When a tiny picture of a naked “plus-size” model showed up on page 194 of Glamour last month, the readers went wild for it.

And for good reason. How often is it that we are shown a beautiful woman that isn’t a size zero, comfortable in her own skin and naked on the pages of any magazine?

We’ll ignore the fact that being able to “pinch and inch” doesn’t make you plus-size and that this women pictured (who looks maybe a size 8, tops) still isn’t representing a huge portion of the female population who actually are wearing plus sizes. At least we are making a step in the right direction.

Or are we?

After Glamour cashed in on a crapload of press and positive publicity from the picture, Marie Clare decided they wanted in and will now feature a plus-size columnist who plans to give fashion advice to plus sized readers.

While it’s a good start that she actually is plus sized (a size 18 to be exact) and will be able to give helpful and honest advice to other women her size, I still can’t help but wonder what the real motivation is behind this trend to cater to the plus sized readers.

I doubt it’s a coincidence that as sales plummet and magazine companies are dropping like hungry models, they are finally realizing a whole population of their readership has been left out of every fall fashion special, every swimsuit edition, every best-jeans-for-your-body article. Why now?

I’m afraid that the answer is self-serving and superficial: they want to make money. They are capitalizing on and exploiting a whole population of woman in order to boost sales.

Do I love that we are able to have diversity in what we consider beautiful? Yes. Does a picture of a naked plus-size woman bring a smile to my face? Yes. Is it necessary to have fashion advice for women of all shapes and sizes? Absolutely! Read More »

For a long time, I thought Newport News was a total “mom store” with terribly outdated and, well, momish stuff.  Then, a few months ago  I noticed some of their stuff in mags like Lucky, InStyle and Glamour and realized that they actually had some super cuteness going on.

Since then I’ve bought several items from them and they’re not only stylish and well-made, they’re great for a gal on a budget. Which is me. And you.

I combed the entire website and found so many adorable things, many for under $20, but here are my top 8, MySpace style: Read More »

I don’t know about you, but after what seemed to be the most grueling. winter. ever. I am excited and eager to dust off my spring wardrobe… and add some new pieces to it. As is always the case with the new season, we have some new trends (along with a few piggy-back trends of season’s past) to spice up our wardrobes.

Here are some of Spring 2009’s hottest trends: Read More »

Awards season is in full swing, which has got me drooling over all those leading ladies’ gorgeous gowns and dresses. Of course, I don’t have a few thousand spare bucks lying around to buy their specific pieces, but for a mere fraction of the price I, too, can look stunning and glamorous for that upcoming Oscar party, hot Valentine’s date, or ladies’ night out. I found this entire ensemble at Forever 21 for under $75. Read More »

Cocktail rings add elegance and glamour to any ensemble. Celebs like Catherine Heigl and Jamie Lynn Sigler rock them on the red carpet (above), but you don’t need a formal event to show off your bling. Cocktail rings can make a simple outfit, like a sweater with jeans and heels, pop as well.

According to WiseGeek.com, cocktail rings became popular during US prohibition. At cocktail parties, they flaunted the fact that women were drinking illegally (but fashionably). Prohibition is no longer in effect (thank GOD), but big, bold cocktail rings are still in style. And we are grateful.

For most rings, the bigger the stone the better. You want to draw attention to it! However, to keep it from looking ridiculous if you have small hands, search for rings that don’t extend any farther than the bottom of your knuckle. And while most people wear cocktail rings on their right ring finger, they look chic when worn on your index finger, too. Read More »

Is there anything better than makeup? All those brushes, colors and products that take you from “Oy Vey” to “Hot Damn!” I love makeup (LOVE it), so I can think of nothing I want more this year than lots and lots of it.

Below are just a few of the things on top of my holiday wish list. Yeah, we’re in a major recession but what’s the point of making a wish list if you are going to be practical about it? A girl can dream can’t she?

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf – $150 Saks Fifth Ave

This obviously floral perfume is extremely sexy and opulent. It’s wearable but so rich that, well, it even smells expensive.

Clarisonic Skincare Brush – $195 Sephora.com

If you are serious about skincare this facial brush is definitely worth the investment. It’s truly luxury meets practicality. Nothing cleans your face more gently and effectively. Perfect for all skin types, and can even combat stubborn cystic acne.

Fredderic Fekkai Advanced Overnight Hair Repair – $195 Saks Fifth Ave

This product is hair magic in a bottle. It has smart technology that actually seeks out and targets weak and damaged sections of the hair shaft and rebuilds them. You might want to make some extra batches of cookies for Santa if you’re hoping for this in your stocking. Read More »

[In early adulthood there is an activity that plays a large role in most of our lives; nights out on the town. And with those nights out always comes the question: “What am I gonna wear?!?”

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

It’s the holiday/party season and with the economy in bad shape, it is the perfect time to honor another time of financial woe and give your party outfit some of that old style, 1920’s glamour. I read an article a few months ago when the financial meltdown had just begun that was reflecting on how times of national financial hardship tend to lead to more excessive glamour and glitz for the sake of lifting spirits, so why not take advantage of the currently bleak economy by having fun, going a bit overboard, and puttin’ on the ritz? Read More »

[Celebrities get paid to look good and serve as a style guide to all us common folk, and part of looking good is flaunting their totally awesome fashion sense. Each week, I will be highlighting my Style Idol of the week: a celebrity who consistently shows keen fashion sense and whose closet I would raid in a heartbeat.

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Dita Von Teese is famous for her infinitely sexy burlesque act (I actually saw her perform at a small party a few years back, and let me say, it is quite spectacular), and for having been married to freakish Marilyn Manson. Lately, however, she has been getting a new sort of notoriety: for her fabulous style.

Dita stands on her own as the Diva of Retro. She pulls off this look with vintage-inspired clothing, dramatic coloring and her signature pin-up hair and ruby red lips. She is a dream for many couture designers such as Marchesa, Vivienne Westwood, Roland Mouret and Christian Dior/John Galliano, as their gowns perfectly hug her amazing and almost unbelievable hourglass figure. She accentuates the beauty of her classic looks by adding fun and flirty accessories like sky-high heels and funky hats.

Dita embodies glamour like no one else and makes it look effortless in the process; that’s enough for me (or anyone) to consider her a Style Idol of our time. Read More »

People Magazine just came out with their Sexiest Man Alive issue and this year’s sex god is none other than Hugh Jackman, looking absolutely gorgeous on the cover.

We always see beautiful women blasted on the covers of Cosmo, Glamour, Maxim…I think it’s about time we gave the guys some kudos for look damn fine their covers.

Here’s our list of the top 10 hottest cover guys (in no particular order since they are all equally d’lish): Read More »

Okay ladies, get ready to be inspired. Glamour magazine announced their choices for their Women of the Year list, and the Today Show broke the news with an interview with Glamour’s Editor in Chief Cindi Leive. The issue won’t actually be on newsstands until next week, so make sure to add it to your between-classes/procrastination reading list.

The list contains some great and inspiring women, like Jane Goodall, Hilary Clinton, Nicole Kidman, and the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. These women are truly amazing and should motivate others, like myself, to get out there and try to change the world.

Well, maybe not change it, but make us a bit more focused on helping others than, I don’t know, what Juicy Couture sweatpants to buy next.

Unfortunately, the list also contains Tyra Banks. Yeah, I know; what was Glamour thinking? She is a nut. First, she tries to be a younger, hipper Oprah (which will never happen) and then she filmed a video in the bath? Um….

Is that something to aspire to? Is she really that inspirational that we can include her on the same list as Hilary Clinton? The ladies at Glamour think so, but I am just not so sure.

Anyways, even with Crazy Tyra, Glamour magazine deserves some major props for recognizing and highlighting these fabulous women. In a world full of magazines circling women’s cellulite and nit picking their faces without makeup, it is always refreshing to see some recognition for the amazing things we as women can do.