curvycouture

[curvycouture]

Fashion Week Then Wendy’s Shift

I haven’t truly been present on this blog in a long time. Sure there have been posts here and there in the past couple years, but so much has changed in the world and with me. I don’t feel there needs to be little people like me fighting the good fight for body image anymore, there are so many huge leaders that are paving the way. It has been such a relief watching companies accept and cast women of all sizes in campaigns. Took them long enough.

But to be completely honest, I got burnt out. The fashion industry was where I saw myself as early as I can remember. So many people told me it was silly, and not a career. So, I fought for it, many times, worked my ass off to get to fashion week to watch, dreamt about having my own runway shows, tried to climb ladders and be whoever they wanted me to be. And well, it didn’t work.

I landed on my face one too many times. Failures got the best of me, and I ended up working at Wendy’s. No offense, Wendy’s, ILY. This was the lowest I have ever been mentally. I wanted so much to be accepted, admired, and here I was flipping burgers (actually they made me take orders because I was too nice...) 

Long story short, I eventually stumbled upon wedding photography. It seemed attainable, I already took photos, went to school for marketing and photography, and I threw myself completely into this industry. Finding out everything I could on how to succeed, photographed as many people as possible to get my portfolio out there and became intoxicated about the potential of being an entrepreneur. 

It worked. People liked my story, they liked that I took a chance with photography and threw all of myself into it. I loved it. I loved them. I was able to quit Wendy’s and photograph amazing people. I became obsessed with the industry, weddings, other photographers, etc. Willing to do anything to be the best, worked my ass off to get into gallery shows, dreamt about having my work win awards, and tried to climb ladders and be whoever they wanted me to be. Sound familiar?

I was never in a healthy relationship with my passions. I was willing to change myself, to be whoever I needed to be, to do whatever to be the best. Looking back now it was so obvious, but honestly I am just working this out now. 

I still photograph weddings, but I am not obsessed with the industry. People are constantly comparing themselves, hating on others, and complaining about their clients. All of which are not who I am, or who I ever want to be. I love how lost I get in a wedding, how I feel like a part of the family, and documenting all of the love surrounding the day is truly the best job.

Moral of the story? Be your best self. Go with your gut. Listen to your heart. All of that crap is true.  💪🏽

Thoughts? Shoot me an e-mail hello@mandyfierens.com <3

[curvycouture]

Trailer trashin’ it up.

Once we got out to Patagonia, Arizona I started to feel super inspired to actually get dressed and not wear pj’s all day. Our lifestyle has changed so much since we moved into a camper. With literally no reason to be seen by any other humans, it is hard to actually want to get dressed to take photos for this blog. Which is why I am not always updating it as much.

But I am so excited to announce that I started to make jewelry. I am teaching myself how to silversmith, and I am selling items as I made them here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/theroadtosilver?ref=search_shop_redirect I have never felt more alive, and more like myself. I feel like I have found myself on our journey of living nomadically. We still work a LOT and aren’t exploring every day, but this was merely feet away from where our camper was parked. So, taking a walk between work sessions with views like this makes it all worth it. :)

I have changed so much since starting this blog, and I continue to change. I am going to try to do a better job about writing about these changes and what I am up to, rather than just plugging the brands I am wearing, etc. I want it to be more of a story rather than just pretty pics.

I hope whoever is still reading, enjoys this.

xoxo

(outfit: all thrifted)

[curvycouture]

Lots of images to share and I am awful about keeping up with it. We are usually parked in the middle of nowhere so my hard drives (that hold all of my outfit photos) aren’t plugged in. Minimal power y’all. But here is a quick outfit post while we were parked at a truck stop in Marfa. I was feeling super inspired once we got to the desert, and my closet isn’t all that big, but I wanted to wear this new top I got at Marshalls.

Hope you guys dig it!

Side note: I have been treating my instagram more and more like a journal of sorts, if you want to keep up with me there I am much more active in talking about daily life, etc.

[curvycouture]

outfit: all things juju (except boots and socks)

I love supporting bad ass ladies with amazing business ideas. I met Leslie at a Pittsburgh Style Social event long ago, and immediately loved her. When she told me she was working on finding a storefront for her very first store I was so super excited for her! I just had all of the good feels, and knew it would be amazing. She opened Juju months later, and it is amazing. The most gorgeous vintage pieces can be found here, and more!

Not only that but you can also get a tarot reading in her shop! I had my first one with her yesterday, and wow. What an amazing experience! She is so talented, and it definitely gave me some clarity on where I should be going with my career. Such a fun experience, she is amazing. When you are in Pittsburgh next make Juju a stop in your exploration! You won’t be disappointed!

Check her out on facebook & instagram 

xoxo

[curvycouture]

Aerie invited me to be involved in their new campaign of lovin’ the swim you’re in, it’s also about lovin’ the body you’re in. When you post your unretouched swim photos (on instagram and/or twitter) with #AerieREAL, Aerie will donate $1 (up to $30K) to NEDA, a non-profit that supports those affected by eating disorders. 

This is near and dear to me, so I was completely thrilled to be involved. So much so that here I am baring myself, in the cold, to promote this awesome campaign. Go on instagram and post a photo of you in your swimwear, and we can support NEDA together!

Love yinz

[curvycouture]

Hi guys!

Reporting from the Petrified Forest National Park! I had no idea this place existed until we started doing research about all the parks out this way. After seeing the Grand Canyon it at first wasn’t blowing me away, then we got out to the painted desert and it was amazing. Blue mountains with white and pink stripes in them, then a red canyon?! Gorgeous.

Now on to this outfit. Rue 21 has their main corporate office back in my hood in Pittsburgh. I haven’t stepped foot into one of their stores in a while, but when they invited me to check out their office and some new products I was honestly surprised at how much I liked. Everyone I met was amazing, and it was such a fun day! This outfit is completely Rue 21 (minus the earrings), even the “work it out” sports bra and panties I am wearing underneath! ;)

I am excited to see how the plus size line grows! When I met the lead buyer Amanda, she had me try on some samples and asked for some input from my perspective. I was amazed how they listened to my feedback and even though I am not 100% in their plus size chart (imma darn inbetweenie) they still seemed open minded.

Go Rue21! Way to pump some new life into a old brand.

xo Mandy

[curvycouture]

These pictures were taken outside of our first ever free camp site! In Las Cienegas National Conservation Area outside of Tucson. I was so inspired by the colors here, and all the south western jewelry I have been seeing in Arizona. I love going new places and really seeing them for the first time. All the amazing vegetation (or lack of), dirt, wildlife and views! 

Getting rid of most of your wardrobe makes it hard to put outfits together without getting bored (like I mentioned last time). So I have been finding myself making new things, and wearing things I have in different ways. Thrift stores still aren’t cutting it, we only spend a week in each place which isn’t always enough time to get out and check new places. I made this weird sweatshirt necklace and layered it with my favorite choker. Then I wore a scarf as a top (I have been known to do in the past) also it was a hottttttt day.

xoxox ‘til next time!

[curvycouture]

Black dress in White Sands.

Our adventure is awesome so far, there are always kinks and mistakes that happen along the way but we are trying to enjoy them and learn from them. White Sands National Monument is seriously amazing. I have never been and never really heard of it until I was looking for places to go. This view isn’t even the coolest, I will be posting photos and a video of the White Sands soonish on my husband and I’s new site: 188sqft.com

I am trying to be inspired to get dressed up when we are in such stunning places but it isn’t always easy. It is so comfy to travel in denim, tees, and a baseball hat. Also, thrift stores haven’t been the best so far. I NEED INSPIRATION. haha I got rid of 80% of my wardrobe to move into a camper, I am dying for some new amazing pieces. 

Anyway, this dress is something I have had forever but this is finally the place to wear it. Do not mistake my squinting at the bright as hell sun as me trying to give face... 

Enjoy! xo

[curvycouture]

That announcement I said I would make a while ago? 

Well, here it is!! My husband and I decided to move into a camper full time. Most of you will probably be like uhhhhh ok! That is kinda cool... but mostly weird. We did a trip for two months last year in a tiny pop up camper and fell in love with the road. We have officially been living in “keystone” for three weeks now. What an adjustment! I might add it was terribly hard to give away about 80% of my clothing collection. But wow, it felt good to downsize. Though, I definitely brought wayyyy too much luckily my husband has been very understanding. :P 

Anyway, we are starting a little project over at 188sqft.com it is still just the beginning, but we are excited about what is down the road (hehe get it?). Check out our instagram for more up to date posting as we get the blog off the ground. Our current plan is to travel for 4 months then camp out back in Pittsburgh for the wedding season. Eventually our goal is full time traveling, just working on how to make that happen with my job.

Now, let’s chat about what I am wearing. Skirt and denim top are thrifted! sweater is old ModCloth, necklace was a gift from my sister in law from India, boots from rue 21 (totally impressed with their stuff lately btw) and last but not least my killer new watch thanks to JORD! I am not a watch girl, but this watch quickly changed my mind. It goes with everything, like literally. I am obsessed, so much so that I basically begged for a discount code to offer you guys! They were generous with a $20 off (for the first 100 people) If you want to use it click this code you must get it through this link:  https://www.woodwatches.com/g/thecurvyblogger 

I hope you enjoy the code! Talk to you guys soon!

xo

Ladies Wooden Watches

[curvycouture]

necklace: Happiness Boutique jeans: Judy blue top: small dress I cut up the sides and sewed shoes: madden girl

I rarely feel inspired enough to post outfit posts anymore, which sucks but is true. I am in the middle of the busiest few weeks of my whole year, and here I am sharing an outfit post! haha Why is it when we are most busy we get the most done and are actually productive? I will never understand... Maybe I should always be this busy. :P

Ok, so I don’t know about you all but necklaces have been giving me so much life lately. The bigger the better! I got this necklace from the cheerful people over at happiness boutique. Check it out, they have some amazing pieces with some more than reasonable prices. Of course I chose the biggest necklace they had at the time. ;)

Anyway, I am hoping keep this productive side of myself going for a bit longer. I will also be sharing some big news here soon, basically have to tell some family and friends first otherwise I would be telling you now. :-P

Love yinz!

xo Mandy

[curvycouture]

full outfit: asos

This outfit makes my heart happy. I was able to choose a look from Asos to feature on the site and I am so happy with how this turned out!

While in deep creek we attended a small concert near the lake and I wore this outfit! We drank some beer, dipped our feet in the lake and jammed to some amazing acoustic guitar. It was truly an amazing night! Gotta love summer, cannot wait to relax this weekend too.

<3 Mandy

P.S. Happy 4th of July!!!

[curvycouture]

dress: gwynnie bee shoes: target jewelry: flea markets

I just got home from Deep Creek and I already miss it. The weather was cold and pretty dreary but it is still so stunning and lush! I am glad I brought this dress along, because look at how amazing it contrasts with the greenery!! Too good.

Gwynnie Bee sent me a few dresses this month, and I haven’t taken this one off! If you don’t know about gb you should. It is a clothing rental service which is amazing for people who fluctuate in size, and style. Enter to win a free year of Gwynnie Bee today!

<3 Mandy

[curvycouture]

bikini: Aerie kimono: the wit and the will

ITS SUMMER.

I am so inspired right now by the greenery everywhere. Also, I am officially turning into a crazy plant lady! I went from 1 plant to 13... 

The weather has been perfect here in the ‘burgh and all I want to do is wear this outfit everyday! This kimono is perfect over any outfit in the summer, I cannot take it off! 

I love you all, and am happy to be back.

<3 <3

[curvycouture]

top: forever 21 skirt+scarf: thrifted (Goodwill in Panama City Beach)

Kevin and I packed up our lives and put it into a small pop up camper for two months to go south for the winter. It isn't super warm, but it is SO beautiful down here, and we are having such an awesome time.

I have been obsessed with thrifting on this trip. Southern thrift stores are a dream come true. For instance this skirt is so strange and gypsy like so I knew I had to have it. It has all of my favorite colors in it! Trying not to go to crazy, we have no room in the camper and still have a month to go!

To watch more of our travels head over to my insta account (@mandyfierens)

xoxo

[curvycouture]

Currently vacationing in Hawaii… May never come home.

(follow my travels here: http://instagram.com/mandyfierens/)

[curvycouture]

Hawaii, NYC, Florida... OH MY! Over the next three months I will be traveling quite a bit, but don't be fooled, this isn't all vacation time. The first two weeks are my honeymoon, but after that it's all work. This roadtrip will include my new husband, our pups, and I traveling around in a trailer. We are eager to experience (and photograph) the south. We are also hoping to meet new people, wanna meet up? Message me! :) If you know anyone in these locations, or are going to be traveling to these locations I am available for photo sessions, elopements, and weddings. I already have a few on the books, so let me know! 

<3 <3 <3

[curvycouture]

skirt: MYNT 1792 via Hey Gorgeous sweater/bangles: thrifted rings: forever 21 earrings/boots: old ModCloth makeup: Adrienne Pace hair: Marissa Barr-Hartman

I have been forever inspired by huge knits. I mean who doesn't want this or this?!?! Ok, maybe you don't... But I kinda do... ANYWAYS I also really enjoy mixing textures, like this chunky thrifted sweater with this gorgeous blue leather skirt (on sale now at Hey Gorgeous). 

Enjoy! Happy Tuesday!

<3

P.S. My friend Avi who makes the hooded scarves is doing a kickstarter! Check out her project here.