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Do you ever see a faux fur coat or vest while shopping and think you have to have it? Well, I know I do, but when I throw on the accessory, it never really turns out the way I expected.

I saw a similar faux fur vest like the one I’m wearing on another blogger a couple weeks ago. That’s when I realized that I had a faux fur vest in my closet that had not yet seen the light of day. I was inspired by the blogger and decided to create a similar all black look to accompany the poofy vest I couldn’t wait to get home and rip out of the closet, which is what usually happens when fashion inspo takes over.

While I’m not totally satisfied with the ensemble I put together, I did learn a few things about being able to pull of the faux fur look. Peep the lessons below:

• If your faux fur piece is busy in pattern, keep the rest of your outfit all one color, color-blocked, or very minimalist. This will help you not look like Cruella de Ville as you walk down the streets—I think…
• All black ensembles pair very well with lighter furs and lighter colored outfits pair better with dark colored furs. However, if you are a rebel and you insist on switching up the above declaration, I won’t stand in your way! 
• For my curvy ladies: Fur will always look bulky on us, there is no way around it. So, embrace it! Side note: If you are short and curvy, like me, top your ensemble off with some heels or wedge booties…I wish I would have worn a pair of shoes with a couple of extra inches for this outfit shoot. 
• People may look at you funny. They are probably envying you for being able to step out in the edgy, yet glamorous winter staple…..Believe it or not, fur is harder to pull of than you may think. Try it!
• Above all else, just own it. You can sport, rock, and wear anything you feel / demonstrate confident in. 

Disclaimer: This is a freakin’ long post, sorry. But so many amazing things are happening. If you want to skip through my life update, scroll down to the bottom. I sort of buried some exciting news down there!

Whether or not you have realized it, being plus size comes with rules. Have you ever heard, “Don’t wear horizontal stripes?” or “Only wear a crop top if your stomach is flat?” Yeah, it’s starting to sound like a broken record. While I usually follow the rules in my day-to-day, I’m all about breaking them when it comes to fashion.

I put this Forever 21 Plus sweater on, which I absolutely love, and as I looked in the mirror, I asked, “Do I look fat in this?” HAH! Yes… because, well, I am fat. I have always loved stripes, but have turned away from them because these rules have been ingrained into my head.

So I have been experimenting with ways to make this outfit more flattering for my figure, and I think I found a couple of style hacks. I added this navy scarf to break up the stripes. Instead of wrapping it around my neck, I just let the scarf drape over my shoulders, which helps to separate the pattern. I aso rolled up my sleeves to interfere with the stripes. See? It’s the little things that make a big difference!

It feels good to know that I can wear whatever I want, but I realize that it takes a lot of confidence to shut out the negative rules and words of those who wish to limit us plus size women to what we can wear and what we can’t. I say, “Rock it all, and rock it well.”

I have said it many times, and my friends will be the first ones to tell you. Although I am considered a “fashionista,” I love to keep it casual—especially toward the end of the semester when finals are piling up and papers are due. Getting dressed up and looking like a million bucks feels great, but doing it everyday is exhausting and at heart I am truly a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. (Yikes I can’t believe I said that.)

However, when it is a jeans and T-shirt kind of day, I like to keep my looks edgy and creative. The shirt I am wearing in this post is from Kadi Klothing. I fell in love with the elephant on the shirt when I first saw it on Klaudia Sekura’s Instagram. I had no idea that it was going to be on a shirt or that she drew and designed the beautiful graphic herself. Klaudia is the creator of Kadi Klothing and she just opened up shop! The line of T-shirt’s and crewnecks for men and women is both artisitc and extremely unique being that Klaudia designs each and every one of them. Visit Kadi Klothing here!