Chels Wears: Big Red

Top: Dollar General | Pants & Bracelet: WalMart | Shoes: UrbanOG | Bag: New York & Co. | Necklace: Handmade

While going through the photos for this post, all that kept running through my mind was the cheer at the beginning of the original Bring It On movie. You know, "I'm sexy, I'm cute, I'm popular to boot...blah blah blah...call me Big Red...blah blah blah...I'm. Still. Big. Red. I sizzle, I scourch, but now I pass the torch..."

You know it and are probably singing along so I won't go on. Any way, I dyed my hair red recently and these are the first outfit photos to show them off, plus the shoes, purse and location, everything kinda screams big red here. I really hope you guys are getting this movie reference, but just incase you aren't here's a clip from Bring It On, because really up to this point if you don't have a clue what I mean, I'm sure you're lost and thinking I'm crazy.

Moving on...for me, this outfit is pretty plain, but sometimes I like to let my accessories do the talking. I just got these shoes after allowing myself to splurge a little since I haven't really shopped since moving to Erie. What!? A couple online purchases here and there, yes, but nothing drastic. I have yet to step foot in the mall, or even a Goodwill up here...who am I? These shoes are my newest loves. They're from UrbanOG, which if you haven't checked out their selection yet, you're missing out. Also, since this is the debut for this bag too, you should know that it was a Christmas gift from MJ. So is the necklace actually, but I've shown it here before. MJ is fabulous and I love that he knows my style so well. He actually took these photos too, also a first. He's really good at the positioning me part when needed, but really needs to work on the standing still until the camera has finished taking the picture thing haha. There were a lot of blurry pictures to sort through on this one, but it was a fun time overall and he'll get better with practice!

Chels Wears: Railroad Maxi

Maxi: DIY | Belt & Scarf: Unkown (super old) | Chambray Vest & Bracelet: WalMart

You guys. You should know by now how much I love maxis, especially this one...because I made it. This summer has been a bit on the chilly side up here in Erie but that is fine with me, since fall is my favorite season. This outfit actually felt like too much in the morning when I got dressed because it was hotter than usual, but when we set out to get these photos taken there was a random and serious downpour. After that we went home and tried to do indoor photos but nothing worked out, so later that night, just before the sun started to go down, Eric and I set out to this location again and by then the weather had cooled down and the outfit was perfect. And I have to admit that I actually really love how these photos turned out. Good things come to those who wait, I guess!

Chels Wears: Remixed Puppy Skirt

Puppy Skirt: Target | Shoes, Necklace & Vest: WalMart | Shirt: JCPenney

Have I mentioned how much I love this puppy skirt? Probably. I love it. I just haven't put it on the blog nearly as many times as I've worn it, but I figured that it was time to show it off again, since the last time I posted it was in a snow storm. Though I admit that while wearing this I felt like I was going to a sock hop, it made for a fun summer outfit and comfortable to be working in all day.

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Plus Size Swimsuits That Don't Suck

ModCloth: Flamingo | Retro | Chevron | Seagulls

You guys, it's a rough world we live in when it takes (seriously) days to find a good swimsuit for us bigger girls. Here's what I hate most about swimsuit shopping, be it in person or online, some companies like the pretend that chunky ladies don't like the most common of summer activities. Hello, I'm a big girl and I like to swim and get my tan on, just make that cute suit you designed...bigger.

No but really, swimsuit shopping in general bothers me because, 1) no boob support, 2) those little skirt things, 3) tankini tops are weird. Why is it so hard to create a bathing suit with a bra in it? Like women want to be wearing silky nylon fabric without some support...come on now. I know I'm in the very small minority of women who actually like wearing a bra, but let's be real, unless you have real support in your swimsuit, nothing looks good in that area. Slap some under wire in there. Also, I assume that a lot of places think like this when designing for plus size..."oh, put a little skirt on it so she doesn't worry about her thighs showing! Oh, not to long though, still needs to be like the normal swimsuits! There, perfect!" No, no, not perfect, those skirts cut off right at the largest part of my thighs, what was the point of adding it? Nothing is modest or slimming about those poorly cut skirts. The only exception to this is the flamingo suit from ModCloth that is shown above and only because the skirt isn't frilly and I like the illusion sides. Final swimsuit pet peeve, tankini tops. Just because I don't get what the point of wearing a cami top is since they just float up once you're in the water anyway. Why not just wear a regular bikini top? Someone can explain that to me in the comments I guess.

Torrid: Pink | Multi-Color | Swimsuits For All: Black Fringe | Dragonfruit

Anyway! I found some suits I actually like and now I need to figure out which to buy! I need a one piece because I'll be running a camp this summer and the dress code says no two pieces, but I also really love that the high waisted two pieces are back on trend and want one because I plan on spending too much time at Lake Erie this summer, you know, since it's like right here. These are my favorites and while not all of them have as much support in them as I'd prefer, the reviews seemed positive and if worse comes to worse I can just sew an old bra into one. I should probably just sew my own suit altogether.

Torrid: Tie-Dye | Swimsuits For All: Polka Dots | ModCloth: Blue Fringe

All of my current suits are from Victoria's Secret but I see that they are becoming less and less accommodating to the big girls, which is depressing because I love their stuff. But I had some good luck with finding suits at ModCloth, Torrid, and Swimsuits For All. Which of these do you like best? How do you feel about swimsuit shopping?

Chels Wears: Dressy Gothic

Dress: Walmart | Shoes: Guess | Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Anytime I wear a lot of black, my mom always asks if I'm Gothic. I'm not sure she totally knows what that means but this is the first black outfit that I've worn in front of her that she did not ask me that question. That was before I decided to pose for these pictures in front of a rundown graveyard though.

I am in love with this dress. I saw it at Walmart about a month ago and have been lusting after it ever since. So when I went there a week ago and saw it in my size, I had to have it. When I think about a piece that long, I know it's meant to be in my closet! I don't think I realized that the underneath part is much shorter than the sheer overlay until actually putting it on, but I think I like it even more because of that. It gives it a little something extra. Also, not pictured is an awesome little cutout in the back which is the real reason I was lusting for this dress. I am always hooked when an interesting back is on a dress or shirt. In other news, these shoes are Guess and my old college roommate gave them to me for free because she said they just didn't fit her right. Score! Thanks, Sara!

Fashion Forward Fridays: Summer Festivals

All I can think about recently is going to summer festivals. So I thought why not use that for Fashion Forward Fridays? I know that I will be heading to a lot more than usual because I need to get Marion Claire off the ground and summer festivals seems like the way to go for me. But I don't think I'll be able to make it to any of the awesome music festivals that Eric and I really wanted to head out to, which is sad. So here's some fashion inspiration for those of you heading out to all kinds of festivals this summer!

I always want to wear sandals to festivals and then hate myself afterwards for doing that. So much dirt, so much walking, don't wear sandals unless it's in a mostly paved area. (Like the Three Rivers Arts Festival.) And you always need a bag that can hold a lot of stuff in, water bottle, blanket to sit on at any notice, wallet and necessities, camera, and room for stuff you buy. I'm getting excited just thinking about going to festivals! Where are you guys heading this summer?