#40 - Love Is In The Air

Allow me to start off by saying that I have an awesome brother. He is super smart and stylish, not to mention that he makes me crack up laughing until I pretty much pee myself. He's definitely one of the funniest people I know. He's only about 2 years older than me, but he had a big influence on me growing up-- I was such a copycat and I wanted to be just like him! I was always stealing his cool vintage t-shirts that he got from thrift stores (to his dismay), I learned to played guitar soon after he bought his first, and I was constantly bugging him for new music to download and books to read. He just proposed to his girlfriend of several years and I couldn't be happier for him-- they are perfect for each other! So this weekend, our family headed up to Chicago to meet her family for the first time.

For an event like this, or really any event, I am just loving dresses by the amazing designer Adrianna Papell. Her straight sizes go up to a 16 and she also has a plus-sized line that is beautiful and goes up to a 24. I have found my favorite AP pieces at Nordstroms, but her line is also available at Dilliards. I think this bright and whimsical dress is 1) extremely reflective of my personality and 2) perfect for a gorgeous outdoor soiree in Chicago! My soon-to-be sister-in-law's family decorated the yard so perfectly-- it had DIY and Etsy and magic written all over it!

Love that parking lot shot!

I'm wearing Schiap (bright pink lipstick) by NARS which just adds to all the bright goodness.

Love my color-blocked bag by Aldo. I take it everywhere!

The beautiful bar decorated with handmade paper decorations!

All the drinks were served in mason jars. ETSY magic!

Beautiful table set up inside with flowers, pies, customized cookies and beautiful pictures of the lovely couple.

Gorgeous tablescape.

So much detail in every single part of the table.

Beautiful flowers.

A shot at the end of the evening. Such a romantic, beautiful night!

DRESS/BELT Cap Sleeve Striped Dress, Adrianna Papell via Nordstroms (sold out in plus size) | SHOES Black Faux Suede Wedges, Target | BAG Black & White Color Blocked Shoulder Bag, ALDO

I was impressed by every detail and the thought that went into planning this wonderful occasion. I sort of thought we would all just be sitting at a dining room inside, eating family style, and I was really blown away by the effort of my sister-in-law's family. They made quite an impression on me. Above all, each and every one of her family members were so lovely and made us feel so welcome. I know my brother was a little bit nervous, but clearly it was a successful meeting of two awesome families! Now on to plan what I'll wear for the wedding...!

#37 A Fresh Start

"Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down." - Ray Bradbury

This quote means a lot to me these days. My first official day of my new job (I'm a teacher at a school in Harlem) began this Wednesday and it has been a rollercoaster of a week. I've had this dream for so long to move to New York City and it's all finally coming together: the apartment, the neighborhood, the city, the job. But to be real, it hasn't all been sunshine and roses.

It's a hard transition moving across states where you are essentially alone, beginning a new job-- albeit, an amazing job-- and feeling like you're starting from scratch both professionally and personally. I am really glad I'm here, but my passion for New York and for teaching hasn't stopped this from being one of the most challenging things I've ever gone through. Ultimately, it's essential to take risks in life to feel like you're really living, and to give yourself a chance to experience something new. You feel fear, feel excitement, question EVERYTHING, miss stability yet appreciate a new world, experience the heartache of loss and loneliness, see things in a completely different light. And in New York you walk around with your jaw dragging on the sidewalk, in awe of everything and everyone all around you, your eyes ever-gazing upward. It's up and down and up and down and so on. I wouldn't change it for the world, but damn-- it's hard and it hurts sometimes.

A few pictures from my first day at work at our retreat at Long Beach, NJ. Bonfires and the ocean always make me very introspective.

As shallow as it may seem, in times where I feel insecure, I sometimes turn to fashion to help lift my spirits and give me confidence. Something about knowing I look my very best, especially when starting a new job, helps me feel like I can do this, I can conquer my fears and the world! Anyone who has ever worn towering high heels knows this feeling well. Retail therapy, indeed.

Today was a big day because not only did I get to meet the CEO and founder of our network of schools, but I also got to meet several hundred other teachers who teach at my school and our sister schools! Looking my best was key, especially with such an intelligent, youthful, talented, and intimidatingly fashionable group of educators! We were told to dress casual, but for me business casual or even professional is what helps me feel my best and I prefer to err on the side of overdressed rather than under.

Yes, shamefully in the bathroom. But I was feeling positive and loving my outfit.

After some inspiring speeches, feeling a renewed sense of positivity.

Not so fresh after a happy hour, walking in 90 degree heat, and 8 hours of profesh development.

Every teacher should have an apple necklace!

TOP Grey Cowl Neck Top, Banana Republic | SKIRT Textured Neon Yellow Pencil Skirt, Eloquii | NECKLACE Apple Pendant, H&M | SHOES Green Suede Flats, J Crew

I was honestly going to give away this top because it shrunk in the wash and looks ridiculous with pants, but I discovered this brand new outfit rushing to work this morning and threw it all together really fast. Has that ever happened to you? Somehow I feel impressed with myself for putting together a fierce outfit in record time.

Also, I had to comment on Eloquii's Holiday 2012 Lookbook that has been released on a few blogs in the past few weeks. WOW! Eloquii just keeps getting better and better, and it's such a great option for those of us who have to wear business professional every day, not to mention how impressed I've been with the quality of the clothing.

There are a ton of basics that I can add my own eclectic pieces and accessories to so that they are uniquely me, and also a ton of beautiful pieces that really stand out and work on their own. This collection is really making me drool, and also lament my four-figure rent in New York. Gold sequin skirts with blush blouses, new colored skinnies, and how about that gray dress with the leather look panels? I cannot wait to rock it all as soon as its released! I have preemptively purchased ramen in preparation of this dent in my bank account...

#33 Amagansett, East Hampton

Happy Monday, dear readers! I was lucky enough this weekend to spend some time at a family friend's beautiful home in Amagansett, which is an area of East Hampton, New York. It was certainly a luxurious and relaxing experience and I was so grateful for the opportunity to see this area of New York which I have heard so much about.

My friend Ellie, my brother and his fiancee, and I all took a train from Penn Station on Saturday morning and spent the day at the beach with my family, grilling out at the patio, and relaxing together. Ellie and I were even able to get a quick pedicure nearby-- I am now the proud owner of some royal blue toes! The next morning we spent some time in the pool and sadly bid adieu to our generous family friend and his beautiful home. Of course, I couldn't spend the entire weekend without capturing the beauty and charm of this place on film.

We ate lunch at a place called, well, "Lunch."

My tasty tuna roll. For some reason, I'm not a huge fan of lobster.

A beautiful hibiscus flower.

A view from the road in Amagansett.

You can see the ocean from our family friend's patio.

The lovely lower deck, hot tub, and pool.

The outdoor dinner table!

'

The pool is outside, but is also halfway underneath a sun roof. So perfect.

Make-up free in the sunshine!

Trying to look fierce...

DRESS Braided Strap Orange Maxi Dress, Lane Bryant | SHOES Black Tassel Flat Sandals, H&M

A simple outfit for a simple day of relaxation. Perfection! In retrospect, I would have accessorized a lot more with this really bright orange dress, but the heat makes my skin react from cheap jewelry, which sadly is most of the jewelry I own. Does anyone know of any good places to get inexpensive jewelry that's good for sensitive skin?

If you ever have the opportunity to go to the Hamptons, even just for 24 hours like I did, I highly recommend it. I hope someday to be back, and also to head even further east, the most eastern point of the USA: Montauk. Of course, one of my favorite parts of the trip was the conductor of our train who announced the Montauk stop with the most perfect New York/Brooklyn accent. So far, I am loving NYC so much-- thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of my move!

#27 Namaste

I had a truly incredible inexperience this weekend... I got to go to my very first Indian Hindu/Christian wedding. The saris and the outfits: jaw dropping. You would not believe! I need to invest in a smaller camera to hide in my purse for fancier events (my giant Nikon wouldn't fit in a clutch!) so that I can take more photos to show you of the events I get to go to. Everyone from both sides of the family were so colorfully dressed and inclusive of everyone.

I had a blast dancing to Lil John and Indian pop, eating incredible Indian food and funfetti wedding cake, sipping on mango lassis, watching two bea-you-tee-ful ceremonies (Hindu and Christian), watching one of my favorite co-workers in a tradition Indian outfit riding in an Indian horse and carriage, and spending much of the day outside on one of the most beautiful days we've had all year, being a witness to two people uniting together who are very much in love. We definitely made some lifelong memories last night.

Although I wish I'd been able to wear a sari, I am pretty happy with this vintage reproductive dress I wore.

DRESS Alika Pencil Dress, Bettie Page Clothing | SHOES Leather Asymmetrical Wedges, Urban Outfitters | BRACELET Ribbon Crystal Bracelet, The Limited

I stole my hairstyle from a link on Little Chief Honey Bee's blog from the Oh So Pretty Diaries. Mine doesn't look is cute/neat in the picture, but for a 5 minute updo I'm pretty pleased with it. I also LOVE this dress! It comes in a pencil skirt and flared options, up to size 4X, and it also comes in red, black, navy, cream, and patterned. I definitely plan on getting another one, probably in navy or red. Gorgeous! One tip: the sleeves are pretty tight. If you have bigger arms like me, you might want to size up and then get it tailored if the rest of the body is too big.

Finally, I just want to say that a year ago I would have never worn this dress. You can definitely see my round belly in it and the sleeves really accentuate my bigger arms. After getting into plus sized fashion and reading so many beautiful blogs (special shout outs to Nicolette Mason, Gabi Gregg, Tiffany, Gazel, and Jay Miranda), I now have the confidence to wear what I want to wear, to shed self-hatred layer by layer, and I have learned to love myself more than I ever have, even when I was 50 lbs thinner. Thank you so much to all the bloggers out there, and for showing me what it really means to love yourself!

#20 Dream Weaver

Long time, no outfit post! :) That's back-to-school life for me. And now that I'm no longer staying with my boyfriend, I rarely have an excellent photographer around. Thankfully, last weekend my friend Ellie and I shopped 'till we dropped, and luckily I was able to convince her to take a few shots of my outfit on top of the parking garage. Pardon the squinting... it was such a beautiful sunny day!

JACKET Rouched Sleeved Jacket, H&M | TOP Black Snakeskin Ballerina Tunic, Urban Outfitters | JEANS Black Skinny Jeans, Old Navy | SHOES Black Strappy Wedges, Target | NECKLACE Dream Catcher Necklace, Vintage | EARRINGS 7/16" Jade Plugs, Body Art Forms | PURSE Studded Metallic Clutch, Marc Jacobs

I love this necklace. It's such a huge statement piece and I think it really makes the outfit. I bought it at a vintage/thrift shop in New York City a few years ago. I rarely wear it, but ever since I've decided to try to wear more of what I own and buy less, it came back into my regular rotation. However, I always feel conflicted about "ethnic" pieces like these: is wearing them a celebration of a beautiful and rich culture, or simply exploiting an oppressed racial group? What do you think?

The wedges from Target are amazing, too. They are a blatant rip-off of Dolce Vita's wedges (which most likely are runway rip-offs), but they are so comfortable and only cost about $30. Sadly, as the weather seems to be getting cooler and cooler, this will probably be my last outfit post featuring open-toed shoes! On the other hand, I can't wait for fall fashion...

Finally, I really want to thank everyone who voted for me in the Talbots contest. Sadly, I didn't win, but I really appreciate everyone who took a few minutes out of their day to vote! Thank you so much!

#17 Villa Vizcaya

This week was my first week back at school with students. I work at a charter school with extended school hours, so that means I'm up at the butt crack of dawn and leaving work around 6-7pm. Don't get me wrong though-- it's such an amazing place and I'm so happy to be a part of it. It feels so good to get back to teaching, which is what I love to do. I feel like I'm really fulfilling my life's purpose when I'm teaching and interacting with kids... but as you can imagine, it doesn't leave me a lot of time to do outfit posts!

I've been looking through old photos and feeling nostalgic tonight. Two summers ago, I went on a pretty epic road trip with my boyfriend down South. We drove from Cleveland all the way to Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Palm Beach, Miami, Key West, and then back up to Atlanta. It was one of the best times of my life! I was thinking about this beautiful villa we saw in Miami, called Villa Vizcaya. It was a house built in the early 20th century for businessman James Deering. It's highly influenced by architecture from the Italian Renaissance and is bursting with gardens and fountains. This beautiful place even has an old outdoor swimming pool and a "harbor," so to speak, with steps going down from the house, descending right into the water. It's a magical place, to say the least.

It was a cloudy, rainy, humid day and I was eaten alive by mosquitos, but it remains in my memory as one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and it felt so wonderful to share those moments with someone so special to me. I remember my outfit specifically from that day...

Downtown Miami at night.

The outdoor fountains and the front of Villa Vizcaya.

Inside the Villa.

The outdoor pool area.

Here I am, standing by the harbor. The house is just a few feet next to this beautiful port!

DRESS Striped Mock Two-Piece, Nordstrom BP | SANDALS Black Gladiators, Urban Outfitters | GLASSES Prescription Tortoiseshell, Ray Ban | PURSE Gold metallic shoulder bag, H&M

Now that I think about it, I really love the nautical feel of my outfit-- it goes so well with the harbor/water theme! Wasn't planned at all, but I love the way it worked out. I'm still so pleased with these photos, especially the vivid colors. This was after I bought my first "real" camera (a Nikon D4o) and I remember being so amazed by the quality of the photographs. I hope you enjoyed my blast from the past and I hope that you too can visit this beautiful place someday! It really is a treasure. I can't wait to continue traveling and be able to post more of my experiences in new places.

#15 A Formal Affair

I love getting dressed up for formal galas and gatherings, though I rarely have the opportunity to do so. I always really look forward to putting on fancy dresses and gowns and the educator's gala I went to on Thursday evening was no exception. I love the vintage feel of my dress and was really trying to evoke Christina Hendricks in Mad Men. Did I succeed? :)

DRESS Green Ava Dress, Pin Up Girl Clothing | SHOES Black Patent Peep-Toe Pumps, Nine West | NECKLACE Garnet Heart & Gold, Vintage Jewelry | PURSE Studded Metallic Clutch, Marc Jacobs (not pictured)

I'm a bit frustrated that I forgot my Nikon D40, which takes much better quality photos than my regular point and shoot. The only problem is, a huge Nikon does not fit in a cute Marc Jacobs clutch. I'm not a huge fan of name brands or designers, although thanks to fashion blogs and to Gilt, I'm getting more and more interested in designer clothing. This Marc Jacobs bag was a gift from my dad's girlfriend and it's absolutely perfect. I love the gold and silver metallic combination, which means you can wear it with any jewelry. The studs add a rocker/bad girl flair that resembles my personality and it's the perfect size, not too big or small. It's one of my favorite accessories and I use it all the time.

I must admit that after a long week of professional development, I was pretty pooped and wasn't interested in grooming myself for several hours. I got ready for this event in about 30 minutes. Side pony tail, a few bobby pins for my bangs, slip on the dress, some quick makeup, slide my shoes on, and I was ready to go. I wish I would have hit the dress with an iron for a little bit after it was in my suitcase, but I'm still pretty pleased with how it turned out. If you like the dress or vintage/vintage reproductions as much as I do, I highly recommend you check out Pin Up Girl Clothing, with sizes up to 3x. However, buyer beware: prices can be high and quality of their garments is inconsistent.