What I Wore: Tartan Layering Remix

Today's look is one of the crop top examples I used in my latest Afternoon Live segment on breaking the plus size fashion rules.  It features this cropped sweater from Leith, a Nordstrom brand I only recently found out about.  I love remixing this tartan dress with other colors and items in my closet, so pairing this new top with this dress was the first thing that came to mind.

Reviewing Kiyonna's Bianca Ruched Dress

Today's post is brought to you by the letter V, for Valentine's Day and Va-va-voom!

I long put off trying on the somewhat intimidating bodycon dress, but every time I try one on I surprise myself with how much I love it.  Today I am reviewing the Bianca Ruched Dress, which is another one of Kiyonna's bodycon styles.  I've been eyeing this dress since it came out and finally felt confident enough to give it a try.

If you are looking for a sexy dress for Valentine's Day, date night, a wedding, etc., the Bianca is a great choice for any such occasion!  Read on for my review and styling tips!

KATU Afternoon Live: Breaking the Plus Size Fashion Rules

This month on my latest Afternoon Live segment, I decided to start the new year talking about the "plus size fashion rules" and how to break them.  We've all heard these "rules" - that plus size women shouldn't wear color or prints or stripes, that we should never wear anything too tight, should never draw attention to ourselves, should never be in anything so big and shapeless, etc. etc.

Well, honey, these rules are made to be broken.

I want to encourage everyone to break these rules, and to break their own rules for fashion.  We can all get in a rut while listening to our own insecurities and our own ideas about what we can't and shouldn't wear.  Stop it.  Start the year off by being rebellious and courageous, stepping out of your comfort zone.  Get out of that tidy box that society, your family, or you have put yourself in.  Try everything on and find clothes that speak to your personality and make you feel amazing!

2018: Year in Review

Some might say that I'm presenting my year in review a bit late, but I don't like to half-ass things.  I like to do things with my whole ass.  That takes time.  And while I strive for perfection, I know I am not perfect and that none of y'all expect me to be perfect.  In fact, I am proud to show you the glimpses of reality and imperfection that is me and my life.  While I don't always get to present all of that here on the blog, you can watch any of my Facebook Lives or follow me on Instagram, or view some of my InstaStories to know I am a real person with real flaws and feelings and issues.  I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not.  That would be doing you and I both a disservice.

But I digress.

My 2018 was overwhelming in very positive ways.  Sure, there was shit.  There was anxiety and stress and failures (real and imagined).  There was heartache and tears and anger.  But mostly, there was love and adventure and excitement and new experiences.  I learned about others, about myself, about what I wanted, about asking for those things.  I can't possibly share everything about 2018 with you because we'd be here forever, but I can show you some awesome highlights!

What I Wore: Plaid You Made It

Slowly catching up over here with another outfit post!  This time I'm bringing you what I wore to Friendsgiving.  That weekend was so hectic!  I did a KATU segment in Portland and raced home to finish packing and head to Tacoma for an Outlander Craft Day.  On Saturday, I attended the all-day crafting fun, but had to leave a little early to head back home to change clothes, feed the dogs, and then head to Portland for Friendsgiving.  I made cookies in advance so I wasn't worrying about what to bring.  I was exhausted by the end of it all, but I did learn to arm knit at craft day!

All this and more in the post today!

What I Wore: In the Not-Too-Distant Future...

Happy 2019!!

I'm back with a brand new outfit post!  I wanted to keep this post short and sweet to get back in the groove of things.  I still have a ton of stuff to share with you and hope to catch up on all of that one of these days.  Life still goes on, whether we have time for it or not.  I hope the new year finds you well and happy and ready for an exciting year!

I wore this outfit to the Mystery Science Theater 3000 live show back in November.  I was so excited to finally see the show live!  Sean and I missed out on the previous tour.  We also had tickets to the Meet and Greet to meet Joel and Jonah.  Joel did a Q & A prior to photos, which was also a lot of fun. More on than later!  For now, let's talk clothing.

Photo Journal: Zoolights 2018

Today's post is a little jaunt through this year's trip to Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo.  Last year, I took you with us on our first Zoolights experience and showed you what I wore also.  I wore the same thing this year because it kept me warm during last year's cold weather, so no need to rehash that.  But this year we were able to attend on a Brewlights night when only those 21 and up are allowed to attend, and vendors give out tastings of beer, hard cider, and wine!

What I Wore: The Most Comfy Travel Dress

Hey y'all!!  I hope all of you are enjoying final preparations for your holidays, work breaks, and time with your family and friends.  I will have a more Christmasy post coming at ya on Monday, but first I have a dress review for you.

This raglan skater dress was something I picked up over the summer in preparation for my trip to Georgia for my high school reunion.  It sold out really fast, so I thought it was going to be another one of those pieces I just couldn't get on the blog in time.  However, it just came back in stock on the Torrid website a few days ago; and I want to make sure you have an opportunity to get it if you want it!

Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth

My teeth have been a source of insecurity for as long as I can remember.  When I was a kid, my canines grew in a little crooked and stayed up in my gums.  I wore braces from 8th grade until 11th grade.  And my hankering for coffee and wine has stained my teeth beyond the mottling from fluorosis and childhood trauma.  Add to that I have incredibly sensitive teeth, so I didn’t think teeth whitening was really helpful or possible for me any longer.

When Smile Brilliant reached out to me about trying their teeth whitening system for sensitive teeth, I was both skeptical and intrigued.  I’m all for experimenting a bit more in an effort to bring more information to all of you, so I accepted the challenge and began trying their product.  Read on for my experience and how you can win your very own teeth whitening system from Smile Brilliant.

Gift Guide 2018

Today I'm bringing you a gift guide filled with items I use and enjoy!  There's a little bit of everything - from practical to frivolous - so I hope you find something awesome to gift a loved one or yourself!

I'm doing this post differently than other gift guides by not having a long description of each item, so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.