Author: Rena

What To Wear For Date Night: Operation Valentine’s Day

Is it February already?

Next thing you know, we’ll be complaining about how hot it is instead of the 20 inches of snow outside! Until then, we’re getting ready for a date on Valentine’s Day!

Recently, I was asked, to share what I’d wear on a date on one of the most romantic nights of the year. Back in 2014, I put together several outfits that any plus size woman could wear on this day, flashback with me here. Date night fashion can be a tough thing to tackle, ugh the struggle.

First things first, even though this is my idea of date night fashion, here’s something everyone can benefit from…

 

 

Casual Date Night: Valentine's Day

 

Now, moving on to the good stuff…THE CLOTHES! Oh, and the shoes! We all have a favorite pair of jeans that make our butt look absolutely ahh-mazing so start with those and get to adding!

 

Casual Date Night: Valentine's Day

 

From…

  • Moto-boots to strappy stiletto’s
  • A clutch to a chain link cross-body

AND

  • Several options for tops

I think I’ve covered just about all the bases for a casual date! As I mentioned earlier, there really isn’t a need to go out and buy something new, especially when most of us already have TONS of options hiding somewhere in the closet, like me. (Blah, I really need to start getting rid of stuff! Garage sale anyone?!)

Anywho, save the money you were going to spend on something nice like, hmm, I don’t know…a pedicure maybe! Those are always nice. Plus, if the lucky guy is a great date…well, you know how that can go. (PSA: protect yourself!) 

No matter where my honey takes me (hopefully he let’s me know it’s a casual place beforehand) I’ll be set to look my best.

 

Fashion at The Australian Open 2015

After two weeks of intense racket swinging, the opener to the 2015 tennis season is now down to a handful of competitors.  The Australian Open 2015 has had many upsets and surprises but its also had some AMAZING sports fashion.

As a huge tennis fan, I couldn’t wait for the 2015 season to get underway so the fashion side of things fell to the sidelines. There’s no better time to shine a spotlight on winning fashion than to showcase the player who’ve made to the quarter finals and semifinals of a grand slam!

Fashion at the Australian Open 2015 featured in this post, are Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Eugenie Bouchard, Madison Keys, Venus Williams, and their smashing colors were as loud as their swings on the court!

Australian Open 2015 - Serena Williams
Australian Open 2015 - Bouchard/Keys
Australian Open 2015 -Maria Sharapova

 

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Australian Open 2015 - Venus Williams
Australian Open 2015 - Victoria Azarenka

Nike is CLEARLY shelling out the Lycra, Dri-Fit, and sponsorships throughout the sport of tennis but there are plenty more designers in sportswear. If you visit Midwest Sports, you’ll see many different styles and designers that create great fashion sportswear.

Maybe Nike should cut me a check for loving on these styles….hmm…just a thought.

My personal favorite, Eleven by Venus Williams is available for purchase online or visit Eleven by Venus Williams to find a retailer near you. I’m a fan of clothes that are designed by a real person who not only plays the sport they’re designed for but wears the line during tournaments throughout the year. It’s like a plus-size woman designing clothes for other plus-size women…it just works. They understand how the body moves.

Bright, brighter and brightest seems to be the way to go for sporting the latest fashion while breaking a sweat and I’m very okay with that.

Bring on the day glow fluro!!

Tune In: New Music & Official Video from Meelah ft. Musiq Soulchild

Meelah official new music video

Recently, I was channel surfing (yes, still at home recovering but we’ll get into that another day.) Came across one of the music video channels (you know…the channels with three digits like 140+) well, those channels actually STILL play videos believe it or not!

There was a nice R&B song playing so I decided to pay closer attention and noticed this beautiful girl with gorgeous brown skin. It’s SO sexy which makes it easy for me to fall in love with.

See the sexy new official video for yourself…

Meelah ft. Musiq Soulchild – “Give It To You”

She looks very familiar.

It didn’t immediately ring a bell but suddenly it popped in my head…

THAT’S THE GIRL FROM 702!

Official music video Meelah from 702

702 was a girl group back in the day from Las Vegas, hence the 7-0-2 Vegas’ area code. We (friends & other fans) were total fan girls back in the late 90’s to early 2000’s! They were totally underrated FYI.

After doing some searching, I found out tons of stuff that I never knew like, she’s been dating Musiq Soulchild for years and they now have a child together via this short article from HipHopWired.  

Official music video Meelah ft. Musiq Soulchild
Photo via Google Image Search

How amazing is that?! Granted, it was five years ago but still, awesome! (This is what happens when you don’t keep up with celebrity gossip…lol forever behind.) Maybe one day that urge to stalk a celeb a la TMZ will bubble up in my soul but until then, finding out who did what will just have to wait. I trust you guys won’t let me get too far behind 🙂

To see more of Meelah on television, check your local listings for RnB Divas Atlanta on TV One ~~> http://tvone.tv/category/shows/rb-divas/

In case you wanted to groove a little more, here’s a couple of my fave 702 songs!

THIS IS STILL SO RELEVANT!

Ah, 702 coulda…shoulda…woulda been way bigger than they were.

Those aren’t official new videos but they’ll do just fine.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 2014

merry christmas and happy holidays

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

 

I’m still recovering from surgery but that didn’t stop my Christmas cheer or my obsession with the holiday add-ons from Pixlr!!

 

holiday2014

 

 

Everything should be back to normal once the new year comes around….fingers crossed! Til then, be safe and enjoy these festive times. If you need me for hugs….I’m always available!

Friday Faves: Revlon Affordable Lips To Pucker Up To

Now that you guys have been patient…

We’re all caught up!

Ready to see what I’m crushing on?

Of course you are!

 

After falling in love with COLORBURST Balm Stain by Revlon a year or two ago, I almost jumped at the chance to try out their matte lip colors! Fast-forward to my attention span being as short as a millisecond, I totally forgot about picking one up on my many (many many many) trips to Target until now. Better late than never right? Right! Here’s my fall go-to lip color…a gorgeous deep Merlot-grapey-yummy color.

 

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in  “Shameless” no.215

IMG_4423

Revlon has an array of colors for their COLORBURST collection. I’ve found that almost all of them work well with any skin tone.

piclipcolor1

The matte trend for lips has its moments of perfection and downfall…have a powwow to see which fits your lips and find that key to unlocking blissfully kissable lips.

I’ve wanted to try this since I first laid eyes on Emma Stone in the ads! Yes, I might be one of those people (the best kind of consumer) who buys something because a celebrity endorses it. Not saying I’ll buy anything just because of that reason but I will buy anything the gorgeous and lovable Emma Stone and Olivia Wilde likes.  Not to mention it’s gorgeous color for under $10! Yes, please!

emmastone2Photo via Revlon

Also on the “Why I love It” list…

Hello! It’s like 6 bucks at any drugstore for starters!  Even though it’s a “matte” lip color, it’s actually very nourishing. It’s not something that will dry your lips out, in fact, you can rub your lips together and the color stays put. The shape is perfect for any purse or wallet. Never a need to use a sharpener…just twist the bottom and voila!

If you’ve purchased any of the Revlon stains or balms….what’s your favorite? Let’s share our goodies!

Let’s Play Catch Up! Blog Update

It’s November!

I know — I know…I’ve been M.I.A. lately and please accept my deepest apologies.

 

Here’s an update…

Halloween and the costume that never was…after searching EVERYWHERE in my area for supplies, no craft store had what I needed. The closest I came to having a bedazzled “Egyptian” style collar was placing an order online, only to have the store tell me that they were out of stock. That’s when I realized, it wasn’t going to happen because if there was another order from anywhere else, the items wouldn’t get to me in time.

Insert sinus infection right about………….NOW!

Two weeks feeling absolutely miserable with the sinus infection from hell! This thing was unshakeable! Once it started, my Asthma knocked on the door suffocating my entire existence! I really just wanted to call it quits you guys but I didn’t (woohoo!)

Then…

Just as everything started to clear up, MomO (my mom) needed me to take care of her and a few things around the house for a week and a half. Which meant endless driving among other things that left me with ZERO energy to do anything once I got home each day.

So, here we are, well into November, dodging snowflakes and ice patches…just trying to make it to Thanksgiving without any incidents.

Life sure can throw a mean curve-ball!

A Plus Size Halloween DIY Costume

It’s that spooky time again!

Halloween is fun for so many reasons. Mainly because we all get to dress up and be carefree kids again!

It’ll more than likely be chilly on Halloween here in Michigan so usually any costume that might be “sexy” or revealing is out. Especially if I have to stand outside wainting in line to get into whatever packed club/party my friends want to go to. This makes picking out a costume a very hard task.

So this year, instead of buying an already premade packaged plus size costume that sometimes doesn’t fit, I decided to DIY a costime.

Easier said than done.

Here’s my Halloween costume idea for 2014…

cleocostume

 

 

 

I’ve been out searching for weeks to find all the pieces and parts needed to make this lovely Cleopatra/Egyptian Goddess but didn’t have much luck.

Walking through the aisles of the fabric store, I hear the numbers being shouted “85, 89…” I look up from the piles of fabric to realize, they’re actually calling numbers just to get fabric! Four stores later…..I have in my possession, pieces of a costume. Maybe I should start looking in April for 2015’s costume idea!

So the search continues.

I wanted to have everything together to share with you guys so you too can make it with me.

Stay tuned and be ready to hit the streets or stay in for a party on Halloween night!

Celebrate National Coffee Day (Night) with Sobieski Espresso Vodka

What better way to celebrate National Coffee Day than with National Coffee Night?!

Yes, our favorite drink is taking us from day to night with a java twist!

Sure there’s your regular cup of Joe but it’s a holiday so let’s spike it up a notch!

1coffeecocktail

 The kind folks over at Sobieski  Vodka, sent over a sample of their espresso flavored vodka and a great cocktail recipe!

The recipe includes…

  • 2 oz. Sobieski Espresso Vodka
  • 1 oz. Kerrygold Irish Cream
  • 1 oz. Chocolate liqueur
  • Add all liquid ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

With me being under the weather, I couldn’t fully enjoy this cocktail like I wanted to. Meaning, I couldn’t down the martini glass in two seconds then smash a beer can on my forehead. BUT. What I  could do, twist open the Sobieski bottle and enjoy the aroma of sweet coffee.

Sweet.

Rich.

Espresso.

2coffeecocktail

Once the irresistible scent of espresso came over me, there was no way I could resist taking a sip (or three) don’t tell my doctor!

Now, with me being the coffee lover that I am, this delicious vodka espresso flavored vodka will get a new twist….caramel! Can’t wait to try that mix!

Wedding Planning with Loverly: 3 Dream Day Styles Just For You!

Planning a wedding can be stressful.

I vow to never ever experience that stress on my dream day. With the help of sites like Lover.ly, planning a wedding can be just as fun as pinning a pin (but better)!

My dream wedding would be a destination wedding. Sun, sand and only 5-10 people at an intimate setting. Plus, we’ll already be on our honeymoon! Who can resist that?! Clearly my idea of wedding planning is on the quick and simple side but for those of you who are looking for a much more extravagant theme, these are for you.

Here are three different scenes as the backdrop for my ideal day.  Feel free to “steal” them if you’re in the planning stages yourself!  Don’t worry curvy girls, each theme has  wedding dresses that are available in our size!

Beach 

Beach Affair

Beach Wedding

 

 City Skyline

cityglam

City Wedding

Country Chic

RusticChic

Rustic Wedding
Lover.ly lets you plan your wedding right from the comfort of your laptop or smartphone! Search, save and share your favorite things for your dream day. Be warned…Lover.ly is HIGHLY addictive!