THANK YOU!

It's been five days since this beautiful article (yeah, I'm biased) was published, but I still can't wipe this modest smile on my face. I still can't believe that this writer found us and our advocacy through a mutual friend's timeline (mostly photos of the recently-concluded Glam Tales) and found it news-worthy. Fast-forward today: there are 143 shares of the article on Facebook and 34 tweets (as of 18:25 today). I could only hope that there are 177 plus size Pinays who got inspired to unleash the goddess within after reading it. Or 177 persons who opted to rethink about fat people and their lifestyle. Again, thank you for the support!

Speaking of support, here's what my proud momma posted on her timeline. Kaka-touch!

Reading the article for the first time reminded me of our dreams. When Ali asked us how many followers do we already have, my partner Mitch and I exchanged blank looks. We have no idea. Then she asked how many followers would we like to have. To my relief, Mitch echoed that we prefer quality over quantity. We prefer to reach out to women who currently battle with insecurities, we prefer to meet living role models of body acceptance and we'd love to make them all interact and support each other. We prefer to meet supportive men, too. But we don't wish to attract voyeurs. Figures don't matter to us. After all, we're hoping to create a positive community.

This interview also made us look ahead and reflect on how else we are going to achieve our idealistic goals. We're actually flattered that this news feature arrived quite early; the last time I checked, it's not listed in our timetable. We imagined to spread our advocacy through word of mouth. Perhaps media exposure will come when we've done something massive, like organizing the first Philippine Fatshion Week or something. Needless to say, I can't help but feel eager for our upcoming first anniversary in November. We're definitely cooking up something fun and fab. We're crossing our fingers to see old sisters and meet new ones in the event.

At this point, I can't contain my happiness for this blessing. No amount of words can capture my gratitude and excitement. Again, THANK YOU!!!

Obtained here.

EDIT: 30.09.2013

As if this feature were not enough, we got featured again on POC! Check this article out and spread the good news! 

WORLD PREMIERE: That Black & White Dress / PINAY CURVIES EVENT: Glam Tales: An Afternoon With Maita Atienza and Mercille Tiomico

For my first wedding assistant coordinator duty, I decided to look for a comfortable yet chic dress during the Great Luxe Sale in May. I ended up buying a black & white dress which I eventually decided unfitting since 1.) the wedding motif turned out to be pastel; and 2.) superstitious friends said attendees wearing black spells malas for the married couple. Oh, well. There'll be a better time to world premiere this dress!

Then I realized I could wear it on Glam Tales: An Afternoon with Maita Atienza & Mercille Tiomico! I'm sure my fellow plus size Pinays would show up in their most kikay outfits, too! However, I admit wearing a pink bolero on top of this during my commute and during the event itself. It was freezing cold! 

Outfit of the Day:

Dress from The Sweet Cloth

Moonstone crystals from Crystal Empress

Black wedges from VNC

***

Finally, Mitch and I had a follow-up gathering for our beloved curvy community. After the swap meet, quiz night and movie date, we are so delighted to hold our first kikay boot camp called Glam Tales. We're so grateful that our resource speakers were equally enthusiastic about this mission and, to our absolute surprise, the attendees braved typhoon Maring to join us. It was such an awesome feeling!

Our event started with a makeup demo from Maita Atienza. Based on our #UsapangCurvy about hair and makeup, it became apparent that most of us are eager to learn about contouring. Prior to the event, Maita tapped me to be the model so the attendees could see how to make magic. We truly learned a lot from her, specifically my foundation shade (golden sunset) and Findation is the place to go to find our perfect match! Amazing, right? 

Ang gaan ng kamay ni Maita!

Even before the demo is done, my newfound friends were quick to marvel at my no-makeup look. I must admit I was truly impressed, too. In fact, I almost did NOT wash my face before going to bed. I wanted to preserve my look! Then I remember how she started the demo by removing my makeup haha!

By the way, even before I met Maita that day, I was already a fan of hers. Her posts showed love for organic farming and she's a reminder of my dream to be a green thumb and grow my own food. When I finally saw her in the flesh, I was stunned that she looks waaay younger and prettier in person! Her photos online don't do her justice!

Mercille in action

Remember how we talked about our fashion worries during this #UsapangCurvy? Mercille Tiomico gave us all a roundup on what we should consider to look big and fab. I was personally shocked that she finds comfort vital, too. I mean, she looks fasyon fasyon in photos and in person (don't let that camouflage top fool you, she was wearing a very funky pair of shoes!). The best realization? She wasn't as snobbish as she appears! She's very bubbly. As in babaeng bakla like me! 

The hosts Mitch and I and the resource speakers Maita and Mercille

To sum it up, it was a very informative, fun and noisy gathering. It was like a reunion of some sort! I could just imagine how the other diners felt when we emerged out of the function room, asking for photo opps and exchanging endless goodbyes and besos. Mitch and I got inspiration for our next events, too. I'm tempted to divulge our brewing projects with some of the attendees, but it's best to keep mum for now. 

Kodak moment with the girls! Thank YOU for coming! 

Photos from Mitch Leus. Check the rest of the photos here. 

My Baby Turns 2!

Even before I turned 30, most people just can't zip it. They have to know when do I plan to have a baby. And I know THAT pattern. If you're single, they'll ask when you'll get married. When you do, they'll probe when you'll have a baby. When it happens, they'll demand for a follow-up kid. It simply never ends!

The truth is, I've had babies - not one, but many babies! You've heard about my defunct t-shirt business, my traveling dolls, my main blog, this kikay blog, this travel blog and, the latest, this fellowship of plus size Pinays. A few died, but the rest remains. And I pray that I can keep them all, that I can keep them alive in my spare time, that I can keep this passion in my heart ablaze. Please include me in your prayers, too.

Extra Seksi turns 2-year-old today! Unlike last year when I declared my elaborate plans that mostly backfired, I prefer to zip it and keep my gladness to myself. After all, like I've said here, I shall reward my hardwork with MORE WORK! But the kid in me just won't dismiss this as an ordinary day. A chocolate cake par-tey is in order!

The burpday girl!

Aristocrat's Chocolate Supreme

Enjoying my chocolate cake
Special thanks to Tracee for my doughnut bun and Fao for these photos! 

Thank You for Your Votes for Curvy Blog Award 2012

Remember how I begged for your votes in this entry? The voting had ended last Sunday while I was still high from my recent 4-day traipse in Coron. I didn't make it to the coveted Top 10, but I'm super delighted to see that I ranked 24th. Not bad, right?

Again, big, big thank you for showing your support! Next year, we'll try harder!

BIRTHDAY WISH: Your Votes for Curvy Blog Award 2012

Wow, writing about this feels harder than pinging friends via BBM or Facebook. Haha!

I heard about the ongoing Curvy Blog Award by navabi and, after a minute of mental tug-of-war, I nominated myself to register. Why not? An all-expense paid trip to London to attend the London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2013, 500€-worth shopping voucher and meet-and-greet opportunity with Anna Scholz are at stake! And this much-awaited chance to get my virginal passport get dirty and...and...and this slim chance to spot the Spice Girls and/or David Beckham in the flesh! Ok, I'm already thinking ahead.

I know I'm no fashion champion like the other known plus size fashion bloggers. I recall one of my guy friends saying he can't determine my fashion style as I switch from donning feminine to ethnic/bohemian to sporty to casual and what-else-next. I know there's nothing distinct nor outrageously daring about my style. At this time, I like it comfortable but not too comfortable either. Fashion for me is about functionality and individuality. But it doesn't end in what we wear, really. A big and genuine smile is still my favorite accessory.

So what the hell was I thinking to compete with the fatshionably forward ones? Well, I'd like to give it a try. At this age (yep, I just turned 30!), haunting what-ifs are not listed in my future plans. This blog attempts to capture the plus size lifestyle - the first-time highs, the make-up madness, the sale alerts, the unending path to healthier diet and fitness, girltalks, the search for inspiration from God, fellow real-life goddesses, appreciative men,  motivational music, movies and poetry. And I'm hoping this holistic approach can convince the jury that I deserve this opportunity.

But, hey, before the jury could review the candidates' blog entries, they need to determine the Top 10 out of the 285 nominees. Please, please vote for my humble virtual niche here and help this birthday girl make it to the Top 10 before November 25th. Pretty please?

 

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