When I started this blogging journey, I wanted a way to express myself. I wanted to put down into words what I was thinking and feeling and share with the world the things I love – food, travel, fashion and so much more. Never did I imagine it would be a vehicle to this…

On Saturday, January, 31, 2015, I was so excited and honored to be asked to do a Meet and Greet in one of my favorite stores – Ashley Stewart. Ashley Stewart caters to the stylish and sophisticated curvy woman and offers sizes 12 to 26. There is something here for every woman to conquer day and night, work and play, all while looking fab and staying within budget.

When I entered the store, it was already buzzing with shoppers ready to spend their Diva Dollars (the reward you earned for buying and buying the weeks prior to Saturday’s big sale.) And I was told to go ahead and do my thing. With a few nerves tucked here and there, I opened my mouth and this came out:

Ladies! Ladies! Can I have your attention? (Now all eyes are on me. No pressure!) My name is LaKisha and I am a lifestyle blogger and I write a blog called Sizable Chic. I love to show off my curves and I know you all do too or you wouldn’t be here (I heard a few umm-hmms and Amen.) I cover everything but I have a passion for fashion and what I love is to take basic pieces like the black jeggings I am wearing from Ashley Stewart and the black cardigan, also from Ashley Stewart and add other pieces to make it POP! And it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Take for instance these brown boots from K&G, the skinny belt from New York and Company, fringe earrings from Disney World and floppy hat from New York and Company.   It is so easy.

So I am here today to help you find what you are looking for and help style your entire look.

(Applause and cheering.)

I walked around and handed out my Sizable Chic business cards and chatted with the customers. I asked one lady if I could help her find anything and she replied, “Yes. The boots, the earrings, and the hat!” Another customer said,”You look cute. Very classy. I like the look.” (She purchased a pair of the black jeggings I was wearing.) It might sound odd, but my heart was filled with joy. Helping others (even complete strangers) look their best makes me feel good. It is like shopping with your girlfriend – therapeutic!

As new customers entered and it became busier and busier, I was asked to make the announcement again. This time, the manager announced, “Ladies, we have a real life fashion blogger in the house.” I gave my background again and offered this fashion nugget:

Style is about doing you. Wear what you want…what looks good on you. For instance, people have said that black and brown don’t go together. But you can look at me and see that isn’t the case.

After this, I helped another customer search for the right outfit for a concert and helped another decide on a pair of earrings and to wear her hair up for the ball she was attending at the end of the month.

Overall, it was a great day and I hope to share my love of shopping again soon with the divas who frequent Ashley Stewart!

Ashley Stewart is located at 1632 Montclair Road Birmingham, AL 35210. Check them out on the web at www.ashleystewart.com and come back to Sizable Chic or follow along on Instagram in the coming weeks, as I show off my latest #swag. (You know I couldn’t just help others shop! They say practice makes perfect!)

Til Next Time,

Sizable Chic