Fashion Forward Fridays: CMU Lunar Gala 2014

All photos property of Lunar Gala | LG Website | Executive Producers | Some of the 2014 Models

Lunar Gala is a student-run organization at Carnegie Mellon University devoted to promoting fashion talent and innovation throughout the campus community. Each February Lunar Gala produces a fashion show that showcases students; work in fashion, dance, and modeling. In addition, the show brings together the incredible talent of CMU designers, programmers, artists, and technicians to create what is truly the year's most exciting campus event. Lunar Gala shines as the example of the innovative and interdisciplinary teamwork that can only come out of CMU. This year's Lunar Gala, entitled HYPNOSE will incorporate kaleidoscopic videos, a Red Bull unusual materials competition, and wearable technology. HYPNOSE is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, starting promptly at 8p.m. in Wiegand Gym. This event will showcase the young talent of Pittsburgh and is sure to be something that you do not want to miss!

Tickets | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog

This is a partnered post, but all opinions are my own.

Chels Wears: Aztec & URBANOG

Boots: URBANOG | Leg Warmers & Leggings: WalMart

Beanie: Charlotte Russe | Aztec Shirt: Peebles | Chambray & Scarf: WalMart

I'm probably behind on this one, but URBANOG is fabulous. A friend of mine recently introduced me to them and I have to say that I absolutely love them, also no, this is not a sponsored post. I was just so surprised to see the wide selection offered on this website and the ridiculously low prices. These boots are a fairly recent purchase from them and I am in love! I've been looking for a pair of lace up boots for what seems like forever and these are perfect.

I was worried at first that this outfit wouldn't work because I have rather muscular calves (thanks to dancing my whole life) so boots never fit just right, especially when I put leg warmers on too, but these are just right and I am a picky customer, so that's a high compliment. AND they were having a BOGO sale when I got these, so I also finally got sneaker wedges. Win!

In other news, thanks for all the love and positive vibes you all sent my way yesterday, regarding this post. That post was important to me and something I felt like I needed to get out for a while so I'm glad it was so well received. Also, snow...I'm over it. These pictures were taken around 4pm and I'm standing in the middle of the road. Great plow truckin' around these parts if you ask me.

About Dressing "Modestly"

1: Thrifted Michael Kors | 2: Owls | 3: Puppies in the Snow | 4: 50 Shades of Pink!

I recently came across an blog post entitled, "Why Modesty Is Wrong" thanks to a former co-worker. Honestly, I was surprised to see this point of view, especially on a Christian-based website. As a young Christian woman, I have been told multiple points of view on what is "appropriate" to wear. But also as a feminist, I have been told an entirely different slew of ideas on why women (and men) should be allowed to dress however they want. But most importantly, as a "plus-size" woman, I have been told how I should dress more often than not by everyone.

This post; however, has finally put into words what all three of those defining characteristics have in common, and what I have always wanted to say but somehow couldn't express in quite the right way. My body, my clothes, and me in general, are beautiful, powerful and deserve (if not demand) respect. While I have a high level of self confidence that societal standards say I shouldn't, this post struck me because finally someone (and a man, at that) was putting a feeling that I've always had into a well-written piece of work. This part is what inspired me the most...

"If we can move away from the shrill condemnation of the Modesty Lifeguards and return to a positive view of clothing, we may find ourselves both more beautiful and more appropriate to living as valued persons, honoring and respecting one another. God wants every one of us to reflect him in the earth. Objectifying our beauty dehumanizes all of us. Fearing that our beauty is too much for others to handle shames us and others. There is another way. The God who became flesh wants to see our beauty. Let's dress knowing that he celebrates us as his reflections on earth." - Dale Fincher on Convergent

....

As a Christian, I am tired of being told I have to dress a certain way as to not cause men to "stumble" by looking "too beautiful" or dressing "too sexy." I'm tired of being told that I must dress "appropriately" so that my brothers in Christ do not have impure thoughts about me.

As a feminist, I am tired of being told I have to dress a certain way as to show that I am the owner of my body and that my sexuality is allowed to be expressed and if men (and/or other women) are unable to keep their eyes and impure thoughts off of me that is their problem, not mine.

As a plus-sized woman, I am tired of being told that I have to dress a certain way that includes baggy clothes and dark colors. This way, my "flaws" are covered up or just happen to look smaller because "black is slimming."

As a Christian, feminist, plus-sized, woman, I am allowed to dress as I please. I am allowed to look cute, modest, fashionable, beautiful, even sexy, if I choose. And while I understand that what I wear might cause a different kind of reaction for different people, my clothing choice wasn't about those people. I didn't think about all of you while I was standing in my underwear looking blankly into my closet and thinking the daily thought of "I have nothing to wear." To be honest, in that moment, I was selfishly thinking of me. I was also mildly considering the weather, what activities I might encounter, how I feel, and what I potentially need to be prepared for. But whatever ended up on my body that day, was because I was thinking about me. I was thinking, "It's snowing but I still really want to wear a skirt." Or "how can I dress as bummy as possible and still be within the work dress code?"

I wasn't thinking about your Christian morals, your feminist agenda or your thoughts on curves. Because it's MY Christian morals that tell me, it's what's on the inside that's important anyway and if a man looks at me and only thinks of sex, he needs more than just for me to put on a hoodie. It's MY feminist agenda that says, I'm going to put on whatever I want and it doesn't make me any less feminist if that outfit is cutesy and/or doesn't allude power. And it is MY appreciation for every single curve on my body that always makes me leave the house saying, damn, I look good.

two years.

Photo by my friend, Hannah | Editing by me

Sunday was Chels & the City's two year anniversary. I just want to thank those of you who have followed along from the beginning and those of you who have just started to follow too. All of you make this space worth coming back to and worth all the extra time and effort that a blog takes. I am very proud of this little space and am very happy that two years ago I decided to get back into blog world. I know that this isn't the same blog that it started out to be, but I like the content covered as a whole and I like where this blog is headed. 

I hope you guys will continue you follow along.

Fashion Forward Fridays: Super Bowl Attire

I don't know if you guys have noticed, but I LOVE football. Specifically, Steelers football, but since my boys didn't do their best this season, this Superbowl means nothing to me. However, Fashion Forward Fridays must go on and today's post is for those of you who are either hosting or going to a Superbowl party! These outfits are for those of you, like me, who are not actually fans of either team, so you might not have any of their merchandise but you don't want to completely miss out on the vibe of the evening, so pick which team you like best and let these outfit inspirations guide you!

This first outfit is for the team I will be cheering for Sunday night, the Seattle Seahawks. Eric likes to call Seattle the Pittsburgh of the West coast, and I wouldn't mind actually living there one day, sounds good to me! And of course, I like their team colors best so, let's go Seahawks! This look would be easy to put together because who doesn't have something green and navy blue in their closet?

The Denver Broncos are slightly harder to cheer for if you don't follow this team, because their specific shade of orange isn't the most popular color so it might be harder for you to mimic. However, as long as something orange is on you, I think the true Broncos fans at your party will let it pass. Also, navy blue will be easy enough to make up for it.

Whichever route you decide to go, or if you actually follow either of these teams, just have fun! Also, be sure to keep your look casual, because this is football, not the prom, no need to go all out with your wardrobe on a night like this. Above all, enjoy the company, allow yourself to pig out a bit, swoon over Bruno Mars during halftime, and of course laugh and cry during the best commercials of the year. Have a great weekend!