These are some things that made me smile this week:

• Doing my little cousin’s hair and makeup for prom, and then taking photos of her and her date .

• My niece making me a Mother’s Day card at school.

• Using my handy woman skills for a DIY mother’s day surprise for my mom!

• Treating myself to stackable rings from Tar-jay (similar).

• The kindness of a stranger when my tire went flat on my way to church Sunday morning .

• Lot’s of time with my family on Mother’s Day!!

• Pretty vintage jewelry at the thrift store!

• Celebrating my friend Ashley’s birthday.

• Taking my Boxing Kitten shorts out of the closet for the first time .

• Listing new Spring clutch covers and a mini revamp for my shop, Clutched & Covered.  Be sure to check it out!

It’s been a lllooonnnggg time!!  Do tell!  What are some things that made you smile this week?

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND DEARS!!!

Back in this post, someone commented wondering where the red shoes came into play, so when I threw these red shoes on with this floral skirt, I instantly thought of that post.  When it comes to style, I am of the belief that outfit elements don’t have to make sense, they just have to go, which is relative to each person.  Style is (or should be) completely individualistic, which is what makes it so fantastic!

Sweater:  Zara; Skirt: Unknown- vintage gift (a pretty alternative); Belt:  Forever 21; Shoes:  Zara (similar); Clutch: Unknown- thrifted; Black and White Polka Dot Clutch Cover- Clutched & Covered (coming this week)

Has there ever been a time where you wore something to ether and some people didn’t get how it “went” together?

Thanks for understanding my dears!

P.S.  Thanks to everyone who took the survey to help me with my final assignment!!

If at least 10 of you will do this, you guys would be lifesavers!! <3 <3

P.S. If you want to see the background I created and hear the music for the project, then go to this link.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK LOVELIES!!!!

When I got dressed for church Sunday, I just wanted to be comfortable and super relaxed , after spending Saturday night skating with my church group.  I hadn’t skated in years, so Sunday morning, I was hurting something major, lol.  I bought a dress form Imperfect Concepts back in 2011, but when it arrived, it refused to go over my hips, so I had it turned into a top, a top I unfortunately have only worn once before Sunday (shame on me).  Even though I’ve only worn it twice now, I look at it with adoration almost daily, lol.  The colors, paisley print, and symmetrical color blocking is the only statement a girl truly needs, but I threw in my comfy DIY hand panted sandals (tutorial here) because I can’t seem to resist an extra little color .

Top:  Anne Crimmins for Umi Collection- Imperfect Concepts (this is what it looked like as a dress); Jeans:  Gap; Shoes:  Mosimo- Target (DIY paint job);  Clutch:  ASOS (similar); Black and White Chevron Clutch Cover- Clutched & Covered

Are you a fan of getting things altered?  or Do you prefer to only wear things as they come?  A tailor is a girl’s best friend in my book!

You will need:

• Jeans
• Velcro
• Scissors
• An old necklace (jewelry pliers if you need to take the necklace apart)
• Needle and thread
• Glue (E-6000 and hot glue)

Step One:  Cut the jeans just above the crotch.

Step Two:  Turn the cut denim inside out.

Step Three:  Stitch the open cut ends together.   (I hand sewed because when I made the clutch the first time, I didn’t know how to sew on a machine, and I want everyone to feel like this is doable)

Step Four:  Flip it back to it’s correct side.

Step Five:  Line up the placement of the velcro strips, and use the hot glue to attach the strips of velcro. (I used the E-6000 in these images because I forgot the hot glue holds the fabric together better, but I went back and did the hot glue)

Step Six:  Press it down to ensure the adhesion of the velcro.

Step Seven (optional):  Decide where you want to place the broken necklace piece (I recommend part of it cover the button), and glue it  on using E-6000.

Step Eight (optional):  Press it down to ensure adhesion, or place books on top and let it sit for a while.

And you’re done!!

Two years later, this denim clutch is still one that I carry, and it’s cool to have a conversation starter from a time when I was a size 4, lol.  Do you have some jeans you’ve been meaning to get rid of?  In honor of Earth Day, earlier this week, maybe you can turn them into a clutch instead .

If you haven’t figured it out by know, I LOVE my friend Reiko, the blogger behind God’s Favorite Shoes, so when she called me a few weeks before her baby shower to request that I wear this eShakti dress, of course I had to oblige . When I picked this dress up from the mailbox last month, I was headed to Reiko’s house, so I tried it on there, and we were both instantly smitten!  The gingham print and retro silhouette are perfection. The dress is originally knee length, but I love that eshakti allows for customization options. So, I had the dress made in a midi length, and I’m glad I did!

 Dress: c/o eShakti (it seems that it’s no longer available, but this polka dot one in a similar shape is on my wish list); Clutch: Unknown- thrifted; Leopard Clutch Cover- Clutched & Covered; Shoes:  Zara (similar)

If you’ve never shopped with eShakti, or are considering it, I encourage you to give them a try. They’re dresses come in size 0-36W, and they allow for a variety of customization options! With it being wedding and proposal season, I think it’s pretty cool that they’ve recently launched a Bridesmaids line (I’m not in any weddings antime soon, but I wouldn’t mind having this or this in my closet, lol).

I’m thinking I need to start taking special outfit request more often, as it certainly made my rush to get dressed after church that day a lot easier, lol.  I’ve got my own special request for Reiko now, and that’s to borrow the dress she had made for her baby shower!  It is a must see, and check out her fun maternity photos too .

P.S.  eShakti is offerring a 20% discount just for Consider Me Lovely readers!!  Use code:  CMLVLY to save 20% thru 5.31.13

P.P.S. eShakti sent this dress to me, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.

These are some things that made me smile this week:

• Getting in a DIY project. (post coming soon)

• Making entries in my video journal!

• Donating some dresses and shoes to a local prom organization .

• Spending time with my friend and mommy-to-be Reiko!

• The tiny no-sew tulle skirt I made for Zara, Reiko’s baby-to-be!!

• A neon pink mani.

• A super dope necklace that came in the male from one of my best friends.

• This illustration that I spotted on Style Pantry’s Instagram feed .

• Reading this book by my Twitter/Instagram pal Emonne.  I’m so proud of her!

• Glitter sneakers on a rainy day.

When you smile, I smile (like really)!  What are some things that made you smile this week?

P.S.  There’s still a few days left to finish your no-sew tulle skirt and join the Consider Me Tulled link up!

What makes your body fabulous?

There was a time when I used to hate myself because of my size. I used to wear frumpy, dark clothes to “hide” myself until I lost weight which I thought would make me automatically happy. In 2011 I had major surgery and was home bound for eight weeks. During my illness, the love and support from my family and friends made me start to think “If they love me, why cant I love myself?” I spent those eight weeks doing some real soul searching and I decided to stop hating my body. The decision to accept myself freed me from self loathing. I know my full hips and thick thighs are fabulous. I appreciate my dark skin and natural hair as gifts. I still have days when I don’t feel so fabulous but I never lose sight of the love I have for myself.

What is your favorite thing about how you look? And why?

The favorite thing about how I look is my smile. Both my parents are deceased but when I smile I can see my dad’s almond shaped eyes and the curve of my mother’s full lips. My smile is a great tribute to the both of them.

What are your favorite things to wear to flatter your body or just help you feel good?

Wearing anything with color instantly makes me feel good. I love rich colors because they compliment my skin tone. Color blocking is the best thing to ever happen to me because I get to play with different hues and try new combinations.

When it comes to finding clothes, what are some issues you come across? And how do you solve them?

There is this belief that plus size women want to hide their bodies in unfashionable clothing. Its frustrating to to see dark colors as staples for many plus size clothing lines. Not all plus size women are sitting home lamenting on their size. We are living our lives to the fullest and want clothes that show this. How I solve this problem is supporting retailers like ASOS Curve, Simply Be and IGGI that understand this and provide quality clothing that allows plus size women to celebrate themselves.

What role do you think the media plays in body acceptance?

While I believe the media plays a huge role in how women perceive themselves we have the power to reduce that influence. We know that the media uses air brushed and altered images to sell a fantasy of perfection not reality. I think women today have a strong sense of self and are rejecting these unrealistic images.

What are your thoughts on female body acceptance and appreciation?

I think women accepting their bodies is wonderful but it is hard work. Self acceptance doesn’t mean you don’t have a bad day but having that appreciation for yourself makes it easier to get over those times.

Don’t you just lover her?!  Not only is Georgette beautiful, but she radiates an amazing spirit!  I love her last pint about self acceptance not being easy,a s we all have bad days.  Self acceptance is about dusting yourself off after those bad days and loving all of you even harder.

Now it’s your turn! Send in your answers and pictures telling me what makes your body fabulous so that I can feature you and further share the body acceptance/love message!

We all like to win something, so be sure to enter the Hair Sweepstake!  See the Sweepstake Rules and Blogher’s Prizes & Promotions Page for more information.

Do you wear curls? If so, what technique do you use? I think one day I may experiment to see if I can use hot rollers on my locs.