APRIL'S STYLE INSPIRATION: COLOR BLOCKING

For the month of April I'm all about color blocking. From shoes to bags, color blocking is one of the hottest trends for spring. For me, it all started when I saw the Gucci spring 2011 collection. I actually think it was one of the best collections from Gucci in awhile. The deep v-necks and silky fabrics in rich jewel tones had me in a frenzy. I believe Tom Ford would be proud.

 I'm already a fan of bright rich colors so the color blocking trend is not far fetched for me.
When I look at the Jil Sander 2011 spring collection I'm inspired to wear bright rich colors in blouson over sized shapes that I can belt. The collection made me think,this is how you do mummu chic (lol).

Last week I saw a fantabulous photo of one of my fave stylists June Ambrose looking ever so chic and sophisticated in an orange blazer, fuchsia pants, and a turquoise turban. I WANTED HER ENTIRE OUTFIT. It was perfection.

I'm hoping to find bright rich colors in classic pieces to create my own color blocked looks. I will be searching for which plus size brands are paying attention to this trend and making pieces for the plus size and curvy. Of course, I will share it all with you guys.

How do you feel about the color blocked trend?

JORDIN SPARKS AT DODGER'S STADIUM

Jordin Sparks sung the National Anthem at Dodgers Stadium rocking leggings and a blue draped top. Was she working this casual look or is back to the drawing board for this curvy song bird?

VOTE!

PINK AND BLUE

Last week was a very busy week. My office was crazy due to tax season and I had a number of events to attend. This is what I wore to the Ann Taylor Fall preview (post coming this week). I got this super cute pink blazer as a gift from the good people over at One Stop Plus from their OSP runway collection and I've already worn it about 10 times. It has such a great fit and I love the color against my complexion. One of my 1st April purchases was this tie neck ruffle front blouse from the GAP. It was sold out online and I happened to walk into the South Street Seaport GAP on my  lunch break and saw it on sale. I liked how it look under the blazer and thought it would be a good look.

I wore the floral shoes again from Forever 21. I dubbed them my sit down shoes but the second time I wore them they were a little comfortable and I was able to stand up in them for about 1/2 hour, then I had to breakout the flats.

 
Also, I felt like the weather was not working in my favor for an outfit photo because it was so windy. Every time I tried to take a photo, the wind would become aggressive, it even blew my little tripod down.

I tried to make the wind work for me in this photo by turning to the side

This is when it started getting out of control and my tripod fell.

Hope you guys had a great weekend!

SKINNY GIRL STYLE FOR CURVES: CAMERON DIAZ

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Cameron Diaz never fails when she's on the red carpet. She has great personal style that is chic, girlie, and sexy. It's never over the top, but, it still catches your attention. This week she was spotted at the movie premier of "Bad Teacher" looking ultra chic in a black dress and linen blazer. Yes, the look is simple but its still put together. We love how she crossed over her blazer and cinched it with a gold buckle belt instead of just buttoning it. It's little touches like that that can take your look up a notch.  She finished the look with thick strapped sandals and a leather cuff.

Looking to switch up that LBD for spring? Take a cue from Cameron and throw on a linen blazer. Linen is a perfect fabric for light breezy days and a linen blazer adds sophistication to your looks.

 Check out how SC remixed Cameron's look for your curves.

Plus Jackets by Sag Harbor
Sandals by Boutique 9

WEEKEND SHOPPING: ROMANTIC SPRING LOOKS FROM THE ELLE CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION AT KOHLS

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
If you plan on doing some shopping this weekend, then check out the Elle Contemporary plus size collection at Kohls.  The collection offers pretty floral dresses, ruffled neck tops, and a crochet trimmed cardigan. All the pieces come in sizes 1X-3X and in Kohls fashion are affordably priced with nothing over $80.

RAVEN SYMONE AT PEREZ HILTON BIRTHDAY BASH

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Raven Symone was spotted at Perez Hilton's Birthday Party last weekend. Was she working her look or is at back to the drawing board for her?

Vote

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO FOR SPIEGEL

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Today is the day that you can now purchase Project Runway winner and all around fab designer Christian Siriano limited edition collection at Spiegel. Christian's Spiegel collection consists of 12 pieces ranging from cocktail dresses to suits. The collection comes in sizes 2-18 and is priced up to $500. First let me say that I'm glad that the collection didn't stop at a size 14 and a few of the pieces like the maxi one shoulder dress (pictured above) looks very forgiving in the fabric to fit a variety of shapes.

If this collection does well, which I'm sure it will, maybe Spiegel will continue to do designer collabo's and since they do carry plus sizes, maybe they can be the first to do a plus size designer collabo. Thought I would just put that out there in the universe.

Check out the more of Christian Siriano's collection at Spiegel.

PLUS SIZE SHOPPING SITE NAVABI.TV

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Have  you been dying to get your hands on plus size designer Elena Miro or have you been coveting Roberto Cavalli in your size? Well check out plus size luxury fashion site Navabi. A plus size shopping destination for those of you who like contemporary styles by luxury designers. This site carries just about every luxury and contemporary plus size designer from Anna Scholz to Igigi, as well as European designers like Elena Miro.

Also, starting this month they will be carrying plus size styles from Roberto Cavalli and Fendi. Yes, you heard me right.

 According to Navabi.tv -the online-shop for all curvy women - launches a new segment for plus size luxury designer fashion. In addition to a lagenlook and a contemporary segment the luxury segment will start with brands such as Roberto Cavalli (April 2011), Not Your Daughters Jeans and Fendi.

It seems like designers are finally aware of the fact, that size-zero is not realistic and healthy at all. So Cavalli & Co are now designing fashion especially for curvy women.

The site is very easy to navigate through. You can shop by boutique (luxury, contemporary, and lagenlook) and they even have a section for you get outfit ideas. After reviewing the site myself, I must say that it's 50% hits and 50% misses. You really have to search through to find the more modern pieces. A number of looks are very over sized and just plain unflattering. Depending on the designer, you will be able to find looks that you would actually wear. The site is definitely worth taking a peak at, but, I do warn you that some of the pieces are just a no, no.

You can check out the site HERE

PLUS SIZE TREND: MIDI SKIRTS

You can blame it on Louis Vuitton or Dolce & Gabbana for bringing back the 1950's midi skirts. The  calf grazing lady like skirts are chic and sophisticated. They made their official come back during Fall and have now transferred over into the spring season. We love the versatility of the this style for plus size curvy girls because it comes in a variety of shapes. You can go for an A-line cut, a pencil style, or an all out full skirt. You can glam it up with sexy sky high heels or keep it simple with feminine flats and a tank. We can imagine ourselves wearing this with a straw fedora, wedges and a cropped jacket for those breezy spring days.

Tell us how would you rock this skirt?

Here's a few of SC's picks:

ASOS Curve

Talbots

 

Dorothy Perkins

Spiegel

New Look

Monsoon

Topshop

Simply Be

Monsoon

For the fashion fearless

Top Shop

SHOP LIKE A FASHION EDITOR CHALLENGE: MARCH

The shop like a fashion editor challenge is proving to be quite challenging. I've already gone over my $100 budget for the month. I'm so use to just buying without any thought process. When I see something I like I just buy it. Now, I have to make very wise decisions because I know I'm working with limited funds. Yesterday, I was all ready to hit up the Lord and Taylor shoe sale and I had to stop myself because I knew I would have left with more than one pair which could have blown my $400 budget. Instead I decided to think about the strategy I had for creating the spring wardrobe that I wanted. I was glad I had the power to stop myself.

This challenge is teaching me to be more particular when it comes to shopping. Being choosy about my purchases allows me to be creative with my wardrobe and infuse it with pieces that will make it unique as well as timeless. Having a plan is great too because it allows you to get the most out of the pieces you already own.

For March I wanted to incorporate trendy pieces as well as printed pieces. My eye is naturally drawn to leopard print and stripes so I figured the striped Faith 21 dress (sold out online) would go well with a cropped jacket and heels and the Loft floral print flutter sleeve dress is perfect for work and church. I'm looking forward to rocking the Norma Kamali leopard print sheath dress with a sleeveless draped vest and wide belt. City Chic's animal print harem pants fit very well and are a fun trendy piece to wear on the weekends. The Forever 21 leaf earrings and H&M straw fedora will be personal touches to other pieces in my wardrobe.

Check back on April 1st to see what looks and trends I will be looking to add.

Go HERE to read all about the Shop Like A Fashion Editor Challenge.

GET THE LOOK: OLD NAVY'S CHIFFON SUNDRESS

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
It looks like Old Navy has celebrities hooked again on one of their pieces. Last fall we saw celebs like Kristin Cavalari sporting Old Navy's red ruffle front wool coat and now for spring celebs like La La Vasquez and Carmen Elektra are rocking one of their new floral ruffled front chiffon dresses. We must say that this dress is super cute and flattering for a variety of complexions. Rock it with a denim jacket or spring leather in camel and no one would even guess that you got this dress from Old Navy.

The dress goes up to a size XXL and it comes in yellow and black. The best thing about it is that it's only $34.50. Get it HERE

Outfit Idea

Shortsleeve Tops by Old Navy
Wedges by Dolce Vita