How to know when it is too small or too big?

You can read today's Friday how tos at thefashionistique

Here is my New Year's Eve outfit


Till Monday,thefashionistique

IGIGI in SF Business Times, Dreams in all shapes and forms, a top I want!

We are in SF Business Times!
I had Friday off. I woke up, went to the coffee shop across the street and then rushed to the book store to pick up a copy of the San Francisco Business Times as a reporter had an interview with our CEO Alex on the previous Wednesday for a story she was working on plus size clothing and I was excited to see what she ran.

You can find the excerpt here and the full article on IGIGI in the News soon.
Plus-size women's clothing brand opens first store in S.F.

Dreaming of cashing in on clothes?

The rest of Friday was spent running long overdue errands including my all time favorites, laundry and cleaning the house, paying bills, and dropping clothes off at Crossroads, a second hand clothing store in San Francisco. It is amazing how little money they pay you back for something you bought for a small fortune a few years ago. I guess my friend meatpilljunkie is right.

Clothes are like cars; the minute you leave the lot, they start depreciating, at least in resale value, unless of course, they are a fabulous brand name and you are patient to wait it out for about 20 years. Then, they are considered vintage, and you could possibly make some decent money off of them. But knowing myself, I probably would choose to keep and show them off myself.

Anyway, I almost had tears in my eyes as the girl behind the counter was going through my beloved stuff in the most nonchalant of manners, and I was thinking off all the occasions where I wore that sweater that I have had for like 10 years, the Benetton argyle top that I bought, kept for about 7 years and wore 3 times (did someone say argyle was coming back sometime soon?) and those shoes that I could only wear once because although they are a smashing pair, they are the most uncomfortable things I ever had to fit five toes into, I had visions of grabbing everything away from her claws, putting them back in the bag and running away from there as fast as I could.

Possibly feeling my anxiety to let go, she grabbed the whole pile before I could make a move and placed it away from my reach in a bigger pile of clothes from other strangers, turned to me and said "Would you like cash or store credit?"

"Let me look around." I said thinking that maybe I could find some brand name treasure for a decent price.

Half an hour later, I left the store with exactly $37.50 in my hands; talk about depreciation or in my case, depression.

Fashionable ski Gear? Can a dream come true?
Saturday and Sunday, I was up in Tahoe skiing and I have to tell you skiing is no opportunity for a fashion show. I have always believed and still have the opinion that skiing gear is probably the least fashionable kind of clothing I have ever had to endure for the love of a sport or anything else. They are bulky and ugly. I think there is a huge business opportunity there for some stylish, fashionable ski gear that will not burn the wallet.

Dream Girls is truly dreamy
I am not one who likes a musical movie. As far as I can remember, Chicago has been the only exception to that so far, that is, until I saw Dream Girls yesterday and Jennifer Hudson's voice literally brought tears to my eyes. What a voice!

Then at night I dreamt about this blouse that I had seen in Marie Claire magazine. I was out shopping and as I walk into this little boutique, I see it is the first thing on the rack on the hanger, get all excited and want to try it on. I have no idea what happened then because I opened my eyes for some reason and when I closed them back, the dream was gone.



Isn't it gorgeous? It kind of reminds me of our


Victoriana Cowl Top

Tillromorrow,thefashionistique

Dream and Dare Straight to Plus

Today's dream outfit comes from Marc Jacobs. I have to be honest, I was never a big fan until my friend Idil kept buying his stuff on ebay and gave me my own private trunk show one day. I always thought that his designs were quite plain with no visible originality to make the hefty price tag worthy.

Then I saw a couple of his dresses on her, and I realized why he is so famous for his designs. The cuts that look so simple and straight, and sometimes, ironically too complicated to wear, literally transform on the body and make the garments look outrageously flattering.

It is a dilemma that reminds me of our shimmering dress which is scary to most plus size women at a first glance because of the heavy draping, but once you put it on, it becomes an entirely different story. I have seen it first hand here on models and the customers who actually rave about it tell the tale better than I do. It just goes to show, "Never talk big, until you try."

I learned my lesson.

The second reason why I became hooked on Marc is this object that has been taking up quite a lot of room in my dreams lately. This bag is my new obsession. I am waiting to see how long this one will take to fade away since I learned from my experience with the LV perforated speedy that it is only a matter of time until a highly distracted fashionista finds some other candy in the store to devour, at least in her dreams.

A woman who I think is just drop dead gorgeous, Jennifer Connelly is on the cover of Marie Claire magazine. There are a few shots of her in there where she is wearing an outfit very similar to this one by Marc Jacobs.

Dream to have

Felted striped hat
$98
Felted striped scarf
$158

which I think is a very feminine look on the model although the pieces are, individually, well, quite manly.

The pants

Marc Jacobs Oxford Pants,

$248
Layering Jersey Top
$88

I would also throw on this coat to complete the outfit


Rikki plaid coat
$628

This dream outfit totals: $1220

Dare to buy

Karla palazzos
$44.50
Mossimo top
$11.99


Ugg shearling
$120

This dare outfit totals: $176.49

Plus outfit

Giovanna pants
$69


Victoriana in off white
$62


Plaid overcoat
$63
Total: $194 minus 10% off "Wrap" = $174.60




Happy shopping!
Tilltomorrow,thefashionistique

What do Diane and Yuliya have in common? The story of the wrap dress!

One of my favorite designers is Diane Von Furstenberg. She is the woman who put the term wrap dress in our fashion vocabulary and thanks to the amazingly flattering cut, wrap dresses have become of one of those trends that, well, never go out of trend. You will see them in solids, graphics, polka dots, cotton, jersey, taffeta etc., but they are always present on the hangers every season.

Diane von Furstenberg "Jewel Cashmere Wrap Dress
Diane von Furstenberg 'Antonio' wrap dress


I am yet to see a body type that doesn't transform into something more, and almost always a positive enhancement, when it is adorned with a wrap dress. I am writing about this today inspired by three recent events.

One, I saw this book on Diane at Urban Outfitters out of all places on Sunday and I unabashedly blurted out to my friend Sara that "It would be the perfect Christmas present for me" as she replied "dido" Great minds do think alike.

Then, yesterday I got an email from a chain of stores I frequent in San Francisco called Georgiou announcing some of their new stuff and I saw this dress. (Toby, please excuse me, I just can't get enough of red) and needless to say, I am seriously tempted to go try it. The only thing holding me back is this BCBG dress I already own and adore, and although it is not a wrap dress, it is very similar in style.

What I like the most about wrap dresses is how versatile they are. You can fancitize a wrap dress with some sexy stilettos, a clutch, a knee length silk brocade jacket and some bling bling and strut around the room at that cocktail party, or talk business as you wear it with a denim jacket and some boots for a Friday at the office, or casualize it for a lazy brunch with the friends with a pair of jeans, some sassy sneakers, a cardigan and an oversized bag.

Then our IGIGI black wrap dress was featured as one of the Top Ten Affordable Black Dresses by no one other than about.com plus size fashions guide, Liria Mersini.

"This is such a wonderful dress." she says. "Truly a great choice if you like a bit more coverage from your little black dress." You can check out the rest here. And while you are there, also check this out please!

And here is my favorite wrap dress in my closet. This is by Fornarina.

Tilltomorrow,thefashionistique

IGIGI Christmas party, new coat and news!

We had the IGIGI Christmas party over the weekend. I finally had a chance to wear this Missoni like BCBG dress that I had bought within its minute of arrival at Ambiance about seven months ago when I still used to work there.



It took me one minute to know that I wanted this dress, five minutes to try it on and showcase it to the others in the store and another five to make the transaction before I changed my mind. Then, it took me two months to find the perfect shoes that would go with it. I am still searching for the perfect clutch, but there are backups that do the job just fine in the mean time.



I was happy that I finally had an opportunity to wear it and laid everything out on my bed before I left the house to go visit a friend during the day on Saturday so that the whole ensemble would be ready when I got back and I would not get a chance to change my mind and go through my entire wardrobe in case there was something else that I may want to wear instead. You know, one of those big "What if, I wonder..." fashion dilemmas.





On Sunday, I was downtown with my friend Sara. I had checked this coat online several times, and as we were walking by Urban Outfitters and saw that they had a 30% off on outerwear, I dragged her inside and I tried it on.



and got it in black. It was a good deal for something I actually needed. It is very cute and comfortable.

Tilltomorrow, thefashionistique


This offer is now good through January 2nd , 07!

How to travel safe and fashionably!

Travel safe in style
Thanks to the world becoming an ever peaceful place to live, air travel has become a bit of a challenge for the fashionistas. Back in the careless and worry less days, I remember schlepping a hefty vanity case in my hands half way across the world happy and sound that I had access to my entire collection of beauty products. You know, in case I needed five different moisturizers as we flew over different climates, had to smell like Coco in one airport and Gio in the other, fix my hair, throw on an exfoliating mask and change nail polish as I waited for the next flight.

RIGHT!

I was reading this article about how we should pack now so that we are not departed with our beloved belongings by the whim of a security officer as we are anxiously trying to get on a plane in Vogue about this woman "who tried to explain to the baggage screener her $68 concealer's skin perfecting attributes as the officer aimed it at the bottom of a waste bin…."

And it reminded me of the last time I was in Frankfurt airport on my way to Istanbul desperately trying to explain in my broken yet utterly creative German to Frau Lufthansa that I had to take my Tweezerman set with me (did she know how much they cost?), and promising that I would never use them as weapons of mass destruction.

You have to give it to the Germans; they are more determined to keep possessions they like than the most tenacious of fashionistas. I landed in the motherland plus new German vocabulary minus one set of Tweezerman.

It is time for travel for most of us again, and I thought that it would be nice idea to make a list of airline security safe products for this Friday's How Tos.

How to pack your vanity case so you secure your products through airport security.

New regulations permit containers three ounces or less (carried in a clear, plastic bag.) Balms and solid-stick formulations are safe.

Shue Uemura foldout eye masks hydrate and depuff tired eyes.

Shu Uemura Moisture eye zone mask


This Works: Turbo Balm is a nerve-calming blend of Tahitian monoi, rose and coconut oils, multitasks by softening dry skin, healing cracked cuticles and lips.


Chantecaille Real Skin Foundation SPF-30 comes in a genius solid-gel compact-invisibly evens skin and weightlessly smooths away pores.


Stilla Color Push-ups come in eight shades and add a refreshing sheer tint to cheeks, lips, and anywhere else that cries for color!



Solid, pocket size perfumes from Bulgari, Michael Kors and Stella McCartney all pass muster.




And of course, a fashionista never comprimises style in her outfit even when she is X thousand feet up on the air. This, I think would be a great combination to wear for a comfortable yet chic and stylish time up in the air.


Belinda Bootcut Leggings in Black


Viviane Cowl Top in Olive

and throw on a wrap sweater when it gets cold, and you are set!


Suzette wrap top in green



Happy Travels!
TillMonday,thefashionistique

Get face and make-up ready and laugh your guts out at IGIGI

Do you remember me talking about this guy?


Do you want to find out how I met him, Tim Quinn, the make up wizard at Giorgio Armani cosmetics and what he has to say about make up? Well, here is the adress where you can. And now you add your own comments as well!
**********************************************************


Bunkie Lynn is now at IGIGI Lifestyle
"I know in my heart that my face is still pretty regardless of my size and that people who measure me as a person by my outwardly shape have a lot to learn about respect and friendship."

Bunkie Lynn,
Humorist and best-selling aouthor of "The Big Girls' Guide to Life

Read my exclusive with her here. You can send Bunkie questions or comments you have.

*******************************************************

Skin is our largest organ!
Do you know how to prep your skin to look fabulous at that New Year's Eve event you are going to? I picked the brains of one of my favorite facialists in San Francisco for you and found out. Check it out here


Tilltomorrow, thefashionistique