Have a Happy New Year!

It's been a crazy year for Luvin' My Curves, crazy but good! I've achieved some great personal goals (passing the Bar, getting a job) and it's been a pleasure to keep blogging about the fit, fashion and style in the plus size community. Admittedly, I havn't been writing as much like I used to- the new job has taken on so much of my time , and with the move it's been hard to really sit down and focus... but adjustment time is over and it's time to bring back LMC harder and better for 2010.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year, see you on the flip side!

The Curvies- Best of '09

Good Morning!

Has your holiday season been as good for you as it's been for me?

Most of us are now taking a glance back at the year in order to reassess and organize for the new year... 2009 has been a pretty good year for the F3 (Full Figured Fashionista). Of course there were some setbacks (Ahem, Fox's More to Love) but now is a time to accentuate the positive while gracefully fixing the flaws. Like last year's Curvies, I want to take a look and award my favorites for the year, what's your pick?

Best Pocket Protector:

On a budget? Like to scour through heaps of clothes? The Fat Girl Flea Market was definitely a great pocket protector this year. In a time where folks where folks have been forced to be more conscious of their finances- the Fat Girl Flea Market was a welcome event. Piles of clothing in one room could be overwhelming for some, but for others it's the hunt that's the most fun!

Honorable Mention: My Closet

Being that I was unemployed most of the year, I didn't shop much. I was forced to rely on what I already had in my closet instead of always buying something new- I have no idea how much money I saved but I know that I've developed a new-found appreciation for the pieces in my closet. I enjoyed putting together combination's that I never thought of, all because I couldn't afford to go buy a piece I "thought" I needed.

FYI: Of course the clearance aisles, sales racks and thrift finds are great pocket protectors too....

Best Splurge:

Last year the award went to Monif C, and believe me her clothes are always splurge worthy- but this year I'm going to give it over to Kiyonna & Igigi. Both have beautiful formal dresses that may not be couture but are still high quality and worth the price tag. If you're going to spend $$$ on a dress you want to know one of 2 things... 1. You'll be able to wear the dress again or 2. Lonliness will not be in your vocab that night. Believe me, these 2 lines have it.

Best Visual representation in mainstream media:

Glamour Magazine's spread

Every year there's some sort of breakthrough via "traditional media" that appears to treat plus-sizes as the "next best thing" - as if we didn't know it already. I guess that's just how "media trends" go - the frenzy occurs and then it goes- however they've just come around to what we've already figured out... curves will always be in!

Best International Chic:

Elena Miro for being Milan Fashion Week's only plus size designer. Now if New York would stop the ignorant madness and get on it too, we'd be good to go. Check the video here.

Best Event

You already know what it is... Full Figured Fashion Week !!!

Most understated:

Shimmering Sexy $225; Qristyl Frazier

Qristyl has been on the scene waaaay before "Project Runway" so it's nice to see her get some well-deserved shine as a result.

Most Popular Guest Post:

I just want to say "Thank You" to each contributor who agreed to grace my blog. There is truly power in words and expression in opinion- I hope that you all enjoyed reading them as much I did. I received alot of feedback on all the guest posts, but I'll have to say that the post that riled people up the most this year was Neil's "In My Eyes You're Just Right" . We keep joking about doing a tag-team dating series for the new year, I think he's got the blog bug. Who would have thought me threatening my friend to write would result in such a response?!


Best Shopping Experience

Re/Dress was the winner last year, but for 2009 I'd have to say the best shopping experience was right at your very own fingertips, ONLINE. If you're like me, you like to diversify your fashion portfolio so that you can build a repoire and opinion of different brands. What's great about online shopping is not just the options or the convenience, but the sales that come with being on the mailing list- I can and have blown a good portion of my clothing budget strictly online. I miss the dressing room experience by shopping online but getting deliveries from the cute UPS guy has made up for it ;)


Best Trend of the Year

Whatever you feel like rockin'... just because.

What are your top picks & what are you looking forward to this year?

~Luvin' My Curves....appreciating '09 and looking toward '10.

Happy Holiday Giveaway #2

Good Morning!!

Back in NY for the holidays, how can you not love NY? The snow is a doozy but there's no better place than the comfort of home :)

Because I havn't been home in awhile I'm going to take a small break to spend time with my family and friends. (Especially since I was sick the last time I was home and saw no one)



Giveaway #1 was very well received, maybe I'll try to make this a yearly thing. Randomly picking names out of a hat "LaToya W" is the winner of the Jen's Fashion Plus Giveaway-Congratulations!!!!

On to Giveaway #2, one of absolute favorite designers Monif C. has offered a $100 gift certificate! Click here for your chance to win!


Wherever you are be safe and enjoy your holidays!


~Luvin' My Curves... enjoying the holiday season!

Ask LMC: Take the Chill off ... plus a Holiday Giveaway

Good Afternoon!!

"Whether it's wearing my purple leather cashmere lined gloves or my sunshine yellow scarf the bad weather wont' get the best of my style, how are YOU staying stylish this winter?"

I got an email in response to my Facebook QOTD... "What if you can't afford to buy a new coat, what else can I do to not look so drab?" Well, the quick answer is to focus on what you need; a scarf to protect your neck, gloves to maintain the warmth and a hat to top it all off. Of course, my answers are never that short and I'd be wrong to not give you some fun visuals- take a look at my picks to keep the chill off this winter.

The Scarf:

My scarves not only adorn my neck in the winter, but I make it worth the $$ by making them into a headband or belt in the "off-season. I look for scarves that not only serve the purpose of keeping me warm but also stand-out from the regular. To complement my darker coats I look for prints while to go with my colored coats I look for simple prints and softer colors. My scarf collection has only grown in the past year ( I wont' tell you how much, but will say that they fill up a moving box). Of course, because scarves are in season the price may go slightly up- but you can find a scarf anywhere- whether it be plain or complicated.

Some interesting picks:

Khaki chunky snood, (15gb), Evans - excellent two-fer, wear as a scarf or a hood.; Watch Pocket Scarf $128, Anthropologie ( love this one, perfect place to hide an extra $20 or mints)

The Gloves:

The idea of my entire body being warm except for my stubby fingers bothers me. So gloves are definitely a winter essential along with a scarf. Most people are used to single color gloves, but I've seen then in an array of prints and textures. Leather, Cashmere, Fingerless, Long, Convertible, detailed or simple- for some reason these two especially the Elsa Gloves are catching my attention.

Elsa Gloves, $78, Anthropologie; Tarnish Chunky Cable Knit Fingerless Gloves $78, Nordstrom

The Hat:

I was never of hats until last spring- when it was warmer it was purely for fashion sake. But they really do help contain the warmth...that is, until they mess your hair up. Funny, how I'm more concerned about my hair than about staying warm (I know I'm not the only one). (Tip: If you hat is wool or cotton, make sure you line the hat with silk or satin to protect your hair.)

Mustard Chunky Cable Knit Beret $16, Torrid; Alfani Beret Solid Fisherman $23.99, Macy's; Applique Cloche $38, Urban Outfitters

The Shawl/Wrap:

So while it's not a winter essential, it's a piece that's most overlooked to take the chill. If your office is freezing, instead of keeping your coat on all day- try a wrap that can fashionably keep the cold away. Of course, the $10 pashmina on the street corner works just as well too.

Tis' the season - and to celebrate we have some giveaways this week!

Giveaway #1: One free item from Jen's Fashion Plus!Click here for more info!

Time to shine for the Glitterati!!!

Good Morning!

It's something about the impending holidays that brings out the glitz in folks. Join the Glitterati this holiday season in some of the hottest clothes. Like most trends, it's best to wear it in doses - otherwise you run the risk of being a walking disco ball. Perfect for the holiday party or New Year's bash - it's your time to shine!

Glitterati

clockwise (l to r): Sequins Racer, $39, Missphit, Vero Moda multi sequin dress $130, Dorothy Perkins, Teal Sequin Belt $13, Dorothy Perkins, Silver Sequin Flower Metal Headband $10, Torrid, All Over Big Sequin Dress $139, Asos, Sequin Holiday Pump $22.80, Forever21, Santi Clutch $173, Endless, Tina Sequins Party Dress $208, MonifC, Audrey Tunic $46, B&Lu, Sequin Flower Ring $3.99, Sassique Jewelry, Black Sequin Skirt $57, Evans, Adrianna's Magnetic Bracelet $19.95, Emitations, Dip-dye Dress $57, Missphit,Ladybug Sequin Pump $78.99, Heels.com


I think it's fun to play with glitter and sequins with other materials & prints- maybe a sequin tunic with dark rinse jeans and metallic chunky heels. Or try a sparkling dress with bold, bright solid color tights. For the faint of heart, go slow with an accessory or two -then build your way up if you dare. I'm gunning for the sequin miniskirt- I'm dreaming of pairing it with a ruffle sleeveless tank and my stilettos, FIERCE! Let's hope the mini doesn't sell out by payday.

FYI-Hint, Hint: If you haven't already you should join the Luvin' My Curves Facebook Fan Page, the holidays are coming. (wink, wink)


~Luvin' My Curves....are you ready to shine?

What J is Jonesin' For: Just in time for the holidays!

Hey!!!

Just unpacking from a great couple of days in the mile high city of Denver, Co.!! Surprisingly it didn't snow in Denver, but I was greeted back to the East with snow. Ugh!

This month, I'm jonesin' for a break... a vacation!! But since this is a fashion blog, I'll indulge you and myself with what I've been hi-liting & book-marking this month.


The cold in NYC has nothing on the bitter cold out here, and from what I'm told this is nothing compared to how it's going to get. (Major sideye for that!) So I'm jonesin' for a cute, long, down coat- this is where practicality trump fashion , if only for a little bit!! (And no, not a puffer coat.. this is some serious cold out here, I need the down!)

Steve Madden Hooded Long Quilted Down, $99.99, Macy's

Satisfying my hunger for color...

Blue Geo Print Shirt Dress, 32GB ($52.72 )Dorothy Perkins

This is where I raise up my hand and shake my head at myself... there is definitely an inner vixen working it's way in me because some of my picks are like "Woah, this is cute.. but will this see the light of day out of my closet?" Could I really wear this at the faculty Holiday party and not feel like it was a total waste of my stylish time?

Raquel Dress- Lipstick Red, $59, B&Lu

My love for clutches continues...

Rosette Clutch $19, B&Lu

Sooooo not in my budget... but hey I can dream right? Plus, I'm sure I can find a cheaper alternative!

Moschino Beaded T-strap Sandal $1,195, Nordstrom


I've been dreaming of a sequined mini skirt for a holiday party... help me find one!!

~Luvin' My Curves

OOTD: Just a lil' pick me up!

Good Morning!!

The nature of my new job has me around students mostly and as a result I sometimes feel my outfit choices don't feel as fun. Because I'm no longer in my element (the city!!), I feel sort of out of place. I thrive off of seeing folks taking chances with fashion and making it work for them using the city streets as their catwalk- needless to say I miss the city terribly. I love to dress up, but when my audience is fellow faculty and teenagers, it's not as much fun anymore. I'm surrounded by khakis and cords of which I own none; one of my students told me that my "city style" stands out from the "monochromatic, homogeneous madness" that they see here. A strong statement, but he has a point.

Admittedly, being the "newbie" at a job is never easy and it's been a rough transition for me on many different fronts. After a ROUGH couple of days at work , I needed a "pick me up". I was in the mood to hold my head high and strut HARD, so I did.


I wore a favorite closet staple dress that I got from DOTS years ago , I loved to wear this dress in the summertime with flats,but I needed to be careful that not only is it chilly but the scoop neck allows for major cleavage- something I can't flaunt around my students. So....

I paired it with a simple black cardigan from Ashley Stewart and belted it - which not only makes my waist look smaller but covers up the chest....

Still not done.. I NEEDED to add the funk!!

Pointelle Fishnets from the Avenue and Hilary Wool Pumps from Payless

On my tired days it's admittedly been a challenge to maintain - it's easy to fall into a sense of mediocrity and fashion routine- I'm thankful for new friends who help me keep my style up. Though my heel may get caught in the mud, I'm still strutting....

The Result... VOILA!!

Isnt' it great when you can pull an outfit together and make it work? Spirits lifted, smile back on my face mission accomplished!

P.S: I know my office is bare.... I'm still working on it dont' judge me. ;)

~Luvin' My Curves