I love...

Love.. today is ALL about the love... Everyone deserves to be loved... biggest problem I can see is we don't love ourselves enough... and it's not a selfish thing to love yourself... in fact if we showed our bodies a little more TLC we'd be a lot happier as a race... we have such a bad opinions of ourselves... we strive for 'perfection'...  but who decides what perfection is?! Some size 6 supermodel? Some editor of a magazine full of air brushed women? Every single one of us is perfect... that dimple... that gap in your teeth... that cows lick... that's what makes you YOU! and all those little things are adorable... cute... sexy... beautiful...

The world is full of self doubt... if we don't conform to a specific size... if our hair is the wrong style.. color... if we're too tall... short... skinny... fat... if our skin isn't clear and tanned the right colour...  someones going to judge us and we're at the top of the queue to pick out all the faults... the more you put yourself down... the more you believe it... and its just NOT TRUE!

This morning... on the day of lurve... when you're at the mirror... brushing your teeth... doing your make up, say something nice to the person looking back at you.. GO ON! That person is amazing.. that person is great craic... they're a loyal friend and honest... You're real friends will tell you just that ... You're awesome... and they'll be there for you when the self doubt creeps in...

So today... shoulders back... stand tall... and love who you are... on this whole planet of 7 billion people... there's only ONE you! No one else like you exists and that's pretty awesome!

Mwah!

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You're more than a label... Motivation Monday

This woman... Myla Dalbesio is considered 'plus size'... yup... let that sink in for a minute whilst you sip your morning tea... This came onto my twitter time line over the weekend and to say it evoked a bit of rage is an understatement... I despair at articles like this ... I will never look like this woman and believe me... I'm plus size, a real plus size woman, I've beaten myself into a size 32 pair of jeans! Does that make me unfit for society? Should it make me unlovable? Am I stupid and lazy? Should I hide my fat ass away until I fit the 'norm' and let life pass me by until someones says 'OK you're a size 10, you can come out now!'?  Fuck that! (and you know I never swear on here!)

The average dress size in the UK is 14-16... that is 'normal'... it was 'normal' back in the 50s... it's still 'normal' now... yes, there are skinny women in this world... healthy, skinny women... and they're naturally that way... but get this... every single one of us is different! Crazy concept for the fashion industry to take on board ... 

What gets me the most about all this, is there are young women out there, who will look at this woman and think, 'I'm not good enough', 'I'm so fat', 'what's the point?'... and I despair for them... because they will spend years, YEARS, like I did, wishing they were someone else, hating every part of themselves, letting how they look control their lives and make them question how amazing they are and make them feel like they're not good enough, when they are already amazing people, who can trailblazer through this world looking fabulous... 

Today, Monday the 10th of November 2014... pick a label for yourself... a positive word that describes you... feck it, string a sentence together...  here's a few random ones to get you in the mood ... 

I love my curly/straight/short/long hair.... 

I've got pretty eyes/lips/cheek bones/teeth...

People always comment on my long eyelashes/lovely nails...

I make people smile... 

I'm kind... 

I love being tall/short!

My booty is HOT!

I love my cleavage... 

My boyfriend/husband/partner says I'm cute/gorgeous/sexy/beautiful...

 guess what?! they're right!

Now your turn... out loud... go on... I'll wait...  

Being a size 6 or a size 32 doesn't make you a bad person, it doesn't define you... it's just a label dreamt up a long time again to sell dresses ... it shouldn't make you stand out from what fashion deems the 'norm'... and once you get that, you can start to be happy in your own skin. Certainly, using the standard 'dress size' is a tool to gauge you're losing weight .. especially when the numbers on the scales don't change... many people toning up at the end of their weight loss, will find their jeans getting looser because muscle takes up less space than fat does... but how many of us have tried on the same size in different shops and one fits perfectly, the other you can barely beat it on your body... and it's heartbreaking... soul destroying.. you leave in tears thinking 'all my hard work and I still can't fit into a size 'x'...'

Sure we'd all like a flat belly but guess what... nature needs us laydeeez to have curves to keep mankind in business ... we need boobs and booty to make babies ... they're not called 'childbearing hips' for no reason and we should be proud of them, we're designed to  make tiny humans, that's pretty awesome!!! 

When XL means a size 8...

Being a size 6 or a size 32 doesn't define you... it doesn't make you perfect or imperfect ... and there are plenty of size 6 AND size 32 women out there who are clever, funny, intelligent people who are healthy and happy... and there, my friends, are the two key words... HEALTHY and HAPPY! The definition of NORMAL is being HEALTHY and HAPPY in your own skin... If you get that feeling... the label on your dress means feck all!

Today is Monday, you are awesome... that is all... rant over...

You can read the full article  >>> HERE <<<

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You just can't see it...

This last week a few things happened that made me sit up and think... I'm an over thinker as a rule, I can dissect a simple 'OK' into a thousand different ways, but this was more than usual... Our minds are tricksters at the best of times and the mind games we play with ourselves can be pretty silly... Every left the house having tried on EVERY single item that you own and still not been happy?!?

It all started with Comso Australia posting a picture of supermodel Robyn Lawley wearing her own swimwear range... This woman is regarded as 'plus size'! Don't even get me started... I've sworn on twitter more than twice in the last week! Initial reaction... they've put up the wrong pic... but no... this healthy, curve, super sexy woman is 'plus size' ... it terrifies me what category I'd fit into if this is 'big'! And what gets me is women, who are younger or more impressionable or more insecure than me will think to themselves.. 'well she's gorgeous but I don't want to be 'PLUS SIZE' ... that's worse than being fat for crying out loud!' 

Then I came across this link... I posted it all over the shop and every single person bar 1 was way off on their body shape... seriously, try it... it's like the line up that GOK does without having to stand in your knickers... 

http://www.marisota.co.uk/shop/freeformat/page.action?pageId=7758

I too, had underestimated my size by 17.5%! Very nearly one fifth out of synch! When we lose weight, sadly our brains take a lot longer to catch up with the rest of us... We look in the mirror and see the old body... the need to cover up... to save the poor general public having to look at us... 

I had a brief chat with a mum of 4 who was confident with her body and I admire her so much... her body has produced 4... FOUR beautiful tiny humans... how magic is that?!?! It's cared for them, nourished them, chased them away from harm, cuddled them, kissed them and so much more... she's a super star in my eyes... How society could roll their eyes at her for a few stretch marks, earned by doing something SO incredible is beyond me... So time to ignore this nonsense... 

A lot of us when we look in the mirror, we hate what we see, and don't understand when people compliment us, or think they're just being polite... when in fact people, we're pretty awesome! You've only got one body and whilst it may not be perfect for Cosmo or Vogue, its strong, healthy and ALL Yours!  So shake your booty and sashay you're way around the world today and just say "thanks!" ... because you are fabulous!

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Motivation Monday... LOVE!

It's as simple as that really.. if you love you... you will treat yourself better.. you won't hurt your body... you won't put yourself last... you won't think that YOU don't deserve the very best... for YOU!

Be a little kinder to yourself this week... treat yourself to something nice... not a '99!... but something that makes you feel loved... paint your toes... get those shoes in Pennys... order that sparkly necklace online... Buy that book to read lazing out in the sun... Love yourself and everyone else will get the vibe from you... the same way a smile attracts another smile... (not everyone thinks you're a nutter ya know!) .. pay it forward... take the compliments.. your toes DO look cute all sparkly! If you love you... everyone else will love you even more... Have a good week x

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You are perfect.... Motivation Monday...

Yup.. you're already perfect... I swear... stick with me on this one... 

WHO defined perfection? WHERE is he? (it was definitely a 'he' right?) WHO says Elle is 'THE' body? Sure she's very fit and healthy... but she picks her nose, has bad hair days and spots... what we always see is the airbrushed version of her... all tanned and running down the beach like she's not dying for a wee... We're all perfect... and if we had the time and skills, we could photoshop ourselves to perfection too! You are unique! There is no one else on the globe just like you!

Yes you may dislike bits and pieces, and society says you must be a size whatever... but you're just making improvements to a body that is already amazing... it gets you about... it can laugh... cuddle... high five and so much more... you are making your life better by looking after yourself ...  but there is someone in the world today who would love to be YOU... they would love to get out of a warm bed on a cold May morning ... Tangent... WHAT is going on with the weather?!?

They'd love to be able to choose an outfit and head to work... they'd love to have long/short/curly/blonde hair... green eyes... be able to drive a car... cycle a bike...oh to sit for a few minutes and read a blog *coughs* or two... on an iPad... phone... laptop... 

For two minutes.. take a little look at your life and be grateful ... you can CAN get out of bed, even with creaky knees, you can get ready for the day... have a shower.. wear your fav lippy... and choose your breakfast.. not everyone has those privileges ... you ARE amazing and so is everyone else ... see.. told you were perfect... even on a Monday! 

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#BOBBlogChallenge - 6!

Week 6 and spring has arrived! YAY!!! This weeks 'Best of Beauty Blog Challenge is …  chose ONE 'Budget Bargain' product! But… but… there's SOOOOO many to choose from! eek! 

Mine is… Vaseline! There… I've said it! Disown me if you like… I know the beauty divas will tut and eye roll … I've actually heard someone say they'd rather DIE than use it … lil' bit dramatic but each to their own eh? Vaseline is a cult product and has been in the beauty world since 1859 so there's got to be something about it! 

Used on babies, burns and by beauticians, it's a worldwide product that a lot of celebrity make up artists swear by as a make up remover… I guarantee if you've ever had a spray tan you've put some on your toes and nails! You can find it anywhere… from Jennifer Annistons handbag (she's a poster gal for them!) to the dash board of your white van man to keep his lips kissable… available in your high end stores or your local petrol station and everywhere in-between … it's that good… 

To name drop… Tyra Banks, JLo, Hillary Duff, Halle Berry, Katherine McPhee all swear by it… mostly as a eye cream at night and as a make up remover! I've done my research people…

I have a slight addiction to the cocoa butter flavoured versions of this … I know we were only suppose to pick one but… ahem… its the same thing in different versions… kinda… 

Look at this teeny tiny one I picked up in NYC! No really, my hands are not that big its just toooo cute! 

These little 'Lip Therapy' tins can be found in every pharmacy… every single one in the country! They retail in Boots for €2.19 but you can get them for less! Available in Aloe, Rosy, Original, Cocoa Butter and, for the real girlie girls, there's a limited edition 'Pink Bubbly' version! Tangent - The 'Rosy' version give your lips a lovely 'flushed' hint of a tint and smells lovely!

The 'vitalising body gel' is perfect when you just get out of the sower and your skin is damp… it seals in moisture and its not greasy or oily! Fab on your pins too! €6.99

If I HAD to pick one… it would be the 'Spray and Go Body Moisturiser'… whilst I'm not as fast as that chick applying it on the telly… it goes on fast… it's light and soaks in quickly and smell so nice… it's fab for after swimming and rushing out in the mornings… AND it smells like holidays… win-win! Retails for €6.15 in Boots!

Week 6 done! Don't forget to check out Samantha from All The Buzz blog who's running this challenge…  >>> HERE <<< and tweeters can follow all the posts under #BOBBlogChallenge!

PS: A peek at my haul from NYC eek! I know… I know but … oh you all understand me! Lots of reviews to come! xxx

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F$@K YOU!

Regular readers… this post is not for you… calling all haterzzzzz!

I have 'the rage' as they say… so I'm just going to clear up a few things… rant a little if you will, so its off my chest for the weekend … so if you're going to continue reading please forgive my swearing and remember normal service resumes shortly… 

I get emails through here all the time… I don't mind answering questions or helping out… it's difficult when you start a new plan and you're not sure about it… plus more often than not I learn something new too… and I don't want to lock everything down just because there's a few assholes out there… I try to keep this as honest and open so everyone gets support and motivation like I do… I don't think people realize how much bloggers get out of blogging! I get asked some ridiculous things too, which always make me giggle… and a lot of lazy types asking 'how many points are in…?' which I'll always oblige followed by a 'get your calculator out next time or Google my friend…' 

But sadly I get the 'haterz' as the kids call em… not just here but through all social media… it goes with the territory of blogging I know … when you put yourself out there it's to be expected sadly … and being overweight the name calling and slagging is like water off a fat ducks back! Mostly I roll my eyes and hope that one day they get the money for plastic surgery they so desperately need and then I giggle to myself… life is too short really… my only warning to anyone reading this… check that you're an absolutely prefect human specimen before you slag my fat ass … I have fat… it doesn't define me… considering the questions I'm about to reply to… the Mastermind trophy is all mine! However I'm going to clear up a few questions for you stupid folk who insist that I'm not good enough to blog about anything let alone losing weight, that way you won't have to copy and paste them again… 

Firstly… 

ahhhh that feels better already!

How did you get SO fat?

Your directness pleases me, I feel I can reply with equal directness but I will use small words with less than two syllables if possible.. damn broken that already… but you probably don't realize it so it's all good…  I got SO fat because I was and probably still am bulimic… I got help and stopped the purging and as a result have a full set of new crowns… a costly disease I tell ya… I also developed PCOS in my 20s and ballooned but aside from those I continued to abuse food because I thought it was all I had left after a very sad time in my life and used it as a friend/crutch (I know you're laughing but a crutch is different to a crotch… ahem… ) but I got a lot of help, I have some amazing friends and I've lost a lot of weight, simple really … now, more importantly, how did you get SO stupid?


Why don't you just exercise?

Now … WHY didn't I think of that!?!? Sigh… Not everyone is capable or even wants to run a marathon, swim across the channel or climb Everest! I was involved in a hit and run years ago on my bike (I used to cycle everywhere in the good old days!) and my busted knee is still in physio so sadly the pool is my exercise buddy! I exercise every day, unbelievable I know, for a fat cow like me … but here's something you might not know.. everyones' body is different… I KNOW! CRAZY!! So my PCOS and my dodgy knee make running difficult… and honestly Everest is just too far for a morning trek so I swim… lots … and I walk… lots… I'm actually very healthy for someone SO fat… But I'll make a note of it to tell my readers… they might not be as bright as you*… 

*Regulars you have more intelligence in your earlobes than these morons!


Why aren't there any full pics of you? OR Why do you hide behind the little cartoon?

Probably for the same reason you hide behind your dodgy email addresses.. shame! You've got to be ashamed that you can't just comment on here or tweet me directly right? Scared the fatties might gang up on your skinny ass? I mean we'd only need to sit on you and its game over! I am ashamed of my body… I'll admit it… I disrespected it for so long and am now only coming to like it… just… and I have a wonderful group of friends who really don't care what I look like and they certainly don't realize how much they've helped me of the last few years ... I mean they wouldn't let me out in hot pants because they're REAL friends and you must know how embarrassing THAT is for a fatty … but in the last 4 - 5 years I've slowly come out of my shell… and there are pics of me online… maybe not full body pics but I can't find pics of you at all either so lets do a swapsies! The fact is it's my blog and I don't have to! There are people who read posts on here and follow my twitter account who have met me… I've had nights out and lunches with lots of em… Met a few at rugby games… I'm a real person, I'm not preaching from behind a computer or hiding… I certainly make mistakes and I put them out there but I'm human and normal and I'll show what I want when I want…  

I have gone from someone who was stressed out going somewhere in case the whole room would turn around and not think I was good enough to be there… I pitied hairdressers who, god love them, had to put up with 'the big girl' in the seat for a couple of hours, I dressed myself head to toe in black so I would just disappear into the background and I hated it! I still struggle with meeting new people… I dread that they'll take one look at me and just tut and walk away… its called low self esteem… something you REALLY don't have a problem with… I created this blog because I was lonely and very unhappy… so you can feel sorry for me and slag me off but I never in a million years thought it would grow into something so amazing! So amazing in fact that someone like YOU is jealous of it… You can come out from behind your screen anytime you fucking knob and I'll show you anything you want! I certainly don't claim to have all the answers but hey… if your blog is the only way to lose weight and you're so perfect, link me up so I can learn from the best!


Why do you 'bother' doing challenges, don't you have any real friends?

I 'bother' because like minded people join in… people who have 5 lbs to lose.. people who have 5 stone to lose… when they weigh in every week it gives ME the kick in the pants to stay on track… its called M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N … look it up… in a DICTIONAR… oh never mind… keep refreshing the screen it'll keep my monthly numbers up! 

Why don't you just go on a diet?

Again… genius idea… I don't know why I never thought of that before… I see a future in politics for you my special stalker! I'd explain it but I think if you google 'weight watchers' it'll show you I'm on a 'healthy eating plan' which is posh talk in your parts for diet!


Why do you have pics of cake and bad food on your instagram, SURELY you should be promoting healthy eating?

I don't promote ANYTHING… I follow the Weight Watchers plan… and I'm blogging MY journey… lots of my followers do Slimming world, some count calories, some do the 5/2 plan, some aren't on diets at all and honestly, I really don't care what plan they follow… Weight Watchers, counting points works for me… and when people who ask me how many 'syns' are in things I point them in the direction of the slimming world blogs! Which, by the way, I follow lots of different weight loss blogs for inspiration and motivation (sorry more big words.. eek!) …  and I've always said.. if it works for you stick with it… HOWEVER, I don't work for Weight Watchers, kinda like you don't work for NASA … I like 'cakes' and 'bad food' like everyone else… I get chinese at the weekends and drink gin sometimes *brace yourself* with FULL FAT TONIC! I'm honest enough to put my paw up and say I HAD some cake and I pointed it and it was fab… I'll point it and share it with cake lovers so they can try it too… I'm not sitting here waiting for people like you to tell me what I should eat… I'm certainly not sitting in the corner being a martyr whispering 'I'm doing weight watchers you all have fun without me, I'll join in when I get to goal' .. if I get hit by a bus tomorrow I'm going out on a high! Life is to be lived…  I'm a big girl as you have kindly pointed out… but I'm living MY life... you should probably start living yours and not worry about me so much… cause I'm heading for 7 stone weight loss… those teeth of yours won't whiten themselves ya know!


Why do you call yourself SKINNY DOLL when you're not skinny?

Sadly its another big word for you… Brace yourself… it's ASPIRATIONAL… *pauses* yep… I can wait… The day I started my blog it was the name that popped into my head … I'm never going to be a size 10… or skinny… I'd be happy just being healthy and happy in my own skin! But credit to you for working out that I'm not, in fact, SKINNY at all! You got the smarts kid! You'll go far… 

I bet you blog so you can get loads of free stuff from Weight Watchers!

Well freebies would be nice but they don't happen! I take pictures of products in  supermarkets and if I want to try stuff I buy it and try it… simples! But if you've got any free stuff going I'll take it!

*deep breathe* So… that should clear it all up for everyone … all other emails and messages will be ignored henceforth (I'm just teasing you with the double syllabled words now.. I'm SUCH a show off) … Fridays post is FULL of pics of me since you can't work instagram yet… those opposable thumbs eh!? 

RANT OVER… and apologies to the regulars… these fucking eejits needed to be told!

Normal services resumes shortly! 

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Monday motivation…

Lets face it coming from a hottie like Marilyn … she's not wrong… No one is perfect.. no one! Don't let all the images you are deluged with make you think you're not already beautiful… even super models are insecure about their looks … Heads high today… You're gorgeous!

'Even I don't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford' 

Cindy Crawford… 

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