Le Tote for Plus Sizes - the 3 best alternatives!

Le Tote sadly only carries up to size 16 but there are some GREAT alternatives for plus size women that I've been looking into that I want to share with you!

As we know, for some reason fashion is behind the curb for plus sizes, because as we look for larger sizes we see it's so much harder to find great style. Recently my Mom re-entered the workforce after years of working part time and as a stay at home Mom, and all her old work clothes either no longer fit right or they were just really outdated. She needed a new look and style that allowed her to walk with confidence in the world.

My beautiful Mom in her Gwynnie Bee dress!

But before we tackled her whole work wardrobe, we just needed these two basic things:
- A great plus sized top for a new headshot
- A great dress for her to wear to my Dad's 40 year high school reunion

But even after searching for hours in the WORLD'S LARGEST Macy's, we left empty-handed and incredibly frustrated. Everything she tried on either had weird cuts or was just not with the trends.

I had personally been using Le Tote (see my LeTote review here) and figured there must be something like it for women like my Mom - and then after some digging I found Gwynnie Bee! It's like Le Tote for larger sizes, and right now they give a free 30 day trial AND $10 off through my special link since I decided to partner with them for my blog cause.

So I convinced my Mom to try it. She got her first 3-item box and loved everything in it. She found the perfect dress for my Dad's reunion (middle), and found cute and expensive-looking clothes for the office.

So if you haven't heard of it, Gwynnie Bee is a box subscription for sizes 10-32, and is the perfect alternative to Le Tote. It works the same way as Le Tote, where you're encouraged to wear the items whether or not you decide to keep them. If you decide to keep a clothing item they offer really really good prices.

Gwynnie Bee has a few different categories of clothing, from work wear to weekend casual, and even a dressy line. They offer free shipping, free exchanges, free laundry, AND right now they have a free 30-day trial.

Since then she has had what I refer to as "the Gwynnie Bee glow" because I noticed a change in her posture, the way she talked, everything all because she finally had clothes she felt good in.

How much does Gwynnie Bee cost?

Gwynnie Bee offers three plans with UNLIMITED EXCHANGES which is really important to understand. They have different pricing based on how many clothing items you want out at one time, and with unlimited exchanges you can do about 4 boxes per month if you stay on top of it. The price ranges from $45/mo to $95 month.

So if you were interested in Le Tote, then I say give Gwynnie Bee a try!

Right now they're running a deal -- Your first month is free! Also, if you try Gwynnie Bee for free through my link, you'll get that free trial AND save $10 off your second month which would help to support this blog and my cause.

Honorable Mentions 

There are some styling companies that are similar and offer plus sizes, like Stitch Fix. The thing with Stitch Fix is that you aren't supposed to wear the clothes unless you really buy them. Through my link you get $50 off, which is double what most people are allowed to give, and then you can apply that to what they send you. Again, you're not supposed to wear the clothes till you buy them! So that is a huge difference. But it's still a great option if you don't want to deal with the frustration of digging through the sale racks. Want to try? Get StitchFix Here (you get $50 off and pay no styling fee through my link!)

Dia & Co is a lot like Stitch Fix in that it's not a rental service, but I LOVED their survey - it really set them apart. It was clear from the beginning that Dia & Co "gets" the issues specific to curvier figures, because they are asking the right style questions. And the stylists are plus sized women themselves who are actually stylish. I was so impressed by their looks they were putting together. One other great thing about Dia & Co is they actually have 2 boxes: one for "style" and one for "activewear" this is a great opportunity to just take the frustration and time-suck out of the search for great looking clothing of all kinds and all styles. Get Dia&Co here ($20 off - you pay no styling fee through my link!)


I hope this helps you build your style - feeling good about yourself is such an important first step toward changing the world!

Never stop learning, growing, and reaching!

Ambitious Christian Women Bible Study: FERVENT by Priscilla Shirer

On the National Day of Prayer, we announced online Bible Study for the summer would be FERVENT by Priscilla Shirer.

Each week an amazing group of women from all over the world met via conference line to discuss the study. Our online studies are perfect for women who don't have a group at your home church, or if they're traveling, this is a great chance to get connected!

GET YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK   |    WATCH THE SUMMIT

Over the course of 6 weeks, we discussed the strategies laid out in the book, which are:

• Strategy 1: Your Passion - getting it back when it's gone
• Strategy 2: Your Focus - fighting the real enemy
• Strategy 3: Your Identity - remembering who you are
• Strategy 4: Your Family - fortifying the lives of those you love
• Strategy 5: Your Past - ending the reign of guilt, shame, and regret
• Strategy 6: Your Fears - confronting your worries, claiming your calling

Replay available: See it all in one amazing hour on our FERVENT Summit replay.

As you will see, this book isn't just a study, it's a complete battle plan! If you loved the movie War Room, this bible study will help you apply God-glorifying prayer to your life. I can't wait to help coach you to craft your own personalized prayer strategy to get victory with your identity, family, attitude, and more!

Want to join us on future studies?  Become a Member of our Facebook group.

Please purchase the Book HERE: Fervent by Priscilla Shirer on Amazon to support the group and allow me to keep bringing these great Bible Studies to you! You don't absolutely need the book to join us. You are always welcome to join our weekly calls, and I think you'll get a lot out of the concepts we discuss!

Almost 6 Months in Guatemala - A Check-In

The best way to describe the moment getting on the airplane to Guatemala is, I felt like a plucked chicken! I wondered - what happened to me? Don't my talents and abilities, my education, my wits, anything matter to you, God? Why on Earth would you want me to go to Guatemala? This makes zero (0) sense! Where is my dog, my house, and my baby? Where is my office building, my team, and my trips to Switzerland? What about ME?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" Psalm 139:23  

Lately as I see more and more devastation in this country, including a friend and coworker being murdered in cold blood a couple of weeks ago, my mind takes me back to the U.S. -- the immigrants used to tell each other that the streets were paved with gold there, and now I kind of get it. There is a sense of enduring wealth, security, and prosperity on most streets in America, even the unkempt areas.

 Yes, I look back at the worst of what I've seen in America and it was still cleaner and safer than most places here.

Here in Guatemala, one the things that upsets me most is the disorder. Piles of rubble, general filth, and unfinished buildings or buildings that are falling apart everywhere along the streets. I am not really talking about Antigua where I live, which for the most part is stunning for tourist presentation purposes (in shambles, but stunning) - but almost everywhere else.

There is this near constant of utter chaos which my beauty, elegance, and simplicity-loving soul just recoils at. The people here are oppressed by constant fear of being robbed or murdered. The women can't even think about things like college with a religion that keeps them in constant cycles of pregnancy and bare-footedness.

My Life Before Guatemala

I am a lady who loves tea parties, rose gardens, pleasant conversation, pretty dresses, and gondola rides. I am old-school. I admit it. I want to go to galas and be surprised with a necklace of pearls. Yes, I want to "propose a toast" - I want to enjoy a sunset from a sailboat. I want to go back to Scotland and stay the night in a real castle, and I want a night at the Connaught after spending a day seeing Big Ben and other places I want to see in London and finding the address my Great Great Great Grandma Eloise once lived.

A post shared by Laura Gabriele (@thelauragabriele) on Jan 20, 2017 at 5:40pm PST

I worked hard to ensure I would have the life I desired in the United States, with the prospects I wanted, and the spontaneous trips I wanted. After realizing it wasn't going to fall on my lap, I drank so much coffee and worked myself to the bone. I worked through the nights with a day-light bulb, till my eyes went and I couldn't even look at the screen anymore.

One day my husband told me he felt the Lord was telling him we need to move to volunteer in South or Central America and he was getting an impression about Guatemala.

I hated this idea.

It wasn't glamorous, that's for sure. It didn't fit my plan which was finally coming together.

But I prayed for confirmation, and I got it. And I knew not going would be sin. So gave it all away, we did it.

What Life is Like Here in Guatemala

Now it has been nearly 6 months of living here in Guatemala. I find myself trudging at 7am to a bus that is a decommissioned U.S. school bus which is literally falling apart and speeding down the road on dangerous curves. My lungs which appreciate the clean air are instead breathing in thick volcano ash mixed with burning trash, mixed with vehicle exhaust, mixed with urine from men who commonly pee on the sidewalks.

I am here volunteering with my husband while we build our startup. Twice a week we go to this castle-like house that is a home for disabled orphans in a town called San Antonio Augas Calientes. It is like arriving to a different world where order and sanity exists as best it can.

A post shared by Laura Gabriele (@thelauragabriele) on Mar 13, 2017 at 8:31pm PDT

And I am there just trying to love these orphans and make some kind of difference. There is one child named Alejandra who I thought might be helping, but I've recently pulled back significantly, concerned how I could be distracting her with play from her more effective therapies, and now my visits are less frequent.

On Sundays I serve on the worship team at my bilingual church, Shoreline Guatemala. It is a strong church full of inspiring people who are mostly missionaries. Yes, I have a strong community of ex-pats here. I live in a gated community that only outsiders can afford. I also demand strong internet so I can maintain bonds in the US and continue to build this business.

What's Next

Except for at church, I feel somewhat like an outsider who is shuffling on the outskirts because I'm not a Guatemala-lifer or a true "missionary" like most of the people I have met.

Am I supposed to want to stay here in Guatemala because I feel too guilty to go back, like somehow my contribution living here could help more?

I have been exposed to so much suffering and disorganization, so much tragedy and need for so many months, I'm sure when I get back to America it will all hit me differently and I will finally see how I've changed.

A post shared by Laura Gabriele (@thelauragabriele) on Mar 16, 2017 at 12:27pm PDT

My country of The United States of America gives me - a young educated female - a chance to create a thriving business without fear. I can actually go to the grocery store alone, and count on certain systems to support me, my family, and my life. I don't have to live under the constant stress of being surrounded by a system that is crumbling, I can live with confidence that I will be respected and treated fairly, if not I have recourse.

I am determined to go back and make the most of everything I used to take for granted, and pour out on these new heart connections and new dreams of supporting friends and loved ones in Guatemala.

I believe that's where I stand now, and I'm more grateful than ever.

Mis Raices - Learning the Spanish Language in Guatemala

I think because of the nature of our current political situation around immigrants, this story matters now more than ever. It's time to share more about my Grandparents, who are a huge inspiration to me, and I really don't talk enough about them. Their story of struggle and victory would blow you over. They are hands down the best people I know.

FIRST, KNOW THIS: We are all ignorant, whiny, lazy losers compared to them, I assure you.

These amazing humans changed their destiny through a strong faith in God, unstoppable tenacity, and a heart of service. Before coming to Guatemala to volunteer, I had a blessed conversation with my Grandparents, Osvaldo and Carmen Iris Enriquez who emigrated from Puerto Rico and made a good life in America.

My Grandpa gave me a GREAT piece of advice that has stuck with me. He said to improve my handle of the language in a new place, I should read their local newspaper every day.

It's super hard. It means humbling yourself and taking it slow. It means getting to know what matters to the people you live among, from their perspective, in their language.

It's how he taught himself English decades ago, as a young man looking for a better life in New York City. Soon to serve our country facing the horrors of Vietnam with a great bravery and strength that demands our honor and respect. He then sacrificed the rest of his working life to service in the Army, even living in Alaska for several years with his wife and children. BTW I'll spare you the stories of the ridiculous racist disrespect he had to put up with... and still has to put up with... I know HE rarely speaks of it and doesn't complain about it...

So today I may struggle to read the paper (even with AP Spanish and Puerto Rican blood pulsing through my brain, this is HARD) but I know that within me is a legacy of victory over challenges like this, and far greater than this. My favorite paper to read is Prensa Libre, because of the quality journalism.

One day I will know this language of Spanish inside and out. I would love nothing more than to honor my heritage, and make the most of the place in the world they worked so hard, and sacrificed so much, to carve out for me.

Get over yourself America. Open your doors. The people you let in are not rapists and terrorists, those are racist lies. They are people like my Grandparents.