A Open lettter to Target

Well, I am currently out of town dealing with a family emergency, but I did want to pass this along.  I am a Target lover and when the new designer lines come out I am usually have to pick up my crisco and a little fashion line to squeeze into them.  I would love them to be offered in plus sizes, so I lend out my support to getting the extention sizes in the GO International designers.

Dear Target: Why do you hate me so?

Why do you ignore, shun, and sweep me to the side when I want to shop too? Each season, you skillfully and beautifully execute exclusive designer collaborations and partnerships with the leading fashion designers — all to make high fashion attainable to the American woman — yet you ignore me. As plus size women, we are oft neglected, overlooked and always sized out of your collections.

Why?

I love to look fashionable, I love the mixing of high and low fashion, I drool at the latest Donna Karan runway collection, I HAVE AN EYE and HUNGER for fashion too! I also have money to spend as much as my straight sized sisters do.

I am not alone.

We, full figured, plus size, fa(t)shionistas love to look just as fabulous as our sisters, yet you neglect to even think of us in the equation. We fawn over the Zac Posen for Target, and strategically finagle through the cuts that could (kinda)pass on our curves; salaciously looking as each fantastic and highly coveted collaboration passes us along- due to you ignoring our thirst and hunger for fashion.

Why?

Do you not think we care, notice, or deserve it? It is bad enough your plus size collections (if that is what it is) are squished between the seven racks of maternity, next to the clearance racks, across from bathing suits; with only one rack to shop from- and I am not exaggerating.

So that you can hear us, and know that we are SERIOUS about our plea, today Friday, September 24, 2010 I, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista, Patrice of Afrobella, and Sarah of Style It Online have come together with our followers and the fa(t)shionistas within the plus-size community to request, demand, and call for an inclusion of and/or special designer collaborations for the plus size fa(t)shionistas.

And we will show you how through our petition.

Today we launch our petition to show you we DO LOVE YOU, but you have to work with us, cater to us, and deliver to us the same exclusive designer collections as our straight size easily sashay into.



Sincerely,



Marie Denee
The Curvy Fashionista

Outfit of the Day: Sailing

I remember one summer I was home visiting and my sister was dressed up in a nautical outfit and to crack on her and I kept singing "Saaaaiiiillllinnnng Takes me awaaayyy to where Im going." Well apparently those aren't even the right words, I looked them up.  Its, "Sailing, Take me away to where I always heard it could be.  Who knew? I like my words better, so I think Ill keep singing it my way.  Anyways, I decided to do a little casual look today in my kind of fair well to summer.   

<----- One of my sisters Casey, aka Bebe (like the movie Bebe's kids, enough said) 

I was cracking on her knowing full well that I love the nautical look, but she had to no proof and it was an easy crack.  I love an joke that is just too easy you have to do it.   Super casual is not my strong point, but I always give it the old college try when I do.  

(Ready, Ok!)

Excuse Sugarsnap she just insisted on being in all the pictures.  I tweeted a couple weeks back that the Avenue was having a clearance sale.  I have never been a fan of the Avenue, but just like any plus size line I try to give them a look.   Well, I actually bought like 5 pieces for less than $40.  Most of the pieces were sandals for next summer, but I did get these boyfriend slim leg jeans with cuff for $7.   I haven't bought jeans in forever, because the things are just so uncomfortable.  Surprisingly, these were very comfortable and cute.    My only complaint is that although I bought my size there was practically NO defined waist in the pantS.  I could literally slip them off without unbuttoning them.  I will definitely get the waist tailored in.  For a comfy pair of jeans for only $7 it is well worth it.  

On top, I have on the Jean Paul Gaultier for Target nautical top.  I know I paid under $24.  I love this top!  

I put on a pair of nautical style boat shoes (I guess thats what you call them) that I got from Target 3 plus years ago.  I rarely every wear these.  Something about white shoes reminds me of National Lampoons Family Vacation, where Clarks cousin gave him those terrible white shoes.   I may buy a pair of white shoes, but I usually punk on wearing them for that very reason.  

And if you thought I was gonna leave without giving you Christopher Cross' Sailing song...you are sadly mistaken

Leave to Beaver, I mean Isaac

I don't know why I haven't ever blogged on Isaac Mizrahi.  He is one of my favorite designers and I actually have quite a few pieces from him.  I guess I really started buying when he was in Target.  I followed him to  Liz Claiborne (which is where the dress is from that I am wearing).  He is now at QVC with designing for his own line, but I have yet to pick up something.  I bought this dress a couple of years ago for Easter (yes I still buy Easter dresses).  It priced at $189, I think.   I decided to bring this one out for Sunday morning Mass.   This dress is actually one of my top 5 favorite dresses that I have ever purchased.   Oh and please bear with my fuzzy photos and red eye, I have yet to pick up my new camera.  

Underneath the dress you can find a little tulle!  How fun!

I just love the back of the dress. 

I threw on my Christian Siriano flats.  I am really getting a lot of wear out of these.  They do run narrow though, so they can be a little painful after a while.  

I added my little firefly pin that I got from Lane Bryant ages ago. 

Does anyone but me still buy Easter dresses?  Anywho,  I am almost done with the Jibri dress giveaway entries.   The winner will be announced very soon, my dears.  

Outfit of the Day: Michael Kors Frugalista Find

A few weeks ago I tweeted on Bloomingdales' clearance sale.   Everything was an additional 20% off.  I picked up this jersey knit dress from Michael Kors for $27, original price $100.  I am starting to get more into the draping look.  This is really just a simple black dress, but I kept getting asked where I got this dress from all day.  Proving that simplicity can be a hit too.  

I paired with a black belt and my favorite leopard kitten heels (kitten heels for those of us who have knee challenges).

I actually bought this dress in a 3X. The "extra" dress allowed the appearance of draping to be seen below my waist.  This also proves flattering for the tummy area.  You really can't see it here, but it was a really nice unintentional effect.  

Booty shot...LOL

I added just a couple of accessories.  I added my Banana Republic (one of my favorite place to shop) statement bracelet that I bought last year. 

Do you like my rosy cheeks?  I picked up some new blush from Chanel.  The color is 64 Pink Explosion.  My lip color is Revlon ColorStay is Premium Pink.  


Overall, even thought this is not one of my fabulous and ornate dresses....I think its one of my new favorites.  It is extremely versatile. You can  crank it up a few notches with some funky heels, a bunch of chunky bracelets, and inch it up for a shorter hem. You can also wear it to the office (which is what I did) and keep it simple but classic.  This dress is almost like a pair of black slacks.  I can just see myself incorporating in my weekly or bi-weekly rotation.  

Cleaning House: A Few Updates

I just wanted to take a moment to take care of a few things that I need to address.  

• 
  
  The JIBRI dress giveaway offcially ends today.  I have had over 300 entries at the various social networks, so please bear with me. I have to cross check to make sure all entries followed the rules.  Basically, I have to make sure that everyone who entered is a follower of the blog.  I will try to have a winner as soon as possible.  I have quite the job ahead of me and I want to make sure everything is super fair. 
• 
  
  I wanted to thank everyone who voted for me for the Neiman Marcus contest.  I wasn't selected. I am not sure why, but just the same thank you so much for the support!  I appreciate all of you. 
• 
  
  I also wanted to thank all the followers and commenters of the blog!  You make the blog thrive.

Peace Out! C. Garner





Fashion Emergency: Me and Jibri - Did I reach the brink of wearing too much leopard? or Not?

I’ve been on quite a shopping budget lately.  The wedding planning puts a slight cloud over my shopaholic ways. However; no cloud could stop me from getting at least one piece from the JIBRI fall collection. I purchased my favorite piece and just got it in the mail today.  I usually go for the more ornate pieces that JIBRI offers, but I ask…did I take it 3 steps too far with this one?  What are your thoughts? I’m expecting brutal honesty since that’s what I always dish out! 

When I initially tried the dress on, I said "Damn this is a lot of leopard!"  My fiance said I startled him! ( I think he thought there was actually a leopard in the room with him for 2 seconds) But…I must admit…I feel fabulous in this leopard.  I think this dress is so over the top (and I love over the top), but can I realistically wear it?  Would I confuse my co-workers?  I styled it a couple of ways to see if I could tone down the leopard for a more conservative environment (mainly my office).  Oh how I wish I had gone to Fashion Week this year...this is definitely a fashion week dress!

So…more detail about the dress!  It actually came with a detached slip underneath (which is fabulous in itself --- I have such a hard time finding slips when I need one).  So really you could go--- dare I say it ---- with a sexy black bra and a pair of tights underneath!  The dress is sheer, but the fabric conceals some of our body flaws. There are also cute little button details on the neck.  This dress is just ignorantly luxurious for only $240.  

My intention was to blog on Michael Kors outfit today, but this dress trumped it....BIG TIME.  I would have taken more pictures, but the flash just went out on my camera during my photo shoot --- time for a new camera :(.

I threw a blazer on top for a more conservative look...to kind of tone down the leopard. 

So what do you think...too much leopard for me....or not?

Halston for Bakers Shoes?

My face kind of tied in a knot when I saw this on the Bakers website.  Not a usual fan of Bakers, the shoes are cute but they always tend to hurt like hell (I don't know if that is just my feet), I was looking for affordable bridesmaid shoes.  Then the pearly gates opened up and saw Halston (yes THE very) has done a affordable line for Bakers.  I must say upon looking at them they shoes are NNNNIIIIIICCCCEEEE!  I just found this yesterday, but a friend of mine has seen them in person and they look just at good in person.  The prices range from $60 - $160.

For this very reason I will have to give Bakers another try.  Eeek! I am so excited.  Apparently, there was an Spring Collection in which I did not know about.  But I must say this is really glamour for less.

Will you give any of these shoes a try?

Outfit of the Day: Fall and a little Houndstooth

Happy Labor Day!  I am enjoying my day off as I hope you are too.  Dallas has been hit with the most wonderful fall weather.  It just feels so great to be able to breath outside again and to be able to wear clothes and not start pouring down in perspiration.  Last week, I celebrated the fall like weather with bringing out a highlighted trend of this season...a little houndstooth.   This is print that never really goes out of style, but it can be seen highlighted in a variety of collections this fall.  This, I think is a dress (which I have worn it as), but can also double for a nice fall jacket.  I paired this with a high waist skirt from David's Bridal.  You have seen me wear this a million times...lol.  A shirt that I bought last season from Target, and the necklace came from H&M.  The shoes are a patent and suede leather combo from Nordstrom.   

The dress/jacket came from Stylish Consignments in Atlanta.  The piece originally came from Shabby Apple.  Their prices range from $89 - $160.  I am a little ho hum on them though.   I actually won a piece from them on a blog. Although the jacket it cute, the button holes are unraveling and the button are cheap (one of them broke).  I was thinking maybe because I bought this second hand, but no.  The clothes just feel a little cheap in general.  The piece that I won was cute.  I really do like their design aesthetic.  I just had similar issues with the dress that I won.  Button holes unraveling, cheap buttons, and the fabric...well lets just say if you throw it in the washing machine its over for that garment.   Over all, for Shabby Apple, cute clothes, but cheaply made.  I haven't actually bought a piece, but if I were I would be okay paying $89 for a piece, but I definitely would not pay $160.  They seem to clearance some pieces for around $50 and honestly thats what I feel the clothes are worth...around $50.  

I am really loving the attention that houndstooth is getting this season and I hope to add a few more pieces.  Here are some of my other picks of fun ways to incorporate this print into your wardrobe.

Tommy Hilfiger Wrap Dress - $89 at Macys

Houndstooth Pattern Tights at Lane Bryant - $18.50

Gray and Black Houndstooth Rose Neckwarmer Scarf from Etsy Seller OhMaudlinMe - $30

Something Blue...

Sorry for the lack of posts...arrrgghhhh...I have a new job, a wedding to plan, and plus everything else I have lumped into my life.  I vowed that I would not turn this into a blog on my wedding, but everything that I am thinking about buying lately is wedding centered.  If I post too much on the wedding readers...just let me know and I bring it down a notch or two.

For my something blue I really wanted to go all out with a snazzy pair of shoes.  I pretty much have it narrowed down to the Manolo "Carrie" Shoes, which are at Neimans as we speak.  I am a little worried about the Manolos because they run really small.  I have tried them on in the store in a size 11 and that was no go.  Of all the Manolos I have ever tried on...I question are Manolos really for the big girl...lol?  On the Neimans site they have them in a 12, which I have never tried on, but I am still worried. 

The reason I want the shoes is becaue they just seem so magical to me...like Dorothy's red shoes on the Wizard of Oz.  Since my dress won't be the huge expense as I expected it to be...I was leaning toward a fab pair of shoes.

On the other hand I was looking at the Kate Spade satin shoes, which are much cheaper...about $600 bucks cheaper.  On top of that they are way shorter in height and for someone who has knee issues that is a huge plus.  Plus they are super cute.  They aren't magical, but they will do the trick.

Why do you guys think?  I really just want to pick the perfect shoe. :)