Author: worthymagazine

Letter to The Fashion Director Plus Size Fashion

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Our fashion director, David Michael, answers your fashion inquiries with his honest opinion which is sprinkled with his extensive professional experience. Our first write-in explores plus-size fashion.

 

I am a 20 something woman making my way through life. Like most 20-something women, I love fashion! I like to look good- hair, nails, make-up and all that jazz! Unlike the average 20 something woman, I am a dress size of 18. So of course, this makes shopping difficult. I miss out on all the designer collaborations ( Alexander Wang and H&M, Lilly Pulitzer for Target, etc) and I’m starting to think that this isn’t fair. Designers have long had a history of not catering to us women with something extra. Do they think we don’t want to be chic and fashionable? What do we have to do to get more plus sized clothes in store?

Xoxo

Pretty Plus Sized Princess

PS. LOVE the Magazine!

Dear Pretty Plus Sized Princess,

Here’s the problem,

I’ve worked in retail my entire life (went to college was an art major decided to stay in retail). I’m constantly hearing about plus size things not being available in a traditional “bricks and mortar” store.

I have worked every end of the retail spectrum and one thing I have noticed is (I have physically seen the numbers because that’s part of my job) plus size clothes do not move numbers like other departments. You would think so but they just don’t. What’s even more interesting to me, stores like Lane Bryant and Ashley Stuart sell REALLY nice clothes. Yes they are on the pricier side because you have to pay a little more for the fabric (depending on the fabric/garment the standard is about 2 yards). Those stores sell amazing clothes and yet and still plus size women shop there but not how they should (daily sales/goals and comps should blow thru the roof).

Most people are running to stores like H&M or Forever21 and though Forever has a plus size section, its still doesn’t offer a wide variety in comparison to what it offers through out the rest of the store.

You also have to consider the floor space. Let’s say we bring in a full presentation of plus size clothes to the floor and when we do, the clothes aren’t selling. Then what? Particularly with these designer collaborations, they are a one-time thing and they do them to drive sales. So, now I have to send back my stuff that didn’t sell. It first costs money to make the garment that didn’t sell, it cost money to ship it, and now it’s going to cost money to send it back? That’s why most retailers carry their plus size clothes online. When you order it online, it comes straight from the warehouse and they only ship it once.

My advice is to shop at the places that love you (I’m 6ft tall 225 lbs with large thighs and a large butt. I cannot wear H&M pants). My favorite spots are The Gap, Banana Republic, Thrift shops and JackThreads. Online shopping is your friend, it maybe a little bit of an inconvenience but wouldn’t you much rather have it than not?

These companies care about the bottom line and that is money. We have to vote with your dollars. If you can drive business online, they will bring it. Ask and you shall receive.

-DM

The Return of John Galliano

Fashion, News

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Pending the rumored changes to institutions like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, fashion critics and enthusiasts alike are witnessing the fight for the exclusivity of the fashion industry. Maison Margiela Artisanal 2015 couture spring collection was a return to that old-fashioned invite-only experience. It was also the stage for John Galliano’s triumphant return to the runway.
There were only three photographers in the photography pit, including one in-house photographer. Paparazzi was not allowed inside to document celeb sightings such as Kate Moss and designers including, Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, Manolo Blahnik and Rifat Ozbek to name a few.

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The show is being praised as the perfect marriage between Galliano’s signature aesthetic and Maison Margiela.

From the the ornate use of tulle dramatically draped on the models who glided down the runway to their crystal-kissed lips that paired seamlessly with their drag-queen inspired makeup, the show was the perfect fashion fantasy.

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Margiela emailed show notes immediately following the show. While there is some debate as to his reasoning for sending out his notes instead of the tradional behind the scenes interview, the general concensus is that the designer wanted to convey a clear explanation of his creative process. His sentiments illustrated a story of discovery and renewal.

“Approaching tailoring, techniques, craftsmanship like a new explorer, or painter. One who sees beauty in things that are often taken for granted, giving everything a newly enriched life.”

 

 

 

How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

News

NYE

Are you having second thoughts about your New Year’s Resolutions? Believe it or not there actually is a sort of science to setting realistic goals for your new year, according to Happify.

Happify  is both a website and mobile app geared towards improving people’s emotional well-being through scientifically-proven activities and games. Recently the site reported the Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions. Do you see anything that might be on your list? Take a look at some of the hard-hitting and number and DON’T get discouraged. There are tips to help you keep your promises to yourself.

The Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions are:

o Lose weight

o Get organized

o Spend less, save more

o Enjoy life to the fullest

o Stay fit and healthy

· 51% of Americans want to lose weight but only 26% are actually trying

· 3 Principles to Help you Change a Habit…

o Do what it takes to derail your existing habit

o Repeat, repeat, repeat

o Hook the new to the old

· Make your resolutions…

o Specific

o Measurable

o Attainable

o Relevant

o Time-specific

Read more here

Taste Worthy Favorites and Brunch at Brimstone Woodfire Grill

News

The brunch menu at Brimstone Woodfire Grill  located in the Shops at Pembroke Gardens in Pembroke Pines just got a little more interesting with the restaurant’s three new entrees.

 

P7. Brimstone Woodfire Grill Frittata Espanola
Frittata Espanola – Eggs, red & green onions, roasted red peppers, tomato, bacon, ham and a cheese medley, baked together in a crock and served with mixed berries and a fresh baguette.

P8. Brimstone Woodfire Grill BBQ Pork Hash
BBQ Pork Hash – Shaved pork, red potatoes, onions, red & green peppers, with chipotle BBQ sauce, garnished with cilantro and served with two eggs sunny-side up.

P9. Brimstone Woodfire Grille Steak & Eggs
Steak & Eggs – Marinated skirt steak, grilled to order, served with mint chimichurri, two scrambled eggs and home fried potatoes.

Here are few of our favorite places to brunch in South Florida

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La Bonne Crepe: Ham and apple sauce crepe

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Steak 954 French Toast served with fresh berries

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Blue Heaven’s Famous Spinach Omelet served with banana nut loaf

IMG_8258Blue Heaven Crab melt

Real Beauty Miranda Burnet Creator of Flash Tattoos

News

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Beyonce, Katie Holmes are just a few of the big name fans of the latest jewelry inspired temporary tattoos taking the fashion world by storm. Flash tattoos saturated the fashion world this past season catching our eye at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim and New York Fashion Week. Naturally when the opportunity presented itself to pick the brain of the mastermind behind the national trend we seized it.

 

Flash Tattoos was founded in July 2013 in Austin, Texas by designer and creative director Miranda Burnet. Miranda’s affinity for bold jewelry and accessories was the driving force behind Flash Tattoos. “I wanted to put a fun spin on couture jewelry, to create a captivating ‘line’ that was not only beautiful but also fun and affordable.” While the designs undoubtedly look great on the skin, Burnet says the beauty is enhanced by the temporary nature of the tattoos. “Each is fleeting, ephemeral – to be gazed upon and enjoyed in the now, before it is gone. Of course, once it is gone, you can always just apply another one!”

The majority of the collections are named according to the mood and style of the designs. Others are inspired by travel or inspirational people. For example, the Sofia collection was inspired after a visit to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

In terms of how they stand out from other products, Flash Tattoos is not only the original maker of affordable metallic temporary tattoos, but the brand is also responsible for launching the metallic tattoo trend. A combination of innovative thinking, top quality materials, and a modern design aesthetic (featured within our 11 Flash Tattoo collections) have made it an immensely popular item amongst celebrities (Alessandra Ambrosio, Vanessa Hudgens, Brooke Burke), stylists, editors, bloggers and fashionistas everywhere. They’re a huge hit with the beach and surfing crowds of Hawaii, Australia, California and Florida, as well as with customers living in more land-locked regions around the globe.

 

 

What is your personal favorite out of all of the tattoos?
It’s impossible to choose – depending on my mood, I will wear different collections. My favorite is constantly rotating!

How do you feel about the reception so far?
It’s very exciting and an amazing feeling – almost a bit surreal! We are incredibly grateful for all the love and support from all the Flashionistas who love wearing and sharing the news about our product.

What is your definition of real beauty
Real beauty comes from within – it’s confidence, happiness, loving and being loved. Of course, a little Flash Tattoo here and there only accentuates that happy inner glow!

 

 

Dilcia’s Haircare Tips for 2015

News, Worthy TV

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Perched in the pulse of Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood Florida is a hair care gem that has been my home since my sophomore year of high school. The owner who’s name is on the moniker, Dilcia, plays the role of caring mother to all of her clients.

“There is a difference between hairstyles and haircare,” she said with sincerity.

One step into Dilcia’s Haircare Salon and you are met with something that surpasses a polished image. You are greeted by a space that is packed with culture and heritage.

“Lia, make sure you get pictures of the dolls. Those are very important,” Dilcia warned with a mother-like authority in her voice. “Do you want to know why she doesn’t have a face, Lia?”

 

I watch her closely and nod my head as she begins to speak.

“It’s because the women in the Dominican Republic are so diverse. Everyone looks different.”  The diverse faceless clay dolls are placed through out the product wall behind Dilcia’s welcome desk in her salon.

“There are a lot of hairstylists who are willing to just style your hair and send you out. But that isn’t what we do here,” Yovanna Aguasvivas (which translates to ‘living water’) chimed in. “We want to make your hair healthy. We deal with clients who have lost their hair due to extensions or getting their hair over-relaxed. So hair care is a must for us. Our motto is that this (hair salon) is an arsenal that belongs to the clients.”

Much like the dolls that fill Dilcia’s salon, her clients are all very diverse.

“ We treat every client like family and we work will all kinds of hair: natural, relaxed everything.  We have had clients for 20 years.”

So with such a loyal customer base, the mother-daughter-duo wanted to share a few pieces of advice about haircare with Worthy readers.

 

 

Dilcia’s Hair Care Insta from Worthy Magazine on Vimeo.

1. Know your stylist

“There are three different types of stylists: The ones who only do your hair for money, the ones who do hairstyles and don’t treat your hair and stylists who do hair care. A stylists who practices hair care will keep your hair trimmed regularly, offer deep conditioning treatments as well as protein treatments on a consistent basis,” according to Yovanna.

 

2. It’s all about energy and it all takes time

“Your hair is like a plant it has energy and it takes time to heal and rebuild.”

 

3. Trends are ok but haircare comes first

“While you are keeping up with the joneses, you have to make sure that you are treating your hair in-between the coloring and extensions.”

 

 

Taste Worthy Dos Caminos

News

Tuna Sashimi

Dos Caminos

 

The successful New York restaurant, Dos Caminos, lives up to its good name at its Fort Lauderdale location, at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale, 1140 Seabreeze Blvd. The polished stone floors, dark wooden walls and lantern fixtures create a simplistic industrial feel. The graffiti and vibrant pieces of art offer an unexpected kick.

The menu’s description mirrors the restaurant’s decor seamlessly- simplistic and uniquely unexpected. Garnering over 100 different types of tequila, a guide on how to order from the Mexican restaurant could prove to be beneficial.

You should try:

Oaxacan-style shrimp quesadilla: an open-faced crispy tortilla, chile-marinated shrimp, Mexican cheeses, smoked wild mushrooms, oven-dried tomatoes

Tuna Sashimi: Soy-lime marinade, sesame, chiles torreados, mint, cilantro

Trio-tasting of ceviches: Tuna chino-latino, red snapper de la calle and baby octopus

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Many people ask why I named the magazine Worthy and what Worthy is all about. I felt like the beauty issue was the ideal platform for me to elaborate on the magazine’s origins. Our loyal readers know that the inspiration came to me as I was listening to one of my favorite gospel songs by Cece Winans, “Worthy.” And even more know that I felt like I found confirmation for the name on the final episode of the “Oprah Winfrey” show. It was the last paragraph of her words that spoke to the insecurities in me that seemed to define the person I was up until that moment.

 

“We often block our own blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough or smart enough or pretty enough or worthy enough. You’re worthy because you are born and because you are here. Your being here, your being alive makes worthiness your birthright. You alone are enough,” Oprah Winfrey.

 

I instantly recalled all the moments that I sold myself short because of doubt. I thought of how many great opportunities I missed because I counted myself out and for a moment, I wondered where I would’ve been if I had been more kind to myself. What opportunities would the universe have given me? I say all this to say that I find that the most beautiful people are the ones who are happy with themselves. Their happiness and confidence has not been built upon tearing someone else down or pointing out their faults, which we all have. The most beautiful people, to me, are the ones who believe that they are good enough, smart enough and worthy.

 

It was in that final lesson on my favorite talk show that I knew what the goal for Worthy Magazine would be. Worthy Magazine would be a multicultural publication for people 21 and up designed to inspire, affirm and celebrate our readers with a focus on reshaping the socially  accepted standards of beauty. The reshaping would focus largely on internalizing the definition beauty instead of getting caught up on the physical.

 

It’s a powerful thing to consider that your mind can alter something so permanent as your physical appearance but it can. I know everyone has noticed or met a person who upon first glance is extremely attractive and then the worst thing happens, they begin to speak. Instantaneously that person becomes less and less attractive.

 

Essentially I am saying that I am learning from rather difficult personal experience that the love we give ourselves can be seen by others. So hopefully this issue will be a nice supplement to aid you in being kind to yourself. Let the stories of the featured actors, entrepreneurs and dreamers inspire you. Let the brief calls to action motivate you.

 

 

 

 

Beauty is heritage, beauty is self perception, beauty is kindness. We are all capable of great beauty.