From the Pages of Mags to Your Closet Suited to Fit Your Curves!

Glamour Mag highlighted this season's trends and Scaled~uP Apparel delivers! From the Animal Print craze to Blouses with Bows, this store that caters to the "Curvy Fashionista" is the source of on trend looks in plus sizes. And the prices are affordable which means you can buy MORE! Currently, they're offering a free garment bag with purchases over $20. And their s~u Boutique new arrival items are on sale until Sunday night. Where else can you get a suit for $41.94 + Free Priority Shipping + Free Garment Bag? Shop Now! Check out their landing page here!

Sao Paulo Plus Size Fashion Week!

The 12th Annual Sao Paulo Plus Size Fashion Week is happening now and I couldn't be more excited about what I'm seeing!  The era of FRUMP is behind us (I hope). The clothes are vivid, stylish, and flattering. From swim suits to distressed denim shorts to fabulous dresses, the apparel is showing style diversity for curvaceous, confident women of all ages.

Check out another vid on Reuters.

Want to shop some cute plus size fashion right now?

Shopping!!!

Scaled~uP Apparel LLC Grand opening 8/2/2015! Shopping for you curves just got trendier and easier! Calling all  #curvy #curvee #plussize #beautiful #fashionistas! Instagram can't hold us down! Power to the Curvy!

Update: Tuesday is the last day for deep deep discounts. Right now, tops and outwear are 40% off! Free garment bag with purchase! (mailed in 2-4 weeks)

I got black pants, the striped shrug, the chevron skirt, and I'm eyeballing the military jacket! I love shopping for myself and others!

Winter Wardrobe Reboot: Career Essentials

It is very easy to get stuck in a fashion rut during the winter months. The fun of fall fashion is over and you may be tempted to just throw on a thick (albeit warm) sweater and some comfy trousers. That look can get drab fast. If you have seven key pieces in your wardrobe, you can mix and match to avoid the frump that winter blues can bring. Let's take a look...

This ensemble allows you to wear your warm cardigan sweater, but keeps it classy and chic with an LBD. Paired with black tights and ankle boots, your look is complete. To dress it up more, nix the chapeau, wear a statement necklace or pearls, and black pumps or high heel knee boots. Dowdy girl avoided!!

A tailored grey pants suit is another necessity this winter.  It can simply be worn as a suit, but there is so much more you can do. You can where the jacket over a little black dress or wear the pants with a cardigan sweater or as shown above, with an animal print blouse and a bright colored jacket.

Now, to recap, you need a cardigan sweater, a little black dress, black tights, tailored pants suit, and a bright colored jacket. The last two items that will help you make it until spring are a cape and a pair of fresh black trousers (wide-leg or skinny).

I pretty much live in my cuffed black wide-leg trousers. I get a fresh pair of black pants each season.  There isn't much I don't do with these pants. I dress them up with a blouse or wear them with polka dot sweater and my Danskos for a more fun, casual look. I usually wear skinny black pants in the spring and summer months, but I've seen these cute cuts paired with boots both knee and ankle along with pumps like pictured below. Put on some statement socks for a cool look with pumps, but make sure they're office appropriate.

The appeal of the cape is the dramatic effect it has with the simplest of outfits. It's like you're a superhero about to save the world. The bow is such a lovely addition to this pale cape. And the camel color of the other cape pairs well with almost everything. Shop in your closet first and then go out and use those gift cards on the items you need. They'll be on sale for sure!

Update: Look what I found just today. Rachel Zoe never fails! We're on the same page! 1/7/15

Winter Wardrobe Reboot: Comfort

I was reading a status that my Facebook friend posted last week. She confessed to purchasing jeans from Chicos. She was slightly alarmed because Chico's is where "older women" purchase their sophisticated wears.  Had she moved into the "older women" category?  I perused the comments and it seems as if late thirty-somethings are transitioning to more sophisticated, comfortable clothing and there isn't a darn thing wrong with that. So, I must confess that I have recently begun wearing shoes that are saving my back and feet from the strain that heels pose. Don't get me wrong, the pumps, stilettos, and platforms are still in heavy rotation, but my Dansko clogs have now become my favorite! "Word of foot" is how this small European company has spread like wild fire. Well consider yourself informed! Add a pair to your Christmas list and you will not be disappointed!

 I slide on my wide legged trousers and slip on my black patent leather Dansko clogs and my feet are in heaven! Come to find out, EVERYONE is wearing these comfy shoes. Celebrities like Heidi Klum and Jennifer Garner as well as Euro-chic teenagers can be seen in Dansko clogs. So, these shoes are definitely on trend. Below are a few outfit ideas!

Dansko Prima Clog

Fun Pattern Dansko Professional Slip-ons

Fall Fashion Watch: Dresses

Find this look at Forever 21+

Find this look at Lane Bryant 

This one's for my "fluffly" and "curvy" girls!


Legs, legs, legs!! Fall is the perfect time to put those legs on display. Don't put those razors away quite yet, Ladies!  I am a sucker for a great dress. The versatility of a well cut dress lends to its appeal.  

The Forever 21+ Abstract Watercolor Print Dress has me written all over it. The colors pop and go against the autumn earth tone grain. I love how they paired this body con dress with a burgundy leather jacket. For day, you can wear this dress with a black blazer and classic pair of pumps.  At night, go wild with a neon green or pink jacket and some strappy pumps.  The possibilities are endless with this dress. Every time I look at it, I see another way I could spice it up. A belt around a white oxford blouse and a statement necklace would be pure cuteness.  How about a moto jacket and some rugged Frye boots like the ones found here to keep them guessing?

Lane Bryant's Leopard A-line Dress is the perfect piece to transition from end of summer to fall to winter.  Where it now as is. As it gets chillier, throw on a black leather jacket or a chunky cardigan like the one here. For more fun jazz it up with a POC. A pashmina in a color that compliments your complexion would be ideal. My colors would be turquoise or watermelon. I found that out by reading The Color of Style by David Zyla. The peeptoe mule booties are perfect with this dress and as the temps drop, a great riding boot or heeled boot in any color except grey would be a knockout!  Have fun with opaque stockings with those boots or a suede shoe of the same color. So much can be done with this piece!

And Ladies, if you need help finding wide calf boots, drop me a note. I got a nice long list for you!

One Bag Wonder

I often see women depicted in movies and on TV as carrying a million bags while traveling. I wondered if this was an exaggeration for comedic effect or just a reflection of real women in society. Through my travels, I’ve observed that women truly do carry quite a bit. Men, on the other hand, try their best to pack light and efficiently. Then there’s me. I remember when I was a little girl and I had this little red suitcase with stickers one of which said “I love Grama.” 

That wonderful suitcase was endearing to me because that is what I affectionately called my grandmother. Whenever I traveled with my family, I fit everything in that suitcase. Of course, my mom tucked some of my belongings in her various pieces of luggage, but for me, one suitcase was the way to go. When I graduated from high school, my parents gave me a three piece blue Jordache luggage set. I loved it! It came with two rolling suitcases and a folding garment bag. Whenever I traveled I stuffed that garment bag to the hilt, but the suit cases really didn’t get much use. I was still a one bag girl.  Now that I’ve ramped up my traveling this year, I realize that once again, I endeavor to keep my baggage to a minimum.

How do I do it? So glad you asked!

I wish I could take credit for this beautiful work. It is by Mitchell Nick You can find it here. I'll be placing my order soon!

I’m going on a 3-night getaway tomorrow.  I packed a week ago!  I always pack early because I like to pull the outfits out of rotation that I’m going to wear during my trip.  I knew the look I was going for during the trip so I pulled several dresses, a couple pairs of skinny jeans, and numerous tops.  I took inventory of my lingerie and sleepwear.  Once I coordinated about five outfits, I put everything else back in my closet (not without pulling 5 dresses for the workweek) and began packing.

Graphic by Amanda Gia 2014

The base layer should always be shoes.  Because I’m going to be on my getaway for four days, I wanted to make sure I had enough shoes for any occasion. I’m wearing a flat strappy sandal during travel which will be great for stylish walking. Then I needed my night out red peep-toe platforms.  I needed some cute wedge sandals—animal print of course. Classic pump was the next pair to get tucked into my bag. I slid my comfy flip flops along the side.  That’s five pairs of interchangeable shoes for the trip. I threw my sneakers in for workout purposes.   I tried to sneak my black cage high-heeled sandals in, but they didn’t fit.   Guess they won’t be going with me!

After a shopping spree at Victoria’s Secret I was prepared to pack my unmentionables. Two bras, plus the one I’ll be wearing should be enough.  I packed 6 pairs of undies which should be more than enough.  I had a little fun shopping for nightwear because I’m usually a pajama pants and tank type of girl.  I stepped it up with 2 gowns and a nice pajama set. Something different for each night of the trip!

Graphic by Amanda Gia 2014

Time for the middle layer.  This is the fun part!  Pack complete outfits with accessories from the bottom up. Whatever you plan to wear on the first day, leave that out and pack that last.  If you’re not one to unpack your entire bag when you reach your destination, like me, you can pack your separates on top of the shoes you know you’ll wear first. This way, you can pull out your neatly folded stack of separates i.e. tops, pants, skirts, dresses that are not a part of an outfit, grab the shoes you need and then stick the separates back in place. I’ve packed 6 outfits (1-body con dress for the evening, 2-dresses short and maxi w/grey jacket that matches both for church/brunch, 1-white oxford, army green skirt and denim jacket combo for any occasion, 1 pink & ecru chevron maxi dress for day/night transition, 1-skinny jean blouse combo).  My separates include a black maxi dress, a dressy black top, swimsuit/sarong, and workout clothes all of which can be mixed and matched with other pieces from my set outfits.

Graphic by Amanda Gia 2014

While the middle layer is the most fun, the top layer can be the most challenging.  There shouldn’t be much room left on the top layer, but there should still be a little space for last minute” throw-ins.”  I leave my rolling duffel bag open in my closet all week for last minute additions.  I put a towel and washcloth on this layer just in case.  I also put some red ballet flats there.  I put my shaper that I almost forgot on this layer as well.  I must confess that the maxi dress for church/brunch was actually a new purchase that I tossed on the top layer, but it has moved its way down to the middle layer because of the towel and washcloth.  I’m done! I zipped it up this morning with no room to spare.  The front zipper pocket will carry random accessories.  My toiletries and makeup will be transported in a little carrying case that will stay with me. 

I am a one bag wonder. There have been times when I fit my toiletries and makeup in my main bag, but this trip calls for a variety of outfits that take up more space than my usual pack.  I hope this helps you pack one bag and be the envy of all your friends as they lug too much stuff around the terminal or even trying to get it all in the car!  Happy and safe travels!