The Queen

Of all of the beautiful, voluptuous women out there that I admire, I truly believe that Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah, has to be at the top of the list. Here is a woman who is not only talented in her music but is an accomplished actress as well. What I admire most about her is the fact that she's never compromised herself or who she is. She doesn't make excuses for being a plus sized woman. She doesn't try to portray herself as anything that the beautiful woman that God created. She's a big girl and she's proud of that fact. She truly is an inspiration and it is because of women like her that Hollywood and the movie industry in general as become more accepting of people, no matter what their size. I wish that every woman over a size 12 could take a note or two from Queen Latifah. Accept who you are. Do not change yourself or attempt to conform just because society says that you should be something different. Be proud of yourself and recognize your own beauty, inside and out!

Finding the solution

It doesn't matter how much I try to organize, I still have so much stuff. I know I'm not the only one with this problem. I clean out my closet and with one trip to the shops, it's again in a state of clutter. I've tried to combine my bedroom along with my home office and it's simply not working. I'm going to have to look into something like garden buildings and utilize that has a home office. They're wonderful structures that you can add to your property and use in a plethura of ways. They are stunning with the wood and the glass and I can absolutely see myself spending my days surrounded by such beauty. I really do need to come up with a solution because combining an office and a living space just isn't ideal. Maybe I can look into getting two garden buildings and use one as just a beautiful get-away from everyone and everything inside the house. Now there's an idea!

It all goes!

Tomorrow is the day.  Tomorrow I am going to start going through my bedroom and organizing and getting rid of things.  I'm going to toss out those things that I haven't made use of in more than six months.  I'm going to get rid of any clothes that I haven't worn or any shoes I haven't worn.  I'm going to get rid of those extra bottles of lotion I've never even cracked the cap on in the past six months.  I'm going to organize my movies and see what I've got.  I'm going to go through photos that I have and get them all organized into one or two boxes instead of scattered about in five different boxes of things.  I don't really own a lot but it seems like I've just got so much crap that I'm not using.  I'm going to downsize myself to the bare minimum.  Spring Cleaning in November.  Sounds like a plan to me!

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It Happens

How many times have you been out window shopping and seen the PERFECT outfit and it's been a few days before payday?  That seems to happen to me more often than I'd like.  I'm not trusting that the item I want will still be there when I return.  I've been known to get Payday loans before for the sole purpose of shopping. I simply paid the money back a few days later when my paycheck was deposited. It afforded me the opportunity to catch some great bargains and not miss out on those terrific sales. I wouldn't recommend doing this on a routine basis but I certainly see no harm in it once in a while. Just remember to be responsible and only spend what you know your budget will allow. Don't let your love of shopping put you or keep you in the financial dog house!

Trying for readership

I'm trying to get the word out about this blog but so far my efforts have proven null and void.  It's as though every blog networking site is on permanent hiatus or vacation or just plain doesn't care about their site anymore.  If you're visiting my site and like what you see (please keep in mind that this is a relatively new blog so it's a definite work in progress) then please leave me a comment and add me to your blog roll.  The word of fellow bloggers is still the best way to get your site read and followed.

Let's Get Moving

Christmas is six weeks away.  That means you have just a very very short time in which to find your perfect holiday party outfit.  The holiday parties typically start right after Thanksgiving and well, that's just two weeks away.  You do the math.  I've found some terrific dresses online and of course, don't forget about using your Online Coupons to save you some much needed dinero. I'm trying to find myself a cute handbag to use throughout the winter season. I've found some great eBags deals that are too good to pass up. Of course, you cannot forget to find yourself that killer pair of shoes that are far to luxurious but you simply must have them.  There are some really great savings using Macy's coupons and I happen to know from first hand experience that Macy's has some absolutely gorgeous shoes. Irregardless of where you do your online shopping, I have two suggestions for you.

1. Get into gear and do it now.  No procrastinating allowed. 
   
2. Be smart and use an online coupon.  There is no sense in spending money that you don't have to spend.

Now what are you waiting for?  You should be making your list, checking it twice and finding that perfect little black dress!

Denim according to William

I love William Sledd. He's a self-proclaimed fashion expert and I simply adore him. He's from Paducah, Kentucky however due to his Youtube success, he's branching out into all sorts of successful endeavors. This is one of my favorite fashion tip videos that he's done. Here is William and his friend Stephanie giving the great fashion tips for denim!

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Upgrading your surroundings

When working to find and develop your own inner diva, it's important to make certain that your surroundings are in complete diva order as well. I've been working to do a major over-haul on the house from top to bottom. I've even found a place that will turn your garage floors into something completely new and restored. I try to stay away from the garage as much as possible because it's turned into such a catastrophe. If I could get the floor replaced in there I might use it as extra storage for the mass of things that I can't seem to fit into my closet! Bet you never thought a garage was important to your inner diva but in reality, all that surrounds you is important!

Walk before you shop

Tis the season for eating all of the things that we know add inches to the hips. If you're going to be indulging a bit this holiday season, be certain not to forget some type of exercise. It doesn't have to be a full gym workout. Simply take a little walk each day and burn some of those added calories. If it is too cold where to you live to go outdoors for a walk, consider your local mall. You can conquer your holiday shopping and your exercise in one trip. Before you start your shopping, take 2 or 3 laps around the mall scoping out which shops you'd like to hit. Not only are you creating a shopping strategy but you're getting that much needed exercise as well. Just take my advice and avoid the loop that takes you through the food court. No need for unnecessary temptations!

Shopping Wisely

The Christmas shopping season is upon us. Typically the season begins with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Most generally start browsing and making Christmas mental notes with the start of November. If you're doing your Christmas shopping online, make certain that you check out any and all coupons that may be available for the stores that you're shopping. CouponChief.com has coupons for a huge selection of some of your favorite stores. Some coupons include 20% off while others are for free shipping and handling. I often shop at Lane Bryant and I have no problem finding a truly fantastic coupon to use when shopping online. I've also managed to get some terrific savings at Junonia. Whatever it is that you're shopping for, just be certain to check for coupons before you purchase. Every little bit of money you save means that much more money you can spend!

New Scents make sense

My new favorite scent is The One by Dolce and Gabbana. I love it. The fragrance features top notes of mandarin and peach that leads into a heart of jasmine and ends with a base of vanilla, amber and musk. In my opinion, it's perfect for both day and evening wear. I often have to remind myself to add new scents to my repertoire. I find one that I love and I never want to wear anything else. Don't get in a rut. Switch things up a bit and look for new fragrances. And don't forget...sometimes the greatest of find can be something that's been on the market for years but yet you've never tried. Sample some of the older classic fragrances the next time you're out in the department stores. You just might be surprised and find your new "it" fragrance!

Magical Holiday Shopping

As Christmas rapidly approaches, I'm reminded of one of my favorite holiday traditions. SHOPPING! I don't just shop though. I like to shop in big cities. There's nothing better than combining a weekend get-away with a mega shopping expedition. One of my favorite weekend get-away cities for shopping is New York City. Seriously, there is no better place to spend your money during the Christmas season than in the Big Apple.

Hotel Reservations can be a bit difficult to acquire during the holiday season so you must plan ahead. Don't wait until the weekend before Christmas and expect to find yourself a great room. Use a site such as HotelReservations.com when you make your travel arrangements. They work to find you the lowest rate for your specified dates and I find their site to be one of the easiest to maneuver around.

One you get to town and find your hotel...drop off the luggage and immediately hit the streets in your most comfortable of shoes. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT expect to do a marathon shopping spree in NYC in spiky little heels. We are not Carrie Bradshaw. We are also not stick figures. Put on something sensible and something that you're prepared to walk in for a solid seven or eight hours. Be certain to visit all of the major department stores in Manhattan as their Christmas window displays are absolutely amazing. Saks, Macy's, Bloomingdales...all of them. Definitely a must see. And believe it or not, you can shop in Manhattan on a budget. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars and take out a second mortgage on your home. Just don't spend all of your time on Fifth Avenue. Check out lower Manhattan for some great bargains and discount shops.

So in conclusion...plan your trip and get your reservations as soon as you've decided to take your weekend get-away. Map out a strategy as far as your shopping route. Try to find a hotel in close proximity to where you plan on doing the majority of your shopping. Cabs are expensive. Most of all, treat yourself to a wonderful weekend in a wonderful city full of the best shopping possibilities ever!

Seasonal Rotation Is A Must

Here's a good seasonal reminder for you! As you're going through your closet and pulling your winter things to the front (at least that's what I do) do a thorough cleaning out. If you let a winter season go by without wearing one or two certain sweaters or if there's a jacket stuffed in the back of your closet that hasn't seen the outdoors in two years, start yourself a donation bag. I realized that I had several sweaters that I hadn't worn in years because they're always at the back of my closet. When it came time for seasonal rotation, I'd just leave them in the back because I didn't foresee myself wearing them right them. If you're not wearing it, rid yourself of it. Just think, for every item that you clean out of your closet, you've just left yourself room to buy yourself two new things. Don't question the math...it's my own mathematical system!

Making the move

Did you ever stop to think that maybe your dating game isn't all that its cracked up to be because of no fault of your own? Yeah, believe it or not, the perfect guy may be out there giving you the eye but he's lacking the confidence and the game to let you know. Contrary to popular belief, guys often have a difficult time with self esteem and confidence. They're no different than us girls. Men just don't like to admit that they might need a little bit of help when it boils down to how to meet women. It's a macho thing, I'm sure. Understandably so. I mean, I'm sure it was a male who was the original pick up artist
.

Here is a little tidbit of info for you. Men like it when we make things easier for them. Yes, I know...playing hard to get is part of the game for us girls. True. However, there is a time and place for that. When a man is obviously lacking a bit of self confidence, that is not the time to play hard to get. You're trying to get the guy, not scare him away from the dating scene for life. In my opinion, nice guys deserve a shot. Cut them some slack and give them a break. Make the first move. If you think there is some mutual interest, why don't you buy them a drink? Why must the man always make the first move? You've got nothing to lose except your pride. And trust me, in the dating scene, pride must take a back seat at times. You can't be too proud to step up to the plate and let a guy know you're interested.

Dating doesn't have to be a drudgery. Trust me, it's not going to get any easier as you get older. I speak from experience on that one. If I've learned anything over the years, it's to go with my instinct. If I feel like I'm getting the eye from a hottie, then I'm going to give him the eye back. I'm going to flirt a little bit. Let him know that I see that eye and I'm raising him on the deal. Guys certainly don't want to have to do all of the work but most will not shy away from a challenge.

So the next time you're out at the club and the DJ starts spinning your favorite tune, sashay right over to that one that's been giving you the look all evening long, grab him by the hand and drag him out to the dance floor. Get your groove on. Who knows, you might just gain a lot more than a dance!

Tip O' the Day!

Just as Spring brings many rituals for people, Fall has its own rituals for me. One of the things I must do every Fall season is to get a new hairstyle. I feel it necessary to enter into the holiday season looking my best and getting all of that dead cut out of my hair. We all put our hair through torture during the summer months. What better time to give yourself a mini-makeover than at the start of a new season. Time to cut out those dead ends and give that chlorine damaged hair a new coiffure. Just a simple trim may be all it takes to put new life back into your hair. Don't forget to switch up your shampoos and conditioners every few months. It keeps your hair from looking dull and lifeless! Just a tip!

Be Wise, Be Healthy

I'm a firm believer in trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I may not be a size 6, but I still insist upon eating intelligently. I'm very conscious of what I consume and I do my best to be consistent in my nutritional habits.

It's important that if you're just starting out with new and healthier changes in your diet, that you keep a food diary. You need to be able to track your eating style. Do you tend to eat more at night versus the morning? Are you a habitual snacker? Do you consume a great deal more sugar than necessary? Keeping a journal of all of your food intake in the beginning is a great tool to getting some insight into how and why you eat what you eat. It goes beyond counting calories. You've got to maintain a healthy caloric intake as well as monitoring your carbs, fat grams and sugar intake. If you're unsure of how to keep track of these things, then you're best bet will be to find a calorie counter to help you out in the beginning. After a while, you'll be able to judge things with a sensible view.

Remember...it's not dieting that we all need. It's a lifestyle change. Making these healthy changes in your diet needs to be something that you take with you for the rest of your life. Being healthy is the only way to be!

Divine Leather

Cooler weather is almost here. Finally! I love nothing more than being able to put on a very trendy and stylish jacket when I go out. I truly believe that outerwear is just as important as the rest of your wardrobe. I love leather coats and jackets. Sure, they take a bit more care than just a windbreaker or a denim jacket but that's okay. Fashion doesn't come without some effort. Buying yourself a good leather jacket or coat is an investment. If you take care of it, it will last you forever. Truth be told, leather jackets never really go out of style. New styles are added each year but if you really examine them, they're just repeats of the same classic styles that have always been around. If you add nothing else to your winter wardrobe, I strongly suggest you consider one really beautiful, chic leather jacket. You simply cannot go wrong!!

Just a reminder...

In case you let it slip your mind...

Now is the time to check for great sales on swimsuits both online and in your local department and specialty boutiques. Most retailers are trying to clear out their 2007 line to make plenty of room for when that 2008 line breaks out. Normally, this is the only way I purchase a swimsuit.

A few years ago, I managed to snag a swimsuit for $40. It was originally priced at nearly $120. I saved nearly 70%. With savings like that, I was able to purchase a matching sarong to go with it. Deals are always out there to be had. You just need to keep your eyes open and your shopping sensors tuned in to the clearance sales.

Could you please pass the dish of Autumn?

I can't wait for fall to break out in full force. Yes, I know that it's October and that constitutes fall however here in Florida, fall doesn't hit us until around December. Sometimes January. I'm ready to break out my jean jackets and my cozy sweaters. I'm ready to start wearing jeans again and not capris every day. I'm ready for something besides sandals and flip flops. It's almost worth moving up north again so I can go back to having a wardrobe geared towards each of the four seasons. I'll find any reason necessary to shop!

Style and Trends

Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive the exact same service and treatment when you shop an online boutique as you do when you visit a chic boutique in person? You can actually. At tobi.com you can speak to an online stylist who will assist you with your purchases. Pretty innovative wouldn't you say?

Whether you're searching for that new and trendy diesel jacket or those sexy paige jeans, tobi.com has what it is you're looking for. They prove that shopping online doesn't have to be, and isn't, cold and impersonal.

Of course, you know that I head straight to the handbag section of their site. I had a bit of price shock at first but I did manage to find some really stylish bags that wouldn't force me to get a bank loan. In general, tobi.com has just about anything you could possible want from a high end boutique. If its boots or the incredible vince sweaters, tobi.com should be your online boutique of choice. And don't forget...an online stylist to give you that personal attention that you deserve. What could be better than that? Oh wait...I know...how about some sale prices with up to 80% off the regular price? Yeah, now you're listening huh? Be sure to check out all of the sections at tobi.com because you never know what you're going to find.

Trends on the rise

I recently returned from having spent a few weeks in Europe, specifically the Netherlands. While there, I noticed something that I hadn't noticed in all of my previous time spent there. Plus Sized fashions are on the rise! I was ecstatic to see this new trend. There were more stores dedicated strictly to plus size clothing. I know that Europe basically sets the mark where fashion is concerned, however I feel they've been lacking when it came to having beautiful clothes for the voluptuous woman. Apparently this is changing and rightfully so.

I did refrain from purchasing any clothes while over there. Unfortunately I did not refrain from spending copious amounts of money on handbags and shoes. My next visit will be dedicated to clothing. Just remember, if you do ever find yourself in Europe and decide to add to your wardrobe, the sizing charts are quite different. Don't be alarmed to find yourself trying on a size 52 blouse or slipping on a pair of size 40 boots for size. Print off a size comparison chart before you go and it will make the process much easier!