A beautiful Wrap Dress

Vadela Wrap Dress

From Igigi, USA

One of the most flattering styles of dress for the curvaceous woman is the wrap.   And there are few who do it better than Igigi.

Set-in flutter sleeves and A-line skirt trimmed with cascading flounce is set aglow with its deep gem tone hue. A true wrap-around silhouette that adjusts with ties to achieve your desired coverage makes this a summer staple!

Designed and made in San Francisco, USA

Color: Turquoise
Material: ViscoseRayon/Elastane
Care: Hand Wash in Cold Water or Dry Clean

Another UK website worth visiting

Butterfly Print Rain Mac from Style 369.com

• Price: £29.50
• Colour: Grey
• Item code: 05J13LNEU

• Showerproof butterfly print rain mac
• With front zip and popper fastening
• Hood with draw cord
• Front pockets
• Length: 91cm (35")
• 100% Polyester
• Machine washable  

In sizes up to 24.  Delivery includes to Australia.

Where is my Australian audience?

It's interesting to study the statistics of viewers and visitors to this blog.   And I find it somewhat amusing (?), and surprising, to find that the majority of my visitors are from the USA.  Hi there to everyone in the US.

But where are my Australian "followers" hiding?   Is it a fact that anything "home-grown" is seen to be less interesting than overseas blogs and websites?   Or could it be that this blog just isn't interesting at all to Australian plus sizers?

If you're a plus sizer and you feel that you're being overlooked as far as focus, attitudes and fashion are concerned, then please become more involved with this blog.   Comment on what you see, and even suggest some of your favourite websites which we can highlight.

If there are issues or subjects which you believe are not being addressed when it comes to widening our knowledge of what a plus sizer needs and wants in this world, then write and participate through the monthly issue of RoseMary's NoteBook© (the newsletter).  

If you would like to have your own column and/or to write on a regular basis about things that you see are important (no diets, please), then contact us direct at rosemarypb@aapt.net.au and have a chat.

RoseMary's NoteBook© (the newsletter) is distributed world wide to a confidential mailing list which is managed by me personally, and not through a "third-party" company that initiates and sends emails from a "foreign desk".  

Come on girls, let's encourage more  involvement and thus more openly discussing those things that impact upon the lives of women, regardless of age, size and shape, in this day and age.

Australian fashion for the plus-sizer

I'm always on the look out for Australian designed and/or made clothing for women.  Especially for the plus-sizer.

I've just had a look again at the Zebart site and found some nice garments which will compliment any women's wardrobe.

See if you agree.

SOMETHING from NEW ZEALAND

There are some quite exciting websites providing fashion clothing for women.   One of my favourites is Zebrano and two of the labels that often take my eye are those of Chocolat and Mela Purdie.   Visit Zebrano's website and take a tour.

The "Wild" One - a girl's version

Lace Biker Jacket

Anna Scholz  has done it again!

White Label - EXCLUSIVE

Get your motor runnin'! Head out on the highway! Anna's fitted jacket takes biker chic to the next level in gorgeous black lace over a satiny cognac-coloured lining. This slimming hip-length silhouette offers an unusual colour combination and lovely texture. But you still get all the classic cool details, such as the brass off-centre front zipper, wrist zips and angled zip front pockets. Create sexy, sophisticated retro suits with a bad-girl edge by pairing this jacket with Anna's matching black lace skirt or dress, or with the matching cognac of the dynasty pleat shift dress. It also looks smokin' over Anna's leopard print silk pieces. Fabric content: 100% Nylon, Lining 100% Polyester

Maybe .....

Maybe Spring isn't really too far off.   Of course the fact that our overnight temperatures are down around the zero mark with top temperatures here in the foothills sometimes near enough to 14 doesn't really effect our thinking, when we see the sun shining.  It's not a hot sun, but it sure makes a person smile.  And in that smile our thoughts definitely DO turn to Spring.

I went out the front door this morning to check the post, and saw with such pleasure the one and only camellia bush on the block, out in bloom, with hundreds of buds to follow the first-blooms.

You only have to look at flowers in a garden to realise just how easily they adapt to colour variations.  I realise this photo shows what we used to call "a sport" (or a variation from the original colour of the blooms which should be on this bush) but when it sits in amongst all sorts of variations then it's a pretty sight.

That got me thinking.  How often do we allow our imagination to take flight when it comes to what we wear.  Most of know how to dress tone-on-tone and also contrast, but I love seeing women who let their fancy fly, and they dress in all sorts of colours and textures, complimenting each other, and most definitely complimenting the wearer.

I really don't understand when plus-sizers tell me that they "wouldn't dare to dress like that!"  My question is, like what?  Because clothing is clothing and should be worn with panache and style.  It doesn't matter what size we are.  It's all got to do with our self-esteem!   

Accessories - Scarfs

For many plus sizers, buying new clothes becomes a bit hard, especially if the budget is tight!   This is where accessories come into their own, and it doesn't take much to extend your wardrobe simply by adding accessories that attract the eye!

While most plus sizers have found a basic colour scheme to build upon, there are times when bright, vivid colour is needed to uplift not only the outfit but also one's confidence.

Like so many women I love scarves - I have quite a collection I've got to admit.   And while I have my favourites, I'm always willing to learn new and exciting ways of wearing them.

I came across this YounTube video from Coldwater Creek, and I'd encourage you to watch it.   It brings out the "creativity" side of me, and I've no doubt it will do the same to you too.

Watch and enjoy.

Pampering ourselves

It's during winter time that I come back to the idea that we should pamper ourselves more often.  Not that any other season doesn't demand we do likewise, but for some reason the cold, wet, wintry days bring with them the feeling that everything is dreary and damp and all we can do is have a hot cup of soup to keep warm and stay indoors for the day.

The past few weeks have certainly not been conducive to looking around the shops or shopping centres for clothes.  If I'm honest I do have enough to suit my lifestyle.  While I love bringing new fashion trends and ideas from local and overseas suppliers, I think it's also most important that we give ourselves our little treats now and then.

I ventured out this morning just to do the normal chores, and stopped and looked at the window display at a small florist in our local shopping centre.  All the presentations were flambouyant in colour, sizes and all with different types of petals and leaves.  Having chosen a couple of cards from the card display I walked to the counter at the back of the shop and was assailed by the most fragrant perfume imaginable.  And with that perfume came countless happy memories from the past.

Was the perfume from a big, bold, flower stem?  No, it was the tiniest little bunch of winter violets, sitting in a small glass vase on the counter.  There was no hesitation - I opened my wallet and bought them - just for myself.  Just to tell myself I am special!

The more I observe, the more I become convinced that plus-sizers particularly lose the inclination to "spoil" themselves occasionally.  Is this because we've been told or had it inferred that we're not worth it?  Because this is one of the unkindest lies told to us  -  we all need to know we're loved, and there's something special about a little bunch of violets that remind me that I am important and special to myself, and even more incredibly to others.

Isn't that worth celebrating?  

In what way do you occasionally "treat" yourself to something out of the ordinary?

Packing for a holiday

If you're anything like me, you start off with a few things to pack into your suitcase and before you know it, you have to change the case to a bigger one.  The reason is that so often we find we just "HAVE" to include this garment or that, and it seems that we leave home with an empty wardrobe, but a suitcase that is impossible to cart around because there's just too much in it.

Liz Davenport created a "Wardrobe in a Suitcase" many years ago, and it's just as pertinent today as it was back then.   The concept is simple - have a few well designed (and made) garments with which you can mix and match, and it's absolutely amazing how many outfits you can create with a little bit of thought.

Visit her website to see some of her latest collections.

To whet your appetite though, here's a sample of her "wardrobe in a suitcase".    I just love the idea - and for my plus size readers, look outside of the square.  If you can build up a practical, workable, and affordable wardrobe by sticking to the basics and in a few chosen colour schemes, then you have the same advantage of any of our slimmer sisters.  It's all in the challenge of allowing your imagination to go wild!

Looks like .......

Everything's coming up roses.  Or to be more to the point, everything's coming up florals.

And beautiful florals at that.  

Here's a couple that should delight the senses (and the pocket).

Firstly one from Yours (UK) in sizes 14-32.

And from Igigi (USA):