I have to say that I’m excited — a more targeted diet, coupled with exercise, has made me get closer and closer to my goal weight. However, the more I read in the plus size fashion world, the less I feel as if I deserve a voice — especially if instead of a size 24, I become an 8 or a 10.

Therefore, today’s question is, what qualifications must be met before one can, with conviction and credibility, write about women’s plus size fashion. Does one have to be plus sized in order to do this? Heck, does one even have to be a woman in order to write about plus size fashion?

Well, the latter question is answered with a no, as Glen from Full Figure Plus writes about women’s plus size fashion all the time.

But the other question, for me, is harder to answer. The designer of a well-received brand in the plus size world, Igigi, is not a plus size woman in the slightest. Yet her line of clothing has turned women’s heads and made us all collectively drool (and collectively wince over the price tag) over those collections.

I’m a blogger that writes about women’s plus size fashion, who is also plus sized herself. However, I’m reaching a part of my life where I need to get active. Am I silently slapping the faces of silent multitudes who aren’t down with the weight loss train? I certainly hope not, though I feel as if I post progress on my weight loss or anything health-wise, I will undoubtedly step on some toes.

You want to know something about weight loss and Deluxegrrl? It’s been a hard ride. I’ve given up soda, candy, chocolate (for the most part. I do slip in a little dark chocolate as a treat every now and again), ice cream (now reserved as a once in a while treat), and fast food (though I still order a steak at a nice restaurant). Am I going to plus size hell for giving up the grease? I surely hope not, but since I kinda exist in a bubble, I’d appreciate comments at this point.

Whenever someone talks about weight loss, especially a plus size person, I almost feel like a million people are sighing, like “oh no, not another ex-big-girl-to-be!” It’s not like I’m going to go from a 24 to a 2, I just don’t have that type of build. But even at 19 going on 20, I have to get real: diabetes, high blood pressure, and other ailments are a huge problem in my family, and the thought of jabbing myself three times a day (or more, my mom definitely had to poke herself a lot more than that!) with a needle is not my idea of a good time.

I’m not saying that every plus sized person is on the same wavelength as me, or faces the same problems as me. I know several that are healthy as horses, and could outrun me on a bad day. But I’m taking control of this weight loss issue for my health, and therefore I might have to break away from traditional thought on the plus size manner.

If I was doing this for looks, I’d laugh at myself. I’m no starlet, but I definitely get enough attention when I’m out being just plain old Isabella. So I don’t wish to do this for the “hot factor”, since my ego tells me I’m hot as is. But when it comes to describing myself, I’d prefer elegant over hot, it seems to last longer.

OK, I’m done. Discuss.

Tags: weight, weight loss, size, size acceptance, plus size, plus size community, community

…so I’m just going to post today, since everytime I write something and think about it nothing gets pushed to the front. Call it stage fright, I suppose.

What I’m thinking about today is earrings. Beautiful earrings, necklaces, rings…I’m on a jewelry run like no one’s business. Well, in my head anyway — summer is my savings time, not my spending time. But that doesn’t stop you from dreaming, or even snagging a pair of beautiful pearl earrings, now does it?

I love pearl earrings, necklaces, and even bracelets (and I’m not a huge bracelet grrl), and this pair of vintage pearl earrings looks spectacular! This is the type of jewelry I’d pick for a lovely night on the town with that special guy.

The other reason I like pearls so much is that it gives one a delicate look, classy and simple all at the same time. Studs are great fun when you’ve got your hair up — a sexy bun for the evening never hurt anyone!

So put on those pearls and hit the town running! (or demurely walking — we’ll be too busy looking at your earrings to know the difference!)

Tags: pearls, pearl earrings, earrings, accessories