade in the Avon eyeliner line. I've always had a hard time finding a dark lip liner shade to match my skin tone.

Tell me, do you use lip liner? Can't do without it? never tried it? Please contact me if you would love more tips on using this essential beauty product.

Playing in the Snow with my TJ Maxx Finds

I Just realized after taking these pictures that I'm all decked out in TJ Maxx except for the boots. $14.99 and $19.99 are the magic numbers when shopping at TJ Maxx for accessories and clothes and $29.99 for shoes; and I'm sure you know by now that they are online now. Although I do most of my shopping online, I would still rather shop in the stores. I sense a TJ Maxx giveaway coming soon on the blog....stay tuned.

In the past few weeks that I've gone to Pinterest and other blogs for outfit inspiration, all I'm seeing are bare legs, arms and cropped pants and flats. Can't do all that yet. If you're looking for cold weather dressing inspiration, I think you'll still find some on this blog. I'm still dressing for warmth and comfort. Sweaters, beanies, jeans and black pants from my closet have been getting all the wear. Hope all the snow and cold and wind disappear soon.

Quilted vest for busty frame, Black turtle neck sweater, Nine west Sosie boots

Vest - TJ Maxx / Similar (Previoulsy worn here) Turtle Neck - TJ Maxx / Similar Hat - Ralph Lauren via TJ Maxx / Similar Jeans - Jeanstar via TJ Maxx Boots - Nine West
Link ups: Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom, Mix it Monday, Totally Posted, Style Elixir