Real Women Exposed Part Un

The ladies of Ruby Leonne spent last Thursday night gazing at the creations of local designers and retailers at 4cast Magazine's Real Women Exposed: Fashion Experience at Club 500. Here is my take and top picks of the night.

I was disappointed because the show started late. I hate waiting and I had to be at work the next day. So I was a little annoyed when the show first started. But once the show got underway, we were truly entertained.

The organizers didn't say whose designs were whose, but I did reach out to KoKo Brown, a designer here in Indy. She describes her clothes as being classy, sexy and graceful. I agree. Most of her designs made my top picks. RL hopes to do an interview and spotlight KoKo in a future post. I'm sorry for not having the names of the designers.

So here are my top 10 pics of the night!

My favorite of the night! Designed by KoKo Brown

The blue chiffon top is a truly flirty piece for hot summer days. The model worked it!

Another piece by KoKo Brown. Who says you can't wear stripes?

Designed by KoKo Couture (not to be mistaken for KoKo Brown)

A simple black dress made elegant with the ornamentation on the sides. A great piece!

Love the dress...remember ladies with your ripped fashions to be careful and tasteful with your undies. The accessories really helped the feel of the dress. A definite 10!

Keeping it sporty and full of attitude!

Here comes the sun! A great sophisticated piece that is very versatile.

The top is superb. You can wear with flirty shorts or jeans.

The off the shoulder top is huge now. It is becoming a staple in the wardrobe of the plus size woman.

Bubble dresses scare me. I'm a large hipped woman, so I fear anything that will make me look wider. But this piece was well executed. Nothing scary here.

More to come from the Real Women Exposed Show. Hopefully we can get Mrs. Takia to give us her top 10 soon. 

~ Janelle

Boutique Update

It has been a CRAZY weekend, but filled with some exciting news.

While at work and surfing the web on Wednesday, I saw a listing on Craig's List that excited me. You have to be careful on Craig's List, there are a lot of crazies out there. The ad was for an already established boutique for a possible buyout or partnership. I was fearful to respond to the ad. Questions were swirling in my mind...Am I ready for a big step? This store thing is so big...it's bigger than me. What about money and supplies? If I quit my job, what about insurance and benefits? Doubt just circled my whole being, but I responded anyways. I just knew I wouldn't get a response anyways...or would I? Within minutes I got a call from an unrecognized number. I didn't answer in fear. The next day I checked my messages and it was the owner of JJ's Apparel and Accessories wanting to speak with me. I called back and we set up a meeting on Saturday.

Saturday morning, my meeting went great. I was nervous at first...bought a pack of cigarettes (I've been good about not smoking...but I needed one!) After talking with the owners about a vision and each other's needs, a partnership seems promising. We will be contacting each other this week and I will let the world know if Ruby Leonne will be a co-owner of JJ's Apparel and Accessories. Even if this doesn't happen, I still have the taste in my mouth. My only goal is to have a job that I love. I don't want to get up in the morning and dread going to work. I've done that for too long. It's not work if you love to do it.

So there is still a lot of questions up in the air...will I quit my job...how will I make money...are people going to buy...but one thing is for certain...it will all work out if it is meant to be.

BET Awards Red Carpet

I didn't watch the BET Awards last night. I'm sure they will be playing it all week on BET. I did watch the highlights...Patti LaBelle kicking off her shoes for Prince's tribute performance (I'm sure he will be adding those to his closet...I heart Prince!) and Chris Brown's tears while the spirit of Michael Jackson possessed his body. Here are some looks on the red carpet that caught my eye.

Okay...Jermaine... WOW... today on Tom Joyner's radio show, Huggy LowDown said he looked like a bird from the BP oil spill.  I almost wrecked laughing so hard. I know the 80's are coming back, but using pre-con gel and a box...REALLY?!? His sides are so smooth...he used a boar bristle brush, toothbrush, wig brush, brush fire...

Jenna Frederique's tribute to Madonna was very cute. It was simplistic but still bold. I don't like the shoes though. I would have paired the outfit with black shoes...definately sans bows!

Brandy's dress reminded me of Gone With The Wind, it looked like someone took old drapery and tried to weave a masterpiece.

Kim Coles is my gurl...I think she is truly a diva in her own right! I love the dress...but I don't know if it is an award show dress. It is so casual.

I love Taraji, she is always so classy, and this silver Mandalay dress proves it!! She is my red carpet mom.

Beach Blanket Bingo

So I just returned from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico a couple of weeks ago. It was one of the best times I've had in my life. I suggest that everyone puts Cabo on their bucket list immediately.

I'm very proud of myself because I don't swim, and I got in a pool...YAY! (and I stood close to the ocean...not as close as my friends, but a big wave came and it almost took me down. Needless to say, I was freaked out. It also freaked out the little Mexican woman that was trying to sell me jewelry. Yeah...if I'm going down, you're going down too.) I haven't been in a pool since I was out of high school, 14 years ago but who's counting. One reason I haven't been in a pool is I never learned how to swim. My first high school didn't have a pool, so swimming was never required. The other reason I haven't been in a pool is my fear of swimsuits. My stomach is too big, my arms are flabby and when I walk my legs jiggle. No matter how comfortable you are in your body, every woman cringes at the sight of a swimsuit.

It is HOT as Hades outside, so people are running toward the pools. Here is a few cute suggestions that will get your mind off your flaws and focused on soaking up sunshine. (Remember people...use sunscreen!)

torrid.com

torrid.com

oldnavy.com (This is one of the swimsuits I got for Mexico.)

babygirlboutique.com

I Heart Vintage...

It is such a dreary rainy day here in Indianapolis. This weather makes me sleepy...I could be sleepy because of the four hours of sleep I got last night. So to keep me awake at work, I am doing internet window shopping. Window shopping because I'm broke...still catching up from Mexico!

I love vintage gear, but it is hard to find vintage in plus sizes. Chic Star and designer Qristyl Frazier has some pieces that delightful. The pieces remind me of trend setters of the past, Lena Horne, Mae West and Eartha Kitt. Take a stroll with me while I internet shop...

Lena Horne

chicstar.com

Audrey Hepburn

chicstar.com

Mae West

Coming soon to chicstar.com

Eartha Kitt

Qristyl Frazier Designs at qristylfrazierdesigns.com

Easy Breezy Beautiful Other Brands?

(From Cover Girl Website)

Those who know me know that I LOVE makeup. I love trying new things and and new products. Unfortunately, makeup can be very expensive. So who knew that Cover Girl has a place on their website that allows you to "match your department store shade for less".

Bobbi Brown, MAC and Sephora are just a few brands that Cover Girl list swaps for. Once you choose the brand that you are looking for, choose the category you are looking for (foundation, eyeshadow, etc), then pick the product and/or shade. Cover Girl lets you know what they have that is similar to the expensive department store product that you love.

I encourage all you makeup fiends to check out the website and play with it. There are a lot of options but it still missing some name brands. (I wish they could match Avon or Mary Kay!) But it is a great start for people who want to look their best at an inexpensive price.

Go to Cover Girl's website for more details.

WHERE ARE MY SCRUPLES?

(Just a corner of my office...starting to sort through clothes for consignment. This place is a madhouse.)

I am sorry for my absence. I didn't realize that people actually read this ol thing! So I am back to stay...YAY! I will not stay absent for so long again. Well lots of things have been going on in the world of  sonsie life! I think the biggest thing is the Lane Bryant Ad. If any of your are a Facebook fan, then you will see that I posted the feud between Lane Bryant and the networks ABC and FOX. After refusing to air the Cacique Lingerie commercial due to indecency and family values, the networks finally relented and showed the ads. I think it is hilarious that a half naked skinny woman can dance around in "barely there" bras and panties, doing almost everything but putting a breast on the glass, in a Victoria Secret commercial. BUT a "plus size"woman (who is just barely plus size mind you) sitting at a vanity getting dressed and finishes the shot fully clothed is a sin. FOX you guys offend people everyday with your programing. Family Guy, a prime time show (a show that I love) which gets hate mail from Christian and family groups routinely, is on for younger audiences to see. So really...you can't show LB's ad during American Idol? Give me a break.

On to new business!

So I am going through some changes in my life. I have seriously been at a crossroad. As Dolly Parton says in one of my favorite movies, "Steel Magnolias", I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt! I had an idea for a plus size marketplace later on in the summer. Plus size women in the Indianapolis, IN area can come together sale some of their clothing items and mingle. But I wanted to do something more. If you know me personally, you know I have many goals and mini-dreams in my life. I have serious commitment issues and tend to be a bit ADDish. One dream I always wanted was to be in fashion merchandising, but I took the journalistic path instead. I also wanted to own a boutique and consignment shop. Fear has held me back from that vision. What if I do poorly? It's scary to take that leap of faith. But I am going to do it! I'm very excited. I am laying the groundwork now. So get used to me talking about putting this project together! Tonight I had to change some legal and tax stuff around to meet the needs of a retail store from a publishing company. Ugh...this stuff is hard. All these forms and contracts. Pray for me...seriously...