Perky boobs make you look thinner

Before we truly delve into the art of fashion and style, it is crucial we take a moment and discuss how important under garments are. I know I live in a little back woods town in the Shenandoah Valley, but I see women daily who feel it isn't necessary to wear something so important as a bra. This one undergarment is the foundation of your entire outfit. Whether you are skinny, big, well endowed, or don't have much to talk about please, please, please wear a bra. (Sports bras don't count.)

Not just any bra, mind you, a bra that fits. If you take nothing else away from my blog please take away the fact that your clothes will look better if they fit. That includes your bra. Not only will a well fitting bra give you a great foundation for the rest of your outfit, it will also make you look thinner. I promise!

I don't like to spend a lot of money on any one item of clothing but bras are the exception. I will happily fork over $50 for the perfect bra. There is nothing more important. Take the time to go get a fitting, and try on a lot of bras before you buy one.  Make sure it is the one before you buy any others. Wear it for a week or two to know for sure.

Ok, now that you know how very important the right undergarments are and how to shop for them; what you've been waiting for... perky boobs make you look thinner. Your waist is this beautiful mythical place a few inches above you belly button. We all have one. Some waists may be more obvious than others but they are all there. We all strive to make our waists look thinner, to give our silhouette that desired hourglass figure. Gravity is an evil mistress and takes our wonderful boobs and drags them towards our waist to make a big bumpy mess. A well fitted bra and the wonderful shelf of voluptuousness creates a slimming line to our waist and makes you look thinner even if you don't have an hourglass figure.  Especially for big girls, this is absolutely crucial to any look.

Take the time to get a bra fitting. Buy a bra because it fits you perfectly. Wear it proudly and enjoy having a beautiful, thinner looking waist.

Life happens...

I'm sure you have noticed my absence these past few months.  All I can say is... life happens.
Due to some major changes in my life including a new job and an auto accident, fashion and sharing my love of fashion has taken a back seat. You have not been forgotten, but it may be some time before you see regular posts from me again. 
In the mean time, feel free to message me with questions and things you would like to see in the coming posts.  I look forward to hearing your ideas and am busy planning my spectacular return.

Thank you- Lucy

Shopping for a bargain

Shopping on a budget means you don't have a lot of money to spend to look professional, put-together, and fashionable.  It is like hunting for buried treasure. There is treasure everywhere. In every store, a hidden jewel just calling to you. The hard part is finding them and getting them for a good price.  I will say it again, there is treasure everywhere!

Some tips for shopping for a bargain...

• Always be on the look out for a bargain. Even stores you wouldn't normally buy clothes from may have something you want.
• Head straight for the clearance section. Start your shopping adventure in the clearance section, if you don't find what you are looking for you can then look at their current season of clothes.
• Don't buy clothes just because they are on sale. Buyers remorse starts here. Spending money on something you won't wear is not bargain shopping.  You didn't save anything if you're never going to wear it.
• Coupons are your friends. With coupon websites, apps, and in store promotions you should never have to pay full price for anything. Take the time to find the best coupon for what you are shopping for.
• Be patient. It takes time to find something you love for less. Not every shopping adventure will be a successful one.
• Shop because you want to, not because you have to. If you are looking for something specific, it can be really hard to bargain shop. There is no guarantee you will find what you are looking for at all, even less chance you will find it in your size, at a decent price, and before you need it. In most cases, we end up buying something that doesn't fit right, was too expensive, or we aren't in love with. 

Next time... Perky boobs make you look thinner

The business of getting dressed

I am so very lucky to enjoy what I do. There are very few people in the world who have that luxury. Being an event coordinator and banquet manager is extremely stressful, exhausting, and rewarding. There is nothing better than talking to guests after a successful event and hearing how amazing you are... every weekend. Instant gratification anyone?

Due to the very public nature of my position it is crucial I look well put together and fashionable all the time. However, due to my crazy schedule and being always on the move, it is not easy to find time to coordinate outfits and close to impossible to stay looking good all day. You don't want someone who looks like a slob planning your special occassion. If they can't coordinate themselves, how are they going to coordinate an entire event?

Grey slacks from JCPenney
Black tank from Walmart
Graphic tee from Target
Pointed heels from Payless

My rules for fashion that lasts, in a hurry...

1) Plan ahead. This is the part where I tell you to plan ahead and set out your clothes every night. I have tried that many times throughout my life, and was never able to gauge my mood ahead of time. For me, taking a couple minutes in the morning to think about what my day will look like and who I will be dealing with help to inspire my look. Really busy days inspire more comfortable clothing choices, while easier days will get my more adventurous outfits.

2) Stick to the basics. Dress slacks and a blouse may sound uninspired but it is a tried and true professional look. Look for ways to take your basic professional looks and add your own personal style twist.

 

Sleeveless blouse from Ross
Sleeveless Jacket from Lane Bryant

3) Be adaptable. You never know what your day will present you, no matter how much you plan. I keep a pair of flats under my desk at work just in case an easy day turns into a busy one. Also, changing shoes half way through a long day will help your feet feel better at the end of the day. Always be ready for something unexpected and you will never be caught off guard.

4) Get comfy. Thankfully I am not required to wear a suit everyday but I am required to dress appropriately for each event. My personal comfort plays a huge part in how I choose what to wear everyday. This is one of the reasons it is so very important to wear clothes that fit you. If you are comfortable in your clothes, you will be more confident and get more done during your day.

Black slacks from Target
Layered tanks and sweater from Deb

5) Accessorize! Even the most basic outfit can be amazing with the right accessories. I often take a very basic professional look and add my best and sparkliest jewelry. The jewelry looks great, and so do I. Find a couple amazing necklaces that can stand out on their own. You will never have a shortage of clothing options with some great hardware.

Pencil skirt from Lane Bryant

Tank and jacket from Deb

Photography by HotShots Photography

Next time... Everyone is a big girl

Everyone is a big girl

I don't personally know any super models, a travesty I hope to remedy one day, but I imagine they have an even worse body image than I do. They are constantly being criticized for their body, hair, and face by complete strangers. Despite being the perfect representation of what advertisers want us to aspire to, they hate their bodies too.

I work with a beautiful array of ladies with all different body types.  I think they are all beautiful in their own ways. They each have issues with their bodies. Are we so far gone that even the beautiful people think they're ugly? Even skinny people think they are fat? Yes. Everyone is a big girl in her own head.

What do you see when you look in the mirror everyday? Do you see a stunning woman looking back or how your hair won't behave today? Do you see how put together you look or that bit of bulge in the waist you thought this outfit would hide? Do you see how beautiful you are or do you pick apart everything you don't like?

There is something about everyone of us we would like to change. But when the world at large sees us, all they see is our actions.  When our family looks at us, all they see is our love. When our friends look at us, all they see is the woman you are inside.

Maybe strangers are criticizing your body, hair, and face.  Unless your a super model, it shouldn't matter what they think. Look at yourself in the mirror and see the beautiful capable woman staring back and go do something amazing.

Next time... Shopping for a budget

Big girls shouldn't wear that

Clothes shopping with my Mom is, as always, an enlightening experience. Besides the amazing clothes I'm able to afford when I'm not paying...

One of our favorite pastimes is people watching. My Mom and I would try to guess what movie the people in the line in front of us were there to see just by the way they dressed and their interactions with each other. Being fashion conscience, you are always looking at what people around you are wearing and how they carry themselves. This is where most of us get our fashion inspiration. We see a beautiful woman walking down the street with amazing confidence and we want to know where she got her skirt.

While shopping with my Mom, we both watched the crowds and discussed what women were wearing. A particularly hideous ensemble brought on a conversation about what big girls shouldn't be wearing. Even as a lifetime big girl, I have found myself saying, "Big girls shouldn't wear that!" As I grow more comfortable in my skin and the body loving revolution progresses what big girls shouldn't wear is becoming a much smaller category.

As we grow more aware of the harm this mindset has produced, the fashion industry has grown more aware of the need for fashion forward clothing for big girls. This includes many things that, not too long ago, would have been in the "shouldn't wear" category like skinny jeans and mini skirts. These items, plus many others, are now available to us in styles that help accentuate our lovely curvy figures while hiding iffy areas.

Now we have to take a chance and wear something we shouldn't wear. Find the style that looks great on you and makes you feel even better. Wear your shouldn't wears with pride and before long someone will be asking you where you got that skirt.

Next time... The business of getting dressed

Big Girl Bikinis

During the summer months, I crave the sun's warmth. After spending the whole work week in an air conditioned office, I want to spend my days at the pool soaking up the rays. Armed with 3 bottles of sun screen, my towel, my bathing suit and a good book I head to the local public pool and take in the sights. Though I haven't gotten the nerve to don a bikini, I am noticing more and more big girls wearing theirs with pride. Is this the body loving revolution coming to fruition?

My body goal, for myself, is to feel comfortable wearing one of these skin baring swimsuits. I am not sure what size that is for me. Some of my coworkers have made it very clear they think bikinis are strictly the garments of children and young women. Others say that they are strictly for skinny women with taunt bellies and perfectly sculpted arms.

I try to remind myself not to stare in slack-jawed amazement at the beautiful big girls at my local pool who have the nerve to laze by the pool in bikinis. Some look amazing and others could use a little help choosing a different suit, but they all are beautiful in their confidence. Even my favorite big girl bloggers are showing their skin.

Tess Munster

Nadia Aboulhosn

How do you feel about big girls in bikinis?  Are you brave enough to bare your summer skin?

Next time... Big girls shouldn't wear that