Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ The State of the Curvy Community Panel

One of the coolest events taking place during Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ is "The State of the Curvy Community" panel that we, the Curvy Collective are hosting.

The purpose of the event is to address the current state of the plus-size community and the significance of Full Figured Fashion Week, through the eyes of the industry’s leaders, bringing different perspectives from various experiences and points of view.

Listening to the news, articles circulating through the internet, the media would have you believe that the plus size woman is a burden to society, with no fashionable options, a second-class citizen, and one who should be ashamed to exist.

But of course we know this is far from true and so we will get together to talk about it.

"The State of the Curvy Community" Panel Discussion is definitely a Not To Be Missed event!

Here are the specifics!

Moderated by sought after speaker and President of NOW HOllywood, Chenese Lewis.

The panel lineup is an extra sweet one!

Kelly Price - Singer YES! THAT Kelly Price! Very cool!

Sharon Quinn - The Original Runway Diva She has been owning the runway for years and still doing the damn thang.

Heinrich St. Germain - Judgment of Paris Runs the fabulous site that page homage to plus size models and timeless beauty.

Reah Norman - Fashion Director of PLUS Model Mag and plus size stylist Very talented and creative and werking those models!

Marie Denee - The Curvy Fashionista Who doesn't know and love Marie Denee!

The “State of the Curvy Community” Panel

Date: Friday, October 29th

Location: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

Time: 4-6pm

Price: $12 in advance $20 at the door

Get your tickets here!

I can not believe that in under a month from now, I will be in LA taking all of this in.

I am wicked excited and I think that this will be a really great discussion and I hope to see you there!

Beloved Target, Hear Us Roar

I was just in Target a couple of days ago to grab some things for my flat and of course I always peep the plus size section to see what's new or rather most of the time, unfortunately, what's not.

And as much as I love Tarjay...I usually leave the department feeling less than excited about the offerings and end up scrounging around the other departments looking for a token XL or XXL in the designer lines that may by some chance fit my goodies.

Of course I am not alone and that's why my fellow Curvy Collective member, co founder, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista along with Patrice of Afrobella and Sarah of Style It Online have created a petition so that we can have our say.

The purpose of the petition is to let Target know that we, the plus size women who love and spend plenty of money in their stores want to know why we never get in on the fun when the designer brands bring their collections to the big bullseye.

And I am all for it.

Show your support and SIGN THE PETITION!

Tomorrow's Another Day

I posted this picture to remind myself to laugh.

Today started off relatively quiet. I had a bunch of errands on my calendar but I was pretty chill and relaxed.

So much so that I left my flat about 2 hours behind my intended schedule.

I had to drop off a new phone and some loot to my ma mere, then I was supposed to head over to Greer Chicago finally.

I say finally because I have been telling the owner, Chandra that I am stopping in for weeks and something always comes up. She probably thinks that I am either crazy or a flake.

LOL

I was also going to go to Macys to hopefully get a peek at Nigel Barker and buy his new book Beauty Equation

And I had other obligatory errands to run, banking, post office, etc.

I also had the Karen Millen @ 900 N. Michigan event to attend.

But at approximately noon I tweeted this

And shortly after, unbeknownst to me, something occurred that would change the course of my day in every way and led me to tweet this...

Apparently while I was taking the things out of my purse and putting them in the bag I was carrying so that they would not get wet, I somehow dropped my wallet.

And I didn't become aware of this until after I was off the bus and chilling in my mothers bedroom.

And it sucks to high hell.

I have never lost a wallet before. And you always hear these horror stories.

And to say that I had EVERYTHING in it would be a major understatement.

And my poor ma mere was trying to be helpful, asking me questions and stuff and I finally just said 'ma ma please' because I didn't want to end up hollering at her when she of course hadn't done anything wrong.

But when I am pissed, especially at myself, I just want to be left alone.

I don't want to talk or anything. I just need some time for the bull to blow off steam and then I can get back in action.

Needless to say, once I made it back home I had to do one of the things I hate the most, call and speak to customer service reps.

And while this has been a major sucks rocks kinda day, I always try to see the big picture.

Yes, I lost my ish.

Sure it's ridiculously inconvenient to have to cancel everything and wait on replacements and not even be able to get to your own money out of the bank until you can get a new ID

BUT....

...nobody got hurt or died.

But damn, it was a brand new wallet and there was at least 200 bucks in it...and a whole bunch of other stuff...

So, I felt entitled to and had my whining moments earlier and now...

I am reminding myself that in the words of my girl, Mary J. Blige, "you can't keep a good woman down" and I have handled my business, canceled my cards, gotten a new ID and tomorrow is another day.

Curvy Cocktails L.A. with The Curvy Collective & L.A. Fatshion Bloggers

In honor of Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ the Curvy Collective & L.A. Fatshion Bloggers are hosting Curvy Cocktails L.A.

It's going to be a fun, informal meet and greet opportunity to connect with your fellow fatshion lovers.

Here are the deets...

Wednesday 10/27/10
7pm til 11pm
Xbar (inside the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza)
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California

No RSVP required, just come and hang out with us and jump off Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ with a bang!

Rock 10 for 30: Days 20, 21 and 22

Typing the title of this post just really put a big smile on my face because when I started this challenge, I had no idea how I would really feel about wearing only 10 items for the entire month.

And even bigger and more thrilling for me is the fact that I have been blogging with some consistency which has truly been a challenge in the past.

Now that I am 8 days away from the end, I realize that as the days came and went, I got more and more comfortable with the idea that this is what I have to work with, so I just need to make it work {said in a totally Tim Gunn voice}

It may sound kinda corny but it's a perfect analogy for life: this is what you have, make the most of it.

Day 20

I wore the ASOS CURVE Printed Oversized Tunic backwards over the Asos V Back Jersey Dress.

And I wore my favorite flats of the moment from Nine West and my leather backpack

Day 21

I wore my Cato jeans, the Ashley Stewart white top and the New York & Co sweater.

And this was actually the only time that I have repeated an outfit during the entire month.

I wore these three pieces on day 2 when I had the lighter colored jeans.

Earlier in the day I wore my Nine West flats but when we went out for dinner it was raining, so I wore my new rain boots.

They are from U.S Polo Association and I got them from Marshalls for $25 the other day.

Day 22

Today I wore the waterfall jacket as a top again.

This time I left the flaps out and used my thrifted pin again to secure it.

I also wore my obi belt from the limited and the Alfani skirt.

Since it was a day that I had to lug my laptop with me, I wore another pair of my trusty flats. 

This time it was the American Eagle for Payless ones.

Now that this challenge is almost over, I am gearing up for my annual 31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Check out the previous posts.

Rockin 10 for 30: Days 16, 17, 18 & 19

Yes, I am still on track with this challenge, I am just a bit behind on the blogging of it, but I have been true to my word and taking my pictures every day!

I have been my usual busy little bee self and doing so much and at times so little, that the closest that I have been to a computer is when I have been my BlackBerry.

Amazingly, this morning when I was in the shower and asked myself the question that I ask myself most days, "What am I wearing?", the answer came to me easy breezy.

And man, I like that feeling.

Someone asked me if this challenge will mean that I will stop shopping or get rid of some of my clothes and the answer was yes and yes.

As the weeks have gone by, I have just realized more and more that it's really not about the quantity of clothes but more about what you make of what you have.

And I own a lot of clothes, I mean a LOT!

I had been downsizing wardrobe even before this challenge, as noted in my Purging Curvatude posts but this has really shown me the value of editing.

Like I totally would have not chosen a couple of the pieces that I did and I am more than geeked over a few of them because they have really gotten me thru this challenge because of their flexibility.

Day 16

I wore the leggings, the white blouse, New York & Co sweater and because I don't like wearing leggings without something covering my tush, {the boys in the yard aint ready for that} I wore a great unicircle scarf that I got during the IFB Evolving Influence conference earlier in the year.

The scarf is really very flexible, so much so, I can cover my whole body with it and have used it as a cover-up. Here I secured it around me with one of my fab thrifting finds. A cool pin that I snagged for 3 bucks.

I wore my merona boots for the first time. They are actually a much darker green than they appear to be in the picture.

Day 17

I wore the Asos V Back Jersey Dress with the corduroy jacket because it was Friday and I wanted to just keep it simple and easy.

I went to the Italian Expo {this dress was gorgeous} that was held at Navy Pier and I paid my first visit to Sunda and had some delish sushi with the girls.

I wore my l.e.i flats that I got from Walmart and carried one of my favorite bags. I have no idea who made it and I have had it for years.

Day 18

I wore my Cato jeans and I wore the waterfall jacket as a top. I tucked the inside flap under my bra strap and pinned the outside flap with the pin from above.

This was the day that I spent running all over the place downtown, etc with Dex.
As you can see, I moved to another part of the room.
While I have better light here, I don't have much room so I either have to cut off my head or my feet in pictures...so I went with the feet...

lol

I wore my Nine West flats and carried my trusty backpack.

Day 19

Yesterday, I wore the Asos Curve Cami Wrap Jersey Jumpsuit, the white blouse and a tri circle scarf from Lane Bryant. I will have to show you exactly how this looks in another post.

Oh and the pillows behind me, I made the animal print one and screen printed the green ones myself!

 

I wore the Fiona Animal Ballet Flat from Payless.

I am so happy to say that I am 10 days away from the finish line and rocking my 10 pieces with a smile...

Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ & the Curvy Collective

I am sure by now that you are aware that for the first time ever Full Figured Fashion Week™ is expanding and holding the first ever Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ in Los Angeles, October 28-30th!

As if that wasn't cool enough, I am very excited to add that I will get a chance to be a part of this fabulous weekend as a member of the Curvy Collective.

The Curvy Collective is Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™'s own collective of fashion bloggers who will be bringing the latest and "hautess" news and events about this fabulous occasion to the masses.

This means you should expect to see a lot of information, tweets, pictures and more from me during the next few weeks leading up to and course during Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™.

And if you are attending {which you really should be, especially considering that this is the first time that it will be held in LA}, please let me know so that we can connect cuz I love meeting my virtual sistahs in person.

Here are the key things that you need to know right off.

The deadline to book at the special Host Hotels rate is 9/30 and the rate is really a great one, so get more info and book your rooms here NOW!

Thursday, October 28th

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Pacific Palisades Ballroom)
Full Figured Fashion Week(end)™ Opening Reception and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Friday, October 29th

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Directors I and II Ballrooms)
The Voluptuous Woman Company, Inc® presents “The PLUS Side of Business” - Featuring Successful Businesses that cater to the Plus Size Community

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Directors I and II Ballrooms)
New and Aspiring Models Panel Discussion/Seminar

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Directors I and II Ballrooms)
The State of the Curvy Community - A Panel Discussion

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Constellation Ballroom 2)
Designer Trunk Sale and Shopping Event

Saturday, October 30th

Semi Formal Finale Runway Event (Plaza Pavilion)

5:30 - 6:30 PM - VIP Red Carpet Arrivals and Cocktail Reception (by invitation only)

6:00 PM - Doors Open for General Admission Arrivals

7:00 PM - Runway Show Begins

10:00 PM - Masquerade After Party (The X Bar at the Hyatt Regency)

You can get further details and buy your tickets for all of the events here.

This is going to be major!

Beth Ditto A/W 2010 Collection for Evans UK

I was not really a big fan of the previous Beth Ditto Evans UK collection.

Why?

Mainly because I was not feeling a lot of the color and pattern schemes.

So, I am pleasantly surprised to say that this new collection is doing things....really good things...for me.

I must... must have this khaki ruched jersey maxi dress!

Ruching is one of my favorite fashion friends and I love the neckline and the draped bottom.

I love it in the black also but I have so many black dresses that I want to mix it up a bit.

And while this is normally way more flowers than I look for in a dress, or any piece for that matter, I am loving this floral print pocket dress

I think colors of the flowers against the black background are just gorgeous. It's a very sophisticated print.

And this blue velvet dress is really not something I would normally care for but it's really growing on me every time that I look at it.

I just really love the draping and the color is really very rich and not one that I have much of in my wardrobe.

What do you think of this collection?

Do you own pieces from the last collection?

Do you plan to purchase any of this collection?

See more of the collection which also consists of shoes, coats and more here.

And here is a video presentation of some of the pieces.

Rock 10 for 30: Days 14 and 15!

I am at the halfway mark!

YEA!!!

Lol..and I must say that even after my little whine session this weekend that it feels a bit easier today.

I woke up and it didn't take a 1/2 hour to decide what to wear, it took less than a minute.

It was like once I just chilled with it and stopped lamenting what I did or didn't have to work with, everything just seemed to flow.

I like that.

Today, Day 15!

I wore the Asos Curve Cami Wrap Jersey Jumpsuit the maroon jacket, which is from a brand called Live a Little, my obi belt from the limited {here is a similar one}.

I wore my l.e.i flats that I got from Walmart and my backpack.

Day 14 I pretty much loafed around the house all day until around 3 in the afternoon. I relaxed in the tub and fell asleep in it. Watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and read magazines.

When I finally got off of my tush...I wore the ASOS CURVE Printed Oversized Tunic and the Alfani skirt. I was bloated and didn't feel like being bound in anyway, so I initially was going to wear a belt but decided against it.

I wore the Nine West flats and carried my fabulous free my hands leather backpack that I got for 18 bucks at a second hand shop that I never tell anyone I go to!
LOL...
the goods are just too great and I am selfish with that one only.

I came across this sign while at a restaurant over the weekend and it made me smile...who didn't love that song from Zapp and Roger Troutman?!

Polish My Fall W/Rimmel London's Lasting Finish Pro Polish

Back in January I wrote about some of my favorite polish colors and since it's been so long, I thought I would put up a few posts to show what colors I am loving now.

The first up is Rimmel London Lasting Finish Pro Polish in 270 Steel Grey.

If you have been reading the mags, you know that this color falls into the family that they are currently calling "greige", i.e colors that are composed of various shades of grey and beige.

Initially when I received the polish from People Stylewatch, I was a little hesitant to use it.

Why?

Because I just thought that in the bottle it looked too dull.

And also, I rarely ever wear neutrals like it.

I am usually rocking bright, vibrant and sometimes glittery colors, so I let it sit for over two months without once even unscrewing the cap.

Silly me, but I finally came to my senses yesterday and decided to give it a go and I love it.

Besides being a great color, it's also another way for me to indulge my grey obsession, so double win!

And as an extra bonus: it's supposed to last for up to 10 days. Now I am not sure if I will keep it on long enough to test that because it's just not me to wear one color that long, but I will wear it for the next few days and let ya know how it holds up.

Rock 10 for 30: Days 10, 11, 12 and 13!

This past weekend was my girlfriends get out of town weekend and I was once again true to my cause and spent to weekend utilizing my 10 pieces, albeit with some attitude about it

LOL

Anyway, Friday was spent doing what I do every time that I go away....last minute ish, like laundry and I wore the Asos Curve Cami Wrap Jersey Jumpsuit solo.

Saturday, Day 11, was rainy but it wasn't gonna stop our fun. We spent time in Glen, Douglas and Saugatuck Michigan enjoying and wearing ourselves out!

I wore several pieces. The maroon jacket, colorful Lane Bryant blouse and my Cato jeans.

The shoes are from Payless and I have had them for years.

Day 12 was horseback riding day and the day that I originally thought would be the day that I would not wear any of the 10 pieces but because of my errant packing ways, I didn't bring the pants nor the shirt that I thought I would wear.

0_0

So, I ended up wearing the leggings, waterfall jacket and my sleep tank...yeah, my sleep tank...and some kicks

Here I am on Panda! She was a very well behaved lovely horsey!
My first horseback ride was definitely a happy one but the look on my face when I first got one definitely doesn't give that impression, does it? 

LOL!

Today, Day 13 I wore the Cato jeans, Asos V Back Jersey Dress backwards again and wrapped a circle scarf around my waist.

So, I am almost halfway thru the month!

YEA ME!

Makes Me Want to Cry

For 25 years Oprah has been doing her thang and she left a huge imprint on my life.

I can not even begin to tell how much that I have learned and explored simply because I watched her show.

Truth be told, a lot of my Curvatude comes from it.

I applaud her and look forward to this, her final season and I know it will be a full in every sense of the word.

A Major Observation

I have come to the realization that I played it way too safe with the selection of the 10 items to rock for 30 days, and while I plan to see this challenge thru to its completion, I have to admit that being this limited is totally cramping my style.

I have so many clothes and I rarely ever dress as "plain" as the the 10 items essentially dictate that I do. And if I had to it do all over again, I would definitely not go down such a "safe" route.

The goal behind choosing them of course was to keep it basic and simple in hopes of being able to get the most mixing out of them but I really miss my "normal clothes"

So, while I am on my last night of a girlfriend getaway weekend and laying in bed perusing the hundreds of pictures that I have of myself, I decided to post a few just to remind myself of the light at the end of the tunnel per se.

lol.

Rockin 10 for 30: Days 8 & 9

My camera has once again given me a temporary reprieve and actually turned on when I went to take these pictures!

It seems that leaving the battery alone on the charger for a couple of days helps.

LOL

Anyway, yesterday I wore the "replacement" jeans.

They are from Cato and I most likely got them at TJ Maxx. I paired them with the ASOS CURVE Printed Oversized Tunic

.

And while my camera was back in action, I apparently was not because I took the worse pictures!

LOL!

I mean really!

I am not joking at all, so this one is all you get!

LOL

Oh and I wore the Nine West flats.

Today I got up really early...well at least for me. I was up and out of bed before 7am and because I was going to be running around taking care of errands, the leggings were a must.

I wore them with the  Asos V Back Jersey Dress.

The fact that I could wear this dress longer or shorter was the main reason why I chose it.

I actually wore the dress with the V in the back this time.

Woo...Goody got a big ol butt! Oh yeah!

LOL!

I wore the Fiona Animal Ballet Flat from Payless.

And I love this owl necklace that I got from Old Navy a while back. Very fun.

Anyway, tomorrow I leave for a weekend getaway with the girls and I can not wait.

The weather may be a little iffy but I don't even care AND I am sticking to the challenge EXCEPT on the day that I am scheduled to go horseback riding because really, none of these 10 pieces are anywhere near suitable.

LOL

Til next time!