Author: Rena

Driving In A Winter Wonderland: Aftermath of the 2014 Polar Vortex

Has snowmaggedon been overused yet?
If not, I’d like to insert it into my morning mantra. “Snow no more maggedon!”
As a Michigan girl, I’ve been through my fair share of winters! I won’t tell you how many but it’s been a few. So when the weather man told us we were getting snow (on top of snow) there was no widespread panic. That is until the term “polar vortex” got involved! Seriously, mass hysteria is quite the understatement! Once we heard the temperature would be below zero and windchills would be in the -40 range…it was time to freak out a bit!
This was Monday night in Canton, Michigan.
Yes, yes that does say NEGATIVE 13 with a windchill of NEGATIVE 42! This isn’t some sort of trick…it happened people! Fast forward three days, 12+ inches of snow, negative degrees, and a fridge that was nearing empty…we ventured out into the wild!
Here’s what we saw…
 As you can see…we’re still digging out from under feet of snow and a deep freeze!

City Cosmetics: Product Review of City Lights Radiance Perfecting Cream (Dark Spot Corrector)


As a beauty junkie and product hoarder, I’m always looking for the “next best thing.” When that best thing happens to be a “dark spot corrector” you have to do your research! The last thing you want is a product filled with things you can’t pronounce that’ll be bad for you. Insert me… Your research guru!

 

The first task at hand was to find as many of these products were out there (um, a lot!) Second thing…narrow that list down to the exact “target spots” I wanted to reach. Third, read up on those products as best as I could. What I found was interesting and disturbing. Lots of products contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to your health like mercury. Yes, mercury! So once I found products without bad chemicals, I found lots of other reviews on dark spot correctors and went from there!

 

City Cosmetics seemed to make their way on many of the “good for you” and “best dark spot corrector” lists. Of course if a company and one of their products is making the rounds across the beauty world as being one of the best, it has to be some truth in that, right?

 

 

 

Let’s find out!

 

I decided to contact City Cosmetics PR department (on my own) to ask for a sample and that’s what I got! City Lights Radiance Perfecting Cream came via mail just a few days later.

 

 

 

 

Pros of using this cream are obviously the results! There isn’t a big change but definitely a slight lightening effect on my dark spots. The scent of the cream is great. It isn’t sweet or medicine-y just a light fragrance. It has a sparkle effect when it comes out of the bottle but once it’s completely rubbed into your skin it’s almost undetectable!

 

 

 

 

The directions were to use the product twice a day after washing and drying your face. Apply to target areas and/or as a total face illuminator. According to the reviews, some people saw results within two weeks of using the cream, users saw a change in their skin. Now, me being the non-routine person that I am, of course I missed some mornings and some nights within two weeks of using the cream but I made up for it by continuing to use it. I’m currently on the third week!

 

 

This is a before and after…you can see how the dark spot is spreading out and slowly dissipating. I tried to show ONLY the target area and this mark has been annoying me for months and it’s finally starting to disappear! I’m a believer!

 

Having a darker tone and sensitive skin, any type of acne I get will leave me with a dark mark whether I mess with it or not. The marks I have now are now being treated using the cream. I have taken “selfies” of the progress and I will update you guys as I continue.

 

The verdict so far…

 

YES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Linkage: Cup 35

Good morning stylish sweets and Happy New Years Eve!
Can you believe it’s the last day of 2013? Where did the year go? Sure I’ve said this before and just like all the previous NYE nights…time sure does fly!
As 2013 comes to a close, meet your final cup of coffee for 2013
CafePress
Since there’s nothing like a little self love and promotion *wink* here’s something you might like…
Curves And Coffee’s Most Popular Posts of 2013
My fave Top Ten lists floating around the web (in no particular order) 
The Strangest Photos of 2013 ~ Business Insider
We are women, hear us ROAR! 13 Badass Women of 2013 ~ Mother Jones
Some of us like sports and some of us don’t. One thing we can agree on, there’s absolutely NO WAY we can afford the items on this list! The 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams of 2013 ~ Forbes
As a car lover and a person who has the “need for speed”, here are the Staff Picks for The Best of 2013 Cars ~ MotorTrend
According to Amazon, THESE are your top coffee makers of 2013… ~ Amazon
Because we love fashion and because she’s curvy and because her name starts with a “B”…and, and, and…I could go on forever (I won’t) here are ALL the outfits and fashion looks from Beyonce and her new album. ~ NY Mag
13 of the most popular recipes of 2013! ~ Today
Speaking of singers…this Top Ten list is scandalous! ~ AskMen
Ever wonder how much the World’s Most Expensive Hermes would cost in 2013? ~ Yahoo!
That’s all for now sweets!
Remember to be safe and please, pretty please DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!
Happy New Year!

Curvy Beauty 16: Plus Size Models

 

Curves And Coffee’s “Curvy Beauty” of December.

 

Drumroll please…

 

It is not one but TWO curvy beauties! It’s the end of 2013 so why not go out with a beauty bang!

 

Your first Curvy Beauty and plus size model…

 

Stacey Hiett

 
 
 

Photo via PMM

 
 
 
 

 

Photo via ModelMayhem

 
 
 
 

 

Photo via Stanley Debas Photography

 
 
 
 

Stacey also happens to have a beautiful sister who models too!

 

Meet your second Curvy Beauty of the month and Team Hiett member…

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 

Photo via Team Hiett

 
 
 

 

 
 

How ’bout that gene pool?!

 

Learn more about this curvy team via their personal Tumblr ~> Team Hiett but I should warn you, don’t stare directly into their bright blue eyes;)

 






Shopping for Wide Calf Boots: A How-To Guide


 ‘Tis the season for boots!

 

Whether you like them short or tall, pointed or round, there’s a pair for every mood!

 

Some of us curvy girls have a hard time finding boots with a wide shaft to fit our calves or even the width of our feet. I’ve been lucky enough to fit into medium width and regular shaft boots, thank goodness for something positive in the gene pool but several of my fellow curvy girls aren’t so lucky. Shopping for boots can become a tedious and overwhelming task for anyone. To help ease the stress of that shopping trip, I’ve found a few of the trendiest, stylish, and most comfortable fitting boots.

 

See the 10 pairs of boots and booties that are ALL available in wide widths and/or wide calf sizes.

 

 

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

 

 

 

1. Route 66 “Tahlia” Boot ~ Kmart

 

2. Naya “Apollonia” Boot ~ Nordstrom

 

3. Bandolino “Callan” Wide Calf Boot ~ Zappos

 

4. Isaac Mizrahi New York “Arno” Lycra Stretch Boot ~ Nordstrom

 

5. Bella-Vita Walker Brown Herringbone Boot ~ Zappos

 

6. Oxford Lace-Up Booties ~ Torrid

 

7. Sam Edelman “Petty” Booties ~ Nordstrom

 

8. Sole Society “Helena” Booties ~ Nordstrom

 

9. BC Footwear “Building Blocks” Booties ~ Nordstrom

 

10. Tildon “Flawless” Booties ~ Nordstrom

 

 

The average shaft size for knee high boots range from 13-15cm. Most boots that are designed to fit wider calves and 16,17cm and above. If you aren’t sure how your feet and calves will fit into a new pair of boots, simply use a flexible tape measure (like this one here) and measure the circumference of the widest part of your calf. If you plan on wearing your jeans or pants tucked into the inside of those new boots, make sure you give yourself enough room. For example, if your calf measurement is 15 without jeans, WITH jeans it’s should be a centimeter or two larger. Therefore, a regular pair of knee high boots won’t fit comfortably.

 

If you’re going to be out there “Walking In A Winter Wonderland”….be sure to keep your feet warm!

 

UPDATE: #9 BC Booties are completely sold out BUT here is a similar pair ~ NaturalSoul by Naturalizer $60 ~ Kohls

A Guest Post: Plus Size Fashion Tips

Being “plus-sized” makes it harder for women to find certain styles of clothes that they want. But I am here today to help you see just what is out there and what is in fashion. From jumpers to jeans here are a few fashion ideas that will help you stand out from the crowd!

 

Now it’s getting colder more and more women are shopping around for jumpers. Jumpers are perfect because of how comfy and warm they are to wear.

 

 

Cute penguin design

 

Looking for love this winter for love this winter

As you can see here, both jumpers are stylish and in season. But even better than that they help can you look and feel good. Available in all different designs and styles you will certainly stand out from the rest this winter!

That’s not only it though, you don’t have to fork out either. Available at around £30 ($40) they won’t even break the bank, which is also a bonus.

 

Thankfully, for plus sized women more and more online retailers are catering for their needs.

 

Embroider jeans are becoming more and more popular online. More and more women are purchasing these cool stylish designs. As you can see on the image below (left) they feature a stylish flower design, an instant attraction for many women of ALL sizes! The image on the (right) shows another popular type on plus sized jeans,

 

 

These quick fashion tips should help you decide on what you want/need this winter. To find more style for your body type it is often better to shop online. More fashion retailers are starting to focus on plus size fashion, meaning women like you can find what you want a lot more easily.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

Written by Jonathan Griffiths, at www.curvety.com dedicated for plus size women based in the UK. And a good example of what you can find online!

 

Tune In: Marsha Ambrosius

You ever hear a song that you swear speaks to you and what’s going on in your life at that moment? I’m starting to think Ms. Marsha Ambrosius is spying on me and writing songs about what she sees, just kidding! As one of my favorite artists from the UK, her music seems to tell a story that’s very easy to relate to.

Her new single “Without You” featuring Ne-Yo now has a video to go along with it. The video is a little deep as most of her videos are but the song still sounds incredible! Have a look…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of our great fashionable friends across the pond, (UK United Kingdom), stay tuned for a special guest post from a fashion expert with great advice for us curvy girls! I’m excited to see what’s in store!!

 

It Was The Winter


One day, I wore a hoodie.

 

The next day, I wore a thin jacket.

 

Today, I’m wearing a parka, hat, scarf, gloves, and several layers!

 

Not too sure about where you guys are but if it’s anywhere in the states, you’re probably freezing right about now! Even the southern states (which are usually in the 60-70 degree range) this time of year are experiencing frigid temps. Not to mention my friends on the west coast…they’re not too sure how to cope with “Winter 2013”, trust me…I have the text message conversations to prove it!

 

So what’s a curvy girl to do if she’s living in this current arctic air?

 

She shops for a stylish, trendy, and warm coat of course!

 

 

 

Meet six jackets and coats that are right on trend for whatever temps you’re facing out there…

 

 

Baby Its Cold Outside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus size fashion shouldn’t be a hard thing to shop for and that’s why I’m here! Here to help more curvy girls during times like Winter Storm Dion. I’m willing to do the research and shopping so you don’t have to! These plus size winter coats are curvy girl approved and ready to be the new addition to your winter wardrobe!

 

Stylish.

 

Trendy.

 

Ready for the weather because, “Baby, it’s cold outside!”

What’s That Wednesday: The Lost Files




 
Ever go through the picture roll in your phone or camera and wonder…
 
What the heck is that?
 
Haha, that’s what I did
 
Here’s what I found…
 
 
 
 
Besides pics of my nails, Starbucks Discoveries Caramel Macchiato (my fave instant cold coffee), and the pink dress pic…. I have the slightest idea how the rest of these pics happened! My best guess? I was about to take a picture but the button accidentally got pressed before the actual pic. Makes sense to me. I might be a good candidate for the evidence department at the police station because, clearly things are kept very well around here!
 
Anywho…this may become a regular post every Wednesday because I’m sure there’s tons more “oops” pics in both of my phones and digital cam!
 
What do you guys think?