The Curvy Counsleor's Guide to Getting Dressed: Fashion for Real Women (not waifs)

Women and Body Image: Are Skinny Images Bad for Women?

               
 

Earlier this year I spoke with Neil Cavuto on the Fox News program, Your World With Neil Cavuto. We talked about role models and the pressure that exists for women and girls to be impossibly thin. I said all this skinny imaging in our media is bad for women. What do you think? Watch the show and share your thoughts. Next time I'm talking to Neil (or any other TV Host), I'd like to be armed with your opinions too!

Worth Seeing: This Video is Worth a Thousand Words

Wanna look like the models you see on billboards? Well... it may not be humanly possible. Have you seen this video clip from Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty? Called Evolution, it’s a powerful illustration of the process of manufacturing beauty.

Take a moment to see the clip for yourself. And please let me know what you think!

Is Obesity Contagious? Fear of Obesity Certainly Is!

Today the media has been courting the question, "Is obesity contagious?" Out of all the hoopla, one thing is clear. There's no real evidence that obesity is a communicable disease but fear of obesity certainly is!

This breaking headline from a study in the New England Journal of Medicine proclaims that obesity is spread through social networks. What a scandalous and shameful message to send, inaccurate too. At major news outlets everywhere the salacious headline was devoured by a hungry public. The fact that this lead was immediately followed, in small print, by the words "now don't get the wrong idea" just doesn't help. "The wrong idea" is exactly what we're supposed to get.

As if fat kids (or anyone else with a few extra pounds) need something else to be teased about and ostracized over, today's headline delivers. According to the thin argument, just being friends with a fat person is enough to put you at risk. Absurd.

But too absurd for mainstream media? Nope. We've been inundated with pseudo-science today. The folks at Wired Magazine got it right though. Wired.com has their entry on the "Is Obesity Contagious" non-story posted in a category called overhyped science.. Exactly.

But what does all this have to do with style? Well, self-esteem and body-image are inexorably linked with style and our goal of getting dressed without compromise. Regardless of size, you've got to have your self-esteem firmly intact in order to thrive in your skin. Today's news is an assault on self-esteem.

Obesity is a lot of things. In fact, contagious isn't one of them. Fear of obesity though? Thanks to today's mainstream media and the New England Journal of Medicine, THAT's a viral epidemic.

If you'd like an excellent analysis of today's headline about obesity, read Kate Harding's fine response or this enlightened assessment from R.N.  Sandy Szwarc at Junkfood Science. Both of these bloggers deserve our thanks for digging deeper into the study and exposing the thin science beneath it.

Now, if you'd like to get dressed and love the skin you're in, stay tuned. I'm preparing a list of the best clothing to boost your self-esteem.

Onward!

Philadelphia Inquirer: Natural Beauty

I love talking with Elizabeth Wellington, the smart, savvy, pull-no-punches style columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer. We've spoken several times before, but this time Elizabeth takes on the commoditizing of "natural" beauty. If you're not familiar with Elizabeth's column, she's worth checking out.

We talked about how the selling of 'natural beauty' puts pressure on women to be perfect. Cause when they're selling us 'natural beauty', there's always a cost. Just don't let that cost be your self-esteem!

Vogue Breaks Boundaries with Jennifer Hudson on PopWire & Raleigh Observer

I spoke with Samantha Thompson Smith of the Raleigh News & Observer about the significance of Vogue's excellent decision to use curvy Dreamgirls star, Jennifer Hudson, as their covergirl.

Sure, Jennifer is the in thing right now, but Vogue isn't known for cultivating a broader definition of beauty. Just the opposite. I predict Jennifer is the beginning of the next wave in accepting diversity. Read more of this interview on PopWire.com (yes, this is a duplicate of the original Raleigh News & Observer article, so no need to read both).

The Little Black Dress: 10 Best Plus Size Picks Under $100

Do you have a little black dress? I'm not asking about a fancy party dress, I'm asking about a versatile dress you can dress down for the office, dress up for a cocktail party, and throw in a carry-on for an impromptu weekend away?

I'll bet there's a good chance your answer is no! The "Little Black Dress" is a style staple most of us are missing. I've put together ten excellent choices for under $100. This is an inclusive, affordable collection for all shapes and sizes to 6x. Do yourself a favor, check 'em out. Then make sure you add a versatile little black dress to your closet.

A Delicious Surprise: The Neiman-Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie and (drumroll)...

Neiman's signature chocolate chip cookie is the stuff of urban legend. It has been said that they charge $250 for this recipe. In reality, it's a delicious secret that they give it away absolutely free.

I've uncovered another delicious surprise about Neiman Marcus. Did you know they carry plus-sizes online? Ooh yeah! Depending on your budget and your sweet tooth, at least one, and probably both, of these tasty morsels is sure to delight your senses. Enjoy!

• Neiman's Cookie Recipe
• Shopping at Neiman's Online Plus-Size Department
• Browse Our Own Designer Gallery to See More High Fashion for Full-Figures

What to Wear To a Cocktail Party

Ever wonder what to wear to a cocktail party? When the invitation says 'cocktail attire' you are being invited to be a little bit seductive while still looking like a lady (hint: leave the club wear at home).

• When the dress code says 'cocktail attire' this perfect party dress will do the trick.
• Going straight from the office? Stick with your versatile little black dress.
• Want something more glamorous? Try a metallic twin set or sequined jacket.
• Ready for a true cocktail dress

See them all and then make sure you have a wonderful little something ready to slip into when your invitation for cocktails arrives.

Happy Feet on iVillage Live!

Today I visited with the gang at NBC's interactive talkshow, iVillage Live! We looked at shoes that'll keep your feet happy all summer long. Whether you have wide feet, narrow feet, short feet, long feet (in any combination) we've found shoes for you!

Click to watch our Happy Feet segment on iVillage Live. Don't settle for frumpy feet. Comfort comes in all sizes. There are more style-conscious (and budget-friendly) choices available today than ever before. Don't your feet deserve to be happy too? Sure they do!

Underneath It All: Foundations of Style

Shapewear is indeed the foundation of style. What goes on under an outfit will have more to do with your look than most of us want to admit.

If your look could use a smoother line, don't wait. Plus-size shapewear has evolved. Don't settle for shaping skivvies that are stuck in the past. If you haven't updated your unders this year, it's time to take inventory in your lingerie drawer and then take a look at these.