Sooooo, a company by the name of GCGme reached out to me in early August, apparently they took one look at my blog and felt I'd be a great fit for their brand. They asked me if I'd like to review a dress or two and tell my readers my thoughts on their dresses. I immediately went to GCGme.com to take a look at their selections. I not only wanted to make sure it was my style, I wanted to make sure it was within a price range I felt comfortable with. On my blog I rarely acquire pieces that are super duper pricey. I'm a firm believer in the fact that you don't have to go broke to look fan-fucking-tastic. When you look in the section where I tell you foxy babes where I got my pieces from, often times the price is pretty attainable, and most things were on sale at the time of purchase. I am a bargain hunter extraordinaire. I do have a few pieces that don't fall within my "bargain princes" parameters, but for the most part....I'm always on the look out for a deal (and a coupon code *inserts winky face emoji*).

Needless to say; I thought the prices weren't too shabby and the options fit within my style, and to the best of my knowledge, the style parameters of most of my readers.

Before I continue to tell you my thoughts on the dress I selected, I need to take a moment to give praise to GCGme for their amazing customer service. From the moment they reached out to me to the moment I had my final selection, they were on top of everything. They were helpful and accommodating beyond what I think I've ever experienced; it was quite lovely and would've been deemed worth every penny for the customer service alone. They were determined to make sure I was happy and came away with the perfect dress that fit my dress needs.

What I noticed immediately upon visiting GCGme.com was the ease of website use and the variety they provided. There was a dress for most all occasions, in a comfortable stretchy material, and at varying lengths and fits. I had my eye on so many dresses that it took me two weeks to narrow down what I wanted. I was told to pick two dresses and I wanted to make sure that whatever I asked for was not only going to be awesomely me....but that it would be a piece that could seamlessly transition from season to season with little to no effort. I ended up with just one for now.

These are the other dresses I have my eyes on: help me pick my second dress and leave a comment below or in the comment section of my Instagram.

The CYNTHIA dress.
The ALLEGRA dress.
The VERONICA dress.
The SHIROI dress.
The MONICA dress.
The BRENDA dress.
The BETSI dress.
The AUDREY dress.

Help me pick my second dress and leave a comment below or in the comment section of my Instagram, under the post with the dress options.

The reason I chose this dress was because I'm crazy for Kaftans, they're so fabulously easy-going; very little thought has to go into how to wear them. You can throw on just about any accessory pairing and it's a look.

If only the process (my decision process that is) were as easy-going as this dress. The first dress they sent me was this Adelyn & Vivian Kaftan (pictured below), in a 3X (because that is my size in juuuuuust about everything). The dress was far too big on me, I was giving a "sack of Idaho potatoes" vibes.

And here's where their amazing customer service came into play. I emailed one of their customer service reps and let them know the dress was far too large and that I needed it in not only the 2X....but the 1X. The rep informed me that for this particular dress there were size brackets and that 1X and 2X were in the same size bracket, she suggested I just get the 2X.

I was unsure if the 2X would still be way too big (because when I tell you that the 3X could easily fit a 4X/5X bracket, HUNNAY, I mean it), so I asked her if I could try another style of dress just in case the Adelyn & Vivian kaftan was still not working for me. I also asked her if she could send me the secondary option, the Miranda dress, in white AND in black, because I was unsure if the material would be too sheer, thus making the white version of the Miranda dress a fail. It seemed as though, without thinking twice, I had a confirmation email letting me know that not one, not two, but all three dresses were on their way (accommodation on fleek).

When I received the dresses the white Miranda dress was just as I thought it might be, far too sheer. In addition to the white dress being to sheer, both the white and black Miranda dress were too tight. I didn't think they'd be as tight in the arms as they were (for reference I am a true 3X and that's what I ordered those dresses in), but they really were, PLUS, the belt that came with the Miranda dress was far too small (more suited for a size Large at best). This kinda made me sad because I had a whole vintage inspired look I wanted to put together with that dress.....oh well, guess you can't win them all.

However, the Adelyn & Vivian kaftan, in the 2X, fit me just right (Goldie Locks on that ass, LOL). I immediately made arrangements to return the failed items and decided to let my readers/supporters choose my second dress (scroll up to see which ones I had my eyes on).

For the kaftan I decided to take it easy with my pairing choice; I threw on these cute little fringed lace-up sandals, and a little bit of a statement necklace. Like I said before, the accessory pairings are endless, I may post a lookbook showcasing just that.

What I'm Wearing:

Necklace from H&M. $14
Dress is from GCGME.com. $54.95 (Gifted for review)
Fringed red sandals from Payless. $10 (On sale, no longer avail., alternative in varying heel heights, HERE, HERE, & HERE)

The Additionelle popup shop was literally the only event I went to for NYFW, yup, I'm not the girl who goes out much or attends too many things. If I can't kill all of the birds with one stone then I don't foresee me even revving up to kill anything....if that makes sense. I was super proud of myself for at least keeping one promise, because this health shit has turned me into a serial plan maker and breaker. I was never this person, I was a fifteen minutes early, makes promises and keeps them, gets shit DONE type of person, but not anymore. So I have to meticulously plan out every aspect of everything I do as not to disappoint (not just others....but myself).

Had the pleasure of meeting Liz Black (@psitsfashion) for like....the third time. We only get a chance to link up during events, but I'd def want to get to know her better because she seems pretty down to earth and that's rare in this community. We'll talk more about the state of the plus size community on another post. In any event, how fuckin' fab is she in her all additionelle outfit? I'm living and dying for the pants! Camo is a weakness.

And then I ran into Dana (@Whosthatgirldana), I finally got to meet her after literal years of mutual following. It was a literal blessing for her to even be at the event due to some of her own trials (not gonna get into her personal biz up in here), and after everything she looked well and super fabuloso. I had to capture us together for posterity.

It was nice to get to a place waaaaay before anyone arrived; it made for access to preferred seating, first dibs of treats, and plenty of space to touch and try on all of the pieces your heart desires.

Let's take this here 90s inspired denim jacket from the Additionelle X Jordyn Woods collection, it's fan fuckin' tastic! The color of the denim is rare (as a convo between a friend and I explains), plus, it's incredibly soft and stretchy (also rare). It looked impeccable with what I was wearing and that doesn't help matters when you're actively trying to find reasons NOT to buy things, but this jacket made it impossible to pass up. I won't lie, it's pricier than what I'd normally spend, but the free shipping and 20% off helped tip the scales a bit more. I'll tell you what though....., I WILL be rocking this jacket ad nauseum, not just because I do in fact love the piece....but because GIRL, this ish was a pretty penny.

Can we also take a moment to appreciate the jacket and fringe combo of the day....? ZSNAPS!!!

I am still on the hunt for the perfect bohemian fringed bag, but for now.....this baby is gettin' me through. It's one of those pieces that look pricier than it is, which make it a supreme WIN!

This day, along with many of the days during NYFW, I found myself feeling accomplished with the smallest of things, more than usual.

I fought the notion that I wasn't human'ing enough or properly. I fought like crazy to be out and about despite the deterioration of my body (not that I suggest anyone else do the same), I needed more than anything to be able to do this. It was a matter of mental and emotional health; it trumped my physical abilities and/or wellness.

This may be ill advised....but that's just me. I always stubbornly push myself pass my limits all of the time as a huge middle finger to my situation....and then I pay for it later. But it's worth it, it's worth feeling like me again even if it's short-lived, even if I pay for it greatly later.

I finish the day with good eats and a painful (but with feelings of great accomplishment) cab ride home. And like clockwork, the next day (which would've been "Day 3" of my NYFW) I was too far beneath the steaming shit pile of health issues to go to my final event at the Brooklyn Museum. But at least I held my middle finger up high for two days....right?

How was your NYFW?

What I'm Wearing:

Anorak from Missguided.com. $50 (On Sale, Sold Out, Similar HERE without the sequins)
Bag from Rainbow. $16
Dress from Forever21. $17.80
Leggings from Rainbow. $5
Boots from Avenue.com. $30 (On sale, alternative HERE)
The black denim jacket with graffiti is from Additionelle. $ (On sale from $170

GCGME: Adelyn & Vivian

ADDITIONELLE X JORDYN WOODS POPUP: NYFW "DAY 2"