SO… we just have low self-esteem all around?

Who ARE these women???!

From THE CUT

Nonplussed: Study Says Even Full-figured Models Damage Self-esteem

Big girls not a big help.Photo: Glamour Magazine

Damned if you do … According to a new study conducted by a team of researchers from the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands and published in the Journal of Consumer Research, magazine photos of models, be they magically emaciated or plus-size, make overweight women feel worse about their bodies and, conversely, “underweight” women feel better about themselves. So unfair, right? A serious blow to the growing interest in “plus-size” or “full-figure” spreads, the study suggests that redefining standards of shape across the editorial and commercial side of print fashion won’t be some sort of panacea for the already fragmented self-esteem of women who fall outside of our modern understanding of beauty. “Overweight women’s self-esteem always decreases, regardless of the model they look at,” says the study, implying that it’s not the particular image someone looks at that’s damaging, but rather the presentation of beauty, in any form, that troubles many readers. Anna North over at Jezebel breaks it down for us: “The fact is, images whose purpose is to sell women shit — whether those images look more or less like them — are probably never going to be on the forefront of social change. Including plus-size women in ads and fashion spreads is an important step not just for social good, but for aesthetic value — magazines would be more interesting if they contained a greater diversity of models.” The takeaway? Crystal Renn and all the size 12 sweethearts in the world aren’t going to make you feel any better if you don’t already maintain a healthy distance between the fun and fantasy of fashion imagery and the real, live girl you see in the mirror.

Women’s Self-Esteem Affected By Magazines [UPI]

Staying Fit: Toccara’s Fabulous Workout

So as I was trolling the internet today I happened up this….

Tocarra's Fabulous Workout

Interesting little piece there don’t you think? I’m actually gonna go ahead and get a copy… wouldn’t hurt. I might even check out Kim Kardashian’s too.

*wonders… which one of these workouts helps you snag a black man…. *  my vote is kim’s

Also, if I really knew how to work photoshop, I would let Tocarra finish —– but Kanye had one of the best workout videos of all time!!! All TIME!!!!

jokes people! have a fabulous weekend! lol!

Reader’s Choice

To blog... or to blog more - that is the question

I would love to blog more…. but unfortunately work, personal liveliness and self-diagnosed ADD keeps me from being on top of the doubledees as much as I’d like. That said, I’m offering up to my readers — all 10 of you —- what would you like to see? Send in your ideas, and I’m going to make every effort to come back strong. I have some new pals on deck that are keeping me hella inspired and creative — would love for that energy to spill out on these [digital] pages.

Glamour Mag to flirt with Plus Size again…

Recently Glamour Magazine featured Plus Size Model Lizzie Miller within their pages, and have now decided that they will feature more in an upcoming November issue (according to the NYPost).

This well written article about body image written by Akiba Solomon addresses what other people see about your body that you dont. It accompanies a nude spread by Lizzie.

Lizzie Miller in the buff for Glamour Mag

Now granted… I am *ALL* for a little venus diva loving… but when are we going to move past novelty, and flirt with reality in the(se) spreads?

I am never certain if the nudes are for the purpose of showing the curves of the body and promoting self-awareness… or if it’s what the photo stylist felt was the easiest route to getting the shoot done and over with.

I know that there are not many designers designing for us – but there are some out there, and it would be nice to give them their just due in this limited marketplace to showcase their wares in your publication and on models who look like me*

*I use that phrase loosely… as I am not a size 8 (plus size), nor am I white. I have to work with what I got here… :-/

UPDATE: Model Lizzie Miller responds to outpouring of support in UK’s Daily Record (here)

What NYC was missing: NORDSTROM RACK!

Forget Century 21 (It’ll take you a century to FIND anything in there)! Nordstrom Rack is here!

Watch Out, Filene’s: Nordstrom Rack Is Coming to Union Square — The Cut: New York Magazine’s Fashion Blog.

Too bad it’s not til next spring…

but then again, I work in media – so technically it’s almost spring on my calendar anyway :-/

Ne-Yo Responds To Fat Controversy – HipHollywood.com

backstory: apparently ne-yo was approached by a young lady who had a desire to be in the music industry as a singer, and a part of his ’sage’ advice to her, was that she should lose weight.

*deep sigh*

i know this beard having closeted psuedo-sex symbol (??) who does not even live next door to cute, with or WITHOUT a hat on, is not talking about ANYBODY’s looks in *any* way… while giving an interview and chewing on gum like a f* cow chews cud. Boy stop… and while I’m at it- How you doing?

NY Post reports… ‘maybe your fat a$$ should lose some weight’

Well, not those “exact” words… but close enough! My workload will not allow me to comment on this in the way that I want or need to right now, but trust and believe that I will be coming back to it.

In the meantime take a very good look at my girlfriend Sharon’s post on her blog regarding mass retailers continued recent decisons to downsize or obliterate their plus size lines… some of which have be relegated to online sales only.

Sharon Quinn “The Original Runway Diva” says…

We must put a plan of action in motion together now or this will continue to happen and we will continue to be the punchline of all the jokes unless we flex our financial muscles now and let retailers (and OTHER folks who dare to step) know that we will NO LONGER:

• Give our hard earned dollars to retailers who don’t give a damn about us or our thoughts.

• Shop in stores that offer us unfashionable, boxy clothing that is hugely overpriced and low quality simply because it’s convenient.

• Tolerate artists who verbally assault us on an international level and in public forums…(i.e. WALK OUT and DEMAND YOUR MONEY BACK – should an artist find the need to insult you or your community after you have spent your hard earned dollars to support them!)

I honestly believe that by threatening to keep that 60 Billion bucks in our pockets will make a WHOLE LOTTA folks sit up and listen.

I agree, what are WE (and our $) going to do about it?

Lowered Expectations

I had a very interesting conversation with my mom about a month ago. She revealed to me that some family members were “concerned” that I didn’t have a man and that I rarely seemed to date. The sentiment was that I need to “lower my standards” and “stop being so picky” when it comes to men. Needless to say I was completely taken aback by this revelation.

First of all, did anyone bother to ask what my standards are? How do you know my standards are too high? And if they are, why should I lower them? Oh, I can’t have standards because I’m a big girl? All of these questions came to mind because I’m pretty much the only fat person in my family. I have two sisters who are on the slender side and my brothers, while big guys, are tall and well…men. And we all know it’s okay for them to have a little extra sumthin’, sumthin’. To be fair, I don’t know if their suggestion that I settle is driven more by my size or my age, since I am knocking on 40’s door, but based on previous conversations, I firmly believe it’s rooted in my physical appearance. I’ve always been a little larger than everyone else, however, at 220 lbs and a size 18, this is the largest I’ve ever been and some of my relatives have begun to take notice. There seems to be a general consensus that a plus size woman has limited options when it comes to men and should take whatever she can get.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Just in case you hadn’t heard, there are many men who prefer plus-size women. Just Google “BBWs & dating.” – the search results speak volumes. And it’s not just the “chubby chasers” who are fans. Don’t forget the equal opportunity daters who just like women in general and don’t mind a few extra pounds or curves. So, why am I still single? Well, to be honest, I haven’t really met anyone worth my time or attention. Do I get approached? Oh, most definitely. Are these men I can envision a future with? Uh…no. Pookey, Man-Man and Rayquan may be a catch to some, but I’m sorry, I actually require a little more from a man than just a penis!

The truth is, it never occurred to me to settle for less than I want or deserve in a mate. I’ve always dated men who were educated, upwardly mobile and quite attractive. While this may be surprising to many, because let’s face it, society would have you believe that any desirable man, would never be interested in a fat chick. Well, don’t be fooled. And don’t underestimate big girls. There are many gorgeous and successful men who appreciate a woman with luscious curves and who are proud to be seen with a beautiful, confident woman of size. Just ask my exes.

Birthday Theme Song: Roll It Gal

YouTube – Alison Hinds – Roll It Gal.

I don’t usually get down with most of the reggae and soca music, but this song i just learned about, and I like it a lot.

It’s my empowerment song of the day, and also about to serve as my birthday tune (which is today)… The lyrics are actually empowering, and I’d post them – but they are in carribean patois, so i’ll just link them.

Standard Models vs Video Models: How the Music Industry Corrupted the Modeling Industry.

** NOTE: I apologize to anyone in advance who may be personally offended by my commentary, however I am not an official news source. Nor do I try to be. I am merely commenting on ‘my world plus’ as I see fit, with all the thrills and sometimes ills that it presents. **

While entangled in the webs of the internet last night checking out a few plus related sites/plus model photos and passively looking for inspiration or something to that effect, I came upon a profile for a plus “model” based out of Atlanta.

I’m perplexed as to whether I should mention her name, or even post her pics here for various reasons – so I’ll decide on that by the time I finish this post.  While surfing her pics and profile, I was at first intrigued because she definitely was not your average “model” since her curves were on overload, yet she appeared to be pretty fit (tell-tale airbrushing aside). Her measurements (while I question how accurate they were*) were impressive – 5’9” 36DD-32-55 230lb.

However, I couldn’t help but to be taken in by her ultimate dreams and aspirations. Which I will list here as “Magazines I am determined to be in” (direct quote):

Tearsheet
Skin Tones
Straight Stuntin
Stunnaz (*author note: “for distinguished men” is the tagline… I doubt they know what that even means)
Jet (as Beauty of The Week)
As-Is
Assets

Umm… way to set goals for yourself? *smh*

First and foremost, I knew about only 4 of the mags listed there – and only one of them is even remotely something to be proud of (I’ll let you take that as you will).  Now granted, I definitely don’t hate on her self-assuredness and confidence level – but any straight & plus model will tell you that if you venture too far off into the nudes and glamour lingerie category it’s very hard to come back.

Additionally what is this to aspire to? You want to be the next Buffie the Body or something? The best mags that video “models” can even begin to aspire to are the cheeky and urban print magazines of the world. And if you are not getting paid (trust me they are not), how much exposure is good exposure in that equation?

When I was growing up, you wanted to be like Iman, or Beverly Johnson, Naomi or Tyra (focusing on color, and placing my size issues aside). Aside from that, it’s already harder as a plus size & black woman to get beyond others and their perceived Venus Hottentot mental comparisions, so why place yourself squarely in the crosshairs?

Challenge the barriers, like Velvet D’Amour and Beth Ditto, or Sharon Quinn and Mia Amber! Being the next Buffie, or KiToy, or Elke the Stallion (check the links, as I cannot make this stuff up), does not put you in line to be the next anything of substance. Just another tip drill that is small in the waist cute in the face (cute is still up for questioning)… but overall you are still just a disgrace.

*I dispute this, because I am about her height (5’8”) similar in shape and my measurements are much higher than that (I actually appear to be smaller than her and I weigh more than she does – *raised brow*). Even with an hourglass figure, she’s clearly presenting a manufactured element to add to her wow factor in the end.