Amen for the Spanx Bra-llelujah!

When I was first approached about reviewing the Spanx Bra-llelujah bra*, I wasn’t sure what kind of feedback I would be able to provide. While I could definitely use some help in the lower half of my body in terms of holding it all in, I am the quintessential pear shape, barely filling out an A-cup on top. But, what the heck, I thought. If it didn’t work out for me, I certainly know plenty of women who would love the chance to review the bra, so I agreed to take a look at it.

Well, sorry ladies. It’s mine! ALL MINE!

Before I go into why I love this bra, here’s the description of the bra that came on the tag:

Why Bra-llelujah?? Because it’s the first ever bra designed backwards to smooth and flatter your back! It has molded cups and naturally adjusting hosiery straps that won’t dig in. It’s soooo comfortable you’ll want to sing about it!

Honestly, I don’t usually have problems (I think??) with back bulge. I have had bra fittings before, and accordingly have bras that fit me fairly well without bulging in the back. I say “fairly” because believe it or not, having tiny ta-tas can make it extra-ordinarily hard to find well fitting bras. While larger chested women have their own set of problems like back pain, and straps digging in, I have problems like bras slipping up over the nips when I raise my arms, and straps constantly falling down. Again, better fitting bras do this less, but it’s been hard to find bras that fit perfectly …. until now.

Bra-llelujah! (Can you hear the singing yet?)

When I got the bra, I wasn’t even sure it was going to fit. Instead of my usual 36 A, the bra was a 34 B. (Maybe it’s time to get a bra fitting again!) But when I put it on and hooked the clasp in the front, I could not believe how amazingly comfortable this bra was. Yes, that’s right. A comfortable bra. You might have thought that was an oxymoron, but I am here to tell you it IS possible!

The fit is perfect, and the stretchy “hosiery” fabric has enough give to move with you while staying put. I am wearing it at this moment but the only reason I am actually aware of the fact that I am wearing it is because I am writing about it. I think I could seriously live in this bra.

So, whether your an A cup or a DD, if you’re looking for an uber-comfortable bra that can also flatter your back, this bra is for you!

Available at Lane Bryant (where right now they are having a Buy 2 Get 2 Free promotion) and Nordstrom.

* Per FTC guidelines, I am required by law to disclose this item was given to me by Lane Bryant, Inc. to review.

Fab Fashion Find: Nunzia ‘Annabella’ White Laptop Bag

I admit it. I am a bit of a handbag junkie. Although I’m not one to drop hundreds or thousands on a single hand bag, I certainly purchase enough of the lower priced bags that it adds up. The problem is, while I am always in search of “the one”, what defines “the one” at any given point in my life changes.

Right now “the one” is a bag that looks cute (ok, that’s a given), is large enough to hold my iPad (or laptop if necessary), has multiple compartments with at least one organizer section so I’m not just dropping my stuff into a bottomless cavern, never to be found again, and it has to be reasonably priced. Impossible?

Enter the Nunzia ‘Annabella’ White Laptop Bag. After countless hours of searching, I found this bag at Overstock.com. With a suggested retail price of $129, this bag is certainly a bargain at Overstock for just $42.99, especially when you consider the super cheap shipping Overstock always offers at $2.95 on your entire order (and yes, that includes furniture too!).

The nitty gritty as described on Overstock.com:

Lane Bryant Interview with Michelle Cantrell

While the goal of the Lane Bryant Bloggers Conference was to spread the word about the company and their commitment to making great fashion accessible to women in sizes 14 and above, the conference also provided a platform for a two-way conversation.

Here’s a video segment from an interview they did with me to hear more about my experience at the event.

2010 Lane Bryant Bloggers Conference: Final Wrap Up

I have to admit, when I was invited to the 2010 Lane Bryant Bloggers Conference*, held June 3, I was not sure how to respond. VenusVision is not a plus-size blog. I am not plus sized, and although I have long thought Lane Bryant is a great brand and I have often included pieces from Lane Bryant in posts about fashion, I was not sure what I would get from the conference or what I could contribute. But the reality is that the path of Lane Bryant and that of my own converge in subtle ways that became more clear throughout the amazing 1-day conference.

As Robert Rutkauskas, one of the senior designers for Lane Bryant said, “Fashion is not a size.” He came to Lane Bryant believing that every woman in every size has the right to put on clothes that look and feel good on her. Whether it’s a basic piece like a black dress or slacks,

something trendy with fun prints and cuts, or the ever important, but often overlooked undergarments, Lane Bryant is working hard to blur the lines between plus size fashion and so called “straight” fashion, and that was demonstrated throughout my experience at the conference.

The day began at 7:45 am with all 12 bloggers congregating at the hotel, waiting to be taken to Lane Bryant’s flagship store located at Easton Mall in Columbus, OH. From 8:00-10:00 am, the store was all ours! Each of the 12 bloggers were treated to a head-to-toe outfit of our picking. Saying it was like kids in a candy shop is an understatement. With the help of the Lane Bryant staff, including Rutkauskas, the women filled the dressing rooms with outfits of every type, in some cases pushing the envelope for what they felt comfortable with and finding new looks to wear with confidence.

Each woman got an expert bra fitting, thanks to Linda Lewis, Senior Buyer for Bras and expert in bra fitting, and discovered how much of a difference wearing a proper fitting bra can make both in comfort and appearance. Everyone was thrilled to walk away new skivvies! After the basics were taken care of and outfits were chosen, accompanying accessories, shoes, and a handbag finished the look for many in the group.

Though the group was quiet at the start of our trip, there was clearly no better way to create a bond among us than starting with a shopping trip! Everyone was thrilled with their loot, snapping away taking pictures, tweeting, and posting to Facebook, sharing the experience with followers.

When we were finished wreaking havoc in the store and doing all the damage that could be done in two hours, we piled back in the van and headed to the Lane Bryant headquarters. It was apparent from the moment that we walked through the doors that this was the corporate headquarters of a progressive, fashion-focused company. The lobby features a full display of mannequins wearing the newest Lane Bryant styles.

Our visit at the headquarters began with an introduction to Lane Bryant president Brian Woolf. Though some of us later expressed surprise that the head of a women’s fashion company is a man, it is clear he is dedicated to the idea that every woman deserves to wear clothes she can feel good in. And while it may seem counter-intuitive, Woolf doesn’t look at Lane Bryant as a plus-size company since, as he said “Do we call sizes 2, 4 or 6 minus sizes?” And that attitude carries throughout the rest of the company where each staff member we met, from the head designers to the Vice President of the marketing department who places a heavy emphasis on the power of social networking.

“Women sizes 14 and up are in the majority in America, and yet they are made to feel they are in the minority,” said Woolf. Lane Bryant is out to change that and reaching out through social media, recognizing the growing influence of bloggers is part of that mission.

In addition to meeting the Lane Bryant design team, we got a tour of the entire design process from concept to store, which takes nearly a year from beginning to end. But perhaps the most exciting part of the day was when we got to talk to Lizzie Miller via Skype. If you don’t remember Lizzie, check out my article on The Girl on p. 194 or just do a quick google search to see the amazing buzz she created by posing nude (discretely positioned) in Glamour magazine last fall, revealing a body that’s more reflective (and amazingly beautiful!) of the average American woman. I could do a whole blog post on our brief conversation, but suffice it to say she’s as effervescent and beautiful as she appears in Glamour.

Our day at the headquarters ended with a make-over and photo shoot where everyone got to display their Lane Bryant outfits. It was a great experience to work with professional hair and make-up artists, and photography team. Everyone loved the pampering and attention, and when they flaunted their stuff in front of the camera, it was as if they were born to be models.

After taking turns striking a pose, we finished the day with a dinner at McCormick & Schmidt where we talked and laughed like we’d all been friends for years. And for years to come, this will be a day I will remember, for the connections I made and the unique experience I was given. I have always believed in the vision of Lane Bryant and look forward to continuing an open dialogue with the company going forward.

Stay tuned on how to win a fabulous dress (seen in the picture above, worn by Marie Denee of the Curvy Fashionista), sexy lingerie, great accessories and more from Lane Bryant.

And here’s a list of my fellow bloggers all of whom are worth getting to know!

• Miss Lori of Miss Lori’s CAMPUS, missloriscampus.com
• Allison Teng of Curvy Girl Chic, curvygirlchic.blogspot.com
• Eve Mayer Orsburn of Social Media Delivered, socialmediadelivered.com
• Tina Potter McNeely of T Minus, T Plus, tminustplus.blogspot.com
• Madeline Jones of PLUS Model Magazine, plusmodelmag.com
• Sara  Bartlett, Bombshell Beauty Blog, bombshellbeauty.blogspot.com
• Kimberly Brinkman of Fab Finds Under $50 Blog, fabfindsunder50.com
• Aimee Cheshire of EVA Apparel Group LLC, madisonplus.com
• Alissa Wilson of The Budget Fashionista, thebudgetfashionista.com and Stylish Curves, stylishcurves.blogspot.com
• Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista, thecurvyfashionista.mariedenee.com
• Diana Jane Rajchel of Fat Chic, fatchic.net

* Per FTC guidelines, I am required to disclose that Lane Bryant paid for airfare, accommodations, makeover, and dining expenses incurred during the conference, as well as providing all clothing and accessories selected by me at the Lane Bryant store.

Fab Fashion Finds: Eddie Bauer Spring Styles

Just to prove I can post about something that comes from a retailer other than Target, I am highlighting some great looks from Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer has the great ability to combine feminine with practical and the result this season are some really great outfits.

I am madly in love with this Peony Ballet Shoe from Born. Born shoes are known for comfort, but they don’t sacrifice style in the process. I love the fun colors these shoes come in (though this radish color is definitely my favorite), and the flower on the toe is just adorable. I have to admit, I found the shoes first, and then built the outfit around it — or rather, Eddie Bauer built the outfit, but I approve. Of course denim jackets like this one are a dime a dozen, and can be found for much less at Target. But the adorable stretch poplin skirt is great for spring and summer.

If you saw my post last summer about how much I love to wear dresses in the summer, you’ll know why I go crazy over Eddie Bauer’s selection of dresses. They offer a flattering cut, and I love the colors. Of all of them though, I think this faux wrap printed dress is my favorite and definitely in this orchid color.

Eddie Bauer may not always have the lowest prices, but their clothes are durable and the styles stand the test of time. You really couldn’t go wrong with any of these pieces. And if you’d like to indulge my shoe habit and get me those cute Born shoes, let me know!  :)

Fab Fashion Find: Merona Women’s Floral Wrap Dress

Ok, by now you know I am a huge fan of Target fashions, and why not? They have great styles in a variety of sizes at super prices! So introducing the latest Fab Fashion Find! I LOVE this Merona Floral Wrap Dress.

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s still February and I am longing for spring, but it was love at first site when I first saw the dress hanging on the rack. The colors are so vivid and fun. I couldn’t wait to try the dress on, though I always remain cautious. I generally have a good idea of what will work for my body shape, and this looked like a good candidate, but you can never tell for sure until you actually put something on. I am happy to say this dress was just as adorable on (in my humble opinion) as it was on the rack! And the best part is, it’s only $24.99! And that’s full price!

I will say, the size seems to run a little big, and where I usually wear a medium in many of the clothing items at Target, a small definitely was a better fit. And don’t let the picture fool you. It’s not as short as it looks (unless you have mile-long legs like the model in the picture).

I read some of the reviews online, and the consensus is this dress works on curvy figures. So next time you’re at Target, get in the spirit of spring, and give this dress a try!

Tyra Looks for “Real” Teens in Her Next Model Search

There it is again. That word. “Real.” I’ve seen it thrown around a lot lately, and I even admit to using it myself (wrongly) when referring to every woman that doesn’t meet the traditional, model standard of beauty. But what does “real” mean, anyway? Is a woman less real because she happens to be beautiful by society’s standards? Is she less real if she does so at the expense of her health? We have to realize that every woman is a real woman, but apparently Tyra didn’t get the memo because she is looking for “Fiercely real teens” in her latest model search.

In case you were wondering what a “fiercely real teen” is, apparently it is someone between the ages of 13-19 (ok, she got the teen part right), wears between a size 12-20 (ok, so ‘real’ means plus size in this case), and, wait for it … is 5′9″ to 6′1″. Seriously? How many teens do you know between 5′9″ and 6′1″? I can tell you in round figures how many I know. ZERO. Ok, wait. I take that back. I do know of one girl — a supermarket cashier — that looks to be in her teens and is probably six feet tall. But she’s very thin (seemingly naturally) so I guess that means she’s not fiercely real.

It seems to me that if the word “real” is going to be used, than it should at least represent a portion of the population that one might actually be acquainted with. In this case it appears that Tyra is using the word “real” as a (unnecessary) euphemism for plus-size while still seeking a very narrow standard of runway beauty. And yet, Tyra is quoted in US magazine as saying “I’ve always felt it was my mission to expand the narrow perceptions of beauty” and then added that she tried to “challenge industry and universal standards” by “celebrating non-traditional beauty” and “stressing the importance of inner beauty.” I’m not sure how doing a model search that requires the entrants fit the typical standard height for models is challenging the industry. With all the talk she has done about self esteem and body love, fighting against the stereotypes she herself has been held accountable to, she still manages to propogate industry standards, with the only difference being a slightly wider girth.

Don’t get me wrong. I think Tyra is full of great intentions. She tell US magazine “Adolescence is such an impressionable time in a young woman’s life, and I hope this contest helps teen girls discover their own beauty from the inside out.” But as we know, good intentions do not always lead to the best of actions, and in this case, by focusing on such a tiny percentage of the teen population, I wonder how a 5′5″ plus-size teen is going to discover her beauty based on Tyra’s criteria.

Flattering Plus Size Fashion Tips

With designers and retailers finally realizing the huge market in clothes for women who are not a size 2, the barriers to fashion are coming down for plus-sized women. Still, no matter what size you wear, each woman’s body is different, and knowing your shape and how to dress accordingly is essential for looking your best.

Often the instinct for larger women is to hide their figures. Define your shape and accentuate your assets to flatter the body you have. Start by creating a waist, suggests Racine Peters, Partner and Co-Founder of Budget Fab, LLC. Experiment by “wearing distinct separates, using a belt, or even wearing blazers that create a V-neck at the top and an inversed V-shape at the bottom” like this Old Navy blazer on sale for $27.99. Like to make a statement? Try this wide basket-weave belt for only $11.80 at Lane Bryant.

Look for pieces that create definition on their own. You can never go wrong with wrap shirts and dresses for a flattering look that never goes out style. Layering is another great way to define your waist, like with this Tie-front shrug for $39.50, also from Lane Bryant.

Where your clothes begin and end is an important thing to consider when looking for styles that flatter. When buying a skirt or dress, Donnella Tilery of CEO & Founder of Donnella’s Closet wants to make sure it isn’t too long past your knee or “you’ll look dumpy or frumpy!”This teardrop printed dress from Avenue is a perfect transitional piece from winter to spring or for a more conservative look, try this Nordstrom’s Semantiks Pencil skirt, on sale for $68.00.

Don’t let the term ’skinny’ intimidate you when it comes to pants. Anyone can wear skinny jeans as long as you pull the look together with complimenting pieces. These Calvin Klein “legging” jeans found at Nordstrom.com for $69.50 would look great with a pair of heels to elongate the look of your legs, as suggested by Laura Yoder of 24-7 Style. In the case of skinny jeans, Yoder suggests pairing with a top that just cover the hips.

And no matter what you wear, start with a good bra that fits properly, reminds Rachel Perlmutter, Owner of The Greater LA Woman. You can put on a great outfit, but if “the girls” are looking droopy, it will detract from your overall look. And besides, it’s a great way to feel sexy on the inside if you’re too shy to show it on the outside. Once again, Lane Bryant offers a great selection of adorable bras that will give you the support you need while making you feel sexy like an embroidered balconette bra.

Finally, what you wear on your feet can make or break a look. Heels and pointy-toed shoes elongate your legs and look great with a long pant. Have fun with skirts and dresses by wearing boots. If you have trouble finding boots with shafts that fit your calves, try Silhouettes.com where they carry boots with larger shafts and stretchy fabrics.

Fab Fashion Find: Merona Fit Solutions Jeans

I admit it. I have an addiction. It comes in the form of denim. Half of my closet consists of it. I have boot-cut jeans, straight-leg jeans, low-rise, mid-rise, dark rinse, medium rinse, longer cuts for wearing with heels, shorter cuts for wearing with sneakers, flap pockets, plain pockets, embellished pockets. And yet, I haven’t been able to find the perfect pair — until now.

Once again, Target has come to the rescue. After a failed attempt to find a new pair of jeans at the mall earlier in the day, I decided to hit Target. After falling in love with the Merona Fit Solutions dress I bought a couple of weeks ago, I thought I’d check to see Merona had Fit Solutions jeans. I am pleased to say, I hit the jackpot! These Merona Fit Solutions Jeans are so incredibly fabulous, and the fact that they are priced at a mere $24.99 makes it clear why some of the reviewers who left comments (and gave the jeans 5 stars) at Target.com bought several pairs.

The dark rinse is one that I always prefer because it is so much more versatile as you can easily dress it up or down. The mid-rise waist line sits low enough that it doesn’t look like mom-jeans (though I must admit, some of the pix on Target.com make them look that way), but not so low that everyone will see you underwear every time you bend over. The stretchy fabric and control panel help make your tummy look flatter without making you feel like you are wearing a girdle. They come in Short, Regular, and Tall sizes up to size 18.

I wore my pair last night at my home viewing party for America the Beautiful, and got so many compliments on them. I love shocking everyone by telling them I bought them at Target at such a great price! And they look great with this cute Merona Wrap Top I got to go along with them.

I have a fun weekend planned and this outfit will be doing a repeat performance. Just a note though — the tag does warn that the dark rinse can come off on other fabrics and recommends washing them (separately in cold water) before wearing.

Fab Fashion Find: Calvin Klein Dress

Alright, I know the last Fab Fashion Find was a dress too, but what can I say? I love dresses! I especially love dresses with flattering cuts that can work well on different body sizes and shapes, and this Calvin Klein Sleeveless Criss-Cross dress that I came across via my daily sale alert from Shop It To Me definitely fits the bill. And for a mere $65.99 (original price was $158), I can hardly resist. This dress is a color and style that can be worn all year round, so you just can’t go wrong with it. Since it’s on sale, there are currently only sizes 4-12, so if you love this dress as much as I do, hurry up and get yours!

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