Back to school cool! My review of Karina Dresses Style Academy Collection featuring the Nora Dress in On Point

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Hello everyone, I am feeling fabulous!  It is just about fall here in Michigan, the leaves are turning, the weather is cooler and apple cider is being sold at our local orchards.  Fall is my favorite time of year so I am looking forward to having a fantastic season.

Today, I am reviewing the Karina Dresses Nora Dress in On Point print.  Karina Dresses newest collection, Style Academy, features fall perfect prints in crisp bright colors that are great for back to school, days at the office, casual time out and all occasions. I chose the Nora Dress in On Point print because I absolutely adore novelty prints and the Nora is such a classic, comfortable style.  The Nora Dress features a wrap bodice, banded waist, shirred shoulders, gathered back, pockets and a full skirt.  I love this style, it is super flattering and curve creating. I am wearing the Nora Dress in On Point print in size XXL, fit is perfect.  Stretchy but flattering with a nice flow to the skirt.  The top is flattering and modest, the shirred detailing at the shoulders is a pretty and feminine touch that gives the dress a unique retro feel.  The banded waistband emphasizes the waist giving a curvy silhouette.  Length hits me a few inches below the knees, I am petite at 5'2" so this dress is a bit longer on my short frame.  The Nora Dress also features pockets, an incredibly thoughtful addition that makes this already great dress even better.  I love having pockets in my dresses so I have the option when I am out to carry a purse or leave my purse at home and carry my necessities in the pockets.

This new Karina Dresses signature print, On Point, is a fun twist on the retro novelty print featuring pop art pencils in white and yellow on a bright blue background.  I love novelty prints because they are so fun to accessorize, this On Point print would be especially great for teachers or students.  I had a lovely time shooting these photos at the Gaffield School House at the Montcalm County Heritage Village in Sydney, Michigan.  This historic one room school house made the perfect backdrop to showcase this scholarly pencil print.  I accessorized my Karina Dresses Nora Dress with a white vintage hat, matching vintage hoop earrings in yellow, bangles in yellow and white, white beaded vintage purse, a white cardigan, classic black and white heels and a shiny apple brooch.  It was such a fun dress to style, I love that you can play with the different colors and put together themed outfits.  I was going for a pretty teacher style look, I imagined myself as a teacher from a bygone era welcoming my students back.

Karina Dresses microfiber material is stretchy but with structure so it fits your curves without clinging in an unflattering way.  As with all Karina Dresses, this Nora Dress is hassle free, the microfiber material requires no maintenance and does not wrinkle so you can roll, fold, pack or even wad this dress in a ball and it will look as if it is brand new out of the package.  This dress is so vintage perfect, it reminds me of the effortlessly stylish day dresses of the 1940's era, a classic design that will never go out of style.  Chic on it's own or styled with a cozy cardigan, the Nora Dress is versatile and fun to wear.  Fabulous signature prints, effortlessly stylish designs and hassle free material, Karina Dresses will always keep you looking sharp!

Cozy and chic! My review of Ye Mak Sweater and an exclusive discount for YOU!

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Today is the perfect day to talk about my favorite sweater because it's blustery, snowy and cold.  Spring was here for about a week, long enough for the daffodils to bloom but we generally get one last big blow out and it happened yesterday, at least six inches of show dumped on top of us, winter just loves to pick on us.  I am looking forward to getting back to work, honestly this winter has made it hard to blog, it really was one of the toughest ones we have seen in a really long time and since I shoot most of my content outside and at different locations the weather we had really limited my ability to take quality photographs, it was harsh!!  I have also been struggling with depression and generalized anxiety, the winter season seems to exacerbate both of these so that made this winter particularly hard on me, I really was isolating myself due to this and it has had a negative affect on my blog.  I apologize and I truly treasure those of you who have stuck with me in spite of these issues.  I look forward to doing lots of new stuff this year, including more video content, ,be sure to follow me on my social media accounts listed below so you do not miss out!  I have tons of great new content coming as the spring and summer season comes as well as a couple giveaways in the works, I am so excited to share!

  The weather in Michigan is very unpredictable so Ye Mak sweaters are a staple in my wardrobe, they offer a wide variety of styles in both straight and plus sized options that flatter and look chic without breaking the bank.  I am thrilled to be a brand ambassador with Ye Mak Sweater becauset I started out as a customer, I bought three Cropped Cardigans, then a few more, then I was wearing them with almost every outfit so Ye Mak was kind enough to gift me some items to review for you along with a very generous discount!

Ye Mak Crewneck Cardigan

 Ye Mak Sweater are a company that I have been a loyal customer to because of their selection, commitment to quality products and friendly customer service.  First thing to love about Ye Mak is that they love all bodies, their size range goes from size S-4XL.  Another thing to love is the broad color range, I love that I can take a print and change the personality or seasonality of it just by adding a sweater in a different color.  It is possible to match just about anything because Ye Mak sweaters come in a huge rainbow of colors and styles so you can get just the look you desire.  My sweater collection also lets me transition my dresses from summer to winter.  You may have noticed that Ye Mak sweaters have been featured in many of my blog posts and on my social media quite heavily, this is because they are such a versatile part of my wardrobe.  I do not have a huge budget for clothing so I have to stretch my dollars as far as possible, Ye Mak helps me get the most mileage from my closet!

  I am excited to have a couple of exclusive items for you!  First is exclusive news, a little birdie has whispered in my ear, that Ye Mak will be expanding it's plus size variety soon so you can look forward to more styles in the expanded size range.  I am also super excited to be able to offer you an exclusive coupon code for 50% off your entire order at Ye Mak Sweater!!  Use code Briana-yemak-001 to get 50% off and now is the perfect time because Ye Mak Sweater is having a blowout sale up to 50% off so you can save a ton!  Happy Shopping!

Since Ye Mak Sweater has such a big selection, you are free to chose the style that suits you the best, I am reviewing my three favorite Ye Mak Sweater styles here but I would love to hear from you about what is your favorite and I would really love to see photos of you wearing your sweaters, check me out on Facebook or Instagram and feel free to DM me photos of you in your Ye Mak pretties!

All the Cropped Cardi Goodness!

My favorite and most worn style of Ye Mak sweater is the 3/4 Sleeve Cropped Cardigan, this style is my go-to because as a petite woman this cropped style is just the right length to flatter my bottom heavy figure.  The Cropped Cardigan is a scoop neck cardigan with a cropped  length that hits at the waist featuring 3/4 sleeves and a button front.  This versatile and cute little sweater is perfect for all occasions, in fact I am rarely without one in the colder months!  Soft and stretchy, I wear a size 1X which hits me just at the waist, the sleeves are just below my elbow and this size has plenty of room for me to button it up without gaping should I desire more coverage.  I love to pair my Ye Mak Cropped Cardigans in complimentary colors with my novelty print dresses and skirts, they add a whole new dimension while keeping me cozy and warm. Truly one of my favorite pieces of clothing, I have these Cropped Cardigans in a ton of colors so I can match my outfit to my mood!

Secondly, I am reviewing the Pattern Cropped Cardigan.  This gorgeous sweater looks like it came out of my Grandmothers closet with the pretty vintage knit pattern and styling.  Ye Mak Sweater really took it to the next level with this one, I have a vintage cardigan that is very similar in pattern.  I was delighted with this style when I first saw it because it is so feminine and it is perfect for the majority of my WWII era events, it is period appropriate when looking just so is a must.  The Pattern Cropped Cardigan features a rounded neckline, puffed 3/4 sleeves, a button front and a pretty retro perfect knit pattern.  This sweater is a bit heavier and offers more coverage than the cropped cardigan, so it is perfect for looking pretty on even the coldest of winter days.  The size 1X is again the perfect fit on my figure, hitting me just below the waist and the sleeves hit just  couple inches above the wrist so this gives me more coverage.

Pretty as a picture in the Ye Mak Cropped Bolero Cardigan

Last, but certainly not least is the Short Sleeve Cropped Bolero Cardigan.  This petite pretty is my newest favorite, I just purchased a couple of these and I absolutely love them for the springtime and summer days when I need a little warmth but not too much.  This Ye Mak style is a cropped length cardi featuring pretty puffed short sleeves, a V neckline and a button up front.  Adorable and so feminine, this style is great for those days when a sleeveless dress is not enough, this cute little sweater adds just a touch of warmth and modesty.  I wear my normal Ye Mak size 1X in this style as well, I have found that Ye Mak sizing is very consistent so it is possible to wear the same size in most of their styles, this speaks highly of their quality control because sizing can vary so wildly in the clothing market.  I will also tell you these sweaters are STRETCHY so they are very forgiving, if you are looking for a more fitted look in any style I would suggest sizing down because they will stretch a long way!

My Ye Mak Sweater collection will just keep on getting bigger because every chance I get I am adding more colors so I can have fun putting together a multitude of outfits with my wardrobe!  I hope that my review has been helpful to you and I would love to hear about your haul from Ye Mak Sweater using my 50% off code: Briana-yemak-001, leave a comment below and let me know what you got and what outfits you have planned with your pretty new sweaters!

Mid Century Mod! My review of the Karina Dresses Maria Dress in Poolside signature print

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Hey Everyone!!  Today, I am super excited to share with you Karina Dresses Mid Century Modern Collection, I am featuring the Maria Dress in the Karina signature print, Poolside.  I was over the moon when they announced that their next collection would be Mid Century Modern because that happens to be my favorite style of design! The term Mid Century Modern covers fashion, architecture and home design from roughly 1933 through 1965.  I have always had a love affair with all things from the mid century era, from WWII style fashion, 50's bubbly poodle skirts to the swinging 60s, that aesthetic of clean lines and geometric shapes that was designed to give an edgy, updated and futuristic look to the more traditional modern styles of the time.  Karina Dresses are perfect for mid century modern dressing as they feature classic cuts and fabric prints that work great for retro style but are also incredibly modern, timeless fashion, dresses that will never go out of style.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Maria Dress in Poolside Print, Size XXL C/O Karina Dresses
Sunglasses: Love is in the Air Sunglasses from Collectif Clothing C/O Top Vintage Retro Boutique
Regular Glasses: Cat Eye Frame #665918 in Red from Zenni Optical
Purse: Vintage Inspired Purse in Red C/O Lola Von Rose
Earrings: Black Teardop Hoop Earrings from Insomniac Creations
Makeup: Tarte Cosmetics
Lipstick: Victory Red from Besame Cosmetics

Let's talk about how bright and happy this new Karina signature print is!  I love Poolside, it features a bold pool blue backdrop with dainty white flowers with black stems.  This color screams blue skies, sunny climates and days spent pool side.  The Maria Dress is perfect for those days when you want to feel completely casual but look dressed up.  Featuring a scoop neck bodice, no waistband and pockets, the Maria has a casual and relaxed fit with a long flowing skirt.  Maria is of course made of the amazing, maintenance free microfiber material that makes Karina Dresses a miracle for those of us who just do not have the time, or talents in my case, to iron a dress but still want to look pressed and put together.

 I am wearing the Maria Dress in my usual Karina size, XXL.  Fit is fabulous, this dress shows off my curves without clinging and feels like I am wearing almost nothing because the material is so light and airy.  I love this length, Maria comes about mid calf on me which is a great length for those days when you need a little more coverage.  It was a sunny but very breezy day and I did not have to worry about any accidental wind related indecent exposure incidents because this dress has a lovely, long skirt.  Pockets!!!!  Do I even need to say more?  I adore that Karina Dresses thoughtfully added pockets to this style, it is so nice to have a place to put your keys and phone instead of carting around a purse when you are on a date.  I vote that more companies need to follow Karina's example, we want pockets in our dresses!  This dress is just pure love, comfortable, stylish and pretty.

It has been a crazy couple of months here in Michigan for us weather wise and that has completely cramped my style and given me an almost impossible hurdle to jump as far as blogging.  Ice, snow, sub zero temperatures, power outages and MORE ICE had us stuck inside at home for the majority of February and the weather has just subsided as we have come into the first weeks of March.  Spring cannot come soon enough.  Kevin and I took advantage of  rare 60 degree temps and used this beautiful springlike day to get out and have a much needed date day. In nearby Howard City,  I absolutely fell in love with this historic building that is soon to become a restaurant, it made the perfect backdrop to show off my Karina Dresses Maria Dress.  As soon as I saw this dress, I knew that I wanted to add a pop of bright contrasting red to it, I adore the red, white and blue color combination so I added these whimsical retro styled heart shaped sunglasses and bright red vintage inspired bag.  The red shines with this shade of blue and these accessories are mid century modern perfection!  Go check out Karina's Mid Century Modern Collection and let me know which style and signature print are YOUR favorite!

Winter Style with We Love Colors!

(Disclaimer: Some of these items were gifted to Sassy Scarlet in exchange for an honest review)

Hey everyone!  I know it's been a long time since I have blogged.  I have been struggling the last month with my anxiety, depression and the winter weather compounds some of these things.  After a visit with my therapist and scheduling to see my Dr I feel much better and I am ready to get back to blogging! It has been CRAZY here in Michigan for the last few weeks.  I managed to fall on the ice which put me out of commission for a couple weeks with a sprained ankle then that was immediately followed by some of the craziest winter weather we have had in years.  Michigan actually declared a state of emergency due to snow, negative temperatures and ice storms that knocked the power out in much of our area.  Ah, Winter, it is beautiful but treacherous!

Magical Mesh! My review of the Kiyonna Katarina Mesh Dress

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  Hello everyone!  I hope that you had a happy and safe holiday season.  I took a small sabbatical from blogging to enjoy Christmas and New Years with my family.  We had a lovely holiday season enjoying great times with family, tons of fun playing our traditional family games of Bingo and eating lots of yummy goodies! But its back to business as usual in 2019 and I am so excited to start my 5th year of blogging!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Katarina Mesh Dress in Paisley Motif in size 2X by Kiyonna
Earrings: Black Drops Earrings from Insomniac Creations
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: Besame Cosmetics
Glasses: Zenni Optical

I am reviewing the magical Katarina Mesh Dress in Paisley Motif Print from Kiyonna.  This feminine and flattering dress looks lux and feels like a million bucks.  The Kiyonna Katarina Mesh Dress is an A-line cut featuring an illusion neckline, a twisted waistband, flowing sleeves and a full skirt.  Made of breathable, stretchy and soft stretch mesh material, Katarina is a perfect balance of chic and comfortable.  This modest dress is great because it can be styled for almost any function.  I am feeling pretty in paisley in this lovely print, a burgundy backdrop features a paisley motif in black and white.  I kept things simple with black teardrop earrings, kitten heels and a vintage clutch.  This dress would also look lovely with a cardigan and ballet flats for a soft feminine feel or a blazer and boots for the office.  Styling options are infinite and that is a win for your wardrobe.

Simple and stunning the Kiyonna Katarina Mesh Dress fits and flatters.  I am wearing my normal Kiyonna size 2x.  Fit is very comfortable, this material has tons of stretch and the dress is very flowing so I recommend sizing down if you are between sizes because I could have easily sized down to a 1x because the cut is generous.  These sleeves are so much fun, they are cut in a bell like shape that makes them flow around your arms.  The skirt is also very generous, flowing out from the fitted bodice and the twist detailing at the waist gives definition and shape.

 Kiyonna always means high quality.  The material, fit and design of the Katarina Mesh Dress are impeccable.  It is such a joy when a company does not just resize straight sized clothing and slap the label plus size on it without input or fittings from actual plus size bodies.  Kiyonna is an authority in the plus size fashion market providing high quality clothing that's designed perfectly for the stylish plus size woman!

Wardrobe Essentials! My review of the Kiyonna Essential Wrap Dress in Nouveau Navy

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 Hello everyone!  Today, I am reviewing the Kiyonna Essential Wrap Dress in Nouveau Navy.  This classic full wrap style features princess seaming, an adjustable slimming waist tie and a flowing knee length skirt.  Essential is an apt name for this dress since it will become an essential in your wardrobe.  Timeless, chic, easy to wear, a breeze to style and versatile for unlimited wearability.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Essential Wrap Dress in Nouveau Navy in size 2X from Kiyonna
Earrings: Hoops in Tortoise from Pinup Girl Clothing
Glasses: Zenni Optical
Hat: Vintage
Shoes: Thrifted
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: Victory Red from Besame Cosmetics

 I love this pretty jewel toned Nouveau Navy shade.  I have been working on adding richer tones and solid colors to my closet.  I tend to see flashy novelty prints and florals first this solid jewel tone is a welcome change.  This Kiyonna Essential Wrap Dress is perfect because it is a timeless silhouette and the navy color can be accessorized in many different ways to cater to your own personal style.

 I love the fit of the Essential Wrap Dress, it is adjustable, comfortable and the classic wrap style allows me to get the fit just right so it flatters my body like it was made for me! Made of a soft poly spandex blend this dress is stretchy, breathable and hugs your curves in all the right ways.  I love wrap dresses because they highlight my hourglass shape, this beauty really shows off my curves and makes me feel amazing.  I am wearing a size 2x, this is my normal Kiyonna size, it gives me plenty of room while still fitting nicely.  The sleeves are 3/4 length for nice coverage, skirt length reaches several inches below the knee on my petite frame and the adjustable tie cinches the dress nicely highlighting my waist.  I love the princess seaming, it gives the dress a touch of sophistication while giving the dress a flattering shape.

  The Kiyonna Essential Wrap Dress is perfect for work or play.  I have highlighted how chic this dress is by styling it simply, all I added was a matching vintage hat for fun and flair, the dress is the star of the show!  Kiyonna has all of your everyday and holiday wardrobe needs covered, check them out!

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Delightful Deco! My review of the Karina Dresses Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares

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Outfit Details:
Dress: Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares Print in size XXL C/O Karina Dresses
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory from Ceci Punch Designs
Bangle: Joan Bangle in Burgundy from The Moby Duck
Purse: Vintage Beaded Rhinestone Clasp Purse
Shoes: Wine Red Patent Wedges from Steve Madded-Thrifted
Flower Crown from Claire's
Makeup from Tarte
Lipstick: Red Velvet from Besame Cosmetics

Hello!  Fall has turned into Winter here in Michigan and the snow did not wait.  We have already had several days of snow, the last bits of the autumn leaves have fallen leaving the trees bare and the summer visitors have gone home so there is a silence to this season that can be a bit of a relief after the boisterousness of summer living on the lake.  There is beauty to Winter in Michigan, I am excited to celebrate Christmas and I thoroughly enjoy the enchanting sights, delicious smells, joyful sounds and bright, twinkling colors of my favorite holiday season!

 
Today, I am reviewing the Karina Dresses Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares.  The Ruby Dress is a faux wrap style dress with faux wrap bodice, 3/4 sleeves, a sash tie at the waist and a full knee length skirt.  The Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares is a lovely retro style dress that is sure to give your wardrobe new life. Soft, comfortable microfiber material makes this dress perfect for travel, Karina Dresses are easy to pack and come out of your bag ready to wear thanks to the no maintenance microfiber.  The Wine Deco Squares signature print is a retro style art deco geometric print containing shades of wine, coral and blue so there are many ways to style this dress.  This shade of wine is great for wearing year round but earthy shades like this are my favorite to wear during Thanksgiving dinner with the family and this Ruby Dress would also look lovely with shades of hunter green for Christmas.

 I am wearing the Ruby Dress in my normal XXL.  Fit is as always fabulous.  Karina Dresses are very consistent in their sizing, this is a huge deal to me because there are such huge discrepancies with some companies sizing from style to style or even the same garment in different prints so I am happy that I can always count on Karina for sizing!  The Ruby Dress hugs my curves, the sash tie gives me the cinched in waist that really emphasizes my curves and the 3/4 sleeves give great coverage for chilly days.  The length on me is just a couple inches below the knee due to my height.  I really love the flow of this dress, the microfiber material has great stretch and movement so the dress really hugs the body.

I am wearing the Karina Dresses Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares with complimentary wine accessories to emphasize the lovely shade of this dress against the wintry backdrop of this lovely historic church here in my hometown of  Lakeview.  A wine rose flower crown, Ivory Deco drop earrings, an Oxblood bangle, Red Velvet Lipstick and wine red patent wedges make for a pretty, feminine look that is perfect for any occasion.  This beautiful Ruby Dress has unlimited wearability potential for the holiday season.  Dress it up with gold accessories, red lips and high heels for date night or play up the blue shade in the dress with a chic cardigan, tights and boots for work.  I love restyling my dresses, often I will wear a dress several times but friends will ask if it is new because making simple changes in styling and accessories can make anything in your wardrobe feel fresh again.

The Karina Dresses Ruby Dress in Wine Deco Squares is the perfect dress for the Holiday season and beyond. Check out Karina Dresses for all your wardrobe needs, they have a style, print and size to fit everyone!

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