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Tallidarity

Another week, another new tall brand! I don’t know about y’all but it brings a lot of joy to go beyond showing mainline finds that work for our long limbs, and receiving pieces that FIT. We are so excited to discover these new-to-us tall retailers. We know that we are currently in the best time yet to be able to find tall clothing. It makes us feel so truly grateful that our fellow tall sisters are taking initiative and starting their own businesses to fill the gaps. We all know that the gaps are definitely still there!

Enter Tallidarity, which is founded by Elisha Wintch. It began with a need for a dress for her sister’s wedding. We all know how hard finding the perfect dress can be. What is the dress code, where is it, what time of year? All of these factors play into our choices. Plus we have to think of our budget. Depending where you’re looking, the price can get out of hand pretty easily. Additionally, will you be willing to re-wear the dress? If so, maybe you’ll spend a little bit more. But you get the picture. Never is dress shopping as simple as it should be!

Then add on our extra inches, as women of height. You just brought in a new host of things to worry about. Will the dress be long enough? Will you be able to move your wider shoulders with ease? Almost worse than a too short dress, is a dress with ill-fitting proportions. Does the waist hit in the correct spot, do the darts line up with your bust, or worst of all for me, do the hips line up with where your actual hips sit? Otherwise you end up with gaps in odd spaces and it being too tight in others. You might not even be buying your size because you size up to make it work.

Overall, it’s unacceptable. None of us tall women should have to put up with feeling like our bodies are wrong, because we don’t fit into the standardized size. The bottom line is, there is no such thing. We’re all unique and wonderfully made, just the way God intended. Our clothing should celebrate our different shapes, by fitting us well.

Tallidarity is here to help us all feel GOOD, and we are feeling it already! When Elisha offered to send us a dress to try, we were excited to see how it would fit. I received it first, and being that I’m the outlier of us two at 6’4, I felt I was the tougher test to pass. I put it on and couldn’t believe how comfortable it was at first impression. Scuba material is so amazing. It shapes to your body beautifully, while maintaining a flattering drape.

Beyond initial feeling, the dress itself reads classy. The neckline is high enough to avoid concern of oversharing, especially if you prefer more modest cuts. Plus, the sleeves are long enough to cover the upper part of the arm. I know a lot of women prefer to cover that area. It hit me right at the knee, and for Caitlin it is more of a traditional midi dress length. It is a completely thoughtful design.

This dress is going to get a lot of wear between the two of us. I have already worn it several times to work, because it is perfect for modest business settings as well. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without mentioning that it has pockets! What women isn’t excited at the prospect of putting on a cute dress and finding out it has pockets.

We can’t wait to see what designs Elisha comes up with next, and we’ll be patiently following along to find out! If you haven’t heard of Tallidarity before, go check them out at www.tallidarity.com or @tallidarity on Instagram!

Are you interested in this thread of small tall companies we have been sharing? If you missed Rhonda Lynette check here, and we will have another similar post coming soon also!

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“Spot” Me in a Tall Skirt

It’s Friday, and that means we made it through another full week of work! I think that calls for a margarita in celebration. Caitlin and I will toast to everyone, as we’re hitting up our favorite local taco spot. It’s funny timing of us deciding to go there, as we’ll be heading to Mexico tomorrow!

Our family is heading down there for a week of relaxation and plenty of sunshine. We can’t even wait! There will be a ton of reading going on, y’all already know. We’ve been chatting about what books everyone is bringing, so we can trade as we finish them! I know some people are all about Kindles, but lately I’ve been avoiding mine in favor of physical books. Our brother was just giving me crap about packing six books, but the heart wants what it wants!

Caitlin found these waterproof balls that you can play catch with in the ocean, and she just picked up this flag print one to bring. They bounce across the water, which makes it more fun and unexpected! We also always try to bring a frisbee, as another option when you don’t want to lay around and sunbathe. The smartest thing we got for Christmas was Caitlin giving everyone these. They make sure your towel doesn’t blow away, which is genius!

We asked y’all last week where you shop for hats since tall sometimes equates to a larger sized head. We ended up trying this hat from Nordstrom, and spoiler alert – we love it! I also grabbed this one from Glamorous via Asos and while it’s smaller than the Nordstrom option, it still fits and the price was great as well! We can’t wait to show you the hats, stay tuned on how well they held up during vacation.

Onto the good stuff, this skirt! I hope you liked my play on words in the title. All the animal print is “in” right now, but in my heart it is always in! As Caitlin always says about certain items, when you know, you just know. This skirt is completely me. I have an affinity for silky skirts. When you add in a perfect, timeless leopard print, I couldn’t have designed it better myself!

Plus, we’ve talked about this before, but there’s always a ton more options for Asos mainline. So when I found this AND it was the tall range, I had a moment of completeness. Hah, I’m done with my dramatic story now, but this was definitely a purchase you make and will never regret. I did order it in a size 12, which I normally do with skirts that don’t have any stretch to them. I’m probably right in between 10/12 right now. It was loose around the waist but unsure about fitting a 10, without ordering it to try on.  

As for the turtleneck, that is also an older Asos tall find. It’s actually a bodysuit, and it helps maintain the sleek tucked in look. I will note, that the cut of the bodysuit is pretty high on the hip. The fit of the skirt is a bit loose around my waist, so I carefully navigated to avoid showing some extra skin! I know some women like to pull off the ill advised letting your hips peek between the bodysuit and pants/skirt – but it’s never going to be a trend I embrace. However, Caitlin has the newer version of this that you can see below.

Lastly, I paired with my go-to boots of the season. I snagged these from Nordstrom, and haven’t looked back since. They were last worn here, here and here, for other ways to style them. I love the versatility of them, to wear both to work and going out. They are totally worth the money and have held up really nicely. Plus they come up to size 13, which we all know can be difficult to find.

I was browsing Nordstrom Rack this week, and I was bonding with another lady in the larger shoe size section. The win of the week is when I picked up the cutest kitten heeled booties and turned them over, to find that they were $10!! I handed them to her and she slipped them right on and it was meant to be. No better feeling than helping another tall woman find the perfect fit and price!

Tell us below, when was the last time you found a killer deal that fit you perfectly?

Outfit Details

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Brewhouse Inn & Suites

There is something about the start of a new year that brings on the wanderlust in full force. New Year, new me, new location? Escaping to a new destination, where no one knows you and everything is brand new is always alluring. Maybe you had a bad 2018, or perhaps it couldn’t have gone better if you planned it. Whatever the reason may be, anyone who has had a chance to travel, knows that once you get a taste for it, there is no going back!

Sometimes by the strange forces of kismet, those unknown places happen to be in your own city. That is exactly what happened and led to us visiting Brewhouse Inn & Suites. We ended up connecting with Brewhouse and stopped in to take a mini tour of their property. Surprisingly, we hadn’t heard of it before, despite it being less than a half mile from the new FISERV Forum (where the Milwaukee Bucks play).

From there, we were offered an opportunity to stay and enjoy the Brewhouse Inn & Suites as guests. We couldn’t (and had no intention to) pass this amazing opportunity up! As we’ve mentioned before, we have a great deal of hometown pride for our “smaller” big city. With each passing year, it feels like Milwaukee gets better. It procures more incredible offerings to draw both travelers and residents into spending more time there.

Brewhouse is one of the “newest” hotels in Milwaukee. It’s the truth, but the property is a converted brewery and dates all the way back to the late 1800’s. The name Best may not mean anything to most people, but you may have heard of a little name called Pabst. Pabst’s history starts in Milwaukee, and it was here that Jacob Best opened a brewery and used the copper kettles that you’ll now find sitting dormant as the focal point of the hotel. They certainly make for a stunning and large display to look down upon from each guest floor.

They boast 90 suites on the property, and while they are varying sizes, they all come equipped with a full kitchen. It helps traveling feel a little less jarring to have the option to sit at a table, or grab food out of the fridge and put it on an actual plate. When we checked into our suite, the first thing we did was unload our snacks and drinks into the fridge and cupboards. Y’all know we don’t travel without bringing some snacks with us. Hangry us is not the best version of us!

The other touch we noticed as soon as we walked into the suite, was the beer bottle french doors. They separate the bed and bathroom from the sitting area and kitchen, and they provide a touch of whimsy. I know I’m not alone with being appreciative of some room separation! Especially when you’re staying in a smaller than normal space with friends/family. The ability to close the doors and have a semblance of privacy is wonderful!

We adored the use of the cream city brick exterior as an interior design touch. The bedroom also had beautiful full length windows which gave us a view of their courtyard. The hotel is part of the new “Brewery” neighborhood, which is up and coming. The FISERV Forum is just a short walk away. Beyond basketball, it also plays host to many big name concerts each year. The hotel is attached to Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub, which provides the menu for any of your room service needs. They also provide a shuttle ride service down to the Forum if it’s a little too chilly to walk.  

Just around the corner is a hidden gem, the Best Place. They do brewery tours, which ties in well with the Pabst/Best history. If you’re looking for more Milwaukee beer, there is the gorgeous new Milwaukee Brewing Company location. It also boasts the Glass and Griddle restaurant attached. There is plenty to keep you busy in the immediate vicinity! We took full advantage and stopped at Milwaukee Brewing Company to round out our Saturday night.

You’ll definitely want to take the time to stroll past the copper kettles. Maybe find a cozy seating area to relax and bask in the ambiance and history. If you amble to the back wall, your eyes will be drawn up to the stained glass window. It depicts King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer. All the details paint a cohesive, chic look for Brewhouse Inn & Suites. It pays homage to the heart of Milwaukee, being a city born and raised to brew good beer.

To anyone looking for a great hotel to stay in Milwaukee, check out Brewhouse Inn & Suites first! They have reasonable rates, they’re close enough to anything you’d like to visit, and they have beautiful rooms! What more could you want in a hotel?

Let us know below, have you ever considered visiting Milwaukee? (doesn’t count if you are already a resident!)

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Yellow Floofer

You might be thinking- Yellow Floofer? Huh? Well, for some reason unbeknownst to us, that is what we have been calling this sweater for the past few months. At this point it has fully stuck. So here we are introducing all of you to the yellow floofer. And to be honest I couldn’t think of a better name if I tried.

A fun fact about our family is we are well known for our weird sayings and nicknames. Namely our dad. He is the untitled Nickname King who has given nearly anyone of value in his life at least one nickname. So, to no one’s surprise Jenilee, Nick and I have all adapted and adopted this trait throughout our entire lives. We continue to have weird nicknames, words, or just kitschy phrases that our friends tend to pick up on. So saying things like yellow floofer -it’s just kind of who we are and without question we all just run with it. Does your family do weird things like this or is it just us?

I also have to add in the journey of getting this sweater was tough. Not like real life tough obviously. More like first world problems. I had this particular sweater in my saved items for many weeks and then it sold out. And then it came back thankfully and happened to go on sale! Obviously at this point I ordered it and as with most Asos packages opened it with excitement… only to find a puma sweatshirt instead. AGGGGGH.

I know this is a first world problem and I should just get over myself but it happens more than we would like with Asos and it’s disappointing. So back went the Yellow Puma Sweatshirt. As I hopped back online to reorder it was sold out again. A few days later it came back and they refused to match the sale price even though it was their error, but as you can tell I just bit the bullet and ordered it again.

Any-who – the yummy brightness of this sweater immediately drew me to it online. When I received it, the feeling of soft fluffiness made me swoon. This is the fourth (?) sweater that I own of this style from Asos, and I just can’t seem to get enough. They make them in brights, blacks, pastels and more. Each one has felt just as soft and worn just as well.

And not only are they comfy, cozy, AND cute; the price point is always right! I don’t like paying an arm and a leg for a basic sweater, so this has come in clutch. Especially if you can wait until a sale and snag them for an even better price. Beyond the low price tag, how can you beat the sleeve length of this sweater? I mean look at them! They are flowing well beyond my wrists with ease.

Because of how wonderful the fit of this sweater is, I feel SO comfortable. I say that because this isn’t always the case. Especially when you are on your way out of over indulging your way through the holiday season. I’m sure some of you know what I mean! But after looking at the pictures from this day, I could just tell I felt like the best version of me. Sometimes we forget that clothes are supposed to be and can be comfortable. The more comfortable they are, the better you will feel.

So hopefully as we continue on with our intentionality this year, I can be a bit more intentional about the items I keep. Rather than periodically stretching for reasons to love it. If I can get my brain back to how I feel in this sweater, or other go-to pieces, it will help me stay mindful. I paired this sweater with some of my go-to Madewell Jeans, the Franco Sarto Booties we are always mentioning and some of my favorite Ray-Ban Sunnies!

So unfortunately for all of you this sweater is sold out. Which makes me sad because we really did intend to share this one earlier but…life. However, there are a few other color options available right now and I have no doubt this sweater will make another appearance on Asos. I am also going to do a bit of a roundup of other Asos sweaters we love below. As well as another roundup of sweaters from other stores. We are heading in the season where sweaters will likely start to go on sale, as swimwear and dresses peek back out!

Outfit Details/Sweater Roundup

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Rhonda Lynette Designs

First full week back at work in a month for me, and I am feeling the effects. I am just not cut out for this job stuff, haha. How easily we slip into our four day work week! We made it though. Still thinking a lot about intentionality, which I wrote about in this post. Hopefully y’all aren’t letting the full week wear down your goals already for the year. It’s all about stacking those small victories together. When it seems like what you’re doing isn’t working – keep going! That’s when the real magic happens.

No one knows about stacking small victories better than Rhonda Lynette Designs! Her clothing is the star of today’s post. As a small business owner, she has been out here grinding away at her dreams. Her goal is to strive to empower every tall woman to love their height and to feel comfortable, confident, independent and beautiful. When she reached out to us about collaborating, we were all about it!

We love seeing another tall woman chasing her dreams. Plus in doing so, she is empowering and making other tall women feel better about themselves. That is something we wholeheartedly stand behind. She took her Bachelors Degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design. From there it made complete sense to start Rhonda Lynette Designs. Rhonda as a small business owner, sews all of her pieces herself. It is so nice to receive a piece of hers, knowing that it’s a quality piece made with love.

Here is a lady who stands in the gap for us as tall women looking to go beyond just basics that fit, but to help us stay on trend! How many times have you browsed online shops that have a tall section, only to find a fraction of the offerings in your size?! Too many for us to recount, and it’s always a fresh sting. We’re left hoping that maybe by the next fashion season, they’ll include some tall sizes, as the trend fades. Why we should we be not only relegated to the back row for pictures, but also for offerings? We don’t deserve to be leftovers!

One of the most inspiring parts of Rhonda’s story is that she stands at 5’9, which some might not consider even tall. She is tall enough to still struggle with well fitting clothing for herself. The best part is she took that worry and set about creating clothing for tall women. Plus she has two daughters who are tracking to become tall women, so she wants to provide well fitting clothing for them as well. How incredible is that!?

So we’ll just be her stand-in daughters until they grow enough to pass her up, wearing her fun designs! Sounds like a great plan to us. When she reached out to us, we hadn’t heard of her clothing before. We had some fun perusing the website and seeing everything she had to offer.

I ended up choosing these completely fabulous floral print pants. They’re definitely outside my typical comfort zone. I completely fell in love with the gorgeous pattern on the always wonderful green background. I immediately thought of this Express top because it’s the same peach color. From there I figured I should finish off with more of a boho vibe by adding a neutral lightweight cardigan.

This isn’t necessarily a Wisconsin winter friendly outfit. I know I’ll be reaching for it repeatedly this spring! Any of y’all down south can get away with it during winter, as the darker green seems almost season-less. I just have to finish by saying how incredibly comfortable these pants are. They have some stretch to them, but drape beautifully. Plus you CANNOT beat the length. It makes my heart sing to have pants skimming the floor. I just know y’all get me, when I talk about pant length!

Caitlin was drawn to the pink mesh top. It is a gorgeous shade of blush, that both of us love to wear. She loved that it was classy enough but the mesh made it a little sassy too. Plus nothing better than having a top made to fit your shoulders, and the sleeve length being long enough. The ruffle peplum on the bottom is perfect and can be balanced out with some Old Navy pixie pants and some ballet flats. Again, not the most winter friendly outfit. She could also easily throw a cardigan over it for warmth, maybe like the cardi she just posted about here!

She also got these gorgeous navy wide leg pants. We both immediately love anything with that high tie waist. With us having bigger hips/butt and smaller waists, so we try to call attention to the smaller parts of our bodies. These pants definitely do the trick. Something to note on sizing, these do not have the same stretch as the floral pants. If you’re in doubt ask Rhonda (who is very accessible via email or her Instagram DM) or potentially size up!

Caitlin wanted to make the pants the star of the show, so she grabbed a tall white long sleeve from Gap to pair with them. Again, for a warmer outfit it’s so easy to layer a cardigan or a duster for warmth. She finished the look off with some nude flats, and voila grab and go!

Tell us below, have you heard of Rhonda Lynette Designs yet? If you haven’t, definitely go check out her site for some more of her pieces. You won’t regret it!

Outfit Details

Lots of nude flat similar options up to size 13!

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