Fashion Alert: Vintage Inspired Dress

If you know anything about me then you know I adore all the vintage things.  I have been yearning for so long to start adding some vintage inspired pieces to my wardrobe.  Being a plus size gal it is hard to find anything vintage inspired and when you do it usually cost a boat load of cash.  Just when I had given up all hope Eshakti walked in to my life.  The first thing I noticed about this company was their motto, "Real fashion for real people" and I am real people so I though I would give it a go.

After browsing over their endless selection of items (I wanted one of everything) I settled for a vintage inspired, pleated cotton dress, in purple and white polka dot (which Madelynn affectionately refers to as my "Lucy" dress).  The best part about ordering from EShakti, brace yourselves for this, you can have the item custom made to fit YOUR body.  So I had Brent measure me up, submitted my order and waited anxiously for my dress to arrive. I ordered my custom dress on Sept. 9th and it was waiting on my doorstep on Sept. 22nd.  I don't think that is too long for a custom piece, I mean I have waited much longer for non custom pieces.  I will admit I was nervous that I may have measured wrong and it wouldn't fit.  Nope! It fit like a glove, made just for me!

I styled it two ways.

The first look is more classic/traditional with a modern twist of a bright cardi and leopard flats (animal print is a hot Fall 2014 trend).

My favorite thing about the dress is IT HAS POCKETS! 

The second look is more modern and edgy with a denim jacket (a wardrobe staple for me) and grey booties.
 

I adore this dress and foresee myself ordering from Eshakti in the future.  If you want to try them out you can get 10% off your order using promotional code "assignmentamanda"

Which look do you like better?

Disclaimer - I was given this dress from Eshakti in exchange for my review of their service and product but as always the opinions expressed in this post are my own.    

Bargain Beauty: Wet n Wild Cosmetics

You may have heard of this brand from back in the day.  I picked up a few products, watch below to see how I liked them.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this product with my own money and am just sharing my opinions of what I bought.  

Blog friends = Real Friends, Right?

Today I wanted to share some blogs that I read faithfully.  The women who run these blogs are awesome and I would love to meet them in person someday.

1. Aubrey from  ALG, Uninterrupted .  She is a working mom like me and I love how she incorporates her faith in her weight loss journey.

2. Jasmine from Fleurty and Fit.  She has been working hard on her fitness and looks amazing.  I love the humor in her post and how genuine she is.

3. Madeline from My Quest to Eudemonia.  I recently found her blog.  In just a few short months she has transformed her body.  Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle inspires me so much.

4. Desiree from Finding the Skinny Geek Within.  I love her posts.  She is honest about her journey and I love that she owns her geekyness.

5. Megan from Selfish Momma.  We are similar in so many ways.  I swear sometimes when I am reading her post I feel like I am reading my life.

6. Jess from Operation Skinny Jeans. I admire how she is genuinely trying to help others find the same happiness that she has.  Plus her smile is infectious and I adore her style.

I hope you check out some of these fantastic ladies.  They are beautiful and awesome and I admire each and everyone of them.

Tips for starting your own weight loss journey

Hi dolls!  It is Monday and I know a lot of us wait for a fresh week to start something new.  Some of you may be starting your own weight loss journey and some of you might be getting back on track.  Watch below for tips on how to start and be successful in your own weight loss journey.

Fitness Friday: One Year Ago

I am linking up with Aubrey from ALG, Uninterrupted for Fitness Friday and taking a look back to one year ago when I started my weight loss journey.

One year ago I was a depressed frail woman.

One year ago I weighed 344.8lbs and had to buy my first pair of size 28 pants.

One year ago I was so uncomfortable in my own skin and was consumed with self-hate.

One year I go I said enough was enough and did something about it.

One year ago I set out to become the woman I wanted to be.

Today I am confident.

Today I am happy.

Today I love me.

In one year I have lost 39.5 lbs but more importantly in one year I have found myself.  I know who I am and who I want to become.  I smile back at the woman in the mirror because she is beautiful, smart, and kind regardless of the number on the scale or the size of her pants.    In one year I have found my self-worth and know the value I add to the world.

What a difference one year makes.

Left - 8/31/13, 344.8 lbs/Right - 9/4/14, 305.3 lbs

From a size 28...

  ...to a size 22.

Imagine the difference one year from now. 

Updated Family Photos

A few weeks ago I spontaneously won a free family photo session from a local photographer, Michelle Voigt.  All you had to do to enter was like and share her page and comment why you felt you should win.  My "why" was because I have lost 35+ lbs over the last year and updated family pics would be a nice reward.  I was so shocked that she picked me.  Can I just say I really loved working with Michelle, she was so sweet and really captured our love.

Before I go any further, the last time we had family pictures was in December 2011.  When I got them back, I hated every picture I was in and never printed them out.  Here is a sampling of them.

You get the point.  It also didn't help that I had gotten my hair cut right before the pics and she cut off way more than I wanted.

Anyways, coming back to the present.  I was really excited to update the family pics and I love them.  Here are a few of my favorites.

These are definitely getting printed and the one where we are sitting is getting blown up and hung in the living room. I may not be where I want to be weight wise but I am loving myself during the process.

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