The UK’s first free Lifestyle Magazine dedicated to the plus-size woman

AUGUST 2008
Issue 19
a
What NOT BIG
To Wear Business

What makes
a Woman?
Eternal
Summer
Ms Plus NY
“I was shot and
left for dead!”
 ‘Britain's Next Plus Model’!!

Do you have what it takes to be the definitive plus-size face of the UK?

Are you a model that has never been given a chance because the industry
thinks you are too big?

Do you know anyone that looks stunning and deserves to be recognised as a

high-end model?

If the answer is yes, then you would be happy to know that Just As Beautiful
Magazine (The UK's First Free Lifestyle Magazine Dedicated To The Plus-Size
Woman) is looking to give a lucky plus-size fashionable lady a break into the
glamorous world of modelling!

If you have what it takes to be 'Britain's Next Plus Model', send an email with 2 good
pictures of yourself to fashion@justasbeautiful.co.uk, putting 'Britain's Next Plus
Model' in the subject header to request for an application form.

You must be at least a size 20 and over 18 years of age!!

Deadline; 30th September, 2008

Look out for details in Just As Beautiful Magazine. To subscribe for your free monthly
copies email:

subscriptions@justasbeautiful.co.uk

'Britain's Next Plus Model'!!

 a 4. Nile Graham: What makes
a Woman a Woman

7. Big Business

8. Miss Plus New York

Exclusive

12. Manners Please!!

15. Fashion

19. Hair Tips with Anita Cox

20. Book Review: Fat Chance

23. Eternal Summer

FOR YOUR FREE MONTHLY

SUBSCRIPTION OF JUST AS
BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE
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Just As Beautiful
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Fax: 0870 131 9838

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Just As Beautiful Magazine is published by

London Business Communications &
Publishing (LBCP)
 WHAT MAKES A WOMAN
A WOMAN?
Hello readers,
F
or those of you who were
expecting a follow up article
regarding the weight loss
surgery debate – apologies. I
would like to give those of you who
still haven't sent in your views a bit
more time to do so. Therefore the
concluding article on this issue will
appear in next month's issue.
Women have many responses to
the question of what makes a
woman 'a woman'. We know from
various bodies that it is not simply
biological. To be a woman and feel
like a woman is much more than the
body you were born into. I'm
reminded of Aretha Franklin's song
“Natural Woman” [1]. She speaks of
how a particular love makes her feel
the wholeness of her female self. It's
a subject well explored in the works
of Shakespeare and other writers of
love, courtship and unbridled
passion. Indeed, many of us were
tuned in religiously to each and
every episode of “Sex And The
City”[2] liberated by their
uncompromising conversations
about how they, as single women in
the big apple, related to their
environment and the men within it.
Like many, I was often doubled over
with laughter at the comparisons I
was able to make between them
over there, and me over here in
London. Somehow it helped me to
embrace some of the issues
relating to the relationship
between my femininity and the
demands of being an independent
career woman in the metropolis.
Often, as is usual in life, it begged of
me more questions than it provided
answers! And, just like thousands of
women all over the country and
beyond, when I heard the film
which would seek to tie up all the
loose ends etc was due to hit our
shores, I whipped up into a frenzy as
to how this would be possible
without turning into a Walt Disney all
lived happily ever after
bluhhhhrrr!!!(I wanted Carey and
Big to get together actually and I
did shed a tear and gasp at all the
bits the film set me up to respond to
– unashamedly!!). I just didn't want
the female strength of their identity
to be diluted, and thankfully it
wasn't.
For transgender individuals the
mindset plays a huge role, and
drives many to risk their lives in
pursuit of matching how they look
on the outside to how they think
and feel - so they can “finally be
normal” [3].
By Nile Graham
Without a doubt, our appearance
can definitely make us feel more or
less of a woman. “When I'm this size,
I feel depressed. I don't feel sexy I
don't feel feminine. I just feel like I'll
always be alone”, said Tina, a size
30 woman from a plus-size women's
support group. She continued:
“When I've done my hair and
treated myself to something nice to
wear, I feel confident and alive. I
get men stopping me on the street
and commenting on how beautiful I
look and how they like my size” [4]
Tina was more typical than not of
the women I've worked with of size
and/or women struggling to gain
control of their lives with regard to
eating disorders, drug and alcohol
issues and survivors of physical,
mental and sexual abuse.
Our 'womanhood' can be
interrupted by events that were out
of our control.
Last year I supported a friend who
had to have a mastectomy,
reconstructive and breast
reduction surgery when lumps in
one of her breast were found to be
precancerous. Suddenly she was
faced with facing her mortality;
scars and a greatly reduced bust
size which, for her large frame was
very noticeable. I remember her
going through several weeks of post
surgery, wondering whether she'd
ever feel “like a real woman ever
again”. I'm happy to say one year
on and not only has she been
cleared by the hospital, she has also
learned to embrace her new smaller
cup size and get her sexy groove
back!!! Yay to the resilience of the
we…who are woman!
I was driven to write this in all honesty
from a very negative incident that
recently happened to me that
brought home to me that as plus-
size women we are not always
treated with the feminine respect
behaviour and completely ignored
the victim…ME!!! Don't worry, he
didn't manage to hit me as others in
the room provided a human shield.
It was the lack of support I was
shown post incident and the
language that was used by the
man in charge of the project that
made me see that even in this day
and age there are those that will
see my size first and judge my
physical and emotional abilities
and vulnerabilities by that.
Don't worry folks, I do not intend to
leave it there as I would never want
from us – but we can give it away if
we allow others to define what it is –
be that shiny magazines, ignorant
small minded men (and for every
one of them there are the lovely
ones often hiding in the wings!) and
unfortunately, those who are very
close to us.
Ladies, write to me with your
thoughts and feelings about what
makes you feel like a woman or
what makes you struggle to be in
touch with your femininity!
Now, get out there and strut your
beautiful stuff!

that appears bestowed much
easier to our smaller sized sisters. In
short, I was physically attacked by a
man and another man flew to the
aggressor's girlfriend's side as she
showed shock at her partner's
NG
someone else to go through that…I
am pursuing the matter. But during
the journey of writing this article I
have once again realised that our
femininity cannot be taken away

References
[1] Natural Woman (Motown)
[2] Sex and the City (Paramount
comedy channel)
[3] Sex change hospital (series on
the Discovery Home and Health
channel) Nile Graham is a life coach and
[4] Tina – name has been changed, personal development expert and
but I thank you for giving your can be reached by sending an
permission to use both quotes email to her at:

nile.graham@justasbeautiful.co.uk

Just As Beautiful Magazine Awards

&
Britain’s Next Plus Model

Coming Soon!!
for futher info or to apply

TEL: 020 8453 7185

07043 020 287
or
email: info@justasbeautiful.co.uk
 Relax, you're in good hands…
124 Anerley Road, Anerley Plus size bridal, bridesmaids, Evening and Prom.
London SE20 8DL
Tel: 020 8659 8702 Prices start from: £595.00.
Mob: 0793 04 966 04
Book a styling consultation and design your own dress!
voluptuous@ntlworld.com
www.ouiido.com Try as many dress as you want in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

www.voluptuousbrides.net By appointment. Closes at 8pm on Thurs.

 BIG BUSINESS
MAKING HIGH QUALITY MADE-TO-MEASURE FANCY
DRESS COSTUMES FOR CURVY LADIES EASILY AVAILABE
W
hen Birmingham
couple Paul Boston
and Nicole Eaton
decided to set up a
shop on Ebay catering for made-to-
measure plus-size costumes, little did
they know how much of a stir they
would create. Unsatisfied by low
quality and badly fitting fancy dress
costumes, they decided to start
selling theirs – the difference being
that their costumes are cheaper,
higher in quality and made in the UK.
The result was the birth of
www.frisky69.com. Despite being
based in the UK, Paul says that they
have customers all over the world.
“We are a rapidly growing family
business and have been trading for
three years as a web based
business. We started off selling adult
products similar to those sold by Ann
Summers, until we noticed that our
best selling products seemed to be
the few costumes that we stocked.
We started looking into the
costume/fancy dress industry a bit
further and started to sell some
different costumes to see if they
would be as popular. All of the
costumes were doing well but we
were getting lots of enquiries
regarding larger sizes as we only sold
costumes from size 8-16. What our
customers want our customers get,
so we did our research and found a
UK based company who
specialised in hand made plus size
fancy dress costumes.”
According to Paul, they “have had
a great response to the range of plus
size fancy dress that we have. Our
customer feed back has been very
positive showing that our customers
are extremely happy with the
quality of our costumes, along with
the service that they have
received. We have had customer
comments such as “fab fab fab
now I can't wait for the fancy dress I
usually dred other plus size
costumes. Fab fab”. The costumes
we sell offer our customers style and
comfort. The costume in turn helps
them feel confident about going to
a fancy dress party and having a
great time.
“The plus size industry is a rapidly
growing one. The demand for plus
size clothing has increased
significantly over the past few years
and retailers are finally making
fashionable and stylish clothes to fit
and flatter the fuller figure. Our
fancy dress costumes are made to
meet the growing demands of the
plus size industry offering a high
quality costume that will fit and
flatter any body shape.”
What separates Frisky69.com from
others is that the plus-size costumes
that offered are all hand made
here in the UK. “They are great
quality and range in size from 18-
40+. The costumes are made to
order and although we sell the
range in specific sizes they can be
made to your measurements,
longer or shorter if required and
they can also be altered to add
extra features. The costume can
basically be made exactly as you
want it and will be delivered to your
door. The great thing about these
costumes is they are made for real
people, a fabulous costume that
will fit and flatter your figure. There
are costumes to suit all occasions
be it a fancy dress party or just for a
fun and frisky night in! Our range of
costumes can be posted
worldwide. The costumes are great
value for money and you are
guaranteed to turn heads in your
fabulous fancy dress outfit that has
been made to fit you. We also sell a
range of accessories to
c om p l i m ent a nd f i ni s h y our
costume and offer a high standard
of customer service with a
dedicated member of our team on
hand to answer any queries and
assist you to help you find exactly
what you want,” says Paul.
“We are continually adding new
costumes and new ranges to our
plus size collection. Keep an eye out
for our festive costumes for
Halloween and Christmas. In future
 EXCLUSIVE!!
SHE WAS SHOT IN THE FACE AND LEFT FOR DEAD
BY AN ABUSIVE PARTNER BUT IS NOW A REIGNING
MEET ISABEL GARCIA
THE PLUS-SIZE QUEEN OF NEW YORK!!
I
sabel Garcia is the current Ms
New York Plus America 2008
and Ms New York American
Beauties Plus 2009. She is a
native New Yorker, born and raised
in Brooklyn. As Ms New York
American Beauties Plus she has
chosen domestic violence as her
platform because of her personal
and compelling story of survival,
and the prevalence of the problem
worldwide. When she was 23-years-
old, her boyfriend shot her in the
face with a .38 magnum handgun
during an argument and left her to
die. Prior to this incident he
repeatedly abused her.
BEAUTY QUEEN…
very long time I struggled with
myself because of the abuse that
was inflicted on me at his hands. I
was dealing with depression and
very low self esteem. I thought very
little of myself. I felt worthless,
unloved and useless. I felt like the
world was going to end and I had
no purpose in life. I was everything
he said I was -fat, ugly, stupid,
unwanted, worthless and, in his
famous words, 'I would never
amount to anything'. This was what
was drilled into my head the entire
time I was being abused. One day (I
remember it well) I stood in front of a
mirror and took a good look at
myself and said 'I Love Me! I am
beautiful, I am smart, I am loved, I
am Me!' My whole life changed
that day. I took control of my life
and started taking steps to a whole
new and improved 'love myself'
belief, which has empowered me,”
she passionately reveals.
Life began to change for Isabel as
she recovered from her physical
injuries and gained the emotional
strength to tell her story. As part of a
universal ministry, she has travelled
around the world telling her story of
survival to hundreds of women in El
Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico,
Cuba and Israel.
“Before I became s New York Plus
America 2008 and Ms New York
American Beauties Plus 2009 I had
struggled a lot with my life. I had
been abused by my ex-boyfriend
to the point in which he shot me in
the face and left me to die. For a

Isabel's motto is now, "be proud of
who you are", and this is something
she communicates to audiences of
women: "No matter if you are a size 2
or 20, we are all beautiful and you
need to love yourself first then
everything else will fall into place."
Her message to battered women is:
"Stay strong and don't dismiss your
dreams. To be without dreams is to
be without hope. To be without
hope is to be without purpose." Her
professional experience includes
working in a non-profit organisation
serving youth and low-income
families, and special education.
“I had always dreamed of being in a
pageant, but, as we all know,
society has its own perceptions on
what a beauty queen should look
like. So I thought this was just a
dream that would never become a
reality. One day when I arrived from
work I was doing some online surfing
and typed in plus-size pageants in
the search engine. Much to my
surprise, there it was -a plus-size
beauty pageant! I could not believe
my eyes. I read the entire site and
decided 'this is it'. Just what I was
hoping for. Could my dream
actually become a reality? And the
answer was yes. I now have two
tittles; me, the plus-size girl, the one
that was too big to be considered a
'Beauty Queen'.”
Isabel is also an enthusiastic
supporter, promoter and
Spokeswoman of the One in
Three© campaign. She is helping to
spread the word about the
important work the organization is
doing globally to raise awareness
of violence against women and the
trauma women suffer when
domestic violence is part of their
lives. She is also an international
spokesperson for the Voices Love
Music tour for victims of Abuse and
1Voice2gether, “which helps
others find their 'beautiful wonder'
within - to break the silence!”
Feeling quite elated she said: “This
experience has changed my life
tremendously in so many different
ways. I have been featured in
several magazines as well as on
television and radio. I have done
modelling, photo shoots,
promotions and runway. I have
been invited to many special
events and have judged beauty
pageants and travelled extensively
and have also become a
Spokeswoman for several domestic
violence organizations. My story has
also been published in a book and I
have met many celebrities as well. I
just recently had the honour of
being the August Calendar Girl for a
2009 print calendar.”
Despite currently working towards a
Degree in Special Education, Isabel
Garcia is also the Regional Director
for X'Change Modelling's New York
Tristate Chapter. X'Change
Modelling is a non profit social
empowerment movement with a
global ambition to change the
world's perception of the plus-size
woman (and men) in modelling
and media by making a difference.
X'Change models are individuals
taking an individual stance apart
from their associates. “We are an
organization encouraging positive
body image, character,
competence, and charisma for
the plus-size woman. It was
created in 2007 by Myisha Hill in
Chicago, IL, with the
determination to change the
world's view on the plus-size
image,” she said. Thus X'Change
Modelling was born and currently
has over five state directors
carrying on the X'Change mission
and models in areas including
Illinois, Indiana, New York,
California, Florida, North Carolina,
Atlanta, Maryland, Boston, and is
continually growing. “We are
currently seeking more women to
carry on the X'Change Mission in
other states and around the
world,” Isabel points out.

“I intend to use my titles towards

size acceptance and self-love. We
are all the same regardless of what
we look like on the out side. I say
this all the time; we are all the same
we are all one race and that is the
Human Race. I will be giving
workshops on loving yourself and
being healthy as well as looking
your best. I will also be going to
different schools, after school
programs and women's programs
speaking to our young ladies and
women on this same issue. We, as
plus-size women a can accomplish
anything we set our hearts and
minds to. We are beautiful,
intelligent, strong, creative,
productive and confident. It is
magazines like Just As Beautiful,
that cater to the plus-size woman
that show that curvier women are
beautiful, intelligent and capable
of accomplishing anything any
one else can.”

As a final word to readers, Isabel

says: “Believe in yourself. Be proud
of who you are, whether you are a
size 2 or 22. Always remember we
are all beautiful and unique in our
own way and that is what makes
each and everyone of us special.
You need to love yourself first then
everything else will fall into place.
Stay strong! Don't dismiss your
dreams because to be without
dreams is to be without hope and
to be without hope is to be without
purpose. We can do anything we
set our minds to.”
 Manners Please!!
Time to pull up a soapbox and let rip (I think)!
I
get fed up with the
assumption that people of a
larger stature than the usual
are lazy, smelly or have no self
control. (I have come across this
over the last, well, let's say few
decades). You are perceived as
having no self control because you
obviously sit and eat chocolate and
cakes for breakfast, lunch and, of
course, dinner. It is also assumed
that you are obviously smelly as you
puff and pant and sweat a little
more than your slender counterpart.
Of course you have no access to
grooming facilities like a shower,
soap and water, or come to think of
it, deodorant. How silly? But the one
thing that really gets my goat is the
fat = lazy equation. I think its time we
were noticed for leaving a good
impression on someone.
At the weekend my partner and I
(hmm, I sound like the queen there)
went to a country show up in a big
park in Glasgow. The layout of the
park meant that there was a
courtesy mini-bus to transport you
from one end to the other. We
arrived fairly early and got on the
bus to where they were shoeing
shire horses and demonstrating how
to bath a shaggy coo (that's
Highland Cow in English), which I
had to see as I love the hairy beasts.
Bless, it isn't an easy job. It involves a
gallon of shampoo, pressure hose,
gallon of conditioner and a cow
hairdryer! Of course this is to show
Highland Cows in the show ring; they
aren't that meticulous with “Daisy
the milker” on the farm. If they were
then that would be a big cause for
concern!
We saw all we wanted to see and
went to the bus stop to get back to
the car. We queued for a while
which is fine -as it was very busy by
then. We got on the bus nearly last
which meant standing but never
mind, it was better than walking so
far in the sweltering heat (in
Scotland that's above 68f!). Just
after us the driver helped an elderly
lady on board (she was very frail
and very old) we were standing
there expecting someone to stand
up and let her have a seat but
nothing happened. The only
person who offered her a seat was
another lady who was at least 8
months pregnant.
This shamed the lady next to her
into giving up her seat. Then an
elderly man got on, he had a
hearing aid and was also very
fragile looking and not one person
offered him a seat. The pregnant
lady tried but he wouldn't have
that. I said loudly to my partner 'I
can't believe someone isn't
standing up for him'. Obviously
everyone around us was deaf as
well as nobody batted an eyelid.
We said several other things as well
and nobody offered him a seat. I
was disgusted as there was a
middle aged woman one side of us
sitting with a child of about 8 and a
man the other side with another
child of around 11 years old who
By Julia Thomas
could quite easily have stood as
well, even if they had sat on their
guardians lap. I was so angry about
this; it wasn't as if it was a long trip
and it wasn't as if the people sitting
down were youths. They were all
middle aged or children whose
parents should have known better.
Now, I'm large (obviously) and I'm
also disabled but in a way you
cannot see. It just involves a lot of
pain and was I sitting, I would have
given up my seat for either of these
elderly people who quite possibly
fought for our freedom to enjoy a
lovely day out in a free country.
Even if they didn't, common good
manners should have been
involved for someone obviously frail
and elderly. I know it's a tenuous link,
but I'm pretty sure these 'normal'
sized people would be the first to be
pointing the finger at us 'lazy' plus-
sized people (when they just sat on
their backsides ignoring good
manners and chivalry and a little
sprinkling of decency).
The next day I was in a leading plus-
size retailer's shop when the lady in
front of me queried a price for a
damaged item. It had been
reduced for the damage but
subsequently the un-damaged
goods had been put down to that
price in the sale. The assistant asked
her boss and they took off another
couple of pounds. The customer did
not even say thank you, she just
paid and left.
What has happened to our society?
I am really hoping these are isolated
incidents and not the way we are
going in this country. Come on
everyone, lets all cry out for an
increase in basic good manners. Let
us be noticed for being kind,
courteous and larger than life in a
positive way. Let us face it. We are
noticed so turn that into something
positive. It can make someone's
day if you hold a door open for
them, or offer them a seat on a bus
and the best thing is that it doesn't
cost a penny. I believe in “pay it
forward”, the more we are polite
and helpful and smile at someone,
the more they are likely to “pay it
forward” to someone else and
before long someone very sad and
lonely can have their faith restored
in others with just a smile and a
thank you.
julia Thomas is the owner
of leading website:
www.curvychicks.co.uk

FOR YOUR FREE MONTHLY

SUBSCRIPTION TO JUST AS
BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE
SEND AN EMAIL TO:

subscriptions@justasbeautiful.co.uk

TEL: 020 8453 7185 or 07043 020 287

www.justasbeautiful.co.uk

“The UK’s First Free Lifestyle Magazine Dedicated To The Plus-Size Woman”
 BBW Limos
“For occasions you treasure most”

We understand limousine
rental should be cheaper.
We understand how you
like to be treated.

info@bbwlimos.co.uk
www.bbwlimos.co.uk
 Size and Style with
Lisa Marie and Jennygirl

In our quest to open up about our there and very few of them have Oversized shirts and dresses do not
experiences in size and style and bothered to notice that the size of hide your fat! Buy clothing that fits
what is important to us as USA big their customers is increasing. Of the and accentuates your curves. You
girls it occurs to us that we probably ones that do offer plus sizes, we are only adding the illusion of extra
aren't all that different. We all must noticed some very blatant no no's weight when you wear loose-fitting
share similar struggles in dealing with for the plus size consumer to watch clothing
fat bias, figuring out what looks out for. Just because a designer
good on our curves and being makes it in our size, please
bombarded with the images of remember to think for yourself. Not
what we are supposed to look like. everything looks cute on our curves
You can't turn on the television or no matter how much we wish it did.
open up a newspaper here in the Oh and if you are shopping online,
USA, without hearing about the and the skinny model they are
great Obesity epidemic in America. showing their styles on, looks fat in
Every day it seems there is a new that outfit, chances are it won't look
advancement in the war on Fat! great on us either. A bad design
Whether it be a new wonder drug will look bad on any size!
that keeps your body from
absorbing the fat in what you eat, or Here are our top 5 “What Not to
keeps you full so you don't eat at all Wear” guidelines for your next
or the ever popular weight loss shopping trip.
surgery that is all the rage. Subway
sandwich shops make fun of fast Prints are very popular this season.
food restaurants by having actors Avoid small prints and opt instead
drive up and order thunder thighs for larger prints as the smaller ones
and flabby arms with a side of tend to make you look larger than
blubber and a double chin. Now I you are and do not flatter you at all.
know as silly as that sounds, it's
bound to mess with our self-esteem
a little bit to be the fodder of
advertising jokes. It's not like big girls
don't look in the mirror and have a
hard enough time accepting who
they are, without images like these.
We read today that over 64% of
Americans are now overweight?
Does that mean that shopping is
getting easier for us big girls out
there? We'd like to tell you that our
shopping experience has now
become one of joy and ease but
alas, we would be lying to you.
There are thousands of designers out
Pay a little extra for better fabric and
dresses that are lined. They drape
nicely and don't show off all the
lumps and bumps we big girls have.

If you are pear shaped (carry more weight in

your bottom half) don't wear crop tops as they
just make you look out of proportion. If you are
bigger on top, the same rule applies in reverse.
Actually, crop tops are never a good idea on
big girls…we can't find one instance where a
crop top can flatter the figure.

We can't stress the importance of

buying and wearing a great bra! One
of our favorites is the Cacique
cleavage enhancer. If you need a
larger size around just add a bra
extender, available at most fabric
stores. The important thing is that you
are supported and comfortable.
Extenders are a wonderful and
necessary accessory. To illustrate the
need for the right bra, we've used
ourselves to show you the difference.
As you can see, the perfect bra makes
all the difference!

Photos courtesy of Club Bounce, Igigi and Hourglass Fashions.

 Instant Hair Tricks
to Slim Your Face
Most hair stylists will tell you that a good starting point to a face-slimming hair style is to give your hair a
svelte look. How do you do that? Here are a few tips from celebrity stylist Anita Cox
that will help minimise fuller face shapes:
Don'ts
Just as clothes with horizontal strips
add the elusion of weight,
hairstyles with blunt edges can
make your face look much wider
than it really is.
Avoid styles or cuts that have any
type of strong lines that will make
your face look larger than it really
is.
Avoid hair that is either too long or
too short.
Avoid big hair, lots of curls, wedge
styles or super short cuts. The
Square and Pear shapes are
also not suited for super short cuts
that will highlight the jaw or the
chin.
Do’s
Add slenderizing vertical lines to
your hair through well placed
highlights or lowlights. A talented
colourist can also add wonderful
depth to your overall face with
multi dimensional colour.
Adding height at the roots
automatically minimizes the
fullness of any face by adding
instant length. Ask your stylist to add
For more information visit: www.anitacox.co.uk; Anita Cox 40 Battersea Rise,
London SW11 1EE; Telephone: 0208 225 8888
texturizing or layers around your crown
area to add height. If your hair is naturally thin or fine
use a great volume enhancing shampoo to
add fullness. Add a root lift solution or
volumizing gel to the roots and use a brush to lift as
your blow dry. Remember to direct the airflow from
the ends to the roots for even more volume. If you
prefer you can use a small barrel curling iron right at
the roots for added texture.
Up dos add instant height. Consider pulling your hair into
a high ponytail or braid anchored at your crown. Pull
out a few tendrils on either side of your face to add a
subtle slenderizing.
A shoulder skimming shag style with texturized bangs is
excellent for reducing facial width. Blow dry hair
forward with a large round brush to smooth and curl
hair under. Set with a good hair spray. The best length
for faces that need slenderizing is between the
jawline and the shoulders. This length elongates your
face and neck creating a much slimmer
appearance. Fringes can be flattering if worn to
enhance the eyes. Select fringes that have an
uneven edge. Try angled fringes or fringes that have
wispy lengths.
Round faces benefit from long straight lines added
around the face. A chin-length bob with minimum
layering is a great option. Angled bobs with sides that
taper softly below the cheeks are also a wonderful
selection. This look can create the illusion of higher,
more angular cheekbones. By introducing a
horizontal line, side-parted fringes that sweep across
the forehead also help break up a face's roundness.
A key to slenderizing round faces is to minimize the
volume of hair that is at the sides and ear area. If a
hairstyle is selected that falls above the jaw it is best to
wear an off-centre part to interrupt roundness. A
longer jaw length or longer style can benefit from a
centre part.
The Square & Pear shapes do well with chin length bobs.
A bob with fullness at the chin will balance a pointed
chin prevalent with heart shapes.
·A square face benefits from a chin length bob that
ends in a soft flip or gentle wave. Adding emphasis to
the cheekbones and the middle section of the face
helps a lot. Fringes are a great solution. Wearing your
hair at least 2 inches below your jaw line will also help
a lot.
Fat Chance
Heaven is a Plus Size World
A big spoonful of deliciously wicked
satire and a rallying cry for every
woman who's ever been a few
pounds overweight.
Fat Chance reclaims the right to be
happy with the way your body looks
and humorously bites back at the
'skinny insanity' currently gripping
the western world - the fashion and
advertising industries, high society
and Hollywood.
It's about extreme... on both sides,
'perfect weight' is just a state of
mind.
Healthy feminine curves are sexy –
and should be enjoyed!
Sad, lonely Sharon Plunkett is a size
eighteen. The man of her dreams is
not interested, and her skinny friend
Debbie only uses her to look good.
But all that changes when Sharon
magically finds herself in a
fantastic, reversed world – where
it's suddenly 'in' to be fat, and 'out'
to be slim!
Feted and adored for her
curvaceous body and stunning
looks, she goes from supermodel to
Hollywood babe in a matter of
months.
Fat Chance by Lyndsay Russell,
published by Oldcastle Books is
available online at Amazon and all
leading bookshops
FRISKY 69
MADE-TO-MEASURE
PLUS-SIZE FANCY DRESS
COSTUMES!!
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 Relax, you're in good hands…
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Tel: 020 8659 8702 Prices start from: £595.00.
Mob: 0793 04 966 04
Book a styling consultation and design your own dress!
voluptuous@ntlworld.com
www.ouiido.com Try as many dress as you want in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

www.voluptuousbrides.net By appointment. Closes at 8pm on Thurs.

 News fashion health diets
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www.sizenet.com informed
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decisions about your life discrimination schools

Yes. It is definitely that time of year
again. More traffic on the road in
the early mornings, children back to
school, people looking weary and
jaded as they head off to work.
Have you forgotten all about your
holiday as soon as you get back to
work? I used to know the feeling …
It is so easy in our household to tell
when we have had a magical
holiday. Not because of the rosy
glow on our cheeks, or the
noticeable absence of stress
and tension in our bodies, or
even favouring a slower, more
relaxed walking gait than usual.
The classic giveaway sign is that
it takes me forever and a day to
unpack our suitcases, falling
over them in the hallway rather
than tidying them away. So! The
dirty washing gets stuffed into
the washing machine as soon as
the kettle is switched on for a
cup of tea. So! The holiday
souvenirs are unwrapped for
lucky family and friends (or not
so lucky, depending on where
we have travelled!). So why oh
why do the suitcases still hold
remnants of not-oft-used bits and
bobs, left untouched over the next
few days as we jump over the
landing where they are stacked
untidily?
Common-sense tells me to pack it all
away immediately. There is a peace
of mind in knowing that the home is
serenely clean; allowing us to relax
and slowly fall back into the swing of
our daily routine. More time to
squirm with embarrassment over the
holiday photographs, to swap tales
of adventure with friends and family.
Eternal
Summer
Yet if we have had a holiday which,
in some way, didn't tug at our heart
strings I find it frighteningly easy to
up-end the suitcases on the kitchen
floor, packing it all away in less than
ten minutes. Out of sight, out of
mind – just like the holiday itself.
For those special holidays,
memories seem to be trapped in
our suitcase along with half a tonne
of sand. Hah! At least we have
figured out why the warning siren
went off as we loaded our luggage
onto the conveyor belt at check-in
(all that excess weight in sand)! My
reluctance to totally unpack and
tidy away those bits and bobs, and
happy memories, is all linked to
escapism. Escaping humdrum
routine, everyday stresses to live a
slightly-nomadic existence with a
pruned wardrobe and
experiencing a total change of
lifestyle alongside new
experiences. All of which are
By Callie Carling
designed to lift your heart and soul,
free from the restrictions of daily life
and giving you a gold-plated
opportunity to spend quality time
with those closest to you.
Are you stuck in the mindset that all
you deserve is two pleasure-filled
weeks a year to let your hair down
and relax? Do you find yourself
feeling that as soon as you come
back from holiday you feel just
as stressed as before you went
on holiday – or more stressed
because you have to play
catch-up at work and at home?
You can make it different; all
you need to do is change your
way of thinking.
So here are my Top Five Tips for
keeping that magical-holiday
feeling, learnt the hard way!
Quick, cheap and simple ways
to keep the freefall at bay as we
return to everyday life:-
1) Take some time to figure out
what you loved the most about
that magical-holiday – and
keep it going at home in a simplified
way. It really is as easy as it sounds to
keep that holiday feeling all year
round.
Maybe you liked the relaxed
evenings the best? Then schedule
one evening (at least) - no need to
go out for dinner, just make a simple
dinner with minimal cooking and
cleaning, enlisting help to make it a
shared, fun experience. Why not
have an evening of chitter-chatter
with a favourite CD playing in the
background which brings back
memories of your magical-holiday,
catching up with each other's news
and talk of shared dreams. Relax.
Breathe. Go with the flow and
consciously listen.
2) TV off. I am all in favour of
keeping the television off
permanently but it is such a focal
point, that to do away with it
completely would be a step too far
for most of us. Why not try a couple
of evenings a week where you can
find new things to do instead. Go
out for a walk, try out a new hobby,
make time for yourself or maybe -
just maybe! - talk to your partner.
You will feel more alive. You will feel
more relaxed too … and hopefully
discover new interests to keep you
occupied and fully-charged until
your next magical holiday.
3) Pick up a book which re-ignites
the holiday magic in you. Just take
a couple of moments to make a list
of all the feelings that you felt on that
magical holiday and pick out those
which really resonate loudly within
you … take your top 5 feelings and
dig around in your local library to
discover books which allow you to
reach in and re-live those feelings.
If one of the most inspiring, magical
moments of your holiday is vividly
recalling the scent of huge lemons
plucked from Mediterranean trees,
then dig out some great cookery
books which incorporate the history
of an area or of a family, telling you a
tale as you plunge through the
pages. You could rustle up new
Ripple Energy Essences, Aroma Mists, Raw Gaia living, organic skincare and
personalised oil blends are all available via www.holisticfeathers.co.uk, including
facial rejuvenation and other specialised treatments
gastronomic delights while your
memory sinks back into that winter months when our hair
luscious, ripe lemon smell … and by becomes totally unmanageable
attaching the memory of and our skin resembles chipped
something so wonderful to an marble if we forget to treat
everyday task, you will find yourself ourselves – with love, respect and
relax each time you perform it! time.
Aromas are the most magical of all
5) Plan, plan, plan. There is
holiday memories and can pick
nothing so great as planning for
you up and put you straight back
another magical holiday. The
into that magical memory instantly.
nights will soon start to draw in and
there is something almost illicit in
4) Body beautiful. My friend is busy
surrounding yourselves on the sofa
panicking about our beach break
with a pile of magazines and
in 10 weeks' time, hoping to banish
brochures to gather inspiration. Use
cellulite in two days. I have been
your top 5 feelings (from your list in
kind to myself - busy with the dry
Top Tip No. 3) to get a feel for the
skin-brushing, busy with the natural
next life adventure, your next
oils to keep my skin toned in
magical holiday.
excellent condition all year round; I
am only worried about
remembering to pack my sarongs
and pink flip-flops. At size 24, I figure
it isn't worth worrying too much over
a patch of cellulite when the
dimples are overshadowed by a
voluptuous cleavage.
Who says we can only treat
ourselves once a year, on holiday?
Pampering really does not mean
spending vast amounts of cash on
pretty jars or booking yourself into a
day spa. So you feel your budget
Life is for living - so free your
each month won't stretch to
imagination, unpack your suitcase
squirreling money away for a
and enjoy the feeling of living in the
holiday AND a facial each month?
present. That is what today is – a
That's fine! Speak to us and
present for you, to enjoy and savour
discover what you can do for
every precious moment.
yourself at home, have a pamper
Remember, “There shall be eternal
party or pyjama party and keep
summer in the grateful heart.”
the magical holiday feeling going
~Celia Thaxter
even 'through the chilly, windswept
 THE PLUS-SIZE SPORTS AND
DANCE
INITIATIVE

www.plussizesportsdance.co.uk

This is a British initiative to get more people who are

considered
overweight or obese to exercise in environments where
they are
comfortable; among people that they can identify with.
In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes
for swimming
lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to
get involved in
sports with like-minded people, look no further.

For further information send an email to:

info@plussizesportsdance.co.uk
 www.goutfree.co.uk

THE PLUS-SIZE SPORTS AND DANCE

INITIATIVE

www.plussizesportsdance.co.uk

This is a British initiative to get more people who are considered

overweight or obese to exercise in environments where they are
comfortable; among people that they can identify with.
In other words, if you feel too shy to take off your clothes for swimming
lessons or any other sporting activity, but really want to get involved in
sports with like-minded people, look no further.

For further information send an email to:

info@plussizesportsdance.co.uk
 ‘Britain's Next Plus Model’!!

Do you have what it takes to be the definitive plus-size face of the UK?

Are you a model that has never been given a chance because the industry
thinks you are too big?

Do you know anyone that looks stunning and deserves to be recognised as a

high-end model?

If the answer is yes, then you would be happy to know that Just As Beautiful
Magazine (The UK's First Free Lifestyle Magazine Dedicated To The Plus-Size
Woman) is looking to give a lucky plus-size fashionable lady a break into the
glamorous world of modelling!

If you have what it takes to be 'Britain's Next Plus Model', send an email with 2 good
pictures of yourself to fashion@justasbeautiful.co.uk, putting 'Britain's Next Plus
Model' in the subject header to request for an application form.

You must be at least a size 20 and over 18 years of age!!

Deadline; 30th September, 2008

Look out for details in Just As Beautiful Magazine. To subscribe for your free monthly
copies email:

subscriptions@justasbeautiful.co.uk

'Britain's Next Plus Model'!!