When Shopping Was Still A Thing

This is my first blog post since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the United States. And I want my BBB Think Divas to know that I am thinking of you all and hope that you are safe and well. These are trying times for many reasons. We are worried about our loved ones. We are sick of staying in the house. Others may actually be sick due to coronavirus (prayers up). Stores are closed, restaurants are closed, nail shops and beauty salons are closed. Essentially you’re learning to love yourself, your house, and your health. I have taken the time to reflect, write, read, create and clean. Lol! I miss my friends and family. Times like this definitely make me wish I did not live alone. However, I have been blessed to FaceTime loved ones over the past two weeks. Participate in video conference calls with co-workers. And even turn-up virtual through Zoom happy hours. So thank God for technology! Unfortunately one of the saddest things for me through this whole ordeal is the realization that my 35th birthday is ruined (yes, I said in my 5 year old whining voice). I was originally scheduled to celebrate in Thailand with five of my girlfriends and that trip got canceled due to the coronavirus, of course. Then I planned a birthday dinner which also got canceled due to the coronavirus, of course. Now I am down to operation celebrate b-day plan “C.” So I am hosting a virtual game-night. As well as linking up with friends for a parking lot dinner date in which we eat in our individual cars and talk through rolled down windows, LOL (hopefully the weather is nice). It will not the celebration that I had hoped for but I am blessed to be healthy and looking at 35 in less than a week. However in the meantime let me show you some of the birthday outfits that made the short lists a few weeks back before the ship had sailed.

Stay Safe...Stay Healthy...Stay Blessed...Stay Home

One and Only 

One and Only

Fashion to Figure

Fashion to Figure

Curvy Crew

In my Beyonce voice ... All the curvy ladies, all the curvy ladies, all the curvy ladies, put your hands! Last night was the 92nd Academy Awards and as always it was a great night for the fashion lovers of the world. Gowns were stunning, hair was flawless, faces were beat to the GODS! The glam was in full effect and I enjoyed every minute of it. As for most awards shows the curvy ladies are few and far between but that's okay. I will celebrate those that were in attendance and praise their beauty. So, S/O to all the beautiful women that graced the red carpet last night but a special S/O goes to these three Big Bold and Beautiful ladies.

Beanie Feldstein

Chrissy Metz

Rebel Wilson

Good Riddance 2019

This is my first blog post of 2020 and although I would love to give a prolific and thought-provoking farewell to 2019 the best I've come up with is "GOOD RIDDANCE." I probably sound a little salty, if so, it's with good reason. I had knee surgery two weeks after Memorial Day. I spent the entire summer in an area in Virginia that's so rural Uber Eats doesn't exist. I did not walk or stand for six weeks, so needless to say going to the bathroom alone was a chore. No, I was not sad to see 2019 exit stage left. Although I have extremely high hopes for 2020, I'm trying to manage my expectations accordingly because I also had hella high hopes for 2019 and you see how that turned out. Ok, now that I've got my Debbie Downer and Negative Nancy part of this post out of the way, now on to the Positive Perfect Polly side. Although I would love to say that nothing great came out of 2019 because I'm clearly harping on the darkest moments of the year, I would be totally lying. I recognize that I have tons of horrible memories from 2019 but I have to acknowledge that I also have lots of wonderful memories as well. So, here's my Best 9 of 2019:

1. Spent Two Months of Invaluable Time Living with my Mom and Grandma
2. Successfully Survived Knee Surgery and Six Months of Therapy
3. Invited to Join the Women in Cable and Telecommunications Board of Directors
4. Designed and Began Furnishing My Home Office and Dressing Room
5. Executed a Soft Launch of Clutch Queen Style Servicing
6. Traveled to Colombia, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Nashville, Detroit and Miami
7. Lost an Additional 20 Pounds (Down 45 Total Pounds!!!!!!)
8. Developed a Financial Plan and Met Financial Goals 
9. Started Journaling, Reading Scriptures and Praying More Often 

Oh and if you're wondering why I didn't ask your opinion on my News Year's Eve Dress or get dolled up and post a fancy pic ... well, because I didn't go to a party this year. I went to church (the service was excellent) and had a small gathering at my house for a few of my single girlfriends. It was the perfect way to end the year. So Happy New Year ... here are the pics and videos!!!

Puerto Rican Foodie

I'm currently planning my retirement for the year 2000 and IDK. Regardless of when it will occur, at least I know the location ... beautiful Puerto Rico it is. I have traveled to a number of places throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America. As a matter of fact, this was my second time visiting Puerto Rico. However, this trip hit different. Not sure if it's because I desperately needed a vacation coming off of months of recovery. Or the stress of working in media during an impeachment inquiry. Nevertheless, it was right on time and did not disappoint. The weather was 85 degrees during the day and 75 at night. The people were extremely friendly and although I used my Spanish a little, most people spoke English. I loved that I didn't have to worry about converting the dollar since of course it's a U.S. territory. I also enjoyed not having to go through airport customs because that's always a pain. And last but certainly not least, the FOOD!!!! Everything that I ate was delicious!!! Lots of fried breads and dough, lots of cheese, lots of rich seasonings and flavor. Basically everything that I love! Mmmmm writing about it makes me want to book another flight right now, just to get some of the amazing dishes that I ate. Hopefully by the time I retire, I wont care what the breads and cheeses do to my waistline. So I know I usually recap what I wore, but since this trip was all about what I ate, I think it's more fun to relive that. If you're ever visiting PR, here are the places you must go to.

1. Bistro Cafe, Isla Verde ... Best Brunch EVER!

2. Los Chamos Arepas ... Best 24 Hour Food Joint!

3. Raices ... Best Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes!

4. La Pocita, Pinones ... Best Authentic Latin American Food!

5. Cala Pool Bar and Grill ... Best Poolside Bar!

6. Isla Verde Beach ... Best Beach Vendors for Food and Drinks!

7. Brava Night Club ... Best Cheap Drinks and Music!

Bermuda Bombshell

To say this summer was a rough one is an understatement. After undergoing knee surgery and months of recovery, which I'm still going through, a vacay was desperately needed. Thankfully, I booked a trip to Bermuda back in December, long before I knew I'd be having surgery this June. So, basically God knew I needed Bermuda long-before I knew. Well it was a trip to remember! Bermuda is picture perfect, foodie approved, adventure equipped and a relaxation haven. It has everything a traveler might be interested in doing and seeing or not doing and seeing. The goal for my trip leaned more toward the not doing and seeing side, primarily because relaxation was on my mind after the stressful couple of months that I've had. But I'm too much of an explorer/adventurer type not to get into a little something-something.  So, my friends and I enjoyed a chill day at Horseshoe Bay Beach which was gorgeous even with a few rain drops and partially cloudy skies. We also toured the inside of Bermuda's Crystal Caves. I still can't believe I managed the 83 steps down and back up ... slowly of course but still an accomplishment. Our driving tour of the island facilitated by Gloria with Winsome Tours was amazing. She gave us a great history lesson and feel for life on the island of Bermuda. We drove through several cities and towns including Hamilton, the capital. We visited one of Bermuda's historical churches, crossed the smallest draw bridge in the world, saw Bermuda's beautiful lighthouse, drove by celebrities homes, saw where the Prime Minister lives aka Bermuda's White House and more. Oh and the food! I had one of the best fish sandwiches that I've had in life at Anchor Bar in the Dock Yard. I also had the most delicious fish nuggets at the little cafe located at the Crystal Caves. Yummm, I'm still thinking about the food! We also got a taste of Bermuda's night life when we went out for drinks and music at Bone Fish Bar and Grill and dancing at Snorkel Bar Beach which was lots of fun. As for affordability, we saved a little money by taking a cruise which cut down on hotel fees. However, in comparison to other Caribbean islands that I've visited, it was on the pricey side. For example, that amazing fish sandwich came with fries and I also ordered one cocktail to help wash it down of course :) ... well my bill came to $35. Locals explained that Bermuda exports almost everything and tourism is their largest industry. Despite the $35 sandwich and drink, it's still well worth the trip. Bermudians take pride in their country and it shows. Next time I'd love to spend more time in Hamilton and visit St. George. As for what I wore ... here are my favorite two swim looks / beach outfits from the trip. And yes, I kept it #FrugallyFly.  Peep my new inexpensive accessories, like this $1 brim hat, $4 turban and $5 beach bag.

Swim Top - Torrid
Wide Leg Pants - I don't remember ... they're old! LOL
Hat - Dollar Store

Swim Set - Swimsuits for All
Cover Up - Rainbow
Turban - Local Beauty Supply Store
Purse - Five Below

Model On

I'm often asked what are my favorite plus size stores, how do I decide what to wear, where do I buy accessories and who are my style inspirations. Honestly, I'm not sure that I have specific style inspirations. Everything is an inspiration to me ... the weather, art, friends, family, decades, movies, food, furniture. I tend to go with how I'm feeling, the vibe of the event, or simply I just bought this new thing and I'm dying to wear it. LOL! However, I do have several plus size models that I follow and whom give me a different type of inspiration. I'm talking about that inspiration that comes when you see someone that looks like you, posing on the cover of a magazine and rocking an outfit that society would say they shouldn't wear. I'm talking about that inspiration that comes when you've eaten one too many carbs that week but you see a plus size diva on Instagram letting all her rolls hangout proudly. Those women give me inspiration that I can conquer the world. So if you're looking for style inspiration and/or body positive inspiration, follow these plus size divas because they're serving both.

Chasity Garner

Nakitende Esther

Leslie Sidora

Ashley Graham

Tess Holliday

Gabi (Fresh) Gregg

Denise Mercedes

Francie Maupin

Nicole Simone 

Kristine Thompson

La'Tecia Thomas

Chasity Saunders

Crutching My Style

We've all heard the phrase "cramping my style" right? Well for the first time in my life I truly understand the definition. No my parents haven't become over-protective in my 30s, I don't have a jealous boyfriend to speak of and I haven't miraculously become a mother within the last month. However, I did have meniscus repair surgery which left me hopping around on one leg for six weeks, living with my mother in rural Virginia and missing all signs of sanity, summer and style. If you've never had to use crutches then let me spare you the horrible details. But if you have, then you know "the struggle is real." I'm blessed to be on the second leg of my recovery (literally). I'm still walking with the crutches but at least I'm putting weight on both legs now. I quickly learned to maneuver my body on crutches but I hate to admit it took me a little longer to maneuver my style. However, once I found a mix between practical and popping, I was good to go. So, I hope you NEVER have to use this list, but just in case you do. Here are the top three wardrobe necessities that will make your life A LOT easier while preventing crutches from cramping your style.

1. Dresses
--Specifically knee length dresses. Long dresses can trip you up and pants add an extra level of difficulty when using the facilities ... try pulling up your pants standing on one leg. :)

Rainbow Plus Size Camo Cami Dress

2. Sneakers
--Sandals and heels aren't ideal when relearning to walk, so I've worn sneakers more in the past two months than I have in my entire life. Sneakers with dresses are very trendy right now, which is a plus.

Puma Suede Bow Block Women's Sneakers

3. Backpack

--Luckily stylish bookbags are also trending but regardless you'll need it to help you carry everything from food to your iPad from point A to point B. So in other words, leave the hobo bag at home.

Women's Fashion Quilted Backpack