Shopping Day on 2nd Street Austin!

Today was a good day! I decided to head out to Downtown Austin, specifically to the 2nd Street District to finally check out ModCloth's IRL store! It was a bit of a hassle finding parking, but walking a few blocks is good for you, right? I was so excited to be able to finally visit, as ModCloth is one of my absolute favorite vendors! 

They're especially wonderful because they make it a point to have at least half of everything they stock be available from sizes XS - 4X, which is right up my alley! 

The outside of the store is a little inconspicuous, but peering through the windows you can tell this is an out-of-the-ordinary type place! <3

The store is visually stunning, the mannequins are in both standard AND plus sizes, and are dressed to the nines! I was in awe of the beautiful clothing and the wonderful merchandising of the store. This place is just as fun to just walk around and admire as it is to shop!

The way you shop at ModCloth IRL is you're given a little clipboard - you find a style you want to try on and write down the product number and the size you want to try. There are multiple spots so you can choose a whole bunch of things to try on! I chose a number of skirts, tops, and dresses that I thought would look cute!

ModCloth IRL also has free styling available for appointments throughout the day, so if you stop in needing styling advice, they have you covered!

In addition to the things I chose, the sales associate also picked a few extra pieces she thought I would enjoy - and I definitely did!!

The best thing about ModCloth is how much variety they have in their styles, prints, and cuts while still maintaining a cohesive, stylish, wonderfully vintage look.

How CUTE is this dress?!

I came away with three awesome options! 

(I would have left with more, but my budget said otherwise :'( )

Chic Sophistication Sleeveless Top in Black - 1X

Of Everyday Interest Tank Top in Magenta - 1X

Whimsical Ambitions Skater Skirt in Garden - 1X (ON SALE)

Another cool thing about shopping in the store is that you don't leave carrying heavy bags! The items are shipped directly to you with FREE express shipping!

The sales associates were all helpful throughout the shopping, dressing, and purchasing process - 10 stars to them! <3

On my way out for the day, I found an adorable little Frozen Yogurt place called Berry Austin! They had all sorts of fun options as well as the usual fill-your-own-cup fare! I got a small cup of pistachio yogurt with granola, yogurt chips, almonds, and raspberries (with a couple maraschino cherries on top). 

It was delicious!

When I was finished, I left behind a flyer of my Illustrations website and a couple business cards! 

2nd Street District is a fun, trendy place to walk around and shop - I can't wait to visit again!

A Gift from Modcloth.com and a look at Body Positivity

Just recently, my favorite retailer, Modcloth.com, selected me as the weekly winner of a hashtag campaign across their social media. It's called #fashiontruth, and it's an expression of what Fashion means to us, as their customers. It spans across all women (and some men!) and all body sizes. Skinny, athletic, plus-sized, overweight, tall or short... It's a wonderful campaign that celebrates diversity and all things that make us happy! You can see all sorts of examples on their blog, here.

Modcloth is a stunning example of creating beautiful and eclectic clothing, items that are unique. You can create a multitude of different looks from the products that they carry! 

I've been plus sized for most of my life. Even when I had a short time when I had lost weight, I was still considered 'plus-sized' in comparison. When I gained the weight back, I found once again that it was difficult to buy clothes for myself. Places like Modcloth make that search a little easier, and makes it more fun to be unique and different at the same time!

With their new campaign, it only affirms what I've always hoped to feel about myself. That I'm worth something, despite not being conventionally sized. That we're all worth everything, no matter what size we are! 

My contribution to this #fashiontruth was an illustration I did a while back, a self portrait and a simple quote:

"My Size doesn't determine My Worth." 

I was thrilled when I was selected! I first heard it on Instagram, then I saw it on Twitter. It made me so happy when I saw all the Retweets and the Likes! I can't thank Modcloth enough for giving my illustration brand this little shout-out! It gives me hope that what I'm doing is the right path. 

I just bought some beautiful clothes with my gift: two tops, a skirt, and a necklace. All of them unique and fun - things that I have been lacking in the casual category. 

You can check them out at my Polyvore account here, and you can see the items below. 

Once I receive my items, I'll definitely be reviewing them here, and possibly illustrating them as well! I am so excited!

Thank you again, Modcloth!

Two-Way Tuesday : Pink Pastels

This week on Two-Way Tuesday, I'm going to be doing something a little different. Instead of a pair of outfits that I've worn, I'll be utilizing Polyvore.com and Modcloth.com! 

Polyvore.com is a great site for creating dream outfits for yourself, almost like you're your own stylist. There are countless options to choose from, and there's a feature where if you see something online, you can clip it to polyvore and save it for later! 

I created two boards using items from one of my absolute favorite clothing sites, Modcloth.com! They have fun, quirky, eclectic, and retro-inspired clothing that can really suit anyone! They also include plus sizes, and I've loved pretty much everything I've ever bought there.

The item I've chosen to style from Modcloth is the Femme Finesse Top, which I've been watching and admiring, and I can't wait til it goes on sale so I can snatch it up! It's a part of a new collection collaboration with blogger Nicolette Mason, and it's full of cute stuff for everyone, from a size XS-4X!

The first outfit is fun and flirty; full of florals and whimsical items. Pastels can still work in the Fall season! I just love pink, and the bracelet seen here is one of my absolute favorite accessories of all time!

Click here to shop the board!

The next outfit is Menswear inspired, including a fun tote, quirky booties, and awesome high-waisted jeans. This is a plus-sized outfit that I wish I had! It's so colorful, and who doesn't love a good dark-washed jean?

Click here to shop the board!

That's all for Two-Way Tuesday from me, but as a bonus, here's a fun illustration showcasing the two outfits together!

You can check out a short video of the drawing/painting process here.

Don't forget to check out Valery of I'm Getting There! She's hosting this awesome series!

Click here to view her blog!