Class Is In Session

Summer is rapidly coming to a close and the Fall Semester of school is upon us. In certain part of the U.S. kids have already gone back to school. In other parts, they are a week away from returning.

I always thought, If I ever decided to teach (which is something I don't really plan to do), how would I dress?

You want to be professional because you want your students to respect you. But you also want to be comfortable. You probably will have a long day ahead of you.

So here's the look I came up with. Fashionable, yet comfy. Something that is perfect for all day wear but still can look chic for meetings and after-work fun. 

*Disclaimer: Teachers don't normally wear this much hair and makeup but I think it's definitely doable. So if you haven't tried it, do something new to see if you like it. There's no hurt in trying

Outfit deets:

Dress| Ashley Stewart

Sandals| Nine West

Jewelry| Street Vendor

FingerNail Polish| MAC Cosmetics

What do you think? If you were a teacher, would you rock it??

As always, I appreciate all comments, questions, and feedback.

Until Next Post

Smooches!!!

Cutesy Cute Cute

 

 

Being a Plus Size blogger is a gift and a curse!!! In one way, you get to share your perspective of fashion with the world! But then, YOUR POCKETS, ouch!!!! lol

 

Either way, I like to try and keep up with my favorite brands. I sign up for most fashion newsletters and store emails. It helps me to know about what's new and about sales of course.

 

This morning, I got a new Eloquii email.

I couldn't help but share these few SUPER CUTE items that they've recently launched. I NEED ALL THREE.

 

Take a look below.

 

 

These items are super cute for fall! What do you think??? I'm in LOVE!

 

April Antoinette

Xoxo

 



No SnapChat Filter Necessary

 

I'm sure everyone knows that one SnapChat Filter that all the girls love because every one looks so beautifully flawless. Yeah, the flower crown filter. Well I thought, why not make it so in real life, NO FILTA!

 

 

Comfortable Bo-Ho Chic is what I was aiming for. With pink glowy makeup!!!

 

OutFit Deets:

 

FlowerCrown: Forever21

Two Piece Pink Ashley Skirt Set: Curvaceous Boutique

Sandal: INC @ MACY's

Flower Bag: NY& Co

Lippie: Too Faced Melted Peony

Clear Sunglasses: Ebay

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping it short and sweet today! Hope you enjoy the look!

Until Next Time!

XoXo

April Antoinette

Glow On' Girl

Summer is Rapidly approaching and what better way to usher in the season than with glowy dewey makeup?? Being that I'm super oily (skin type), I like a faux glow. I thoroughly dislike my face to have an all over glow because throughout the day, the glow/dew will turn into more like GREASE! Yuck. Who wants that? So instead of illuminating everywhere, I strategically place my glow.

I've found the best type of products for me to use is Powder Highlights. They stay in place and they look better as the makeup sets into the skin. So basically, I choose this formula for it's longevity.

To help you navigate the endless rows of Highlighters, I've compiled a list of my TOP Highlighters.

*Disclaimer: Everything isn't for everyone. These are the products and brands that have been tested on myself and my clients. These are in no type of order and they work on a variety of skin tones

 

GOLDEN BRONZE SHEER LOOSE POWDER by MAC COSMETICS

www.maccosmetics.com

 

 

 

First PRO about this product is that it's a loose powder. Loose powders tend to be very easy to work with and leave a nice satiny finish on the skin. This particular shade is just perfect for so many. On my melanated girls I use it as the perfect highlighter shade. On my Caucasian skinned clients, I use it as a bronzer instead. On Olive skin tones, such as Middle Eastern women, this color is a dream!!! MAC used to have a shade in this same powder called SILVER DUSK. If you can find it/get your hands on it, then you'd definitely be winning. IT's AMAZING for Light to Medium Skin Tones.


ANATASIA BEVERLY HILLS GLOW KITS
www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com

 

 I think these highlighters MUST have descended from heaven. The price point is AMAZING for the amount of product you get ($40: $10 a shade). The shades are all extraordinary! ABH released 2 kits to target the full spectrum of shimmer. "That Glow" kit is better suited for Darker Hued beauties (like MAC NC40-50/NW40-50 shades) and the "Gleam" kit works best on paler skin tones. But if you're like me, then you bend all the rules and mix colors. These powders are smooth, finely milled, and shimmery (not sparkly/glittery). Definitely a GLOW STAPLE.

 

 

 

LOU-MANIZERS by THE BALM

https://thebalm.com

 

 

I believe of all the highlighters I own, These have to be my most used and absolute favorite. But be careful, these are not for those that want a subtle glow. They give off the ultimate SHINE FACTOR. They are still great for everyday though. They're sold separately and in a trio palette (I own both forms). I can easily wear all of the colors with my skin tone but my two faves are Cindy and Betty. Betty is a great bronze glow that goes well with all makeup. Cindy is more on the pink side and goes perfect with pink or neutral blushes.

 

 

SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTORS (PRESSED) by BECCA COSMETICS

 

These have to be the most talked about products by Beauty Vloggers and Bloggers alike. They retail for a pretty penny ($38) but they contain .28 ounces of product. Are they worth the price?? HECK YEAH. They're ultra smooth and silky. The shade range is IMPECCABLE. They have a shade for EVERYONE. The colors I own are OPAL, CHAMPAGNE POP, and BLUSHED COPPER (which is too dark for me to use as a highlighter but I use it as a blush). They also come in cream and liquid versions (which I don't prefer on myself due to my skins oiliness). So there is a formula and shade for everyone! I recommend using the "Poured" version for a subtle glow. The liquid version for the all over glow underneath makeup and the "Pressed" version for the strategically placed spot highlighting.

 

 

 There are many others I love and use but these few have been kit and personal staples of mine for quite sometime now. I love that the highlighters mentioned can be used on all skintypes and in various ways.

What's your favorite highlighter???


Until Next Post
Xxo

 

 

 



Code Neon: Incorporating Neons into your wardrobe

There are no rules to this thing called Fashion. There are only guidelines that you can use or totally ignore. But there are some of us that just don't know what to do and actually would like to get it right when it comes to Style.

One trend that never fades is Neon in the Summer. Year after year we see it but done in different ways.

 Here is MY take on how to incorporate Neons into your wardrobe.

Now keep in  mind, there is no right and wrong answer here. You have to do what feels authentic to who you are. In saying that, I'm advising you take what you need from my post and apply as you see fit.

 

 

 

1. If in doubt, Start small!

Since Neon is so powerful, you don't want to overdo it out the gate. If you're ever in doubt, start with a piece like a shoe, a bag, or even just a nail polish. Throw it with a neutral outfit and that's a winning look.

 

 



 

2. Go Bold or Go Home!!

 

Add a necklace, a ring, or earrings in a bold neon.  Keep the rest of the outfit simple or neutral

 

 

3. One or the other

If you are doing neutral clothing then add the neon accessories. But if you are doing neon clothing, then shoes, bags and other accessories should be neutral. You don't want to have too much going on.

 

 

4. Color Wheel Makeup

Do a pop of color on the face that accentuates or enhances the color of the neon you choose.( i.e. Green compliments Purple so doing a purple lip with a neon green shoe is pleasing to the eye).

 



5. HAVE FUN, IT'S ONLY FASHION

Don't be scared to just try something new. Put it together, photograph and see what it looks like on you. If you don't like it, try something else. It's only fashion, it comes off at the end of the day!

 

 

 

 

 

Outfit Deets:

Dress| Charlotte Russe Plus

Shoes| GoJane.com

Bag| GoJane.com

Necklace| Street Vendor

Lippie| Too Faced Melted Violet Liquid Lipstick

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by the blog today! As always, feedback and comments are always welcomed.

 

Much Love To Ya!!

April Antoinette Xx

 

Stop! Harem Time

Remember back in the 90's when MC Hammer dominated the charts?? With his amazing dance moves and his overly exaggerated harem pants??? Back then, I wanted to wear those pants so bad but never was allowed to. (Don't ask me why?? I honestly can't call it)

But Yeah, this jumper took me back to that time. Same concept but different execution! lol. Plus the harem isn't balloon like and overly pronounced. It's subtle.

 This harem jumpsuit is the single most comfortable piece of clothing I own. I usually try to steer away from jumpsuits, because most of them give me the kangaroo look. And that is not pretty. But I think the exaggerated hips does something wonderful for my body type. I purchased this warily but now, I'm on the search for everything HAREM!!

 

I honestly think this is a look that flatters ALOT of body types. The best thing about it is you don't need shapewear for it to be flattering and you can wear it cinched or un-cinched at the waist.

 

A lot of stories are popping up with this style of jumpsuit lately and I'm so happy they are. It comes in a variety of colors and the bottom of the pants change with each designer as well. Loads of options.

 

Outfit Deets:

Harem Jumpsuit: GITIONLINE  (SIMILAR HERE)

Belt: NY&Co (this is old)

Shoes: NineWest

Glasses: EBAY

 

 

 

*This is NOT a sponsored post. All items in this post were purchased with my own money and thoughts and feelings are my own.

 

Thank you for continuing to stop by my posts and until next time!

 

~SMOOCHES Xx

Getting Intimate with Torrid

 

 

As we all know, I've been preparing for my upcoming nuptials since November of last year. In doing that, I've been getting my honeymoon wardrobe on fleek. You can't go on a honeymoon trip without new lingerie. So the search began.

 

One thing I've always found disturbing is finding intimates that look both beautiful and luxurious without the luxury tag. And to make it worse, I had to try to find all of this in plus sizes!!!

 

I wasn't very optimistic going into this process. lol But behold, TORRID to the rescue. Now, I did see some other amazing pieces on some other sites BUT the quality and design of this collection of intimates far exceeded those of the others I purchased.

Though I don't think I'm quite ready to show pictures of me in my skivvies (aka intimates lol), I did want to show off some of the pieces I purchased.

So here's some of what I got:

One of my favorite sets!!!
 

The ultimate nude for my melanated sistas
 

I live and breathe for this set
 

The most adorable purchase of them all
 

 

I think the high-waisted panty has to be one of the sexiest pieces of the collection. I was super excited about those. The half slips and long line tops are so "plus size diva" friendly but still and yet, they are uber sexy. They create an amazing silhouette. All of the intimates in this collection take me back to a different era when being voluptuous and curvy was the goal and women wore luxurious pieces on the daily. I wish  we would could all adopt that way of dressing into the current day and time.

I'm completely obsessed with every single piece and I love that they all flatter my body in various ways!!!

 

The complete line of intimates can be viewed below by clicking the link:

TORRID INTIMATES

There are so many different things to choose from but all uniquely beautiful. The prices are moderate and fall in line with the rest of Torrids clothing.

 

 

This is not a sponsored post. Everything purchased was with my own funds and all thoughts are completely my own.

I welcome all feedback and comments.

 

SMOOCHES TO ALL!!!

XOXO

Ankara Aspirations ft. Grass-Fields

 

 

 

For the past few months, I've been avidly searching Etsy and other sites for anything Ankara.

 

Side Bar: Ankara Fabric commonly known as “African Prints",”African Wax Prints” “Holland Wax” and “Dutch Wax” , is a 100% cotton fabric with vibrant patterns. It is usually a colorful cloth and is primarily associated with Africa because of its tribal-like patterns and motifs.

 

In my search, I came across this cute shop called www.grass-fields.com.

 

[ Grass Fields offer premium quality, unique, hand-made African fashion.]

 Well, let me be honest. I kinda was led to the site by one of my IG friends. So I'll give her the credit for this one. Because I was unfamiliar with their sizing and quality, I wanted to start with something simple. They do have a size chart on the site but my body is funny. Some things just don't work for me.

Anyway, I opted for this cute little piece as my introduction to their clothing line. The shipment took a little while to come (the are based in the UK and of course I am in the US) but I wasn't disappointed when it arrived. This dressed is labeled as their "Amina" dress. Their sizing goes up to 3x or 4x for certain pieces. I definitely would advise to pay close attention to their size chart when ordering.

 

The quality of the fabric is impeccable. I will say, the bust area fit a little weird on me, so I went with a different type of bra than I normally wear. None the less, this piece was everything I could hope for in my first Ankara purchase. I got so many compliments on it. I definitely plan to get more.

 

What are your thoughts on Ankara?? Do you know of any fabulous shops that carry pieces?? Hip me to what you know!!!

I hope my mini Ankara obsession prompts you to go and a find a piece that fits your style.

 

 

 ENSEMBLE DETAILS:

DRESS| Grass-Fields

SHOES| JustFab

EARRINGS| BSS STORE (yes only $1)

BAG| NY&Co

Bangles are from years of searching for wood accessories (various places)

 

*This is NOT a sponsored post. All of the clothing in these photos were purchased by me.

Thank you for stopping by. I welcome all comments and feed back...

 

*All photos taken by King Photography

 

SMOOCHES!!

 

Check out this look in motion on my YOUTUBE CHANNEL!