Perfectly Polka Dotted

I'm sad my spring break is over (what a nice relaxing week), but my Monday was made a little better by the beautiful weather. Sunny and a bit warm with a breeze -- just perfect! Here's the hoping it stays this way for a while (knowing Texas, I doubt it!). My Monday class is with one of my best buds, Melissa, who I mention on here a lot. Our class got out early so we snapped some pictures of each other against the wall of a building near campus (after grabbing some pizza, of course!).

White Dress with Black Polka Dots/Black Belt: ASOS Curve (My current FAVORITE dress!) (Similar)
Black Tights: We Love Colors
Black Lace Up Ankle Boots: Thrifted (Similar)
Black Purse: Thrifted (Similar)
Floral Cameo Ring: Local Shop (Check out my giveaway!)
Lipstick: Spellbound by Covergirl

I'm super excited for this week's Fatshion Faceoff post, which should be up on 3 pm (CST) this Wednesday. This week was my pick, and I'm hoping to pull off a fun new look.

Thanks for reading!

First Giveaway: Three Winners!

To celebrate my birthday in a week, I've decided to host a giveaway for my readers!

If you've been following my outfit posts, you've probably noticed I've been wearing a rose cameo ring in almost every outfit. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it so I decided to check out the store to give some away. They only had one floral cameo left, but I noticed it has a flaw in the filigree after I bought it. So instead of a floral cameo I decided to go with two plain cameo rings and a fun floral ring. All three rings are adjustable to fit whatever size you wear.

Along with the rings, I decided to go with three pin back badges from PonyBoyPress on Etsy. I've been eyeing these pins for a while so I decided to get some for both myself and for the giveaway. The pins are light pink one-inch buttons with maroonish "Fat & Sassy" text. I just love them! Check out PonyBoyPress' shop for more body acceptance buttons!

To enter this giveaway (Required):

1. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment below telling me your first and second choice ring.

OR

2. Like my Facebook page and leave a comment below telling me your first and second choice ring.

If you do both 1 and 2, you get two entries.

For additional entries (Optional):

3. Follow my twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment with the link of your tweet or your twitter handle. It must read "I just entered @mollyyocum 's birthday giveaway! 3 winners! Enter at http://bit.ly/H7nnOA"

4. Mention this giveaway on your blog or tumblr! Leave a comment with a link to the post.

Just to clarify, each thing you do counts as an entry, but you must do either the 1st or 2nd to be considered. Please let me know what you do in the comments section so I can include multiple entries for you! :) I would hate for you to share, and it not get counted.

I will choose the three winners in two weeks on April 7th by 8 pm (CST).

Thanks for entering! Good luck!

*I edited the required rules to be more inclusive.*

Lust List #2: Birthday Edition

My 22nd birthday is on the 31st of this month. Here are a few items on my birthday wish list!

1. Koko Graphic Print Asymmetric Tunic from New Look - I've never purchased from New Look before. This shirt really catches my eye! It reminds me of a bodysuit I purchased from ASOS Curve that I'll be returning because I dislike the fit. I also like this floral top from New Look.
2. Oh, Lola! by Marc Jacobs - I would also like Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs. I have Daisy already, but I just love all of Marc Jacobs' fragrances!
3. Poppy by Coach - If you like any of the previous perfumes listed, you may like this one, too! It's a wonderful floral scent.
4. Bedhead Ionic Pink Hair Dryer or really any quality hair dryer, preferably with a precision attachment
5. Meringue Petticoat in Peach from Domino Dollhouse - I've always wanted a petticoat. I've heard great things about Domino Dollhouse's petticoats, and they have a fantastic color selection! This one is my favorite.
6. Hi Low Maxi Skirt from City Chic - I've never purchased from City Chic before, but I have been coveting this skirt since it was introduced. I'm really liking the hi low and the maxi trend, and this one is just perfect! Forever 21+ also has some great ones, if you're interested!
7. Cattastic Ankle Socks from Domino Dollhouse
8. Vintage Inspired Sunglasses

Thanks for reading!

Fatshion Faceoff: Striped Top

This week's Fatshion Faceoff is a striped top! I don't have many cute striped tops so I ended up borrowing this one from my friend last minute. I've seen many outfits mixing stripes and florals so this ensemble is my take on that.

I just love this skirt. I found it while thrifting last Friday (along with the shoes and purse, actually). It's so full and flowy; it makes me want to twirl around all day while wearing it!

Striped Top: Target (Borrowed) (Similar, Similar)
Floral Circle Skirt: Thrifted (Similar, Similar)
Black Belt: Target
Black Bag: Thrifted (Similar)
Maroon-ish Suede Wedges: Thrifted (Similar)

It's a beautiful day outside so I decided to take some last minute pictures instead of using my ones from inside. Unfortunately, this means this post is about 20 minutes late! Ahhh

Nails: Two coats of Sinful Colors Savage & two coats of Sinful Colors Nail Junkie
Rose Cameo Ring: Local Shop
Infinity Ring: TeriLeeJewelry on Etsy (I wear this as my wedding ring most days!)
Earrings: Kohl's
Lipstick: CoverGirl Spellbound (My current favorite lipstick!)

Almost forgot! Check out the other members of Fatshion Faceoff and how they styled the challenge item:

Dani of DIY Fatshion
Hanna of The Wardrobe Challenge
Mhairi of Lilybobombs Lovely Lumps
Mouna of BRUSSELSFATSHION
Olivia of Wait Until the Sunset

Now to enjoy the rest of the day with my husband and meet family for dinner in a few hours. :)

What do you think of this outfit? Do stripes and florals mix well?

Fatshion Faceoff: Leopard Skirt

I'm happy to announce I'm part of a fatshion collaboration group of bloggers called Fatshion Faceoff. Every week one of us will choose an item of clothing, and on Wednesday we'll all post how we styled the item. This week was Dani's choice, and she chose a leopard print skirt.

I have a lot of leopard print in my wardrobe (I went through a leopard phase last year), and I have two leopard skirts. I already posted an outfit with one of them so I decided to choose my bodycon one for this week's challenge. I call this my weird edgy librarian look, haha! I just love it. It incorporates some of my favorite articles of clothing and accessories, and I love the way I feel wearing this outfit (that's what fashion is all about!).

Pale Peachy-Pink Cardigan: Josephine Chaus (thrifted) (Similar)
Black Tank: Target
Leopard Skirt: Target (Similar)
Opaque Black Tights: We Love Colors
Kitty Cat Maryjanes: Em & Sprouts
"Fat" Necklace: Made by my friend
Lipstick: D'Lilac by Lime Crime
Bow Ring: eBay
Brown Purse: Thrifted (Similar)

Check out the other members of Fatshion Faceoff and how they styled the challenge item:

Dani of DIY Fatshion
Hanna of The Wardrobe Challenge
Mhairi of Lilybobombs Lovely Lumps
Mouna of BRUSSELSFATSHION
Olivia of Wait Until the Sunset

Thanks for reading!

Spotty with a Splash of Teal

What a beautiful day! It's amazing how wonderful weather can make a Monday better. It was so nice today that my Monday class met outside in a mini amphitheater. I'm trying my best to take outfit photos in different locations so I asked my friend Melissa to snap this one for me with my phone.

I bought this dress last week at what is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to shop locally. It's a store called Image Plus. It's kind of a mix between Rainbow and Forever 21. The clothes are cheap and trendy, and they have some questionable club wear you just have to try on and laugh at (haha!). I've found some great things from there! I've only seen the store in the mall where I live and in a mall about 15 miles away, and I can't seem to find a website so I'm thinking it may be a local chain. Anyway, this dress was on the sale rack for only $11!

Spotty Black and White Dress: Image Plus (Similar)
Black Opaque Tights: We Love Colors
Black Cardigan: Old Navy (from swap)
Black Ankle Boots: Thrifted (Similar)
Teal Cross Body Bag: Forever 21 (Similar)
Orange Ring: eBay

So, I've been wearing these boots nonstop since I bought them a few weeks ago at a local thrift store. I had been looking for a good pair of black granny style lace up boots, and these were only $3! You can find similar pairs on Etsy and eBay, but they're rather expensive at $20-40 for a pair of used boots (yes, I really wanted used). Anyway, today the sole of one of my boots just about came off while I was on campus! I had to stop by a store to buy some Gorilla tape to mend them until I can take them to get repaired so I now have a piece of tape holding my boots together, haha! That's what I get for being cheap, right?

I wanted to share a picture of my manicure even though it's chipping. It matches my purse!

(Two coats of Essie Turquoise & Caicos, some Essie A Cut Above, and Sally Hansen acrylic top coat)

That's about it for today! I'm scheming up a small giveaway next week so keep an eye out for that.

Review: Silver Jeans Co.

Last month one of my favorite fatshion bloggers, Sample Size 16, participated in a Silver Jeans Co. extended style wars contest. Basically, Silver Jeans selected a few plus size bloggers to compete against each other and whoever had the most votes won. Though Sabrina didn't win, she posted some awesome looks wearing Silver Jeans and gave away a pair of Silver Jeans (courtesy of the company) to a reader who voted at random. Annnnd, that lucky reader was me! (Exciting!)

As you may remember from an old post, I desperately needed new jeans so I was so grateful to have won the contest. Sabrina hooked me up with a Silver Jeans Co. representative to help me find a pair of jeans that suited my needs.

The style I received were the Suki Jeggings*. They're a dark blue wash with a distressed look on the front of the legs and on the rear with a tapered ankle. I really like the stitching detail on the inseam and back pockets. The jeans are stretchy, fitted, and they actually don't gap in the back (a problem I usually have). These are some of the best fitting jeans I've ever owned, and I'm not even exaggerating.

Aside from the fit, I am super impressed with Silver Jeans customer service. The representative who helped me was great! She was nice and incredibly helpful. I was asked to pick five pairs of jeans that I liked most, and she helped me with the rest. I'm in between sizes (18 and 20), and I wasn't sure which size to get so she suggested me get the 18s since they're stretch. I really appreciated how well she knew the jeans and cared about finding the perfect pair for my taste.

Another thing I like about this company is that their extended sizes go up to a 28, and you can choose different inseams depending on your height. This ensures you get a great fit!

Only downside about these jeans is that they're pricey (at least for me). I'm a college student on a budget, and I probably wouldn't be able to afford an $82 pair of jeans. However, I'm hoping the quality will last longer than jeans I normally buy.

Overall, I'd give these jeans a 4.5 out of 5, simply because of price. Otherwise, I think they're great, and I would definitely suggest trying on a pair to see if you like them. If I'm not mistaken, you can find these jeans at select Torrid, Maurice's, and Macy's stores. If not, you can always order online.

Thanks for reading!

Edit: April 22, 2012

I wanted to update this review because I've found a big problem with these jeans. The color bleeds... a lot. I've washed them about five times since this review, and they still bleed so bad that my legs actually have a blue tint after wearing them. Yes, the color actually bleeds onto your skin. Because of this, I amend my review to a 4 out of 5. Though I hate the bleeding, the jeans fit so well and are so well made that I put up with it. This may just be the dark denim that bleeds, but I wanted to let you all know about this problem.

*These jeans were sent to me from Silver Jeans Co. as a winner of a contest.

Leslie & the Lys Show!

Yesterday evening my wonderful friends and I went to see Leslie & the Lys. I've been so excited this past month in anticipation of her show that I've been listening to her Destination Friendship CD nonstop all month! If you don't know who Leslie Hall is, imagine a fabulous, glittery, gold spandex and gem sweater wearing diva who sings wonderfully hilarious dance tunes with her friends. Check out her website to learn more!

I didn't decide what to wear until I left my apartment so my outfit isn't as fun as I had wanted. I had first been thinking glitter, sequins, anything loud and flashy, but I don't really have anything fun like that, and I didn't DIY anything early enough so I went with all black. Oh well, I think I rocked it anyway!

Black tank: Merona (via Target)
Black skirt: Merona (thrifted)
Black belt: Target
Cropped studded denim vest: Youninque (from the swap)(DIYed by me)
Tights: We Love Colors
Black ankle boots: Thrifted
Skeleton hand clips: Etsy
Rings: Local shop, Target
Teal cross body bag: Forever 21

The show was fantastic! We danced and laughed and had an all around great time. Leslie is just wonderful, and I'm so stoked I got to meet her!

Goodbye, Fatshion February!

Yesterday was the last day of Fatshion February so I wanted to wrap up the experience with a collage of the outfits I shared this month. I like the idea of doing a monthly wrap up anyway so I may start doing this at the end of each month to reflect on my personal style - how it's changed or how I'd like it to change.

I think I did a fairly good job of showcasing my wardrobe without repeating looks (or even items of clothing!). Everything above are things that I reflect my personal style and are outfits I would wear on a typical day. The last outfit is probably the most reflective of my style at the moment, the third outfit is the one I liked best, and the most unlike my style is fifth outfit.

Today marks the beginning of a new month of outfits (though I'm not posting one today), so I thought I'd make a list of things I want to try to try out with my personal style.

• Accessorize more. I feel like my outfits are extremely lacking the accessories department. I carry a purse daily, but I'm not really in the habit of changing it up. Many of my outfits could have been jazzed up so much more if I just would have added a necklace!
• Wear different shoes. I'm really loving these black oxfords, as you can tell. I have a decent shoe collection; I need to break out more shoes!
• Take more exciting photos. I live in a small apartment, and I take my photos in the one place that doesn't have a lot going on in the background. This month I'd like to take more outdoor photos and change up my poses (I'm quite terrible with posing).

Did you learn anything about your personal style from Fatshion February this year?