Curvy Girl Feature - KSU Magazine

Check out my feature at my alumni Kennesaw State University.  The feature came out in the Fall 2010 installment.  It is definitely an honor to be recognized by the institution that I put in so many hours of blood, sweat, and tears in.  

I would also like to thank all of you for your support day in and day out. :))

Here are some side notes.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  I sure did.  I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner all by myself for my fiance and I.  It turned out really good.  I can say it is a lot of work though.  I did get my black Friday "on" with much shopping.  Please share with me your purchases.

Black Friday Finds for Under $100

So I am a Black Friday fiend.   I wanted to share with you guys some of my favorite pieces from scouting the websites.

I am sharing this one from Bloomingdales because it is very similar to the dress I wore in my Houston post.   A lot of ladies liked it, so you can pick up your own here for only $39.50 original price $88.

I actually purchased this one myself from Saks.  I really like the bead work on the shoulder.  You can pick it up here for $52.49, original price $150.00.  Use the code HOLIDAYS and get free shipping.

I love this fiery statement ring.  Only $39 at Neiman's Last Call. You can find it here.

Monif C Swimsuit for only $25!!! at here at Boutique Larrieux.   There is also free shipping.  This is a great keeper for those winter getaways and the summer.

Both pairs of shoes are from NineWest the bootie is $35 after the discount.  I have been looking for a pair of lace pumps and these may be it.  These are $40 at Ninewest and both can be found here.

I will be adding great finds throughout the day, so check back.  I am sick, so I will be riding the Nyquill train, but I will be getting up randomly to check for deals to add and for stuff to buy.  BLACK FRIDAY WOO!!!!

Whats in your Bag Wednesdays?

Fabulous as she is funky, Kellie is the blogger behind Fatshion Insider. I'll let her tell you a little about herself and the bag(s) she carries.  My tagline is “The Skinny of Fashion Beyond Sample Size” because I work as a fashion and entertainment publicist and being a big girl in a size 0 world certainly does have it’s challenges! My PR company is called NYLA PR and past and present I’ve done PR for many entertainment entities and plus fashion brands including plus size brands Avenue, One Stop Plus and Ashley Stewart.  

I have a serious, serious love of handbags. I was so excited to do this piece but soon realized there was NO WAY that I could pick one bag to feature.  So here’s a look at what was hanging in on my closet door and a few that have been in recent rotation.

On the door:

Louis Vuitton, Foley + Corina, Marc Jacobs, Pa-tou-tou, Marc Jacobs (On the handle Louis Vuitton, Cynthia Rowely)

On the floor:

(top) Antoinette Lee, Tosca Blu, Marc Jacobs, (bottom) Prada, Balenciaga, Rickard Shah, Golden Bleu

I love a classic beautiful bag but much like everything I own it has to have a cool twist. Cool hardware, bright colors, interesting shapes *swoon* I’m a publicist by trade so all of my bags do require a degree of function…usually schlepping a ton of stuff, travel often and they need to fit my mini laptop. Although big bags are preferred, bags that can transition from day to night are great too. Carrying around a huge bag at an event does kind of stink!

YSL makeup case which came in the most amazing gift bag from an event I attended last year I always have a slick pair of shades – these are Dior Emercen-C – I’m a bit of a germaphobe and I swear by this stuff. So many strangers sneezing around you in the city (yuck!) Advil – This little bottle actually has an assortment of allergy and pain meds…I know I’m weird haha

Louis Vuitton Key holder, The Sony Cybershot camera comes everywhere with me, My beloved blackberry is never more than arms reach away…Crackberry addict and totally fine with that!  I got this adorable water bottle from Marshalls for like $5, best investment! Makes me drink water all day long and reduces my carbon foot print

Outfit of the Day: H-Town Boogie w/ God's Favorite Shoes

From my twitter posts from this past weekend you may know that I spend some very much needed fun time with Reiko from God's Favorite Shoes.  Besides blogging, Ms. Reiko is a teacher of some very interesting 6th & 7th graders.  She asked me to come down and talk to her girls and one very fabulous young man (He was the only boy that wanted to stay.  It just warmed my heart to see someone so young being ok with being different and not going with the consensus of his male classmates) about fashion, being an author, self esteem, college, and plus size modeling.  I happy to talk to them because I remember middle school being my most trying time with acceptance, my self image, and just figuring out who I wanted to be as a person.   Needless to say, her class was just awesome.  They were very attentive and excited to meet me, which was a relief middle schoolers can be a hard crowd to please...LOL.  We had a terrific time hanging out with her four classes for the day.    

I wore a wrap dress that I picked up from Clotheshorse consignment here in Dallas.  Its orginal maker was Suzi Chin for Maggie Boutique.  I think it cost me around $50.  I paired it with my leopard kitten heels from Target and my wooden necklace from Liz Claiborne (before Isaac left).  And FYI, that is a leopard desk cover on Ms. Reiko's desk....POW!

So you know I couldn't leave Houston without hanging out a little bit.  Reiko and I headed over to her favorite Goodwill.  We didn't find anything, but after a long day I don't think either one of us was in the mood to be digging through clothes.  After that we headed over to get Ra, a sushi restaurant, for a little girl talk.  

I tried an outfit that is not my normal feminine style aesthetic.  You guys have to tell me what you think.  The white shirt, which I LOVE, came from Norma Kamali for Walmart.  It was $17 and it is from her plus size line.  The shirt is nice and crisp. It has no stretch I would recommend ordering one size up.  Oh and shipping is free at Walmart for right now.   I paired it with my black blazer from Lane Bryant and leggings from Speigal.  I had on a silver cuff bracelet that my mom gave me from TJMaxx and a pair of nerd chic frames from Amazon for around $3.  I wanted to try out this look.  I am not sure if I pulled it off, but I tell you that I sure was comfy...LOL.

Black Friday, Curvy Boutiques, & the Curvy Girl

SALE   SALE  SALE  SALE  SALE   SALE

This year Black Friday is officially on  November 26.  I just wanted to share some Black Friday love with you guys and the local plus size boutiques of your area.  I personally love plus size boutiques for several reasons:

• They are bringing you the designers & styles that often mainstream department stores won't carry.
• They offer the high end boutique experience that very few stores offer the curvy girl. 
• They have the curvy fashionista consumer on the top of their list as a priority.

I could go on and on why I love these independent boutiques!  Anyways, I'll get to the part that you really want to know.  Here are the following sales in your local curvy boutique:

Canada


Lola & Gigi Showroom
92 Carrier Drive
Etobicoke, ON
M9W 5R1
www.lolaandgigi.com
30% off most items by Anna Scholz, Melissa Masse & Igigi, plus 30% off Coats & Jeans.  Here's a link to the sale page.  The sale will be online for 2 days and in our showroom on Saturday Nov 27th from 11 am - 3 pm.
 

California

Jenette Bras
the alphabet starts at 'D'
4308 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
www.jenettebras.com
Sale: All black bras up to 40% off. Over 30 different styles, 30-44 band D-K cup!
Panties, corsets, sports bras - if it's Black it's on Sale!
Discounts on Holiday Gift certificates, too.
Hours: 10am-7pm
They also offer traditional bra-fit service and Los Angeles' largest selection of large cup bras.
Mention The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style and receive an additional 10% storewide.


Georgia

Curve Appeal

3 Leake St
Suite D
Cartersville Ga 30120
678-270-0428
www.mycurveappeal.com
NYDJ 50% off with purchase of a top of any price
Tummy Tuck Jeans

Plush Boutique

238 Walker St SW Unit #10
Atlanta, GA 30313
404.671.8362
Celebrate Black Friday in high style at Plush Boutique from 11a until 8p with up to 40% off selected Cocktail Dresses.
Enjoy free goodie bags & cocktail/mocktail drinks.
Shop online @ www.plushboutique.net (Promo code: "blackfriday") Always free shipping on orders over $100.00

Maryland


K Staton Boutique
"Called Curvy Friday by Boutique Owner, Jade"
817 West 36th Street
Baltimore MD
In the shopping distract of Hampden!
Hours are 11am - 7pm www.kstaton.com
20% off everything in the entire store including Svoboda jeans, SPANX, Urban expressions handbags, Karen Kane tops, and much more! We will also have a gift for the first 20 ladies!
Mention "The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style" and receive additional 10% any one item!


New York


Johntines
332 Malcolm X Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11233

www.Johntines.com
Select items 10%, 15% and 40% off!

Convertible dresses on Sale for $65

Re/Dress NYC
109 Boerum Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-522-7962
http://www.redressnyc.com/
Sale from Friday - Sunday
Mystery $2 deals sprinkled throughout the store, all vintage dresses 50% off, pants 75% off (not including denim), and everything else 20% off.
Store hours are Fri 12-9, Sat 12-9 and Sunday 12-7pm.

Kurvacious

344 W Route 59
Nanuet, NY 10954
www.kurvacious.com
845-215-9941

Holiday shopping at its best starts online on Friday, 20% off everything online plus free shipping. In store 30% off entire collection all day Friday. plus with every in store purchase receive a free ticket to our Applebee's After Dark Fashion Showcase.

Texas


Dinjii Boutique
8211 Windfern Rd.
Houston, Texas 77040
Sale: All Day Black Friday (Store Hours 12noon - 7pm)
50% off a single item (incl. sale and clearance items already marked down 60%-70% )
http://www.dinjii.com/
Mention "The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style" and receive additional 10% off your entire purchase!

Washington

Pink Ginger

610 W Crockett St
Seattle , Wa 98119
Sale rack 50 to 70 % off


Wisconsin

Boutique Larrieux
717 N. Milwaukee St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
The entire boutique will be 30% off Fri-Mon, both storefront and online
and as always there will be FREE SHIPPING 30% off of everything, $75, $50, $25 permanent markdown racks (discount does not apply to permanent markdown items, sale of permanent markdown items is final).   I did not know Boutique Larrieux had free shipping - note to self...LOL)

Please check back this listing frequently for more additions.  If you are owner of a physical boutique and would like share your sale with our readers just email me at chastity@garnerstyle.com.  Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Shopping!!!

Back It Up!

I was inspired to write this little tidbit because I have a few friends, who shall remain nameless, that were attending a jazzy snazzy fashion related party.  At the last minute, everyone is scrambling to figure out what to wear.   As a stylist it seems like every girl has a last minute emergency.   Hiring a stylist for this kind of situation can get you out of quick jam, but for the everyday girl a stylist is usually not in the budget. 

I'm going to let you in on a big secret.  Come here...come closer...closer...just a little bit closer.   KEEP A BACK UP DRESS!!!  I have said this many times.  Maybe not to you guys, but a true fashionista always keeps back ups.  She is always on the hunt for the next dress that she is gonna wear to her next big event.  Even if the event doesn't happen for another year.  

Why?

Well I am glad you asked.

• Last minute shopping in plus size doesn't exist. It just doesn't.  
• You don't want to end up wearing the exact same dress from Lane Bryant that the other curvy girl in the room has on.
• You wont end up in something too big or too small because you tried to make something work.
• You don't want to cringe at the photos fromt the event. 

If you pop up a formal event, cocktail party, or any other similar event on me at the last minute I guarantee I have at least three dress choices that are in my very own closet.  Now I am not saying be a shopaholic like me, but you should make sure you keep yourself safe zone. 

I would personally suggest a great little black dress or something in a color that is not very memorable.       Your back up should be fabulous with just enough detail to get you noticed, but not enough detail where everyone is writing down where you got the dress from.  It something that will offer you versitility in styling, so you will be able to offset any repeat offender accusations.  Below are some suggestions that I think would make great backups.

Dresses Under $250

MonifC Serena Sequin Kimono Sequin Sleeve Dress  - $210

Back Up Dresses Under $150

Jibri Military Inspired Dress - $110                              ModCloth With Only a Wink Dress - $139

Back Up Dresses under $100

 Evans Sasperilla Sequin Dress - $72                    ASOS CURVE Lace Insert Hitch Dress -$94

Back Up Dresses Under $50

Walmart Norma Kamali Sleeveless Wrap Dress  - $14

Be on the constant look to replace your back up dress.  I hear women say when they are shopping "this dress is great, but I don't have anywhere to wear it."  I always think nonsense.  Sooner or later you will have an event to go to.  

Whats in your Bag Wednesdays?

Welcome to the 2nd installment of Whats in your Bag Wednesdays.  This week's participate not only loves style, but loves Jesus as well.  You can't help but loves a girl who get her 'style on' and her 'God on' at the same time.  Please meet Cathy of Minister of Style.  I'll let her tell you about her.

Hi, I'm Cathy and I 'm a handbag afficionado! I love bags, all types from ladylike frame handbags to big, slouchy hobos. I think I have owned at least one of every type of bag imaginable. I am currently big on clutches and developing a nice little collection. My bag du jour is a black studded hobo that I purchased from Marshalls a few months ago. One of the reasons I love this bag is that although it is slouchy, it still holds it's shape when I stuff it with all kinds of "necessities" of the day.

The front has a pouch that is closed by a magnetic snap, it is large enough to hold my keys and Blackberry....things I need easy access to. The back has a zippered pocket to hold more doddads that you might want to get to quickly. I often stash my work ID and access card in there for safekeeping. It's a basic black with a classic hobo shape that gets me through the work day keeping it professional but the studs give it a little edge, so I can still carry it on my personal time and feel like I am expressing my personality.

I carry a bag within a bag during the workweek, it makes it easier when I need to slip out of the office for a minute and don't want to carry the full arsenal of stuff with me. (I am a big on carriying a bag within a bag, its great for times when you need to go from day to night in an instant) This week I am carrying my snakeskin envelope clutch, it holds all that is important if I didn't have the main bag with me. It is pretty enough on its own so I carry it with pride, I don't need to hide it like those clear plastic pouches you have to carry when you work in a department store and everyone can see what's in your bag.

Ok down to the real business at hand, what's in the bag....hmmn,

well the contents of the bag itself are:

portable tripod- trying to not depend on others to take pics for me

camera- I only have a point and shoot but maybe Christmas will bring me a better quality camera

Kindle- I am a bookworm of the highest order, always have been so I am never without something to read

makeup bag- I use an old LV baguette as my makeup bag, it is stuffed with stuff I convince myself I need but since I rarely touchup my makeup during the day, I don't use it

media pouch- all my USB cords, memory sticks, you name it, is its electronic related it's in there

small wallet- holder of store cards, health insurance cards, etc.

sunnies case- gotta protect my investment even if they are cheapies

keys to my Mom's house

The clutch contains:

slim wallet- DL, cash, credit cards

business card holder- business cards obviously

Blackberry- this is my beloved friend, LOL plus it holds my life in it! Everything from my Bible to to do list

hand cream- Nivea Soft, I love it and it's only .99

lip balm- -Nivea Kiss of Flavor in Strawberry

lip gloss- Neutrogena (I forgot what the color is called)

pen and notepad- so I don't forget important details

emory board- my nails grow fast

car keys and house keys

Mini Altoids- don't want to be caught without fresh breath

tissues- it's colds/flu season (I'm cold prone, so watch it)

change purse- my sister friend gifted it when she visited Turkey

I love Cathy in this dress.  Yall know I have been on the lookout for that perfect houndstooth dress, but I keep coming up short.  

Interested in being featured on Whats in your bag Wednesdays?  Just email me at chastity@garnerstyle.com.



Outfit Post: Me & Kate Plus a Cape

Yesterday I went into TJMaxx to look for Christmas decor.  I went through the shoe department as I always do...not expecting to find anything.  I wear a shoe size 11 and any girl that is an 11 knows that in TJMaxx all they ever have in our size is the nurse shoes...literally.  As I am browsing through the shoes my eyes catch hold of the tips of black shoes with big red poofs on them.  I pick up the shoes slowly for that size 11 sign. EUREKA!  I look at the heel...2.5 inches in height (my knees can't take any higher)! Perfect!  Let's see who is made this bad boy.  Kate Spade...POW!  I try them on.  I think my feet just hit the pearly gates of feet heaven.  HALLELUJAH! How much for this piece of heaven?  $129.99, I think where there goes my Christmas decoration budget for this week....OH WELL!  Its so hard for me to find stylish shoes that I can walk in, so this was a no brainer.  

Now to the outfit:  The dress came from Banana Republic.  This dress is probably 5 years old.  I love it though, it still looks brand new, and it has pockets.  I LOVE POCKETS!  Anyways, the dress is very Breakfast at Tiffany's. I think it costs me around $150.   The dress has been on a hiatus because I have been able to zip it up.  But I lost a few pounds and finally got the zipper up again.  PHEW!!!

The caplet is from Jibri.  I got this years ago too.  I think its from like the 2nd or 3rd Collection Jibri did.  So I assume its probably 5 years old too.   And well you know about the shoes.  

Lastly, I will talk about the tights.  It has been getting chilly for a lot of people lately, including myself and the Dallas weather.  I've been getting a lot of questions about tights.  I got these from  the Avenue.  I bough them 2 for $10.  I usually buy tights from We Love Colors, but I decided to try out the Avenue's tights.  I really like them because they hold you in better than We Love Colors.   Both are great in terms of quality.  We Love Colors has a better selection of colors, but I just like the tightness of the tights at Avenue.    Avenue also has come great patterned tights.