Plus Size Designer: Mela Purdie

Is it just me or are the fashions for plus size women better in other countries.  Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Canada.  I have found several designers outside the United States whose designs just blow me away.  Euphoria, Chocolat, Nicola Waite, The Carpenters Daughter, Voluptuous Inc, Obi, and Mela Purdie to name a few.  I want to talk about Mela Purdie.  If you are one of those gals who likes to stick to basics and jazz them up with accessories than Mela's designs are for you.  Unfortunately they are not available in the United States.  According to an email I received from a Mela Sales Rep. the clothing was unveiled at NYC Fashion Week in 2008.  The response was good but due to the AUD $ crashing against the US they couldn't commit fully to selling here.  I don't know how long you all have been following along, but at the beginning of my blog I said I was in the process of opening a VERY small boutique either online or in a flea market in Houston.  It won't be until LATE next Spring.  So, I was asking for wholesale info from Mela Purdie.  They are kinda on the pricey side so I don't know if I can buy more than 1 piece with 1 size of each.  Anyway, take a look at her designs on the website.  Most are BASIC, but they are cute.  These are a few of the pieces that I loved because they were not basic.  I am still working on finding an online retailer that sells these to the US for those of you who can afford such luxuries!

I am sorry but I just have to say that the model is HAWT!!!

I think I have a GIRL crush on her!!!

www.melapurdie.com

uniqueidfashionistas.blogpot.com

THE HORROR! Plus Size Maternity Shopping

There are many positive sides to being plus size. You have curves and can flaunt them. You have men who love you and your curves and you can love yourself for the beauty that you are! It’s a fun challenge to buy clothing, but I look at it as a game. I enjoy playing it.

Then, you get pregnant!

Clothing becomes a REAL challenge. I “googled” plus size maternity and very few stores came up. JC Penny and Motherhood were my two favorites and Old Navy is starting a line of plus size maternity, which makes me and the little baby giggle. Being that the belly has popped, I realized that I needed some pants. I moseyed on over to JCPenny.com and made a purchase. I got some cargos, and two pairs of capri pants. They came yesterday and boy do they make me feel comfortable! I loved the cargos because you can wear them rolled up and buttoned or full length. They are adorable with a tank or tee. Tomorrow I am going to wear them with a cute top I snagged in Target ages ago! It will definitely cover the bump and not reveal anything I don’t want them to!

What is your favorite maternity brand?
Xo,
Frugal Fanny!

WHO Is Jessica Biffi You Ask??

Do you know who Jessica Biffi is? I didn't until just a moment ago. She was a recent contestant on Canada's 'Project Runway'. She has designed two collections for Elle. She put together Elle Addition and MXM. Both of these a Juniors Plus lines.

Here are my faves from both

Addition Elle

MXM: Juniors Plus

She also has her own collection.
Click here to see the latest.
AND
for any of my Canadian readers go here for an invitation to:

If any of you guys attend, I would love pics of the event you can upload them in my Style Sirens Page.

Love Always,
Jayla
uniqueidfashionistas.blogpot.com

Your Guide To "Plus Size" Prom Dresses

Senior year was probably the best year of my high school career. We ran the school and did almost whatever we wanted. I worked two part time jobs, one at Showcase Cinemas and then K-Mart, to pay for all of my senior expenses. As prom crept around, my friends and I hit the mall and local shops in search of the perfect prom dress. Out of my group of friends, there were maybe three of us who were "full figured". While Stephanie, Nikki and Dee could easily walk into any store and have a variety of dresses for their small frames, Amanda, Charlene and I had to do a bit more searching to find something that would work for us. I remember dying of boredom while shopping in stores that only catered to slender figures. I'd sit there smiling and nodding at all the pretty beaded taffeta . I secretly hated them for being able to wear whatever they wanted. I ended up wearing a gun metal gray long tank dress with matching wrap from Sears or Khols (sorry, it's been a while LOL I don't remember).

It has been 10 years since my senior prom. Luckily for my curvy girls graduating this year, plus size fashion has since evolved. More and more, companies are starting to extend their sizes providing you with more options for cute plus size prom dresses. Now, you can turn heads with eye popping dresses with flirty details made to compliment a curvy figure.





If you are shopping online for your dress, I can't stress the importance of knowing your measurements. There could be nothing more dreadful then ordering the perfect gown only for it to arrive and be too small. If it's too big, that's not a bad thing, an alteration shop can easily adjust the dress to fit. So when in doubt, always order bigger as opposed to smaller. Most places frown upon returning any special occasion dresses. If you are not able to go to a seamstress for your measurements, you can always take you own. All you need is measuring tape and a pencil:



So now that you have your measurements, where to shop?

Unique Vintage
Actually inspired this blog today. Unique Vintage offers a wide array of special occasion dresses. Size range starts at a size 0 to it looks like a 4x (24), but I'd definitely check the size chart that is available. As with any special occasion dress, sizes do tend to run a bit smaller.

Fantastic Full Skirt Bohemian Print Prom Gown with Tulle Overlay - 4 to 20

Prom Dresses by JOVANI Amazing White Grecian Style Dress - 0 to 24

Sunshine Yellow Draping Goddess Prom Dresses - 4 to 18

Fairytale Pink, Orange, & Purple Gathered Prom Dress - XS to 2X

Sydney's Closet
They claim to offer the widest selection of plus size formal gowns on the web. Their plus size dresses run from a size 14 to 44! I mean seriously, they do have a ton of gowns to go through. It's going to be a tough decision!

Notorious 14-36

Wild Nights 14-30

Pretty Wonderful 14-36

Links to more plus size friendly places to shop for prom dresses:

www.rissyroos.com/

www.promgirl.com/

www.alight.com/

www.plussizebridal.com/

www.igigi.com/

www.debshops.com/

I actually am secretly wishing I could re-do my prom this year. There are so many great choices available that were impossible to find when I was in high school. I am particularly fond of the "Wild Nights" dress and I'm currently thinking of way to budget that into my wardrobe for the PHAT Magazine launch party on May 1. I have time to save! If you are dreading your senior prom, don't! Relax! You have enough on your plate to worry about, i.e., finals, graduation, jobs, college applications, yada yada yada. Just find a comfortable dress and shoes and just enjoy your night. You only have one senior prom and it's a chance to create wonderful memories with your friends.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NIKSTAR'S BLOG!

WANTED: Talented Plus Size Fashion Bloggers!!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG LADIES!!!!

IT IS OFFICIALLY SPRING THIS SATURDAY!

Time to shake those Cabin Fever Blues, hop into your flip flops and start enjoying this gorgeous weather while it lasts.. =)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Looking for talented, dedicated, motivated, plus size fashion bloggers to contribute to SKORCH Magazine for the SKORCH BLOG!

We ♥ posts on OOTD, Trends in your area, Make up tips, and so much more! Are you that someone or do you know someone who would be perfect for this?

Email me at:
jbanks@skorchmagazine.com

Fatbulously Frugal: Lord and Taylor - A Basement Affair

So, there’s this little store called Lord and Taylor...

Maybe you have heard of it? I used to shop there all the time. They had an awesome Plus Size department and some insane deals. Then I stopped. I am not really sure why, but I did. So, one day a friend of mine was looking for a cocktail dress and I remember getting some insane gowns and dresses there over the years for dirt cheap. In the dress/plus size department was something my eyes had never seen before. My heart skipped a beat and my friend and I launched into a full sprint. It was a huge clearance section. Everything in the store that was on last call was down there. I rummaged and grabbed. Each item has a colored dot on it and you check the dot for the coordinating discount. I got a Tadashi cocktail gown for $40. I kid you not. It fit like a glove. I had snagged some boot cut dark wash Calvin Klein jeans for $10. Calvin Klein also awarded me a sweater for the rummage for $4. Yes.. you are not reading it incorrectly. It was insane. The only stipulation, FINAL SALE. That was so not a problem when there were big inviting dressing rooms ready for me to pull on and off in. My advice, if you feel like rummaging, and bargain hunting.. go to your nearest Lord and Taylor and hit the basement. You may find your dream dress for pennies!

- Frugal Fanny!

OOTD: Curves GALOREE - Spring Outfit

Hey!! I'm back with a Spring look :))


TOP: (L) H&M Top $13.00
SKIRT: (2x) Faith 21
SANDALS: Burlington Coat Factory $16.99



TIP: Wearing a loose skirt with some sort of print will be a great tip for
girls who have tummy problems!

Check out Fenise's Youtube and Blog here!

C is for Cute!!

by NimaBeckie

Sesame Street, that show we all know,love and grew up with, is turning 40. Here are just a few ways to join in on the celebration.

Cookie Monster

From Math.com runs up to a 3x, prices start at $25.00

From Wackyplanetshop.com runs up to a 2x -$11.00

- From Spencers $14.99