Women & Fashion Through The Ages

Why is it that women through the generations have allowed society to dictate what we should wear and how we should look?

We often think that only now through the avenue of magazines and TV's are we being dictated too by various editors in a war to make women feel less than who they are.

Yet when we look back at history women have always allowed others to impose their view on how they should look.

Centuries ago women turned their hair almost into an ornament as they wore wigs or twisted their own hair into huge monuments. This craze probably began with Marie Antoinette, but I wonder what health problems accompanied such a look? Surely by carrying such a weight on their heads it would have impacted on their fragile necks? Yet women preferred to neglect their health for vanity.

In the days of the crinoline and no matter what the weather women would strap themselves into these large voluminous dresses with hoops. Can you imagine wearing such clothes in searing heat?

In the Victorian and Edwardian Era's women allowed their waists to be so cinched in that it was a wonder how they could breathe, let alone eat. Which leaves me to wonder if they had digestive problems later in life?

Why hundreds of years later are we still allowing ourselves to be dictated too? Who are these arbiters of fashion who give out the message that if you are not a size 2 then you are not deemed worthy to exist.

No wonder young girls are growing up confused about how they should look. It is time that Mothers help their daughters find a look that suits them and not follow these fashion nazi's who totally demoralize your children.

Let's not follow history. Instead lets learn from it and dress to suit ourselves and not an industry which relies on making women feel awful about themselves.

What do YOU think?

Yesterday & Today Beauty Contest-Some Fun

Who do you choose Catherine Zeta Jones or Liz Taylor?

Which one Jennifer Connelly or Vivien leigh?

Grace Kelly or Charlize Theron?

Kate Hepburn or Cate Blanchett?

Ava Gardener Or Liv Tyler?

Gal to Gal

I don’t know about anyone else but I rarely buy anything based on the advertisements for the product. I mean come on let’s look at perfume ads for both men and women, spray or pu a dab on and you either turn from the ‘ugly duckling’ to the swan or one you have it on you become this irresistible sexual object that everyone cant keep their hands off. Oh please! I much rather hear it from someone I know their thoughts and how the product worked or did not work, you know Gal to Gal.

So I’m sharing products that if you were to go into my bathroom you more than likely find, literally what is on my countertop or in my cupboard. I hope that everyone will participate and share their thoughts on the products if you know of them and have used them and share your favourite products.

I’m going to start with hair care products. I have long, thick, once very curly hair with highlights that has a mind of its own. I am always on the hunt for products that can tame my hair. I don’t like anything that weighs down my hair, and don’t like anything that has a fragrance that is very overpowering. So from my countertop to yours in no particular order:

TRESemme

I use a lot of TRESemme products, very affordable and I like that you they come in huge bottles, lasts me probably one month or less. Good quality, salon formula and the fragrance is not overpowering, which is important to me. I use everything they make, shampoos, conditioners, leave in conditioners, moose, anti frizz, hairspray etc etc. Their products I can recommend to anyone and there is a line for every hair type- coloured, dry, oily, etc etc

I absolutely LOVEEEEEE the new Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner by L'oreal. It is easily found at any drugstore and it is very inexpensive. It contains something they call cashmere....CASHMERE! I get to wash my hair in it !?!? That is just plain dreamy, and it does indeed work like a dream. I got this one for my long sometimes very dry hair and my hair is so loving me for it! My hair felt silky and soooo smooth. I’m really loving this product.

Breakthru by SoftSheen.Carson ( subsidiary of L’oreal)

This is a line for ‘ethnic’ hair but let me tell you if you have wild hair than needs taming try this line. Leaves hair manageable, detangled and not weighed down with any gunk as I put it.

I use the Megahertz line also by SoftSheen.Carson as my daily styling products. These products are amazing. They keep your hair in place without the gunky heavy build up that regular hair gels and pomades can leave. Barely realize that they are there but they really do what they say they do.

Revlon Crème of Nature Shampoo.

This is truly a miracle product, probably the best shampoo I have ever used. It alleviates the need for separate shampoo and conditioner - this shampoo really does it all as well as leaving a nice fragrance and tangle-free hair. Two thumbs up!!

I use Revlon Color Silk (light auburn) to highlight my hair. It’s the one that works best on my hair and does not dry it out.

And these are my must have hair accessories:

Ionic hair dryer

Soft bonnet dryer attachment, now this is a genius invention

Curling iron, flat iron (rarely use them cause my hair is so long and thick it would take me hours to do myself)

Hot rollers, regular rollers

Six long clips to pin up my hair

Revlon hair brush (only brush thus far that does not pull or tangle my hair) and one with the hundreds of fine bristles I use to brush my hair to make it shine

Fine teeth comb for smoothing down those miserable strays

Big teeth comb for detangling

Head bands and clips in every colour, shape and size

Silk scarf that I rarely remember to use, supposed to prevent your hair from drying over overnight or something like that??

So ladies what are your favourite hair products and tips and tricks?

A Fat Rant-YouTube

I decided to reprise this video for those who have not seen it before. What Joy says is true. Being large does not lessen your rights to be treated with dignity. What does it matter what size you are? I encourage all to take time and watch this video. It is excellent! Do YOU think Joy is fat?

The Women Deemed Too 'FAT' To Act!

These are the women that the media has proclaimed too fat to act! One tabloid even suggested that Marilyn Monroe would be required to lose at least 28 pounds if not more! What lunacy! As for Jane Russell they said she wouldn't make it at all! What do YOU think?

As for Sophia Loren. This lovely actress would also have to lose weight. I chose this picture because it has not been 'touched up'. Ladies she has curves, it's not a crime! Back in Sophia's day curves were celebrated! Is Sophia too fat to act?

And now the lovely Kate Winslet is being pressured to lose her 'weight' . I have to ask what weight? Kate has the perfect hourglass figure. When did that become a crime? Do you think any of these ladies are FAT? If your answer is NO! Then why are we listening to the media when it comes to weight issues?

Pure Fashion-Modelling Modesty

There is a wonderful new site called 'Pure Fashion' where young models promote dressing with modesty while at the same time appearing chic and classy.



As you can see the models look fantastic. While the clothes are hip, stylish and edgy without being vulgar.

Teenagers also need help in accepting that they are beautiful no matter their size. On this site the models represent all sizes whether they be slim or curvaceous, mainly because their objective is to promote self esteem and to show that no matter what size you are, you can look fantastic.

Can anyone say that these lovely girls look terrible because they may not be a size 6, 8 or God forbid a size 0?

Here are the Rules that the company made.

As Pure Fashion models, We believe:

That our private parts should remain private.

That undergarments should not become outer-garments.

That our bodies are holy and sacred and our clothing should not reveal what should be concealed.

That virtue is the most important must have for every season.

That we can be pretty without being provocative.

These are just some of their Golden Rules. Don't you just love it? Girls it is time to celebrate your curves in a classy and stylish manner. What do all you mothers and daughters out there think of this great site?

Food Glorious Food

The enjoyment of food is one of the joy's of life. Let us not fool ourselves we all enjoy delicious delights though there are many nutritionists who try and instill a fear of food in order that we will eat less. This has merit but it is not food that is making a whole generation overweight it is the portion sizes that we are eating.

We are eating more and exercising less in this age of technology as we become more and more sedentary in our everyday lives. It is this very inactivity that must change along with how much food we are consuming in a day.

Some magazines suggest we eat six or eight small meals a day, while other magazines say we should eat three well balanced meals a day. This can be confusing for who is right? Do we begin eating six meals or three meals?

What is needed is a sense of balance mixed with common sense. To deprive ourselves and our families of delicious foods is wrong. There is nothing wrong with eating desserts so long as it is done sensibly. We do this by remembering that we are filling our stomachs and not our entire body content, so make sure that the portion size reflects this.

One of the ways to achieve this is to place our food on plates or bowls that are smaller, rather than grab the biggest plate and load it up. As an example when it comes to dessert, one dollop of cream or one scoop of ice-cream over fruit or puddings will not lead you to become excessively obese. It is overeating that leads to obesity not simple eating.

Because nearly everybody loves their food especially the most deliciously wicked delights. Do not deprive yourself of them but to remember that what you eat will have to be worked off.

Exercise need not be a joyless endeavor, it can be fun. Who made the rules when it comes to exercise? If you are a mother of young girls then when you finish your evening meal go outside in your yard and play with them. Remember the hoola hoop, hop scotch or a skipping rope? Age should be no barrier to good old fashioned fun. For a half hour or so jump around with real exuberance and have a laugh. Then of course there's such things as baseball or basketball and if you have a trampoline even better.

Personally I loathe the usual 'work out mentally'. I hate gyms, especially uni-sex gyms. There are just some positions one has to take while excercising that men should not see! What I found that works for me is to dance. I simply made up my own CD with 2 fast songs and then one slow one. I dance in the privacy of my room, it is great fun. Let's face it we wont persevere doing something we loathe so choose an excercise regime that works for you.

In this way we end up having the best of both worlds. We are enjoying our food without feelings of guilt as well as gaining the exercise our bodies need to work off those delectable treats.

In all things moderation is the keyword, enjoy all food in moderation. This way you and your family will be living life to the full while enjoying the fruits of your labor which can be found in food and good old fashioned family fun.

Embrace life. Eat well and most importantly keep a spirit of fun and exuberance.

Copyright © 2007 MarieJoy Coburn. All rights reserved.

How To Look Good Naked-YouTube

The presenter of this reality show is Gok Wan and he has done more for women in the past few years than all the diet magazines and books combined. Gok, has a real compassion for women irrespective of their size and he teaches that we are all beautiful. The women on his show really do learn how to look gorgeous!

'How To Look Good Naked' is tastefully done, in that there is no full frontal nudity just an appreciation for the 'real' female form. It is not pornography. It is about making a woman look and feel beautiful and he succeeds.

Below is a snippet of 'How To Look Good Naked'.

The second series of his show will be shown in Australia on Foxtel or Austar in September. Check your channel book for details.

Classic Style Plus Size

Just because we may be a plus size does not mean we must dumb down our dress sense. You can look beautiful in what you wear and disguise the flaws that you are unhappy with.

Here is a selection of Plus size models who do look totally amazing. So can YOU.