I was a huge jock growing up and came from a very athletic family.  I joke that I came out of my mother’s womb with a softball in one hand and a basketball in the other. So, I get really into the Olympics – especially when Canada hosts. Bring on the hockey!

I am adamant about wearing red and white when Olympic festing – I want to look Canadian, shop Canadian and support Canadian athletes. But I have to get this off my chest, why do I generally have to wear men’s clothing to do so? My 2000 and 2002 Olympic shirts are men’s sizing. This year, I am lucky to have found 1 XXL women’s jersey after much searching but if I am a size 14, what are curvier women going to wear? Answer: Men’s clothing.

I love all the styles available, love that in true Canadian fashion many will opt to wear the Hockey Canada jerseys but I just wish my choices weren’t taken away from me due to sizing. The cut on a woman’s shirt is different than a man’s.  I may be an athletic person but I still like to look like a woman in the way that I dress.  So, for the next Olympics, could we please make sizes all Canadian women can wear?

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photo: Hockey Canada

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I’ve been checking out the latest footwear hitting stores and I keep thinking,”Why didn’t I save everything from grade 7?” (Don’t do the math people – just trust me) Ankle slouch boots are the latest trend but back in the day we called them Peter-Pan-Getaway-Boots (picture him leaping around in his lil’ booties – hey, I didn’t make it up). Whatever you want to call them, ankle boots of all sorts are out in full force this spring.  And this is interesting….there is more selection in flat, ankle boots than in high heels.  Even cowboy boots are cropped. If you like being ultra comfortable, now is the time to stock up.

Another fun trend emerging is the ankle wrap shoe.  It’s the look that the über fashion elite have been wearing for a while that I could never find over a size 6 – it’s now finally hitting more mainstream stores. Some styles I love, some I question.   You be the judge when you go shopping and tell me what you think. For those wider in the  ankle area, you may have to try on several pairs to make sure you’re comfortable.  Spring and summer shoes will be flooding stores in the upcoming months and you’ll have tons of selection. Wear whatever style makes you feel great!

Yours on the curve, Liis

Top Photo: Aldo

Bottom Photo: Town Shoes

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Thomas Sabo jewellery makes me happy.  I wear several pieces almost every day. It’s the fun of childhood charm bracelets  for adults – but in all jewellery forms. The line changes every season, keeping old favourites while bringing in new fun pieces and is available in boutiques across Canada.   The pieces are meant to be layered and mixed and matched which I love.  For example, I own 2 neck chains but both are different in style and length and I also own a black satin cord.  I can add several charms to each necklace or go basic and have a new look daily.  It’s like jewellery Jenga.

Need a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day? Why not buy that guy or girl in your life a necklace or bracelet with a charm and build on it as years pass? I do this with my nieces for Christmas  every year, buying them one new charm reflecting what is going on in their lives. The collection has tons of amazing pieces for both sexes – you can purchase everything from skulls to daisies! It makes it really easy to personalize the jewellery.

Need to hint to your honey what you want for Valentine’s Day?  Why not just “accidentally” leave your computer screen on the image you want? My problem? 10 open screens…oops.

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photos: Thomas Sabo

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I am trapped in passport photo land and I can’t get out!

Round 1:  New sassy haircut, great make-up. Check.  I could crank out an ok shot! The “photographer” told me to push down my turtleneck collar, brush my bangs off my face, pull my hair off my shoulders, stop looking so pleasant and had me remove my fave lipgloss – too shiny. The end result?  I looked like a stunned (and angry, so very angry) woman who had just rolled out of bed. And greasy.  Did I have oily skin? Lipgloss on my face?

Rounds 2 & 3 were no better.  I wouldn’t have gone so far down Vanity Lane except for these facts:

1) My friends howled  looking at the photos and almost cried – one actually choked on her drink

2) My mother actually snorted several times – and I think guffawed

3) I am a model – shouldn’t I be able to take a good photo?

4) Passport photos must last 5 years – 5 years people!

Round 4 was the one.  Round 4 was passport photo redemption. $85.32 later I was sitting with my semi-ok, slightly buggy-eyed photos at the government office smiling.  I confidently handed over my photos and heard,”These may be rejected because you are too pale.” I give up.

Yours on the curve,

Liis

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Oh, this year is already so much fun…Sizing changes are hitting magazines at a rapid pace. There were whispers of change until size 12/14 Lizzie Miller appeared on the pages of Glamour’s September issue with her imperfectly perfect belly. The positive public reaction caused an international sensation and Glamour has since begun including size diverse models on its pages.  Then Canadian designer Mark Fast created international headlines by using not 1 but 3 curvy models in his London Fashion Week show.  The fashion world fell into a size tizzy and I was giddy.

Continuing this positivity (and I will not say trend as I don’t believe it is a passing fad) V Magazine’s Size Issue just hit newsstands in Canada. 2 covers are available – one with Gabourey Sidibe and one with Dakota Fanning. The editorials are fascinating portraying models of various sizes and heights. My fave has to be “One Size Fits All.” It portrays the same outfit on a size 2 and 14 proving that both can be equally fashionable and that it is possible to produce a sample size larger than a 2 for a shoot.

But my absolute favourite part of the magazine? Knowing size diversity in fashion will become the norm, the editors saying,” Here’s to the size issue becoming a non-issue in 2010.”

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photos: V Magazine

Top & Middle – Sølve Sundsbø

Bottom -Terry Richardson

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Have you ever been in a moment in which you find yourself smiling and didn’t even realize it?  I recently found myself grinning from ear to ear while flipping through pages of my favourite new book The Sartorialist. If you are unfamiliar with the work of Scott Schuman, let me fill you in…

Scott captures amazing images of fashionable people in everyday life. He started sharing his photos over 4 years ago on his now immensely popular blog. I eagerly await each new creation.  There is such beauty, fun and quirkiness in his photographs, a warmth that comes through whether he is shooting a teenager on the streets of New York, the fashion elite attending an haute couture show or a dapper, older gentleman in Milan. His book is a collection of his favourite photos including men and women of all ages, heights and shapes and every page is a delight to behold.

Scott’s book contains mostly photos but the few pages of written word are like icing on a really great cake.  He allows you a glimpse into his mind while trying to nail the shot and an inside peek into the people whose images he has captured.

The Sartorialist is available across Canada and retails for $31.00.

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Book Cover Courtesy of:  Penguin Books

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I always watch the Golden Globes – love the ultra relaxed speeches, the humour, and the lead up to the Oscars.  But what I really adore is red-carpet-window-shopping without spending a dime.  The dresses, the shoes, the jewellery, the purses – it’s all around fashion goodness.

Mo’Nique positively glowed in her gold Reem Acra gown as she accepted her award for Best Supporting Actress. Her dress was elegant as was her speech.  Watching her, and seeing other gorgeous, curvy women on the red carpet, it occurred to me – designers are really creating some amazing dresses for voluptuous figures now.

One dress company that has wowed me with its cuts and designs for various body types is Dalia MacPhee.  These dresses have hit many a red carpet! Hailing from Canada and dividing her time between Vancouver and Los Angeles, designer and owner Dalia creates incredible dresses without breaking the bank.  The dresses are favoured by many celebs including The Insider’s Niecy Nash .  She sported one last night and both she and supermodel Emme are fans of the designs having recently worn them to events.

The secret to many of Dalia’s designs? Ruching! I’ve said it before and I maintain it now, it makes every woman look like a curvy 1930’s film goddess. These great dresses are available across Canada and run up to a (generous) size 20.

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photos: KEYSTONE Press

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I had a bit of a sleeve meltdown the other day.  I know, you are scratching your head right now.  Let me explain.  I love design. I love owning amazing, unique pieces that cause women to ask,”You have to tell me, WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?!?” These pieces are unique because the designer has sewn them in a way that catches attention – an interesting or unusual hemline, an incredible neckline or my favourite, quirky sleeves. Puff sleeves.  Sleeves with ties or bows.   Any kind of unique detail not on every other garment in every other store.  Am I being vain wanting to be the cool kid on the block? Absolutely!

So here’s the problem – I haven’t been able to satisfy my need for sleeve in quite some time.  Why?  I looked in several straight size stores and found several variations – and then the frustration set in.  I just wanted them in bigger sizes… But my frustration always turns to sheer determination and I went on a major hunt. And I have found sleeve salvation.  PlusSizeFix offers several amazing, unique sleeves on several garments.  I was looking for puffy, and I found puffy. Sizes run from a 14-24 which I love with shipping to Canada.

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photos: PlusSizeFix.com

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I went to the R4 eco fashion show recently. I was determined to sport as many eco friendly pieces as possible…then it occurred to me, I don’t really own many. But not from lack of trying – sustainable and eco friendly clothing still hasn’t really hit larger fashion sizes – accessories are much easier to find.  I wore some bamboo socks (better than nothing!), brought my Samsung Reclaim phone and “magazine necklaces” created by a women’s collective in Africa. I also brought a favourite clutch made with discarded juice container UPC barcodes by a women’s collective in South America similar to these.  My purse rocks and I love and appreciate the energy and dedication that went into it becoming mine.

I love fashion pieces that make one feel good, that have a story behind them, lifting people and the planet up while still being cool and fashionable. I avoid wearing company logos on clothing but I will gladly wear a shirt or shoes like these great Sole Seekers flip flops which literally leave a positive impression in the sand when I am long gone.

Buying eco friendly and sustainable clothing and accessories are good for the planet and help others but you know what?  I feel pretty great buying and owning them too.  Nice circle of energy.

Yours on the curve,  Liis

Photos:  Left – SoulsCalling.com, Right: Eco-handbags.ca

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Have you ever had this happen? You wander into a lingerie store and are overwhelmed with the beautiful selection – lace and frills everywhere. It’s pretty fun to browse until you realize nothing is available over a 36B. This has happened more times than I care to count.

There is lingerie salvation for your gorgeous curves. Hips and Curves carries some of the most amazing, beautiful pieces I have ever seen offered in plus sizes. Whether you want something pretty, sexy, fun, coy, racy, daring or just plain comfy or practical, this store has it all.

Sure I can find pretty bras and panties in many stores, but here I can find babydolls, peignoir sets, corsets and bustiers too – even leather ones. I would totally wear one over a great blouse with a fantastic pencil skirt! And how fun – there are several pairs of sexy, wide width boots available. And I know this company believes in sexiness when it has an entire section devoted to “petticoats and knickers.” Loving it.

I really appreciate that a plus-size lingerie company finally exists that allows me to be the sweet girl or the saucy girl ’cause I like a lot of looks.  Thanks so much for letting me have the choice!

Yours on the curve,

Liis

Photos:  Hips and Curves

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