Curvy Market

When Kenyeal, owner and operator of Curvy Market, approached me for support of her project I was just elated.  The concept of what I think of as a "plus size Pinterest" was just amazing and knew I had to help. As a resident of Silicon Valley,  you rarely see female and minority run start-ups (yeah! Girl Power).  Some of you may have noticed me posting about Curvy Market on my Facebook and wondered, "What the heck is it?" Curvy Market is a social plus size marketplace that literally lets you browse, shop, and save all things plus size in one place.  I've had a profile since it started and I use curvy market to cultivate my wishlist.  I'm always shopping and looking, so Curvy Market provides an awesome place for me to save my items and browse for more.  The video below gives a quick rundown on how it works.  Another cool part is the directory list, that provides an extensive list of places to shop both indie, boutique, and mainstream.  I love to shop this way, so this is right up my alley.  What are you waiting for, you can join here.        

To festively help kick off their launch season, Curvy Market is sponsoring a $150 ASOS Gift card giveaway.  See the Rafflecopter below to enter.

The Curvy Market directory

My Curvy Market Profile

Learn all about how Curvy Market works. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


This post was sponsored by Curvy Market, opinions are 100% my own.

Chastity's Favorite Things

No, I'm not Oprah, but I got my favorite things too!  I figured I would share some things that I've  indulged in, purchased, and that are on my Black Friday wish list on this wonderful Thanksgiving Day.   My Instagram photos display some of the things I made.  The smores bags are my Thanksgiving gift.  I found the bags and ribbon at Michaels. Below is a pumpkin cheesecake and a pumpkin cocktail (which tastes like pumpkin ice cream if you ask me).  You can find those recipes here and here.  

No thanksgiving would be complete without telling what I am thankful for.  I am thankful for my husband, my family, who I miss very much and that I hate being so far away from, and I'm thankful for my wonderful readers.  What are you thankful for?

Don't forget that I'll be here to help with your Black Friday purchases.  Just tag your questions on Twitter #garnerstyleblkfri. You can also tag me @garnerstyle.www.twitter.com/garnerstyle   I'll also be giving away 1 $100 Lane Bryant gift card to a lucky participant.  Remember to check out my Black Friday sales here, I've added a few more flyers and sales to the list. 

Here's a quick rundown on the sales:

Volupties - First month panties subscription (3 pair) is $10  

Madison Plus Select - 25% site wide - Use code GS25

Curvy Couture - 30% site wide - Use code Curvy30

HookedUp Shapewear - 30% off site wide - Use code Garnerstyle30

Annette Lea - 30% off side wide - Use code - THX30OFF

Curvaceous Boutique - 30% off site wide - use code BLKFRI30

Demestiks NYC  - 30% off site wide

Happy Thanksgiving!

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---------------------------Looks of the Season---------------------

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Why is no one Ready?

I know you guys are gearing up for the holidays and so am I. This is tonight's date night look. My husband loves a "pencil fit."  He even calls it that, because of course he remembers things that he likes and conveniently forgets the thing he doesn't like emptying the dishwasher.  

Please excuse any slow posting.  It's about that time for me to begin holiday cleaning and shopping.  Please note that I will have myself in gear for the Black Friday twitter chat and all the wonderful internet shopping that comes along with it.  Please join me for Black Friday fun, you can find the flyer will all the details here.  Also check some of the awesome sales for Black Friday on the next post.  

Style Note:  In case you were wondering about my shape wear, I have on both the mid thigh shaper and the high waist panty brief courtesy of HookedUp Shapewear.  

Dress - Shoxie, Tights - Donatella's, Wedges - 6pm, Bracelet - H&M, Clutch - Glamour Girl Curves Boutique (Los Angeles), Belt - Eloquii 

I thought it might be fun to add a little Olivia Pope/Kerry Washington fun in on this.  Not an official celebrity capture, but fun just the same.  

Black Friday 2013

It's time for my annual Black Friday post for this year's most awesome Black Friday deals for plus sizes. I always say that if you are on a budget or if you like to save a dollar or two, which I think covers just about everyone, this is an awesome time to beef up your wardrobe, get some staples and save some major dinero. Please note that I will be adding more sales/flyers as we get closer to the date, so bookmark this and check back.    

Volupties - A fancy panties subscription service that delivers 3 pair of panties every month.    To top it all off these panties are adorable!

Curvy Couture - Some of the prettiest, durable, and supportive bras I've ever worn.  I've had a lingerie set for over a year now and it still looks brand new and gives the same support as well.  When I wear them I feel like the girls at the beginning of The Devil Wears Prada in their beautiful matching bra and panty sets.

Madison Plus Select - An awesome site that is a marketplace for some of plus size's favorite independent labels, Madison Plus Select retails collections from Zelie for She to Nakimuli to Mynt1792, just to name a few.  

HookedUp Shapewear - My new shapewear love, HookedUp Shapewear has a silky feel with a great fit.  I've blogged about them before, but here's a chance to get them at an awesome discount. 

Annette Lea - Save 30% off.  Use code:  THX30OFF.  Sale is from Friday 11/29 - Sunday 12/1

Curvaceous Boutique - 30% off of entire site.  Use Code:  BLKFRI30 All Sale Final.  Off expires 11/29 at 11:59pm. 

Desmestiks NYC - 30% off of stock on Black Friday.  (Limited Stock)

SimplyBe - 40% off site wide with free shipping over $75.  Use code 5404 at check out.  Expires 12/2. 

You've heard right, early Black Friday morning I'll be up and at 'em to help you with your online shopping that day with a Twitter Party.  I'm here to help with style recommendations, assist with finding your perfect items, sizing, etc.  Just tag your questions #garnerstyleblkfri.  Follow me on Twitter under @garnerstyle.    

Flyers sponsored by each individual company. 

Beauty Box 5

I wanted to take a little break from outfit posting since I've been in the house working hard.  I'm actually going to see Drake tonight, so that will give me a chance to get out.  Anyways, I did a quick review on Beauty Box 5, a cosmetic subscription service that I happened upon.  You can find Beauty Box 5 here.

Designer to Watch: Twentyfour20 by Allison McGevna

Two designers to watch in one day...just roll with it. LOL. Model, blogger, and now designer, Allison McGevna has launched her own line, Twentyfour20 Designs.  True to her own personal style that screams bombshell, the line is full of bodycon dresses  that should help any girl get her sexy on.  The pink dress above is adorable.  I remember seeing her in it at Full Figured Fashion Week.  It's just as vibrant as it looks in the photo.  I've said this before because this girl is gorgeous and a beautiful personality to match.  Every time I see her I always think Marilyn Monroe.  Anyways, you can shop her looks here. That pink dress has my name all over it!

Designer to Watch: ZELIE FOR SHE

I feel like it's been so long since I've done a designer to watch.  I usually select these designers who really get my goose going.  So needless to say, ZELIE FOR SHE has got my goose going...LOL! Fun, daring, youthful, and flirty, you literally get all of these elements with ZELIE FOR SHE.  Did I mention that this line is super affordable?  Anyways, I've been watching this designer for a while now and her Holiday Collection has got me all kinds of excited.   My favorites are the striped dress below and the rosette skirt, but I could definitely see myself wearing a whole slew of things from this collection. What are your favorites?  You can shop her collection here. 

Scandalous - Plus Size Coat Guide

Vince Camuto 1 | Calvin Klein | SimplyBe

I know the power of a fabulous looking coat.  Some of our favorite fashion comes from a classic coat scene in the movies.  Think Andy Saks from The Devil Wears Prada and of course our favorite girl, Olivia Pope from Scandal rocks a coat like none other.  During the winter months, your coat is the center point of your look.  It's definitely a piece worth investing in.  

This post is my coat guide for Fall/Winter 2013.  These are my personal favorites thus far and I wanted to give you the highlights on each.  (In order from left to right, top to bottom)

Vince Camuto -- I'm all about the leather detail on coats this season.  I love this one and it looks much better in person than it does online.  Fit is true to size.

Calvin Klein -- This coat is just so smart and bad ass at the same time.  Complete with leather detail and gold zipper details. Fit is true to size.

SimplyBe -- I love anything I can cinch. If you have wide hips and need that flare bottom this is the coat  is for you.  I got this in a 22.  I thought it ran a little big.  I would have probably sized down to a 20.  

DKNY 1 -- This is perfect for those of you that don't live in super cold climates, but still need something for a few months to get you by.  This one really reminds me of Olivia Pope.  I thought both DKNY coats ran small.

Michael Kors -- This one is my favorite of the bunch.  Leather sleeves and the bordeaux color make for an excellent combination. Fits true to size. 

DKNY 2 -- I must say that I thought this coat was going to be more mustard-y from the photo online.  It's a classic wool coat.  The belt has a cute leather detail.  I did think this one ran a little small, especially in the arms. 

Style Note:  I ordered a bunch of coats online to see which I am going to keep. No, I don't buy this many coats per season. I'm gonna keep 3 based on fit and style. I'll keep the Michael Kors, SimplyBe, and Calvin Klein. I just wanted to show you guys all of them in the case that it might help you with your coat decisions. My shoes were apart of my recent "8 Fabulous Flats post." For those with wide feet these have a pretty nice width on them. I may go back and get the red.  You can find my shoes here.  You can find my tights here.  

Update:  Curious about my hair?  I did a quick tutorial at here.  

DKNY 1 | Michael Kors | DKNY 2

SimplyBe coat c/o Simplybe.  

20 Piece Under $30 - November Edition

 Vest | Snakeskin Dress | Pumps | Bracelet | Bag | Navy Dress

It's that time for another 20 pieces under $30 review.  I have to say that my favorite is this blue jumpsuit, which is a steal at the price.  Also, look out for the annual black Friday post announcing this year's black Friday sales.  I plan to have it posted on 11/14. (If you are interested in having your business' sale listed you can email me at chastity at garnerstyle dot com for details).  As always...Happy Shopping!

 Dress | Sunglasses | Sweater | Earrings | Jumpsuit

 Sweater | Jeans | Jacket | Oxfords | Skirt

Pants | Blouse | Scarf | Dress | Bag

Camouflage

What? Camouflage that is feminine, surely you jest.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across this skirt.  I've been wanting to wear camo for some time, but it's such a distinctive print that usually can only be worn one way.  This skirt is feminine and rich, but yet lets you rock this hard trend.  I think it's a perfect skirt for a holiday party, as well.  It has that deep red/oxblood feel with gold undertones.  You could easily add in different top options and be Christmas party perfect.  

Style Note:  This skirt is from the ASOS' regular sizes.  There is no stretch, but as you can see it has a good flare on it.  Also, I know I'm killing this Black Cherry, but it's my new favorite fall lipstick. I can't get enough of it.  Yesterday I also did another turban tying video, you can check it here. 

Top:  LandsEnd, Skirt - ASOS, Shoes - 6pm, Bag - Galian, Lip - Milani Black Cherry, Belt - Ann Taylor (super old) 

Bag is courtesy of Galian via Luckyfabb.

8 Chic Flats

Leopard Shoes | Black Velvet Loafer | Striped Flat | Nude Flat | Gold Oxfords | Black Flats | Spotted Flat | Bow Flats

Can you be fashionable and stylish and wear flats?  You could propose the same question or the same doubt in reference to plus size. We've proven that wrong. I've had people (both online & offline) actually try to make me feel like less than a fashionable person because my shoe choices lack a heel or have a very low heel. When I started this blog in 2008 I had sustained a torn ACL injury and because I had time on my hands it was one of the reasons I started the blog. One year later, I had surgery to repair it. My knees and my balance will never be the same. I had to come to terms with that.  Before that I loved a high heel.  Four or five inches plus a platform was my drug of choice.  I stomped around the streets of Atlanta in all my vertical glory being over 6 feet tall once I added my shoes in.  I wore heels from the age of 22 to 27.  In that time, I have messed up my toe situation.  Add in two very painful hammer toes and corns to match, because of me trying to put on shoes that were too narrow for my size 11 wide feet.  I have a list of other friends (big and small) with heel related foot injuries.  I'm not against heels in any way, shape, or form, but some of us just can't wear them...no matter how beautiful they are. 

So many of us, including myself, stake our beauty in things like hair, makeup, body shape, and high heels.  Contrary to what you may believe, you are fabulous without these things.  I promise! For most of us there will come a day when we have to retire the heels.  Does that mean that we can no longer be beautiful? I cut my own hair just to make sure that I was still beautiful without it.  You know what? I still was.  The same with high heels.  Some of you may have the Tina Turner high heel gene, but for the rest of us there will be a retirement day.   I know that beauty is pain, but that foot pain is probably the worst.  For me, it's unbearable.  

I wrote this one for all the girls who can't wear heels, but still want to feel and look fabulous.  I picked out 8 pairs of flats that are on my wish-list and some that I've just purchased.  Because I am quite aware that a fabulous flat shoe is hard to find, I'm really selective in the flats I do purchase.  This means that I don't have a slew of shoes in my closet and when I find the perfect one I am often getting them repaired for longevity.  I do want to send a special shout out to my readers who compliment my shoe selections, because I do live in sort of a fashion world, I am always conscientious about my flat shoes. I'm usually one of the very few girls in a room in flats, it's nice to hear that someone likes my shoes.  

Jennifer Beal Realness for Halloween

This year I really wanted to go as Versace's Medusa, but time got away from me.  I didn't do any of the ordering and all I was doing was handing out candy anyway. I really just pulled my look together from stuff I had around the house. After years of fighting with my husband about dressing up, I have had to move on and subject the dog to my love for Halloween.  The flashdance costume is a very popular one, so I wanted to put some sort of twist on it.  Shug and I went as twinsies with matching shag haircuts....LOL. Shug is clearly the star of this duo.  Needless to say she was not very happy about this.  She was extremely moody all day.  I got her dressed before I got dressed and when I say I stood there and laughed at my poor Shug for 15 minutes, by myself in my apartment.  Tears literally streamed down my face.  I sent a picture to my husband, he called me horrified.  He has fought for years to keep Shug out a costume.  He lost this year.