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Living IS Getting Easier!
Holidays: Don't Just Survive! Thrive! 1) Hire a neighborhood kid (or your niece!) to hang your holiday house lights or to stand on the ladder and get the star on the top of your Christmas tree. 2) Make airline travel more comfortable for your rounder tummy and hips by selecting a big plane (Check out the airplane seating charts on seatguru.com), reserving an aisle seat and taking your own seat belt extender. (Available from amplestuff.com) 3) Don't avoid holiday pictures, either formal portraits or informal photos. Remember: Photos capture the memories. You sure don't want to be without the memories ten years from now just because you thought you have too many chins in 2006! 4) Go to all the parties and gatherings. For informal get-togethers,
Target and Catherines 1) Put a little confetti in your holiday cards. 2) Bake dog and cat treats (holiday magazines have the recipes). 3) Give indulgence balls as hostess or office gifts. (Just fill craft
store mesh ornaments with a scented tea candle, a few Hershey kisses,
a bubble bath capsule, a tiny sachet pillow, a pair of dice, a few stickers
or a gift certificate for ice cream or a cup of coffee or a hamburger.) 1) Avoid the malls. Go once to see the decorations and to get into the spirit. Then, come home slip off your shoes and use catalogs. For extra time and postage savings: Have your selections gift wrapped and shipped directly to your family and friends. Or buy your stamps and mail or UPS your packages using your computer. 2) Set practical objectives for family gatherings. You can't solve 20 years of family problems in one afternoon. When your sister harasses you about your weight, tell her "Thanks" and change the subject. 3) Don't wait until January to get your stressed body moving. Start
walking today. Put your favorite tunes on the iPod and walk … don't
stroll … around the block, around the mall or in place in front of your
TV - but walk. 1) Drop off a card or a little surprise at an elderly neighbor's door. 2) Offer to baby sit while a young mother or couple finishes their holiday preparations. 3) Buy a new toy or drop off a warm coat for the women's shelter. 1) Use common sense. Remember: If it didn't look good on you when it was full price, it's not going to look any better when it's half price. 2) Buying on sale lets you purchase clothes that may be a little better made than you usually buy; but, for a lot less money the regular price. 3) Treat your grand style to an item or a color that you truly love
but that that you would usually not purchase at full price. Let your
style shine through the holidays.
Ask Yourself: Are You Wearing The Right Size? Listen up ladies. Get yourself a tape measure. Put on your best-fitting bra. Measure at the fullest point and around the bottom of the bra band under the cups. Important Tip: Bra sizing (bands AND cups) is not consistent between bra manufacturers. Read the sizing instructions for the bra you are considering. Check the measurements they give against your two measurements to get your perfect fit. You might wear a 50DD in one bra and a 52D in another. Don't shy away from an underwire bra if you are wearing a C cup or larger. There is no reason for a well-fitting underwire bra to poke you. Check out the Grand Style bra size calculator and sizing tips. What size clothes are you wearing? The sign of a garment that fits is not just that you can zipper, or button, and continue to breath! Well-fitting clothes allow 2-3" of ease between your body and the clothes. Some women continue to wear the same size until the zipper won't zip. I bet half of you are wearing a coat that's too small and you just think the arms are too short. Or, that you know you need the larger size; but, your favorite stores don't carry a larger size (e.g. stores usually stop at size 26 or 3X.). Get out there and enjoy the newly expanding world of larger sizes -- with sizes to 6X or 7X now readily available online. For more conservative styles at lower prices, consider Just My Size Once you figure out your REAL SIZE, you can use eBay to bid on brand name, new clothes, (with the tags still attached!) from the merchants who purchase the overstocks of your favorite online stores and resell them on eBay. Don't like your real size? Cut out the tags. Wear what looks and feels good. You deserve it! Are your shoes wide enough? For years we've been told to wear a longer shoe in order to get a wider shoe or a wider calf. Many of us have never had access to shoes wider than a C width. But wider widths are becoming more of a necessity. As we get older or spend more time in sandals, or gain curves, our feet tend to spread out. And don't forget that as your body adds pounds, your legs and feet also add weight. Silhouettes, Are your socks/tights/pantyhose/knee high the right size? Most hosiery sizing is based on your height and weight. Most of us know how tall we are (or aren't!). But, most of us don't really know how much we weight. Or, we use our "driver's license weight" to determine our pantyhose size. Stop punishing yourself with pantyhose, tights and knee highs that side down to your knees as soon as you pull them on. Hosiery is now available in sizes up to 7X. Check out Wal-mart And for all of us with feet wider than B and longer than a size 9, please stop buying those size 9-11 socks and wearing those ugly men's socks! Just My Size Are you still wearing a 7˝" watchband on an 8+" wrist? Your watch band should not feel like a tourniquet! You should be able to stick your finger under your watchband and easily wiggle it around. If you can't, your watchband is too tight and you should replace it with a longer strap. Finding a longer leather strap is easy -- just look on the men's side of the watch strap display. Finding a longer expansion is harder. You can always have your jeweler add enough links in the strap to achieve the length you need.
Ask Susan! - Staying Fresh and Cool Many start their day with an alcohol-based body spray. You'll find them in the fragrance section at the drug store. Tip: Avoid the really fruit-smelling fragrances (like peach!) unless you want to smell like a fruit basket after about 4 hours. These stay-cool women keep their cool all day with a variety of devices such as: - a spray mister (looks like an athletic water bottle with a tiny hose with a mister attachment.) - a battery-operated mini-fan (my favorite, the Black & Decker Snake Fan, hangs around your neck or the rear view mirror in your car. It goes everywhere with me! I found mine at the local hardware store.) - gel strips which you can freeze and roll up in a cotton scarf around your neck (usually sold with the scarves in a discount store. Or, you can make your own with a strip of Blue Ice from your cooler or a strip of ice you make yourself in a zip lock bag.). All of the above items are usually available at Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Kmart etc. If you, or kids around you, are going to be exposed to the heat for long periods of time, consider keeping an emergency cool down kit close by which includes Wipe & Dry for quick cooling, wet washcloths in zip lock plastic bags, a bag of salted nuts (to replace the salt lost through perspiration), a package of breath mints (for a quick jolt to your blood sugar), a battery-operated mini fan with extra batteries and two cotton bandannas to tie together as a head band or to pull your hair up off your neck. The rashes could be from friction or from a yeast infection. First, get the area clean and dry (if you can't reach it, use the cool setting on a hair dryer.) Then, keep the area dry with a spray antifungal sold for athlete's foot or jock itch. You can further dry up the area by using talc. Avoid cornstarch-based talc since the redness may be caused by a yeast infection that often grows in warm moist areas like under breasts or tummy folds. Cornstarch just tends to feed the little yeasties. Under bra wetness can be minimized with cotton bras, a cotton bra liner or with cotton socks tucked under the bra band. For thigh rubbing, wear a cotton bike short from Junonia under your skirts or apply an antiperspirant directly to your inner thighs. Feet expand in hot weather and get larger as the day goes on. So, to be sure you have the right size summer shoes and sandals be sure to select new summer shoes in the afternoon when your feet are the biggest! And be sure that your shoes are wide enough. Remember: As our hips get wider, our feet tend to get wider too! (Weird I know, but it happens). Wide shoes are now available online and in larger retail shoe stores. For fun summer shoes and sandals in extra wide widths, check out Silhouettes.com, LaneBryantCatalog.com, MarylandSquare.com and avenue.com. Whatever your width, avoid shoes with plastic inner soles. Tip: For hot burning feet I love to give myself a foot massage with Dr. Scholl's peppermint foot lotion (usually available at the grocery or drug store). First, as I say every summer, don't let your lack of self-esteem push you into wearing clothes that just make you hotter! If you overdress for summer you will call more attention to yourself than your short sleeved or sleeveless dress. If you won't go sleeveless, consider wearing cotton mesh tops over a sports top or tank top. Second, everyone can wear shorts … look for shorts with longer and wider legs. They are flattering, and they don't ride up when you walk or when you sit down! Third, avoid polyester and polyester/cotton blends in favor of breathable natural fibers like silk t-shirts from Silhouettes.com, or cotton separates from MakingItBig.com or up-to-the minute Denim & Company cotton separates at qvc.com.
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Underwear - The Next Stage For extra warmth with added benefits, consider adding silk underwear that you wear over your bra and panties. Silk is super light and smooth; so, it is very comfy next to your skin. Silk tops are usually designed in either a tank top format or in a long sleeve t-shirt style which provides more coverage. The long sleeve t-shirt style is particularly wonderful under scratchy sweaters. Silk underwear bottoms are usually styled with long legs with a cuffed ankle to help keep your warmth close to your body. They also provide a smooth barrier against scratchy wool or wood-blend pants. A Special Indulgence: Silk undies are a double treat when you have flannel sheets - the slipperiness of silk against the coziness of flannel! Another real simple way to ward off the chills of winter is to slip on a pair of bike shorts under your skirt or dress. Bike shorts are usually 7-9" long and are made of a cotton or cotton blend combined with a stretchy fabric such as Lycra® or Spandex®. The extra layer of the bike shorts provides warmth without any restrictive movement. The Added Advantage: Wearing bike shorts is truly the answer for those of us who suffer with friction burn on our inner thighs!
You CAN Survive The Holidays With Grand Style! by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com You've
spent all year working on your self-esteem and developing your grand style.
Now, don't lose it in the often stress-filled last months of the year!Here are a few tips to get you, your self-esteem and your style, through the holidays. Don't let your dress size get in the way of your holiday style. 1. Not comfortable on the ladder hanging holiday house lights or decorating your Christmas tree? Hire a neighborhood high school kid for an hour and let him or her create your show of holiday spirit. You'll get your decorations ... and he or she will make some holiday dollars. Don't go without the makings of a special holiday memory just because it is uncomfortable for you to implement! 2. Have a holiday portrait taken of yourself to include in your holiday mailings. You don't have to spend a lot -- look for discounted sitting fees around the holidays or get an appointment at Penny's or Sears. (No, you don't have to sit on a little chair with Elmo or use the same holiday props and backdrops as the 4 year old kids!) Be sure to wear something you want to see yourself in for 20+ years - not just something that makes you look slim. (Yes, the camera makes us look heavier; but, if we're already plus or super sized, what's 10 more pounds?) This is not the time to try a new hair style or color. Above all, be sure the portrait reflects your style. Use a formal photographer for a more formal pose, or ask a photographer for a more casual outdoor pose. Have fun with the photo -- wear a hat or take your favorite pet! 3. Looking forward to holiday concerts; but, can't deal with the cramped seating? Consider matinee performances (they are often not as fully attended, so you more room to spread out) and always look for aisle seating. Still not comfortable? Ask for a chair to be placed in the handicapped seating area of the theatre. 4. Make holiday airline traveling easier. Reserve an aisle seat. Avoid the back row of the plane (the seats don't recline.) Take your own airline seat belt extender. Let your style shine through the holidays. 5. Buy holiday clothes now while the selection is good. QVC (or watch their cable TV channel, Lane Bryant 6. Looking for that perfect red or black size 32 dress for the office party? Check out Silhouettes. 7. Red or ivory shirts are great to holiday-up a pair of black slacks or a black skirt already in your closet. Add a pair of velveteen skimmer flats from Kmart or Wal-mart 8. Found a beautiful holiday pendant but the chain is too long? Hang it on a velvet ribbon or cord from the fabric store. 9. Don't be afraid to create memories that incorporate your unique style. Confetti in your holiday cards. Bake dog and cat treats (holiday magazines have the recipes). Give indulgence balls as hostess or office gifts. (Just fill craft store mesh ornaments with a scented tea candle, a few Hershey kisses, a bubble bath capsule, a tiny sachet pillow, a pair of dice, a few stickers or a gift certificate for ice cream or a bagel or a burger.) 10. Don't let the after Christmas sales get the best of your Grand Style -- or your common sense! Remember, if it didn't look good on you when it was full price, it's not going to look any better when it's half price. It's hard to show your style when you are stressed out. 11. Avoid the malls. Go once to see the decorations and to give yourself a shot of holiday spirit. Then, come home and use catalogs, the internet or television shopping. Don't forget to try their bill to/ship to option and have your selections shipped directly to your family and friends. Some even gift wrap! 12. Having multiple get togethers at your house? Have them all within a 4-5 day period and serve the same menu and wear the same outfit at each. Then, you only have to cook, shop and clean the house once! 13. Don't diet. Besides the fact that diets are bad for your health (and you'll gain the weight all back -- plus more!), this is not the time to try a new eating routine. As with the other 11 months of the year, concentrate on eating healthy. Try snacking on something healthy before you leave for the holiday party -- It will make it easier to resist that 5th piece of fudge. Your dentist may be out the New Year cavity payment; but, your healthy body with thank you for it! 14. Set practical objectives for family gatherings. You can't solve 20 years of family problems in one dinner conversation. When Uncle Harry harasses you about your weight, tell him Thanks for caring and then change the subject. 15. Don't wait until January to get your stressed out body moving. Start walking. Put your favorite holiday tunes on the Walkman and walk ... don't stroll ... walk. Around the block. Around the mall. Or, walk in place in front of your TV - but keep moving. Movement is a great stress reliever. Happy Holidays!
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Spring Style Is More Bare Arms! by Susan Weber, President of Grand Style.com Look out
ladies. It's that time again. Warm weather ... the time of year that a
lot of curvy women hate. No more hiding behind baggy clothing. This is
the season of bareness. Bare necks, bare legs and, the scariest of all
... bare arms.But don't panic. Here are a few thoughts to get you through any seasonal fashion crisis you may be feeling: 1) Buy a new white shirt and white pants. Even if you decided to buy no new warm weather clothes, the ketchup and mustard stains in last year's white shirt and pants will never come out. Just toss 'em. Don't spend a lot - this year's picnics will give you the stains to toss in September! Check out Target, Wal-mart 2) Simplify. Remove from your closet all the clothes and shoes that you don't (or can't!) wear. Give them to the local women's shelter. Stop squeezing your fluffy arms into those skinny sleeves! Also, only keep what you really love to wear - give away anything you didn't wear at least 20 times last year. 3) Give up trying to dress to look thinner. Instead, concentrate on feeling great, showing your individual style and staying cool ... even if it means sleeveless dresses! 4) Buy basics. If you are going to buy this season, spend your money on basic colors and styles. This is not the economy to be buying trendy styles and colors. Look to WomanWithin, Roaman's and Just My Size 5) Jump into Spring with joy. Buy yourself a girlie-girl treat. Get a haircut. Buy a new pink lipstick. Get a pedicure. Buy a sun hat. Learn to ride a bike. Take your kids (or grandkids!) to the pool or shore. Enjoy this great new season. Get out there with your family and friends. Remember: Your personal style is what you do and how you do it -- not just what you wear.
The Six Lifesavers For Fall Hooray, it's Fall! Time for us to follow Mother Nature's clue and shed our poor self esteem images and get ready to bundle ourselves up against the ravages of winter. This is also the time when I throw open my closet, give away the clothes I don't (or can't!) wear, mending and repairing where necessary, washing and boxing up the summer stuff and bringing forward the cozy stuff for the cooler season. I have found over the years that I've lost that compelling urge to run out and buy the newest, trendiest Fall things that the retail world has to offer. Maybe it's my age or maybe it's the economy. Or, maybe it's just that I don't feel the need for hip hugger jeans and a bare mid-drift peasant top. But, as I have every year for the past 20 or so, I still find the need to locate the six little lifesavers that I save every year to get me through the colder months. Here's my list of lifesavers, along with a little info on why I don't want to be without them - and a tip or two on where to find them: 1. Knee high wide calf leather boots -- There is nothing warmer and dryer than a good pair of boots. The good news for this year is that retailers are starting to realize that some of us have VERY curvaceous calfs. Silhouettes, Cost of a good pair of wide calf boots about $130-140. Sounds like a lot of money; but, if you care for them well, they should last you 5-10 years. Check out all the boots in the Grand Style shoe boutique. 2. Silk underwear - I'm not talking about skimpy little silky bras and panties. I'm talking a 2-piece set - a top and pants with long sleeves and long legs. They provide insulation in the cold, wick away any moisture and yet keep you toasty warm. They are also very handy for sleeping and for wearing under wool sweaters, minimizing any itch and slowing down the need for sweater hand washing. My favorite silk undies are from Junonia. 3. Wide width socks - Bottomline: We curvy ladies have curvy feet. Why hastle with tight socks? Give your ankles, arches and toes some room. Wal-mart 4. Bike length Lycra® shorts - My curvy hips usually mean that my pantyhose and tights tend to start a fast slip down my hips and would be around my knees if I didn't tug them up throughout the day. My Solution: Wear a pair of knee length bike shorts over pantyhose and tights. They keep everything from slipping (even if you wear slippery nylon panties!), they tuck in my tummy and they keep me warm. You can buy a pair for under $15 at Wal-mart 5. Warm coat - Large size, stylish coats are very hard to find. So, we tend to settle on a utilitarian ugly coat that either keeps us warm or dry - but not both. Website and catalog retailers now have a terrific assortment of beautiful coats. Some of my favorite faux furs, raincoats, swing coats and car coats are from Silhouettes. Catherines 6. Black pants - For all those years that I only wore black pants because I thought any other color made me look 5 pounds heavier - I'm sure it seems odd to my friends that black pants are on my lifesaver list now that I have branched out into bright colors and prints! Why black pants: They seem to be the perfect starting point for any outfit. When I don't know how dressy or casual to dress, I start with black pants + a solid top + plain flats + two sets of jewelry in my purse (one casual and one with a little dressy sparkle). So, needless to say, I have several pairs of black pants!! So, open up that closet door. Do a little end-of-season clearing and get out your Fall lifesavers. Have a great (and cozy!) Fall.
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It's Time For The Way To Go Awards! by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com About three
years ago I published an article on grandstyle.com entitled "Susan's
1999 “Way To Go!” Awards." The article included a list of people and
organizations who I felt had been sending effective, self-esteeming messages
to plus and super size teens and women. The list included: The Body Shop,
authors Marilyn Wann (Fat! So? Because You Don't
Have To Apologize For Your Size), Delta Burke (Delta
Style: Eve Wasn't a Size 6 and Neither Am I ), Star Jones (You
Have to Stand for Something or You'll Fall for Anything), Conrad
Blickenstorfer and Aeon Publishing Group (publishers of BBW Magazine),
and retailers like Junonia.
I'm delighted to report that these list holders continue in their
quest for size affirmation. I would definitely"renew" their
1999 "Way To Go!" awards! Source: Source: extend-it.com Source: Large chain drugs stores (still in limited distribution). Unfortunately society still looks first to the smaller, less curvy woman as "the norm." That view will not change overnight. However, we are making progress. But, we need to encourage that progress. Make a special effort this summer to support the people and retailers
that positively acknowledge large curvy girls and women. Buy their products.
Watch their TV programs and movies. Tell friends about their websites.
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Spring: Is Your Wardrobe Ready? by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com It's that
time of year when department stores are showing pastels and you're still
trying to get the heater adjusted for winter! No, you haven't lost your
mind. It is still too cold for gauze dresses. But, that doesn't mean you
can't get a head start on getting your Spring wardrobe ready for that
first warm sunny day!While you're cooped up inside fighting with the heater, why not use this time to unpack last year's warm weather clothes and get your wardrobe ready for Spring, even if you're not! You can get a head start if you: 1. Give away, sell or toss anything that doesn't fit or that you didn't wear last year. Toss stained and stretched t-shirts! Face it, mustard WILL NOT wash out! 2. Fix any lose buttons or ripped seams. 3. Check shoes for repair. Toss or give away any shoes you did not wear last year. 4. Hang your warm weather clothes in categories - pants together, skirts together, tops together, etc. (Divide the outfits and suits into categories!) Reason: This lets you "shop" through your closet and rethink combinations that go together both now and as a starter for Spring fashion. 5. Make a list of the basics you will need to replace. Basics that most often need replacement: 6. Build your wardrobe by buying "fill in" items to work with what you already have in your closet. Look for items that expand your wardrobe possibilities, not just a new outfit. Examples: Consider buying a new blazer to go with your navy skirt and three of your favorite print shirts. Or maybe your purchase should be a neutral color silk tee that looks great with jeans or skirts. 7. Start looking through fashion magazines and search out those special ideas that match your personal style. I don't believe in being a slave to the fashion trends. But, I sure love to look "up to date" in the way I dress. So, I watch for trends and adapt those I like to my particular body type and lifestyle. For example, the v neck tunic look is a great style for most curvy bodies. It incorporates the detailing up towards the face, leaving an open neck and is loose with a flattering tunic length. 8. Consider a new shopping venue. News bulletin: The best deals ARE NOT in the department stores or the small specialty stores! Places to explore: 2. Design your wardrobe around basics. Pick longer lasting clothes in basic colors (like taupe/white/navy blazers, skirts, pants and shoes). Add color and print with lower cost wardrobe pieces (such as tops and tanks). Examples: 3. Spark up your wardrobe with current trends. Check out the new looks and colors. I'm not a big slave to fashion; but, I like to look updated ... not like time has marched right past, or over me! So, over time I have built a classically-styled wardrobe which I freshen each season with new accessories and a few separates. Lucky for us plus size women, the look for Spring is often free flowing and less structured clothing. Flowing long skirts, longer tops, matching dresses and coats all look terrific on the larger silhouette. Another great warm weather look is the flood pant -- a loose straight leg pull on pant that end right below the knee. Now, get out there and get ready for Spring. It's almost time to start worrying about the air conditioner! The magazines are jammed with the new Spring looks. Remember: You don't have to spend a lot to have a great Spring wardrobe. No matter how casual or formal your lifestyle, well-made, coordinated separates and accessories will give you the stylish, together look that you deserve to have everyday, no matter what's on your calendar.
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10 Must Haves For This Fall - Any ANY Fall! by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com ![]()
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Hot Weather 911: How to Dress Cool Without Baring All by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com ![]() When the thermometer hits the 80s, 90s and 100s of Summer, human nature
is to start shedding clothes. All of a sudden the size 8s of the world
are looking for shorts and sleeveless tops to replace their long pants
and long sleeves. And the other 60%+ of us are facing the annual "Cover
Up Question" ... What's the least I can wear and still be covered up?
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How To Look Great This Spring For Less by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com ![]() Afraid of straining your budget while you look at all those pre Spring
clearance ads? The real key looking good this Spring and saying on a
budget is having clothes that work for you in a lot of ways. In other
words -- avoid "outfits" and strive for mix and match classic separates.
Then, use accessories to change your look. To really save money and dress well, you need a plan of action to
reevaluate what you have before you shop for Spring and Summer clothes
you don't need:
New Year/New You vs. New Year/Old You by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com ![]() Remember, spend more time planning and you'll dress better for less.Here we are at the beginning of a new year, listening and reading all the tips about a "New Year/New You." My question is "If I concentrated on building a "New Me" last year (or for the past several years), then why do I have to concentrate on make a "New Me" this year? Instead, I would rather concentrate on enjoying and enhancing the "Old Me"! The Year 2000 Old Me Until last year I always started the new year with a huge list of all the things I was going to do differently. It seems that the older I got, the faster I would give up on all my new resolutions. But, last year I finally wised up and set some realistic, fun goals for myself. This combo of realism and fun must be the "trick" to achieve new year's resolutions . . . since I enjoyed accomplishing all of them! For example, instead of resolving to . . . Success! I'm eating healthier and not feeling deprived. I am moving
more than last year without beating myself up over missed gym appointments.
And, I am enjoying the richness of life without sacrificing a sound
investment program. Now, tell me why do I want to make a "New Me" for 2001? I like the
"New Me" from 2000!
Lycra and Spandex are the best thing that happened to larger women since ... well, you get the idea! These wonder fibers join with comfy cotton to provide super stretchy pants of all lengths for support while exercising (or wearing under skirts to keep thighs from rubbing together) and comfy supportive bras that keep our boobs in control during movement. I plan to keep an eye on the Junonia
You don't need a 20'x20' mirrored room to have a home gym. A towel on the carpet in front of the television/VCR becomes your aerobic studio. A set of hand weights next to my favorite TV chair gave me a lot of easy, mindless arm and leg building. This year I plan to increase my mindless movement by standing on the new treadmill I just purchased.
Now that I realize that my self-worth does not diminish as my weight increases, I have started to enjoy getting dressed to go out. Whether it is for a business meeting, a social occasion or to black belt shop at the malls, I now get a rush selecting what I'm going to wear! For 2001 I plan to step up my efforts to help other women increase
their self-esteem. Through my column on thriveonline.com, I want to
show women that being fit and health CAN happen for those of us who
are bigger than a size 2. Through grandstyle.com we will continue to
talk with size 14+ women about building their self-esteem and providing
our readers with the resources and tips to enhance that new self-esteem.
In my personal time I will continue to work with women who are going
back into the workplace, showing them how to look terrific with very
little money. Your Plans?
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Size 14+ Chic: 10 Spring and Summer Must Haves For Real Women! by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com Soft pastels
to clear fresh colors. Flowing florals to ethnic images. Warm breezes
are set to blow in all of these fashion directions. And, for the first
time, designers and manufacturers are realizing that not all women are
size 6! The upcoming warmer seasons are bringing us lots of choices in
sizes 14+! Those of you with unending checkbooks and credit cards can shop 'til
you drop and create a whole new look! Enjoy the return to the romantic
with embroidery, long flowing skirts and sweater sets. Not a soft print
or floral kind of woman? Try the new ethnic looks with khaki, black,
grey, olive and coral as the key colors with lots of woven fabrics and
trims in unconstructed styles. Want to be on the cutting edge? Your
key words are orange and cropped pants. The other 99.9% of us REAL WOMEN want to save our bucks for other
key expenses (like school, food or rent!) But, we can still show our
fashion chic by adding a few well chosen items to our wardrobe ... accessories
and separates that follow the trends, but require a much lower wardrobe
investment! That's what I plan to do ... check out my list of 10 Spring
and Summer Must Haves for Real Women: 1. Raw silk shell or t-shirt in a bright new color to jazz
up last year's Spring and Summer suits, classic vests and blazers. Try
the trendy orange or any shade of blue. Lots of yummy shades offered
by Silhouettes
Ask Susan! - Grand Fashion Tips Instead of just trying to find a length that covers your "lumps and bumps", concentrate on achieving a look of proportion. Even though a longer jacket can make a 5'8" woman look taller, it can overpower a shorter woman and make her look even shorter! Here are a few tips to help you find the right length for you: 1. Evaluate jacket length from the front, not the back. If your jacket rides up over your rear end the problem is with the size (it is too small), not the length! 2. Your jacket or your skirt should be about two-thirds of the length of your overall look. Try long jackets over knee length skirts and shorter jackets over long skirts. 3. Your jacket hem should not be at the widest part of your body ... you'll just look wider! Instead, go longer or shorter. 4. The longer the jacket, the narrower your pants or skirt should be. 5. Shorter women tend to look overwhelmed in long or full jackets. To build a year-round corporate wardrobe, start with classic styles using one main color with two or three accent colors. For example, navy as a main color looks great with light blue, white and taupe as accents. Then, when the seasons change, just add some separates in lighter weight fabrics. Start with ten basic pieces and you can build your cool weather office wardrobe for less than $500: 1. Single breasted navy blazer that you can wear year round at work or with your jeans on the weekends. (about $75) 2. Matching navy skirt. To balance your body shape avoid slim skirts in favor of a-line or softly gathered skirts. (about $45) 3. Matching navy trousers. Wear with the jacket or with the shirt or tops. Look for soft pleats in front - side pleats add width. With a nice waist, let a wonderful belt enhance your trousers, particularly if you wear a vest or jacket. (about $60) 4. Khaki trousers or taupe slacks. Look for easy care, no wrinkle fabrics. (about $35) 5. White shirt. Looks great with your navy skirt or with your full skirt/pants suit --- and with long vests and slacks/trousers. (about $25) 6-7. Two solid tops in either taupe, light blue or white. Perfect with your pant/skirt suits or with your more casual slacks. Avoid knit shirts unless they are very good quality and banded at the neckline. V-necks will lengthen your neckline and minimize your bust. Elbow length sleeves are cool and cover up fuller arms. (about $45 for both) 8. A very long (e.g. 36") sweater or vest. (about $35) 9. Low-heeled leather loafers or pumps. (about $40) 10. Earrings. To keep from emphasizing your bustline, avoid necklaces that fall with 4" above or below your bust. ($15-$50 depending on metal) Get a great haircut and manicure to finish off your professional look. You can add to your wardrobe later with more solid tops (perhaps long sleeves this Fall for colder weather), skirts or slacks in colors to match your tops, additional pumps or boots, and a great coat. Pantyhose are one of the most difficult items for us curvy women to select since we are forced to rely on height and weight charts on a sealed package to make our decision. Here are a few tips to help: 1. Always read the size chart. Not all brands use the same combination of height and weight for a specific size. You may wear a larger or smaller size in a particular brand or style. Some have more "give" than others ... the size chart is always the best guide. 2. Follow the size chart exactly. If you don't fit within the height and weight charts, don't buy the hose. If you are outside the weight range, your thighs will take up too much of the length and the crotch might end up mid thigh. Or, you will have to pull the legs too much in order to get them on and up, causing the hosiery to weaken and run. 3. Select the style that meets your particular needs. For busy lifestyles or if your legs are extra slender below your knees, consider the smoothness and support you get with higher concentrations of Lycra or Spandex. For fuller thighs, look for control top pantyhose with higher levels of thigh support. 4. If you tend to wear out the seams in the crotch and inside thighs in your pantyhose, consider wearing a pair of bike shorts over your hose to cut down the friction. 5. Be careful when washing your hose. Handwash or use a lingerie bag in the washing machine to keep your hosiery looking their best. 6. Once you find a size and style that works, buy a lot of pairs in a lot of colors! Some sources: Just My Size Even though two plus or super sized women may have identical bust, waist and hip measurements, their bust shape, back fullness, shoulder slope and arm width can make their garments fit very differently. So, start with the right size pattern based on your "basic" measurements and then make adjustments for your specific body challenges. There are really five ways to do this: 1. Purchase a pattern specifically made for larger bodies. Check out the GrandStyle pattern resources. 2. Read any of Barbara Deckert's terrific books on plus size sewing and learn how to make the required changes before you start cutting. Or, if the ill fitting clothes are already hanging in your closet, take an alteration course or read an alteration book such as Gale Grigg Hazen's book Fantastic Fit For Every Body and then "nip & tuck" where necessary. 3. Have an experienced seamstress test a pattern for you out of an inexpensive fabric (e.g., muslin). Then, once the test garment fits great, cut it up and use the pieces as your "pattern." 4. Purchase a plus size sewing mannequin on which you can make required changes or make a custom mannequin out of duct tape. The instructions are easy-to-understand. Making a duct tape double is a fun way to spend an evening with a girlfriend! 5. Purchase a pattern customization software such as DressShop from Livingsoft and develop your own patterns.
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Susan Answers the Where Can I Purchase... ? Question by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com The question
I receive most often as America Online's plus-size consultant is Where
can I purchase a ... ? Women are looking for bigger bras, wedding
dresses, sexy lingerie and wide width shoes. But, the problem is always
the same. Where to find it. A lot more apparel choices are now available
for the larger woman ... but, incredibly, the garments are still just
as hard to find! During the past five years, retail stores (particularly department
and discount stores) have greatly increased their offerings of plus
and super-sized apparel and merchandise. In general, the larger your
town, the greater your apparel selection. But, your best selection is
still in catalogs and on the Internet. There are now hundreds of catalogs
and Internet sites available.
Happy Shopping.
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Celebrate your Grand Style by Susan Weber, President of GrandStyle.com The email
I receive is one of the best parts of my Electra site on America Online
and my work here with GrandStyle.com. It's a delight to hear from women
all over the world who are discovering that there is more to life than
your dress size!
Over half of the mail I receive is from women who are excited about developing and implementing their own Grand Style. Some are looking for tips and ideas on developing their style. Some are looking for confirmation that it is all right to show their own "Grand Style". Some are ready to shine and are looking for ways to show the world who they are - many as plus size models and some by entering beauty pageants. Plus Size Modeling Plus Size Beauty Pageants For all of you who have written me asking "How do I break into plus-size modeling?", don't miss the opportunity to try your hand at modeling. You may be crowned the next Plus USA Woman or Ms. Plus Photogenic! Beautiful plus-size females from across the country will be selected to compete for cash, trophies, prizes and professional contracts. I encourage each of you to join me in attending this year's Plus USA
Woman Beauty Pageant and Convention. Come talk with me at the VIP networking
reception. The Plus USA Woman Pageant's special guest host will be Delta
Burke of TV's "Designing Women" and author of "Delta Style". For more
information and registration details, check out the Plus
USA Woman website. |