Sorry about missing out on the weekend!

On Saturday I pinched a nerve in my neck and spent the whole weekend in pain.  I couldn't move, let alone get dressed and take pictures  The good thing about it though is that I wasn't tempted to go shopping this weekend!

Anyways, back to work today, a little slow and stiff, but starting to feel better.  Thought I would try to keep my neck warm today, so I threw on a turtleneck sweater and a scarf for good measure.  Straight-cut black jeans, a belt and my favorite low-heeled pumps and I was set to go.

I hear a lot that plus size women shouldn't wear skinny or slim straight cut jeans.  I think that is a load of baloney!  I'm a size 16 (short) and I think I look best in slim cuts.  Because I'm a plus size rectangle (or brick, if you like), the straight and skinny cuts give me a little more curve and don't add bulk to my wide frame.  If you are a pear or an hourglass you will need to be more careful about skinny jeans, but inverted triangles, rectangles and apples can look a lot slimmer in slim cut jeans.  Just make sure the waist band fits and doesn't give you a muffin top.

Just ignore the painful look on my face! :)

Designer Plus Size clothing is not always the easiest thing to find.  Sure there are stores like Faith21 or Old Navy that have plus size options (if you are lucky enough to live near those stores), or the old standbys OneStopPlus or Roamans.  But they often don't have trendy plus size clothes (although they are great stores for basics and sometimes do have a gem to offer!).  Torrid and SWAK are great, but everybody is shopping there.  Kiyonna and Igigi have high class products, but they are more for dressing up and for the office.

And none of these stores offer customized sizes.

Recently I have fallen absolutely in love with eShakti. Here is what they have to say about themselves:

"Complete range of sizes from size 0 to size 26W on every style. And custom sizes too. And custom styling as well: you like a style, but want the sleeve, neckline or length to be different? Easy as 1-2-3. Only at eShakti!"

You choose an item of clothing, tell them your size, your bra size and your height and then it is custom made for you!  If you have figure "problems" (who doesn't!), it is possible to customize every piece of clothing they sell.  You just have to register once with them, give them your measurements and then this option is available to you every time.

So now you are thinking *faint* "How am I going to afford this??"  But guess what?  Not only do they have incredible designs (and in plus sizes!), but their prices are more than reasonable.  I won't say cheap (even if their prices are) because that sounds like the quality might not be the best.  But it is.  And their prices are.

Maybe you've never heard of them and would like to see what Designer Plus Size and Trendy Plus Size offerings they have?  I am only to happy to oblige!  Take a gander, a click on the picture will take you right to the product page. 

Plus size black wrap dress $49.95



Plus size georgette bubble dress $44.95



Plus size top with pintucks and tie-back $39.95


Plus Size Ruffled Jersey top with Gold Belt $39.95



Plus Size Pants in black cotton $29.95


Plus Size Denim Jacket with asymmetrical closure $59.95


Embellished Asymmetric Plus Size Wool Coat $114.95


Beaded Medallion Necklace $29.95


Plus Size Belt with Beaded Chevrons $39.95

I heart dresses.  And do you know why?  You always look like you put way more thought into your outfit than you did.

Today I decided to give "casual Friday" a different meaning.  I threw on a more or less VERY casual black jersey dress (more comfortable than most of my pyjamas!), a pair of warm, wooley thin knit tights and a dressy cardigan on top of it all.  It felt like Sunday morning in my housecoat!

A bit of jewelry, a hairband on my head and my most comfortable pumps and I had a really cosy day.  But I think I look like I spent some thought on my outfit (I didn't) or at least some time getting dressed (in and out in 20 Minutes today).

 

Note to self: don't take pictures in front of curtains that are the same color as your cardigan! :) 

The cardigan is great because it is made of silk and is very lightweight.  It also has huge real mother-of-pearl buttons which give it it's elegant look.  I got it in Canada at an overstock store called Winners.

 I love black because it always looks put together and elegant and pairing it with gold gives it  a polished, elegant look.  If you consider my whole outfit cost me about $80 including shoes and jewelry, that is pretty frugal!

 

• Black jersey dress (similar at SWAK Designs)
• Beige/Gold long cardigan (similar at Chadwick's)
• Black Belt with Gold Buckle (nice one at Target, it's called "Mossimo Supply Co. Belt With Two Inset Buckles")
• Low heeled black leather pumps (invest in these, keep them simple and timeless and the highest quality you can afford.  These are a wardrobe staple and should last you at least 10 years--think about CPW!!) (here's THE perfect pair at Zappos)