Looking Great in Plus Size Women's Dresses

Stanley Tucci may not have been far from the truth in his brutally honest portrayal of the fashion industry when he played seasoned New York designer Nigel in the acclaimed film, "The Devil Wears Prada." At one point in the movie he chastises a naive young journalist, Andy Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) for refusing to starve herself. Size two, he explains, is now the new size four, and size zero the new size two.

This seemingly realistic depiction of the fashion industry as a whole does not hold true in a country where the average size of an American women is 14. Healthy and size 0 rarely go hand in hand. You don't need to deprive yourself of life to be beautiful. Dressing for your figure is the key to looking great and feeling confidant all in one amazing package.With some easy to follow tips you can feel like you're walking down the runway everyday. Avoid heavy, clingy fabrics that hug your hips. Fashion should flow gracefully, not cling. A great option is the adjustable, comfortable and stunningly figure-friendly wrap dress.

I just can't get enough of the magnificent fashion creation.If you feel that your arms are a problem area, you should avoid clothes with bubble sleeves. The combination of puffy excessive fabric and cinching elastic will only draw additional attention to that area where many women already feel tremendously self-conscious.You need to be judicious in wearing belts. Belts can be an inexpensive and simple way to give life to old pieces of clothing. Very audacious or ostentatious belts should be avoided, and special attention should be paid to placement o the belt. A belt around the ribcage is very flattering for someone who is heavy in the midsection and thighs. Make sure to choose just the right belt loop, because a too-tight belt is unflattering and uncomfortable.Be careful to select the right high boots for you. While high boots look excellent with dresses, if you are short or have a pear-shaped figure, make sure your boots have a heel: the increased height lengthens the legs, allowing you to stand tall with style and elegance.

Pair your high boots with an empire waist dress and you're set for a night on the town; the empire waist falls just above the natural waist, allowing bottom-heavy women to look fabulous.Ignore the old wives tale that says black is the only slimming color, and be sure to choose a subtle fabric. Forget the old news, and remember that the main focus is to be understated. Choose warm inviting colors like greens, browns, and rusts. Steer clear of the unflattering horizontal stripe, and those obnoxious print materials.A key piece of advice is to own your style. When wearing dresses you should look as amazing as you feel inside. Choose versatile items that will allow you to go out to dinner or even to a cocktail party straight from work.

Resources: http://plus-size.discountsonline.com/ and CATO's in Fort Worth, Texas

No More Drama: We Finally Moved Into Our Own Place

I am still unpacking, organizing, and trying to make this feel like home. It is such a good thing not to have to live with anyone. However, we are blessed that we had somewhere to go when we needed a place to live temporarily! And, we have even more blessings to come throughout this journey-new home, new space, new friends, and the pursuit of my dream career!!

Displaced and living out of a suitcase is not for me, we went to visit and never left, sometimes things don't make sense until later. I am just happy my son can run around in his Scooby Doo undies and do Power Ranger flips through the house again.

- Connie Sheeley

If my driving the speed limit frustrates you, then just go around…

About a year ago, I was in a terrible car accident. I was driving on the roads with two of my children and one of their little friends. We were on what you’d call the "back roads", since it was a newly developed community in the making the roadway didn't have lines and such. The roads were fair, just no real visible lines. We had just finished having lunch and looking at some land to purchase, so we could build our dream home. There was hardly anyone driving around at the time, as we took this little trip in the middle of the day, during the week. We were perfectly safe, it was quiet, beautifully lined and scattered with trees, and some of the most gorgeous houses that pictured too perfect for anyone to live in them. As we were ending our sight-seeing we got back on the road to head home, as I’d listened to my daughter and her friend role play a skit out of their Sunday school book, I also managed to converse with one of my sons about god knows what?! We were happy, healthy and free!

As I continued to drive, up ahead I could see a car approaching pretty quickly towards us. The street we were driving on had a curve design, black top, but no lines on the road. You just knew to drive on your side of the street, and as far too the right when possible on a 2 lane road like that (Now that I think about it… it was like… one big lane go in 2 different directions). I was actually glad to see a car, since we really hadn’t seen any people coming or going from the area at the time. So, I was anticipating to see who was driving, and if they would smile or wave! What?! I wanted to know what type of people may live in the area. J Now, while this car is coming towards us and we’re driving this curvy street I can tell she’s approaching pretty quickly… Living in Texas I’ve learned that some people tend to speed on the “back roads” where theres no signal lights. I began to mumble under my breath about how fast she was coming. I even asked my 10 year old son “Is that lady driving in our lane?” He said, “It looks like it, yeah!” So I start hunking the horn like a maniac, and yelling at the top of my lungs, “Get Over, Get Back In Your Lane, You are Driving on the Wrong Side” Of course, this all happened in a matter of seconds, after having met up at the curve is when we truly realized, she was indeed in our lane. It was crazy! As she continued to approach us (now in miliseconds), I could see her, but she just didn’t see us. That could have been because she was talking on her cell phone, with her head down, with a paper in her hand. You’re probably asking how I could see all that. Because at this point, we were right in front of each other as if we were parked in a parking lot.

And just before we collided, she looked up at me and I looked at her… 1 second later I remember holding tight to my steering wheel, looking over to the right where my son was sitting. I saw the glass from the windshield break apart as the little pieces bounced off his face. I don’t recall hearing a word from the girls in the back seat. As this very moment of impact happened in slow motion, I thought to myself, “Is this how I’m going to die, Is this it for me, Am I going to watch my son be crushed, Wow what would my husband think?” 30 seconds later our lives completely changed. Our lives were not the same anymore. We would forever, look at this situation as a major learning experience.

So, before you get mad at the driver in front of you, for actually doing the official speed limit or maybe driving 5 mph less than required – imagine how many accidents occur every hour, how many people die, how many adults and children are injured, and most importantly think about leaving 2 days early if you’re that impatient. Toodles!!

-Taylor Davis

Kids and Their Questions

Children ask the most realistic and mind boggling questions, don't they?! Sometimes you want to answer them and keep it real and other times you want to say, "Huh, What?!"

Well I have to say, I'm delighted to answer those challenging questions. How about you?

- Taylor Davis

Starting My New Journey

Hey girlfriend here we go! I've finally given birth to this new baby of mine. I'm so excited to share it with you. I pray that you receive as much of a blessing as I've experienced thus far. I've had the pleasure of meeting some really interesting people, faced some of my biggest fears (rejection), and fighting with time to balance my personal and professional life.

- Taylor Davis