vive la femme

Hello on this sunshiney afternoon! Can you feel the hint of spring in the air…?

Well, vive la femme is bursting with new cheap-n-chic styles that are love notes to the upcoming season…and now, may I present your lovely model, Amanda, who is absolutely priceless!

Dresses and patterns and florals, yay! Cool clothes for curvy cutiepies from vive la femme needn’t be an exorbitant outlay…all these stripey and floral pieces are only $35, booyah!

The stripey cardigan pops any basic tank with sassy goodness, and the yellow stripey tank festooned with lace is just like sunshine on a hanger.

Ditsie flower print overlays work with any basic bottom, and these zippy dresses with a patrician houndstooth and vintage-inspired silverwashed denim are classy and sassy!

$65 gets you a flattering fit, lots of seasonal style mileage, and a ton of compliments!

Please note these are running VERY small, so call or email with sizing inquiries.

More Perch has flown in! This debut line has been an absolutely smash thanks to its girly detailing, delightful design, and $50 price tag!

A birdie-print ruffle-neckline tank could not be any more precious, and the sage swing top with muted florals is a perfect match for any denim bottom and pink accessories!

Finally, this timelessly feminine white underlay pops under any retro overlay or easy-peasy denim jacket. LOVE!

Inclement weather and gnarly temperatures got your down? Brave the elements and head to vive la femme, where spring deliveries are rolling in like precious drops of sunshine!

Frocks that rock are always in season at vive la femme! From day to play, work to weekend, casual to cosmopolitan, vive la femme loves to dress stylish women of size and sass!

How sweet is this floral frock with matching cardigan for a day wedding or shower?!

Gals with fancy schmancy events can pair a smoldering green gown with a faux fur shrug for a dressy option in glorious color, and road trippers or weekend travelers will love this throw-and-go print shift and street chic denim topper. Yay for frocks that rock!

Tanks, tops, and toppers are also abounding thanks to this adorable jean jacket, richly patterned underlay, and military-inspired overlay! These pieces are superpremium in their design and detail and would absolutely slot into a business casual wardrobe with finesse and panache.

So do you guys know that in Minnesota, a casserole is called a HOT DISH?! I think that description is perfect for our Minnesotan model, Amanda Johanson, who braved the frigid urban tundra to more beautiful model vive la femme’s newest dress shipment from Eliza Parker.

Versatile and timeless in shape, fresh and modern in color, this classic maxidress can stand alone for upcoming vacations or spring weddings, or serve as a gorgeous layering piece, as seen here with a new overlay from Perch. Either way, this dress will warm up your wardrobe.

Hey! It’s January…so it’s time for a MONEY, HONEY! sale at vive la femme and violette!

Progressive markdowns at both stores start at 10% off, then go to 15% off, then to 20% off, all the way to 90% off!

That’s a lot of MONEY, HONEY!

Stock up on dresses, denim, boots, and baubles! ComfyUSA, Zen Knits, Kiyonna, Igigi, NYDJ, are available for adoption at vive la femme.

Booties, flats, wedges, jewelry, and scarves are all ready for good homes at violette. Want more information? Call vive la femme at 773.772.7429 or violette at 773.235.7150.

Sale is over when it is, so don’t hesitate to save that MONEY, HONEY!

Please note both shops are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February. We are more than happy to accommodate any private shopping appointments or events during those days.

Mark your calendars! Purses & Portraits Party on Jan 26

Join vive la femme, violette, Gigi Hill bags, and Kriss Abigail Photography for a Purses and Portraits Party on Thursday, January 26th from 6p to 9p at both shops.

Shop both stores for major markdowns! Nab three items for $99 at vive la femme or enjoy a Buy One Get One For $5 at violette.

Purse fiends and handbag lovers will swoon over Gigi Hill’s statement pieces. Check out the latest looks in timeless silhouettes such as totes and clutches from this fresh and fierce line of purses!

Immortalize your visage with Kriss Abigail Photography! $25 gets you a five-minute mini-session for one look with local glamour photographer Kriss Abigail.

Come made up and dressed in your favorite retro-garb or let vive la femme dress you and strike your most seductive pose! Participants will receive one digital image — perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Greetings Sparkly Darling,

It’s a new year and that means time for a new way to maximize your wardrobe. Don’t you wish there was a way to refresh your wardrobe with stylish pieces, without blowing your budget?

Well, Chicago-based plus-size fashion bloggers, Amber of Style Plus Curves and Jaye of Curvatude, have partnered with vive la femme clothing boutique and violette shoe salon to create a brand new take on the traditional clothing swap. We’d like to introduce…Chic Swaps!

Crowded free-for-all clothing swaps are usually not…well…chic.

But at a Chic Swap event, you’ll be able to leisurely peruse a hand-picked selection of swap items, try on the promising pieces, and choose up to 5 to take home with you.

Our events are invite-only (Get on the Invite List!) and are curated by size (currently sizes 12-28, or the equivalent 0X to 4X).

Each event is built around a clothing theme and all swap items will relate to the theme. Also, all potential swap clothes are previewed and selected for style, size, and quality prior to the event.

There will be tasty treats and beverages, and all guests will receive a 20% discount at vive le femme boutique and violette shoe salon during the swap. Oh…and did I mention the goody bag?

Mix and mingle with other full-figured fashionistas, shop the swap while getting pampered, and leave with new-to-you clothing items and several new friends!

Excited yet? Vibrating with anticipation? Wiggling and giggling with delirious glee? Us too! So, without further ado…

Our first event in the 2012 Chic Swaps series is a Sweater Swap on February 19, 2012 at violette shoe salon, located in the heart of Bucktown. Get ready to swap cuddly cardigans and sassy shrugs!

These are invite-only events, tickets are $15, and admission is limited by clothing size. Visit www.chicswaps.com to add your name to the invite list today.

Once you have signed up for the invite list, you will receive an official invitation with specifics about sizing, clothing drop-off, and event attendance.

To ensure a great group of swappers, this event will be capped at 30 participants so be sure to RSVP ASAP!

Questions, comments, rants, raves? Send ‘em to chicswaps@gmail.comor call violette at 773.235.7150.

Swap chic and swap happy,

The Chic Swap Chicas,

Jaye, Amber, Stephanie, and Amanda

Greeting Sparkly snowflake! No snow can hold us back from having an awesome winter weekend — we’ve got the best deals, steals, and style for Chicago’s plus size shoppers!

Already jonesing for spring fresh color palette and fun silhouettes? Look no further! A round of spring teasers has rolled in, all priced between $35 and $50 in junior plus sizes.

A girly sparkly cardigan is the perfect antidote to winter woes, and this ruffle-front “2-in-1″ top is a perfect go-to for work-to-weekend options.

And we have no gripes about stripes when it comes to this fun cowl-necked pullover in a soft sweater material.

We LOVE debuting new lines at vive la femme and this label is no exception! Welcome to Perch, a cheap-n-chic range priced at $50 with a look that is dreamy, delightful, and darling!

Rich cream, soft browns, and girly lace abound to create a whimsical story perfect for going back to denim or over dresses.

The sizing range is 12-18, so junior plus gals will thrill to this affordable and adorable spring style story! But wait, there’s more!

Please join vive la femme, violette, Gigi Hill bags, and Kriss Abigail Photography for a Purses & Portraits Party on Thursday, January 26th from 6p to 9p at both shops.

Please join your fellow compatriots of style and shopping for a Winter Chic Shopping and Style Soiree!

Shop both stores for major markdowns! Nab three items for $99 at vive la femme or enjoy a Buy One Get One For $5 at violette.

Purse fiends and handbag lovers will swoon over Gigi Hill’s statement pieces. Check out the latest looks in timeless silhouettes such as totes and clutches from this fresh and fierce line of purses! http://www.gigihillbags.com/tonivanschoyck

Immortalize your visage with Kriss Abigail Photography! $25 gets you a five-minute mini-session for one look with local glamour photographer Kriss Abigail.

Come made up and dressed in your favorite retro-garb or let vive la femme dress you and strike your most seductive pose! Participants will receive one digital image — perfect for Valentine’s Day! http://kriss-abigail.smugmug.com/

Friends and family are of course welcome! RSVP s’il vous plait at vivelafemme@hotmail.com or call 773.235.7150