Being Plus is Not a Minus

 

Being plus size should not be a negative or hidden asset. This contributes to body shaming and assumptions that are discriminatory and harmful. I usually make jokes during my frustration because it's how I cope. I have always been plus size since I was younger. The difference is, we didn't have plus size for kids or stylish clothes for plus size until after I became an adult. I used to shop at places like Fashion Bug, Dots, Lane Bryant, and Deb (all of which are gone now or rare in existence). There aren't many places for a plus size woman like myself to shop where we have a variety of options according to our style and price range. 

I used to work at Boscov's in Granite Run Mall in their plus size section titled Women's World which was located on the first floor toward the back, hidden from plain view. When you enter the store by the shoe department, the first departments to catch your eye are shoes, lingerie, misses, handbags and accessories, and dresses. If you happen to look to your left, stretching back, you will see Women's World. In fact, just about any department store that carries plus size clothing is usually not in immediate sight of the customers. It seems kind of shameful, don't you think? It's also not only department stores but any store that carries plus size usually has plus size customers trailing to the back of the store or not in immediate sight. Rue21 (another one of my stores I shop in) has their plus size department hidden from sight while the majority of the store is overrun by "normal" sizes and men's to the left. 

When I was younger and overweight, I was forced to wear clothes for those older than me so I always dressed older than I was. The most humiliating? Picture yourself in elementary school, trying to enjoy lunch when you see your classmate's grandmother wearing the same exact outfit as you. Yes, I said elementary school. 

Just because you're plus size does not mean you need to wear clothes that hide your shape, make you feel gross, ugly, or an after thought of society, nor should you have to pay a fortune to look good. Plus size clothing ranges anywhere from $20-$80, roughly. Torrid is the plus size alternative to Hot Topic though the merchandise is slightly different, it is also very expensive. 

Shopping online is tricky because you may not fit in the same size for each piece of clothing. Fit is dependent on your shape, the fabric, and overall, how it's made. I should know, I've shopped just about everywhere. Halloween is even more frustrating for plus size individuals because there is hardly anything available. Wonder Woman, Minnie Mouse, and the sexy nurse are only for the smaller figures while plus size get to look forward to a witch, a hot dog, a baggy scarecrow, a nun, and costumes that hide your figure because apparently, if you're big, you need to cover up. 

Plus size individuals have the right to feel and look sexy. Just like any individual, clothes fit everyone differently because we are different shapes and sizes. You should not have to lose weight before being recognized as beautiful or sexy. This is why I am so excited about SHEIN. If you don't know about SHEIN, it is a great online store that sells clothes for everybody and you can shop according to your budget. The other best part is that they allow for free returns in case something doesn't fit or doesn't fit like you thought it would. 

I've bought three pairs of pants from SHEIN and they fit so well. They hug my body making me feel desirable before my husband even sees me! I love their tops and dresses. SHEIN truly understands how to make a plus size woman feel and look sexy. Their clothes are affordable and they have coupons periodically that you can use to save money further. They also have different payment options that allow you to pay for your merchandise in multiple payments.

The pictures shown here (though you can't see the full shirts) are from SHEIN and I love them! I highly recommend them and give yourself the look you want and deserve! We are not just big and beautiful, but we are sexy bitches too! Thank you SHEIN for recognizing that!
To begin shopping, download the SHEIN app, create an account and you can get there by clicking my share link: https://shein.top/wgi9cpx

I'm happy to share this with you because we are individuals too. Plus size is just a label; we have every right to express our individuality and style. Remember, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL BABY!

Poppi: A Great Alternative to Soda

 

Soda is a weakness for many people and how can you blame them? Cherry Pepsi, Root Beer, Dr. Pepper, and Sprite just taste so good! But it's not always good for you. I've been working hard on phasing out soda from my diet though I don't drink as much as I used to. In place of soda, I've resorted to the Clear Americana, Walmart exclusive brand of sparkling water; specifically the black cherry and wild cherry flavors. (In case you haven't caught on, I LOVE cherry flavored beverages. 

Poppi came across as an advertisement on TikTok in conjunction with the show "Shark Tank." For those that aren't familiar with "Shark Tank," it's a show for entrepreneurs to present their inventions/products in front of a panel of "Sharks" to gain investment in their product. Poppi was one of those products. It seemed intriguing to me so I bought a can from Target for $2.49 to try this non-soda soda. The results were surprising. It is delicious and a great alternative to soda. I love the raspberry rose flavor and recently tried their strawberry lemon flavor. It tastes lighter than real soda and dare I say, cleaner, in a sense? Apple cider vinegar is one of the ingredients in the raspberry rose flavor but it's not overpowering. I feel like I'm drinking healthy though like all healthier products, it will begin to burn a hole in your pocket. It is $2.49 a can in Target but for a case of 12, you're talking $24.99 (at Wegman's) or $29.88 a case of 12 from Amazon. So if you love Poppi like I do, you will likely get a case, once a month or so or stick to getting a can every so often, when you can can. (Get it? Yes, I felt the need to toss in a corny joke, now my entry is complete.) 

If you are looking to stray away or cut back on your soda intake, I do recommend trying a can of Poppi. One can is affordable and a nice treat for yourself without the guilt of high sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Go seek Poppi, it be good to you! (Yes a play on Poppi for Papi but again, i just couldn't help myself.)

Film Review: After We Fell *Spoiler Alerts*

 After We Fell
Starring: Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin

After We Fell is the third installment in the After series. I have not read the books so my review is purely based on the film though I am curious to read them after watching the films to do a fair comparison of the flow of the story. First I want to say that I do love the series; guy from the wrong side of the tracks meets a good girl and fall in love if you want it in a nutshell. This third installment has opened my eyes to my slight problem all along; the flow of the actual storyline; allow me to explain. 

When we first meet Tessa and Hardin in After, they have just begun to know each other and give in to the spark between them. We see Hardin begin to let down his guard, admitting to himself and Tessa, his true feelings. His bad boy image is beginning to shed like a snake's old skin as he strives to be a better person while battling his demons which he does quite often though Tessa makes him feel like somebody. He doesn't feel alone anymore. However Molly feels the need to destroy what they have because of her insane jealous ways and needs to be the center of attention. When we depart from this story, Hardin has written a paper about Tessa, explaining his growth through his love for her, apologizing to her for the stupid thing he had done that caused her to leave him. 

At the beginning of After We Collided, we find it was a mere month later since we last saw our favorite flawed couple only to find, there was no happy ending like the end of the first film displayed. At this point in time, we are assuming it is during a break from the last semester as it seemed it was a final that the paper was written for thus Tessa is still a freshman and Hardin...well we're not sure what year he is in. We do find Hardin living out of his car (or so it seems that way at the beginning of the film) and Tessa is now a paid intern at Vance Publishing (first day of course). We are introduced to Trevor who is fair competition for Hardin and we find that there is no actual competition because Tessa allows Hardin back in quite quickly. By the way, has anyone wondered how Hardin has a tracker on Tessa's phone if they broke up so abruptly from the first film; not to mention that Hardin should have a tracker since he is the one that disappears for a time? Just thought I would point that out. Anyway, we meet Hardin's mom, find out a bit more about his past and we also get introduced briefly to Tessa's dad who suddenly appears in the picture. I was also quite disturbed by the relationship between Noah (Tessa's ex) and her mother Carol because, let's face it, they seem a bit too close since the first film. Moving on because we only see them for a millisecond in the film, essentially, Hardin "fights" for Tessa and we got our resolved ending again. 

Bringing us to the focus of this review, After We Fell which Tessa's dad is staying with Tessa and Hardin, (who's apartment magically grew larger with each film) because he is a recovering alcoholic. We find this out because he goes on a chummy drink outing with Hardin finding that "you fall for someone like your dad" is a true statement for Tessa though Hardin does prove to be better for Tessa. There is an argument about Tessa going to Seattle and Hardin wanting to move back to London after graduation (which is one of the few indications that we get about what year in college Hardin is in). According to the flow of this film, it seems years have passed but toward the end of the film, it seems only another month or so have passed. The timeline is confusing and by the time we find out the shocking secret connected to Hardin, it makes you think, "WTF?" How is this possible? You're left with a trail of questions like: Where's Trevor? Does Hardin's dad know he's not Hardin's dad? Where do they go from here? 

It also puts Hardin's mom in the enemy number one spot. My other complaint is that the trailer for the third movie is very misleading. Just when we think we're going to find out more about Tessa's past, it's more of a flop. Tessa is the good girl we met in the beginning and Hardin is still learning and working on being the man she deserves. How long do we have to wait for the 4th and final installment? I am eager to find out especially what kind of magical apartment they will get in Seattle or will Tessa leave Vance publishing because of recent developments? We shall see! Let me know what you think of the trilogy in the comments below. I'm intrigued to see what others feel about the flow of the storyline and the broken bits in between. Perhaps the 4th installment will present some clarity.

Film Review: Paradox Lost *Spoilers Ahead*

Paradox Lost

Starring: Danny Cymbal, Dennis Curlett, and Clarissa Thibeaux
Released: 2021

What a breath of fresh air. I feel like I have been waiting a lifetime for a fresh story that was not a sequel, prequel or remake. Finally, I got my wish in Paradox Lost. Directed and written by Dennis Curlett, we are taken on a journey that completely warps your mind and leaves you craving for more. Danny Cymbal stars as Barnaby, a man, who like many of us, is worried about his future. He strives for success, giving up anything he feels stands in his way including the love of his life, Rose (portrayed by Clarissa Thibeaux). 

He seems to go through the motions until he hits the successful break he's been looking for however fate has a different path for him when Copper (Dennis Curlett) pops into his life. No really, he literally pops into his life; from thin air; really, not a joke. Anyway, Copper is an odd, awkward fellow who possesses a picture of Barnaby, claiming he (Barnaby) is his father. I feel that with the appearance of Copper, the audience tends to slip into Barnaby's shoes. We're feeling exactly what he's feeling: fear, confusion, curiosity and so on and so forth. Though there is a lot of mystery, surrounding Copper, he brings a bit of comedy relief to a dark story. While we share in Barnaby's "what" disbelief that Copper is who he is, we see Barnaby grow to the idea of being Copper's father but also come to the realization that those "distractions" he worked to get rid of, were actually the biggest mistakes he made in his life. This is his second chance but of course, it's not without its obstacles. 

I don't want to tell you everything because I want you to go see it for yourself however I will tell you that what I viewed is honestly amazing. When you reach the end of the film, you're left hungering for more. My literal reaction to the ending was "Dennis, really? What? Why?" Believe it or not, that is not a negative reaction. I find myself satisfied with the film but I am hungering for more from its creator. What I love about Paradox Lost is not just the bits of comedy, the darkness, the light in the darkness, the intensity, but it is how the story leaves us with our thoughts. When you reach the end you realize the meaning of the title Paradox Lost. 

We are constantly changing, striving to prevent the worst from happening but sometimes even when we walk the line, we still encounter the wall of the worst or at least what is our worst. This is what I walked away with from the film. What if...what if we explored that world of what if...what is the worst that can happen? We get lost in our own paradox and sometimes we lose ourselves. This is an inspiring film and I look forward to what will come next in Dennis's career and all those involved.

Virgin River Season 3 *Major Spoilers* Read at your own risk

 

Season 3 of Virgin River finally arrived! It seemed like such a long wait and I think it always does when you're anticipating the return of your favorite show however I must say, I'm disappointed. With the build up from season 2, season 3 was a let down. Why, you ask?

First things first...what the hell happened to Jack? It seemed we skipped over all that and we went from the hospital short montage scene to a grand party for Ricky. Jack is there and it seems his shooting was a dream until Mel comes to tell Jack to take it easy. Secondly, where the hell did Jack's sister come from? It seems Mel has known Jack's sister forever and they are on great terms. So when did his sister get to town? How much time has passed since Jack was in the hospital to Ricky's party? The last time we saw Ricky, he was meeting up with Lizzie for their Romeo and Juliet romance but then we see Ricky is graduating from high school? Where did the time go? The third piece is Charmaine. Again, we don't know how much time had passed between Jack's shooting and present day. Suddenly Charmaine is with her equal Todd and trust me, I dislike him as much as I do Charmaine. Did she have the twins already? There is a lot of inconsistency with the story. They discuss the twins like she already gave birth but it doesn't seem like she had. There is no pregnant belly and no sign of the twins so apparently Jack and Charmaine have phantom babies. Honestly, Jack needs to grow a pair and not be so accommodating to Charmaine. Also when Todd first met Mel, he was unbelievably rude and Jack nor Mel defended her honor. That was lacking in character development. Fourth, Hope was definitely missed this season and instead of she got delayed, she ends up in a near death situation herself right after her best friend dies from cancer. I also found it to be a major flaw in Mel's character to get herself impregnated with the embryo which was shared between herself and Mark. She jumped on the decision and though she has exhibited "on the whim" decisions, I did not expect that of her in these circumstances. The rest of the season I felt were stories just thrown together to have a season. We're still unclear on who shot Jack; when did Ricky make the decision to join the Marines (again an obstacle that seems to be just thrown in there), and the rest of the season just blurred away until that "cliffhanger" ending. It seemed with Hope's absence, Mel was fitting into that role and Jack seemed more upset that Mel didn't tell him about Charmaine than he was at Charmaine for strategically trying to throw Mel under the bus for a situation she put her in instead of being impressed that Mel honored her word to her. I feel the season was forced and though I'm glad it came out early, it certainly caused more questions than answers for the previous season. Preacher's storyline is another that just seemed rushed and thrown together. I should hope with season 4 we will not only get answers but be more constructed and less rushed. 

Best of the Best Hallmark Christmas Films *Spoiler Alerts*

 The most common tradition for the holiday season has become the Hallmark Christmas movies. For those of us that look forward to this event every year, know that no matter how cheesy or common the storyline, we live it. Each film is heartwarming, family friendly, not without its obstacles or romantic happy endings. The holidays may be over but I refuse to let it go without my first post in a long time and my first post of the new year. These are my top 4 Hallmark Christmas films; sit back and enjoy!

1. Five Star Christmas
Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Victor Webster, Robert Wisden, and Laura Soltis

Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) stars as Lucy Ralston, who returns home for the holiday to find her father has turned their family home into an Inn. Just as the family is settling in for the holidays, two unexpected guests arrive hoping for accommodations; one Beth Thompson (Soltis) whom they assume is a very important reviewer and a familiar stranger Lucy met on the way home, Jake Finlay (Webster). In order to pass their father's inn in the best light, Lucy and her family agree to keep their identity secret. The entire family is in on the charade but good intentions are afoot and it even helps the family to recognize things about themselves they didn't realize were there. For instance, the younger sister Amber poses as the Inn chef Francesca though finds that she has a strong passion for cooking which also helps her feel connected to her late mother. Jake is hiding his own identity that could ruin his chances with Lucy and even change the future for Lucy's family. This, I feel, is a classic Christmas film because it has all the elements of a true Christmas film: a little comedy here and there, a misunderstanding, an obstacle, a flip secret (a good intentional secret in exchange for another secret which proves potentially damaging), love, and most importantly all the family, holiday warmth one could ask for. Pull out your hot chocolate, snuggle by the fire or on the couch with your loved ones, and enjoy the story!

2. Entertaining Christmas

Starring Jodie Sweetin and Brendan Fehr

This is a delightful story with a moral lesson hidden within. Fuller House's Jodie Sweetin stars as Candace Livingstone, the daughter of Martha Stewart do-alike Liz Livingstone. In the beginning of the movie, Liz announces her retirement from the company and expresses wishes to place her daughter, Candace in charge. Unfortunately being in her mother's shadow all this time places pressure for her to be more like her mother or so she thinks. 

A little girl named Harper sends in a video in hopes of Liz and Candace appearing at her father's welcome home party since he's been away on duty in the military. Candace agrees to go to grant the young girl's wish. During this journey, she learns to appreciate her strengths and relying on them to become the best representative she can be for her family's company. I am a sucker for morals in a movie but this really hit close to home. John (Fehr) got to know Candace and realized that she wasn't who he expected her to be. In fact, he says it best in the movie when he states that he has more in common with her than he thought. Both trying to escape the "picturesque" landscape Candace's mother and John's brother set for them. They found their way to stand on their own merit and for Candace, she gained the confidence she needed to continue the Livingstone name her way while incorporating the talents of those around her. Another pivotal point in the story is when Candace overhears her mother stating she wishes she could be more like her. It turns out her mother values her daughter's talents and doesn't expect her to be like her in anyway. This is further confirmation that her mother saw her for her even more than she assumed. I encourage anyone having trouble identifying with themselves to watch this. It is relatable and different from other Hallmark Christmas movies. 

3. The Christmas Bow

Starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady

The Christmas Bow is a charming movie about dreams unfinished and dreams realized. Kate Malone (Micarelli) is a gifted violinist who just finished her audition for the Philharmonic Orchestra. Just as she was about to achieve her greatest dream, there is a minor accident which results in two of her key playing fingers being injured. 

Patrick is a doctor and childhood friend of Kate. He takes care of his mother and is very close to his young cousin which he watches on occasion. As Kate works on regaining use of her fingers, she is reunited with Patrick when he becomes her physical therapist. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and the consideration they have for each other is amazing. At one point, both declare to each other that they don't want to get in the way of the other's dream however Patrick soon realizes that his dreams lie with Kate in their hometown. 

Another charming aspect about this movie is the warmness of the focus on family. It's clear that Grandpa Joe has a difficult time enjoying traditions once treasured by the family after the passing of his wife however Kate talks him into taking up those loves again. Of course he gets approval from his late wife (in other words, he knows she would approve). They bring back the annual Christmas party and Grandpa Joe wears his Santa outfit once again. He also encourages Kate not to give up in her recovery and of course, in most if not all Hallmark movies, everything is grand in the end. It's original and a smooth flowing story that captures your heart every step of the way. 

4. If I Only Had Christmas

Starring Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie

Darcy Gale (Bure) strives to prove herself and to land her dream job, a new position in her PR firm at their New York location. She decides to do some pro bono work by working for a distinguished charity that helps to fund schools and teachers with supplies and support they need to give children the education they deserve. Through her adventure she infects everyone she meets, including the mysterious VP Glenn Goodman, who is watching her every move. She befriends the small team who work directly with the children every year during Christmas. Glenn, though skeptical at first, learns to embrace and appreciate Darcy's work ethic, hope, and caring, loving spirit. At the movie's climax, we learn that Glenn Goodman is actually William Austin, the CEO of his father's company and head of the charity. Feeling betrayed, Darcy turns down his job offer and escapes back to Christmas with her family. William, with some encouragement, whisks himself to Kansas City to get Darcy and profess his feelings for her. Again this is a "realizing yourself and what's important" story. I'm not surprised that I chose a movie with Candace Cameron Bure. After all, I'm a long time fan, and I'm happy to have both "Tanner" sisters on my list. 
What are your favorite Hallmark Christmas films? Share your picks in the comments below!