PopUpPlusOnline "#HowIHoliday" Lookbook is here and We are Loving it

Today’s latest plus size holiday lookbook is courtesy of PopUpPlus, one of the tried and true independent plus size brands that we feature on a regular! Now even if you do not have a place to go or are not in a rush for your fancy picks, you definitely have to check out the latest options and nothing is wrong with building up your fancy wardrobe!

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Too cute, right? Well, let’s get to it!

PopUpPlus presents #HowIHoliday Lookbook



You can shop the collection NOW at PopUpPlusOnline.com

Gabourey Sidibe Shares the Cover of Her Memoir: “This is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare.”

Our all time favorite plus size actresses! Body positive advocate and all around bad ass, Gabourey Sidibe had an amazing year and she is still killing it! And to end this year on an extremely high note, last week Gabby tweeted the cover to her long awaited memoir,“This is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare,” set to drop May 1, 2017 on Amazon.com!


Since first making the announcement of working on the memoirs in June of 2015, we’ve been pretty geeked for this moment. From her hilarious tweets to soooooo hilariously real Instagram posts, Gabby has practically spoke to my soul on many occasions.

“Moving from Bed-Stuy to Senegal to Cannes, as Gabby has done in a still-short lifetime, has helped produce a fierce, wise way of being in the world impossible not to admire. ‘Funny’ doesn’t begin to capture just how irreverent and complex Gabby’s stories are.” Deanne Urmy, Senior Executive Editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Congratulations Gabourey Sidibe on an AMAZING YEAR!



You can Pre-Order this book at Amazon.com!

From Precious to various American Horror Story characters (Queenie was my favorite) and now Becky, on Fox Primetime hit Empire, there’s nothing she can’t do, so of course a book had to be in the works. One that we are sure is going to entertain!


“I’ve been writing since I was a child, and have always had so many stories to tell that are too long, shady, and impolite to share in interviews. It brings me much joy to add Published Writer to my resume of Actor and part-time Foot Model.” Gabourey Sidibe

And in true fan girl pandemonium, over here we are screaming, “Hey Gabby! Girl, we see you!” And well in true TCFStyle fashion, I had to round up some of our favorite Gabby moments!
Just a Few of Our Favorite 2016 Gabby Sidibe Moments
From wowing us with all her gorgeous melanin filled beauty for Covergirl!

To showing off her new bodacious body and clever clapback for Lane Bryant’s #ThisBody campaign
And entertaining us as we wait on that powerball jackpot to hit one day!

Check out Few of Our Favorite 2016 Gabby Sidibe Moments

To showing off her new bodacious body and clever clapback for Lane Bryant’s #ThisBody campaign

And entertaining us as we wait on that powerball jackpot  to hit one day!

I can already tell that 2017 is going to be AWESOME, not only for her, but for all of us!

WANA WANA,ONA NWACHUKWU, GLORY EDOZIEN & DAMOLA LADEJOBI BARE IT ALL ON THE BODIFIDENCE ISSUE OF GENEVIEVE MAGAZINE

In the age where it is easy to feign perfection through filters and airbrushing, there is an epidemic of self-confidence especially among young women who do not match up to these perfect images tossed around by the media. That is why we have chosen 4 incredible women who Get Real about their body confidence struggles!

Onah Nwachukwu, Editor True Tales Publications on living with a squint for most of her life.Wana Udobang, Poet, Writer, Filmmaker, who is heavily criticised for being plus sized. Glory Edozien, talk show host, on living with psoriasiis for the rest of her life and finally, Damola Ladejobi, Nutritionist, whose disease led to a major lifestyle change.

They bare their struggles and their journey to finding Bodifidence.

Damola Ladejobi



You have clearly become the poster girl for weight loss. Can you share your experience dealing with your pre weight loss body?

I honestly never had issues with my weight because I felt I was okay with the weight. Until I had issues with my health.

Can u expand on the details of the condition you were diagnosed with that made you decide to shed the layers?

I was diagnosed with GERD… (GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE). At the entrance of the stomach is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. Whenever food passes through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), it closes. When the (LES) does not close properly or opens often, acid produced from the stomach can move up into your esophagus. This can cause symptoms such as burning chest pain. If acid reflux happens more than twice a week, you have acid reflux disease, which is known as GERD.

This is so painful and uncomfortable. I went to seek medical help and after having 3 endoscopies done, I was told that one of the ways it could be treated was by changing my diet and lifestyle. I immediately tried to figure out a dietary and shedding plan.

If you weren’t diagnosed with GERD would you have made the decision to shed weight?

Oh yes I would because I love to look very hot. Like the saying goes “you are addressed the way you are dressed and with the excess weight I wasn’t looking as hot as I wanted to look. I wasn’t happy looking at the mirror because I wasn’t happy with the way I looked.so one way or the other I would have still made the decision to shed the weight

Can u detail for us how your bodifidence grew after the weight loss?

When I was diagnosed with GERD, the condition was so uncomfortable and embarrassing. and when I looked into shedding some weight and changing my diet and lifestyle. i realized that i could go about my daily activities confidently without getting embarrassed when i am talking to somebody and I’m burping constantly and releasing gas from my mouth. I can make a public speech without having to burp and other GERD symptoms. And this really helped with my bodifidence.



Wana Wana



What would you say to Egypt State TV that requires all their female presenters to get on a diet before they can be allowed on TV?

It is quite sad but at the same time, some people would say to you that those are the rules of that establishment. The hope is that in the spheres that we influence, we can all start to expand the scope of beauty and ultimately deemphasize it, so we can just be about the work,doing it well and creating an impact and a legacy. At the end of our cycle on this planet all we leave are footprints and i hope that we don’t rob people of those opportunities.

You are a very intelligent woman. Do you sometimes feel frustrated that the world cares less about the beauty of your mind?

I personally don’t get frustrated but I get a little worried because of the impressionable young girls who are accosted by these ideals and theories who end up believing that this is what should be. I think there are different groups within the world that value different things. For me I always see it as a space to pioneer and create something new outside of a status quo. I think we in the media have to ensure that different kinds of women and different narratives are visible.

There are tons of people who have made the decision to shed the layers, is there a reason why you have chosen love your body regardless?

For me, my priority is to be and stay healthy. This means that I have no interest in fad diets or any unsustainable measures. This doesn’t mean that i have any right to chastise those who are share an interest in those measures. But I have been through many of those situations when I was much younger and found that the yoyo effect was detrimental to my mental health and my self esteem. So what is key for me is to stay on a sustainable path. Essentially what I am trying to say is that I am constantly working at achieving my own ideal body weight and sustaining it. This for me isn’t a one off project but the rest of my life. So I love my body and i am always working on shedding any excess kilograms.

Glory Edozien





Developing psoriasis in your 20s is not an easy thing to deal with as a woman. In what ways did this affect your bodifidence?

It certainly wasn’t easy. It made me feel extremely self conscious and ugly at first. I would look at other women with clear skin and feel like I didn’t measure up as a woman or even a person. Your twenties should really be a time for having fun and being carefree. In many ways it was difficult for me to do that. I remember not being able to wear a skirt for over 7 years. That definitely would take a toll on anyone mentally, physically and emotionally. For many years I lived mentally in a place of self doubt, self loathing, depression and feeling like no one would ever love or accept me.

But I am in a very different place now and I have learnt to measure myself using completely different standards. Having psoriasis really has made me a stronger and much more beautiful person.

Do you think bodifidence issues are fuelled by the media’s unrealistic standards of beauty? Do you have a personal story?

Yes and no. the media does enforce the slimmer is better narrative that is for sure. But women must understand that they have a multiplicity of choices. You can choose what you listen to, read and watch because there are alternatives to mainstream media which show the diversity of the feminine form. Women every where are learning to embrace their bodies despite the images we see. That is why I am a self professed speaker and preacher on self love and confidence for women. Because the more women are brave enough to embrace who they are not just in private or as a self defense mechanism, the more we can change mainstream perceptions and show women that there is acceptance in diversity.

Did you ever/ Do you desire a body different from what you have now?

I am a woman, so off course, I have parts of my body I wish looked different. My Christian mother arms for one. I constantly wish for Michelle Obama arms! Plus I look forward to being completely Psoriasis Free.

Ona Nwachukwu



As a child when did you first become aware of your body and looks?

I would say I was about 19 when I became aware of my body. A friend once teased me that I had the body of a developing child at that age. I was quite skinny for a very long time you see. As for my looks, honestly speaking I don’t remember . I do know that even at age 8, I was already getting teased about the way my eyes looked.

Would you say you were a confident child growing up? Were you bullied or teased?

I was quite confident actually, I never remembered that I had a squint. As for being teased, I was teased a lot. There were times when children sang after me, ‘bendy bendy eye oh, here no be road oh’. Much to their lack of knowledge,having a squint doesn’t mean you can’t see: I often say kids are the meanest being. I think it’s because they do not know any better. I have 20/20 vision(at least I did until my late 30s).

Can you share the story about the squint?

I think the teasing did not hurt much as a child. There were two occasions where I felt bad and these happened as an adult. I was well into my late 30s. I was at a party once, and after being introduced I proceeded to mingle. A guest was ready to leave and he said goodnight to everyone shaking hands and hugging, then when he got to me, I smiled to say good night but instead he made weird eyes and waved then left. The host was so embarrassed.

The second was during a shoot, my cover personality was mimicking crossed eyes, not realising I was behind her (have you tried to make crossed eyes, you can’t see) anyway, I had just walked up to direct the next look, much to my surprise, I was being mimicked by the celebrity and her friend who was with her was laughing. She – the friend then saw me and quickly walked away to sit down. The personality realised her friend wasn’t laughing anymore and looked in the glass, and there right behind her was my reflection. I had two choices ‘Get out of my set immediately’ or be gracious smile as if nothing happened and continue the shoot. I opted for the second choice. I did go home and cry my eyes out after everything though. Not because she mocked me but because I didn’t expect it from her.

Grab a copy of the bodifidence issue to read more on this insightful piece.

Be Part of The First Ever Plus-Size Boot Camp In Nigeria. Its Gonna Be Fun All The Way!!!

WHAT IS THE BOOT CAMP FOR?
The boot camp is designed to build strength and fitness through a variety of intense group intervals, encourages plus ladies on body confidence and exposé them to the business of modeling.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Tackling body shamming and insecurities
2. Rekindling the plus  market in Nigeria.
3. An avenue for the plus ladies to network and share ideals.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDES
Fitness session (gym & outdoor), seminar, dance routine, catwalk, photo shoot, pool party, clubbing, games, nutrition advice, wardrobe planning, makeup tutorial, skin care, lectures on how to start your modeling career, market your self as a model, industry overview, agency contract, financial planning, entrepreneurial talk, etc.

DATE

Friday 18th - Sunday 20th November, 2016

ADMISSION FEE
10,000 only (accommodation, feeding & Photo shoot inclusive)

ARRIVAL TIME
12noon

ACCREDITATION/ROOM ALLOCATION
12:30pm

ORIENTATION/CAMP RULES
1:00pm

COME ALONG WITH
1. Extra money
2. Fitness kit (sport bra, leggings, canvass)
3. Bikini or swimsuit
4. Heels
5. Black tank top
6 MKDenim (jean)
7. Gown (not to long as its not your wedding day)
8. Writing pad or recorder
9. Personals and other wears
0. Don't forget any medication if you are on medication and your sanitary pad if you are with or expecting your visitor

MODE OF PAYMENT

Bank: Fidelity Bank

Account Name: Glitz Faces 

Account Number: 4010785493

After payment, text your name, location & teller number to 07068630661  

Come with the teller for verification.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

A Little Tale Of Love; From One FAT Woman To Another By Chiamaka

When a representative of Bella Curves reached out to me to write for their blog, I was pleasantly surprised & happy. It is not often you find a Nigerian blog that supports the plus size community, even in the few times fat (please give me leeway to use this word, I have come to embrace it completely) women are mentioned in mass media we are usually presented as jokes or sexless. 

A FAT GIRL'S GUIDE TO SUMMER: WEARING A SLEEVELESS DRESS

Written By Chiamaka

I see myself wear some of the things I do now & I marvel at how far I have come. Was not too long ago when my sister & I were going for a carnival & I wore a pair of shorts & a top but had then put on a jacket & maxi skirt over it. This was the summer of 2014. We had not ended up going for the carnival & I stared at myself in the mirror for the rest of the day. What was so wrong with me? Why could I not dress as I liked? Added to my worries was the fact that I suffered from spots on my arms & legs, which faded since I stopped worrying about & trying to fix them. Last year summer I was going to six flags with my school. I took the plunge & wore shorts.

I had never felt so free in my life. Naturally, I was a bit nervous at first but then I realised so many people had seen me already & there was nothing to be shy about. Since then, I've been showing my thighs, shoulders & breasts. I know a sleeveless dress might not seem very dramatic to many people but for me it would be truly revolutionary. I am wearing one out this summer & will be blogging about it. I have never shown my arms for many years, they are still very much my largest insecurity. Writing this is difficult because I do not want many of you delving into my inner thoughts, but it has to be done because I want to reach out to as many fat women out there. I want my story to be comforting & also encourage them. 

To all my fat sisters, It's summer time, and naturally it will be difficult for you to wear shorts, sleeveless tops or short dresses. It's choking to be in those thick clothes, but you are scared of being ridiculed. I want to encourage you to put on something you normally wouldn't. To be more confident, go out with friends that particular day. The familiar setting will surround you with more energy to keep going. It is important to have good energy around you, so surround yourself with people who are continuously encouraging you. Following plus size model on social media really helped me to be comfortable & confident in my skin. I know that it is very difficult but please try something out of the usual this summer. 

You will be so pleasantly surprised & more happier than you have ever been. It is difficult to take the plunge in new experiences, but it is helpful to take it little by little. A tiny amount of progress counts. Do not be hard on yourself if you fail, the important thing is to try & try again. I want to tell you that you are beautiful, you are here & never let anyone tell you that your body is less. You are worth just as much as anyone else in the world. It's extremely hard to appreciate yourself in a world where you have no representation except when you are the butt of stupid jokes, but we can do it. 

Have a great summer, keep slaying & stepping on those necks everywhere you go! I am counting on you. Please reach out to me if you ever want to talk or need help choosing an outfit you feel would look great on you. Tweet me gorgeous selfies whenever. I'll be looking forward to them. Love you guys, all of you. (Including the pick me's 🙄)

P.S: I apologize if you are not comfortable with the word "fat" yet. I do not mind it anymore, and this is why I use it in description of myself & other beautiful women like me.

Written By Chiamaka

Rasika W. Boice | IT’S FAR TOO EARLY TO LABEL A YOUNG GIRL A 'PLUS SIZE'

Fernanda Garcia-Villanueva, aged 8, stretches at a group exercise session in the 10-week Shapedown Program at The Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, July 8, 2010. The program is part of the child and teen weight management program at the hospital. Rasika Boice writes that there's no ill intent behind stores using "Plus," "Slim" and "Husky" labels for kids clothing, but they fail to see a danger in using those terms.

There's no ill intent behind stores using "Plus," "Slim" and "Husky" labels for kids, but they fail to see a danger in using those terms.

#BellaCurvesStreetStyle - Biggest CUVRY Style Trends of 2016 So Far - PRINTS IN TREND

So we’ve pretty much reached the middle of the year , we thought it might please us to take a quick snapshot of what the most popular street style trends have been so far in 2016.

Feeling Fat is Worse for Your Health Than Actually Being Fat

 

Binge Eating Disorder Association–  stated:

“Scientific study of 170,000 people: feeling fat is worse for your health than actually being fat. Why does our culture promote making people feel that way?”

FAT GIRL PROBLEMS! Memoirs of a BIG Girl

Watch Chanel Boateng give us a load down on what FAT GIRL PROBLEMS are in her Memoirs of a BIG girl video.

Oprah Winfrey Celebrates Weight Loss on O, the Oprah Magazine Cover With 9 "Real" Women

Oprah Winfrey is looking better than ever and keeping it real.

The 62-year-old showcases a slimmer figure on the cover of her O, the Oprah Magazine's April 2016 issue after losing at least 26 pounds since becoming a Weight Watchers spokesmodel and part owner last year.

5 UNIQUE TRAITS OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WOMEN YOU SHOULD HAVE

Whether entrepreneurs, directors within an organisation, successful business women have a number of unique traits which enable them to truly lead from the frontline.

Here are 5 key traits of successful business women:

How to Avoid Feeling Self Conscious when Shopping Clothes if You Are Very Large

Are you embarrassed about shopping for clothes because of your size? Here are some ideas to help you feel better about clothes shopping and find clothes that fit.

BODY CONFIDENCE QUOTES: Edith Dohman ....You Have The Right To Look Amazing

Every woman in every size has the right to look amazing.

- Edith Dohmen

How To Wear Everything You’ve Been Told Not To, with Ashley Graham

Model, designer and self-proclaimed body activist Ashley Graham invites you into her home and closet to show you just how to pull

Halima Abubakar Speaks On Confidence, Weight And Self Acceptance

Popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar speaks up on Instagram about Confidence, Weight And Self Acceptance. The Curvy Actress who is not new to weight criticism, obliged to using her Instagram page to not only encourage women out there but to bash at her haters.

Wana Udobang: LEARNING TO LOVE AGAIN

I know I am a glutton for punishment but I tell myself I create the work to engage with the audience and that is why I read the comments sections of articles I write. Well that is my story and I am sticking with it.

I recently read a comment that took a dig at the whole self love thing saying that it was just an excuse for lazy people to accept things in their lives rather than work on changing them. The comment went in deeper of course with its focus on body image. Coincidentally I also received an a private message on Instagram that read,

Joseph Edgar: An Ode To The Full Bodied Woman

Read this beautifully written article by a guy who just adores full bodied women. Keep reading and enjoy :)

''You see the beauty of a chubby woman can only be imagined by those who really understand what true beauty is. The society has continually been deceived by western society especially their media

How to Maintain a Healthy Plus-Sized Body

Sensible lifestyle choices, including weight reduction, can help you remain healthy while living in a plus-sized body.  

• Step 1

Eat a healthy diet that includes two to three servings of vegetables and fruit, one to two servings of low-glycemic carbohydrates, one serving of protein and a single serving of healthy fat per meal. Low glycemic foods do not raise your blood sugar as high as high-glycemic foods do.

THE AGONY OF A NIGERIAN FAT GIRL

The Fat girl ends up miserable year after year. The society has neglected the fuller woman. This has resulted to fat girls feeling depressed, left-out and downcast. The average big lady spends most of their years in solitude, angry at themselves, the society and even their shadow. Many are being laugh at, ridiculed, jilted, abused and sent back indoors where they are depressed and even get fatter. The society is such a big nightmare for this group of people which is saddening.

When they go for shopping which is a very beautiful and fun experience for almost every lady. But for the fat girl, it’s a rather sober experience. In many cases, sizes are deceptive to the extent that a size 12 dress will be tagged size 18.