First thing’s first! The blogs!!! I had the unbelievable pleasure of meeting two great ladies yesterday. And guess what? They both have blogs full of fattitude!

Please give some love to:
awellroundedventure.com  &  bargainfatshionista.blogspot.com

And I love a good Q & A so I took the liberty of snagging this one from bargainfatshionista.blogspot.com

1. If you didn’t have to work or go to school, how would you choose to spend your time?

I would love to travel, but that would mean being away from my husband (he doesn’t like to travel) and our companion animals. I may take a trip or two on my own or with friends and then try to settle a bit before going back to any type of routine. I guess in the end though, I would really like to help the fat/size/body acceptance community & movement along as best I can. It means a lot to me as it has helped me so very much in my own life. I am not sure what that would look like, but I just want everyone in the world to know that they are worth every ounce of effort and energy in the journey to positive self acceptance. It seems so simple, but we all know it’s not. I have thought about possibly starting some sort of outreach program, but I’d have to do a lot of research first. Ha-ha!

2. Do you have a lucky piece of clothing? (e.g. lucky socks)

Hmmm, I’m not sure I have anything “lucky” at the moment. I definitely have a bunch of favorite items that I wear endlessly. Like the carrot-leaf-pearl necklace my very good friend bought me when I opened my cafe, I wear it nearly every day. And my growing collection of big wooden laser-cut earrings. Guess nothing lucky though.

3. What is your least favorite food?

Least? Wow! Oh! I know! Eggplant, yellow mustard and lima beans. I know, silly stuff to hate so much, but you know, I keep trying them and realizing that yes, I do hate them. Ha-ha!

4. What is one thing you absolutely must do before you die?

Oh I like this one! I must sing in a band at least for on live gig. It’s been a dream since High School or earlier and now I am just determined to do it. Even if I have to do everything myself, hire musicians and do it that way. I would of course prefer to meet awesome people and go the old school route, but it just needs to happen, so I won’t be too picky!

5. Should fashion be taken seriously?

Yes, but not too seriously! I am certainly not for starting an actual fashion police. I think it’s fabulous when items are mis-matched to a ridiculour or over-the-top way. But I tend to find glamor in things much less than what most would consider glamorous. I love fashion, but I also don’t live for it. I just enjoy finding my own style and staying true to me and right now that means comfort is the priority.

6. What triggered your decision to begin loving and accepting your body?

I was sick of hearing it’s not okay to be fat, that it’s a disease or something to be fought in a war. That combined with being surrounded by office gals on weight watchers and such and hearing them compete in how little they ate each day. It makes me sick! I knew I was ready to get off of the hamster wheel, but wasn’t sure how until I discovered FA (Fat Acceptance) through a BUST magazine article on the U.K. Chubsters ( a fatty gang). I never looked back!

7. What are you passionate about?

Life! It sounds cliche, but it’s the truth. I find that with every passing year there is more to love in the world. The more I learn and grow and see the more I realize that life is full of excitement and mystery and fabulous nature and beyond. Okay, so I’m a hippie at heart! Ha-ha! You caught me!
8. Have you ever considered quitting blogging? If so, why?

I have and I have also stopped for awhile. Mostly because I lose steam or inspiration. I’m an artist in many things and I follow my inspirations where they lead me. I am at their whim, so to speak. So, when one well dries up I move on to the next. I may be post crazy one month and then post very little the next. I find it’s just a natural flux, but it also allows me room to breath and experience other forms of art as well.

I was graciously asked to participate in a podcast this evening and I am so excited & flattered! So, please tune-in if you can or check it out later when you have a chance to do so. Thanks so much, Rachel!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I did, for the most part. The only real bummer was that I was supposed to meet up with the guys in my would-be band again on Saturday (one had to cancel last Saturday) and this time, the other canceled. Bah! I’m near ready to give up on them, but not on me. *sticks tongue out at the universe*

Saturday after work I took a very long nap. I needed it! Oh my goodness did I need it!  Ha-ha! Then we headed over to my good friend Q’s house to help her decorate pigeons for “Pigeonopolis” for her Burning Man trip. It was lots of fun! I had no plan in mind for my pigeon, but I used a palette of purples and magenta with some green and gold glitter. I think she said it reminded her of Kabuki make-up. Ha! I love it! It was so interesting to see how different each of our pigeons came out (6 total). Q & J put LEDs for the eyes of their pigeons…tre` chic!

Sunday was full of activity! Slept in and needed that, too! Then coffee & food! Later I headed over to Oakland (about an hour’s drive for me) for Big Moves Bay Area’s Cupcake & Muffin Tops V.2 which was fattabulous! How to describe? I usually tell people it’s like a fat-gal thrift store without the racks. I think it’s more than that though. Visually, picture long tables with large heaps of clothing covering them. Tons of fatties in all manner of fabulous fashions (seriously! They made it hard to look for clothes when they were wearing the cutest stuff ever!) chatting and searching and trying on clothes to purchase for very little cash but all proceeds go to Big Moves. Yeah, Rad! I know! I had meant to take pictures and be social and chatty and my bubbly self, but I don’t know what happened. I walked in all smiles and started chatting to all of the lovelies, but then I sort of lost my fire somewhere along the way. Maybe it was the pile of denim capris that didn’t fit. Hmmm. I will say that it was again an incredible experience to try on clothing in a changing room of all fats! And not just one type of fat, but all types of fats! And everyone was so sweet and positive and full of compliments. It was a bit of a Utopian sort of event. I enjoyed it, but sadly grew shy and quiet by the time I was ready to leave. I did run into some lovely fats I’d only met recently, including the effervescent Marilyn Wann! She was wearing this lovely short black tank-dress, too. I should have asked to take a pic with her, but I spaced and chickened out simultaneously. Ha-ha! I was seriously stoked on my way up and excited to meet more fats! I don’t know what happened. I think my shopping high died and that with the heat of the day just left me a bit wilty.

When I got home my wonderful husband and I made brownies for my sister’s b-day. I threw together a quick gift bag for her and we attended to various puppy & house duties. Later we stopped by her place for the b-day love & goodies. I was so relieved that she liked everything I got her. I just never know. And her place was super cute! Her friends were cool & funny. I had a fab time! It is amazing to see my little sister all grown up though. I mean, wow! She’s a woman! We’re 9 years apart and had fallen out of touch (so to speak, long story) and hadn’t seen each other for nearly four years. So you can imagine what it was like for me to walk in and see this completely different person than I knew growing up. You know? Ha-ha! I am so glad that we’re back in touch and have vowed to never let anything change that again.

All in all it was a bunch of good times!  And if you’re watching Huge on ABC family, tonight’s the finale! I know, so sad. But we have to actually demand a second season! We have to let ABC Family KNOW that we want to see gorgeous fats on t.v. Check out Lesley Kinzel’s post about what you can do: http://www.fatshionista.com/cms/index.php?option=com_mojo&Itemid=69&p=531

Have you seen the movie “Inception” yet? Oh! It’s so good!

Well, I won’t give anything away (not that I think anyone could ruin it), but I wanted to share a little bit of inspiration I got from it. Okay, more like fashion inspiration from Ellen Page’s character in the film. She wore all of these really cute layered outfits with rad accessories and such. I love accessories, don’t get me wrong, but the scarf worn in the front thing? Never tried it! So the day after seeing the movie with two of my fave peeps in the world, I wore this to work:

I truly need a vest to complete the look, but I don’t have one and that’s that.

The t-shirt is from Old Navy (’bout three years ago) and the jeans are Avenue’s denim lite straight leg in a 30 average. I have no idea where the scarf came from. My mother in law perhaps? But I love the combo of green and purple, so I went with it. It has branches all over it. Sunglasses are prescription from JC Penny Optical three years ago. And yes, that is my little cafe I’m standing in. I have a horrible time trying to take pics of myself, but this was alright, just a bit wonky. Ha-ha!

Your thoughts? Thanks for reading.  =0)

It’s been very hot in the bay area the last couple of days. I know this isn’t the same hot the east coast gets or tropical climates, but it’s hot for us, nonetheless. This sudden bout of heat has made me rethink my day-to-day and focus more on what’s important: Self Care!

I had been struggling lately with eating during the day, I just didn’t want to eat. Yes, I get hungry. But I own/run a  cafe and am around food all of the time. (Luckily my cafe’s focus is offering natural/organic goodies for everyone to enjoy.) This does make for a difficult choice at lunch time when I need to eat! Being broke as a joke leaves me with two options: make myself something here or starve. And for about three weeks, I chose the latter. UGH! It drives me crazy. Last week I vowed, to myself, that I would eat a normal lunch each day. And I did. That is until this little heat wave arrived.

I have red hair and fair skin. I don’t do well with any extreme temperatures. When it’s very hot I don’t want to eat or sleep or anything, I am simply miserable. I must force myself to do the things I don’t want to in order to survive. I have no trouble drinking water, I love the stuff, but reminding myself to stay hydrated can be difficult, too.

So, here’s what I have been doing to take care of myself, even when the thought of it makes me sigh:

1. drink lots of cold water. 30 degrees (F) is ideal, but 40 is fine, too. (And keeping my Brita pitcher full!)
2. buy foods that I’ll want to eat. This week that means watermelon, peaches, apples, bananas, carrots, berries, greens, cold cuts, picnic salads…things that can be eaten cold either together or not!
3. Popsicles! stock the freezer or make a bunch on your own! If you have an ice cream maker, that rocks, too! I just know that I get very absent minded in the heat and need something quick and ready. And smoothies! So easy to make and tasty no matter what you throw in there!
4. cold showers! Maybe my fave part of summer! (or swimming or both!)
5. EAT! Yeah, it’s kind of sad that I have to remind myself to do it, but that’s how it’s been lately. And I’ve been eating smaller meals but more snacks in between, so that helps too.
6. Wear lighter fabrics. It’s simple, I know, but I still grab for the usual things. I won’t even go into the whole sleeveless debate, but if your okay with that, do it! I spent far too much time worrying and far less time being comfortable. Now? Comfort is queen! And besides, you look better when you feel better.
7. Did I mention COLD WATER?! I run a cold tap over my inner wrists to cool down at work. And sometimes I sneak away to the ladies room and splash my face and neck. A quick fix, I assure you! And don’t be afraid to dab your brow if you’re feeling some sweat. I say better that than suffering.
8. Water for everyone! We have a pup & a kitty and have to make sure they are hydrated, too! The pup loves ice and the kitty loves the bathroom tap, so no worries there. Just need to be a little more frequent when it’s hot.
9. Keep the shades drawn & windows closed during the day. This helps keep it cooler & when we get home from work we can open everything up for fresh air!
10. I don’t currently have a fan in the cafe, or a personal one. So I keep the front door open and hope for a breeze. On my way home I roll all of the windows down or crank my car’s AC. At home? We have an AC but it’s not efficient and we’re conservationists. So we stick to more fun ways to stay cool like the above.

My point in all of this is that we’re working and running around taking care of things and often forget to take care of ourselves. No matter what weather you’re currently dealing with, it’s so important to treat yourself right! I think of it like this, you wouldn’t let your best friend or partner allow themselves to be treated poorly or forget their bodies needs, so don’t do it to yourself either!

How do you handle self care? Are you so busy that you forget to take care of yourself? Tell me about it!  =0)