Peekaboo

February 10, 2016 by Jami Jaye

Valentine's Day is around the corner! Lingerie is always on the top of my list of things to buy myself during this time of the year. Great lingerie has a way of making you feel sexy. I love wearing a lacy bra and cute panties underneath something simple like sweatpants and a tee. I get a kick walking around looking like a bombshell and no one knows but me. I also believe great lingerie adds a little pep to your step. When you feel good, you look good.

This year my lingerie of choice came from City Chic. I went with the Lou Lou contour bra. Balconette bras are always a great choice for women that have a fuller bust like myself. I do not believe in sacrificing support just because something is pretty. You always want great cleavage without the fear of popping out. This bra definitely delivers on the cleavage front. When it comes to my undies I love a good boyfriend or cheeky panty. The Lou Lou panty is super cute with it's lacy front. I definitely like the fit of them. This was my first time trying their lingerie, and I am definitely impressed. Understanding their sizing is key, I definitely suggest measuring yourself if you are trying them out for the first time. In their panties, I wear a XS which is (14/16) and in their bra I converted my 40H to their 18H.

Now as much as I love wearing sexy lingerie, the thought of actually taking a picture of myself in it hardly ever crossed my mind. I loved the mystery of it all, and taking a picture is putting myself out in plain sight for the world to see. Then I said, I can do this no problem- I'm a hot woman, nothing to be ashamed of. Until I got in front of the camera- then I got all shy. Within 10 minutes, I was like I'm going to do this, to you know what, I don't want people to get the wrong impression. As confident as I can be, there are times when being completely open and raw scare me. As I continue to grow, the will to push myself to try new things (not only in this platform, but in all aspects) is needed and it will always be scary at first. This is the start of a more open Jami. Baby steps, baby steps. Today I am not ready to take pictures in just my underwear, but I do love this picture. It's me embracing and trying something new, and trust me, posting this picture of me with my shirt open is definitely new. Happy Valentine's Day Lovers!!

Yoga

February 08, 2016 by Jami Jaye

I remember when I first started going to yoga...it was about 8 years ago. I wanted to try something new because I hated going to the gym to lift weights. I went to the Y and signed up for the Wednesday 7:30 session. I got to a packed class with the most peppy teacher named Peggy. She is not like your typical yogi (you know what I'm talking about, all monotone like a flower child). Peggy cracks jokes, tells stories about what it was like when she was learning yoga, and bakes cookies. Yes- cookies! After class she will pull out some chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies she has baked. I know, I am supposed to getting healthy and I am chomping down on cookies. Eh, oh well...lol. Contrary to popular belief, her yoga class made you work. I felt it the next day, and I was hooked ever since. Any one that knows me Wednesday was my no plan day. There were plenty of times I passed on dates, or afterwork events because I wanted to go yoga. It helped me improve my breathing, and I definitely had less aches and pains. When I didn't have class, my mother could tell...she would say "You need to go see Peggy, you are getting angry." LOL!! She was right- yoga mellowed me out. It was because of yoga I wanted to work out more. Who would have thought yoga was the gateway to change my whole mindset about exercise.

In the past year, the activewear selection has definitely stepped up. Lane Bryant's Livi collection has been a go to with their functional workout gear that looks and feels great. As most of you know Lane Bryant has been very big on collaborating with different brands to bring the plus size woman more options. Sophie Theallet's first foray with Lane Bryant was all lingerie (which was super cute), but this time around she tackled activewear. I loved all the pieces in the collection. Anything in a bright pink will always catch my attention, so when I saw the lookbook, I definitely headed to 34th Street to try on these pieces in person. The crop top is a must have (and it's fleece lined), so you can look cute and stay warm. The snakeskin print is a nice touch as well. I paired my crop top with the fleece lined joggers. Pink trim is everything. I originally tried on 18/20, but they were a bit too roomy so I went down to a 14/16. What I loved about these joggers was the high waisted panel. With these you can do all the stretches you want and not have to worry about having plumbers crack, or having to fiddle with your pants because they are falling down. When it comes to footwear, I always like to wear something fun and unexpected, and these chukkas from Cole Haan are just that. These have been in heavy rotation because they are comfy, are animal print, and on sale. I went with the wide width version since a good deal of Cole Haan's fit on the narrow side. So there you have it lovers, my yoga approved, but you can also wear it to not do yoga approved outfit. How's my pose?

Dotty

February 03, 2016 by Jami Jaye

This Spring there are a couple of launches that my eyes and wallets have been waiting on. The first is the Who What Wear x Target collaboration. I was excited about the collaboration because the street style they feature on their site is always on point. When the lookbook dropped, I as well as many bloggers were waiting patiently for it to launch. The plus size offering we were told was only going to be online (something that annoyed me), but some stores actually ended up carrying the plus collection. Even though I have become a serious online shopper, when it comes to a big box companies such as Target I feel that they have the stores and space to support carrying extended lines. Target's plus size is still relatively new so when it comes to picking items, I would feel more comfortable trying on and deciding in store, rather than buying 2-3 different sizes, waiting a week to receive them, and then return what doesn't work.

I went to my local Target on Sunday to see if my store carried plus. Unfortunately, my neck of woods did not receive it, but I took the opportunity to check out the quality of the product. Working in retail for the past decade, I am all about the feel of a garment. Something can be a great price and feel amazing or expensive and cheaply made. I will say this, the quality is great for the price. Nothing in the collection is over $50 so it's wallet friendly. I typically wear a size 16 in items, so I decided to take a gamble and try the straight style 16 polka dot skirt. Happy dance it fit!! I was first eyeing the polka dot blouse, but since my arms are on the big side, I went with the tee instead in a XXL (that worked as well). So if you are 18-20 up top you can give the straight sizes a try when you are in the store, and if it doesn't work then you can order it from the site in plus. All the other items I wanted I ordered from the site (moto zip jacket & accessories). There are other skirts in the collection I love, but they look like they were on the small side, so I passed. Polka dots and I have been friends for a long time. They are just so much fun, and when you pair it with pink I feel like I am in a Kate Spade ad (if anyone has a connect to Kate Spade, tell them I would love to be in their ads- lol). I've had my Nicolette jacket from Mynt for some time now (it's no longer available), but I have found a similar version from Torrid. I decided to just go all out, and rock some red pumps (these are on sale-get them asap). For accessories, I went with a statement necklace from Baublebar, and a clutch from the Gap.

As many of you know, the site was having major issues which had many of us (including myself) wondering why once again plus size gets treated like a stepchild. The access of great items has improved over the years, but we are forced to shop predominately online. It's frustrating at times to be a part of the majority, but treated a minority in the fashion world. After half a day of online glitches, the site is up and running and you can still get your hands on some great items. The collection is on going and every month new items will be in store and in the site. So far I am loving the prints. Sizing is still a major factor, and I will definitely let you know how other items fit. Don't forget you can always catch me on Snapchat (styleoversize) for try-ons and other shenanigans. Till next time!

Pantone Spring 2016 Blogger Collaboration

February 01, 2016 by Jami Jaye

I am so ecstatic that I can share my first blogger collaboration of 2016!!! I am always on the lookout for the trends of the season, but more importantly I look out for the colors of the season. When it comes to color, Pantone is the authority and they picked out the Top 10 Spring 2016 Palette. I thought this would be a great collab project so I reached out to nine ladies and the challenge was to pick a color and slay. I must say my blogger boo's came and did it right. My color of choice was Fiesta. Fiesta is in the red family, and since I having wearing a lot of black on the blog, I felt it was time to incorporate color.

I have been eyeing this Allison Floral Jacket from Modamix's Resort Collection. Bomber jackets are still going strong, and the floral and color is great to wear now until late Spring. A follower of mine wanted to me to do a post of me mixing prints, so I paired the bomber with the Michelle Striped skirt. Stripes and florals are the easiest and chicest ways to mix prints. Usually I wear tee shirts, but this was the perfect time to break out my striped blouse from Eloquii. I like how the stripes in my blouse and skirt play nice with my jacket. My shoes are one of my favorites from Sam Edelman. A nice light grey pump plays well with any outfit. Now that you got to see Fiesta, be sure to check out my fellow blogger boos. Color is something that we were told that as plus size women you should not wear. Color commands attention and we should stay away from it. As you can see, we can wear color and slay like anyone else. Many of these "rules" were used as a way to discourage us, but not anymore. As you can see lovers we can wear anything and look amazing. I want to thank the Top 10 for participating in this challenge with me. Links to all the lovely ladies are below as well as our lookbook. Get ready for Spring, because it's going to be epic!!

Darlene (Rose Quartz)- www.suitsheelsandcurves.com

Jeniese (Serenity) - www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com

Georgette (Buttercup) -www.grownandcurvywoman.com

Sandra (Green Flash) - www.lapecosapreciosa.com

Pepper (Lilac Grey)- www.prettypluspep.com

Ashley (Iced Coffee) - www.fabellis.com

Mo (Limpet Shell)- www.lion-hunter.com

Marcy (Snorkel Blue) - www.fearlesslyjustme.net

Assa (Peach Echo) - www.mycurvesandcurls.com

I just had to take a picture with the Castle Hill Fairy

Sporty

January 25, 2016 by Jami Jaye

A bomber jacket has been a favorite of mine since I was in junior high. I always felt a bit cooler and more sporty even though I am no where close to being an athlete. I was a bit of a tomboy those days so anything from the boys that I could wear I did. Jackets that I can easily wear with anything is the cornerstone of my wardrobe. As you know I have been a big fan of Modamix and their Spring Collection has a myriad of jackets that would work with anyone's style. My jacket of choice is their Leah Honeycomb jacket in bright green. Netted (and honeycomb) items were big on the runways and this jacket is a fun update on the athleisure trend. I love the punchy color; I can wear this jacket all year long and it will never look out of place. When I wear sportier items I like to pair them with a more feminine items like a pencil skirt. What I love about the Savannah pencil skirt is the front split. A faux leather skirt to me adds a touch of sexiness to any outfit, but the placement of the split gives it a little added oomph. (Added bonus, this skirt has a bit of stretch and its unlined...lined skirts are not my friend fyi.) My block heels from Steve Madden are still going strong and still are comfortable as ever. With the temps dropping I would swap out the skirt for a pair ponte pants, and throw a fur vest on top. What sporty items are you coveting?