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

Dun dun dun...

It's the MOST dreaded time of the year for many of us big girls...SWIMSUIT SEASON!

It's almost March, and because I live in sunny San Diego, I'm only weeks away from the ever so dreaded swimsuit season...

But fear not! Last year, I invested in some quality, flattering suits, and although they are a bit pricey ($148-$168), they are worth every penny....

My favorite suits are compliments of Macy's.com: http://www1.macys.com/shop/plus-sizes/plus-size-apparel/plus-size-swim?id=34050&edge=hybrid

I am pictured wearing the "Miraclesuit" (which truly worked miracles) in Eggplant. The whole time I was in Kauai I felt confident, supported, and fashionable in this flattering suit!

Some general suit tips for big girls living in a skinny world:
1) Keep it simple: no crazy patterns or cuts, plus this will help your suit stay "in" style longer.
2) Be bold: darker colors will be more flattering, but if you want to be a little more adventurous than black, go for an espresso brown, navy blue, eggplant purple, charcoal gray, or forest green.
3) Say "no" to two-pieces: you won't look or feel your best, so don't do it...
4) Support: more than likely you have large "twins", so pick a suit that can support your assets.
5) Accessorize: dress your suit up with some dramatic earrings, a fashion forward hat, some designer sunglasses, a sarong, cute sandals, and a fun bag (something water/sand friendly--leave Mr. Vuitton at home!)

"Celebspiration"

All hail the Queen...Latifah, that is!

Crazy, sexy, cool, funky, stylish, and vibrant don't even begin to describe how fab she is. And she's an easy, breezy, beautiful Cover Girl to boot! Keep working those curves, and inspiring us big girls to embrace who we are and work it....

Yo Quiero

Look like a queen in this gorgeous emerald green! Aside from the vibrant color, interesting cut, perfect length, and flattering drape of the dress...this fabulous frock is on sale for $84 (50% off the original price)! Sizes 16-24. Check out Nordstrom.com for more deets.

This dress is perfect for upcoming wedding season, ladies...believe it or not, it's just around the corner!

Feedback

So far the feedback on my blog has been overwhelmingly positive, and I must admit that I'm surprised. I was expecting criticism from some people because I (incorrectly) assumed they would misunderstand my intent in starting this blog.

I still haven't sent notice about my blog to everyone, and I guess I have to admit I am a bit intimidated to do so. However, I do want to bring my message of positivity, love, and support to many more, so I think I'll get the guts and share it with everyone in my life!

If you're a fan of Big Girl in a Skinny World, please forward this blog to your family and friends!

In the words of Borat, "I like!"

Winning

Octavia Spencer in a gorgeous white Tadashi Shoji gown= flawless. She deserved an Oscar win for her touching performance in The Help, and she deserves major kudos for embracing those curves, and looking effortlessly beautiful. Inspiring (and winning) in so many ways!

Spanx You Very Much!

Thank heaven for Spanx! Of course a woman was the creator of such an essential for EVERY woman. I literally want to spank myself for not joining the Spanx team sooner, but last year after I was introduced to them I have never looked back!

Your average pair of Spanx will run you anywhere from $40-$100. However, Spanx are very durable as you can wash and reuse them time and again. There are many different cuts depending on your problem areas, and they are as comfortable as a pair of panty hose.

When I put on a pair of Spanx I feel more confident knowing that I can go about my day like a smooth operator! And this is not just for us big girls, I have many skinny friends who also turn to Spanx. It's a no brainer. So get out there and buy some: http://www.spanx.com/home/index.jsp or at any of your major department stores.

Once you go Spanx, you'll never go back!

Target Audience

Last night I had the pleasure of spending the evening with my two best friends, who are both like the sisters I never had but always wanted.

It made me realize just how lucky I am to have such amazing, supportive friends in my life. Although I have to admit they aren't Big Girl in a Skinny World's target audience, through knowing me for over 15 years, they have seen, first hand, the struggles I have endured being a big girl in a skinny world. They were both a little upset that I had not yet told them about this blog, but I explained they weren't necessarily my "target audience." Then I realized that although they aren't my target audience in size, they are because they have me and other big girls in their lives, and through seeing what we've gone through, they can commiserate and understand what we endure.

My beautiful best friends are pictured to the right of me in this picture from our 10 year high school reunion last fall. I am so lucky to have some of the skinny world people in my life, to love me, support me, and be my friend unconditionally. They have literally been my friends through thick and thin (yes, I was at one time skinny girls just like them)!

I sure hope all you big girls out there have supportive people in your lives too...whether they can be defined as falling within our "target audience" or not.

Footnote: I bought the pictured ocean blue dress from Nordstrom.com for about $160. It came in regular 0-12 sizes, as well as 14-24. Just a reminder to always browse department stores' websites for a wider variety of options!

Yo Quiero

I am a shopaholic. Although I have so many formal gowns that would work for my upcoming black tie law school Barrister's Ball (aka: law school prom), I came across this fabulous coral JS Boutique beaded waist gown when I was browsing on Nordstrom.com, and it's a steal at $188.

Think of all the events you can wear this to?! It also comes in a classic black (which is probably a tad more flattering) for those who are a bit more practical than me...

I think I must!

"Celebspiration"

Ah. The beautiful, charming, talented, confident, and vivacious Kate Winslet...meow! She has played opposite many of Hollywood's hottest heartthrobs (Leonardo DeCaprio x 2, Johnny Depp, Hugh Grant, Jude Law, and Matt Damon, just to name a few!) After almost 20 years in the movie industry, she has refused to cave to the stick thin skinny world mentality.

We need more celebspirations like you. Kiss me, Kate!

Baby (Used to) Got Back

Last weekend I was up in Los Angeles visiting a few girlfriends. On Sunday I went to the Getty Center--a seriously impressive museum that has an art collection reminiscent of the best museums in Europe, coupled with million dollar views of downtown LA's skyline to the Pacific shores of Santa Monica.

As I was walking through and looking at 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th century art, I was in awe of the muses. The female subjects of these paintings would largely be considered fat or unattractive by modern society's standards of beauty, but I was fascinated by the curves, femininity, and expressiveness of these Rubenesque girls who had major back (and front)!

The art was inspiring in so many ways, and it made me look at myself in a much different light. Who knows, maybe I was just born in the wrong century?! I most definitely would be in vogue back then...

"Celebspiration"

I'd like to call this portion of the blog "celebspiration": one part celebrity, one part inspiration. We need more role models like Ms. Hendricks!

Va-va-voom! I can't blame my husband for being a fan...

Average

I'm sure many of you big girls out there would be surprised (as I was) to learn the average size of an American woman is 14! Much closer to plus size than a zero or two...so why don't we have more "real" models?

Another little known fact is that although size 14 is the most common size, size 14 is the LEAST purchased by many manufacturers. No wonder the only clothes that go on clearance are zeros and twos...because the majority of us are much larger.

This beautiful woman pictured is what most "average" women look like, yet the average fashion model weighs 23% less than her...