The Incredible Shrinking Crystal Renn

You have no idea how long I avoided posting this topic. I don't even know how I feel about it now. But since the mainstream media is tasting blood in the water I'd like to try to gain a little perspective and get some opinions from our brilliant readers.
Well everyone is making a big deal about new pictures that show "plus-size" supermodel Crystal Renn looking very un-plus.
I suppose I'll always cringe at the thought of the whole world keeping an eye on someone's weight. But many people see it the way writer Michael Gross does when he says, "She has cashed in on gaining weight and now she's losing weight...it's worth making an observation about."
Renn's agent says any weight loss isn't all that incredible. She said Renn was simply a little smaller after going hiking for three weeks in Patagonia.

But at the end of the day, is it anyone's business but hers? Or should she lose some measure of status if she falls off the plus-size chart? What do you think?

(Renn as a size 14 four years ago.)

Summer Sizzlers!

We all know it's a scorcher out there. (Well, if you're in this part of the Western hemisphere anyway.) These kinds of temperatures let you know that it really is Summer and no longer Spring. Oh, sure - I could bolt out of the office early today to frolic in the sun, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't let you know about some sizzling sales going on right now. So without further ado, let's take a look.

Torrid was already having a huge clearance sale this week. Now the website is giving an additional 50% off clearance merchandise until July 5th. But if you know anything about a sale at Torrid, the time to pop over there is NOW. Not only that, but orders over $75 get free shipping.

Looking for basics? Get 30% off any Old Navy purchase until June 29th by entering the promo code ONBIG30 at checkout.

Always for Me knows all about flattering plus size swimsuits. (I can personally vouch for the Goddess swimwear in particular.) Now it's putting some of it's most popular styles on sale - 20% to 50% off..

Also, get up to 70% off Summer sale items at Silhouettes!. And on June 29th, get 20% off anything on the site with the coupon code AFFJULY.

As many plus-size bloggers have demonstrated, eShakti specializes in gorgeous figure-friendly dresses and tops. If you've been putting off trying them because of price, check out their ready-to-wear section where all items are now 25% off.

See that hot little number up there in the left corner? It's called the Julianna Cowl Neck Dress and in comes in cobalt blue, magenta jewel, and black noir. For one week only Kiyonna.com is knocking $30 off the price when you use the promo code JULIANNA at checkout. That means the dress, which was originally priced at $98, is now just $68. Again, that's from now until next Friday.

Alright, ladies. Get out there and have some fun this weekend!

Friday Fake-Out: Metallic Chic

The future is here. Or at least, futuristic style is. These faux leather handbags by Stephanie Bellomo of Bungaloe have a Barbarella feel with an eco-friendly mindset.










Our Friday Fake Out always features products that are made of eco-friendly, recycled or sustainable materials. If you have products you think we should see, email us!

Playing with Color: The Makeup Edition

I'm on day four of Already Pretty's Summer Black Out 2010 challenge. So far, so good. I've shopped my closet for different color combinations, found shades that make me feel almost as "neat" as black and even rediscovered my love of certain bohemian/ethnic prints. One thing I can say for having a color deficient wardrobe, though, is that it allows you to wear color other places with wild abandon. For example, my nails have been blue, green or yellow since the start of Summer. I did have an attack of the pinks a few weeks ago, but now I'm back to wearing MAC's India Blue.



When it comes to eye makeup I wear eyeliner in several colors depending on how I feel - plum, navy blue, dark green. My favorite mascaras are still BADgal plum mascara and BADgal blue mascara by Benefit Cosmetics. Both of these make me look "all done up" when I'm seriously not.



Because I put most of the focus on my eyes, I try to stick with a nude lip. (Or should I say a faux nude?) It's just NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Cocoa with a slightly tinted gloss. I usually get NYX products from a beauty supply store or from ULTA.com



And under all of this is... ? I don't wear foundation, but I do use a sunscreen and a mineral skin perfector called Goddess Glow by Erzulie Cosmetics. That's it. But now you can see where I'm wearing all my color when I'm not doing the Black Out!
So tell me, how do you "play with color" when it comes to makeup?

Brickhouse Does Summer Black Out 2010

As many people know, I'm a bit of a blackaholic when it comes to clothing. But next week is going to be a little different for me. I'll explain why, but first allow me to give you the backstory.

When I re-entered the workforce after nearly two-years off with my little one, I had to buy new clothes for the office. I thought I was being so smart when I decided to limit my new clothing purchases to just three colors: black, white, and red. It all worked out really well, actually. I didn't spend a lot of money on stuff - or stuff to go with the stuff. I could literally reach into the closet, close my eyes, pull out a couple of separates and have the darn things match. Accessorizing was a breeze. It was all so easy. But clearly black dominated. And it still does, because here's the big secret about wearing mostly black: After a while, wearing anything else makes you feel messy and disheveled. When I'm wearing black, I feel neat. My outfit feels perfect - even when I've just thrown on a t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of punky sneakers to go to the supermarket. Le noir, c'est chic.

Don't get me wrong. I don't wear so much black clothing that I look like a weirdo. I just own a good bit of the stuff. Oh sure, I sometimes wear colors. For a day or two, and well, sometimes with black. But, black tamps things down, keeps the color from getting out of hand. Prevents me from making a fool of myself or looking like I've thrown up my emotions in a rainbow of fruit flavors. Somebody out there knows what I'm talking about. From what I've been reading in the blogosphere, I'm not the only style enthusiast to admit to being black-dependent.

Now, fashion blogger Sal McGraw of AlreadyPretty has challenged her bloggy buddies to spend the next week being black-free. When I read her post I knew immediately that I would take part. Fortunately, my most recent clothing purchases have all been in military/safari colors like army green, navy blue, and khaki. So, I won't exactly look like a flower garden next week but I just might be ready to mix things up a bit more. Wish me luck!

Macy Gray Re-Launches Plus Size Line

How do we feel about this little news nugget? Apparently, singer Macy Gray is relaunching the plus-size line "Humps." We haven't seen any drawings or images yet but if the collection takes its cues from Gray's wardrobe, it will certainly be... interesting.

Gray first unveiled "Humps" back in 2008, but the line is reportedly set to re-launch next year.

Summer Leggings

This week one of my favorite bloggers said she was putting away all of her leggings until the Fall. Oh, I wanted to weep! (Yes, I'm wearing leggings today under a short denim skirt.) There's no reason to stop wearing leggings during warm weather. We just have to wear them in a different way. So maybe you won't necessarily layer them under heavy skirts and dresses. But they're still awesome under long tunics, babydoll tops and short frocks. The only rule? Just do not wear them as pants.

Style & Co. Grey Capri Leggings from Macy's


Sunny Sky Leggings by NaNa at Alight


Baby Phat Scroll Leggings


B & Lu


Apple Bottom Lioness Leggings


Torrid Grommet Leggings


Lane Bryant Lace Leggings