RETHINKING ASHLEY STEWART

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
A few weeks ago I was invited to Ashley Stewart's newly redesigned flagship store in Brooklyn along with Plus Model Magazine, Madison Plus, and The Big Girl Blog. Before ASOS came to the states, before Faith21, Simply Be, and City Chic, Ashley Stewart was one of very, very few plus size brands that actually carried trendy items for plus size women. I remember back in the 90's all the plus size curvy girls would go to Ashley Stewart for club gear, church wear, and casual wear. You would find 16 year olds and 20 year old women both finding their style needs at Ashley Stewart. I even bought my prom dress from Ashley Stewart when they used to sell formal wear.

As the years went by I stopped shopping at Ashley Stewart because I felt like the quality wasn't worth the money. Now don't get me wrong I don't think their clothes are expensive, but, if I am going to pay $40 for something, I do need a certain level of quality. So, when they reached out to me to showcase their new flagship store and their new styles I decided to check it out and see what changes they made.

You can check out my full review on The Budget Fashionista.

For attending the blogger event, Ashley Stewart gifted all attendees a head to toe outfit. Myself and CeCe from The Big Girl blog both chose this linen strapless jumpsuit after seeing it on one of the billboards in the store. CeCe got the black version. I also chose this super wide belt that I thought was cute along with a beige floppy hat and a few accessories.

The turban is a DIY from a youtube video I saw. You can check it out Here

Also, here are a few more pictures from my visit to the Ashley Stewart Brooklyn flagship store.

If you like what you see or even if you used to shop Ashley Stewart and stopped, check out their website and see what they have to offer.

FFFWEEK EVENT: PROJECT CURVES

Calling all models. Get your tickets for the FFFWeek Project Curves workshop.

What's Project Curves:
ProjectCURVES™ is an intensive bootcamp workshop that will teach participants how to have a SUCCESSFUL career in plus modeling.
Our sessions, led by some of the best-known names in their industries, will give practical advice based on their experiences as insiders in the business.

This intense, three hour workshop, designed for plus size women, sizes 14 and up, will instruct you on how to become successful as a plus model. We'll help break down any and all insecurities in this fun, interactive workshop. Get started on your career as a plus size model NOW!

Check out who will be speaking at the event:

Sharon Quinn (Plus Modeling 101) - Casting Director, Full Figured Fashion Week™

Madeline Figueroa-Jones, (Photo Posing 101) - Editor-in-Chief, PLUS Model Magazine

See the event time and location below:
9:30 AM - 12:30 (Registration at 9:00 AM)
Affinia Hotel
371 7th Avenue
New York, NY
PEYTON BALLROOM

Tickets are $75 and you can purchase your tickets HERE

FEELING GRAY ON A SUNNY DAY

Hey curvy girls allover the world,

I had one hell of a week. It truly was a roller coaster. Some days were awesome and others were pass the grey goose. Nevertheless, I made it through. I ended my week off with a stop to ReDress and picked up this gray and white ruffled trim floral dress. Browsing through the racks and chatting with the shop girls was just the retail therapy I needed. When I put the dress on I felt kind of sexy in it. It was fun, flirty, and just what I needed to get my memorial day weekend started.

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

What I'm Wearing
Dress: Redress
Shoes: Kelsi Dagger
Belt:Redress
Bracelets: Ashley Stewart
Necklace:H&M
Earrings:Armani Exchange

STYLISH CURVES OF THE DAY

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Today's Stylish Curves of The Day comes from Melissa an electronics technician. When it comes to her style Melissa says,

"I'm embracing my curves, no more hiding behind dark color clothing.

"I love leopard print. I love the old Hollywood glam.

"My one rule of fashion I live by is " less is more."

"I feel that if you have it you don't have to try so hard."

Thanks for submitting Melissa! I love your colorful blazers and those leopard print leggings. Also, I swear you resemble Betty Boop just a little. :)

No, Melissa does not have a blog, but, you can find her on Chictopia.

What do you guys think of Melissa's style?

If you would like to be part of the Stylish Curves feature, please submit 3-6 fulll length photos with a blurb about how you embrace your curves and a fashion tip you live by to stylishcurves@gmail.com

THE PANT SUIT RETURNS FOR SPRING

It looks like the pant suit has made a return for spring. Not that it ever went anywhere, but, you know something is trendy when you start to see a number of celebrities rocking the same style. The new pant suits are much more chic, figure flattering, and youthful. You don't need a corporate job just to wear one anymore. The updated pant suits are just as wearable after work as they are during.
Take a cue from Solange and try a pleated pant suit in a bright color. Keep accessories neutral so they're not competing with the color of the suit.

For a pant suit that screams FIERCE follow the Queen, Halle, and Rihanna and try a white pant suit.

To keep a pant suit looking youthful have fun with accessories. A pair of platform heels in a rich bright color can make a suit pop. Go for a clutch with an exotic or animal print. Also pump up your look with big and bold jewelry. These small add ons can have a big impact on your look.
SC has found a few modern and chic options for your curves:

More Colorful Options

More Talbots...

Featured Items

Dorothy Perkins Cropped Suit

Monroe and Main Ruffled Pant Suit

Lane Bryant

Calvin Klein

KIMBERLY LOCKE

Fellow curvy girl Kimberly Locke rocked a cobalt blue asymmetrical shift dress to the 36th annual Gracie awards. Was she working it or is it back to the drawing board for this curvy girl?

 

SKINNY GIRL STYLE FOR CURVES:RIHANNA

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Rihanna look super chic at the Billboard music awards in a classy all white suit. We loved how she topped off the look with nude pumps which is one of the hottest shoe trends this season. We thought this look would be equally as fabulous on a plus size curvy girl so SC recreated a similar look with pieces from Talbots.
This is a perfect look to wear to FFFWeek's white on white cruise on June 16th. Did you get your tickets yet? If not, get them NOW by clicking HERE (Shameless plug)

Button Front Tops by Thomas Pink
Scarves & Wraps at DSW

STYLISH CURVES OF THE DAY: TANESHA

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

We have some curvy girl goodness today. I love that you guys are sending in your pictures. Please believe that other girls are becoming inspired to embrace their curves.

Today's Stylish Curves of the Day comes from Tanesha. I seriously thought she was a model because she is working her poses and is a beautiful girl. When it comes to embracing her curves Tanesha says:

My secret to embracing my curves is making a statement by pairing wardrobe classics with runway trends, attention-grabbing color, and unique accessories.

With my personal style blog, http://girlwithcurves.tumblr.com/

 I hope to inspire fellow curvy fashionista's to be confident in their own skin, and close the gap between fierce fashion and the fashionable, curvy woman.

Tanesha's fashion rule to live by is: Never embracing trends that not only don't suit my body-type, but most importantly, that don't speak to my personal style. I do believe in incorporating trends, but not always completely adopting them. If you stay true to your personal style, what looks good on you and what you feel good in- your look will speak volumes more than the trend you're wearing.

Great looks Tanesha!

If you would like to be part of Stylish Curves of The Day send in 3-6 full body photos (your head included) to stylishcurves@gmail.com. Please include a blurb as to how you embrace your curves and a fashion tip that you live by.

A SNEAK PEEK AT QUEEN LATIFAH'S HSN COLLECTION

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Yesterday, I told you that Queen Latifah was launching her very own clothing line via HSN. Well today, we got to see a sneak peek at the line via Racked. The collection will also include hair extensions by way of clip in's/on's.

Check out a few of the styles:

What do you guys think of the line so far?

STYLISH CURVES OF THE DAY: CRYSTAL

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Today's Stylish Curves of the day is Crystal from NYC. When it comes to embracing her curves, here's what Crystal had to say:

I'm a 26 year old graduate student living in New York City.

 I am a former teacher and currently on the job hunt.  I've been a plus sized girl my whole life & 2 years ago, I lost 50 pounds.

 I worked out 5 days a week, did weight watchers & the weight came off.  My personal style belief is dress the body you have, not the body you want.

 It saddens me to see females not living their full life because they can't embrace and love their body.

Crystal's fashion tip to live by is: Always accentuate the smallest part of my body.  In my case, it's my teeny tiny waist!!

Thanks Crystal! You look great!

If you would like to be featured as Stylish Curves of the day, please send 3-6 full length photos (your head included) a blurb about how you embrace your curves along with a fashion tip to live by to stylishcurves@gmail.com.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT EVANS SUMMER CATALOG AND SWIMWEAR SHOOT

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

My friends at Evans wanted to share with you a sneak peek at the behind the scenes shoot for their upcoming summer catalog and their swimwear shoot. Evans is one of the few plus size brands who use both curvy and plus size models, which makes it much more helpful to see how their clothes will actually look on a girl with meat on her bones. For their summer catalog there will be loads of fun feminine eclectic jewelry, cute colorful wedges, and bohemian dresses and tunics.

Also, be sure to check out the sexy behind the scenes footage of their swimwear shoot in Barbados with plus size models, Marquita Pring, Kai Morae, and Heather Hazzan.

Swimwear Video