New Orleans Fashion Week 2017

I was extremely excited when I was granted a media pass for New Orleans Fashion Week! This was my first New Orleans Fashion Week, so I was looking forward to seeing what it was all about. I attended three events. The first was the Kick Off Party at the W Hotel in the French Quarter. The atmosphere and vibe was super cool. It was great to be amongst other fashion lovers.

Dress : Rue21

The second event was Up Close and Personal with Pedram Couture at Café Adelaide! Predram is well-known for his wedding dresses and red carpet looks. He’s dressed many celebrities; Ashanti, KeKe Palmer, Teyonah Parris, and Christina Milian just to name a few. I also got to meet the Tracee Dundas who’s the Creative Director of New Orleans Fashion Week. See photos below:

Tracee Dundas Creative Director

The Finale Show took place at the Civic Theatre. Models ripped the runway wearing some of New Orleans’ top designers and retailers. My top standout designers were Clinton Whitney Downingand De’Andre’ Beverly.

Overall I enjoyed my Fashion Week experience and I am definitely looking forward to next year.

Naturally New Orleans

I love my city and it's culture. There's really no place like New Orleans. There's always something going on in the city and on Sunday, March 19, 2017 we celebrated "Super Sunday". It's a day for the city's Mardi Gras Indian tribes to put on their beautiful suits that they work on all year and march through the streets.

I decided to keep it simple with an all denim look for this festive occasion.

 Top : Asos

DIY Shorts : Forever 21

Sandals : Old Navy

Luxe

Aldo has really been coming through with the accessories lately and I've been giving them all my money. My new sunnies and faux fur purse are two of my favorite items! My Eloquii dress was the perfect LBD for my sorority event at English Turn Golf & Country Club on Sunday evening. The attire was black and/or white and you know you can never go wrong with an LBD! The rhinestone sunnies, choker, and Chanel Brooch gave the look a more Luxe feel! Quick Tip: Ladies if you spot a super cute choker and it doesn't fit, purchase a few necklace extenders! (Thanks Nu!)

Sunnies : Aldo Shoes

Choker : Charming Charlie

Bag : Aldo Shoes

Dress : Eloquii

Shoes : Asos (Similar)

Photo Credit: David Sparkman Jr.

Girls Night Out

This outfit broke the internet lol. Many ladies were raving about the boots! I know the struggle when it comes to finding boots to fit plus size calves. Usually my calves are too big for straight sizes and too small for plus sizes. When I came across these boots on CiCi Hot's website I decided to give them a try because of the stretch material. These are now my favs! They are super chic and comfortable. I decided to pair them with a LBD from Rebdolls, a jean jacket from Shop Love Yourz and I couldn't wait to break out my new purse from DSW by Aldo. A perfect look for a Girls Night Out!

Jacket : Shop Love Yourz

Dress :  Rebdolls

Boots : CiCi Hot (Similar)

Purse : DSW (Similar)

Photo Credit: David Sparkman Jr.

The JD Turns One!

I can't believe my blog is a year old. This was something I wanted to do since graduating college years ago and I put it off. Last year I said you know what, I'll step out on faith. Either it will fail miserably or it will be successful, but at least I can say I tried!

One year later I am happy to report, it has been successful. I enjoy inspiring women of all sizes to be confident. Wear what makes you happy and forget what anyone else has to say. I am extremely excited to see what the future holds, because this is only the beginning.

I had so much fun shooting with photographer Clint Blane. Take a look at some of my shots!

 Top | Asos 

Leggins | Forever 21 (Available in the Store)

Shoes | Local Boutique

 Snapped it up in front of one of my favorite places...can you guess where I am?!

 Don't Ever Let Anyone Dull Your SPARKLE!

 ShoeCAM

As you can see, the confetti was my favorite part!

Black Out

I was extremely excited when Briana of Confessions Of A Beauty & Style Blog reached out about collaborating on a day to night look! I love her fashion and beauty blog so we instantly clicked. We decided to go with the super chic mesh bomber from the Asos Curve collection. I chose to do the night time look. I decided to keep it simple and do an all black look! This bomber can be paired with almost anything to give your look an extra edge. Check out my look below and head on over to Confessions Of A Beauty Style Blog to see how Briana styled this bomber in her daytime look.

Mesh Bomber : Asos

Bodycon : Asos

Clutch : Local Boutique

Shoes : Target

Photo Credit: David Sparkman Jr.

5 Fall Must-Haves

Summer is almost over and my favorite season is almost upon us .... FALL! Jackets, Boots, & Scarves...Oh My! Purge those closets, look for your transitional pieces and get ready for fall ladies! I put together a list of 5 Must-Have items I plan to wear this season. I gave an option for the plus size gals as well as straight sizes. Some of these items you may already have in your closet, as they are yearly staple pieces. Check out my picks below!

1. The Denim Jacket

 Old Navy Plus Size

 Old Navy 

2. The Leather Jacket

Asos Plus Size

Asos

3. Over the Knee Boots

 Eloquii Plus

H&M

4. The Bomber Jacket

Forever 21 Plus

Charlotte Russe

5. The Fringe Bag

H&M

Fashionistas For A Cause

With the recent tragedy in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas, thousands of Louisiana residents have lost their homes due to flooding. This scene was all too familiar having lived through the infamous Hurricane Katrina that plagued the city of New Orleans in 2005. In searching ways to help, I came across Jessica of "JusTini" call for fashionistas to assist and jumped at the chance to help. 

   She along with Raeneika of "Shop Plus Rae" and Sierra of "Si Styles" organized a clothing and non perishable food drive at POSH Elegance Event Hall. We had an overwhelming amount of support from Nola residents and it was touching to see everyone come together to help their neighbors. The drive was extremely successful and also gained media coverage from WDSU News Channel 6 and Fox 8 WVUE New Orleans. Huge thanks to everyone that supported the cause. Check out some snapshots below!

SundayFunday

 Excuse the Wrinkles :-)

Photo Credit: David Sparkman Jr.

Shades | Spread LA

Denim Jumpsuit | Asos

Mules | Asos

What's Wrong With Being Confident

Women in general struggle with self-esteem issues especially plus size women. The added pressures of trying to look like world's idea of beauty can be overwhelming. It's important to encourage our girls at a young age and tell them they are beautiful. Luckily I had that encouragement at a young age and my mom always told me how beautiful I was. We were all made differently and that's what truly makes us beautiful.

Recently, I was contacted by Samantha Williams creator of the brand Pretty Curvié. Her mission is to promote self-love and encourage women to embrace their curves. She created a super cute t-shirt line and I was lucky enough to receive one!  At Pretty Curvie we, "Inspire Confidence, Exude Beauty" said Williams. Check out how I styled my shirt below!

                       (Photo Credit : David Sparkman Jr.)

 Shades | Local Boutique (Similar Here)

Top | Pretty Curvié

 Skirt | Zelie for She (Similar Here)

Shoes | Asos (Similar Here)

Ode to the Chanels

So this past fall a hilarious show premiered entitled Scream Queens. Although the show was very entertaining, I was really drawn in by the fashion particularly of The Chanels . The Chanels are members of the elite Kappa Kappa Tau Sorority and their style is amazing.

An ode is a poem in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for someone or something. Well I've decided to express my respect in FASHION! 

Chanel

HBIC! She has expensive taste and loves a good fur!

 "These are my minions. I don't know their names. I don't *want* to know their names."

Top | SimplyBe

Skirt | MissGuided

Shoes | Local Boutique

Necklace | Forever 21

Fur Stole | SimplyBe

Chanel 3

She is forever UNBOTHERED! Her style is very chic and she's always sporting a fresh pair of ear muffs!

"I started acting like I don't care...but then I realized I wasn't really pretending...and I actually didn't care."

Dress | SimplyBe

Ear Muffs | Charming Charlie (Bedazzled by MOI)

Socks | Asos

Shoes | Local Boutique

Chanel 5

She has a  sometimes conservative style but loves a good sequin number every now and then!

"You can't change the rules of Kappa Kappa Tau...we can't have weirdos in Kappa Kappa Tau."

 Dress | Asos

Fur | SimplyBe

Shoes | BooHoo

Chanel 6

Her style is very classic and girly. She didn't always have the best style, however Chanel took her under her wing. *sings* "That's what friends are for!"

"Growing up all I wanted to be was a fashion girl...and then tragedy struck."

Sunnies | zeroUV

Top | Forever 21

Skirt | Zelie for She

Socks | Forever 21

Shoes | Target

Photo Credit: David Sparkman (Little Bro)

Hair & Make-Up : Nadia Mays (Instagram - PrissyNadi)

New Year..Same Mission

2015 was a great year! I officially launched my blog, something I've been wanting to do forever. Your goals are attainable, it just starts with a plan.I am so excitied about the possibilities of 2016. What are your long or short term goals for the New Year? Do you have any New Year's Resolutions? My motto will still be the same. New Year...Same Mission: Operation Slay! Will you join me on this mission?!

I was contacted by Pressed Life, a t-shirt design company that has an array of t-shirts with cute sayings. You can even customize and design your own t-shirt! Pictured below I am wearing a customized Operation Slay T-Shirt. If you purchase a shirt between now and February 1st, you can save 10% off by using the code TheJD ! Happy New Year!!!

Fur : Simplybe 

Shirt : Pressed Life

Shorts : Forever 21 

Purse : Simplybe

Boots : Local Boutique 

Groovy Gal

Everything old is new again! It's funny how styles come in and then it's out and in then it's out, well I've always loved a nice flare jean! I got this pair from Simplybe. I could've went down a size because these have a lot of stretch. I completed the look wth a paisley print top and some chestnut suede strappy sandals that are extremely comfortable!

Top : Boohoo 

Jeans : Simplybe 

Shoes : Forever 21

The LBD

Every woman should have a Little Black Dress in her closet. As the saying goes, "When in doubt, Wear black". This dress is one of my favorite go to items. I believe Rebdolls pieces were made with the curvy girl in mind. This LBD can be dressed up or down.

I decided to pair this dress with a leather jacket for a bit more edge. I also added a chocker. Chockers are also coming back in style. There are many affordable ones, however I purchased this one from Forever 21(similar). Please be aware;  this particularly one is more suitable for thinner necks. My favorite fur heels finished off the look.

Dress : Rebdolls

Leather Jacket : Forever 21 

Shoes : Boohoo 

My friend called this the Rocker Chick look. I think I'll call it the Refined Rocker look!

Peasantly Pleased

So I have a big head lol My mom says it’s because I’m smart Hats are perfect year round, especially for the fall! However, it can be a struggle for my BHS’s (Big Headed Sisters) to find cute hats. They’re usally too small or too tight which causes headaches. Here’s a tip, shop in the men’s department! The hats are usually larger in fit! I paired my hat with an orange peasant style dress and boots to complete this comfortable fall look!

Hat : Forever 21

Dress: Forever 21

Jean Jacket: Old Navy

Shoes: Torrid

Frills and Thrills

I had the pleasure of attending a fabulous event last month called Fashion Buzz Nola. Nneka of Shop with Tene (Fashion) and Jessica of JusTini(Buzz) hosted the event at Paint and Jrink. The night was filled with laughter and a good time. Jessica demonstrated various cocktails and Nneka showed off popular fall looks all of which are available at her boutique.

This was my first event of the fall season, so I decided to pop the tag on my wine colored leather pants. You know that one cute item you forget is there and when you find it in your closet it’s like going shopping all over again! I wanted to add a touch of frill, so I threw on my sleeveless tassle top. I paired the look with a pair of simple nude platformed stilettos.

Top : Simplybe

Pants : Asos

Shoes : Boohoo