Happy New Year's Eve

Already the 31st December.   To some of us the year seems to have dragged; to others it's jut flown.   It's been a hectic year for some;  a boring year to others (I always think that if a person is constantly bored, then it's no fault of anyone or anything but that particular person!).  But all in all, an interesting year.

Have you made your list of New Year Resolutions as yet?  

I decided to make One New Year's Resolution this year.  

And that is - to make NO resolutions.  

They never work anyway.

No - what I'm planning to do is to set myself some goals - some that are simple and easily attainable; some that are moderate which will take a little more effort but satisfy me;  and some more difficult ones - which I always love setting because you know, over the years, quite a number of these HAVE been achieved.

There are plans for fireworks everywhere to celebrate the coming in of the New Year - sounds a good idea.  Let's choose our own fireworks to start the New Year off - it's up to us.

I'd like to take this opportunity of saying a sincere "thank you" for everyone who follows this blog - it's a fascinating journey and you certainly make it really worthwhile.

Have a wonderful New Year - may it bring you good health and many happy moments and surprises.

Graceful curves!

Igigi keeps coming up with the goods - even some Australian suppliers are stocking Igigi.  Which is great news for the Ozzie curvy girls.  (http://www.igigi.com)

This dress is lovely.  Read the description and see for yourself:

For an evening look with a wow-factor, opt for this evergreen gown with plunging neckline and sky high slit. It's bronze waist-cinching belt and fluid, floor-skimming silhouette ensure maximum glamour - dazzle all night with gold jewelry and a sweep of bronzer.

I think we're now well on the way towards getting to the stage where 

women's "fashion" will be allowed to be 

fashion for EVERY woman, 

"no matter what age, size or shape"© 

(which is part of my motto I established more than 20 years ago!  How about that?)    And it's about time that the fashion world, and indeed the world at large recognises that we have as much right to the same respect and beautiful clothing that our thinner sisters expect - we here at RoseMary's NoteBook© have been on this crusade for that long!   A small voice perhaps, but we've been tenacious in our belief and persistency.

Plus Size Fashion

This evening's "A Current Affair" has highlighted plus-size fashion in all its beauty, simplicity, conservative/casual looks.  This segment was, for the first time I can recall, handled professionally and intelligently.  In the past so many of these shows (as also the national women's magazines) have "talked down" to the plus size woman, but this show tonight has proved the exception to the rule.

Smart, stylish, colourful, feminine clothing in block colours, vivid colour combination, animal prints, florals.  Corporate wear too is included for you to start the New Year off with style.

Go onto the Current Affair website and have a look at tonight's show.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/retail/8395367/plus-size-style

Fashion Make-Overs

Do you have clothing in your wardrobe that you've grown out of? Or perhaps find some of them to be too big?

There's no doubt our bodies change shape over the years, and while we may not actually "lose" weight, often we will notice that our clothes don't quite fit the way they used to, or should do. Following pregnancy and the birth of a baby quite a few clothes need to be altered too, and this can help the budget especially when the garments are favourites.

While it's expensive to have your own personal dressmaker, a lot of women have taken up the challenge and now offer "alteration services". These range from sewing hems on jeans, pants, skirts as well as putting new elastic around the waistlines. However, a lot of these people actually do dressmaking and have found a valuable market in providing their services to the every-day woman who wants to upgrade her wardrobe without having to buy new clothes.

As a very proficient, qualified dressmaker said recently, "knowing someone's body and shape is the key to doing good alterations work". A good alteration expert can tell if the shoulder is dropped and the hip is high and remake garments taking into account all the important aspects of a good fitting garment.

Suggestions may range from changing a hemline by not merely following the fashion, but looking at the vertical line of their height and to judge according to the hemline, and that good tailoring makes it more fashionable. Adding darts can make all the difference from a dowdy looking garment to a smart, stylish fitted garment - even if you are plus size!

Above all, tailoring to YOUR body can better the look of the garment, making it appear superior in quality and cut.

"It doesn't have to be Chanel - it can be Target. But if it fits well, you look good and you feel good.", says Frances Le-Caria of Camberwell, Victoria.

Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

It's Christmas Eve!

Suddenly it's Christmas Eve.   Outside there is a stillness, an expectancy.    Christmas carols are being played on our airways, children are waiting patiently for Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) to arrive tonight, there's a busy-ness everywhere tinged with a sense of excitement.

Christmas time is a time of celebration - for the Christian, the joy associated with the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the very first Christmas gift from God to man/woman.  It's a time of drawing together - family members who may not have seen each other for years; friends who we remember in letters and Christmas cards, telephone calls and emails.  Lots of laughter and love, reminiscing and planning.   To those who may be lonely or going through a difficult time, we send our warmest thoughts and wishes that circumstances will improve and that happiness will be yours.

To those of other faiths too, our wish is that your Christmas season may also be one of joy, of sharing precious times with family and friends.

Thank you once again all for your encouragement and support throughout this year - you keep us focussed!

So a Merry, safe, happy, and healthy Christmas to you, one and all.

The charm of black and white!

Here's a brilliant little jacket.  

As the website of http://www.ashleystewart.com says:

Embrace bold patterns! Plus size jacket features a jewel neckline, a hook-and-eye closure front with rouched panel trim and an allover large printed pattern. Other details for this plus size jacket include long sleeves with rouched trim at cuffs and double slash pockets at lower front.

 

Only a few days to Christmas!

Most of us have already chosen the outfit which we plan to wear for Christmas Day - whether going to church, meeting up with family and friends or just taking things easy by ourselves.   And a lot of people do prefer spending Christmas Day alone, choosing to get-together with others and attending parties in the week leading up to Christmas allowing "their" day to be theirs entirely!

Being so near to Christmas though, thoughts are now being directed to

"what to wear for New Year".   

And there are some really beautiful garments available, both here and overseas.   You've been getting a taste over the past couple of weeks, so we thought we'd add another to the bowl of goodies with this one from Swak Designs (http://www.swakdesigns.com) in sizes 14-36.

It'sa long-skirted version of their Anastasia Wrap Dress.   

These versatile wrap around dresses that are convertible are an absolute dream - there's always a new way to wrap them around your curvaceous body.  And you'll always get lots of compliments too!

The contradiction of sizings!

So often we see lovely "plus-size" garments, only to find out that the sizings go to around Australian 16-18.  

To many of us, 16-18 definitely aren't "plus-size" sizes.   

And let's face it, sizings differ so much that they make our head spin!   Take for instance, a lovely white top I bought this morning - the label says XXL which equates (by this particular supplier) to around size 22 Aus.   In the very same store, there were some beautiful knitted tops in a light silk like thread with sparingly placed sequin embellishments - very nice, very "want-able", and in sizes up to XXL.   But here's the problem, these XXL silk-like knitted tops would not fit my grand-daughter who is a size 12.

This really makes me cross.  Because it's girls like my grand-daughter who see garments that they'd like to buy for themselves and the label says XXL.   That starts them on the treadmill of convincing themselves that they're overweight - they're "fat".   And that leads to inappropriate dieting.   As we all know this can lead to even more health risks.

Because in amongst it all, they're NOT "fat" - they're not plus-size at all.   It's the labels that are out of sync with each other, not women's shapes and sizes.

When garments are made off-shore, and unfortunately most of them are*, there's no way that we can persuade the manufacturers/retailers to get a more realistic slant on sizes.   But we'll keep trying.  (* We regularly highlight the Australian suppliers who provide garments in generous sizings and with appropriate labels because we feel they need to be encouraged and supported).

In the meantime, Making It Big (USA) have come up with some really lovely garments.  Mind you, they're in the midst of the colder seasons but sometimes it pays to consider buying (especially when they are on sale at special prices) even though we're still awaiting summer!   Their sizes range from 1X through to 8X.

So here's the Comfy Tunic and the Evan Tunic from Making It Big (http://www.makingitbig.com)

Christmas is getting closer!

You've suddenly realised that you haven't an outfit to wear for your "dressing up" Christmas luncheon or family get-together. Well get in quick and order this beautiful outfit from Chocolat at Zebrano (http://www.zebrano.co.nz)  Don't waste a moment.

Don't you love the pert little hat, and the bright flash of red in the gloves?

Sort of nostalgic and romantic - what an outfit!

Coming up with the goods!

The abundance of beautiful clothing for the curvaceous woman continues to delight.  

Especially with the holiday season, and all the festivities being planned for the Christmas/New Year period, it's great to see lots of original and stylish designs coming on board.

I've just found this wonderful "Michelle" gown from Igigi - the write-up on their website (http://www.igigi.com) goes like this:

"Keeping in mind the rule that design is all about balance, the top layer is a faux-wrap plunging neckline with a draped knotted torso ending with high slit right above the ankle.  Peeking from under, is sparkly sequin tube dress that falls at the knees.  Add a clutch, with strapped heels and shine like a star".

And shine you most definitely will, wearing the Michelle gown.   (And don't forget to look at Igigi's wonderful selection of jewellery and clutch purses - haven't seen so many different styles for many a decade! )

Getting ready for summer!

Surely summer is on the way.   Maybe the weather doesn't seem like it, but let's be fair - it's bound to arrive and when it does we need to know we have some beautiful clothes to wear.

Locally, My Size (http://www.mysize.com.au) has some great styles to choose from.

Then there is Curvy Clothing (http://www.curvyclothing.com.au)

And third off the rank - Dream Diva (http://www.dreamdiva.com.au)

One dress - six different ways to wear it!

This is a most sensible idea and it's amazing that not many clothing designers/suppliers have come up with this concept.  (Of course we've highlighted the Monif C Marilyn dress often through this blog as well as RoseMary's NoteBook© (the newsletter).

But today I've heard of another.  And it's from another supplier who we love publicising - Igigi.

This is the Kaori Infinity dress - take time to visit their website at  http://www.igigi.com

More delectables!

This is the year of the dress.  And for the young and the young at heart, there's a bounty of styles available.

These two dresses are from http://www.volupture.com.au   Size 14 plus.   The first is "Elisa" from Igigi and the second "Sweetheart" from Kiyonna.

It's beginning to look like Christmas!

How often do you find a garment that says "sensational"?   If you want something to wear at Christmas and New Year functions that will astonish everyone who may think you are sometimes boring, then why not consider this beautiful top.

This top is 'different'.  Very different.   It's from www.bigtimeclothing.com.au

It's an "off the shoulder top", and the colour is indigo.  It can be worn with white capris or full length slacks;  maybe a navy blue pant or if you're 'game' why not red capris or pant?

The sizes - wait for it - go from S (20/22) to 50 (48/50).   What more could you ask for?

A change is as good as a holiday!

You've been thinking that single colours are a bit boring at times?  You'd like to be able to find something that will fit your curvaceous figure in something bright and perhaps a bit floraly, but which doesn't look frumpy and boring?   And if you're like me and been used to wearing single colours for quite a few seasons, there's lot of fun and frillery (without being "over the top"! around.)  So what about a change?

Well I have news for you.   Zebrano of New Zealand today have highlighted the Chocolat Winter Rose soft coat and jacket.   They go up to size 22, by the way.

Visit their website and see more of their selections.  http://www.zebrano.co.nz

What to wear for a job interview

Even though it's December and most career women are planning holidays, there are still opportunities to upgrade your position within the company you are working for; and even to apply for new jobs.  For those who are entering the workplace for the first (or maybe the second, third or fourth time), there are always hints that can be followed that will make a difference to how you present yourself at interview.

This is an excellent short video on what to wear for a job interview, which contains all the basic elements of know-how which will build upon your confidence.

http://video.about.com/fashion/What-to-Wear-to-an-Interview.htm

The colours of Christmas!

We usually equate bright red, bright green, silver and white with being the colours of Christmas.  And they always work!

Even here in Australia, where we're usually sweltering even this early in Summer.   But I'll let you into a little secret.  We're still having winter conditions, and needing to dress appropriately to much colder weather than we're used to.   Of course with that said, it surely won't be too long before the really hot days arrive.

So it's not unreasonable for us to consider the typical colours of Christmas as being right for us here as well as our sisters in the States and Europe and Asia.

For the young (and young-at-heart) here's a lovely bright red dress from Monif C.  http://www.monifc.com   And let me mention once again, the absolutely fantastic Marilyn convertisble dress at Monif C.  Visit their website and see the colours available, and some of the styles this dress can be worn in.

And for those of us who are bravely planning for the swimming season, here's a delectable example, in a dark lilac, again from Monif C to consider.

Some Christmas Ideas

So often we spend time thinking about what to buy for family members and friends at Christmas, and forget about ourselves.  So why not this year buy yourself a gift of a new garment that really appeals to you?

Big Time Clothing here in Victoria has a selection of clothing for the plus-sizers, that go from size 20 to 50.  That's quite a range!     http://www.bigtimeclothing.com.au

And for all those young plus-size women who are "expecting, these garments fit in perfectly with a "must-have" maternity wardrobe for the Christmas season, too.

Conspiracy in the Fashion World

For those of you who love fashion;  who love quality garments;  who believe they're buying top name garments; and who pay for the privilege of choosing "labels" or "logos", then this is a must to read.

For those who want to be informed about the clothing business, rather than just "thinking" they know, then this could be the answer.   It is a series of videos that could make a difference to how you see fashion, and how in the future, you look at fashion based on its quality and cost, rather than relying merely on a label.

http://clothingqualitysecrets.com/combo/

A small post this time!

Sometimes it only takes a few words to make us realise what life is all about.