QUOTE FOR THE DAY

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

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BOOTS FOR THE DISCERNING WOMAN

It's not often that you find wide fitting boots.  Autograph presently has some extra special specials! This one appeals to me (probably because I love red!).

RED RIDING BOOT            $99.99
Style # 00074324
Red Riding Boot. Features wide leg panelled design, inner zip up fastening, two stretch elasticated panels at the back, squared toe and low heel. Synthetic upper & genuine Leather sock.

Autograph also now accept PayPal.

"BLOSSOM" JACKET"

From Tamsin Cooper of New Zealand

I adore beautiful clothing.   There's something about the sumptuousness of velvet and when it is combined with silk, then this is a "star" garment.   With it being on "sale" at the moment, and if you want or choose to buy just ONE garment this year simply because you "fall in love" with it, then you can go no further than one from Tamsin's signature Archive Coat Collection.  

This is the write-up from Tamsin's website on this particular coat.  Check out the entire website for some absolutely amazing garments and bags.   

Style ARV - BLSM                                                                                     $389.35 was $599.00

“Oh so chic” this jacket has a flattering nehru-style collar and a simply beautiful hand embroidered cream blossom detailing on the front and cuffs of the jacket.

This simply stunning jacket is made from silk/viscose velvet and is lined with 100% parachute silk, and is a one off design from Tamsin’s 2013 Archive Collection.

For coat enquiries or to have a coat made in a style or size not currently available on-line, contact the Tamsin Cooper Boutique, sales@tamsincooper.co.nz or 03 471 9090. 

  

Boxing Day

A leading psychologist on television the other day was saying that Christmas time seems to be a time when family stresses and disagreements come to the surface.   Many people no longer get together on Christmas Day for that reason.  In fact many families totally ignore one or more members of their family for that same reason.  Which is a shame, because surely we could find it possible to be considerate and respectful to each other (even if we don't see eye to eye on many things) just for one day of the year?  

However, I love Boxing Day because it's almost as though there is no pressure to be anything but relaxed.   My "adopted" family joined me and my friend for lunch on Boxing Day this year.  What a totally enjoyable couple of hours spent in the freedom of being who we are and able to be ourselves.  Not to mention lots of laughter and fun conversations accompanied by a lovely meal.

Happiness can come in large or small doses.   I count that occasion as a dose of happiness that I shall remember for a long time.

There are friends, and then there are "friends".   Boxing Day 2012 I have been blessed with a special affection from a couple who I deem to be "family", and I am so grateful for their love.

Underwear verus "Lingerie"

Being more curvaceous than some means going without many of the nice pleasures of life.   Too often people (and I include manufacturers and retailers) think that just because there is a little "more of us" then we are less of a person.

And being less of a person in many people's minds and attitudes means that we're treated differently to women of petite or "typical" sizes.  Why?

It all comes down to the fact that because we have flesh on our bodies that any garment will need more fabric, and quite often a different "engineering" perspective to create something that will enhance and compliment our curves.

So it is with undies.    Underwear has undergone radical and technological changes over the decades.   "Bloomers" are practical - yes, but let's face it when we dress up we'd like to have beautiful lingerie as the basis of that outfit.

So it's nice to see that women's "lingerie" has kept pace with the modern woman's expectations of what she likes and what she wants!   It's taken a while though for manufacturers to get "with it" and realise that the more buxom woman wants the same thing as her thinner and slimmer sister but there are many websites offering beautiful lingerie - and at affordable prices.

Here's an example from Yandy USA - their range of "plus-size" lingerie is very tempting.   Sizings?  Up to 4X (American).

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?