Exception to the Rule

Generally I recommend staying away from such BOLD prints, but this is an exception to the rule. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Calvin Klein "Zebra Henley" dress. Why?

1) I have tried it on, and it's way flattering- perfect length, cut, fabric, and belted waist
2) It's on SALE for $83 (originally $120) compliments of Bloomingdales.com
3) It will look fierce on you, especially if paired with a chic pair of black pumps and tights

This dress proves that rules are meant to be broken (sometimes)!

Role MODEL

Tonight's role model is actually a plethora of plus size models. All of these women are incredibly beautiful and inspiring. I admire these big beauties for giving big girls like me hope during the toughest times...

Hiatus

My sincerest apologies. I realize I haven't posted in days, and I've missed you! By the nature of my "career" there will be times when I don't have time to post, but I hope you all know that I wish I could just sit and blog all day long!

Anyways, like Santa Claus I'm making a list...of great post topics! One of my favorite co-workers, and a loyal Big Girl follower inspired a few posts I plan to get into this weekend! I'm really looking forward to it.

Remember, like the Terminator, I'll (always) be back...

Loving Me for Me

After I got back from a beautiful afternoon at Balboa Park, I sat down to write, iPod on shuffle when a song came on that I hadn't heard in quite some time. I have always been a fan of Christina Aguilera's music because she has some pipes, but I particularly appreciate a portion of the lyrics from her song "Loving Me for Me":

"Stripped of all make up, no need for fancy clothes

No cover ups, push ups
With him, I don't have to put on a show
He loves every freckle, every curve, every inch of my skin
Fulfilling me entirely, taking all of me in
He's real, he's honest, he's loving me for me."

I appreciate these lyrics because despite being a big girl, I am fortunate my husband has always stood by me, and been loyal to me when so many others would have left. I am just lucky that he always has, and always will, love me for me.

Embrace who you are ladies...because I firmly believe there is someone out there who will appreciate you, and love you for "you."

Sunny & 78

This incredibly beautiful sunny San Diego day has inspired this big girl to do the unthinkable...buy a new swimsuit!

I am so happy I found this "Draped Maillot" marine blue one-piece just in time for a Vegas bachelorette party, and my grad trip to Kauai.

Compliments of JessicaLondon.com, this suit is a STEAL at $59 (regularly $120), and there's a special sale going on right now which saves you an additional 40%! So for under $40, I have this gorgeous, flattering suit which has tummy control (a must), and bust support (another must). The crisscross draping will compliment your curves, and hide any flaws. Now all I need is a cute sarong, some sunnies, and a great pair of earrings (or necklace as pictured)!

Is it weird I can't wait for a swimsuit to arrive?! I think so too!

Yo Quiero x2

This "Sejour Elbow Sleeve" dress in heather grey, compliments of Nordstrom.com is simple, classic, flattering, versatile, and ON SALE (for $99 down from $150). Need I say more?!

It is already on the way to my house as I type this...

Yo Quiero

I LOVE me some pencil skirts. The cut and length are ideal for big girls' bodies, and pencil skirts are classic wardrobe staples that will last for years to come!

Compliments of Nordstrom.com, this $78 "Sejour Boardwalk" pencil skirt comes in sizes 14-24. I particularly love the unique color (still dark, but not boring black), and interesting button flair. This skirt is also very versatile: wear it to the office with a colorful cardigan and your favorite pair of Tory Burch flats, or pair it with a sexy blouse and some sky high heels, and you've got a look that is perfect for a night out on the town.

Tents & "Muumuus"

For God's sake, I camp in a tent, I don't want to wear one!

Why is it that a vast majority of big girl clothing looks like something you would buy at your local Big 5 sporting goods store?!

Just because we aren't a size 2, doesn't mean we want to, or should have to wear unflattering, and tacky looking tents or muumuus! We are NOT quakers! This is NOT ok!

Thank GOD for better options than what used to be out there, please continue to keep the revolting stuff away, I'm talking to you Lane Bryant, Avenue, Torrid, Macys.com, Nordstrom.com, and Bloomingdales.com (and designers like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Anne Klein, Tadashi Shoji, Jones NY, etc. for making fashion actually fashionable for us big girls)!

While our fashion choices are fairly limited, at a mere fraction of what's available for the rest of the skinny world, at least it's a start...

Role MODEL

The lesser known "Tyler"...Mia! As daughter of Steven (rock and roll royalty), and sister to Liv (major movie star), Mia has a lot to live up to!

She is a gorgeous, confident, and inspiring plus size model that shows us her kicking curves are so hot, you'll be sure to cry out, "Mama Mia!"

Big GUYS Living in a Skinny World

One of my best guy friends (a big guy) who I have known for what seems like forever asked me an interesting question the other day after he happened upon my blog: "what about big GUYS living in a skinny world?"

I have to admit the coverage on this site is a bit one sided (well TOTALLY one sided up until this point...perhaps because I've only always been a girl). But his question made me wonder, do big guys go through the same thing us big girls do?

I have always acknowledged that bigger people in general are certainly treated different than the rest of the skinny world, but I can't help but think that it is perhaps more acceptable for a guy to be big? In forming this opinion I look to all the successful big guys (Chris Farley, John Candy, Jonah Hill, John Belushi, Drew Carey, etc.), and it seems like bigger guys can more easily make light of their size, and are often considered the funny, big, "teddy bear" that everyone knows and loves. Whereas big girls are largely considered gross. Maybe I am biased because I can only see things from the big female perspective, but I definitely do think there's more to my friend's question than meets the eye.

Big guys out there reading this...thoughts?!

Role MODEL

Tonight's role model is actually plus size MODEL Crystal Renn...I am in complete and utter awe of her beauty! Perfection.

I'm a Barbie Girl

I believe body image issues begin early. I mean really early. In the formative years. But is it really surprising? Look at the role model many young girls have: BARBIE. Don't get me wrong, I think Barbie's gorgeous, who wouldn't? Those piercing blue eyes, the long silky blonde hair, pouty pink lips, perfect pearly whites, beautiful complexion, and who can forget that bod?

However, if Barbie were "real" she would be six feet tall (lookout Gisele) with a 39 inch bust, 18 inch waist, and 33 inch hips! Sure in theory this sounds hot, but when you actually see a representation of what this looks like, it's SICK. Based on these dimensions, Barbie fits the weight criteria for anorexia! No wonder women have body issues. It's all we see from a young age. If we don't look like Barbie (and who does) we often feel inadequate.

But keep this in mind, ladies...Barbie is plastic, and you're REAL.

LBD

Little Black Dress. The quintessential part of every woman's wardrobe, and I have to admit, I have several. Let's face it, there is nothing more classic than a LBD. I particularly LOVE this one: a) because it's literally a STEAL ($26.99 compliments of Avenue.com), b) because it has an interesting faux wrap flair, c) the length is perfect because it hits just below the knee (the most flattering length for us bigger girls), and d) because this will make ANY of us look as chic as Audrey Hepburn a la Breakfast at Tiffany's!

Wear it to a cocktail party, wedding, or to the office with a blazer...just wear it!

Words Can't Bring Me Down

Whether it's Christina Aguilera, or James Blunt, the sentiment is easy to remember...YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. However, it's even more important to recognize this "no matter what they say." Because truth is, people can be mean, and I have to admit, it has been a struggle over the years to not let words get me down.

You don't get to be a big girl in a skinny world without hearing hurtful words, and terrible things said about you. However, at the end of the day I focus on the things I love about myself: I am a loyal friend, and my family comes first; I love to laugh; I appreciate the little things that make life beautiful; and I am unique.

So I challenge you to never let words get you down no matter what "they" say. Because you're BEAUTIFUL.

Yo-Yo

Like many of you big girls out there, my weight has "yo-yoed" over the years. For most of my life I was a skinny girl, but during my senior year and after I graduated from high school I began to gain weight. After my first year of college I lost it all, and then kept it off for a few years, but inevitably, I gained the weight back and then some.

Having your weight yo-yo can be frustrating on so many levels, but fear not, you're NOT alone. Anytime you start to get down on yourself, think of Oprah, Janet, Kirstie, Jessica, and the "Kellys" (Clarkson and Osbourne) who have battled the bulge and yo-yoed over the years...it truly happens to the best of us.

"Celebspiration"

Today's celebspiration: the "old" J. Hud.

I was watching TV this evening when a Weight Watchers commercial featuring Jennifer Hudson came on. Although she is a beautiful woman at any size, I was struck by the side-by-side comparison of her before and after. It seems as though the new and improved J. Hud is constantly praised, but I think she was just as beautiful when she was a bigger girl.

Regardless, J. Hud is and always will be talented, confident, gorgeous, and inspiring...

Drool

The color. The cut. The proportions. The length. What don't I like about this fabulous Adrianna Papell colorblock dress? Perfect bold colors that will get you through this spring and summer looking (and feeling) like the ultimate fashionista! This dress (sizes 14-24) can be yours for just $158 compliments of Nordstrom.com (free shipping--why deal with crowds?!). The mall can come to you.

Side note: isn't this model just GORGEOUS?!

Unexpected Surprise

Normally, I NEVER check the mail because there's nothing exciting. But today, I was pleasantly surprised when I received a PLUS SIZE (sizes 14-24) catalog from Macy's. Not just a portion of a regular catalog, but an entire catalog filled with fashionable dresses, jeans, suits, blouses, pants, shoes, and undergarments!

Receiving this catalog was an unexpected yet pleasant surprise...I didn't know Macy's made catalogs that catered to us big girls, so kudos Macy's! Maybe retailers are finally getting it?! A girl can dream...

They Grow Up So Quickly...

Happy one week birthday to Big Girl Living in a Skinny World! It seems like just yesterday you were born, but this past week has been a tremendously fun and therapeutic experience. While we are still quite literally in our infancy, I am looking forward to many more posts, and hope this is the first of many more "birthdays"!

I am excited to report that big girls all over the U.S., and a few in the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Indonesia are checking us out...we must be doing something right!

Blow Me!

If you're feeling down, blah, or just "average", and want to feel fab, I've got a quick solution for you...

There's a semi-new salon that recently opened in La Jolla, California called Naturale Hair Blows, and I'm OBSESSED. Basically for $30 you get a wash, full blow out, and style--from super straight to long wand curls to updos, you name it, they can do it. The salon has a fresh, young, fun vibe, and in about 45 minutes you'll leave looking and feeling like a movie star. I can't tell you how many compliments I have been getting since I've been going to Naturale. So if you have a special occasion, wedding, date, or just want to get pampered, check them out (and ask for my girl, Natalie...she's the best)!

And if you're not in San Diego, no worries, Naturale has plans to expand across the U.S.!
For more info go to: www.naturalehairblows.com