Click on the video to see my retail therapy at Ashley Stewart!

As many of you know I had the great pleasure of attending the Miami Grand Opening of Ashley Stewart Southland Mall.

Many amazing Bloggers like Dionne of The Prissy Shopper: www.theprissyshopper.com, Violet of Curvy Girl on a Budget: wwwcurvygirlonabudget.tumblr.com, Brazilia Moda: www.braziliamoda.com.

Shoppers also had the amazing pleasure of meeting and being styled by Marie Denee, Style Expert of The Curvy Fashionista: www.thecurvyfashionista.com

There was a Plus Model Search and all in all it was such an amazing and successful event.

A great event and I met some amazing people that were all very inspiring.

I have to say that I believe every woman needs to have fun when she shops. Break the barriers between plus and straight size stores.

Break the misconceptions of what can and can’t be worn.

My friend and Fitness enthusiast Tina attended the event with me and although she was not plus size she still found many great accessories that fit her perfectly.

I found great pieces that fit me well and made me look great.

Click on the video above to see my private video into my purchases.

See all of the event pictures below.

Many thanks to Ashley Stewart!

Me and Tina, Fitness Enthusiast

I got caught shopping by the Camera Man!

Brazilia Moda (Blogger/Model), Me and Violet (Blogger)

Me and Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista

Dionne of The Prissy Shopper

Ashley W. a Model Contestant and Shopper

(I think she has it in the bag super gorgeous and tall)

Accessories

Spring and Summer Clutches

Strapless Black and White Dress

Summer Sandals

Slacks and Strapless Top

I bought the blue shirt and white blazer!

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PROMOTION NOW CLOSED

Winners: Vivian Kelly and Monica Holloway

Every woman needs a little retail therapy!

Ashley Stewart is giving me two Gift Cards to give away to you!

All you have to do is tell me what you love most about dressing up.

I will choose two lucky winners!

Winners Announced on Monday April 23, 2012.

Each winner will receive a $25 Gift Card to shop at Ashley Stewart.

Winners chosen at random.

Ready to WIN!

Enter $25 Ashley Stewart Giveaway Here!

I recently told you on my Facebook that a very special company was going to style me up and doll me up! Well here it is. Lands’ End which I had no clue created some really fashionable plus size pieces gave me the great news recently that I had my pick of any item that would style my body. I fell in love with a gorgeous black dress. I think every woman needs a gorgeous black dress. It cinches at the waist, billows out at the bottom and makes me look long, lean and enhances my hourglass shape. If there was ever a perfect LBD this is it! I can only tell you this dress will be worn more than once.

If ever you could gather in the perfect place for the perfect event. It would be Today from 5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M for the grand opening of the Ashley Stewart store in Cutler Bay Southland Mall in Miami, Florida.  Women will gather in their most fashionable attire for an evening of Fashion meets styling with renowned stylist Marie Denee, Music from a DJ, Random Giveaways and an amazing opportunity for Plus Size Models to enter into a model search. So put on your killer pumps, your sexiest Ashley Stewart dress and to be honest come down to a hot party in Miami! I will be there as well and I can’t tell you how exciting it is for me to cover this event. If you haven’t heard Fashion is always on the rise. Details for the event below

Ashley Stewart Grand Opening Cutler Bay Southland Mall, Miami, Florida

20505 South Dixie Highway #829, Cutler Bay, FL 33189

5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

• The event is this Thursday, April 19 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Marie Denee will be on site to offer one-on-one fashion advice to attendees
• A DJ will be present
• There will be a professional photographer snapping candid shots as well as photos of guests in front of a red carpet-themed backdrop
• There will be a number of random giveaways throughout the evening that will include Ashley Stewart gift cards and other exciting prizes
• They will be hosting a model search in which two lucky women at the event will have the opportunity to win a professional photo shoot in which they’ll be styled from head to toe in Ashley Stewart apparel

In the clip Kohl’s – carriers of both J-Lo and Marc Anthony’s clothing lines and the program’s exclusive retail sponsor – hosted a shopping spree for ¡Q’VIVA! contestants in Los Angeles. Contestants used gift cards to purchase hot new outfits for their performances, as well as gifts for loved ones at home.  You can check it out below by clicking on the image (stay tuned for J-Lo and Marc with a few words at the end) along with behind-the-scenes images and other goodies:

Alongside the recent announcement of an American Idol line in Kohl’s stores (and our own celeb-focused campaign for the Rock & Republic relaunch in NYC), this is yet another example of how Kohl’s is becoming a huge part of the celebrity and reality TV conversation.

#SPONSORED POST

In a perfect world everyone would love every imperfection and perfection about themselves. Every person would be able to indulge in an exorbitant amount of food and instead of reaping great regrets over the caloric intake they would bask in utter joy because no calorie counted, no food was harmful. Every person would avoid exercise and partake in activities at their leisure. Lack of motivation would be a plus and not a negative.

But if you stop to think about it. Who would ever want to live this way? Why would you not want to turn your imperfections into something greater? Why wouldn’t you want to indulge in just the right amount of good food that builds up your health, gives you a longer lasting life and gives you a healthy glow? Why wouldn’t you want to be active and wake up with great fervor over what next activity is coming your way? Life is meant to be lived with joy. But to achieve joy we have to start working on the inside.

I feel like the word fat is not a derogatory word. It all depends on what context you are using it under. A few weeks ago I waited until very late to work out. I sat down to watch a show about obesity in America. These shows are common but this show caught my attention. There was this family and they were literally living in gluttonous amounts of food consumption and lack of activity. Family members had and continued to die because of the side affects of their eating habits. One member of the family had not been able to walk to the mailbox in years. Another had lost her feet to diabetes. They suffered from bad skin, lack of energy, body odor, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, you name it they had it. They ate whatever they wanted. They spoke about how food was comfort for them. Not a source of nutrients. But it was their friend. It got them through depression, boredom, loss of a family member and many other emotions in life we go through. It was the extremity of obesity and it scared me. I guess even as an expert I still am shocked that people live that way. That night I finished my workout with tears but I finished.

I once had Georgina Horne of www.fullerfigurefullerbust.com make a comment on my Facebook that has never left me. She said curves does not equal plus size. They are not synonymous. Curves does not automatically equal plus size. I wondered why woman assumed that curves equaled being a larger frame. Or why does a size 14 mean that you are fat. That is not true either. But obesity is true. It does exist. Women want to brush it under the table and want to give ourselves an excuse to over indulge. It sounds mean but it does happen. Not to and for everyone but for a vast majority it does.

I started reading a book called Beauty Detox by Kimberly Snyder and it hit home with me. If weight loss and fitness wasn’t important we as women would not spend billions on weight loss programs, and gyms. Weight loss and fitness are synonymous. The reality is that when I read this book she brought me back to a simpler fact of life. We are naturally meant to eat plant based foods and obtain all of our protein from plants, fruits and natural foods. Our bodies inside and out most resemble gorillas. These animals are natural vegetarians. We must go back to what is natural. What our bodies crave and need. They need plants, they need fruit they need what grows up from the earth.

This does not mean that we give up all that we love. I love sweets. So I find exotic fruits to cure my cravings. From coconut mixed with pineapple (fresh) to star fruits mixed with kiwi. I love bread so I found my alternative. I love large leafy iceberg lettuce and I stuff it with tomatoes and avocado. It’s crunchy like toasted bread. I want to expand my life. I want to live each day for something more. I want to run, walk, play, swim and live life to the fullest. But the fact is that to do that I must change and continue to change my lifestyle. It does not happen overnight. I will not lose the weight overnight. I will not have a drastic change overnight and I really shouldn’t. I have struggled with my weight as I got older and regret not valuing my perfect health when I was younger. If I take my time I will value each pound lost, each muscle built, and each bead of sweat and drop of a tear that it will take to get there.

Now here are some facts that we must all take into account. Curves does not mean plus size. Plus size does not mean fat. Some women will naturally be very tall, very slim and very much a size 14. But a 5’2 214lb body frame that is a size 16 does not naturally belong at that weight. A smaller frame has to work harder and longer to move that much weight. Health is not about size but it is about a combination of things and they are weight loss (not extreme but a healthy amount), fitness (exercise minimum of 30 minutes 3 times per week is vital), good nutrition (low fat and natural foods, including more fruits and vegetables, no processed foods), and a healthy mind set (to reach a goal you must leave all negativity and hold on to positivity).

I call myself plus size because as a size 14 this is where my body best fits. I have entered into the plus modeling world as an aspiration because this is where I stand and fit right now. But 5 years from now I may best fit into a fitness model (God I hope so lol) or I may no longer want to aspire to do this. Many people have criticized so many celebrities or other women for their weight loss. But what I always say is we may not know what goes on behind closed doors. We don’t know if a heart condition or metabolic syndrome (attributes that enable heart disease) propelled their weight loss. If they did it in a healthy way well amen to them! What strength that must have taken.

Transformations are great. Healthy transformations are great. I will give you an example. My mother many years ago was very muscular and loved body building. Right now she has transitioned her body into a leaner and slimmer shape. She has transformed several times but never in an unhealthy way. Never in a way that caused danger to her body or her health. She has always stayed within a healthy weight range. Loves food and continues to balance a good relationship with it.

I am a fat girl (yes I can call myself that) going slim. Why? Because I love myself. I want to transform. I love who I am and what I do. I love that in order for me to be on this earth a lot longer and do the things that I love I want a healthier me. I live by no ones standards. But there are codes that I think we should all follow. Live for a better tomorrow and to do that we must make no excuses for bad and unhealthy habits. We must be proactive enough to say at this moment I am unhealthy, I am overweight, I am too slim, I am _____ (fill in the blank) but I LOVE MYSELF NOW and I WILL LOVE MYSELF EVEN MORE WHEN I AM HEALTHIER. Because the truth is that when you love yourself enough to give yourself the best you create a better inside to match the outside and vice versa.

I have been a certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Adviser, Zumba Fitness Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Fashion Stylist, Makeup Artist and Writer for many years. The one thing that I see over and over in women is a lack of self esteem. Women forget to love themselves for who they were, who they are now and who they will be tomorrow. If they could do this they would achieve balance. Balance that includes a healthy body, mind and spirit.

So as I head off and become a fat girl going slim I want to tell you that I have always loved myself for who I was, loved myself for who I am and will love myself for who I become tomorrow. I live by no-ones standards but I live for great standards and hold myself accountable. I make no excuses for when I eat bad things or forget to work out. I don’t scold myself but I make myself work harder next time. I hope to live each day or get closer to achieving great balance. Remember that we must not look to others to love us. Love yourself they way you deserve. With patience, honesty, and respect.

;

xoxoxo

Bonnielee Cuevas

Beauty is so much more than the physical aspects of who we are but the reality is that we as women love to play with makeup. Whether it is a new lipstick or eye shadow. It is all about accentuating our assets. It is all about the fun in creating a new look and for some even a new persona. But over the past few months I have struggled with being camouflaged in layers of makeup to cover up whatever it was that I wanted to cover up at the time rather than being at my most natural.

Natural beauty takes a lot more work but it is also a state of pure existence. I mean that it is pure, clean, and of the highest quality. Your natural beauty is you at your best. So I ditched all of my cosmetics and switched over to something that would enhance my features. Bare Escentuals is nothing new but the quality and the packaging is. It is now a solid mineral which makes carrying it easy and clean.

Now what will you find inside my makeup case? You will now find more natural beauty cosmetics vs. a camouflaged beauty. You will find 3 important products that’s it! You will find my Bare Escentuals concealer, foundation and mineral veil. These three products have changed my outlook on makeup. I still love to doll up my eyes, pout my lips and even go drag for a day! No, just kidding… But I have learned so much more about holding on to what is pure vs. to what is fake.

Last year I was simply head over heels in love when I received two amazing BRAHMIN pieces. I own a white tote from Brahmin and a gorgeous caramel wallet. I wrote about them last year and I shared them with you. Why are they important? Who cares about purses and wallets? Well a lot of us women do. A signature piece that will last a lifetime and that we can wear or carry with us season after season is like finding a needle in a haystack. Finding that special piece that allows you to look pulled together with no effort year after year is something you want and never want to let go of.

I was able to put together two look books for you. BRAHMIN is just fun and I think these pieces are feminine. Femininity to me screams power and luxury. Just click on the look books to see the collections and pieces I chose for you.

SPONSORED POST: VOGUE INFLUENCER

Iris Apfel Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Behind the Scenes from a photo shoot I recently did. It is still in editing.

THIS IMAGE IS UNEDITED

I decided to pursue modeling not too long ago. I never imagined it would open up doors to other opportunities. But most of all I had no idea that I would be up against all odds. A lot of people ask me questions, email me and are simply intrigued with wanting to know how to get into this industry and what it takes. The fact is that I played a role as an industry professional behind the scenes. Although I received a lot of media coverage and exposure because of my other accomplishments, modeling was a different story.

In this industry beauty depends on the beholder. Your big eyes, big lips and soft skin may not be perfect for one agency but another agency will simply love you. Your dark skin, small eyes and small lips may be great for a campaign featuring you but not for a print ad. This is a fickle industry and you must have the backbone to withstand many no’s and many doors closing.

There are industry standards and these are fact.  Designers make clothes for models to walk the runway and their idea of a perfect model male or female is the body of a 14 year old boy. This is not something I made up, this is something everyone learns when they study fashion. It sounds strange but they are looking for their clothes to hang beautifully and their ideal model has just that type of body. 5’7 is short in this industry. But 5’7 and above are able to meet more requirements that someone under 5’7. If you are over 30 the odds of you making it in this industry are slim to none. You have to have great skin, healthy hair, good teeth. You have to be anywhere from a size 0-2 (4 maybe) to be a straight size high fashion model and as a plus model we are looking at anywhere from an 8 to a size 16 in any other platform in this industry. Even as a plus model one must have height.

As an aspiring, petite model I have close to no opportunities. But then sometimes something amazing happens. Like when Mac Cosmetics choose its newest face to be a 90 year old woman named Iris Apfel. All logic and industry standards are thrown out the window. But it is a small window of opportunity.

How do you stay ahead of the game? How do you set a foot into this industry and become well known? As an aspiring plus model these are the things I learned. These are the things I recommend:

• Get a coach. Just like you would see a trainer to get fit and healthy. Get a modeling coach. I recommend Plus Super Model Tracie Stern. She can be found at www.theofficialtraciestern.com. She coaches all aspiring and current models. They include straight size, plus size, fitness, etc.
• Start taking care of yourself. This means put money and work into your skin, body (yes that may mean losing weight and getting fit), hair, and teeth.
• Get some clean photos done. You don’t need professional head shots and body shots to send to an agency. What they want is clean and natural. However, I think it is a great opportunity for you to get in front of the camera and practice.  Make sure you have a great head shot and full body shot.
• Learn movement. I am a trained personal trainer, group fitness instructor and a lot of the fitness classes I taught were dance based. I naturally move like a Latina dancer. But when I stepped in front of the camera I would tense up. It was different. Ballet is a beautiful way to soften your moves.
• Get involved locally. I hate this idea because I am a big dreamer. I want it all now or I do not want it at all. But you have to start somewhere. If you are lucky to call home New York City, California or another big city then you are one step ahead. But do not think that opportunities may not present themselves even in small towns.

I have learned so much about myself through this process.  I can honestly tell you to not be afraid of taking on other opportunities. I have had amazing offers because of my steps to be in front of the camera as a petite plus model. If you see that there are no opportunities do not be afraid to create your own. Keep your concepts clean, natural, light and fun. You always want to show yourself in the best light. You always want to make sure you look young. Last but not least know yourself. Know enough about this industry that you know your limits and where you belong. I am 5’2 and there is a very limited need for a 5’2 plus model like myself. But that does not mean that there are no opportunities or a need for me.

Last but not least remember you are your best walking advertisement. You are your own billboard. I will continue to document this glamorous or not so glamorous journey. Why? Simply because it is a great way to document change as it happens in an industry where you are not the one that sets the standards for beauty.

Even after all of my accomplishments as  a Fashion Stylist, Makeup Artist, Fitness Expert and Writer I stepped into this world and it was no longer about me. It was about the models that sold the product, models that defied what I had thought beauty was and it has become a challenge that I face with fervor. Why? Because I plan on breaking all the rules. I plan to create a new mold that others can fit into in a models world.

I opened my closet door, I walked in and I was immediately attracted to a consignment store dress that I bought for only $8.00. I fell in love with this Old Navy black dress. It was V-cut with small straps. Perfect for spring weather. I am an addict. I am addicted to the color black. I am not afraid of color. I have a lot of color in my wardrobe. But for some reason I resonate comfort with the color black. Probably because it has slimming qualities and what girl doesn’t want a slender figure? I know I do.

But I felt that my outfit needed something more. I am into designer labels and I won’t lie and say that I am a snob when it comes to labels like Old Navy. Realistically I just want to make sure that everything I wear does not look like every other persons outfit. This is why I love labels, consignments, vintage and anything that makes my look unique. The truth is designer labels come with a pretty price tag that I sometimes have to turn down. Plus I couldn’t be to prejudice as Old Navy did get me through some wardrobe budget issues I had back in the day (which I rather not talk about ,lol). So, I did buy this dress and I loved the way it made me look.

But back to the point at hand I was lacking color! So, I immediately looked up to the second rack in my closet and there was my Charlotte Russe green snake print top. This top had a small string belt that ties at the waist. It was long with large bell sleeves. It was light weight and perfect for my outfit.  Ta da! My outfit was complete. I combined black, comfort, style and color with the dress and top combination. With a consignment and brand new  store find I walked out feeling like a million dollars. But most of all I looked like it!