The Plus Sized Autumn

I’m a plus sized woman living and loving my life as an Autumn Natural Romantic. I’m a wife and mom who has found her confidence again, and I’m learning that I’m creative, strong, and sensitive. I am living proof that color and style analysis can and will change your life!

Before color analysis, I had felt detached from myself for years. I was never happy when I looked in the mirror. I never quite managed to feel truly “me.” I wanted to blend in with the crowd, so I hid my body with baggy, shapeless clothes and various shades of blue, gray, and black. I didn’t wear much jewelry. Despite working for a Merle Norman franchise as a teen and being confident with my skills, I was never satisfied with how my make up turned out (if I bothered wearing any at all). I struggled with depression, anxiety, and I always let myself come in last. I let myself “give in to the frump” and I just…stayed there.

I knew something had to change when my youngest started kindergarten. For the first time in more than 8 years, I didn’t have a child attached to me all day, every day- my husband, Josh, worked from home; but I was alone with myself and my thoughts. I didn’t cope well at all and was diagnosed with ADHD. I started taking medication and I went to therapy. I started reading again, I started listening to my body’s needs, and I started trying to show myself the same graces I gave to my loved ones. I felt better, but I still didn’t feel like “me.” At one point I texted Josh from our closet and said, “I really wish someone could just science this whole thing for me and tell me what to wear.”

I was draped by House of Colour as an Autumn in April 2024. Josh was gifting me a family photo session for Mother’s Day, which was something we hadn’t done since our youngest was born, and I really, really wanted to love the results. The HOC stylist closest to me wasn’t taking new clients since she was selling her business and moving to work for HOC’s corporate offices, so I made Josh and our youngest drive me 2.5 hours to the next closest stylist. My appointment went well, and I fell head over heels for my season. I remember riding the high of seeing myself in colors and makeup that honored my natural beauty, and being so confident and so excited to start diving in to the new world I was now a part of…and I also remember the disappointment I felt when I found a lack of women who shopped in the same size ranges, stores, and budgets as me. I felt so unseen, and like I wasn’t truly a part of the color analysis community. I expressed my frustrations to my amazing husband, who helped me realize that I probably wasn’t alone in those feelings. He is my biggest supporter and he gave me the confidence I needed to create and foster an inclusive, loving, and respectful space over on Instagram, and now here on my blog!

I am so grateful for the love and support you have all given me. Thank you all for being here, and please reach out if there is anything I can help you with.

While I may make a small profit if you make a purchase from the links I share with you, I would never share links, products, advice, or anything else that I do not love and trust myself! That will never change.