Dookie-Chain Dress from NaKIMuli, $165, Sizes S-3X

Color-Block Sandal from Payless Shoesource  $34.99, Sizes 5-13

Ruffle Crop Jacket from Ashley Stewart, $49.50, Sizes XL-4X

“Cathi” by Jessica Simpson  from Bakers Shoes, $99, Sizes 5-10

The Khaki Button Down Shirt Dress from Avenue, $58, Sizes 14-24

The Dolce & Gabbana Intense Nail Polish in “Wild Green”, $20 at www.saksfifthavenue.com

The “Eye Doll” from Bakers Shoes, $90, Sizes 5-10

Steel contrast collar blazer $89.00 from Dorothy Perkins

I have had my eye on this dress for a few weeks, but yesterday when I saw Evelyn from ‘Basketball Wives’ wearing it so fabulously, I was sold too. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Skater Dress In Brush Stroke Print  $57.30,  Sizes 16-22

The ‘Stop Staring’ Pink Billion Dollar Baby Dress from Torrid  $120.50, Sizes 12-26

Colored Denim Jeans from Dots

This Jewelry Dress Organizer is the perfect thing for keeping your rings and things from being broken and fashionable at the same time, $22 from Bakers Shoes

1) Model Logic by Beverly Johnson™ is a multicultural line of seven luxurious haircare products geared towards women and men of all ages.

2) Beverly Johnson Drawstring Ponytails feature a blend of synthetic and natural hair for which they can withstand the high heat of a curling iron for numerous styling options. 

Following in the tradition of legendary African-American entrepreneurs and pioneers who have built beauty empires by creating products specifically for women of color, Ms. Johnson has invoked that same spirit with The Beverly Johnson Lifestyle Brand that includes haircare, skin care, bath & body, ponytails and more. And unlike many celebrity-licensed or endorsed products, Model Logic by Beverly Johnson has been created, manufactured, and distributed by Beverly’’s recently launched company BJE, LLC.

“”Having worked so long in the fashion and beauty industries, many of the products that were used on me while I was modeling were more than just your average lipstick or shampoo”,” said Ms. Johnson. “”I learned how they were formulated and what products were the most beneficial for both women and men of color in terms of styling but also restoration. Thanks to this experience, I would say that I’’ve become a multicultural expert and leader for beauty and hair products that are top-notch and that serve our specific beauty needs”.”

The salon-quality products are all based on formulas that Beverly has used for years. Each of Beverly’’s hair products boasts unique blends of emollients, botanical extracts and vitamins that leave hair looking luxurious just like a supermodel’s mane and at an affordable price point ranging from $12.50 to $25.00 for the haircare products and $19.95 to $25.00 for the Beverly Johnson Drawstring Ponytails.

The following products will be available at select TARGET stores nationwide on February 26:

Top Model
Super Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo – A concentrated shampoo enriched with conditioning emollients that has a unique blend of botanicals extracts as well as vitamin E. It gently conditions as it cleans, so that hair is never stripped or depleted of natural oils after shampooing. 

Hairline Magic Crème
Softening and Prevents Breakage of Hairline – This product is a wonderful solution to several hairline conditions. It is the perfect way to smooth down broken and unruly hairs and keep them in place. As a protectant, it conditions and fortifies the hairline and keeps it from becoming dry and brittle. It replaces dullness with a beautiful shine and adds refinement and luster to this fragile section of hair.

Go Curly
Promotes the Natural Curl of your Hair – A nourishing styling product used to create soft flowing frizz free curls. Contains Pro Vitamin B and Keratin to moisturize and improve shine on curly hair. 

Dead Straight
Incredible Shine and Styling Treatment – Provides your hair with exceptional conditioning and incredible shine. This multifaceted product can be used as an elegant conditioner for dry damaged hair, and as a shine enhancer following styling. 

Work It
Ultra Softening Conditioning Treatment – An exceptional way to replenish dry hair with smoothing and deep-penetrating conditioners. Enriched with Pro-vitamin B-5, which is highly beneficial and refreshing for both hair and scalp. This luxurious treatment provides genuine help for dry, damaged or abused hair, revitalizing it with a soft manageability. 

Photo Finish Mist
Fine Mist that Gives Hair Shine – An excellent product to use to add shine and dimension to finished styles. 

Strike a Pose
Shea Butter Moisturizer that Provides Control and Hold – A styling cream designed to provide control, hold and texture. Strike A Pose is enriched with Shea Butter that moisturizes while keeping your hairstyle in place. 

Beverly Johnson’’s new Drawstring Ponytail adds long, luxurious natural style to hair. Using the Futura™ synthetic hair fiber that is lighter, softer and feels and looks just like human hair, it beautifully blends in with natural hair. The Beverly Johnson Drawstring Ponytail comes in a range of colors from golden blonde to off-black as well as varying textures from silky straight to a loose straw curl. The Drawstring Ponytail responds to styling tools and can easily be curled with a curling iron and take the heat of a flat iron. 

Consumers can visit www.beverlyjohnson.com for a full list of TARGET stores where the haircare line is available. 

BeverlyJohnson.com is a new ecommerce site launched in December 2011 and features Beverly’’s haircare, skincare and bath & body products. The site also includes a blog where Beverly shares beauty & fashion tips and The Beverly Johnson Lifestyle Brand. Visit Beverly on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SupermodelBeverlyJohnson or on Twitter,http://twitter.com/beverlyjohnson1.

New Jersey’s Full-Figured Fashion Week to Take Place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 30th to April 1st 2012

Brought to you by Nfinite Form, New Jersey Full Figured Fashion Week is a buzz-worthy, “Girls Getaway” weekend of celebrity performances, plus size runway shows, daily shopping, panel discussions and notable guests.

This spring, fabulous full-figured women from all across the Tri-state area will come together in Atlantic City, New Jersey to experience an exclusive look into the world of fashion for every size. By creating a platform to raise mainstream fashion’s awareness of the plus-size industry, NJFFFW ® created by Nfinite Form, will empower women of all ranges to feel glamorous and confident with designers and brands that appeal to their curves.

This buzz-worthy weekend of performances, runway shows, activities, shopping and notable guests is a must-attend event for every true lover of fashion. Shining the spotlight on never-before-seen plus-size style and taking mainstream women’s fashion to revolutionary new heights, NJFFFW ® will take over Atlantic City March 30th- April 1st, 2012. Among the ever-expanding roster of guests – two-time Grammy-nominated R&B legend Eric Benet and Grammy-nominated Melanie Fiona are slated to perform. Top TV Style Correspondent and author of The Bra Book, Jené Luciani and Heather Feather, Star of TLC’s Big Sexy, are amongst the fashion panelists. Star of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married?” Lamman Rucker is also slated to appear, along with famed fitness instructor, dancer and actor Darrin Henson from “Stomp the Yard and Soulfood.” The overall weekend will be hosted by MTV Reality star Chelsea Settles. Additionally, Toccara Jones from America’s Next Top Model will be a panelist – many more yet to be announced!

This highly anticipated three-day event will debut to an audience of thousands of women of all shapes and sizes. Much like fan favorites Lucky Shops and Shecky’s Girls’ Night Out, shoppers will have the opportunity to shop, party and mingle together all day, while taking place in Bally’s Hotel and Casino. Featuring celebrity DJs and Grammy-nominated performers (not to mention the latest trends on the market in Spring/Summer fashions, the hottest designers and vendors, and two runway shows happening live) women will get a chance to enjoy their custom-tailored favorite brands and looks.

NJFFFW ® kicks off with an opening cocktail reception and runway show at 8pm, followed by an after party hosted by Tami Roman of Basketball Wives at One Atlantic. The following Saturday, March 31st, the shopping events begin with panel discussions, runway shows in both prom and wedding, drinks and appetizers continued by a night of dancing and performances at The Harlem Club at The Showboat Hotel hosted by Kiss FM’s Lenny Green. The final Sunday begins with a Zumba class hosted by celebrity choreographer, Darrin Henson, bruch, and then a state wide model search with Top Model’s Toccarra Jones and farewell SWAG bags.

www.njfffw.com

“I found the greatest love of all inside of me,
The greatest love of all is easy to achieve,
Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all”—-Whitney Houston

It only seems befitting to start off this blog post with those famous words from the Whitney Houston song, “The Greatest Love of All”.  Even though this post is not specifically about her those words are perfect for what I have to say. Last night were the 2012 Grammy Awards and me along with millions of others were glued to the TV watching and tweeting our thoughts. I for one thought that the most emotional part of the night would have been the tribute to Whitney Houston. Turns out  that what really moved me was singer Adele. Not only is her voice both chilling and stronger than ever after having throat surgery, but her whole presence was amazing. This was Adele’s first performance since having the throat surgery and she didn’t disappoint. She even started off her performance acappella to show us that she’s still got it. But let me get to the real reason for writing this post.

While on Twitter last night I tweeted a few thoughts on Adele and when I woke up this morning, I saw that I had quite a few Retweets of what I wrote. That just shows me that a lot of people feel the way I do. Here are my tweets below:

I’m not gonna lie, I was so excited for Adele last night for proving that you don’t have to be stick thin to make it in the entertainment world that I had to shut down and stop tweeting altogether. I could not stop the tears. Adele received 6 Grammy’s sweeping the entire awards ceremony last night.  All I could think about was designer Karl Lagerfield’s comments about the singer recently. He said, and I quote, ”The thing at the moment is Adele. She is a little too fat, but she has a beautiful face and a divine voice,” the 78-year-old head designer and creative director for Chanel told Metro Paris”. 

Now this is what pisses me off with society. Everyone is not gonna be shaped the same due to health reasons, genetics, etc. But why do we have to be put in a box because of that? No, I’m not condoning obesity in any way shape or form but just because you may be a size 14 or even a 20 doesn’t mean that you’re not healthy or not taking care of yourself. I’m about to step on some toes here but what the hell. I have been holding this in for some time now.

 Karl must have forgotten that he was a “big boy” just a few years ago too. Yes, I’m sure some people do feel better about themselves or look wonderful after major weight loss, such as Jennifer Hudson, but don’t forget that you were once larger too. I myself know that I could stand to lose a good 50 pounds but I always want to rep the curvier woman. Even if I do lose the weight I would “never” turn my back on the plus-size world. I honestly have been smaller years ago, when I first found out that I had thyroid problems, and I didn’t look right being 150 pounds. Having a ‘smaller’ frame isn’t for everyone. That’s what pisses me off with society. We feel that you have to be below a size 6 to be ‘accepted’ in the world. That’s what’s been brain washed into our heads for years. Many times producers and industry people tell entertainers that they ‘must’ lose weight or be a certain size in order for records to sell . Ummm, I think last night Adele proved them wrong. ( A point also made with actresses Queen Latifah, Mo’Nique, Amber Riley, KayCee Stroh, etc who have either won awards or made positive strides as plus-size women).

It even carries over into the real world of dating guys and also having female friends. Some men only want the ‘society approved’ woman on their arms. I personally have been victim to guys saying that they’d prefer a ‘smaller woman’ or feeling like they only want one thing  from you and then not wanna be seen out in public with you. Or have you ever been the ‘fat bestfriend’ who you feel that she only has you around to make herself feel better?  Yes, even I have gone through this, recently as a matter of fact, but you know what I do, I just keep myself up even more. Hmmphh, and some of those ‘smaller/society’ chicks can’t even strike a match to me when I step into a room. But let me stop venting because I think you get my point. “DON’T EVER LET ANYONE MAKE YOU FEEL LESS THAN. IF YOU CAN’T ACCEPT ME AT MY ‘FULLEST’ (LITERALLY), THEN YOU DAMN SURE DON’T NEED TO BE AROUND ME FOR MY ‘BREAKTHROUGH”.   Adele you inspired me and many other curvy women last night. Hats off to you!

Now since I am a fashion stylist I must speak on the styling point of view. Although Adele looked great in all of her outfit changes last night, I think her stylist played it too safe with the basic ‘black’ looks.  Earlier in the night I inadvertently tweeted that “Adele was wearing all black AGAIN, smh”, but I was getting her confused with Melissa McCarthy. But that just proves the same point, why are these beautiful women hiding behind black so much? Golden Globe and SAG winner Octavia Spencer has demonstrated that women with curves ‘can’ rock colors and look marvelous while doing so. Her designer of choice right now is Tadashi Shoji and he’s been making fabulous color-flattering pieces for her.  So go ahead ladies, rock your curves!

I went wig shopping yesterday and just so happened to stumble upon a Vivica A. Fox wig that I fell in love with at first sight. I didn’t even know who it was by when I asked the clerk to try it on. But when I went to check the name of it that’s when I realized your girl Vivica A. Fox had a winning wig line. For those who may not know Vivica A. Fox is a powerhouse actress and producer. Famously known as an actress for roles in “Set It Off”, “Kill Bill” and “Independence Day” just to name a few. But now she can add “wigologist” under her belt. (Yes, I said “wigologist”, lol). I was looking for something to compliment my round face and took a liking to the synthetic style wig named “Fancy”. I had heard about Vivica’s hair line some time ago but I guess my local beauty supply store is just getting it in. 

I have been wearing my short blonde wig for a while now and although I usually like longer hair, the short wig is a favorite of mine. So that’s why I was drawn to this “Fancy” style from Vivica’s line.  ”Fancy” is from the “Pure Stretch Cap Collection” and is a razor cut angled bob and is made with new futura fiber, meaning that it can even be heat curled or used with a flat iron. It falls perfectly on my neckline and the hair fibers are natural looking. I stuck to my current blonde color shade and got “Fancy” in the color of P4/27/30. But it’s available in 16 different color schemes. When I got home and did my web research on the entire collection, “Fancy” is Vivica’s selection of the month. I guess I really invested my $29.99 well and am very pleased with my purchase. Here are a few more from the collection that I plan to get next:

“Honey”

“Dare”

“WP-Makari”

Coincidentally, when I went to the Vivica Fox Hair Collection Facebook page, they are hosting a contest entitled “Celebrating ALL Beauty”. I plan to enter so please go to that page and “like” my photo please. (Please place your “like” in the “Celebrating ALL Beauty Contest Entries”  album under the photo of me and not “like” the Wall photo of me. Only the official photo in the contest album counts).  I would really appreciate all of my Facebook followers votes. Thanks in advance!

www.vivicafoxhair.com

Here’s a little theme music to go with my new hair, Drake f/ Mary J. Blige, ” Fancy”:

Lane Bryant, a leading fashion retailer, Laila Ali, one of the world’s most recognizable female athletes and a champion of health and fitness, and Marika, the California-based women’s activewear and bodywear company have joined together for a new sportsbra collection. On this past Thursday night, Laila Ali helped Lane Bryant debut Marika’s new exclusive line of plus size sports bras at the Culver City, CA store location. Ali chatted with guests, signed autographs and shared her tips on the importance of finding the right sports bra for any figure. Guests had the opportunity to shop the new collection and were able to get personal bra fittings and consultations by Linda Lewis, Lane Bryant’s Senior Buyer, Cacique. Refreshments from Jamba Juice were provided throughout the evening and guests received 30 percent off their purchase. XX was the lucky sweepstakes winner, being given a $500 gift card by Laila herself! 

Known for her boxing career, Lalia focuses her attention on an overall healthy lifestyle and renders her fitness expertise to the field on a daily basis. She is currently the President of the Women’s Sport Foundation, and can be seen on the new ABC show, Everyday Health, which focuses on people who have overcome or are overcoming health related issues and are paying it forward to assist others in similar positions of need.

Purchase the Laila Ali for Marika line from Lane Bryant here

Video From The Show:

I just happened to be cyber shopping on Lane Bryant’s website a few moments ago and saw that plus-size designer, Qristyl Frazier’s, new collection is now available for purchase. I have been waiting for this line to become available. Last month Skorch Magazine gave the exclusive first look of the collection and now you can finally get your hands on it too. Beautiful plus size models Liris Crosse and Denise Bidot are modeling the clothing on the Lane Bryant website. Qristyl got the thumbs up to do this exclusive collection with Lane Bryant after appearing on the Sundance Channel series, “All On The Line With Joe Zee”. 

Jumpsuit by Qristyl Frazier Designs, $99.95

Button sleeve wrap dress by Qristyl Frazier Designs, $89.95

Diagonal dress by Qristyl Frazier Designs, $89.95

Button sleeve belted wrap dress by Qristyl Frazier Designs, $99.95

Draped neck dress by Qristyl Frazier Designs, $89.95

www.lanebryant.com

Plus size Designer IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel’s Art of Fashion in Motion Campaign Featuring the Valentine’s Day Collection is a Visual Feast of Fashion, Self-Empowerment and Love

San Francisco, California—February 01, 2012 — Award-winning American plus-size designer brand IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel, www.igigi.com, has launched The Art of Fashion in Motion campaign, a trailblazer montage of color, movement, and art inspired by the great revolutionary abstract expressionists like Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner. The Art of Fashion in Motion is a strong visual extension of the company’s more-than-a-decade long mission to transform the world’s view of beauty. The Art of Fashion in Motion is to the plus-size fashion world what the contribution of these revolutionaries has been to the art world; a groundbreaking, exciting and out-of-this-world approach to the way we perceive plus-size women and fashion. In a visual feast that tells the story of wearable art designs, plus-size model Kailee O’Sullivan appears as a woman of multiples facades. She is a canvas of seductively moving curves where fashion and art merge as one to create a truly eye-opening campaign for an industry that is still believed to be stuck in the time of the muumuus. The Art of Fashion in Motion campaign also features IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel’s new Valentine’s Day Collection of flowy, waist accentuating dresses and separates draped in signature IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel style and embellished with trendy sequins, lace and color blocks available now at www.igigi.com. Prices range from $90 to $180.

“I have always been inspired by the abstract expressionistic work and the way these artists made a change and influenced the world. My intent is to create wearable art designs that are timeless yet very modern. They inspire the wearer to express herself with confidence and empower her to communicate her uniqueness, beauty and intelligence regardless of her size. We women have multitudes of ways of expressing ourselves. The play with the idea of different looks for just one woman in the campaign is to remind the world that who we are is not defined by our current physical attributes but by who we choose to express ourselves onto the world as,” said Yuliya Raquel, Founder, Designer and Creative Director.