Write, Relate, Release

I have not blogged in a while so I have to say sorry for neglecting you. It's not because my BBB boos haven't been on my mind.  Oh yeah, true, I have been busy but honestly, it's way more complicated than that. I've been cheating on BBBthink.com with my journal. I've had a lot going on in my personal life...great things, but still demanding of my attention, reflection and planning. Thus better suited convos for me and my personal/private journal. In my free time...she and I are booed up. However I had to stop by before 2015 is out and 2016 is in to say Thanks for rocking with me all year!!! Happy New Year!!!

The Big Bold and Beautiful Soul Train Awards

This week BET and Centric debuted the 2015 Soul Train Awards and it was my kind of affair.  Big Bold and Beautiful was this year's theme and my BBB sisters were giving this award show some much needed love.  One of my favorite singers and plus size diva Jill Scott received the Lady of Soul Award.  She performed a compilation of her hits that had me feeling like my life was totally golden.  Another fellow thick sisters and funky songstress Jazmine Sullivan performed a beautiful tribute to Honoree Babyface with her hit "Let it Burn."  And last but not least my BBB babes Lalah Hathaway and Chrisette Michelle gave us a Soul Cypher that was too cute few words.  I have to say this event was all the way BIG, all the BOLD and definitely BEAUTIFUL. 

Checkout some of the BBB highlights ... enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking with Care

I have never been much of a cook but I do know my way around the kitchen. Yes, sounds like an oxymoron. But I guess what I'm trying to say ... I don't fully enjoy cooking but I do a fantastic job of it. My food always looks and tastes great!  My concern has to do with the lack of care that I transfer to my food. With the holidays being right around the corner, I want to prepare my food with love, soul and compassion.  I believe that same love that I make it with is transferred to those who eat my food.  That's the true definition of soul food.  So this is my struggle. What can I do to think of happy thoughts while in the kitchen? Some people have suggested that I think about how happy my loved ones feel when they dig in. Others suggest that it will come with time and growth of my family (ie - have some babies). Some just say pray on it. Well I want to hear from you... If you have any advice at all...drop me a line. 

Thx, BBB Think

Transformation Thursday

Today Missy Elliott, one of my favorite hip hop entertainers and a former BBW diva, dropped a new music video.  The video is hot, the song is catchy and Missy looks amazing.  It's not Transformation Tuesday but I'm turning Thursday into transformation day here on BBB Think.  So today's transformation shout-out goes to my girl Missy in honor of her impressive weight-loss and new song. In the mid-2000's Missy was diagnosed with Graves disease (a hyperthyroid disorder) which brought her career to a plateau. But in 2014 Missy lost 30 pounds which she contributed to eating right and exercise.  Missy wrote on twitter, "This time I lost 30 eating healthy/work out to @ShaunTFitness T25 videos.  I do the Insanity workout.  Sweets/bread/fried foods is my weakness.  It's not easy but health comes 1st :)." Well however she did, I'm happy for her because she looks and I'm sure feels great!  Here's a look at Missy's transformation and new video "WTF - Where They From."

Photo Credit: Music Row Girl

Event Alert: Monif C Pop-Up Shop

Attention, Attention, Attention (If I had a horn I'd blow it) ... Monif C is coming to the DMV!!!  Yes, one of my favorite plus size designers will grace us with her fashion presence and gifts from the gods of curvy heaven on November 21 in my city, my home, my stomping ground...Washington, DC.  Have you seen Monif C fashion online, I know you have but wondered if it's going to fit, how's the fabric, damn this is pricey is it worth my chips.  Well knows your chance to see for yourself without shopping via your screen.  So if you're a #MonifC fan, you need to be in the building!  If you're not sure about your liking of Monif C, you still need to be in the building! 

This is the perfect opportunity for new and veteran plus size fashionistas to show off their curves, buy some great pieces and maybe even meet Monif C herself.

The tickets are $25 but don't get your panties in a bunch.  The $25 is redeemable with the purchase of an item at the actual pop-up shop.  So if you're interested in attending this event, please visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/monif-c-decade-of-curves-pop-up-shop-washington-dc-tickets-19460678413

 

 

 

Weekend Getaway

Last weekend, some friends and I took a much needed trip to Ocean City, Maryland.  I hadn't been in years and I have to say that I'm a new fan of beaching in the fall.  Although it was waaaaay to cold to get in the Atlantic, just being on the beach was so beautiful and peaceful.  I enjoyed that time of reflection and serenity in a place that is normally overcrowded and everything but calm.

PS- If you're ever in OC please do yourself a favor and have breakfast at Barn 34...you'll thank me!    

 

 

Don't Eff with Tess

Being a plus size woman is no easy feat.  However, I realize that being a plus size woman in the spotlight is even more challenging.  For some your too big, for others your not big enough.  As a BBB woman, you already have enough to worry about but to decide to put yourself in a public position to represent the millions of plus size woman around the world takes courage.  That person should be treated with a certain level of respect and gratitude.  So, when I saw the below message and photo by Tess Holiday, one of my favorite plus size models, I knew I had to share. To all of my BBB ladies, let's remember to be thankful for those like Tess and proud of the strides that we've made.  We don't want to go back to our days of department store shopping, and shirts that look like furniture. :)




Photo by Catherine Harbour

"I've heard that I don't "represent" plus bodies a lot recently & it makes me sad. Unfortunately, I'm literally the ONLY visibly FAT plus size mainstream model. Do I have a small face? Yes! Blame it on genetics 💁🏻 But the rest of me is big, fat & all of that.
I don't have toned arms, stomach, butt, belly or thighs.. Far from it- my body jiggles when I walk, PROUDLY. In photos yes, things are smoothed, I'm under good lighting with a talented team like this photo. However I con...stantly post photos without all of that & at the end of the day I'm still the shortest (5'5) & biggest (US 22) working plus size model doing the best I can. I have always used my career as a way to being awareness to the lack of diversity in the modeling industry & in mainstream media. Our focus should be on seeing different races, body types & genders when we flip through magazines or turn on our TV's instead of picking apart those who are trying to make a difference. I know one day there will be people of all sizes standing next to me, changing the world. 🙌🏼 🌎🙌🏽 🌍🙌🏾 🌏🙌🏿 ‪#‎effyourbeautystandards‬" - Tess Holiday

Just Because

So this video contains three things that I absolutely LOVE!!! 
1. Buns
2. Scarves
3. Tess Holiday

So, just because of that, I just had to share.  She's adorable.  This hair style is super cute and I'm definitely going to try this.  Enjoy!

 

I Heart Extended Sizes

I just have to give a quick and much needed S/O to Eloquii.  The online, plus-size retailer now has extended sizes!!!  I LOVE to see women of all sizes in fashionable looks but I'm ecstatic about women who are not traditionally on the minds of designers rocking a set that makes heads turn.  Well now, those women will have access to even more options because Eloquii will now carry sizes 26 & 28!!!  Good job www.eloquii.com ... kudos to you.

Checkout some of these cute looks and even cuter 26/28 models who bring these outfits to life!

Bringing Summer To Fall

I love when I discover that I have two "quote - unquote"  summer-pieces that when put together work well in the fall.  In my mind this is a definite score!  I get at least one or two more rocks before boxing it up until the next season.  Which in my mind, means never wearing again.  It's not that I'm sooooo boogie that I can't wear "last season" items, it's more about my thirst for shopping.  Most likely, by next season, I will not have room for last season items in my closet.  So off too Goodwill and Dress For Success or whatever my charity of choice that year. Well these two pieces, Fancy and Flawless Graphic Tee and High-Low Skater Skirt are perfect summer to fall pieces.  By the way, both are from www.fashiontofigure.com and currently on sale...they weren't when I got them so enjoy that price drop!

 

Watch Out For The Big Girls

They gave us "I'm No Angel." Now they're back again with "Plus is Equal." Lane Bryant has really stepped up to the plate with their latest commercials praising the pretty and plump.  Well as a BBB girl, I'm loving it!  Their new add is just as curvy and fun-filled as the last add but the movement in this one makes me say "OWWWW" ... "Watch out for the big girls!"  Clearly I took it back to my DMV roots but when you see these boobies bounce and thighs jiggle with so much ferocity, you'll get excited too! 

S/O to Lane Bryant ... keep up the good work!

 

Happy Fall

Happy first day of fall to all my BBB thinkers!!!  I absolutely love fall but my favorite things about the season of colorful leaves are probably not the reasons you're thinking about.  For me, it's all about comfort, concealing and color.

1. Sleeves in and sleeveless out

• I hate wearing my arms out...still waiting for Michelle Obama guns but until then...I'll conceal.

3. Straight Hair

• My hair is HUGE!!!  It's thick, it's long and frizzes easily.  If summer and my hair are enemies, fall and my hair are BFFs.

2. Scarf sensation

• I LOVE wearing scarves (no explanation needed), may be my second favorite accessory. Purses/Clutches is the first!

4. Orange, Yellow and Green

• Yes, I love a season because of a color or two or three.  Not my favorite color (that would be purple) but their classic and simple with just enough pop for my life.

5. Sandals

• Their still perfectly acceptable outdoor attire (at least until November).  My feet like to breathe.

Happy Fall!!!

BBB's Fav 8 Memes

Who doesn't love a good meme?  I think we can all say that we've seen them, they've made us "laugh out loud" and in some cases we even saved them to our phone, shared them on social media or texted them to a friend.  So, in the spirit of ending my work week with a little fun,  I'm sharing my favorite BBB memes.  For my skinny girls, please don't get upset, send me hate mail and promise to never read www.bbbthink.com again.  Instead relish in the moment of self-esteem boosting with your not so slim friends. In fact, if you really want to take advantage of this uplifting moment...just think about whatever it is that you don't like about yourself (we all have something, ie. - teeth, arms, head, feet, and-on-and-on) and replace our BIG problem with your genetic misfortune.  Anywhooooo, you get the point.  Now, cheers to the freaking weekend!

BBB Favs

Jewelry and me go back like babies and pacifiers. We're like peas and carrots. I rock it like white on rice. Ok, I'll stop now...I know you get the picture. Well I was recently introduced to body jewelry. Yea, yea...I know I'm late. Anyway, I love it!!!  Jewelry this time a year, especially in my neck of the woods, can be hot. Not like "the bomb" in the 90's. Hot like I'm burning up because it's already 95 degrees and I just had to add a piece of chunky jewelry to my neck. With that being said, body jewelry doesn't add an extra layer of smother but still adds a piece of pizzazz to any summertime look. So, although I'm late to the game...I hope this upcoming announcement is new and useful to you. So listen up. Don't go to the latest designer store, online boutique or any of those other overpriced fashion conglomerates. Go to your neighborhood Wal-Mart because you'll save a fortune. I usually don't promote anything Wal-Mart but when I found out that I could get a whole sheet of body jewelry for $1.00 I couldn't resist.

Well if you're not a fan of body jewelry...forget this rant. However, if you are a fan...make your way over to your nearest WallyWorld. 

Happy Summer!

S/O to Target

So one of my favorite spots for all things cute and inexpensive just struck gold with me yet again. Target recently debuted their newest ad for swim apparel and I'm totally impressed. The superstore giant used real women...with real stomachs, real thighs and real breast!  I had to give Target kudos but the real standing ovation goes to the ladies who were BIG, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL enough to debut their assets to the world. Some assets that society would consider not preferred but what I considered the beautiful truth. See in my mind, that which is real and normal is always preferred. I hope to see more ads like this in the future. Ads that encourage young and seasoned women to appreciate and love their bodies.  So shout out to Target and all the ladies in this ad but especially Chante our BBW or as I like to say our BBB representative!!!  You ladies ROCK!!!

Freaking Fringing

There's no shame in my game.  I'm a "girly-girl."  That's right, I'll admit it...I'm a bOnafIde girly-girl."  I've known this since I was knee high to a grass hopper.  I was that six-year-old that wanted to wear ruffle sox with everything.  I had to have a ribbon in my hair and I planned for picture day in July.  Yes...I said July and yes I know it's two months before school even starts.  Don't judge me!  LOL :)

Well know that I'm six-plus-twenty-four-years-old I've traded in my ruffles for fringe.  I'm kind of obsessed.  I'm fringing in shirts, shorts, shoes and now swimwear.  I'm seriously addicted and Monif C is feeding my habit.  Their swimsuit line is always fierce but this year, the addition of not one, not two but three fringe pieces has sent me on a serious shopping spree.  So don't be surprised if you see me at the beach FREAKING FRINGING all over the dang place because that's definitely my plan.  Checkout these fabulous pieces and BBB girls...head on over to www.monifc.com so you can FREAKING FRINGE like me. 

 

Queen of Spinach

I recently completed a one-week raw food challenge! I know right...yay for me!  I call it a challenge because that's exactly what it was.  CHALLENGING!  See, I'm a burger kind of girl. I don't often indulge in red meat but when my brain knows that I can't have it that's when I want it even more.

So for "nature week" I had dreams or in this case nightmares that involved burgers, ribs, barbecue chicken and buffets. Yes, I said it...buffets!!!! I don't even like buffets but when you're confined to eating nothing that has seen a stove, toaster, microwave or oven trust me you'll dream about buffets too.

Despite my nightmares and love triangle with a piece of steak and a mango, I'm feeling quite accomplished.  Entering into this challenge I thought, BBB you'll never make it...halfway through the week you'll give up, what's the point it's just a cleanser!!!! Well I proved my own self wrong! I did not give up and I learned a lot about myself (mainly my creative side) along the way. I never knew I could do so much with a bag of spinach :) smoothies, salads, wraps and more. And I never realized how great a simple cleanser could make me feel!

Well needless to say I'm feeling AMAZING and undefeated. Oh, and by the way, my celebratory burger was the TRUTH!!!

Are you an Angel? I'm NOT

Normally I would relish in the phrase - "Don't come for ME and I wont come for YOU."  However, when it comes to the Lane Bryant #ImNoAngel Marketing Campaign, I'm all the way loving the shade.  It's so classy and trashy all at the same time and BOY did it give me life. 

So, if you haven't already heard, here's the rundown.  Earlier this month, Lane Bryant launched a new marketing campaign called #ImNoAngel.  The campaign takes a direct jab at the highly glorified Victoria Secret model known as an Angel.  We all know what an Angel looks like, she's a size Double ZERO, has the highly coveted and very unattainable thigh gap, perfect hair, flawless skin and a man's "wet dream".  Not only did Lane Bryant erupt on social media for the look, style and creativity of this genius marketing campaign but they created conversation and awareness about body image in the United States and beyond.  And for me it was a total WIN-WIN.  This campaign was not just for the BBW's or as I like to refer to us...BBB's...this message was for anyone that does NOT look like a Victoria Secret Angel.  Well in that case, #ImNoAngel is for 99.9 percent of the women on earth. 

I was so in love with the video I just kept watching it over, and over and over again.  To be honest, I think I was just happy to see women with the same assets as me.  YES, I'm referring to the bottom belly pouch, back rolls and stretch marks.  Lane Bryant made a big, bold and beautiful move and I'm Loving it.  Check out the commercial here...and don't be afraid to watch it over, and over and over again.  I won't judge ;)

Also checkout their "Plus is Equal" commercial.  I'm in LOVE!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koSIq5BzXi8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQhQzi6PWc4

My Moment

Today I'm having a moment. It's that moment when you realize that you're less than a month from your 30th birthday and life is good but not what you expected! I thought my career would be at a higher level and my weight at a lower level. Yeah, I get it...that's everybody's expectation but it still doesn't change my MOMENT. So like I said, today, I'm having a moment. It's the moment when you realize that your 30th birthday is less than a month away and you still haven't purchased a home or saved $50,000+.  Ok, I know that's a bit dramatic but nonetheless...I'm still having a moment...my moment. It's that moment when you realize that you're almost 30 years-old and haven't done nearly as much traveling as you'd like and have flaws that only your momma and God understand. Yes, you're very right...I still have time to travel and work on my imperfections but that doesn't change the fact that I'm still having a moment.  Despite my moment, I have to keep pushing and use my accomplishments as momentum for the next big milestone and the one after that, and the one after that. I don't have a single regret, I'm proud of my success thus far and have to admit that the years between 25 and 30 served me well.  I have and will continue to set huge goals for myself  because I accept, love and thrive off challenge. Oh, and by the way... I promise to have a moment at 35, 40, 45, 50 and beyond!  So with that being said, today I'M definitely having a moment. It's that moment when you realize that you are less than a month from your 30th birthday and all you can do is feel greatful! 

Favorite Things 2015

Hey BBB's this is the first edition of my 2015 favs! This tunic is by far my January champion. The top pairs well with leggings, jeans, slacks and nothing at all.  She also does wonders for everything. Yes, everything...butt, boobs, waist, legs and all. It's made by Ice Silk and available in a large variety of colors. Eat your heart out and shop ASAP! 

Fat Fit

Today while scrolling through Facebook I came across an amazing photo gallery by Rebel Circus and I just had to share. Some say, never mind, MOST say size does matter. However, for the "Curvy Girls Who Nailed Yoga Moves" size is like age...nothing but a number. The gallery got me thinking about fitness vs fatness. Who says fat girls can't be fit? Yes, I know all about heart health and excess weight around the mid section and blah blah blah. But that's not what I'm talking about. For example in my younger years the worst day of my year, every year, was the mile run fitness test during gym. I typically didn't mind gym, in fact I liked gym, but on this day I HATED gym. Nonetheless, in order to pass I had to suck it up and run that mile. Every year, I barely passed the requirement but every year I wasn't alone. In fact one of the stragglers alongside me was the smallest, most petite girl in my school. Every year she was finishing right with me, if not behind me. Needless to say, the Rebel Circus gallery made me feel WONDERFUL about my BBB life and even reminded me of an important fact that I often forget as I struggle with my weight. That fact: health and fitness is not just about a size!!! 

Since I was inspired...I hope you'll be too. Here's the link to the full gallery and a few of the amazing yoga enthusiasts are pictured below! Eat your heart out 😁 

http://www.rebelcircus.com/blog/curvy-girls-nailed-yoga-poses/ 

Faux Fur Fever

Ok, so I usually don't do this but I have to take a moment to slay!! Yes, I said it...slay. No hard feelings but more than three years ago when I first made faux fur a winter essential my friends, foes and fam were giving me the elevated eyebrow. Now, that "sally sue" (aka miss plain jane) says it's okay...everybody wants to rock a faux fur.  If it was so called "extra" three years ago, its definitely extra now.  Ok, pause...let me fix my face. Now that I got that out the way let me give you Big, Bold and Beautiful women the number one tip to rocking the Winter 2015, must have trend.

1.) Go VEST!!! There's just something about fur that makes BBB women look 10 pounds heavier...and let's face it...whether on or off camera no one (especially a bbb woman) wants to look bigger than she is. So I've found that going with a vest as opposed to a coat/jacket gives the same whip appeal without the added pounds. 

2.) Don't be afraid to sinch it. You know the deal! We do it with cardigans, blouses, and even dresses. If it's not curve flattering we'll use the number one sinch tool in the book...a BELT. To be honest with some furs it's just a must.  

3.) This is my final tip...ZIP it! That zipper adds a certain element of "thin factor" that we sometimes need. A great example of this is shown in the Ashley Stewart faux shown below and the Cato Fashions faux which, might I add, is reversible. Can you say BONUS!

Here's one of my favorite owned faux furs which I purchased more than two seasons ago at Cato Fashions for dirt cheap...and yes, I gave it a BELT. Also pictured are a few current season faux furs that I'm eye balling.  These are all under $40. Please ladies, don't go out and buy an expensive fake fur. The point of going faux is to conserve your dollars. Besides...with this trend, it's all about how you pair it...not the fur alone. 

www.ashleystewart.com

www.forever21.com

www.catofashions.com

www.younkers.com