ELOQUII is BACK (and better than ever!)

The plus size blogosphere is abuzz with the news that Eloquii has relaunched! If you're new to Eloquii, here's the short and sweet about the brand: Previously owned by The Limited, Eloquii, The Limited's plus size brand, was shut down due to corporate restructuring. Plus size shoppers everywhere were sad/angry/disappointed, and the original team behind Eloquii decided to take over and relaunch with cooler pieces than ever before! (I'm personally a fan of all the faux leather details!)
The company is now employee-owned, which I think is awesome. The coolest part? They'll be releasing new products in limited quantities every few weeks, so there will always be something new and fresh to add to your wardrobe. Can't wait to see where the brand goes! :D

Click through for a few of my favorite lookbook images below!
I am DYING over that cheetah print skater skirt. Love it!!
I thought I was over peplum, but the asymmetrical hem on the dress feels totally fresh!
ALL STRIPED EVERYTHING. Need I say more?
Both of these dresses are perfect! How perfect is the blush pink dress for all the spring and summer weddings that are coming up??
Love both of these looks--perfect combination of edgy and sophisticated!

How glorious is that abstract paneling? Love!!
What are you guys loving the most??? Do you like the trendier route that Eloquii has taken? Check out the full collection and let me know what you think!



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Plus Size Holiday Outfit Idea - What to Wear to a New Years Eve Party

The look you choose to count down in is always fun one to put together! I think it represents how people feel about the new year--you get a clean slate, and it feels like the possibilities are endless! [ :: Isabel Marant pour H&M pilot jacket :: zip detail skirt c/o Simply Be :: LOFT tee :: ][ :: Alexander Wang Ryan clutch (similar) :: Mossimo boots :: ]For obvious reasons, I love wearing something super sparkly and decided to go a little edgier with this asymmetric, zip-up faux-wrap skirt from Simply Be! How sweet is that zipper detail? I'm also seriously in love with the print! Since it's bound to be chilly, this shimmery lurex bomber from the Isabel Marant pour H&M collaboration fit the bill perfectly. I love that it's practical and festive. I can't wait to bust this look out on December 31st!








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MYNT1792 Blogger Collection Video Release!

Woohoo! Just in time for the holidays, the MYNT1792 Blogger Collection jackets have shipped out to those of you who pre-ordered! If you haven't yet, you can pick one up at MYNT1792 here. :)
For a little extra fun, MYNT1792 shot a behind-the-scenes video about the collection. Check it out below for clips from the launch party, as well as interviews about our design inspiration! (Don't mind me and my awkward rambling, lol.)



P.S. I may be seriously biased, but how amazing does MaggieB look in the Allison Zip Up Trench?! So insanely cool seeing someone else in my design. If you ordered the jacket, please snap a pic and tag me on twitter, facebook, or instagram so I can share with everyone! I would love to see it on you guys! :D




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UNEXPECTED HUES: 9 Awesome Leather Pieces I'm Coveting for Fall

Hey guys! I'm back from a whirlwind trip in NYC, and while the runways are being walked by models in S/S 2014 gear, I'm itching to share some of my favorite pieces for fall! This summer feels like it has lasted a lifetime. I'm so ready for it to cool down so I can bust out my coats, jeans, sweaters and boots!

Every fall, I find myself obsessing over all things leather, and this year is no different! While black and brown pieces are always classic, this year, I'm gravitating toward more unexpected colors--burgundy, various shades of blue, and dark, smoky greens. Click through the slideshow below for a few of my favorite leather pieces in unconventional shades!

I can't get enough! The leather t-shirt and navy skater skirt are my absolute must haves. What about you? Is colored leather striking your fancy for fall? :)
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$250 Thread & Butter Giveaway!

Lulu Top (available mid-august)

My love for Thread & Butter is pretty well-documented (rocked their tie dye pieces in Hawaii here and here!), and while most of us are familiar with their bright, summery tanks and super wearable basics, they just released some new pieces for fall and they are cuuuuute.


Left: Cameron Dress (available mid-august) || Right: Rhett Top
I love that they managed to translate tie dye into something that works for Fall. The Cameron dress is absolutely on my to-buy list! The Rhett Top is gorgeous and also comes in a plum colorway. If you're impatient for the Fall items to land on their site, the Spring 2013 Collection is currently on major sale. I have my eye on the Ricky Top! :D

Thread & Butter was sweet enough to offer Curvy Girl Chic readers a chance to win a $250 gift card to shop their site! Trust me--this is a giveaway prize I wish I could keep for myself! :P

3 Ways to Enter!

• Leave a comment with your favorite item from Thread & Butter and your email or twitter so I can contact you if you win! Simple!
• Follow @CurvyGirlChic and @TandBplus on Twitter, and comment again with your twitter handle/name!
• Like Curvy Girl Chic and Thread & Butter on Facebook, then comment again with your FB name!

❤ Pretty simple, right? Good luck! ❤

*1 entry per method per person. Leave a separate comment per entry method. Giveaway closes August 16! :) Open to readers with a US address. Prize courtesy of Thread & Butter.

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wanderlust: Vegas edition

Every year around this time I get really antsy to travel. The weather is starting to warm up, I haven't traveled in a while, and I'm ready for a break! I already booked a trip to Hawaii for my boyfriend's birthday, I'm headed to Amsterdam and Budapest in June, but I still want to hit Vegas before it gets too hot (it's already around the 80's!). Living in So Cal, a weekend trip to Vegas is one of the easiest weekend trips ever. It's a relatively easy drive, but it still feels like a complete departure from everyday life. I love it!

When I have a vacation planned, I tend get all one-track-mind with my purchases. I'm trying to be good and not buy too much in preparation for my trips, so I'm putting myself on a window-shopping-only-as-much-as-possible kind of budget. Does that make any sense? haha Anyway, I thought I'd share a few items I've been eyeing for a Vegas trip while I mentally pack my bags! :)

My go-to daytime look anytime I'm in the desert: breezy top, comfy jeans, a crossbody bag, and awesome accessories. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential!
[ :: Dorothy Perkins top :: Gap boyfriend jeans :: Victoria Beckham sunglasses :: ]
[ :: Asos necklace :: La Roche Posay Anthelios :: Rebecca Minkoff bag :: Vail cuff :: ]

More after the jump! :)

 Lots of people think Vegas is just for partying and gambling, and while those are probably what most people go for, there's a ton more to do! I L-O-V-E the shopping. There's a HUGE Forever 21+ section at Fashion Show Mall, an even huger H&M at Caesar's Palace, and enough luxury brands to make me wish I had a sugar daddy. (I kid, I kid. but really.)

There are also some amazing food places ranging from a huge $10 breakfast from Hash-House-a-Go-Go to a $350 16-course tasting menu at Joël Robuchon. As a self proclaimed foodie, I've tried a ton of different places, but my favorites that I always hit up are probably Hubert Keller's Burger Bar, Mon Ami Gabi, and Thomas Keller's Bouchon. Insanely good.

I also always make time to get my music fix in Las Vegas. There are tons of big concerts (Uh, Beyonce at the MGM? Two tickets please.), smaller club shows (we saw Travie McCoy last time!), and small jazz clubs or piano bars. There's something for everyone. Can't wait to go back! If concerts aren't your scene, just walking the strip is awesome. Seeing all the bright lights, watching the Bellagio fountain show, and standing next to the faux Eiffel Tower never get old for me!

P.S. I would post a nighttime look, but in Vegas, all you need are the highest heels you can find, the shortest, tightest dress in your closet, and something obscenely sparkly. Woohoo! lol. :P

Shopping Spotlight: Plus Size Lingerie Picks

It's February! ♥ And as much as you may try to convince me that Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday crafted by card companies to boost sales, I really don't care. *flips hair* Not like we should need a holiday to celebrate love, but it never hurts to give our significant others a little push in the right direction. ;)

I don't usually cover lingerie on my blog, but with Valentine's Day rolling around, my email has been absolutely bombarded with some of the cutest lingerie sets EVER(!!!), so I figured I'd share my favorites in case you guys are looking for some new underpinnings! ;) I tend to use this holiday as an excuse to invest in some cute new sets, so I figured I couldn't be alone. :P I mean really, how amazing is that mint babydoll from Cacique?!

Shop the looks here!

1. Cacique exclusively at Lane Bryant 2. Cacique exclusively at Lane Bryant 3. Cacique exclusively at Lane Bryant

4. Torrid 5. Torrid 6. Torrid

7. Hips & Curves 8. Hips & Curves

♥ Which ones are your faves? Are you picking up something new for Valentine's Day? :) ♥

currently coveting: plus size & wide calf boots

[[ shop them here! one.   two.   three.   four.   five. ]]

In the past week, Southern California weather has done a complete 180 and it's now super cold and rainy. I can feel a cold coming on (ugh!), and in this chilly weather, all I want to do is layer on sweaters, scarves, and jeans! What better to pair with those than some new boots, right?! :D

I invest in a new pair each year, and I know how difficult it can be to find cute wide calf boots, so I've rounded up 5 of my favorites this season! They're all gorgeous and are true plus-size/wide calf boots with over 17" circumferences. I'm particularly in love with number two's gorgeous rich purple-ish hue. How amazing would those look with black skinny jeans or leggings and a slouchy, oversized sweater?? Adding to my cart now.

Are boots one of your Fall wardrobe staples? What are some of your faves? ♥

currently coveting: Simply Be Fall Fashion

Fall is probably every fashionista's favorite season--cool enough for layers and boots, but not so cold that you can't feel your face when you go outside. This year, while I was sorting through the plethora of Fall lookbook and press releases that are flooding in, I was most impressed by Simply Be's stunning A/W 2012 Collection. Many of you probably got the catalog in the mail--how awesome does everything look? It totally psyched me up for fall. :D For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Simply Be is one of my favorite plus size retailers! It has great fashion-forward pieces--including metallic and maroon/wine colored items (my fave!). 

1. Animal Print Contrast Trim Blouse 2. Anna Scholz Bird Accent Dress 3. Biker Jacket with Detachable Fur Collar
4. Contrast Panel Trousers 5. Metallic Skinny Jeans

I'm so obsessed with that biker jacket and the metallic skinny jeans. I can totally imagine wearing the jacket with jeans and boots for a causal look, or those sexy statement jeans with a slinky black top and high heels for a date night look! ;)

What are you guys most looking forward to wearing this fall? ♥ Boots, jackets, leather? Let me know! :)

Shopping Spotlight: Wide Width Summer Sandals

I love shoes. They're supposed to be the great equalizer in fashion, after all! Everyone, regardless of size, can rock the hottest heel, right? WRONG. I guess I have fat feet too, because most shoes are too narrow for me. Major bummer. As a size 10W shoe, it can be really hard to find womens wide fitting shoes that fit well and DON'T look like something my grandmother would wear. 

Here are some faves on my summer sandal lust list!

[ :: shop wide width shoes here: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine :: ]

Do any of you guys have the same problem finding shoes that are wide enough without looking frumpy? what are some of your favorite places to find shoes? :D

trend spotlight: printed denim

One of my favorite Spring 2012 trends is printed denim. Nothing conveys attitude more than a pair of snake print skinnies paired with a slouchy black tshirt and leather jacket. I'd totally rock the leopard skinnies with an oversized white tank, leather wrap bracelets, and a straw fedora for a sexy summer look, too! I know many plus size women don't think they can "pull off" printed bottoms, but I think it's all about confidence when wearing a pair of these attention-getters. ;) 

 

[ :: shop plus size jeans from left to right: one, two, three, four, five :: ]

What do you guys think? Are printed skinny jeans a trend you'll rock or pass on?
Let me know in the comments! ♥

Shopping Spotlight: Contrast Trim Trench Coat

The Kate Spade 'Topliner' trench is perfection in my eyes. Its black trim, perfectly oversized and rounded lapels, and attention to detail (you can't see it here but the lining is a gorgeous Florence Boardhurst pattern that I've used as the border here) are the stuff of dreams. While I'm hardly the type to spend $700 on a jacket (I typically save that sort of investment $$ for bags), I would totally make an exception for this trench.

Unfortunately, the 'Topliner' trench goes up to a 14, a few sizes shy of what I wear. Given the fact that I can't remember the last time I was a 14 (maybe what, middle school??), I started searching for a suitable alternative. I came across the Piped Trench by So Fabulous and while it certainly isn't a perfect match, it works. I would probably swap out the included belt for different one (maybe a black one?) to increase the contrast, but at less then 1/10th of the price of the 'Topliner," this coat is a pretty good alternative.

Another option is to take Jessica Quirk's advice and make my own! ;) With my limited sewing skills though...I might just end up with a ruined trench, a pile of tangled trim, and throbbing fingertips.

What do you ladies do when you fall in love with a design that doesn't come in your size? Shop for alternatives? Make it yourself? DIET? (Just kidding! Don't yell at me.) I want to know! ♥

Shopping Spotlight: Rachel Pally Warehouse Sale!

I was graciously invited by the Rachel Pally team to check out their pre-sale yesterday, and it was AMAZING. Total shopping heaven! Doesn't hurt that Rachel and her team are totally amazing, hilarious, and all-around awesome hosts! :D Thank you! :)

One of my FAVORITE Rachel Pally prints. Gorgeous, and totally edgy!

Okay, shopping regret number one? I DIDN'T GET THIS DRESS. Dying inside as I look at this photo. If anyone hits up the sale, grab this for me in a 2x, please! I'll fully reimburse you. and buy you dinner. and maybe a movie. and maybe even my firstborn.

Racks upon racks of the most beautiful and wearable clothing you will ever find. 

That's my I'm-so-happy-because-I'm-shopping face. :D

Totally bought this blue and mauve-ish maxi skirt. LOVE it so SO much!

Close-up of the gorgeous print. Amazing, no? And like everything from RP, SO soft!

Such pretty colors!

Of course I bought this. It is absolutely beautiful in person!

[Reah, Tulin, Grisel, Marie, me, and Rachel!]
We're all shopaholics. It was so much fun shopping with them! :D

Rachel and I--she is so sweet, too funny, and totally awesome. (Also, totally drool-worthy Dries shoes!)

Thanks for having us! :D

If you guys are in OC/LA, totally hit up this sale! (And grab that printed maxi dress for me!! and maybe the Leandra one shoulder dress...lol!)
If you aren't in the area, definitely check out RachelPally.com. You won't be disappointed! :D

Happy shopping! :D

Yours, Etc.

CurvyGirlChic

P.S. Wearing: Calvin Klein maxi, Carmakoma blazer, Coach bag, DVxT wedges, & F21 necklaces!
P.P.S. Photos by the ever-patient boyfriend who stood around for 2 hours while I got my shop on! Major brownie points! haha

Shopping Spotlight: My-Wardrobe

A recent online search landed me on my-wardrobe.com, a high-end e-commerce site based on the UK. They don't carry plus size clothing options but there are SO MANY gorgeous shoes and accessories that I'm dying to add to my wardrobe and accessories closet! :D Here are a couple of my favorite items:

Sam Edelman Leopard Petty Flat Ankle Boots: $285
Barbour Olive Wax and Leather Tarras Satchel: $163

I loooove these boots. How amazing would they look with shorts and an oversized white T or even a little black dress?? It's pretty amazing how neutral and versatile leopard print can be. At $285, they're definitely on the pricier side, but the quality looks amazing, making these boots a totally good buy.

Another fave from the my-wardrobe site is the Barbour messenger bag. The leather looks like it will only get better with tons of wear, which I find is the case with most designer brands such as Barbour--the more you wear it in, the softer and more personalized the bag gets! 

By Malene Birger Oversized Metallic Sweater: $104
Sam Edelman Lorissa Heels: $297
Anton Heunis Large Square Necklace: $361

The nautical-y, shinny metallic weave of this oversized sweater is pretty much perfect. It would look just as amazing paired with skinny jeans and flats as it would paired with a frilly skirt and gorgeous heels! I've also coveted the Sam Edelman studded heels for ages but haven't bitten the bullet. Maybe they'll be a birthday present to myself! hehe :D Same goes for the equally gorgeous Anton Heunis necklace! Such a statement-maker.

Have any of you awesome readers shopped my-wardrobe.com before??
I'm curious to know how their shipping and customer service is--either way, I'm super psyched about this site and just wanted to share! :D 

Yours, Etc.
CurvyGirlChic