I Love Boots

I mean, I r-e-a-l-l-y love boots. I love the various contemporary styles of boot-wear and how they can instantly boost your style quotient.  For many years, however, I suffered from “boot envy”. Yes, it's true. My extra large calf and my need for a double wide width kept me an outsider looking in at the boot-wearing world. Forgive the Christmas metaphor, but it felt like I was left outside, gazing into a window of a warmly decorated living room, fire roaring, family gathered around the tree, singing carols and sipping eggnog, and there I was, on the outside, in the cold. I think you get the picture.

Ulla's selection of wide calf boots , however, has invited me in! Ulla covers me in every style and merrily, at an affordable price. 

Here's what I'm lovin'. One style was on my Christmas wish list; can you guess which one?

Low-Heeled Ankle Boot 

Ulla's Leg-lengthening Ankle Boot, 25922, gives style and extra height with its 2" stack-look heel. The boot is 4" high from the top of the heel, with a comfy tricot lining and a non-slip synthetic sole. It's perfect for pants or jeans.

Flat Knee-High Boot

Ulla's Stretch Back Riding Boot, 25930, is a comfortable riding-style boot with a wide calf that has two 

s-t-r-e-t-c-h panels forming the entire back, to conform to the shape and width of your leg. There is a pretty buckle strap accent at the rear ankle. The boot is 14" tall from the top of the 1" stack-look heel. This boot is so versatile with jeans, pants, and leggings, and of course, skirts and dresses. I love the clean, crisp “riding” style.

Dressier Heeled Boot

Ulla's Patent Trim Dress Boot, 25929, is a tall boot with a touch of sass. With patent and sueded angled trim on the calf and at the ankle, it has a square toe and is 15" high from the top of its 2 1/4" stacked-look heel. This is a beautiful pair of boots! Oh my, this boot just polishes any outfit!

Wedge Boot

Ulla's Versatile Wedge Boot, 25926, has a pebble-grained texture making it casual, but still stylishly tailored. It has a rounded toe and it is 14" high from the top of the stacked-look wedge heel. Personally, I wear this boot several times a week – very easy to build an outfit with. This is a low wedge boot that will take you anywhere in smooth, sleek style.

So, I dropped a few hints – and yes, I received a pair of Ulla's Stretch Back Riding Boots, in brown, for Christmas! Love 'em!!

Which style would you pick?

Babe

Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist

Feel good in what you wear.

One Gorgeous Jacket

Ulla's Tweed and Chenille Plaid Jacket, 25323, is a star! In fact it was just featured in November by Marie Claire magazine’s plus size fashion blogger, Nicolette Mason, the "Big Girl in a Skinny World".

A go-to jacket for many occasions, its festive, regal red plaid pushes it to the front of my closet during the Holiday Season.  It's a richly textured designer-style plus size jacket with a polished look that can be worn over pants or skirts. 

It has pretty winged lapels, patch pockets, fringed trim, and faceted dressmaker buttons over hidden snaps. I love the fact that it is shaped with light shoulder pads, but still has a comfortable relaxed fit.

Here are three ways I'm wearing this winner jacket this season, over...

1. ... a white tee and jeans. As a thoroughbred look through and through, I'll never get over jeans and a white tee. As I've matured, I love the juxtaposition of a designer style jacket over a pair of great classic jeans. Ulla's Stretch Denim Boot-cut, 14823, has just enough stretch for comfort but not too much so that the jeans loose the silhouette I'm after. (The jeans come in a Slim-leg cut, 14824, as well, and both styles are available in a shorter length with a 28 inch inseam.) Try Ulla's Split Neck Tee, 31561, in white, for a crisp, high quality look and great coverage.

2. ... Ulla's Matte Jersey Black Tank, 94568, and Slim-leg Pants, 02635. This outfit was among my favorites in Babe's Picks. It is a sophisticated look and comfortable as can be. Is there a better combination?

3. ... Ulla's Matte Jersey Dot Sleeve Maxi Dress, 31254. Why? The sleeves of the dress are nicely cut so there is minimal bulk, but they give me the option of removing the jacket if I get too warm. I also plan on wearing the dress, alone, on New Year's Eve!

In your opinion, how many wearings of an item make it an investment piece?

Babe

Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist

Feel good in what you wear.

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls … Especially for the Holidays

Ulla’s gorgeous plus size clothing  is complemented by the addition of the right jewelry. Completing your look with a jewelry “layer” provides dramatic impact and rich interest with its light and movement. Here’s the perfect example: Ulla's Carolee Pearl Collection. Whether you make it a holiday treat for yourself or a friend, or put it at the top of your Ulla Wish List,  it makes the best sizeless, ageless, and timeless gift around.

Carolee's Pearl Rope Necklace, 15970, is a full 72 inches—yes, six feet—of lustrous faux pearls to wrap and drape in an assortment of ways; to work with styles from classically elegant to fun and flirty. Choose from three colors: white, charcoal and gold-colored. Their beauty is represented in Ulla's photography, but there is so much more to admire: their substantial feeling of quality and their gleaming luminosity. They are commensurate with the stature of us curvy ladies! You need to feel, hold and wear these pearls to appreciate their beauty.

Carolee's Pearl Snake Bracelet, 15972, wraps your wrist in lustrous faux pearls. It stretches to fit everyone and completes your understated day-or-night look when paired with the matching pearl rope necklace and Carolee Pearl Stud Earrings, 15971 (a 12mm size 'pearl') and is a real knock-out with one of the Carolee drop earring styles Ulla offers.  For me, an “average” 7-and-a-half-inch bracelet is not big enough, so I love this bracelet because it fits perfectly.

I do love earrings, always have. Perhaps the most important piece of jewelry you can wear is earrings. Why? Earrings gather light and direct it to the face. If your best feature is your eyes, smile, skin or hair, earrings will help spotlight it. When it comes to jewelry, earrings can offer high impact for little money. Carolee Pearl and Pave Earrings, 15975, are stunning, mixing pearls with elegant pave crystals for a fresh approach to a classic look. They are made for pierced ears and are one inch in length.

I can dream, can't I? Carolee Crystal and Pearl Earrings , 22056, transport me to the glamour of fine jewelers of world renown. These earrings are spectacular: sparkling crystal leaves enhance two faux pearls to create a pretty and delicate pierced style, one and one half inches long. Very special for the holidays!

Jewelry is a sophisticated addition that helps you shine on the outside the way you shine on the inside. It’s a “must” for the holiday season. Use jewelry to add radiance and balance your proportions. The jewelry we curvy women wear must be proportionate to our “real estate”. It presents the opportunity to be spectacular!

If you'd like to view Ulla's Carolee Collection, click here.

And, we'd love to hear about a favorite piece of jewelry in your personal collection.

Babe
Ulla Popken Blogger & Stylist
Feel good in what you wear.