Let Them Eat Turkey! Hot Holiday Looks without the Guilt.

Who cares if you ate everything on your plate and then went for seconds? Unbuttoning one's pants during the holiday season just to keep from buying new clothing seems to be a pretty good tradition. But what if you could look cute all through December (and into January:) and still eat extra cranberry sauce and stuffing? You can.

Nicole Ritchie may be the worst example of someone gaining weight during the holiday season, but you can definitely take a cue from her cute sweater tunic. Add some leggings or jeans to this look and the loose, easy feel of the deep v-neck tunic is perfect for any gal feeling the stretch of the season. Although this piece is super over-sized, there is still an obvious shape and style. The v-neckline draws attention to your face keeping all eyes away from your mid-section. The difference in length between the front and back of the tunic may not be helping your cover-up cause either way, but it sure does look cute!

This piece is also a fantastic "I ate too much for a month" dress. It is an A-line silhouette which allows you to still show off your figure while keeping it loose around the stomach. A-line means it is fitted around the chest area and becomes wider as it gets to the bottom just like an A. How ingenious! The pattern on this dress is also your friend. It is true what they say about horizontal stripes, they do make you look wider. Picking a vertical pattern during this season is a fabulous idea! It will help give the illusion that you are longer and leaner, even though your body may be getting wider.....

This is my ultimate favorite look for the season. I am comfortable, I am cute, I am eating anything I want. Wearing a darker foundation like a black t-shirt, leggings and black boots, with a lighter, longer sweater, will keep the attention on your layering item. The sweater becomes the focal point while your actual body is a backdrop. Do not fret if you don't look like a supermodel in your black catsuit, no one can see it anyway! Stetchy materials are going to be your best option so your tummy can breathe! My only big rule is to make sure that your sweater fully covers your behind. No one want to see your backside in just leggings even if it is perfect. And anyway, isn't the point of this post that during the holiday season it might lose some of it's perfection? Got it, good.


The empire style dress will almost always work as a stylish choice for an expanding middle. Let's just call it like it is, this dress is focusing on your bust which will most likely be expanding as well during this time. There are positives ladies! The vertical pattern on the chest is also a bonus as I have already highlighted the importance of picking these types of patterns. The bell sleeve is a cute design, but it additionally draws attention away from your middle to your arms. Pick a scoop or v-neck design to encourage people's eyes to look upward even more. Opening your neckline is always a perfect choice for drawing attention away from you middle.

So there are just a few ideas for looking great even when you may not be feeling it. Style is not just for size 2 and 4's, we are all beautiful no matter what size we are.

Summer Shorts CAN Work For You!

You have no idea how many people are horrified by the idea of wearing shorts in the summertime. I am here to tell you that (for most people) there is a style that can be flattering! You WILL feel stylish and sexy when you leave the house.... I wouldn't let you leave if you didn't!

Almost every designer showed some version of a summer short during fashion week. Trust me folks, this is a trend that isn't going anywhere. Let's face it, the heat will not allow it. Function and fashion go hand in hand and when something fits the concept so perfectly, you better open your mind, because it is here to stay.

Now, let's talk styles and options:

The short short: First thing that comes to mind for most ladies, ug. I get it, unless you have perfectly toned thighs, this style is petrifying. That is why it is an option and you don't HAVE to own them. Truthfully, I hate throwing out rules, but if you are over 35, this might be past your prime. I am 31 and I love them, but it appears to be countdown time to the end.....















Pop quiz: Which one of these shorts is too short even for the most in shape person? Um, if you don't know the answer I am scared. The orange shorts from J Crew are a perfect option for anyone that is looking for a fun and flirty bottom half. The silk material allows it to go from casual to dressy just by adding the right jewelry, bag and high heel shoes.

Now although this model clearly has the upper hand based on the fact that her legs are a mile long, don't let that deter you from choosing the same style of shorts! This mid-thigh option is a perfect choice for most women. Because of the slight pleating, there is room for movement and comfort, yet it is not adding on the pounds. Pleating can often be a gal's worst enemy, but this easy draping is masking flaws rather then adding them. In addition, the tie string draws the eye to the the middle and gives the shorts a bit more of a stylized look. Legs of all shapes and sizes can be happy in these shorts by Aqua at Bloomingdales!

Now if you are seriously still not convinced that shorts are your thing, let's try out one more style you might be comfortable with. The Bermuda short is great for a little more coverage, but still rocking the shorts look. They should be straight and be form fitting. A flat front is going to be the best option for a long short, otherwise you are going to be swimming in fabric and it will not look good! If you are extremely wide through the thighs then this is not you pair, but even if you have curves you don't extremely love, you have to make sure these skim the body. Otherwise, your sexy curves will turn to, well, fat. You get the idea!

So there it is folks. Three basic styles that should fit most women. Options are key and finding a pair that suits your body and lifestyle is the most important way to feeling and looking great!

J. Crew Dejeuner Silk Shorts: $88
Aqua Slouchy Paper Bag Pleated Shorts: $58
Lauren by Ralph Lauren Bermuda Shorts: $49.50

"I Feel Like a Size 6 Stuck in a Size 12." Common Problem,Good Solutions.

My friends are such good sports. Let's take Jessica here as an example. She just moved to NYC (yea for me) and offered up the idea of doing a blog post on her. "How much fun would it be to go "shopping" and show people how to look fabulous at any size?" Lots of fun.

So we went off to Lord and Taylor yesterday and played a bit of dress up. As the title of this post states, Jessica feels like the fashion world is against her. Why is every awesome piece made for a size 6? Not true Jessica! You too can look amazing! As her friend and fashion teacher, it was time for me to take control.

Jessica came wearing gray pants, a purple sweater, messenger bag and Danskin shoes. The sentence out of her mouth was a long-winded complaint about how annoying her pants were. They were uncomfortable and short. Basically, mama needs some new pants. As for the rest of the look, she already knows how I feel about the shoes.... I tell her all the time:) In all fairness, Jessica has some foot issues and needs to wear VERY comfortable shoes. I let her know that comfort and style can go hand in hand, but that was a large issue for another day/post. We were focusing on clothing here.

First up, a classic and elegant ensemble that has tons of versatility. She can wear this to the office, a dinner date or out for a night of "fancy" cocktails. The simplicity of the look makes it accessible, but the accents on the cardigan and the statement necklace make it fabulous! The sweater dress underneath, by Lily Pulitzer, was an empire waisted sheath. It was a great foundation piece for styling any way I saw fit! The cardigan, by Kate Hill, was a useful piece that can be worn anytime of the day. I simply buttoned two buttons at the empire waist of the dress to accentuate the fact that Jessica has curves. You want to show them off, not cover them with loose clothing! The attention is brought upward though the beading on the cardigan and the statement necklace. For wearability, I would add black tights and a high black boot or black high heel. Curvy and simple.

I love, love, love this outfit. It is cute, it is casual, it is sparkly! It works perfectly on Jessica for a few reasons. The t-shirt underneath has a beaded design directly down the middle. This draws the eye to the center, always a good idea to make anyone look more slender. By pairing it with this gray sweater and wearing it open, the black lines are only accentuating the design of the t-shirt drawing more attention to the middle. Perfect! I added a longer, black tank top underneath to give some length to the shirt. It was just too short and this is a simple way to solve the problem. Adding my favorite color jeans, gray, to this lots 'o gray ensemble was the perfect pick. Jessica needed new jeans and the "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" are the best option for curvy women. I threw on some color with her bracelets to take away from the monochromatic look. They added extra funk and fun.... Lo and behold, daytime chic was born.

Jessica feels hot. This is obvious by the pose change... Plus she told me in the dressing room. Jessica, it is true, you look hot. I love this flashy BCBG top. Every girl wants to sparkle a little no matter what her size! And why should that right be taken away? I hate when I see a room full of doubty clothing just because it is not a size 6. Boo. So I wanted to put Jessica in something that said, "Hey, look at me!" In a good way.... I again used the gray jeans because they looked good and Jessica loved them. I pulled a longer top with movement, yet it still had a shape. You never want to lose your shape when you are a larger size because it makes you look larger! You need to show that there is a body under there. This top was complimentary because it was fitted at the bottom and at the end of the sleeves. The final show stopper was the layered gold necklaces and big gold cocktail ring. As with the gray t-shirt with sparkle detail, I needed to draw the eye to the middle to create a more slender look. Long necklaces do this! They were not overwhelming to the fun shirt, but I wouldn't wear this look before 8pm.

So Jessica, you can look fabulous no matter what your size! Feeling amazing is most of the battle and my dear, you look pretty, damn hot is these outfits. I now send you off to the wolves of New York City, you are ready for your big debut:)

Great Success! Fashion's Night Out at Rebecca and Drew

If any of you had the pleasure of being in NYC last evening, you certainly know why it is clearly one of the greatest cities in the world! Where else does a city band together and throw the biggest party around? EVERYBODY was out in full-force and ready to go. I took the train home at 12am and it was packed! No wonder, every store in town was open until 11pm and serving FREE alcohol. I was in the meatpacking district, which is known for being the super trendy part of town. Catherine Malandrino was next door and they set up an in-door stage and had a French rock band playing. Stella McCartney was down the street and she had a truck that was making pizza pies on the street! That is just the tip of the iceberg....

Although it was a bit quieter at Rebecca and Drew, our 80's mix was killing it. We definitely had liquor flowing and as a perk for this gig, I was drinking it:) Of course I was chatting up the clothing all night telling anyone who would listen how fabulous it is! Look at my fab purple button-down dress. The color is outrageous and the fit is perfect... Which is the point of this tailored company! That great wall behind me is full of different options for your collar, sleeves, buttons, gussets, and embroidered details. I had a shirt designed for me that is a black collared button down with cuffs and a gray owl embroidered on the sleeve. I am totally sleek and stylish.

This rack 'O shirts are actually all of the samples for you to try so you get your size exactly right. That is a whole lotta sizes because women come in a whole lotta shapes. First you decide if you are a curvy or straight gal. Then you start grabbing for your bra size and your height, long or short length. And with the help of their experts (I wasn't very good at eying people up since I was knew to this scenario), you end up with the perfect fit.




Overall NYC is the bomb and Fashion's Night Out only proves it. There is no option for you to ever be bored because they bring the party to you. All you need to do is walk out your door to be a part of everything fabulous!

"Plus" Size Style: The Button-Down Dress

Honestly I only use the term "plus" because it is a societal way of referring to woman of a certain "curve" level, but this is ridiculous. Who is to say what "plus" is? Certainly not a size 14 when the average woman in this country fits quite comfortably into that category! None the less, as a stylist who has worked with woman ranging in size from a 2 to a 20, it is seriously annoying that most designers don't recognize "plus" woman!!!! If anyone watched the show "Ruby", you know that a woman of any size wants to feel feminine and sexy. From the monetary standpoint, if most woman in this country are a "plus" size, wouldn't you want to sell, sell, sell?!?

Aside from Lane Bryant and Michael Kors plus sizes, there are few creations that don't appear to be over-sized garbage bags. Truthfully, they are getting better, but there is still a long way to go. Shop on-line ladies, this is where companies are starting to branch out most into plus size clothing. Old Navy is a perfect example. They sell cute, easy and comfortable clothing that is on par with the "skinny" sizes and compliments your fabulous, curvy shape!

Take this little frock for example. I promote the button-down dress for all of my fabulous clients, no matter what their size! It is a great basic that is quite flattering. This silhouette is a great example of how a boat neck and empire waist can truly be your friend. An above the knee, A-line bottom half is also very complimentary because it draws the attention upward to just under your bust line. It also allows for movement and comfort on your lower half. The great rouching detail on the top half of the dress keeps it loose and simple without clinging to all of your jiggly parts! Un-button one button on the top, as this model did, to show your sexy side. DO NOT put your girls out there to try and draw attention away from the rest of your curve! It is not only not flattering, but it just looks flat out trashy. Dress appropriately, dress for your body type.

Old Navy Woman's Plus Size Smocked Shirt Dress
$29.50

Stop Sucking it in Already and Go Get Some Spanx!!!

Here is one truth I am sure of right now. I ate a lot this week and I bet you did too. Who cares? It is the holidays and I love a good excuse to stuff cookies down my throat... and pie (s) and fudge and Chinese food (Jews understand this).

A calorieriffic week deserves a great "sucker-inner", enter Spanx. Every smart woman knows what this is and every uber-intelligent gal owns a pair. They are truly God's gift to women, more specifically, women's mid-sections and thighs. Thank you God.

This nifty little gadget (anything that works this well must have some scientific backing) is the answer to all of your sexy and smooth silhouetted prayers. They come in all types of styles and each one serves a different purpose for a specific body type. This shorts style is my personal favorite because I think it has the most universal benefit. It can be worn under anything, including your tightest cocktail dress, and you would have no idea of its existence. Another style that goes below the knee is great for under pants and really helps with someone who isn't the biggest fan of their knees. The third style that I find to be most popular with my clients is the type that actually clips to your bra! Thats right ladies, you are in a body suit of Spanx and nothing is getting through that sucker!

In a month when un-buttoning the top button of your pants is as much a ritual as putting the star on the tree, go and buy yourself the best present you will ever get. The only down side to this miracle of a piece is that you may find yourself a hot honey to love you longtime comforting you through the cold winter night... A quick trip to the bathroom and a large purse to store your fancy new present might be necessary (time estimates for removal depend on the elaborate nature of your Spanx).

Spanx Slim Cognito Seamless Mid-Thigh Shaper

$62.00- $66.00

The Pencil Skirt

If you venture back in fashion time (think Marty McFly, only you're driving a prius), you will find that the pencil skirt is a tried and true staple of the woman's wardrobe. Anything that has stuck around since the fifties must have some merit! The simple explanation for this phenomenon is that this style skirt truly does work on most body types and creates a flattering silhouette.

As I have repeatedly said, accentuating the smaller parts of your body is a great concept... Obviously! Moderately high waisted garments are very complimentary to the "real woman's" body. This means, don't have the waist line just below your chest, think more like your belly button. The straight skirt hugs your curves in all of the right places accentuating your feminitity. Women should have a heiny so show it off:)

There are two important factors to make this style work. First is to have it hemmed to the appropriate length. As this skirt shows, the hem should be just above your knee otherwise you are actually shortening and fattening your bottom half. Uh, not the look you are going for ladies! Second, the fabric should be a denser material, it might even have some elasticity to it. This allows the skirt to hug your curves accentuating the positive rather than showing off any possible, um, let's be real here... cellulite. Ug, the unforgivable word!

As this particular look shows, the pencil skirt is great for day into evening and can be perfect for your next big meeting or dinner party. Throw on a bold statment necklace and look like the MILF (or MILF in training) you have always wanted to be.

Banana Republic Silvered Tweed Pencil Skirt
$175.00

The "Eat Your Heart Out" Dress

Honestly you say, what is Amy talking about? I am talking about your fashion dream! A dress that you can literally eat your heart out and look just as hot at the end of the meal as you looked at the beginning. A look for the bloated fabulous, think Thanksgiving here people! The "You want to ask me about my career, love life and general direction in life, but you are so mesmerized by my dress" dress.

The empire waist is your friend. You new best friend. It accentuates one of the smaller parts on your body, just under the bust. This also leaves room for you to enjoy all of the delicious food in life because the loose flow of the bottom half gives you a body conscious silhouette without hugging your "curves" unnecessarily.

This particular dress is fabulous because not only is it empire, but it also has a bold knot drawing the eye to the center. This style is what I like to refer to as "skinifying". Basically, you become a skinny bitch pretty quick once you throw on this comfy jersey material dress!

The finale of this great piece is that you can dress it up or dress it down with the quick change of a shoe (boot or heel) and the addition of an opaque tight or fishnet. Turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, apple pie and pumpkin pie never tasted (or looked) so good.

Jones New York Dress Twist Front
$134.00

Sass N Style: Wrap Dresses