Thursday, April 25, 2013

CONTRASTS!

A large percentage of plus-sizers prefer to wear black;  it is of course now accepted as a "colour", which certainly makes sense to me. The explanation that scientifically, black is not a colour as it absorbs all the colours of the visible spectrum and reflects none of them, doesn't quite gell with lots of people. The black clothes in my wardrobe act as a magnet and enhancer of colours when mixed and matched, and I'd hate to think that when I wear black everything else is absorbed! Think about it. So therefore in my eyes black is a colour.

But let's get down to tintacks. While I love black and white (and I've frequently written about wearing white), it's nice to see this season that designers have taken up the idea of combining black with red. Even Bill Blass, Fashion Designer has gone down in history as saying:  "When in doubt, wear red."

The combination of black and red, used wisely, flatters and slims.   See if you agree with me.





Sunday, April 21, 2013

THE LUXURY of LACE

For special occasions, and let's face it, any occasion can be special if it's a reason for celebration, lace has always been the "wish-I-had", or "I must have".

Igigi has a beautiful range of Cocktail as well as Wedding Wear, that includes the LBD as well as colourful statements that tell your friends and the the world I can have style, too!

Here's the "RACHELLE" Plus size Lace Dress in Onyx with a another from Igigi.  Rachelle is on the right of the photo.  Notice that both necklines are very flattering to the plus size - the v-neck and the sweetheart neckline.

The "Rachelle" features a lace overlay design.  Keep it simple with ankle strap heels (if you can wear high heels) and a classic clutch!




Thursday, April 18, 2013

A LOCAL SUPPLIER

I love being surprised.  Promoting plus size clothing from here in Australia has been my aim since I first began the NoteBook.   With the advent of online shopping, the marketplace has blown out of all proportion, and I'm still learning of new local stores.

The website Kivalin (based in Queensland) says they have been selling online since 2001, although I've just discovered it.   It pays to keep your eyes and ears open!   Their sizes go from 16 through to 24-26 (3XL)

Visit their website and see what you think.  The clothes are "designed in Australia" and go up to 24-26 (Size 3XL).



(Editor's note:   While this website claims to be Australian, the feel and look of the site itself seems to be an American one.   I only say this because I've found so many on-line stores claiming to be Australian but not so.  If any readers find this to be so with sites they visit, then please let's know so we can share this information.)

Monday, April 15, 2013

FLORAL CORDUROY JACKET

Florals are all the go this season.   Whether it's summer in Europe or Autumn in Australia.   How better to add a layer to the cooling temperatures here in Australia and New Zealand than to add a colourful jacket?

Long Island (New Zealand) has an interesting range at all times, and they've now added this lovely jacket.   Style Number 813702.   The corduroy is a soft-stretch (cotton/spandex) with long sleeves, a yoke and soft gathers at the centre back for shaping.  It has front button closing and two handy pockets (always an added bonus)!

What is particularly pleasing about this jacket is its length - at the lower hips.

The price of this jacket is Australian $127.49.




Sunday, April 14, 2013

THE KAFTAN "GROWS UP"!

In fashion, what goes around usually comes around!

That can be said for caftans, or as Anna Scholz calls her latest creation, "Kaftans", but whatever the name, the garment itself is one that we can all identify with.   Those of us who are a little older have fond memories of our caftans of years gone by.



Anna has lengthened her Kaftan so that it is now a Maxi dress.   It's a "wear anywhere" dress and this Kaftan's appeal is in its patchwork look of Summery colours.   It has slits at the sides, a slit neckline and belted sleeves.   95% silk, 5% elastane.  Anna's sizes go up to UK 28. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

CHOICE OF COLOURFUL TOPS FOR 2013

There are some really nice tops available for this season.   Visit Generous Fashions to see what I mean. Lots to choose from, and they also have separates, which you can team together stylishly.

In the meantime, watch this video to get a first glimpse of feminine, fun and even funky tops.


Monday, April 8, 2013

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS - IN COLOUR!

The lovely "Marilyn" Convertible Dress from Monif C is the answer to any woman who voices her discontent with a lot of "fashion" that's available in the stores.

Monif C has excelled with her Marilyn design.   It's so versatile and once you have one in your wardrobe you should never be able to say, I don't have anything to wear!  In fact you'll be tempted to buy another one, in a different colour and style. The variety of styles you can create from the one garment will blow your mind!

Visit Monif C's website and look at which else she has to offer for the curvaceous woman.




Friday, April 5, 2013

AGING OUTRAGEOUSLY! - Keeping Focus, Part II

In our travels and dealings with women we have come to the conclusion that most older women (of course there are exceptions to the rule) have, during most of the seasons of their lives, given to others excessively even to the point of sacrifice and neglect to themselves and their personal needs (of time, money, opportunities and lots of other things.)

Now this is not an un-natural occurrence. As a child we defer to our parents and honor them for being who and what they are. Whether we like them (as well as love them) is sometimes debatable, but ....... As a growing teenager, we suddenly discover we can do lots of things outside of our parents rule-book (whether they know about it or not is another matter!), but we grow and learn and discover lots of new things, and sensations. As an adult we can quite often find ourselves responsible for other people, including parents, children, other family members, indeed even friends. We take on all these responsibilities with sensitivity and regard them as being privileges.

Then one morning we wake up, and life has changed - drastically and dramatically for us.




Our children (those of us who have them, bless their little hearts) have moved out, married and started their own families; our parents may have an even greater need of our attention and our love and care (and even though we get tired at the end of the day, we really wouldn't have it any other way, because the alternative is too horrid to think about !); our partners need not only more emotional care and support but also physical; and friends have a far greater need and call upon us to offer the shoulder more often plus a few tissues to help them through all of what's going on with, and in, their lives.

Some of us even find that what we thought was "firm" and long-standing, no longer is. Financial circumstances can set off all sorts of alarm bells in our feelings of independence and security. Health problems rear their nasty little heads and cause us lots of sleepless nights. Marriages or relationships break down and so often we find we are beset with all sorts of problems never before imagined. We may find ourselves adrift without any support or encouragement from those people who are supposed to care - even family and friends. We may face the prospect of having to fight battles without the energy or resilience of youth. We set out to do what we must do because we've fought these same battles time and time again throughout our younger years. A case of deju vu. But now we're older, and we're much more tired.

To be continued .......

Thursday, April 4, 2013

CORPORATE WEAR

A woman in the corporate world needs to feel confident in how she looks.   For there's nothing surer, if she looks good, she feels good.   Regardless of her age, size or shape.

TS14+ is an Australian company that supplies lots of practical every-day clothing, and their casual wear is sometimes funky and trendy.   Today however they also have a lovely selection of corporate wear that will enable any working woman to look smart and stylish when mingling with her many work colleagues.

With their Suiting range of sensible pants, leggings, long skirt and jacket, it's a matter of switching the contrast colours of a shirt or top, with a scarf, handbag and shoes or boots to match, plus some jewellery and we have a veritable wardrobe of options to choose from each day.

Visit the TS14+ website.   Their sizings go from 14 through to 24.


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

AGING OUTRAGEOUSLY! - Keeping Focus!


Let's start off with the obvious. A woman goes through many phases as she grows from childhood through to a teenager, an adult and then an older woman. These changes influence & impact upon her life at all those particular points in time and travel with her into the future, sometimes bringing with them emotional reminders, both good and bad. These she either confronts & deals with or carries as baggage.

But for the majority of us all the "seasons" of womanhood are exciting, filled with promise and challenges plus a few pitfalls which we manage to struggle through and rise above when it's difficult but which we mainly sail happily through.




Then one day the face in the mirror that looks back at us, is unrecognisable. Experience, joys, hardship, worry, anxiety, the ups and downs of surviving in a world that may present hurdles and difficulties, show in our face and in our body. Gravity wears away at our looks and figures, and for some reason our mind undergoes a similar change. Not always for the better I might add. Yet it forms the opinion that the person in the mirror no longer deserves to be pampered or bothered about. Even as far as saying that the person no longer deserves respect.

With that decision, many subtle and not so subtle changes become habit. We take less care of our complexions, our hair, our hands and feet. We take less trouble in choosing clothing. Anything that fits (whether it suits us or not) will do! Many women even give up on their favourite past-times or leisure pursuits, including hobbies, and "retire". When I think about it, and I decided not to think about it too often a long time ago, "retire" is such a negative word! It's really not worth my attention, because by definition it means, to sit in a corner and rusticate! Isn't it better to "rest" (rather than "rust") when we need to, and to bustle around doing things when we choose to? As so often happens when a woman "retires" she loses her sense of being important, if not to others, then quite often to herself. Silly, isn't it?

And what happens is that women too often no longer see themselves as intelligent, articulate women deserving of having their opinions heard and respected. We also forget, far TOO often, that we are still sensual beings.

Is it wrong for us to "want" to wear makeup, to dress nicely, do things we want to do, go where we want to go, travel, undertake courses at TAFE or university, even?

Why not buy a new car, leave a failed and/or broken relationship, especially if that relationship has become violent and uncaring? Even, dare I say it, to take a lover?

Don't get me wrong - I have strong principles and ethics that direct my personal standards, but life is short, and it needs to be treated with the utmost respect, humility and affection.

Affection for life? Of course. It's a wonderful and unique thing - life. You can't make it, you can't copy it, you can't replace it. It's a gift to you and I believe, passionately, that because it is a gift, it should be treated with gentleness and total and unconditional love and respect.

To be continued .....

Monday, April 1, 2013

MIXING 'N MATCHING!

As Autumn starts to make its appearance felt, there are time when an added jacket or top will set off a smart pair of pants or a slinky.   Mixing and matching is the name of the game, and it can be fun.

Layering is something that becomes not only interesting but necessary as the cooler early mornings and then evenings close in on us.  

Big Time Clothing is an Australian online store/supplier and has attractive tops and jackets that will take you from home to work and from work to dinner.   The great thing about Big Time Clothing is that their range goes from 20 to 50 (yes, that's right!).  Big Time Clothing is now fully internet based, so visit their website and contact them via email on their "Contact Us" Page.