So what!?

Hey everyone...Happy New Year 2017. Another year's passed, and again, I've failed to update regularly. Sorry about that. Been traveling, though that's no excuse, and been just not-so-camera-ready. Not look wise, just not all that much into selfies. I am now realising that it is very important to have a willing photographer at hand! hahahahah!

So have been exploring more shops or retailers with plus-size clothes here in KL. And at the same time figuring out about my potential business plan. I have been trying to set-up an online retail biz just for plus-size and it's been an adventure to say the least. Not easy for sure. But also the fact that I am now on the "smaller" side of the plus-size community. Losing weight has allowed me to find clothes at "normal" retail shops as I can now fit into large M's and also the standard L's and XL's. And what would look good on Me may not look good on other actual plus-sizes.

Research has not been easy as a lot of these ladies are also very shy to meet up. Most ladies I have met seem to have that mind set that they only look good in certain styles and are not willing to explore into other styles. I want to be able to convince them that some body shape even though large can wear Lindy-bob dresses, and even bodycon. They just need to be willing to ignore their buldges and believe they do look good.

So what my arm is big. So what my thighs are wide. I look good! I believe I do, and I can pull off any styles.

Personal Shopper for Plus Size

So, me and a girlfriend have decided to venture into this business of helping plus size women find their ideal clothing. We've noticed some women struggle to find clothes that fits them, especially here in Malaysia. Unfortunately for us big girls here in Malaysia, everything is super small, even the L sizes. Yes, majority of Asian women are small. We even have size XS. We are stuck to shopping at Marks & Spencer, Ms Read, Flow, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, and to those on the borderline gets to shop in H&M, Wallis and some in-store brands in Parkson, Isetan & Robinsons. We have been doing our own little research and discovered, most of us big girls have to shop online for sizes 18 above and hope that it would fit them. But alas, most would buy just because the size is big. Not because it would look good on them. Whatever is available, they'll take...to their taste...and here's the problem. Some assumed that they are limited to a certain style and never dared to try something new.

So the past month, Linda and I have been clearing out our preloved clothes online, and have invited some of these lovely ladies to come by and try on our clothes before purchasing. Our taste are quite eclectic, so we had a wide range of styles. We had lotsa fun, and met so many interesting lovely ladies. Here we discovered that some size clothes would fit differently on different sizes. For example, Linda is a size UK18, but yet, she cant fit into a dress that a size 20 could. The built of a woman makes a lot of difference. There are certain size UK16 that I cant fit, and yet, there are size UK14 that I could.

Yes, yes, I know this is not new. But what we hope to do is help plus size women to discover what looks best on them. We're in the midst of starting the business - sourcing for a wide variety of clothes and accessories. We also have a shoemaker who could make-to-order shoes according to your sizes. Not all women are born with slender legs, so most boots sold in the market out there only caters to women with small calves.

If you think this is something that would help you, do give us your feedback on what other problems you encounter when it comes to fashion.

Plus Size Makeover

Last Dec 2014, I decided to leave the corporate world. I've tried dabbling into small businesses. In fact, I believe one should venture into multiple businesses, if you do not want to build a big empire. Like me, I am not one to sacrifice my time and money too much into work anymore. I do not wish to sacrifice whatever time left at my age to be stuck in the office, counting expenses. Being a single mother, I have given too much part to work that I missed out on spending enough time with my daughter. She is growing up way too fast. Turning 18 this year, and probably leaving the nest soon, I realised that I had missed out on her growing years.

Yes, initially, I thought I would get into fashion
retail, as this is one of my passion. I realised that big girls like myself find it difficult to find clothes that fits us, and most time we'd find clothes that does not flatter us. I have been told that I do dress well for someone my size. Somehow I am able to make myself presentable. Despite having a tummy (that I failed to get rid off after giving birth 18 years ago), I am still considered well, dare I say it, SEXY...Corporate smart is also a breeze too. And yes, somehow, as they say, "find these clothes in your size!?"

But I am not keen on the idea of keeping stocks. Inventory is not something I want to burden myself with if what I want is also freedom of time. So, after some deliberation, and some chats with real good friends, maybe I could get into the styling side of fashion. I would like to offer my service in makeover! Often, I get friends asking how I decided what works on me. So, why not let me help you change, look-wise.

Here's the plan: get in touch with me, and email me at shasharina@gmail.com, send me your photo, measurements if you can, and tell me what is the biggest problem you face.

Hope to hear from you. Have a good day, darls!

I Heart Bangkok!

It's Christmas eve and we're just resting in our favourite cafe here in Pratunam, The 93 Hotel. Cheap drinks. Good food. Friendly waiters. Mind you, not everyone is friendly in this city. We did come across some unpleasantness here. But all in all, it's been a great getaway. Money spent, feet turned jelly and body ached. But it was still great.

We've decided that Krung Thong Plaza is definitely a must-go for us looking for plus size clothes. We love HaBiBi the best. Anyone under size 16 will love this place. Pucci-inspired dresses and some retro design were aplenty.

Yesterday I had gotten a couple only, but today, I purchased several more gems from there. At RM70, this dress was a steal.

It comes in pink and grey as well. If you are interested to buy it off me, just message me.