Oh New York, my love-hate relationship with you is incredible.

From the dirty streets, random foul smells, and random crazy people; to the ease of having an adventure and being able to eat from a multitude of countries all in one tiny yet equally large city. The melody of cultures, food, fun, and adventure, are just enough to keep you intrigued.

I won't bore you with all the pros and cons of this city, I will however, say that as much as I want a multitude of things to get better, there is no place like home.

As for this top...? I saw it's skinny cousin in Rainbow, in a size extra large (surprisingly), and almost bought that sucker. I brought it to the fitting-room, tried it on, and that plan went right out the window. I was disappointed but with all the other great finds I had found in the Plus section, I just cut my losses.

Months later I went on my usual online window shopping extravaganza and there it was (IN PLUS SIZE!!!), it was kismet.

Now it was just a matter of what color to get it in.

This top is obviously everything, and for a person who generally despises anything "NEW YORK TOURIST" (Which includes all New York paraphernalia), This top was just such a refreshing edgy take on something so obnoxious (the bad kind...not the good kind).

The leather sleeves go so perfectly with my Forever21 leatherette shorts and I felt I could pair it with none other than my studded-heel pumps. If you want to see the details of the pumps, click {HERE}.

What I'm wearing:

Top from Rainbow. $15
Shorts from Froever21.com. $20
Studded heels from Marshalls. $30

Ms. Kelly Brown, from the blog Fatshioninsider.com, decided to hold a Shop and Swap at the Old Bowery Station, just off Delaney street, in NYC.

It had to be on a day that the weather was treacherous, but it didn't matter cause I was there like swimwear. I couldn't give up the chance to meet the lovely ladies of such reputation and shop their closets.

The venue was nice, the open bar was a bonus, and they had everyone enter a few raffles, can somebody say PRIZES?!?!

I also met a few cool people in the process of scavenger hunting through the bins.

I ended up buying: 2 tops, 1 pair of pants, a necklace, and an over-sized envelope clutch, for the wonderful price of $40. Now that's a steal.

Below are some of the images I captured of the event, wish I could've caught more, but the weather was just too much and I had to head home.

Her are a few links to some of those who were in attendance:

Madeline Jones (Editor-in-Chief of Plus Model Mag)

Beck

Simply Be and MYNT1792 were also in attendance, and holding raffles/contests as well. Bellow are three of the many pieces from MYNT1792 that will be available in the fall of this year.

I entered their raffle and If I win then I get to choose which ever piece my heart desires.

I'm gunning for the brown jacket, it screams my name.

New York.

SHOP & SWAP!