Yes, even you!

Last night my good friend Carmen and I headed up to San Francisco to attend a free burlesque workshop at Good Vibrations. I was fortunate enough to have met and been invited to the workshop by the instructor and incredibly fabulous lady, Virgie Tovar. She is such a sweetheart and bad ass, simultaneously! You just don’t even know! Ha-ha! But I was excited about learning some new moves and in such a welcoming and comfortable and accepting environment (a rare thing indeed).

If you’ve never been to a Good Vibrations location, you’re in for such a treat! Imagine a sex toy shop, but set up like a fancy boutique! And the employees were all so calm and nice and just welcoming. Everything you could hope for in a sex toy shop! What I loved most about Good Vibrations is that they had demo/display models of every toy they carried! You could actually pick them up, touch and feel, turn them on (hello! So you know how powerful a vibe is–whoa!) and see what they can do! This was fabulous for me because I just never know what I want or like or whatever. Carmen was instantly attracted to the high-end stuff (go figure) because of the colors and design of their toys. Gorgeous, no lie, but $150? No dice!

We filed into the back room while Virgie set up for the class. It seemed more and more people kept coming in an almost endless stream. Finally everyone arrived and was seated and Virgie started the class. And she was just so friendly and cool and like that awesome older sister that girl had in high school? The one in college when y’all were sophomores? Yeah, the reeeeeeeeeeally cool one! That’s Virgie! She started by having up loosen up and just getting ready to move our stuff and shake our money makers (my words, not hers). Then she put on the music and showed us, very patiently, some burlesque moves.

She began with the classic and essential (in my opinion) shimmy! Anyone with a rack of doom can certainly pull this one off without a hitch. It’s a pretty simple move of just really shaking your shoulders so that your chest gets a good jiggling! Then we were instructed on “the bump” which is taking your hips and bumping them out on each side. As though you’re knocking something out of your way with your hips, one at a time. Then we were instructed on some arm movements, pelvic thrusts, feeling ourselves up and a special finishing move that is just too good to share here! So much fun!

What I found interesting was the great diversity in not only sizes of bodies in the class, but also ages and ethnicities and more! Plus, there were like three or four guys in the class, too! In fact, when it came time for us to perform our choreographed moves and a quick freestyle bit in groups of five and six in front of the class, the guys participated, too! It was so cool! We even got to use props! I chose a bright red feather boa and pretended to look like I knew what the hell I was doing! Ha-ha! The music was fun and perfect, too! everything from Prince’s “Erotic City” to Madonna’s “Vogue” and even 50 Cent and Kelis! All totally fitting and appropriate, I thought.

After the class I stayed to chat with Virgie and some other lovely ladies I had met at previous local fat events, Hi Allison & Alex! *Waves*
Virgie was kind enough to allow a couple of photos of us to be taken and so we had a bit of fun with it:

(Trying to re-enact the painting behind us.)

Next we headed back out into Good Vibrations for a bit of shopping! I had seen one specific toy that I almost bought online, but since it was the same price (and no shipping) and we got a 10% off coupon by attending the class I couldn’t say no! I thought it was extra awesome that they ask if you’d like to donate a dollar to planned parenthood, to which I most certainly said yes! How could I not? With the discount, tax and $1 for PP, it still ended up cheaper than the regular price! Chah!

By evening’s end, I had had a great time with a great friend and got to hang out with fellow fat fabulous ladies while learning some new dance moves! Who could ask for more?

Thanks, Virgie, for all that you do, gurl! You rock!
<3
S

Happy International No Diet Day to you and you and you!

I wanted to share some of my thoughts today and some fabulous resources, too!

Today I am celebrating by being kind to my body, to myself and to others. I put on eye make up (wow! I know!) and a top I rarely wear and have already gotten some compliments (not my motivation, but still nice). I will feed my body what it desires and give no thought or value or question why or what that is or means. I am pretty much spamming my facebook with INDD stuff today, so if you’re an FB friend o’ mine, tough it out! Ha-ha! =0)

Check out Fat Girls Float‘s post today for the origin & goals of INDD

For info on the INDD Fat Flesh Mob in S.F. Go to Big Fat Blog

Read about how the Fat Waitress Loves her Body!

The ever fabulous Golda Poretsky is offering her book Stop Dieting Now for FREE today only!!!

Sharon Haywood have a fabulous post up at Adios Barbie and be sure to watch her video.

Some are using the Twitter tag #INDD, so check out those posts if you’re over there. But if you’re low on teaspoons or sanity points, you may not want to actually look up International No Diet Day on Twitter. Just sayin’! Lots of folks are saying some silly stuff. Be aware that many links in these tweets link to diet ads, weight loss centers and worse.

For more info or ideas on INDD check out this page (link provided by Penguin Books AUS on twitter).

I am also noticing some people “celebrating” either for the wrong reasons or in the worst ways.
INDD was not created as an excuse for us to all gorge ourselves on “bad” foods or what have you.

Thanks for reading.
<3
S

I had such a glorious day off yesterday. I had zero plans other than two errands and one of those got cancelled, so it was pretty chill. I love that! And it was about 70 degrees all day; perfection in my book. I was feeling so swell in fact that I wore an actual dress! I know, nuts, right? Okay, so I wore leggings under the dress, but mostly because it wasn’t that hot out and I didn’t have tights handy. I had been wanting to wear the dress since I got it from the ever stylish Nicole. She had brought it to the S.F. clothing swap just for little old me (what a doll, right?). But it’s been strange spring weather and I wasn’t feeling it, ya know? Until yesterday, that is. Can ya tell?

Yes, that’s my little puggy man there having his nappy time. Ha-ha! The dress was originally from Alight.com and I had wanted a top in this same fabric/print so bad but they had sold out of my size. Boo! But Nicole was such a sweetie pie and gave me this dress of hers. I know you can’t see the leggings, but they are from Torrid with the lace at the ankle. Basic. I haven’t a clue where the hat came from. Back of my car is all I know. Ha-ha! Perhaps Ross Dress For Less? That sounds about right. I just wore flip-flops with this. It was lovely!

I have several dresses now but always hesitate to wear them. Mostly due to either chub rub issues or my legs showing issues. Leggings help and my good friend Amanda linked me to this Leggings DIY video so I may give it a go on my own:

It was so nice talking with Psycho Sue of Sew-MisUnderstood.blogspot.com!
If you’re not already reading her blog, get on over there and prepare to be wowed!

Also, you can check out her band’s page TheBackSeatBetties.com

ThreadBanger.com (sewing tutorials)
HerRoom.com (retro shapewear)

We talked sewing and pugs and rocking out and well…just listen and see!  =0)

Podcast Episode 7 Psycho Sue.lite

You may listen to the podcast here on the page (player is below) or on iTunes here or search podcasts for: NotBlueAtAll
(please subscribe if you are able).

Thanks,

S

In my last podcast, Golda and I chatted quite a bit about self-care and how important it is. We also discussed the struggles we have in keeping with it. It will be the first thing you toss out the window/give up because it affects no one but you and no one will remind you to do it. Don’t I know it?! Whew! It is something I often preach about (I dislike the word preach, but at this point I think it’s apt), yet even I have a difficult time sticking to it! It’s sad, but very true. Especially when we are stressed, busy, in crisis mode, etc…we drop the one thing that, often, keeps us going.  That funk ‘o mine? Probably due to a complete and utter lack of self-care, y’all! No doubt! (With a healthy side of depression for good luck!)

Sometimes it really is the little things that matter. I realized this on Sunday, while getting all dolled up for the fatshion swap. I remembered how I used to put on make up every day before (or even at) work. How I always felt like I didn’t know what the hell I was doing yet somehow found it almost fun. And the feedback I got (and am still getting) floored me! I am most comfortable without make up and hairspray and pearls, but I like those things, too. I am more than a one dimensional gal, what can I say?

Yesterday I finally got down to brass tacks as they say and did some much needed and long overdue self-care! It is still a bit humbling to speak of my financial status, but I’m owning it anyway. I used to get monthly pedicures and thought nothing of it. Now? *sigh* Now I must DIY anything I can’t buy for less than five bucks. For realz. It just is. So I gave myself a pedicure last night (husband went fishing, no bites sadly). My toe nails were painted and pedicured…TWO months ago! Yikes! My toe nails were long, as you can imagine, and long overdue for attention. I bought that Easy Feet thing (as seen on t.v.) and used that in the shower with my husband’s lovely tea tree body wash. Later, after many more errands and chores were completed, I finally did the whole schpeil. I didn’t get to paint them (couldn’t find my base or top coats), but I did cut, file, trim them and pumiced my heels. WOW! What a difference?!

This also led to my putting up a lil pic I found on Tumblr, to remind myself to floss, like, every day! I floss when I remember and lately that is never.My memory is the worst lately and I’m not sure why (okay, stress is why). Now when I go to the restroom or brush my teeth I see that little comic-gal and her message: “Floss Those Shits” and I giggle and I want to floss! It’s magical, I tell ya! (click pic for original poster on tumblr.)

I do believe, in my great 33 year old wisdom, that self-care is fucking vital to my well-being. I have seen what not doing it can lead to (vicious spirals of sad) and how much better I feel when I’m doing it daily! It’s not always such an undertaking though (and yeah, I consider a pedicure an undertaking). You can do anything for yourself, so long as you enjoy it or it gives you pleasure. It can be as tiny as doing your hair different or wearing a special outfit. It can also be big pampering things or lovely simple things like feeling the breeze or your hair on your bare back (a lovely feeling if you can manage it, I’m growing my hair out to get there again it was that lovely). It doesn’t have to be a big to-do or fuss. In fact I would say it shouldn’t be, but whatever works for you is fine.

It shouldn’t take very long and should fit nicely into your current routine or schedule. I like to use music or just a few quiet minutes in the morning before I open the cafe for business. You can dance, you can sing (or both), you can read a comic book (I recommend “Lenore” she’s my fave)…anything! Cooking, baking, sewing…creative stuff is rad! Or even just buying a new lip gloss or getting a massage from a loved one. All of these things and so much more. But don’t pressure yourself. It defeats the purpose of it, honestly. This isn’t homework or an assignment, this is you doing something for you!

So paint your nails a fun color, let your hair down, wear jeans, or whatever you do that makes you more comfortable or more authentically you! Throw on that Salt ‘N Pepa song (“Tramp” just came on my iPod and is taking me waaaaay back!) and let the music take control, let the music move you! (Ha-ha!) Or you know what? Just daydream for fuck’s sake! How often do we get to do that these days? But most of all, enjoy it! And don’t forget to do it (if you can help it).

Thanks,
<3
S