Lessons from my Fitaversary: Live Unapologetic + Giveaway With Kiyonna Plus Size Fashion
As a plus size wellness blogger focussed on her personal growth, I am in love with the idea that all of us have the ability to live badass and fulfilled lives.
sarah sapora plus size wrap dress
sarah sapora plus size dress kiyonna
I truly believe, down to my core, that each and every woman has the power to live the life she envisions for herself. You know that fire that burns inside you? The one telling you that you want MORE in life? The voice that says, "get in the game, girl!" You know that voice? I call that your #BeGreater. That's the voice inside you that urges you on. That's the universal human desire we all have to be the hero of our own life. To grow, to improve, to conquer and feel joy.The idea of #BeGreater means different things to different people. For some, their #BeGreater urges them to work less and play more. For others, they long to spend more time with their kids, or have experience greater intimacy in their life. For me? My #BeGreater wants to live a life where I feel fierce and strong, joyful, and energetic. I want to feel limitless in my body, at-ease in my life, sensual in my personal relationships, and be "of service" to others in my work. I learned all this in the last year when, for the first time in my life, I really put my wellness front and center in my life. I changed careers and set out to become the most balanced version of me possible. I've documented my health and wellness journey pretty intensely on social media. This April 29th, I celebrate my one-year commitment to myself!!I've called this, my Fitaversary.To help me celebrate this hugely important time, I'm getting real and sharing a few of the most powerful lessons I've learned in my growth this year. These are the ideas that have kept me grounded, kept me moving forward, and helped me to get to the place I am now!Kiyonna was kind enough to join me on this journey! I've shopped Kiyonna since 2000 (literally, no joke, since I was in college) and I have always had a special place in my heart for this brand. I was overwhelmed with excitement when they offered me some new styles and a $100 gift card to give away to you!! (If you want to enter, you'll find instructions at the bottom of this blog!) This week, I'll be sharing three of the biggest lessons I have learned this past year. I'm starting with one that I feel SUPER passionate about.
Lesson 1: Live unapologetically in the truth of your life.
Sarah sapora kiyonna plus size clothing
sarah sapora kiyonna plus size top
Every day we have a choice. Do we live life guided by our own True North or distracted by the opinions of others? It's easy to be concerned with what others thing, especially those that we love. But at the end of the day, what truly matters is HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES.Be unapologetic in the truth of who you are, what you love, what inspires you, what motivates you!It's not easy to acknowledge what is true to us, especially if this is something that goes against the popular belief systems that surround us. But the answer, again and again, will always be this--- what are the intentions of my actions and thoughts? If these intentions are always rooted in the core of who you are, and aligned with what you truly believe, then are likely to feel joy, peace, and satisfaction.
When the deepest part of you becomes engaged in what you are doing, when your activities and actions become gratifying and purposeful, when what you do serves both yourself and others, when you do not tire within but seek the sweet satisfaction of your life and your work, you are doing what you were meant to be doing.― Gary Zukav
Here are some examples of how practicing this helped me.When I first began my wellness journey, I was a little timid that my passion would rub others the wrong way. I was anxious that others would not understand how, and why, I would shift the focus of my life so dramatically. So I played small. I separated my wellness journey into an alternative social media account. I used soft words, and often times found myself apologizing... till one day it just felt wrong. It felt dishonest. In parsing off this part of my life into its own designated corner, I was cutting off my own energy. I was cutting off my abundance. So I decided it was time to step into my process 100% unapologetic. I knew my choice would rub some the wrong way -- but I also knew that personal growth had become a HUGE PART OF WHO I AM!! I LOVE my journey. I LOVE learning about myself. I love becoming stronger and more peaceful. And so I was ready to live in my truth.Remember, that your messages and your choices and your words may not be for everyone. This is totally ok. They will be perfect for others. And the more time you spend living your loudest most honest, most colorful version of yourself, the more inclined you will be to attract like-minded folks into your life. And that is a beautiful thing.Interested in hearing more? Let me explain...Now onto some fashion-related chat. I've got to tell you, that these are a few of the chicest items I have ever owned. I truly love them. While these were gifted to me, I would HANDS DOWN buy them at full price.First up? The Essential Wrap Dress. I am wearing the Cobalt Blue in a size 3X.I am a huge, huge fan of a classic wrap dress. If you only have ONE DRESS in your closet, it should be a plus size wrap dress like this one.You can wear a dress like this for almost every occasion. In fact, I have. Work. Play. Everything in between. This dress fits totally true to size but, also works well for those who are in-between sizes because the full wrap of the style allows you to adjust as needed for your body. I have owned two of these dresses before that I paid full price for, one in black and one in animal print. This time around I opted for the blue which is so vivid and so fantastic!!Here's what I love about this style:
Three-quarter sleeves make it perfect for wear all year round,
Wrap has a slightly higher waist, which shows off your figure and skims your hips,
Perfect day-to-night look,
Fully adjustable since it's an actual wrap style, and
Classic silhouette that will look just as great in five or ten years as it does today!
plus size wrap dress
Sarah sapora
The next item on my list? A super sexy short that is figure-flattering and flirty at the same time.This is the Rita Ruched Top. Buy it, it's amazing. If I could marry a top, it would be this. I chose this top in Black in a 3X. I fell in love with it when I saw it online and it lived up to every expectation I had in real life.In fact, when I tried it on, I told the marketing gal at Kiyonna that they should make a dress like this and call it Sarah. LOL. I really loved it that much.Where I am in my life, I appreciate looking feminine and feeling sensual without having to show a lot of skin. To me this top is sexy in a Helen Mirren kind of timeless and deliciously powerfully sexy kind of way. In fact, someone should ask me out on a date right now so I can wear it...Heres's what I love about this style:
Ruching, ruching, ruching! Super feminine and great for shaping the midsection,
Deep v-neckline is very graceful,
The neckline can also be worn slightly off the shoulder, adding an extra element of glam to the top,
The neckline detail carries to the back, so it shows that unexpected element of skin on your back, especiallly if you wear your hair up, and
Hip-length hemline means it's a bit sexier and not oversized or boxy.
plus size black top
sarahpluslife plus size blogger
Last, but not least, the Promenade Top! I sized DOWN in this, and am wearing a 2X in Orchid. This is a super feminine top with more of a boho vibe to it. Last year, I wore the Indie Flair Maxi Dress, which this top is based on. The top is a soft and lightweight jersey, which I like to pair with denim but, could easily work for a more dressy look. A note about size - this has more billowing feel to it. I am not super-large in the chest, so sizing down is a better option for me. If you are larger in the bust, stick to your true size.Here's what I love about this style:
It's very forgiving. Meaning, you can wear it on days you really want to feel comfortable yet still look put together,
The front draping is really unique and adds an art-deco twist to it, and
Did I mention it is WAY comfortable?
Also, I'm kinda in love with this color!!I tend to like to mix "fancy" tops with distressed denim; it's the combo of hard and soft together I really love. Plus... cowboy boots are my JAM!!! If you've been on my blog or Instagram, you know this already. LOL.With these three styles, you run the full range of looks. From creative-corporate friendly to date night and brunch with the gals. As I note, I want to share this: Kiyonna styles are a chic blank canvas. These are pieces that will look good for a while. Especially a wrap dress! Use accessories to really play with the full range of wardrobe posibilties here!Thank you to Kiyonna for your support. I've been a happy shopper for years, and intend to stay that way!!
Want to win $100 gift card to get these, or any items at Kiyonna! I'm giving one away!
Here's how to enter to win.