“I'm obsessively opposed to the typical.” - Lady Gaga

I am not going to lie to you, I totally watched a Very Gaga Thanksgiving last night after my dinner guests left.  I am still thinking about her lack of eyebrow, and can't figure out if I am drawn to it or not.  Have you ever had your brows slicked down with a glue stick and then painted over?  It is not pleasurable.
                                       
                                                                 (I love this photo)

So I am sitting here on a quiet Black Friday, and I am not complaining!  I have a few housekeeping items to take care of before my big week coming up.  As you have heard by now I have joined the Real Goods Solar team and will be working as a project analyst for them.  If I could write my own corporate job description it would be my new role.  Also I am getting to work with someone I respect and have worked for in the past, so don't cry for me Argentina! 

You are probably wondering what this means for the future of Buxom...well never fear I've got this.  Please take note of our new hours  Monday and Tuesday CLOSED,  Wednesday-Saturday 11-6 , Sunday 12-4.

Anne Fanganello from AnnaFesta will be in the store on Wednesdays.  This is your chance to hobnob with a designer.  We have carried her line since the start, so take advantage of the opportunity to get to know Anne. 

Koko Brentano will be here on Thursday and Friday, serving up fashion tips like only a stylist can do.  No one can bring out your inner glamor like Koko can, so don't be shy.

I should be in the store most weekends when I am not traveling for work...I'm off to Providence RI next week!  At any rate, you know where to reach me and in case you forgot bree@buxomdenver.com

Lisa Elstun from LRE Couture will be in the store one day a month starting in January.  Amongst many other hats, Lisa is an expert tailor.  We've had the "talk" about buying off the rack, and although most of the time we are lucky and root out great finds that look smashing, some items need to be custom fit to your body, like trousers and suit jackets. 

Since we are all busy people I am bringing Lisa to you via Buxom.  We have not ironed out a date just yet, but when we do I will blast it to everyone.  That will be your cue to get in that closet and get those items that need a little nip/tuck.  Lisa will measure and consult with you here at the store.  Once your garments are done, someone from the store will let you know.  You can pick them up when it works best for you.  Trust me, having a tailor will change your life.

I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing. -Mae West

I wish I could be a good Buxom mom and tell you that I don't have favorites, but I do.  When those burlesque girls saunter into to the store looking for something sizzling to wear I do my own little dance of delight because they are fearless in their dress and attitude.  Even me, the preacher of all things confidence, has nothing on these ladies.  My lovely and talented friend Anabella Lafontaine took some time to answer my questions and I wanted to share the interview. If you only gleen one grain of ferocity from this post then my job has been done, ejoy. 

(all phots are compliments of Anabella Lafontaine facebook)

BR:For the readers who aren’t familiar (or who may have only seen Cher and Christina shaking it on the big screen), what is burlesque?   

AL::Burlesque is a matter of opinion I think. Listed definition: an artistic composition, especially literary or dramatic, that, for the sake of laughter, vulgarizes lofty material or treats ordinary material with mock dignity. My definition is: An artistic expression of sexuality, humor or opinion. Usually a musical act which walks the audience through a thought, an emotion, or just to make them uncomfortable. That is my gig sometimes I like to take the crowd and say “You see stuff on TV or internet all day that tells you what sexy is. Now for the next 5 minutes I am going to convince you in some way this is hot.”  Or in an easy way: burlesque is; GLITTER and feathers dancing to music with a rubber chicken!

BR: Tell us how Annabella Lafontaine came to be?

AL:: Well I was sitting and watching TV one day and this show came on called “pants off dance off” it was this silly show where hot messes take their clothes off on TV for $20. Then in the middle of all the messes came Dirty Martini from New York. She is not a hot mess she is amazing, sultry, sexy and funny. She says she is a burlesque dancer. I then searched the internet and found out that Burlesque was back from the dead.

I was 35 and wanted to have a moment in my everyday life where I felt sexy and amazing just on my own merit. I wanted to believe even for a moment that I wasn’t just a mom, wife, worker, I wanted to feel empowered and sexy. I called Vivienne that very day and took her Vivienne VaVoom’s Burlesque Class. Best $100 I ever spent. I thought I was just going to graduate and move on with a notch in my belt. But then I was addicted to the fun, the glamour and the GLITTER!! I LOVE SHINEY!!

BR: I know a lot of women who aren’t comfortable stripping down even with the lights off, how did you find the confidence to do it on stage?

AL::Well the first time I performed I almost passed out. I was in a class full of little tiny salad eating bitches. I was the oldest and the biggest. I have never ever been the flash my boobies or get attention with my body kind of girl. But I realized that I wasn’t on the stage for the audience I was on that stage for me. I wanted to show myself that I could make it and it wouldn’t kill me. Now I do it because nothing feels more amazing than when a lovely sexy plus size girl comes up to me and say “Thank you for what you do. It is nice to see girls like me be sexy” That makes my day. I enjoy the costumes and the performance but I try to always show that sexy comes from your spirit and your heart not from a tag on a dress.

BR:One thing that I have noticed about burlesque dancers is that just about every body type is up there on stage. Why do you think burlesque and the people who love it are so open to different bodies?

AL::I think people love watching someone else tell them a story, show them an amazing costume or just being amazing. I think everyone wants to be a performer to do something where you walk on the stage and say THIS IS ME!! Remember the whole world is not made up of size zeros, we are all different shapes and sizes, audiences want to see something up there that reminds them or real life.

BR:Is there anything you won’t do on stage because of being self conscience?

AL::I used to never EVER go on stage without my waist cincher or a corset. I have had three kids and it wasn’t 20 something up to par. So I would wear them even if it looked stupid with my costume. Then one day I did my Door’s Whiskey bar act in which I end the act wearing a blank white mask on my face, matching masks on my boobs and underwear, and the waist cincher looked dumb, so I was scared as hell but I did it with full tummy out and a g string. And guess what I didn’t die, no one threw tomatoes at me, and no one booed so I wasn’t scared anymore. Now I can perform in just about anything and I usually do.

BR: Women come into Buxom all the time, and they are afraid to get an outfit that they might be noticed in. One thing I love about the burly girls who shop here is that they only want pieces that will make them stand out. Have you always been a woman who liked to stand out from the crowd or has it been an evolution?

AL::I have been told that being the first born in both my Mom’s and Dad’s families that I was raised on attention and praise. I thought I was Mae West until I was probably four. My uncle had drag queen friends and at my very young age I know those were WOMEN, those are who I want to grow up to be. I want to be sparkly, sexy and bigger than life. Everyone is born with a story and a past but I chose everyday what others think my back story is.
People are going to notice you every day, good bad or indifferent, but I will always know that I put my best foot forward and to the haters I walk on saying “FOLLOW THAT BITCHES!”

BR:What’s one secret that every burly girl knows…that every girl should know?

AF::You don't have to show everything to be sexy. Burlesque is about the tease and the flirt. Walk out of the house feeling like the star you are, paparazzi can be anywhere and tag you on facebook or twitter, make everyday a dressy event, be the star and feel sexy. Oh and glitter lip is fun. Put any lipstick on and press in some fine glitter and POOF you are a star.

BR:: What is proper burlesque etiquette?

AL::Hoot and holler at a show, it is a live performance and you only get one chance. To performers I say act like a professional and be the person people want to work with.

BR:Where can we can we see you next?

AL::

Herman's Hideaway 11/19 and every Thursday at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse in lovely downtown Denver. Check out Immundo.net for more dates!

Only one shopping day left 'til tomorrow. ~Author Unknown

Last year was my first "Black Friday" here at Buxom.  I had no expectations of the day, and was open for my normal business hours, no 3 a.m. shifts here.  I suppose it should have been common sense to me, but people don't shop at small local boutiques on "Black Friday".  I can't compete with the big chains, and quite frankly I don't want to. I had to remind myself that it was never in my plans to do what everyone else was doing, since when I did let others set my pace? 

As you have heard there is now Small Business Saturday which is aimed at getting shoppers out to local indie shops in their cities.  We are still not opening at midnight, but we are excited to part of this!  I thought I would share some of my other favorite local spots with you, don't be afraid to check them out.

• Spinelli's Market ::  A must stop over in the Park Hill neighborhood. Amazing sandwich's but whatever you don't leave without a jar of vodka sauce and bottle of ceasar dressing.  That dressing is so good you might try to drink it, and be warned it could ruin all other ceasars in your future.
• Pandora on the hill ::  I pretty much love everything about 13th avenue and have since I was a teenager.  Pandora is one of my most favorite spots to shop in Denver, and I have never left empty handed, ever.  You will find something for everyone in there, including yourself, so bring your credit card.  I get high just looking at their cute window displays!
• Buchi Cafe Cubano :: Let's just say that their Café Con Leche  has become a twice a day habit for my friend Jenny, and intervention is coming soon. Don't miss the Aye Conyo!
• Babysitter's Nightmare :: Finally, I have some little babies to shop for!  I am just waiting for Calla to get a little bit bigger so that I can buy her some pink patent mary jane Doc Martens. 
• Peppercorn :: You have to be pretty special to get me out to Boulder.  This store is almost as old as I am, and totally worth the drive over to Pearl Street.  This was my Mom's favorite store, so I love it by default.  I can spend a lot of time and money in kitchen stores, and now they have all sorts of fun homey stuff. 

Don't feel bad if you choose to sleep in on Black Friday....save your energy for Small Business Saturday!

I don't care anymore if people dress like me, now I want them to think like me.-Madonna

                                                     
                                                                    (Sketch from Igigi)
No one likes to admit that they are stubborn, but chances are we can all think of a time when were just that.  I don't like the title of narrow minded, but I sometimes deserve it.  I can hear my Mom now..."Bree, how do you know you don't like it, you've never even tried it." 

A short list of goodies that I am glad  I tried, even though I was a skeptic: Mo's Bacon Bar by Vosges, under wire bras, pineapple on pizza, a brazilian wax, manhattans, and TLC's Fanmail (released in 1999 and quite possibly the best CD of the year). I could bore you with examples of how each of these little insignificant ventures outside of my comfort zone has changed my life, but you already know me well enough that no further explanation is necessary.

Notice that sushi is not on my list.  It's always shocking to people that I don't like sushi, I must look a girl who enjoys seaweed and wasabi, but no.  I don't even know how to use chopsticks and I don't apologize for it.  Just because you try something doesn't mean you have to like it, but I didn't die from eating it (4 times to be exact), and now I can comfortably say that sushi is not my style despite the fact that it's trendy and most everyone loves it.



So here we are, I am mother to no one but I am going to dish out some advice that will take you back to childhood "Don't be afraid to try something new" (when it come to your wardrobe).  This isn't sage advice, you've probably been driving yourself crazy trying to instill this into your own children! 

It's certainly good to know what you are looking for when it comes to shopping but your style should evolve over time.  You wouldn't  want to wear that same power suite with the shoulder pads, cinched waist, and suntan pantyhose ala Golden Girls 1985.  That's an exaggerated example, but it's sort of what goes through my mind sometimes when women aren't willing to budge and just try on something that they had never considered.  You might have an idea of the perfect work ensemble, but it just might not be the best fit or match your personal style at all, that's why you come to Buxom.  It's our job to help you figure it all out, and we love to do it.  So please return the favor and bring only one thing through that door, an open mind. You don't have to like it, you don't have to buy it, but at least try it. 




V.I.P.

If it's true that girls just wanna have fun then why don't you think about hosting an after hours party here at Buxom!  Gather a group of your favorite curvy gals and enjoy a private and personal shopping experience with me here at the sweetest boutique on Platte Street!

We'll provide the bubbly, music, style experts, and of course fashion....your bring all the bodacious women you know!  Oh did I mention the discount?  We would be happy to work out a special offer for you and your party.  Call me at 303*477*3095 or email me at bree@buxomdenver.com to work out the date and details!

I eat, sleep, and breath Buxom, so I am always amazed when women come into the shop and tell me that they didn't even know I was here!  Do you know someone who should be shopping with us?  Don't keep the secret to yourself any longer, let's show Denver that we are here to stay. 

In my effort to keep the buzz going I am offering a $5 Buxom credit to you when you turn someone onto the store. The next time another bodacious gal stops you on the street to compliment your outfit let her know where it came from, and don't forget to introduce yourself so she can tell me who sent her!

Untitled #5

Untitled #5 by buxomdenver featuring glitter shoes

Glitter shoes
$61 - amazon.com

Just keeping you currant!

I can't figure out what's more annoying right now, the never ending heat or Mercury retrograde, either way I have to deal with it so I am turning my focus to my favorite topic, dressing you!  As a former goth I love a black ensemble as much as you do, but pancake make-up and Siouxsie Sioux aside, it's time for us to start living in color.  If you are a Buxom regular then I am certain that you are familiar with my spiel and it goes like this...I am so tired of everyone thinking that full figured vixens have to wear black because it's slimming.  For you newbies, consider this your warning, I hate it when people insist on black because it make you look skinny.  I don't concentrate on making you look skinny, I want you to look good!  When I bring something black into my store it's because I am considering how it fits into your closet and works with your wardrobe to create new outfits, I am not trying to shave off 5lbs from your bodacious body.

In my effort to make good on my word I bring you one of my favorite colors, currant. Is it black, brown, or purple, well yes it is.  This post is featuring the Sympli currant dress just in from Canada!  You have seen it featured on the website paired with the olive bolero, clearly I dig purple and green together.  Here are a few more options to consider.

I pulled out my denim bolero...it's pretty special I know.  You don't have to use a bolero here, a jean jacket would be just as awesome.   The addition of denim makes this dress more casual. 

I would so add this boot! This is the Silas from Nordstrom.  A boot does not have to be up to knee to be awesome, it also doesn't have to be black.

The next item I pulled from my closet is my faithful and always great ruffle cardi in gray.  I know, gray and currant is unexpected but oh so nice!  I belted the cardi to give some shape, don't be afraid of belts (I'm talking to you Coleen). 
                                                         
These are the boots I would wear to compliment the outfit that I just put together, again, these boots are not up to the knee but every bit as fashionable and trendy...maybe even more so.  These are the Vintage Studded boot from Frye, and they are pricey but they make me swoon!  I have some Frye boots and I can tell you that they never go out of style and last so long that you can pass them down to your grandchildren (in my case it will have to be Charlene's grandchildren).