Peplums and Pearls: Watching the Oscars in high style at Nellcote

Did you watch the 2013 Oscars last night? Because I can’t turn down a chance to get all fancy and hobnob with my fellow bloggers, I was thrilled to participate in the Chicago Blogger Network Oscars viewing party at Nellcote. Beautiful people, great conversation, posh surroundings, a photo booth and personalized champagne bottles? Do I even need to say how awesome it was?

I went old Hollywood Glam and rocked the peplum and pearls! 

Amber, Style Plus Curves, Plus size, Xscape Black Lace Peplum Dress

 Black lace peplum dress: Xscape via Macys (also available at Nordstrom’s)

The sweetheart neckline and peplum on this dress make it super flattering and ladylike…and the cutout on the back shows some more skin, but is still bra-friendly (which is essential for my larger-chested sisters!).


Nellcote, Oscars, Chicago Blogger Network
  The gorgeous dining room at Nellcote. I love the chandeliers!

 Champagne, bloggers, Style Plus Curves, Oscars, Nellcote, Moet

 Did I mention that CBN had personalized champagne bottles waiting for us?



Amber, Plus size blogger, champagne, Moet, Nellcote, Oscars

I’m a classy broad. 🙂
Plus size, blogger, peplum, Nellcote, Oscars

One of the best things about CBN events is that you are surrounded by other bloggers! I ran into some lovely people and snapped a few pictures.

Archie from The Man and a Pan surprised me by showing up…he’s a real life coworker of mine, and I had no idea he was a blogger too!

I’ve been following this gorgeous lady (and her cleavage) for months and months, but had never met her in person! Check her out on Twitter: SinnamonS!

So lovely to meet Zahra from Love Zahra in line at coatcheck and spent the rest of the night chatting it up. Here we are with the mistress of ceremonies, Jill from Jess and Jill and the Chicago Blogger Network!

It was a great night…surrounded by all the glitz and gorgeous people, I felt like we really did the Oscars right! Thanks CBN for putting on such a wonderful event!

All the Curvy Ladies Wear RED for Heart Health

Today is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness of heart disease–the No. 1 killer of women. Heart disease kills one in three women every year. It’s important for all of us women…no matter what size or shape…to educate ourselves about our risk factors and take steps to prevent heart disease and live healthier lives. Visit the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women site to find out more.

Red is a powerful color, and you make a statement every time you wear it. Today, let your red dress do the talking!

For my special red dress, I chose this stunning Kiyonna Whimsy Wrap Dress. It fits like a dream and commands attention!

Amber from Style Plus Curves in Red Kiyonna Whimsy Wrap Dress

 

Amber from Style Plus Curves in Red Kiyonna Whimsy Wrap Dress

 

Did you forget to wear RED today? No worries…declare your own “heart healthy” day next time you wear red. 🙂

 

Simple and Sexy: Black Leather Pants, Red Gucci Pumps

Yes, I finally broke down and bought the amazing Tabasco Red Gucci Pumps that I’d been lusting after at Nordstrom for months.

And what is the perfect foil to hot red heels? Black leather, of course. These shoes were just screaming for good-girl-gone-dark and sexy look…so, I pulled out my faux-leather panel leggings from ASOS Curve (similar here), paired it with a sequined Tshirt from Forever 21 (similar here), and voila! A simple and sexy look was born.

These pictures are actually a few test shots I did of the outfit before debuting it for New Year’s Eve. It ended up being a perfect NYE outfit…comfortable, laid back and warmer than I usually dress! 

 

 RED-Y to party!!! 🙂

 
I’m SO happy I gave into myself and bought these gorgeous shoes! Sometimes you gotta spoil yourself, right?
xoxo

Not-so-blue in LucieLu: A cute and flirty plussize line you’ll love

LucieLu has such adorable and cute tops and dresses, made especially for adorable and cute plussize women. I first discovered LucieLu when I bought a precious little dress at vive la femme, and now I always look forward to adding new pieces to my wardrobe each season! 

Right before the holidays, LucieLu sent me this sweet Briar Dress in a gorgeous bright blue-ish purple. Paired with a blazer, black tights, and a wide belt, it’s perfect to wear to the office (ignore my winter commuting boots!). 
The pleated skirt is flirty and fun…and the v-neck has the perfect plunge–exposing just the right amount of decolletage. The color-blocking black on the bodice and the lace inserts at the shoulders kick this dress up another notch…making it perfect to transition from day to night.
Take off your blazer and add some heels for a night out! Ditch the tights when it gets warmer…and viola! It translates perfectly to every season.
The same dress comes in two other prints: Ogilvie and Poppy…so cute!

 Also, if you are looking for the perfect shrug–not too bulky…check out LucieLu’s Instant Sleeves…I seriously where my black one twice a week.

In my experience, LucieLu’s dresses, shrugs and cardis run true to size, but you might want to size up on the tops. You can order directly from their website, or see what vive la femme has in stock and try it on.

Can you tell I’m a fan? 🙂

Kardashian Kurves Collection for Sears — Sexy, Playful, Fun

I have long suspected that the Kardashians are systematically taking over the world…and now it’s clear that they even have their sights set on the curvy fashion market. The Kardashian Kurves collection for Sears debuted a few months ago with several sassy, sexy, and playful pieces. I just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to review a few of them! I was sent 2 tops: a black and cream chiffon printed blouse and a bright pink tuxedo jacket. Sadly, the jacket was too small in the arms, so I had to send it back. 🙁 But the top was a size larger than I usually wear, and it fit well (definitely size up with this line!). The strong graphic print is a bit bold, so I decided to give into my inner Kardashian and come up with two sexy/tough ways of wearing it.

The playful print in this Kardashian Kurves chiffon top demands attention, but it also demands balance. That means, you can’t go low-key with the rest of your outfit! Here, I pair it with faux leather leggings from ASOS Curve (the Kardashian Kurves Wet Look Leggings are similar) and Barbie-pink Steve Madden heels (similar here)…and of course, I had to add some sexy school-marm glasses to set the right attitude.

Now, since I can’t really go strutting into work in leather leggings, I switched them out for my
 faux leather pencil skirt from Eloquii. 


I felt so cute and flirty in this top! I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Kardashian Kurves collection!