I was going to write a post about how this adorable plaid skirt stopped me dead in my tracks while I was out shopping last weekend, but then, just an hour into me wearing it….the side of the garment ripped open. And what’s worse, I was talking on a panel in front of dozens of women when it happened. Yeah, it was a true fashion crisis. But, I held my head up high, and I sucked in (lol).
So instead of writing about the skirt—that I got from Forever21—let me tell you where I wore the skirt! On Tuesday night, I was on a panel called Digital Girl in a Digital World, hosted by Bumble Bizz, Cliquish, and Made Maven, with five other incredible boss babes. We shared how we juggle a career, side hustle, social life, and relationships, and some women even discussed how they turned their side hustle into their full time grind. There was an emphasis put on relationships and how we balance our time with important people in our lives while delegating chunks of time to our side hustles and careers. I’ve never really talked about how I handle my friendships and relationships as someone who is always busy with work. So to have the opportunity to reflect and speak on where I am at in my life with relationships was really interesting. I spoke about how supportive my boyfriend was with my blog, and how he is always pushing me to level up… and interestingly enough, the proof is in these outfit photos that my photographer and I shot just two days prior to the panel. While my boyfriend could have been inside watching football on a Sunday, there he was by my side during the shoot with an umbrella in hand as the skies quickly turned dark and cloudy. He was also in attendance at the panel—which was made up of mostly women—just to support me. One of the things I said during the panel that resonated with me the most was when I told the crowd to surround themselves with a tribe of people—whether friends or a significant other—that fully believe in your mission and purpose. You want people in your life that will do everything they can to build and grow with you.
Aside from how the relationship part of the conversation made me reflect on my own, it was a very inspirational and empowering evening. If you are a new blogger or are looking to get engaged in the influencer arena, I highly recommend checking out Cliquish! They have an upcoming blogger workshop and conference called Content Sugar that is extremely beneficial for content creators!
If my experience with the plaid skirt didn’t turn you off, and you still want one, it’s the Plus Size Plaid Mini Skirt from Forever21 Plus! For the look I am wearing in this photo, I topped off the skirt with a white button up shirt and Universal Standard’s Yarra Shrug Sweater in black. For the look I wore to the panel, I paired the skirt with Old Navy’s Slim-Fit Luxe Rib-Knit Sweater—which I am obsessed with and I own them in every color. These sweaters from Old Navy are my go-to for fall. They are lightweight and easy to layer, and the curved hem on the bottom is so flattering for a curvy figure! And of course, it’s not a Natalie look without some over-the-knee boots! I got these boots from Charlotte Russe last year, but here are some similar ones: Over-the-Knee Faux Suede Boots.
SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 3X in the Plus Size Plaid Mini Skirt from Forever21 Plus, which is a size larger than my usual size, and it fit pretty loose, but the 2x was too small. Regardless, the skirt still burst at the seams. I am wearing a size 2X in my white button up shirt, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. I am wearing a size medium in Universal Standard’s Yarra Shrug Sweater in black, which is my usual size, and it fits me perfectly!
