Wednesday, June 29, 2011

"Clique to Know" Launches today: Luxury Online Flash-Sales for sizes 10+

I am a huge fan of sites like GILT and Ideeli since who doesn't love a great deal on all the best pieces that you drool over at places like Saks Fifth Ave?? As of today, finally, we plus-size ladies can peruse an online flash-sale without be being disappointed that they only have a small size left!!

Introducing Clique to Know, a members only site that gives steep discounts on the highest-end clothes over a size 10, like Rachel Pally, Anna Scholz, Melissa Masse, T-Bags, and many more names you can usually only find at Saks' Salon Z. 

Sign up right now and you will get access to all kinds of great sales, but act fast, discounts only last about a day at a time!!


 

Monday, June 27, 2011

FoxyRoxy BEAUTY REVIEW: Adventures in Spray-Tanning

It summer and I still haven't worked on my base tan! 
After serious internal debate and research I finally decided to take the risk and go in for my first spray tan. I have done all of those fake bake self tanners and really they are a huge waste of money, even if it is cheap. Why spend a cent if it is not going to be great??
Then I found that Solar Salon on West 21st Street had a great deal on Lifebooker for a custom airbrush tan so I gave it a shot. 
I must say that I couldn't be happier!!!

I, of course, went in assuming that I would walk out looking streaky or orange like Snooki. Julie, my tanning artist, was a fabulous Welsh woman who assured me that I had nothing to worry about since she has been doing this for years and walked me through the process that included stripping naked (disposable thong provided if you want), putting self-adhesive rubber pads to the bottom of feet and covering my hear with a shower cap. All of this sounds far more embarrassing than it actually was. She put me ad ease and we had a great conversation about our common interest of British rock bands. 20 minutes, 2 coats of tanner and a conversation about Blur and Pulp later, I had a PERFECT summer glow. 

I get to awkwardly stand for 5 minutes to dry, put on a dark loose-fitting dress (sadly without bra in order to avoid marks) and off I go. It is a little sticky but it doesn't smell nor is it slimely or streaky. 

Seriously I look exactly the way I do when I get off the beach but without the tan lines. She had an amazing knack for choosing a shade that would look natural to my Italian olive skin tone and there are shades for everyone! So if you are fair-skinned and don't tan this may be the best way to go! 

What I have learned from all of my research and talking to those who know: 
- Do your research!! Talk to the person doing the spray tan and look for someone with a few years of experience since they will have a better eye for what color you will need

-  Avoid the super cheap places since those solutions tend to be more orange. You are better checking your local salons or discount sites like lifebooker, living social or groupon for good deals at higher-end places. 

- Avoid the spray tan booths, unless you are really good at rubbing in the solution yourself. I am not a fan because when I miss a spot it will be a tragic giveaway that it's all fake. 

- Do a spray tan if you can't tan naturally or want natural color without tan lines or those white areas near our underarms that we plus-size ladies would get from laying down in a tanning booth. (sad but true)

-Don't sweat, shower or get rained on for 12 hours after the spray tan. You can shower normally the next day but don't exfoliate. Lotions are fine. 

As it wears, I will let you know how it goes and if there are things you should avoid.  

Monday, June 20, 2011

Better Bridal Looks for Every Size and Every Style

With so many weddings creeping up these days, it got me thinking, "What options are really out there for brides over a size 14?" I know that wedding-mania spawns obsessive weight-loss desires, even from the most confident of women. Personally I think it is absurd to need a body transformation for a day that is supposed to celebrate your relationship with a partner who loves you just the way you are. So keeping in that spirit all of the following bridal finds are for a plus-size bride to look her best at her size.

As soon as I started looking, I noticed that most of the options are poufy, strapless princess gowns. Some of them can look good, but in my opinion, it hides curvy ladies' signature decolletage and highlights the upper arms, which let's face it, isn't always our favorite body part.

FoxyRoxy is on a mission for flattering, unique, high-quality gowns with a right-off-the-runway feel for any kind of bride. Move over David's Bridal...check these stunners out:


Beachy Bride: Breezy looks that will make you look like a goddess... 



Pacific Plex on Amazon.com, Satin and Chiffon column dress, $80


sydneyscloset.com, one-shoulder chiffon gown $499




Pacific Plex on Amazon.com, Gold embellished gown $149

Kiyonna.com, $328





Bride with an Edge:  Show-stopping looks for ladies who want something a little funky, retro or a little rock and roll. 
Take a sexy short dress and make it your own with edgy accessories like fishnets or bold black or colored shoes. Don't want a traditional veil? Try a tiny hat with a veil or a simple flower or feather "fascinator."  Etsy.com and Ebay have a cool ones to choose from. 
Pacific Plex on Amazon.com, Short halter dress $69.99

















David's Bridal,  $399

Unique-vintage.com, Stop Staring dress, $140
Unique-vintage.com,  (up to 3x = sz 18) $170
Vegas Bride: Non-stop glitz and glamour that will make you the star of your casino nuptials.  This is the most stress-free wedding planning, since top resorts like Mandalay Bay, Hard Rock, and Mirage have very affordable all-inclusive packages that take care of everything from the license to an unforgettable reception in a range of themes (classy ones too)! No Elvis required.  

In addition to these below, take a look at edressme.com and check out designs by Faviana and Terani Couture. A lot of their glam gowns can be ordered in Ivory or White. 
                   
SequinQueen.com, Crystal fringe gown, (affordable custom sequin/crystal dresses) $399
(above) One shoulder sequin dress by Evie Foster Australia, $160

SydneysCloset.com, Halter with sequin details, $379




Cake from a Mandalay Bay package

























Romantic Bride: An Unusual Twist on Typical Classic Bridal Looks. For all the girls who want lace and pearls...
Cake by Purecakes 




Igigi.com, $379

Kiyonna.com, $349
            
Igigi.com, $185



These are cool modern-twists to the princess gowns and gowns with trains:
MyIDress.com, $179

CharliesBridal.com, $197





For ideas on plus size bridesmaids or any other wedding fashion ideas, please leave a comment with the color, theme or look you are seeking and FoxyRoxy will respond ASAP!! 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Rock Summer Festivals like a VIP


It's summer and more than the beach, I am getting excited for music festival season. I missed Coachella this year, but I will be off to England to take in some sweet acts from the VIP tent. Lucky me! I was able to score VIP experience tickets since I got them months in advance. Open bar, grub, cool Brits, and above-average port-a-potties - which is key! OK OK, so I won't be getting the camp-in-the-mud street cred, but I am a little old for the Woodstock thing.  Regardless where your tickets are, you should still rock some celeb-style, because it is fun and there are always some sexy prospects for a summer fling.

Aside for my love of music, festivals bring out my love of bizarre summer fashions that I would never normally sport.  For some reason, music festival fashion to me is always slightly hippie-ish. I try to do a blend of modern-neutrals, trendy accent-color, and some tough rocker accessories.

Here are some of the finds that I will be rocking as I rock out:
1.  Start with a hippie/rocker fringe bag that is big enough to carry everything you need: sunscreen, water and even a rolled up bed sheet. Smaller and lighter to pack yet bigger to sit on with your friends on the grass.

2. Sure, usually I'd opt for low-rise cropped jeans and a sexy tank from torrid.com but for a more VIP look I am going to add a sundress that is cool, breezy and fashionable. Here are my favorite picks that fit, flatter and look super-chic:
Jazz up this tunic with neon yellow or green. Newlook.co.uk £22
Gap, Cascade dress, $69
OldNavy.com


Gap's neutral wrap dress goes up to a size 20. I think this is the most crave-worthy, modern style of the season and goes with anything!
Old Navy's maxi dress is made of comfy jersey material and the bright tribal print is very on-trend for Summer 2011. Also comes in black with gold beads.

3. Add fresh, bright colors to make it really young and fun - perfect for a summer fest!
Aside from my hot pink or coral shiny lip gloss, I really like these funk accessories:
Gap.com, Great to cinch plain jersey dresses! Try it with navy. 
coral plastic bangles, $13
Bongo, Ombre blue and purple shades, $12.95
4. Finsh off with some rocker edge with leather and studs. These wedge flip-flops are comfortable while still giving you the leg lift you need to look your legs look their best!
Zappos.com, Gypsy Soule wedges $228

 
La Mer Studded Watch, $106. Best way to keep track of time and make sure you don't miss your fave band's set!


Now all you need are your tickets, friends, some cash, and a coat of self-tanner to give your self a base before heading out doors!
Rock on, my foxy ladies!! 
  

Friday, June 10, 2011

Stop the madness - Love yourself

After being so empowered by body image in Europe last week, I come back to the States only to stumble across a blog post about this banned Body Shop ad and found some really pathetic statistics: 




(from blog:  http://blog.bridgetteraes.com) Two out of five women would trade three to five years of their life to achieve their weight goals.

  • A study found that women overestimate the size of their hips by 16% and their waists by 25%, yet the same women were able to correctly estimate the width of a box.
  • After viewing images of female fashion models, seven out of ten women felt more depressed and angry than prior to viewing the images.
  • Young girls are more afraid of becoming fat than they are of nuclear war, cancer, or losing their parents.
  • 30% of women chose an ideal body shape that is 20% underweight and an additional 44% chose an ideal body shape that is 10% underweight.
  • The average U.S. woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds whereas the average U.S. model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds.
  • 59% of women would never try on clothes in a large communal dressing room.
  • 39% of women buy things that are too small, planning to look smashing in them when they lose weight.
  • 62% of women own jeans that don’t fit anymore.
ENOUGH ALREADY!! As long as your weight is not causing health problems like, high blood pressure, high sugar or cholesterol etc. I say it's time to be at peace with our bodies.


I know how difficult it is to keep positive under the pressures of society. I have belittled and berated for being a size 16. I was forced to go on harmful prescription diet pills from a young age by a weight-obsessed mother. Yes, I was half my size but at what cost? My heart, metabolism, and joints were damaged, along with my self-esteem and perspective. Once you become obsessive, you will think you are obese even when you are thin. So sad.


Then I decided to kick the diet pills and realized that life is too short to spend it torturing yourself, I regained confidence and never looked back. Sure I wanted to lose weight, and I have and continue to, but I don't have absurd goals nor do I think the goal is to be skinny as possible. Being a size 4 would never look right on me. Find the size that seems right and healthy for you - it may even be what you are at right now!! If you do want to lose weight, the only healthy way to do it  will take a while, so why bother being miserable for one more day while you are in the process? If you are a size 12 or under, PLEASE get real and love your body. You are below the average American size which is a 14. You are are not fat.


Everyone has something to be proud of.  I just met an inspiring young woman named Jessica Burks who founded "Feeling Fabulous," a foundation to help women navigate all of the conventional beauty pressures and enhance your inner confidence. I think these days we need more people to help us embrace how fabulous we are in in own skin. Check out www.ImFeelingFab.org

Face your fear of the mirror and spend some time focusing on positives instead of negatives. This process is better if you are wearing lingerie/clothing that makes you feel sexy. Find your favorite feature, start learning to accept yourself as you are, and be sure to try to rid yourself as many negative people in your life as possible. Now I don't mean surround yourself with phony kiss-asses, but just limited those who perpetuate toxic thoughts and tell you that weight is all there is to life and success.


That is clearly not the case!! You can be happy, successful, date a lot, and accomplish anything at any size. Self-confidence and determination is key, but so is support.


So if you know or are dating someone who is struggling with body issues, remember to tell them how beautiful they are and give them the love and affection they deserve.  Eating disorders and image issues are constant battles for some, so please be patient, supportive and remind them why you are around: because you love who they are.


Statistics show that the vast majority of women of ALL shapes and sizes have body image problems. Enough is enough!!! Embrace yourself. Embrace life. Embrace your friends. Life is too short.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Donne Voluttuose Sono Sexy!

Sorry for the hiatus FoxyRoxy Readers, but this fox has been on the hunt for good times and good fashions all over the globe. I am currently in Italy where I must say I have fallen in love. No, not with smooth talking Italian, but with their general way of life.

In italy it is all about life, love and beauty. Part of this love of life also comes a love of curves. Though I feel pretty good about my size 14/16 frame despite absurd American standards, every girl needs an ego boost now and again. Well ladies, pack your bags for Italy (or Ireland) where they are the most appreciative of voluptuous women.

Donne Voluttuose Sono Sexy! Translation: Voluptuous women are sexy!

Most all Italian stores carry plus sizes, fine lingerie stores carry very few bras under a C-cup, and men in their 30's are fans of clapping when curvy women pass by. In america, these women might sadly get jeered for having a fat ass, but on this side of the pond, hot guys buy them drinks or chase them down on Vespas. (yes, this has actually happened to me.)

The adoration of women with big assets doesn't end with the guys on the street. I was stunned and yet proud to see that Vogue Italia on the stands featuring scantily clad "plus-size" cover models. First off, I think it is sad that the modeling world classifies these women as overweight since they look just plain hot to me (and evidently Italy).



Leave it to American blogs to rain on this parade saying that there was not enough fashion shown on the cover, that it is glorifying an unhealthy body type or that Vogue Italia is just trying to be shocking. When US mags feature naked anorexic celebs on countless covers, however, no one says a thing. To me nude and a size zero is both a lack of fashion and a glorification of unhealthy body types.

Eh, they are just jealous that when they visit Italy, they don't get flowers and phone numbers from sexy strangers like my stacked sistas.

Ciao Bellas!!