Happy Friday my loyal blogger fam, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I had a very relaxing and quiet one which is just what I needed. I can’t believe it is almost New Year’s Eve and we are approaching 2018. In fact this will be my last post of the year. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and personal growth I had so I would like to reflect a little on that.
2017 started off rough for me personally but slowly but surely as the year progressed things took a turn for the better and the last half of the year was fantastic. I started working at a new Firm and I realized that the change was what I needed and I couldn’t be happier. And the support they show for my blog and understanding it is my personal life and my creative outlet is phenomenal, I feel so at peace now.
I had the opportunity to take a few months off from my day job this summer and that allowed me to travel to Atlanta, LA and New York for a 2nd time this year. I met with brands in person, forged new relationships and attended my first NYFW and got to see history in the making. And I got to spend so much quality time with my fellow bloggers and meet many followers that my heart was so full. Meeting you and hearing from you in person is so rewarding to me.
I also got to work on some really cool projects like the Penningtons denim video, being the OYC Ambassador for Full Beauty for Full Figured Fashion Week, writing my own column for FabUplus magazine, shooting look books with SWAK Designs & IGIGI & RWN by Rawan, working on a exciting project with The Succulent Six, collaborating with SexyPlus Clothing on my curated Artex collections and executing my 2nd annual #HolidayDoubleSlay.
Finally I learned to embrace and own the word “model”. I realized through the support of so many of you and my industry colleagues and friends that I was stuck on what the definition of a traditional model has always been. And while I give those women who live the life full time mad props because it is hard work and requires dedication and natural talent, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a place or opportunity for those of us who are on a different path. I love working with brands on fit, particularly for size 24 and up. I also think that since there are no signed models beyond a size 24 that I am ok being part of this world if it as simple as to promote body diversity. And I walked in my first runway show! I was nervous as hell but it was certainly a rush.
I have big goals for 2018 (100K on Instagram to start!) and some cool projects already in the works so I am excited to see how the year will unfold. And of course I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Above all I am committed to providing you with the same quality content that you have come to expect and deserve. And I will always be on the hunt for new brands to share with you and additional resources. And if you have questions please don’t be shy, ask away! So with that, I think I should talk about this final look of 2017…
When I saw Gabi and Nicolette sporting this skirt during The Curvy Con and NYFW, I knew it was a must have piece for my wardrobe. The paper bag waist has been a huge trend this year and it is made of a great micro pleat stretch fabric. It also has a self tie belt and flat front pockets which are my personal fave because they don’t gape at my hip.
And of course there is the fact that it is in the most gorgeous bright and rich sparkly shade of emerald green I think I have ever seen. I loved seeing them pair it with a tee and sneakers for a casual playful look and then glammed up with a mesh top and heels. And it defies the notion that sparkles can only be worn for special occasions. I say where them whenever you feel like it! I am wearing the 4x in this piece and felt the fit was generous. My typical Premme size has been a 5x.
I have really been pushing the boundaries of my personal style this year and trying things I would have never expected when I first starting blogging. That includes experimenting with combining textures and colours. I wanted to do this skirt the justice it deserved so I may have ordered it the first day it came out but I patiently waited for the right pieces to pair it with. Then this sequin cami showed up in my feed and I had my ah hah moment. This gorgeous little mermaid number is from my friends at Your Big Sister’s Closethere in Toronto. I am wearing the 3x and the fit was generous. Thank you so much Karen for measuring it before I ordered to make sure it would fit!
Once I saw this I realized I had just received this fabulous faux fur coat from Full Beauty. It may look familiar to you because it is the same style as the winter berry one I wore for my Holiday Double Slay. This jacket is the bomb, plain and simple and has definitely fed my faux fur obsession. This regal teal colour is to die for, I definitely felt like a queen.
To accessorize this look I wanted to keep things edgy so I added my fave suede booties with the gold heel from Eloquii. I couldn’t resist some more sparkle in this silver bag from Aldo and my jewelry had to be over the top. These black statement earrings from H&M, metallic bangles from my collection and statement rings from Amadora Designs Jewels definitely did the trick.
When we were shooting this look Katie, my photographer and I joked that it was my music video look because it was totally extra! But I like being extra sometimes and you know what that is ok because it’s part of who I am and my fashion identity is multi faceted just like my personality. And I couldn’t think of a better time of year to be extra or a better way to end the year with a bang! Happy New Year everyone!
Thank you to Katie of Katiuska Idrovo Photographyfor capturing my rock star moment.
Skirt by PREMME | Jacket by FULL BEAUTY | Cami by YOUR BIG SISTERS CLOSET | Booties by ELOQUII (alternative here) | Bag by ALDO | Earrings by H&M | Rings by AMADORA DESIGNS JEWELS |
