FATionistas at LARGE

Are you a plus size women with great Fashion Sense? Beginning May 1 in honor of our new site launch we will showcase FATionistas at LARGE. Send pictures to perceptionandco@gmail.com . Be sure to include your name, age, location and what makes you a FATionista at LARGE!!!! So show us what you got LOVIES!

Marvelous Misses: Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones arrived at the Children's Defense Fund benefit hosted by Coach in a 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket, Coach crossbody bag and anOlivier Theyskens for Theory dress. Thoughts Lovies?

Amazing Accessories: Glass Jewelry

Simple and chic are two words that define Yummi Glass Jewelry. Yummi Glass handmade necklaces and earrings showcase the quality of their craftsmanship and uniqueness. Priced at $81 these transparent hand-blown glass necklaces with 24K gold leaf pendants are in a class of their own.

Trend Alert: Espadrilles

From beachy chic to glam girl, espadrilles are the perfect shoe. Comfortable and versatility are 2 major components in choosing a great shoe. Once you have chosen the most suitable espadrilles I can guarantee they will be permanent fixture in your wardrobe. Instead of committing shoeicide with sky high stilettos, this Summer opt for a wedge espadrille that will not only give you the height you crave but the fit you live for. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Summer Beauty Tips

There are some crucial components that all women must remember for the Summer:

• Hands


• Feet


• Sunscreen


• Radiant Glow

In this post I will give you some of my must haves that I swear by to get me Summer ready.

Priced at $9, this super rich, all-natural hand cream is made with sweet almond oil and vitamin E to moisturize dry skin and beeswax to help seal and protect your hands. I use this cream on my hands every morning and after every hand wash.

Priced at $9, this natural foot cream combines coconut oil, lanolin, vegetable glycerin and a hint of rosemary and peppermint to revive and rejuvenate even the driest, most neglected feet. I use this creme every night after I shower and I follow it up with a pair of spa socks. Cracked feet are a definite NO, NO.

Your next major component is SUNSCREEN. Many African American Women have been told that do not need to wear sunblock because of skin pigmentation. This is completely false and I learned the hard way (while on a trip in Maine). Not only can African American Women burn but repeated sun exposure with no sunscreen can cause permanent skin damage. Be sure that the SPF is at least 15. The higher the SPF the more protection you receive. Here is a tip for black women: be sure to get a sheer sunscreen otherwise you will have white residue left behind.

AVEENO Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray with SPF 70 and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick are excellent for the Summer.

Carol's Daughter has the ultimate body moisturizing spa set in the best scent on the planet "Almond Cookie". This is another one of my products that I adore. Priced at $70 the Spa Set includes the Almond Cookie Sea Salt Scrub, Almond Cookie Body Cleansing Gel, Almond Cookie Bath & Body Oil and Almond Cookie Shea Souffle.

Remember Lovies....Fashion is a way of life and it includes HEAD to TOE greatness.

Lauren Conrad Launches a New Line

The Hills Alum Lauren Conrad has a new line titled "Paper Crown". The fashion line is set to hit stores such as Nordstrom, Ron Herman stores, and Planet Blue in July. Here are a few of the items from Conrad's new collection. Thoughts Lovies?

Marvelous Misses: Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana attended Coach's benefit for the Children's Defense Fund in a Isabel Marant minidress, patent heels, and a bold fuchsia clutch. Thoughts Lovies?

Turn Your Spring Cleaning Into Extra Cash

Now that the weather is beginning to warm up (or is supposed to) its time to get those bulky sweaters and turtle necks out of that closet. Before you discard any of those old worn unwanted pieces remember your "trash" is someone elses "treasure. Well due to the current increase of consignment shops your "trash" will bring you extra "treasures". Consignment shops and resale stores will buy your rejects and dish out the cash if they deem them worthy. Here are a few tips on what to do:

• Call the shop before hand to make sure the item or items you are discarding will be accepted (some stores take only high end items while others will take lower end pieces).


• Be sure to ask about pricing policies (but remember the buyer knows the market)


• Only bring items that are clean (unstained) and not terribly worn.


• Most importantly be PRESENT when your items are being appraised.

Here are few consignment shops in both NYC and Upstate NY:

Upstate NY

• Plato's Closet - www.platoscloset.com - 818 Central Ave # 2, Albany, NY - (518) 459-3104


• Worth RepeatingYour Consignment Shop Serving the Capital District 123 Saratoga Rd Ste 1, Schenectady, NY 12302 rharris15@nycap.rr.com (518) 384-0946Liz's Closet(518) 452-1001 1762 Western Ave Albany, NY 12203

New York City

• Second Time Around 262 Mott Street (between Prince and Houston streets); 212-965-8415 New York, NY


• Encore 1132 Madison Avenue (between 84th and 85th streets), 2nd and 3rd Floor, New York; 212-879-2850


• Tokio 7 83 East 7th Street (between First and Second avenues); 212-353-8443 Brooklyn, NY

Kanye West Wearing a Women's Blouse

Fashion Mastermind Kanye West was spotted at Coachella wearing the unthinkable....A Women's Blouse. The Divo performed in a see through button-up printed blouse from the Céline spring 2011 women's runway show. Yeezy paired it with gold chains, fabric bracelets and ripped jeans. So here is the question.....Is it really the unthinkable?There have been many men before Kanye to rock female clothing. Is it really a big deal? What are your thoughts Lovies?

Video of the Week: Oliva

Former First Lady of G-Unit Olivia is officially back with a bang. Her first ballad "December" off of her new album "Show the World" is Ahhh-Maze-Ing! She looks great in the video and her vocals are perfect. The single is currently on itunes and you can also watch her on reality tv show Love & Hip Hop on vh1 (Monday at 8pm est.)

Sassy Stylish Shoe: Nicholas Kirkwood

I know I have not allowed you lovies to have a shoegasm in a while but don't fret.....I will never let you down. Nicholas Kirkwood who is one of my favorite shoe designers has done it again for Spring/Summer 2011. Nicholas Kirkwood's cut out ankle boot with two-tone tassels swing from the tied front of a pale-hued leather with wavy black-and-white trim is priced at $1,185 and is now available for pre-order at Nordstrom.com.

Video of the Week: Dirty Money "Your Love"

Video pick of the week comes from Dirty Money featuring Trey Songz and Rick Ross entitled "Your Love". I like the song but I was extremely impressed at the dapperness of both Trey and Rick Ross. They look Ahhhhh-Maze-Ing! The guys did me proud on this one....I was not however impressed with the ladies so they will have to sit this one out. Check out the picture below of both Trey Songz and Rick Ross looking very GQesque. Thoughts Lovies!!!

Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

One of my favorite Marvelous Misses Lauren Conrad has added more items to her LC Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohl's Department Store. This new line is following her first round of spring fashion that hit stores in February. The new lineup consist of spring-ready dresses, tops, skirts, and cardigans and is now available. Prices range from $20 to $72.....Happy Shopping Lovies!!!

Hedi Klum's New Balance Line

Fashion Guru and Entrepreneur Heidi Klum collaborated with New Balance last September and created an active wear line titled "HKNB". She is now back with a bang....her new Spring line is available on Amazon.com and consist of cotton and silk tunics, dresses, knits, woven tops, leggings, and outerwear priced from $34 to $198. Happy Shopping Lovies!!!