The Pretty Pear

My summer essentials, part 2

Every morning, I roll out of bed, toss on some clothes, leash up the dog and go for a 30 - 60 minute walk around my neighborhood. As you can imagine, I'm not really strutting around in designer fashion. I carry a roll of poop bags and a baggie of liver treats. It's not very glam! And I definitely don't want to wear anything that I'll cry over if it gets dirty or sweaty. So I own a lot of t-shirts.

My favorite tees right now are the Old Navy Women's Perfect V-Neck Tees from the misses line. Old Navy's crazy vanity sizing makes it possible for me to wear the XXL with room to spare. These are not high quality, wear like iron tees. I like them because they're light weight and airy. At under $10 each, I just bought a bunch in different colors and barely made a dent in my credit card. They're not perfect but they get the job done.

If you're looking for something a little nicer, I like the entire Supima cotton line from Lane Bryant, especially the cotton shirred sleeve top. The cotton really is super soft and the colors are pretty. If you like your tees to have a slightly longer sleeve, you'll want to check this one out.

My summer essentials, part 1

Yes, I need a series of posts to cover things I'm into lately, I just keep discovering stuff I really like and I want to share the love with you! This post will be dedicated to skincare.  Where to start...

Clarisonic Mia
I've been wanting to try this thing for aaaaages so I really had to silence the little voice in my head that was screaming "I can't believe you're paying that much for a skincare brush!!!1!" If you want to splurge and have really clean skin while doing it, get a Clarisonic.

I like the Clarisonic Mia because the handle is smaller than the full size version and mine is pink. I got a little carried away with it at first and my skin was like oh hell no but I cut it back to once a day and now my face is happy and super clean. This is especially important in the summer when I'm piling on sunscreen, makeup and dirt from being outside more. Don't go overboard with it and your skin will thank you.

Jojoba oil
If I could fill a giant tub with warm jojoba oil and soak in it for an hour, I totally would. Throw in something lavender scented and you'd have to drag my ass out of there. I guess jojoba oil is so moisturizing because the size of the molecule is similar to the oil that your skin actually produces, so it will moisturize without making you oily or clogging pores, blah blah.

All I know is that mixing just a bit into my face cream makes my skin look and feel amazing. It's also perfect for mixing in with hair conditioner for a deep treatment or with your body lotion for extra awesomeness. What's even better is that I've had my bottle from acne.org for about two months now and I've only used a fourth of it.

philosophy shelter SPF 30
I'm one of those super pale people who turns pink and freckly after being out in the sun for a nanosecond. I really need to protect my skin to avoid an uncomfortable second degree burn situation but everyone should wear sunscreen. We all know this but how many people really do wear sunscreen every single day?

I think a big part of it is that sunscreen can be oily, stinky, and generally annoying. Shelter from philosophy is none of those things. It sinks it nicely, leaving a soft, matte finish with no smell. It's not waterproof but it's great for everyday use under makeup, etc. I guess it has peptides and stuff in it but I'm just after the non-annoying sun protection.

Random fat art spotting!

via www.zgallerie.com

The bulky shape of these Ballerina Figures adds to the dimension, extension, and light-heartedness of their poses. Oddly elegant, the exaggerated roundness of the sculptures highlights the precise movements involved in the plié pose and grants the Leaping Ballerina with the possibility of flight.

I was checking out Z Gallerie's furniture selection when I spotted these figures. I actually did a double take. Do these strike you as positive depictions of fat bodies in motion? On their own, they do for me but the description has me scratching my head just a bit.

What do you think?

Not your typical tee

I’m clearly into sequins lately. When I spotted this sequin knit top at Lane Bryant, I snapped it up, tried it on, and brought it home. It is absolutely perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans without a lot of effort. The knit is soft and comfortable and the sequins are little squares instead of circles, so the overall effect is geometric and modern. Simple bangle bracelets and a generous helping of black eyeliner are just enough to complete the look. Love it!

Cute new arrivals from SWAKdesigns

Have you checked out SWAKDesigns recently? They carry afordable, trendy pieces in a very nice range of sizes, some up to 6X. Plus, you can save 15% off with the code SWAK15 through November 11th.

There are several new items in for the fall season that I’ve got my eye on.

Plus Size Shawl Collar Cardigan
The open cardigan look is everywhere right now. This one is different with clean lines and little pockets in the front. It’s a little sleeker if you don’t like the drapey, open cardigan look. It’s available in sizes 22/24 – 34/36 in black and gray for $38.

Camille Plus Size Tie Cardigan
Currently, this cardi is available in sizes 4 - 5X in brown for $41. There’s also a pic of it in black so I hope more come into stock soon. The curved hem and tie waist take what would be a typical cardigan up a notch. Wear it with jeans for a casual look or a tweed skirt or trousers for work.

Giselle Plus Size Dress
I'd love to see this dress in raspberry layered with the shawl collar cardigan above in black, opaque black tights, and black booties. Or you could style it like the pic with bare legs and heels for a party. The Giselle dress is available in sizes 14/16 - 34/36 in the raspberry shown here, teal or black for $56.

Double Buckle Stretch Plus Size Belt
The dress above will likely need a belt to give it more definition at the waist. I like the double buckle on this black faux leather belt for $18. The back is comfy elastic and the whole belt stretches to accommodate waists up to 50 inches.

It's officially sweater season!

As far as dressing goes, I just love the fall. So many layering options! Scarves, jackets, suede shoes, tights, sweaters, sigh!

As I write this, I’m decked out in a tank top, flannel pj pants and this sweater from Lane Bryant. Oh, I do enjoy this sweater. It’s not the most stylish sweater in the world. In fact, it’s kind of boring. But it’s so perfectly cozy that I want to wear it all the time. I like that it has a kilt pin instead of buttons or a zipper. I fasten mine right below the bust but you can pin it wherever. Lane Bryant calls it a sweater coat but I don’t think it’s that heavy.

If you’re looking for a long sweater that’s a little sleeker, check out this cable knit duster from OneStopPlus. It also comes in black but the aqua blue is such a nice color when it's gray and dreary outside. It’s on sale for $35. Not bad!

Had to have it! And some stuff about price points

I went to Macy’s last weekend and tried on pretty much everything in the plus size section. There were a couple of things that I liked but not much that really begged to come home with me. Until…

I spotted this top from MICHAEL by Michael Kors. Obviously, it looks quite different on my 3X body but you get the idea. The shape is different from what I’m usually drawn to but the print got me. I’m a complete sucker for really bold black and white prints like this.

I haven’t yet decided if I want to keep it, though. I’ll need to try it with a full outfit with accessories before I make a final decision. It’s just a bit outside of my comfort zone.

I also want to point out that Michael Kors is smart enough to offer some plus size pieces. It’s from the sportswear collection and it’s not a huge selection but it’s pretty great stuff otherwise. Kudos to him. It looks like Macy’s and Nordstrom have the biggest selection.

So about the price and prices in general, since that comes up in comments a lot (specifically in the post about La Grande Dame). Do I normally spend $100 on one top? No. Am I willing to spend that much if I really like the top, it looks great, and it’s good quality? Absolutely.

For instance, I have items from Kiyonna that were a little more expensive than what I typically buy but I’ve worn them so much that it pretty much comes out even. I also have less expensive items that probably won’t last long but I still like them and wear them happily.

The other thing is that I try to be very conscious of what the average woman is willing to spend on clothes. But I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t write about particular stores or brands because their items are on the spendy side. There are times when a woman needs inexpensive, casual t-shirts and jeans and there are times when she needs a high quality sweater or suit. I’m here to show you the options and it’s only fair that I show you everything I can.

Picks for Spring under $5

Spring is coming (soon, I hope) and I thought it'd be fun to find some items that brighten things up without costing a whole lot. These are my favorites for under $5 (yes, $5). I'll be doing more posts like this soon!

Under $5
Nivea Lip Care: A Kiss Of Moisture, $2.50 from drugstore.com. If your lips are chapped, dehydrated, or otherwise unhappy from the dry winter weather, I'd really recommend trying this lip balm. It's light, nongreasy, and moisturizes like crazy. I also have the cherry tinted balm which is nice, too but not as moisturizing. It is a pretty, subtle shade of pink, though.

China Glaze Summer Days collection. I'm not one to snap up entire nail polish collections but I ordered all six of these as soon as they were available on transdesign.com. In a word: gorgeous. All Lacquered Up has photos here. China Glaze polishes are usually priced in the $2.50 - $5 range.

Queen Helen Mint Julep facial scrub, $3.50 from drugstore.com. If you're familiar with the Mint Julep mask, this isn't as heavily minty-scented. The scrubbies are quite fine and won't tear up your skin. I really don't think there's any reason to spend a lot on a scrub when an inexpensive one like this does the job just fine. I should note that this contains fragrance so if you have sensitive skin, you might find it to be irritating. Otherwise, it's a great scrub at a very nice price.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day…

If you’re looking for the ultimate in lingerie for Valentine’s Day (and beyond), Hips & Curves has something that will blow your mind. Check out the Duchess steel boned corset. It is $150, so it’s an investment piece but this isn’t a flimsy, novelty corset. This is the real deal, made of Duchess satin and German steel boning. Just… wow.

If corsets aren’t your thing, check out the Valentines Boutique for more sweet and sexy options. This charmeuse gown with lace trim is especially nice.

As an extra little treat, Hips & Curves is offering free shipping on orders over $100 through the 30th with the code SHIP100.

Brrr!

I guess it's time to start thinking about sweaters, boots and coats. To ease us into the long winter ahead, here are some of my picks for the new season.

Maxi down coat
Sometimes you need a super warm, puffy coat that covers your butt. That's just how life works. This super warm, puffy coat is available in black from Lane Bryant in sizes 14/16 - 26/28 for $190.

Gigi Boots
Unless I can find a pair I like more, I'm going to order these and see how they fit, if they're warm and comfy, etc. I will be snipping off those fluffy things if I keep them, though. It's a cute touch but not really my style. Available from Avenue in sizes 8 - 13 wide in black or brown, on sale for $35.

Belted wool-blend coat
There was a really cute green version of this coat that I wanted to showcase but I guess it sold out. A lot of people seem to be confused about the 3/4th sleeve coat. My answer to that is: long gloves! It's definitely a look and very vintage, in a way. I think it's adorable. The down coat from the beginning of this post is definitely for "It's freezing and I'll be outside for a while." This coat is "It's cold but I'm not playing in the snow or anything." Dressier. It's available in sizes 1 - 4X from Old Navy is on sale right now for $57.

Ros Hommerson: Trot
Have you ever thought to yourself "Self, I could really use a pair of red, suede, knee high boots!" but were unable to find them? Well, here ya go. They also come in black but, I mean... red suede. The best part is that they have an 18.5" shaft and come in medium. wide, and extra wide widths. They're $176 from Zappos, which always ships for free and has excellent customer service.

If I ever become very, very rich...

I'd just order one of everything in every color from Kiyonna from now until eternity. First, check out what's coming up for May. The Manhattan dress makes me wish I had an office job just so I could wear it. Those items are all on pre-order so you'll have to wait a bit.

If you're itching for something new right this second, the Madison Avenue dress might be your new favorite. It has a beautifully sexy twisted keyhole detail that emphasizes the waist and bust but the overall cut is modest enough for any occasion. This is a seasonless dress, so you could wear it now with heels or in the fall or winter with tights and boots. This would be a good dress to have on hand because you could wear it just about anywhere. It's available in red or basic black for $132.

New sandals from Avenue

Avenue has several new sandals for spring and these Irene wedges are my favorite. They're available in black and white but I think the pink is adorable and way more exciting. The color and shine reminds me of fabulous pink lipstick. If you're not a fan of heels but still want some height and sexiness, a wedge is a great alternative. They're available in sizes 8 - 13 wide for $39.95.

Avenue has many more new items for spring and I'll be posting about those soon.

Flirty skirts from Lane Bryant

I'm seeing so many cute skirts popping up right now and Lane Bryant has several that I really like. All of these are made from crisp cotton and can be dressed up for work with heels or dressed down with casual flats or sandals for the weekend. I'd wear any of these with a simple top to let the pattern on the skirt be the focal point.

Multi dot seamed skirt
I read somewhere that dot prints are "out" this spring but screw that, this is a cute print! The seaming creates a flouncy look that can balance out your top half if you're busty and skim over your hips and emphasize the waist. If you're trying to create an hourglass shape, look for a skirt that draws the eye out a little at the hem.

Floral print yoke skirt
What's springier than flowers? I'm generally not into frou frou floral but I like the bold colors in this print. It's pretty and feminine without being too over the top. The ivory background is fresh and flattering on more skin tones than stark white. The cut is very similar to the previous skirt above.

Jacquard floral print skirt
This one is my favorite because I'm in love with the print. If you click through and view the close up, the black floral is layered over a subtle white on gray dot print. This skirt also has the seaming for flair and the solid hem will balance out your waist and hips even more. I think this would be adorable with a simple, rosy pink top and silver sandals.

Lane Bryant has many more skirts here. Don't forget to use a coupon!

Finally! Spring!

The weather is just lovely today here in Chicago, sunny and warm but not too warm. Spring officially began a month ago but because the midwest has really unpredictable weather, I haven't been feeling springy yet. But we've waited long enough and I've decided that today is the first day of Spring here at the Pretty Pear. To celebrate, I'll be sharing some of my picks of the latest and cutest from various retailers.

To start, check out this dress by Mossimo from Target. It's made of 100% linen, which is light and breathable for warm weather and the color combination and print are adorable. The cut is very similar to a dress I picked up at Target last year, which I love and works well if you're smaller on top with fuller hips. I know some of you are wary of showing your arms, so you could layer a light, short sleeved, cropped cardigan like this one on top. The dress is $30 and available in sizes 16/18 through 28/30.

Some recent acquisitions

I've been doing a little shopping lately! Well, I'm always doing a little shopping but... ok here's some stuff I've bought.

There's something about black and white damask prints that really grab me and I will always at least consider buying whatever the item is. I even have a set of dishes from Target in a similar pattern.

I took a gamble and ordered a pair of these satin flats from Old Navy online and yay, they're awesome. I went up to a 9 (I'm usually an 8.5) and they fit great. They're really flattering on the foot, too. They won't last long before wearing out but I'm not planning on hiking in them or anything.

I know I've said this about a billion times but I really do love the knit tees from Kiyonna. I haven't ordered the Central Park Keyhole Top just yet but I will, very soon. What's great is that I know I'm going to love this top. I'm not sure the red would be very flattering on me, so I'm ordering it in black. I hope they make it in more colors soon because I know I'm going to want more.

I finally found and purchased my perfect green bag: the Giani Bernini Flap Satchel from Macy's. The green looks slightly different in person. It's lighter, more vibrant and perfect. I loooooove this bag. I wish the lining was cuter but no one sees that but me anyway. Otherwise, it's perfect and not crazy expensive at $52.

A few months ago, I tried on a really cute purple CK top at Macy's that I loved. I can't find it online now but believe me, it's really cute. Unfortunately, I couldn't justify spending $70 on it but then, last weekend, I found it at Marshall's for $25! I guess that's probably only really exciting to me.

Anyway. here's a simple "Head to Toe" look that I'll be wearing once the weather stops being craptastic!