NEW MAGAZINE VOL.UP.2 WILL MAKE YOU PROUD OF YOUR CURVES

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
There is a new magazine that you all should be checking out ASAP if you haven't already. Vol.up.2 is about plus size women embracing their imperfections and loving their bodies. Parisian plus size model and photographer Velvet d'Amour is the creator of this new magazine. And if you've seen Velvet's photography then you know the mag is going to be sexy, edgy, and thought provoking. We live in a world that wants us to hate ourselves just because we are plus size and I say kudos to those who are forever pushing the envelope and changing the game to let the world know we are proud to be plus.

There are over 300 pages of smoking hot editorials. I challenge you to be inspired and feel a little more comfortable in your skin.

The first issue debuted on Valentines day. Click the photo above to view the magazine.

You should also follow the magazine on Facebook

MBFW RECAP: GEOFFREY MAC

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
If you live for Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj then you'll love Geoffrey Mac. The edgy designer's fall 2012 collection was filled with tough colorful leather jackets, flowy baby doll dresses with leather detailing, and wool coats with silk lining. You can checkout the rest of my review over at John Simon Daily

84TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS: THE CURVY GIRL EDITION

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Like many, I spent my Sunday evening watching the 84th annual Academy Awards aka The Oscars. This year was extra special for me because some of my favorite actresses were nominated and two of them happened to be plus size women and one came out a winner. In true award show fashion, let's recap which curvy/plus size celebrity worked the carpet and which ones should have gone back to the drawing board.

Yes, Octavia Spencer rocked it in this beaded gathered waist gown by Tadashi Shoji. The color and the beading was just perfect for her skin tone. It looks like it was custom made for her body. With the exception of the hair, she looked FABULOUS. I knew she was a winner.

Next up was nominee Melissa McCarthy who wore a Marina Rinaldi Grecian draped chiffon gown. I'm a little on the fence with the color and her skin tone. What do you guys think?

OK! The color of Sherri Shepherd's dress is beautiful but everything else is all wrong. The exposed bra is what take away from the beautiful detailing of the dress.

No she's not plus size but one of our favorite curvy girls Jennifer Lopez stuns in an all white cut out sleeve and deep V gown. A number of commentators were on the fence about the sleeves but I thought it was a different look for J. Lo. and it worked well. What do you think?

Weigh in, who was your favorite?

PEPPERMINTCHIC GIVEAWAY WINNER

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Thanks so much for entering the Peppermint chic giveaway. They really have awesome jewels. The winner of the giveaway is

 Joka

Congratulations! Please email me at stylishcurves@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Thanks guys!

STYLE JOURNEY: CHURCH CHIC

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

Today was such a beautiful sunny day that I decided to go for a church chic look. I've had this polka dot dress for about a week now and I wanted to wear it with something other than a black jacket or blazer. It would have been a no brainer look. Instead I wanted to return to my roots of mixing colors. I've been rocking so much black lately that I was yearning for a little color. I opted for a bright red blazer to bring out the goldish tan color in the dress and decided to mix prints by combining my leopard print pumps with the polka dot dress. It is my idea of having a little fun with my look. I get that mixing prints isn't for everyone. It's not really for me either, but fashion is about trying different things, right?

For accessories I searched through my jewelry box for a pair of heart shaped gold earrings, a gold cutout cuff, and my go to oversized Michael Kors watch.

What I'm Wearing

Dress-Macy's

Blazer-Forever21

Shoes-Bakers

Earrings-Forever21

Bracelet-H&M

ELENA MIRO FALL 2012

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
Elena Miro shut fashion week down with her sexy chic sophisticated runway show featuring voluptuous plus size models. This is nothing new for the plus size designer. When fashion week rolls around I can't wait to see what Elena has in store for the upcoming season. I've written about her a few times on SC. The Italy based designer always offers up classic styles with modern twists all while never losing the sensuality of a plus size woman. Her collections provide glamour to the everyday woman. She has the ability to design clothes with over the top details and make them appropriate whether you're wearing it to work or after hours.

For the upcoming fall season Elena glammed things up by using luxurious silk fabrics and pairing them with fur pieces. She sent the curviest models down the runway wearing uber sexy head turning shift dresses with high front splits and key hole detailing at the chest with leather and metallic front and side paneling. She paired luxe knits with wool skirts and offered a bevy of silk pussy bow dresses with exaggerated flowy blouson sleeves. Fur stoles and trimming were accented on tops of blouses and utilized as trimming on a wool cape. The color palette was black, white, gray, silver, gold, and a jewel tone blue. There were lots of sparkly embellishments, deep v-necks, and curve hugging silhouettes.

Elena Miro's collection is what I like to call Boss Lady. Wearing any one of these pieces could transform you into a confident high powered executive or business owner. These were serious clothes for a serious woman. She exhibited some of the chicest, sexiest plus size dresses that any of us has ever seen. The collection is what you would also call power dressing. It's not for the shy and meek but for the bold and fierce.

You can checkout Elena Miro's website for past collections and purchase some of her pieces at the plus size luxury designer site Navabi

Checkout the rest of the collection  on Elle.

WORD ON THE STREET: BANANA REPUBLIC BRINGS BACK THE MAD MEN COLLECTION AND A SNEAK PEEK OF BEVERLY JOHNSON'S NEW REALITY SHOW ON THE OWN NETWORK

Hey curvy girls all over the world,

This morning we are downing our lattes to the news of the Mad Men collection returning to Banana Republic. You know I am a big fan of BR because they are curvy girl friendly. The Mad Men fall capsule collection was such a hit last year, BR decided to work with Mad Men designer Janie Bryant for a second time to create a Mad Men spring capsule collection. The collection is set to be released in conjunction with Mad Men's 5th season return on AMC. It boasts, "A modern-meets-polished take on the panache of the 1960’s era, set through the Banana Republic lens of affordable luxury and noticeable quality."

Much like Banana the Mad Men collection will consist of ladylike demure apparel priced from $49.50-$150 and statement jewelry ranging from $35-$69.50

You can get your hands on this chic collection beginning March 1st. Checkout Banana Republic for more details.

In the mean time here are a few looks to checkout:

If you love plus size model Anansa Sims and her famed history making mother Beverly Johnson then be sure to tune in to the OWN network on March 31st to get a glimse of the duo's life together. Checkout a 30 second clip of the show here:

Story credit:Styleite

MBFW FALL 2012 RECAP: NORMA KAMALI

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
I had the privilege of attending Norma Kamali's fall 2012 show and it was unbelievably wearable for everyday girls like you and me. Some pieces of her collection were whimsical, bold, and glamourous while other looks were reminiscent of her Walmart line just with muuuuuch better quality fabrics. Last year Norma exhibited her collection on a wide 3-D screen. This year she used life size cutouts of models posing in her her collection. which made you feel like you were in a scene of Honey I shrunk the kids.

You can checkout my full review of the show over at Haute Diary.

You should follow me on Facebook to see more exclusive photos of the collection.

ASK SC: HOW TO WEAR A SLEEVELESS TRENCH VEST

Hey curvy girls all over the world,
This week I received some ask SC mail. Reader Kristen sent in this question:

"I am on the fence about this oldnavy sleeveless trench -  I am in the process of defining my style and I love classic pieces but can't decide if this particular item is for me. When I bought it I LOVED it but now I undecided. Can you please help? If it helps you, I was thinking of styling it with wide leg pants with the trench buttoned up..."
Hey Kristen thanks for reading and thanks for your question. I myself own the same Old Navy trench vest. It is a classic piece and a universal piece. It pretty much can go with everything and it looks good opened or closed. I think it would look great with some wide leg pants and a crew neck or v-neck sweater. So, you're right on the money with that idea. I also came up with 3 other options that appeal to your classic style. They will help you get more mileage out of the vest.

Below are 3 other ways to rock the vest

Look I

Combine the trench vest with a cute striped top and a pair of colored jeans for an on trend look. Throw in some leopard print pumps to add a little fun to the look. Not into the leopard then a pair of nude pumps would be great.

More Old Navy...

Look II

Rocking the vest with a floral dress is youthful and girlie.

More Old Navy...

Look III

Go for a chic fall work look with a chiffon colorblocked pleated skirt and a classic turtleneck.

More Old Navy...

You can also wear it with a pair of printed leggings and longsleeve dresses

For an outerwear look, rock your vest over a leather jacket for a Burberry inspired look.

Checkout plus size fashion blogger Pushing the cutting edge. She did a good job of executing the look.

Hope this helps Kristen and thanks so much for sending in your questions.