Plus Size Fashion On a Budget

I was browsing through Torrid's website a few days ago and I came across this top:

I could not help the feeling that I had seen this somewhere, and that it looked very familiar. Then I remembered. It was one day at Walmart, the striped version was the one that caught the attention

though. (There are 9 colors to choose from)

 

I know the tops are not identical, Walmart 's version lacking the studs, which make Torrid's version special. (If you are artsy/crafty you could glue flat back studs into Walmart's top). The tops have a few similarities: color, overall shape, 3/4 length rolled sleeves, scoop neck. Torrid's fabric is challis, a nice fabric that has no stretch, while Walmart's is a polyester blend, similar to cotton, that has a stretch to it. 

For us plus size gal, a fabric's ability to accommodate to our curves or not can be a deal breaker, and that ability has a lot to do with the fabric. Because of the fabric difference Torrid's top is more flowy than Walmart's. 

Some may say that this tops are not similar, but they do look very similar to me. And in my world when $12.97 faces $42.50, the lower price will definitely win (though I still need to try them on both) At the end of the day it will just be a matter of the personal taste and style that suit you best!

** Not sponsored.

Simple Skin Care

I used to have what most people like to call baby face. I got a zit now and then when my period was about to come but that was it. Throughout my teen years I didn't have a skin care routine because, honestly I did not think I needed it. As I grew older and started wearing makeup I felt I needed this so called routine to clean and moisturize my face. Back then I used to have combination skin.

I remember one day I was at Sears and the lady at Clinique stopped me, (nowadays I usually ignore cosmetic department ladies) She showed me how good the Clinique facial soap was by cleaning only one of my hands with it, and of course I was amazed at how clean and clarified the skin was on the hand she 'washed' versus the one she didn't and of course I dove in and bought their three step system. It was ok for a while, but my budget back then did not allow me to splurge in Clinique so I experimented with other brands like Clearasil and Clean and Clear. My skin never broke out with them so I kept using them.

Later on, as my budget allowed me to splurge some more so I tried the Philosophy line, which I love and still think they have the best facial scrub, the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash. The last five years I have been moving around, and somehow, exposing my skin into drastically different weather conditions has changed it, in a bad way. I moved from Minnesota to Florida, and that's when it got worst. My skin is now dry, and I keep getting this red patches with one or two whiteheads in my cheeks. I figured my skin had become sensitive so I decided to try Simple. I have been using the Moisturizing Face Wash and the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer for three days and my face feels very soft and the redness is going away. My face feels a little dry after washing and the moisturizer gives me a tingling sensation, but no bad reactions whatsoever.

To be continued.

** Not sponsored

Torrid's Fall Hit List

Here are some of Torrid's new items. Throughout these pieces you can see several, if not all of the colors from the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2013.

Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2013

According to Pantone this is the color palette for Fall 2013. At first sight there are some similarities with Fall 2012's palette , but this year the colors lean towards earthy tones.

I remember attending a conference about fashion trends forecast, and how expensive was to hire one of those 'forecasting' companies. In the end it's up to the designer to use a trend forecast as a guideline or base for designing a collection. I honestly think that creativity should have no restraints, and using a forecast as a guide is a double edged sword. Think of the weather forecast, how accurate it is? 

Color is different, flexible and playful. As long as the right color combinations are chosen. Even though most of the colors in this palette are more subdued and rich than last years, there are a few colors that pop like Vivacious, Mykonos Blue and Emerald. 

Read more about Pantone Color Report here.