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Proportion Based Sizing and your Body Image

Body Image is a powerful concept.  This weekend I talked to a size 8 woman who was definitely against certain parts of her body (bustline) and a plus size woman who was for all parts of her body (especially her bustline).

We’ve recently come across Emme, and some of her articles espousing her stand on positive body image.  We absolutely adore and admire Sal of Already Pretty whose message is centered around positive body image.

And that is exactly why we make Carissa Rose in different proportions – bodies are different and we got tired of the emotional challenge to feel great in badly fitting button-down shirts.  So we made great fitting button-downs ourselves (with the help of our tailor initially).  And are more confident than ever because of our great fitting clothes.

Last year on the Carissa Rose blog:

Gratitude 101

Designers we love

Two years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

Do your “girls” make you “busty”?

Three years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

How low will you go?

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Chocolate Ganache for Scrumptious Saturday

This recipe has been in my rotation for about 15 years.  So simple, yet so delectable.  Ganache is that creamy chocolate top on cakes.  Not fluffy like icing, but shiny, slick and so good.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz chocolate – flavor and quality depends on your taste.  Plain semi sweet morsels used for baking do a fine job, or you can fancy it up with a European brand.  The smaller the pieces, the quicker they melt into the cream.
  • 8oz heavy whipping cream.

Directions:

Heat the cream until steam begins to rise.  Pour some of the cream over all of the chocolate in a stainless steel bowl and whisk vigorously.  Once the cream has combined into the chocolate, add more cream and whisk.  Repeat until all the cream and chocolate are combined into a smooth (if the mix ribbons following your whisk that’s good) consistency.

This Ganache is multi-purpose.  Fantastic with fruit, nuts, ice cream, cookies and cakes.  You can not go wrong with this stuff, it makes everything better!

 

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Carissa Rose Book Club

We don’t have an official book club, but we do like to be entertained by a good read.

I was introduced to this book by a ‘women entrepreneur’ article on mentoring.  I  have some great mentors so I clicked on the article.  This particular entrepreneur was mentored by Katharine Graham through her book “Personal History“.

 

It took me a solid month to finish the book, starting at Thanksgiving and finishing at Christmas, it is over 600 pages.  And while some parts may be hard to identify with, it is a wonderful read.  The history, her personal story and the rise of women in the work place are each chronicled in a lively and realistic way.

We recommend this book for you, got any recommendations for us?

 

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New Ask Carissa Video Series

We’ve uploaded new videos featuring your real questions. Watch Carissa answer the most common concerns that come to us via phone call, email and facebook. Be sure to add comments including more questions or video topics to cover.

 

One year ago on the Carissa Rose blog:
Can Cashmere be crisp and clean or only cuddly? 

Two years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:
Pretty Sleepwear for the Full Bust

Three years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:
To sleep: perchance to dream

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What to wear for the Holidays

What-to-Wear--Holiday-Flow-chart
Exposed Zip Tunic Quintana_tux_shirt Lola Pencil Dress
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Dallas Design Houses

Some women in our office have already made plans to attend this event.  We’ve got to spread the Dallas love!

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How to wear your shirts for Holiday and after

To tuck or not to tuck, a tough question for some.  And a marketing tactic for others.  The image below is courtesy of the venerable Net-a-porter (which we admire TONS).

Wearing a blazer or jacket over your shirts does afford more versatility in the tucking/not tucking/ blousing area.

This picture is from a Ralph Lauren ad, another company we admire more so for their brand building and lifestyle imagery than for their product selection.

Of course with a ball skirt one has to tuck the shirt in.  Then the waist area and belt become important.  Women with thicker middles tend to stay away from this look.

This is our image and by far most of the women in our office wear their shirts un-tucked.  Sometimes belted at the high waist, but usually un-tucked.

What about you?  How do you wear your shirts, tucked, un-tucked, or combo?

 

One year ago this week on the Carissa Rose blog:

Product Give-Away this Weekend

Two years ago this week on the Carissa Rose blog:

Boobs of Yesteryear

Three years ago this week on the Carissa Rose blog:

Balcony bra vs. Full cup bra

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Color Crush – Colbalt Blue

Like most fashion design houses, we have a plethora of magazines coming in our door.  We have to stay current!  This feature in Lucky Magazine caught our eye:

 

Because we have a colbalt blue shirt, although we call  her Blueberry (a better tasting color than 80′s primary cobalt).

We had a customer call in to ask some questions and complete an exchange and while speaking with us she ordered Norah Blueberry.  She then sent us this in an email:

Hi, I received my order today (blueberry tunic) and loved it! I was very apprehensive about ordering this style but it is great fitting, comfortable, not bulky and I love the blue!  My favorite blouse thus far!. Glad I ordered it.
Thanks for your help, Kim

We love that!  We love our job because of that.  Cobalt blue, blueberry, its a great color and a great fitting shirt.

One year ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

Top ten quotes from Carissa Rose clients

Two years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

Bust Line quiz #2, and the winner is …

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Celebrate Holiday 2011

Happy Holidays!  We are so excited to celebrate another end to another fabulous year!  2011 was super exciting and total fun.  We toasted our fourth year, launched new styles and opened a new ecommerce store.  Before we kick back and enjoy the holidays with our closest friends and family, here are some fun, glamorous accessories to wear during the day and straight to that special holiday party at night.

Carissa’s must-haves:

 

One year ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

What not to Wear – at Work

Two years ago on the Carissa Rose blog:

Bustline Quiz #2

 

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Children’s books – for the aunts & godmothers among us

Our office is rife with books, we find them an effective escape when things get stressful.  We also read books to the children among us.  For us, it is imperative that a book meant to entertain a young child have wonderfully engaging pictures.  Then the child can ‘read’ the book to herself and we can continue conducting business.

One of our must read authors is Barbara Cooney.  We especially like the following.

If you have a small child in your life, consider this author for holiday gift giving.  It will lead to lots of special snuggles!

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