Fashion Finds

I don’t know what happened (probably a lack of self-control) but I found this cute purse at TJ Maxx during the holidays while shopping for my nieces. The bargain is it was $19.99. I could not pass it up is the lie I told myself.

And then there is a place I haven’t shopped at since they were supposed to be closing. JC Penny for the win. 70% off these items.

Turquoise Robe and matching sleep shorts.

I thought it was a great idea to purchase this for warmer weather and vacation. Especially at this price. I often buy things in the off season.

A lounge wear option for the spring, summer, and vacation.

This one is from Target. It wasn’t a huge discount but, it was worth the price because of the size. When I moved, I got rid of, donated, so many clothes and shoes. This included old or worn-out pajamas and t-shirts. I did the same thing when I put away my spring/summer clothes.

I lost my favorite 24-hour hot/cold water bottle that I like to keep by my bed in the move. I bet I will find it now lol.

Well, thanks for letting babble about my bargain and fashion finds. There’s more to come.

~Nikki

Thrifts, Consignments, and Clearance from a Fashionista

Thrifted shoes and purse

Good Saturday (Rainy and Beautifully Gray here in Memphis, TN) Morning to you! I hope this post finds you well. I thought today would be a great day to share some thrifts, clearance and consignment finds. Enjoy!

I picked up the shoes and purse at a local consignment shop. This was my attire for last Sunday. The top is a Vince Camuto find on clearance and the skirt is from Target. The earrings I found at a yard sale.

The maxi sundresses and hats above and below are from (drum roll please) WAL-MART! The sundresses were $7 each and I have 4 of them. The hats were $5. The swing dresses and shorts were all $5! I bought a few dresses for family and THEY HAVE POCKETS!!!

I stop by this small town Wal-Mart often when I pick my daughter up from school. It’s my secret spot that often have hidden gems.

Last Sunday at my home church with a photo bomb my mask!

~Nikki

Getting Thrifted Lifted!

Thrifted purse. It doesn’t have a label so I have no idea of the designer but, it is well made!
A very nice Lands’ End Jean Skirt! Oh I see boots and skirt for Fall and Winter!
A pair of Clarke’s. Enough said. And they were on clearance for 50% off.

Who doesn’t like quality and a clearance. Stein-mart is going out of business,sadly due to the pandemic.

~Nikki

A Weekend Of FASHION CONFETTI

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I have three friends that have birthdays in the month of January and they are all back to back. I had to prepare myself for three events mentally, physically, and FASHIONABLY!

Plus, there was a concert I had tickets to that Sunday. Just know that everything I wore was an item I purchased at a reasonable price, thrifted, or on clearance! I already had these items in my closet.

(last weekend)

Thursday:

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Friday

Saturday

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Sunday

I needed all of this week to recover! And today is the first day I woke up with minimum pain. I had a flare up this week. Three days of restlessness due to pain-somnia (insomnia) due to pain, anxiety, and yesterday depression. Whew! Yet…joy came this morning.

~Nikki

Vegas, Fashion, and RA/RD

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It’s a yearly tradition now for some family and friends of ours to visit Vegas for a little getaway. I haven’t given it up yet because of Rheumatoid and Fibromyalgia, but I have learned to adjust and prepare. We visit the sites, shop, walk the strip, party some, and dine. We relax and recoup. Some from a heavy night of partying and me, from the toll of doing more than the usual activities and from wearing heels!

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The things I did differently were:

  1. I didn’t forget my hot/cold pack
  2. I brought flats, fold-able flats that fit into my purse for the nightlife. I wore them to walk to and from the club and event. When I was at the event I took of my heels and put on my flats. Same thing to see an entertainer at the club. I was not as nearly as swollen or in pain as I was last year!
  3. I lowered a pair of my heals, but I didn’t compromise cuteness. The red heels in the first photo are from Target.
  4. I used gel inserts for heels.
  5. I didn’t try to cram 100 events into our day and I left evenings open for rest or doing whatever one wanted to do.

This really helped as far as my health and well being was concerned. I was not stressed or in so much pain I couldn’t enjoy my getaway. I didn’t feel like I was holding my family and friends back from doing what they wanted to do (Although, they constantly checked on me and I didn’t mind that at all). They never complain about me and show compassion and understanding if anything. I try to be calm so they will be calm and not worry. I can take care of myself most of the time. 🙂

Jeans, my 49er gear, and black Nikes with orthopedic approved inserts. Listen, I don’t care what age you are, taking care of your feet will benefit you in the long run and it will prevent or help improve your daily activities. I never wore heels everyday when I had the opportunity to do so. I only wore them occasionally during the week and mostly on the weekends. I don’t need heels to grocery shop or to shop at the mall. It’s foolishness at it’s best. And I am a shoe addict. However, there is no honor in ruining your feet for fashion and suffering unnecessarily thinking it’s the only way to look good everyday.

The red heels with the chunky heel are from Target and are trendy right now.

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Both dresses were ordered from Amazon. Yes, Amazon and were about $25 each. I took a HUGE gamble here. I read the reviews to order a size up, which I did and I am glad I did! Also, there were photos and stories of clothing not being well constructed, arriving ripped, and even with deodorant stains!!!! (faints) However, I went with the ones with the best reviews and photos to see what it may look like on. I am glad that plus size women  posted and gave their sizes because it gave me more accuracy than someone that is not near my size. I also looked at when the reviews were written.

The dresses arrived and I tried them on. They fit. I had to pin the black one and I had to snip some thread hanging on the olive green one. Other than that, nothing fell apart and I didn’t have any wardrobe malfunctions. I accessorized with what I had. I’m always looking ways to save money! Vegas can get expensive when it comes to food and drinks.

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Speaking of food, we made it to Diablo’s this year. We had been trying to go there each time, but ended up somewhere else. The food was delicious. The service was great. I also at at Bobby Flay’s Mesa inside of Caesar’s Palace. The chicken and black bean quesadilla was better than I expected and I expected it to be good. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! The service was great, also. I have no complaints about my dining experiences in Vegas.

Vegas is loads of fun and we visited the Shark Reef aquarium in Mandalay Bay. It has more than sharks! I have video of the sharks but was unable to load them to this platform. The architecture, the other ocean and wildlife were worth the visit. It’s great for adults and children.

 

I enjoyed Vegas as always and I hope I can continue the tradition started by my brother and I.

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~Nikki

 

 

Fashion Confetti: Fashion Find

Oh yes! It was a steal! 72% off the original price. The dress is by Thalia’s. I got it from Macy’s on the clearance rack (where I mostly live). the bag is by Jessica Simpson and it’s the perfect everyday black bag for me! It’s from TJ Maxx and the shoes are also from there, by Calvin Klein. Why spend a lot of money if you don’t have to if you can still walk away with quality clothing? I love a sale and a clearance rack!

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Bra Review & News for D Cups and Up

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If you have ever shopped Dillard’s for the Cabernet Bra Line you know by now they stopped making them. I was in the store when I discovered this and had a mini meltdown. It was the affordable line (and by affordable I mean under $45) and it was a good everyday bra. I was not willing or able to pay an arm and a leg for boobs. Oh I know it takes more material, etc. etc. for us with big breasts. I get it. We are just now on the verge of beautiful colors and prints. I had been searching for alternatives and saving up for another bra. Yes, saving up. I bought one from a plus size store. It fits, but it hurts after a few hours. Even specialty stores didn’t have my size and when they did…an arm and a leg.

Well, I was in Dillard’s last night and it popped in my head (via the Holy Spirit maybe? Sheer intelligence and curiosity?) to ask the sales lady, “So, what replaced the Cabernet Bra Line?” She said “Oh, Dillard’s has come out with the Modern Movement Bra Line to replace their Cabernet Bra. You should have seen the heavens open up, light shine down around us, and angels sing when she said this to me. She guided me to the line and explained everything. I tried one on and I was “well pleased” enough to buy two!

Here is my review:

 

The bras have been redesigned and reconstructed for better support and comfort. The red circle shows a different in stitch and I am no expert, but I believe this is to help with the lift. Also, the material is different and better in my un-humble opinion. The stretchy redesign on the side of the bra, under the armpit is fantastic and provides stretch and comfort. I like this because one of my boobs is slightly bigger than the other. And with this bra it adjusted immediately! No more adjusting that one boob!

 

Slightly wider straps. Just enough to secure. And on the inside of the bra is extra material. This was not in any of the old bras. I am not sure the purpose, but I am sure the designer knows what she/he is doing.

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Immediately, you will notice the different design. It is almost like a M shape. When I stepped in front of the mirror I was delighted. And did I mention the material is different? They also have gotten the wireless version in that was so popular with many. I am going to try it, too. I haven’t had much faith in wireless bras.

You can order online if there is not a Dillard’s near you!

Thank you, Dillard’s. Thank you so much!

~Nikki

Weekend Confetti!

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WOW! What a weekend! I met one of my favorite, most influential authors of all time and got the last book of a series signed. I met Kimberla Lawson Roby! It was her book Casting the First Stone that led me to believe it was possible to be a Christian and still write novels with a spiritual undertone. My novels may be a bit more unconventional as far as most Christians would think, but I am not really concerned about that! I have my own path to take. Anyway, I was over the moon and treasure the book and the moment. My daughter was there to help me stand in a very long line. Some day I’ll be signing books!

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I also went out for cocktails and small plates with…brace yourself, my daughter’s father mother….and his wife. Yep. You read that right. As a single parent, the road has not always been easy and neither are the relationships involved with raising my daughter. Some of our thoughts, actions, and ways are different and well that makes for conflicts of interests. It was extremely rough starting out, but we try to get along and sitting down with all of together was a miracle within itself. Conversation, cocktails, and food made it a pleasant outing.

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Oh, yeah. I got a new hairstyle! Lol! I think it may last for a few weeks. Natural hair can be a challenge. Especially, for someone like me who has Rheumatoid Disease and Fibromyalgia. Which took a toll on me by the time Sunday rolled around. I felt so bad, but I am grateful for the two days, Friday and Saturday, in which I had little discomfort. Sunday was very difficult and I am feeling better on today. I hope you enjoyed your weekend, too!

~Nikki

Confetti Travel: Thrifting Orange Beach

 

What could be better than getting an awesome deal on a condo on the beach? Well, saving more money by shopping at a local thrift store! I saw it on the way to our beach condo and I knew I was coming back before I left. I am glad I did!

The name of the thrift store is Island Thrift. Very, very friendly staff. A clean store and the best part was it’s inclusive of plus size girls like me! I found clothing, jewelry, and some sort of huge wooden, palm structure that barely fit into my brother’s SUV. Needless to say he was puzzled when I returned his vehicle but, he also knows I like odd things! And never question a woman’s purchase. She has a plan for whatever she bought somewhere down the line lol!

 

 

I also got tanks tops and a necklace made of wood. Yes, I had an armload of items and I would have gotten more! My cousin also left with an armful of items. She’s a thrifter, too and we were both floating on a shopper’s high as we left. I will blog the items when I wear them soon. I have already worn the red striped sundress and it fit perfectly!

Thanks Island Thrift!

~Nikki