5 Things I Learned From Visiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

ABCs of Cancer

Hey curvies!!!

On March 25, 2017 a group of Memphis Bloggers, including myself, had the pleasure of visiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I am excited to share my experience from visiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. First off I would like to say that as a proud Memphian I am still in awe over the amazing things that are happening at St. Jude. To know that this extraordinary place is here in Memphis and this was my first time visiting is mind-blowing. The thing that immediately caught my eye entering the lobby was the decor. This hospital is nothing like any other hospital, the decor is exciting and tells its own story. The floors are seasonal and the art on the walls is amazing. 

Here are the 5 things I learned while visiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:

• I learned that families are not billed for treatment, travel, housing or food at St. Jude. St. Jude wants the family to focus of helping their child survive. 
• I learned that St Jude has an overall survival rate of of 80% for childhood cancer, which was once only 20%. Their goal is to get to 90% and the ultimate goal is for no child to die from cancer.
• I learned that "in 2016 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was named one of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," by FORTUNE magazine for the sixth year in a row."
• I learned that St. Jude runs on donations and that the average donation is $30.
• I learned that St. Jude shares their discoveries. "Every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children."

If you would like to make a donation to St. Jude click here.

Spring Dress Picks From Catherines

Hi Curvies!!! I am so excited to introduce Catherines to you all. Here's a little background information about Catherines: "Long before it became fashionable to cater to full-figured women, an enterprising woman named Catherine Weaver opened a small clothing boutique in Memphis. The year was 1960. As a plus-size woman herself, Catherine hoped to bring style, beauty and confidence to a like-minded clientele whose fashion choices were decidedly limited." With nearly 350 stores nationwide, it is pretty cool to know that the first Catherines boutique opened here in Memphis! 

If you all haven’t noticed, I am a huge dress wearer. Catherines offer dresses from sizes 0x-5x and there is a dress for every occasion. Catherines is also now offering a lot of their dresses in petites too. These dresses are all super chic and easy to wear. With Spring being my favorite season, it was only right to collaborate with Catherines to style two of their new arrivals for you all. 

First up is a TULIP HEM DRESS. This dress is made up of polyester and spandex. For this dress style, I opted for my normal 18/20, which is a 1x, and the dress is true to size. I wanted this dress to be fitted on my hips. I love how this dress hit a tad bit under my knees and the fabric is soft and stretchy. The ruching at the waist creates an effortless silhouette, giving me a super curvy look. This DRESS is perfect for date night or night on the town with the girls. This dress is available in 0x-5x, which is equivalent to sizes 14-36. This dress is going to look great on every body. I paired my new favorite lace-up sandals in cognac to compliment the gold studding on this dress to complete this look.

Outfit Details ~ DRESS ~ SANDALS

Second up is a sexy twist on a MAXI DRESS. This dress is made up of rayon and spandex. I also opted for normal 18/20, which is a 1x, and the dress is true to size. This DRESS is made up of breathable knit fabric with allows it to floor beautifully. I am super excited that this look is right on trend with the off the shoulder detail, but also practical with the straps allowing you wear your favorite bra without worry. I wanted to create a cute and comfy Saturday outfit so I added my YELLOW SANDALS and SLING BAG to complete this look.

Outfit Details ~ DRESS ~ SANDALS ~ BAG

*Catherines sponsored this post and gifted me the items below. All words and opinions are my own. Catherines offers sizes 0x-5x or 14-36W.*

Cheap and Chic: Maxi Skirt With Tank Tops

Hi curvies!!!

I love a good sale. I am the girl that puts a ton of stuff in my online cart so when a really good sale come along I pick what I love and hurry to checkout like I am stealing something. I am not exaggerating! Do you do this? Often times I end up with a lot of things that come in a big box, so when it arrives it feels like Christmas morning. I rarely pay full price for ANYTHING and that got me to thinking about an ongoing series where I share outfits that are super budget friendly.

This outfit was less than $30 minus the cardigan and sandals. I found my cardigan in my closet, when I was looking for something else and it still had the tag on it. Where have I been? My tank and skirt were both 20% off totaling to about $29 together. My sandals were gifted thanks to JustFab, sign up here, but was ultimately apart a 50% off site wide sale and would have been about $15. Maxi skirts are my all time favorite and warm weather staple. I am so happy I stocked up on few during the 20% off sale, because I ended up with three (3) skirts and three (3) tanks for only $83. My ultimate take away for online shopping is be patient a sale coming. 

Style Notes: My tank top is a 2x and fits comfortable, very true to size. My skirt is also a 2x and is true to size. My cardigan is super old but is a 2x with great stretch in the arms. My sandals are a size 10, true to size, and wide feet friendly if you adjust the laces. 

Outfit Details ~ cardigan ~ tank ~ skirt, similar, similar ~ sandals

How to Fashionably Spring Forward: Metallics

Hey curvies!!!

Spring has arrived and I could not be more excited. Spring is literally my favorite season and the fashion is amazing. Which means it's time for a new series "Fashionably Springing Forward." I will be taking on Spring trends that I love. So buckle up and sit tight.

I have an ongoing Spring series on the blog where I have been able to wear bold prints as seen here and super cute stripes and leopard print sandals as seen here. I think you all are going to love my posts this time around.

How are you all feeling about metallics? I have to admit the trend had to grow on me and I could not resist a pink metallic skirt. I wanted this skirt to take center stage so I blacked out this look. A graphic tee, full skirt, and a great pair of platforms will make you feel like you can conquer the world. What are some Spring trends you are eager to try? 

Style Notes: My graphic tee (here) is super comfy and in a size 1.This skirt was purchased from the straight sizes (here) in a size 14 with a super stretchy waistband, but is also available in plus (here). My platforms (here) are so cute and on trend, they are wide width friendly in a size 10.

Outfit Details ~ graphic tee ~ pink metallic skirt & in plus ~ platform sandals

4 Ways to Style Red While Plus size: The Bodycon

Hey curvies!!!

I remember being hesitant to wear red. I was felt like it wasn’t “my” color and that I would just stick out more. I loved red as color, because it always added the perfect pop color when decorating. But not so much on my skin. Luckily, I learned a few years ago that Red is definitely my color and I have been fortunate enough to have a red series yearly. In 2015 my red series was titled “Shades of Red,” where a featured a banging jumpsuit, faux fur and plaid, and some wide legged pants. In 2016 I was fortunate enough to collab with Kareem of Big Bella Donna to bring you all the “Colors of Love” series where I featured a lace full skirt, a wine colored cardigan, a red peplum dress, and a lace bodycon.

It’s clear to say that my February’s are made for red! This month I will be sharing four of my favorite red items at the moment. Whether you are going on a date with bae or dinner with the girls these outfits will give you a little inspiration on how to rock those last Winter pieces before the weather break.

Last but certainly not least is my beloved bodycon!!!! If you all have not noticed my love for bodycons have resurrected. I thought it was only right to rock my wine colored bodycon with my cute kimono. Spring approved!!! My first though was to wear cute knee high boots but with the weather changing I opted for a caged single sole sandal.

Style Notes: The bodycon is true to size in a 2x, here's a link to a similar one here. The kimono is a year old and oversized in a large, but here is a similar one in plus here. My sandals are wide width approved in a size 10.

Outfit Details ~ bodycon (similar) ~ kimono (similar) ~ c/o JustFab (here)

4 Ways to Style Red While Plus size: The Suede Jacket

Hey curvies!!!

I remember being hesitant to wear red. I was felt like it wasn’t “my” color and that I would just stick out more. I loved red as color, because it always added the perfect pop color when decorating. But not so much on my skin. Luckily, I learned a few years ago that Red is definitely my color and I have been fortunate enough to have a red series yearly. In 2015 my red series was titled “Shades of Red,” where a featured a banging jumpsuit, faux fur and plaid, and some wide legged pants. In 2016 I was fortunate enough to collab with Kareem of Big Bella Donna to bring you all the “Colors of Love” series where I featured a lace full skirt, a wine colored cardigan, a red peplum dress, and a lace bodycon.

It’s clear to say that my February’s are made for red! This month I will be sharing four of my favorite red items at the moment. Whether you are going on a date with bae or dinner with the girls these outfits will give you a little inspiration on how to rock those last Winter pieces before the weather break.

Third up my new faux suede jacket (similar). I could not wait to rock this jacket before Spring! The color is bomb and the fit is amazing. I bought this jacket back in October, I literally stared at it and could not think of what to do with it. Then I bought this grey skirt (similar) and knew I had to make the two work together. I tied both items together with black with silver accents. I love me a good graphic tee as stated here and these booties were made for walking! Hope you all enjoyed this look!

Style Notes: This jacket (similar) is true to size in a 1 (1x). This grey skirt (similar) is a very stretchy XL. The booties are narrow so I sized up to an 11. The graphic tee is a 1x, true to size but very short..

Outfit Details ~ graphic tee ~ faux suede jacket (similar) ~ booties ~ grey skirt (similar)