CREATIVE FEATURE: Miss Lacey Noel

Instagram is an incredible place (oh hush, it's a place) – it's definitely my favourite of all the social media platforms. Being such a strong visual creature, it's not uncommon for me to wake up and have a look at my IG feed first thing because the people I tend to follow are incredibly inspiring and talented individuals who get my creative juices flowing. Combine a good sleep with a little shot of IG in the morning, and I am roaring to face the day and get amongst it all!

Last year, I stumbled across Miss Lacey Noel - an incredible young woman with oodles of talent and creativity (especially for her tender age), and she very quickly became one of my favourite Instagrammers and cosplayers. Plus, her obsession with Drag Queens is something I can TOTALLY get down on; her “Project Faux Drag” is one of the most exciting things i've discovered in recent times! She also has a wonderfully talented photographer for a mum, and together they make an unstoppable artistic duo who may make you a teeny bit envious, but more probably you'll just fall in love with their gloriously colourful work and heartwarming relationship!

I had so many questions I personally wanted to ask Lacey, I thought other people surely would be interested in knowing more about her as well...

Lacey and Mathu - the creative producer on RuPaul's Drag Race and Mama Ru's hair and makeup artist. He's actually a God - follow him on Instagram for eyeball orgasms.

Tell us a little about yourself. I know you're only 17 (!!) and you live in Hollywood, and your life seems full of such wonderful experiences and opportunities. Where were you born?
Hello, there! I’m Lacey Noel and I was born in New Jersey on the Christmas Eve of 1996. I am a cosplay artist, illustrator, and bone marrow transplant survivor. I now reside in Los Angeles, California where I’ve been able to grow as an artist.

Can you give us list all of the things that you do. You obviously model and do makeup... what else?
I’ve done hair and makeup on some of my mom’s clients and I know a bit about photography from my mom. I love to write. I’ve done stand-up comedy at the Laugh Factory. I’ve acted in some short films and a play, and I’d love to do some more acting. I’ve learned to play violin and guitar. I really love drawing. I love drawing portraits of people that I admire, and I’m determined to improve on my artwork. I'm taking a class in graphic design. Also, I’m learning how to sew and soon we'll be learning about costume design in school!

Left: Lacey's sketch of Bianca Del Rio || Right: Bianca herself, serving clown realness!

You must have incredibly supportive parents who encourage you in your passions. Your mum is a photographer, and she takes a lot of the photos that we see of you. Is that right?
Yes, my mom is extremely supportive! She's been photographing me since I was very little, and she's even taught me mostly what I know about hair, makeup and life. She's such an extraordinary woman. So strong, talented and inspirational! She's my best friend. We do everything together!

Do you both come up with the concepts?
We work as a team. For the cosplay projects, my mom looks for the outfits and wigs, and I learn the makeup and study how these queens pose. For the photoshoot where I'm myself, I do my hair and makeup and we just kind of come up with something together based on the outfits that I have.

Do you do your own hair, makeup and styling for the shoots?
Makeup, yes. Hair, when it's only my blue hair, I usually style it, and my mom dyes it. But when it's a wig, usually my mom styles it or I get to borrow a wig from one of the queens!

Left: Adore Delano || Right: Lacey Noel

What appeals to you about drag queens, and when did you first discover what incredible artists they are?
I guess my first drag queen discovery was getting To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (Kobi: MINE TOO!) in my stocking on Christmas morning. Since then, I've become so fascinated about them! I love the art of turning yourself into the opposite gender, and how convincing you can look! Also, I love how creative and inspiring they are. When I started going to drag shows and watching RuPaul's Drag Race, I have not only become more confident with who I am, but I don't look in a mirror without makeup on and call myself ugly anymore! And that's truly a breakthrough because I used to get horrendously picked on in school, and I used to hate myself. It feels so wonderful to not feel like that anymore!

One of the things that I love most about drag queens is the courage and ability to have complete control over who you want to be and whatever you want to do, even if that thing seems so outrageous and out of the box. Although it is literally covering up/manipulating your body, it's all with the purpose of exposing the person you really feel like you are. Do you relate to that?
Well, it's art. It's all art, and with art, you get the freedom to express yourself through whichever medium to decide to pick. I can relate to that because through dressing up, I can really express myself.

Top: Lacey Noel || Bottom: Sharon Needles (one of my ultimate favs!)

So many of your photos on instagram are actually you with some of the most beloved queens of Ru Paul's Drag Race. How does this happen?!
I just keep up with what's going on in the drag scene, and I go to a lot of drag shows!

Of the ladies from the show, who have been some of the nicest/funniest/warmest?
I love so many of these queens, and so many of them have been so sweet and kind to me. But there's one queen who has really been supportive of me and my mom as well as Project Faux Drag, and that is Courtney Act. She is just so nice, and she has done so much for me. And also, she's my drag mother!

Left: Courtney Act live on RPDR (who you may remember from Australian Idol S1) || Right: Lacey Noel

You also cosplay regularly as queens from the show. Do they often get to see your photos? What are their reactions?
They do! And they seem to like them, too! I've even been posted on some of their Instagrams, Twitters and Facebooks as well!

I also saw that Tammy Brown recently dressed you up as herself!! I am GREEN WITH ENVY!! How did that come about?
'That's Tammie with an I E!' ;D (Kobi: D'OH, that's embarassing!) Well, Tammie really loved the drawing I did of her, and in a conversation we had, she said that she would love for me to draw a photo that not everyone has seen before. With my mom being a photographer, we set up a date for her to come over for a photoshoot. Then the idea of doing a cosplay project with her came up! It was super fun, and it was absolutely amazing working with her!

Lacey and Tammie with an I E!

It seems you've met some really incredible people in your life, like Gwen Stefani when she pulled you up on stage at a No Doubt concert. Obviously they are all amazing experiences, but which have been the biggest standouts for you?
I have so many incredible moments in my life, and I keep experiencing more! Moving to LA was a huge change in my life, and here I've gotten the honor of doing such amazing things. I'm so thankful that I am able to say that!

The outfits you wear on shoots are always so extravagantly amazing. You seem to be a big fan of a very colourful, hyper-mod style. How do you dress in everyday life? What kinds of things do you wear when you go to school?
I go to school like that all the time! But sometimes when I get tired, I'll wear a cute dress and do a nice little hairdo.

Lacey's style - so on point

What/who are your biggest style inspirations?
Gwen Stefani, of course, but there's also Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy, Patti Boyd, David Bowie, Goldie Hawn, Audrey Hepburn, Tracy Turnblad... The movie Hairspray changed my life and the way that I dress! Of course some of the queens really inspire my style as well! Bianca Del Rio is so fascinating and so neat looking! The way she dolls herself up is so unique and inspiring. I love how she wears things that are inspired by the '60's, and what I really love about that is that she KNOWS a lot about '60's fashion. She's such a style icon!

Speaking of school, how do the people you go to school with respond to what you do and how successful you've so been so far? Do they know?
Hm... Well, in my other schools, I used to get picked on really badly, but now that I'm in high school, I do have more of the freedom to express myself through the way I dress and what I do. I'll get stared at by people who don't understand, but oh well. With my success, I wouldn't call it success just yet. I'm getting more recognition at the moment, and a lot of people wonder who I am. Maybe I'll find my calling through all of this, maybe I won't. But either way, I am an artist and I need to create. And I am currently, deeply inspired by the world of drag. I feel at home in the drag community.

Lacey as Laganja Estranja

What are your plans for the future, once you finish school? Are you going to college?
Actually, I don't think I want to go to college. There's so much talk about how everyone HAS to go back to school after graduating, but I don't see the point in doing so. If I want to go to college, I would probably wait and relax for a year and then go. But then again, I'm not interested in paying back debt for the rest of my life. I'm an artist and I don't feel that going to an art school would help me very much. I need to continue with my work and keep creating, and I feel that school would only distract me from what I love doing.

If you could do absolutely anything with your life (which i'm sure you can, and will), what would it be?
Be happy, create art, have lots of fun, and live life to the absolute fullest! I would love to make a living off of what I do, as well.

---------

Amen! I couldn't have said it better!! What a gem of a gal, Lacey Noel. If you enjoyed this interview, please share it around. She's such a lovely and talented lass who deserves all kinds of amazing things (including being a guest on RuPaul's Drag Race, IMO). 

I had so much trouble choosing which photos to nab, because she has SO MANY AMAZING ONES! But you should take a look at Lacey's Tumblr, and you can also find her on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and all the other ones (full lists available on other pages).

- Kobi xx

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Grrrls to the Front! ALTERNATIVE CURVES BLOG HOP!

Zine cutout source

One of the things I love most about Alternative Curves is how challenging and interesting the themes are. Most of my outfit posts so far, have involved some amount of research and self-education. And that is pretty freakin' awesome, in my opinion.

I've heard of Riot Grrrl a bit over the years (most recently in relation to Pussy Riot) but I must admit I had never really taken it upon myself to investigate. I'm not gonna go into a detailed history lesson - mostly because i'm not an expert, but also because it's super fun to personally fall down the rabbit hole of internet edumacation; especially with a topic so rich and thriving with music playlists, other people's vlog opinions, and documentaries - so you should.

A brief summary (and one of my favourite explanations) is this:

"Riot Grrrl roared into the spotlight in 1991: an uncompromising movement of pissed-off girls with no patience for sexism and no intention of keeping quiet. Young women everywhere were realizing that the equality they’d been promised was still elusive, and a newly resurgent right wing was turning feminism into the ultimate dirty word. In response, thousands of riot grrrls published zines, founded local groups, and organized national conventions, while fiercely prophetic punk bands such as Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, Huggy Bear, and Bikini Kill helped spread the word across the US and to Canada,
Europe, and beyond."

Without even realising it, I was actually already somewhat familiar with some elements of the Riot Grrrl movement in that I explored DIY and punk aesthetics in one of my design classes last semester. In fact, I wrote a whole essay on it.

One of my arguments was that "the origins of the DIY aesthetic are rooted in the punk movement of the 1970's, and in particular, a subculture initiative of this era: fanzines (aka 'zines'). Zines, by their very nature, are hard to define due to the varying conditions of their contents, but one overarching theme that ties them all together is that they are a platform for anybody who chooses to 'speak plainly about themselves and our society with an honest sincerity, a revealing intimacy, and a healthy 'fuck you' to sanctioned society – for no money and no recognition, writing for an audience of like-minded misfits.' (Duncombe, 2008, p7)"

One particularly iconic feminist/grrrl power zine is called "Brilliantine" by Sheila Heti, and was self-published in 1994. Her approach to topics such as sexual violence, gender inequality and feelings of rage and oppression all mirror the punk ethics of outspokenness and free expression that are central to the Riot Grrrl movement.


So how the heck does this tie into an outfit? My sparse Pinterest board didn't give me the answers, but it gave me some clues. Combined with my understanding of the punk aesthetic of the 70's (that I believe the Riot Grrrl movement drew heavily on), I decided to just wear whatever the flip I wanted to wear, and include something i'd DIY'd - this jacket. Oh, and my reading glasses. 'Cause smart people wear glasses, right? >.<

Although these photos aren't filled with the high energy and punk freneticism I was mostly exposed to while researching Riot Grrrl bands, I think they're a fairly good representation of my personal approach to defending things I hold dear. I tend to be intellectual about my ethics, and have an "I shall charm you and/or outwit you, before I bother to scream at you" kind of attitude. But you know what? That's also totally grrrl power of me.

And just for funsies, I leave you with a gif of one of the ultimate fictional Riot Grrrl characters of the 90's silver screen, and (probably) most of our somewhat misguided youths.

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MY DIY PINK FLAMINGOS COSTUME (PLUS 10 REASONS WHY I'M OBSESSED WITH DIVINE/GLENN MILSTEAD)

If we're Instagram friends, you may already know that last Halloween I dressed as Divine/Babs Johnson from John Waters' trashtastic masterpiece 'Pink Flamingos'. It was my biggest (pun intended) costume undertaking yet, and Sam and I got some epically fun photos I wanted to share. Since i'm not a total narcissist, I decided to intersperse them with this list of reasons why I am OBSESSED with Divine (and her male counterpart, Glenn Milstead).

THE COSTUME
The costume took about 2 months to (slowly) put together. I basically accumulated my own reference images and analysed every aspect of the infamous red outfit, and then set to work collecting the necessary items from around the world (mostly; eBay). I made the dress, heavily modified a wig (I'll post a detailed 'how to' eventually), and am SUPER fortunate to have a good friend who is a special effects artist (and my SPFX mentor). Without his bald cap application and (INSANE) paint job, this costume would have been at least 1000% less effective, and I can't thank him enough for his contribution.

I also padded my hips, butt and belly. To do this, I watched a lot of youtube videos on drag queen padding, but in the end I decided the easiest and most effective way was to rip/cut up an old pillow and use the inside stuffing under 2 pairs of flesh coloured stockings.

So, without further ado;

10 REASONS WHY DIVINE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL

1. Her forehead is shaved with the sole intention of creating a larger canvas for eyeshadow. What's not to love about that?

2. Glenn Milstead never wanted to be a woman; he was playing a character. (Sidenote: this is a trait shared by one of my favourite ever queen's from RuPaul's Drag Race, Bianca Del Rio, who always refers to himself as a 'he' even when he's in drag.) As somebody with a love of acting and performing, I really get off on this notion of creating a character and adhering to it so much so that it becomes an alter ego. In fact, all of my favourite queens do this (Jinx Monsoon, Sharon Needles, Latrice Royale, Milk...) In Pink Flamingos, Divine's feminity is undeniable... the character's conviction and integrity; unquestionable. What a character, what a performance!

“Blood does more than turn me on… more than the sight of it, I love the taste of it. The taste of hot, freshly killed blood…"

3. Glenn was an advocate for self-expression and living personal truths. When he began dipping his toes into the Waters (hehe) of drag, he and John were going to drag balls where he was faced with the prejudices of thin and traditionally beautiful queens who wanted to look like “real women”. This was an imitation of the heterosexual world that, they felt, had in many ways oppressed them was. So why would he attempt to imitate that? Shouldn't he just do his own thing? He was fat and obnoxious, so why not have fun with it?!

4. For me, the character of Divine is still an ultimate icon of body positivity and personal confidence, exemplified by her in-your-face sexuality and extreme figure-hugging outfits (amongst other things). In fact, Glenn's entire careeer was essentially a rebellion against queer marginalisation, and to me, he was the original Lady Gaga.

WHO WANTS TO DIE FOR ART?

5. Doing drag in this era would have been BRAVE. For context: there was very little of a gay scene, because homosexuality was still illegal. “It was kinda more fun then" says John Waters – whose frank and subversive views on homosexual culture never cease to amuse and baffle me.

6. Glenn died on the exact day I was born; 7 March 1988. I like to convince myself that I am his reincarnation, but in reality March 7 in the USA would've been March 8 in Ausralia. I could've just been soul-less for a day, right?

7. The character of Divine is the basis for Urusla, from The Little Mermaid.

8. People who love Divine (and, I must add, John Waters) are united by a strong bond. A bond that screams “I am a juvenile delinquent” (despite our age) with an anarchist curl of the lip. This love (obsession, to some... *shifty eyes*) is entrance fee to a club that believes in “cinematic terrorism”, shock value with a purpose, and supports the Dreamlanders' intentions of rebelling against “suburban small-mindedness”.

"Kill everyone now! Condone first degree murder! Advocate cannibalism! … Filth are my politics! Filth is my life!"

9. I often like to sit and ponder, if Glen had lived, would the show be “Divine's Drag Race” instead? How about co-hosting, with Mama Ru?!

10. After his success in John Waters' films, Glenn continued to carve out a magnificent and steadfast career that involved theatre, musicals, comedy shows and DISCO stardom. These shows, no matter the context, always strived to push society's boundaries of what was artistically acceptable. For example, one performance involved Divine rolling onto stage in a shopping cart full of dead mackerel, which she threw at the audience while screaming obscenities. Make of that what you will.

............

If you made it to the end of this article, we are already best friends. I think you'll agree with me when I say: the world deserves bad taste. The world deserves Divine. So, thank you Glenn Milstead. You are the filthiest person alive, even in death.

If you haven't had enough of a Divine fix, I can highly recommend these documentaries:

I Am Divine & Divine Trash


Are you a fellow Divine and/or John Waters devote? Have you cosplayed as any of these characters before? Link me please!!

- Kobi xx 

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My Thoughts on Being a Fat Woman in a Bikini

Last summer was the first time I ever wore a bikini outside of my house, and holy shit it was scary. I'm not gonna lie – it was truly terrifying.

That was also the same week I took these photos with a friend (Tree Faerie), who I totally trusted to let me be myself, and not “improve” me via the magics of photoshop. Don't get me wrong, she did some enhancing of colours etc (these are art shots, darling!), but I know that she wouldn't touch a single roll, pucker, or stretch mark. I adore her for that, and I found the experience incredibly liberating. Fat people's bodies are politicised, and I think it's tremendously important to regain control over that. Make 'em look. Fuck 'em.

THIS FATKINI

This is the Gabi Fresh 'Galaxy' which was very briefly available (they sold out so quickly the system couldn't even keep up) through Swimsuits For All. I very much love the print, the mesh cutouts in the bottoms, and the adjustable staps that span across the front of my chest, but there are a couple of design flaws: the bust is still seriously undersupported (I don't know what the solution is for this, because I know not everybody likes underwire in their 'kini, but I certainly would in this one), and the clasp at the back is one of those sliding ones that flings open with no notice. Awkward!

When I first got this 'kini in the mail I had two polar opposite thoughts – “thank GOD it's extremely high-waisted”, and “Oh BUMMER! It's so high-waisted I may as well be wearing a one piece!” The body pos movement has been bringing about some incredible and long overdue changes within our culture, and with this newfound “trend” of body confidence (I use the word “trend” hesitantly because I hope/don't think it's a flash in the pan fade like scrunchies, or snap bracelets) it's becoming increasingly easier for us bodacious babes to acquire bikinis in our sizes. But, without question, the majority of them are extremely high-waisted, which begs the question – are we truly “confident” if we still have to cover up so much?

Now WAIT!

Before you jump down my throat, please know that this is not an attack on anybody who chooses to wear a high-waisted bikini. As you know I mentioned above, I was relieved and part-delighted to discover I would not have to be baring quite as much of my jiggly, cellulite-y (new word), and stretch marked belly as I thought I would be. But now that i've crossed these waters of confidence, I would like the opportunity to (read: be somewhat forced to) bare a little more. I believe that being confident in your skin is small steps at a time, and although i'm happy with where I am now (in an exceptionally high-waisted two piece), I want to keep walking down this path of complete adoration and love for my body. There are still a lot times where I have to force myself to “fake it till I make it”, and a fatkini that bares a little more of my fat may just be my next hurdle. 

A while ago, Marie Southard Ospina of Migg Magg & Bustle (and whom I ADORE) wrote this awesome article that made a tremendous point about the high-waisted plus size bikini culture, and it floored me because I had been thinking all the same things. Yet, with this article, I felt some ripples amongst the plus-size community, with whispers of the term “small fat”.

Taken this Christmas just past - i'm still rocking this badboy!

“Small Fats”

If you haven't heard of the term “small fat” before, it's found flying around a lot on Tumblr and is used to segregate smaller plus size women, and minimise their feelings about and experiences of being marginalised as a fat person. This makes me SO incredibly angry as I don't in any way agree with degrading somebody else's experiences with their own body. But that's a rant for another time.

I do think that if somebody with a larger and/or (key point, here) less proportioned body were to take a stroll along the beach (and NOT in Spain – let's say, Bondi Beach), the results of the experiment may be markedly different. But my point is that I completely salute Marie for such an excellently thought-provoking article, and even though some people may not agree that their experiences of oppression and social prejudice are the same as hers, the sentiment still stands: are we truly confident if we continue to cover up?

Here's my potential hit-list for the lowest riding bikinis available to fat girls, and BOY was it difficult just to find these. I'm not OBSESSED with any of them, but they are definitely cute! PS . According to my research, 'low-rise' is categorically anything below the belly button. A couple of these are techincally 'mid-rise', but too cute to not make the list. 

Left to Right; Pink Shandy by Swim Sexy || Candy Sweet by Asos Curve || Python Twist Front by Swim Sexy

Left to Right; Scuba Sweetheart by Swim Sexy || Junglebook by Swim Sexy || Sea Reef by Gabi Fresh

Alternatively, you can just DESIGN YOUR OWN! And if you discover any gems yourself, please comment and let me know!

Edit: after much discussion surrounding this article and subsequent subjects on social media, I just want to add an extra paragraph that may elaborate my thoughts a little more... 

I didn't mean to imply that ALL women who wear high-waisted bikinis are trying hide themselves, or that they're a "cheat" bikini. I'm sure that there are other reasons for this preference, such as the retro aesthetic (however I do think it's interesting to consider that the high-waisted fashion was intrinsically a way for women to start to bare more, while still being somewhat conservative... not to mention having the additional benefits of “body sculpting” for maximum levels of attractiveness – both issues that feed the male gaze). I myself genuinely feel more comfortable in high waisted bottoms (all my undies are HW) because my belly is much fatter than my hips/butt and anything that sits under my fat roll feels like it's going to slide right off. However I do think that it's a fair assumption (albeit, just an assumption) that a percentage of women do prefer the HW bikini because it is still a somewhat “safe/r zone”. Just type the words "plus size bikini" into pinterest/google etc and you'll basically only see two-pieces when there's just an inch of skin visible. I don't believe that's coincidence, and that is also reflected in the retail market, being what's available. And my thoughts are that it may be a logical step in the process of a more complete approach to body acceptance that we have the option of baring more of the belly - and are informed on the topic of BA enough to recognise that this may be a viable step that people might want to explore. I definitely wish (for myself) that it were more of a retail option.

I guess that also serves as a TL; DR. Please, let's continue the discussion! :) 

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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not... (Aussie Curves)

Believe it or not, when I first started getting dressed this day I consciously decided to try styling this jumpsuit as conservatively as possible. Like, getting-seated-in-a-fancy-restaurant-where-the-bottles-of-wine-are-at-least-$50 kind of conservative. Not that I was going to such a place, but it's fun to fantasise, and you have to set yourself challenges in life! No?

The Aussie Curves theme this week is "shoes", and, well - this jumpsuit was begging to be worn with some chunky, decadent heels. And this choice meant I then had to work some silver in there with the belt. And then next thing you know, i'm reaching for my snake necklace and am seated at my duchess gently blending blue eyeshadow into my brows. Hmm. Well, I tried!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Jumpsuit: Big W (purchased previous to my decision to avoid fast fashion where possible)

Lipstick: Lime Crime || Black Velvet with a touch of Oh No She Didn't over the top

Shoes: Demonia

Belt: Big W

Earrings: Handmade

Snake: Bangkok

Ring: Dandy Long Legs

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INSERT OBLIGATORY NEW YEAR POST... (no but really, this was quite cathartic to write)

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS! I've been noticing lately that a lot of people found 2014 to be a rough year that they're glad to see the end of. Upon reflection, I must say; I had an absolute rollercoaster with some of the best and worst things of my life occuring in that time... I finished my diploma of design and began my degree, started this here blog, fell into the plus fashion scene and met some truly incredible people – many of whom I now call my friends. But i've also had some health issues, my nana suddenly passed away, severe illness in my family, and my band/plan A broke up (and with it, a dear and longterm friendship).

But, life is nothing if not exciting, and as they say; out with the old and in with the new!

I've long ago given up making new year “resolutions”, but I still like to take some time to stop and reflect on the things i've achieved and learnt, and ask myself what the coming year's priorities will be. Here's what i'm thinking:

BLOG:
Stop thinking of myself as “just a fashion blogger”, and think of myself as a writer – I've always loved writing and I actually started blogging as a means of spewing forth the contents of my brain and finding a way to catalogue and reconcile these jumping jelly bean thoughts whilst exercising my love for the English vernacular. But, you know, being a design student; I quickly got lost on the path of “making pretty” and the words lost out to the pictures. KOBI: DEY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT, 'KAY?!

In what may seem kind of contradictory to the above, I also want to become more familiar with pinterest and tumblr (prettttttty pictures). Possibly since the Alternative Curves ball started rolling, I've been realising just how many like-minded and inspiring people there actually are in the world – and I want to find them where they be lurking. I believe tumblr and pinterest may have a bunch stashed in their strange and foreign lands.



FASHION/STYLE:
This year, I really want to try and limit the amount of mass-produced, “fast-fashion” that I buy. I actually don't think that i'm too bad, given that my main source of clothing is Savers and other thrifted finds. But it can always be better! Especially after becoming friends with some indie designers, i'm really starting to realise how important it is to support small business... especially in the plus fashion market! We can't bitch about huge chains selling us the same styles over and over again in different fabrics with increasingly poor quality and equally increasing price tags if we don't actually take a stand and support the people who are trying to provide variety and quality products. Michelle from Glitter in the Dirt recently interviewed the designers behind Chubby Cartwheels and Domino Dollhouse respectively, and it's a really great read.

With that being said, I do also want to focus on not just recycling, but also upcycling. An awesome blog that focuses on this approach is ReFashionista – although I sometimes despair when she takes plus size/larger sized dresses and tailors them to her small frame. Won't somebody PLEASE think of the fatties who thrift?!


HEALTH:
It's only been in the last couple of years that i've stopped proclaiming my plans to “lose weight” with renewed vigour at the dawning of each January 1st. So it feels kind of weird saying this, but: I need to lose some weight.

But that is not my primary focus, it's actually getting healthy. As I mentioned, i've been having some health issues and it's absolutely definite that the symptons of which will improve when I lose a bit of weight. So, my priorities are establishing a more well-rounded diet of whole foods, cooking more regularly, listening to my body, and finding ways to be active that I enjoy (otherwise I will not make the effort to fit exercise into my schedule).

Last summer I bought a pair of vintage roller skates off eBay and had them fully pimped with fat/phat outdoor wheels. I haven't touched them since... *hangs head* BUT - that's all about to change!

Source

RELATIONSHIPS:
Last but certainly not least is to continue working on my relationships and appreciating my friends to the fullest. This year I will be going away in September for 5/6 months, so before that happens I want to make a big effort to just relax, be in the moment, and hang out with my pals instead of getting swept up in the need to constantly be productive *dun dun dun*.

I don't wanna make a big deal about it, but if we're instagram friends you may know i've also started seeing someone (my first relationship in 4 years), and I think i'm at the point where i'm ready to share my life with somebody instead of make my life about them and losing my all in them. I guess i'm about to put that readiness to the test. Wish me luck!

Do you make new year resolutions/priorities/goals? Have you blogged them? Link me, please! :)

- Kobi xx

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