FREEEEE Gift with $100+ Purchase!

Now until January 2nd, check out our Boxing Week Sale AND receive a free gift with any purchase over $100! Here are the deets...

Bodacious Boxing WeekSale December 26-January 2

Bodacious 40% off selected pieces

Mitzylaneous 40% off

Togs 20% off (regular priced items) and 10% off (sale priced items)

Schaart 20% off (stock on floor only)

T.M. Skirts 60% off

Novelti Coats 40% off

Stationary & Journals 20% off

Puli designs tops and blouses 50% off

Diane Kennedy 20% off

Barefoot Venus 20% off

Bathing Suits 20% off Hosiery 20% - 50% off

Hats & Gloves 20% off

All Christmas Merchandise 50% off

Selected Designer Jewelry $5.00!!!

What are you waiting for???

Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas??? All under $20!

Here ya go...
Little i energy gum!
super cute packaging, Canadian company and has a shot of caffeine to keep the energy levels up! Only $4.~

Principessa Water Bottle $18.~
This gorgeous new aluminum water bottle has a dual cause. Help save the environment and lives as $1 from the sale of each bottle will be donated to breast cancer research. This eco-chic alternative to plastic is safely lined so there is no leaching and it’s BPA free as well.

Bad Girl's Stamp Kit - $11.95
Everyone in your bad girl posse will benefit from these 16 sassy Bad Girl stamps and a yummy pink and purple inkpad.

Enjoy a pocket Van Gogh with our Almond Blossom notepad! $3.~

Bring in the New Year with a bang...

Check out these full size "champagne" bottles filled with confetti! Pop them open at the stroke of midnight and watch the sparks fly! Only $9.99 per bottle.

Yay to the Vancouver Sun!

We so love it when the local media supports local business! Check out this article that will run in tomorrow's paper - and remember to support your local, independent businesses:) We all appreciate it and it benefits the whole community!

Arriving Any Day!!!

Check out these gorgeous Igigi dresses! They were shipped this morning so will be arriving any day. Call Brandy @ 604-874-2811 to be put on the call list when they arrive.

Just in time for the holidays...Whew!

Barefoot Venus - Soak up the Season!

If you still have some stockings to stuff, we've got some great gift items worth stuffing! Check out the new "ginger snap" scent from Barefoot Venus! And if you've already finished your holiday shopping, I'm pretty sure you could use a scented soak of your own.

I can't believe it! It's finally here...

It's the Shapeez Bodyshaper (otherwise known as the Unbelievabra!)

You've got to check these out!

CRAVE Vancouver - The Urban Girl's Manifesto

Last week we attended the launch party of the new Crave Vancouver Book at The Cross in Yaletown. (If you've never been to The Cross, I highly recommend checking it out! It's definitely one of the most beautiful stores in Vancouver)

We have been chosen again as one of the featured stores - yay! It's a beautifully put together book with lots of photos and information on each featured shop. It features and celebrates all women owned, independent businesses in Vancouver. A great gift idea for any girlfriends coming from out of town. It's also great for us locals who tend to stick close to home and could use some new shopping inspiration!

They also do a Seattle version which I took along this past weekend on my annual Seattle trek. Both books now available at Bodacious!

Just in time for the Weekend!

Kairos handbags of the faux suede persuasion! Delicious colours!
Check out their website for colours, sizes, etc...

Wasn't that a party?!?

The Bodacious Team!

Thanks to all of you who came out and supported our Bodacious Roks event last week!
It really did rock - thanks to the fantastic live band - The Lucky Devils - playing in our window. We also raised over $400 for the "Welcome to My Life" YWCA program!!! Congratulations to all who won the beautiful IceRok jewelry pieces and to the lucky grand prize winner of the pink sapphire angel wing necklace ($1000 retail value!). We'll try to get a pic for you all...

If you haven't checked it out yet, come on in! New 'be design' handbags also just arrived about 5 minutes ago!

Check out these links!!!

vervegirl
moderngirltv

Thanks ladies for spreading the word!

Yummy PJ's - Irresistible Softness now available at Bodacious!

Bodacious welcomes...PJ Harlow Dreamwear line! In sherbet-y colours - mint, blush and silver.

Boxer style shorts in satin with 2 x 1 rib waistband, drawcord waist with an attached elastic, for a fabulous fit. Made of whisper soft satin faille blend.
Sleep... spa... lounge or play.

The perfect robe in unbelievably soft cotton/lycra 2x1 rib with satin faille blend trim and tie. A great layering piece to add to the satin pant or shorts.

A chance to win the book and possibly a spa...

Well, we had a great time today receiving our book and meeting all the other women featured. It's truly an inspiration to see all of these successful women - all sharing their stories. For a chance to receive a free copy and be entered to win a $300 spa, check out this link.

New Pioneers - We're honoured to be included!

Today we are being honoured by The Women's Enterprise Centre at a luncheon and book release. We are part of 100 women in the province that have been chosen as pioneers in business. It is quite an honour.
New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs
This book, New Pioneers: Stories of 100 BC Women Entrepreneurs is a celebration of the pioneering spirit of 100 contemporary women entrepreneurs from around the province. At Women’s Enterprise Centre, we feel it is not only important to recognize and celebrate our entrepreneurial roots, but also essential to record those accomplishments for the generations to come.It is our hope that this book will build that awareness and encourage, influence, inspire, provide role models and motivate women and girls to consider entrepreneurship. The stories in this book showcase the successes and challenges which BC women entrepreneurs have faced. The book also highlights the support these women have received from friends, family members, women’s business networks and business service providers such as ourselves.

This Weekend Only!

If you're on our newsletter list, you're already in the loop...

THIS WEEKEND ONLY...
buy one Barefoot Venus product and get the second product (of equal or lesser value) at 1/2 price. This rain is definitely a good excuse to pamper yourself.

Happy Friday to you!

New Items in TODAY!!!

This has certainly been a full week for deliveries!

Just in...

- Winter Coats, Jackets and Capelets
- New Angel Knit Wrap Dresses (same dress/softer fabric!)
- IceRok Jewelry line - (I'm loving the 'peace' ring on the silver chain)

- Toca rubber jewelry line from Brazil
- Togs jackets
- Schaart blouses and dresses
- SHOES, SHOES, SHOES - oh, did we forget to tell you that we were getting some phenomenal shoes in? Anne Klein, Werner, Enzo Angiolini and more! Up to size 11.

8 Years and Still Growing!

This past week marked our 8th anniversary (which we'll be celebrating in the store with you all on November 6th) and it's amazing to look back through the years at how much we've changed and grown.
From our little shop on Broadway selling pre-owned treasures to a boutique filled today with not only our own label but those of established and much-loved local designers'. I can't even tell you how thrilling it still is to see women come into this space that we created with such love and care to find clothing that they love that fits and flatters, twirling in front of the mirror with pride and celebration.
Creating a beautiful safe space for women to try new styles, push their comfort zone (maybe show a little more leg or bare their arms!) and support each other in their uniqueness - that is definitely a dream fulfilled!
Thank you to all of you who continue to support the concept and the dream.

Make sure to get your name on the list for the soon-to-be-arriving "Incredibra!" by SHAPEEZ. We can't wait!

Come Check Out The Drift this weekend!

4th Annual Drift
Art on Main Street Vancouver BC
The Drift is an annual weekend local arts & culture festival taking place along Vancouver's trendy Main Street in artists' open studios and participating local shops, cafes and restaurants.
Drift along Main Street and see an eclectic variety of fine art and original handcrafts from established and emerging local artists including ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography, woodcarvings, collage, mixed media, glass works, jewelry, film, clothing design, textiles & multi-media compositions.

We are so excited to be featuring this talented local artist during The Drift event this year! If you get a chance, "do" Main Street this weekend and support all of these wonderfully talented artists. Come on in to Bodacious and see more fantastic pieces of Bernadine's work. (We've also got a store full of new clothing items that you'll want to check out:)

Bernadine Fox
Mixed Media Painting
...at Bodacious, 4393 Main St. (604) 874-2811.

A BFA graduate of ECIAD, I worked as an animator/filmmaker before turning my focus to survivors of trauma as a consultant, educator and support worker. It was this work that has inspired me as an artist to create images that speak to the reality of the contemporary woman’s life. As an emerging artist, the fundamental root behind all of my work is the experience of being female and addressing the role of woman as ‘Other’ within a broad social context.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, BC - Bodacious ROKS while Raising Funds and Awareness!

Join the Bodacious ladies Thursday, November 6th, 6-9 pm as they launch the HOT, HOT, HOT new ICEROK jewelry line out of Toronto. IceRok crew will be on hand to show off the latest designs recently spotted on Lindsay Lohan, Julianne Hough, and 90210’s Shenae Grimes!

The concept of IceRok Jewelry originated in the summer of 2006. After several months of traveling around the world and experiencing a variety of cultures, three friends, Michael Wainstock, Russell Gozlan, and Michael Kimel, identified the need for a company focused on stylish, progressive, and affordable jewelry. Based in Toronto, Canada, IceRok aims to create unique products with a slick aesthetic and an accessible, customer-based approach.

Fantastic goodie bags for the first 50 people in the door, prize draws, live entertainment by The Lucky Devils and more.

A percentage of all sales during this event will be donated to the YWCA’s “Welcome to My Life” program which is an after-school program offered at selected schools throughout Metro Vancouver to help Grade 7 girls with their transition to high school.

With every donation to this program on the evening of the event or a purchase of IceRok jewelry, guests will be entered to win a signature IceRok design valued at $1000 retail!
For more information, please contact Lorna Ketler @ 604-970-4393 or info@bodacious.ca

Those are "Not Your Daughter's Jeans"!

We finally have the new fall line of these well-loved, slimming and Oprah-endorsed jeans. Come soon - these babies are hard to keep in stock (for good reason)!

Not Your Daughter's Jeans

Fall Skirts and Pants...

If you're looking to update your fall wardrobe, check out these new wool items from Diane Kennedy. Can't wait to try the shapely bell skirt with those new knee-high boots!

Coming Soon to Bodacious...

IceRok Jewelry - keep posted for deets on how to win an IceRok design valued at $1000 retail!!!

As seen in...

http://fashionmagazine.com/fashion-file/regulararticle/550/

Just In...

Check out these oh-so-cute AND functional water bottles from Principessa.
Support a good cause and save the environment. We so love them!
Refresh yourself...
Now available at Bodacious...

Wide Width Boots - an update

We just received our regular DUO newsletter and just thought we'd share a couple of our faves for the fall season. What do you think?

A concern from a loyal customer...and our response. Your thoughts?

"Hey Ladies....

Let me start off by saying that I always enjoy your newsletter.
However, this time I was dismayed at the photos of the tiny tiny skinny skinny model displaying your new clothes. Very un-bodacious!
Its hard enough having to "imagine" what my curvy body would look like in clothes that are modeled when I read other magazines etc, but when it comes from you guyz its particularily perplexing."

name withheld

Hi name withheld,

We certainly meant no disrespect to our Bodacious customers by showing a slimmer model in our newsletter. The fact of the matter is that this independant local designer took the time and expense to have professional photos taken of her designs so it made sense to show them to you. She does offer much of her clothing in a whole range of sizes from size 2 up to a 22/24. We would have loved to be able to re-shoot these fashions but we don't even have all of the designs in store yet. What we are offering is a preview. Once we have the pieces in stock we will try to send out a better image of the clothing so you can see how it looks in larger sizes.
This is by no means a trend for us but from time to time we have no choice but to show you the only photos that are available. Our sizing starts at size 10 and goes to 24 so we will always try our best to show a true representation of these sizes. Thanks for your feedback and rest assured that slimmer models are not the new reality for Bodacious.

bodaciously,


Lorna & Barb

Just Arrived from Italy - Fall Fashion for Your Legs!

Remember slouch socks??? - Well, they're back! As are argyle tights, leg warmers and woolly footless hosiery in chocolate brown, charcoal black and winter cream. Check out Bodacious for the best selection!

Bodacious Angel Knit Dresses Are In The House!

For all of you who have been waiting patiently for the new order of Angel Knit dresses - they have now arrived in 4 delicious colours. Slate Grey, Black, Cranberry and Chocolate! These dresses are flying off the racks so...you know the drill! See ya soon.

Style Watch

I just picked up the most recent copy of the People "Style Watch" magazine. It's the "Play Up Your Shape" issue and it actually has some great fashion. Unfortunately, a lot of the fashion shown is not available in a good range of sizes but it does give some great ideas of how to put an outfit together for each body type. Queen Latifah represents the curvy girls very nicely!
Great to see our always favourite and very popular Not Your Daughter's Jeans featured as a recommended jean for a curvy figure.
Way to go - http://www.lolaandgigi.com/ for the mention of their site as well.

Some Fun Curvy Sites

We thought we'd share some of our favourite "curvy" blogs and websites. Feel free to add your own in the comments section...
http://kathyscurvycorner.blogspot.com/
http://fightingfatigue.org/bigbeautifulu/
http://www.hipsandcurves.com/
http://www.love-your-body.org/index.html

Hope you're all enjoying your summer and "celebrating those curves"!

What are you wearing?

As the weather warms up, it's so exciting to pull out all of my summer dresses, skirts, capris, tees, flip-flops and sandals. Today, since I really didn't know what it was doing out there, I put on my turquoise cotton knee-length tunic (a recent Paris purchase) and rolled up denim capris and flats. I love the idea of a tunic that's light enough to wear even when the sun peeps out but keeps things covered if there's still that chill in the air.

I'm really excited to add this new dress to my wardrobe as soon as it comes through the doors (early next week?)...We have the red and white polka-dot version (which we're also getting more sizes in) and it's lovely. We're also getting more of this sexy number which is red hot for those summer weddings (I know you don't want to outshine the bride but why not give her a run for her money?)...

What are you wearing these days? What makes you feel sexy? Does this weather inspire you to bare your arms, jump in the pool or ???
Send us a pic or a story and we'll enter your name in our draw for a Bodacious gift basket.

Enjoy the sun!

bodaciously,
Lorna

Happy June!

Wow! I can't believe it's June already. Have you got your summer wardrobe all picked out?

Here are some essentials...
- the wear anywear, dress-up-or-down, throw it in a suitcase summer dress. If you choose sleeveless, you can layer over tees or tanks or under cardys or jean jackets. Solids are fun to accessorize, while prints take care of the guess-work!

- capris. God's answer to shorts! Pair some solid colour capri pants with a tunic top and you're set to go to those warm summer bbq's or Barb (oops, I mean Bard:) on the Beach. Check out these Not Your Daughter's Jeans capris with button detail (available at Bodacious in a darker denim).

- basic tees. For you curvy gals, choose a tee that has some built-in shape so it doesn't hang on you like a square box. Accentuate that lovely body. Check out our local line of bamboo/cotton/spandex "Evolution" tees with princess seams. Made to fit a bit longer and SUPER soft - you'll never want to take it off! Available in a variety of sizes and colours.

- big summer hat! We all like to have the look of a tan but getting too much sun is never a good idea. Get the best of both worlds - fake the colour and cover up. We just got some amazing floppy hats in from California Connections.

- accessorize. I'm loving all of the new summer accessories from wicker beach bags to bead cuff bracelets to rubber necklaces and earrings. Check out this new line called Toca from Brazil!

- long scarves. This is new for me but I'm loving the lightweight printed scarves that we just got in. They dress up any outfit (and provide some extra arm coverage if you're not feeling super brave!)

Bottom line -
have fun and celebrate what you got! Get outside and swish those hips, sip a cool drink on the patio or go down to the beach and feel the warm sand between your toes. Your body is a gift and is unique only to you.
Feel it, love it, celebrate it!

SALES at Bodacious this weekend!

Our sale continues throughout this weekend (friday-sunday). Here are the deets...
- All Bodacious items - buy one, get the second at 1/2 price
- All Schaart (in store items only) - 15% off
- All Mitzylaneous - 15% off
- All Togs - 20% off

- Diane Kennedy - 20% off
- All jewelry - 20% off
- All cards and stationary - 20% off

And LOTS more!

Don't miss out. This is our biggest sale this year!

Hooray for Sunshine Customer Appreciation Day!

Summer is around the corner and spirits are UP. We can't think of a better way to celebrate than to have a

"Hooray for Sunshine Customer Appreciation Day".
Please join us on Thursday, May 29 from 11 - 7 pm for

fantastic in-store specials including...

30% off ALL Bodacious

30% off ALL Mitzylaneous
30% off ALL Schaart Clothing

30% off ALL Togs
30% off ALL Hosiery
AND - yummy treats - door prizes - fun music

This is our opportunity to show you our appreciation.
THANKS for supporting us and shopping LOCAL.
Let's have some FUN !

If you can't make it to this fantastic event, we'll continue to have great deals through the week. Check back here Friday morning for the deets.

"Cultivate your curves - they may be dangerous but they won't be avoided."
Mae West

Bodacious Retail Sales Assistant Needed

Do you... - have retail experience (plus-size fashion gets bonus points)?

- have a good sense of style and humour?

- love working with people?

- have strong organizational skills?

- want to work in one of the prettiest stores on Main Street?

Then…we want you!

It's a great job with lots of perks! 10-20 hours per week.

If you're interested in the fashion/retail industry, we are a growing concern!

Please email us or come into the store for a copy of the application form. Check out our website at http://www.bodacious.ca/

MUST BE AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS!

Closing date for this position is May 23, 2008

3rd Place Runner Up -Mother's Day Contest

Adrienne had a LOT to say about her wonderful mother. We have edited it down from 3 pages to a few paragraphs.

Thanks Adrienne!!


My mom… The kind of mother I want to be!

My mom was a work at home mother for the first 13 year of my life. She once said to me, “The decision on whether or not to work at home was very easy for me. I couldn't imagine someone else raising my kids."

...She was the first person I would ask to come shopping with me and the first person to whom my friends would ask opinions of. In high school, while other girls were shopping with their friends I was shopping with my mom. She knew all of the great stores and she really knew how to pull items off a shelf and put them together to make a statement outfit! I always looked nice when she was helping me… plus she’d pay for some of them if I invited her!~ ...

...My mom still influences my clothing decisions. She is in her 50’s now I am in my mid 20’s. There are still many times when she finds me visiting the house, pulling something out of her closet to wear or she hears messages on her voicemail from my fiancé and me asking her to come shopping with us on Sunday because we need new clothes! ...

...My mom is most deserving of this recognition. She has influenced and taught me and my sister style, confidence, and fashion from head to toe! I love you mom. Happy Mother’s Day,

Love from your biggest fan,
Adrienne.

Second Runner Up - Mother's Day Contest

We loved this story of Hannah and her wonderful father celebrating his loving "mothering"...

I was raised by my father. Back when men raising kids alone was just not done...especially since my father was a fresh immigrant to canada, we over came a lot together. and in my early pre teen's I started to notice how unique our situation was, He made me giggle when i was sad and had great fashion advice, he often taxied my fellow girl guides to and from meet's and there was a 4*4 trail on the route we would tighten our belts and hang on tight laughing cause non of the other girl guide mom's did this. All my friends were making their mom's little flowers and making breakfast in bed, and talking about how wonderful, they were because they wiped there tiers and washed their wounds. and on fathers day we celebrate our strong and hard working dad's and gave them old spice after shave... so I wanted my father to know how much i recognized his maternal side, and decided that mothers day was not just for the female parent it was for the mother figure in your life. and to this day i say happy mothering day to my father... Thank you for great shopping experience's and your concideration...
Hannah

Mother's Day Contest - We have a WINNER!!!

We want to thank all of you who sent us your special stories about your mothers. It was difficult to pick just one. I think we can all relate to this email sent in by Carolyn.


"Here is the life lesson that I want to share with you regarding Mother's Day.My earliest recollections of my mother are that of her being a very stylish happen' dresser. From the early 70's I have great pictures of her showing her legs in very groovy mini skirts and she always encouraged me to wear whatever I wanted.For this I am grateful cause it taught me to let go and let my little girl dress to express rather than to impress.My story of my Mom is this.. since I was very little my Mom has been on a perpetual diet. She has lost and gained the same 40 lbs for all of my 42 years.I don't think I was really aware of that until two years ago when my Mom came out to BC to celebrate my 40th birthday with me. A few nights before my party my mom and I sat around lookingat old pictures that we were putting up. Everyone of her.. she would look longingly at and say... look how thin I was there.... and sigh... on the verge of tears I realized that this was my legacy...how many times had I looked at a picture of myself and not felt good enough... and so that was that...from then on ....I decided that I was good enough just as I am...My then 6 year old daughter did not need to hear my self talk about not ever being good enough.. and she did not need me continually telling her how big I was in photos...and she did not needa role model that hated her own photo...Now I proudly stand for photos with my spouse and children and even my mother....who cares about the size of my thighs... what really matters is the size of my heart...Thanks Mom... for one of the most valuable lessons you ever taught me...Regards Carolyn"

New IGIGI Dresses are IN THE HOUSE!

Check out this beautiful jewel - just arrived today! Sizes 12, 14/16, 18/20 or...

this fun and frolicky polka-dotty...

Mother's Day Contest

Tell us your story!

In honour of moms day, this year we'd like to hear your stories about how your mom (or mom substitute) influenced your fashion sense - good or bad, serious or funny. Tell us your crazy shopping stories, send us a pic of you and your mom in your home-made matching outfits (or was that just us???) or just let us know how she made a difference to you and your style. We will put your stories before our panel of judges and choose our favourites. The top 3 will be posted on our blog and the number 1 story submission will win a $150 Bodacious gift certificate! Deadline for submission is Friday, May 9th at 6 pm. Please send all entries to info@bodacious.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!
(Lorna and Barb-Christmas 1970)
And if you're looking for a special gift for your mom, daughter, friend, special someone - we have a beautiful selection of jewelry, handbags, notecards, etc.HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
from the ladies at Bodacious!

Bodacious "Angel" knit Summer Dress

The new Bodacious Summer Dress is in the house! Made from "angel knit" fabric that feels like butter on your skin, this easy breezy flowy dress will be your lifesaver throughout the coming months. Sexy crossover front flatters the "girls" while the flowy skirt encourages a few twirls across the floor! Yes, it's sleeveless. Yes, you can bare your arms. Yes, you can layer it over a tank or tee or under a cardy. 4 delicious colours.
Black, Grey, Green and Blue! What are you waiting for?