Nurturing My Collection

Everyone has that one thing that they collect and whenever #traveling, they purchase a new piece to #addtothecollection. Well, jewelry is my collection! I currently have three hanging #jewelry organizers ... two of which are completely full, front and back. The other is fairly new and is half-full. Needless to say, I'm obsessed and ready to fill up my new hanger. So, I recently purchased three of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry (all rings) while in Florida for work. Here's a closeup of one of the #rings purchased, from #Pasha at the #Bayside Marina in #Miami. They were running a sale, by two get one free and it was definitely hard to just get three. If you're ever in #MIA on the #Bayside go to the #Marketplace and check them out! #BBBthink #BigBoldBeautiful #frugallyfly #shopping #uniquefashion #fashion #accessories

Reflecting on a People's Journey

Last week I was beyond excited to visit the Smithsonian's newest museum - the National Museum of African American History and Culture - during its grand opening week. What a beautiful, blessed and crowded experience. So beautiful to see hundreds of people of color gathered in such a big, bold, and beautiful building to engage with one another and learn about their history and culture. Blessed that I could experience this momentous occasion with my family and that I and other Aftican Americans have a place in Washington that FULLY reflects who we are. Crowded, yes indeed...lines for the restaurant, gift shop, elevators, rooms for highlighted artifacts (i.e., Emmitt Till casket and slave ship remnants) and more. In certain areas, it was so crowded that you couldn't even really enjoy the experience. Nonetheless, I'm still beyond grateful that I had the opportunity to attend now for the second time and this time without the hard hat. I will however be attend several more times over the course of the year and years to come because I don't want to miss a single artifact, picture, writing etc. featured in that museum. Why, because it was built for me and and my ancestors and my descendants.

Now for what I wore...casual cute! I knew I would be doing a lot of walking so flats were a must. I had to work that morning so I still had to look professional enough for Friday business. I went with a light weight hunter green cardigan from Fashion to Figure (it was rainy), tan camisole from Walmart (I have at least 20 of these they're like $2 and they come in many colors), black midi skirt from Fashion to Figure and tan pointy toe flats from Payless (I have these in several colors too). As you can see, still keeping it Frugally Fly! FYI, next time...I'm leaving this purse at home and opting for a cross-body bag. :)

Line for Sweet Home Cafe

Line for the Museum Gift Shop

Comfy Chic for The WH

Super excited about my day! Even more excited that I got to spend it with my family. Yep, the whole fam...mom, grandma, brother, nieces, nephew, cousins and the boo all at the White House. Yes, my momma wanted to step foot in the quarters before the first black Prez leaves office. Yes, my grandmother promised to yell "I'm here Michelle!" And of course my nephew swore we'd see Bo. Oh well, you get the picture ... a day full of memories, learning, laughs, wow moments and more. As for what I wore, comfy chic. I went with cute enough for pics, professional enough to meet important people, comfortable enough to still be smiling after walking all day. Might I mention, I kept it frugally fly too! So here it is:

Shirt - Fashion To Figure

Skirt - Cato

Shoes - Payless

When Parties and Shopping Suck

Recently, I got invited to a "Toast to the Decades" party. Pretty self explanatory but for those that partied too hard last night, basically an eras costume party. Wear attire from past eras...roaring 20's, bobby sox 50's, disco 80's, and so on. Well, four days before the party I decide to throw it back to the 70's. I had everything I needed to pull off the look. Well almost everything. What's the one, most important element to bring any 70's costume together? BELL BOTTOMS of course! Realizing that it was too late to order online, I sat out on a wild goose chase through the mall. After searching, with no success, I gave up and decided to DIY it! Yes, I brushed off my sewing machine, did a quick Google search, scrounged up a few items of clothing that I never wear and got to work. So, I have to give myself an "A" for effort and an "F" for stupidity. After pouring out a months worth of creativity I showed up at this so called decades party looking like a pure fool! Only 10 idiots, including me, followed directions...ie. wore costumes. Remember that scene from Legally Blonde when Reese Witherspoon shows up to a party dressed as a bunny and everyone else had on regular college party attire? Yeah, that was me! Nonetheless, I had a great time and I was one cute ass hippie.

VMA's in "Full"

There were plenty of curvy divas showing off at the VMAs... s/o to Queen B, Kim K, Nikki Minaj, Remy Ma and others.  However, I have to give a special salute to my full-figure status divas.  They made us Big, Bold and Beautiful chicas proud last night and that's always worth mentioning on bbbthink.com.  So major s/o to Plus Size Model Ashley Graham and Orange is the New Black Actress Dascha Polanco.  Ya'll were stunning last night and I personally thank you for representing us well.

FYI, Polanco mentioned on her IG page that Korean Designer Yuna Yang was the "first high-end designer to dress these curves."  Thanks Yuna Yang ... more designers should face their fears!

Ashley Graham

Dascha Polanco

Beyonce

Kim Kardashian

Nicki Minaj

Remy Ma

Full Figured Wedding Flow

This is a public service announcement! Listen up Plus Size Dolls...there's no need to fear weddings. I repeat, weddings are not a torture chamber. Let me clarify, I know it's not the wedding...it's the attire. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard a plus size woman say she doesn't like dressing up. Well I'm hear to tell you it doesn't have to be so bad. I know all the reasons: I hate my arms, my legs are too big, heels hurt my feet, I'll be the only single girl there, and blah blah blah. All of these are totally false except the heels part ... they hurt my feet too. Lol! Your arms are beautiful, your legs are gorgeous and you'll never be the only single girl at a wedding...I promise! This year, so far, I've been to three weddings and I have one more to go. So, there are lots of options and tricks for playing dress up. Let's explore a few.

1. If you're not a fan of your arms, wear a dress with cap or short sleeves. That style helps to conceal more than strapless, spaghetti, halter, etc. In addition, its acceptable even during summer months.

2. If you're not one to give a little leg action, wear a maxi dress if it's hot and a short dress with tights if it's cold. I love maxi dresses...they make me look taller than I am!

3. If heels are your life long enemy there are several options. Wear a maxi dress and flats...your feet will go unnoticed.  If you're rocking a short dress, wear wedges. Kitten heels are a last resort...I'm not a fan but it's better than flats with a short dress.

Here are a few of my recent wedding flow looks!

Don't Be Scurred

As plus size women we often talk about self-confidence, self-motivation, self-love and all that other "self" stuff.  To be honest, as women in general we talk a lot about self-worth as whole.  Understandably as plus size women we may spend just a tad more time on the subject than average size women.  This video by "I heart My Body" reminded me that I should not be afraid to do, wear, say certain things because of my size.  Instead I should embrace myself and live a life free of other's criticisms.  I've always known this, but I can always use a reminder.  Society has clouded our minds with so many standards of beauty that we easily lose site of what we truly believe to be beautiful. Forgetting what magazines, movies, celebrities, friends and family tell you, think about what you truly believe and leave other's thoughts to the side.  So cheers to self-love and living a BIG, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL life!

Ashley's New Look

That's Ashley Stewart's new "Look Book" if you're wondering!  Today, plus size retailer, Ashley Stewart, announced a new collection of extended size items. Yes, I know everyone is on the plus size fashion train these days but I won't complain. You know how they say the "bigger the better," well the "more the merrier." More options that is! And yes bigger sizes too. So all the way around, with this addition of size 28-32 I have to say us BIg Bold and Beautiful lovies are winning! S/O to all of my friends, cousins, colleagues and associates who are no longer slaves to those same old worn out fashions for plus size women. You know, the ones that look like an 80's couch. We've come a long way so let's celebrate! Ashley is offer 35% off ... Shop the look - http://www.ashleystewart.com/lookbook-dynalog-3.html?utm_source=iris%20mobile&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=08.04.16%20extended%20sizes%20look%20book%2035%20off%20happy%20hour

Party Fabulousness

I recently attended the launch party for Ida Rose Events + Design and it was indeed fabulous! I was already familiar with Owner Laura Held's work because she planned a wedding that I attended. However, this launch party was one of the best I'd ever experienced. From the beautiful, black, white and marbled gold decor, to the exquisite desserts, photo booth fun and signature cocktails ... All came together for a stunning good time. This event was just what I needed on a Thursday night, as I took a break from the last night of the political convention coverage. Roughly 300 people from diverse backgrounds all raving about the macaroons, chocolate covered Oreos, beautiful roses and swag bags gathered together at Fathom Art Gallery on 14th street in DC. This was definitely one for the books and I had the pleasure of accompanying one of my fabulous plus-size cousins. Yes, we slayed!

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, birthday party, baby shower, retirement party or just a get-together ... call Ida Rose Events + Design for a fabulous affair.

Accessorize Your Accessories

I know you're thinking "What the heck is 'Accessorize Your Accessories'?"  Well it's pretty self-explanatory ... creatively changing the look of your accessories (shoes, purses, jewelry, etc.) by adding accent pieces.  So after several inquiries regarding my previous post "Creativity Never Killed Anybody," I decided to share additional ways to spunk up your favorite accessories (BBB Divas seemed to like that post).  I Accessorize my Accessories quite often, because as you know, I enjoy being different.  It also feeds the creative beasts within me.  So in addition to adding jewels to my plain pointy toe shoes, as shown/explained in "Creativity Never Killed Anybody," I also enjoy adding a little pizzazz to plain purses.  The idea first came from my work with Clutch Instincts.  My business partner (BP) and I were scouting for vintage purses a few years ago in Baltimore, MD when we came across a really cool outdoor community flea market.  One of the vendors was selling 1960's era clutches but in addition she had roughly 100 broaches in a box.  My BP, always full of great ideas, suggested we purchase the whole box to "broache out" our purses.  Well it really was a great idea, some of our best sellers, during our first year of business, were from the "broached out" collection (see the before and after pics below).   Well after seeing how cute and easy it was with Clutch Instincts, I started "broaching out" my own clutches.  It's really simple and only requires a few supplies:
1. Clutch
2. Broache
3. Hot Glue Gun and Stick (optional...I usually just loop the pin of the broach through the purse)

In addition, I love that you can take two items that you may not get as much use out of but together, discover a new found love for both as a pair.  It's always a great way to repurpose a broache or clutch that may have been passed down or given to you as a gift.

I hope these "broached out" pieces inspire you!

Before - Clutch Instincts Purses

After - Clutch Instincts Purses

Personal Clutch

Personal Clutch and Broache

Final Product

Frugally Fly Cont.

Fashion to Figure has long been a favorite of mine! However, since embarking on this #FrugallyFly journey, FTF and I have become even more acquainted. I'm particularly lucky because the brick and border location near me is always fully stocked and promoting better sales than online or other locations. I've been told that my store is one of their most popular locations so they often receive merchandise from other stores struggling to sell a particular product. They're lost ... My gain.  By the way, the online store never has half the amount of inventory...so I just go into the store. Anyway, here are a few of my latest Frugally Fly ensembles mostly purchased at Fashion To Figure.

Dress - Fashion To Figure
Necklace - Charming Charlies

Shirt - Etsy
Skirt - Fashion to Figure
Necklace - Olive Ole 

Shirt & Skirt - Fashion To Figure
Purse - Versona
Jewelry - Silpada

Shrug - HSN
Cami - Walmart
Skirt - Fashion To Figure

Creativity Never Killed Anybody

I've always had a creative nature when it came to what I wore.  For Halloween, I always preferred homemade costumes as opposed to the store bought Disney character. So year-after-year my grandmother would make me a custom costume (I have the best grandma in the world)!!! So why? Most likely because of my infatuation with being different. I despised having the same, exact costume as someone else ... Not much has changed.

I absolutely love pointy toe shoes, or as my grandma calls them, "roach killers." Their super cute, perfect for work, church or casual affairs, they go well with pants or skirts, jeans or dresses and last but not least, they elongate the leg. And trust me, my legs need a lot of elongating. Side note - remember in the movie White Chicks when the Wayans Brothers said, "We got our knees done." I wish!  Anyway, pointy toe shoes and I are BFFs. So I have recently started jazzing up my pointy toe flats. In particular the cheap, plain ones that I don't really care if I ruin :).   So it's pretty easy and definitely adds another level of pizzazz to a plain jane shoe. You only need four basic items:

1. Plain pointy toe shoe of any color

2. Two jewels, broaches or button earrings

3. Hot glue gun and stick

4.Cutting shears 

Decide where you want the jewel on your shoe. Line up both pair. Remove the pin from broach or cut the pierce off the earrings. Make sure the location matches on both shoes. Then put just a dab of glue and lay down your jewel. 

I recommend during one first in case you need to readjust the location of the jewel for shoe two. 

Wait 24 hours before you wear, giving it time to dry good. 

Here's a look at just a few that I've done. (Please excuse, these shoes have received their fair share of walking.)

Monif C in DC

One of my favorite plus size designers is hosting a pop-shop in DC, tomorrow 4-22-16.  This is a great opportunity to try on some of the beautifully designed pieces.  If you've seen her stuff online but was too afraid to buy for fear of how it would fit...now's your chance.  Also, she'll be on site so stop by and say hello to Monif C.

Becoming 30 and Over

My special day was just about "a week ago" and it was amazing!! I started the celebration off by having dinner and drinks with some of my favorite chicas - cousins, friends and sorority sisters. Then Bae and I celebrated with a short road trip to Williamsburg, VA where we staycationed at the beautiful Greenspring Resort.  Just when I thought the celebration was rounding off, my colleagues surprised me with the cutest party.  All I have to say is homemade desserts were involved!  Last but certainly not least, Bae took me to the Katt Williams show at the Verizon Center. Katt is one of my favorite comedians so needless to say I left with a stomach ache.

As for my Birthday slayidge ... Here are the details. And yes, I'm still practicing "frugally fly" and all of these items were in budget - minus the watch but it's not new. :)

1. Polka Dot Dress - Fashion to Figure

2. Burgundy Studded Hat - Icing (gift from my cousin) 

3. Gold Chunky Chain Necklace - Olive Ole

4. Black faux leather purse - Clutch Instincts

5. Gold Watch - Michael Kors

6. Burgundy Pointy Toe Flats - Mad Rag 

    (I added the gold embellishments...details coming soon to www.bbbthink.com).

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes...my village is the best!!!!

Diva on Deck Essentials

This morning was one of the very rare occasions when I did not check the weather before I went bopping out my house (clearly I was running extremely late).  Well, when I sashayed my way out the door, it was pouring down raining.  I immediately started to hyperventilate (bc my freshly blown-out hair and mother nature are not exactly BFF's).  However, I soon remembered that I have the cutest, little umbrella in my bag.  And just like that ... crisis averted. That got me thinking about the 5 small essentials that every diva needs on deck at all times...even if you're rocking a small purse or in a rush.

1. Umbrella ... preferably small enough to fit into a medium sized clutch.

2. Lip Color ... it's amazing what a little pop of color can do if you're having an off day or didn't have time to get totally beat.

3. Lotion ... especially for the brown girls (white knees, elbows and knuckles aint cute).

4. Gum/Mint ... I like onions, enough said.

5. Wipes ... you never know if you're going to have to freshen up. (Wink ~ Wink)