U-Shaped

Summer is here! What this season means to so many is bringing out those bathing suits, shorts, sleeveless shirts, and the season staple garment—the summer dress. This spring I started an 8-week bootcamp workout class along with three other fabulous friends to get my humps and lady lumps more defined. Unlike Fergie, my humps and lady lumps need the assistance of modern fashion technology to achieve that optimal smooth flat abdomen and perky breasts. Many women who are classified as “thick,” “plus size,” and/ or “fat” know this area of fashion all to well: the beloved and dreaded girdle. The fashion guru’s have renamed this line of undergarments “shapewear,” but the goal is the same— to tighten and uplift our bountiful assets. These items are in no way a substitute for crunches, and won’t transform you from Mrs. Parker to Cherry, LOL!

In tandem with working out all spring, I have been trying out various shapewear to aid in resculpting my curves for the summer. I tried two of the most talked about brands: Spanks and Dr. Rey’s Shapewear. I truly don’t get the hype about Spanks, they feel like regular ole’ control top pantyhose to me. The only difference are the feet cut outs and the “bathroom” opening was frankly just creepy to me. The winning summer undergarment for me is Dr. Rey’s Shapewear! You may remember him from E! channel’s Dr. 90210 series. I could give my 10 top reasons why I love it, but I’m already giving free advertisement, lol. Hit me up on sidebar for more discussion.

Ladies, what are some of your body shaping secrets? How have you embraced and accepted your shape and body image?

Umpire Records~ Beyonce's Ego

I heard Beyonce's new song "Ego"on the radio today and beside my usual head bopping to the beat, I heard the lyrics and really thought about the meaning. I'm not about to delve into the Freudian concepts of the Id, Ego, and Super Ego or anything. It is -after all- a Beyonce song. So, I'm keeping my commentary light on this one, lol. One thing I love about her songs is that they make women feel empowered, confident, sexy, and in control. From "Bills, Bills, Bills","Survivor," to "Irreplaceable," these songs and several others become anthems for women at various points in our lives. Her cds should have a label that reads: Listener beware...these darn catchy hooks may get engrained into your mind making you act too much like "Independent Women" and cause you to lose out on that man over there with a "Halo!" The "I Am" album is a good contrast to her previous collections, it offers the suggestion to women that we embrace and exhibit all sides of ourselves. The confident, strong, independent sides can be merged with our softer and more vulnerable selves. It is important we have that balance. Go ahead and wear that "S" on the chest, but be sure to take that cape off and use it as a blanket to snuggle up with the one you love too.

Back it up Ladies :-)

I love this part of the song:

"Damn I know I'm killing you with them legs
Better yet them thighs
Matter a fact it's my smile or maybe my eyes
Boy you a site to see, kind of something like me

It's too big, it's too wide
It's too strong, it won't fit
It's too much, it's too tough
I talk like this 'cause I can back it up"

Big, Beautiful,and Black

I dedicate this poem to every woman who has ever felt unpretty

There are women who wear wigs

Some are small, shaped as twigs

Many are like me, big

Big as in large

Large and in charge

We won't take any garbage

or be persuaded

That thin is in

and the only way to win

the love of men

Is it such a sin

not to be thin?

Some one please tell me when

will this prejudice end?

I am not only judged by my color, black

but also by the size of my slacks.

I can stand all of the flak

For I am big, beautiful, and black!

Now, take that

All of you who are not fat!

Unpretty

This will be a recurring tag on issues of self esteem, empowerment, and acceptance.