Hi beauties,

It’s a new week and a new month! But it’s still summer and that means I’m all about working smarter not harder! I’m focusing on staying organized and being as efficient as possible with my everyday tasks. That way I can spend more time doing the things I love!

Our schedule has been so full lately and we realized that we haven’t had a chance to team up in the kitchen since we moved into our new house! So this past weekend, my fiance and I decided to stay in for date night and cook a homemade meal together! I recently discovered that my local Walmart store has grocery pickup and it has made my weekly grocery shopping so simple! Walmart is the perfect, one stop shop for your regular groceries or even a special event!

Walmart grocery pickup is such a time saver! You simply download the Walmart app, build your shopping order, and check out! It’s so easy! And the best part is that the app remembers your regular orders, making it easier to shop next time! You can set what day and time you’d like to pickup your order and the app will notify you once it’s ready! Let them know when you arrive by checking in through the app and then an associate will bring your items directly to your car! It’s so simple! In a matter of minutes, I was on my way back home for date night! I got all the ingredients I needed, a new set of wine glasses, and even a full basil plant! You know I love plants!

This is the perfect service if you have super busy schedule like me or you simply don’t enjoy grocery shopping! We are in the prime of summer fun; so if you don’t feel like spending an hour roaming the grocery store aisles, try this service out instead! Comment below with any questions and feel free to use this promo code to save some $$$!

Offer Code:

-$10 off your first order of $50 or more

-Visit walmart.com/grocery or download the grocery app to order and redeem code.

-Offer good for first-time customers

– $50 minimum order, exp 1/31/2020

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

Belonging | Sponsored by Old Navy

July 1, 2019 AlexLeave a comment

This post is sponsored by Old Navy.

Hi babes!

Welcome to July! Can you believe we are officially in the latter half of the year! I keep seeing a meme that says “6 months til 2020. Don’t let anyone waste your time” and well I couldn’t agree more! You’ve got to have the right people around you! It is so important to find a group of friends (or family) where you truly feel like you belong!

Belonging is that feeling when you can be your most honest, silly, and vulnerable self and know that you’ll be accepted no matter what! #BelongingLooksLike someone going out of their way to show you that they care! Belonging is that assuring feeling that when you’re down, there will be someone there to pick you back up! Or you know…give you a piggy back ride!

My fiancé, Paul, has been one of those people for me since day one – which I why he’s now my fiancé, haha! He has always made me feel like I belong and he is *almost* always down to support me in even my silliest moments! Like when we were taking this photo and I convinced him he should get on my back instead of the other way around!

This year is Old Navy’s 25th birthday and their bday theme is belonging! I couldn’t be happier that such a big brand is making such an important statement about inclusion and support! From model choices to in store plus size shipping, Old Navy has always done an amazing job of making me feel included as a plus size women! That’s why I shouted “YES!” to the opportunity to share their new Americana collection with you! Both Paul and I are wearing head to toe Old Navy and I can definitely see us repeating these looks all summer long!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have an amazing July!

Alex

Thank you to Old Navy for sponsoring this post! #OldNavyStyle #BelongingLooksLike

Love Unites | Sponsored by Express

June 26, 2019 AlexLeave a comment

This post is sponsored by Express. #ExpressPartner

Hi babes!

First and foremost, I’m wishing the happiest Pride Month to all my lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual babes reading this post! Today, I want to talk about the everyday work of being confident!

Everyday is an opportunity to embrace a new part of you! I know I’ve shared this before but I’ll say it again, confidence isn’t a quality you either have or don’t have. It’s a muscle or a frame of mind that you must continuously work on developing. So every single day truly is an opportunity to embrace a part of you and work on loving that part a bit more!

In honor of summer, I’m really working on showing love to my arms. They are the largest they’ve ever been and any new part of you deserves some extra care and attention! This top from the Express Love Unites Collection gives me a chance to show them off and feel really, really good about it! In the same spirit of pride, I find myself accepting myself and celebrating the things that make me unique!

Pride month may be coming to a close, but I’ll never stop celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and Express agrees! That’s why they have partnered with GLADD and Out Magazine to launch the Love Unites collection featuring 35 gender-neutral pieces that champion unity and individuality. For every Love Unites item purchased by July 15, Express will donate 25% of the net income to GLAAD to accelerate acceptance for the LBGTQ+ community!

There are tons of cute pieces (like these jeans, earrings, and shoes!) that you can shop

below! I’ve also linked some of my favorite pieces from Love Unites collection! Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of Pride Month!

Alex

My Top – https://rstyle.me/+TOqfqMo-X-_bEsJPNOWxBg

Similar Shoes – https://rstyle.me/+4OMZTfTnSslp8lFBwPbjbw

My Jeans – https://rstyle.me/n/dh6p2fcc4g7

My Earrings – https://rstyle.me/+ND959voMURvvLsjxe9rAVg

Tee Shirt – https://rstyle.me/n/dnr4f5cc4g7

Tube Top – https://rstyle.me/n/dnr4e9cc4g7

Dress – https://rstyle.me/n/dnr4eycc4g7

Tank Top – https://rstyle.me/n/dnr4bfcc4g7

Thank you Express for sponsoring this post! #Express #ExpressLife

Cacique Intimates Wireless Collection

May 15, 2019 AlexLeave a comment

Sponsored by Cacique Intimates and ShopStyle

I don’t know about you, but my mornings have become something I truly cherish! I try to keep a routine: morning stretches, lemon water, walk the dog, shower, eat a delicious breakfast, and sneak in some morning smooches – all before I start my work day! It’s not always realistic, because my schedule doesn’t always allow it! Okay, okay it usual isn’t realistic! Plus I work via the internet and we all know that the internet doesn’t sleep and FOMO is real! But it is so refreshing when I am intentional with my mornings!

Another thing I am ALWAYS intentional with is my undergarments! My morning routine is meant to set me up for success for the day and my choice of underwear is honestly just as important. Comfort and function is key for me and that is why I’ve been loving my bras and panties from the new Cacique Intimates Wireless Collection! I’m wearing the Simply Wire Free Uplift Plunge Bra and Cotton High-Leg Brief Panty!

This bra is the truth! I feel lifted, supported, and secure in this bra and I love that the deep plunge allows me to wear it with so many different styles of tops! I opted for the bright fuschia because we can all use some color in our life – SO CUTE! It also comes in black which is a closet essential! I appreciate that Cacique Intimates carries so many incredible wireless styles and colors because you don’t have to compromise comfort for style! Have you noticed the back detail yet? Cause it’s one of my favorite parts of the bra!

The panties are also a huge win! I original bought this pair to match the bra and have since ordered 5 more pairs because they are perfect for everyday wear! The band is firmly placed, but not too tight and the cut on the leg gives them that extra flirty feel! I’m usually a thong girl – TMI? But I may be swayed with these cute briefs!

Check out all the new Cacique Intimates pieces here: https://shopstyle.it/l/23vP

This post is sponsored by Cacique Intimates and ShopStyle

Wedding Dress Shopping with Stella York

April 11, 2019 AlexLeave a comment

Hey beauties!

Today’s post is extra exciting and truly a long time coming! I’ve been engaged for 7 months already and I’m finally starting to plan the wedding! We’re looking at venues, brainstorming the decor, and writing out our guest list. But without a shadow of a doubt, the thing I was most excited about was shopping for a wedding dress! Over the years, I’ve been offered a few different modeling jobs where I’d get to model wedding dresses, but I’ve always passed. I wanted the first time I tried on a wedding dress to be for the real thing! And here we are!

I officially went wedding dress shopping for the first time and it was seriously so incredible! I tried on over ten dresses by Stella York and was blown away by how beautiful I felt! Not only was the experience super emotional, it was educational. There’s a lot to know when you’re looking for a wedding dress and I’m so grateful for the team at Bridal Elegance who helped me for my fitting! Today, I want to share all that I learned from how to prepare for your fitting to how to pick your dress!

I prepared for my fitting with no actual knowledge of what would be happening that day! I did basically no research and I don’t suggest that at all lol! Luckily, I learned a bunch and I hope this post will be helpful for you if and when you go in for a plus size bridal fitting!

When preparing for your bridal fitting, it is important to know the Who, What, When, Where, and Why!

Who should be there with you? For my fitting, it was just me and my mom; and that was perfect for me! But it’s pretty normal for your maid of honor, sisters, and friends to come too! I suggest inviting 1-4 people to join you for your fitting! Some brides do come alone, but I know that I loved every moment I shared with my mom that day! It was a special moment and it is so nice to have your loved ones there to share in that joy! Some brides invite their whole bridal party and that can get really messy, really quickly! Too many opinions can be tough and this day is supposed to be about you! Don’t let anything or anyone else steal your shine or influence you to choose a dress you don’t love! And just know, that it is completely normal to have multiple brides trying on dresses at the bridal shop, so your group won’t be able to overflow into other sections!

What should you bring to the fitting? This was my biggest question when I set my appointment and I ended up bringing so much unnecessary stuff, haha! First and foremost, you should definitely bring a good range of nude colored undergarments! I brought regular and strapless bras, spanx, and underwear! It’s also a good idea to bring a few pairs of shoes! The bridal shop I went to had a few different pairs, but it’s better to try on your dress with shoes that fit well and have a heel height you would actually wear to your wedding. I also suggest bring your makeup or having it done beforehand. If you have your hair and makeup done, you’ll be able to see the full picture once the dress is on! And don’t worry about getting makeup on the dresses. There will be a dresser there to help you put on all your dresses carefully! And lastly, you can wear whatever jewelry you want to the fitting, but you will be asked to remove anything that might snag the dress!

When should I make an appointment? My fitting was on a Monday at 10am and I had the whole place to myself until noon! I know that you might work a 9 to 5 job, but the bridal shop assured me that you should try to schedule your fitting on a weekday instead of a weekend. Most bridal shops are open after work hours, so you might find it helpful to schedule your fitting on a weeknight! It’s important to start shopping for your dress 8-9 months before the wedding! That seems like such a long time, because well… it is! But they are making the dress specifically for you and that takes about sixteen to twenty weeks to receive! Then you have a few months to make any final alterations!

Where should I make my appointment? This one was easy for me, because I went where I knew they would have a wide selection of Stella York dresses! The best way to find out what bridal stores carry plus sizes is to simply call! Most stores will be extra kind and accommodating! If they don’t carry plus sizes, they will often point you in the right direction of what other bridal shops will have the best selection! And if they do carry plus sizes, they can check their inventory to see how many options they have in your size and even request more samples from brands – if there’s enough advance notice!

Why should you go in for a bridal fitting? Because you want to look and feel your best on your big day! There are other ways to order wedding dresses, but fittings allow you to try out different kinds of dresses all at once and play with the accessories too! The staff will have SO much knowledge and experience; and that will be extremely helpful in eliminating some of the stress that can come with wedding planning! Also, the fitting is free; so… why not?

Okay, so let’s talk about the dresses themselves! I walked into my fitting with absolutely no clue what kind of dress I wanted! I had never really thought about it, so I decided that I should try as many styles as possible. And I seriously recommend that plan of action! When you try on all the different styles you can find what silhouette, color, and detailing you love – in that order!

I tried on four different silhouettes: ballgown, fit & flare, soft A-line, and full A-line. Each cut can come with different necklines, fastenings, and fabrics! And then I moved on to color selection! Pro tip: Pure white is actually a bit blue; so choose Ivory for a more traditional look! Each and every dress you try on can be made it multiple colors, so all the dresses are worth trying on even if you don’t like color. It’s also noteworthy that the hem and size chart can vary from brand to brand! All of the Stella York dresses I”m wearing below come hemmed to 5’9. I’m just an inch shorter so it was too noticeable! Bridal shops come equipped with plenty of tools to help you see how it will fit once tailored for you! You can see that I needed several clips here in this first photo!

Stella York style 6315

This first dress is a ballgown with a horsehair trim and sweetheart neckline! The ivory trim sits over a moscato colored base.

Stella York style 6810

This is an ivory, soft A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline and an off the shoulder top.

Stella York style 6385

This is a two tone, aline dress with a sweetheart neckline and chantilly lace detailing. The ivory lace sits over a pewter base.

Stella York style 6257

The next dress is an ivory, fit and flare dress with a sweetheart neckline and a corset back. The belt is added separately.

Stella York style 5922

This gold fit and flare dress has a V-neckline and beautifully detailed bedding.

Stella York style 6025

This ivory, A-line dress had a sweetheart neckline, lace edging, and a tulle bottom.

Stella York style 6776

The last dress is an A-line with a sweetheart neckline, corset back, and lace detailing. The ivory lace sits over a glittery champagne colored base.

Once you find a dress that you love, there are so many extra details that can be added to make the dress your own! The seamstress can alter, adjust, and add extra beading, lace, ribbons, rhinestone layerings, and even extended trains. Most bridal shops will also have veils, belts, and other accessories for you to try on! No matter how you choose to make your dress yours, make sure that you feel comfortable, beautiful, and overall bridal!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this was helpful! Be sure to comment with an questions and I’ll do my best to help! And if you’re ready to find the Stella York wedding dress of your dreams, you can view a complete list of retailers using the store locator.

Alex

This post was sponsored by Stella York.

5 Things To Know When Shopping For Shapewear | Sponsored by Macy’s

December 28, 2018January 10, 2019 AlexLeave a comment

This post is sponsored by Macy’s!

Hello my loves,

And happy holidays! I hope you all had an incredible Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever way you choose to celebrate this time of year! As for me, I’m still winding down from spending my Christmas laughing, drinking, and eating enough for two haha! I love the days between Christmas and New Years because it’s this weird time of the year where you work less, rest more, and don’t really need to know what day it is! My main focus these days is solidifying my New Year’s Eve plans and deciding what to wear!

With that in mind, I’m grateful to be partnering with Macy’s to discuss an item of clothing that becomes very necessary for me during this season – shapewear! It’s a topic I’ve wanted to discuss here for a while because I know that there are a lot of mixed feelings about this particular item of clothing! While some hate shapewear with a passion, my work as a plus size model requires it to be a part of my regular life! And through this experience, there have been five major takeaways I’ve learned when it comes to shopping for shapewear!

Number 1: First things first, shapewear isn’t a replacement for learning to love your body! In high school, I used to wear shapewear every single day – at home, at church, in class, and even during P.E.! I had an extremely unhealthy view on shapewear and used it to feel better about my body. Even 16 year old Alex came off as confident, but my self esteem was tied to being able to smooth and hide my real body. That wasn’t real confidence because it was based on someone else’s perception of me and it took me years to learn how to actually love and accept my body. It was a lot of work and still an ongoing effort, but I promise it’s worth it! Now I wear shapewear to make wearing clothes more comfortable!

Number 2: Shapewear has tons of uses and different clothing requires different types of shapewear. I have shapewear that I use to block sweat marks, to prevent wrinkles, and to act as a barrier against chafing! Now that I’m in full holiday party mode, I’m wearing shapewear styles with built in shorts so that I can dance the night away and not worry about chub rub! I love the pair I’m wearing here because this MiracleSuit high waisted power short has soft cotton on the inside to keep me cool and a smooth nylon/spandex outside layer to block any sweat that may seep through all while protecting my thighs from rubbing together!

Number 3: One size does not truly fit all! There are many shapewear brands out there that only carry one or two sizes, but this isn’t the shapewear for me (or you!). I only want shapewear that is built to fit my body and not just squeeze my body! Macy’s carries shapewear up to a size 28!

Number 4: Details definitely do matter! When shopping for shapewear, I look at the fabric, fit description, and most importantly, the waistband! I like to wear shapers that have a silicon lining at the waist and thigh. Taking the time to consider these small details will save you from pulling, tugging, and re-adjusting your shapewear all day – which is possibly the most annoying thing about wearing shapewear!

Number 5: Shapewear is for you and for no one else! If you choose not to wear shapewear, I support you! If you choose to wear it, I support you too! And I urge you to find shapewear that serves a purpose further than simply making you smaller. Because you are beautiful and deserve to take up all the space you require!

All items in this post are available at Macy’s! As always, thank you for reading!

Xoxo,

Alex

This post is sponsored by Macy’s!

Fall Florals | City Chic at Macy’s!

November 12, 2018 Alex3 Comments

Hello my loves!

Fall is here and it is by far my favorite time of the year! Autumn leaves, cinnamon spice, and the promise of months of festivities is more than enough to make this girl excited about the changing season. However for me, fall is all about the fashion! It’s time to pack up your shorts and pull out your scarves! It’s time to play with different layers and silhouettes! And most importantly, fall gives you the best excuse to go shopping! I’m always looking for new brands to wear and one of my recent finds is City Chic! They are an Australian brand that is all about offering premium fearless clothes for plus size women! I was instantly impressed and that’s why I am so happy to be partnering with Macy’s to share this beautiful City Chic look for fall!

I was scrolling through the Macy’s site and immediately fell in love with the lux feel of this dress! At first, I was drawn to the sheer floral design and the flowy fabric! But the cut is what takes this dress to the next level for me! This maxi dress is easy breezy enough for day and easily dressed up for night!

I opted for a leather jacket; because if I’m being honest with myself, even the slightest breeze is reason enough for me to bust out the layers. I also wanted to add some kind of pop that would take the look to the next level, so I choose to pair the dress with bright white booties! Styled this way, I’d wear the look out for a date or an event or girls night out! You could swap the booties for a pair of pumps for a more upscale look.

All items in this post are available at Macy’s! As always, thank you for reading!

Xoxo,

Alex

Thank you Macy’s for sponsoring this post!

Three Go-To Jackets for Fall and Winter | Sponsored by StitchFix

November 1, 2018November 1, 2018 AlexLeave a comment

Hey lovelies,

And helloooo November! This just might be my favorite time of the year! The spooky stuff is over and now it’s time to focus on family, food, and presents – woo! I just got back from visiting my best friend in Portland, OR and all the rain reminded me how important it is to plan for the changing seasons! The leaves were stunning, but the rain & wind chill already had me thinking about getting my winter wear together! Although I live in LA, I travel quite a bit during the winter months and need to be prepared with lots of cozy options!

If you’ve been following me for a while then you already know about my love for Stitch Fix! They are a styling service that matches you with a personal stylist who will send you incredible clothes that fit your style, body, and budget! I am so happy to be partnering with Stitch Fix to share three classic jackets that are perfect for fall and winter!

An obvious classic is the leather moto jacket! This is an absolute staple for me and I am thrilled when it finally gets chilly enough to start wearing them each year! I love this specific jacket because the sleeve detail instantly glams up the look! When you first sign up for Stitch Fix you are asked to fill out a style profile that helps the stylist understand your body type, fit preferences, and style! I asked for a bit more glam, so this jacket is right up my alley! I loved the looked of pair this jacket with this textured sweater! You could easier dress this up with a skirt and heels, but I opted to keep things casual with a pair of my favorite jeans!

The next classic jacket style is cargo! We see a lot of military inspired looks this time of year and I always enjoy incorporating this aesthetic into my outfits. Cargo jackets are as functional as they are stylish which makes them an incredible layer to wear while on an outdoor workout. It’s so easy to throw your keys, cell phone, and chapstick in a pocket and go! I decided to create a full camouflage moment with these leggings, because I know this outfit would definitely inspire me to bring my workout to the next level! And there would be no need to worry about the fit, because Stitch Fix tests each item on real women to know how the clothes will fit before they send them out!

The last classic jacket style is a newly adopted favorite of mine… the bomber! Bombers are a great option for looking effortlessly chic! On it’s own the bomber has more of an athlesuire/street feel, but you can absolutely style it to fit your personal style! I attempted to dress the bomber up for a night out by pairing it with heeled booties and a trendy bag with matching earrings! This look was probably my favorite because I instantly felt ready to go out and dance, haha!

Needless to say, Stitch Fix is a great way to update your wardrobe for the season (or for any reason really). And with so many styles, brands, and fits, it is so easy to find the perfect item for you! You can try out the service by clicking HERE and be sure to comment below to let me know what kind of items you would be looking for from this incredible service!

I hope you have the most incredible rest of your week and as always, thank you for reading!

Xoxo,

Alex

Thank you Stitch Fix for sponsoring this post!

NY Collection at Macy’s!

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 AlexLeave a comment

NY Collection at Macy’s!

Hello beauty! How are you? How have you been? How’s your mama? What’s up with me? That’s so sweet of you to ask…

I’m currently sitting at a cafe in San Francisco it is CHILLY!! It’s super foggy and misty; and the summer breeze feels more like a distant cousin of a hurricane! The longer I sit here the more grateful I am that summer is not over at home in LA!

We’ve officially reached the time of the year where I’m still shopping for summer, but I’m mentally preparing for fall! And you should be too! I’m thrilled to be partnering with Macy’s to share their NY Collection because this line is a great starting point when looking for those perfect transitional pieces to get you through the next few months!

The first thing you’ll notice about the NY Collection is that it is super stinkin cute! It’s really giving you a taste of New York with pieces that offer everything from the elevated, chic look of Manhattan to the more balanced boho vibes of Brooklyn. I opted to represent my old stomping grounds and style this adorable floral print shift dress.

It’s perfect for summer because of its light airy fabric and cute lace up details. This dress would honestly look great with heels, boots, flats, or even the right pair of sneakers! It’s versatility is what makes it a good choice; however, it is the fit that makes it a great choice! The dress pintucks at the waist and flares out along the bottom making a great silhouette whether you carry your most weight in your bust, belly, or hips.

I’m so happy with this dress for summer and I can’t wait to style it for the fall! You could pair it with a suede moto jacket and a pair of booties; or my personal choice would be to pair the dress with tall boots, trench coat, and a beanie! How would you style this dress to take it from summer to fall? Any way you wear it, it’s going to have you feeling (and looking) incredible!

All items in this post are available at Macy’s! As always, thank you for reading!

Xoxo,

Alex

Thank you Macy’s for sponsoring this post!

ALEX LAROSA

Tag: confidence

3 Wardrobe Tips for Transitioning from Summer To Fall

Grocery Shopping Made Easy | Sponsored by Walmart

Belonging | Sponsored by Old Navy

Love Unites | Sponsored by Express

Cacique Intimates Wireless Collection

Wedding Dress Shopping with Stella York

5 Things To Know When Shopping For Shapewear | Sponsored by Macy’s

Fall Florals | City Chic at Macy’s!

Three Go-To Jackets for Fall and Winter | Sponsored by StitchFix

NY Collection at Macy’s!