Oooh Shiny Objects!!

Stunning Christmas red for only $28!!! 

OK so I may love metal music, muscle cars, Jack Daniels and other things that make me a bit tomboyish, but when I see anything glittering in the holiday window displays, I just turn into a little 5 year old girl!!

A message to all boyfriends who may be reading this: Shiny things rule!!! They wonder and amaze women and cats alike and always make me feel fierce, special and festive. Pretty universally if it sparkles, we will like it for a gift whether it's $5 or $500. Price doesn't matter as long as it's shiny and fun. Who doesn't like to get glam? Especially during the holidays when everything seems to twinkle. 

Only $20!!!

So when I went in search of a big, statement rhinestone necklace to pair with my Leopard dress for New Year's Eve, I went to the Garment District in NYC to one of the many costume jewelry stores. I found myself entranced by zillions of Swarovski crystals in crazy shapes and sizes, but the honeymoon was over once I saw the price tags.  

I feel that gaudy jewelry is amazing but I may not wear it enough to sink a huge investment in it and the vintage stores are priced more for antique stores rather than thrift stores. 

This is the one I bought for New Year's Eve. Dazzling! Only $48.00

Just when my hopes were dashed I found WhimZ Accessories! They are THE BEST FIND for jaw-dropping glitz on the web!! They had all the wild necklace designs, rhinestones and variety that the NYC stores had but for a quarter of the price. I thought that there had to be a catch. Was this a scam that will take ages to be delivered or in crappy condition once I got it? Was it going to be light like Halloween jewelry? 

Shown in Lavender for only $20

WhimZ WAS AMAZING!!!  I got a gorgeous necklace and earring set for UNDER $50 and it arrived in only a few days. Once I opened the box I got two big surprises: 

1) the quality was incredible- heavy set with great rhinestones

2) they sent me a FREE gift! I have no idea what qualified me for a gift but like a mystical fairy godmother, they knew exactly what I wanted and gifted me with rhinestone hoops....my all-time essential. 

I couldn't be more pleased with WhimZ Accessories and urge you to deck yourself for the holidays in all their glitter and glam OR check them out for affordable gifts that will floor any recipient! 

Teal for $48

Statement rings $20

LOOK! They even have rings, brooches and bracelets....

Swoon!! Purple Peacock bracelet! $48

Still want some more sparkle, glamour girl? Then check out my girl Yana's gorgeous ShinyMama makeup now available on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShinyMamaBeauty
The glitter pots and sliver/gold eye liner make wonderful stocking stuffers!!

Treats for Curvy Tricks...uh, we mean Chicks

Cat Walk Kitty, $59.99

Every Halloween, us plus size ladies have to sift through the usual suspects of bagged sexy costumes and hope that they will look flattering. Here are the FoxyRoxy picks for the best looking costumes for ladies who want to look sexy but not over exposed. Some of the new costumes are unique enough for you to be the best dressed at the party too! I bought both Gypsy Maiden and Bat Girl and they look amazing on! Even the thigh-high boot covers fit perfectly! Most fit up to a size 20/22.

Golden Warrior, Sonsi.com, $59.99

Gypsy Maiden, $59.99

BatGirl, $59.99

 

Buccaneer Beauty, $44.99

Burlesque Beauty, $119.00

Can Can Girl, $59.99

Hooded Robe Costume, $39.99

Mystical Sorceress, $174.99

Fly Me to The Moon, $34.99

Pocahottie, Sonsi.com, $49.99 

Viking Princess, $149.99

Challenge 1: Day to Night skirts for Fall

Hanging out with a friend of mine she was expressing her need for more skirts that can be dressed up or down but without sequins. We are ON it! Here are some skirts that look great day or night!

But first for helpful answers for your fashion quandaries:

How do a wear a skirt in the fall and keep warm?
Tights! You need to consider proportion however so you don't cut your legs off in an unflattering manner. For instance, unless you are very tall or plan on wearing boots, do not wear footless leggings. Showing just an ankle of skin cuts the line of sight and make you look shorter.
Another rule of thumb: the shorter the skirt the taller the boots you can wear. The longer the skirt the shorter the boot shaft or wear regular shoes. Knee-high boots and a below the knee skirt just looks too dowdy and old for a fox like you!

I have a dressy skirt (think lace, velvet or embellished). How can it be dressed down for weekend brunch or a casual day?
1. A cropped jean jacket that hits just above your waist is always the easiest way to dress down any outfit

2. Roll up your sleeves and add a thin infinity scarf and you are set for casual cool! The scarf can be patterned but should be in the same color family as your skirt or your boots/tights. Think of it like bookending your torso with similar hues so it makes one cohesive look. See Nicole Richie's black scarf/tights combo or Pixie Geldof's Burgundy scarf and skirt combo.

Nicole Richie

Pixie Geldof

Wanna play it safe?  Go monochromatic and use the scarf as a pop of color like Rachel Bilson....

3. Add a hobo bag and cool shades for that laid-back VIP style

4. What to wear on your legs and feet? Do solid tights if the skirt is patterned, but if not, you can be daring with textured tights in a solid color. Slouchy boots, ankle boots, casual low wedges and ballet flats always do the trick.

I have a casual skirt (think jean or corduroy). How can it can be dressed up for a day at the office or a cocktail party? 
1. Jean skirts are rarely appropriate for the office, but if it is a dark wash pencil skirt, you can pair it with a tailored blazer, chunky jewelry and pointy-toe pumps or dress boots.

2. Sparkles!! Add glittering layers of necklaces, a big cocktail ring or a dressy cardigan to get instant glamour for a night out. It's a great mix of laid back and sexy glam for a date!

3. Dressy textiles! Have a plain black jersey or corduroy skirt or some dark denim? Add a silky jewel-tone top, rich cashmeres, or lace tights to bring your day skirt right into party time.

4. Dressy boots with embellishments like fringe, lace, metallics, or thin heels look great with any skirt, but you can also opt for your favorite party shoes and a clutch bag.

And now for our favorite versatile (non sequined) skirts....

On trend and you can wear anywhere!! A Lane Bryant, Leather pencil skirt, $54

Target, Ponte Knit Miniskirt in 3 colors, $24

Levi's, "Perfectly Shaping" skirt in
Indigo wash, $24.99

Lane Bryant, Metallic Denim, $49.95

Icon Apparel, Red "All Night" textured skirt (also in black and khaki), $24

Torrid, Black Lace Shirred mini, $31

6pm.com, XCVI Peasant Skirt, $75

Kiss Therapy, black wash denim, $35

The MOST versatile! Old Navy, Corduroy pencil ( in 5 colors), $29.95

Target, Sweater Skirt (also in black/white), $24.99

As always, if you have other plus size quests and questions, please email us at FoxyRoxy.LushLife@gmail.com

Plus Size on the Slopes

Being a plus-size ski bunny is harder than I thought! Despite it still being summer, I am looking into what to wear for Thanksgiving ski trip, because now is when you get the best discounts on notoriously pricey ski wear. Seeing that I am much better at the apres-ski part than I am the actual sport, I set out to find reasonably priced ski clothing that will keep me warm, dry and NOT looking like a man.

This was a very tall order, it turns out, since a lot of ski pants that claim to be 2x-3x have 40 inch hips and I'm not sure about you but I have been a 1x/2x most of my life and I am lucky if my WAIST is 40 inches. You must look at the size chart since a lot of the sizing runs very small.. 

HOT TIP: measure your calf circumference along with your other measurements to ensure a great fit! 

Check out what we found to make you toasty and foxy... on and off the slopes!! 
As always, if you have a plus size fashion quest or question for you need help with feel free to email us at FoxyRoxy.LushLife@gmail.com

Warm, sexy Apres-Ski looks:

Marisota, Knitted Hooded Poncho, £35

Baby Phat, Faux Fur cardi, $45

Old Navy, Rockstar Jegging, $28

Gap, Cable Sweater, $47

Zappos, Lumiani Laila (wide calf), $169

Tundra, Nevada Boots, $69

Victoria's Secret, Angel Boucle Sweater, $40

Keen, "Golden" boots, $140

BEST ACCESSORY!! Juicy Couture has
many knit or fuzzy earmuff...
 that are HEADPHONES!

And now for the best of the cute AND practical: 
Let's start with the ski jacket. After looking at many, I have fallen in love with the Columbia Bugaboo in plus size. It fits my arms and bust comfortably, is very warm and durable, without making me feel like the "Michelin Man" in layers of puffy down. FINALLY! Also it comes in funky prints and fun colors to channel your youthful "inner snowboarder" or give you a break from the standard unisex color block.

This is the one I bought. Columbia Bugaboo in
Elderberry Print. 

Columbia "Bugaboo" in Grape Vertical Print, $200

Coogi, Parka with faux fur, $83

DrJays.com, Suede bomber (more colors), $89
Looks great with fringed MukLuks or your favorite Uggs! 

Junonia, Quilted Poly/Fleece Wind Pant, $74
These provide apple coverage and movement but run 1 size small.
With sizes up to 5x, you ladies are sure to find your fit! More styles too!

For the plus size VIP, who has it all!
A Beaver and Chinchilla slim coat
Aspen Fashions Furs, $3,999

ThermaSkin base Layer in fun colors from Land's End for only $35      

The Down Parka with a slim look!
Land's End, Down Parka (2 lengths and many colors), $199

Labor Day BBQs: Over-Indulge with less bulge!

Let's face it. One the the best things about Labor Day weekend is getting in one last BBQ of the summer! Everyone loves to laze around a friend's place, drink beer and taste the best that grill has to offer, not to mention the sides and ice cream!

There is nothing wrong with just going for it, but if you would like to have all the fun without all of the calories, here are some great options that really do taste like what you crave - without feeling like you are depriving yourself or looking like the awkward girl that brought crazy diet food to a BBQ. 

Obviously, I could say, eat salad and celery but here are some other ideas that may be more satisfying.

No salads here!!

On the Grill:

• Skewer just veggies or Veggies and Shrimp instead of Steak or Chicken to save some calories.
• 98% Fat Free Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs are a 40 Calorie version of the classic with the same great taste!!
• Everyone thinks that just because it is not beef, it is "diet food" WRONG! The calories in a lean beef burger patty are roughly the same as a turkey patty. The empty calories really come from the bun, so check the store for "Deli Thins" or Pepperidge Farm Very Thin Bread to hold your sandwiches together. 
• Use the Food Network healthier BBQ sauce recipe at the bottom of the page to slather on to skinless chicken 
• Use reduced fat/fat free sour cream and american cheese. They taste most like their full-fat counterparts but with half the calories

Ice Cream/Novelties:

• When it is hot out, you are going to want to down some cold at each Labor Day event, but if you opt for ice cream each time you could be looking at 1000 calories. Instead, here are some great healthy cold novelties:
• Skinny Cow White Mint Truffle Bars taste so much like Mint Chip Ice Cream but only 100 Calories
• A bag of frozen mixed berries curbs your appetite for strawberry ice cream and a lot more nutritious than popsicles
• Sugar Free Fudgesicles

Drinks:

• Lemonade can have a ton of calories, sugar and acid, but it is so tasty at the time! I instead, now opt to slice/squeeze a whole lemon in a pitcher of ice water or club soda with slices of cucumber or mint for a refreshing citrus drink without calories or sugar!
• Beer can be a ton of calories and bloat but Miller Light at 95 Calories or MGD 65 aren't bad choices
• I prefer a good, stiff cocktail to keep the celebration going, but stay away from pre made mixes since they are usually all artificial flavors and sugar. Try a spirit like Gin and add soda and lots of fresh squeezed lime for a refreshing party drink without all of the calories. 
• Like frozen drinks? Throw a handful of frozen berries, ice, a splash light cranberry juice in a blender with a shot of Voli diet Vodka, Bacardi light, or a high grade tequila. Or try that with a small bit of Tropicana 50 and almond milk for healthy "Creamsicle" drink!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Low Sodium BBQ sauce from Food Network: (under 40 calories)

Ingredients:

Serves: 15-20

Yield:

  2   2.0

2.0

cups

Units: US | Metric

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup no-salt-added ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup dark molasses
• 2 tablespoons Splenda sugar substitute
• 1 dash paprika
• 1 dash low-sodium hot sauce
• 8 ounces peaches in light syrup, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon homemade chili powder

Directions:

1. 1
   Combine all ingredients in saucepan.
2. 2
   Bring to boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer for 20-25 minutes.
3. 3
   Remove from heat cooling slightly.
4. 4
   Blend to liquefy.
5. 5
   And enjoy a very tasty healthy BBQ sauce.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/low-sodium-lots-flavor-bbq-sauce-191337#ixzz1wDwGjhaC