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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

OMG (not an Usher Remix)

I had to post this. HAD TO. Why? Because I'm at school (yay! for higher education) and I've had all I can take of seeing it.

What's it?

Fat girls in small shorts. Ok, and I'll admit, I don't like seeing skinny girls in tiny shorts either. Please, leave something to the imagination.

I know, I know. You're thinking, "WHAT IS THE ISSUE?"

Cellulite. That's the issue. Big girls have cellulite, skinny girls have cellulite. It's all disgusting, no matter who's body it's on. What's worse is that it's summer. So, we're not talking about normal, pale, jiggly cellulite. We're talking about jiggly, looks-like-you've-been-rolled-in-Doritos-orange cellulite. AND I CAN NOT HANDLE IT! The sight makes me gag. Here's a hint? If you look down and see puckered orange (or pale) flesh, you need more material. Put on some capris, damn it. Board shorts. Anything. Leave the Daisy Dukes to Daisy Duke. On anyone else they're just Daisy Don'ts.

ALSO. Yes, I'm on a warpath today. Why is it that some big girls want to squeeze into tiny spaces? Are you not aware of your girth? (next blog I post will be about body acceptance... and those who deny.) Seriously. I always sit somewhere that I have room and those around me have room. If you're blocking the ENTIRE aisle with your width, it's going to get nasty. This girl in my philosophy class (not a big girl, but a fat bitch who not only wore Daisy Don'ts with her orange jiggly AND proceeded to do the fat girl waddle) decided she was going to squeeze into the smallest row and sit at the very end. Outcome? She knocked this poor boy in the head with her belly, stepped on my purse (oh yeah, I was angry), got stuck, hit another girl with her bag, got stuck, sat down, breathed heavily, and then decided she needed a drink. Repeat.

Ok, that's my rant. Advice and point? No Daisy Don'ts. No orange cellulite. No sitting in tight spaces. No fat girl waddling. NO STEPPING ON MY PURSE!

But remember, "I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'M BEAUTIFUL DAMN IT!"

xoxox
Anda

Friday, August 13, 2010

Family Part One

Blog- Part 1

Family. Both a blessing and a headache. That’s why my spill on The Big Girl’s Code to Family will be split into parts.

I don’t know about you, but my family is crazy. Some of us are just normal crazy, but others are certifiable (we’re all pointing fingers at you, L. We took a vote). Mostly, though, I love my family (excluding the ones I don’t ever claim).

There are the ones I don’t ever claim, though. I don’t know if you’re lucky enough to have a nice family, but some members of my extended clan seem to like to point out that I’m “tipping the scale”. Really? Hadn’t noticed, never looked in a mirror, thought I was a size four, you jackass.

One of my cousins always liked to make fun of my weight because I’ve always been a fabulous big girl. He went a little past teasing and liked to, you know, bend my fingers back and throw my shoes on top of the house, etc, etc. For the longest time I couldn’t understand why he was so mean to me.

Then, my Mom, in all her brilliance, told me something that to this day I still live by. “He’s jealous because you can lose your weight, but he’s going to be ugly forever.” Amen.

Here’s my spill and my advice: just because they’re family doesn’t mean that you have to put up with their crap. Seriously. Treat them like you would any other big girl hater. Actually, because they’re family, you can tell them off more than you would that random stranger. Dish back their criticism.

“Hey, tubby.”

“Hey, how’s those herpes doing?”

Dish it back because they’re family and you know stuff on them! It’s perfect. Never, ever be afraid to stick up for yourself. No matter who it is.

Remember: “I’m beautiful, I’m beautiful, I’M BEAUTIFUL, DAMNIT!”

Xoxo
Anda

The Fat Girl Walk

Girls. girls, girls! I was walking around Target yesterday and to my dismay every Big Girl I saw was waddling. I cringe every time I have to say that word. And yes, I call it the "Fat Girl" walk because Big Girls don't waddle. You are not a Weeble, therefore you should not wobble.

It's easy to re-teach yourself to walk correctly. There are a few simple rules to follow that will teach you how to not walk like a penguin. There is but one exception to this rule, and it is when you are walking on ice.

Now for the rules.

Rule #1- Keep your feet pointed straight.
If you throw your feet to the sides, kind of like making a "v" with your feet, you will always waddle. When you point your feet straight forward, it not only makes you walk right, but also helps to improve your posture. It is a lot easier to stand straight up when you walk right.

Rule #2- Move your hips!
God gave us hips, so use em'!!
Most women (both big and small) walk trying no to use their hips. This is a huge mistake. moving your hips when you walk is one of the most feminine things you can do.
Now, by moving your hips, obviously you create movement. Which is exactly what you want to do. When you walk and your hips move, it gives your form shape as well.
It doesn't have to be an earth shattering "bam, bam" hip movement. It can be subtle. But what you want to achieve is an up and down movement of your hips, and not a side to side movement ( Which would be, what girls? Waddling).

Rule #3- Pay Attention
When you are re-teaching yourself to walk right, paying attention to how you move is essential to your success. It is so easy to fall back into the pattern of waddling, because for many of us we have done it for years and years. There is a repetition rule that I have heard before, and it says: Do it 28 times, and it will become a habit. Practice walking when you are in your house, or walking through the park, or just doing grocery shopping. And always pay attention.


Now those three simple rules will stop the Fat Girl Waddle. We want to walk like Big Girls, and not Fat Girls. Go get em' girls, and don't forget to practice!
And just so you know, I did change how I walked, years ago. So I know that if I can do it so can you!

Have fun Big Girls!
- Pauline

Friday, August 6, 2010

Body Shape and Fitted Clothes

Hey girls! Today we are going to tackle body shapes! And what shapes look best in fitted clothes.
All of us Big Girls have body shapes. We aren't just blobs!! We all have shape and curve. I have found this blog that describes each body shape pretty well, so please visit this blog: The Plus Size Body: What Shape Are You?. This blog will help you figure out what shape you are, and if you have any questions, email us! Our email is prtali@yahoo.com, and we would be glad to help you out!

Now that you have figured out your body shape, we are going to get into some fitted clothes!

I will be the first one to stand up and say that I LOVE my curves. And I am not afraid to show them off. Wearing fitted pants and shirts are amazing when you want to show off a bit. Once you know how to do it, you will look awesome showing off your curves!

The first shape is a diamond shape. With this shape, wearing a fitted shirt may or may not be the best. The reason behind this is because the majority of the weight on your body is focused around the middle, and there is no defined waist. The key with fitted shirts is having a defined waist to kind of "break up" the body. There is goo news though! Most diamonds have great legs. This is great for wearing those skinny jeans or leggins!! If you have great legs, show them off!

Next is an oval or "apple" shape. This shape is a bit tricky, because some Big Girls with this shape have a defined waist and some do not. However, if you do wear fitted shirts, make sure that they cover your midriff completely. Bellies bulging out of shirts should be banned from your wardrobe. Permanently. With this shape, fitted pants will look good on you. There are rules though. The pants have to fit around your hips or waist without creating unwanted bulges (aka muffin tops). Watch out for this especially with jeans.

For the triangle shape (aka pear shape) Big Girls out there, you are in luck.
I know that some girls hate having big hips and big butts. But for me, even though I am not this shape, I have both. And I love them! So with that said, the triangle shape looks pretty good in fitted clothes. Shirts work because there is a clearly defined waist, and for the most part triangle Girls have great legs so fitted jeans and leggins look great too. But be cautious to the length of your shirts though. You don't want them riding up on you when they shouldn't be!

The inverted triangle is the exact opposite of the triangle (as the name implies). This shape is top heavy, which usually means being busty and then getting narrower on the way down. With this shape, since for the most part your bust is the biggest part of your body, fitted shirts can be a little too revealing for some. If you are a triangle, use your own discretion. They do make fitted shirts that keep "the girls" covered. Keep that in mind! Now as for fitted pants, I tend to say no for this shape because, as the name implies, it will make you look very narrow from your shoulders down if you wear tight pants. Like an exclamation point without the dot. Even skinny girls want to create the look of curves. So by wearing skinny jeans or the equivalent it is doing nothing for your curves.

Next is the rectangle. Fitted pants can work well with this shape. If you have good looking legs, work em' Girl! Since there is no defined waist a fitted shirt wouldn't be my first choice. There are other options to show off your curves if you are a rectangle. And we will get to those in future blogs. I promise. So for now steer away from fitted shirts. But a big bonus is the skinny jeans!

Last, but not least, is the hourglass shape. Now I admit to being a hourglass shape, so i might come off as partial, but I look at this shape just like any other. Big Girls need to know how to dress for their shape, no matter what shape it may be.
So For Girls with this shape fitted tops and bottoms work well with this shape. This is because you are proportional and there is a clearly defined waist. Fitted clothes on this shape really accentuate how shapely this shape is.

That's it for all of the body shapes and how to work some fitted clothes into your wardrobe!
Now some of you may be worried that you have fat arms (I have them, too!), or that you have a tummy is too big, or that your butt and/or hips are too big for some skinny jeans. If that is the case go back to Anda's blog about confidence. You have to own your body. Every single curve of it.

When you truly love yourself and your body, you are free.

Get hoppin' Big Girls!

--Pauline
Big Girl Code on Twitter!!
Questions?
Email us @ prtali@yahoo.com!!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Attitude

Ok Big Girls. I am going to tell you about how I feel about being used.



I am sure that at least have been in a situation where you have been involved with a man that was already in a relationship with someone else.


And I am going to go on and say this, go ahead and do it, but the majority of the time you are just going to be used.



I was in a position like this before. Where he just wanted some down and dirty before he went home to his girlfriend.

I was young of course, but now that I look back at it I realize what a slumlord this guy was, and probably still is.



And I bring this up because he had a skinny girlfriend. And he made sure that I saw them together at the place where I was working then.

What a jerk, right?


And that is why I am telling you this!



Along with your self confidence, you also have to have the right attitude about yourself (The two are different).


When that guy picked me up I exuded self confidence. I was workin' what I had.
But my attitude wasn't there. I was so absorbed in someone liking me that I went along with it.


The attitude you show other people will either give you a pass or fail grade.



Don't let people walk all over you, and don't be so overbearing that no one likes you.

You have to find the happy medium, so that you can be with someone (or even find friends) that truly likes you for you.


Being the second woman is not fun. Especially if all it is, is that you will do something that their girlfriend won't do.


We have to embrace who we are. Yes, we may be bigger than your average girl. Yes, we are still beautiful. And yes, we deserve someone who loves us for us.



Don't let anyone take advantage of you.

You deserve better than those scumbags who take advantage.


As to quote MCR "Give em' hell kid".



Always, Pauline

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Confidence

One of my favorite quotes from Charlie and Chocolate Factory (the Johnny Depp version... mmmm) is: "Well, you do seem confident. And confidence is key." I love that line simply because it's so true.

It doesn't matter how expensive or cheap your clothes are if you don't have confidence, then you're going to be overlooked. While fashion and presenting yourself properly to the world is important, it won't matter if you walk hunched over like the world is about to kick your butt all the time. I like to call this the "duck and cover" walk. Dodging the insults before they're even hurled at you.

I get it, Big Girls, really I do. Our society tells us that we have to be a size negative 654 to be beautiful. That we have to disappear when we walk behind poles to be desirable. Well, i'm here to let you know that society is seriously messed up. Because, as Motormouth Maybelle says on Hairspray (the Zac Efron version... mmm) "Who wants the twig when you can have the whole tree?" That's how I've always felt. I've never understood what was so beautiful about having your bones visible through your skin. Or what was so amazing about weighing 90 pounds.

Confidence isn't easy, not for everyone. And that's why this blog is so hard for me to write. Because I've always had confidence. I've never once looked in the mirror and thought I looked horrible. Even on those days when my skin is acting a fool and my hair has decided it wants to be a 'fro, I just look at myself and say "Damn, girl. Looking good." Because that's what you have to do. Have you ever seen supermodels without their makeup? Playboy girls without their airbrushing? It's not pretty because NO ONE looks good all the time. But even on those days when you feel (and maybe look) like hell, you just have to tell yourself that you're fierce. Crazy hair? Hey, it's in. Breakout? Slap some concealer on. It's not about just looking good, it's about feeling good as well.

Another thing that I'd like to point out is that you should never have to settle for less than what you want. I know too many girls who will settle for any man that comes along. Why? Because society tells us that Big Girls aren't going to get too many offers in life and we should take what we get. Well, you know what? I REFUSE. I'm only attracted to tall, skinny men and, honey, you better believe that's all I'll date. There's nothing wrong with the larger man, it's just not my thing. And don't ever let anyone tell you that if you set your standards high that you'll be alone all your life because that's a big lie. Why would you settle for less than what you deserve? All that's going to get you is a miserable life and some ugly oaf in your bed. And trust me, you don't want that.

I don't know how to make you confident. I don't know what you like about yourself. But find that thing inside you and LOVE it.

Say this everyday (and this is my ALL TIME favorite quote thanks to Bette Midler). "I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful, I'm beautiful DAMN IT!"

Because you really are.

Strike a pose,
Anda

The Essentials

Anda and I have compiled a detailed list of the basic essentials that every Big Girl has to know. Follow the basics and you are on your way to looking good.

1. If it is too small, give it to charity
- Here are the telltale signs that it is too small:
If you have the window blind effect, which is you pull it down and it comes back up. Most of the time revealing skin that shouldn't be shown.
If your fat roll(s) hang out anywhere.
If it cuts off circulation to anything.
Now let me explain. There is a difference between tight fitting clothes, and clothes that are too small. Tight fitting clothes can work on Big Girls if you have the right body type (more on that in later blogs), but clothes that are too small look terrible on any body type. Basically, leave the skin exposure in the bedroom. Please.
2. Black doesn't always make you look thinner.
There are only two reasons that you should wear an entirely black outfit: either your goth to the extreme or you are going to (God forbid) a funeral.
When you wear black as part of an outfit, you should off set it with another color. And since black goes with any color, except brown, your possibilities are endless.
For a lot of people black pants are a staple, but if you wear those then color it up with anything. Use a color that compliments your skin tone or that goes along with your attitude at the moment. Wearing all black is depressing. When you spice up your wardrobe with color it makes things a lot more exciting when you walk into your closet.
3. Short shorts are a no-no.
This should be common sense for Big Girls.
Short shorts don't work for Big Girls for these reasons:
-We have thighs, and for the majority of us they are not perfectly smooth and toned.
-We got a lot of jiggle. And short shorts don't help the cause at all.
-Cottage cheese should only be seen in the dairy section of your supermarket, not on the way to the dairy section.
Now with that said, shorts are not all bad. When it gets hot I don my shorts nearly every day. But I suggest going with a longer short, such as the Bermuda short which hits just above the knee or at the knee. You could go with a slightly shorter short, say that hits about 3 or 4 inches above the knee, but I would not suggest going any shorter than that.
And remember, when it looks like your not wearing shorts when you have them on, they are TOO SMALL.
4.Muffin tops are not attractive.
To be honest, the only place where muffin tops are acceptable are in that one episode of Seinfeld. On a person, muffin tops are not sexy. When you have a muffin top it means that your pants are too small, and all of the excess fat and skin is being pushed over the top of your pants. It creates a "bad curve". A curve that you don't have to have. And I will be the first to admit that I love my curves, but when you have one of those ugly muffin tops, it does help the cause.
If these are a problem of yours, go up a size in your pants (I know it sucks but honestly you will look so much better when the MF is gone.). And when you buy a new pair of pants TRY THEM ON!
5. Just because your skinny friends can wear it doesn't mean you can.
Remember this when you go shopping.
Ok, so we all have skinny friends, or sisters, or cousins, or co-workers who can wear anything. Big Girls I am here to tell you that we cannot. Halter tops are one of my biggest pet peeves on Big Girls. Just because they come in our sizes doesn't mean that we should wear them, or that it will look good and flatter our bodies. We are who we are. We have curves. If you want to wear what the skinny bitches wear, then you have to be the size that they are. Dress appropriately for your body. You will look better, and you will feel better.
6. If you have a wide foot, buy a wide width shoe.
Shoes can make or break an outfit. When you have a fat roll on your foot because you squeezed your foot into a shoe that is too small it looks Terrible. With a capital "T". It is not good for your foot. It can cause foot problems and back problems. When you buy a properly fitting shoe it makes a world of difference. Wide foot=a wide width shoe. Your feet and back will thank you oh so much.
If you have problems finding a wide width shoe, go online! I suggest zappos.com.
7.Leather pants don't even look good on rock stars!
Ok look, we only liked it when the rock stars wore it because they were famous. Anything that will nearly chafed you instantly is a bad, bad, bad idea. They don't look good. Don't wear them. That is enough said on that subject.
8. Oversized t-shirts and pants don't make you look thin.
Wearing clothes that are too big is silly! Big t-shirts should be reserved for sleeping. It does not make you look thin because you are swimming in your shirt. It makes you look like a clown. Now for the baggy pants. Wearing big pants makes you look bigger. It is also dangerous. You could trip and fall on the excess material. Plain and simple, wearing clothes that fit make you look good.
9. Leggins and skinny jeans.
Leggins and skinny jeans are reserved for those of us who have nice legs. Nice legs are defined as shapely, not one size throughout your leg. If you have tree trunks for legs, skinny jeans and leggins are not advised. Use discretion when wearing these kinds of pants. If they do not look good on you, don't follow the trend and wear them. Flatter your body. If your legs are not one of the best features then don't draw attention to them.
10. Not all prints are created equal.
Prints are a tricky subject. Some are good some are not. And it is sometimes very hard to find one that flatters your body. The main rule to follow is is to not have the print be overbearing. The print cannot be too small or too large . Make sure that you try on whatever print that you like. If it is too small it will make you look huge, if it is too large it will make you look unproportionate. A print can look amazing, you just have to find the right one that makes you look good.
Those are the basic 10 essentials to clothing. But Anda and I have decided that we need to address a few more issues in this first official Big Girl Code blog.
We are moving onto hygiene.
1. Bathing.
Some people have a certain smell about them. B.O. is worse than bad breath. A mint can cure bad breath. But bad body odor is a harder challenge to tackle for some people.
Get some good body wash, and a pouffe. Washing everywhere is also a must. Every nook and cranny.
2. Facial hair on women.
Facial hair is a pain in the ass for every woman. As 21st century women, we have to do it. Get out of the caveman days and pluck and wax your face, girls! Once you get into a routine it's not hard to stick to. Plus, pain releases endorphins into the blood stream. You'll feel better after you get waxed!
3. Hair color.
If you decide to dye your hair some color other than your natural color, you must do the upkeep on it! Dying your hair is a commitment, if you want it to look good. Trust me, I had red hair for 8 years, and I dyed it every single month, professionally. It is not something that you can let go of. Especially if you go with a much lighter color than your natural color. Light hair and dark roots do not mix. Like oil and water, they will never go together.
There you go Big Girls. The very basic essentials.
More to come soon!!
xoxox-Pauline