Shopping Vintage

Every girl needs and outlet and whether its online shopping, shoes or vintage clothes - your oultet is your outlet.  Well one of my girls is launching (January 15, 2012) a website that will focus completely on her outlet and that's vintage wear!!!!  She's known as the Vintagista so it's only right that her site be named "Chronicles of a Vintag-ista."  Now, I know you may say what does this have to do with being a BBB girl.  Well, it has everything to do with it!!!!  Vintage shopping is the one of the rare types that you and your size two girlfriends can do together.  You know how it is.  On a normal mall outing I'm heading to Lane Bryant while my home girl makes her way on over to Express.  Now what fun is that when we're supposed to be shopping together!!!  Anyway, when you're shopping Vintage it doesn't matter what size you are.  So ladies don't hesitate to go Thrifty.  It'll save you some money, it's fun to do and it's one of the rare occassions when SIZE ain't nothing but a #.

By the way...here's the logo.  I hope you like it because I designed it!!!!

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Wm2wN4uI

 

BIG boots

I love the art of fashion!!! The trend of what's hot and what's not!!! And right now...boots are all the rave in fashion-land!  Unfortunately, booting is not so easy when you're a BBB girl.  Just like your boobs, butt, hips and lips...your calf's are bigger than most.  Well ladies, it's not the end of the world.  There are tons of sites that sell wide-calf boots that don't look like they were made for your grandma.  Yes, maybe these sites are not so glamorous in their web appeal but fashion is about vision.  Don't look at the outfit that these sites pair the boot with because you might miss out on the boot of your dream.  Instead, look at the boot and imagine how you can rock the hell out of it.  Now, let's be honest...some of us have legs that the average man would lose his mind rubbing from one end to the next.  And every boot whether wide or extra wide may not fit that voluptuous calf.  Well, it's still not the end of the word.  I have a simple solution.  Find a shoe/leather repair shop that you would trust with your finest hand bag and have them add material too your boot.  Believe me...it looks good, fits right and no one will ever really know the difference (even if they do...who CARES!!!).

So, here are a few sites that carry a variety of wide-calf boots!!! Enjoy...

http://www.jessicalondon.com/
http://www.roamans.com/
http://www.avenue.com/
http://www.womanwithin.com/
http://www.silhouettes.com/

Not So Limited

As a teenager, I distinctively remember what the word SHOPPING meant to me. To sum it up in two words, “Scavenger Hunt.” Finding CUTE plus size clothes was like finding water in the desert or a “good man” in the 21st century. Your chances…SLIM to NONE!!! Don’t get me wrong…the trials and tribulations of plus size shopping created the shopaholic, fashionista that I am today. The thrill of seeking out a cute top or pant that fits my curves just right is almost better than eating a piece of pie. Well times have changed!!! The shop is still in me but the “Scavenger Hunt” is more like picking apples from the ripest tree. The plus clothing industry has taken off like a rocket and no one wants to be left in the dust. Although knowing this, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear of new places to shop BIG!!! So I was elated when my BF sent me a link to “Eloquii”…the newest line of clothing by The Limited. (I love my friends; they look out for me and the shopaholic that lives in my heart!!!) Yes, “The Limited”… even the trendiest of business meets stylish stores are jumping on the BIG girl bandwagon and I’m thrilled. I’ve always loved “The Limited" and as a youngster, “THE LIMITED TOO.” Although I could never shop there, since I popped out of the wound as a THICKI THICK Girl, my love has always remained. Well as I perused the “Eloquii” website, I feel in love. Not only do they have a section called “Get the Look” (for every girl who wants to be trendy but not sure what to buy) but they also have a tab called “Shape My Style.” This is really cool…giving ladies the option to shop for items that work best with their shape. Let’s be honest…all hips don’t sway in the same direction. So today I’m all smiles. Thankful for a friend who knows my struggle and thankful for designers-embracing the BIG challenge!!! Way to go LIMITED!!!

Day of Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is one of my favorite holidays!!! It always reminds me of the fast approaching Christmas Day pleasantries. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving does not like me! I've just arrived at my grandmother's house and she already has a pumpkin pie, sweet potatoe pie, lemon meringue pie, and pound cake. This is the definition of double or should I say, quadruple trouble!!! I have been working out for the past two weeks just to lose the weight that I gained from the cruise. Now that I'm down 6 of the 7 pounds that I'd gained, here comes quadruple trouble!!! So, this is my game plan! I promise myself to only eat if I am hungry! I promise myself to only eat what I reall-really want. (I'd rather eat a lot of what I want instead of a little bit of everything in sight). And lastly, I promise myself to only drink water all weekend!!! These things I promise myself!!!

Trending NOT too HOT

So, I woke up this morning in a fabulous mood!!! I got a quick workout in, ate a tasty but sensible breakfast and to top it all off, my boss is out of the office today.  Well, I login to my work email, then check my Facebook notifications, scan trending topics on Twitter and HOLD UP!!!! WTF---SMH!!!! Today's number one trending topic on Twitter "#fatgirlstrippernames"...Now my fabulous morning turns into a nightmare!!! Who the heck came up with this, who the heck is continuing to let this go on and why the hell are people so amuzed by such an offensive topic.  Yes, it may be a little hahaha, lol, ROFLMAO but really, seriously...enough is enough!!!  I've heard enough fat jokes and name calling in my lifetime.  The last place I want to be called Thicki Minaj, and Ms. Captain Crunch is on Twitter.  No more twitter for me...I'm officially done for the day!!! Tomorrow, I might bring my "BIG MOMMA CREAM PUFF" back...or maybe not!!!

Bodacious Vacay!

I've always been self conscience when it comes to my weight. I've always dreaded being labeled the "fat girl." Well God forbid I go on a five-day cruise with three other women who don't wear a size two and dread coming back home. We had the time of our lives and we made sure that whomever came into contact with us was also having the time of their life. We were the life of the party! Drinking, dancing, singing, laughing...we did it all!!! And one thing that I noticed, was that nobody cared about the fact that we were BIG girls. We fit in like I always imagined skinny girls fitting in wherever they go(not sure if this true/just my thought process). I also realize that society is ever evolving and becoming more accepting of people who don't look just like them. So shout out to my Big Girl-vacay crew...y'all are the best! And ladies, if you have BigBoldBeautiful friends too don't be hesitant to vacay in bodaciousness...it's your spirit that counts!!!

F.R.I. Etiquette

So, today I'm going to touch on a subject that's not related to fashion or BIG girls.  (All of my skinny friends are silently cheering now.)  Don't cheer to loud...the topic of conversation is FRIENDS!!!  Every friend holds a purpose and position in your life.  Some friends are your ride-or-die friends.  They are going to ride to your boyfriends house and beat-up the girl hiding under the bed.  Some friends are your passion-and-purpose in life friends, they're going to help you work through your career issues AND go to church with you.  Other friends are you fashion frenzy friends and if there's a mall that you two have not been to together then you are making plans to go.  Anyway, you get the picture.  However, all of those friends whether, ride-or-die, passion-and-purpose or fashion frenzy...they don't always follow etiquette. Friend Etiquette that is!!!  So, I've decided to lay down the laws...
1. Do not date, think about dating or sleep with your friends boyfriend, ex-boyfriend or boo-thing (it's tacky and desperate)
2. Do not steal your friends clothes, ideas, style, etc. (it's insecure...be yourself)
3. Do not ignore your friend or fail to make time for your friend (guess what...if you do then she's not your friend...you make time for all things important to you)
4. Do not be a selfish friend...attempt to listen just as much as you talk
5. Do not talk about your friend behind her back (anything that you say about her to others be BIG and BOLD enough to say it to her face)

Winter Wooohoo!!!

There are tons of things that I've picked up in my many years of being a BIG girl and one of those is the ability to cover and conceal.  As I've explained before, I HATE-HATE-HATE my arms.  If I were to lose 100 pounds and still have fat arms I might take a knife to my biceps.  Anywho...that's why I absolutely love the winter months.  Not because I love driving around in the snow or speed walking from my car to my house and definitely not busting my ass on ice.  But what I do love, is the ability to conceal my huge arms.  I can't wear a sweater dress in July without getting the "what the hell is wrong with her stare?!?!?!" But in December I can rock the hell out of a long sleeve shirt, blouse, dress or blazer and looooook dang good doing it!  I've also picked up on the scarf trend and I'm loving that too! Who knew that a simple scarf could make you look slimmer...even with your arms exposed.  Well these pictures from my last publicity event (J. Pierre Breast Cancer Awareness Concert) are over a week late, but they're a great examples of how a scarf can transform a look and a shape.  So Wooohoo!!! The Winter is here!!!!

LS Rachel and owner of Sweet Stone Co.

Mario (One of J. Pierre's producers)

Pictured w/ Breast Cancer Survivors from All Shades of Pink

J. Pierre performing live

My LS's...Designer Rachel Shaw and Performer Dionne Eleby

THE WEEK!!!!

This is the week!!!  The final week of the challenge!!!  The week that two of my line sisters and I have been working towards.  We will be attending our college homecoming and the last thing we wanted to do was go bigger than we were when we left.  Even if we go back as the same size that's better than returning a size or two bigger.  You know how it is when you see someone you haven't seen in a while.  The first thing you do is measure how fat or skinny they've gotten.  And you can't wait to get on the phone and call somebody that they know just to say "GIRL!!! I saw JANE DOE and she is as BIG as a HOUSE!!!" When in reality she just had twins and only gained 5 pounds. DANG...give Jane a break.  So, not only is this week one of major sizing up, but it's a week of major decisions.  Decisions to only eat at my favorite college fast food joint  once a day when I know I'll want to go 2 to 3 times day.  So, pray for me because this is definitely THE WEEK!!!

BIG girl revolution

I am so happy to announce that MTV is joining the BIG girl revolution!!!  Yes, I said it...MTV!  Tomorrow night is the premier of their newest show "Chelsea Settles."  It's all about the every day life of a BIG, BOLD, BEAUTIFUL 24-year-old woman as she settles in to her new LA residence.  Yes, I said...LA!  I give kudos first to Chelsea for making this move and allowing the world to enter into her life.  This tends to be difficult for BIG people.  We spend our lives trying to hide our BIGness, trying to blend in with the rest of the world, trying to cover-up all the things that we don't like about ourselves and the last thing we want is to nationalize our not so pleasant experiences.  Secondly, major kudos to MTV for jumping on the BIG bandwagon.  This is a channel that's made millions showing the skinniest of women in the world.  However, they like many other networks now realize that BIG girls bring BIG bucks!!!  I had the opportunity of seeing an interview with Chelsea on the Wendy Williams Show and she is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I look forward to watching and supporting her show!

Jewels Make me Smile

So, my girl Madame of Glam is at it again!!!  She finally unveiled her September 2011 collection and the pieces are stunning.  It's the type of collection with tooooo many great options to choose from.  So, I purchased the one that first caught my eye and I know I won't have a problem matching up with every single thing in my wardrobe.  See when in doubt, pick the most practical for you.  I'm a shopper by birth so I know me, I know my habits, I know what colors look good on me, and I especially know what makes me look thinner than I actually am.  Please ladies...if  you know nothing else...KNOW these things!!!  So, on to my weight update! Drummeral please.....down a total of seven pounds!!! I'm so excited I could spit!!! Yes, I said it...spit and seven! Don't be jealous because I'm certainly still craving those cookies, cakes, and ice cream but know that if I can do it, you can do it.  I'm uber excited and it feels so good to know that I'm accomplishing a goal even if it's soooooo small compared to the BIGGGGGGG goal.  Either way, goals are like jewels...they both make me smile!!!

The Busy Benefit

Well it's unfortunately been almost a week since I had the opportunity to connect with BBB Think. It's been one of those weeks...a week so busy that I can't even recollect what I did. Anywho...I can recollect one thing that I didn't do. I've been so busy it's resulted in weight loss! You see, I've had so much stuff on my plate that I could not fit unnecessarily stuffing my face on the menu. I weighed myself on Thursday for the weight loss challenge with my girls and I am down 3...1.5 more from my previous weeks weigh in. So the moral of this story is one thing...busy is not always a bad thing. So get the scheduling and don't forget to leave out the unnecessary stuffing.

Fashion Fix

It should never be hard to spend your money when shopping. But unfortunately, that's been the case here lately. When I go shopping I expect to find something fashionable, reasonably priced and well made. However, in a BIG girls world, good quality often equals wearing your grandmas most unattractive table cloth. A few stores are tyring to come aboard the big BIG train but they are few and far between. It's a shame that after going to five different stores, I never managed to find a simple black cardigan. How hard should this be...it's black and it's a cardigan!!! Oh well, I've made the decision to never go without just because the stores aren't smart enough, I will learn to sew and make my own. So look out cheap and pricey stores alike...the cardigan is on me!

BBB Bunches!

Last night was the third episode of "Big Sexy" (starting to become one of my favs) and this episode took place in Miami! Well, if you've ever been to Miami then you know it's a town that's all about plastic.  Not plastic like a zip lock bag, but plastic fake.  Everything is fake in Miami...the boobs, the butts, the hair, the lips and hips.  All in all, it's a big girls NIGHTMARE!!! With all these perfectly scalped bodies a woman with a dimple or two is sure to feel OUT-OF-PLACE.  I know, because I've been there.  And last night's episode of "Big Sexy" confirmed that I'm not the only one who's experienced Miami in its finest.  Now, don't get me wrong...Miami is a great city that I've visited often but it's definitely one that will have you contemplating every burger you've ever eaten.  Well, on last night's episode I became rarely offended when someone yelled to one of the cast members "Hey Heavy" while walking down Ocean Drive. So eager to discuss the show, I called my cousin who was also watching.  We proceeded to talk about our many outing's together and soon realized that as a singular big girl walking down the street we've never felt uncomfortable.  But you put two or three of us together and know you've become the public freak show.  Well this bothers me to the fullest for several reasons...
1: Didn't your mother ever tell you not to stare
2: Didn't your mother ever tell you if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all
3: Didn't your mother ever tell you not to yell across the street like a hoodlum

Well even if yours didn't, mine sure did so I guess it comes down to big vs. skinny, smart vs. stupid and the BIG-SMART-GIRL still wins!

Text to My Heart

I told myself to stay away from this topic. "Just let it go Robin," is what I said. Well don't judge me...I changed my mind!!! I'm so sick, no I'm tired, no I'm sick and I'm tired of men thinking they can text their way straight to a woman's heart. What is wrong with the 21st century man???!!! They think texting you all day makes your heart melt like butter. No, more like a hard boiled egg! The essence of good conversation does not happen through text. It takes so much more to get to know someone. So thank you Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T mobile for giving men an easy text out that leads straight to my heart.

FABULOUS Thursday

I hear the bells ringing, drums banging, and scales weighing!!! Two of my sorority sisters and I have entered into a weight loss challenge, a challenge that I'm clearly already losing. The plan is to check in with each other once a week (Thursdays), to recap on the things that have or have not positively worked for us on the scale. Well this week, nothing worked for me unless I sleep so hard I shed pounds by tomorrow morning. I am however positive that next week will be better. One of my challenge buddies will report success that i can piggy back off of for a FABULOUS next Thursday recap. That's the great thing about working with others...if you're going in the direction of Shrek instead of Peter Pan, hopefully one of your sisters will get you back on the yellow brick road! I love having a diverse group of friends...some battle weight with me, others eat-out with me, and most love shopping with me but ALL encourage me! Thanks friends, wish me better luck next Thursday!

The Labor Behind a Look

I had the pleasure of spending my Labor Day weekend in Brooklyn, New York with one of my oldest friends! We had a blast ... partying, shopping, eating and partying some more! Whenever I get together with this friend we have a great time and especially when we're in New York! It's something about that city that makes you come to life. We party harder, talk with a little more depth and wear stuff we wouldn't dream of wearing in another city and especially not DC. Why? Because DC puts the C in conservative! And I'm not just talking about politics but EVERYTHING from business, ethics, style and even conversation. But In NY, anything goes and I love it! I love that as a BIG girl, I can wear a bathing suit on the train and not catch even one "what the hell stare." I might get arrested but the average NY citizen wouldn't care or even the least bit question my sanity. Let me try that in DC, people wouldn't be able to take their eyes off of me and ooooo the number of stereotypes that I would be labeled. Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk! DC is my city, I love my city and thanks to NY, I still wear whatever I dang well please in my city! But just for laughs and a packing guide for your next trip to NY, please don't forget your purple blouse, red shorts, yellow socks, black dance shoes, and weave basket purse! Happy Labor Day!!!

Lady on the Train

BIG TV

Last night was all about BIG, BOLD and definitely BEAUTIFUL TV!!!  I watched the premier of Big Sexy on TLC and it was great! Great not just because it glamorously showed women bigger than a size 2 on television but more so because it touched on elements that all women can relate to, from relationships to fashion, size 4 or 24. Although I loved seeing women that look like me on television, I realized how deprived I've been of this for years. So deprived that at times it was awkward and uncomfortable for me. I wondered if my mixed emotions are the same way people feel when they see me or other women with a little extra. That to me just means that I need to watch more BIG TV. So much more that it's not rare but the norm. Ironically after making this pledge, I stumbled upon the movie Phat Girlz and I instantly knew it was a sign. A sign that BIG is on the scene and it's here to stay!!!

Weighting through the Storm

By Friday, August 26 my local grocery store was wiped out!!!  Irene had us buying up every loaf of bread, case of water, generators and even Ramen Noodles.  It was no surprised to me that I received an email from one of my best friends on this Friday, but what was surprising was the text and tone of this email.  She seemed a little panicked...not panicked about Irene but more so panicked about sticking to her diet while eating non-perishable foods.  See me and this friend are weight talking, losing, gaining, eating, laughing and everything more to do with weight kind of friends.  We talk about it all!!!  From how fast we need to walk to lose 5 pounds in a week to how to keep your man turned on by the concept of "more curves the merrier."  She keeps me motivated and I try to do the same for her.  Well she had posed an excellent and quite mindboggling question.  How were we going to stick to healthy options during Hurricane Irene?  Upon first thought I had no clue what to say but after more thought I realized that not all non-perishable foods are loaded with fat, sugar, artificial flavors and more.  She helped me that day…I went to the grocery store confident that there were better options then chips and dip and Little Debbie snack cakes.  Every BIG girl needs a friend to talk it out with and on Friday, August 26, I was happy to have her! 

Armoured Jewelry

The biggest dilema when preparing to step out of my house is deciding what to wear...something that matches my jewelry and doesn't make my arms look fat!  Well last night I failed!!!  The dress was hot, and the jewelry was even hotter (by the way, my Madam of Glam piece arrived) but my arms looked HUGE!  Not Free Willy HUGE more like Godzilla HUGE.  And yes, I know half the women in America think they're fat when they look in the mirror but if they really knew what "looking fat" felt like there would be more slit wrist from day-to-day. 

On another note, last night I attended the J. Pierre concert.  J is an artist that I promote and he rocked the house!  Check out the pictures and video.

 Me wearing Madame of Glam

 J. Pierre (R&B Artist)

 Fan showing off her J. Pierre swag!!!

J. Pierre and Rico Jerome (aka Angel w/ Dirty Wingz)

J. Pierre performing live @ Lace Lounge in DC

Rock The Globe

Well I didn't quite rock the globe with my first post but I sure as heck shook the city.  I would have never imagined that the same day of my first post would mark the strongest earthquake to hit MY City, D.C., in over 100 years.  That earthquake left me a lot of things...concerned about global warming, speechless at the power of GOD and wondering if my newest bottle of perfume, "Reb'l fleur" by Rihanna, had fallen off my nightstand.  And even if you don't believe in GOD, Global Warming or even Rihanna's ability to help you smell good...you must believe in something of a higher being after yesterday's catastrophic event.  Buildings collapsed, cars moved parking spaces and my head spun. But thank GOD my bottle of perfume never budged!   

It's About BBB Time

Now that I've had this blog for over a month and feel that the design elements are slightly perfect (my OCD coming out) I can now submit my first post.  This blog is intended to do so many things, not just for you but for me.  It's my platform to express so much of what I wish to share and at times just have to get off my chest!  I'm passionate about almost all things and love to let others know what I know.  Whether it's about a HOT new dress I bought or a CD that sucks.  If I think it, I will most likely say it.  And here is where that will all go down!  And speaking of new things that I just bought...a Madam of Glam necklace that I'm so desperately waiting to arrive in the mail.  Trust, pics of this stunning piece ON ME are coming soon!