Something Old, Something New

Tall Joggers - LEL/Sequin Top - Nordstrom/Shoes (size 12) - Payless/Blazer and Bracelet - Forever21/Earrings - H&M

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith Photography

If your holiday season was anything like mine, you didn't have time to look for a New Years outfit, let alone buy one. Never fear...your closet is here!

Yep, that's right. Step right on in to the comforts of the clothes that are conveniently placed in your closet. Take this look; the shoes are 3 years old, the pants and blazer are 2 years old and I bought the top on super sale last year and never wore it. Now, you are probably saying, Alicia, who just has this stuff hanging in their closet? You do boo and here are 5 tips to pull off a last minute NYE look:

1. USE BLACK AS THE FOUNDATION

Black is a color that goes with everything and is the best foundation for a last minute look because it's timeless, flattering and everyone has something black in their closet. Anything from a little black dress to a jumpsuit to a black skinny jean and crop top...start with black and the possibilities are endless. Want to ramp it up a bit? Go with a vibrant, solid color as your base.

2. ADD SOME SPARKLE

Take a scan of your clothes, shoes and makeup for anything that sparkles. Try them on with your fit and pick the option(s) that work best for you. Even something as small as an eyeshadow with some sparkle in it, can glam up your look for your NYE soirees. Don't be afraid to wear multiple sparkly pieces...go sparkle or go home!

3. SHOESTOPPERS

We all have those bold shoes that we can't rock that often because everyone would easily notice a repeat wear (it shouldn't matter but it does). Break those babies out for your NYE parties. A hot shoe will polish off your look and make your fit standout in the crowd as you bring in the New Year.

4. FROST LIKE A BOSS

Breakout those eye-catching accessories that don't get an every day wear...this is the time to rock those bad boys! I went with gold but any metallic will do. This is also something quick and inexpensive that you can buy if you absolutely have no options (but I know you do).

5. GLAM BAM

Rock out your hair, makeup and nails. It's amazing what you can create in just these 3 things alone. Even a white tee can be glammed up when all these elements are personalized and polished. Quick Tip: When it comes to parties you can't go wrong with a bold, bright lip.

THE ULTIMATE RULE: CONFIDENCE IS KEY

No matter what...rock what makes you feel great! Bring in the New Year in a fit that you love and you can never go wrong. When you look good, you feel amazing and your confidence sizzles even more than it already shines.

I wish you light, love and uber success in 2016. Pursuit those dreams, prepare for your blessings and appreciate them when they come. And please tag your Tall NYE looks with @TallSWAG so I can see how your Tall, fabulous self brought in the New Year!

Cheers to an amazing 2016!

TOP 5 SHOE STORES FOR THE TALL AND FABULOUS

Hey now!

OK...so I can admit it. My LINKS page is terrible right now. I simply have not had the time to update it. But I want you to have amazing access to the best Tall links so I am going to start posting Top 5's in all areas of Tall. From shoes, to pants and maybe even men (#eyecandy)...I will be posting about the best of the best.

With that said, what better place to start than SHOES. They will change your life won't they! I don't care what you have going on...slip on a pair of hot ones and everything goes BOOM.

Without further ado (and in no particular order)...here are my Top 5 brands that sell amazing shoes for us...

SMASH SHOES

Smash Shoes busted on to the Tall shoe scene and has been putting out FIRE ever since. They carry up to size 14, are very well made and the customer service is amazing. What I love about the line is that they are not just the basics. Yes, they have a classic pump (which I want in every color), but they also have styles that standout. Smash Shoes is definitely not the brand that just gives us the bare minimum. They actually create styles that we will covet and can't wait to be seen in. Make sure to check them out. Btw, just in case you are wondering, the over-the-knee boots really do go over the knee...yippppeeee!!!

Want another chic option? Nine West has a great selection of shoes up to a size 12 but you have to act fast because they fly off the shelves.

LONG TALL SALLY

By far, Long Tall Sally has the best selection in shoes up to size 15. They carry a ton of brands that usually don't have shoes in our sizes and then their in-house brands (BFT and LTS) are constantly putting out shoes that hit major trends. I am loving what I am seeing for this season and kudos to Long Tall Sally for giving women that wear up to size 15 haute shoes to rock!

Looking for a steal on shoes? Check out Payless. They come in sizes up to 13 and the price points are on point (especially when they have BOGO). Quick tip: Always Google coupon codes before ordering for extra savings.

SHOES OF PREY

This is the bespoke leader for us as you can custom design shoes (in a plethora of styles) up to size 15 and they even have HALF SIZES. It's a super fun process and for a shoe that fits your foot specifically, the price points don't break the bank. They have also partnered with Nordstrom so that you can actually go into a store and build them onsite at select locations.

They have an amazing contest going on right now where you can win 52 pairs of custom shoes. What!?!? Absolute shoe Heaven. Check out the winner from last year (above) and make sure you enter...I know I am (crossing all my long fingers and toes).

Another bespoke option: Poppy Barley specializes in custom boots (they also have fantastic shoes) in sizes up to 13.

NORDSTROM RACK

Sugar pie, honey bunch...you know that I love you! I can't help myself...I love you and nobody else...I seriously break out in to song when I step up in this building (you can order online too). Racks on racks on racks on shoes at great prices and a lot of them in our size! You can actually walk in and cop a pair (usually pairs). Some stores even carry up to size 14 and they have large size shoes sales (let's change the name Nordy's) that are worth the wait in line.  Create an account and they will send you all of the info.

Don't see what you need at The Rack? Never fear. Go on Nordstrom.com for more options and they will send them right to you. They have a great selection (at higher price points than The Rack) up to size 14.

TORRID

Torrid has wide options, in great price points, up to size 13. Now, I have a narrow foot so I have never tried them on BUT I have many friends that have and love them! They have a little bit of everything and are definitely worth a try. I wish they made non-wide shoes because hunni, I would rock them to the hilt!

Want another wide option? Lane Bryant has shoes in sizes up to 12.

Now, there are my 5 (well really 10 but who's counting). I want to know your go-to shoe brand for us. Please leave it in the comments below:-) Share with your Tall sisters!

Saving Alicia Jay

On January 3rd I wrote:

In the past month I have had an urge to share more. I feel like God wants me to expand this blog to talking more about our tall lives than just style. What may seem like a small shift of a couple of paragraphs, is going to do great things inside my life and I pray in those that read them. A resolution that I have is to stretch and become more vulnerable and I refuse to let my fear overcome what I know God wants me to do.

Well, my fear got me yall. It’s January 26th and I have been avoiding this blog like the plague. I have no idea why because what I am about to share is one of the things I am most proud of in my life.

Yes, it may have cost me some so-called friends, it may have caused me immense frustration and it may have been the reason for many of my breakups but it is something that I have known from a young age was meant for one person and one person only.

Yep.

My virginity.

I am a 6’6”, black and white, super single, 34 year old virgin.

No, I am not going to preach to you about how virginity is the only way to go. It’s a personal choice that I made for me and I am just here to tell my story. If you draw anything from it, great! If not, no problemo.

My story of virginity is definitely not the typical media version that you see. Its real, filled with emotion, hormones, close calls and pure love and devotion for someone I haven’t even met yet. This story is what virginity is really like in 2015. And guess what, I am going to write a book all about it.

Now, I have no idea when this book will be finished but I do know that I would like to share the journey with you. It’s something I need to get out on paper and share because look, I am not going to be single forever! God will send me my husband and I need to tell the story of being a virgin while I still am one.

Don’t worry, I will still be posting personal style shots, talking tall fashion and dishing about our tall, fabulous lives but my journey to publishing my first book on real virginity will be intertwined in the thread. Saving myself for marriage is one of the things that makes me stand tall every day and I can’t wait to share my story with each and every one of you.

Ok…let me post this before I lose my nerve. It’s hard to get personal but God told me to and you sure can’t say no to Him!