Fab Things That I Am Currently Loving!

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The Bubbly Stuff

I can't wait to pop the cork on a bottle of Veuve Clicquot to celebrate on New Year Eve.

It has become my annual ritual and it makes me alternately crazy giddy and mellow with reflection.

But the bubbly that I am actually referring to in this post is not the kind that you drink but the kind that is used to take beauty products to another level with their grape seed extract content.

Per a recent article in the LA Times,
grape seed extract offers antioxidants that are 20 to 50 times more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E respectively


A couple of the products mentioned in the article for their grape seed extract content are philosophy's pink bubbly exfoliating buffing wash and Jaqua Pink Champagne Shower Creme.

I have not met a Philosophy product that I did not like and although Jaqua is a line that I am not greatly familiar with, this product has definitely peeked my interest.

Read the article and see more of the products {here}.

As The Year Comes to a Close..

I find it very interesting how there is almost a backlash against making New Year's resolutions.

When in fact knowingly or not, we make resolutions every day.

For the good and the bad.

The basic definition of a resolution is "a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner"

So, that covers pretty much everything from choosing which shoes to wear to what to say or not to say to someone when having a conversation and everything in between.

I think the main objection is that most people had added a negative connotation to New Year's resolutions because of the perceived change aspect involved.

Or that your resolutions will involve things like losing weight, etc that a lot of people say they want but then don't really resolve to take the actions to achieve.

Also, a lot of people are very change adverse.

For most people there is no comfort in change, there is fear and uncertainty.

For me, change is a requirement of living.

And growth is the reward of that change.

Needless to say, this has been a fantastic year of major change and growth for me.

I have gone from a very unwanted yet chosen, heavy workload to one that allows me the free time to pursue interests that for years were put aside.

Mind you this has affected my income in a very real manner but the peace of mind and the sense of freedom have been more than worth it for me.

Sure I miss my trips back to my second home, New York City . And I miss the security that comes from knowing that every day you are making money.

But I am confident that my new pursuits, (and there are so many exciting ones in the works) once given their full due will bring the monetary rewards, so I have been more than willing to sacrifice.

This has also been the year of one of the most dramatic personal pains that I have ever experienced but I got through it and came out stronger than I ever thought possible.

On the flip side of that, this year has been one of great fun & creative growth.

For one, I finally started this blog, which had been a idea of mine for a very long time and I got out of my own way and let it be organic.

I also have met some of the coolest people. Gone to some of the most fun events. Learned valuable lessons, connected with resources and tapped back into my creative side as a result.

I remember when I was younger, how I was very much into being creative.

Drawing, writing, staging plays and performances for my family during the holidays, making music, you name it.

But somewhere along the way, I allowed adulthood to get in the way.

But as previously referenced in my Christmas post, i realize now, that "the only way that I can really enjoy my life is to fully live and enjoy every moment".

And living those moments requires that...

I love myself.

Allow myself.

Nurture myself.

Appreciate myself.

And more and more I look at challenges, whether they be situations or difficult people and make a very swift, conscious decision to give them my good energy or not.

And this has had a fundamental impact on my day to day life.

I already am the type of person who does not suffer fools well but when it came to my personal life, I would tend to be very lenient about this rule at times.

But now, I just resolve to hold firm in every situation because as I tweeted a few times a couple of weeks ago, ALL the relationships in my life need to be:



And just resolving to this concept completely has made the moments that in the past would have made me cave in to some pressure or appeased someone in one way or another, now makes me firm and resolute.

When I say NO, I mean NO.

When I say I don't have time for this or save the drama for your grandmama, I mean it.

And there is so much peace and calmness in that.

I say all this to say that, if you are one of those resolution hating people, perhaps the smallest change in your perspective or a even a quote can be your resolution and make a world of difference in your life.

In closing, I implore you to, as this year comes to a close...remember to stay open to the possibilities..

I wish you the most wonderful wealth of all...love

&

Here's to a New Year full of Major Curvatude!

Merry, Merry..

As I am taking time to enjoy the things that mean the most to me this Holiday season I can not help but look back and smile.

I have met some really great people and had the most life enhancing experiences and had so much fun.

This was my 40th year of life and in so many ways I feel as if I am starting a anew. I am doing more things that I love, things that I had put off or set aside to be a "grown up".

But I have found during this new awakening that the only way that I can really enjoy my life is to fully live and enjoy every moment!

So, being here at home, acting silly with the folks I love and wearing reindeer ears, all I can do is smile and wish that you will do the same.

The Gift Reveal..

Ok, by now hopefully everyone who won something in my very first 12 Days of Curvatude Christmas giveaway has received their goodies, so I am going to post pics of all of them.

But just in case you have not, I won't post which is from which day although some of them are really kinda obvious if you look at the clues.

Oh and in case you are wondering why there was all kinds of white out and mess on the labels its because i spent like an hour in the post office filling them out, etc only to find out that it was the wrong label!

0_0

Anyway, here ya go..













Ultra Suede Cuteness

I was browsing evans' website and came across this very cool Waterfall Suede Jacket.


I love the color. And the neckline.





The asymmetric zipper and the peplum add a really nice funky flair to it.





I would so rock this...

Really Great Gifts $10 & Under

Ok we are getting down to the wire and your funds may be dwindling along with your will to shop {although, does that ever realllyyy happen??}!!

Anyway, I wanted to share some more of the fabulous gifts at great prices that I have come across!

So you can take those last few dollars and turn them into something that will put a smile on the recipients face come Christmas Day!



Studded Leather Bracelet



Black Lace Tape


Oh My God I Miss You





Helix Special Occasion Clutch



Charter Club Solid Crinkle Scarf



Markita Pump {Comes in 16 Colors!!!}




BDG Fedora Cloche

12 Days of Curvatude Christmas - Day 12 Winner!




Congratulations Lisa!

I sent you an email. Please get back to me by 2 pm 12/14 with your mailing address so that I can ship your gift off!

If I don't hear from you by then, an alternate winner will be chosen!

To everyone else, thanks for participating.

I will post pictures of all of the gifts by 12/23

Look for more giveaways soon!

Really Great Gifts $20 & Under

I am participating in a secret santa gift exchange and the cap is 20 bucks.

And while I was hoping to get someone that I knew well, I ended up getting a guy that I don't know much about and who all his buddy could tell me is and i quote "a nerd who likes the Cubs and goofy sh**"

LOL.

So, needless to say shopping for him will not be that much fun.

Sure there is all kinds of Cubs merchandise but with $20 as the cap, its looking like a t shirt or some other dull gift it will be.

Anyway, I am always on the lookout for bargains and this holiday season is deal heaven.

The stores are practically giving away the goods.

Here is a random collection of items that are currently under $20 that I think are way cool and know that anyone who receives them will love.


Style&co. Handbag, Tote in Zip Around Pouch


New York City in a Bag


Charter Club Knit Cuff Leather Gloves




RuMe Bags: Ultra-Luxe Metallics (I love my RuMe Bag & wish I had it one of these funky colors!)


Gwendolen Brass Necklace


Cinched Clutch (under $10)


Spike Feather Cuff


rsvp Studded Heels (under $10)


Sephora Brand Mini Super Shimmer Gift Set

12 Days of Curvatude Christmas - Day 12



On the twelfth day of Christmas Curvatude gave to me..

Twelve drummers drumming in celebration of this, the last day of this giveaway!!!

I really enjoyed reading some of the answers to the questions. Sure the winners were randomly chosen but it's always nice when people take the time to actually get into the spirit of a giveaway.

Anyway today's gift is a very random collection of some of my favorite things!

Oh I feel like the Big O!

Oprah that is.

So answer the following question to win the final gift of the 12 Days of Curvatude Christmas

"How do you spend Christmas morning?"


Today's giveaway ends @ midnight CST. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced tomorrow.




ULTA Holiday


12 Days of Curvatude Christmas - Day 11 Winner!




Congratulations Ms. Pillowz!

I sent you an email. Please get back to me by 2 pm 12/13 with your mailing address so that I can ship your gift off!

If I don't hear from you by then, an alternate winner will be chosen!

To everyone else, thanks for joining me in my reindeer games and be sure to enter Day 12 because ITS THE LAST DAY and I am clearing out the prize drawer!

Web Grumblings: Willow Smith

I came across these pics this morning and read some of the comments on a couple of other sites and thought I would post them here and see what ya'll think of Willow's hair cut.




House Cleaning & Other Thangs

The new year is approaching and just as I have been doing a bit of "house cleaning" in my life, I am planning to do the same here @ Curvatude.

For one, more and more it is becoming increasingly clear to me that I prefer an uncluttered, clean blog.

I like the crisp, simplicity of my blog template. It's why I chose the colors, the layout, everything.

And I would rather use the space to highlight you guys and other things that I find of interest.

Secondly, I try to be very discerning regarding the affiliate ads that I place on my site.

I have always refused to place the ads of certain companies, plus size or otherwise because:

1) I don't use currently or never have used their products before.
2) I think their quality is a bit sub par
3) I am not interested in promoting the type of products they sell

Among other reasons.

So, I am going to streamline and only highlight four affiliates at at time. This will be in addition to the sample website links that will remain.

And the products or projects that I create work on, etc of course will be highly promoted!

'Cuz to me there is no shame associated with self promotion.

But this basically means that when you see a banner ad on my site, I am very familiar with what the company is currently offering and feel that it is of value to YOU, the good people who read my blog.

This also means I shop them, the products are up to par, they have good deals, etc.

I will also use affiliate links in some of my posts that center around trusted partners.

I will also be fulfilling my vow to post more "what i am wearing" blogs because I am buying a tripod. There are plenty of days where I have wanted to post some cute ish that I am wearing but no one is around to take the pic because my house clears out pretty early.

Oh and videos! Now that I have my lil flip camera, expect plenty of videos.

About just about anything!

LOL

Like this..-->


Oh and here is a correction for this video

The picture was not from an eyeglass exchange.

Here is what it was in the the photographer's own words "Ghanaian girl named, Edna, at Adullam Orphanage in Obuasi, Ghana, West Africa.

She had the most infectious laugh I have EVER heard. She was completely ticklish, and adored hugs.

She left an indelible print upon my heart, and I fully believe the very joy felt by you seeing her in a photograph will infect others just the same!

She was an orphan that made me realize, it's not what we HAVE, it's WHO we have. The joy of the Lord was evident in her - without a doubt"


There is also a feature that I have been geekin to bring--> "Curvatude on the Street".

I come across so many fly plus size chicas as I go about my days and I want to spotlight them.

Oh and posts on remixing celebrity style for our plus size bodies.

Let's see. What else? Expect almost anything.

Curvatude is about living a "full life", so it will never be exclusively about one topic.

Expect more interviews. On a variety of people from varied backgrounds.

Expect more reviews.

Expect more rants & raves.

Expect more makeup & beauty posts.

Expect more giveaways. I really like doing that.

And the answer is no to the question that I was asked about my giveaways.

No one gives me the stuff I give away.

I buy it!

It's not expensive stuff but I only give away stuff that I really like. That I use, etc.

Another change or rather in my mind, improvement is that I am adding a link exchange to the blog.

I love the idea of exchanging links with other blogs. I think that reciprocity is a great way to build community and for us to help promote one another.

So, if you have a blog geared towards women and plus size women in particular and you are interested in exchanging links with me, email me at link@curvatude.com.

In closing, I hope that these are changes that you will find increases your enjoyment while you spend time here with me.

If you have any suggestions, comments, etc, I would love to hear them!

Here's to Major Curvatude in 2010!

Goody

12 Days of Curvatude Christmas - Day 11!



On the eleventh day of christmas Curvatude gave to me..

Eleven pipers piping that tomorrow is the last day of this giveaway!!!

Today's gift is for the lady who has it all and likes to carry it all with her!

Answer the following question to win.

"What's your "Can't Live without it" favorite beauty product?


Today's giveaway ends @ midnight CST. A winner will be randomly chosen and announced tomorrow.

And don't forget that if you haven't already won, you can enter as many times as you like.


Foot Petals Top Holiday Gifts

12 Days of Curvatude Christmas - Day 10 Winner!




Congratulations cspmom!

I sent you an email. Please get back to me by 2 pm 12/12 with your mailing address so that I can ship your gift off!

If I don't hear from you by then, an alternate winner will be chosen!

To everyone else, thanks for joining me in my reindeer games and be sure to come back for Day 10 because if you haven't won already, there is no limit to the number of days you can enter.

Curvatude in the Stores: Jewelry

I love jewelry.

From the most conservative of pearls to the most crazy bib necklaces and everything in between.

So, here are a few of the pieces at some of my favorite places that I am currently salivating over.

One of my favorite stores for jewelry is Anthropologie.

They just do it in such a fresh way.

Toasted Meringue Cuff


Silver Foxglove Necklace - made with mohair!


Band Of Baubles Bracelet


Dark Depths Bracelet



Next up are a couple of funky pieces from Nasty Gal


Deco Bib Necklace


Diamond Laser Ring


And if you are not familiar with 80's Purple, you betta get with it!

a.v. max - 3 Piece Brite Lucite Disco Bangle Set


Minx - Obey Shield Necklace


And here are just some of the pieces that I have recently purchased. And hey don't make fun of my fastly doubling chin! lol!












And Saturday I went to an independent designers show and met the most fly of ladies (Kelley Moseley) who makes the funkiest most unique products under her brand K~Fleye Designs

We talked and talked and were like old friends before I left.

These are a pair of her leather earrings that I purchased. You must check her out!


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