I Go Out Walkin'

Exercise is like this hormonal she-demon. Bitchy, painful, irritating, scary. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really hate exercising. 

But I'm doing it anyway. 

As a plus size woman, I have health concerns that need to be addressed, and I'm logical enough to know that exercise is going to be the key to unlocking my healthy sexy lady. 

This week is all about baby steps. I have climbed the stairs from my garage to my fourth floor apartment most days, and walked 1.6 miles this evening with a little stroll to a theatre on date night. 

Every person who has overcome great challenges started somewhere and started small. I guess this my somewhere. But let's be honest, I'm looking forward to the destination. And maybe I'll embrace the she-demon bitch along the way. 

Cheers, 

Sabrina 

Wear To Work

Some days I look at my closet sadly and think there is just nothing to wear, or I'm tired of everything in it. And some days I am hit with inspiration and just really love a look. This was one of those days. 

The dress is a simple black cotton dress I've had forever that I am pretty sure I picked up at Target. The blazer is definitely from Target (I just saw it in-store the other day, so it's still available if you want to pick it up). The belt is actually from a shirt I bought at Dress Barn a while back. I'm not a big fan of the shirt having worn it a time or two, but I l.o.v.e. this belt. 

The outfit is simple, yet interesting. I love this look so much I didn't want to take off the dress when I got home. I even rocked the dress sans blazer when I went out grocery shopping tonight. Cray-amaze y'all. 

I went jewlery-less today because I wanted the belt to be the focal point. 

Tell me about your favorite dress and how you like to mix it up! 

Cheers, 

Sabrina 

The Road So Far...

Okay. I haven't posted in months. But that doesn't mean I haven't learned anything over that time. Here are 10 things I learned about fashion and blogging over the past three months:

1. Not everyday is going to be a runway kind of day.
2. Work the wardrobe you have - mix and match and find the right things that work by shopping your own closet.
3. Blogging takes a SHIT TON of time people. Dedication beyond what I imagined.
4. I'm ready to give it another go.
5. A Sunday well spent brings a week of content. (I could literally write a book based on this sentence.)
6. Support comes in many surprising ways.
7. No matter how confident you are, some days being plus-size just downright sucks.
8. You have to get creative when it's HOT. Summer can suck it.
9. Not everything is beautiful, but there is beauty in every thing.
10. I'm ready to try this again. :)

Oh - and I'm all fancy and super social now. Check it out:
facebook.com/petitepluschic
twitter.com/petitepluschic
@petitepluschic on Instagram

If you have topic ideas, let me know!

Cheers,
Sabrina

My Favorite Accessory

This week has been quite amazing. I would have never dreamed of receiving such positive response from so many people about this blog! Thank you so much for everyone's incredible support.

Before I get to my look for today's blog, I have to share this word art my friend Autumn posted on Facebook earlier this week. I just adore it. I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to worry about things for far too long before taking action, when really I just need to make shit happen. It was a wonderful little reminder on Thursday morning.

Onto the clothes! I love this dress. I actually picked up last weekend on the clearance rack at JC Penney. JCP has a really great plus size selection that does not only include the over sized pastel old lady tops. I like that they have a lot of diverse looks that are both cute and modest.

 The dress is work appropriate and made me feel quite comfortable as I headed into an important meeting. The top is made of a silky-feeling material with a built-in tank, and the bottom half is a pencil skirt with some nice stretch to it.

I also really like that even though I'm petite, this skirt lands at just the right spot on my legs - just at the knee. Sometimes dresses like this can be too long and land past the knee, which can be cute, but often makes me look even shorter.

I added a few accessories, but one big wardrobe staple was absent. A blazer/sweater/wrap. I wore this look just like this out in public. Nothing to hide myself behind; to shield my back, stomach, or arms. I let the dress speak for itself.

My favorite accessory for this look was bravery. 

I did, however, pair it with a couple of other great accessories. This necklace is from Stella and Dot, and the green just brought the right amount of pop to this black and white outfit.

On my wrist I wore this very cute kissing fish bracelet that had the same kind of green and gold on my necklace. I don't always like to be matchy matchy, but for my taste, I enjoy picking out a color that I can connect in multiple ways in one outfit. 

Finally, I finished the look with a skinny patent leather black belt and nude wedges from Jessica Simpson that I got at Ross a few years ago. I adore nude shoes because they make my legs look longer, and I walk a little taller. 

The weather here has been interesting lately. It got into the mid-80s this week, which is insane for spring in Seattle. But by yesterday, it was starting to cool and get cloudy - hence the weird lighting and shadows in this picture. I think I might have to figure out some new options for where to get these shots soon!

While the weather made some shadowy shots here, check out some pics I took from an event I attended this week at the Columbia Tower Club. The Puget Sound is so dreamy. 

If you love the look, you can find similar pieces here:
Alyx dress from JC Penney / nude wedges / Stella & Dot necklace / kissing fish bracelet

Cheers,
Sabrina

What's Black, Blue, and Confident All Over?

Earlier today I saw the most amazing little word photo and it just made my day. For someone who is plus-size and always concerned about how I look...or probably more often what's wrong with how I look...this was such a great reminder.

So insecurities be damned, I'm going to rock it.

This was today's outfit. A little casual, a little professional, and a LOT comfortable.

The chiffon blue top was a Kohl's find a few months back. It's from the Jennifer Lopez collection and is super flowy and very forgiving.  I really love this piece because it has just a hint of detailing with the gold chain on the shoulder.







 However, this top is very flowy, which on my frame can make me appear bigger than I actually am, so I added a black stretch belt for some shape. Because I'm a little self conscious about my arms, (this pic of me with bare arms is a BIG DEAL people - CONFIDENCE!!), and I wanted to be work appropriate, I added this great black blazer to the look. I topped the whole thing over a pair of black skinnies from Old Navy. The Rock Star collection rocks my socks y'all. Finishing touches of my favorite Anne Klein wedges and a strand of pearls and voila! A comfy, casual, yet still appropriate work look.

It's beautiful in Seattle today so I was excited to take these photos on my balcony. Look at that tree in bloom! Also, my friend Aimee is always sending me incredible photos from our city and today is no exception. Check out the beauty of this warm spring day in Seattle. I mean honestly...

If you love the look, you can find similar pieces here: 
Jennifer Lopez top / black wide stretch belt from Target / blazer from Target / Old Navy The Rockstar Skinny Jeans / Anne Klein wedges / pearls from Wal-Mart (although honestly I would just go to a store and check out what's on clearance. I'm pretty sure this strand was a clearance find)


Remember - your best outfit is confidence, so rock it!

Cheers,
Sabrina

Swoon

Shut up shut up shut up shut up!

I visited my Instagram today (@petitepluschic) to check up on some of my fave plus size fashion bloggers, when......BAM! Lightening strike!

Georgina over at Fullerfigurefullerbust posted some lovely new finds from pinupgirlclothing.com. Girl looked good! She mentioned she was wearing my size so I thought I would hop over to check it out and DAMN! I am swooning over here.

Look at this dress! WHAT!?!? Excuse me while I gush a minute. First of all, this website allows you to choose your body type when browsing. I'm an apple, so I was thrilled to see these pop up. Next, the swing of the skirt gives me the feeling of femininity and the right amount of coverage of those trouble spots. I also love the cinched waste with the belt, the 3/4 sleeves....EVERYTHING people. This is such a perfect spring-time look and I can't wait to get my hands on one of these things. I could see pairing with a classic pearl necklace, some peep-toe pumps, and curls. Oh how I want to be a Stepford Wife.

This gem comes in 4 prints and sizes XL to 4X. If you prefer, there is also a short sleeve look-alike in several more prints.

I think I'll add this to my wishlist, darn some socks, and plan my next PTO fundraiser. June Cleaver, eat your heart out.

Cheers,
Sabrina

Willkommen!

Ahhh fashion - that elusive bitch. The blogger - always so put together. Plus sized fun - yeah but I'm so short!

I'm always looking for ways to mix up my wardrobe, but often struggle with innovative ideas. Sometimes it's because I've had the clothes for too long and can't get away from the way I've seen it work. Sometimes it's because I've had the clothes for too long and they are not looking their brightest anymore. Sometimes it's because I'm short. Sometimes it's because I'm plus-size. But all the time, it's a source of frustration.

So this brings me here to today. After hours of combing through fashion blogs, I'm taking the leap into one of my very own. A chronicle of my trials and tribulations as a petite plus-sized woman living and working in a business world.

Let's be clear, I'm really no fashionista. In fact, I'd say my style is pretty conservative, classic, straightforward, and more often than not business focused. My goal with this blog is to record my trials and tribulations as I invest in my wardrobe, remix what I've got, get brave, and get proud of who I am and what I look like TODAY. Not when that next diet works. Not in 6 months. NOW. Who the hell knows, I may even include some inspirational posts about finding, loving, and accepting yourself. Because if you don't love yourself now, you won't love yourself later.

I'd also say I'm pretty frugal when it comes to spending money on clothes. I get nervous about spending $100 on a blouse. Because WHY!?!?! I don't know what the future brings and I'm really trying to invest more, so we'll see where we end up. My hope is to be thoughtful about costs, but find good solid pieces that are diverse and quality. Sounds like there's an adventure ahead, so let's do this!

Cheers,
Sabrina