A Very Stylish Girl

As most of you know I was on Fashion Bomb a couple of days ago and there were a lot of negative comments about my “hammer pants” jumpsuit. Overall the response was good and this is definitely not backlash, but I think I finally understand what some other bloggers issues with flattery are.  About 90% of my garments I pick for style and flattery, but sometimes there are some things that I love, that I find stylish, and that I want to wear.  I think today’s outfit was kind of rebellion towards flattery.  I have wide hips, so to wear a dress that is going to make them look wider is a “no no” in many people’s opinion and really in my own opinion 90% of the time.  But at the end of the day, I bought this dress because I thought it was fashion forward not because it was going to flatter me.  As I advance in my own personal style, I am finding that sometimes style outweighs flattery.  I also don’t want my body type or my size to dictate by personal style.  I am very proud of the fact that with the strain of plus size clothing resources that I am still very much able to dictate how I want to look.   

Moving on, I picked up these sunglasses for my honeymoon, but I wasn't really in love with them which goes against my rule of not buying things that I am not in love with.  I have been thinking for sometime to switch out the dark lenses for my clear prescription lenses. Eyemasters at North Park happily switched them out for me and I think these are my favorite new accessory and what is more great is that I can see too. LOL

Dress-JIBRI $240, Coat-Ladan's Closet $450, Turban-ASOS $12 (similar), Belt-Michael Kors $40, Gloves-Banana Republic (similar) $28, Glasses-Juicy Couture from Off Saks $65

I was so inspired by the collar area of this dress.  A small detail that I really wanted to bring attention through keeping the attention of the of the eye from the neck up. 

I didn't really mean to do it, but before I knew I had channeled my inner Emily or as most of us commonly know her as the "lady decorator friend" in Breakfast at Tiffany's.  Though clearly out shined by Audrey Hepburn, I loved her style and she delivers the infamous line, I am a very stylish girl and she is!  

Spring Forward

With Spring Collections floating around and Dallas' unseasonably warm weather I am ready to spring forward.  Here are the items on my wish list so far.  

1. Rachel Pally White Label Racerback Striped Maxi Dress - $242

2. Asos Pencil Skirt in ColorBlock Strip3 - $44

3. Gisela Ramirez Boho Sleeve Crop - $80 (on sale) 

4.  City Chic Long lined shirt Tunic - $72

 5. Carmakoma Danube Blazer - $195

6. Carmakom Monceau - $115

7. Carmakoma Felix Tunic - $124

8.  Gap Blazer - $80 (Sizes go up to XXL)

9.  United Nude Block Pump Hi - $300 

The shoe is crazy to me, I love the heel.  Anyways, I know I'll be adding some more things as time goes.  I see that neon is really going to big this spring/summer.  I have my own personal issues with neon.  For some reason looking like a crossing guard isn't on the top of my list of things to do, but a lot things I scouted while shopping seemed like an interesting way to spark up my wardrobe.  

What do you think of the whole neon trend?  Will you be incorporating it into your wardrobes this spring?

Fashion Bomb Feature

Well I have been bombed on this lovely Friday.  Check out yours truly on today's edition of Fashion Bombshell of the Day.  Have a great Friday!

Dallas Fashion Week Finale

I attended the finale night of Dallas Fashion Week 2012 and I must say I had a fabulous time. I attended three days of the events and I had the best time, so note that for next year. Tonight's event included a Red Ball Aids Awareness Benefit & Award Gala at the magnificent Texas Museum of Automotive History, hence the cars in the background.  

Now for the outfit at hand.  Wearing a tulle skirt is something that I never I enter into lightly.  The thought about wearing a tulle skirt at the ripe old age of 31 had me doubting my ability to pull it off.  It's a tricky thing to pull off without trying to look too costumey or like I'm 12 (seeing as I just bought my niece one for Christmas).  I jumped into the challenge.  I figured to approach the skirt in the most sophisticated way possible and this is the outfit I came up with.  

Skirt - Shabby Apple $62 (in an XL my waist size is 40 inches), Lace Top - Kim Kardashian Collection for Sears $50 (sold out, my bust is 44 inches), Belt - Michael Kors $50, Shoes -  Payless $20, Lip Color - MAC Spitfire

Kiah (From the Rez to the City) & I...again

There was also awesome networking at the event.  I must shout out an avid reader, Adrienne, that I met at the Gala.  She was so excited about my blog and even though she is not plus size anymore, (she lost 80 pounds) she still is a reader.  I'm a regular girl who happens to record her life and style in a blog and it still amazes me that people are genuinely excited to meet "little ole me."  It was so humbling to met her and she was super sweet. 

Briefly, I wanted to share the next event that I'll be attending in Dallas.  It's called Girls Bite Out and it's a dinner party with a purpose.  All the proceeds go to the North Texas Food Bank.  For more info click here.

The City Chic Mod Collection

I am really digging the City Chic Mod Collection.  These dresses are too too cute.  The only dress available for sale online is the blue, so City Chic go ahead and release the other dresses for purchase already...LOL.  I haven't tried City Chic before, only because there wasn't anything that tickled my fancy.  Well my fancy is definitely tickled now.  I plan to try something this go around.  

I only wish they would have photographed the dress better, so I can get the whole picture of the dress.  They look adorable though.  What do you think?

The Scarlett Letter

Tonight I attended the Dallas Fashion Week at The Black Academy of Art and Letters with Kiah from The Rez to the City & Isabel from The Dallas Fashion Calendar.  The show included a plus size segment, so naturally I had to go.  As the plus size segment was not in line with my personal aesthetic, it did allow me to get all gussied up.  I must say that I am having fun at the events.  I feel it's a rarity to go to fashion events in Dallas and it's nice to be among people who have a similar appreciation.  

I think I might have found the most fabulous $40 red shoes in the world.  Even though they were high and my feet hurt I made a commitment with them.  Through the night we were together for better or for worse.  

Dress - The Kitty from JIBRI $240, Shoes -Shrie from ShoeDazzle $40, Coat - Asos $67, Clutch - H&M $24, Tights - Spanx from K Staton $40, Lip Color - MAC Red $15

I haven't red nail polish in years and I decided to bring a little sexy back.  I got "Big Apple Red" from the gel nail selection.  I feel all extra alluring with it on.

Short Hair, Don't Care

So today I chopped off my hair.  I have been wanting to cut it sometime and the finally straw was when I felt like the cowardly lion this morning when I looked in the mirror.  ♪ If I was king of the forrreeeeessst ♪ A special thanks to Kevin at Toni & Guy in NorthPark Mall who did an amazing job. I love it!

The best part is that I am able to donate my ponytail to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.  The program takes the ponytails and makes real hair wigs to give to women living with cancer.  Follow the link above to get instructions on how to donate.  

I also attended first ever Dallas Fashion Week.  Tonight's event included a Bridal Fashion show at the House of Blues.  I arrived late, so I didn't get great pictures, but tomorrow is the Plus Size Fashion Show.  I definitely plan to get a good seat. I am really interested to see what is in store for that, so stay tuned and hopefully I will have good things to share tomorrow.  

Jumpsuit - JIBRI $260, Vest - LaDan's Closet $60 at K Staton Boutique, Shoes - Payless $13, Clutch - H&M $24

SwimsuitsforAll.com Giveaway

This is the wonderful time of year where we take a break from the cold winter and runaway to the warmth of the islands where a swimsuit is a must.  Swimsuitsforall.com offers splendid swimwear for women sizes 8 & up.  And to top it all off they have generously offered to give two readers the swimsuit of their choice!

Ah the first giveaway of the year, don't you love it?    Now to the good part.  

Entry Rules

1.  You must be a follower of the blog to enter.

2.  Contest ends 1/13/12 at 11:59pm

3.  You can enter up to 3 times 

       -  All entrants must comment Enter me and submit your email address ON THE BLOG

You can enter two more times

       - RT & Retweet on Twitter "@garnerstyle Enter me in the SwimwearforAll swimsuit giveaway   http://garnerstyle.blogspot.com/2012/01/swimsuits-for-all-giveaway.html "     

       - Become a member of the Garner Style Facebook Page & Comment "Enter Me"

5.  Winners will be chosen by random selection.  Winner announced Monday 1/16/12

Good Luck!

Since their can only two winner SwimsuitsforAll.com has also graciously decided to give the readers of The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style the whopping discount of 30%.  Use the coupon code CURVYGIRL for your discount.  

Need help figuring out your size?  Check out the Fit & Flatter Program.  Take the guesswork out of ordering a swimsuit online when you shop with one of our experts. You'll get personal service and straightforward advice, with recommendations tailored to fit your body, your style, and your budget.   By inputting your size, body type, problem areas, and style preferences to generate a list of available swimsuits that are perfect to fit & flatter your unique body & style. It's like your online personal shopper!

Going Mod at K Staton

So while in Baltimore, or Bmore, as my husband calls it, I got to visit K Staton boutique, which is in the swanky district of Hampden.  K Staton caters to women sizes 12+ and really provides that first class shopping experience that is really hard to come by in plus sizes.  

In the boutique, I saw designs from SWAK, MonifC, JIBRI, Not Your Daughter Jeans, Ladan's Closet, Spanx & much more.   She also had very cute accessories.  Needless to say it was not hard to spend do some shopping while I was there. 

Jade, the owner, is an absolute doll.  I actually met her for the first time at Full Figured Fashion week a couple years ago and was I just thought her personal style & look is gorgeous. She did not disappoint this time around either.  She is just as pretty and stylish as she can be.  I wanted to put her in my pocket she was so cute.  And if there is nothing more that I hate is when someone owns a boutique and does not bring their "A game" in their own personal appearance.  Like how are you going to help me shop if you look a mess.    Anyways, if you are in the area or just visiting it is definitely worth it to drop in.  You can find her store at 1007A West 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211. Check out her website for hours at www.kstaton.com. 

Outfit Logistics

Dress:  Modcloth $121

Belt - Talbots $12

Navy Tights - Avenue $7

One Shoulder Bag - Kate Spade $80

Shoes - Navah's Closet $12

Oh by the way, I purchased my very first dress from Modcloth.  I have gotten quite a few questions about the sizing and until now I had now idea how the items fit.  I think the first thing to realize is that Modcloth uses different vendors for clothing, so the the fit may be a little different from brand to brand.  I ordered this dress in a 4x, because the measurements seemed to be on the more like a continuation of regular sizes, which will always run small.  Could I have went down a size? Yes, but by ordering the 4x I got a great length on the dress.  On a dress like this if it were in regular plus sizes I would have ordered a 2x or a 1x if I squeezed...LOL.  As a girl who loves the nautical trend this dress really allowed me to look as if "I'm cruising the high seas" in the winter.

Outfit Post: A CIROC New Year's Eve in D.C.

I am the only person who checks their makeup and hair after I get back home from a night of partying?  I just want to insure that my look wasn't sabotaged from a night of dancing and perspiration.  Just a thought.  Anyways, I must say the sequin skirt I picked up from Igigi was quite snazzy.  The skirt has great looking sequins & was complete with a non restricting lining.  I knew beforehand that I would probably wear this skirt for NYE, so I had it altered a bit.  I had the tailor sew up the slit in the back and take in the waist.  Please note that this skirt runs big.  I ordered a 22/24 and even after taking it in the waist was still a little big.  I would recommend ordering one size down.  

Outfit Logistics

Top: Boutique Larrieux $13 (sold out)

Sequin Skirt:  Igigi $90

Tights: Spanx from K Staton Boutique (Baltimore) $40 (worth every penny)

Wedges:  Payless $12

Clutch:  H&M $24

Belt:  Michael Kors at Off 5th $30

Anyways, my night consisted of partying in the Georgetown area of D.C. with friends.  I spent my New Year's Eve at the lounge/restaurant Indulj (prounounced indulge) where I ate, drank, danced and was merry.  I am a girl who rarely spends NYE in a club environment.  I think I get intimidated from traffic, long lines, etc, but this was actually the most relaxed NYE's as far as the logistics were concerned.  I took the subway, when we got to the lounge we were immediately seated, and the night progressed as we engaged in appetizers & spirits. Kudos to my friend who found such a stylish & incredible place to ring in the New Year at the last minute.  Also, applause to my waiter, who although was on the tipsy side (which is to be expected), handled a our table & still seemed to have a good time regardless of the fact that he was working.  In summary, the place was fabulous, there was a club area upstairs, the DJ was bangin' and I got my party on.  

I must talk about the official drink for the night.  One of my favorite people recommended that sip on  a combination of Berry CIROC with a splash of Lemonade.  First and foremost, I am a sucker for the CIROC commercials, they are so glamorous.  But until this point, I had never tried CIROC.  The waiter brought out our first rounds and it was delicious.  The vodka is smooth & delectable & the lemonade just made it perfect.  I think I have found my new favorite drink.  Now you may want to know if this drink made me feel like the people in the Sinatra inspired commercial.  Yes indeed it did.  In my chic NYE attire, I felt dazzling.  I am a sucker for a feeling.  

Sidenote:  Mr. Diddy did a fine job of product placement in D.C.  CIROC gave out free NYE hats with CIROC on them to all the ladies.  I said at dinner, "Look at Diddy's product placement."  This literally sparked the whole conversation about the Berry CIROC & lemonade and the next think you knew that was our official drink for the night...LOL.  

Last, but not least, I wish all  my readers a wonderful New Year filled with growth and prosperity.  Hello 2012!