{fabulous whites}

Curvy girls are always told to avoid white. Much like the "no white after Labor Day rule" from your grandmother's era, there is no such thing as white being "out" for certain body types.

It's all a matter of cut and proportion. I do not know of a single person, for example, who looks good in shapeless white pants a la the dentist's office. It's time to rethink the fashion RULES and wear what you'd like. Just make sure it's worn well. I like white on top as it works well with a pair of dark trouser jeans. The options, though, are endless!

Here are some fab whites for everyone. By the way, they're all on sale!

DKNY Jeans Military Inspired Blouse

$27.99

Jersey Cardigan from Avenue

$14.99

The cable sweater above from Lands' End is one of my own staples.

$29.99

White House Black Market always does white well!

$59.99

This one from Spiegel at Overstock.com is pretty, too!

$38.99

Monday's Food: Granola Bar Makeover

The bars make a great afternoon snack for the kiddos...and a pick me up for the grown ups!

Oats & dried cranberries

The boys are happy there's still chocolate chips in their bars! For a healthier bar, omit the chips. These are my boys' favorite bars, though...

Coconut and some cinnamon & nutmeg give more flavor!

I've decided to make Monday my official recipe day. The other days will focus on style and fashion.

My boys love granola bars, but have you checked out the ingredients list lately for the popular ones found in the grocery store? 


One often associates granola bars with a healthy treat, but most are anything but.

Not such a healthy treat! Here is the listing for Quaker's Chocolate Chip Granola Bars:

Ingredients: granola (whole grain rolled oats, rolled whole wheat, brown sugar, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil [soybean and/or cottonseed oil] dried coconut, whole wheat flour, honey), semisweet chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [an emulsifier], vanilla flavor), corn syrup, crisp rice (rice, sugar, salt, barley malt), high fructose corn syrup, sugar, corn syrup solids, glycerin, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean and/or cottonseed oil), sorbitol, salt, molasses, water, natural and artificial flavors, BHT (a preservative), citric acid. Contains wheat and soy ingredients. May contain traces of peanuts.

How many variations of high fructose corn syrup do they need? Do you see the BHT on the label? BHT is short for BUTYLATED HYDROXY TOLUENE, a carcinogen shown to affect the kidneys and liver.

I know I don't want my boys eating that stuff! I don't want it either.

Here is my recipe for a wholesome snack for your kids--and you! Agave nectar replaces sugar in this recipe. Again, for an even less sweet recipe, leave out the chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of chopped dry cranberries

1 cup of water

In a small saucepan, boil the cranberries and the water together for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 water.

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1 T. pure vanilla extract

1/2 c. agave nectar

1/3 c. almond butter

1/2 c. chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli 70% cacao)

To make:

Mix the agave nectar, almond butter, and water together. Stir over low heat until combined. Pour this over your oats, seeds, coconut, vanilla and spices. Stire in chocolate chips until combined.

Press into a 13 by 9 glass pan.

Bake at 250 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Cut into squares and cool.

Let's Talk Underwear

Underwear. We all wear it....don't we? Early on when I started this project, I wrote about the importance of wearing a good bra in the right size. With some of my Christmas money, I decided to buy new underwear. I went for a bra fitting over Christmas break--something I do once a year-- and I am wearing the wrong size right now. So many of us are. I didn't think things had changed much since my last fitting, but I was wrong. If you gain or lose weight, please know that your cup size may have changed ever so slightly, too.

I didn't get a chance to get to the mall without my boys. If you know my boys, you can understand why I don't want to take them bra shopping with me. When we walk by the lingerie racks anywhere, you know Benjamin will yell "BOOBIE COVERS" so that everyone will hear him as my face gets beet red.

I combined my love of good quality items with bargain hunting online and what did I find?

I bought 6 bras and 10 pairs of panties.

I spent a total of $34.53 on 10 pairs of Cacique panties in various styles from cotton bikinis to lace and satin "cheekies" and everything in between. $6.50 of this was on shipping.

The 6 bras are all Barely Breezies and Breezies and were $26.95 plus shipping, coming in at $32.95.

My grand total was $67.48. The retail price on these items? Let's see--the panties are typically $16 to $18 each. That's between $160-180 for those. Each bra I bought retails for $40-50 each. On QVC, they can be found for about $31-35. I was able to buy $270 in bras for under $30.

My finds all came from eBay. Seriously. I know what you're thinking. "Really? eBay?" Yes, ladies. If you are a bargain hunter, look for your undergarments on eBay. I have bought so many good quality items there--there are dozens and dozens of shopkeepers their who sell just one brand of item. They are brand new. Please know that you're not getting used unders. Nope. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller with good feedback and make sure it says NEW in the listing.

No one wants to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on lingerie. Seriously. Do you? I also know that most of us don't always feel beautiful and feminine in the standard Hanes and Fruit of the Loom selection from Target. I like Cacique panties. You can buy them at Lane Bryant. They are sold like your pant size and they start at a 12. If you wear a size 12 jean, I highly recommend a size 12 Cacique panty. You will notice a huge difference as opposed to buying from the standard 5-6-7-8-9-or bigger in other brands.

Me? I need a 14/16 panty from Cacique. That's one of those things I discovered. Yes, I can wear a 12 jean, sometimes a 14...but my rear is a 14/16. I am sure you wanted to know that, right?

Anyway, I wanted to save you gorgeous ladies some money and tell you how I found all this lingerie for a fraction of the cost! 

shades of gray

Gray is everywhere this winter and it is a fabulous neutral. My favorites are shown below. I just love the gray tunic and may just have to buy that one!

Where to Buy:

Tunic from Lucie Lu!

$46

Studded belt from Torrid

$16.98

Gray pom pom scarf from Fair Store

$12

Wide leg ponte pants from Lane Bryant

$44.99

The EYCP is getting international attention!

Well, from Canada--so that's international for many of us! I was recently interviewed by Canadian Living magazine's Natalie Bahadur about body image and how women can embrace their curves. I am really excited about this, as this blog is only 2 months old. Click here for the full article, which can be found right now on the magazine's website.