Sweater Weather

Hi there!

Tonight I visited the Universal Standard Popup Shop at Nordstrom and then popped on over to Eloquii to listen in on The Substance Beneath the Style Panel sponsored by Chicago Woman Magazine.

I'm going to share more about Universal Standard later, but if you're on SnapChat, my stories will be up until tomorrow night :) 

The Chicago Woman panel was great. In all honesty, until this past weekend at the Curvy Girl Conference, I'd never sat in on a panel like this - women talking about their accomplishments and thoughts on women's issues and roles in society. I'm not NOT a feminist, I just don't really think about those types of things. But it's time I should and this last week has been a goods start. I'm feeling very inspired and already sent some emails that last week I wouldn't have even thought to write. Fingers crossed that all this inspiration I'm feeling will lead me somewhere good!

I wore this gorgeous sweater I got at Evereve when I shopped there a few weeks ago. It's so comfy! Perfect for today's cool weather. Warning - this sweater is thick and it was a struggle to get my jacket over it LOL! And yes, I needed a jacked, because this knit is big and it lets the breeze in. But I love it and can't wait to wear it again!

Check back soon for more info on Universal Standard! It's a pretty interesting brand and doing some very unique things.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Thanks Curvy Girl Conference!

Hi there,

I've posted about his a bunch of times over the last week, but yesterday was the Curvy Girl Conference and it was SO FUN!!!

This was the first time a conference like this has taken place in the Midwest - a conference hosted by Curvy Girls FOR Curvy Girls. Everything about it was positive and enlightening and just plain fun.

After check in, my friend Vanessa and I headed to the rooftop VIP area to listen in on the Dream Big Panel.

Qiana, Vunzai, Hayet, Yvonne and David

They each spoke about their journeys as entrepreneurs and the roadblocks they have faced. The biggest tidbit I took away from here was a phrase that Yvonne used - "Your dream may be delayed, but it's not denied." This was something I needed to hear. She told me later that she worked corporate for 25 years and took care of her family because that came first. But now that her kids are older, she's free to pursue the things she's always wanted to. As a mom of small kids, this really spoke to me. I sometimes feel frustrated because there are so many things I WANT to do, but I have a family and that comes first. I just have to remember that my time will come. I'm trying to be patient. But it's hard!

Stole this photo from Vanessa LOL

We sat in on the model panel and then hit up the 10 Management Model Search, because - why not? I'm short and old, but I'm cute so you never know right? Haha! We snuck out of the model panel a little early to head up there and it was a pretty quick little interview.

After sneaking off for lunch at Beatrix (and missing the Blogger Panel - SORRY LADIES!!!) We hit up the vendor floor where I bought the most ridiculously funny door mat, that I'll share later! And some FABULOUS gold track pants from Aura Bazaar. I can't wait to wear them!!! They are so freaking cute!!! Check them out at the Boss Babe Pop Up Shop at Old Orchard! I'm gonna head up there to try on some more pieces asap!

I also got my first Henna tattoo. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Done by Henna Tattoo Chicago

 The ladies of the Fashion Entrepreneurs & CEOs Panel - 

Cassy, Tamika, Leslie, Shashi

My favorite panel, besides mine of course, was The Making It Big In Show Business Panel, with Erica Watson (pictured above on the right.) This woman is FUNNY AND REAL!!! She gave a lot of great info for the girls who are interested into breaking into Hollywood. And she was really blunt. And I loved every minute of it!

Listening to a question for the Beauty Panel

I was on the beauty panel and I was kind of terrified. Thankfully, our moderator Jessica Milagros, prepped questions that were easy to answer and the audience had a lot of good questions for us also. I was worried for nothing and if someone asked me to join a panel in the future, I don't think I'd hesitate to say yes. 

The Beauty Panel - Jessica Milagros, Caitlin Krenz, 

Lauren Ward, Rashia Williams and Me

Overall Natasha, the organizer of the event, did a PHENOMENAL job! Everyone I spoke to had a great time. I know I personally learned a lot and had so much fun! It's awesome to see ladies who are pursuing their dreams and ready to share knowledge. It's a pretty amazing thing to be a part of.

If there is another one next year, GO!!! You won't be sorry, I promise.

Oh, and this is what I wore! LOL!

It was a hard choice!  But I'm happy with what I chose.

Until next time,

xoxo

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Tomorrow's the Curvy Girl Conference!!!

Hi there!

If you follow any of my social media, you'll have already seen that I'm taking part in the Curvy Girl Conference as part of the Beauty Panel. This is the first time there has been a conference specifically for plus size ladies in the Midwest, and I'm super excited to take part!

This afternoon, Natasha (the conference organizer), threw a little party for those coming to the event at the Eloquii store on Michigan Ave. So, I took the opportunity to not only meet some of the fab ladies that will be taking part in the conference tomorrow, but also to SHOP. Because I needed something to wear to the conference!!!

Eloquii is one of my favorite brands - so many awesome, fashion forward pieces. But, it's also dangerous, because there are so many awesome, fashion forward pieces!!!

I tried on a billion things. I still don't know exactly what I'm going to wear tomorrow, but here are some of the options I came up with:

Which would you choose???  I guess we'll all be surprised when I get my next post up, right??? HaHa!

After I left he party, I Uber'd over to my kids school, which wasn't far away, and drove home with my fam. 

After we picked up #3 from pre-school, we took them miniature golfing for the first time! Today's weather was BANANAS!!! We HAD to take advantage of an 80 degree day in October!

She was having fun, I swear, but when I snapped this I couldn't help but LOL!

By the 8th whole, they were kind of over it, but we still have a lot of family fun. So glad we went!

Be sure to check back for details on which outfit I chose and to hear all about the Curvy Girl Conference!!!

Until next time!

xoxo

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#MinisterMichelle

Hi there!

Last weekend I had the honor of being the officiant of my younger brother and sister-in-law's 10 year vow renewal ceremony!

I was really nervous, but I think I pulled it off pretty decently. 

I got ordained by Universal Life Church. This wasn't necessary since a vow renewals isn't a legal ceremony, but I did it anyway, just for fun. Actually, I'd been ordained before, but I lost my paperwork so I just decided to re-do it.  

Here are a few snapshots from the day! I can't wait to see the professional photos from Teresa Dalbera Photography!

 The party was at a place called Church Street Brewery. How fun to have a party there?! It was super fun and very relaxed. Everyone had a great time!

Aren't they so cute?!?!

I'm wearing Pat McGrath LuxeTrance lipstick in Wrecked. It's pretty amazing. SO pigmented!!! But it will stain your lips. It's hard to get off for sure. 

I wore this fabulous dress from Eloquii. I felt so judicial - I thought the caped sleeves were perfect for the occasion. What's funny is I didn't buy this dress for this occasion - I already had it! Good thing I buy random shit all the time, right?!?! It saves me a lot of trouble a lot :)

The dress is 40% off! Get to shopping now!

Until next time,

xoxo

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Is This $5 Mascara Worth It? Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara Review

Hi there!

I honestly can't remember where I saw this product, but the headline was something like "People are going crazy for this $4 mascara!" Or something like that. So of course I had to buy it, right???

So, I found this Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara on Amazon for $4.99. For that price, I bought 2. And here are my results.

No Mascara

Only my right eye done with Essence Lash Princess Mascara

Both eyes done with Essence Lash Princess Mascara

Both eyes with 2 coats of Essence Lash Princess Mascara

Side-By-Side Comparison

So - do I like it? Actually I do! The formula is thick and the brush is firm and it's easy to get the product into the lashes. It's super black and I love how it makes my lower lashes pop.

I wear false lashes almost every day, but this will do on an off day! And for $5, how can you really say no???

If you try it, let me know what you think! 

Until next time,

xoxo

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