by Glitter | Nov 11, 2018 | Fashion, Inspiration, OOTD
I haven’t written on this blog in what seems like ages. I suppose its because I’ve been in a bit of rut. Writing A Life Full of Glitter took more out of me than I originally realized. On top of that, life has been hard to the ones I love and I’ve made it a priority to be there for them. That’s the rough spot about being in the position I am, my energy is asked for in so many places and sometimes I just burn out because I’ve spread myself too thin. It’s the people pleaser in me. I just want everyone to be a little bit happier.
One of the things that was 100% holding me back was my silly belief I could actually make everyone happy with what I create. That if I worked really really hard and put all my heart into it that eventually I would unlock some secret formula to the perfect piece of prose and imagery. However, the comments and engagement on my content only got more polarizing, I only became more and more distraught.
My content creation became backed in fear. I would get anxious every time I posted something. What would they hate about me today? How would I fail to deliver? Sometimes it was the fit of my pants. Sometimes it was misunderstandings. Sometimes it was the color of my shirt. Some days it was my make up. Every day there was a new reason for people to be disappointed in me. This was all I could see. The failures.
So i began to take my heart out of the work, and I wasn’t as me as I have been before. I’d never really had anxiety and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I had to learn new skills and evolve my coping mechanisms. It sucked. It’s great to be popular on the internet, but the mental demands it creates on you are intense. I had to recalibrate and learn to live in this new state of affairs. I have over 800,000 followers across channels. I will not and cannot please them all everyday and I would lose my ability to be happy if I keep trying to.
I am still working on it, being ok with where this has all grown to. I am tremendously uncomfortable with quasi-internet fame. However today while shooting I mentioned to my photographer and long time friend Joey I was considering leaving influencer work behind. He looked me in the eyes and said confidently, ” What you create is needed and I know you don’t feel strong enough, but you are. You were meant for this. You get to be the voice for people who aren’t always heard. That’s a gift.” As we walked into the sun to shoot I thought to myself, “here’s to never shutting up.”
Outfit Details: Lane Bryant forest green blazer and pants, Eloquii penguin print blouse,
Sperry grey loafers, Asos plaid beret
( I earn affiliate commissions on some of these links.)
by Glitter | Mar 15, 2018 | Fashion
This post was sponsored by Simply Be USA. Let’s have a quick chat about them, shall we? One thing I have always loved about Simply Be USA, is even though they are size inclusive (offering clothing in UK sizes 8 – 32 and US sizes 6 – 28) they have always made sure to feature plus models at the forefront. Not many brands do that, so you already know I have some love for the Be that is Simply. Simply Be is originally UK based, size inclusive fashion house, and they are re-launching their US brand this month. And they plan to enter this market like just like giant inflatable Godzilla on the beach, by making a statement.
As they re-launch the brand here in the good ole U. S. of A, they’re going digital first baybay- no more catalogues, just sweet sweet technology user experience action. As a certified tech geek this makes my glitter heart swoon. They are going to start making special collections just for the US market (yesss), and also push us to reimagine how plus women are shot in campaigns. This means more ambitious editorial style content for plus size ladies to be inspired by (hell yeah). As you can see from this first campaign, these are not your average plus fashion images. Also props to model, Natalie Nootenboom for being able to hold both a sultry look and a giant inflatable dinosaur at the same time.
Rich Storer, Simply Be’s US V.P. Of Marketing shared this quote, “We have a responsibility to empower women and this comes in many different forms…so our new image is an assertive step away from the often-vanilla campaign images hitherto used in the US curve market. These images convey confidence, sass, verve, sex appeal and energy and beautiful curves in a more editorial manner. “ Did we just go to church, because I just want this man to keep preaching. I’ll be over here in the choir with a tambourine and a bedazzled robe.
Simply Be USA will also celebrate this relaunch by hosting pop up events throughout the country starting off this summer in NYC. That means you’ll be able experience the clothes in person, try them on and the recieve fresh un-stranger-mangled items at your doorstep. These stores will also feature brand fit experts to help shoppers find clothes that are a perfect fit for their body. The only way this could be better is if the brand fit experts were also really attractive men with accents who really hated wearing shirts.
I am super excited to see more from Simply Be USA over the next few months. From the looks of it they are likely to win over our American, apple pie loving red, white and blue hearts with their sexy accents and even sexier fashion. Now I am going have some tea, crumpets, and surf through all the new plus size items that Simply Be just launched. If you find something you love save a sweet 30% valid today through April 16th by using the code GLITTER30. Toodle pip, mates!
by Glitter | Mar 11, 2018 | Fashion, Inspiration, OOTD
As I left my apartment to shoot this look I thought to myself, “is this pink fur too over the top?” It was very bright and I questioned if I was going just an teeny tiny bit over board. Yes, even the most experimental of fashion goddesses sometimes question how they’ve put things together.
As I rounded the corner to where I intended to shoot, an old Italian woman, dressed impeccably, stopped me. She grabbed my shoulder and whispered softly in my ear, “You. This….This is how a woman should dress. She should be fearless.” She smiled and went on her way.
As I set my camera up, I thought about her words. Fearlessness. It’s something that we all should embrace more. If we could live each day as if nothing scared us, as if nothing made us doubt ourselves, and as if nothing stood in our way, how would our lives be different?
I don’t have the magic answer to that deep question, but I do have a photo of the moment I decided to try just a little bit hard to face life with less fear. Well, I have several.
Today fearlessness is bright red pants with gold buttons and a white blouse twisted and tucked into their waist line. It’s a cotton candy pink faux fur coat (similar), gold lame shoes, and a vintage style jeweled bag. It’s this moment in time where I was reminded to question my inspiration less, and trust my gut more. Today, this is what fearless looks like.
On some of these links I earn affiliate commissions.
by Glitter | Feb 21, 2018 | Fashion, OOTD
I hadn’t planned on blogging this look, but so many of you asked for details on this snazzy number. In short, thats why I am here I am typing away at my keyboard to bring you pastel floral realness, that is also affordable and comfortable. Seriously this outfit is comfy AF.
The the floral skirt with NEON accents, is from Boohoo. I feel like i have to write that in caps because NEON deserves to stand out. I paired the adorable skirt with a white frilly crop top also from BooHoo. Over top I threw a mauve faux leather jacket from Just Fab, but there is a similar one at Old Navy if you don’t want to join their subscription program. The shoes are also from Just Fab as well. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find a similar style that affordable and available in a size 11.
The ruffle accent on this jacket is to die for. It makes all my girlie fashion dreams com true.
This gives you an idea what the crop looks like with out the jacket. Still an awesome look for the warmer weather.
On some of these links I earn affiliate commission.
by Glitter | Feb 14, 2018 | Fashion
For 5 years now, 3 years longer than Glitter and Lazers has existed, I have done a sad photoshoot for Valentines Day. The first one started as a joke. My friend Mary and I were bored on V-day, did some terrible make up, went to brunch with said sad girl make up and found ourselves doing an impromptu photoshoot. This ultimately devolved into, who could look the saddest on camera. It was legitimately a good time.
The next time Valentine’s day rolled around, Mary wasn’t single, but I was. So, I did the shoot again, this time by myself.
Now it was a tradition, and I couldn’t be stopped. I took this photo in 2016.
In 2017, I added Data into the mix, because for some reason his presence just made it even better. He understands me, as he too is single.
For this years shoot, I wanted to do something different. Gone were the past ways of just getting really tanked in a funny t-shirt in front of a camera, 2018 needed a new vibe. The world needed an editorial version of the Sad Valentin’s tradition.
Once I saw this heart shaped piñata online I knew what direction this needed to take. A lover scorned. A baseball bat. Excessive make up. Heels. I was the ex-girlfriend your momma warned you about. I am sad and I am dangerous.
Trashing a piñata in public is more fun then I thought it would be. I especially enjoyed the sassy man who stopped and cheered me on. It seems the city of smog has more than one scorned lover on it’s streets.
It was also super cathartic. Hitting something with a giant stick is actually really fun. Making loud destructive noises in public, also fun.
I’m not bitter about Valentine’s Day. I just feel like we get so much relationship bliss thrown in our faces this time of year, I wanted to do something to represent the others- those of who are sick of being told we’ll find someone or that we’ll get ’em next year. The crowd thats sick of texts from exes and 2 for 1 specials. Those of us who are single and don’t need to be reminded of it like it some type of curse.
