Here in NYC, we have turned a corner. It is November and late fall has officially arrived. (Reminder to self: throw out the pumpkins.) The cooler temperatures and whipping winds has caused me to add a sweater, scarf, hat, and fifteen minutes, to my daily routine. I have found it harder to breathe with these extra layers. In addition, I have been been short of breathe from rushing and finding myself perpetually late. In addition, my nose seems to be preparing to run the NYC marathon, so I breathe shorter, through my mouth, until I can dig through my carry-on bag and find a tissue.

To counter this change in season, I have been experimenting with the breathe during class. The studios are usually warm, so those extra layers are unnecessary. In an effort to make the breath as strong and full inside the body as it is out, breathe in deeply and take in more air than needed. Stretch the lungs, and find fullness across the collarbones. Take your fingertips to the base of the skull and stretch the neck long; let the head rotate on its axis and use the fingertips for guidance and support. This may help open the airways, letting fresh oxygen in, energizing the body and clearing the mind.

In yoga, we aren’t just practicing balancing on our heads, but balancing the inside with the outside, the right and left, the sense of grounding while maintaining lightness and ease. So when the wind whips, don’t let it knock you around but stand tall against it and breathe it all in. Maybe grab the tissue first, just in case.

For more tips from Emilia visit her blog Balance In The City and follow her on Twitter.

Black is the new black. Yes, this neutral is back with vengeance. We first saw black very heavily in the punk rock trend, now it has reincarnated into to a new dark romance. This new love affair with the color black also brings new fabrications; such as lace and silk and embellishments; such as rosettes, ruffles, and pleats.  This color trend is worn head-to-toe yet has a romantic allure to it. This look was seen all over the Fall 2010 runways with Julien Macdonald, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana all showing the trend so we had to translate it from straight to plus for our fans!

Indulge in a little black magic this season!

Nordstroms- Hanky Panky Long Sleeve Lace Plus Size Tee

Nordstroms- MICHAEL Michael Kors Studded Sleeveless Plus Size Dress

Nordstroms- In Bloom by Jonquil Lace Trim Plus Size Top

Torrid- Tripp Black Skinny-Leg Twill Plus Size Pant

Torrid-Black Pyramid 2-Row Wristband

Torrid- Gold Black and Silver Textured Bangle Bracelet 20-Pack

New Look- Thrill Neck Button Top

New Look- Lace Corsage Top

New Look- Corsage Bubble Hem Top

New Look- Knotted Necklace

Will you indulge in a little black magic?

Amazon – Essie Spring 2010 Collection – Lilacism 705

Nelly Furtado was recently sporting one of the hottest trends out there as of late- the jumpsuit! She took the basic black jumpsuit and accessorized it to perfection. Think of the black jumpsuit as your canvas and the accessories as your paint! We love adding a statement necklace and great heels to really compliment this look. Check out some of our fav jumpsuits on the web now and accessories that could be easily paired with it.

Shop the Look!

Macys – Steve Madden Trinitie Pumps
ShopBop – House of Harlow 1960 Metal & Leather Wrap Bracelet
Macys – INC International Elbow Sleeve Wide Leg Jumpsuit
ShopBop – Landver Mixed Chain Necklace

ShopBop – Gorjana Quinn Earrings
Macys – INC Beauty Pumps
Baby Phat – Ruffle Tie Belt Jumpsuit
Macys – La Regale Mesh Clutch
Torrid – Gold Rhinestone Black Bead Bracelet Pack
Torrid – Silver and Black Faceted Gem Stretch Bracelet

ShopBop – Victorian Hippie Cross Earrings
ShopBop – Deviated by Justin Giunta Crossed Ladder Bracelet
Baby Phat – Satin Strapless Jumpsuit
Macys – Steve Madden Trinitie Pumps

What do you think of the jumpsuit trend?

We recently did a post on Christina Hendricks’ Golden Globes dress by Christian Siriano that was criticized by Cathy Horyn. Horyn stated in her New York Time’s blog that “You don’t put a big girl in a big dress. That’s rule number one”.

We thought that Hendricks looked amazing and are so happy that another curvaceous beauty, Beyonce, rocked a red-hot ruffle dress for the launch of her new fragrance, Heat.

It seems many celebrities are feeling the heat in red dresses! We see this hot trend popping up all over with Kim Kardashian and Jordin Sparks sporting the color recently.

What do you think of the red dress trend?

Evans – Lace Bra and Lace Panty
Dorothy Perkins – Sheer Heart Tights
Shopbop – Arrow Chain Pin
Shopbop – Marc by Marc Jacobs Heart Earrings
Shopbop – Juicy Couture Bracelet
Shopbop – Felix Rey Love Letter Clutch
Macys – Paris Hilton Peep Toe Pumps
Amazon – Nina Garcia – The Little Black Book of Style
Ulta – Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy Eau de Parfum

Kim Kardashian was out promoting her new signature fragrance in a smoking red dress, perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Red is considered to be the most “emotionally intense color” and “stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing”, perfect for attracting your date on Valentine’s Day (Color Psychology).

Kim also pairs her dress with nude heels. Nude heels help to create the illusion of elongated legs, and who doesn’t want great-looking legs in a red dress? Check out some of our fav dresses!

Macys – Marc Fisher Sara Pumps
Macys – Spense Cowl Neck Empire Waist Dress

Macys – Apple Bottoms Anastasia Ruffled Sleeveless Dress
Dorothy Perkins – Red belted Ponte Dress
Macys – Ruby Rox Strapless Bubble Hem Dress

igigi – Imperia Lace Dress
igigi – Sienna Dress

Jennifer Hudson joined fellow stars to volunteer their voices to a new recording of “We Are the World”, a song that will benefit Haiti.  The premier of the single will take place February 12th at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Jennifer Hudson, who looked stunning at the Grammy’s, continues to look stylish and pulled together at the recording studio. This is an easy look to emulate too! Just take a black blazer, a statement t-shirt, a pair of your favorite dark denim jeans, heels, and add a necklace (or two) and you are ready to go. Change up the shirt and you have a whole new outfit. Easy + Fashionable = Love it!

Shop Jennifer’s Look!

Macys – Michael Kors Jacket
Dorothy Perkins – White Necklace T-Shirt
Dorothy Perkins – White Perfume Bottle Tee
Torrid – Dark Denim Graduate Skinny Jean
Shopbop – CHRISHABANA Cross Necklace
Shopbop – Gorjana Super Star Necklace
Torrid – Black Patent Croc System Heel

Jennifer Hudson was wearing a stylish double breasted jacket at rehearsals for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards which will be tonight at 8pm on CBS.  Hudson will perform a Michael Jackson tribute with Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, and Usher.  The tribute will also include a premiere of MJ’s “Earth Song” mini-movie in 3-D.