Curvy Girl Satisfaction

I love to shop. I've loved to shop ever since I was a little girl. While frustrating at times due to my fluffy nature, I still LOVED TO SHOP. The challenge of finding cute close in my size allowed me to play with looks and be creative with styling. "Jeans fit my hips, but not my waist? No problem, I'll layer it with a fun jacket and a long fitted tee." So imagine my horror when I read this study from 2009: "Only thin women enjoy shopping, claims study ."

They purport that body image is tied to shopping satisfaction. But, that is not necessarily true. What came first the chicken or the egg? That's the true problem. Is a person's body image distorted because fashionable clothing options are not readily available? Wouldn't it be safe to say that a person's body image would improve if there was diversity in models, mannequins, and displays? The perspective that the study uses is distorted because they're not curvy or as they enjoy espousing during the whole article, FAT.


As we've seen recently, the varied shapes and sizes of models and actresses in the media and in film, have opened a gateway of body positivity that will not go back. Options for ways to accentuate curves--not hide or "camouflage" them--are flooding stores and online. To the study's credit, it is about 8 years old and suggests at the conclusion that the study should "prompt shop owners and clothing designers to provide a more positive experience for women of all sizes visiting their stores." What I don't like is the fact that I have always enjoyed shopping and have never been "thin."  I am now on a mission to encourage women who don't like shopping because of their body image--not those who just hate shopping...period--step out of the negativity and enjoy adorning those curves! It's a great time to be a curvy girl. Curves are a commanding force on the runways during fashion weeks (i.e. Ashley Graham in Michael Kors), on magazine covers, in movies, strolling the red carpets, and sitting at a desk or in a chair reading this blog right now!

With bloggers posting dressing room confidential videos and plus size boutiques offering personal shopping services, the sky is the limit to your curvy fashion possibilities! So there...you old study! We're just as happy shopping as our slimmer counterparts. And we'll express this happiness by supporting the businesses that support us and make sure we can continue to boost our positive self images in fashions we adore!

Oscar Party Planning Made Easy

Do you miss all the holiday parties that allowed you dress up and look amazing as you danced the night away? Well, it is awards season and it is very simple to get dolled up and entertain. Here are a few Oscar Party ideas...well, any award party idea. Golden Globes, the Grammys, etc.

Plan a dinner party!
You have everything you need to have a fun dinner party before viewing an awards show. Don't worry about everyone's new diet and exercise resolutions. Make low cal delicious eats.

Pick up some boneless chicken, Campbell's Skillet Creations, multigrain pasta, bagged salad, Lite Northern Italian Ken's Dressing, and parfait makings (yogurt, fruit, and granola).

Follow the directions on the Campbell's Skillet Creations packet. Bring your water to a boil and add pasta. Cook pasta for 10 minutes. Strain and rinse after 10 minutes and set aside in a serving bowl. Choose your favorite bagged salad and place in a bowl. Add craisins, chopped nuts, cucumbers, and/or tomatoes to make the salad creative. Toss the dressing in the salad and finish with cracked pepper.  Lastly, prepare parfaits and store in the fridge for your party before the event. You can use yogurt or fat free cool whip, fresh or frozen fruits, and top with granola for a crunch. If people would like to munch during the show, make a dip with the remainder of the yogurt and set out left over veggies or baked pita chips.

Plan a cocktail party!
Ahhh, the chic cocktail party is easier than you think. It's all about the decor and the drinks of course.
The great thing about cocktail parties is that all you need are appetizers.  Here are a few ideas...

Popcorn poppers - microwave butter popcorn, ice cream caramel, chopped nuts
Pop microwave popcorn and pour into a bowl. Squeeze caramel over the popcorn while tossing the popcorn. Sprinkle chopped nuts while tossing the sticky popcorn. Grab a handful and form into a ball and set on wax or parchment paper to harden.

Alton Brown's Spinach Artichoke Dip - Add thawed cocktail shrimp and colby jack cheese to the top. Pop it in the oven until the cheese bubbles. Serve with baked tortilla chips or veggie chips.

Shrimp Cocktail - Serve with Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce

Mini Steak Kabobs - Broil New York Strip Steak then cube. Toss whole baby portebella mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and coursely chopped onions and peppers in olive oil in a skillet for no more than 5 minutes. Using small skewers, place a cube of steak, peppers, onions, tomato and half a mushroom. Serve with ranch dressing.

The drinks....
Wine and Champagne always work!
But for more of a mixed drinks crowd:

Absolut Winner
1 shot Absolut Mandrin
8 oz Ruby Red and Tangerine
1 shot of Sprite or Sparkling White Wine
Garnish with a lime slice and a cherry
(Non-alcoholic: No Vodka or Wine)

Best Actor
1 shot Tequila
1 shot Grand Marnier
6 oz orange juice
2 oz Sweet and Sour Mix

Best Picture 
1 shot Tequila
1 shot Gin
Blood Orange Pelligrino

Top each of these drinks with ice and serve up the fun!

Don't forget to have a dress code! Get your guests to pull out their after five, cocktail frocks and suits to make your event an upscale memorable event. Want to buy something new? Shop looks on Amazon and Ebay for great prices and quick shipping!

"American" History

In light of Independence Day and our observance of our American heritage, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the Native peoples of this land prior to the arrival of explorers and pilgrims. It coincides with the lesson this week as we discuss non-Western cultures like China, India, and the Americas which I will put in quotes when I'm making reference to this land prior to the arrival of Europeans in the 15th Century.

Civilizations thrived and were technologically advanced in the "Americas." One example is Peru. Among other advances, Peruvians were very interested in astronomy and time. Observatories still exist in that region and were strategically places to study the stars including the sun. In addition to studying for agricultural reasons, understanding celestial patterns were cause for celebration.  They developed calendars as well as geoglyphs in the shape of geometrical shapes. The following article does a great job of detailing these advancements, uses, and how they've survived into today. Check it out!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160317-spring-vernal-equinox-astronomy-native-american/