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Apr, 13Give me some lip! My fav spring shades
Doesn’t it just brighten your mood? Usually, I am a slave to my YSL glosses (I have them in all bags and many pockets), but this spring, I’ve been inspired by the strong, pigmented lip that’s everywhere right now. Currently, I am wearing a poppy shade from Chanel, a tomato shade called Lovely Red from Clarins (that goes on like spun silk) and a hot pink from Maybelline, which I also love got it free at Fashion Week. I love bright colors because, no matter your skin-tone, they seem to just wake up the face. A strong lip calls for a minimal eye — I’ve been pulling a very thinly pointed liquid eyeliner pen across the top lid and voila! No worries about eye makeup creasing, caking or smearing. This easy, breezy look is especially great when the mercury rises, and I begin the constant face-blotting that is summer in Texas. (Am I alone in sweating my makeup off by noon?) What are your go-to shades this spring and how are you wearing them?
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Mar, 13Want to Look Sloppy? Wear This …
I know it’s not politically correct, but it’s reality for women who carry weight: You have to try a little harder to look pulled together. You just do. People are judgmental and cruel, definitely. But doesn’t it make you feel good to know you look good? Even when it’s “just the grocery store”? With a well-organized wardrobe, it should take only minutes to pull together a cohesive look anyway, so you’re always good to go. But that’s another post. In the mean time, on this sunny Texas Sunday morning, I thought I’d share with you my three pet peeves that automatically bring an outfit down. Without further ado … if you’re aiming to be showcased on the “People of Wal-Mart” website, here’s what to wear:
1. Flim-flam flip-flops: Are cheap flip-flops, with that hard plastic strap and the zero-arch-support base REALLY that comfortable? There are plenty of adorable options out there that will actually complement your look …
2. Low-rise jeans: The fail started at check-out. Never buy jeans that don’t cover your mid-section. “Mom jeans” don’t make you look old, they make you look sophisticated. Show your style with accessories — hello leopard-print shoes! –not with a muffin-top.
3. Big, boxy T-shirts: Do you want to be “red-neck-ednized” for living large in a free T-shirt? I love ‘em, too, but it’s easy and inexpensive to get your T-shirts tailored. For real! You’d be surprised at how just a little dart at the waist and some contouring to the sleeves can make that giant T-shirt you have to wear to coach your kids’ softball team look just a little more polished. And, you can get the size you need to make sure the T-shirt is long enough. For example, I am five feet tall but very curvy, so I bought a larger size in the uniform T-shirt I have to wear when I play indoor soccer and just had it shortened and streamlined so that it looks more flattering and it doesn’t interfere with my ability to run. For cool T-shirts like this Blondie concert T, a little tailoring will transform them into a funky top that can inject a youthful vibe into any outfit. You could even open up the neckline to give it a boat-neck or a bit more of a scoop neck, which is always flattering. My favorite: My Metallica T-shirt with a boucle skirt, black boots and a moto jacket. So very faux-Balenciaga!
What do you think? Do you agree? Let me know and we’ll keep adding to the list!
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Mar, 13Fashion Advice Friday:: Jewels Rules
How much jewelry is too much jewelry? The easy answer is: It depends. Coco Chanel famously said that you should take one thing off before walking out the door, but what if what you really need is one more fabulous ring? Every outfit is different — it’s all about training the eye to recognize proportion, scale and attitude. Here are a few things to consider:
- Pick one thing. If you are wearing a statement necklace with earrings, bracelets and rings, someone is going to ask you to tell their fortune. There are very narrow circumstances where this is appropriate, and very rarely for plus-size women. It goes back to the million dollar style question: Is this sophisticated?
- Don’t fight the details. If you have a beautifully pleated, decorated or decorative neckline, a necklace will just interfere with the design. Ditto long earrings on a popped collar.
- Watch the shine. I will always, always choose a brushed metal over one that’s shiny. In my experience, shiny = cheap. I love all metals more when they’re brushed, grooved, oxidyzed or otherwise unshiny. This works for buttons. belts and purse hardware, too. If it’s a prong that’s shiny (think Kendra Scott), that’s generally OK. But if you look at the lines of expensive faux jewelry — not Mall expensive, but couture expensive, like Lanvin, Vera Wang and Ranjana Khan, they almost always work with brushed metal. There’s a reason for that.
- Covet quality materials. When it comes to jewelry, no two words send a shudder down my spine quicker than “craft fair.” Be very, very careful when buying anything made out of beads, paper, glass and bottle caps. If this is your personal style, limit it to one piece, please.
- Be careful with bracelets and rings: Make sure everything fits and doesn’t constrict your digits. The same goes for bracelets — if it’s a hinged bangle or cuff, it goes without saying that it should not pinch your skin, and there should be some wiggle room for the bangle to move freely. I love a big, chunky watch — on anyone, really, but the scale is particularly well-suited to curvy gals, so try adding leather or cord bracelets that cinch or buckle to complement the watch. My top choice is, of course, Hermes. But there are always options.
What do you think? Do you agree? Do you have anything to add? What are your favorite jewelry rules?
05
Feb, 13Think You’re Too Fat For Fotos? Read On …
This drives me crazy, the unwillingness to be photographed just because you don’t look the way you think you should. But don’t listen to me– take photographer Teresa Porter’s word for it. I read her blog post and knew instantly I couldn’t have said it better. Read it yourself, right here on her blog.
And just so you know I am here for you as a stylist, here are three honest-to-goodness tips to looking better in pix:
1. When you smile, touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth. I don’t know what it does, exactly, but I got the tip from a gorgeous, much-photographed friend in NYC, who got the tip from a Victoria’s Secret model. I have since heard it repeated as a good tip, and I always do it. Something about what it does to your neck muscles is good.
2. Put one hand on the hip, especially if you are wearing something sleeveless. If you can’t do the hip thing, at least make sure your arms are not squashed against your body.
3. Angle, angle, angle. Objects closest to the lens appear the biggest. So angle your body to the side and push back slightly whatever you want to minimize. Bust? Lead with a shoulder. Booty? Angle slightly forward.
But most of all, just relax and be happy!
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Jan, 13Fashion Advice Friday:: Let Mindy Kaling Inspire a Closet Intervention
Mindy’s Closet We love the curvy comedy genius Mindy Kaling, and thanks to Daily Candy, we can now see inside her closet and get an eyeful of her incredible shoe collection! (Click on the “Mindy’s Closet” link. We love that she’s wearing a tight BCBG skirt and wide belt — in color, no less! — showing she’s as fearless and confident about her body as she is about her mad skillz. On a closet note, what does yours look like? Does it take you more than five minutes to choose an outfit? When was the last time you spent time in your closet? It’s important not only to know what you have, but also to be able to quickly find what you have. I have found that a professional, stylist-driven closet reorg takes about four hours. But if you can even devote 30 minutes to your closet, I promise you will discover something you forgot you owned, you will be reminded of something you love, and you will realize that there is something in there that’s taking up space that should have been tossed a long time ago. Let me know how it goes! Disclosure: I wrote for Daily Candy for a few years when I lived in Chicago, and it’s a wonderful site — THE best info, run by some of the nicest, coolest and most talented editors who REALLY know their stuff, and the whole outfit was started by a fabulous gal named DANY who is a true inspiration. If you are not a subscriber, check it out!
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Jan, 13Mad props from FrugalityForLess.com!
Who doesn’t love a great review? A giant cyber-hug to Frugality For Less for blogging an amazing review of our Envy poly charmeuse Signature One-Size Stretch Thong! Read all about it here: http://www.frugalityforless.com/beatrix-prive-lingerie-review/
Our favorite parts: So I am going to tell you a secret…I am plus size. So the whole sexy look for me is kinda out the window. Lets face it, 2 kids will mess with your figure. Finding sexy lingerie is just not a priority. I recently had an opportunity to review Beatrix Prive Lingerie; I was a bit hesitant but I put my self esteem on the back burner and went for it. I am sure happy I did because they were amazing! They fit perfectly! They were comfortable and sexy 
COMFORTABLE AND SEXY! That’s EXACTLY what I was going for when I sunk my little life savings into this business (and asked my dad for money and sold many of my designer purses for money!). THANK YOU!!!!
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Jan, 13Happy New Year! Fashion Resolutions Anyone?
I LOVE this white leather biker jacket from www.asos.com ($175.90). Black and white is the HOTTEST color combo for spring, too, so you’ll get tons of wear from this baby!
Well, hellooooo 2013! I am excited for this year to kick into high gear — I am styling three shoots in a row starting next week, followed by NY Fashion Week, then another two shoots after I get back from NYC. I am about to become your expert on bridal, jewelry trends and spring fashion, which got me thinking about my own wardrobe, and what I’d like to include, shed and change in 2013. One thing I am doing is increasing my leather — I just bought a vintage YSL burgundy leather skirt on eBay, and I am going to hit H&M in NYC for some shrunken moto jackets, which always look cute with billowy and A-line skirts, giving my pear shape a more balanced proportion. I am also going to give daytime sequins a shot. and I just bought a pair of earrings — new for me, since I am such a stacked bracelet gal. And, of course, one of my pet peeves is the necklace-earring combo (which I think screams “Craft fair!”). What are YOUR fashion resolutions for the new year?
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Dec, 12Valentine’s Day Buying Spree
Buying spree? Yup. Guilty as charged. But it wasn’t ALL for me … OK, some of it was for me (who can resist a great eBay deal on a tags-attached Cavalli?). But some of it was for the business, too. I just placed an order for two new silks — gorgeous, gorgeous silk. The good stuff. Because you’re worth it! And because I am gearing up for a big Valentine’s Day promotion with some fun red and black packaging and also two new designs. One is red silk with a black lace pattern, paired with a black lace waistband; the other is … wait for it … CHEETAH PRINT! And I am pairing that with a black lace waistband, too. It will be up on the website by the end of Jan./beginning of Feb., but if you’d like to pre-order either design (or both!) please let me know, and I will hold them back for you. If you pre-pay, I will give you a $5 discount off each pair. I know that the sun has barely set on Christmas but I just can’t help myself … Viva Valentine’s Day!
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Dec, 12Don’t Let Your Coat Eat You!
It’s a murky day here in Texas, and I am thinking about winter coats. And how often I see people whose coats don’t fit. They’ve bought the coat because the shoulders fit and the buttons button — which are the essentials of a well-fitting coat — but the sleeves are too long, the length’s too long or there’s a pocket of material in the back. One of the first rules of fashion is FIT, so here are a two tips on how to get that coat altered so it fits your body perfectly — instant couture!
- Generally, a good tailor can take a waist or torso in up to two inches.
- A tailor cannot easily (i.e. inexpensively) refit shoulders or anything up from the armholes. If you don’t like the lapels, throw on a fur collar or scarf.
If all else fails and it’s too big, try layering — a jean jacket can look super cute under a sporty coat. Or just decide to let it go and enjoy the feeling of a charitable contribution — and a tax deduction. Then, go buy a new coat like this fabulous Betsey Johnson one that’s on sale now for $149 at Macy’s! Block and paste this link to buy: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/betsey-johnson-plus-size-coat-faux-fur-collar-double-breasted?ID=68450
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Dec, 12Thurs. Morning Musings :: Your Hair
Even if your hair was the bomb-diggity in your day like Melanie here (come on, you wanted that hair — everyone did!), every look needs a bit of revising from time to time. And that time should be now. When was the last time you got, not a hair CUT, but a new style? Here are three random observations I’ve made about the hairstyles of plus-size women I meet, clients and non-clients. And actually, these opinions apply to everyone, so read on and tell me what you think:
+ When I see someone clinging to a dated look, I always think, there’s the time period where they felt the best about themselves. Why not now?
+ If your hair is thin and you carry weight in your face, you need to consider going short. Or at least rock a bob. Short is feminine (you don’t have to swing in the opposite direction and get all-over spikes, although this can look super cool), and you can play with color, cut technique (razoring), bang length, etc. I know you will complain that you don’t have low maintenance hair, and that is true. Short hair requires more frequent cuts and doesn’t pull back into a ponytail. You may have to wash it every day or do something to tamp down your am bedhead. I am sorry. All I can say is, there are worse things than being forced to spend time on yourself so you can look and feel well-groomed.
+ Is your hair overcompensating? Are you a curvy gal who has decided you must be that Funny and Loud Fat Person, and your hair looks like a striped circus awning? If you own it, I say rock it. But I encourage frequent introspection in matters of hair. Are you still the person your hair says you are?
+ Do you have the same bangs that you did in high school? Kinda curled under and framed by long hair on either side like a curtain? It’s time, my friend. Let them grow a bit longer for a Reese-like sweep. Go Rockabilly and cut ‘em short. Just change them up and get ready to embrace a much more modern you!
