Marvelous Marilyn!

Marilyn. Monroe.

“The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.”  
 ― Marilyn Monroe

“I'm very definitely a woman and I enjoy it. ”
― Marilyn Monroe

Is there anybody sexier than Marilyn Monroe?

In our culture, nobody has come close to making a bigger impact on all things sexy than Marilyn. Justin Timberlake may have brought sexy "back" (did he really, now?) ScarJo may be sexy now, but Marilyn Monroe is the original S-E-X-Y. I mean who else could make a president tongue tied with a mere birthday wish, a playwright loose his mind, and a legendary baseball player loose games, but Marilyn?

And with that kind of palpable sexiness, not only does everyone want to be her, but everyone tends to study and debate every aspect of her life. Over the years, we have debated everything from Marilyn's favorite food, to her favorite dress, to what she ate when she was depressed.

 Next week, the Movie "My Week with Marilyn," about the final week of the actress, sex goddess, and fashion icon, is set to be released in theaters. The movie's release will surely keep us debating all things Marilyn, for the foreseeable future. However, one thing that should not be debated is Marilyn's dress size next week. It has been established that Marilyn was an American size 12.

That's right. a size 12. By today's standards, she would be considered thick, curvy, or even plus-sized.

For decades, Marilyn has and continues to captivate men and women with her sex appeal, her curves, her allure.

So, that begs the question, how did we move from a culture that appreciates a woman of Marilyn's size and figure, to what we consider beautiful today? Women who starve themselves and are emaciated?

How did we get here?

Happy National Corduroy Day!

Today is National Corduroy Day! I was so happy to find out that corduroy gets its own day! I think that corduroy has been underappreciated for some time.  It is so nice to see that this season, corduroy is taking a break from navy and tan, and moving into some bold colors and styles! Here are a few that I'm loving right now!

Corduroy leggings Baby Phat $39.90 www.macys.com

 www.landsend.com $49.99

www.plussizethis.com

www.nordstroms.com

Don't be afraid to pair your cords with other pops of color, and textures! Try some with the faux/fur trend, silk, or some cozy cashmere! Whatever you decided to wear it with, wear it proudly! Celebrate your figure! Happy Corduroy Day!

Fabulous Costumes for Fantastic Figures!

As we get ready to embark on the infamous All Hallows Eve weekend, we need to have the proper attire. Here are some ideas to bring to life!

1.  First Lady Michelle Obama

In her inauguration gown by Jason Wu

www.macys.com Joan's New York Plus $88.99

www.macys.com Anne Klein

www.igigi.com $375

2. Joan from Mad Men

www.monifc.com $215

www.igigi.com $125

 www.monifc.com $215

3. Nurse

http://www.halloweenplayground.com/nurses-c-275.html $42.26

4. Betty Rubble

http://www.amazon.com/Plus-Deluxe-Betty-Rubble-Costume/dp/B0052USZGE

$39.99

5. Victorian Era

www.adultcostumes.com

6. Beyonce on the Cover of September InStyle Magazine

www.monifc.com $268

www.macys.com $128

7. Spanish Tango Dancer

 http://www.nightmarefactory.com/latin.html  $104

Show off your shape in whatever look you decide on! Be proud of what you've got! Have a very safe and happy Halloween!

5 Fabulous Shoes for All Figures

Oh, the joy of Fall and the return of closed toed shoes, suede, and more! Here are five must haves for the season:

Leopard Print Booties

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Cole-Haan-Air-Talia-Leopard-Print-Ankle-Boot-Boots/prod136660043/?ecid=NMCIGoogleProductAds&ci_sku=prod136660043skuLEOPARD&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}   $210 and they carry up to a size 11.  Pair with tights and a mini, leggings, or jeans

Bright Colored Pumps

Enzo Angiolini $89.95 comes in a size 12

http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?keyword=women%27s+size+12+shoes&origin=keywordsearch#keyword=women's%20size%2012%20shoes&type=keyword&page=2&sort=featured&sortreverse=0&category=&size=12&width=&color=&price=&brand=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=size&sizeFinderId=8&partial=1&pagesize=100

Let your footwear do the talking and have it be the focus of your outfit

Menswear Inspired

Menswear is back again this season, and it is so fun to merge the masculine with the feminine.  Add a little femininity to these shoes (lace or cashmere) and you will be set

http://www.zappos.com/kors-michael-kors-cassidy-luggage-suede-cognac-vachetta  Kors Michael Kors $225 carry up to size 11

Embellished flats

Just because you're not in heels doesn't mean you still can't be sassy! Play around with textures and embellishments for your flats  ALL BLACK Women's Feather Bow Flast endless.com $125.00

Knee High Black Boot

I have a hard time finding a knee high boot to fit my calves, but Zappos does carry some extra wide calf boots (18") that get the job done. Pair them with skirts, leggings, or jeans.  www.zappos.com RSVP $99.00

With these 5 styles in your closet, you are sure to have your shoe wardrobe covered! Now take your new shoes out for a walk!



The Content of Our Character...Unless Our Character is Inside a Fat Body

What is the message behind, Maggie Goes on a Diet?

The children's book, Maggie Goes on a Diet, according to the book's summary:
Maggie has so much potential that has been hiding under her extra weight. This inspiring story is about a 14-year-old who goes on a diet and is transformed from being overweight and insecure to a normal sized teen who becomes the school soccer star. Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self-image. 

And, did I mention that the reading level for this book has been determined to be ages 4-8, and that the book is written in rhyme?

Kramer is not without his supporters, including Fox News contributing psychiatrist Keith Ablow, who commends Maggie for "taking charge of her nutritional status, her weight and her life. I think she's a fabulous role model — far better than the size 20 women who go on talk shows and lie about how happy they are with their bodies."

(http://healthland.time.com/2011/08/25/will-fat-kids-become-popular-if-they-go-on-a-diet-maggie-goes-on-a-diet-makes-the-case/#ixzz1YYLIp3cm)

Really?! I didn't know a certain clothing size automatically equated you with being a good role model. Matter of fact, I didn't know there were certain clothing sizes that equated to terrible role models.  Why can't a woman be a size 20, and be happy with her body? Be happy period! Who is he to say what happy is?!

I think the comments that this man made, in support of this book, only help to add to the red flags of why this book should not be made available to children.  This man is a psychiatrist, and he is simply missing the boat on this one. He should be able to see what type of harm and despair this book has the potential to cause. 

But, even though he should be able to see that, doesn't mean that he does.  He is basing what a good role model is on the size of the clothes they wear.  How blind is that.

A Fat Tax?! Big Sexy on TLC

TLC has a show called Big Sexy. It chronicles the lives of 5 plus size women in their pursuit of their fashion dreams, from model to clothing designer in the big, mean streets of New York City.  In one particular episode, the women are waiting to get into a club. In the clip, you can see the bouncer letting in smaller girls ahead of the plus size women.  The bouncer keeps allowing the tiny women to cut in front of the plus size women, as they patiently stand by.  Finally, they ask the bounder if they can go in, and the bouncer replies, "It will cost you $30, each."  The women, I am proud to say, do not apologetically pay that horrid man the "hush money," so that they can slink into the club.  Instead, heads held high, they walk away from the club, a little worse for wear, but certainly not lacking in integrity, strength, or style.  I am very proud of these women. 

Taking this example from club to corporation, how many times are plus size women overlooked for promotions in the workforce because of their size, rather than their qualifications? Plus size women are paid less than their smaller counterparts, solely because of their size.  From an article on Shine, "Obese women earn about 6 percent less than thinner women for doing exactly the same work", according to Rebecca Puhl, PhD, director of research at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University. "We're observing this around a BMI of 27 in women," she says, referring to a "body mass index" that would, for example, describe a 5 foot-5 inch person weighing 162 pounds.  I do not feel that a BMI of 27 accurately reflects the average size Amercian woman today, which is a size 14.  How dare employers equate dress size to the amount of pay, rather than qualifications.

These are only the instances that have been documented.  How many times has a boss not articulate that they will not hire you, but you could feel it, because you were fat? How many times are you overlooked for a promotion because of how you look? I am guessing more times than we know, and that is just not right.

I got 5! 5 Must haves for the Fall!

We are now on the coattails of the summer and heading into my favorite season! Fall! I love everything about it! The colors, the smells, the food, and of course, the clothes! Here are 5 essentials that are a must for Fall:

Berry Shades

http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-new-arrivals?linkid=topmenu&p=1
Animal Print

http://www.torrid.com/

http://www.monfic.com/

Bold Seperates/Dresses

http://www.igigi.com/

http://www.babyphat.com/

Denim/Leggings

James Jeans

Not Your Daughter's Jeans

http://shop.norstrom.com/

Convertable/Wrap Dress

http://www.macys.com/

convertable dress http://www.monifc.com/