Journey To Weight Loss Surgery: My Choice

Hey curvies!!!

If you follow my fitness page on Instagram you may have noticed my name change and a date. My second Instagram account is now Curvybee_RNY_ (here). Since January of this year I have been on this Weight Loss Surgery (wls) journey with the support from Nurse Practitioner, surgeon, my family, boyfriend, and friends I am proud to say I will be having my surgery May 12, 2017. 

I could tell you a super sad story about about me not accepting myself or even hating my body. But honestly I don't. I love my curves and sorry not sorry but the cellulite in my legs does not bother me. What bothered me was taking high blood pressure pills since the age of 22 or suffering from tendionitis from walking all day, and knowing that I had literally tried all that I could to get this weight off of my 5 foot 6 frame. This surgery is not to make me happy, I already am. This surgery is not for me to accept my body, I already do. This surgery is for me to take back my life one pound at a time. 

I have elected to have gastric bypass surgery. Here's a little information about the surgery I am having "the gastric bypass (more precisely the roux-en-y gastric bypass) is the most commonly performed weight loss surgery procedure in the United States. It is widely considered to be the gold standard in weight loss surgery because of the excellent potential for excess weight loss and obesity related disease improvement or resolution. Further, recent research has shown that a gastric bypass may alter the enzymes in the digestive system, possibly confirming the reasons behind improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes within a few days or weeks after surgery. The gastric bypass combines both restriction and malabsorption for the highest potential weight loss of any major weight loss procedure." For more information (click here).

I have so much more to share with all and will even share my Pre-Op surgery menu in due time. 

For The Love of Blue: The Maxi Skirt

Hey curvies!!!

I am super excited to bring you all a new four part series "For the Love of Blue." Now pink is still my all-time favorite color, but over the years I have grown extreamly fond of blue. I really feel like it looks amazing on my skin! Whether its a super sexy maxi dress or a nice pair of pants blue makes me fall in love. 

Second up is the maxi skirt. When I wore this maxi skirt (here) I added a brown handbag and it turned out nice. There was a time when I wore a bandeau top (here) with a pink maxi skirt and it was perfect while on the road to Dallas. Lets just say I am crazy about maxi skirts and tank tops. When traveling in the Summer they do not take up must space and you get to stay fashionable while on vacation. I was so excited to grab this maxi skirt and tank from the same online store. The grey clutch bad was a nice added touch.

Style Notes: I am wearing a 1x in this maxi skirt (similar), this skirt has great stretch, but I would have ordered a 2x if it was available. In the tank I am wearing a 2x. 

Outfit Details ~ Tank ~ Skirt (similar) ~ Handbag (similar) ~ Sandals 

Journey To Weight Loss Surgery

Hey curvies!!! 

If you follow my fitness page on Instagram you may have noticed my drastic name change and a date. My second Instagram account is now Curvybee_RNY_ (here). Since January of this year I have been on this Weight Loss Surgery (wls) journey with the support from Nurse Practitioner (NP), surgeon, my family, boyfriend, and friends I am proud to say I will be having my surgery May 12, 2017. 

I remember researching weight loss surgery options and even reaching out to Stavana Black about three years ago. I was very serious about hearing from real people who have went through surgical weight loss. After doing a lot of research back in 2014, I met with my NP and told her about my plan. She then informed me I would be an ideal candidate and advised me to talk with my insurance company. My insurance company did not offer any coverage at the time and I set out to try to achieve my goals on my own. It was hard for me to lose a little weight but easy to gain weight back plus more. One thing for sure was that I never gave up on myself. Which leads me to here...

With this journey it required something that I never seemed to achieve, accountability. I remember being so hard on myself the moment I stepped on the scale for my first visit both anxious and nervous feeling like that was the last time I would ever see that number again. I knew I needed to lose weight. On one hand I thought that there was still hope for me to do it on my own, on the other hand I wanted to start this process that I set out to do 3 years ago. Then my NP explained to how the constant yo-yo dieting since the age of 18 caused me to have metabolic issues now at 27. She also explained that ultimately this was my choice and advised me to attend a Surgical Weight Loss Seminar being held by one of the surgeons. 

This journey will come with a series blog posts. Stay tuned!!!

For The Love of Blue: The Denim Dress

Hey curvies!!!

I am super excited to bring you all a new four part series "For the Love of Blue." Now pink is still my all-time favorite color, but over the years I have grown extremely fond of blue. I really feel like it looks amazing on my skin! Whether it’s a super sexy maxi dress or a nice pair of pants blue makes me fall in love. 

First up is this off the shoulder denim dress. I have not owned a denim dress since I was a child, honestly my sister and I were twinning it out in Milwaukee, WS. I remember feeling super cute and parading around the mall taking pictures on the escalator. Facts! This dress (in plus) is super girly with the smocked shoulders and the crotchet detailing in the hem. So romantic, right!?! I also like the elastic waist. This dress (in plus) has a bit of a loose fit and that makes it super comfortable. I can literally put on some low sandals or sneakers and run around the mall. I was able to complete this outfit with my pom pom sandals, I felt like they were right on trend, and super cute laser cut handbag turned clutch, it’s also convertible seen (here). 

Style Notes: My dress (in plus) is true to size in a XXL. My pom pom sandals are also true to size in a 10 and are wide feet friendly, because they lace-up. 

Outfit details ~ Dress (in plus) ~ Sandals ~ Handbag ~

How to Fashionably Spring Forward: The Shirt Dress

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.

Last but certainly not least, I took on a shirt dress (similar) that just so have to have vertical stripes!!! I am seriously crazy about anything striped and my wardrobe reflects my obsession. I have been loving the way bloggers have been taking on shirt dresses and decided to give it a try. I opted for an off the shoulder shirt dress (similar) because that trend is still new to me as well. All in all and with all of the trends in one dress this outfit turned out beautifully. Yes!!! A dress with stripes, buttons, and off the shoulders is still chic. I paired this dress with my wine colored platform sandals (similar) and almost my matching handbag (similar). 

Style Notes: This dress (similar) has limited stretch in a size 3x and actually has the sides open, luckily I have a really good seamstress that closed the sides. I sized up in my sandals (similar) to a size 11.

Outfit Details ~ Dress (similar) (similar) ~ Sandals (similar) ~ Handbag  (similar) ~

Taking On Catherines Curvy Collection

Hey Curvies!!!

I am super excited to be working with Catherines again! It is important to remember 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" (Catherines.com).

This collection screamed to me because the pieces really do reflect my personal style. Whether you are into jumpsuits, wrap, dresses, or figure flattering blazers there is a piece in the Curvy Collection for you and your style. I love figure hugging dresses and it was only right that I pick the Hourglass Dress. 

I am loving the Hourglass Dress. This dress is made up of 97% Rayon and 3% Spandex. For this style of dress, I chose a 0x, which is a 14/16. The fabric is stretchy and breathable so I opted for a figure hugging fit. The wrap design accentuates my waist while balancing out everything with the ruching around my stomach. This dress is one of my new favs! This dress is available in 0x-5x, which is equivalent to sizes 14-36. This dress will take you from the office straight to date night with ease. I was super excited to pair my new fringe sandals and simple heart necklace to complete this look.

Outfit Details ~ Hourglass Dress ~ Fringe Sandals (similar) ~ Simple Heart Necklace ~

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Catherines. The opinions and text are all mine.