Today I am giving my review of a brand you guys have requested I haul more than any other brand- Maurice’s. Maurice’s is a size inclusive brand that offers clothing from sizes 0 to 28. Now candidly, I have purchased from this store before, but only one specific items. Maurice’s makes some of the most comfortable plus size leggings out there and I’ve been addicted to them since I first tried them. However, for some weird reason I’ve never purchased anything else from them, so I think the term ” a brand new to me” still applies.
Trying Out Maurice’s Plus Size For The First Time
The look I styled from my Maurice’s haul is the perfect for a comfy day at the office. I paired their window-paned treggings with a super soft green cowl neck with herringbone rib details and topped it with an open black cardigan with lace up back. I used an obi style belt to wrap the cardigan closed and finished the look with a pair of well-worn Bass brogues. The outfit is delightfully cozy and I swear it feels like I’m still in pajamas. I’m a fan.
My Final Review
Overall, Maurice’s is an excellent option for plus size ladies who want no fuss, comfortable clothing that can be dressed up or down as needed. I love that they are size inclusive and offer plus size up to a 4x. The clothing is definitely cut with a plus body in mind and I noticed the arms were delightfully roomier than many other plus options. I was also super impressed with how quickly items were shipped and delivered. I received my order with 3-4 days; 3 days sooner than anticipated. The only complaint I have is that the treggings- while stretchy- have some design elements that don’t work for ladies with larger hips/booties.The haulvideo below shows each item from my trial order and how they fit. Final verdict: I would recommend Maurice’s as a great place to shop for plus size clothing.
Over the last 6 months I found myself dragged into the politics of blogging. I heard gossip, I repeated gossip and in the end no one was better for it. Before I get into some deep thoughts, here’s the outfit details. The dress and Jacket are from Fashion to Figure. They are worn with Maurice’s leggings, booties and a contemplative expression.
It’s so easy. You hear something- a tidbit, a thought, and opinion and next thing you know you’ve passed it on to someone else without even a second thought. It happens so organically it can be hard to realize you’ve even done it. But eventually the drama spreads and a small comment becomes something that might negatively affects someone’s life.
Over the past month I’ve reached out and apologized to people I’ve felt my gossiping might have hurt. It was overwhelming. I did it because I didn’t like this bad habit and I felt I dramatically needed to correct it. I did it because I was sorry. In most cases, it was much more meaningful to me than the person involved. One person laughed at me, shocked I would apologize for such behavior. It was normal, after all.
I am realizing that gossip is a toxic destructive behavior we pass off as common and acceptable. Its ok to posture. It’s ok to assume. It’s ok to take everything you hear as absolute truth. But it’s not. Gossip is just a manifestation of jealousy, inadequacy, and denial wrapped up a socially acceptable package.
I look back to the incidents where I found my gossiping. Sometimes it was easier to talk about someone else than myself. Sometimes I wanted what other people have. Sometimes even surrounded by people I felt lonely and just wanted to be included. Why didn’t I say these words. Why didn’t I let people react to me? Why did I hide behind the stories of others?
As I have begun to dissect why I gossip and what I am using it to deflect from, I have realized that I have never won by gossiping. I have only lost. Lost opportunities to really connect with people. Lost chances to be vulnerable. Lost chances to change my experience. I am painfully learning bad habits die hard- especially when they are ingrained into our everyday culture. However, as I have learned many times in my life- the hardest things to do are often the most rewarding. I’ll keep trying and as result keep growing in the process.
Today I did my make up, I gussied up my face and donned my finest selection of berry hues. I was ready to tackle this stupid snow bomb Glitter style. Insert clip of Zoolander faces, neon spandex and sassy wham inspired dance moves. In full sequin Merlot colored sequin pants , a berry cold shoulder sweater, a crimson turtle neck, maroon flats and random sassy accessories from my closet- I was fighting the weather with fashion. Slaying the snow with sequins. Destroying this water dust with dapperness. Crushing these crystals with couture.
Sometimes I get these big ideas and when I try execute them, about 50% of the way in I realize they are and absolutely terrible idea. This is a great example of one such idea. Within seconds I had snow mashed into my shoes and pressed against my bare feet, snowflakes was matted to my sweater, my fingers turned a bright rosy pink and I was literally soaked by the time I came in. I was so cold. The photos were, meh. Yes, It was a very dumb idea, but I am not in the least upset I did it. Why? Because roughly 1 out of every 10 ideas we think are dumb are actually game changers.
Game changers are ideas that seem impossible or silly or a waste of time, but actually grow to shape us unexpectedly. Starting my Instagram was once a dumb idea. Who would want to see what I wore every day and listen to whatever mental soundtrack was playing in my brain? What a silly idea. How dumb. But yet here I am 2 and half years later and that one dumb idea I had the guts to take a chance on has completely transformed my life. Now I worry less about the dumb ideas I wasted time on and more about the ones I didn’t have the guts to try. I’ll never get the pleasure of knowing where they might have led me.
It’s day two of the year that is new and I am oscillating between giddy optimism and terrified nervousness. January places so much pressure on each of us to be more than we were the year before, that you can’t help but feel the tension EVERYWHERE. Like this outfit. I loved this dress it when I styled it, but now I’m second guessing everything. Why did I put it with a coat no one can buy anymore? Berets are overplayed. Those earrings are like red snow man. Those flats again! I can do better. Why didn’t I do better? I feel it so much with blogging. This is a good look, but when you’re bombarded with everyone’s best of lists from 2017 and their extra invested new content for 2018, it’s hard to just appreciate…anything really. I feel plagued with constant evaluation. Am I doing enough new? Did I change my game enough? The a number has changed in the way I write the year in date and now I feel like EVERYTHING MUST BE BETTER. Bigger. Louder!!! Bolder!!!! But, what happens when it’s not.In fact, I very well might be less today then I was a week a go. What now? Have I failed 2018? Do I have to return to 2017 because I am being held back in the middle school of life? I think I echo many people’s sentiments when I say- Oh god please don’t make me redo that year. So I stopped. I took a deep breath. I let it all go. The reality is growth and development take time and there is no magical date where if I complete complex puzzle of goal setting mixed with alcohol all my problems sort themselves out. I did not fail 2017. I have not already failed 2018. Change isn’t just for New Years. Change is for when you’re ready. I share this today to remind you that if you are feeling overwhelmed right now and if you feel like a failure, you’re not alone. It’s hard in a sea of messages reminding us of the things we need to fix to not feel overwhelmed. It is normal at this time of year. it will pass. And don’t worry; the opportunity to do and be better will always be there regardless of the date. Change when you are ready. Grow when you can.
I earn affiliate commission on some of the links used in this post.
To kick of the New Year, I wanted to do something, well, new. So I decided I will spend January 2018 trying out plus size brands I’m not super familiar with. I think often times get into the habit of relying on our old favorites and I personally want to make sure I am always pushing myself to try new things.
Trying Rue 21 For The First Time
Today’s look comes from Rue 21. Please forgive the horrid photo quality. I took these images in 15 degree weather with wind blowing down on me- making it feel like a frigid 5 degrees. So I wasn’t really focused on the perfect image. i was focused on survival. I’m alive mostly because this pink faux fur bomber was way warmer than expected- a steal at only $20. I threw this fluffy cotton candy coat over a black lace up cropped long sleeve t-shirt and a pair of front seamed stirrup Jeggings also from Rue 21. I then threw on my trusty unicorn shoes, because I needed their sparkly super powers to make it through the blustery ice box that is NYC today.
My Final Review
I did a full haul video below that showcases each items from my order, shows how it fits and whether or not it met my expectations,
Overall I find Rue 21 to be a great affordable plus size option, but could perhaps benefit from better auditing of the non-store brand selections they offer. This would help increase the sizing consistency in-store and make online ordering easier. For example, the only items that weren’t up to standard were from clothing Rue 21 carried, but were not responsible for producing.
Today I am giving my review of a brand you guys have requested I haul more than any other brand- Maurice’s. Maurice’s is a size inclusive brand that offers clothing from sizes 0 to 28. Now candidly, I have purchased from this store before, but only one specific items. Maurice’s makes some of the most comfortable plus size leggings out there and I’ve been addicted to them since I first tried them. However, for some weird reason I’ve never purchased anything else from them, so I think the term ” a brand new to me” still applies.
I feel it so much with blogging. This is a good look, but when you’re bombarded with everyone’s best of lists from 2017 and their extra invested new content for 2018, it’s hard to just appreciate…anything really. I feel plagued with constant evaluation. Am I doing enough new? Did I change my game enough? The a number has changed in the way I write the year in date and now I feel like EVERYTHING MUST BE BETTER. Bigger. Louder!!! Bolder!!!! But, what happens when it’s not. 
In fact, I very well might be less today then I was a week a go. What now? Have I failed 2018? Do I have to return to 2017 because I am being held back in the middle school of life? I think I echo many people’s sentiments when I say- Oh god please don’t make me redo that year. 
So I stopped. I took a deep breath. I let it all go. The reality is growth and development take time and there is no magical date where if I complete complex puzzle of goal setting mixed with alcohol all my problems sort themselves out. I did not fail 2017. I have not already failed 2018. Change isn’t just for New Years. Change is for when you’re ready. 
I share this today to remind you that if you are feeling overwhelmed right now and if you feel like a failure, you’re not alone. It’s hard in a sea of messages reminding us of the things we need to fix to not feel overwhelmed. It is normal at this time of year. it will pass. And don’t worry; the opportunity to do and be better will always be there regardless of the date. Change when you are ready. Grow when you can. 
Today’s look comes from Rue 21. Please forgive the horrid photo quality. I took these images in 15 degree weather with wind blowing down on me- making it feel like a frigid 5 degrees. So I wasn’t really focused on the perfect image. i was focused on survival. I’m alive mostly because this
