LATRESA’S 30 DAY PLANK CHALLENGE WITH A TWIST

Day 1 50 SQUATS WITH WEIGHTS OF YOUR CHOICE /20 SEC.PLANK              

Day 2 55 SQUATS WITH WEIGHTS OF YOUR CHOICE /20 SEC. PLANK 

Day 3 60 SQUATS WITH WEIGHTS OF YOUR CHOICE /30 SEC. PLANK

Day 4 REST

Day 5 70 SQUATS 45 SEC. PLANK

Day 6 75 SQUATS/45 SEC. PLANK

Day 7 80 SQUATS/ 60 SEC. PLANK

Day 8 REST

Day 9 100 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/ /1.5 MIN. PLANK

Day10 105 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE//1.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 11 110 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE// 2 MIN. PLANK

Day 12 REST

Day 13 130 SQUATS/3 MIN. PLANK

Day 14 135 SQUATS/3 MIN. PLANK

Day 15 140 SQUATS/ 3.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 16 REST

Day 17 150 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/ /3.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 18 155 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/ 3.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 19 160 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/ 4 MIN. PLANK

Day 20 REST

Day 21 180 SQUATS 4 MIN. PLANK

Day 22 185 SQUATS 4 MIN PLANK

Day 23 190 SQUATS 4 MIN. PLANK

Day 24 REST

Day 25 220 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/4 MIN. PLANK

Day 26 225 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/ 4 MIN. PLANK­­­

Day 27 230 SQUATS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CHOICE/4.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 28 REST

Day 29 240 SQUATS 4.5 MIN. PLANK

Day 30 250 SQUATS 5 MIN. PLANK

* This is a yoga move that I wanted to share that I do. So I incorporated it with the squat challenge. Remember to keep good form so that you get the most out of your workouts. If you are familiar with the “Dolphin Plank” you can do those instead for more of a challenge.*

Peplums, oh how they are pleasing!!!

I know that peplums were one of the many trends for 2012 but I don’t think it was really emphasized fully for plus sized women. I think anytime you have a style that flatters curves on the majority of us full figured fashionistas; ( myself included) than to me it is a timeless fashion trend that never goes out of season. As you continue to read future posts in my blog you will see that I don’t follow trends. I can be somewhat of a fashion rebel basically I do my own thing! I wear what I love, I say what I feel, and because I am a free spirit I basically ride the wind when it comes to my life, fashion and anything else. It’s my blog and my life and it’s about what ever makes me happy!  Shout out:Thank you Rocquelle Blogger of “Consider me lovely” for helping me to really see that about myself. You have captured me and encouraged me more than you will ever know.

Peplums are the most universal and versatile style that was ever invented. From the Greek word, peplos, which refers to a long tunic dress women wore where the top draped into a skirt-like shape. Peplum, then as well as now , is as old as Alexander the Great, and has reappeared time and again in the wardrobes of women around the world.  I think that when Alber Elbaz,  said, “I created the peplum style so you can eat in it. You can have a dessert, you can have another sandwich.”   I see that he most definitely does understand how plus size woman or any woman feels about the practicality of clothing and fashion.

I created the peplum so you can eat in it. You can have a dessert, you can have another sandwich
-Alber Elbaz

Peplums come in all kinds of styles. There are various shapes and sizes, like frilly and flouncy or ruffled and stiff  dimensional ones. Some peplums are so small they’re barely noticeable, while others are the only thing that anyone will notice. No matter what, there is a peplum style that will look great on any size woman. The trick is to find the right type of peplum that draws attention to your most flattering spots and ends at just the right areas that  camouflages  the least flattering ones. You can find peplum skirts and peplum dresses just about everywhere, but peplum tops in particular can be tricky to pair up. Keep reading for different ways to style your peplum pieces.

If you have an hourglass-shaped body, peplums can further emphasize your, already ideal, proportions.

 

* Make sure that the peplum portion of your top or dress is not too high. the peplum should be flaring away from your midsection creating a flattering look.*

 

If you have a top-heavy or inverted triangle then balance is is key when incorporating the peplum style.  When you wear a peplum you will be adding bulk to your lower half and that  will balance out your upper half and make you look like you have a waist, while hiding your tummy.

 lace peplum dress

If you have a heavy bottom and defined waist then you have a pear-shaped body like me. The right peplum dress will draw attention to your waist and camouflage your hips and butt.

Tadashi Shoji Lace Peplum Dress

 

If you use peplums with  combination  color blocking, you can make your proportions look even more balanced. Minimize your large bust or wide shoulders by wearing a darker color above the peplum and a lighter color underneath…..

Style&co. Plus Size Lace Peplum Top & Skinny Ankle-Zip Colored Jeans http://macys.com

 

Do the opposite if you have a large derrière.

     

Ashley Stewart Color Block Peplum Dress $27.99

This dress has nothing to do with nothing I just thought it was

cuuuuute!!!!! I love this dress! *Sobs* too bad it doesn’t come in plus size….

polkadot peplum jersey dress

 

These are my opinion that I feel will give the best look in the peplum style for the plus size woman. By no means am I any fashion chief of rule maker of fashion! These ideas were merely shared by me in hopes that someone would find some useful hints that will help them be as fashionable and fabulous as every woman wants to be. So take what you find helpful and explore any style possibility that you have, feel free to share if you like, but just remember when it comes to peplums….A good, well-proportioned peplum can make your waist look smaller and become the focal point. there is no reason you shouldn't own a peplum piece in your wardrobe.

Thank you for reading and feel free to leave a comment or a question!

Always stay absolutely fabulous!

Fit Tips & How To Wear It
Fit Tip for peplum dress- Make sure that the peplum  portion of the  dress is not too high. the peplum should be flaring away from your midsection creating a flattering look.

Fit Tip for peplum tops- Peplum Tops look best when worn with a curve skimming bottom. Skinny/straight leg jeans or a pencil skirt will give you a polished and  put together look.

Purple picks

Purple picks by voluptuousvelocity featuring matthew williamson

Antonio Berardi belted top
theoutnet.com

MSGM flower print jeans
$390 - luisaviaroma.com

Mymu wedge shoes
shoplesnouvelles.com

Alexander mcqueen
$1,495 - farfetch.com

Etro
theoutnet.com

Matthew williamson
theoutnet.com

My thoughts about self image

Well I have been a little under the weather and I didn't feel fabulous at all so I don't have anything to post and that's ok because I wanted to focus on feeling as fabulous as I try to look. So now that I am feeling at least 85% better ( aside from this annoying coughing, I am going to write about the one thing that I had time to really think about on my down time and that is self image. To often I encounter women who seem to look and show that they are comfortable with themselves and the way that they look until they start to talk a little about themselves and then it seems as though they are not as well put together as they want everyone to think. Now I am an observer so I tend to look further into people then I should most times; but that is part of the compassion I have for everyone that I meet. I love reading biographies because I think that somewhere in the biography there will be an unnoticed phrase, description or maybe even one word to sum up how and what this person really feels about themselves. I am reminded of a quote I once read and it states: Your self image is your pattern. Every thought has an activity visualized. Every activity belongs to a pattern. You identify with your pattern or thought. Your patterns leads your life. Gallimore, J. G. We live in a world where everything is fashionably led from the cars we drive right down to the cell phones that we have. I don't understand who comes up with all these fashion rules and stipulations and I am not going to try to figure all that out but when it comes right down to how we as plus size women feel about ourselves then I want to inquire as much as I can to help myself as well. A lot of it has to do with educating ourselves on that which has the most interest towards us. There are so many sites that cater to plus size fashion and self image it just the matter of taking the time out to research it. Most women feel that if you show a little cleavage and wear ill fitting clothes and make a pouty face than that makes you a model. I beg to differ its more than just taking pictures and making faces because cameras don't lie and whatever is going on mentally about you will show on your face so you have to be sure that everything is right within so that everything will look right on the outside. I remember the first fashion show I did it started off as a hobby so I didn't think that much about it; but I was told that I was going to be the main attraction which meant I was going to wear the majority of the outfits and take the most picures. Well I was so excited until the day of the first rehearsal. The other ladies there were rude to me and basically no one had much to say to me, not to mention I was having some outside issues on the homefront as well. I was really overwhelmed and not feeling good about myself. I went for my makeup rehearsal and I was just worn out from the previous day. The artist that was doing my makeup kept saying that he couldn't get my makeup right because I just didn't seem like I was there. The same thing was said when I was getting my hair done. I finally had to practice walking the runway in the heels I had to wear and I guess the designer had had it so he pulled me over to the side and asked me if I really wanted to be there. I said "sure!" but I didn't mean it. He finally said we were going take a break because he wanted to talk to me personally. We talked and he asked me again was something going on with me. I finally broke down and cried and explained to him that I was having some issues at home and I was feeling like I had done something wrong beecause all the other women were being so rude to me, plus I was overwhelmed and was just not feeling pretty let alone trying to be pretty for someone else. He said something to me that I will never forget. He said that just because you are told by society how beautiful you are doesn't change how you see yourself. You have to know without a shadow of a doubt that when you look on the outside and everything you see seems ugly; and even if you see yourself as ugly; that you will always see the beauty that anyone who wants to see including yourself will see everytime you bless the world with your presence. I was going through a rough patch in my life and I had never felt I was pretty enough to take pictures let alone model anyones clothes but I did and I didn't lose anything in the process. The point I am trying to make is that my self image was not right within and it showed all over me. Its funny how people can remember the bad that someone has done but the good always goes unnoticed. Now I understand why the designer wanted to make sure everything was alright with me because he didn't want me to represent his clothes in a bad way as well as giving myself a bad image. You don't find to many people who will take the time out to be concerned in the fashion industry its rare but its some there. We have to be encouragers of ourselves. If we feel good about ourselves our self images will appear even more fabulous!

the best neckline styles

What is defined as the best neckline? As a plus-sized woman, I have found that some necklines look better than others on me. In fact, some can make me look amazing, while others can make me look even bigger than I am. If you are like me and you find that some necklines don't work for you, the good news is that there is hope. Through trial and error from me and my wonderful curvalicious friends we have discovered   two necklines that always work when we are either buying or finding the right tops,blouses, shirts or dresses.
The following are my ideas of the best  necklines for plus-sized women.  Briefly I will describe how and why I have found that these necklines look amazing on each particular shape and not only do they give the illusion of an elongated  body, but they also draw attention away from the mid section which tends to be an issue for us curvalicious cuties when trying to find a particular style.  If you'd like to improve your look or you’re just trying to find a neckline  style, try these two styles the next time you go clothes shopping.
The first of the two is the v-neck.
                                                                                                                           This neckline  can be very flattering on a plus-size woman because it lengthens the neck  and draws the eye down to give the look of a slimmer appearance.The V- neckline is good for women with small and large bust size.The V- neckline can dissect large chests, but it can also create an interest for a medium to smaller bust. For example, pair up a plunging V neck with a single long necklace and some fabulous shoes and you have a chic look.  If your style is more conservative a basic V-neck is great choice and it is ideal for women with a heavy bust.
v-necks can be a wonderful option. You can find v-necks  that don't reveal cleavage, but still give that great look.The V-neckline with a width greater than the length will help you make your narrow shoulders appear wider. A deeper V-neckline will make your wide-shoulders look narrower. Then to finish off the look add a jacket and a long layered necklace if the top isn’t embellished with some kind of beading, along with a pair of heels will give you the classic chic look.

    

However, any neckline that shows overflowing cleavage is not flattering if you are aiming to look chic but daring. As with any lower necklines, there’s the risk of going too low and looking inappropriately sexy.

Lastly, there is the scoop neckline. There are a number of necklines that simply feel too tight on a plus-sized frame but this one isn't too close to the neck.If you’re not well endowed, scoop necklines are best at creating the illusion of curves This means it also creates an illusion of a larger bust size…

If you are heavier at  the top the scoop neckline   helps compliment the curves, by drawing attention upward and creating a proportioned silhouette..

 

These are my ideas of the two most flattering necklines on any shape. But If you choose to think outside the box and experiment with different necklines make sure you choose  a neckline style that flatters your shoulders, neck, and chest, and will give you the appearance and the confidence that  will make you feel and  look absolutely gorgeous as well as  create a slimming effect. Remember, the whole point to finding a flattering neckline is to find something you're not only comfortable in but something which also makes your neck appear longer. Also, If you don't want to show too much skin, start with a simple scoop neck over a v- neck, allowing yourself time to ease into the transition of showing off your neck area. Once you're comfortable with the v-neck, start experimenting with other neckline styles to see which ones fit you the best and make you feel and look absolutely fabulous!

Black Silver Floral jacquard Jacket is from priceinspector.co.uk

Hot Pink Halter Beaded Plunging Neckline Top (not available)www.discountwomensdressshoes.com

eVogues Apparel Plus Size Designer Print Layered Blouse in Black  from  Amazon.com

eVogues Apparel Plus Size Scoop Neck Dress in Orange from  Amazon.com

Outfit of the Day

                       
The first thing I would like to share is I appreciate everyone's patience and understanding on my timing. LOL! I have never done a fashion blog and its not as easy as writing a poem or editing a book. I do things on a whim and I am very progressive when I work that way but for some reason this seems to be a challenge because I am always doing the interviewing and asking the questions not the other way around. So that being said these are my thoughts my interests and my ideas about fashion. And I appreciate each one of you who decides to be a part of it. I hope you like it! and feel free to email me any questions or leave a comment about anything of interest whether it be about fashion or just to say hello. thanks everyone! 
I was kind of in a hurry and needed to get something together to wear for the day. I haven’t bought anything new and I wanted something that I could wear and still be comfortable at the same time. So I decided to grab the first thing I saw and go from there. I didn’t wear a lot of makeup but I will also share what types I like to wear.
As you can see  I paired a black and flowered lace- print short sleeve shirt ( purchased at Van Heusen $7.00) and I layered it with something  red like the open front  cute and classy shrug (purchased at Van Heusen $12.00) to add a little color. I love Van Heusen because  not only are the clothes very affordable they always have the most classiest and versatile clothing that can be turned into multiple outfits at any hour of the day or week. That is great for those of us who need to be ready at a moments notice. Moving down; I decided on a tan A-lined skirt (by Sag Harbor from Kohl’s $15.00) to further define the waist area and  to give me the ease and comfort to match the kind of day I was going into. (Yes! I am a firm believer that your day is what you make it.) I then added a black belt to add emphasis  to the waist area. The cut and the look of a skirt is very important for plus sized models. Not only does it determine the WAY you look it also tells other people howYOU FEEL about the way you look.  This look is very universal you can use any type of color coordination to your own liking. I wore a pair of red sling backs(BCBG) of course because my primary choice of color was red. Also if you are going to be walking a lot you don’t have to wear a pair of heels because that may not be wise if you have back problems or you can’t wear heels for long periods of time. What I suggest is to wear a pair of flats (Franco Sarto) like the ones shown that are also your primary color of  your choice. The bag is a pale yellow bag by (Fossil).
 
Now its time for the makeup.  I love experimenting and trying to find which ones work and which ones would be better for someone else. I have my personal favorites and I also have some that I use to get a certain result and look. I love Marykay skincare  products and makeup. Their cleaning products work really well on my skin and it always has an even tone and soft feel. I only use the (Marykay microdermabrasion kit $55) once a week to smooth out my skin and clean my pores. This is very important if you want a soft natural look when you decide to wear makeup or none at all. It also keeps oily skin under control. You should also have a  face cleanser that you use  to wash your face daily  to keep your skin looking radiant and not dulled out. Part of looking fabulous is not to exclude being and living healthy and that includes taking proper care of your skin. My favorite daily wash is  (Organic Apricot Scrub by Hollywood Beauty $7.00 for a 10.5oz container.) I love this stuff! not only does it gently remove dry skin and blackheads, this is also my secret to even toned and silky smooth and soft skin! so here it is for those of you who asked! LOL! Now I do drink a lot of water and I do exercise to keep my blood circulating not to toot my own horn…..Hey I’m just saying something that all of us should be doing anyway. Moving on, Afterwards I use (Spectrum Expelled pressed organic coconut oil $6.00) to moisturize my skin. This is also my ultimate secret to great looking skin. It is also a great moisturizer and conditioner for hair which I also use on my lovely locks…LOL! The only thing to remember is when you are using it as a skin moisturizer you have to be careful on how much you use because a little goes a long way! You can’t  be cute while looking like you have been eating fried chicken and used your face as a napkin! My advice is to dip a CLEAN finger in the jar and rub (4 pea-sized if solid or 4 swipes if melted) dots on your face and rub into the skin in a gentle circular motion making sure to evenly distribute onto the entire face. 
My makeup of choice is just to use a concealer(MaryKay $10.00) so if there are a few marks that need to be hidden or the skin underneath the eyes just need to be touched up.  Afterwards I just brush on some of the ( MaryKay sheer mineral pressed powder $16.00).On my eyes I use the 24hr wear and waterproof (Luxury eyeliner by Kiss $4.00 color is blackest black). To finish up the eyes I used (Black Radiance mascara $5.00 color is black). For my lips I just use a simple lip gloss with a light tint to put a little color onto them.
My jewelry of choice was and always is to accentuate what I am wearing.I don’t wear lots of clunky bangles and huge clunky earrings nor do I have anything against it. I love the bold colors and I think it is very important to add accessories to what you are wearing. Some women are very good at  matching what they wear with the types of earrings and bangles that they have. I just don’t have the desire for that type of styling. Nor do I own any. I chose to wear something simple but quietly classy with a hint of boldness. The jewelry is by a designer by the name of Fraydee. You can visit her website: FRAYDEE.com I love independent designer jewelry because they all have a story to tell and each piece is unique in itself.

New year

Merry Christmas everyone! I have some many ideas and tips and designs that I need to get together and so I have decided that I am going to take some time out first and foremost, and just spend it with my family Before I get back to my blog. I am also taking a break until after New Years and hopefully yours truly will have some ideas, fashion tips and some of my designs that I am in the process of completing that will be ready and posted for all to see!  So yes there will be pictures! So stay tuned and until then Merry Christmas and Happy New Years and don't forget to stay absolutely fabulous!

plus sized clothing industry

Christmas is actually here and I can't believe how fast the year has gone by! Now I am not one to make  new years resolutions but I do want to be a better  healthier me and I always strive to be more fabulous than the year before! LOL. Which brings me to a question that I am constantly being asked  and that is why doesn't plus sized clothing  fit as well as regular size clothing? Its all about the fashion trends and what will sell!
According to recent data, retailers who do not adhere to the needs of the plus-size customer will miss out on a formidable chunk of market profits. The average dress size has increased since 1960, from size 8 to 14, creating a market for larger clothing and underwear that equals roughly $19.4 billion, or 18 percent of the $108 billion women's clothing market, according to statistics from the market research firm NPD Group Inc.
"We have outgrown the traditional definition of plus-size, old-(looking) muumuus and loose-fitting clothes," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst NPD Group.... I believe that we will see a huge change for the better for plus sized clothing. The fact that the plus sized clothing industry and the demand is growing and will continue to grow.I have a link at the bottom if anyone wants to read more about the information that I used in my article. I know some of you feel that the clothes that are offered are just too pricey or "we are not all just plus sized we have different measurements." This is so true and this also leaves two options for us all because once again being plus sized does have options as well!LOL. We can 1. buy the clothes and find a tailor to alter the clothes for us or  2. Learn to sew and Make our own! I know that last one is doosy for some but hey its an option! And while I am a seamstress and I can sew I don't expect anyone to do anything that is just not their thing. I will however let everyone know that I do plan on designing again and this time it will be  either clothing that I already have and  will revamp or it will be my own design. So I guess I kind of set a plan in motion for this new year without even saying it. LOL.

The potential market is worth chasing because the average American woman is a size 14, and plus-sizes, often classified as 14 to 34, account for 67 percent of the population, according to Houston-based Plunkett Research.


Read more: Demand from plus-size women spawns new fashion category: 'Fatshion' - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/athome/ci_21572251/demand-from-plus-size-women-spawns-new-fashion#ixzz2FzLgo0xG
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse