In the meantime, find us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER! Xoxox

With a slew of hosts, from model Tocarra Jones to  Tami Roman from VH1′s Basketball Wives, this FFW is boasting BIG names. Not to mention live performances from Miguel, Eric Benet and Melanie Fiona. There’s no reason that curvy girls shouldn’t be able to participate in the glamour that comes with fashion week events and this is poised to be worthy of a weekend getaway.

Each night is filled with different events, for the hour-by-hour scoop, see HERE. Judging by the line-up of sponsors, NJFFW looks to be a promising addition to FFFW shows.

SO, WHO’S EXCITED? HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! 

The Oscars is one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the entertainment world, and the red-carpet is just as revered. In fact, some people watch only for the pre-show, red carpet eleganza. For the curvy set, it’s a chance to see the few, curvy A-list stars kill it in gorgeous gowns.

Inspired by last night’s show, we went through the archives to find some of our favorite looks from The Oscars. Let’s start with this year’s faves!

Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) in custom Marina Rinaldi Octavia Spencer (The Help) in Tadashi Shoji

Two of this year’s most amazing ladies shone last night! McCarthy wore a flowy blush gown with amazing jewels included. Spencer (congrats on the won, girl!) donned a gown by a designer she’s been wearing all award season. Sticking with what she knows best, she shines in this glittering number.

Queen Latifah, 2007, in Badgley Mischka Couture

Queen Latifah in a fitted, soft purple dress was a big win! She manages to command attention while still looking soft and feminine.

Jennifer Hudson, 2008, in Roberto Cavalli

Pre-Weight Watcher, J-Hud was a stunner in this gown. From the cutouts on the side to the neck detail, flawless!

Mo'Nique, 2010, in Tadashi Shoji

From the bright, attention worthy blue, to the chic chignon,  she was glowing the night she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Precious.

Panties, skivvies, bloomers, undergarments, whatever you want to call them, your underwear is important. Like a house built on a shaky foundation, a fabulous outfit can fall to pieces if your underwear creates unsightly lumps, bumps and ripples underneath.

To aid you on the never-ending hunt for skivvies to stock up on, we present BARE PLUS by Bare Necessities. Since 1998 they’ve been supplying gals with their undies, but at the beginning of this month they revealed their new branch, BARE PLUS. With a varied selection of 81 designer brands in 1,000 sexy styles, BARE PLUS is exclusively for the curvy  woman!

If your panty drawer (we all have one, don’t act shy) is lacking, start your search on BARE PLUS. From the comfort of your home with a bonus of 25% off your order  with code SPRINGSAVE25, what’s there not to be excited about?   Click below to be redirected to their site. Happy shopping!

Often times, Valentine’s Day is reserved for external gestures of love. As children we exchange Valentine’s Day cards and innocent kisses. As adults, we look forward to fancy dinners or swoon over expensive chocolates and gifts. Sometimes, we even take it a step further and eagerly wait for that bouquet of roses that may or may not show up from our secret admirer…But, how often do we really take time to show appreciation for ourselves? Why wait for someone else to do it? After all, the chemistry of loving and appreciating others begins with loving and appreciating yourself.

xo

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I honestly have never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day. Even as a kid! Back then,my mom would make me buy little Valentine’s Day cards and candy for everyone in my class. I would purposely throw the card at people or crush the candy hearts. Lol I was so antisocial; I hated everyone in my class.~Massiel H. New York, NY

When I was in college I wanted to do something special for my boyfriend at the time. So… I rented a hotel room and filled it with candles and the floors with rose petals. He was totally aware that I would be booking the room but had no idea, what I had in store for him. Later that evening, he called to tell me he was asked to work the late shift, and to avoid the room going to waste we should give it to his friend, who would pay for the room. A few months later I received a call from a girl claiming she was pregnant and to my suprise, I found out the room didn’t go to waste at all. That’s was where he took her! ~Bria C.  Boston, MA

My boyfriend’s birthday is on February 13th. Last year we made plans for Valentine’s Day that also included a two-for-one special- being as though his birthday was in close proximity of Valentine’s Day we decided to celebrate both. We made plans to go to his favorite restaurant. We got there, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company. A little while before deciding to leave he began to complain about his stomach feeling OFF. A cab ride later, back at home I was cleaning up hurl up all over the house! ~ Crystal F. Long Island, NY

On Valentine’s Day morning my ex-boyfriend asked me to borrow money so he could buy me flowers… Smh… I looked at him like he was crazy. ~ J.M. Philadelphia, PA

Last year, this time, I discovered my husband was cheating on me. Needless to say, I spent Valentine’s Day   alone. ~ Kelly M. Raleigh, NC

Two years ago I was struggling with the decision on whether or not to break up with my ex of 2 years. I hadn’t seen him for about a week prior to Valentine’s Day because of our busy schedules. I knew we were going to see each other on Valentine’s Day but I also knew that I couldn’t hold in the fact that I didn’t want to be with him anymore. We had been seeing each other for a while, but I knew in my heart he wasn’t the one for me, and I didn’t want to drag it out any longer. On Valentine’s Day, I ended up meeting him 2 hours late only to break up with him. It was the saddest thing ever. ~ Casey M. San Diego, California

Although it may sound odd, believe it or not, some women just aren’t able to answer the question, “What Makes You Sexy?”. Read on as some of our loyal readers share their secrets on what makes them sexy.

It’s a well known fact; the month of February is known for rolling out in red…so we thought it would be interesting for some of our faves to share their fave red items that they absolutely CANNOT live without. (In an “I-don’t-care-what-goes-but-that-stays” type of way.)

“I’m going to be honest.  Red hasn’t exactly been my favorite color.  But when I take a look at my closet, I realize that the few red items I have in my wardrobe are all for special occasions.  There’s my red sweater for Christmas Eve with my family, my red off-the-shoulder top for Valentines Day, and the red bridesmaid dress I wore for one of my best friend’s wedding.  But of all the red items in my wardrobe, one stands out.  It’s the red and beige dress I bought for my 24th birthday.  I love it because it’s light, sheer and feminine. Also, it reminds me of all the love and warmth I feel during the winter holidays, but I can wear it in the summer, extending that warm, loving feeling throughout the year, in celebration of yet another year lived with those that I love.”

Tanisha Love >>> @tanishalove

“My favorite red item would be my red nail polish by M.A.C. Even though everyone knows M.A.C. for having great makeup, Their nail polish collection usually gets little attention. I have searched far and wide for the perfect shade of fire engine red polish and finally I found it.  After try and fail with so many, it was reassuring to find the one that I had in my mind in person. I loved it so much I bought a new one even though the first one wasn’t even close to finished. It brings a sense of mystery and sexiness to my hands. It’s time less and trendy always.”

Lesley B. >>> @thelesleybshow

“This is the Ziginy Nevada Red Suede Wedge.  Although I am not a fan of wedges, THESE are killer I wore them paired with a pencil skirt, blazer, small bow, Marc Jacobs earrings and Matte Russian Red Lipstick.”

Shiana G. >>> @MissPublicity

“

I have a thing for scarves and even though I don’t need them everyday in the summer, I still keep a lightweight one in my bag just in case (especially living in NY)! A friend of mine was in India last year on a business trip and brought back a red hand-woven scarf for me that I absolutely fell in love with. It’s crazy that something so light can be so warm.”

Shante G. >>> @Shante_no5

“Here is my favorite red jumper getting its party on. I love it so much because I only paid $10 bucks for it at Re-dress, who would of thought I would find something for myself there you never know the treasures you may find until you hunt for them.” 

Tasha H. >>> @momma_nista

“My favorite red item is These Red Leather Dollhouse Boots I got from my boo our 1st Christmas together.  These boots have stopped traffic!”

Jeannie F. >>> @jeannie4101

We’re product junkies, no shame in admitting it and now we’ve got our eyes on a new brand, courtesy of make-up artist Londyn Nikole.

You may not know her by name, but you may very well be familiar with her work. Having worked with BET, MTV, Vampire Diaries star Katerina Graham and countless others, Londyn Nikole  is someone we’d fully trust to stock our make-up bags. Now she’s launching her line of lovely lippies called Unkissable! The first debut under the collection is a super hydrating, glossy and innovative line of lip products built on its tagline that, “beauty shouldn’t have to cost everything in order for you to achieve anything.”

Amongst all the lip glosses and lipsticks, we’re most excited about her lip slick. It promises to take the guess work out of lip liner, while having the color payoff of a lipstick and the shine of a lip gloss. Perfect for when you’re in a rush!

Also, pictured above, there’s an exciting gloss that looks like a classic gloss in daylight, but glows neon in blacklight. What nightowl couldn’t use a fun lippie like that?

Visit The Londyn Nikole Collection site, here, to get ahead of the game and pre-order by Feb. 26th & follow the artist herself on Twitter @londynikole!

It’s that time again!

From BET’s Rip the Runway and Full Figured Fashion Week, Plus Model Jeannie Ferguson teams up with MANIK MAG to show aspiring models (and anyone curious) how to walk with punctuation on the runway!

It was a hit the last time, so it’s back in full effect and you’ve got to be there. A great event for learning runway tricks, networking and a plain ol’ good time. Here’s some footage from the last Walk This Way class. Can’t wait to see you!

JEANNIE FERGUSON’S WALK THIS WAY RUNWAY CLASS from MANIK MAGAZINE.

We know that it’s a little early, but Spring is on the way and we’re predicting a fearless trend that can spread like wildfire if bombshells are bold enough to dare it.

We don’t know about you ladies but we’re in awe of the new dynamics designers have asserted with their shoes. From heelesss shoes to criss-crossed & zig-zagged straps, we’re hookeed! We just want to say one thing…Don’t get caught slipping!

Cheers to fearless fashion!

STR8-LACE by Jeffrey Campbell $154.95

ROCSTAR by Steve Madden $249.95

ROCKETTE by Jeffrey Campbell $138.95

XOXOX! HAPPY SHOE SHOPPING!

   PHOTO COURTESY: JEFFREY CAMPBELL

HAPPY NEW YEAR BOMBSHELLS!

10. VOGUE ITALIA’S features 3 plus models on June 2011 cover

Vogue Italia has famously featured many plus size models and spreads, but this year, we were given a whole cover story. Grazie Vogue Italia!  We LOVE that they love our curves and aren’t afraid to celebrate them and make them cover worthy.

9. Popular plus model Crystal Renn under fire for losing weight

Crystal Renn became a household name for her fearless representation of curvy women and model. While her weight has been under watch for a while, this year she hit her thinnest. At the Metropolitan Opera she stepped out and caused a stir for her sunken cheeks and thin frame. Many of her fans felt betrayed while some thought nothing of it. Being a poster child for anything is never easy, but she’s doing it her way.

8. BBC reports on the wave of plus size bloggers

It’s a known fact that bloggers are becoming pivotal to the fashion world, and plus size bloggers are getting their shine too. Across the pond, it’s even newsworthy! Check this report out. We are no longer a counter culture, we are becoming a part of the mainstream! In time, it won’t be odd to mention plus-size and high-fashion in the same breath.

7. Jeannie Ferguson winning achievement award as Super Plus Model of the year

Jeannie Ferguson is a friend to Manik and we always support her, so we were proud this year when she achieved a great award to add to her list of accomplishments. She is the Super Plus Model of the Year! You go girl! Follow her @Biggirlsunited

6. Karl Lagerfeld’s change of heart when it comes down to plus size fashion models

Karl Largerfeld of Chanel famously denounced plus size fashion and models when he said “no one wants to see curvy women”, but this year he photographed Miss Dirty Martini and showed off his new opinion. Welcome to the curvy side Mr. Lagerfeld.

5. La’Dans’s Closet Designs featured on TLC show Big Sexy

La’Dan’s closet is a favorite designer of the curvy set and got some great televised publicity this year when a fabulous coat of theirs was featured on the show, Big Sexy. See footage of it here!

4.Lane Bryant teamed up with Qristyl Frazier Design

Qristyl Frazier did great things this year. Not only did she team up with Lane Bryant to distribute a great collection, she was also on television show All on the Line With Jo Zee, documenting her road to the collaboration. Her line was celebrated at the Fulton Street store in Brooklyn. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is groundbreaking in that it opened the door for independent designers to branch out. Now her amazing designs are available to the masses!

3. Plus model Anivia Cruz-Dilworth charged for performing illegal buttocks injections

This was a very curvy year! So much so that just about every woman was trying to achieve a curvy look by getting injections. Plus model Anivia Cruz-Dilworth was a supplier of injections in New Jersey, but without a license and a non-medical mixture including common caulking sealant. Oh no! We love curves, but that is just dangerous.

2. Increased social awareness of accepting curvy and plus size images

This year curves were more mainstream than ever, especially curves in a fashionable light. TLC launched its show, Big Sexy which followed plus-size models around NYC. It was one of the first shows that shed light on plus-size women in a positive and glamorous light, while still being honest. Also, with the re-introduction of The Muppets, Miss Piggy, quite the fashionable puppet, served as the editor for French Vogue in the film. C’est chic!

1. Re/Dress NYC closes its doors

Re/Dress NYC, an institution of New York City’s plus-size fashion world, closed it’s doors after three years of clothing the backs of shoppers from all over. This was a store was more than a store to the people that shopped there and there is definitely a void left by their absence. Hopefully you got a piece from the before they said goodbye. See our coverage of their last event here.

 HERE’S TO HOPING 2012 WILL BE EVEN MORE EVENTFUL!