Hunting High & Low : Lace Up Oxford Heels

Lace up high heeled oxfords are my accessory obsession for fall. Perhaps its just my prep school past creeping up but there is something so appealing about a good oxford. They're familiar, cute and they go with everything from jeans to skirts. Add on a high heel and you get a girlish take on a traditionally masculine staple. It seems like every other shoe maker is coming out with their own unique take on this trend. Here are a few options from affordable to extravagant.


UNDER $100 | Maroon Patent Oxfords $89 - Steve Madden | Metallic Silver Oxfords $34 - Delia's | Tartan Oxfords $89 - Steve Madden
$100 - $250 | Black Patent Oxfords $280 - Stuart Weisman | Grey Suede Oxfords - Circa Joan & David | Black & White Spectator Pumps - Betsey Johnson $230
$250 & Up | Two-tone Oxfords $450 - Marc by Marc Jacobs | Black & Gold Patent Oxfords $695 - Christian Louboutin | Spectator Pumps $575 - Bally
I love those little silver booties from Delia's they're so cute and cheap. Granted, silver shoes aren't the most practical fashion item but at that price practicality just goes out the window. For a bigger splurge I've been wanting those Bally's so badly. They keep popping up in editorials and catching my eye - they remind me so much of spats. I may just have to treat myself...

Anyone else digging this trend? I think these will look so great paired with jeans - can't wait to start wearing them.

Anna Scholz F/W 07

Can we talk about how cute all of this is? Amazing. That gold swing coat is mine - I don't care if I have to charter a jet to London just to get it. Its just mine.

But enough about me. The new Anna Scholz fall collection, modeled by perennial favorite Crystal Renn, is smart and chic. I think there is a little something for everyone - if you're big on 1960s mod (like me), color blocked new rave, or just want a nice good ol' fashioned fall dress there is something for you. What I like best is how cool everything is - too often plus sized fashions can be just a little lacking in that department but everything here from the unique silhouettes to the arty photography is on point.







Check out the full collection at Anna Scholz.com

It looks like this fall is setting up to be nothing short of amazing when it comes to clothing choices. From the myriad of designers doing capsule collections to the gorgeous new trends and accessories. Were going to be covering it all here from a to z but what are you most excited for this fall? For me its all about the shoes this time around - I plan on living in lace up high heeled oxfords. And that swing coat of course.

Special thanks to Eve for sending me all thelovely Anna Scholz info

TFFF Interview: Lisa of Lee Lee's Valise

Awhile ago I had the absolute pleasure of speaking to Lisa, the owner and creative force behind Lee Lee's Valise, the incredible Brooklyn plus-size boutique. Lisa's effervescent personality and hard work have helped changed the landscape of downtown / Brooklyn shopping. Boutique shopping is hard enough as is but presents special challenges for plus sized girls - if you think finding sizes is hard try walking into the average NYC boutique where the largest offered size is often a six. Fortunately for us new stores like Lee Lee's offer a haven of fun, fashionable shopping in a pleasant and atmospheric environment.


A peak inside the absolutely gorgeous Lee Lee's Valise, plus sized boutique in Carrol Gardens Brooklyn. Lisa showing off one of the many cute outfits there.

TFFF: How did you get your start in retail?

My retail experience was just shopping! My background was originally in illustration and graphic design - thats where I got my logo. This just needed to be done - I found my purpose on earth. I could use all my experiences positive and negative to figure out whats right.

TFFF: What made you want to do an on site store instead of a web store?

Reason for this store is because I could not shop in my own neighborhood. I didn't have that pleasure of walking into a store and finding something so I wanted to create it. I knew I wasn't alone and that it could make people happy.

TFFF: Why did you feel it was important to have services like on-site alterations?

You want that polished look and that's what does it. You may need a little pinch on the shoulder or a nip here and there - there is always something you can do to make your clothes better. What's been happening a lot though is that the designers that I carry only design for plus sizes. Before you just had to take things and fix them - they weren't made for you they were just the smaller sizes graded up. Now were getting big patterns - you're having a size 12 or 14 fit model.


TFFF: What make's Lee Lee's Valaise special?

A lot of thought was put into every detail. There is a whole feeling - everyone is acknowledged from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave with that gorgeous Euro bag over their shoulders. No one just sneaks in. Its comfortable here - its not a pretentious place. In a way I'm welcoming you into my home. From the way its decorated, to the general atmosphere. I wanted that warm feeling community feeling like in the old school Italian immigrant boutiques where the owners knew all their clients by name.

Some of these women are used to being ignored - I wanted to make it so that I'm not ignoring you. In here you're special.

TFFF: What has the reaction been thus far?

I have had women who come in here who cant spin on their heels fast enough the second they see a size - its like they think they're going to catch a disease. But for every one of those there are 30 happy people. That number to me is much more important - there's so many happy people here and if they can't deal with that its fine.

People have been coming from all over - the Bronx, Upper East Side, Jersey, Astoria - they come here after work and then take the train home when they're done shopping! And the best thing is that I'm trying to create a community here. You don't just walk in and out - we take your email address and send information about upcoming events and the customer service is very personal. I know every item in the store personally and I've mixed and matched them myself so I'm always ready to help. I want it to be fun and exciting why should shopping for a plus sized girl be a chore?

TFFF: What does the future hold for Lee Lee's Valise?

In September I'm going to start carrying some juniors clothes for back to school. I'm also looking into shoes. I want to find great wide width shoes and the best wide calf boots for fall. I would love to be able to bring some bridal clothes here too. Shopping for weddings can be nightmarish.

I'm looking to expand but within this area because I have to be there. So far I've worked here every single day since the store opened. I just feel the need to be here. Maybe that makes me a control freak but because I know all the clothes here I feel its important. So I'd like to super duper concentrate in this location for the time being.

Lee Lee's Valise is located at 368 Court Street Brooklyn, NY 11231. I don't think I could really reccommend this store more - there are unique on site services like the aforementioned alterations. Every plus sized designer you've ever heard of is stocked from Tadashi, Igigi, Kiyonna, Svoboda to Elena Miro and Anna Scholz its all there. Every neighborhood should have a store like this. And Lisa is truly a joy to talk to so makes sure to say hello once you step inside. Upcoming events include the Fall Anna Shoulz Trunk Show and I know everyone is itching to see those gorgeous styles up close and personal.

And click here for a nice 10% off coupon. Can't beat that with a stick.

Ashley Graham by Brian Boulos

I stumbled upon these fantastic beauty portraits of Ashley Graham by Brian Boulos on Flickr. Now we all know that Ashley is gorgeous but these pictures are amazing - she's really just got the perfect face for makeup. I was especially impressed when I went to Boulous' official site and found out that not only has he shot many of the other gorgeous plus models from Ford but he's only a mere 22 years old! Amazing. Please check out his work there or at this Flickr where he has loads of other lovely shots of plus size models. I really love his photographs, he's got a great use of light and color - not to mention his taste in models.

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days

Let’s talk lounge. And I don’t mean as in lizard (although I can often be found sipping martinis in the company of finger-clickin' gentlemen, listening to "The Girl From Ipanema"). I mean as in the laziest past-time of them all, lounging.

Is sitting on your backside really a past-time? Or is just being indolent? All I know is, the various lounging combinations – a sofa and a TV remote, a bed and a book, a heap of cushions and a stereo, me a blanket and my honey in the park, heck, even a pile of dirty laundry and a porno mag – make me joyously happy.

The first thing to remember is, lounging is not sleeping. If you wake up and then stay in bed under the covers all day, you’re probably depressed and need Prozac, not a fashion blog. Also, if you wear your pyjamas all day and all night, they will eventually develop a nasty crust and you’ll smell. (Trust me on this.) Lounging doesn’t smell. Except maybe of rainbows and kittens and a freshly poured bowl of cereal.

Lounging is that glorious state-of-mind, state-of-being, when, after having got up and showered and breakfasted and all the rest of it, you decide to be slothful. Perhaps you’ll go back to bed – above your duvet but underneath a spare blanket – or maybe you’ll curl up on the sofa, or if it’s sunny even in a deckchair in the garden. Wherever you choose to rest your weary head and paint castles in the sky, you won’t want to be wearing anything uncomfortable.

Lounging clothes walk a fine line between clothes and pyjamas. On the one hand, you want to be comfortable. On the other, should you have to answer the door or maybe walk to the corner shop for extra supplies of M&Ms or whatever, you want to be dressed in something vaguely resembling chic. It’s a perilous line you walk, when you lounge. Although a few pairs of cute cotton pyjama bottoms, the sort with an elasticated waist that look totally cute when paired with a plain coloured tank, might find their way into your lounging wardrobe.

The thing that makes the difference is underwear. If you're wearing clean knickers and a decent bra, you can totally go to the shops in pyjama bottoms, a tank, a cardigan, and flip-flops. Really. Something about being gussied and trussed up underneath your jammies makes them feel like clothes, a fact I took full advantage of for several years in college.

What you want then are jersey layers and wide-legged trousers, fitted hoodies with chic details, camisole vest tops, and sweat pants. So long as everything is clean, ironed, and fits well, it won't look slobby. It doesn't have to be kaftan loose to be comfortable -- a good pair of sweatpants with a very wide waistband will look chic without cutting into you.

It is crazy to spend oodles of money on clothes that will never see the light of day (except for those emergency snack shop visits). Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, Evans, Primark, and all the high-street suspects all do plus sizes (usually up to 28, though Evans run to a 32) with a good selection of jogging bottoms, jersey tops, cardigans and hoodies, in neutral colours, for all your lounging needs.

For some reason there's some sort of ironic thing going on, in that the most comfortable AND stylish picks for lounging around and being idle, are in the sports and fitness wear section. Check out sports shops like Sweaty Betty for the most flattering and comfortable pants -- Stella McCartney for Adidas last season did THE most insanely comfortable and sexy jogging bottoms. You couldn't actually jog in them, but they're nice to wear. Although only up to a Large/UK 14, they're cut very loose and more like a UK 18.

I don't know how I'm supposed to be motivated to go running when the clothes are all soft and yummy and oh look a sofa aaaaaaaaaaand naptime....zzzzzz


Top, from a selection at Toast; Pashmina, £75 at John Lewis; Ballet slippers, £65 from French Sole; Pyjama bottoms, $37.90 at Nordstrom; Jogging bottoms, £9.50 from Marks and Spencer; Chocolate wrap cardigan, £25 at Evans; Draped wrap cover-up, £65 at Boden.

Please tell me you guys have an entire cupboard dedicated to lovely lounging clothes too, so that I don't feel like the only lazybones sittin' in the sun this summer.

Shall We Dance

The New York Times has an interesting article this week about the Danza Voluminosa, a troupe of plus sized dancers changing attitudes about dance in Cuba.

The prima ballerina of the Danza Voluminosa troupe weighs 286 pounds, and as she thumps gracefully across the floor, she gives new meaning to the words stage presence. Her body is a riotous celebration of weight — of ample belly and breasts, of thick legs and arms, of the crushing reality of gravity.

I thought the article was intriguing - the world of dance (particularly ballet) is one of the most body conscious fields in existence, the idea of an all plus-sized troupe is quite daring. I honestly can't recall ever seeing a dancers on stage who weren't very lithe. I found the opinions of the dancers themselves to be very open and honest - they all seemed to feel as though they were struggling with their weight and expressed concern about that but at the same time they felt uplifted by their ability to use the power of dance to empower themselves and others.

For the dancers, working with Mr. Mas has changed their lives. Several said they suffered from constant embarrassment and guilt over their weight before they began dancing. But dancing has taught them to accept, if not love, their bodies. They also say that after a performance, they feel self-esteem that is foreign to most them, having suffered from the gibes of their peers since childhood.

Barbara Paula, 29, who weighs 275 pounds, has been dancing with the troupe for five years. She said it still felt strange at times to be on stage, as if she were constantly discovering the potential beauty hidden inside her body, which for years was a source of shame for her.

“It’s something new,” she said. “I don’t have this complex anymore that because we are obese, we cannot dance, we cannot walk in the street.”

Full NYT Article

Admittedly I do not come from a dance background so perhaps someone could speak more on the subject of body politics within dance? I'd be quite interested to hear opinions or experiences with regards to that.

Special thanks to Rosa for sending me this article