Don't Quit.

I wanted to share this great poem that came to my attention at work recently. I was typing it up for our president who needed it for something he was doing and I stopped to really read it and thought, we all need this reminder from time-to-time. And so I give you the 'Don't Quit' poem:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown

So for all of you who have had a couple tough weeks like me, don't quit. Stick it out. We've got this!

Love,
B

Friday Favs.

I figured it's Friday, I'm back in the air, and it'd be fun to share something light today. So here are five things I'm digging as of late...



1. Lipstick Jungle. The TV show. I just started watching it via netflix after finishing all the Vampire Diaries that were available. Naturally, I read the book a while back and now I'm really enjoying the show. I love shows about big wig women in cities. I'm a sucker, what can I say?

2. Chic lit. I let myself surface from a mix of finance, real estate, war, and poverty books for a little chic lit last week and I really enjoyed it. It was nice to have something mindless. This was on my shelves as an inherited book from Bryn & Nancy's castaways.

3. My Sisters. I'm headed to see them this weekend and I adore them. Along with my bro-in-law and niece, of course. (I'll try'n post a picture from the weekend soon)

Image.

4. Teal & Coral. I love that teal and coral are popular this year! They're great colors for me AND I adore them. I want to buy accessories, shoes, clothes, bags, and even stationary in them. Even though this is making budgeting uber hard this spring, I'm glad they're 'in'.

5. Change. I'm facing quite a bit of change in the coming weeks and I am embracing it. I feel excited for what's to come, on so many levels. As a self-proclaimed control freak this isn't always easy for me but this time I feel good about it.

Love,

B

It's Ok Thursday.

It's ok...

..to have 'off' days.

...to keep some things to yourself.

...to justify the occasional shopping spree you don't really need.

...to plan pedicures way in advance so you have adequate time to be excited about them.

...to be thrilled about a weekend with your sisters, niece, and bro-in-law.

...to have a love/hate relationship with packing.

...to safely be able to say pretty much anytime 'I'd rather be reading'.

...to make people earn your trust, and keep it.

...to be sad when things don't turn out the way you hoped.

...to have unrealistic expectations from time to time.

...to always be a step ahead.

...to hate laundry, we all do. I've probably listed this one before. It's still true.

...to eat your feelings, from time to time (just not everyday,people).

...to drink out of the 2 liter...in the morning...in your robe.

...to care what some people think, and write the rest off.

...to be super annoyed when people put their kids as their facebook photo. If it's your facebook, put your own face.

...to put items on your to do list that you've already done so you can check them off. (again, probably said this before but it's still true so I'm saying it again)

..to cry. Sometimes you just gotta cry it out (much like hugging it out, but alone).

...to have mixed feelings.

...to have weeks where you're totally uninspired. This is a bloggers nightmare, isn't it? But it happens.

...to schedule in down time because otherwise it never happens.

...to write your best blogs for guest posts.

Thursdays are my favorite, they're fly your freak flag days for me. ;]

Love,
B

I Could Wear That!

Do you ever see fashion trends and think, I could wear that? Not just but maybe sort of pull it off? I've been paying attention to these new crochet sweater trends. That's usually a little too hippy for my simple style but I like the way they're being down played. Below are pictures of 2 of my favorite celebs (a kardash and the Hills LC) sporting crochet sweaters in simple, classic ways...

I found one I loved the other day. It's simple, understated, and it's zips up the back a detail I love on sweaters. And so I put together this outfit for my trip this past weekend including the new crochet sweater I bought (because lets be honest it's way too hot to wear it in Tampa anyway):

Anyone else digging a celeb trend this spring you might actually be able to wear?

Love,
B

Review: Fashion to Figure Skirt

Hello loves,

Those of you who follow me on twitter/facebook know I was thrilled when Fashion to Figure gave me the opportunity to review a piece of clothing from their company. Many of you know that I have been plus sized the better part of my life and so I understand the struggle to find fun, attractive, figure flattering plus sized clothes. Since I now wear a 12 (sometimes a 10 on a skinny day) I still technically fall into the plus sized category so I was happy to give it a go.

I was allowed to pick which item I'd like to review and keep. I picked the geometric print skirt I'm about to reveal because it seemed functional for both work and going out. I also could instantly imagine myself wearing my red Michael Kors heels with it, which won it bonus points. A few days later it arrived in the mail and I was thrilled with how well it fit! Even with a belt, it's comfortable for both standing and sitting for a few hours at work (I'm a threat to take anything I belt off while I work).

Here's a close up of just how well it fit:

I needed to make it professional for my work day so I paired it with a Caslon cardigan and added one of my favorite red necklaces to jazz it up and bring out the red skinny belt that came with it, as well as the previously mentioned Michael Kors heels.

I scoured the whole Fashion to Figure website with a plus sized coworker and we were both astounded by their stylish selection as well as their unbeatable prices! If you haven't visited their site before you should take the time to browse, the skirt I received was less that $30!

My second favorite item after the skirt was this ribbed ponte dress which is listed for only $42. Even their shipping is flat rate and $5. I was pleased to find and to share this company. I have heard time and again from friends, coworkers, and fellow bloggers how hard it is to find affordable, stylish, flattering plus sized clothes. It seems to me, the search is over!

I couldn't totally keep this under wraps for the few days between the skirts arrival and this post so as a result I've already promised Jess she can borrow it first! Also, Amber told me via twitter she has a clutch headed her way from Fashion to Figure now, which I can't wait to see! Make sure you check out their website and let me know what piece you would have picked to review.

Love, B

Spring into Style.

I'm already obessing with dresses for Spring and Summer. We've pretty much bypassed the whole spring thing here in Tampa and gone straight for seeking out ways to beat the heat. Here's a few looks I love from stars recently featured in People Stylewatch:

Love the sandals with matching belt here. Florals aren't always a great look on me, especially in print that tiny but they work for Gwen with her long lean bod.

I love all things Reese. She's adorible and the way she dresses just makes me love her more. I'm obsessed with nude shoes and with my coloring bold, solid colors is a good look for me. I would wear this outfit exactly how she has if I could (but obviously, not as well).

Yellow is one of my all time favorite clothing colors. I don't wear alot of it but this dress just might change that. I love this dress on her and look how tan her legs are? I will be rushing to my pool to lay out first chance I get. Those shoes aren't me, I would probably go nude on those as well.

Hope you all are having a great weekend as I'm living it up in Indiana. Back soon.

Love,
B

5 DIY Projects.

Pinterest really has me thinking about DIY projects. I like to be hands on. I've tried several times to talk myself into buying a groupon for a maid or for a month of meals but in the end I always back out. I like to do things for myself. There's some sense of satisfaction in completing projects, on my own.

Pinterest is DIY on crack, though. I can't imagine doing EVERYTHING by hand instead of buying it. Ever. Time is money and most the time I'd rather spend the money to save the time. But I sat down the other day and thought what would I consider doing myself, either for the fun of being hands on or for the money it would save. Here's a few ideas I got from pinterest that I DO want to try:




Enamel Painted Vases. I love these and the blog post I've linked to boasts that she found the vases at the dollar store. This would be a fun project that could jazz up book shelves quick. I also love the idea of being able to custom make the color you want to go with the room.

Freezer Crock Pot Meals. I pinned a while back a blog where a woman teaches you how to make crock pot meals, in ziplock bags, to freeze! Then you pull them out, toss them in the crock pot and ta da!...dinner. I love this idea. It's a DIY version of Dinner Done, in my mind. This seems worth the time and effor tto me especially if you made a few at a time on Sunday afternoon.

Homemade Laundry Soap. I think laundry soap is incredibly over priced and am constantly annoyed by spending money on it. Not only would this be a fun project and a money saver but I actually think this could be a cute house warming gift, if you put it in a pretty glass bottle (like a large wine bottle) with instructions. I've agreed to help a friend do some spring cleaning in 2 weeks, I think I will try'n make a batch before then and give her some as well.

Body scrub. I never would have thought of this myself but DIY body scrub makes so much sense to me. After making my own face exfoliator last week, I'm really rethinking this and liking the idea more and more. Again, this would make a great gift! You could mess up the kitchen making a few at a time and have them onhand for guests, gifts, or at home spa nights.

Homemade Seasonings. I think seasonings are a big fat waste of money - so I love this idea. I want to make these for myself as well as possibly as gifts in the future. I think this would be a cool thing to receive from someone!

What DIY projects has pinterest inspired you to try? Was it worth the effort? Did it really save you money?

Love,

B