Sex and the City Giveaway

Hi all my lovelies!  I know I have been slacking on the posts, but I am trying.  The book tour has been crazy busy, but that is a great thing, so I can't complain.  Enough of that, let me get the good part.  Yall know I had to do something to honor my four favorite girl from the Big Apple.  I have a 4 piece perfume giftset of the Sex and the City inpired perfume, Lust.  I, personally, really like the scent because it's not to heavy and give a clean scent. 

Rules to Enter: 

In order to enter you must be a follower on the blog, type in enter me and include your email address (so I can contact you if you win)  I will be using random.com to choose the winner.  The contest will end on Friday, June 4th at 11:59pm

As you guys are commenting your entry, I would love to hear you thoughts on the movie.  I have already seen and wont spoil it for anyone, so dont spoil the plot for anyone else.  But just an overall assessment would be cool. 

I would also like to give a special thanks.  I have had a great response with the book, a lot of people have supported, purchased copies, and given such nice reviews (it makes me teary eyed).  This is such an crazy ride I'm on right now, so thank you all truly, because it you like me that I am still here.  So again, I must say THANK YOU!!!

Outfit of the Day: Jibri Floral one shoulder

I am determined to not let my blogging suffer as I am on book tour.  I have just finished my first The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style book tour location at Plush Boutique.  It went great!!!  Plush definitely give you the boutique shopping experience and atmosphere that I personally love so much.  The owner, Wendy, is super nice and the customer service at Plush is 5 star.  If you are in Atlanta you should definitely run by Plush, it is well worth the trip.  FYI, she just got a shipment in with the MonifC swimsuit...there will be a review coming shortly on the swimsuit. 

Now on to the outfit.  I wore the Jibri Azalea dress, with my signature belted look, and Beverly Feldman shoes.  I accessorized with jewelry from Plush, both the large bracelet and earrings came from Plush.  Another FYI, Plush does carry clip-ons...I dont have my ears pierced and I know I am not the only one...LOL

Jibri Azalea Dress - Sorry ladies it was a limited edition dress and is sold out!

Beverly Feldman shoes from Neiman Last Call

Owner of Plush Boutique - Wendy

Photos courtesy of Hudgons Photography

I want to send out a special thanks to Brown Girl Next Door and Gemini Magazine for coming out to support.

24 hour sale of The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style

Thanks to the NYLA Report.  The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style will be on sale for the next 24 hours, online only.  The book can be purchased at http://www.garnerstyle.com/ or here on the blog.  And visit the NYLA report for hooking you ladies up with this special!

Cheers!

Outfit fo the Day: We Love Colors + Zac Posen for Target

The lovely people at We Love Colors sent a couple of pieces of hosiery. Now I have been a We Love Colors fan for a while now, so it no secret that I love their tights.  I generally start buying and stocking them in the summer for the upcoming colder months.  There colors are great, but best of all they have more than regular tights.  Because it's summer I got a pair of leggings and a pair of fishet tights.  The fisnet tights are so sexy (I was singing in my head while I had them on...♪ If you want my money and you think I'm sexy♪...LOL).  I paired them with a gray pencil skirt and a Zac Posen dress that I found at Target.  I must say that the Zac Posen line is one of the best translated lines from the original line that I have seen.  The structure and details are to die for.  The only thing is what such great structure there is little chance that the average curvy girl can actually wear a piece.  I did find this dress that is strechy and has very cute details, one of which is a netting on the bottom of the dress (this is kind of hard to see in the pics).  For accessories I added a mulitchain necklace from Evans and a belt (of course). 

Want to be a Model - FFF Week (TM) has an event just for you!

Have you ever seen a live fashion show, watched a fashion show on TV or flipped through a magazine and said to yourself: "I wish I could do that"? Well the good news is chances are you CAN do it! Whether you are a new model just starting out or you are a few years into your career, you will benefit from our "Aspiring Model Panel Discussion". Learn the Secrets to starting a career as a plus sized model from the ground floor up and/or how to take your career to the "next level"…. from people who are making it happen as we speak!

Sharon Quinn, The ORIGINAL Runway Diva (Plus Model/Singer/Actress/Writer) Star of Mo'Nique's FAT Chance, MTV's MADE, Cash Cab & Throwdown With Bobby Flay and most recently seen on The Style Network's "Ruby"; will be on hand to host and moderate the panel discussion.

Cover: $22.00 in advance/$30.00 at the door

The "All-Star" Line-up of Panelists (Subject to change) are:

Aminah Benjamin (Producer – Rip The Runway)

Fluvia Lacerda (Plus Model – “The Brazilian Bombshell”)

Larissa Laurel (Plus Model/Actress/Singer/Columnist)

Anthony Higgins – Director, Goddess/Model Service Agency

Yvette Ray Pinfield (Plus Model/Author)

Randi Graves – (Veteran Plus Model/Aspiring Author) * (Alternate)

IF you are even thinking of starting a career as a plus sized model, THIS is the seminar that you DO NOT want to miss!

Learn from professionals in the plus fashion industry:

How to make it or break it as a plus sized model on ANY level.

Why preparation is KEY!

How to develop a "signature" runway walk.

How to stack the deck in YOUR favor.

Knowing how much money you’ll need to get started.

Getting In Where You Fit In (Other branches of modeling)

Building your skills and using your personal budget

How to PROPERLY prepare for the open call.

How to avoid being put in a box or typecast

About investing in the business of YOU.

And SO MUCH more!!!

More information on this event can be found at http://www.fffweek.com/.

Karl may have drank the Koolaid, but he did not know the Flavor

The Curvy Fashionista blogged on the fact that Chanel used Crystal Renn for a spread in Elle.  Pictures are below.  I have to keep it 100% honest with you, as my title is a spin off of Marie's.  Karl did drink the Koolaid, but he definitely did not know the flavor.  First off, I know that although Crystal Renn is in these clothes and will be modeling them, at this time they are not offered in anything that I can remotely squeeze into.  Second, is is just me is this spread astronomically hideous.  Never have I seen Chanel look like a dishrag on anyone.  If he ever does plus size, which I seriously doubt, but for the sake of agreement let say IF.  Would you really pay Chanel's hefty prices for this?  I love the regular aesthetic of Chanel, but this is certainly not even comparable, minus the tweed blazer, which in my opinion is still bad b/c it look ill fitted and too short.  I'm sorry I kind of went in on this one...all I can say is EEK!  I guess it has to start somewhere, but does the start have to be so terrible.

Sidenote:  As I am reading a lot of the views by plus size women, the focus seems to be more on the model, Crystal, than the clothes.   This poses the question is fashion for the curvy girl more about models and modeling than the actual garment themselves?  In any other ad a model is a nameless hanger, unless you are like are a supermodel and in reality those died out in the 90s.  Now it seems that everyone wants to be a model and the for plus size the fashion shows seem to be focused on the models rather than the fashion.  I feel like the distraction of the models is skewing our opinions on what really matters....the clothes.  Any comments?

OOTD: Asos Trench Oooo La La

With the crazy weather lately I decided to bring out one of my favorite essentials which is the trench/spring coat.  A spring coat is great for those unpredictable spring days when it is just a tad to cold outside.  Find one fab enough and you can build an super chic outfit aroun it.  This trench was actually sent to me by the lovely people at Asos Curve.  The details, structure, and style of this coat is fabulous.  Underneath I had on a black camisole tucked into my fav leopard pencil skirt from Jibri, cream shoes from Macys, my new favorite pair of Ted Lapidus vintage glasses (I can tell you right now yall are going to get tired of these glasses), and my Louis V. scarf that I got ages ago from my sister (as you guys can tell my sister is the best). 

The red lipstick is called Red Tomato from the Revlon Ultimate Colorstay Collection.  As stated before it is super drying so pack the chapstick.

The nail color is Perfect Pink from OPI.  Love it!

FFF Week (TM) is underway!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A Roundup of the Plus Size Fashion Blogger Elite: The Curvy Collective for Full Figured Fashion Week™

New York, NY (May, 01 2010)- Plus-size fashion continues to be hotly debated, and helping to lead this charge is a dynamic group of the plus size community’s leading fashion bloggers- The Curvy Collective. Created to capture, expose, and share up-to-the-minute news for Full Figured Fashion Week ™, The Curvy Collective fashions a network of bloggers to leverage their blogs and social media platforms to facilitate the latest news.

Curvy Collective co-founders, Marie Leggette of The Curvy Fashionista and Johara Tucker, of Luvin’ My Curves, launched the collective last Spring of 2009 with the inception of Full Figured Fashion Week ™.

Back for a second year, the leading plus size fashion blogs joining the Curvy Collective include: The Curvy Fashionista, Luvin’ My Curves, A Curvy Girl’s Guide to Style, Diary of a Mad Fashionista, Fatshionista , Full Figure Plus, Life Size Radio, Musings of a Fatshionista, Madison Plus, The Big Girl Blog, Stylish Maven, and Daily Venus Divas.

The Curvy Collective will also facilitate a Full Figured Fashion Week™ panel discussion: “The State of the Curvy Community” being held at Hotel Penn on Friday, June 18th, from 4 –6:00PM. Moderated by Sharon Quinn, panelists will address the climate of plus size in the media, the progress, challenges, and successes of the curvy community.

For all press inquiries please regarding The Curvy Collective, please contact press@fffweek.com . For more information on Full Figured Fashion Week, please visit their official website at Full Figured Fashion Week ™.

12 inch heels!?! ~ Wear at your own risk

I had to post this because of the insanity behind this shoe. 

"Mihai Albu, a designer known as Romania’s “shoe architect,” has come out with a new pair of sandals that increase a woman’s height by 12 inches (31 centimeters). The new shoes are being compared to skyscrapers because of their towering heels. But the price also may have something to do with it. In a nation, where the average salary is euro450 ($575) a month, the hand-crafted sandals are selling for up to euro1,200 ($1,525). But the designer believes his shoes are worth the high price. “Heels have an advantage because (many women) don’t have long legs,” said Mr Albu. “They reposition the waist.” Mr Albu, a former architect, blends math, architecture and art in his creations. He uses French leather and encrusts it with jewels, feathers and mirrors. His latest creation, the 12.2 inch heel sandal, is a construction of three black wedge sandals."

Article originally posted on http://myhoustonmajic.com/beauty/kandieastman/would-you-wear-a-12-inch-heel-this-designer-hopes-so/#more-762111

I have to provide some commentary on this.  Ok from a fashion & style point of view these shoes are fabulous, especially for editorial styling and maybe RuPaul, Gaga, or Posh Spice.  I love the pointe shoe heels that we have seen Beyonce and Rihanna wear in their videos, but as we can see they are either laying down wearing them or holding on to something.

From a real woman's point of view....ok...somebody needs to know when to say when.  Most of you guys know I screwed up my knee, so the 5 inch heels that I used to wear are no more.  But even when my knees where perfectly fine 5 inch heels wear not an easy feat to accomplish.  I had to strategically wear them, when I would be sitting most of the time.  And at 5'9 do i really need to be 6'9!?!  There is no reason why Shaq and I should be able to see eye to eye...Im just sayin.  No offence to my tall friends b/c I have quite a few.  From another article I have already heard that people have put in their orders for these shoes.  I guess the tradition of reaching the impossible standards of beauty have become a little more impossible.  I wonder if these heels come with a "wear at your own rish" clause, because I know someone is going to break something, whether it is a knee, an ankle, or a toe, trying to wear these.

I can't wait to read your comments on this one...LOL.

My book My book....Yeah my book

Do the icecream and cake...ice cream and cake! (I love that commerical's song) I know I am a little corny, but I am just so excited about the hard copy of my book.  I had some issues with the publishers/printers of my book.  I got them all worked out, but anywho I am like a proud peacock.  I would also like to thank Fluvia Larceda, Yuliya Raquel from Igigi, and Jasmine from Jibri for the quotes on the back of the book.   These ladies have all put their stamps on the plus size fashion world and i am so honored that they could lend a hand...or a quote.  Please excuse the top picture...that is me in my bed clothes...not looking anywhere close to fabulous.  I am also excited b/c I designed the back of the book and I am nobody's graphic artist.  

And of course if you would like a copy you can purchase on the side bar of this blog.  This book will be available on Amazon in no more than 15 days.  Thank you all for the support that I have already gotten.  You  guys have been great!

Sidenote:  I know I havent done a contest in a while, but don't worry I am looking to do a huge one that will include the book and some of the recommendations that are in it...So look out.  But in the meantime Become, Shopping your way is having a giveawy that will be giving away two $50 gift certificate to shoebuy.com.   Check out the site for how to enter.

Outfit of the Day: Kenneth Cole for the Curvy Girl

I strolled in Kenneth Cole last Saturday actually looking for some shoes, but ventured over to the women's section.  As I always say, don't count out straight size clothes.  A lot of pieces are being made oversized or with stretch, which allows these pieces to accommodate the Curvy Girl.  This grecian inspired shirt caught my eye for a couple reasons, I thought the hardware was different and I don't own any orange.  The pricetag was $59...not too bad for mall shopping.  I paired this top with a pair of black leggings and my vintage Ted Lapidus glasses.  I picked up the glasses for $60 at Ditto Boutique, they retail for as much as $213, so this was definitely a lucky find!  (I attached a link that has them retail for $98 so with a little looking you can find your own steal) The ring is also from Ditto ($20).  I threw on these booties from Torrid that I havent had a chance to wear yet.  I bought them from the $19.99 (3) day sale they had this winter.  But I admit I may have taken it too far with the purple boots and the orange top. I didnt want to come off like the Mardi Gras parade, but I decided to risk.  I thought this outfit reminded me a little of Samantha of SATC when she is in her b-boy gear.   Lastly, I added an orange belt to bring in a little of the monotone look that is in this season, not too much though...I didn't want to look like the great pumpkin.  Pairing orange and black can give that look.  This orange was a more reddish orange than pumpkin orange, so I felt it worked. 

Amazon Technical Difficulties

Hello all,

I have gotten emails saying that they can't find the book on Amazon.  You can order the book from my website.  Look at the link on the right.  I will be dealing with Amazon tommorow and hopefully I will have everything running smoothly by the middle of the week

Ironic, I had pretty much everything go great while putting this project together, from editors to the cover and so on.  I know I would hit a road bump somewhere.  So please bear with me.  As I stated before the book can be purchased right here.  Thank you for understanding.

Best Regards,

C. Garner

OOTD: Target JPG Skirt

I bought the tulle skirt from the JPG line at Target and kept thinking to myself what am I going to do with it.  Worn the right way the skirt was extremely jacked up in the back (butt issues of course).  I decided to flip it inside out.  Sometimes you can figure out a way around an issue.  I paired this skirt with a Pink top from Dorothy Perkins, my favorite blazer from LB, a brooch from LB also, necklace from H&M, and pair of open toe heels. 

My sister found these shoes for me literally 5 years ago at Belks.  They were $11 and can I say even after all these years I still adore these shoes.  I have had them re-heeled so many times that I have probably paid the shoe repair guy $100 total.  But I know that I won't ever be able to find these again, so I plan on fixing them for as long as I live.

Wondering about my lipcolor.  It's actually apart of the Revlon Ultimate Colorstay Collection.  The color is Premium Pink.  When they say colorsay they mean it.  It takes some hardcore scrubbing to get this lip color off.  Even with fierce scrubbing it may still remain somewhat the next day...LOL.   Also make sure you pack your fav. moisturing chapstick, b/c although I really like the colorstay lip colors they dry out your lips tremendously.  The lipcolors pretty much give a matte look which is super chic, but super drying too.  I have one in red too, that I often post in my OOTDs.

Oh and before I forget, the JPG for Target is already on the 30% clearance rack...just FYI.