I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Peplum Tops

I've had an illusion most of my life, that curvy girls can't wear peplum tops.  It began in my teen years, back in the 80's, when peplum tops and dresses were popular (the first time during my life). I was told over and over, you have hips. You can't wear a peplum. It will just make you look bigger. Well I call Bu!! S#*@!!!! I think they look great on all types of women.  And I love them. Here is my proof. Beautiful, curvy women wearing peplumss!

These ladies are some of my favorite bloggers and fashion gurus. From the top left (going clockwise): Girl With Curves, Heart, Print & Style, Grown and Curvy Woman, and Ashley Falcon. 


There are so many fantastic versions and options available.  I'm on the hunt for a leather peplum top but in the mean time I will settle for sequins, color and studs.

Instagram Monday with lots of DIY

I'm finally feeling better and over the weekend I did a few projects.  I did more sleeping and resting than anything so my plan to write a few blog posts didn't happen.  I thought I'd share a few of my photos from the past week or so.  I took these via Instagram.  It's easy to tell that I love the Instagram app.  If you're on Instagram, make sure to follow me (@realgirlrunway).  If you're not on Instagram, you can check out my latest pictures on Followgram or on the widget that's on the left side of my blog.

 

 

From top to bottom...

• Pretty DIY decorations from my cousin's recent outdoor wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful time with my family.

• My sweet puppy Anita. She is a very active dog, so when she stops for a moment and looks so zen, I have to capture it.

• A beautiful lace options for my wedding dress.  It's crazy that fabric is so expensive. This lace costs $129 per yard!

• My DIY version of the popular Creme de la Creme sweatshirt.  My version only cost about $10 instead of $160. This DIY will contribute to my latest inspiration and obsession.

• Glitter skull DIY for our Halloween table decor. Made using plastic skulls from an after Halloween sale (last year) and left over glitter spray from this DIY.

• Chandelier for our wedding decor. I wanted a black chandelier to hang over the dance floor.  Thousands for a black crystal chandelier wasn't practical or in the budget.  I'm making my own using a brass chandelier I bough via craig's list.  This is step one, painting.  Bling will come next.

Hope you are all having a great Monday.  I'll get back to regular posting this week.

Fall 2012 Runway Trends - Bordeaux

The beauty of the bordeaux trend is that it looks great on all skin types.  It's a flattering color. There are so many items to be found in this rich, deep red.  You can take your pick. Select a little with a scarf, shoes, or a top or go all out with a dress, or skirt.  Try a hint of bordeaux with deep red lips or nails. It's simple to make this trend work for you.  I'll be embracing the bordeaux trend every weekend during football season.  My favorite team, the Washington Redskins, is all about the burgundy and gold.  If you still own a vintage Etienne Aigner bag or shoes, now is the time to pull them out.

Express Ruffle top / Asos Peplum top / Ann Taylor skinny pants / ASOS lace skirt / Chinese Laundry platform heels / Elie Tahari smoking slippers / ASOS cross body bag / ASOS studded clutch purse / Vigotti ballet flats / Asos Textured Knit Snood / Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, Crush / L'Oreal Polish Haute Couture Red

I selected a few items that are perfect for fall.  They are an affordable way to embrace the trend without blowing your budget.  You can select an item or two and still have money left to try out the other fall trends, I'll be featuring this week.  Go girly with a lace skirt or stay menswear comfy with smoking slippers.  A simple top is an easy way to wear bordeaux.  Just throw it on with your favorite jeans. Work or weekend, everyone looks great in bordeaux.

My Only Thought on a Monday

Good Monday Real Girls!  It's been a tough day because I had to work and my mind was elsewhere.  I told myself that this blog would not turn into a wedding blog.  So I'm going to beg your forgiveness for this post. But I promise that this week I'll be posting some fun spring info and DIY tips as well as an outfit post or two. Today, however is about wedding dresses.  I've been thinking about my dress a ton lately. I've thought about going dress shopping just to get some ideas but frankly that doesn't appeal to me. If you've shopped for a wedding dress and you're a curvy girl, you know that the options for plus size bridal gown choices are limited. Also the thought of spending a ton on a dress is not in my plan.  I've always dreamed that my Mom would make my dress.  She made all of our prom dresses and formals and I love the dresses she's made.  Having that love as a part of the dress I wear would be very special. I found a pattern I love.

This is a vintage Vogue pattern.  It suits my body type well.  I have several dresses that have a fitted bodice and full skirt. They are very flattering on me.  I'm not sure I like the huge bow but I'm know my Mom and I can figure that out. Of all of the dress elements, it's the easiest to alter. When I found the pattern I started coming up with lots of ideas about the bodice. I always thought that I wanted my dress to be ivory and I'd like the bodice to have an overlay fabric (sheer with the ivory showing from behind).  This weekend my mom was in town so we went to look at fabric.  Before we went to the store, I decided I wouldn't buy any fabric unless I found something I couldn't live without.  Fabric is limited and many times if you don't purchase it when you see it in the store, it won't be there when you return. But I have time to look and I didn't want to feel pressured.  I found some beautiful ivory shantung dupioni silk. Dupioni silk looks irregular and has a slub texture. It is called dupioni because two cocoons (or dupions) are reeled together as one yarn. This creates the slub, irregular yarn. 

Dupioni silk, in gray. I'm using ivory.

Then I started looking for fabric or lace to over lay on the bodice. Traditional lace really isn't my style. I could go with a plain bodice or a basic lace but that wouldn't be me.  I want some sparkle, some drama.  I found a few beautiful, beaded fabrics.  But they don't come cheap.  The beading is done by hand on these exquisite fabrics and because of the detailed labor, the costs are high.

First I spied this one...

This fabric costs $249 per yard!

 Then I saw this one...

This one is $329 per yard!

Yes, you read that correctly, $329 per yard!!!

 
The bodice requires about two yards of fabric.  That's over $500 just for the bodice of the dress, if I chose one of these fabrics.  Not exactly, the less expensive idea I had in mind. Unfortunately, there aren't lots of fabric stores that stock beaded fabric of this type.  I'm going to hit up some of the chain fabric stores like JoAnne's and Hancock's.  I could always order something on line but that's a little scary because factors like lighting, photography and monitor settings have a huge impact on what you see.  So the hunt rages on.  I'm just glad I have plenty of time to look. Thanks for indulging me today.


If you have a topic or a question, please email me or leave a comment below. I'd love to write posts that interest you Real Girls.  Thanks for reading!