Faith 21 – Long Layering Plus Size Cami

Let grill season commence! I have a fantastic menu to share with you that’s both healthy AND sure to please at any alfresco barbecue.

Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken

This is one of Ina Garten’s recipes featured on the Food Network’s show Barefoot Contessa. The tequila, lime juice, and jalapeno pepper marinade is nuanced and delicious.  To lower the fat, remove the skin from the chicken breasts before eating.

Click here for recipe.

Fresh Corn Salad

Another of Garten’s creations, sweet, summer corn is complemented perfectly by this recipe’s balance of olive oil, vinegar, basil, and red onion. Save yourself some work by grilling 1 1/2 bags of frozen corn kernels rather than boiling cobs as directed. It turns out perfectly.

Click here for recipe.

Cumin-scented Black Beans

This is one of my favorite recipes, passed on to me by a family member. Simmer a 1-pound bag of dried black beans with 1 L chicken stock, 1 diced white onion, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 large bunch of chopped cilantro (stems & leaves), 2 tsp cumin seed, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 heaping tablespoon of chicken base. Simmer for 2-3 hours or until beans are soft and the onion and cilantro have completely broken down, adding more liquid as needed. If you’re pinched for time, use canned black beans instead of dried and cook for 1 hour instead of 2-3; use the liquid the beans are canned in place of some of the chicken stock to intensify the flavor.

Beans are a fantastic source of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber, and I try to showcase them at as many meals as I can.

Avocado & Tomatoes

Simple, easy, and delicious. Halve 2 pints of grape tomatoes, cube 3-4 avocados, drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil and shakes of Kosher salt and ground pepper, and garnish with a few cilantro leaves if desired. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, and several antioxidants, and avocados top the charts for providing hearth-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Ripe, Luscious Strawberries

Berries are the perfect summer dessert. Wash and assemble on a large platter, and watch them disappear.

This menu is packed with lean, flavorful protein, fresh veggies galore, heart-healthy fats, and even colorful fruit.  Barbecues don’t have to be centered around calorie-bombs like fat-laden potato and pasta salads, creamy cole slaw, greasy chips and dips, nor fatty cuts of meat, like sausages, hot dogs and ground hamburger and their refined-flour buns. Grill smarter, grill healthier!

To find out more about Caroline, visit her blog Mental Kitchen and follow her on Twitter.

Publisher Digicamp is launching a new magazine that is the first of its kind to be targeted solely for plus size women in Brazil! The magazine is Beleza Em Curvas which translates to Beauty and Curves. To launch the magazine, Brazilian Plus Model Fluvia Lacerda was picked as the cover model.  The magazine will focus on fashion editorials for plus size women as well as beauty, health, welfare, and celebrity interviews.

Check out their first cover for Beleza Em Curvas!

We want to hear from our Brazilian fans, what do you think of this new magazine?

Target – Pure Energy Plus Size A-line Skirt

I always love a solid article on the plus industry. Plus Size Wars is an article featured in the New York Times today written by Ginia Bellafante. She perfectly sums up the “Catch 22″ of plus fashion.

“The market for plus-size clothes is effectively a Catch-22: women purchase less than they might because what they see on the racks doesn’t appeal to them; manufacturers and retailers cite poor sales figures as evidence of low demand and retrench, failing to provide the supply that might meet changing tastes. But correcting the imbalance isn’t a simple matter of translating a Milan runway look into a larger size. It is not because Miuccia Prada cannot abide women who are a size 18 that she makes no dresses in size 18. Matters of image and fears of brand diminishment may play a role, but the business of making plus-size clothes turns out to be enormously complicated.”

Developing clothes for the plus women is much more complex then for a straight size women. Many more factors go into each garment because there are so many variations of the plus body.  To add to this “Catch 22″ factor, schools do not educate there fashion students in plus size design, marketing, or merchandising.  Therefore, there are very few people who know how to develop plus clothing correctly and then successfully market to the consumer.

We are fortunate that the Madison Plus team is plus size industry experts with our expertise focused on plus size clothing development, buying, styling, design, merchandising, and plus model selection. If you would like to contact us to find out more about our services please email us at info@madisonplus.com.

(L-R Kari, Aimee, Erica)

Please take a moment and read this NYT article.

I am always excited when a new plus size brand enter’s the mix, specially a junior line. Now you can shop the newest plus size brand Loop 18 for all the newest young and curvy fashions. Loop 18 is avalible in sizes 13-27, and features a collection of graphic tees, fashion denim, and some trendy jackets.

Loop 18 is exclusivity available online from Sonsi and as of July 23rd in Lane Bryant outlet and retail locations.

What do you think of Loop 18?

Sarah from  100% People reached out to us about the Real Bodies Unite campaign and we had to bring it to our fans. “Real Bodies Unite is appealing to all those women fed up of being bombarded with unrealistic imagery in the fashion and beauty industry, by launching a global campaign to raise at least 10,000 signatures for the use of body diversity instead.” To support the Real Bodies Unite mission please visit the website and sign the petition- RealBodiesUnite.com

What do you think of this petition?

My husband has become an extra set of eyes when it comes to plus related news and I have give him credit for finding this one for MP.

Christina Hendricks body has been officially endorsed by the British government.  The goal of the government for making this endorsement is to encourage the need of new role models. Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone told the BBC news that “We need more of these role models. There is such a sensation when there is a curvy role model. It shouldn’t be so unusual.”

Read more at BBC News.

Avenue – Pima Cotton Plus Size Tunic

The show has been called out for encouraging teenage obesity and all that comes to my head when I read that is really? Can you honestly say that that is what it encourages? I can only speak from my personal experience, but when I was growing up I would of loved to have a show like this to watch. All it would have done is given me reassurance that I was not alone. Hayley told The Daily Mail that she feels similar, “I’m so glad that there is a show that teenagers can look up to young girls and realize that its okay to be voluptuous“.

Read more at The Daily Mail.

‘Huge‘ has received some flack for “encouraging teenage obesity”. Do you agree?

The Girl Scouts of America has teamed up with Wilhelmina’s W Curve models for a PSA promoting self-esteem. The series is called “The Changing Face of Fashion, which is part of a new initiative to improve female representation in the media”. Plus size models Leona Palmer, Julie Henderson, Anansa Sims, and Lizzie Miller all created their own videos highlighting their personal stories of growing up as young girls to their lives today. The videos not only catch the energy and beauty of Leona, Julie, Anansa, and Lizzie, but they show to their young audience what self-esteem and body image is all about.

Read more about “Girl Scouts Enlists Plus-Size Models for Body Image PSA” on the Stylist.com.

What do you think about these plus models working with the Girl Scouts?

Tis the season for all the fabulous fall previews and we have the newest one from everyones favorite high-end plus designer Elena Miro. We were teased earlier this year with the fall runway show and now we are so excited to share with you their Fall/Winter 2010 catalog. The catalog is featuring two fabulous WCurve plus models Aija Barzdina and Amanda Dougherty.

I am loving the fall collection, coats are trending for this fall and they have some amazing styles from traditional to fashion wool coats, causal puffer jackets, and of course a new take on the trench.

I also see some 1990’s minimalism playing into the silhouettes, with the mix of lux fabrics, and clean lines. Elena Miro created effortlessly chic and unfussy fashions that don’t need tons of styling to look amazing.

What do you think of their fall line?

The color grey has emerged as one of the hottest neutrals this year!  We first saw the color start to trend last winter with Jennifer Lopez being the first celebrity to sport this trend in a head-to-toe outfit. Moving into the summer the grey trend has only heated up with numerous celebrities wearing the trend head-to-toe as well as incorporating the color into their summer wardrobe. All shades of grey work; from a light dusty grey to a deep dark slate, there are many options to choose from.

Check out some of our favorite grey items for summer and early fall!

Old Navy- Women’s Cropped Twill Moto Jackets

Nordstrom’s- Olivia Moon Drape Front Cardigan

Shopbop- The Santo Wedge Booties

Shopbop- Senora Leather Wrap Bracelet

Shopbop- Zipper Frame Sunglasses

Macy’s- Alfani Plus Size Top, Sleeveless Tiered Cascade Ruffle Tunic

Nordstrom’s- Daniel Rainn Swiss Dot Silk Tunic

Nordstrom’s- Olivia Moon Tiered Cardigan

Torrid- Z. Cavaricci Couture – Grey Stud-Trim Skinny Jean

Shopbop- Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffel

Macy’s- Spense Plus Size Dress, Sleeveless Drape Neck Belted

What do you think of this grey trend? Will you be wearing it head-to-toe or just in pieces?

Torrid – Plus Size Selena Gladiator Sandal

Saks Fifth Avenue has always had one of the best online shops for plus sizes and in my opinion has always had one of the best merchandised floors in the world of plus. So naturally I am excited and pleased to hear that they will be now offering designer brands like Cavalli, Oscar De La Renta, Chanel, YSL, Escada and many more in sizes 14-20 at their NYC flagship store on 5th Avenue.

Of course as with most things related to plus fashion there is a small hitch, for many years most of these brands have offered up to sizes 14-20 but they are in European sizes which translates on average two sizes smaller meaning a European size 14 is closer to a US size 10. On top of this Saks will only be stocking a few of those sizes in their NYC store, so if you ladies want to continue to shop these designers at Saks its time hit the 5th Avenue store!

For those of you who don’t live in the NYC area, I will be sure to check out the collection and let you know what I think.

Read more at The Huffington Post.

Curvacious Christina Hendricks recently wore a black lace Dolce and Gabbana dress to her Hollywood screening of Mad Men. Christina showed just the right amount of skin and feminine touches with the dress length and lace sleeves. Madison Plus loved the look and found you the perfect little lacy number!

Torrid – Black Short-Sleeved Lace Ruffle Dress

Zappos – Promiscuous Ryan Pumps

Shop Tracie’s Look:

Macys – Spence Plus Size Sleeveless Faux Wrap

Zappos – Diba Dance With Me Wedge

ChickDownTown – Gold Tycoon Necklace

SimplyBe – Malissa J Adeline Plus Size Belt

What do you think of Tracie’s look?

Fashion To Figure – Plus Size Ponte Dress

Macys – Spence Plus Size Sleeveless Piped Satin Dress

If the first video from City Chic was not enough for you, here is another. Love the styling of the shoot!

With the Summer in full sail, jeggings are the effortless ease of a legging with the style of a denim jean. They can be dressed up or down, and have become a wardrobe must-have for the upcoming fall season. Jeggings are perfect layered with the handkerchief tops seen everywhere as well as tunics and blazers. Check out Rhianna, Beyonce, and Halle latching onto the jeggings trend!

Check out some of our favorites here:

Torrid – Grey Denim Jegging

Gap – Legging Jean (black wash)

Torrid – Source of Wisdom – Dark Rise Navy Thread Skinny Jean

Gap – Legging Jeans (faded dark wash)

Fashion to Figure – Fragile Black Pull on Skinny Jean

Yoursclothing – Indigo Pull-on Denim Legging

Will you be rocking the jeggings trend?

Right now the hottest stars are wearing the brightest shade; florescent pink! Beyonce, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Lauren Conrad, and many more stars are wearing this bright shade. This color looks best paired with more neutral (black, white, gray, or beige) colored outfits as your lipstick does all of the talking. It can also be paired with complimentary brights such as yellow, teal, and purple, but avoid pairing it with any red tones- coral, pink, and deep red at all costs.

Mouth off with some of our favorite bright pink lipstick picks from NARS:

Amazon- NARS Lipstick in Schiap

Amazon- NARS Lipstick in Funny Face

What do you think of this bright pink lip trend?

Fluvia Lacerda is a champion in the world of plus. She is a successful woman that is not letting herself be defined by the traditional boundaries in the world of fashion. Fluvia has been working hard in her home country of Brazil and has been labeled the “plus size version of Gisele”. We have labeled her “awesome talented model”.

During her visit she sat with MODA Magazine to chat about what its like working in the world of fashion and how she finds herself “totally sexy” and reassures: “My happiness has no association with the number on my jean tag”.

Read more at Plus Model Mag.

Stay tuned to our September issuu featuring Fluvia!

I have to go to yoga. I need to be calm and breathe. I haven’t been in a week, in a month, in six months. Ah! Yoga!

Things I have to do go on the to-do list. And when “yoga” doesn’t get crossed off, I am disappointed and judge myself for being lazy and not making an effort. I felt this last Friday night. Exhausted from the week, I chose not to go, and rather came home, opened a bottle of wine and relaxed.

When we practice yoga, we bring consciousness and awareness into the body and mind. By choosing not to go to yoga, we can indeed practice some of the same philosophies as if we were on the mat. We can practice Pranayama: our breathing, balancing our life force. We can practice our compassion for ourselves.

So next time your to-do list says, “Yoga @ 6:30”, and your body says “Season Finale of Bachelorette” try to find some place in the middle. Lavender is proven to invoke a calming and soothing affect when inhaled. Perhaps light a lavender scented candle:

and practice forward folds during commercials or head to that yoga class with some lavender scented wipes cleanse your mat before class.

Whichever you choose, be conscious, aware, and present in the moment, and don’t worry about evaluating until after, or perhaps not at all. Namaste.

Curious about yoga? Submit your questions to emiliahallquist@gmail.com don’t forget to follow Emilia on Twitter.

Madison Plus recently spotted Jessica Simpson on Popsugar.com out and about grabbing a bite to eat with a few close friends in LA. She sported a short printed romper and her signature platform pumps to show off her curves and keep cool in the summer heat. She looks great! Madison Plus pulled some of the cutest romper looks to keep cool in the heat of the summer.

Torrid – Black and White Ikat Print Romper

Torrid – Black and Blue Floral Print Romper

Torrid – Black Tropical Birds Tube Romper

Torrid – Black Dot Print Tube Romper