Blogging it Beautiful

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Be body confident

Curve conscious? Curvy ladies were celebrated in the 50s & 60s!

What I want to know is when did our society go from wanting to look like the woman on the right (picture inset) to wanting to look like the woman on the left?

Nowadays the skinny waif look is hugely sought after. Blogs and forums with the idea of 'thinspiration' at their forefront dominate social media. Images of 'thigh gaps' and hipbones are splashed across websites such as tumblr as the 'ideal'. Thighs that don't touch seem to be the be all and end all for the majority of girls. What most of them don't know however, is that essentially having a 'gap' between your thighs is pretty much only achievable in those who are malnourished or with a slightly splayed pelvis. Not so hot now, right?

Back in the 1950s being curvy was hugely celebrated. Women who were a size 14-16 were seen as the epitome of sexiness. There were huge ad campaigns for weight gain aids. The average woman was seen as too skinny and not attractive to the male perspective. It was all about the bum, boobs and waist, the much sought after hourglass figure.

Women like Eva Six, below, a Hungarian model were the pin ups for women and men alike.

Images of curvy, happy, confident women dominated Old Hollywood in the 50s and 60s and women dressed for their shape. They didn't wear baggy, ill fitting clothes, they cinched in their waists and showed off their bosoms with pride! They celebrated their womanly figures, as we still celebrate Marilyn Monroe or Bettie Page, or even Jayne Mansfield for capturing the essence of womanly sensuality and femininity.

Women have become so focused on equality and the idea that to be treated like men, we must be as strong, and as fit as men, that they cannot stop this overkill of 'fitspiration', the gym, protein, 'fitblrs', and documenting every step of exercise or weight loss. When did we forget to celebrate and revel in our sexuality and gender in what separated us from the men? Of course, I believe in being fit and healthy but I think there is far too much focus and pressure to be skinny, and to be honest, I'd rather have my cake and eat it too.

Stay sexy! xoxo

Brownie in a Mug Recipe

2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash salt
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Directions:

1
In a 12 oz coffee mug, add water, butter, vanilla and dash of salt. Whisk well.
2
Add cocoa powder, whisk well. Add sugar, whisk well. Add flour, whisk well.
3
Microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. Center should be slightly molten. Careful not to overcook.
4
Enjoy with a spoon. Careful brownie will be hot.

Read more: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-chocolate-mug-brownie-349246?oc=linkback">http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-chocolate-mug-brownie-349246?oc=linkback</a>

Marilyn

Marilyn by bloggingitbeautiful featuring a fishtail pencil skirt

Narciso Rodriguez stretch pencil dress
$1,465 - avenue32.com

L K Bennett dress
$280 - lkbennett.com

Untold sleeveless wrap dress
$150 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Topshop sweater
nordstrom.com

Astr black mock turtleneck
nordstrom.com

Navy shirt
$3.20 - newlook.com

Fleur of England bra
journelle.com

Viyella fishtail pencil skirt
$155 - johnlewis.com

Topshop blue acid wash skinny jeans
topshop.com

Von Follies By Dita Von Teese shapewear
stylebop.com

Topshop padded shelf bra
topshop.com

River Island floral jumpsuit
$40 - nelly.com

Zara thin strap sandals
zara.com

Sneaker
$56 - austique.co.uk

Voluminous mascara
$35 - net-a-porter.com

A/W

A/W by bloggingitbeautiful featuring mid heel pumps

Accessorize crystal stud earrings
accessorize.com

River Island chunky chain necklace
$19 - riverisland.com

Charlotte Olympia zipper top
forwardforward.com

Short sleeve t shirt
etsy.com

Crop tank
etsy.com

Black flared skirt
$150 - whistles.co.uk

Knee length bodycon skirt
chiarafashion.co.uk

River Island stiletto boots
$87 - asos.com

Boohoo mid heel pumps
boohoo.com

How have you changed in the last 2 years?

Two years ago I was sitting in sixth year about to begin the toughest most stressful year of my life. I was put under so much pressure to achieve my best, to get the points, to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I was only 17 for God sake how was I meant to know what degree I wanted to choose which would determine what I would do for the REST OF MY LIFE. No biggie like. I could barely decide what breakfast cereal I wanted (and still can't btw).

I got through the year following the mantra of Cry, Argue, Eat, Study, Sleep, Repeat and made myself into such a stressball of nerves I'm surprised I made it through without having a mental breakdown. I had migraines and I was physically and mentally exhausted through the pressures of my daddy dearest. I was so worried I wouldn't pass Maths I considered dropping to foundation on the day. Turns out I needn't have worried as I achieved a C3, which I was absolutely delighted with. This isn't a blog about what horrific system the Leaving Certificate and the CAO is but rather how I have changed in the past two years.

I got what I thought I wanted in university. I headed off to Maynooth with bright hopes of studying English, Spanish and German. Two weeks later, I hated it. I was told to 'stick to the course til Christmas and then decide'. This was another terrible decision forced upon me by my parents. I hated every minute of my lectures, I was stressed out, emotional and didn't know what I was going to do with my life. Like because I had chosen a course that wasn't right for me of course my life was completely and utterly fucked up! in the words of my dad that is.

My advice to current sixth years or college goers. Just breathe. Find a plc course that interests you and enroll. Its the best way to get to know if you really will enjoy studying your chosen subject for the next three to four years. I am now studying Journalism and I absolutely love it.

I have changed in the last 2 years also due to the fact that I met my wonderful boyfriend. He is an amazing person inside and out, he is so supportive, and caring and I know even if we weren't together we would be best friends as he is practically a male version of me! He makes me laugh, and cheers me up when I am down. He is the best support system I have ever had, and has put up with a lot of tears from me. I know this sounds cliché but he has made me better as a person. He has encouraged me to worry less, to weed out the shit 'friends' and to relax and roll with the punches, and for that I have a lot to thank him for.

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

Weird things you do when you are Home Alone

Day 1 Blog Challenge:

Admit it, home alone and I guarantee these are in to do list of that day.

1. You wake up. There is absolutely no need to get out of your cosy jim-jams of choice because you are home alone and you don't give a shit about how you look! Rejoice sistah!

2. You make yourself a delicious breakfast and sit down to watch a day of entertaining and informing TV. A couple of hours later you are still sitting there:

3. Then at around 6pm you find yourself watching endless reruns of Teen Mom and you look like this:

Will they ever come home?! You start to wonder about your family/other half/sibling, any form of human contact will do. You start cuddling the dog and rocking back and forth in the foetal position.

Go tobann, (Suddenly for those non Gaelgoirs out there) you hear a noise!

Jesus, you are about to be murdered in your own house. You start to picture the bloody scene your family will come home to and pick up the nearest thing you will use to bludgeon the intruder to death (often a nonsensical useless object like the remote control or a cushion) and walk downstairs slowly. And it's just the dog.

Hope you enjoyed my delightful gifs, and let me know if you can relate or if I am the only one who slobs out eating junk and watching rubbish when I'm home alone.

Til next time....

Keep on blogging it beautiful xoxo

I apologise deeply for not having blogged in the last while. I have started college! I am studying Journalism and Media Production in BCFE! I started college on Monday and have been in classes since then just getting a feel for the place and the course and of course, getting to know people! It's been grand so far, baby steps and all starting a new course in a totally new place.
To be the honest, the early mornings have just been the absolute worst! I am not a morning person.

A couple of observations I have made about college life, and this isn't in all colleges, but in my college, everyone smokes, and I mean everyone. It's crazy, I don't think I have seen so much Amber Leaf in my life!

Anyhoo, I have decided in order to whip myself back into blogging shape that I am going to try do the 30 day blog challenge. It can be found in this link: http://www.facebook.com/notes/30-day-challenge/30-day-blog-challenge-post-this-in-your-blog/500445389985282

The first challenge is weird things you do when you're alone, which is odd but just for you guys and gals I'll give it a bash. Chat to yas then!

Keep on blogging it beautiful xoxo