Friday, March 28, 2014


 
 
 
Today is the day!!
 
Fear of the unknown and fear of failure can be paralyzing. MOVE FEAR...GET OUT THE WAY!!
Many entrepreneurs face this challenge day by day as they pursue their dreams! They take a risk to make a difference.
 
Today I launched the INDIEGOGO campaign for hippsTOO - Mobile Boutique. Hitting the key that said GO LIVE was a little intimidating because it signified that there is no turning back.
 
I have experience. I am excited. I believe.....
 
#40days40nights$40k   #readmyhipps

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

INDIEGOGO campaign KICKOFF for hippsTOO Mobile Boutique 3/29/2014




We are gearing up to kick off our indiegogo campaign on March 29, 2014 to fund a fashion truck that will travel in and around Metro Atlanta and surrounding cities bringing quality fashion to the doors of women wearing size 14 or larger. Our clothing will focus on curvy and plus size women while our accessories will tempt fashionistas of ALL sizes. The campaign will last 40 days and 40 nights. Stay tuned to follow our journey.
 

#readmyhipps 



Opportunity: op·por·tu·ni·ty

ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē/

noun

1.

a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. As in….

"we may see increased opportunities for economic improvement“ OR “you have an opportunity to make a difference”…

synonyms: chance, lucky chance, favorable time/occasion/moment, time, right set of circumstances, occasionmomentopeningoption, window (of opportunity), turngopossibility;



https://www.google.com/search?q=opportunity+definition


Sunday, December 22, 2013



Re-organizing...

Re-evaluating...

Re-examining the focus of the blog.

Although it is important to talk about the challenges faced by curvy women, I decided that I want to focus more on sharing the entrepreneurial journey of building the hippsTOO lifestyle brand. Once upon a time, I owned a beautiful boutique that was named best Plus Size Store the three years it was open. Interesting enough, as part of our marketing strategy I had done some research on a mobile store. I consulted vendors and costed out what it would take to convert a bus into a boutique on wheels.  Unfortunately, I never got to see it through, as we were unable to survive the last recession.

It took a while to heal from the agony of a business closing. It was my baby!

However, I never lost the passion for fashion or for making a larger women feel special and beautiful in their own skin.  AHA MOMENT! I must have been ahead of my time because ....NOW.... a mobile boutique or fashion truck has become a proven and successful business model. It is an ideal platform for a manageable inventory that can be readily adjusted in a fun environment and with an unique shopping experience. With even less start up cost than my "bus vision", a #fashiontruck is the perfect vehicle [pun intended] for my re-entry into the retail world.

I'm getting ready to ride......xo

#ReadMyHipps



Sunday, April 7, 2013

Add some CURVES to your Summer Travel Plans!

What kinda CURVES you ask? CURVES Fashion WeekTM!
 
I am so excited to learn that I have the honor of serving as an Official Blogger of 2013 Curves Fashion Week and I get to invite YOU to attend the 2nd annual CURVES Fashion Week with me. It is an inclusive production of standard size and plus size fashion. This premiere production is the first of it's kind Fashion Week cruise and will include runway shows, panels, workshops, and other fashion events. CURVES Fashion Week was created to merge high fashion of all sizes because whether you're a size 2 or 22.
 
 "Every body has CURVES."
 
Mark your calendar for August 31 - September 5 and get ready to sail with us to the Bahamas for a fabulous week of luxury travel and fashion aboard the Carnival Ectasy.
 
All kinds of exciting activities will be revealed throughout the Summer, leading up to our travel date.  Of course, I will share them with you so that you will always be in the know. In the meantime, check out the website, like them on facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 


@CurvesWeek
@hippsTOO
 
fashionably yours ❤ L8r


Saturday, March 16, 2013

DOUBLE DIVAS & Livi Rae Lingerie

By now I'm sure that you have heard about the Lifetime TV show DOUBLE DIVAS! It comes on right after Project Runway which is one of my faves by the way. I told myself that I would not endure another reality series, but when I learned that it was about a local business, I didn't change the channel.  Hmmmm...I said...let's see what this is all about. Turns out that these very Southern belles have developed a fun and body friendly environment for solving what can often be a personal and sensitive issue. Their motto is..."No bust is too big or too small. We fit them all." Go back and catch some episodes. You will see that they are not exaggerating.

I had a girlfriend in town from DC and we decided to make a day of lunch and a trip to Livi Rae Lingerie store north of Atlanta. Livi Rae is the store featured in the show. It is named after the daughters of the owners Molly Hopkins and Cynthia Richards. We were disappointed that neither of them were there but we got Molly's card! LOL  The popularity of the TV show has done wonders for their business, of course. If you want to take advantage of their personal fitters, you have to sign in and wait for your name to be called by a very animated hostess. She graciously greets EVERY guest with "Welcome my Queen" or "Welcome my King" for the gentlemen callers. The store is beautiful and filled with both functional and fantasy intimate apparel.

We wandered around and were called back to a dressing room after about twenty minutes. A fabulous consultant named Samar came right in and introduced herself. She reviewed the information forms we had each completed that were kind of like the ones at the doctor's office:
  • Why are you here?
  • What size bra are you currently wearing?
  • What's right with it?
  • What's wrong with it?
I went first. My complaint with my current brassiere was that I wanted more control on the sides and that the stays were always digging into my curves. She left and returned with a plethora of colors and cup sizes. Turns out that I wasn't too far off. I tried on several and chose a gorgeous Merlot colored bra that "lifted and separated" quite well. Same back size. Up two cup sizes. It looked good and felt good! I had forgotten that that was even possible for a bra.

My friend was next. She is challenged by very large breast with a smaller back. She used to wear long line bras for the best support. They were not really comfortable, a struggle to put on and very costly.  Her recent GO TO bra was a sports bra....comfortable but no real support. Samar accessed the garment and her body type and returned with a fabulous bra in a trendy snake skin print.  The transformation was immediate!  She was sooooooo excited!  She's sighed with relief.....air can get under there!  LOL Samar brought in other choices but the first one was the winner!               

All in all...it was a great FASHION FIELD TRIP and I have told at least 5 friends that they need to go right away! Thanks Livi Rae Lingerie team for SUPPORTING THE GIRLS.....you know what I mean.

fashionably yours ❤ L8r




 
BEFORE
 
AFTER
 

 




Friday, March 1, 2013

Are you hip to CURVES AT SEA?


I have just become aware of one of the most exciting events celebrating the beauty, fashion and self-esteem of large size women that I have ever heard of. It is called Curves atSea and it is taking place this summer from August 31 – September 5, 2013. The creators of Curves Fashion Week are taking the fun and glamour off shore for a week of networking and fashion adventure. When I perused the tentative itinerary below, I immediately checked my budget for a vacation savings strategy and checked my wardrobe for a fashion strategy---LOL. I plan to attend!


Welcome Aboard Rock Your CURVES Deck Party with DJ
Rock Your CURVES Welcome Dinner
Rock Your CURVES Dance Party
Bottles of White Wine at Dinner
Rock Your CURVES Pool Party
Rock Your CURVES Formal Dinner
Rock Your CURVES Formal Photo Session
Rock Your CURVES Spa Party
Rock Your CURVES Open Bar Cocktail Party & Maxi Dress Social
Rock Your CURVES Karaoke Night
Rock Your CURVES Farwell Dinner
Rock Your CURVES Late Night Game Party

So often we get caught up in our daily routines that we forget to take time out to nurture ourselves while balancing the mom, wife, corporate or entrepreneurial acts.  An opportunity like Curves at Sea will help melt away your stress and maximize your escape time. I love fashion and the idea of being immersed in it for five days with women who look like me sounds like nirvana right now. Check out their site right now!

Curves at Sea participants will be sailing through the beautiful turquoise waters to the Bahamas aboard the Carnival Ecstasy.
 
Hope to see you on board!  
 
 

fashionably yours ❤ L8r

 

 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY



Happy Valentine's Day!
 
Act great!
Feel great!
APPROVE OF YOURSELF!
 
 
fashionably yours ❤ L8r