Background

 © 1994 Rosemary Parry-Brock Davidson

the uniquely original Australian self-esteem initiative for the curvaceous woman –

 in fact all women, regardless of age, shape and size

OUR MOTTO?   “womanhood should be celebrated – in style – no matter what age, shape or size”©

RoseMary’s NoteBook© began its life in Australia more than thirty-three years ago in response to pleas from professional women in the workplace for a newsletter with a positive message. At that time there were no newsletters other than in-house publications, and of course the internet and emails were a thing of the future! So the NoteBook© as it is fondly known grew out of a need to bring women together through the pages of a newsletter that was outside of the national magazines, but through which they could feel a part of, as it grew and developed over the years.

As many of my administration colleagues throughout Australia were women size 16 plus!, they in turn asked that issues that impacted upon their lives should be confronted in the newsletter. Thus a focus began to appear where women of size were able to communicate their concerns dealing with especially discrimination. They shared their copies of the newsletter with their friends and families. Quite often their copy became dog-eared as it was shared around the workplace and even sent overseas.

It seemed natural that the newsletter should take on the role of acting as an advocate for larger women, in an era where there was no other publication of its kind in Australia that provided positive self-esteem initiatives. RoseMary’s NoteBook© continues to provide this incentive to this day.

However with its aim to “inspire women of all ages to look beyond their shape and size, and to realise their full potential” (c) it then took on new elements, as women of all ages, shapes and sizes from all walks of life discovered that the “notebook” related to them and their daily lives. What started out as a small one page newsletter grew to sometimes 100 pages which meant it could no longer fit into the post-boxes of our readers. Because RoseMary’s NoteBook© has always been a personal project without sponsorship of any sort, the costs involved in ensuring its continuation meant that it became unfeasible and unmanageable to remain as a paper-based publication.

Modern times call for modern thinking. After surveying readers, it became apparent they would prefer eNewsletters sent as pdfs through emails. Having adapted to that concept early in 2005 we found this remained the most favoured and popular method of distribution. However it became obvious that the NoteBook had to have an on-line presence. The reaction of many readers was surprising in that they didn’t want to go on-line to read their newsletter each month. They preferred their copy via email, but not online. Other women embraced the idea without hesitation.

I therefore decided to expand the potential of RoseMary’s NoteBook© by creating its own blog. This allows me to run two parts of the concept in parallel – one on-line as the blog which is completely different to the second option newsletter sent by email format which continues to this day.

SUMMARY

In a world besotted with “perfection”, there remain today hundreds of thousands of women who feel they don’t meet the “ideal” set by the media (particularly "social media"), the fashion industry and society itself in many instances. The team at RoseMary's NoteBook© believe in our small way, we can make a difference to the lives of many women who lack self-confidence. Testimonials from women around the world verify to the fact that our small publications over the past thirty odd years have improved their self-confidence and impacted positively upon their lives.

The original concept, aims and objectives of inspiring women to look beyond their shape and size, in order to realise their full potential, remains exactly the same today as it was when we first started this journey. Our eNewsletters (and other publications) present “positive” messages in a negative world.

This newsletter forms part of the concept of RoseMary’s NoteBook©, including newsletters & other booklets & publications dealing with motivational short courses for women of all ages & all shapes and sizes.

RoseMary’s NoteBook© continues to break down antiquated attitudes about size & inspires women to look at themselves as healthy sensual women rather than that of being merely “plus- size” or “too thin”.

During the past 20 years or more, and with the advance in technology whereby information is more easily accessible and shareable, many hundreds (if not thousands) of women of like mind have created their own websites, blogs and forums.

Everyone associated with RoseMary’s NoteBook© (women who participate in a variety of ways) has great empathy and a capacity for understanding issues that impact upon women’s lives in today’s world. 

With strong Christian ethics and principles, we believe all women deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy In fact we go so far as to say that “womanhood should be celebrated – in style – no matter what age, shape or size”©.

UPDATE:   Due to increased fascination with the core elements of RoseMary's NoteBook© in recent times, I decided to update the Background of my publications, so that new readers can grasp the ideas behind the concept.

Postscript:    "Perfection" in the human form is not really attainable - 

for one person's idea of perfection is not necessarily that of others.

  

We all aim to be respected, appreciated, complimented,

held in high regard, and treated with kindness. 

A person's looks, size, weight, shape 

should never be the subject of: 

impolite/rude/insulting/contempuous/

discourteous /insulting/abusive humour

 or behaviour on the part of others.

LATEST VIEWS AND OPINIONS!

There are still a number of stores that well clothing up to and including size 18 and sometimes 20.  Anything higher then you have to look around to find what’s there, and more importantly what looks good.  For as you and I know full well, many of the clothes are so mass produced that they begin to look like just plain olf “stuff”.  We know that most, if not all, clothing these days is made in China.

But I’m not complaining.  Ha, you say.  Rosemary’s not complaining?   Well I suppose I am in a small sweet way, but what I’m doing is stating fact. 

    

There are some good companies overseas, including Making It Big (which now comes under the title of “On the Plus Side by Making It Big” (mib@makingitbig.com).  Monif C (monifc.com) info@news.monifc.com) and Igigi (igigi.com)  who cater for the more curvaceous woman.   

These are very sexy garments and if I were “brave” I might be tempted!

While I’m not suggesting in any way that any garments from these suppliers are anything but top quality, a lot of women are now coming back to the old-fashioned idea of being able to “see” a garment, “feel a garment” and to look at how it is made (sewn) before buying.  Some are perfectly happy buying on-line and have never been disappointed.  I had a couple of experiences and was extremely disappointed, so ……   (Let's be honest here, my purchases DID NOT come from any of these three USA suppliers!)

Now we come to what is available in the stores here.  Autograph has some lovely garments, including underwear/lingerie did you know?   It’s always worth your while to visit an Autograph store because they do have some great bargains occasionally.   Taking Shape - well I’m on their email list but for some reason nothing seems to take my eye.  But then, as most of you will be aware, I’m not longer “young” (even though I'm still seen as young at heart) and I’ve come to the stage where I have worked out my wardrobe and what suits me, and I stick with the guidelines I’ve set myself from years experience.   So a number of Australian stores that supposedly stock and sell clothing for curvaceous women have a focus on the younger woman most of the time.

I even find (here I go - am I in fact complaining?  Probably).   I find Maggie T garments are attractive but so pricey that I can no longer do more than look at their catalogue (on-line) and drool.  That’s where I’ve gotten to, girls.

I’m also on the mailing list for “In Fashion”, the catalogue that includes Damart and Victoria Hill.  While Damart,garments go up to size 24, many of Victoria Hill garments go up to size 30.   This latest catalogue for Spring 2016 has some really attractive items.   Let me say at the outset that the prices are comparable to those in the stores, but it’s a matter of sensibly working out a mix-n-match outfit and then being able to add items at a later date that will in effect create YOUR own profile outfit.   Let this be the start of something BIG!

Victoria Hill has Jeans, regular lengths as well as Crop,  Tunic Tops, Lightweight Cardigans, Knee Length Crinkle Shorts, a dress or two, tee shirts, sweatshirts, plain and printed polos, skirts, and a selection of jeans, shirt, cami and skirt in Lyocell (which in the catalogue looks very much like Tencel - remember that fabric)  

Their catalogue also has a range of swimwear, shoes, handbags, hats (including floppy hats for the sun!), and jewellery.   Not to mention nightwear and lingerie.

This catalogue is 100 pages, and well worth having a look at the hard-copy.   Again, I’m old-fashioned and like leafing through the catalogue and making my mind up slowly rather than going mad on-line and ordering half a dozen items that I may not like in the long run.

So there, has this given you any ideas?   Perhaps you’ve got ideas of our own that you could share with me, and the other readers of RoseMary’s NoteBook©  Then we’ll all be the Gold Medal Winners.

'Til next time

Rosemary

PUT A LITTLE ZING INTO YOUR STEP!

When it comes to being flambouyant, there’s nothing quite like a full-circle skirt.  Especially a long full-circle skirt. 

There’s something quite sensual about the skirt flowing freely around your legs and with Springtime not too far off, why not look into adding this type of garment to your wardrobe.

For those of us who are “growing older”, it can quite often become a matter of “I’m too old for something like that”.   Well more to the point what’s growing older got to do with wearing something that makes you feel good?   

So get out there and let your hair down, as the old saying goes, and even if you only wear it indoors, make it your goal to start looking at yourself as a unique, one-off individual.   Age, size, colour have nothing to do with being a woman and enjoying life as a woman should do.   

Our younger women are experimenting with all sorts of variations and trends all the time.  Don’t put off doing something really nice for yourself.

It’s your time you know,  Right now,   Let’s know what you’ve added to your wardrobe recently and what you intend to add in the short term.

'til next time

Rosemary

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

NOT a problem to be solved!

I've just discovered this on FaceBook (but was unable to "share" for some reason) so full acknowledgement is given to the author/artist whoever it may be.

The important thing is that this is the type of "poster" we should see more often.   I wonder sometimes why we don't see many children's books about "chubby" boys and girls, in a positive way.

In fact why why don't we see a lot more curvaceous "female" heroines (or larger "male" heroes) in novels.  Can you think of any?  Write and share your finds.

COLOURS AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES

It’s all got to do with a basic knowledge of what colours suit you and your complexion.  Believe it or not but colours ARE important, not only to how you look but to how you feel.

Let’s face it, with everything that’s going on around us at any time, we need to feel “good” about ourselves.   There’s enough criticism and negativity that is inferred, or said, by others to make us feel less optimistic about ourselves.  That shouldn’t be, and we know we shouldn’t take any notice, but unfortunately there are days when we do.  And we fall in a heap.  We start criticising ourselves.  We vent our anger at ourselves for being too fat, too ungainly, too clumsy, too dull, too boring.  Then we become even more critical on how we dress.

If I turn my thoughts into focussing on “me” all the time, then I lose track of what is important to me, and in my life.  Many women I have spoken and listened to, who have all come to the conclusion that we know what is best for us, agree that when we have basic knowledge of what is good for us, then we can add to it, work on it, and enhance it.  Thus making our lives happier and contented.

When I was younger I wasn’t aware there were most definitely colours that didn’t suit me.  I saw lovely garments in the stores, I went in, tried them on in the store dressing rooms and handed over my hard earned money for them.  Taking them home and hanging them in the wardrobe, it simply didn’t occur to me to ask myself why, after something like 5 years, I had never worn that garment again.  I learned much later it was because the colours did not suit me.  The lighting in the dressing rooms of the stores and my hunger to find something I liked made me lost focus.

That was until I met Susan M of Booragoon, WA.  An Image Consultant par excellence.  Susan took me through the steps of understanding the range of colours and the importance of yellow based and blue based colours.  Now for a long while I couldn’t understand what a “blue based yellow” was, nor a “yellow based blue”.   It took time, and I’m glad it did because now when I see a colour I know immediately what category it falls under.   I’m a “blue based person” so when I go into a store I know exactly what I’m looking for.  My wardrobe is grateful for this knowledge too.

It all comes down to being willing to learn new things about ourselves, and life.

I MAY BE A "SENIOR" BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN A THING IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS!

It's a funny thing and I can't quite work it out.   I've been writing this and other blogs for more than five years (my NoteBook© of course has been going for 24 years now), and when I check the stats of how many followers I have on this particular blog, there are so few that I wonder why and more importantly what is going on?   Some of my colleagues and friends have literally thousands and of course their FaceBook friends number in the millions!!!!!

Is it that the content of my blog isn't interesting?  Is it that because there are thousands of fascinating blogs out there to read in any one day that one (mine) doesn't rate a mention?

Is it old-fashioned?  Boring?   

Well, I mentioned this to a group of colleagues the other day.  I was met with a great deal of laughter,  Even within that group each and everyone of them said they had the NoteBook© top of their lists of feeds.  I then asked some of my website friends and people who work with numbers and stats every day and they tell me there's nothing to worry about - there are LOTS of people following me!   So that intrigues me!  

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that "statistics" in this modern world aren't quite what they appear to be and most definitely are not what they are supposed to be.  They certainly are not what they used to be and I speak advisedly on this matter because I used to deal with "stats" every day in my work.

With that said I've decided to do what I do best.  Dig my heels in and continue in my own stubborn way. 

Even Rett Butler from Gone with the Wind  was quoted as saying, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" as he went merrily on his way. 

I could also add the words, "I don't give a damn what people think" and go on my merry way too.  Which means I shall continue writing my blog and having fun doing so, all the while not worrying about how many "followers" I have (according to the Stats - whoever counts these!)

PS.  Many of my other friends around the world who write blogs have told me the same thing - they don't even know whether ANYbody is reading or following them.   A couple even stopped writing altogether and then received numerous emails asking why had they stopped!

I say, forget the numbers - and that's a good title for another post dealing with size, don't you think?

'til next time

GETTING THE "JUMP" ON FASHION WHETHER IT BE SPRING OR AUTUMN

There are times when I am absolutely astonished by the garments that come out of America for the plus size woman.   As readers will know I recommend both Monif C  and Igigi more often than not.   

So it is again today.   I'd like to bring to your attention from Igigi a stunning jumpsuit (yes, they've returned at long last).  I'd even suggest that this beautiful garment should be considered for "corporate wear".

Copyright Igigi - USA

This is how Igigi describes the "Charmaine" jumpsuit.

The true statement piece of the season – the “Charmaine” Jumpsuit is a timeless classic that is an essential for the chic fashionista. This quarter-length sleeved, relaxed style has an elastic waist and a tapered hem that evokes effortless elegance. Take this look into high-end glamour with a pair of chandelier earrings and great platform sandals.

This is a “must-have” for any aged woman.

SPRING OVER THERE

It's a funny old world.   In one place it's summer and another it's winter.

Europe is heading into Spring, while here in Australia (in some States at any rate) we'd heading into Autumn.  The seasons are definitely changing for here we have flowers such as camellias ready to flower in March whereas their usual flowering time is around October.  But then it's not only the seasons that seem to be out of kilter, it's fashion too.

But don't get into a panic.There are some lovely designs and garments around, if you just take the time to look for them.

Evans in the UK have some beauties this season.  At last someone has realised that a clever (or smart) design can lift a garment above the rest.
Take for example their dresses that have distinctive shaping all bcause of colour placement.

Because the floral is placed in the centre with a plain fabric on either side, these garments enhance the female form and give the impression of a smaller size (that's if you wish to have a smaller size!)

I notice also that Evans have some lovely kimonos (which we used to call Dusters).   These are striking for the woman who likes to disguise certain elements of her shape and a garment such as this does the job nicely worn over a dress or pants.

HOW WORDS CAN HURT!

An interesting article appeared in the Melbourne Herald Sun earlier this month dealing with "words".

And those words the article speak about apply to people of size who are given negative messages, and how those messages influence how we feel and then how we respond.

This is my own photo.

Here's the article in its entirety:

WEIGHING UP WORDS

"New research into how comments can affect health has found women 

whose loved ones criticise their weight are prone to put on even more weight.

Professor Christine Logel, from Canada's University of Waterloo, 

said women who receive a high number of what the researchers called "acceptance mssaes" 

about their weight had better weight maintenance - and even weight loss - than their counterparts who did not receive this positive mesdaging from their loved ones."

I guess both you and I could affirm this finding without needing to undertake a research study.

What this tells us is that we must be aware of how we use words, what words we use, and to think about the ramifications should those words be negative or critical.

I bet by now you're wondering what a photo of bright orange flowers has to do with this post.  Nothing really, and everything as a matter of fact.   As a blogger I am becoming even more aware of the intricacies of blogging and using photos from the internet or from other people.  It just isn't on, and it needs to be repeatedly brought to our attention that just because you can get a photo of picture/clipart that appears to be "free" on the internet, it ain't necessarily so.  

 Just like words (that can be plagiarised), photos can be considered fair game as well.  So the bright orange flowers above are my way of saying I'm original!!!!!

A "WISHLIST" for 2015

A small group of us were talking yesterday and came up with our first  short "wishlist" of garments that we'd like to see here in Australia this year,  (Will we see them in the stores - perhaps not but we can hope).   Quite simple wishes when you come to think of it.   As mentioned many times throughout the years, most of our team are plumply curvaceous, even to the extent that as our bodies have changed shape over the years, our needs have changed accordingly.

By that I mean quite simply - only a few of us have fantastic legs these days!  No longer able to wear four inch heels, or even leggings.  Where DID those ankles go?   Aaaah well, come on, we've got to be honest.

So let's start and as usual we start by wanting to display our good bits in a flattering manner.  We all agreed that this top is not only feminine but it can be even more enhanced when worn with a simple black slinky or cami and pants.  It can be a statement of its own.   it could also be worn with a slimline long skirt.

Then we chose a top that would always be the subject of conversation!     Needless to say those in the team with great legs would get away with this, but it was also agreed that slimline pants instead of leggings would fit the bill too.   Chevrons are not used enough within fashion, whereas we always come across stripes which many of us delightfully fuller figured woman steer away from when we see them in the stores.

Wrap around dresses again came close to the top of the wishlists, and again slim line pants were suggested to be worn should the length of the dress be such as to prevent or dissuade us from buying or even from wearing out (we're proud or vain creatures at times - we always want to look our best, whatever our age, shape or size!)

I personally love red as a statement colour, and I've added this to the short list.  Sweetheart necklines are acceptable, and flattering, at any time.

What we'd like to see are staight slimline pants that can be worn under garments such as this, that will compliment the look for those of us who are a little older.   We're not asking for patio or flared pants but nicely shaped straight slim-line pants that taper in very slightly at the ankle giving the illusion of a thinner leg.  Most importantly in a fabric that will breathe and which will always look good whether worn as "part" of an outfit or as pants in their own right.

FEELINGS ABOUT YOUR SELF-WORTH!

Most of us in this team read a lot.   Our preferred choices of books range from the sublime to the ridiculous and most things in between.

However, the gaining of self esteem and confidence remains high on the list of books that we all enjoy.

At the present time I'm reading a novel written by Johanna Verweerd - "The Winter Garden".   This is a story of painful memories and the realisation that life is passing by.  Ika designs beautiful gardens and one day a letter arrives from her sister, "you'll have to come soon .... Mother won't last much longer."   To think this story dwells on sadness is wrong.  This delightful book takes the reader from the present to the past and back to the present in a beautiful flowing manner, allowing us to be with Ika as she confronts past issues and learns about herself and her own strengths.

I quote the following paragraph from the book:

"Ika would love to have been cheerful, but she didn't know how to go about it.  

Cheerfulness had to begin inside.  The same with laughter.  

Like being afraid, which also started inside a person.  ...........  

So how could she become cheerful?  

Bart said that being afraid evoked the threat of danger.  

Would thinking more about happiness, then, 

help her to experience what it was like to be cheerful?"

I guess there's something to be said for "thinking about happiness" because as many psychologists would agree, "thinking" happy or sad, will tultimately make a person BE happy or sad if they put their mind to it.

A thought for the New Year.

A NEW YEAR CHALLENGE!

Have you made New Year resolutions?   Do you bother?   Do you, as I do, set myself attainable goals. Even if I don't meet them in the long run, I sure have plenty of fun in trying.

How about a New Year Challenge?   With readers from all around the world, how better to share opinions, observations and fashion notes than through the NoteBook?

So here's the challenge for January.   Taking into account there are readers who are presently in the middle of summer, the depths of winter and some in between, why not tell us how you see yourself in January 2015, and what your wishes might be as far as life acceptances and changes and most of all fashion (as it applies to the naturally thin, the naturally curvaceous, the plump, the young, the adult and the more mature woman).

I await your comments, suggestions and thoughts.  Let's start this New Year off with a bang!

'til next time

THINGS THAT WILL DO YOU GOOD ....

AND MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD .......

You may find you need to TRIM RELATIONSHIPS.   If you find you are surrounded with negative people who cannot ee the value of your friendship or who treat you as a door-met, let go and move on.

If you don't want to lose the relationship entirely, at least limit the amount of time you spend with that person.

Don't let your garden become entangled with weeds,
 let your self-esteem bloom.

GETTING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT early without the hustle and bustle!

Hello girl-friends,

It's that time of the year when everyone is looking at their diaries and wondering how to fit all the appointments, all the coffee shop get togethers with girl friends, how to plan for and prepare all the menus for the Christmas festivities, all the presents still to be thought about let alone chosen for family and friends. Christmas cards still have to be written and posted (yes, there are those of us who still prefer snail mail when it comes to giving and receiving of cards - even throughout the year).   Then there are the break-up parties at work, as well as women's clubs and kid's breaking up from school.   What about fitting in a visit to the hairdresser - had you forgotten that?  There's a build up of crowds everywhere;  parking is a nightmare, people in the shopping malls are all getting cross because they're hot and bothered and you still haven't had a moment to think about getting yourself something special to wear whether it's to a Christmas celebration or just relaxing with the family. 

No worries!   Yes, you could venture down to your favourite stores at your local shopping mall, but give a thought to this suggestion.   Hundreds of thousands of other women have thought like yourself, and then decided to buy on-line.  Now as we've all discovered there are pitfalls at any time in buying on-line (I've been caught myself so many times) and while I can't guarantee foolproof that my suggestion will prevent that occurring, think about the lovely selection of clothing that is presently on sale at IGIGI  in the US.

Everything in the above photo is less than $100US at the present time.   There are many, many different garments on sale and everyone I speak to who has purchased an Igigi garment in the past has been thrilled.  I even have one and a half myself.

Let have a look at today's THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

"Friendship is that voice in your heart that tells you all is well, that you are being guarded and guided, and that you should feel no fear."

'til next time

A LITTLE BEHIND ......?

Hello girl-friends

Seems ages since I put up a post, and I've been gently reminded by many readers that they are suffering "withdrawal" symptoms from not having a regular post to read.   Forgive me everyone, for while I have been very busy, posting should have been the one item highest on my list to-do's and it hasn't been.

Here we are approaching the month of December when thoughts are winging ahead to the preparations for Christmas time.   In the US most of the wonderful larger size suppliers are tempting us with their new season's offerings as well as special sales.

See the Yasmine Dress from Igigi

One thing that sometimes worries or bothers me is that many of the Australian suppliers let their clients as well as themselves down by not ensuring their clothes are modelled on women who understand what modelling is all about.   The second thing is that many of the clothes are not photographed on women of size.  How can a size 10 woman dressed in a size 20 dress look like a woman of size 20 in the same dress?   It comes back to perspectives and it's about time that Australian suppliers looked and seriously thought about their presentations.   I guess the third most obvious thing is that many Australian suppliers don't even use good photographers!

So while I'm in the "whinging" mood, let's think about styles.   I don't mean "style" as in elegance, I mean styles as in shapes and cuts of garments.   I'm not interested in buying something that my grand-daughter wears.  Short tunic tops in absolutely terrible fabrics that are obviously made enmasse overseas. Sleeveless as well!  Yoiks - has anybody recently looked at my upper arms?  Let's get real!  My figure doesn't like wearing something like that.  Yet I still want to look "good", I want to look interesting and I want to feel like a woman!

Let's look at Sybils for instance.  This supplier from Queensland has appeared on this page many times over many years (they were originally called Carousel).   Their models are "real-size" models for the garments they are modelling.  Some of our other suppliers should take note for the simple reason that plus size women (and I do wish I could find a more flattering name for us) no longer are content to see stick models flashing clothes that we want to wear.

So I could go on debating this issue endlessly.  Those of you who have followed my newsletters for more than 23 years now know that I've been on this subject until it bores the pants off me (let alone them)!  But I insist that women of size need to be taken seriously in their needs for flattering clothing.  And I shall go on insisting.

Before I go, here's a Thought for the Day:

"Friendship is so beautiful it can only be touched with your heart."

'til next time  

AN OLD-FASHONED WALTZ

While it's always exciting to see what the modern trends are going to be, it's just as nice to see some of the beautiful older styled dresses cutely called "vintage" available too.

Strut Fashion of Canada has these lovely "vintage" evening dresses at the moment and I just wanted to show you the styling of these garments.  They're soft, flowing, flattering and feminine.

WHAT IS SELF ESTEEM?

It’s many things.  Here are some of them.  (Based on a generously endowed curvaceous woman's experience!)

Self-esteem is learning:

* to like yourself, as you are! 

* to see yourself as a friend would see you, as a person worthy of respect

*  that it is not being selfish if you want things - perhaps you’d like to go to university;  you’d like to have a top flight career;  and you’d like to dress well

* that people from all sorts of walks of life should treat you with respect and courtesy

* that your health and fitness should be seen as being of the same worth as any other person, especially younger and slimmer

* that your health and fitness is YOUR business

* that your opinions should be respected   

* that your intelligence should not be questioned

* that how you dress is your choice (and your business) and  you shouldn’t be expected to accept derision or contempt

* that you have rights.   Rights that may include being able to choose for yourself those things that will make you happy.  Choosing for yourself those things that you agree o disagree with.   Choosing for yourself your own circle of friends.  Choosing for yourself what you may eat and what you may choose not to eat.   

* that no one has the right to push you into doing things that you don’t want to do, such as dieting, or undergoing surgical manipulations, including cosmetic

*  that you can do what you want if you really want to

*  that you can wish for anything you want and then go out and make your wishes come true

* that you have a right to be loved.   By others and by yourself

* that no one has a right to belittle you, to put you down or to walk over you

*  that you have the right to pursue a career, and that promotions are part and parcel of that career

* that you have the right to look for a partner and the right to be loved and respected by that person.

* that you should never be used, or abused (in an form, including verbally, physically, emotionally or any other sort)

* that you are a unique and a one-off person with your own personality and individuality

* that your opinions are valuable assets and are yours alone

*  that you have a special place in this universe, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise.  

THE FUN of BEING PLUMP

More than 50 odd years ago, an artist by the name of Duane Bryers in America, created a cheeky redhead.  He named her Hilda (to many these days an old-fashioned word that would describe a staid, matronly, even bitter thin-lipped woman).  However the more you see of these pictures of Hilda, the more the name Hilda seems to fit her.

(I don't know what Duana Bryers named this partcular picture, but I thought "Satisfaction" neatly says it all!)

But it’s not the name Hilda that is so pertinent to my post today.  It’s her figure - her shape - her roundness - her plumpness.   More than that it is her cheekiness, her fun and carefree attitude.   She takes life as it is, and laughs her way through it.

You know I’ve been around a fair while, and I had never heard of Duana Bryers and I’d certainly never heard of Hilda. Perhaps it is because she is part of American history and unless we had the privilege of purchasing calendars from the States in years gone by, there was no reason why we should have known Hilda.  But I found her yesterday and I believe she dispays ALL the attributes that a plus-size “pin-up” girl needs.   

For one major question stands out to me: 

where during the past 50 years did our self-acceptance, 

our sense of fun at life and living,

our carefree sense of being completely at ease with our own self, 

disappear to?    

Did life become far too serious, far too responsible, far too hard and difficult, that we forgot how to be HAPPY?   

Let’s enjoy the simple pleasures of life.   Being plump and having plenty of curves is something to admire and something to celebrate.   Remember too that age has nothing to do with self-acceptance - you can never be too young or too old.