Fashion and Friendship Friday (and a Giveaway)

Yesterday I had a big deadline for my full time job. I know I promised to work on finding a blogging, work and life balance and I'm not really doing that yet. The main paycheck won out over the last two weeks. I'm taking a three day weekend and I'm working on some fun things for next week. Behind the scenes I have been making some things happen. Today, my dear friend and blogger Alison, is giving away the beautiful Fortuna necklace (in either gold or silver, your choice)!! I read her blog, Wardrobe Oxygen, daily. Alison was one of the first bloggers I ever met in person.

Fortuna Necklace (three ways)

If you follow me on instagram, you saw this photo from the DC Goodwill gala. I'm wearing the Stella and Dot Pegasus necklace in this photo. We don't get to see each other as often as we'd like but when we do, it's always a great time. Alison is celebrating 10 years of Wardrobe Oxygen and I'm thrilled to celebrate her success and her wonderful blog.

Make sure you check out her blog and enter the giveaway!

Happy Friday Real Girls!

I'm Obesessed Thank You Very Much - Floral Pants

I decided to dip into my budget for next month and sprung for a pair of floral pants.  I couldn't stand it anymore.  I'd been obsessing over them and lusting after every pair that I saw.  I hope the ones I ordered will look great and fit.

The pants I ordered from Asos.  They are now out of stock.

I loved the pants I spied on my friend Alison of Wardrobe Oxygen.  I waited too long and they were no longer available in my size.  Finding chic floral pants in plus sizes, that don't look like something a grandma would wear is a challenge.  It's long been a mantra that plus size women shouldn't wear large prints on their larger areas.  Well you know I'm a rule breaker and thanks to retailers like Talbots and Asos there have been some good options but they are few and far between.  I'm so happy I snapped up these pants (even though they are crops).  Ankle pants were my first choice but I could get them.  These were on sale at Asos for $35 so I grabbed them.  Asos also has free shipping both ways. Hopefully, they'll fit but if they don't, I can easily return them.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Here are some of my favorite fashion girls and the way they are wearing floral pants.


Blair Eadie of Atlantic Pacific wearing DVF pants. Love the combination of stripes with the white jacket and fantastic shoes.

photo credit: Atlantic Pacific

Olivia Palermo and Blair Eadie in Top Shop pants, worn two different ways. The jacket on Olivia paired with the leopard pumps are to die for.  Blair added a cheetah top and a leather jacket. Fantastic!

photo credits: unknown and Atlantic Pacific

Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen wearing Talbots pants two ways. I always love Allie's easy style.  The chambray of one outfit and the stripes of the other make these outfits look totally different.
 

photo credit: Wardrobe Oxygen

Of course I'm hoping for some great styling options with my floral pants.  I have all of the elements to make lots of fun outfits.

Floral Pants

NOVA Fashion Week Luxe Lifestyle Event

Friday night I was fortunate enough to attend a fun fashion event with my sister.  NOVA Fashion Week hosted the Luxe Lifestyle Event.  The evening showed attendees a behind the scenes look at the goings on of NOVA Fashion Week.  Music from the band Bravenoise was a great backdrop to the fashion.  I'm definitely going to check out their calendar and catch them at a local club. We also got to try on some fun jewelry by Stella & Dot, munch on tasty cupcakes by Perfect Pink and try out organic skincare by Cosmetiques Laudun. We were also treated to a panel discussion by local fashion bloggers from CapFABB (I'm also a member). The highlight of the evening was the fashion show featuring Bien Abye by Dayanne Danier.

One of my favorite outfits. I love the print of the top and cut of the pants!

 
My full coverage of the event can be found here.  I covered the evening for GALTime.com.  I won my tickets via my friend Alison's blog, Wardrobe Oxygen.  I was thrilled that my sister could join me and she was an amazing trooper.  She stood by while I spent most of the evening taking photos and tweeting. LOVE her!

My fave Stella & Dot necklace (Femme Fatale)

It was so much fun to spend time with my sister and my blogger friends.  I got to meet some great new ladies and had a wonderful time.

Run on over and check out all of the details and the great fashion on GALTime.com.