12/10/18
Hello Curvanna Beauties,
It has been so much fun discussing fashion with you all. We have made a lot of headway. The thing to do now is to express yourself.  Don’t be afraid to try new types of jewelry, new colors, new patterns etc.  This is your life and you only get to live it one time so live it to the fullest.

Some clothing cost more than others for a reason. Some pieces are investment pieces.  When you find good quality, splurge a little on yourself. You are worth every penny.  And generally with clothing ….. the more you spend, the better the quality.  The better the quality the longer it last.  As my mother always said, “Be good to yourself.”

Designing with Curves in Mind

 

 

12/06/18
Hi Ladies:
I found a great article. It list great places to shop:
Find statement pieces and make your own statement.

1. ASOS Curve
ASOS Curve is always going to be our number one curvy girl shop. It’s our first destination whenever we’re in need of a new outfit, because we know they will always come through with the classics and more trend lead pieces. With sizes ranging from 16-30, we wish more retailers would follow suit.

2. Elvi
Elvi is a brand that we first discovered through ASOS Curve and it’s quickly become one of our favorites. It’s a mix of high quality wardrobe staples and high fashion pieces that you wouldn’t expect from a plus size brand. Our favorite thing are their skirts, from pleated, to metallic, to faux leather, they have everything. Plus they have some pretty cool collaborations, like Hayley Hasselhoff.

The list goes on, Read the entire article, Because fashion doesn’t stop at a size 16, by Laura Capon, August 13, 2018.………

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/style/a48606/best-shops-plus-size-curvy/

Talk to you soon!

 

 

 

 

 

12/02/18
Hello my beauties,
The closet has been cleaned and you have your LBD.  Well as life continues, you need more than that, so let’s discuss the essentials. Some things or staples needed are….

1. A good fitting pair of jeans.  They are good for a date, and they can be dressed up if needed.
2. A jacket, (leather or denim) it can be worn with a bridesmaid dress and be hip and current.
3.  A pencil skirt….  great for that business meeting.
4. A black pump.  I know they can be uncomfortable but they can dress up any outfit.  They usually force a better posture and make you look better in your outfit.
5. A white tee, it may seem simple but fashion is supposed to be effortless and a good white tee can make a simple garment look special.

These are just some items that you can build on. All of these items can be interchangeable in a wardrobe so recreate.

Talk to you soon,

 

 

11/29/18
Hey Curvanna Girl,
Since we talking about celebrations, someone just got engaged.   Congratulations!!!!!!  Are you worried about losing weight to fit into that all important dress?  I understand, a lot of girls do.   Here’s something to think about.  Your partner loves you the way you are.  I want you to know you are beautiful the way you are.  Thing is….  no one announces the size of the dress you choose, but you know how gorgeous you look when you find the perfect gown for you.
Look for a gown that makes you feel like the most beautiful person in the world.  Although most brides have an idea of the type of bridal gown they want many end up choosing something totally different than what they had in mind.  Look for gowns with an open mind. It’s not often you get to play dress up.

FYI……

1.  Do not take a large entourage with you.  Too many opinions can spoil to moment.
2.  If you do plan to lose weight, 10lbs is generally a size.
3.  Start looking for your gown early.  Many times they have to be ordered.
4.  Create a budget for your gown and do your best to stay within it.
5.  Don’t forget the accessories, veil, shoes, undergarments, jewels.

Talk to you soon.  

 

 

 

11/25/18

Hello My Curvy Girls,
It’s the holiday season. That means party and special occasion dressing is upon us.   This can be a very fun time of year for some, yet for others it is a depressing time of year.  Thing is you can decide which it will be for you. Many say it’s the happiest time of year so dress it up.   We decorate the department stores and our homes, why not dress ourselves up.

Try adding some sparkle in some part of your outfit.  Not everything!!!! but maybe your top, bottom, shoes, or hair.   A little goes a long way. Make it a statement piece that says festive and cheer, not over the top and brash.  It should compliment and enhance the outfit. It should not scream holiday but subtlety say, seasons greetings.

Seasons Greetings!

 

11/13/18

Hello my Curvy friends,
I’ve been thinking about prints and stripes this week. There are some tricks to think about when we wear them.   It’s about balance.  Some of us girls are heavier on top and vice versa.  To be more balanced or appear more hour glass, one trick would be to put a print or horizontal stripe on the smaller part of your body.  By doing so it draws more attention to that area making the larger part look smaller or simply drawing less attention to the larger part of you. Similarly use vertical stripes on the larger body area to make it appear smaller.

You must take your body into account when you are dressing.  Think about where the seams, patterns, ruching, stripes hit you on your body.   Is it flattering, does it make you look larger or smaller?  When trying on clothes really take the time to scrutinize the garment.  What works, what doesn’t and why.   The why is important because the more you do this, shopping becomes easier because you will understand what works for you and why.   After a while shopping will become fun and not a chore.

Talk to you soon.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/08/18

Fashionista’s,
Clothes are a very important part of our lives and we adorn ourselves in them every day for other people to see us in them. We don’t even have to open our mouths for people to make assumptions, opinions, and impressions about us the first time they see us. Thing is….. Many people we see every day like the people we work with, or ride to school or work with on the bus or train etc. Rest assured they have a thought about our appearance.
Many of us curvy girls have a go to. Just as it is called the little black dress, many curvy women choose black as a large part of our wardrobe. In our mindset we have the “black makes you look smaller theory”. Yes it is true, black many times makes you look smaller when worn appropriately, and not all of the time. For many women with curves it becomes a thought process of …. If it’s black then it must look good on our body. And that is so not the truth. Black can become a style hole that you can sink into, then it becomes a mental state that is reflected outwardly in what you wear.

Since the closet has been cleaned out, try being bold with color. If you feel you’re not ready for bold color all over, add colored costume jewelry or try a colored top or bottom with the black. Try a print with a black background to break up the black. These days color can be found everywhere from your hair, to your nails, to lips and makeup. Maybe a colorful purse or shoe. The point is not to be afraid to express yourself out loud in color. Don’t say you can’t wear a color, there is a shade of every color that looks great against your skin tone. So go make a statement, without saying a word! Talk to you soon!

11/05/18
Previously we talked about purging the closet and our mindset and transforming to the new self. Now is a good time to be daring. Start by looking at yourself in the mirror. Really!!! take all your clothes off and look in the mirror and embrace the person you see. Look at your shape. Are you an hour glass, are you straighter, maybe you are pear or apple in shape? Study and love the person staring back at you. She is beautiful, smart, strong, and worthy of love and so much more.

Last week the closet was purged and you are left with items that make you feel good, that hug you the right way, the color looks great on you and they express the you, you want to be. So take notes. With the things you kept, why do you think you look good in it? In dresses for example… do you look better in a bodycon dress with ruching or a tailored dress? Does the color make you feel alive, or does the fabric feel good on your skin? Once you determine why you like the item, you can duplicate it in other things. What you wear should make you feel good about yourself and all of your curves. It should give you confidence. If it doesn’t then you shouldn’t wear it. After all, what you wear is an outward expression of your personality. So make it shine.

10/29/18

Hello Ladies, 
I am a fashion designer, I will be giving fashion advice to you weekly to help you love your curves. A little about myself,  I have a BS in Fashion Design and an MBA in Marketing. I have been sewing and designing for all shapes and sizes since I was 9 years old. I absolutely love fashion because it is one of the best ways to express yourself without saying a word. It is done through color, style, and the way you carry yourself in your clothing. What you wear and how you feel in it many times is an outward expression of your self-confidence.

I have heard many women say that their wardrobe does not reflect who they are or who they want to be. I’ve been there myself. If that is the case with you, then it is a good time to purge. Get rid of things you feel you don’t look good in, that are outdated, or you just don’t like. If you do not like it, you won’t wear it. Donate it or throw it away. This will give space for something else to come into your life. Don’t hold onto things that do not match your personality. It holds you back. Let it go!