#LTSsince76

Spliced Floral Shirt Dress (shown in US size 10) - Long Tall Sally/LTS Milli Flare Heel Leather Boot (shown in size 12) - Long Tall Sally/40 Denier Tight (shown in size M) - Long Tall Sally

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith

Let me tell you about a 40-year-old bombshell! She is tall, chic and has been helping tall women enhance their height since 1976. I am talking about Long Tall Sally. It's the tall retailers 40th and I know I couldn't be more excited to celebrate 40 groundbreaking years of tall style!

Over the last 40 years LTS has truly changed the face of tall style. While there are many tall retailers that slay tall clothing, Long Tall Sally has been the frontrunner in bringing chic, tall clothing and shoes to elevated ladies everywhere. They stay ahead of the trends, constantly look for ways to cater to ALL tall women and truly want tall women to wear clothing and shoes that express their individual style. 

A perfect example of LTS style is my first look for fall. This floral shirt dress is a perfect way to bring the season in. It's chic, effortless and it's bold black, white and navy pattern is definitely on-trend. The dress itself is crafted specifically for us with longer arms and just the right length in the body.

The boots are A1 for the upcoming season. You will see the flare heel everywhere and their timeless look will work for seasons to come. I will be wearing this boot with everything! The best part...they come in sizes up to 15! Over the last 40 years Long Tall Sally has continually found ways to bring the latest footwear and size options to us and I know I will forever be thankful for that.

Long Tall Sally wants to celebrate their 40 years by sharing your LTS stories. Share your memories and you could win a gift card that will help you create new ones! ENTER HERE.

 Happy 40th LTS...here is to 40 more!

#BodyGoals?

Image courtesy of VanityFair.com

I, like millions of other people, watched Kanye West's FADE video on the VMA’s and literally died at the sight of Teyana Taylor’s body. I wanted to pack a bag, run to the gym and live there indefinitely. Her body is a work of art. I mean she is cut, has a great butt and breasts that many women pay great money for. That baby bounce back was all the way real! God has truly blessed her with a beautiful body. Get it Teyana girl!

But I had to check my initial reaction. Why did I want to exchange my figure for hers so easily? And furthermore where did I develop this ideal of what a body should look like?

The answers are vast but at the end of the day, I do love my body. Every inch of my 6’6” was crafted just as her body was, in His image and just for me. This body is specifically mine. I love the skin that I am but that visceral response to the video bothered me.

So I sat with myself for a while. Delving in to my self-image and the word COMPARISON kept popping up. I think we all subconsciously do it…but it needs to stop.

NO MATTER WHAT you will never be like any person that you see because you are tailor made. You are one-of-a-kind and cannot be reproduced. Don’t compare yourself to another soul in this world because there will never be another you and nor should there be. Every single facet of your body is yours. It’s something that can never be taken from you. God has blessed us ALL with beautiful bodies.

The only thing that comparison does is rob us of our self-joy. Spend your time loving you and making your body the best that it can be. And guess what…the definition of the best for your body does not have to be what society feeds you. Let me explain…

Recently I lost 30 lbs. through exercise and healthy choices. I’m not even going to lie…it came off pretty easily. I cut everything out; sugar, meat, coffee etc. I went on a  partial fast and never stopped. While the fast helped me in endless spiritual ways (and I would do it again), I continued it for purely cosmetic reasons. I was noticing a flatter stomach and all of the toning that I was doing started to emerge. I was loving it until I lost my chest and backside. Now, there is nothing wrong with that but I liked what I had!

Then, I really missed food. I am a bonafied #HungryTallGirl. When I post that on social, I really mean it. I love a yummy meal, think that the preparation of it is an art and it just enhances my happy. That is the gosh darn truth. When I took away everything, I missed it and in small ways became depressed. I literally was denying myself of something that I genuinely enjoyed for a body that I wasn’t really comfortable in. Instead of working for the best me, I was creating a “me” that I thought I should be. There is a big difference.

Well what if you want to go out and get plastic surgery? Wear makeup? Get a weave?

Go out and get all of that boo! Just make sure that any addition is something that you want and not something that you need. There isn’t one enhancement on this earth that can make you whole internally. Your body and appearance is yours and you can change it however you would like but please use it as expression, not completion.  

So who do you want to be? Find that and work on her like no other. Do not let agenda setting dictate who are. Admire and applaud the Teyana’s of the world but cherish yourself.

Whatever you do, don’t get frustrated.

It’s a continual process.

You need to reacquaint yourself with your best self on a daily basis.

Hang out and bond with her. Treat her with respect, pick her up when she is down, cultivate her to be the best that she can be, don’t compare her to others and above all love her unconditionally.

#SelfBodyGoals...now were talkin!

Desert Flower

WANNA SEE THIS MAXI MOVE? Check out my Instagram for a short video of this beautiful dress.

Blossom Print Boho Maxi Dress - Tall Girls UK/Heart Necklace - Candid Art/Shoes - Payless/Hat - Forever 21

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith

I seriously canNOT believe that summer is almost over. I'm sad but going to enjoy this last month in chic dresses like this crazy-good maxi dress from Tall Girls UK.

Not only is it long enough (I am wearing 3.5" heels and it's STILL the perfect length), it is also the perfect floral print and a piece that you can transition right into fall.

How you ask?

1) SPORT IT UP. Add a sweatshirt and some tennies for a sporty look. I plan to throw on a light grey simple cotton shirt and some metallic Converse like THIS OPTION from Tall Girls UK. A comfy, fab, fall remix for all of your maxi dresses.

2) WILD WEST IT. Throw on a long cardigan, belt and boots of your choice. This Long Line Cardigan is the perfect tall option for this western inspired look. 

3) BLAZE A TRIAL. You can easily wear your maxi dress to the office by adding a chunky necklace, blazer and loafer. Check out these tall blazer options that will transform this summer dress in to a chic office fit.

So slow your roll on putting those maxi dresses in the back of the closet and keep them out to incorporate in your fall repertoire!

I really want to see YOUR tall looks so please tag them with @TallSWAG. See you soon sweet stuff!;)

Spice Girl

TTYA London Black for ASOS. Many items in the collection are already posted and this fabulous dress is C O M I N G soon. Stay tuned and sign up for the TTYA London email list to stay up on all of the #TTYABlack releases.  

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith 

This tall dress is out of this world!  It's on the way from the TTYA London BLACK line that debuted on ASOS this week. 

The line is nothing like you have ever seen in Tall. Clean, modern and completely unique. I love every piece, especially this fab dress which is next up to be released.

I feel incredibly sexy in this dress! The foundation of the dress is a great tall-short length and the mesh overlay adds that spice that takes the little black dress to new levels. Most importantly, the overlay is the perfect length; a true midi, appropriate arm length and a slit that doesn't go all the way up to the bottom of our cheeks. You can definitely tell that a lot of thought went in to the piece right down to the thin rubber strip that lines the entire top seam of the dress to prevent it from moving around underneath the mesh. Well done TTYA London!

I am wearing a dress and paired it with Calvin Klein neutral pumps (size 12 via Nordstrom Rack) because this dress needs nothin else to make it pop.

Definitly look out for this dress to drop soon and check out all of the other new releases from #TTYABlack!

Cuban Lessons

One of my favorite moments in Cuba was exploring the beautiful beaches in Guardalavaca. Check out my full Cuban vacation (as well as all of my #TallSWAGTravels) on Instagram: @TallSWAG.

For some reason I have been struggling with my words about my trip to Cuba. It was an absolutely beautiful, life changing experience that has made me examine all areas of my life. It’s been very uncomfortable in many ways since returning.

What am I doing with my life?

It’s a serious question and I am glad that I am asking it.

For the past couple of years I have really been diving in to what’s important and more importantly what God wants me to accomplish. However I am guilty of taking the reins from Him and doing my own thing. He has been urging me to take risks, have complete faith, trust in Him and follow the desires he has placed in my heart and I simply will not let go.

Cuba put a spotlight and all of these things. The Cuban way of living is completely based on trusting life and what it has to give. All we heard the entire time we were there is no worries and no problem.  In many ways they have every reason to worry but refuse to do so. They trust that life will provide and place joy as a top priority. They love hard, they give their last, they value family and place little purpose in things. Cubans have this life thing all the way figured out.

Cuba made me slow down and FEEL life. I literally went days without my phone and often didn’t know the time or date. While I was taking in the Cuban scene and had friends around me, I really felt like I was hanging with God for most of the trip. I relied on him heavily and put all of my trust in Him to get us safely from place to place. During our travels we were often in the middle of nowhere and I had no choice but to give everything to Him. But that’s the thing…

Everything is already in His hands. We must choose to give it to Him.

See, no matter where we are or what we do, God should be in control. Personally, I am so focused on what I want to accomplish that I take the lead but it’s time to give Him the control. He knows where I am going, He has given me my purpose so it’s time to listen, act and believe.

There will be some really hard decisions that I have to make and please believe I am going to be attacked during this process because the devil sure doesn’t like growth and won’t make it easy. Even as I write this fear is starting to set in but I am ready for the battle.

I will be sharing my journey with you whether it be a huge decision in my life or time spent in life’s waiting room. I am thankful and glad that you will be there to share in this transformation. I want everything that God wants in my life and look forward to following the footsteps that He has crafted for me!

For more of my Cuba moments, check out the gallery below. Chao!

My Cuba adventure started on July 18th. We flew from Cancun to Havana, spent the day in Havana (which is where we eventually ended our trip) and then took a small plane to Holguin. It was a long travel day and I was happy to be wearing this comfy jumper from Tall Girls UK. The colors in Cuba are so vibrant. I am definitely using them in my decor from now on. I wish all cities were this colorful!

I was enamored with the Cuban street art. It was everywhere and vastly different in every city.

These are the tickets for our plane ride to Holguin. I have never had handwritten tickets before. Admittedly I was nervous about the ride but it was smooth and only an hour and 15 minute flight.

When we arrived at our casa particular (equivalent to a bed and breakfast) in Holguin, we were greeted by cafe. The host family made us feel right at home and all throughout the trip we were offered Cuban cafe. Hands down the best coffee I have ever had in my life. 

That night we visited Holguin's most popular landmark, Loma de La Cruz. It was atop the highest hill in Holguin. It was breathtaking with a view of the entire city.

Tall Shirt and 37" inseam Pants - Alloy Apparel

The view of Holguin from Loma de La Cruz was amazing. Check out the full video by clicking the photo.

Our host family made us feel like part of their family and put love in to every meal. They cooked breakfast for us everyday at only $4 per person. It was delicious!

We rented one of the old taxi's to go to Guardalavaca. I couldn't get enough of the old cars! Our driver drove 74 miles, stayed with us the entire day and drove us home. It was a beautiful experience to see the Cuban countryside from one of the classic cars in Cuba.

The beaches in Guardalavaca were absolutely beautiful. I really have no words for how beautiful they were! Easily one of my favorite moments on the trip.

Long Torso Swimsuit - TTYALondon for Long Tall Sally.

Long Torso Swimsuit: Taller Than Your Average for Long Tall Sally

I could have stayed on the beaches of Guardalavaca for the entire trip.

Long Torso Swimsuit: TTYALondon for Long Tall Sally.

After our day on the beach we walked right out of the sea into a local beach side restaurant that Ramon (our driver and guide) recommended. This lobster was amazing and was only $18.

Our driver Ramon kept us safe all day and also drove us to our bus to Santiago later that night. He, like many other Taxi drivers in Cuba, he was incredibly proud of the family car that he and his father in law used to provide for their family.

Later that night we said goodbye to our host family before boarding our bus to Santiago. I teared up when we left. I loved the entire family...especially the Abuleo (grandfather).

After an early morning, somewhat difficult bus ride to Santiago we found our Casa Particular, slept and then hit the street just in time for this beautiful view.

We were in town for Carnival. In Santiago they celebrate the revolution for 6 days with parades, fireworks, music and lots of dancing!

As someone who spends WAY too much time on the phone and Internet, having no WiFi and phone service was difficult for me in the beginning. Being cutoff from family and friends was the hardest part. For me it's 15 days but for people who live in Cuba, it's a way of life. The main way to connect to the Internet is through 1 hour cards that are sold in minimal places throughout the cities with very limited areas that service them. You can't connect with these cards in your home. You have to go to specified outdoor areas, cafes or restaurants for connection. They are $2-$3 dollars a card. That doesn't seem like a lot however the average salary in Cuba is around $30 a month. You have to make that stretch so the luxury of an Internet card is rare. With that said (and as mentioned)...the people of Cuba spend more time in the present than the social world. They love directly and I need to adopt this in to my life. Social media will never surpass contact and the act of being present. In my eyes, these cards preserve that and really are one of the reasons why I fell in love with the simplistic beauty of Cuba Life.

I packed a ton of jumpers for my trip to Cuba. They were easy to throw on and lightweight for the Cuba heat. This lace option is TTYALondon for Long Tall Sally. It's super long in the torso and doesn't need accessories because it pops on its own.

I had my first Congo drum and salsa dance lessons in Santiago. We all played pretty well together considering it was all of our first time on this instrument. Thanks to our friend Yoelvis, we probably had the most authentic classes we could get in Cuba with professor Yester. Check out the video of us drumming by clicking the photo.

At this point the trip was only half over and I had already experienced numerous life changing things. Many stretched my comfort levels to the brink but really that is what travel should do. It's not just about rest and relaxation, it's also about learning things you never will in your comfort zone and gaining perspective. As I talked about in my blog, God really reeled me in during the trip to show me what is important, the true beauty of life and things that I need to work on as a person. I am thankful for these revelations and blessed to have gone on a trip with a group of friends that supported each other through the beautiful process.

I loved capturing candid shots of the beautiful people in Cuba. This is one of my favorites.

Santiago de Cuba is known for their motorcycle taxis. It's the easiest way to get around and they are all over the city. I'm pretty sure this driver would rather have been picking someone up than taking a picture with me but I will take it! :-)

The Casa Particular that we stayed in during our time in Santiago had an amazing rooftop. On our last night there was a stormy sunset that was just breathtaking. Check out the full video by clicking the photo. Our next stop was Havana!

I instantly fell in love with Havana! Click the pic for a video clip of these classic cars in action.

On the first day we explored the city and walked down the Malecon. The Malecon is the heart of the city and thousands of people come together at night to celebrate life with one another. A beautiful place to be in beautiful Havana!

Dress - Long Tall Sally

I seriously want a classic car now!

Dress and Shoes - Alloy Apparel

Another one of my favorite candid shots in an alley in Havana.

Another Tall dress that is perfect for travel from Alloy Apparel. It's the perfect tall-short length and gives you a chic look with very little effort. I paired it with these gladiator sandals from Alloy as well. They have a selection of shoes in sizes up to 13 and this neutral option went with everything I packed.

Besos for Cuba...I literally fell in love and will always have a place in my heart for Cuba!

The street dogs in Cuba stole my heart. So sweet and smart. It's a hard life for these pups. They definitely adapt to the ways of city living. We even saw multiple dogs look both ways before crossing the street and jump over puddles so their paws wouldn't get wet. I wish I could adopt one!

I had to get my last cup of Cafe before leaving Cuba (well I had 2 cups:-). By far, the best coffee I have ever had in my life at a quarter a cup. I am going to try to master this delicious way of making coffee at home for a little bit of Cuba in the states.

Words really aren't adequate to describe the experience that I had in Cuba but I will try... It was a beautiful moment that really has changed my life forever. I met amazing people, learned invaluable things about myself, appreciated the things that I have and pinpointed a way of life that I need to adopt. Traveling in general always teaches you something but in 14 days Cuba has built me in ways that nothing else could. I will be back and will always have a special place in my heart for Cuba!

Romper - Alloy Apparel

The Places You'll Go

Dress - Pretty Penny Clothing/Shoes - Payless (size 12)/Belt - Bloom

Photo Credit: LaKeela Smith

Traveling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. -Unknown

I am on my way to Cancun and Cuba!

I have a feeling that it is going to change a lot of things. I am going to let go and invite all that God wants me to experience. It will be 19 days to remember!

I plan to unplug for the most part however if the precious wifi spots agree with me on the trip, I may be posting on Instagram: @TallSWAG, SnapChat: @TheAliciaJay and Facebook. Regardless, there will be a full wrap-up when I get back.

I am so incredibly grateful for this trip...let the much needed vacay begin! Catch you later my Tall loves:-)