Yep, that’s my little Puggyman, checkin’ out the the piggies I just received from Amanda of FatWaitress & LoveYourBodyDetroit! One is for moi! The other I get to decorate and send back to her for some serious fat activism for Love Your Body Day! Yay!

So adorable and fun! Purple tu-tu? Yes, please! I don’t yet know how I will be decorating my pig, but I’m excited for the challenge and opportunity to do so! I will of course take plenty o’ pictures when it’s completed to share here with you lovelies! Any suggestions on decorating it?

Sometimes all we need for a swift kick in the fatshion pants is to hang out with a fellow rad fatty, steal their clothes, go thrift shopping and then, you know, like wear something! I was lucky enough to do just that on Tuesday, with Nicole of AWellRoundedVenture! We talked and talked and shopped and lunched and thrifted and talked and talked (mostly about the fabulous Kath of FatHeffalump and her loveliness)! It was a fabulous day in the East Bay, okay, it’s was hella hot, but it was still tons o’ fun! I got this top from Nicole who was getting rid of a lot of clothes and while it’s something I’d never have picked for myself in style and color, I put it on this morning and am loving it! I’m like truly happy and feeling all girly and femme (not usual for moi)!

Also, before heading out to hang with Nicole, I decided I needed to paint my fingers and toe nails! I haven’t painted my finger nails in over three years! I feel so pretty and special and sweet today! My MIL gave me her O.P.I. “Suzy Sells Sushi By The Seashore” before she left and I couldn’t wait to give it a spin! Not sure if I’ll give nail stamping a go (it looks incredible, but also time consuming). This was my first step towards a new whatever. Ha-ha! I’m in a great mood and just wanna share it with you! =0)

The top is Old Navy, the bottoms are cuffed Chinos from Avenue (two years ago?) and the flip flops are Skechers via Ross (they have sequins)! Also, my headband with the flower is from Ross.  If you have a Ross Dress For Less near you, check it out! Headband was $3.99, I bought four colors and love them and get compliments every time I wear ’em! Necklace is from Kohl’s, not sure of the brand. Glasses are from Sears, love them! They are lavender and have faint glitter throughout. Seriously, my bespectacled lovelies, check out your JCPenny & Sears for sales on your specs (2 for $100 when I bought mine)! And the smile? Courtesy of the afterglow of hanging out with the ever stylish and inspiring Nicole! Thanks gurl! You made my week! <3

Woo Hoo! It’s back! I love it! Okay, this week’s Tank Top Tuesday submission comes from my beloved WithoutScene of BFB.com fame as well as her own BadAssFatAss & FinessingTheFuckYou! 

I often like to dress very brightly and this was one of those days. I’d never worn these items together before, but found myself inspired to hodgepodge something really colorful together: an old Fashion Bug skirt, a LB camisole, and a cloth I got at a reggae festival years and years ago that is supposed to be used as a headwrap (and of course, my bright blue sports bra). I like to re-purpose items in my wardrobe. Headbands as necklaces, necklaces as bracelets, skirts as shirts, belts as headbands, hair clips as broaches, and most famously among my friends, a camisole as an underskirt–adjust the straps to fit over your hips and wear one under a short skirt (try it out before you wear it out, to make sure it stays up–I happen to have hips that keep it up). To really be innovative with your wardrobe you have to force yourself to work with what you have and get caught up in the whimsy; inhibition is the enemy of innovation. More often than not, you will stand out in a good way. The people with an eye for quirky fashion sense will appreciate you, and if not, what you wear is none of their business anyway.

Talk about breaking the old fashion “rules!” Colors!!! Glorious colors! And that bag is to die for, am I right?! Just goes to show ya that you can be fabulous, fatshionable, and authentically you while still being a rad fatty baring your arms! I love it!

Also, y’all have to see the awesome sauce that is our facebook pictures: “Dueling Smirks”

I am taking submissions from anyone who wants to exercise their right to Bare Arms for future Tank Top Tuesday posts! Email your pics here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com, please include the name you’d like included in the post, a blog or etsy shop you wanna plug, your thoughts on bare arms or other fatty philosophies. It does not have to be in a tank top, so long as your arms are bare. Have fun with it!

Also, feel free to still treat comments as TMI topic/discussion/venting area! Feel free to ask TMI questions or just vent/rant about your own stuff. I love it! We all do! =0)

There is so much awesomeness going around right now that I thought I’d share some of my faves with you! Woo!

First off, can I just say how much I fucking love LOVE! love Virgie Tovar?! She is amazing and incredible and is doing a video series, “Virgie Tovar’s Guide to Fat Girl Living” and they are flabulous!!! Here’s episode one to whet your appetite (believe me, you won’t be able to stop!):

Dr.Pattie Thomas & PDA Nation want to hear Your Story (and for more resources, links, etc http://revolutionsresources.blogspot.com/):

Please consider submitting your own story through video or text (you can comment on the videos on YouTube).

Amanda Levitt of FatWaitress & Love Your Body Detroit just opened a fabulous fat positive Etsy shop to raise funds for more fat activism: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LYBDetroit
Do check it out, buy something for yourself (like the fat rights tool kit!!! OMZ!!!)

And a bit of not so greatness, but I hope we can have an impact before it comes out…I first heard about this from Marilyn Wann and wanted to share it with you: Please go to the Amazon pages (US and UK) and post a comment responding to the godawful children’s book, “Maggie Goes on a Diet.”
I was personally shocked that the story itself is about a 14 year old going on a diet, but the targeted age for readers is 4-8 years old. Yikes!!! I hope that you will read the discussion and consider adding your own voice! <3

I have so much to be grateful for and I am a firm believer in expressing that gratitude and practicing doing so often. So, here goes! Feel free to add your own in comments! It’s fun! <3

I am grateful for:

• my husband and his support in all the stuff I get into
• my chosen family for their love and understanding and support
• Fat Liberation/Acceptance for just about every positive thing in my life
• having access to reliable transportation
• my health!
• opportunities
• time
• the internet
• the ability to take care of myself
• meeting online friends in real life
• believing in myself when just two years ago I would have given up!
• the readers of this here blog-a-ma-thing! <3

Seriously, you are the best! I love the discussions that happen and the advice that gets exchanged…it’s so special, y’all! =0)

(There will be quite a delay in approval of comments as I will be in a car for the better part of the day. Thank you for your patience.)