2018: New Year, New Beginnings, New Goals!

We have said good bye to 2017 and have welcomed 2018 with open hearts! Maybe 2017 it was a great year for you or maybe it was the worst year of your life, either way 2017 is done! Now is time to start the New Year so now what? What is it going to be? Did you make any new year resolutions? What do you want to accomplish in the new year? So many questions are flowing around, what to do?

The New Year is time for new beginnings! A time to reroute the gps of our life towards the direction we want to take. A time to set new goals that are achievable and realistic. If you set unrealistic goals you will be sitting at 11:59pm on December 31, 2018 beating yourself up because you were not able to accomplish any of the goals you set January 1st. On the same note, do not set goals that are way to low or that do not require any effort because they are not going to have the impact you desire.

So as you are sitting today reading this blog 12 days into the year, think about what you want to do, what is it that your heart desires and start doing something towards it. Do not duel on what you didn't do last year, "begin... the rest is easy".

For me, this year I want to do something different. I have come up with the brilliant idea to set up monthly goals. I will think about something I want to do or accomplish during the month and I will work towards that goal. So here is my goal for January 2018:

           1. Pay off my car.
I only owe $685.00 so my goal is to pay it off this month. Meaning that I will have extra cash for the month of February. I already know what I want to do with the money but you will have to wait until next month to know what I'm doing with it. Sorry!

           (THE CAR WAS PAID OFF THE DAY I'M POSTING THIS BLOG,  JANUARY 12, 2018. YESSSSS!!!)

            2. I want to be more active.
For the month of January my goal is to do some type of physical activity for 10 days of the month.

           (So far I've worked out once, so I have 9 more days to go. LOL!)

           3. I want to upload more content on my YouTube channel.
I want to drive my channel to be a successful one. For the month of January I am going to upload two videos to my YouTube channel.My YouTube Channel

           4. I want to post more on the blog.
This is a great way to express myself so I want to be able to at least do two blog post during this month.

I hope that by setting monthly goals I will be able to accomplish more of the things I want to do. And hopefully by the end of 2018 I can reflect on the wonderful year I created for myself.








"The only thing we take with us when we die are the experiences that we LIVED" Jackie Masso

Work Week Outfit Ideas (Plus Size Fashion)

We all have to admit than when is time to get ready for work we stand in front of the closet wondering "WHAT I'M GOING TO WEAR TODAY?". You maybe do it the night before, but we all do it. The reality is that we all can use some inspiration as to what to wear, especially, for a business casual office environment. Here are some ideas that might help you answer that question a little bit faster. There is a video on my YouTube Channel about this outfits, go check it out!! https://youtu.be/b2ipFVxCVTk

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

"The only thing we take with us when we die are the experiences that we have LIVED" Jacqueline Santiago

Road Trip: Ohio to Arkansas

Remember: "The only thing we take with us when we die are the experiences that we LIVED"

Two weeks ago my hubby and I went on a road trip to Memphis, Tennessee. I know, you are probably wondering why I have Arkansas on the title. Well, I will explain in a bit! Hubby and I left Friday at noon on this very unexpected road trip but it was amazing and we had so much needed time together. (Hubby works 6 nights a week and only see each other during lunch time and one night a week, SUCKS!!)

We departed from Ohio. The weather and the scenery were perfect. While we are driving we start talking and laughing (AMAZING TIME). Once we reached Kentucky we made our first stop at a gas station to eat something and to use the restroom and to get a magnet for our collection. We like to collect magnets of the places we have visited together so Kentucky was not an exception (we went there this past February but forgot to get one then).

(It wouldn't be a road trip without the usual bathroom selfie, LOL!!!!!)

Once we approached Tennessee we decided to make a stop in Nashville, TN. We were so tired of driving at this point we were desperate to take a break and stretch the legs. Nashville is a dream! The ambiance and vitality of a city that is so known for its music, LOVE IT!!

We walked around until we reached the end of the street. It was super hot in Nashville so hubby and I decided to go inside on of the bars and cool off a little bit. We had such a great time, hearing good music and enjoying a much needed beer (I had to drive the rest of the way so I only had one, don't panic). The live band was fantastic. Something I didn't expected in a country bar was hearing Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer. The singer really sounded like Bon Jovi.

We had such a great time at Tequila Cowboy!! Then we went ahead and walked a little bit more in another busy street the night was lovely but hot. So we went in another bar to get cool because honestly, it was super hot and we were sweaty and sticky, LOL!!!

After this we got back on the road towards our final destination, Memphis, TN. We got to the hotel around midnight and we were exhausted, smelly and sticky (to much information, I know). Shower and bed was to follow.

I chose this particular hotel because it said that included breakfast. Perfect less money we have to spend on food the better. I send my husband down to the car to get my makeup bag and when he came to the room with the breakfast I wanted to cry. I should've taken a picture but I was so upset that I just when on to my business. Well, the famous breakfast was a muffing, one Nature Valley bar and coffee. (WHAT!!!) So we had t a little bit of a wait and decided to go to a near McDonald's (no judgment, please) and we realized we were super close to Elvis Presley's Graceland so we venture there. The morning was beautiful so we parked near by and walked along the sidewalk. Unfortunately, we couldn't go inside the house to get the tour because the wait was too long and we had to check out soon. But no worries because this is perfect to do next time we come to visit, because we are coming back to both, Nashville and Memphis.

I got some souvenirs at a store closed by and we head back to the hotel to pick up the reason why we had to take this road trip. My handsome and awesome nephew!!! I was so happy to see him, it had been 6 months since we last see each other and the best part is that he is spending a couple weeks with us. Happy Aunt!!

We were heading home now but we wanted to at least see the Mississippi River so we took a drive along River Road in Memphis. We were going around and my hubby says that if we crossed the bridge we would be in Arkansas. We just looked at each other, shared a smile, and off we go. Yes people, we crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas; stopped at a gas station to put gas in the car and to by one magnet. LOL!!!

Click on this link to go to my channel and check out the Road Trip Vlog,  YouTube Channel Jackiemasso and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE.

Jackie XOXO

My Experience Shopping at Forever 21 for Plus Size Clothing..... Pros and Cons

I recently went to Forever 21 in the hunt for a bathing suit and to my surprise, at the store I visited, they don't carry plus size bathing suits. That was a disappointment there! Well, I asked the store associate to direct me to their plus size section. I was dumb founded when I saw the plus size section. It was shoved into a corner on the second floor. A corner!!! That is what we are reduced too. I was mad and I wanted to say something to the store associate but I refrain myself thinking that it is not the associates fault. To whom I should take my anger is to the corporate offices at Forever 21.

Yes, I did found some cute pieces as you can see in the video above and to my surprise the quality was not too bad for the price. The only thing is that I wish they will treat us, plus size girls with a little more respect. We shop like any other girl and we want to look cute, and sexy, and desirable, and we want to be able to have a decent selection of clothing. I know that I can go online and find a wider selection but honestly, I like to go to the store and get in the fitting room with 20 pieces of clothing (and exaggeration but maybe a reality, LOL) and see how something looks on me and decide right then if I want to buy it or not. I don't want the hazard of buying something online, wait for it to come home, try it on, to realize it doesn't fit or simply I just don't like the way it looks on me.

That was my rant of the day.....

Pros:

For me, the biggest pro is that the clothing is affordable. If I just want something for girls night out and I don't want to spend a ton of money in a new outfit. Forever 21 is your store. Also the clothing is super cute! You can find anything from super girly outfits to tomboy outfits and everything in between (if the selection in your store is big enough). I also found that the clothing is very much up to speed with the fashion trends. LOVE their accessories, purses and hats!!

Cons:

One of the draw backs from my experience was the poor selection of sizes (at least at the store I visited). The location of the "plus size section" was not the ideal. More than complaining about the clothing (which I have no-complaints) I feel that the biggest con is the way that shopping at this particular store make me feel for being a plus size girl. It made me mad to think that someone can't take the time and display the clothing I fit into in a more appealing manner (I'm referring to the store I visited). I felt super uncomfortable. It was a yucky feeling!!

That is my experience at Forever 21. I am completely open to go to another Forever 21 at a different location. Maybe the experience would be a much better one. Will have to write a post about it!!

Jackie XOXO



Remember: "The only thing we take with us when we die are the experiences that we LIVED"

Trying Two New Online Clothing Subscription Services: Gwynnie Bee and Dia&Co

Who doesn't like to have new clothing all the time? I know I do, but (there is always a but, LOL) I have a budget and other responsibilities that really come first than my "necessity" of buying clothing. Since I need to have a set amount in my budget dedicated to clothing I decided that I was going to try online clothing subscriptions. This allows me to have an exact amount of money allocated for clothing and I know that I will be getting new clothing every month. Whether I keep them or not will depend on my "budget" but at least I have the opportunity to wear new clothing all the time without the commitment that comes with spending $90.00 on one dress. I chose Gwynnie Bee and Dia&Co.


Gwynnie Bee:


This online subscription have different monthly plans that allow you to have certain amount of garments out at a time. The one that suit my budget was the $74.00 a month for 2 garments out at a time.


How this works: You go to their website https://closet.gwynniebee.com/ make an account, choose the monthly plan that best suits your "necessity", and fill out your fashion profile (what is that you like to wear) you can choose casual, work wear, etc. Then you go to your closet and start choosing from the hundreds of garments that are available. You will save those garments in your closet ( you can save as many as you want). Gwynnie Bee will choose from those garments and send them to you. The best part is that shipping is free (both ways). Once you got  your box you can wear the clothing and keep them for as long as you want. If you fall in love with any of the pieces you can purchase them at a discount plan. Yeah!! Or, if they didn't fit or you just can afford to buy the garments just send them back in the prepaid blue bag that they provide. Once you send them back you will get another box with a whole new set of garments. Honestly, to me is like Christmas Morning every time that I get a box. LOL!!!


Roughly, that is how Gwynnie Bee works!


Dia&Co:


This online service is not an actual "monthly" subscription. You pay $20.00 for styling fees every time you want to get a box. There is really no commitment. You tell them when you are ready to get your next box.


How it works: At Dia&Co you will go to their website https://www.dia.co/ set up an account and fill out the fashion profile. They will ask you a bunch of questions about  your style. This online service will be customized to what you like. You don't choose the clothing, someone else does it for you. Which is the beauty of it!! You have a personal stylist that will work with you to deliver you a box full of interesting things. They not only offer clothing, they also have accessories to complement your outfits. You have five days to try on the items they send you. If you decide to keep one or all of the items the $20.00 that you paid will be used toward your final purchase. If you don't want to keep any of them or if you only want to buy one of the items you can send them back in the prepaid white bag that they provide you. The best part is that shipping is free both ways!!


Hopefully, you too will give them a try! I will guarantee you that you will fall in love with their service like I have! Don't be afraid to venture out of  your comfort zone! With this two online clothing subscriptions you will be exposed to so many brands that catered to us, plus size girls!


Remember this: "The only thing we take with us when we die are the experiences that we LIVED"






Disclaimer: This is not a paid blog post. I paid for this subscriptions with my own money.

Love and Accept Yourself!

Life is only one and you have to live it to a fullest! Don't waist your time on hating yourself or others! Start loving your self, accepting who you are, for what you are! Thanks!

End of Spring/ Early Summer Look Book

I had so much fun doing this look book! I want to apologize for any errors made, I am trying to get used to all of this! I love doing this and it makes feel so much better, it has boost my confidence to a whole new level! Thanks so much for your support and until my next video!!