Love To Know and It's Getting Easier To Get Dressed

I've always said grrrls just want to get dressed.
If you wear a larger size, you know how hard it can be to "just get dressed."
Lovetoknow dot com interviewed me a couple of years ago about the state of the plus size fashion world. I just read the article again and it's still relevant.
The article covers my background and career as a former plus size spokesmodel, magazine editor and fashion stylist.
It gets easier and easier to get dressed.
Last week I ordered a four piece capsule wardrobe off gapdotcom and guess what, they had my size, the size chart was accurate and everthing fit. I can't believe how cool my short, straight camouflage print khaki skirt is.
I kept one out the three bathing suits I ordered from Newport News,
and considering how many bathing suits I try on at retail every year to find the approximately 10 suits I purchase each year, one out of three is a home run. This suit is really sexy and I can't wait to wear it in the turquoise waters of Puerto Rico!

Italian Vogue Has A Great Plus Size Fashion Website!

If you've dreamed of going to Italy, you now have a reason for being!
Italian Vogue has a website devoted to "curvy" women.
Content includes a blog, interviews with curvy models, and news about developments in the large size world.
There's also a daily fashion tip from Vogue.it
I say Gelato!
The photo is from today's tip.
Check it out.

Slimming, flattering, figure-enhancing swimwear by It Figures!®

Slimming, flattering, figure-enhancing swimwear by It Figures!®

The Annual Swimsuit Safari

I'm on my annual swimsuit safari - the hunt for inexpensive swimwear for the daily dip and swim workout.
Starting in early February, I hit a couple of Ross stores every week to see what the mix is and try to find a fit.
I'm seeking something that covers, is flattering, has a liner, and that I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear. After years of hunting down cheap suits, I've accepted the fact that the Michael Kors and Calvin Klein suits in my size are few and far between.
But I'm seeing more brand names at Ross this year. I scored a Miracle Suit for $29.00. Miraclesuits rarely go on sale and they run an average of $150, which is a lot of suit.
I love Miraclesuits, I usually invest one sexy black v neck, halter or wrap style for social swims, in hopes of getting one summer out of it.
I swim in a chlorine pool six months out of the year. The chlorine destroys the elastic fibers, and I go through one of the discounted suits every three or four weeks.
This week I picked up a suit from It Figures. I like It Figures suits. I've showcased them in numerous swim fashion print layouts and TV segments over the years.
Be Your Own Stylist Tip
It Figures offers suits in cup sizes, including their C Cup & UP® suits that can fit up to an E cup size.
And this season a portion of the proceeds from each purchase will be donated to fund advanced research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Are You a "Lucky Bitch? Valentines Day Never Tasted So Delicious!

Just when you can't stand seeing the tired looking heart shaped boxes of assorted milk chocolates crammed together with the usual suspects of Valentines Day offerings at your local drug store, along comes a breath of fresh air and some new ideas.
Anya Wabnig, a Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising grad and daughter of the founder of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, wanted to offer more ways to express the mood and food of lovers.
Her hand made Valentines Day cards feature manipulated images of cheese, but look playfully like the retro VD cards we passed out as kids.
She says, "If you're not feeling it this year or getting a divorce, turn what could be a sad and depressing evening into an instant celebration with any of the "Bitch Baskets."
The "Bitch" series of baskets:
BitchNBox, Lucky Bitch and Bitch.
Let the love flow this year and splurge on something extravagant. Set aside your eco/efficiencies and dust off your wealth conciousness, splurge on a little luxury.
Think of the benefits. Red wines have lots of healthy resveratrol, purported to be high in anti-oxidants with other anti-inflammatory and anti-aging characteristics.
Chocolate seems to continue it's rise up the food chain. Yahoo recently posted an article about "Three New Health Benefits of Chocolate."
Imagine that dark chocolate can stimulate the blood flow into the cerebum, which encourages the brain to grow new blood vessels and brain cells! That one benefit alone could help you break even with all the blood cells lost drinking beer in your misspent youth.
I like the idea of turning Valentines Day into a celebration of Love, period. So love the one you're with... or not, but love yourself too. Perhaps if we shared a little more love with the world, well think of the possibilities..., because who knew chocolate was a health food?

Create Your Own Personal Shop on Myshape dot com

A few years ago, a client of mine went to work for a start up online fashion website called My Shape dot com.
It's been interesting to watch this concept and their website develop.
The premise is to help you find clothing that fits based on your shape, in addition to your size, which is how I approach any styling assignment.
This key element in the shopping process will help you get just the right look and fit you've been looking for.
And it makes shopping online a better experience, because you are less likely to have to return something.
Myshapedotcom has some great features like Personal Shop, which allows you to input style preferences and measurements, which in turn, saves you time by showcasing key items that match your numbers and your style.
The Style Me feature gives you tips and finds the right clothing based on your body shape, and acts almost like a fashion magazine within the site, with great interviews, trends and a Quick Fit Guide that finally deals with the fact that most of us wear more than one size.
With over 400 choices available in a larger size, you will see brands you trust like Spiegel, Liz Claiborne, Kiyonna, Alex Evenings, Karen Kane and even a few things from the Jessica Simpson collection. I love the interactive features: a pop up window for each item with
zoom, sizes, colors, item description, all at your fingertips without leaving the page!
Check out Myshape.com and let me know what you think.
The pictured item is the "Tory Cinch Dress" from Kiyonna, available up to 5X and in this season's cool colors.

Jillian Hessel's New HomeBody DVD and BBW Magazine Interview

About 16 years ago, I interviewed Jillian Hessel for BBW magazine. Jillian is a fitness expert and author of Pilates Basics.
Jillian has a new DVD called HomeBody, that's fun and easy to do at home with no special equipment. I've been doing the seated arms and hands dance to relieve the stress of holding and working with my cellphone and laptop.(click to the free, short - 2:45 seconds, workout on youtube.)
HomeBody is designed to do at home and each chapter in the workout covers a different part of the body, so you can customize your workout and fit in some movement, even if you only have a few minutes.
I took a review copy of HomeBody to Europe last fall. I showed it to my friend in Amsterdam. Even though she uses public transportation and walks a lot, she is still carrying some extra pounds she gained while pregnant. She hates to workout, especially because she is on her feet all day. But after watching HomeBody for few minutes, she was up out of her chair and moving along with Jillian and she didn't even realize it.
She said the music and Jillian's friendly conversation got to her and she didn't feel like she was exercising.