Susan Boyle "Happy As I Am"

Real Women rule the world.
iVillage put out a querie looking for input on what kind of makeover Susan Boyle should get.
Here's my input, as it isn't a makeover she needs, it's the opportunity to express herself and that i s what image is about. Not everyone wants to imitate Madonna or Beyonce.
Some of the most powerful and influential women in the world have been a "bit sturdy."
Madeline Albright and how about the two women who talk about sex on TV? Susan Johanson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Johanson?
Here's what I sent to iVillage...
susan's spunkiness that she demonstrated by not being shy in front of the audience and being quite comfortable in her own skin, is the foundation of helping someone with a makeover. i could glam her up to make her look like an upper east side society doyenne, or create a "performance persona" for her, but that isn't who she is. Simple and elegant is the look i would strive for.
she opened her mouth - her talent sang forth, she will never have to prove herself again.
1. trim but don't reshape your brows.
2. soft highlights and subtle shaping/layering to frame and update the hair
3. susan's body type appears to be a bit rectangle vs curvy, so i would use color and a flattering neckline - keeping her face and neck open - and give her a sophisticated dress in an eye enhancing color with clean lines, slightly a-line to create a bit of shape. i'd avoid thick or chunky accessories, but i would have a long oval necklaces to create a bit of vertical line, put her in pumps with an elongated toe box to add length to her legs.
4. add a posture pep talk and a better bra, something with a bit more lift and maybe padded to add shape and proportion.

American Girl by LL Cool J

A few weeks ago I heard a song by LL Cool J called American Girl.
I had heard of LL Cool J, but let's say his music wasn't rotating in my iTunes....
This song rocked my world.
It's an ode to the wonders of all women, no matter what color, shape or size and there is a particular reference to the "thicka sista." He sings "American Girls are the best in the world"...and he talks about "shakin' what your mama gave ya"...LOL
Take my word for it, this song will cheer you up even if you're not unhappy and it will get you on your feet and dancin' !
I've got the song up on my myspace page if you want to hear it.
You'll be glad you did.
http://www.myspace.com/lindaarroz

Belle Noir Radio and Magazine

Check out this great radio show. I'm a guest on the show today!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BelleNoir

Fox Casting Pretty Plus Size Women For New Reality Show

Monday, April 20th, is the last day to submit video or meet a casting agent in Los Angeles for the new Fox reality plus size dating show from the producers of The Bachelor.
Check out my website for all the information on where to upload your video.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to show the world what you've got to offer - personality, style and lots of love! Get your 15 minutes - it's a launching pad for other things. Why should all those thin bitches on The Real Wives get all the fame and glory, huh? Just joking, who cares about them.
http://www.makeovermedia.com

Susan Boyle - It's About Time

The minute I heard about Susan Boyle I rushed to YouTube to hear the most beautiful noise on the planet.
Thank you Susan Boyle for giving us hope for all our dreams and for providing, as one of the judges on Britan's Got Talent said, a long overdue wake up call. Nothing is ever as it seems.
In the old studio system in Hollywood, extraordinary talent like you were hired to sing for the stars who lip synced the tunes and took all the credit. Our pop culture tendencies to turn out cookie cutter mediocrity needs a jolt of what a real star is. I know you're headed for a makeover soon, they won't rest until they've put you through the camera ready car wash, so enjoy the pampering and attention. The world is watching, and it's a priviledge. "You're my thrill..." - a line from a Joni Mitchell song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Meet The Curvy Fashionista!

Meet The Curvy Fashionista!
As always, getting the word out to you about where to get the best advice and style tips.
Meet Marie Denee. She is also the Examiner.com's SF hook up for plus sizes.
http://www.thecurvyfashionista-mariedenee.com/

Everything You Ever Wanted In Plus Sizes - OneStopPlus.com

Great Shopping Resource

 I was the editor of a couple of special size fashion magazines in the nineties - Big Beautiful Woman (BBW) and Maternity Fashion & Beauty. We scoured the marketplace for great clothes, products and services that catered to our readers. Fifteen years later,  all you have to do is go online and shop till your fingers drop. And get ready to drop a bundle because you are going to go crazy when you see the selection at OneStopPlus.com

From great prom dresses to that hard to find swimsuit - I swim almost every day, and swimsuits are only available at brick and mortar retailers for a couple of months a year - OneStopPlus has you covered with departments for large men, plus size women who are  tall or petite, and maternity. It's like having an entire mall at your service.

Reading

Here's an article about large size fashion that ran last week in Newsday. 

http://tinyurl.com/newsdayapril2009

Brick House of Style Blog - Check it out

http://brickhouseofstyle.blogspot.com/

Discovered on Twitter. Check it out.

Get Fit To Go Green - Teresa Tapp

My friend Teresa Tapp, author of Fit & Fabulous in 15 Minutes, has a new workout for people who need to lose "more" weight. It's called appropriately, T Tapp More.
Anyone who has had an orthopedic injury or suffers with a chronic condition that impairs mobility knows the side effect is weight gain and loss of strength.
Having had both, I can recommend this workout as a gentle, safe and effective way to add more movement to your life.
The movements that physiologist Tapp designs include a concept called comprehensive, compound muscle activation. That means that each movement works multiple muscle groups at a time. A bonus feature is that this muscle activation squeezes the lymph glands, helping to move toxins. You get stronger as you continue to do the movements. Dr Nicholas Perricone says T Tapp is the "best anti-aging workout."
Check out Teresa's website. She has a "try before you buy" button with free videos, the website is available in 17 languages and all DVDs have Closed Captions and include Sign Language Interpreter. For more information, check out her free forum full of focused T Tappers.
http://www.t-tapp.com
T Tapp More's Primary Principals:
*aerobic without jumping
*strength building without weights
*uses no equipment or gear
*can be done in 3 ft of space
*has only 8 repetitions
*no repeat sets needed

Fox Casting Pretty Plus Size Women For New Reality Show

If you are pretty, plus size and between the ages of 21 and 33, Fox TV is looking for you.
For more information about the TV show and how to audition, click on this link.
Casting agents are scouting Lane Bryant stores around the country over the next few weekends.
Don't miss your chance to launch your career, get your 15 minutes, make some money and have some fun.
Make sure you tell the casting agents Makeover Media sent you.
Send me an email if you have any questions
makeovermedia@mac.com
http://www.makeovermedia.com/Makeover_Media/Fox_Casting_Plus_Size_Women.html