getting crafty

So, at the beginning of this school year I was given the awesome opportunity to work as a seamstress in the university's theatre department costume shop. So far, I was able to work on the department's production of Les Miserables (that ended with standing o's every night this past weekend, kudos to all of you) and haunted theatre and A Kind of Alaska. 

Anyway, I have been working on my sewing skills like a mad woman the last few months and when I came home this weekend I was able to get my hands on my own sewing machine and make a little something for myself. 

ta dahhhhhh!

of course, its already a known fact I am in love with patterns, but I HAD to make a skirt out of little Enterprises from Star Trek. Too good of a fabric to pass up. 

I am insane about being original and pride myself on being able to find crazy unique things, and finally being able to make things on my own is a giant accomplishment. If you ever get the opportunity to learn how to sew, get on it!!! Another great thing is I have complete control over the hemline. It can be however short or long I want it. In the past I've put down lots of skirts and dresses at the store because I wasn't into how my big ole donk stuck out the back--not cute. This skirt hits just above my knee and I dont have to worry about smoothing out my ass too much. I can't wait to show it off to my school chums come Monday! 

xoxo

werk 

~Natalie 

Returned from the dead!

Wow. First off, I'd like to say that I am a dirty lying asshole. It has been just about three whole months since I've last posted...oops.
I know all like 4 of my followers have been in tears anxiously awaiting new posts (hey, i can dream)

Sooo here it is!

As I, Natalie, return from the dead, I suppose I will begin with updating you on what I did for my halloween costume way back in October.

 I spent the day tromping across campus as little Max from Where The Wild Things Are! I've always loved this story (and the movie even more) and I knew it would be great to set myself apart from all the hoebag kitties and bumblebee girls on campus.
Here is how I accomplished my Max look.....
a) bought two cream colored sweaters and a pair of cream colored pants from Goodwill.
b) cut one sweater up and sewed a hood and ears stuffed with cotton balls and attached it to the other sweater.
c) bought cream colored fingerless gloves and cream colored slippers from Target.
d) bought a wolf tail on etsy.
e) built a crown out of construction paper and gold colored duct tape.
f) wow the pants off of everyone....I guess.

Obviously a bit late for this year, but here are a few halloween costume tips for next year because, hey, its never too early to start brainstorming ahead of time!

1) DRESS FOR THE FRICKIN' WEATHER!
I cannot stress this enough. Especially living in one of the coldest, snowiest states in the grand ole US of A, you dont want to be that girl dressed in a clam shell bra and bikini bottoms. You think I'm kidding? I've seen scantly clad lady bugs huddling together for warmth on a frat house lawn on November first. Not Bueno. I half expected them  to try to start a fire next.

2) COMFORT IS A THING!
By all means shake dat ass at some shady halloween basement party! But dont let a too short, too tight costume keep you from having fun. If you are busy worrying that your less than adorable underwear might be sighted or afraid someone thinks you look fat, you wont get the chance to shack up with that fine zombie fellow eyeballing you in the corner. Also, if you are the one friend who is always ending up on the floor after a few drinks, keep that in mind when debating if you want something with a skirt or not. To be on the safe side, I went with pants this year.

3) FIND YOUR BALANCE BETWEEN "SEXY" "CUTE" AND "SCARY"
Being of a bigger body type, I am always second guessing myself come halloween. The pressure to be a sexy little maid or sexy little cat or sexy little fill in the blank is tough. But when me and my friends go out on halloween, we often find ourselves poo pooing the slutty girls and heading for the girls and guys dressed in something cute or witty. Your costume portrays what you want out of the night. By all means, if you are looking for a hookup, go for the sexy cat costume. You werk it with pride, girl. But just know everyone but that one slimy dude will probably be judging you. But at the same time, going wayyyyy way way out and being 100% legit may not work in your favor either. If a guy cant tell that you are a girl under that blood oozing mask and oversized robe, you may need to rethink. Find your own balance. Think about what you want to do that night. Maybe you want to hook up with a dude. Maybe you're trying to hide from all of them stanky boys. I dunno, do whats good for you!

4) BE ORIGINAL!
If I see another girl who threw on some leggings and cat ears and eyeliner whiskers I may throw up. My roommate went as a bushbaby. I have no fucking clue what that is, but that sounds pretty original to me. And hey! Conversation starter! "Hello, good lady, but what in the world is a bushbaby?" Bam. New Friend. Make people remember you!

happy belated halloween kiddies

werk
~Natalie

words to live by!

See you all again on Thursday!


xoxo
werk

Natalie

Pretty Patterns

I am an absolute sucker for patterns. Patterns make the world go 'round.

Just looking around yourself right now you are bound to see at least one. I'm currently staring at about twenty. So why not take these patterns and stick them on your bod? 

There was that point in time where us ladies with a bit more love on the bones were always put in fabrics that looked like they belonged on a couch covered in plastic adding bulk and discomfort. Yuck. But they weren't entirely wrong....

I've found that patterns do in fact break up some of the bulk when done up with the right pattern, material, and shape. Not to mention they are just so goddamn adorable. 

Here are a few of my favorites from my own closet....

Cubes

Behold the first dress that got me hooked on awesome patterns. With a pattern of yellow, rust and white cubes on a field of black, I pair this dress with a dark cardigan grey or mustard yellow tights and knee high boots. The bow on the neck adds a bit of classiness as well. 

Dress: Forever 21 Cardigan: Forever 21 Tights: Target Boots: Breckelle's 

Puppies! 

You guys, there are dogs on my skirt. It is my favorite thing. A very simple, quirky pattern livens up any outfit. I also love that this skirt hits just below the knee and creates a good shape. The best part? On sale at target, bitches. Again with neck bows, they create a lovely classy simplicity. 

Skirt: Target Blouse: Forever 21 Tights: Target

Polkadots 

I am in love with polkadots. I have polkadots up the wazoo. They have such a cool vintage-y vibe that I  absolutely love. They add an instant sweetness and innocence to everything too. Black and white paired with a bright color = awesome. 

Jumper: Forever 21 Turtle neck: resale store Tights: Target

Patterns are perfect and just make everything so much better. They break up bulk and hide any unwanted pudginess and add a touch of personality to any outfit.

xoxo
werk it

Natalie 

Natalie's top ten stores

Hey kiddies! I'm not counting that intro as Thursday's post since it didn't really include anything other than ranting.

So, as my first real live actual legit post, I will answer the question I get asked most. 

 

after that one....

"Where do you get your clothes?" 

And for you, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite places and best finds....

(not in any particular order) 

1. Forever 21

Walking into a Forever 21 is kind of like walking into a giant pit of polyester, denim and doom and there is no rhyme or reason to the chaos of girls fighting over a polka dot jumper (which i may or may not have done....sorrynotsorry). And from time to time, it is in fact possible to find some good things there. the key is patience and the will to just keep digging after all the hope has been lost. For super cheap, you can get a lot of really nice stuff there. The downsides? Poorly made, everyone already seems to have it, and its geared primarily towards the -14s. I have been seeing more and more plus sized sections in Forever 21, but as usual, they are a lot larger and look really baggy on me. 

2. H&M

This store is nowhere near as daunting as Forever 21. Everyone H&M I have been in has been small and pretty well organized. They will have all of your wardrobe staples including your favorite blazers, pencil skirts, basic t-shirts and tanks. I am a huge believer in the basic dresses made out of a really nice, comfy, stretchy fabric that have the ability to be comfortable as well as stylish. I have one in green and it is flawless. I also own two of their awesome blazers. Those both come in handy quite frequently because I do the local campus news station. 

3. Macy's 

I am in love with Macy's. Yes, a little more pricy, but it is possible to not spend a zillion dollars there. How? Sale rack. It is the best thing ever. My personal Macy's favorites include American Rag for a folk-ish/western/romantic/vintage vibe, as well as Levi (the curvy jeans the best jeans in my book) Macy's is also really good for girls my size. Not too small, not too big. I'm also kind of a cheater in the fact that I get all my bathing suits from the so called "old lady" department...but that shit will keep you tucked in. No rolls at all. They are even cute. 

4. Amazon

Online shopping for the win. I have gotten two pairs of boots on Amazon and they are the most brilliant things. Just know your measurements for online shopping. In this case, since they were both knee high boots, measure your calf (mine comes in at about 16 in.) If you have the big calves like me, you will want to make sure they fit. 

5. St. Vinnie's/The Goodwill/Salvation Army

Thrifting is a gift from the shopping gods. My favorite two sweaters in the whole world each cost $5 and $10. What a steal. Also extremely awesome for halloween costumes as well. 

6. Lost and Found Vintage Royal Oak, MI

Alas, since most real vintage clothes are not available in larger sizes, it is extremely difficult finding something I am in love with that actually fits. But the accessories I find here are the coolest things. And also the scarves are awesome and look great in the hair as well as around the neck. The t-shirt selection is also quite amusing to browse through as well. 

7. Target

To be honest, I think the majority of my wardrobe is from Target. Real talk now. Cute, not completely shitty, and inexpensive. I am sold. The fact I could spend all my money at Target on clothes, accessories, shoes, and still be able to grab a gallon of milk just blows my mind. 'Murica. 

8. Pitaya Royal Oak, MI

I think this store was made for me. All of the cute clothes. A little on the expensive side, but adorable all the time. A few of these statement pieces look great in your wardrobe. 

9. Rust Belt Market Ferndale, MI

Not only is there amazing art, but there are vendors selling unique clothing and jewelry too! I have jewelry pouring out of my butt from here, I have so much of it. The best part? You are the only who has it. So if you are all about being original, this is for you. Plus, you get to support local artists! 

10. Modcloth.com 

Hooolllyyy moly. thank you lawddd for online shopping! Though I mostly just dream, I love me some modcloth. A lot of the things are rather pricy and not so super quality BUT they are the cutest things ever and make for great inspiration if you were to see it somewhere else. My favorite purchase from here is a berry colored circle scarf that I wear all the time. 

About the lady behind the laptop

Ahoy there!
Welcome to Fourteen: The Fashion Blog for Sizes in Between! First off, I am not here to be that girl who does nothing but posts those obnoxious mirror selfies about how awesome (or not awesome if I am fishing for compliments) I look today. Nuh uh. I ain't about that life. If I am sounding like a narcissist at any point, feel free to send me hate mail.
The idea behind this blog is fashion advice for us girls who fall in the awkward middle between regular sizes (under size 14) and plus sizes (over 14). Being that awkward size fourteen, I often find that clothes at plus sized stores are just built wrong for my body shape and made of odd billowy fabric that is too loose in places I'd rather flaunt. On the other hand, shopping at the regular size stores are the opposite: they accentuate the parts of my body that I'd rather keep covered with annoying short hemlines, too tight arms--not to mention the ever present muffin top problems that every girl on the planet fears.
And its just kind of like....well shit. what the hell am I supposed to wear now?
Well alas! Salvation!
Here I am with my "sage" fashion advice having survived high school relatively unscathed and then some with a year and two weeks of college under my belt.

But before you grab your credit card and zoom away to the nearest mall, you should probably know a little more about me and why you should even be paying attention to my shenanigans....

I'm currently a sophomore at Northern Michigan University wayyy up yonder in Marquette (originally from Detroit, hollah) working towards my degree in theatre and digital cinema. My personal style has always been a huge part of me and, being an art student, an art within itself.

You may ask "why should I care about what I wear? Its not like other people's opinions matter..."
well, you are right. Their opinions of you don't matter. But its your opinion of yourself that matters. Dressing up in a way that makes you feel good.
I am a big believer in the "dress for success" motto. The way I dress completely affects the way I function throughout the day and if I am looking like a bum, you will probably find me sitting in a cardboard box on the street rambling about how the world is coming to an end.
I ain't about that life.
Anyway, if you are the kind of person who feels totally awesome and alive looking like a hobo, kudos to you! Its definitely an easier option and I sometimes wish it was something I could do. You may disregard everything I am saying or just steal the tips you do like. Whatever floats yo boat.

P.S. sorry for this long ass novel of a post. I pinky promise that they won't be this long winded and will include pictures too...maybe gifs if I'm feeling so inclined.

So, stay tuned and stay classy, kiddies.

xoxo
Natalie