Can't wait for Vegas

I admit most business people HATE going to Vegas — I LOVE it! It's an opportunity to shop (see post below), gamble (love to, even though I really shouldn't throw money away), eat great food at some of the most fabulous restaurants (Social House, Tao, Alize) and drink fantastic cocktails (Social House makes the BEST vodka green tea concoction). It really is about being overindulgent, but since most of my life is filled with restraint — working out, watching what I eat, and being thrifty and responsible — this is a great time to let loose. I'm even staying an extra day to lounge by the pool at The Venetian.

Speaking of restraint, do any of you fellow petite girls out there feel that you have to watch every little thing you eat? Let's be honest, an extra five pounds on a 5 foot tall girl looks like 10 extra pounds. I always feel restrained when it comes to food and I know most women do, but I feel as though it is tougher for us. What do you think?

Viva Las Vegas

I'm heading off to Vegas on Tuesday on business but that doesn't mean I can't squeeze some shopping in at one of my favorite shopping destinations — The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. One of the reasons I love it besides its huge array of brands — Louis Vuitton, Anthropologie, Coach, Kate Spade, Lucky jeans, Tiffany & Co. to name a few — is that I can buy off-the-rack in the petite section at the Banana Republic store without having to drive two hours (like I have to wear I live to get to a BR store that carries petites.) Here are the dresses I am eagerly looking to try on:

Random thoughts and yoga pants

As I mentioned before I am a runner. Last year, I ran two half-marathons along with some other races and this year I may decide (emphasis on MAY) to go for a full — 26.2 miles. I want to say that this in no way means I am a fast or efficient runner — I am short (obviously) — it just means I am a glutton for pain and punishment.

But I hurt my back last week so I figured it was time to get back into yoga. It's been awhile since I practiced and it showed. Let me just say, an hour and one-half later I was EXHAUSTED. And, I realized maybe I should get my butt in gear and get back into this. The problem — I need some new yoga pants.

I've addressed the topic of petite activewear before — it's the reason I started this blog — because there is a lack of choices for petites. I directed you guys to Fit Couture before (they have 29-inch inseams) but I really need a 28.

Well, I found it at Lucy.com this weekend. It's low-rise pant and it was pricey but Retailmenot.com had a coupon code that worked for 30 percent off.



Here is the company's inseam chart, which I think is great. I think you can find a pant for everyone with this!



I'll let you know what I think of them when they come in.

Does tall = sexy?

Ever since the new trailer for Sex and the City: The Movie was leaked at the end of February, I can't wait for it to be released in theaters. I don't go to the movie theater so this is a big deal. May can't come soon enough! Here's a sneak peek:



I read yesterday that Maxim magazine named Sarah Jessica Parker the unsexiest woman in the world last year and she revealed this week that the 'honor' really hurt her feelings. (I'm with her, it would hurt mine too!)

I think SJP is stylish, classy and beautiful — I don't agree with Maxim's take at all. I would list who I think should be on the list, but I don't want to be mean (Clinton, Goldberg, Spears possibly?)

But I wonder if one of the reasons Maxim voted her least sexy was because of her height (she is between 5'3" and 5'4".) What do you all think? Do you have to be tall to be sexy?

Bad financials leads to store closings

I came across a news release today from Charming Shoppes, the company that owns Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant and owns the trademark and internet domain rights to the Petite Sophisticate name. Faced with growing losses, the company announced this week that it would close 150 stores, including 100 of its Fashion Bug locations and its Petite Sophisticate concept.

Charming Shoppes posted a loss of $127.6 million for the fourth quarter as sales fell, compared with net income of $24.9 million a year earlier. Sales for the three months ended Feb. 2 fell 10 percent
According to the Charming Shoppes web site, it operates 44 Petite Sophisticate outlet stores in 23 states and in October 2007, it opened its first Petite Sophisticate full-line store in Arlington, Texas. It also has an online web site.

I'm not sure if the web site will be shut down as well but I would assume as much.

I've never been a big fan of their clothes, but I known many petite women out there are loyalists. I wonder if another company will grab the rights to the brand.

Spring savings

I just got an e-mail today informing me that Banana Republic's Factory Stores are running 40 percent off everything in the store from March 20-23. If you have one nearby you, you might want to check it out. Some of these stores now carry petites — some are last year's styles and others are manufactured especially for the outlet stores. Sometimes the finds are great (shoes especially) and sometimes not, but it's worth it to take a look.

Happy shopping!

What does 'petite' mean to you?

I've visited a bunch of other sites and blogs recently that are dedicated to petites. What I have noticed is that 'petite' can mean a host of things but I think the biggest thing we 'petites' face is this question — does petite mean short, thin or both?

The Free Online Dictionary defines petite as small, slender, and trim. Used of a girl or woman (when used as an adjective for all you grammar junkies out there!) Or a clothing size for short slender women (for use as a noun.)

This definition (found here) says in fashion and clothing, petite sizes are standard clothing sizes designed to fit women of shorter height, typically 5'3" or less. According to the U.S. Census, 60% of American women are under 5’5” and I would think that this means many of these fall into the petite category. (that's surprising considering the lack of space that is dedicated to us in stores.)

So, I think we can all agree that Nicole Richie is petite (5'1").


But what about Jennifer Love Hewitt (5'2")— is she petite? (I am in no way saying that this girl is fat, but she is a few sizes bigger than Nicole.)


So, you guys tell me. What is your definition of petite? Is it defined by size, height or both?

Business attire nightmares

I know this blog is dedicated toward petites but I can't help but take this opportunity to vent about the lack of fashion women in the business world have. I was out at a conference in the Midwest last week and here are the things I still can't believe I saw:

*Cowboy boots with a long skirt and a sweater instead of a traditional suit. Hey, I'm all about switching the suit up for something else — a beautiful wrap dress possibly? (see post below) — but there is no need to look like you just walked off the farm.

*A jean suit with crystal embellishments. I am not kidding. A woman wore this to a meeting (see was the wife of one of the gentleman at the conference so we can give her a bit of a break. A bit ...) I have a photo of her on my cell phone and don't have the heart to post it. She also had really big hair. Yikes!

*Your BlueTooth is NOT an accessory.



I can't tell you how many women I saw last week that have embraced this very very bad habit. If you are not on the phone, take the damn thing off your ear. And if you're not driving or operating some other kind of heavy machinery, why don't you just use the handset? Please, people!

*Sneakers with a skirt. That were never removed. Enough said.

All around it was just a nightmare of bad fashion. One woman, whose outfits scared the crap out of me, ran up to me on the second day and told me how cute and well put together I was. I had to hold back from saying, "If you put some effort in, you could look like this too."

I'm going to be in Las Vegas for another trip in two weeks. I'll make sure to bring my camera this time. I'll be on the watch for good and bad petite fashions.

One size does NOT fit all

Hey all. It's been awhile since I posted, sorry! Work and life in general has been hectic. But I had to tell you about the deal I got this weekend and fill you in on some of my recent shopping trips.

Anyway, this past winter I had big plans to attend a swanky new years party and wear this fabulous dress I saw on BR's web site:



Well, I didn't attend any fabulous party and hence, didn't buy the dress. Well, this weekend I had to return a shirt to BR and I was thumbing through the sale rack when there it was in all its sequined beauty. In my size (not petite though) for $24.97! I was sure it would not fit because it wasn't petite, but it actually fit beautifully. Because it was made to be a mini, it comes right above my knees. Perfect — I'm not really a mini-dress person anyway. And to top it all off, I had a 20 percent off coupon so the final price was $19.97. Wow!!!

I have found some fantastic dresses at BR lately. I visited the petite store in Boston a few weeks back and got this dress:



My dress is in black/white, not green. It is so cute. I also got a petite shirt dress in a chain link pattern:



I know this image is small, but it gives you an idea. And it is much cuter on me than on the model! This was a great deal too. It was on sale and missing a few buttons for I got it for super cheap and just resewed the buttons on.

I'm not normally a bargain shopper but I'm having some luck lately. Hope it continues, or comes your way!