My Favorite Curvy Admirer

At my wedding, four months prior to his passing.

At my 2004 Hampton University graduation.

Six months ago yesterday, I lost my father. He was a workaholic who never had a chance to enjoy the fruits of his labor. It was the biggest eye-opener of my life. Over the past five years all I did was attempt to climb the corporate ladder in hopes of finding happiness in my success. What I found was a lesson: more money more problems. When he passed, it put my life in perspective, I realized life is short and that being happy is more important than any amount of money. I have to find what makes me happy, and then repeat it, again, and again, and again. This father's day, regardless of your relationship with your father, cherish it and spend time with im, because tomorrow is NEVER promised.

My dad introduced me to the amazing and talented Bill Withers. Here's our favorite song from him.

BILL WITHERS - JUST THE TWO OF US

Lame Bryant: My Midnight Rant!

YES! I said it. Ok, maybe I'm a little harsh by calling them lame, but I've been battling with Lane Bryant for just about a decade and it's been this long, drawn-out, dramatic love-hate relationship. Lane Bryant is like a flaky girlfriend. Sometimes she comes through with the fiyah, wants to party, hang out with you and at the drop of a dime she shows up in a tacky be-dazzled outfit, falls apart, or worse wants you to drop your whole paycheck on her.

To this day I can remember when I met Lane Bryant. I was shopping for clothes for some high school graduation event when my mother and I walked by Lane Bryant. There is something about a mother's judgement, I tell you, it's always right on point. She would be able to know which of my aquantiances had nothing going for them, ever and which ones were worth my time and energy. As we walked by Lane Bryant, I stopped and looked at some skirt and tank top outfit in admiration. I remember thinking to myself, hey that mannequin isn't a size 2, this is the store for ME! I grabbed my mother's arm to nudge her into the store and she stopped solid in her tracks and told me "that store is full of junk." What did she know, her closet was an endless sea of cardigans. I nudged her again, and she said, "OK, suit yourself." And that's just what I did for the last decade. I suited myself with the junk, err umm I mean clothing, at Lane Bryant.

Gripe #1: Measurements are just plain off. I can buy two of the same size shirt, sitting on the SAME display case with the same tag number and two will fit completely differently on me. What?!?! I'm still trying to figure out what the quality control guy is smoking. How about the fact that I had a tailor measure two pairs of "petite" pant inseams and they BOTH measured at 32 inches. 32?!?

Gripe #2: Lane Bryant doesn't realize that just because we are curvier girls doesn't mean we are all shaped like Sasquatch. Skinny gals don't want to look like they are wearing a tent, so why should we? I'm seriously trying to understand what is being smoked in production as well.

Gripe #3: Their sales force just stinks. Um, no Lane Bryant, I don't need a 4'14'' (yes I said 4'14''), size 00, spiky hair dude telling me this is the right dress for me since it hides the places I need hidden. Really?!

Gripe #4: They try to get fancy when they don't have the basics down. You are a brick and mortar store that, to this day isn't able to create basic pieces of clothing. Do this. Make suits, tees, pants, and jeans on a consistent basis so I have a reason to come back to try out that lovely wild berry pink pleated blouse.

Gripe #5: Lane Bryant, you are not Rave, I'm paying good money for these clothes, and they should fall apart after one night out. There is no excuse for poor quality. Nylon tanks make our rolls a but more noticeable and why should we pay $20 for a tank that does that.

So at this point in the post you may be wondering, RahLa, why are you ranting and raving? Well, it's because at this point (like right now) I don't think we curvy girls should support a store that doesn't support us. They've had their chance, for YEARS, and they are ignoring the basic needs of a curvy girl. The status quo isn't acceptable for anyone, let alone the curvy girl, and we as consumers must orchestrate a change. Try to support other designers in the game as there are many talented ones. I'll be featuring some of my favorite curvy designers over the next month so that you can get more familiar with your options.

I'd love to know why you shop at Lane Bryant? Are they treating you like a loyal customer? Share your thoughts below.

Going to bed now. Later gators.

The City That Never Sleeps

I am happy to announce that yours truly will be jet-setting to NYC next week for some much needed R&R, family time, AND Full Figured Fashion Week (FFFWeek) ! HOOT HOOT!!!

I mentioned Full Figured Fashion Week in a prior entry but since then, more details have emerged. You can find details on ALL of the fabulous events here!

Executive produced by Ms. Gwen DeVoe, FFFWeek was created to increase economic development in the area of plus size fashion design, clothing merchandising and plus modeling. Our goal is to highlight the very best in plus size fashions – both retail and independent designers, while providing an inaugural showcase of talented designers, models, stylists and plus industry businesses that serve the plus size consumer.

The FFFWeek finale showcase, which will take place on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 at The Prince George Ballroom, will feature the runway collections of high-end plus size fashion boutiques, retail stores and local and out of state independent designers.

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!

White Hot Summer

So many women, curvy or not, shy away from white during the warmer months. We often think that white makes us look bigger and wider regardless of our true size. White often gets a bad rep for it's assumed lack of flattery. Here are a few tips so you too can have a white hot summer and my favorite white hot summer trends.

Tips

Spark up your skin. It's important to take care of your skin year round; however, when wearing white, your skin often generates extra attention. If you've spent a bit too time worshiping the sun, don't even bother throwing on white, it's just not a good look. Besides aesthetics, by taking care of your skin now, you'll avoid premature aging of your skin and skin cancer. I'm a big fan of the line by La Roche-Posay. It is the least greasiest of the brands I've tried, it is water resistant, and it protects from UV-A rays as well.




Have a good foundation. There is NO reason to cover your goodies in blue, red, or pink panties when sporting white. Nude/flesh colored undergarments are a MUST to ensure a seamless look.

By Goddess found at Bare Necessities up to size 52DDD.

By Bali found at Bare Necessities AND on sale for $20.

Found at Lane Bryant for $9.

White-out is for mistakes, don't be one. A white blouse, with a white skirt, paired with white pumps and a white bag just looks washed out, and kinda Nurse Betty-ish. Unless you are going for the fetish look, break up with your white hot outfit with a nude bag, a bold blue chunky necklace, or a gold belt.

Eyelet dress by Eliza J, clutch by Nordstrom, and bangles by Kate Spade, all can be found at Nordstrom and the eyelet dress is currently 50% off.

Get it right, keep it white. One of the reasons I avoided white is because as SOON as I walk out of the door a rouge purple ink stain will magically appear or a squirt of ketchup somehow ends up on my chest. I'm a big fan of the Tide to Go pens and carry them everywhere, but I recently heard baby wipes do the trick just fine.

Found at any big box store and runs for about $3.

Summer '09 Trends

White Hot Denim

I am a huge fan of the denim trouser. A well structured denim trouser can flatter any body shape. This white hot pair can be found at Avenue for $25.

I pink puffy heart these boot cut Calvin Klein white hot jeans. Nordstrom, $44.



Dereon's "Peek-A-Boo Skinny Jeans" are just white hot fiyah! Macys,$59.

These white hot jeans have the 3 Cs: Crisp, Clean and Classic. Kiyonna,$128.

Girly Whites

The perfect white party dress. From JIBRI,$150.

Oh so pretty, and oh so sweet. By Necessary Objects at Macys,$62.

This white classic dress is a must have this summer. By SWAK,$35.


Beachy, simple, summer. From Old Navy,$33.

It should be a long hot summer, why not brighten it up a bit? Later gators ;).

The Curvy Girls' Summer Must Haves

So usually summer doesn't settle in until late June, so not so sure what all has been going on in Seattle, but summer has arrived! I'm scrambling to get my act together for summer and have come up with The Five Summer Must Haves for the Curvy Girl and here they are in no particular order:

1.) Long, flirty maxi with a bold print.


The gorgeous example is from the lovely Anna Scholz and can be found
here.

2.) Make a statement with your jewelry.







Many of us are on a budget, stretch last summers' outfits with a few bold pieces. Use bright metallic cuffs to dress up a black maxi, or add long, shoulder reaching earrings to a black dress. Necklace by Etsy's Jeannie Wray, earrings can be found at Free People, and cuff is at Forever 21.


3.) Get nude with it!

Nude and muted tones are all the rage this summer. Here's the key, find the right tone for your skin. Not all tans are created equal. Dress above is from Nordstrom.


4.) Ruffle your feathers.


Not only do ruffles add an extra touch of girliness and sophistication. They hide areas that we may not like. This entire outfit can be found at Macys.

5.) Be edgy with a wedge.





All of these can be found at Nordstrom, and many are on sale right now!

Saturday Love Bite

Swoon.

Have a little Faith!

Today, the budget friendly, Forever 21, launched their FIRST ever curvaceous sized line. Not all stores will carry the larger sizes, but items are available on-line, and I can bet that this line will be expanding to stores all over the country very soon. I think it'll be nice for women with a few more curves to be able to go in and buy more than earrings and flip flops. Props to Forever 21.