Am I Too Old To Go Out?

It’s a weird complex I have since it's New Years Eve, and I’m 19 days away from my 27^th birthday.

I go out on special occasions like Holiday Parties (hello, open bar) or my own birthday. But in the last 2 years lately I feel like I am far too elderly to enjoy a night out.

Here are the thoughts that go through my head:

1.     What do I wear?

a.     It’s important to note that I haven’t purchased anything from Forever 21 in the last year so I don’t even know where to shop for club clothes.

2.     Who do I go with? Does anyone go out to these..”bars”? Anymore?

3.     What time should I be ready? Am I the first or last person at the club?

4.     What should we drink? I have to be drunk to do this soooo shots.

5.     Should I wear a real coat? It’s cold outside!

6.     Is the music going to be too loud?

7.     Shit. I have to pay for my own drinks now that I’m engaged.

8.     (while at the club) Can we go yet?

9.     How far away are we from Taco Burrito King…

In any case, I hope all of you going out tonight wear some real clothes and remember the ball drop for 2015!

I'll be at home in my dress like....

Happy New Year!

Sway's Not The Only One Without The Answers

I took an unintended break from blogging just to figure out….every single thing! I decided when I hit my quarter life century mark, that I would follow wherever 25 would take me. Whatever obstacles or miracles, I would face them and grow from them and decide who I wanted to be afterwards. Sounds great, right?

So I’m almost 26 and I have a better idea of characteristically where I’d like to go, but I don’t have this great plan for my life like I thought I magically would 364 days later. As a planner and someone who’s somewhat anal retentive about the dumbest things, my idea for this year is to just not have a plan. At all. It sounds similar to last year, but I mean not plan at all. Not a dinner. Not a super bowl party. Not Friday - Sunday. Nothing.  I don’t know how I’m going to achieve this because I even plan what time I’d like to be in bed, but like bed time, life never pans out exactly the way I see it. (Seriously, Family Guy comes on from 10 – 11:30pm. Who can sleep?)

But I do have goals! And forgive me for this next part. After the latest Beyonce album dropped, I am in full stan mode so most of these goals are filled with Beyonce gifs. Enjoy!

Forgive: Myself! For the most insignificant things. I replay moments in my head a lot of how I could change things and I should stop. Why? That’s counterproductive and not encouraging to me in the least.

 Dance: I really like it! And I find myself trying to stop dancing on the CTA every day. No promises that I’ll look like a pro, but fun is fun.

EAT: I’m never going to forsake fast food. Not ever. I’m just not going to eat it everyday or twice on the weekends. Drunk food doesn’t count.

Simple: Not as in “simple b*tch”, honey; simple in getting to the bottom line. We beat around the bush so much in avoidance, but the faster you get to the punch line, the faster you can take action to solve and address whatever it is you’re facing.

That’s all I got! 26 is going to be a sassy year.

Image Sources: Rap Genius, Beyonce Gifs, Space Burgers

Mini Haul: Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H+M

So, I know..it's another Beyoncé post. But I can't help it! Beyoncé is a machine: 

Now, onto the goods. Mrs. Carter recently became the poster child for the new H&M Summer Collection. I was a little skeptical at first, I must admit. We now live in a fashion world where true Couture is lost in the midst of Celebrity endorsement, but I have to give it to H&M on this one!

It's a perfect summer set for us Curvy Girls. Not only are the pieces modestly priced, the silhouettes are very generous when it comes to the sizing. In plain text, there's enough room for boobs and some junk in the trunk in this assortment! I even got a size SMALL in my purchase from today!

The collection is filled with much more than we see Beyoncé in, standing under the sun (see what I did there?).  From a color palette of Neutrals to Prints, and Staples from Shorts to Rompers and Dresses, there is such a stand out variety. 

My only advice for this: choose your accessories wisely. Mrs. Carter is everywhere these days and everyone will no doubt be adding these pieces to their closet. Think of how you can add your own personal spunk, and add some color. It is summer after all!

Below are some of  pics of her collection and possibly a piece I've added to mine. Happy Shopping!

BONUS: Bey is even on the Shopping Bags

             

Until next time, 

-TLW

Photo Credit: H & M Online

So You're Going To See Beyoncé...Now What?

Editor's Note: Parts of this post were written prior to the debut of Mrs. Knowles-Carter's fantabulous documentary, which I am sure has upped the ante for you music lovers.

Now that tickets have gone on sale to the general public and you've asked your cousin, best friend, girl you know from college for the hook up bought them through Live Nation or Ticketmaster, I'm sure you are all doing the 'Single Ladies' wave in prep for The Mrs. Carter Show!

Short story: I don't think Beyonce's website was prepared for the amount of traffic/people who wanted tickets a few weeks ago. Her site was shut down for 40 minutes and at 10:05, the tickets were sold OUT. I looked like this at my desk: 

BUT THEN  after watching the 'sold out' sign hovering next to the Chicago show, I refreshed the page (x100) and magically 4 tickets became on sale in one of the best sections.... and I got them!! I was all:

And of course my next question was..what am I going to wear?! This isn't just a concert. By the title of this concert tour, her show stopping promotion of a woman we all wish was our BFF in "Life Is But A Dream", you can tell Beyoncé did not come to play so neither should you. Below are my top suggestions for you to show up and show out at the Mrs. Carter Show:

Lamé
Lamé is a knit fabric that usually is produced in gold and silver metallic tones. It's stiffer and outlines your shape, attracting light in flattering places. In "Lamé -ns" terms, it's shiny and makes you look more sophisticated than the average twentysomething-clubgoer. Sequins are out, Lamé is where it's at.

Anthony Vaccarello Gold Tone Pants, Egypt Leggings, Lame Silk Striped Blouse, Witchery Lame Tee, Vionnet Wrap Top 

Heels

I know; going to a concert means you'll be standing most of the time, but this is unfortunately a burden we carry as women. Heels are a must. No Flip Flops, no Flats, no cute Gladiator Sandals. NO! Come as the best version of yourself to this affair, and if you need tips on how to make your shoes comfy before wear, click here.

Miss Maze Peep Toe, Ellie Lace Up Stiletto, Iron Fist lip and Hear Boots , TopShop Lace Wing Boots,  Jeffery Campbell Mapmaking Boots, River Island Cage Bootie

Hair
Try a style you've never tried before. The pros: it's a dark concert and the only photo's you'll have are the ones you take before you go. The rest will be of 'Crazy In Love' or your favorite Bey performance.

Color

Stand out-- it's a concert after all, and regardless of when this tour hits your city, be a walking Pop Of Color!

I hope to see all my fellow Chicagoans at the July 17th show! You can look for the girl wearing all of the above, and working it out in the United Center seats:

Happy Monday!

-TLW

Photo Credit: BellaSugar, Gorgeous Hair, Fashion Bomb Daily, African American Wedding Hair ,Princess Hairstyles, A Cup of Chic

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Hello Darling Divas! It's another week closer to Spring, and I for one could not be more excited! Continuing in my warm weather theme and at the request of one of my readers, @Edoubleyou, I have one of my sexiest trends for the heat: Jean Cutoffs & Plain Tee's!

You guys remember this 'fit right?

Beyonce's First Solo Single "Crazy In Love"- 2003

At the peak of the "Curvy Craze" Ms. Knowles rocked this outfit, and I think she looks gorgeous. I admire Avant-Garde fashion as much as the next girl, but at my core there is something so easy Royally Sexy about a plain shirt with shorts. It's the unofficial Summer uniform- comfy, casual, and the best part is you can accessorize any way you want!

My only problem is this: "Shorts" are such a relative term for each designer; I've learned this the hard way. While I love Miss Daisy Duke and her infamously daring Pedal Pushers, I don't want to look like her all Summer. I'm sure my Curvy girls agree! So how are you supposed to feel comfortable in this timeless trend? Follow these steps below for some Sharp Shorts :): 

• The good news for us Curvy girls is that Bermuda Shorts are making a swift comeback (Read Marie Claire: Top Spring Fashion Trends Straight from the Runway)!  In other words - you'll find Cutoffs long enough to favor your shape, and short enough to be brief ;)
• Make sure there's always an equal ratio of T-Shirt to Shorts. Over sized T-shirts are great, but their name says it all. You don't want to get swallowed in cotton, and you also don't want to rock Mom Jeans with a high waist. Try to always tuck some part of the shirt into the shorts so you can show off your body-Too big or too high clothes will segment you in unflattering ways.
• Accessories are key but with this trend, less is more. Remember this is Royal/Easy Sexy - you don't need a body full of jewels! A hot pair of bangles, studded earrings, funky tights, or an exceptional bag will do just fine :)
•  We've already established what kind of Jeans already fit us (Jeans For My Big Ol' Butt). and if you can't find Cutoffs - DIY! All you need is a good pair of scissors to cut the jeans at the desired length, and use the points of the blades to fray and fringe. Why not show off your take on the style!

My picks:

Gap + Threadless I Luv Uuuuu T

Silvergate That's a Wrap Sleeveless Top

Understar Shoulder Slit Shirt

Alternative Apparel Super Destroyed V-Neck T-Shirt

Blank Denim The At Risk Short

Vince Denim 5 Pocket Bermuda Shorts

Forever 21 Denim Bermuda Cutoffs

For the Daisy Duke in you:

Evil Twin The Hell Ride Shorts

Boston Forum Vintage Collection

I also come bearing deals this week :) For selected Tobi.com items you receive 30% off, Shorts Sale at Forever 21, and receive Free Shipping + 21% off by following The Karmaloop Street Team on Twitter!

Take a shot at Shorts ;)

-TLW

Just For Kicks: Hi Tops!

Hello Glorious Readers!
It has been a while, but I promise I will not leave you without a morsel of fashion for too long again! Since it has been so long, we are going to get right to the point - or in this case to the top!

For Spring 2012 one of the trends I hold near and dear to my heart are High Top Sneakers. As a 90's baby this brings back all kind of Fresh Prince & Kriss Kross nostalgia, but let me tell you these Sneak's on women, are sexy. Take note:

We first saw these on Mrs. Knowles - Carter in her 'Love on Top' video when she paid homage to Boys II Men (see how the 90's are making a comeback?):

Beyonce wearing Isabel Marant Bekket Sneakers

I don't know what there is not to love about these shoes! Aside from the throwback to a fabulous decade, they are chic and......COMFORTABLE. They aren't hard to pair with your existing wardrobe, either. Since (ankle) Booties have been a hit for the past 2 years just incorporate your styling ideas with these. Below are a few words of wisdom if you are still hesitant :):

• High Top Sneakers are bottom heavy - they're meant to be. Most will feature hits of gold or silver, or both with bold colors. Make sure to create a balance in your outfit and on your body and wear longer tops.
• Back to that color issue - most shoes will have a lot of them. Don't worry about wearing all those colors at the top. In fact, don't worry about wearing any of them! Try Opposite Colors - they are fun and make your outfit pop!
• For bottoms - keep it Skinny or Straight legged. You can wear leggings, jeans, or even tights, but just make sure part, if not all of the hem of your bottoms, can fit inside and showcase the tounge of the shoes.

Here are a few of my favorites, including one from my own personal collection:

Isabel Marant Sneaker

Adidas Metallic High-Top Sneaker

Vlado New Age Gold Black High-Top Sneakers

Aldo Nets

The Bea Sneaker in Yellow and Camel Suede

And mine :) Fila Women's High Top Sneakers

And just for Kicks...

:)

-TLW!