Good Row Clothing

Alright guys, I have a really strange story to tell y'all today.  Last night, I got pickpocketed for the first time...in the suburbs.  I mean, talk about irony.  I lived in NYC for 2 years and Baltimore for god knows how long, and I've NEVER gotten robbed.  Then, last night, somebody bumped into me at Walmart and totally jacked my wallet.  I was standing by the dairy section when I realized it was gone.  I totally flipped out!  Someone directed me to the manager, and she told me to call the cops.  I got in touch with them, and they told me to wait up front.  I was actually really surprised that they got there so quickly - mad props to them.  Anywho, after I told them what happened, they took down my number and told me that they'd hit me up!  I was waiting in the car, pissed at Bank of America for making me wait so long - I was trying to cancel my credit cards - when I got a call from the officer saying he found my wallet (!!!!!!)  

Apparently, the thief took my wallet, opened it, stared at it for a few seconds, then zipped it back up, threw it to the side near the exit, and left. Insert a huge WTF here, ha.  Yeah, I don't know what happened.  I was carrying $100 in cash along with gift cards but nothing was missing.  It was all very strange. Well, I guess I have really good luck? Anywho, lesson learned.  Always, always, always keep your guard up!  I was/am hyper alert in NY and Baltimore but didn't think twice about a tiny suburban town.  

Anywho, that's that.  Let's talk fashion now!  I'm partnering up with Good Row Clothing today on Sensible Stylista for my OOTD.  Based in downtown LA, their clothing is classic yet distinct, and as a HUGE plus, they're socially responsible - they donate 10% of their profits to the homeless.  In fact, as of 1/13/16, they've donated $837.51 to the Downtown Womens Center in LA.  They give to the aforementioned organization because they're located near Skid Row, and they want to do more for their neighbors.  They've also partnered up with Carbon Checkout so that their customers can purchase carbon credits ($1 = 147 lbs of Carbon Offset) to offset the environmental impact of their purchase - their carbon funds are currently backing the MP Greenwood Landfill Gas to Energy project.  

For today's look, I centered my OOTD around Good Row Clothing's sleeveless a-line.  Made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, this dress is super soft and cozy. It kind of feels like felt?  It's hard to describe, but it feels nice, like I'm wearing a (really fashionable) blanket or something, ha.  As a plus, this dress is flattering for all body types. Remember my article "9 Ways to Hide Muffin Top with Fashion?"  This is a great example of no. 6.  

I styled my top with a cropped cardigan (I've had it for years now)!  I thought about wearing jewelry but passed on it because of the cowl neckline. I could've thrown on a pendant necklace but thought it'd look better without it.  I carried my fave bucket bag (from Marc Jacobs) and threw on nude heels to elongate my legs.  Note: I'm wearing Hanes tights for additional warmth!  

Dress:  c/o Good Row Clothing || Bag:  Marc Jacobs || Cardigan:  Cache || Heels:  Kate Spade || Tights:  Hanes

9 Ways to Hide Muffin Top With Fashion

Alright guys, let's be real.  It's wintertime, and many of us - ahem, me - have packed on a few extra pounds.  To be honest, I've always been really self-conscious about my mid-section, even when I was super in shape  - I was a fitness nut back in NYC circa 2008!  No one could tell because I looked fine, but it didn't matter because I wasn't happy with my body.  I've always wanted to reach the Hollywood standard but was too lazy and undisciplined. I'm taking major steps to change that all now, but I'll save that conversation for another time.  In the meantime, I'm going to drop some serious knowledge on y'all! Obviously, the best way to beat muffin top is to exercise, but the second best way is to read my post, ha!  Just to be clear, this post is NOT about body shaming - I believe beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.  So, without further ado, let's get crackin':

1.  High-waisted bottoms are a godsend.  Think of them as your wardrobe BFFs - reliable, comfortable, and flattering.  They mask your midsection by highlighting your natural waist while conveniently elongating your legs. Trust me when I say you want to avoid low-rise cuts like the plague.  Unless you have zero back fat, they'll cinch and accentuate your bod in the worst way possible.  If you're not a fan of the high-waist, try mid-rise.  It's not quite as forgiving, but it still works.  Note:  I actually mentioned this tip in my article, "How-to: Look 10lbs Lighter."

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2.  Throw on a pair of spanx.  This may be a no-brainer for some of you, but I'm listing it anyway.  If you don't own shapewear at this point of your life, you need to go pick some up stat because you're missing out, like, this is where the party's at.  You will seriously look a size (or two) smaller with it on, and it looks super natural because it magically smooths your figure out.  I personally like high-waisted boyshorts, but camisoles work well too.

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3.  Avoid cropped outerwear altogether.  Fight muffin top by covering it up!  A long cardigan will do wonders for your bod.  It'll elongate like whoa while camouflaging your midsection.  If you want more shape, belt your cardi for an hourglass silhouette!  A fitted blazer will also do the trick, and as a plus, you'll instantly add polish to your look.  

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4.  Don't wear clingy tops.  Go for loose - but not baggy - pieces that have movement. Make sure you pay attention to draping.  Your top should have weight to avoid a potentially unflattering fit. Thick, structured tops are extremely forgiving.  Slinky materials, on the other hand, will enhance bulges. Stick with forgiving fabrics like chiffon and purchase a few long tops as well.  They should hit you mid-thigh to slenderize your thighs and cover your midsection.  

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5.  Go for pieces with empire waists. They emphasize the narrowest part of your upper body, which in turn draws the eye away from your midsection.  Try wearing a peplum top - it's super girly and cute! If that doesn't really float your boat, you can create a similar illusion with flashy jewelry.  Throw on an eye-catching necklace to call attention to your neckline instead of your problem area/s.

6.  Rock a dress! In my opinion, they're far more flattering (and comfortable) than pants anyways. Keep an eye out for cute shifts and a-lines.  If you're not a fan of boxy silhouettes, no worries!  You can always throw on a skinny belt to create an hourglass figure.

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7.  Sport darker colors up top.  Actually, when in doubt, just wear black, ha.  Just kidding but not really. I'm not going to elaborate on this rule because I think it's self-explanatory, but there's one thing you should keep in mind.  All black is obviously hella flattering, but you can wear the color strategically as well. If you're heavy up top, wear a black dolman shirt.  If you're looking to minimize your legs/booty, throw on a pair of dark high-waisted bottoms. The contrast will amplify the color's effect.

8 Pieces, 8 Ways:  Part 4

8.  Size up.  It'll make a huge difference - you'll look hotter and feel so much more comfortable. Frankly, I don't get why people obsess over sizing. Wear what looks best. Period.  It's not like you have your size printed on the front anyways, and even if you did, who cares?  If someone gives you flack about your body, it's a reflection on them, not you.

9.  Colorblock like nobody's business.  Choose pieces with black paneling on the side! They'll shave off serious pounds.  

I hope you guys find these tips helpful!  I'd love to hear your tricks so make sure you comment below!  Also, I'm currently taking requests for posts so let me know if you want me to cover something in particular.

Workwear Wednesday: The Checkered Coat

Alright guys, it's time for another office-friendly post!  I centered today's look around my new skirt courtesy of Grey State.  This piece is a wardrobe fave because it's super comfy yet sophisticated!  If you're a fan of James Perse, you'll absolutely love GS's line.  They do such a wonderful job with luxe casualwear.  Anywho, I paired my new skirt with a casual gray crop for comfort. I then threw on a checkered coat and scarf on top to tie everything together.  I made sure to stick with a simple color scheme for max polish.

Scarf:  Old Navy || Coat:  OASAP || Bag:  YSL || Shoes:  Wild Diva || Skirt:  c/o Grey State  || Shirt:  Charlotte Russe || Tights:  Hanes