Animal Instinct

In the plus size book of fashion do’s & don’ts you are sure to find a much longer list under don’ts.  Don’t wear horizontal stripes, don’t wear large prints, don’t wear skimpy clothes, don’t wear clothes that are too big or too small, don’t wear clothes that attract attention to your “flawed” areas, don’t wear bathing suits, don’t wear bright colors, don’t wear leggings….it’s a wonder we eat so much, we are stressed over clothing decisions! 

Although, one clothing rule “don’t” has gone unwritten, until recently, most plus size women have shied away from it because it could lead to a big girl being the butt of a joke - ANIMAL PRINTS. 

Be it zebra, leopard, cow, snake, or cheetah, a big girl better not be caught dead in it.  The Fashion Risk Taker would surely be made fun of for looking like a big ass [insert animal name here] if she dared wear an animal print, and don’t think about wearing an animal printed undergarment because dare a big girl *gasp* try to be sexy.  For this reason, I’ve always stayed far away from any prints that resembled an animal skin.

That is until recently….

On a rainy Saturday in early September, I was out buying things to get me through the hurricane/tropical storm that was approaching the DMV, (see The Lesson I Learned from Irene posted in September 2011) when I wandered to the clothing section at Target to look for a white t-shirt.  The few shirts they had didn’t tickle my fancy as I was seeking a v-neck, when I saw this:

A sheer, ruffled, leopard print blouse by Pure Energy. 

I like it because I can wear it alone during warmer months and under a jacket when the temps get cooler.  It comes in sizes 14/16-26/28 and can be purchased from your nearest Target location or online at http://www.target.com/ for a reasonable price of $22.99.

With the arrival of the Fall/Winter Fashion season, animal prints are at the forefront.  Although, I find dresses, coats, and jumpsuits to be a bit much for animal prints, here are a few picks to rock animal prints without going overboard:

This skinny leopard print belt from Old Navy can be worn with a dress or cardigan for a pop of color and it’s a great buy for only $19.94 and available in sizes 1x-3x.

Also, from Old Navy are these super cute two-toned ballet flats that will also bring out any outfit.  Old Navy gives their customers the option of scoring them in either the brown leopard or the black/white zebra print.  Available in sizes 6-11, they surely won’t break the bank as they only costs $22.00.

This lace-trimmed cheetah print cami can be work under a v-neck or blazer to take any outfit from work to happy hour.  It’s available at The Avenue or through their website  http://www.avenue.com/ in sizes 14/16-30/32 for only $24.90.

And lastly, jazz up any coat, suit, and even a casual outfit with this fringed animal print pashmina scarf from Lane Bryant (www.lanebryant.com) that also comes in blue/black, pink/black, and grey/grey for $26.95.

So with that I say, a big girl can (DO) animal prints. In an understated way, any of these statement pieces will surely bring out any outfit and allow one to be trendy and fashionable without the fear of being the butt of a joke.  So grab any one of these pieces and let your animal instinct shine.

Happy Shopping ~The Plus Size Shopaholic~ Muah!

The Madhouse Created By Missoni

Four years ago, the retail giant Target came up with a brilliant marketing plan, one that offered high-end luxury goods at affordable prices – Designer Collaborations. Target has teamed up with Isaac Mizrahi, Alexander McQueen, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and a few others to offer their brands to consumers with modest shopping budgets.  All of these collaborations were limited in availability and merchandise.  They came and went without the blink of an eye.  Although these partnerships were successful, nothing compares to the anticipation of Target’s latest Designer Collaboration – Missoni for Target.

I first started hearing the buzz mid-summer.  Target was joining forces with the Italian fashion house Missoni.  Founded in Varese, Italy in 1953, Missoni is famous for it knitwear which feature colorful geometric, strip, and abstract patterns.  Sold worldwide, Missoni boast average revenue of $60M and as of two years ago, have ventured into the real property market with Hotel Missoni currently with locations in the UK and Kuwait, and other projects under construction in Oman, Turkey, and Brazil.  Yes, Missoni is MAY-JAH!

On Tuesday, September 13, 2011, The Missoni for Target line finally launched, offering 400 products ranging from houseware, clothing, bedding, to even a bicycle, and ranging from prices as low as $2.99 to $599.99.  I had been warned that the line was expected to sellout in 24 hours, so I had planned on logging on to www.target.com to purchase a scarf and a pair of ballet flats, but the Benadryl I took earlier that evening put me on a train to Slumberland.  The next morning, I tried logging on to www.target.com and was greeted by the Target Dog, announcing that the website was down due to high traffic volume.  By late morning, the Target Dog was still on the splash page announcing that Target was suddenly popular and the site was still down.  Are you serious? Is the question I thought to myself as I had never known this to happen to http://www.target.com/.  Not even on Black Friday, http://www.target.com/ has never ever crashed! Dammit!!

As soon as the clock struck noon, I was out the door, and on my way to the nearest Target to my job.  Alas, when I arrived, I was greeted by empty racks and display cases.  Target was cleaned out!  The only remnants of Missoni were the signs indicating that products once lined the shelves.  I quickly asked a sales clerk if there was anything left in the back. No - was the answer I got. I then asked where the next nearest Target was.  The sales clerk told me that it didn’t matter because they had been receiving calls all morning asking what merchandise they still had in stock from other Target stores who were also sold out.  The sales clerk then proceeds to detail their morning of having shoppers lined up before the store opened to purchase Missoni merchandise.  You have got to be kidding me!  This is turning out to be bigger than I thought.  If I missed this Designer Collaboration because of the early morning rush of shoppers I am going to be a very unhappy camper.  Defeated, I headed back to work.

For the rest of the afternoon, I was preoccupied with planning my strategy on how I was going to get my scarf and ballet flats.  I had reached a shopaholic’s level of urgency, similar to that of our military’s DEFCON 4.  I was on high alert. Quitting time came and I again set out on my Missoni Mission.  I had a plan to hit the Targets in southeastern PG and Charles Counties.  I was not going home until I got my purchases, and lucky for me, I hit jackpot at the very first Target I visited since my disastrous afternoon attempt.  Although the pickings were slim, I was able to get my ballet flats and a knitted scarf.  I would have LVoe’d a silk one, but beggars can’t be choosy.  

I returned home a very happy camper.  I came, I shopped, I conqued! Unfortunately, not all Missoni seekers were as lucky. While shopping I listened to the combat stores of other customers as they spoke of frantically driving from location to location looking for clothes and shoes in their size to no avail.  Even a news story featured on a local news station later that night mentioned the madhouse created by Missoni at various Target stores in the DMV.  By the next day, most Missoni merchandise was sold out in stores and online.  If you were not lucky enough to get your items the first day, forget it.  Although I am doubtful that these items will be restocked as they were advertised as only being available from September 13, 2011 – October 22, 2011 or as long as supplies lasts, I am doubtful anyone wanting to make a purchase will be lucky enough to get anything at this point, except for maybe on http://www.ebay.com/ as many items have resurfaced there for twice the amounts advertised by Target.  If you are lucky enough to find Missoni for Target in an out of the way Target location, I say snatch up as much as you can because you will never be able to snag a pair of Missoni ballet flats for $22.99 (or $14.99 for the knitted scarf) ever again, but if you’re like me, where there is a shopper’s will, there’s a way.  Good luck and Godspeed!

Until the next Designer Collaboration.....

Happy Shopping ~ The Plus Size Shopaholic~  Muah!

The Washout That Was Fashion Night Out

For the past month, I‘ve been anticipating the date of September 8, 2011.  Why do you ask? Is it my birthday? No, but it is a very special day.  Not only is it my mother’s birthday, it’s a day that only comes once a year - the phenomenon known in the fashion circles as Fashion’s Night Out (FNO).  It’s the nocturnal, shopping party that’s celebrated all across the globe.  Coincidentally, FNO also coincides with the start of New York Fashion Week and the kickoff for the fall fashion season. 

This year marked the third annual FNO, but what made this year even more special was that the first ever Fashion’s Night Out PLUS was introduced.  That’s right the full figured fashionista…or as I affectionately call them– FATshionistas were finally being included.  In the words of celebrity gossip personality Perez Hilton “fashion is such a fun and wonderful art, but it shouldn’t be limited to skinny bitches.”  Lucky for me, one of the official FNOP events was being held right here in the DMV, hosted at BeautyFull Boutique in Old Town Alexandria.  As soon as I found out about the event, I quickly RSVP’d to attend.

The evening of FNO/P, I got dolled up, even put on some heels, and set out to the event.  As fate would have it, the DMV was in the midst of yet another weather related disaster.  Forecasters were calling for flash flooding all across the region thanks to Tropical Depression Lee.  A ride that normally would take 20 minutes, turned into a 5 hour nightmare, complete with me almost running out of gas, as the inner and outer loops of the Beltway were shut down. As the clock struck 9:00pm, and traffic still gridlocked, I soon realized that my evening was going from FAB to FIZZLE thanks to the flooding in Northern Virginia.   By 10:00pm, the Beltway was reopened, and I made my way to Alexandria for gas and a restroom stop.  Afterwards, I made my way home soaked and disappointed that I missed the fashion event of the season.  For me, FNO 2011 was a complete bust and a washout! L

When I started brainstorming on this week’s blog posting, I envisioned it to be very different.  I planned to rave about the boutique, the fashions I saw, the hors d'oeuvres I nibbled, the champagne or wine I sipped, and the purchases I made.  Instead, still with disappointment, I blog about the FNO that wasn’t, but luckily with the flip of the calendar, FNO will come around again – just 362 days to go!

~ The Plus Size Shopaholic~ Muah!

 

The Lesson I Learned From Irene

Last week was a rather interesting one for the East Coast.  First, we were shaken up by a once in a lifetime earthquake (seriously, outside of spinning on her axis, Mother Earth needs to stay still), then the wind lashing and soaking we got from Hurricane Irene.  …..Yes, you read that right, an earthquake and a hurricane all in one week.  Trust me when I say there are still traumatized people up and down the eastern seaboard.  Is God trying to tell us something? Is Mother Earth rebelling from the mistreatment inflicted upon her by her inhabitants? #thingsthatmakeyougohmm  Ok, before you think I’m getting all philosophical and alluding to another 2012 doomsday prophecy, I’m not. This is just a good segue into this week blog posting.

A week ago, I knew I needed to be prepared for this storm named Irene that was coming to town.  That means I needed to make preparations for going into survival mode in the event that man-made luxuries were not available…like…you know...electricity. 

The morning Irene was due to arrive I knew I needed a few supplies like nonperishable food items, batteries, etc.  The rain had already started falling, so there was no point in getting too dressed up, so I threw on a t-shirt, some sweatpants, and my trusty Timberland flip-flops.  Once ready, I grabbed my umbrella and set out on my mission of Emergency Preparedness.  After getting all the items I needed, I returned home completely soaked to the bone.  What possessed me go out in all that wind and rain in just a t-shirt, sweats, and flip-flops? Crazy perhaps? No, just a lack of appropriate outerwear for rainy weather, and maybe a dash of bad judgment.  As soon as my power was restored, I took to the internet to find some rainy weather appropriate pieces.

This A-shaped jacket comes to us from plus size Danish clothier Carmakoma.  Isn’t this jacket a BEAST? What puts this jacket in a league of its own is its A-frame shaping, draped front, and its oversized trendy buttons.  What I especially LVoe about this jacket is that its look changes depending on how high it’s buttoned.  The wearer can only button a few buttons for a wide collared look or button it all the way for a high turtleneck look.  The additional plus about this jacket is that it's sold NOWHERE in the U.S., so you surely won’t see anyone else rocking it.  This jacket retails for 1490dkr which roughly converts to $248.15 and comes in U.S. sizes 12-22.  To purchase visit http://carmakoma.com/en/

If overseas shopping isn’t your thing, or lets be real, if spending $250 on a jacket isn’t your thing, I have something else for you. 

This hip-length, lightweight trench may be more up your alley.  Offered by Ashley Stewart, this belted, double breasted jacket comes in Most Toast and Tuscany Orange and sizes ranging from 10/12 – 30/32.  What’s even great is that it’s currently on sale for $39.60 at your local Ashley Stewart or online at http://www.ashleystewart.com/

Another lesson I learned from Irene is that you do not wear flip flops in the rain; especially rainfall due to a hurricane.  Below is a pair of croc embossed wide calf rain boots from The Avenue.  These boots come in sizes 7-13W and colors grey, black, and magenta.  Purchase directly from your local Avenue or online at http://www.avenue.com/ for $49.90.

Above is a pair of wide calf boots from Naturalizer that double as rain and snow boots.   Ranging in sizes 5M-11M (various sizes are offered in W); you can buy them at your local Naturalizer or online at http://www.naturalizer.com/ for $71.10.

So the next time a hurricane or tropical storm blows through the DMV, I will be ready.  Now how’s that for Emergency Preparedness!

Happy Shopping ~ The Plus Size Shopaholic ~ Muah!

Farewell My Summer LVoe

It’s that time of year again.  The kids are back in school, football is back on (Thank God! Go Skins!!), and we are quickly approaching Labor Day weekend.  All these signs are pointing to one thing – summer is coming to an end and fall is right around the corner.

With the end of summer, comes the end of one of fashion’s best seasons: bright colors, open toe shoes, shorts, cute blouses and flirty sundresses, but just because the fun clothes have to be put away, doesn’t mean being stylish comes to an end.  Cooler temps do not equal boring, frumpy, and bulky clothing.

Now that the fall shopping season is here, these two pieces caught my eye and have made their way to my “must have” list. 

The first is this diagonal stripped asymmetric sweater from Missphit.  The sweater sports an asymmetrical hem line which makes its design extremely unique.   To assist with the elongated appearance, are the thin diagonal strips running the entire length of the sweater.  Made from a stretchy cotton fabric, this sweater is worn as a pullover, but wraps the body, giving the garment a shawl look.  This sweater can be purchased for the reasonable price of $36.00 from http://www.missphit.com/. Unfortunately, the only two sizes left are 1x and 3x.  The 2x size sold out months ago.

Lastly, is this ribbed, cropped, tie front cardigan from Old Navy.  This cardigan is great for layering; especially, when the temps begin to dip in October.  It can be worn with a lengthy tank top and a great necklace.  The sweater comes in Alpaca and Chocolate Kiss and comes in sizes ranging from 1x-4x.  It also comes with a reasonable price tag of $36.94.  Purchase it online at http://www.oldnavy.com/

You might be thinking, is she posting sweaters when it's still warm.  Well, despite the temps still hovering in the 80s and 90s, it’s never too early to start shopping for the fall, therefore.....

Happy Shopping ~The Plus Size Shopaholic~ Muah!

Introducing A New Drug For All You Accessory Addicts

There’s a new drug in town….

It’s hot…. 

It’s in high demand….

It’s dangerous to the wallets….

No two hits are the same. (your product is one of a kind)….

You’ll crave more and more after your first buy….

What is this drug I’m referring too?

Let’s meet the product and its supplier….

I’m talking about the unique and creative jewelry by Tiffany Brooks.  Her pieces are amazing!

I first discovered her jewelry through a makeup party I attended a few months ago.  So many interesting pieces were on display, I was like a kid in a candy store.  Feathered earrings, rhinestone cobra rings, colorful bangles, even bedazzled bags (read All That Glitters for details on that obsession) it was so much to choose from, and all at great prices! Oh joy!!

With so much to choose from, I settled on these two pieces which really caught my eye. I had to have them!



The bracelet is almost reminiscent of the 1980s toy the Slinky (you know, the marvelous toy) due to it’s coiled formation, which makes it convenient for the “thick wristed” as it wraps around the wrist giving off an almost thin, stackable, bangle appearance.  The ring is made of a thin, wiry material wrapped in a flower type design which gives it a blooming appearance. Both pieces are decorated with colorful buttons, dice, marbles, and beads in varies shapes and sizes.  Both of these items were a great buy at only $20.00 a piece.

Recently, I picked up these red and black feathered earrings. A very simple design, made from beads and feathers, these earrings dangle a little pass the shoulders.  Despite the funky feathers, the design is simple enough to wear in a corporate environment on casual Fridays (but I may push the envelope and wear them on a Tuesday) and funky enough to wear with a great outfit in a happy hour/lounge setting.  These were also another $20.00 buy.

Lastly, I picked up another bracelet, made of black and white buttons of various sizes with a few red and black beads mixed in for that POP of color.  This bracelet only set me back $25.00. 

If you’re a fellow Accessory Addict like Yours Truly, you NEED to add Jewelry By Tiffany to your collection. Her pieces are trendy, eye-catching, and unique.  Best of all, not everyone will be rocking your pieces as no two designs are exactly alike. 

To view more fabulous pieces from Jewelry By Tiffany, check out http://jewelry-by-tiffany.com/default.aspx or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614072870#!/JewelryByTiffany

To make a purchase check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelrybytif or contact Tiffany Brooks on jbt.jewelrybytiffany@gmail.com​

Happy Shopping ~ The Plus Size Shopaholic~ Muah!

Dear Australian Vogue, Better Luck Next Time

Imagine my surprise to hear earlier this week that the Australian Vogue was following in the footsteps of Vogue Italia and had published its first ever 10-page plus size fashion spread in its August 2011 issue.  I immediately had to get details and see the spread!  Between the news of the spread, and finding out about up & coming plus size Australian designer, Gisela Ramierz, (see the I Need A Vacation AND This Swimsuit blog post from July), I was ecstatic that the land down under was crawling from under the mainstream rock and  joining the rest of the plus size world.

All week, the blogosphere has been abuzz with news of this spread.  From plus size blogs, to mainstream fashion blogs, all have commented on this spread and lavished it much praise.  I was very anxious to see the spread with all the fanfare it was getting.  Then I found out the featured model is Robyn Lawley.  Ok, no bells sounded because I wasn’t too familiar with Ms, Lawley, or her work, except that she was featured on the cover of Vogue Italia and the French Elle, but nonetheless, excited to see the spread. 

That is until I saw the spread…..

*blank stare*

Confusion washes over me as I view page after page of photos.  I don’t understand.  THIS is what all the hoopla is about? Are they not seeing what I see? This looks like a regular mainstream spread to me.  Lovely girl, but she is clearly not plus size. She may be an Australian 14 but that is a size 10 by U.S. sizing standards. Not hardly plus size. Maybe I have grown accustomed to real plus size models, like Crystal Renn and others who were featured in the plus size pictorial by V Magazine back in 2010, so when I hear plus size that’s what I expect to see.  Not a model who is of average build being cast as plus size because she’s 20lbs heavier than Kate Moss.  Boo!

Vogue Australia, you clearly missed the mark.  While I applaud your paltry effort to try and make a little room in the fashion world for the bigger girls, this spread only reinforces the idea that if a woman isn’t shaped like a stick figure she is fat. Again, I say Boo! 

I wish Vogue Australia would have put more of an effort into this spread because it could have had more of an impact in the plus size fashion world.  So while the plus size blogosphere celebrates this groundless victory, I’m quite disappointed with Australian Vogue trying to pass off an average size model as plus size.  So with that I say, sorry Australian Vogue, but this is a FAIL!  I’ll give you an E+ for effort, but better luck next time.

Will the real plus size models please stand up!

 ~The Plus Size Shopaholic ~ Muah!