We love romance.  We love fiction.  We love adorning your curves with sexy, slinky goodies.

What better way to celebrate all of these things than a random drawing for a chance to win one of the below Paranormal Romance Novels AND a 10% off discount towards your next Hips & Curves order?!

Here’s how to enter!

1. Share/post/link this blog to your favorite social media site (Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, Myspace, etc.)
2. Email us at submissions@hipsandcurves.com with your mailing address. Entrance deadline is 11:59 pm PST Thursday, 10/20/2011.
3. Check your email on Friday, 10/21/2011 to see if you are one of the winners! We will be selecting twenty (20) winners in a random drawing.

Well, maybe not so random considering Halloween is right around the corner.  With Halloween fast approaching, we seem to have costumes on the brain here at H&C.

So with costumes in mind, today’s question is:

Which are you?  The Hunter or the Hunted?  Would you be a pouncing cat with claws, or a sweet, innocent rabbit?  ;)

Sexy Vinyl Cat Set vs. Bewitching Bunny Costume Kit

Here’s how to enter for a chance to win:

• Pick a style from Hips and Curves.com that you feel best represents the story described below.
• Post the link to that item as a comment on this blog, and tell us why you selected it.
• Be sure to register on CurvyConfidential.com with your real email address so we can contact you if you are a winner!
• Deadline: Thursday 8/25/2011 at 11:59pm PST

If you would like to learn more about sexy romance and urban fantasy books, visit www.pocketafterdark.com, a fantastic online community where top authors share exciting new content and interact with fans. Members get access to free books, live chats, exclusive blogs, photos, videos and so much more!

Flawless is the sensual start to a beautifully written historical romance series that follows four siblings across Queen Victoria’s empire. Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies’ man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for step-siblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across the royal empire, and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of a lifetime.

Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft, although she would never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he, too, gets wrapped up in Vivienne’s dilemma: She must earn her father’s inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa. Bound together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare, or the most treasured reward?

Learn more about Flawless here.

You can find the Flawless Book Giveaway Official Rules here

Besides, you don’t have to wait until Halloween to dress up!  Costumes are fun all year round.

With that said, here are some of our newest and hottest costume accessories.   And stay tuned, there is definitely much more to come!

On the cover were three curvy women in garter belts, garter boyshorts and thigh high stockings.

Delve further into the issue and you will find gorgeous plus size model Tara Lynn adorned in Hips & Curves lingerie. Tara wears our new White Satin and Lace Bustier on one page, and our Basic White Satin Corset on another. We think she looks absolutely ravishing!

We are thankful for our amazing customers!  We are thankful that in a society that seems to strive for skin-deep perfection, we can help to promote a love of real beauty and real women.  Women come in all shapes and sizes, and there is real beauty in each and every one.

♥ Love yourself! Love your curves! Embrace your beauty, both inside and out.  :-)

Okay, your turn.

What are you thankful for this year??

This week I did something that was simple and easy.  I have been fighting it for a long time, but this week, I bit the bullet.  I did it and I feel so much better!

I bought a new bra.

Simple right?  But oh, what a change!!   The girls are lifted and separated.  I didn’t think it was going to make this much of a difference. I really don’t know why I waited so long.  It made no sense.  A bra is something I wear every day and I had not purchased a new bra since…umm…. I am really embarrassed; it has been over a year!  What is wrong with me?  Why do I do this to myself?  No one was suffering but me!

Here are the two bra’s I bought:

First of all, both bra’s are on sale right now, score!  Secondly, my blouses look better, my posture is better, and it was more than worth it.  You know what’s the best part? I don’t dread putting on my bra everyday like I used to.  Before I was constantly tugging, pulling and adjusting my bra.   And I could not wait to take it off when I got home!

Paying more for a bra is totally worth it.  Ladies – don’t wait like I did.  Do it today, buy a couple of quality bras that fit and build from there.

My new commitment?   Buy one every 2 months.  That is 6 new bras by the end of the year.

Life is too short to wear an old, ill fitting, ugly bra.  A bra is not an extravagance.   It is a necessity.

Go out to a department store or get online and buy a new bra today!

Remember – don’t wait for a special occasion to buy a new bra; TODAY is a special occasion!

P.S. If anyone needs help figuring out what bra size they are, feel free to call one of our lingerie consultants at 800.220.8878.  They helped me find the right size!

Courtesy of The Ellen Degeneres Show

Hello All You Divas!!!!!

I hope everyone had a great holiday, and are ready for an exciting New Year.

Speaking of exciting, I was speaking with our favorite customer today.  Hey Misti!!! Just to let you know, Misti is a true Diva, and will rock anything she is wearing. But I digress.

So, we were talking, about lingerie and corsets, as usual, and she says, “Hey Cathy, did you know Mariah Carey was on the Ellen Degeneres show wearing your dress?” Of course I said, “What dress?”  She said, ‘The Ruffle Garter Dress that you carry at Hips and Curves!”

After our conversation, I went running through the office screaming “Mariah Carey was wearing our dress!!!” Lo and behold, she was right!  Although we can’t be totally sure it’s our dress, it sure does look like it!

Leave it to our girl Misti to bring us up to the minute info on everything fabulous. Thanks Misti! You’re the best!!

For all you other Divas, please let us know if you see someone fabulous wear our items. Or, if you have a great idea about a corset, skirt, or dress, let us know. We love hearing from you.

All My Love, and Luck for 2010!!

Last week while at the bookstore I happened by the self-help section.  UGH!  is all I could say to myself.  I am sure that the authors of these “self-help” books have only the best intentions, but enough already!  I flipped through the pages of a few books… A Million Ways to be Happy, Things to do Before You Die.  There was even a book that suggested I doodle my way to happiness.  The book literally had blank pages for you to doodle on.  I felt like the books were judging me, not helping me.  Some of these books suggested that I  “See the horses cross the finish line at the Kentucky Derby,” or “Take a road trip across the country,” or  “Go on a hot air balloon ride,” and on and on and on.  And all I kept thinking was, “Boy, these would be great if I was independently wealthy and had unlimited vacation from work.”  Not very realistic.

Which brings me back to a new take on the New Years resolution.  This new way of thinking is more about making small changes here and there… things that are realistic!  To enjoy your life a little more, not have any regrets at the end of the year, and not to focus on your weight!

Most of us wait for special occasions to do special things, like wearing the antique ring your grandmother gave you, buying a great bottle of champagne or dining at your favorite restaurant.  What are we waiting for?  As the saying goes, “Life is short!”  Why wait for special occasions to do special things?  Isn’t every day special?

The only person not enjoying life and doing things you truly want to do is YOU.   The New Year is a fresh start and there are small things you can do each week, things that are manageable and won’t cost a lot of money.

What I am proposing is doing one thing, once a week.  One special thing.   If you want to try along with me, my first idea is to always use your nice china dishes (if you have china.)  Why save it for a special occasion? Did you know china is more durable and longer lasting the everyday dishes?  And it is dishwasher safe!  I’m going to use my china everyday and I encourage you to do the same!

Now I need ideas for next week, and the following week and the rest of the year!  Please share some ideas with me and all of the other readers and let’s make this year SPECIAL!