Jimmy Choo for H&M

This is one designer/high street collaboration that I will definitely be queueing for early on the Saturday morning launch.

The collection hits selected UK stores on 14th November.

I'm not raving about the clothes and accessories really, I'm definitely there for the shoes - the best part of the collection - but we all knew that would be the case didn't we?

Here are my favourite picks:

For more info on prices and participating stores go here!

Happy Halloween!

Balloons

Wow

I am in love with these feather collars (£40 each) from Topshop!

I would probably never get the chance to wear one but they're so pretty , and a great, glam, alternative way of keeping your neck and shoulders covered up in the winter months.

If I worked in an office 9-5...

Malgosia Bela by Cédric Buchet for Vogue UK September 2009





Someone, bring me flowers?

Images: Foto Decadent

101 Posts

Considering I've had this running for over a year it should be more than that, in all fairness. I am improving though. Despite the shed load of work that second year has graced us with.

Sasha is just hilarious!

Image: Foto Decadent

Monif C Black Charlie Jumpsuit Review

I told you guys about a month back that I ordered the Monif C black Charlie Jumpsuit. As a fashion blogger, it's my job to honestly and objectively review fashion so that my readers have an opinion on a garment or line before they shop. So...here we go!

First...I was planning to use this garment as a part of my Halloween costume (A cute and sexy kitty....meeooww!). There is nothing wrong with wearing a fabulous garment that you can wear again as a part of a costume ladies! :) I was super excited to see that the package arrived today. I was ready to get my costume together and to review the highly praised Monif C Charlie Jumpsuit for the Curvy Girl. Remember it from the new ad campaign?

Unfortunately...the Charlie Jumpsuit will be returned.:(

Reason's for the return:

It wasn’t flattering. In my opinion, Monif C’s line is generally more flattering to a woman with a hourglass or a pear shape. I am a pear, so I thought the Charlie Jumpsuit would look great. I felt like I looked like I was going to wash the laundry in my “play clothes.” The garment seemed shapeless with or without the sash. There was really nothing I could do to make work. Note: I would strongly advise anyone who is not an hourglass or pear shape NOT to even attempt this Charlie Jumpsuit.

1. The fabric was not quality. I can literally see through the material. When shopping, we should all look for garments made with quality fabric that compliments the body. If I ever wore this garment without a girdle, the world would see each and every cellulite ripple and stomach roll. Honestly, even with a girdle, the Charlie Jumpsuit still showed every possible imperfection. On top of everything else....you could see right through the seat of the pants. Fabric quality is a major deal breaker for me.

2. The sash that came with the Charlie Jumpsuit was flawed. You could see the jagged edges where the material was cut. I wasn't even going through it with a magnifying glass but I could clearly see that the cut was off with the sash. It wasn’t a major deal breaker, but the sash seem somewhat unfinished in that aspect.

3. It is definitely not worth $200. When I spend $200+ on a single item,I expect quality fabric, a decently tailored product, and something that I am in love with. I never want to feel like I got duped. I have plenty of garments that were priced at $200 + (original price...doesn't mean I don't catch deals! :) and all of them met or exceeded my expectations. Not this one. I feel like this Charlie Jumpsuit by Monif C fell short in all 3 categories. I would like to note that before I bought the Charlie Jumpsuit, I assumed I would have to get the upper portion tailored because of my body shape. I wasn’t expecting a miracle, but I was definitely expecting a better quality garment than what I received.

I am super sad that this piece did not work out and even sadder that I had to negatively review a product, but I did make a promise to my readers to deliver my honest opinion on fashion and I do intend to keep up my part of the bargain. I welcome any comments or anyone's reviews from their own personal experience with the Charlie Jumpsuit.

I hope I look this good when I'm 38

Claudia Schiffer by Mario Testino for Vogue Germany June 2008




Hell, I don't even look that good aged 19, I have no hope...

PS. I love the moggie!

Images: Foto Decadent

A Word of Advice

If you plan on going to the Pop Life exhibition at the Tate Modern (London) I advise that you do not go with your parents.

Dismissing signs stating that there would be explicit sexual material in some rooms - thinking it would be pretty mild - I was a little surprised to walk into a very graphic room full of Jeff Koons' not so finest peices. Big images, up close and personal, awkward alone never mind with your Dad and step-mother.


However, if you can bypass this it is worth a visit. I'm one of those 'fashion people' who will not pretend she is an art-type to fit in or sound intellectual, but I enjoyed this. I understood most of it (my parents did not) and I have a soft spot for Andy Warhol now more than ever. Such a funny character and so ahead of his time with his hunger for fame etc. (Paris Hilton and co. anyone?)


For more info visit the wesbite.

Models Bring Us Back to Basics

It's no secret that the models of the moment always look great, but it isn't just down to their blessed genes - they show us how important it is to get the basic essentials right. I'm not usually one to promote a wardrobe full of black/white/grey shades, but they are staples for everyone whatever you chose to team them with.

Invest in good quality peices that fit well and have something a bit more interesting about them. Basics don't have to be boring and you can be head to toe in black and grey and still be inspiring with your choices. Now that winter is swiftly coming along we'll be seeing a lot of dull colours, so grabbing some of the key peices will stop you from looking frumpy, and leave everyone wondering how you look so good when youre wearing something so simple.

I scoured the internet to find some items that are worth snapping up.

1 - ASOS wet look micro mini-skirt - £12

2 - American Apparel unisex baby rib titted short sleeve tee - £11

3 - Muubaa black leather biker jacket with stud detail - £240

4 - Sass & Bide @ Net-a-Porter 'black rats' leggings - £93

5 - Warehouse black crinkle asymmetric cardi - £38

6 - Silence + Noise @Urban Outfitters grey open pleated shoulder blazer - £48

7 - Topshop 'britany' black leather thigh boot - £120

8 - Oasis 'stephanie' black studded bag - £50

9 - French Sole 'low cut' nude ballet slippers - £70

10 - T by Alexnder Wang at Net-a-Porter white scoop neck jersey tee - £85

11 - Accessorize lurex lofty ladderknit gunmetal snood - £18

Images: Jak+Jil, Altamira NYC

Oh Look!

Another maxi from another fave girl of mine....

Maxed Out

Thank the lord aka my dad - my photoshop is back in order.

Anyhows, as you all probably figured I'm have a big crave for maxi skirts and maxi dresses - so out of season I know - but I keep spotting them everywhere ever since I spotted that woman with a floaty pleated skirt at fashion week. It's not something I would normally go for.

Miranda Kerr - my biggest girl crush - has the true Aussie/LA laidback style and she certainly loves a good maxi. She seems to live in a black jersey number (and lives on aeroplanes from the looks of things)

I need to find a nice basic one like hers which is good quality, not frumpy, versatile, and most importantly flattering... I'll let you know how that goes.

Images: celebrity-gossip.net

Apologies...

I've been slacking on the posts lately, I know. I'm waiting for my Dad's assitance in sorting out my photoshop software, and all the images I've saved up for posts need to be put together and so on, just so that my posts aren't miles long.

Fingers crossed it'll be fixed soon... Thanks for stopping by x

PS. I finally got hold of the skirt!

Saving the Tatas Two Tatas at a Time

This is generally a strictly fashion blog, but I can let the month of October go by without blogging about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the wonderful sea of pink accessories that are super cute and some of which are oh so fashionable. I personally love the color pink it is so feminine and eyecatching.


On a more serious note, all of us girls have tatas and therefore we all have some percentage of risk of Breast Cancer. So this month and every month lets remember to do our own self examinations (If you dont know how step by step instructions can be found at The Breast Cancer Website.

Let's support a great cause and get, which is an added bonus, super cute gear. The Breast Cancer gear picture below came from The Breast Cancer Website and Torrid.

Torrid is stepping up their shoe game

Torrid has definitely stepped up their shoe game this season. Torrid has shoes by the likes of Fergie, Jessica Simpson, & Dollhouse. Most of us know Torrid for their clothes, I have personally only bought boots from them because they do sell the plus calf size boots. I remember seeing their shoes years ago and just thinking blah, but not this time around. The prices ranges are from 50 to $140. The more expensive shoes are from Fergie herself, which are my personal favorite. Another perk from Torrid shoes as they tend to run a little wider than the medium width shoes you buy from everywhere else which can add for a little more comfort for our Curvy Girls. Bottom line is that Torrid has some Curvy Girl worthy heels for your Fall/Winter season.

Lingerie for the Curvy Girl

"You should spend your money on some nice lingerie. Big wool cotton pants, that just doesn't work. You have to feel sexy." ~ Heidi Klum

So yes this quote comes from one of the Victoria Secret Angels, but the woman does have a point. How often do women dress the outside with dressing underneath. How often have you looked in the mirror with your granny panties up past your belly button and thought "There is nothing cute about this." Just the same as when you are wearing something that you know looks good on you, you can get the same feeling from a lovely matching bra and panty set.

I used to work in retail when in college and do bra fittings for a certain retail chain and you would be surprised at women wearing the same bra for YEARS!!! Yes I said years. This one lady had a bra for 4 years, she had eventually removed the underwire, the bra was holding together by a thread and her breasts look saggy and non existent. It was absolutely one the most horrible things I have ever seen and I am a stylist...and I have seen a lot of things. When I did put her in a nice bra to compliment her body and suggested a pair of panties to match, she literally wore the bra and panties out of the store. With that I am trying to say your undergarments, their condition, and the way they look are important....and you don't have to have a MAN or partner for that to be the case, because we all know men tend to try to get to what is underneath within 5 minutes. Do it for yourself.

I have some good general rules for upkeep a great lingerie game:

1. Assess your panties at least twice a year. Women lingerie drawers can be full of panties that are too small, panties that are ripped or have a holes in them, or panties that are just not wearable. Throw them out they are just taking up space. Buy new cute/sexy panties when needed and eventually push out those grannies. One only needs to many period panties.

2. Take care of your bras. Hand wash them and hang dry them.

3. Buy bras that compliment your breasts, body shape, and that you feel you look good. Curvy girls there are so many places to buy from, Hips & Curves, Lane Bryant's Cacique, Fredricks of Hollywood, etc. Even my bustier women are not left out. Finding a cute bra that does the trick as not as hard it sounds.

4. Match your bras and panties when you can....its takes just as much energy to put on something that matches as opposed to something that doesn't match.

5. Granny panties...better left in the drawer and not as your daily regiment. I am guilty of having them too, but you do not have to wear them everyday save them for when Aunt Flo comes to visit. I know they are comfortable, but one of the worst things to see is a women bend over and pick up something and she has a ton of granny panty hanging out the back of her pants.

6. Cotton can be cute too. I have many cotton matching sets that are adorable. Some women can only wear cotton and that's fine.

7. I think every women should have a piece a lingerie, whether it is a nightie, teddy, chemise, and/or cami set. Something that makes you feel sexy and that looks good on you whether you are with someone or not.

8. Thongs are not meant to be seen in public PERIOD.

9. Once a piece of your lingerie tears up....THROW IT OUT....end of story.

1o. Bras that don't fit will unflatter your body...I see it all the time it is not worth it.

1. Imperial purple cotton hipster

2. Lace French balconette bra

3. Daisy Embroidered Basque

4. Ruffled plaid hipster

5. Daisy Lace Four Way Bra

6. Babydoll with Garters & Stockings

7. Stretch cotton hipster

Lane Bryant Cacique (I don't care for their clothes, but their lingerie section is great) and Hips and Curves are the lingerie featured in this section. I generally buy my undergarments from them. I have tried many different places, but they have the best fit in my opinion.

Oh Coco!

Coco Rocha is going to join Georgia Jagger as one of the new faces of Rimmel cosmetics?!

I'm a bit late on this news - I just saw the update on Coco's blog after reading about Georgia on a Vogue newsletter this morning. I'm really excited to see the campaigns. I have a bit grudge against Kate Moss so I'll be glad to see someone I admire fronting the brand.

Jean Paul Gaultier to design for Target

Couturier and former Pierre Cardin designer (I have this Pierre Cardin blazer that I bought in the 90s that I will NEVER get rid of...my mom wouldnt let me have the coned bra...lol) Jean Paul Gaultier to design a line for GO International for Target. I am super excited. Can I just say I love Target with all of my heart. If you are on a budget this is one place where you can still project fabulousity.

This also means that the Curvy Girl will be able to get in on the action. Go International designers often go up to a 16 and sometimes you can even find an 18. There will be straight size 16s and 18s but none the less there I will definitley be trying to find something to purchase.

The collection will go on sale on March 7th and will available in stores April 11th. So until then I like many of you will be sitting on pins and needles til then. I hope this news will make you as happy as it has made me! Here are a couple of my favorite pieces from his Fall 09 Collection...I only wish my closet housed these dresses.

Hammer pants for the Curvy Girl....probably not

I got a couple of comments yesterday vouching for hammer pants. At the request of a reader they wanted these pictures of the harem pants posted, so that it could be seen how unflattering these darn pants are. Here are an example of a non hippy plus size Jennifer Hudson and a straight size but curvy J.Lo in hammer pants. This plainly says that hammer pants are a no no. If any of you ladies have a pictures a Curvy Girl in harem pants and they look good then send them my way and I will post them as of now I have yet to see anyone that isnt super model tall or thin look good in hammer pants.

I wanted to look like this (above).

I was reading a article on what trends to avoid and harem pants or hammer pants was right there in plain site. In order to pull off the harem pants look one has to be tall & skinny...well I am tall...LOL. I ordered a pair of these trendy pants for myself probably about a month ago hoping....wishing...and crossing my fingers that they would be oh so chic. But was I oh so wrong. I ordered a pair from Evans (picture below)....nice material and they fit how they were supposed to which in my world was pretty bad. Me the fashion guru broke her own rules for the thrill of wearing a pair of hammer pants. If you are curvy clothes that fit are generally what will flatter you the most....I knew this...I preach this and yet what did I do, buy a pair of pants that I cant wear and of course I lost the receipt. Hammer pants weren't a good idea when I was 11 years old and sure as heck isn't a good idea now. The pants looked awful on me, the baggy crotch made me look like humpty dumpty. I wrote this to also let you guys know even a fashionista like myself makes mistakes, but I recognized my mistake in the mirror and thank God I didn't leave the house with those things on. You are your best judge of what looks good. I always keep it real with yourself and you will never go wrong.

They look harmless don't they.