Chardline

The Life of the Plus Size Fashion Girl

Where have you been?

So I feel like I have some explaining to do.

The last time I posted, I was celebrating my 33rd birthday. And while everything seemed to be going in a GREAT direction, I was suffering in silence. But guess what y’all?

Ya girl is back. I feel like the same plus-size fashion girl I fell in love with. I am feeling better and… you know what, let me talk about what the last year was like for me.

Exactly a year ago today, I took on a new job working for the City. I am a Black Girl in Tech, to be exact. I took on the role of the Digital Marketing Coordinator for the Department of Innovation and Technology. I honestly thought this was my dream– and don’t get me wrong, I love my colleagues, my job, and the City of Boston.

However, after joining my department’s DEIA Committee, I realized I was destined for something different. After holding leadership positions on both the Black Employee Network and Women’s ERG, taking two leadership cohorts sponsored by the City of Boston, and facilitating conversations/negotiations for the DEIA Committee, I realized that I wanted to be in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

I’ve actually never felt so passionate about a career path. Every day I find that I advocate for DEI in my home, content creation, and work life. It’s wild but AMAZING.

In fact, I applied for a couple positions, for the City of Boston, in DEI. I wasn’t successful in landing the positions, but it actually gave me more trajectory. It gave me the fire I needed to figure out what works for me. My therapist, family, and boyfriend have been so dope in helping me navigate this carefully. This brings me to #2. BOYFRIEND.

I know, crazy! I said the B-word. In all my years of blogging, I never spoke about a boyfriend. Maybe long situationships and guys I met on the plus size fashion scene, but never really a whole committed person. I am in love y’all. A healthy, non-obsessive, and growing love. I am still trying to figure out how much I want to share about him, but here are the deets I am comfortable sharing:

1. His name is Jamie and he was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
2. He’s a comedian based out of Cape Cod. He’s funny on and off stage.
3. He’s a Registered Nurse and works in Finance.
4. I think he’s the love of my many lives. Not many secrets between us. We rarely fight and learned how to talk things out.
5. I met him the old-fashioned way: Hinge. The same day I decided to end an on-and-off 5-year situationship, I reached out to the last person I spoke to on Hinge and he drove to Boston to meet me the same night. It’s wild.

Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans. Two years ago, I was resolute in the belief that I would be with someone else and eventually move to NY. God whispered, “Dream Bigger.”

I was always hesitant to share this, but I’ve always been candid with you. This time won’t be any different. In the Summer of 2021, my hip gave out while on vacation in St. Lucia. It was pretty painful, but I tried to push through. I kept attending my gym sessions with Naldine and working on my health outcomes. Then one morning in November, I couldn’t move. I literally couldn’t get up to go to my personal training session. My doctor told me that I had to stop working and that I should start regular PT sessions to strengthen my hip.

My joints worsened. At this point, I was seeing my Primary Care Doctor, Weight and Wellness Center, Rheumatologist, and Orthopedic Doctor. I was diagnosed with a genetic arthritic condition greatly impacted by lifestyle choices (food, drinking, and working out), genetics, and weight. I was 350ish pounds. The constant running and lifting on already weakened joints were causing my body so much pain.

And to avoid a hip replacement in the next three years, WE decided that Gastric Sleeve Weight Loss Surgery would be the best route for me to safely remove the weight off my joints, drastically change my eating habits (without falling back into old habits) and put me on a path to strengthening my joints safely.

It has been 8 months since my surgery, I’ve lost 100lbs, I’ve been cleared to work out, and my health outcomes have changed. No more CPAP machine, minimal to NO pain in my knees/hips, I have so much energy, I started personal training again (and I don’t dread it), and I am FAMILY PLANNING! I am really looking at the possibility of being a mom. I can’t believe that.

I am going to dedicate a whole other post to this process and my feelings during this time. This process hasn’t been all PERFECT, but I do not regret my decision.

The Content, Sis! What About the Content?

It’s crazy that I started off as a girl who was just obsessed with plus size fashion. Now, I feel like I’ve ventured off into sharing all things Chardline. I’ve been so open on Instagram about my dating life, health journey, mental health, family, etc. Now, I am going to open up on my blog.

There are so many things I can’t wait to “journal” about on here. Truthfully, so many creators have abandoned their websites, myself included. But honestly, this is the only place where I feel my safest.

So here is two ONE POST A week. Just one for now. I am working at it and can’t wait to start my give-a-ways again!

Thanks for always rocking with me!

Until next time!

Char.

Wow, December 2023, huh? It feels like ages and a lifetime of change since then. Typically, I’d start with an apology for being MIA, but this past year has been all about unlearning that habit—turns out, I’ve been apologizing for simply existing, and it’s time that stopped. The horoscopes for 2024 promised all good things for someone with an 8 path number and a Scorpio like me—talk about high expectations! But let’s just say the universe had its own “lit” curriculum in mind. This year has been one heck of a teacher in disciplines I didn’t even know I needed. For instance, I’ve realized I don’t have a disciplined bone in my body. Does anyone know where I can get one?

Among the revelations, one tough pill to swallow has been my fears about motherhood. I adore my friends’ kids—I’m the cool auntie, after all—but seeing the village it takes sometimes makes me wonder, who’ll be there when I’m the one in need?

Then there’s the big move with my partner, which was supposed to be our step towards a planned future—saving, planning expenses, dreaming up our parenthood chapter. Plot twist: none of that happened. Our lives took unexpected turns; I found myself grappling with the nuances of a relationship where shared dreams started to feel more like my solo script. The financial partnership we envisioned turned into a one-woman show trying to balance the books.

But hey, life’s still lit. Despite the new guest (hello, arthritis in my ankle), losing weight has been a silver lining. I’ve gone from 366 to 239 pounds, reducing knee pressure by hundreds of pounds per step! Though, living with a body that’s drastically different is a day-by-day learning curve. Still, life insists on being lit, even when it’s heavy.

This summer was a whirlwind of slime on furniture (courtesy of my temporary squad of four under eight), camp drop-offs, and nightly routines. And amidst that chaos, we celebrated my grandfather’s 100th birthday—a beautiful milestone. Yet, life threw its curveballs with sudden goodbyes too painful to digest: my cousin Dada, vibrant and full of life, died in a tragic accident that still feels surreal. Shortly after, Tiffany Harris, an incredible influencer and beacon of strength, lost her battle with colon cancer—a reminder of my own fears as someone with severe colon issues. Then came the news about Melvin Booker, my high school confidant, who succumbed to life, leaving us way too soon.

Here I am in October 2024, riding through waves of uncertainty but surprisingly grounded. My upcoming birthday has me counting blessings like never before: a pivot in my career, improved health, mental clarity, a new puppy named Yoko, and tools that help keep my executive functioning on track. Life’s lit, and though the sadness isn’t shy, I’m navigating through a reality that’s clearer yet harder to define.

I’m learning to tune out the pessimism and noise, focusing on what fills the glass—at least to halfway. While I can’t promise more frequent updates, I want to deeply thank you for your love and support through my highs and lows. Here’s to finding more light, more clarity, and, hopefully, more reasons to celebrate. Catch you on the flip side!

To everyone reading this, searching for your own spark in the shadows—keep looking. Even on the darkest days, there’s something lit waiting to be discovered. It might be a small win, a moment of joy, or a lesson that shapes your tomorrow. Embrace it, celebrate it, and let it light your way. We’re all in this together, finding our paths, lighting up as we go. See you soon, and remember, look for the LIT in your life!