A Weekend Of FASHION CONFETTI

IMG_20200111_013811_519

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:

IMG_20200109_233433_034

 

Friday

Saturday

IMG_20200112_113327_113

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

75650523_10159090685828266_2733950626131083264_n

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!

75294197_10159086893838266_2159168089348898816_n

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.

75380497_10159090685943266_6628737020090908672_n

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.

77084699_10159091313413266_3737485991292698624_n

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.

75474036_10159082357508266_31194781262544896_o

~Nikki

 

 

Make Up Haul. On Clearance Of Course!

20190125_202844_Film1

Make up can be expensive and there is nothing better than beauty blogging when you can do it on a budget. Along with a few beauty products, here is some make up I got on clearance and marked down.

20190125_202820_Film1

I had to “face” it. I could no longer put off the fact that it was time for some new brushes, but I wasn’t going to go in depth or sacrifice quality. Plus, I’m not a MUA, but I like to put on make up every now and then. I found these at TJ Maxx for a reasonable price and the makeup was on the clearance rack. $4.50.

 

I found this at Target and I usually grab things like this in advance for Mother’s Day to give as gifts to single mothers. I got a few and one for myself! I tried the scrub and I do like it.

20190128_163057_Film1.jpg20190128_163115_Film1.jpg And while nosing around in basket on the end caps of Target, I came across all of this! Oh yes! I felt like I’d hit a mini haul scratch off ticket. Really great polish for less. I can’t recall paying full price for expensive polish unless I REALLY needed the color.

It’s time to clean put my make up drawers and add these finds in.

~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

Just a Little Make up! Fashionably Comfortable & Cute

IMG_20180420_184454

Well, if you have been following my blog you may know that I have Rheumatoid Diseases & Fibromyalgia. BUT, that will not stop be from being the fashionista I’ve always been. Trust, I get it from my mama! You don’t have to look like what you’re going through and you don’t have to spend a fortune or take 3 hours for make up! I just can’t! Not with these hands, arms, shoulders, and you get the picture!

Well, my nephew had a birthday party last Friday at the bowling lanes. It was a last minute decision for me to go. I quickly had to do something with my hair and with natural hair on a bad hair day it was a quick top knot. My lipstick is by Maybelline and the name of it is Violet Vixen. Of course eyebrows and mascara were applied but, no eye shadow. I always choose lipstick and mascara when I am in a rush. Done!

IMG_20180420_194825

I needed comfortable shoes so I chose my black and white Nikes. I searched my closet for my black and white purse that was given to me years ago. And well there you have it. Oh yeah, the blouse is one I bought on clearance at Target. It’s in under my tab Fashion Confetti in another post.

Enjoy your Thursday aka Friday Jr.!

~Nikki

Fashion Confetti: Clearance Quality Jewelry

img_20170210_171900img_20170210_172537

img_20170210_172114

The budget was $25 and I spent roughly $22 but the jewelry together is about $65 without clearance. Oh, yeah, $10 of my budget came from a Ellen Tracey zip up cardigan I sold at a consignment shop. 65% off plus another %20

~Nikki