My Journey Yoga

So with all these things going on in the world and me really needing to get my life together, I have been searching for something... I didn't know what until I stumbled upon yoga.  I have have always been interested and told myself I wanted to go on a journey as I explore all the different types of yoga.. I'm quite not ready yet for hot yoga but everything else I'm game.

I have tried some yoga and piyo classes at Club Fitness and I liked it a little and felt like I needed a teacher that teaches just yoga and has been practicing for some years to get a better experience.

I have been hearing about this Class Pass thing and decided to look into it.. I went to the site, put my email in there and kept looking at it several times just debating if it was right for me, timing, and my finances.  After about 3 days of me thinking about it, they sent me an email for a 50% off deal for three months if I sign up now.. OMG I was IN!

I was currently in DC area and loved that fact that I can travel and still use the Class Pass.. I searched and found my first Vinyasa - Slow Flow class in Georgetown within the DC area.  See my next post for more info on that class.

New Kicks Debuts at the Perfect Event

So I'm walking around the mall with a mission to purchase some flats for work..  I'm looking and looking and nothing is calling my name.. Of course when I did find something, they don't my size..  The little lady says "oh if you still want them, you can purchase them here and we can ship them to your home for free".  I'm like "yes that's cool and all but I have to try them on,  thanks anyways". 

I head over to Macy's since my car is parked that way.  I pass by the shoe department and they have a whole shoe sale..  Well isn't that nice of the universe to put that in place for me, lol. I look around and there it was, a graffiti print flat from Steve Madden!! I try them on and all I could hear was the sounds of Planet Rock and the instant memory of the first time I seen the art of B-boying.  At that second I wish I could breakdance!  I'm like these are dope!!  I purchased them with my discount and smiled internally as I walked to my car.

                                

In a few days, October 9th, an opening reception of Living Like Kings was about to happen at the World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) in STL.  The event was beautifully executed showing those in attendance the surprising ways in which the ancient game of chess intersects with powerful, creative expression in hip hop culture.  One level showcased a two wall feature film created by Benjamin Kaplan.  It was amazing to watch especially when two familiar faces, Thelonius Kryptonite and DJ Needles, appeared on the screen. I'm like oh shit I know them.  I look at a wall of credits and just like that I feel so proud and honored to see names of those I know.  I felt like a proud mom lol.

   

  

On the second floor, images by Adrian Walker and others that I have not met were up for display.  DJ Needles was spinning and love filled the air..  It was an amazing night especially when the younger generation danced along with the more experienced cypher members.  Words were displayed on various screens and canvasses of memorable moments in Hip Hop, lyrics to songs, and the history of chess.

         

But the best part for me happened as I walked in WCHOF.  I walked in seen my peeps in the doorway along with Rza like right there in the flesh.. Oh my wowzers!  I really could not remember the last time I was star stuck but it was happening.. I was speechless as a tingling sensation came over me.  After snapping out of it, I quickly got my picture with my FAV from Wutang.  I was in AWH!!  Since like forever, I have been a fan of Wutang but especially Rza and Method Man.  I love the way Rza's voice and knowledge of like ALL made me feel.  So to see him in person was Everything.  The whole event left me with such a feeling marvelous.  I was not quite ready to leave since the opening reception only lasted for two hours.  Clearly others felt the same because the large crowd of partakers continued their building and bonding right beside the large chess piece displayed onside of WCHOF.  This fabulous exhibit will be at the WCHOF until April 26, 2015 so make sure you check it out. 

                                       

My shoes were a hit and I'm glad to have debuted them at the perfect STL event :)

September 27, 2014 #OOTD

Okay so I am back after a few long months of busy busy... Hopefully that won't happen again, well at least not that long of a break.. During this time, a few ladies asked me if I can start sharing where I find the stuff that I be wearing... I was like "OMG, really?"  But hey I don't mind, just don't let me catch you wearing the same exact outfit and all on the day that I am... Haha!!

So here's my first #OOTD from this past Saturday :)

When I think about wear these items came from, it's amazing that all my clothing items came from Forever 21.. Here's the details,

Crop top from Forever 21: Its hard to see but it's like a metallic dark gray crop top with a black faux leather trim and a zipper in the back.

Zippered leggings from Forever 21: I love these maroon colored leggings.  They are thick and has two silver zippers by my hips that you can't see and a wide elastic black band on the top. 

Vest zippered thing from Forever 21: I'm all about the zippers clearly because this also has a zipper and you can see it :).  It's all black with a bit of gray.

Shoes from Nine West: I love that they are a good short height for long days on your feet and shiny black oh and they show my tats lol :).

Statement piece necklace from Hyper Haute: okay like seriously, if you have never heard of Hyper Haute or Erica Dunk , you got to know her and well you just heard it lol. She's an amazing local designer from STL.. She knows how to blend hardware with a feminine touch!!!! Find her on Facebook and Instagram :).

Hair and makeup by me :)

Okay well here's to the first one :).. Till next time..

Love,

Meeh 

3rd Modeling Tip: More Research, Networking and Business Cards/Ports

More Research

I cannot explain to you how much research is KEY!!! It’s really the key to many things.  I mean would you just go out and buy a new Ferrari without doing your research?  I think not.

One way to research is to set up Google alerts with keywords such as “casting call” “fashion industry” “plus size model”, etc.  I am not sure what you can do with other email accounts, but if you have a Gmail account, you can set up these alerts, which will generate an email about the topics based on your word choices.  You can manage how often you would like to receive these emails based on your preferences.  This is another good way to stay in the loop on things going on in the fashion industry or whatever topic you choose.

Get out there and Network More

In my previous modeling tip post (2nd Modeling Tip: Research and Network), I mentioned how networking is a great way to get yourself out there!  You really should take advantage of any networking opportunity that may rise.  You never know where a simple “Hello my name is…” will take you. So besides working the room at any networking or fashion events, continue your research and networking on foot as well as the web!  Look at websites such as Plus Model Magazine, Bloggers, etc., and subscribe to get there newsletters.  Look for model searches or fashion shows in your area to start.  Be sure to pay attention to what is being asked of you and make sure that you do not agree to anything that is not “you”.  You have to remember that you are a Brand and you should not do anything that will harm your reputation.  During your search, if it sounds like something that fits who you are, submit your name with photos.

Look into the local boutiques and stop by and pay them a visit.  In addition, do your homework on the local designers and reach out to them.  Most of the times, business owners and designers are looking for models to work with to shoot their products.  Clothing, Jewelry, shoes, and so on, always look better on a model than a plain ole mannequin.  This may not always work but if you leave a great impression and if you are a type of look that fits their vision or brand, it may happen later on down the line.

For example, I researched the local St. Louis area plus size boutiques.  I found only a few but one was more interesting than the rest because they carried some of my favorite plus size designers.  I stopped by one day to check it out and looked for the dress that I have wanted to try on in person (shopping for clothes on the web sucks, lol).  As I entered the boutique, the energy was just amazing.  I loved the music that she was playing and the space was beautifully designed.  A lady came from behind her desk and welcomed me to the boutique and asked if I was looking for anything in particular.  I told her what I was looking for and towards the middle of my boutique experience, I asked her if she was looking for any plus size models.  I totally loved her energy and thought that it would be a great fit for the start of my modeling career.  6 fashion shows and several photo shoots later; I am one of the faces of Honey’s Child Boutique. 

Business Cards/Portfolio Book

After you get a few photo shoots under your belt, hopefully with some of the tips I mentioned during the 1^st modeling tip blog post (My First Tip for Aspiring Models), you should create some business cards.  This will be great for passing around during the networking events that you attend.  I love working with moo.com but there are many other websites such as vista print.  You can take advantage of Moo’s 1^st 50 free business cards and all you do if pay for shipping and any extra things you may want on the card.  Just click on this link: http://us.moo.com/uploader/?type=businesscard&promotional=1&ppid=659

Now you need a portfolio that you should carry around with you to auditions and casting calls.  Not all places require you to have one but it is always GREAT when you do!  I would start with printing your best photos that show your true character and versatility and purchase a portfolio from a company such as Portfolio Mart.  They have many different styles depending on what you are looking for.  If you decide to purchase one on this website, be sure to SAVE 10% by using the COUPON CODE: MM19400

Most Importantly Have Fun and Stay True to Self!!

Love,

Mimi

Gazelle STL Launch Party

On one lovely Thursday evening, 100 personally selected fashionites gathered to celebrate the launch of Gazelle STL Magazine.  The venue was perfect and so as the weather.  It was slight chilly night, which was well needed for a cooling session after all of the dancing that was going on.  Designers, Models, Business Owners, Fashion Editors, Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists, Musicians, Photographers and many others came to congratulate the amazing team in charge of this new magazine to hit the St. Louis area.  Gazelle STL is a quarterly magazine that comes in digital and print formats.  Approximately 10,000 copies of the first issue were distributed around the St. Louis metropolitan area.

** Photo of Tameka Green and Cillah Hall**

** Photo of Thelonius Kryptonite, Tameka Green, Dee Jay Nune, and I**

Attendees of this classy and fabulous event nibbled on hors d'oeuvres, sipped on cocktails, satisfied their sweet tooth’s with cupcakes, took silly pictures in the Shutter Booth, and danced to the tunes of Dee Jay Nune.  Two lucky women won advertising prizes towards future Gazelle STL Magazine issues and swag bags were provided to early attendees.  It was a night to remember and I was blessed to be invited and surrounded by such amazing people.  These ladies and gentlemen of Gazelle STL truly know how to party!  I am so proud of my darling Tameka Green, she is an incredible and mind-blowing woman.  It is a blessing to see far she has come in the fashion scene and like I always say, "Everyone needs a Tameka!".

** Picture of Me and Tameka in the Shutter Booth**

Just when I thought it could not get any better, three women came up to me and said “Hey are you Mimi from page 12?” I bashfully yet proudly said, “Why yes I am J”.  Two of the women asked me if I was going to be writing in future issues of Gazelle and I was like “Hey that is a good idea!”.  You never know what I will be doing next so be sure to stay tuned to the next issue and you may see me contributing in some way.  The other woman was the one that actually had me with an “AWH Moment!”. She expressed her appreciation for the article and was proud to see a Plus Model doing the damn thing and representing the plus size community with class, confidence, and elegance.  She shared her beautiful story with me and I was touched once again to know that what I do and what I say as a Plus Model contributes to someone’s self-esteem. I have become somewhat of an Empowerment and Inspirational figure to many women not only in St. Louis but also in my hometown’s of Las Vegas and Hawaii.  They always tell me how much of an inspiration I am to them and just when they are not feeling themselves because of how they look compared to society’s standards, they can turn to me for guidance and inspiration.  The interesting part is, they think that I am helping them, but yet they are actually motivating me as well!

** My article in the first issue of Gazelle STL Magazine**

If you have not seen the magazine or read my article, click on the link below J

http://www.joomag.com/magazine/gazelle-stl-spring-2014-vol-1-issue-1/0550424001398208450

Happy Reading!

Much Love,

Mimi

Fluffy Grl Summit

Hello lovelies, sorry for the delay in posting but here I am J  So I was invited to join this year’s Fluffy Girl Summit held on Mizzou’s campus as a panelist.  It was flattering that someone thought of me enough so say "hey I think Mimi will be a great candidate".  I drove up the morning of and was already a little worried because it was storming pretty badly and of course, it is hard to get people to attend an event when the weather is crappy.  I wanted everything to go right for this group of young women.  I already met two of the young ladies several months ago and was so excited to see and support them.  I finally get there at 2pm and the show starts at 4pm.  The helper and model in me hurries to the back room to see if the girls need my help.  I know that majority of them do not know me but I know how stressful it can be backstage.  They handled everything quite well and only asked for a little help here and there, but they definitely wanted me to have a seat and relax.

Its 3:30 and the door opens, the guests have a seat and patiently wait for the show to start.  Tyler, the host of the evening was hilarious and a great addition to the event that had the entire audience laughing.  The time has come and the first set of ladies grace the runway.  They separated each part of the show into categories (1) business, (2) evening wear, (3) spring, (4) pop-out season (lol), (5) beachwear, and (6) lingerie.  I loved the confidence in the ladies especially those that were chosen for beachwear and lingerie segments of the fashion show.  It takes a lot of courage to get out on the runway and strut them curves but it is a whole other story when you are showing off them curves for the world to see.  They had fun and that’s all that mattered.  They showed the audience that they love the skin that they are in and probably inspired other young women to do the same.  Like I always say, “You only have one life, so why not love all that makes you, YOU!”  

** Ladies during Evening Wear Segment**

During each break in between the six different categories, Tyler kept us entertained with his jokes and dance moves, he even brought up a young little fella (like 2 years old) that was absolutely adorable.    Mid-way through the event, Tyler explained the images that were displayed on a screen on the wall opposite of the runway.  It was a slideshow of the ladies included in this event wearing swimsuits, under garments, and some nude with the special parts covered.  It was fantastic and loved that the ladies had the power within themselves to take the photos to share with the participants.  They truly are inspirational and a much needed group of women on Mizzou’s campus. 

** Ladies during Lingerie Segment**

At the end of the fabulous runway show, they provided lunch for all the participants, which was super nice and asked everyone to come back into the room and eat and stay for the panel discussion.  There were four panelists and loved that I was a part of this great event.  Kelsey Hammond is a photographer and a business owner, Sylvia Jauregui is the current Residential Coordinator of Center Hall on Mizzou’s campus, Yvonne Chamberlain is the current Director of Leadership, Programming, and Diversity at Stephens College and then there was Me.   We sat on the stage as we were asked questions from Tyler as well as the audience.  It was a great discussion about the plus size community, the locations that we shop, what being a fluffy girl means to us, how we felt about plus size starting at a size 8, and even spoke about dressing for your curves and what is right for your body.  It was nice to be able to share our advice with the crowd and answered some fabulous questions from those in the audience.

**Ladies during Pop-Out Segment**

The ladies over the event took the panelists to dinner a couple of hours after the event was over and it was nice to be able to sit and relax and get to know the ladies a little bit more.  We dined and shared stories and I showed the girls the pictures that I took of them strutting on that runway.  At the end, it was sad knowing that I was not going to see majority of them until next year.  As we were about to leave the table, the ladies presented a gift to the panelists who attended dinner and expressed their appreciation for our participation in the event.  It was a beautiful bracelet that was made by some of the Mizzou students.  It was very touching and so thoughtful.  Overall, the event was great and I am super duper proud of my boo Briona Conway, she represented on that runway and was quite the leader backstage.  It was so nice to see Joniece Cooper again and was great to meet all the ladies of the night!  I am happy and honored that I was able to be a part of such a great and well-needed event.  I cannot wait until next year’s Fluffy Girl Summit!

** Ladies during Beachwear Segment**

**Me and my Boo Briona at Dinner**

Weight Shaming

From time to time, I come across pictures that wakes up the tamed beast inside of me.  Pictures that express hatred for women of all walks of life (such as: tall, short, curvy, skinny, photoshopped, not photoshopped, makeup, no makeup, natural, not natural, vegan, non-vegan, etc.)  I have not even touched up race, which could be a whole other story.  The crazy part is the ones expressing the hatred are of the same gender.  Why must we as women degrade others?  There is so much crap going on in the world, so wouldn't it make more sense to lift each other up? 

** Photo of the 19th Amendment**

What frustrates me the most is that during 1848 to 1920, women fought tirelessly for the right to vote.  It was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified on August 18 (my birthday) 1920 (not the year just the day, lol).  The 19^th amendment guaranteed all American women the right to vote.  Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest.  Several generations of women suffrage supporters lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change of the Constitution.  Only a few early supporters actually lived to see the final victory in 1920.  And here we are with all of our weight bashing and various forms of discrimination.  Thousands of questions run rampantly in my mind: How is it that we as women who have come so far in life, now have to be concerned with a label or being placed in a box or category against other women?  When did we stop uniting and start fighting? How can people be so judgmental? Why can't we accept people’s choices in life?

** Picture was created by a weight shamer during Fat Shaming Week, yes you heard me**

In this world of social media, it is easier for those women to bash other women faster than ever before! With such hate virtual mail passed around through various social media platforms, many women find themselves vulnerable to eating disorders.  I have personally seen women on both sides of the spectrum that ended up with detrimental health conditions and some who even died from it.  With so many women struggling with eating disorders, there are even more out there that thrive on the weak.  This weight shaming movement is a serious act of self-hate.  Who died and made these weight shamers and shamers in general, God?  They are taking pain from within and reflecting it on others knowing that they too deal with a body issue that they can't quite handle.  They hate on others because they really hate something about themselves.  Weight is the last acceptable version of discrimination.  For someone to say that I am better than you because I am skinny is like saying I am better than you because I like coffee and you like Tea.  It’s ridiculous for real!

** Picture was created by a weight shamer during Fat Shaming Week, yes you heard me**

The word plus size is forever moving around on the scale and what really does it do other than make people aware of their size.  When in the world has “regular size” only been 0-4, while “plus size” is a size 6 and up according to some humans in the world.  Why is it that a photo of a Plus Model in lingerie can stir up so much controversy as if the world is about to end? I am not perfect, no one is, and I am okay with that. We need to encourage positive body image by celebrating all types of women! 

I really could go on and on but then it will be an entire book on Weight Shaming (hhhmmm).  Just wanted to voice my thoughts running on in my head!!!

Thanks for reading! Until Next Time,

Mimi