Rules to Break: Plus Size Boho

Rules to Break: Plus Size Boho

Have you noticed that almost every time you see bohemian chic it's on a stick skinny woman? I'm starting to feel like there's an unspoken rule that curvy women, including plus sizes, should not wear festival-inspired, boho chic. I even had a gorgeous, curvy client ask me the other day if she was "allowed" to wear a boho style. Of course!! 

So today I'm here to say that I'm thrilled about the trend toward breaking that ridiculous rule. A site that has incredible options is ModCloth, which I typically love for retro looks, but they've got so many amazing styles for this summer, too! 

Via

They also have

Current Mood: Come On, Warm Weather!!!

Current Mood: Come On, Warm Weather!!!

Via

Via

Via

Via

Via

Amiright?!

Open Back Tops for Women Who Need to Wear A Bra

Open Back Tops for Women Who Need to Wear A Bra

Via

Add caption

Via

Around this time of year, every year, I start to stare longingly at pictures like these. They feel like summer to me--warm and free, open backs and all. Then I remember that I've worn a bra every day since I was 11 give or take a few days when I didn't leave the house or wore a bathing suit all day.

I just never thought I'd feel comfortable in a top with an open back, but lately I've been starting to put those mental images above together with some of these below.

Via

Via

Via

And this halter beauty, and this one! Do you smell what I'm cooking here? I think there's hope for wearing something like this

Via

with one of the gorgeous bralettes above. Of course I'm not saying we'll all be doing jumping jacks or anything because they're not going to give a ton of support, but it gives me hope for a boho kind of summer! Want more inspiration? I've got it here.

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Two Steps

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Just Two Steps

Add a Kimono

If you don't already have a kimono that you love, this is the place to start. I've been wearing my mom's vintage kimono from Japan for a few years, but there are also some great new ones out there. I purchased one this summer from TJMaxx, for example. The thing that I love about a kimono is that it's light and airy but also provides a light layer for a trip to the movies or on one of these fall days when the day is hot but the night is chilly.

Via Asos

Look for one with colors that you typically wear so that you can throw it effortlessly over jeans shorts and a t-shirt or a maxi dress. At this time of the year, I'd recommend that you look toward neutrals or dark colors because this is something you can easily wear over jeans or leggings in the fall and winter. See how the rest of her outfit is not boho, but she still just looks cool?

Or, go whole hog and boho up the whole getup!

Desert Wanderer Kimono

Layer on Necklaces

Part of the appeal of this laid back style is that it feels gathered, not pre-conceived or pre-fab. If you've got this much to layer on laying around at home, do it up.

Via Style Lovely

If not, or if you'd rather dip your toe in the trend instead of jumping in, look around for a couple of necklaces to wear at once.  This Etsy store has some real beauties.

Enjoy your Monday! I'm trying to get my voice back after a few loud nights in Charlotte this weekend and nursing my sunburned face. It was supposed to be cold at the football game, but joke was on us! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too.

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Just a Few Steps

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Just a Few Steps

Add a Kimono

If you don't already have a kimono that you love, this is the place to start. I've been wearing my mom's vintage kimono from Japan for a few years, but there are also some great new ones out there. I recently purchased one from TJMaxx, for example. The thing that I love about a kimono is that it's light and airy but also provides a light layer for a trip to the movies or dinner in a chilly restaurant.

Via Asos

Look for one with colors that you typically wear so that you can throw it effortlessly over jeans shorts and a t-shirt or a maxi dress. At this time of the year, I'd recommend that you look toward neutrals or dark colors because this is something you can easily wear over jeans or leggings for fall. See how the rest of her outfit is not boho, but she still just looks cool?

Or, go whole hog and boho up the whole getup!

Unleash Your Inner Wild Child

Unleash Your Inner Wild Child

On Saturday, I had the joy of styling the fashion for a photo shoot with my dear friends Hannah, Lauren, and Ashlynn. You see, every now and then we decide to get together with creative friends in the area for a collaboration we call You Sparkle to make some beauty together. (We hadn't done a shoot together since Valentine's Day!)

Here are some behind-the-scenes shots from Hannah and my iPhones. I can't wait to share the professional shots from Lauren's camera with you! I absolutely loved the wild woman in the woods vibe we created.

How to Pack the Perfect Bag for Vacation: By Theme

How to Pack the Perfect Bag for Vacation: By Theme

Yesterday, we talked about one way to pack: by color. Today, I'm excited to share with you a second way to pack the best vacation bag of your life! This is an idea I put into practice this summer when we went to the Outer Banks, and it's packing by theme. In this case, think of things like boho chic, nautical, sporty, preppy, or edgy. I find that the theme can be dictated by the type of trip you're having. If you'll be rafting or biking, a sporty style is a natural fit. For many trips, a boho look helps you to feel relaxed and at ease. I chose this style for our trip because I didn't want to wear anything constricting or anything I'd normally wear to work.

You might look through your clothes if you're not sure what theme you'd like to pick. Get a sense of what types of clothing you have that you'd like to wear. Then, follow the same practice as yesterday. First, pull out everything that you own that's right for the season that fits your theme.  

Here, a nautical/preppy theme worked well for me because I have so many stripes! This would be a great bag to pack for a weekend trip to

Feelin' Groovy

Feelin' Groovy

I was spoiled by a short week last week, weren't you? There's something about the smell of salt water on my skin that I just can't get enough of. I wish we were back on vacation! I loved the clothes I brought with me on vacation, which were all inspired by a bohemian vibe. I've gathered more inspiration here. You'll also find all the links for these images!

Unpacking my suitcase got me wondering: how can I maintain this relaxed, boho look while in the office? Maybe grab a floral instead of a stripe? Maybe layer on a few extra bracelets even with a more formal outfit?

Friday Roundup: Romantic, Summery, Festival-Inspired

Friday Roundup: Romantic, Summery, Festival-Inspired

Gah, Urban Outfitters has the most beautiful, romantic, let's-go-to-Coachella pieces right now. If I had a smaller chest, I'd be buying several of their bra tops to wear under big, loose tshirts and tanks this summer.

Also? I'm in love with this trapeze dress in white and am currently figuring out where I can wear it to justify buying it. Things that come to mind are a trip to Thailand, Mexico, or a boho wedding. All invitations for those trips are very welcome! It was even better in person, and here's my iPhone shot.

In a similar realm of the imaginary, this cuff is incredible. If you're looking for a statement piece this summer, this should be it.

Much more affordable, but still gorgeous, is this stack of bangles.

Pair the bangles with this stunning red top.