Posted by Sarah on March 31st, 2007
One of the two ‘plus size’ contestants in the current season of America’s Next Top Model, Diana Zalewski, has just been eliminated from the contest. Apparently Diana failed to impress judges and was sent home because according to them she lacked the “fire and passion” required to be successful in the modeling industry.
BuddyTV.com have some excellent commentary on this elimination, as well as the whole issue with American’s Next Top Model wanting to include more ‘plus size’ models in the contest. Diana has been in fact interviewed exclusively by BuddyTV.com and you can actually hear Diana recount her experiences being part of American’s Next Top Model. Then in a very interesting article, Mel asks whether America’s Next Top Model really want more ‘plus size’ models on the show. Great commentary and worth a read!
So this leaves Whitney Cunningham as the only remaining curvy model on the show. How long until she is eliminted you think? I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble here, but I think it will be another few years until we see a plus size model being crowned winner in America’s Next Top Model. I hope I am proved wrong.
Posted by Sarah on March 24th, 2007
I went around the high street shops this morning. It’s a beautiful day here today, although it is quite windy, the sun is shining and therefore it feels divine outside. So I thought it was a perfect day for some high street strolling and window shopping. I was also long overdue with buying my boyfriend an anniversary present! So after finally buying my boyfriend a fantastic present (well I thought so anyways!) I decided to visit my favorite plus size clothing store in Malta, Evans. I love the fashion these guys provide. They’re the only store in Malta, in my humble opinion, that offer full figured women real stylish options, and they do not carry anything that would remotely make you look like a tent!
Since Evans online only ships to the UK (big sad face), I often visit the shop down the street to see what new stuff they have. Although I must day the selection online is much wider than what is available at the store here, it’s a very good selection still, and today I found a jem! I bought their Pink Color Block Cami, which at £25.00 was real good buy. I loved the colors and pattern of this top as soon as I saw it: it’s very vibrant and yet not over done. The V-neck is very sexy, enhances the bosom area, without showing off too much. The tie back detail ensures that your waist is hugged as it should be, shaping you up and not covering the curves. The longer styled top also adds height, which is always a plus!
Very glad I added this new piece to my wardrobe, it will be a great summer item for sure!
Posted in Plus Size Clothing, plus size issues 
No Comments »
Posted by Sarah on March 24th, 2007
Evans UK, one of the leading plus size clothing store in the UK (also available throughout some countries in Europe, including Malta!) has this week launched a very size positive TV ad campaign which they have named ‘Created for Curves’. This ad campaign features some seriously stylish fashions that will definitely go down well with full figured ladies. All items seen on the ads, are available for purchase from their website at http://www.evans.co.uk/. If you’re in the UK, do keep a look out on TV for these ads. It is such a good thing that many companies are launching plus size positive advertising campaigns. This is definitely what is needed, more curves and more real beauty on TV, magazine and billboards.
Posted in plus size issues, plus size news No Comments »
Posted by Sarah on March 8th, 2007
Ok, so I might have tweaked today’s official title a little bit here! But I though it was only fair, since this is a blog especially for full figured ladies (and big, handsome men!).
Today is International Women’s Day, a day of global celebration for the economic political and social achievements of women.
I think it’s important that on this day we cherish our womanhood, our bodies and our lives. I don’t know about you, but I’m proud of being a plus size woman!
It’s also important that on such a day we take a moment to remember those women who are still living under oppression, abuse and poverty, to try and make room in our lives to help other women.
Girl power!
Posted in international women’s day, plus size issues No Comments »
Posted by Sarah on March 6th, 2007
Everybody should exercise – not matter their shape or dress size. This fact should be common knowledge and should be brought about by a motivation to lead a healthy life. Taking care of our bodies should be a top priority and part of this includes regular exercise.
Many people attribute exercising or a having a fitness regime with a desire to lose weight. But that isn’t necessarily so, and shouldn’t be! If that was so, plus size people who are happy with their weight wouldn’t need to exercise, because they wouldn’t want to lose any weight. Though they should exercise, as the primary aim of exercise is to get the body moving and increase health and wellness!
Exercising and keeping fit however, needs to be done in a careful and thoughtful manner. Some precautions needs to be taken, and some things needs to be kept in mind. For this reason I’ve drawn up 5 essentials fitness tips plus size women (and men!) should keep in mind to ensure a great workout and fitness regime.
Here’s a sneak peak, if you’re too lazy to read the whole article!
- Exercise a few times a week
- Be creative!
- Keep hydrated
- Think comfort
- Start and finish the right way
Posted in plus size health and fitness, plus size issues 1 Comment »
Posted by Sarah on February 25th, 2007
As this People Magazine article reports, Kate Winslet is furious over the rumors a British magazine has been spreading, that she has been seeing a diet specialist. In fact Kate’s attorneys are already working on the proceedings necessary to sue the publication, Grazia. Furthermore Kate commented…
“I will continue to say what I feel about this issue of women being thin and emaciated. It’s just out of control,” she said Sunday. “I know I’m a role model to young women. It’s a role that I take very, very seriously and I would never want anyone to ever think I was a hypocrite in doing something like going to a diet doctor, for goodness sake. I mean, it’s really, really ridiculous.”
If only all role models, in the media, and anywhere really followed suit! It’s great that Kate Winslet is not bowing to the trend of super-skinny actresses, and holding on to her beliefs. Kate Winslet, we think you rock!
Posted in kate winslet, plus size issues No Comments »
Posted by Sarah on February 25th, 2007
Belle-Noir.com, an online community that aims to:
promote the positive image of Big Beautiful Women of Color by featuring content (i.e. articles, poetry, photos, etc.) of an informative, entertaining, and inspiring nature, created specifically with the Big Beautiful Woman of Color in mind.
is currently holding a reader’s survey. They are planning some major changes for 2007, which we are all very excited about! In order to ensure the direction they take is indeed what their readers are looking for, Belle-Noir.com are holding a survey to gather all your thoughts and suggestions. The survey only takes around five minutes to complete, and one lucky person will win a $100 Gift Certificate from one of the following stores: Lane Bryant, IGIGI, Kiyonna or Avenue. The choice is yours. Help out Bell-Noir.com by filling our their survey. I already have!
Posted in plus size issues, plus size news No Comments »
Posted by Sarah on February 23rd, 2007
I’m sure regular readers of this blog will be shocked by this post title, or better question! How dare I pose such a question? Well it’s the topic that is raising a lot of discussion over at Big Fat Deal. Anne’s post yesterday pointed to an article which appeared in the Daily Mail yesterday entitled “Why you can never be fat and happy“.
Her descriptions of the way fat people, although occupying a great deal of physical space, actually become ‘invisible’ – to the shop assistants who stare through them to the men who pretend you don’t exist – made me realise that the best thing I ever did to lose weight and keep it off was to stop beating myself up about it.
But there’s more…
It shouldn’t – but fat demeans you, even in your own eyes…I was already divorced, but it is at this stage that many people turn away from their partner, and turn instead to the fridge. Outside my family, the closest relationship I had was with a packet of Hobnobs.
When you’re fat, you dread getting dressed in the mornings because you hate all your fat clothes, and you dread going to bed at night feeling a failure because you’ve eaten a Malteser.
Although I have to admit that the article is quite realistic, in the sense that feeling and attitude do hit home. It’s what many overweight people experience and go through due to society’s stereotypes.
But that does not mean that one should succumb to these stereotypes and plainly rule out that fat people cannot be happy just because society decided this is so. It’s a matter of turning these thoughts around, and instead of succumbing, learning to love and accept yourself the way you are. Being fat and happy is possible. It is not an easy ride, it’s a constant struggle sometimes I admit, but I know and also know a lot of other plus size people who are happy about their body shape.
Also, in light of all the hot debates that have been going on about skinny models on the runway and role models for teenagers, to me it seems very unprofessional to publish an article with such a demeaning title.
One step forward. Three steps backwards.
What do you think?
Posted in Size Acceptance, plus size issues 6 Comments »
Posted by Sarah on January 10th, 2007
I ran across a lot of new stuff today which I have to share you with all. Now this one is a very interesting ‘project’ I ran into. It’s called ‘Plus+‘ and it’s a short film created by Standard Grooming Productions.
So what’s the movie about? It’s about Victoria, a once a top plus-size model, who has seen her fortunes change since the industry shifted to ‘padding up’ thinner models to make their torsos appear large while retaining their toned arms and chiseled features. With bankruptcy looming and her confidence shattered, Victoria’s only hope of regaining her former glory and her financial independence hinges on the Gamble Girl audition. But Tiffany, the current top plus-size model who despises fat people, will stop at nothing to be the next Gamble Girl.
Watch trailer of this, what look like it’s going to be, a very interesting and eye opening short film today. In the meantime I am trying to find out whether this movie is still in production, and if not where I can get my hands on it, to watch the full version. If anyone knows anything I might be missing please let me know!
Posted by Sarah on January 10th, 2007
I’m always glad to see new websites open up which are geared to plus size women and men. Whether they are fashion stores, blogs, networking sites, or anything else… I think it’s a very positive sign that plus size women and their admirers are opening up, making their voice heard.
A very cool, and I suspect very fresh, website which I ran into today is Nation of Size. Now this is a website with a difference! They are calling themselves ‘the size friendly video network’ and they offer a different video every day of the week, which tackles a different topic each day. Your host Petey, is a very bubbly character, who I think is doing an amazing job.
I watched today’s video, from the ‘People of Size on Stage’ series, which showcases Vanessa Conde who trained in opera, and is a regular in the house music scene. I really suggest you visit Nation of Size today, add it to your bookmarks and also sign up to the network to keep yourselves updated with news and upcoming items.
By the way… I love the opening jingle! It’s very catchy and I’m finding myself humming it this morning. Good job Petey… keep it up!
