Review and Giveaway: How To Never Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp CLOSED

My body has changed drastically in the past two years. Of course, pregnancy caused my belly - and bottom - to swell, and my hips spread. I lost all but 5 lbs. of the baby weight thanks to nursing, but I still retained flab in places I never knew I had. My bra size went from a 34A to a 36B/C. But now that I've weaned, it seems the extra padding I came to love up top has shifted downtown. My ever-changing shape makes it difficult for me to find becoming clothes. What worked for me last year doesn't seem to work for me this year. And while I'm a mom, I'm still young and I'm not ready to resort to moo-moo's. I was in desperate need of some spring style guidance when I received the opportunity to review How To Never Look Fat Again by Charla Krupp.

This groundbreaking style guide from bestselling author Charla Krupp gives you everything you need to know on how to look 10 pounds lighter, 10 years younger and 10 times sexier, everyday, all year - in every season. Even in a swimsuit! You'll discover:

• smart, easy ways to hide arm flap, a big bust, muffin top, back fat, Buddha belly, a big booty, wide hips, thunder thighs, heavy calves and more
• which fabrics, colors and styles make women look fat
• the best shades, shapes and brilliant buys to make the pounds invisible
• clever solutions or special fashion situations (workout gear, evening wear, etc.)
• which products, fashions and services you shouldn't waste money on
• the top ten tips that will make you look thinner by tonight

Let me tell you...this book is my new fashion bible! If the title didn't grab me, the full-color photographs and glossy pages sure would have. Charla uses real women to demonstrate her do's and dont's of fashion - not stick-thin models who would look good in a paper bag. She speaks to you as if she's your BFF - humorous, but straightforward and honest. For example: you know you have a wide face if photos make you look like you're storing nuts for the winter. Or you know you have a big booty if you can hold a pencil under your butt cheek. Normally, when I think about my body, I want to cry. But Charla gave me many much-needed chuckles as I read forward.

She associates your wardrobe choices to that of a diet: high fat (too busy, too big or too tight), low fat (passable, not amazing) and no fat (perfect fit like it was made for you). Obviously, you want to avoid high-fat pieces and opt for the fat-free versions. Each chapter is devoted to one body "flaw" or shape (thick neck, chunky calves, wide feet, etc.) and Charla gives numerous tips on what to wear and what not to wear to look your absolute best.

My biggest issues are my muffin top, thick thighs and bootylicious bum so I paid the most attention to those sections. I realized that I rely way too much on high-fat, low-rise pants. Couple that with high-fat tees that bare my belly and I'm committing a major fashion faux-pas! Instead, I need to snag some empire-waist tops and tunics, raised-waist dresses and higher-waist pants to skim past my problem areas. Another helpful tip to tame the tummy: avoid geometric prints and choose swirls, florals or paisley to camouflage your "rounded" spots.

Another "don't" that I am guilty of is wearing cargo pants and bling on my jeans. I'm a girly girl and I heart rhinestones and cute designs on my pockets. However yummy they may be, they are too costly in calories. If I want my thighs and booty to appear thinner, I need to keep my jeans clean. I also need to invest in some sexy shapewear (hello, Spanx!) so I can control those dangerous curves.

All in all, I found How To Never Look Fat Again entertaining and informative. I only wish I had found this beauty bible sooner! But I'm thankful to have this in my arsenal now - just in time for a warmer-weather makeover!

Bottom line: Every woman who has ever asked "does this make me look fat?" (and who hasn't?) should own this book.

BUY IT: You can find How To Never Look Fat Again at most major book retailers or online at Amazon.com (ARV $15.78).

WIN IT: Hachette Book Group is kindly giving away 3 copies of this book to 3 lucky winners!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me what bodily flaw or shape you'd most like to conceal. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the tweet below or come up with one of your own:

Dress thinner without dieting! Win a copy of Charla Krupp's How To Never Look Fat Again @kris10chumley 3 WINNERS http://bit.ly/aDwnBS

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my blog button and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on April 21, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by the Product Review Place. I received a free copy of this book from Anna at Hachette Book Group to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.