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#TrashYourShapewear & Get A Shaper That Won't Roll

June 9, 2016, 12:32 pm
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Have you every just had a piece of shapewear fail you at the wrong moment in your life?  You would think with all my experience with shapewear; I would have the upper hand finding the best ones. Welp, I got duped and recently and might I add, on the way to last month's Beyonce concert. So hang out with me for a moment while I tell you how to enter to win a piece of HookedUp Shapewear and share my recent story about my shapewear horror story.




"Did you hear that?" That is me asking Desiree, about an audible ripping noise that just happened. Desiree and I take a restroom break (because women always go to the bathroom together) on our way to the Beyonce concert.  She says, "What was that?" I answer, "I ripped my damn Spanx.  I have a hole that is enormous and right in the center of my shaper, and I'm not going back to the house to change, AND I just purchased this one only a couple of months ago." I only pulled up my shapewear, and the middle ripped out. I think, "yes, I can make it okay. I am only walking a mile to the concert." It ended up being one of the worst miles of my life. The legs were rolling up, and the legs were rolling down because of the hole in the center.  My inner thighs were touching plus the fabric friction had me headed to the world's worst chafe causing rash.  This is something you can see it coming a mile away and your only thought is how can I prevent it.  I honestly thought I was done with bad shapewear issues, but this got me.  I found myself repeatedly adjusting the whole night.  I thought about ditching them, but wanted to save it in case I found the receipt to return it. No such luck. Don't you hate when that happens?  My shapewear was trying to keep me from seeing Queen Bey in full formation. Ugh! A couple of years ago, I came across HookedUp Shapewear and love it because...it stays up, no digging or pinching, and has amazing back smoothing that is great for those bodycon styles.  HookedUp Shapewear's design hooks to your bra and won't roll down on you. It's been a go-to for me for a couple years now; I wish I was wearing that on my Beyonce night. 

Now for the good part.  Have you ever wanted to get back at a shaper for ROLLING and ruining your date, party, wedding? Then it's time to get some closure! From June 9, HookedUp Shapewear is giving away one piece of HookedUp Shapewear every day for 25 days!  
Check out how to enter below:
1) Upload an image below - or make a public post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - of you trashing the shapewear that failed you.  Please use common sense while participating in this giveaway and DO NOT attempt anything that will harm you or others during the "trashing" of your shapewear. 
2) Tell us how it ruined your day and include the hashtag #trashyourshapewear. 


Enter Here Below:



Plus, as a thank you for participating, HookedUp Shapewear will send you an exclusive coupon code for 30% off - so even if you don't win, you can still get HookedUp!  Don't have any shapewear to trash but still want to give HookedUp Shapewear a try? Throughout the giveaway, receive a special 15% off all styles and colors of HookedUp Shapewear with code HUS15 at hookedupshapewear.com. 
Check out how I ditched my shapewear and PLEASE DO NOT attempt anything that will harm you or others while you "trash" your shapewear. Good Luck! 



Photography by: Nissa Brehmer
Thank you HookedUp Shapewear for sponsoring this super fun post, all opinions my own. 
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Sailing

June 12, 2016, 12:25 pm
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Navy and nautical looks in the summer are always a go-to for me.  Add in some touches of gold and you have a fantastic classic look. This was my first time trying out the Rachel Roy plus size collection.  I ordered four pieces and was impressed with the fit.  Pants are always hard, so a pair of pants that fit extremely well off-the-rack are a good sign.  




Style Notes: The pants are a 24W and have no stretch.   The top is a 2x.  I thought the look was very fluid and easy to wear.  I did see a lot of comments about Rachel Roy's pricing.  She does have a straight size line, and pricing is very similar her smaller sizes.  I always hear people saying that they want straight designers to make plus. If they do, the pricing is going to be at similar price points to their original lines.  Concerning price, Rachel Roy's line is in Macys and Macys always has good sales and coupons.  Both items are actually on sale now.  



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Get Tested at Walgreens for Free!

June 23, 2016, 5:39 pm
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I'm so elated that Walgreens asked me to partner with them in support of National HIV Testing day on June 27th.  I believe in taking care of yourself and your body.  I remember very vividly being in my 20s in Atlanta standing in long lines on this day to get an HIV test and feeling proud that so many of my peers around me were taking charge of their health by finding out their status. Of the 1.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., it's estimated that 1/8 of them don't know they are living with the disease. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested.  Besides going to the doctor or clinics, you can even do it in the privacy of your own home with at-home testing or even at your nearest pharmacy.  Walgreens is doing their part in helping you find out your status by offering FREE testing on the following days:

Thursday, June 23rd from 3 pm - 7 pm
Friday, June 24th from 3 pm - 7 pm
Saturday, June 25th from 10 am - 2 pm

HIV testing is a scary thing, but early diagnosis and treatment are known to improve health, extend life and help prevent the spread of HIV.  If you test regularly and after every time you put yourself at risk, you can stay on top of your health.  It is always better to know.

HIV/AIDS is a scary topic, but thinking back to living in the 90s and being a kid and seeing this disease wipe people out to now to seeing people living life with treatment is an amazing thing and is a testament to progress and our understanding of the disease. One of the easiest ways to help combat the spread of the HIV/AIDS is just by being tested and knowing your status.  



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Red, White, & Blue

June 30, 2016, 8:06 am
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The 4th of July is upon us, and it's always fun to participate in the festivities starting with a red, white, and blue outfit.  My top and skirt are from Modcloth. One of the things that I love about them is that have a large selection of items from small to 4X.  This look will have you feeling fun and festive, but also comfortable.  I always try to steer towards wearing cotton in the summer, so my skin can breathe.  This little white cotton top does just that.



My husband and I are going to Hawaii to celebrate our five year anniversary. We will be enjoying the 4th there, and I will be bringing this look along for the ride.  

Style Notes: I love this white top from Modcloth, what you can't see is that is that it is cropped and has a banded bottom.  I got a 2x int he top and I thought it ran big and that I should have sized down one size so that I could have a more fitted look. I got the skirt in a 2x as well, and it fit perfectly.   The skirt has a little stretch.  You'll want to note that these pieces from Modcloth are budget-friendly.  The top was $40, and the bottom was $45.  One thing you'll notice about them is that they an array of pricing to accommodate different budgets. I purchased my shoes from Aminah Abdul Jill, but you can find a budget friendly version here. 








Thank you Modcloth for sponsoring this post, all opinions are my own.
Photography by: Nissa Brehmer
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Aloha! My Hawaiian Vacation

July 11, 2016, 2:29 pm
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I'm probably the worst person when it comes to recapping my trips.  I have all the best intentions in the world to talk about my adventures, but then life happens.  Additionally, I hate traveling with my camera.  I had one (an expensive one at that) stolen in NYC and after that I kind of refuse to bring mine, so you'll want to note that these are all camera phone photos (The phone I used was the Samsung Edge S7 and takes pretty hi-quality photos).  This year for my 5 year anniversary, B and I went to Hawaii.  We haven't really done anything like this since our honeymoon. B hates to fly, so with a little bit of coaxing and the promise of booking first class tickets (I pretty much haven't used any of my miles on Delta for the past few years, so I was able to get both tickets at no cost).  I really wanted to make it a special trip for us and give him the least amount of flying anxiety and it worked.  After the trip, he told me this was the most comfortable he had ever been on a flight.  I saw him get a little tense when we took off, but after that I could see that he was relaxed.  It was totally worth spending my miles on him. :) 

After a 5 hour flight from California, we were in Oahu, Hawaii. I didn't realize that there is a time difference of 3 hours from the west coast, 6 hours if you are the east.  On the agenda for us was go to a luau, hike Manoa Falls, do some snorkeling, and of course relax.  We stayed our first 3 nights at Shoreline Hotel and stayed our last night at the Royal Hawaiian. We made the decision to switch after we went to their Monday night luau.  The Royal Hawaiian is a lovely hotel and right on the beach.  It's a bit pricey, so I'm glad we just decided to do one night. 

Here are the activities I did and a quick review:



Waikiki Sea Turtle Snorkling Trip - We swam over the coral reefs in Waikiki.  Some of you guys saw the Snapchat story (Garnerstyle on Snap) about B, just know that I am still side-eyeing him.  Anyhow, this was a cool trip. This trip you swam from shore out into the ocean.  The coral reefs are pretty much everywhere, so there is a lot of sea life to be seen. The day I went the viability wasn't great, so I couldn't the vibrant colors of the fish like I would have liked, but it was a fun trip.  One thing I will say is that the water at Waikiki beach is rough. It's surfing water and can be taxing to swim in.  You also have to be careful not to cut yourself on the reef.  I paid $49 for two people on Groupon. Always check your Groupon deals when traveling.  They can save you a bunch on some of the activities that you want to do. 

Manoa Falls- We got a lot of recommendations to hike Diamond Head, but we ended up doing Manoa Falls instead. I picked it because, the website says that it is 1.5 miles roundtrip and it will allow you to see a cool waterfall.  I thought this hike was going to be a  breeze. Not so much.  To me, it was challenging.  It's on a constant incline, you have to walk up tricky rocky paths, a lot of mud, and with a lot of bugs.  Now, was the hike worth it? Yes, it was. The scenery was ah-mazing through the whole hike.  One thing I will say is BE CAREFUL.  I'm prone to falling, so I was trying to be super careful.  Also, sneakers aren't great hiking shoes with it comes to stepping on slippery rocks. We came during the rainy time, so the falls were really flowing, but that also meant that the trail was wet.  Make sure you bring bug spray! I know there are some weird things going on with these mosquitos, so better safe than sorry.  The hike was definitely a challenge, but I was proud that I did it.  Cost was free, you do have to pay to park. 

Royal Hawaiian Luau- I chose this luau because it was #3 on a top 10 list.  It was a really nice luau although I do think it was a bit westernized. I heard Germaine's Luau is more authentic to the Hawaiian culture.  The food was great and they kept the cocktails coming.  It is a bit pricey, but with food, cocktails, and some of the special entertainment I thought it was worth it.  They are known for bringing in famed ukulele musicians to perform. This time was no different and I really enjoyed the show. 

This was an awesome trip to Hawaii.  We decided to go, because we may be moving in a few months and wanted to do it while we fly from the west coast.  I would definitely love to go back to Hawaii, there were still a lot of things that I wanted to do. B said I wore him out with my activities, so I had to chill on the activities. LOL. 

Travel Tips: It took me forever to start flying with one airline. I used to just go on Orbitz and get the cheapest ticket, but with me constantly on a plane I can really see the value in building up my miles.  I am personally with Delta, they have the most comfortable coach seat to me.  I would urge anyone to start accumulating miles on one airline, I mean who doesn't like getting a free flight from time to time.  Some of you may also have seen on my Snapchat that I took B in the Delta Sky lounge.  We have an Amex Platinum that gets us in complimentary.  The day rate is $59, but if there is way to get it complimentary, I definitely would.  You get free food & drinks and it has saved me so much money on just the cost of food while I'm in the airport. We all know airport food is just expensive for no reason.  Also, if you travel a lot with one airline, it may help to get the credit card associated with that airline. I have a Amex Delta Skymiles card too. It came with 30K bonus miles.  Any way I can try to finagle some free travel or any additional travel comfort, I will. LOL.


 Monoa Falls
  Monoa Falls




Clothing Details:  Lemon Dress (dress in a 3x) | Lip Print SwimSuit (got in a size 24) | Red Swimsuit (got a size 26) | Gray T-shirt Dress (got in a size 22)
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What to Wear: Casual Friday in Shorts

July 15, 2016, 11:53 am
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Get the details on the look below:



Blazer: H&M
Shirt: JCPenney
Shorts: CityChic
Footwear: 6pm
Bag: LouisVuitton ORBudget Friendy Option Here

About DeShaundra of StylebyDNicole - Style by D. Ni'Cole was created by De'Shundra Gibson in April of 2014, introducing social media to a new and creative form of approaching fashion through the eyes of the everyday woman, versus just celebrity fashion.  Find more style inspiration by StylebyDNicole here on Instagram and her website. 
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Summertime Fly

July 18, 2016, 11:58 am
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It's crazy, because I feel like summer just started, but we only have about a month and a half left for those summer white parties. I thought this would make an adorable look for an all white party.  



Style Notes: I ordered a 2x in the top and a 2x in the skirt.  Both the top and bottom are made of a stretch material.  Great for hot summer days and nights. With Rue104, I generally think that clothes tend to run 1 size small.  For this look if you are bustier or carry more weight in your "above the waist" region, I would suggest going up one size. 



Top: Rue107, Skirt: Rue 107, Shoes: JCrew via eBay, Necklace:  Headline Boutique

Photography:  Nissa Brehmer
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Budget Find: Get My Look For Under $30

August 7, 2016, 9:42 pm
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I am back to the Garnerstyle regular scheduled programming after a much needed break.  I figured I would kick off with something cute, comfortable and casual.  It's how I've been feeling lately.  Does anyone else see the end of summer in the horizon?  I am a little sad to see it go, but fall is my favorite for fashion. I am excited to see what is in store.  What are looking forward to seeing in fall fashion?




Style Notes: I purchased a size 20 in this top. I thought it ran big and had to take it in on the side. It's important that this fits snuggly so that the top portion will stay up.  You'll want to note that it is a bodysuit.  This skirt is also in a size 20 and is made of stretch jersey.  I have a size 26 hip circle and this skirt fit me fine.  Save 40% off on this look from boohoo by using code:  ALL40 (good for the next 11 hours)

Top: Boohoo, Skirt: Boohoo, Shoes - Lane Bryant (sold out), Belt: Michael Kors (sold out, but options here and here)

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8 Tips On How To Beat The Summer Heat

August 10, 2016, 3:18 pm
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August always feels like the hottest month of summer and those age old questions comes up of how can I exist in my plus size body stylishly in the summer when all I really want to do is be naked.  When the thought of wearing shapewear makes you ill, but chub rub makes you want to fight the air (insert Tre from Boyz in the Hood). After hanging out in Hawaii, trying to figure out a make-up routine that wouldn't slide off of my face, and just trying to stay as comfortable as possible I got a few hacks that kept me cool.





1. Ditch the Shapewear - It's humid and the material that shapewear is made out of makes it impossible for your girl parts to breath.  Personally, I wear shapewear a lot because it prevents my thighs from touching (it's a feeling that I really hate...go figure).  Here are some things you can do  to keep those thighs from chafing:
  • Deoderant - will keep your dry and keep your thighs from chafing
  • Body Glide - I've used this one and it works great and is vegan-friendly.
  • Bandelettes - They are lace bands that wrap around each thigh and prevent your thighs from touching.  They keep you cool because they go around your thigh only.  


2. Polyester isn't worth it - I need all of the cotton in the summer....ALL OF IT!!! I've found time and time again, even if it's an item that is meant to be worn in the summer if it's polyester it's going to make my skin mad.  Save your poly-blend for the cooler months and makes sure you have plenty of cotton tees and tanks.  My favorites are here and here. I stock up on these and wear there all summer with denim and flare skirts.  

3.  Step Up Your Tinted Moisturizer Game -  To have your makeup slide off of your face in the humidity is just a miserable feeling.  It also sucks when your makeup doesn't allow your skin to breathe.  It can be suffocatings.  While in Hawaii, I was trying to figure out a routine that was light, gave me a bronzed glow, but didn't require a lot of product. The products I used are, NARS Tinted Moisturizer (I've also heard good things about Lauren Mercier).  If you slide into Sephora they have a little device that will match your shade for you as well. Let me know if you would like a quick video on this routine.  My makeup is so basic that I always wonder if people really want to see me do it. LOL.

4.  You can literally put deodorant anywhere to keep dry - As a woman, there is nothing worse then the feeling of wetness. You can use deodorant between your thighs, but you can also use them under your boobs and any other creases that you want to keep dry. I have even put it on my feel to keep my feet dry and from sliding in my shoes.



5. Ditch your backpack - I love a backpack.  It's hands free, but it makes my back hot and and sometimes sweaty.  I know that cross body bags don't offer the amount of space of a backpack, but I promise you your body will thank you.

6. Get the hair off your neck - Long flowing tresses are beautiful, but it feels like a fur coat on your neck.  I keep a hair tie, scarf, and a couple of bobby pins on deck for a quick updo.  I've been wearing top knots for years in an effort to keep my hair off my neck.  All you need is a pony tail holder and a couple of bobby pins.


7.  Spa Water Spray - I recently discovered the joy of Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water, courtesy of GlossyBox. I'm a person who always gets hot from my face and head.  If I can keep that cool then I can be relatively comfortable.  In long hauls in the airport and me trying to move swiftly is when I can get hot, a quick spray and it instantly allows me to cool down.  It's also safe for your makeup and generally will evaporate without towelling off. I experience dehydration during travel and this is a quick way to give my skin some moisture.

8. Wear Loose Clothing - This is the era of the snatched, but when I tell you I thought I was cute being snatched in Hawaii, my body underneath that dress was hot.  In that climate, although the dress was perfect for the occasion aesthetically, it was not the time to be wearing clothing that wasn't loose fitting.  I even ditch the leggings in hot climates (not in San Jose, because the weather is perfect here). I don't like things being too close to my skin.

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Bras with a Purpose: Meet Vanity Fair

August 16, 2016, 1:25 pm
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photo by Rachel Brennecke


A few weeks ago, I was privileged to travel to New York, kick off my partnership with Vanity Fair, and get a full day of immersion into the world of their bras and lingerie.  Most of you are familiar with Vanity Fair through their super comfortable bras. You can find them in places like Macy's, JCPenney, and Kohls. For two days, I was able to get to know the Vanity Fair team, try on some bras, learn all about their partnership with Dress for Success, and their Women Who Do initiative.




Getting Vanity Fair Lingerie:  Vanity Fair is all about creating a comfortable yet stylish bra. They have been around for over 100 years.  While getting to know more about the Vanity Fair brand and having a yummy breakfast, I was able see all the different types of bras that are offered and even was shown some styles that haven't made it to the stores. I always love an exclusive sneak peak.  In addition to their straight sized bras, Vanity Fair has full figured sizing from 36C to 44DDD. I'm not a stranger to the this brand and specifically love them for their comfortable bras.  You guys know that I am a full-time blogger and while I work from home most days and I don't feel comfortable going braless all day, so the Vanity Fair bras have been a daily staple that keeps me supported yet comfortable.  With that being said, there's a new bra that I was able to try on at the "Breakfast & Bras" chat.  The Comfort x 3 is my favorite.  It feels like is barely there.  I'm looking forward to making that my everyday bra.

Dress For Success: During dinner, I had the pleasure of learning about Vanity Fair's partnership with Dress for Success and their commitment to donate 50,000 bras.  I was particularly touched my a young women's struggle through turmoil and abuse, her unwillingness to give up, and landing a career with the Dress for Success team. When I started this blog, I really just wanted it to be about fashion, but your presentation is so closely related to how you feel and it always amazes me that through clothing you can have a hand in lifting a person.  The young woman spoke about how Dress for Success did that for her.  Personally, I can't wait to do more work with Dress for Success.

Women Who Do: A fantastic concept in which Vanity Fair encourages women to support and uplift each other.  Inspired by the many women of the world who hold down jobs, run businesses, take care of families, and who triumph in many areas in life, Vanity Fair celebrates them and has created a moment for us to celebrate each other.  Sometimes I think the world forgets how many hats a woman wears and it's almost like we are just expected to multi-task our lives...when it's easy to forget that taking care of everything and everyone around us deserves applause and acknowledgment. This hits home for me because I've been so blessed to be raised around and befriend many amazing women who do so much.

We stayed at the fabulous Refinery Hotel -- Best best everrrr!!! 






Thank you Vanity Fair for sponsoring the post and this partnership! 

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Hot Air Balloons & Sonoma with Catherines

August 17, 2016, 10:14 pm
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I got to participate in a few fabulous days in Sonoma, CA courtesy of Catherines.  I am a Bay area resident, so this was a much-needed getaway for me that didn't involve me getting on a plane.  A quick hour and a half drive later, I was in one of the most beautiful parts of California.  Upon arrival at the Farmhouse Inn, I was greeted by the Catherine's team.  The arrival day was a day of getting everyone's acquaintance and just take a moment to relax before the following day which promised to be a big day.  



I was excited to see Amanda from I'm Fashionably Late and Rachel from LovelyInLA were my companions for the next couple of days. I love these ladies, and both of them have incredible energy. I arrived in a color-blocked vest, black pants, black tank, and strappy booties (see look above) and all items are from Catherines. (You'll want to note that Catherine's goes up to a 5X and a size 32W.  Catherines is a good place to look for pants and denim, especially if you have a hard time finding those items). I wanted to keep it casual and comfortable for the first day.  Soon after our arrival, we dashed off to lunch at a swanky little farmer's market where they had all of the nom-noms. The rest of the evening we chilled at the pool and jacuzzi.  Some of you guys saw everything happening on Snapchat (@garnerstyle), but I really loved the swimsuitand striped coverup I wore.  It fit great and had the right amount of support. As we off to our rooms for the night, I was told there was a 4:30 am call time and that what we were doing was a surprise.  

The next morning I was informed that we would be going on a hot air balloon ride. This is a bucket list item for a lot of people and thought it was a cool thing to do, but I will be completely honest and let you know that I was scared. Just a note, I am scared of my own shadow, so there's that. HA! I did get to a Facebook live from the balloon so that you can check that out here. It was super cool to be able to do that.  I know a lot of you on Facebook wanted to know about the ride, the weight limits, and if this is something that you can do while plus size.  I got the 411 fromKellie B (AndIGetDressed) on the logistics.  So from what I was told she called around to quite a few hot air balloon companies to verify a couple of things.  The first was safety.  The company she went with had not had any hot air balloon accidents in the 40 years that they were in business.  I know there was an accident not to too long ago, so you want to check around, call and read reviews about the company you choose.  The second thing she asked about was weight limits.  Essentially, instead of being part of a larger group we had our own air balloon.  With different companies, there can be weight limits and the weight in the balloon need to be distributed as evenly as possible.  Because almost everyone in the balloon was plus size, a balloon that is supposed to hold 8 or 10 people only held six people.  From what I gathered, you may want to try to rent out a balloon with friends as opposed to trying just to pay per person to ride. When are paying per person and riding with other people that are where the weight limits come into play. Also, don't give up and call around.  With a little due diligence, I'm sure you can find a company that will accommodate you. The ride itself is a very smooth. The takeoff and landing are equally as smooth. It is a better than an airplane ride. The only thing I would tell you to watch out for is the heat from the balloon fire and to wear sunscreen.  

On the hot air balloon ride, I choose to go casual again. I knew it was probably better that I was able to move and shake if I needed to.  HA! With that in mind, I wore patchwork jeans and an orange embellished top. Both items form Catherines, of course. I love love love these jeans.  I feel like the photo on the website doesn't do them justice. The jeans are so cute in person. Finally, we slipped over to for wine pairings at the Kendall Jackson Vinyard Estates.  We were surrounded by all the wine you could drink (please drink responsibly), a beautiful vineyard, and lovely scenery.   I love a good red wine, so this was right up my alley.  I decided to go with a flow-y Moroaccan  feel with my look. I pair a the black/white dress with the soft jeans from Catherines. I must say I felt a little regal.

The trip overall was wonderful. If you ever get a chance to stay at the Farmhouse Inn, I would highly recommend it.  The accommodations are just so luxurious, and the turndown cookie service made my nights there. 













Outfit Details:  Swimsuit (soldout), Swim Cover, Patchwork Denim, Orange top, Colorblock Vest, Black Pants, Black Tank, Black Dress (sold out)

Thank you Catherine's for sponsoring this post. 
Photos by Christina Emilie
Check out the hashtag #CatherinesgoestoSonoma for more pics.
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What To Wear: Last Hurrah

September 5, 2016, 9:43 am
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A beautiful combination and a good way to say farewell to summer and hello to fall.  Who say's you can't wear white after Labor Day? Get the details by clicking below.




Cardigan: Melissa McCarthy 
Dress: City Chic 
Bag: Hermes
Footwear: Steve Madden

About DeShaundra of StylebyDNicole - Style by D. Ni'Cole was created by De'Shundra Gibson in April of 2014, introducing social media to a new and creative form of approaching fashion through the eyes of the everyday woman, versus just celebrity fashion.  Find more style inspiration by StylebyDNicole here on Instagram and her website. 
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Home Decor Heaven: Z Gallerie

September 6, 2016, 10:47 am
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If there is one home decor store I could spend my life in, it is Z Gallerie, so when they asked me to partner with on their Z List ambassador program I was definitely excited.  Myself and three other amazing influencers will be bringing you fashion for your home by sharing our favorite Z Gallerie picks for each season. Last year, I purchased my couch from them and it is my first grown-up furniture purchase.  It can take forever to get rid of college furniture and it's even harder to convince your husband why the couch he has been sleeping in, rolling on, living his life on, and that you have "Febreezed" for the last time that it should be replaced.  I could go on about that battle forever, but let's get into these fancy home duds. 





By far, my favorite piece is the golden giraffe...because golden giraffe.  I mean who doesn't want that in their life. I am a fan of gold and this piece just is so chic.  My second favorite is the Arabella decanter.  I tend to stick with gold when it comes to my bar area, so this decanter fit right in.  One thing you wouldn't know about this decanter is how heavy it is.  It's just so sturdy (for the clumsy folks) and is such a conversation piece.  In my boxes, also came what I like to call faux candles that are sure to set the ambience without a match. Finally, we get to the Carlo bookends. I love reading, but I am also a fan of decorating with books. It can also be an inexpensive way to decorate.  Add some thrifted books to some fancy bookends and your home instantly looks swanky.  What is your favorite piece??? 




Z Gallerie items mentioned are courtesy of Z Gallerie. 

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Fall Transition For Less With Ross

September 16, 2016, 5:20 am
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I got deals on deals on deals. HA! I peeped into Ross Dress for Less this past weekend to do a few updates for my fall wardrobe and I found some really cute pieces to effortlessly integrate into my closet.  The piece I'm most excited is the cropped faux leather jacket.  A good cropped jacket is hard to find. For a cropped jacket to work, it has to hit you in the right area.  Too long or too short and it can make your proportions look off.  Welp, no worries with this one!  I'm in love! It hits me perfectly and only costs me  $40.  The skirt, also purchased at Ross Dress for Less, was only $12 and fits me perfectly.  It's so good, the material is nicely weighted and it hugs the curves perfectly.  These are two pieces that you can rock separately or together, so there's room to get a lot of wear out of the items.  Finally, I am so excited about my bag. I picked it up from $30 in the Ross in Honolulu.  Can you say tassel love? It's so cute and has that bag shape that a lot of the designer bags have. What are some of your amazing Ross Dress Less finds???




Style Notes:  I got the jacket in a 2x. It is lined, so that is always good with faux leather. I purchased the skirt in a 3x and it fits like a glove. 






This post is a part of my Ross Dress for Less partnership, all opinions are my own. 
Photography: Jesse Campbell
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Santorini & Friends

September 19, 2016, 9:25 am
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I was invited to Santorini by Gabifresh to celebrate her 30th birthday. I'm not a mushy person, but I felt honored to be asked and to share this milestone in her life in such an amazing way.  Gabi and I became friends a few years ago. We share a lot of commonalities like background and blogging, but more important than that she is really an awesome person in character and in the plus size space.  I admire her honesty, integrity, and drive. Whether you know or not, she always advocates for women and has helped so many women, including myself, in the influencer space. She is a friend that doesn't mind me calling to bounce an idea off of her or share something confidential to get it off my chest.   With that being said, I don't want to embarrass her, but I know there is just so much that a person can convey online, but yes, she is even more awesome in person. I think you can always judge a person by the people that are around them. I got to share this experience with 14 other fabulous human beings, a lot of whom I didn't know, but that I missed immediately after leaving.  Okay, okay, so let's move past the mushy stuff and onto some trip details. 



I want to do a breakdown of the trip, so if you ever consider going you'll have some help guiding you there. 

Accommodations: Everyone wanted to know where we stayed. So it was one of the white stone places that you always see in the photos of Santorini called Villa Fabrica.  This place was gorgeous!!!! I can't gush over it enough.  It's like a mini hotel and great for groups. It reminded me of my experience in Jamaica where we got a villa for 12 there (just a budget note, it is easy to stay in luxurious accommodations when you have the numbers to be able split the cost).  Villa Fabrica has 8 bedrooms, 3 pools, a chef's kitchen and panoramic views.  There was a chef that came in for Gabi's birthday dinner and the chef's kitchen provided the space to make that happen.  I heard from someone Villa Fabrica was the second highest point on the island, so that gives you an idea of the view. Staying there was like staying at a mini castle.  The only downside to staying there was the steep uphill walk to the Villa. It was literally on top of the hill. When I was reading the reviews that seemed to be the only drawback that people had to say. In a keeping it real moment, I was the fattest person there and my knees suck because of a ACL tear that I did some years back.  With that being said, I've been working for the last month to strengthen the muscles around my knee, so that helped a lot.  I was able to get back and forth up the hill, but it may have taken me a little longer than everyone else.  Because Santorini in general has a lot of steep hills, if you aren't used to doing a lot of inclined walking then I think it would be a very good idea to get your body used to that type of walking 1-2 months before you go.  If you can help it, you don't want any mobility issues to keep you from having an awesome time in this beautiful place. And know at the top of every hill is something worthwhile and amazing, so that rough hike up is soon forgotten. 

Santorini Yachting Club: Oh My Geez! I'm going to say this was my favorite part of the trip.  We did a private sunset boat cruise with the Santorini Yachting Club. This included a tour around that island, an delicious dinner, stops so that we could get out swim and snorkel, and watching the sunset on the water. This is another one of those things where if you have the numbers you can do a private cruise at minimal cost. I think it cost us $130 per person. The crew was magnificent, helpful and helped to make our time on the boat memorable.  As a person who gets motion sickness very easily I wanted to do this activity really badly, but I didn't want to be green the whole time.  To prep, I took Dramamine. I know it makes a lot of people sleepy, but I would rather be sleepy than nauseous.  I think the excitement of the boat ride warded off the sleepiness. I did get a little queasy, I actually took a 30 minute nap on the boat and felt fine after I woke up. My nausea was very minimal, so I was thankful for that.  The crew did have some gum for nausea, but they ran out before I could get a piece. 

Kamari Beach: We spent some time at Kamari beach which has some beautiful views of the island's coastline. You'll want to note that it is really rock and water shoes are a must. Although the rocks and sands are black the water is extremely clear.  I was swimming and looked down and saw my entire body. Just let me say that I am side eyeing the United States' treatment of our waters and beaches.  I swear we only see clear water here in Miami.  

Food: The food was so excellent in terms of quality (another U.S. side-eye) and taste.  Don't expect to be able to grab something quick here.  They don't really do fast food, a lot of the items are made fresh and from scratch.  Every morning, I ate greek yogurt like it was ice cream. LOL. The dairy there was just so flavorful and rich.  The feta cheese....TO DIE FOR! I found myself being obsessed with Greek salad, yogurt and feta cheese.  All the meals we had prepared via the Chef and the boat ride were just so good.  The seafood y'all! I could go on and on just know that the food will be so good. 


Clothing: We had guidance on what to bring for the group photos. Shout out to Azu, one of Gabi's friend is the "organizer friend." On trips like these you always need one person who is organized.  Anyhow, besides the looks we were asked to bring, I expected to be either be in a swimsuit or I wanted to wear some tourist-y/comfortable clothing.  I am a blogger, but honestly I didn't want to be a blogger on this trip. I just wanted to be comfortable, enjoy the sites, and not really worry about clothing. I think you can't take the blogger out of me at this point. Even in my effort to relax I still planned out a lot of looks...even if they were comfortable.  The cool thing about going on a vacation this late in the summer is that a lot of summer clothes were on clearance. I am going to run through my looks below:

  1. Yellow Maxi Dress - ASOS | Shoes - Lane Bryant (sold out)
  2. Black String Bikini - SwimsuitsForAll (sold out) 
  3. White Bikini (high waist) - Lane Bryant Top |Lane Bryant Bottom
  4. White Jumpsuit - JIBRI (sold out & super old)
  5. Red Swimsuit - Lane Bryant Top (sold out) | Lane Bryant Bottom 

You may have noticed I did a few of the Lela Rose x Lane Bryant swimsuits. I have another one that I often wear on snap. The fit and design are so good on these suits that I actually own three. As far as fit goes, they are probably my favorite for my body type. A lot of them are on clearance now, so if you wanted one and they weren't in your budget, they may be now.  

Santos Wines: I love winnnneeeee (in Oprah's bread voice)!!! Santos wines had refreshing wines, all of the cheese you could eat (and I mean all of it), and breathtaking views of the island.  We did a wine pairing. I love wine, but I am a light weight when it comes to drinking. I got through about three samples before I had to stop. LOL. 

Athens: I was in Athens briefly over night because of an early flight.  I stayed at Hotel Semiramis.  It was super swanky and super inexpensive. I paid $139 for a room with the view of the pool and a garden. I wish I could have gotten to enjoy it more, but I was so exhausted I passed out. I would definitely recommend. Their restaurant was so good. 

Thank you guys for hanging out with me via social media on my Santorini trip.  It was amazing to be able to include my social peeps along the way.  While traveling, I Snapped (via Garnerstyle), Instagrammed, and even did a Facebook live. I love sharing with you guys and it could give you a glimpse into a trip you might want to add to your bucket list.  If you want to see more photos from the trip check out the hashtag #gabithreezero on Instagram. I could probably post about 30 more photos, but I want this to be able to load on your computers. LOL.  











Santorini Crew (Left to Right): Azu, Ally, Cammie, Fluvia, Christina, Gabi, Nicolette, Monica, Drea, Ines, Me, Dannielle, Solange
Outfit & group photos by Lydia Hudgens.

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That Comfortable Bra For Going Out Or Staying In

September 20, 2016, 5:06 pm
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I want to be comfortable when I'm at home or when I decide to go out.  No one wants a bra that digs into you for either occasion.  Who says you can't have both comfort and lift in a bra. I found that in these two Vanity Fair bras.  Can I say I just love a snap front bra?!?! I love the convenience and ease of removing it. The Vanity Fair Beauty Back Lace Front Close Bra (the lavendar bra) is back smoothing and is extremely comfortable. 



I usually wear this bra when I travel and as a day to day. The black bra I have on is the Vanity Fair Beauty Black Lace Bra. It's pretty, comfortable and gives great lift. I can wear this bra for a night out or just as an everyday bra. You can find Vanity Fair bras at Macys, Kohls, Bealls, Sears, and JCPenney.  If you are in on of these stores just take a moment and try them on and feel the comfort.







This post was sponsored by Vanity Fair, all opinions are my own. 
Photograpy credit: Jesse Campbell
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Brunchin' and Traveling for the Low

September 27, 2016, 8:03 am
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How did I get through an entire brunch in a white dress and didn't spill anything?  It's safe to say that small miracles happen everyday. Ha! I was invited to go to a brunch hosted by Rene' from Own by Femme& Jess from HeyGorJess as apart of their Travel Love GrowTour.  If traveling is something you love or something that you would love to do more these ladies tell you how you can make it accessible even on a limited budget.

Personally, I have done trips on a budget where I just want to get away through Living Social and Cheap Caribbean (I've booked at least 3 times & they allow for payment plans), but I have also been able to do luxurious trips on a budget with large groups (12 - 15 people) where we've rented out a villa and the cost was under $1k per person.  I didn't start traveling until right before I turned 30.  I have a group of 4 friends that I travel with and we all commit to doing something once a year, if not more. Now, when I started traveling I was at a bit more stable financial portion of my life. I would have liked to have traveled in my twenties, but my priorities were elsewhere. The brunch was headed by ladies in their twenties and they said they just prioritized traveling over other things like going to the movies, going out, etc. Even in my twenties when I claimed to be broke, I actually spent money on clothes and partying (Lord knows LOL). So if you are in your twenties and want to start traveling then take a look at your budget and see what can be saved. The brunch was also great for tips on finding super cheap flights, great traveling apps, and so much more.  Check the flyer at the bottom to see if these ladies will be visiting your city. There is yummy food and great convo! You can find tickets at the bottom of this post here, just click on your city. 

Style Notes:  I don't have to tell you that I love this dress. It's Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant. Ugh, it's to die for. It's elegant, beautiful, and I can't wait to wear this again somewhere. The photos do this dress no justice.  I ordered a size 20 and it has a little give. I see the sizes are running out fast. If you are ever needing white dress for anything you may want to snag this one quickly. The only thing I will warn about is that the slit in the middle is high. I had to do a quick alteration right before the event where sewed some of the slit closed.  I will have it professionally done, but needed a quick solution. 

Self Acceptance Note:  Ugh, I have loathed my legs my whole life, but in the couple years I've worked towards accepting them and it's been grand.  Previously, I wouldn't have worn this dress, but now I not letting my legs hold me back. It's a great feeling. I felt so good in this dress.  





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What to Wear Wednesdays: Fall Palette

September 28, 2016, 2:54 pm
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Get details on the look below:



Dress: Macys ($20 off with code: MORE)
Jacket: Boohoo (40% off with code: ALL40)
Hat: Rag & Bone
Bag: Hermes

About DeShaundra of StylebyDNicole - Style by D. Ni'Cole was created by De'Shundra Gibson in April of 2014, introducing social media to a new and creative form of approaching fashion through the eyes of the everyday woman, versus just celebrity fashion.  Find more style inspiration by StylebyDNicole here on Instagram and her website. 
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Falling

September 29, 2016, 8:09 am
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Paid for by Macy's and Refinery29. Fall is here and I’m excited for the change of colors and wardrobe. Macy's has some great items to help you with this transition into your fall wardrobe. You can check Macy's out here. Wine is always a classic trend that I use to help me transition my wardrobe to the fall. 



With both of these looks I feel like the wine dress from Rachel Rachel Roy Curvy is an easy day to night transitional piece, especially with the Alfani vest added. The black peplum dress from City Chic is to die for I will always say that this type of dress easily looks good on a variety of body types. When transitioning into fall, I gear my purchases towards classic trends like peplum dresses and tops, classic fall colors, and fabulous layers. My favorite part of fall is layering. Adding a vest, coat, jacket, or blazer can bring a look to life. What are some pieces that you are adding to your wardrobe for your fall transition?

Style notes: I got the black peplum dress in a size 22. It has a good amount of stretch and the fabric is nicely weighted. There is boning in the bust portion of the dress, so that the top keeps it’s shape. The wine dress is a size 3x. There is good stretch and the dress is doubled layered. I got the vest in a 2x. 







Photography by Jesse Campbell. 
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Not Wearing Heels Doesn't Make You Any Less of A Woman

September 30, 2016, 9:16 am
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I spent my 20s in clubs wearing heels, dancing all night and then crawling back to the car, along with my girlfriends, in agony. A common joke amongst my friends and me was "Are my feet are bleeding?" I was young, I loved wearing heels and my feet, for the most part, could deal.  Now fast forward eight years after a knee injury (torn ACL), horrible balance and I won't have anything to do with any shoes over 2.5 inches and prefer to wear flats over anything else.   I am a fashion blogger, but I don't abide by the heel standard.


There is some unwritten rule that most people believe that you have to wear heels to be fashionable, sexy, and sometimes even a woman that is worthwhile.  It's not uncommon for me to receive commentary like,

"Those are old lady shoes?"
"Not those shoes with that dress."
"Do you ever wear heels?"
"That outfit would have been great with heels."

Let's just say these are comments that I received recently, but I just want to dissect them in not only what they say, but what they imply.

I wear a lot of boxed heel shoes, and they unofficially deemed the old lady heel.  The old lady shoe comment is problematic because in our society women over a certain age aren't seen as attractive, sexual, or vibrant.   I feel like this was the whole premise behind the Golden Girls.  You got to see women over a certain age be everything that society said they lost after a certain age.  Dealing in body positivity using "old lady" as a fashion insult isn't body positive.  On top of that, there are some "old ladies" that I would very much like to be like one day, Iris Apfel and Cicely Tyson regardless of their heel heights or shoe choices are vibrant and attractive.  Age shouldn't be used as an insult.

As mentioned earlier the "old lady" shoe comment usually refers to boxed heels; I wear boxed heels because I like them,  they are comfortable and will not cause me injury. Did you hear me? They will not cause me injury.  In a society where conforming to the heel standard is more important that one's health, I'm not interested in playing that game.  We see our pregnant celebrities struggling walking in them and women walking around unstable and ready to fall over.  Without getting too graphic, there are things on my feet that were caused by my heel wearing in my 20s that need to be surgically taken care of.  Heels screw up a lot of women's feet, backs, and bodies. So please excuse me if I don't want to be in pain and yes, these shoes with this dress.

I will often get, "do you ever wear heels?" I often think, why does it matter?  Does the woman who always wears heels get asked, do you ever wear flats?  There is always an implied standard that heels look better and make you prettier.  I like to think that my blog has shown women that if you don't want to wear heels or can't, that doesn't make you any less attractive, pretty, or any less of a woman. Let me say it again for the folks in the nosebleeds. Not wearing heels doesn't make you any less of a woman!

When someone says, that outfit would have better with heels, I just think, but it's great now. Wearing heels have been feed into our brains from the time we were young, and many can't see past that standard that has been set, but it doesn't mean that can't be changed.  Just adding a little perspective, I am a fashion blogger who blogs about plus size fashion.  Eight short years ago no one thought that anyone that wasn't thin could be attractive, but we have slowly changed that.

Finally, because I can't wear high heels, I've had to make fashion work regardless of that limitation.  Fashion makes it hard on the woman that doesn't want to wear sky-high heels but still wants something fashionable.  I search high and low for my shoes. It shouldn't have to be that way. There is also an implication on if you want shoes that over a size 10, wide width, that aren't high heels then you don't want shoes that are fashionable, but that's a whole other conversation. I get asked a lot about shoe options so I am putting some of my favorites below:


Disclaimer:  Let me say, that I am not leading a brigade against heels, but I am saying that one should have the choice (and be left alone in that choice) in whether they want to wear high heels or not.  More importantly, they shouldn't be made to feel any less beautiful, attractive, or sexual if they choose not to partake. 


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