Have you ever tried on a pair of boots only to find that your calves have somehow formed a resistance, and their main goal is to prevent you from owning anything that's the least bit fashionable?

The creative (and sympathetic) geniuses at bootband.com have devised a clever little insert that zips into your favorite boots and expands the leg width.

Now the hardest part of boot shopping will be choosing just one pair! 

Visit www.bootband.com for more details.

I rarely wear anything with a pattern on it. However, my fashion radar goes off like crazy when I spot a stripe. 
I simply can't resist a striped shoe, scarf or cardigan...I pretty much love anything featuring this hypnotic graphic.  A longtime favorite of sailors, inmates and chic Parisians, this clean and sophisticated pattern has reached widespread popularity. 

Here' some inspiration from the "Other Side" ...

Ever feel like you keep wearing the same thing over and over again? I dread a fashion rut. When my wardrobe isn’t functioning, I feel like I can’t function. Sheena Matheiken however, sees it as an opportunity to test the limits of her fashion creativity.

Sheena has vowed to wear the same dress, everyday, for 365 days.This is all part of an initiative called The Uniform Project. With her friend, designer Eliza Starbuck, she's raising funds for school uniforms in India. By doing this, they're not only bringing awareness to the importance of educational resources in Indian slums, but they have set in motion an exercise in sustainable fashion.

Eliza created seven identical dresses for Sheena, tailored to be versatile and functional. What caught my attention is that other than the dress itself, Sheena will not repeat a look for the entire year. Digging into her reserve of accessories, leggings, jackets & t-shirts, she reinvents that dress every day. Through this project, they’ve shown that it's possible to turn a basic piece into a statement piece. Now, I don’t plan on wearing the same dress everyday, but it has motivated me to conduct wardrobe experiments of my own...

For all of Sheena's looks and to read more about the project, click here: http://theuniformproject.com/home/about.html

 The dress reinterpreted:

Meet Edward and Bella: irresistably drawn to one another, no one and nothing can keep them apart. How far will they go to prove everyone wrong? After all, you can’t control who you fall in love with, right? Show your support! Edward & Bella 4ever!

Meet Jacob Black: he’s a loyal friend, has a cute smile and a talent for fixing motorcycles…But he can get a little wild,especially when protecting someone he loves. Looking for the strong silent type? Wear the wolf!
 

When done right, Halloween can be the most fun you can have in an evening. When done wrong, you just end up feeling like a fool. I’ve experienced both.

I have a group of friends for whom Halloween is a serious holiday. Attendance is mandatory and having an imaginative costume is vital. I’ve had some real misses...but year after year I’m compelled to try to create the perfect costume.  

Planning can begin as early as the day after Halloween...this does not necessarily guarantee success. Sometimes, an awesome costume idea comes together just hours before a party. Other times, over thinking your design can produce tragic results.

The six words you never, ever want to hear uttered are: “What are you supposed to be?” Ugh...disaster. The stain of these words is intensified if spoken by someone wearing a “sexy” cat costume.  

My friends and I gravitate towards TV & film characters. Mostly the villains [they have the best wardrobes!] I’ve made the mistake of dressing as a character in a movie that had yet to be released...the result you ask?  Blank stares all around...not a glimmer of recognition. That night I learned to anticipate the crowd.  You want to be identifiable and familiar but not so much that there are three of you dressed alike. When that happens, just smile and try to salvage some pride. Better yet....find another party!

Whatever getup I decide on, my priority is to have some fun with it. Sometimes those “home sewn” costumes end up providing all the laughs and being the most memorable... which is why taking lots of pictures is essential. Good, bad or ugly, I’m always glad I documented everyone’s crazy costume that night.

                                       Meet Edward Cullen: he’s an intense guy who loves fast cars, brooding and is capable of making you fall madly in love with him…but can he be trusted?  He’s admitted to being dangerous, a monster. Can you see past his weaknesses and give in to temptation? Be careful...this one bites!

Coming soon to MXM: a t-shirt that captures the ethereal mood, heartbreak and emerging love triangle of New Moon…Should Bella choose the hauntingly irresistible Edward or the fiercely loyal Jacob? Does absence make the heart grow fonder or is it too easy to fall into the arms of a hunky wolf? Who’s side will you be on? Get ready to choose…

Ever since I can remember I’ve been intrigued by anything featuring vampires. I think it started with Count Von Count, Sesame Street’s resident vamp...his debonair look and obsession with numbers had me at once frightened and captivated.

I later moved on to Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. Her main character, a charismatic vampire named Lestat who had a weakness for the finer things in life and his victim’s circulatory system. The list goes on...

Lately, there’s a resurgence of books, films and TV programs with prominent vampire characters. Take for instance, a little group of books known collectively as the Twilight saga. Ever heard of it? The story revolves around Edward, the 100+ year old teenager and the object of his affection, the painfully human Bella. Forbidden love, longing and biology class... what’s not to like? Vampires are such seductive creatures, menacing yet so alluring!
 
I think what I love the most is that a whole new generation is discovering the vampire’s appeal. Which is why I’m excited to reveal this little bit of information…so stay with me Twilight fans!
 
MXM is sparkling with anticipation to launch the only Plus Size collection of Official New Moon T-shirts in Canada!

That's right, you heard it here first! Five hypnotic styles will be introduced to tempt you into transforming your wardrobe.

Admit it, you totally want one! But you’ll have to wait - just a little longer….
 
 

There’s been much talk recently about Fox’s newest addition to reality TV called “More to Love”. The same concept as the
“Bachelor/Bachelorette” shows, “More to Love” is a dating competition where all the contestants are plus size. There’s been anger over the disclosure of the contestant’s weight & height (removed in subsequent episodes) and over choosing a “plus size” guy versus an “average size” guy as the most eligible bachelor to plus size women.

I get it, I was disappointed too. But then I realized I was more disappointed in myself for expecting to find a role model or any sort of morality from a reality TV show.  “More to Love” is just like every other reality show of its genre...trashy. I don’t ever relate to anyone on these shows; especially the ones where someone is trying to find their “true love”.  Really, on TV? Is that where it’s going to happen for you?  I guess with the right contract & sponsorship deals, I'd be willing to declare my love to a virtual stranger too.

Through editing, they show the worst in people. This, I guess, is why we watch. The bar is set so low, and like a limbo bar, it will keep getting lower. Who can resist? They call these shows “guilty pleasures”- I call them just plain “guilty”. And like the guilty, I should be incarcerated for being an accomplice to crimes against good taste.

But then my parole came in the form of a movie trailer for Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut called “Whip It”.  My favorite line is “be your own hero”.  Be your own hero indeed. It made me wonder what my first order of business would be as my own hero. I came up with: watch less trashy TV and go see that movie. It’s a good start I think.

Roll the clip!