Hips and Curves: how do I love thee?

If you don't know about Hips and Curves and you have either hips, or curves, you have to go check it out right now! They have the hottest lingerie on the sexiest site this side of the pond (my favorite UK site is Simply Yours) Im putting a burlesque/opera (AKA Operalesque) troupe together and asked if they might want to sponsor us with some costume pieces and guess what! I hope to receive a box of goodies very soon! You see it never hurts to ask for what you want because the WORST thing that could possibly happen is they say no. And then youre no worse off than you were a minute ago. BUT you just might get waht you ask for!

I cannot wait to see what goodies are on their way and to figure out how to incorporate them into the show!!! Im crossing my fingers for some killer corsets... I love you Hips and Curves!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I am so excited for the 3.5 day weekend that I'm about to start I can barely type! The weather in NYC is finally GORGEOUS! and Im off to spend some time in the sun with good friends in Beantown! I hope you all have great plans to kick off the summer this weekend! Catch you on the flip side :)

Please tell me this is a joke?!?

If this billboard from PETA is the real deal and not photoshopped I will be very pissed...

Sephora-Lunch Thursday - Bare Escentuals

I didn't even need to step foot in Sephora for today's installment of Sephora-Lunch Thursday. Bare Escentuals is my absolute favorite brand of make up and I tell EVERYONE I know to use it. If you havent seen the mountain of starter kit boxes at Sephora or at a Bare Escentuals Boutique for that matter, or if you have and haven't forked out the $60 to get one I have no idea why youre still sitting here reading this blog!

There are so many products I could talk about, from the skin care line to the amazingly sparkly eye shadows, but I shall save those for another day. Today I have to praise the Bare Minerals Matte SPF Foundation. When I first started using these products about 5 years ago (at the urging of my Aunt) I was a little freaked out about how to use loose powder foundation. I was so used to using liquid or MAC pressed powder. I used to be married to the MAC because as a performer, heavy coverage is often needed on stage. Unfortunately the heavy coverage offered by MAC also made me break out... After one use of the Get Started Kit I was hooked. The brushes that come in it are amazing and you can control the coverage depending on your needs, light for day, heavy for time-o-the-month breakouts, ultra heavy for stage lights. Not only that but this powder also has SPF 15 so no need to wear any additional pore clogging sunblock!  I wont even start on the Mineral Veil... 

If you haven't tried Bare Minerals please do! If you have, what are your favorite products??

PS. I was NOT paid for this post (although I wouldn't say no to any BE gifts that might come my way :))

New Weekly Post! Wellness Wednesday! - Dairy Baby

Ive decided that based on the sucess of Sephora-Lunch Thursday's that weekly themes are AWESOME. So in rolls Wellness Wednesday where I will feature blogs, websites, and people that are making a difference in wellness and have a connection to the curvy world.

My dear friend and roommate Valerie has started a website for all of you lactards out there! (Lactard = lactose intolerant) Are you lactose intolerant? Vegan? Just looking for milk substitutes because you're afraid of cows? If so Dairy Baby is for you! Val was kind enough to answer some of our questions:

CD: What is Dairy Baby?
DB: Dairy baby is a fun and informative website designed help make life a little easier for people living dairy-free. I’ve been dairy-free for about 6 years now, so I’ve amassed quite a bit of knowledge on the subject. The site is full of recipes, product reviews & recommendations, cookbook reviews and tips.

CD: How has going dairy free changed your life?

DB: How much time do you have? :)
Almost immediately after giving it up, I lost a little bit of weight, but had a dramatically smaller stomach. I didn’t realize that I was just constantly bloated before. My stomach felt better – no more pain and cramping, and (not to be gross) I wasn’t running to the bathroom almost immediately after eating.
I felt better in general, which is kind of difficult to describe. I had more energy, felt less sluggish, less heavy. I noticed a huge change in my mood. I had a bit of a volatile temper that just calmed when my body stopped feeling so bad. It was easier to get out of bed in the morning, and I was able to shake this constant depressed feeling I had.
It was truly life changing.

CD: Do you have to vegan to benefit from your site?

DB: Not at all! I am totally an omnivore / flexitarian (if you want to get fancy). My recipes are all over the place. Some are vegetarian, some are vegan, and some are straight up carnivorous! I am definitely a fan of vegan cooking and vegan restaurants, though. They are guaranteed to be dairy-free, so I don’t need to worry.
I truly believe every body is different. Certain ways of eating work for some and not others. I try to be as objective as possible on my site, and not push any particular food philosophy.

CD: What is your Favorite Dairy substitute?

DB: That’s a really broad question! Do I have to pick one?!
I use nutritional yeast a lot to add that tangy, salty cheesiness to dishes. It’s really versatile, and actually has some health benefits.
Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread is probably my most-used substitute. I don’t think I’d be able to bake without it!
If we’re talking indulgent stuff, Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (the non-hydrogenated version) is my favorite. I only buy it occasionally, but I actually feel like I’m eating rich cream cheese when I have it.

CD: Do you offer private health coaching?

DB: I do! I’m a certified health coach, and no, I don’t make all my clients give up dairy! Like I said, every body is different. If it works for you, there is no need to eliminate it.
Your readers are welcome to a free initial phone consultation with me. Contact me here !

Facebook Page!

Hello interwebs! Join me on Facebook and never miss another insightful post again! LOL, I'm so humble I know ;-) Click the link below!

Curvalicious Diva on Facebook!

Hope for Downward Dog!

I love Yoga. It s a workout that allows you to really breathe (which the Opera Singer in me adores) but still works you out and does wonders for your body. BUT when the Downward Dog pose comes up in rotation I want to scream! Not because I cant touch my toes, because I can and then some, but because my breasts try to suffocate me and my hands go numb holding the pose. I don't want to be the "loser" in class who just drops out until the next pose comes along but my body just doesn't want to be a dog, sorry.

I came across an awesome blog today that may give all of us curvy yoga lovers hope! Curvy Yoga is a safe haven for curvy yogis everywhere. Anna Guest-Jelley, the founder, gives all kinds of ideas on how to modify poses for a curvy frame while still maintaining the benefits of the practice. And if you're in Nashville she teaches classes as well. Check out her Downward Dog modifications here.

Music Monday Song of the Week!: Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Oh Adele how do I love thee...

My First Published Article!!

So excited! I was just named as Entertainment Contributor for Daily Venus Diva Magazine and my first article was posted today! It is a short review of "Bridesmaids" and their portrayal of big girls... Check it out here! i am so excited for this oppotunity and hope to soon be promoted to Entertainment Editor. If you have ideas for things you would like to see in print regarding plus sized women in entertainment drop me a line!

YAY!

Single's Softball Saturday's

So I joined a co-ed softball league. I find this HI-Larious because I have never played softball! I had friends in Jr High/ High School who played but when they tried to get me to join I said "Uh... no" So here we are some 15 years later and yesterday Im lacing up my sneakers and donning my INCREDIBLY orange team shirt.

Now this is not the most competitive league on the planet but I was still nervous. Turns out there was no need for that! My team is fun, supportive and dont really care that I don't totally know what I'm doing  :) I got to play pitcher and even made some hits and got to 3rd base (insert obvious joke here).

The big part of the league is the post game drinking and socializing which I am pro at so no worries there! Bottom line is, try something new once in a while! You may just discover something new that you like, and if not, have a laugh and a beer and call it a day!

Learn more about the league here!

Oh Ireland, how do you create such magical musicians?: The Script

Love these guys!!!

New Favorite Artist! Christina Perri

New Weekly Post! Sephora-Lunch Thursday!

Happy Thursday! The sun decided to shine here in NYC for a few hours today so Im in a pretty good mood! I thought I would start a new weekly post so each and every one of my diligent followers has something to look forward to on Thursday :) so in comes "Sephora-Lunch Thursday"! Each Thursday I will spend my lunch hour scouring Sephora for a new product that I love (though admittedly today's excursion actually occurred pre- "Bridesmaids" last night)

This week's product is Tarte's Four Day Stay Lash Stain. I have very long blond eyelashes and LOVE mascara. it is my Desert Island make-up (PS what's yours?) This lash stain essentially dyes your lashes black for a few days with absolutely ZERO clumping! It really is amazing for beautiful dark lashes without being TOO dramatic. (Not that I don't love me some dramatic lashes!) But I am definitely planning to go back and buy this stuff because it is amazing and at only $18, not too shabby!

It's a Pink kind of day!

Curves For Change

Thursday May, 19th in NYC is the Curves for Change 5k. Curves for change is a charitable organization started by plus size models that raises money for women's organizations. This year they are holding a 5k in Riverside park and I will be walking/jogging despite this nasty weather we've been having! I hope to see some of you curvy glamazons there supporting the cause! Comment if you are going and would like to meet up!

Rainy Days and Mondays cannot get me down!

So here it is... Monday... and even though I forgot not only my Phone, ID and my Keys, and am broke as all get out, I cannot let the dreary weather and prospect of another week get me down!

The weekend was glorious and filled with fun and love. One of my dearest friends came to NYC for the weekend and we had a blast with a day of indulgence (read: Eating and Drinking mass quantities) on Saturday.

I hope all of you wonderful people out there have the opportunity to indulge without thinking about how the scale will react or how hungover you may be the next day. Once in awhile it is worth letting your hair down and being the life of the party!

Also check out an awesome blog I stumbled upon!  http://biggirlbombshell.com/