Change...

Happy Monday guys!

Normally I don't like Mondays. Well, really it's Sunday nights that I have a problem with. It symbolizes the start of another five days that I have to wait until the weekend comes :) I'm such a weekend girl.

Well today, might have changed my gripe about Mondays. For a little while at least. Today Monday represented change. A sense of newness. The realization that I could see where I want to be, as well as the path that could take me there. I'm excited for new things to come!

It was also a beautiful day as far as the weather is concerned. Fall is in full swing here in Minnesota, and my yard has the fallen leaves to prove it!

Those leaves sure are pretty, but we will be some raking fools this weekend! lol!

This picture is one of my favorites! ;)

Do you get a case of "The Mondays" when weekends end too? What helps you get through?

Scarf - Target

Denim Shirt - Target

Skirt - JC Pennys

Boots - Target

Bag - Coach

Casual Weekends...

Happy weekend!! I know there are folks out there who don't care about weekends because either they work straight through them and have other days off throughout the week, or their are people who work for themselves, so they're always working. Not the case for me. I have a 9-5 (well, really a 7:30-4pm), and it's Monday - Friday. I can't stress enough how much I cherish weekends.

I do as little as I want, or as much as I can squeeze in (usually the latter). I spend time at home, in my yard, with my family, eating good food, having a drank, just lounging. You know. Whatever. 

Anyhoo, on to the OOTD. I wore this on Mother's Day. Oh Lawd! Where are my manners?! Even though I'm a week late, I hope that you all enjoyed Mother's Day. No matter if you're a mother, or if you know a mother, I hope you had a lovely day. Now, on to the OOTD.

I'm all about this dress! It's made from jersey fabric, and I can't even tell you how comfy it is. It's fairly shapeless, and I purchased it a size too big (on purpose) to achieve this look. My normal style is casual and cool.  I like to throw on an outfit and go. No shapers, no Spanx, no fuss.

I can't remember if I have shown my cute little boat shoes on the blog before. I've had them for quite a few years. They were originally purchased for my daughter, but she didn't like them. I was actually happy that she didn't because that meant they were ALL MINE! Score!

I recently read a blog post that listed Coach purses/bags as a terrible trend that needed to never come back again. I'm not sure how many feel that way, and I guess I'm hard pressed to say that I care. I love my bag(s) and I will rock them until the wheels fall off. Being that I have been buying and wearing them since I was a teenager, it's not a trend for me. My mother and aunts all wore Coach, and as a kid I can remember wanting all of their bags. So for me, it's COACH TILL THE WORLD BLOW UP!!! (not everyone will get that gang reference, and I'm cool with that, Ha!)

Until next time...

Denim Jacket - Rue 21

Dress - Target

Bag - Coach

Shoes - JC Penny

The Blues...

For the past month our Mac has been on the fritz. We have iPads, and iPhones in our home, but there's nothing like our beloved computer. But now she's back, she's fixed, and all is right with the world. Well, maybe not the world per se, but all is right in the Buchanan household. And you know what else?! I get to blog!! Believe me, I tried to do it from the iPad, but it just wasn't the same :(

If you hang out with me on Instagram, or Facebook, you've already seen these outfits. It's cool though.

Simply Be USA sent me a pair of Joe Browns Boyfriend Jeans. I had never purchased boyfriend jeans before because every pair that I tried up until this point had a weird fit. I thought that I would have to pass on this particular style because it just didn't work for me. When I put them on, they didn't look like all of the pics that I had seen of other plus size ladies who looked so cute in theirs!  Either they were too big in the waist, or too tight in the thigh area. A lot of them were also too long, or saggy in the crotch area. Lawd knows I can't stand jeans with a saggy crotch area! Ugh!

Anyhoo, these jeans are FAB! While they do have a bit of a gap in the back, they still sit up on my hips, and they are roomy throughout the thigh area.

I wore them to a Paint & Sip outing with my family and the outfit came out super cute.  I wanted to be casual and comfy, and I was just that. I decided to throw on a statement necklace as the focal point... and WAH-LAH! Don't you just love it when an outfit comes together just like you saw it in your head?! :)

Later on that evening, I decided to switch it up to see if I could wear the jeans with heels for a more dinner and cocktails casual look. Again, my outfit came together just how I imagined it. Not too dressy, not too casual. I just love these jeans! 

I am a minimalist when it comes to accessories, so I just added a little bracelet and a pair of black hoop earrings. My handy dandy blue clutch was perfect.

Have you tried your hand at Boyfriend Jeans? How did it turn out for you? What brand of jeans would you recommend?

My finished painting from the Paint & Sip event. I like it!! :)

Until next time...

Top - Target (Old)

Jeans - Simply Be USA

Clutch - Darby Smart

Heels - Madden Girl - DSW

I Got a Secret...

Hey peeps!! As the weekend ends, I'm lounging in sweats, a t-shirt and socks. Minnesota weather is quickly turning to Fall, and we're at a cool 50 degrees and rainy, with no signs over summer left. I haven't left my house all day, and I make no apologies for it. I see most of my Instagram & blogger buddies wishing for Fall weather around their way. You ladies should come to Minnesota, we have all the chill in the air that you need :)

This was a work outfit from about a week ago. It was around 70 degrees and sunny. That's the perfect Fall day for me. I got to pull out my favorite knee boots and a cute scarf for a pop of color.

Wanna know a little something about this dress? It's from Target. Wanna know something else? It's from the maternity section. Yea. I said it. The Maternity Section. 

So there I am. Perusing the Target clearance isles, per usual. I came across this cute little striped number for $8.97. It was two of my favorite things. Striped and cheap. I took it in the dressing room and tried it on. It fit!! I looked at the tag again before going to the register, just to make sure that I counted all of my items correctly… and that's when I saw it. MATERNITY. o_O

Say what now? Maternity?! I was ready to put it back. I was so mad. I couldn't imagine that I would wear a maternity dress without actually being pregnant. I'm not sure why, but I just couldn't. It made me feel some type of way :/ Then I remembered a post from one of the first plus sized bloggers that I "followed". Ever so stylish GabiFresh blogged about a super cute dress that she wore from the maternity section of ASOS. Then, I thought… Why not? Because it sounded bad for me to be able to fit a maternity dress.

My next thoughts were, it's cute, and I look good in it, so I bought it and wore it. POW!!

Until next time…

Jacket - Rue 21

Dress - Target (Maternity Section)

Scarf - Target

Boots - Target

Dare to be...

Hey peeps! Long time no see!!

I've come to the realization that Instagram has been my mistress for the past few months. Like any cheater, I've neglected my home, so it became less appealing. The interaction that I get on IG is awesome because it's in real time and I feel like I'm getting to know those of you who are over there.

I do miss the writing side of blogging and I also miss those of you who aren't on IG. Btw, what the heck are you waiting for? Get on over there and connect with me! :)

Anyhoo, on to more pressing matters. Like the fact that most of you know, Google Reader is going away. Aside from Instagram, you can still find me on Twitter & BlogLovin. And for you guys who are worried about finding/losing blogs that you read everyday, (mine included) I've transitioned over to a really cool alternative for Google Reader. It's called Feedly. I was able to migrate all of the blogs from my Google Reader to Feedly very easily and it's actually better than I thought it would be! Try it!

I've babbled long enough. It's time for my OOTD. I know that this outfit is not everyones cup of tea. Hell, I wouldn't even wear it without the Hubs!! There's no need to give me "constructive" feedback on how NOT to show my midriff. Yes, I know I have stretch love marks & this tummy ain't flat (I'm working on that part). I have two children and I've lived with all of the love they've given me for the past 14 years (shout out to my babies!!).  I've heard/read it all. Seriously. I got this.  There's a reason why it's called personal style. It's, well… Personal. There's also something awesomely liberating about owning your own style. Hits, misses, and everything in-between. Do it. I dare you!

Until next time…

P.S., my daughter cut my feet out of every pic & I didn't notice until I started editing. Ugh! Gotta love her!

Denim shirt - Target

Skirt - H & M

Sandals (not shown *eye roll*) - Target

Weekend Girl...

Happy Football Sunday y'all! At least that's what's going on in my house. I hope everyone's weekend has been going well.

Friday night, I attended a bonfire gathering to celebrate my sis in-laws birthday. It was my first one, and I really had a good time. Saturday afternoon, hubby, myself and the kiddos went to a Hip-hop Festival. There were graffiti artists, break dancing and freestyle battles. We missed the free-styling, but I enjoyed what we were able to catch. Saturday evening, I went with hubby to a company dinner to celebrate their 10th anniversary… which brings me to the OOTD.

I snagged this cute & colorful dress from Target on clearance for $9.98!! It would have been a shame NOT to get it. I think it's perfect for work, or a nice dinner. The fall colors are what drew me to it. You can't go wring with oranges, browns and blues for Fall. The only negative (if you can call it that) is, I wish I had picked up a smaller size. I had to put on the denim blazer because the dress is pinned in the back.

Out of habit, I grabbed an XXL and went to the dressing room, but was pleasantly surprised when that didn't work. Because I didn't have much time, I left the dressing room, picked up the XL and was on my way. If I had tried it on in the store, I would have gotten the L. I probably should have tried it on at home before it was time for me to get ready :/ It's a good problem to have, but in a way it's weird not knowing your size. I digress.

Until next time…

I can't say enough how much I'm enjoying my hair!! My second twist out & I love the messiness of it!

Denim Blazer - Gifted from a friend

Dress - Target

Shoes - Call it Spring