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American Horror Story: A vintage treasure trove

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Hey folks! So, I don't know about you, but I have had a lot of work on my plate as of late and am wrapped up in plans for things and sometimes, when I feel there is too much going on I find it's nice to tune out.What better way to tune out than to tune into some new show people rave about?
I recently got turned on the the TV series American Horror Story.  Normally horror film based things aren't really my thing, but in this case the show is fun and the cast quite amazing and the budget and time allows them to turn out something really special.
I've only done the first series thus far,but I'll be tucked in to the future ones no doubt cause it's so fun!
 But I have to say, my favorite part of the show is all the costumes and hair and makeup. So much of the show is done in flash back through various era's and the women's styles are flawless.


Constance Langdon


First off we have the creepy secret keeping neighbor played by the ever glamorous Jessica Lange, who somehow has managed to stay roughly the same age for about 30 years.  I don't know if it's the genetic lottery or a very skilled surgeon, but that woman looks amazing.
Her character has such fabulous hair and clothes and as she is one of the characters with one of the longest histories in the house she has lots of fab flashbacks with great styles too.
But my favorite look she seems to have on a pretty regular basis is her lounging about like a jilted southern belle look, rather reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor in cat on a hot tin roof.



Nora Montgomery

The privileged 1920's era frustrated housewife turned crazy baby mama ghost is played by Lily Rabe.  Her character has an assortment of amazing 1920's beaded flapperesque dresses and a fabulous short curled do.  While her character wavers back and forth between loving mother full of sorrow for being torn from he child and spoilt nagging plotting wife her wardrobe and hair and makeup stay flawless.  Love this characters look!

Young Moira

Moira is a fabulous character played by two women.  Alexandra Breckenridge and Francis Conroy.   Now, I can't claim to really understand exactly why there are two versions of this character.  From what I gather she was a sexy man eater when she got killed and so men see her ghost the same as she was before she died. But then women seem to see her as the age she might be had she not stopped aging.  Which is a little weird cause no other ghosts seem to age after they die..but hey who am I to be a stickler for the plot!? It's pretty good as it is so I won't pick it apart.  Anyway, the point is the young Moira is a maid wearing a very sexy maid uniform and has this sexy vintage femme fatale look about her.  (she was killed in the 80's yet looks like it's the 40's but again this would be nit picking.) 


Elisabeth Short aka The Black Dahlia

One of the things I find neat about this show is how they managed to combine made up story and fiction with bits of real history and interweave them to make a historical fiction come to life.  Mena Suvari doesn't play a huge role in the show but she does have a recurring character playing the infamous young aspiring actress Elisabeth Short who was murdered in a very gruesome way and was a huge Hollywood murder mystery back in the day.  When Elisabeth's body was found nobody knew who she was and she was dubbed the Black Dahlia by the media.  The look her character has is that old Hollywood actress/sex kitten in the making, love the hair, makeup and clothes they got for this character!





5 Awesome things to do with vintage suitcases

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Ok so you know how there's like a basquillion and one ways to use a mason jar floating around on Etsy and pinterest and whatnot?  Well that's all well and good, and don't get me wrong....I loves me a good mason jar spice rack chalkboard DIY as much as the next girl. 
 That being said I have a special place in my heart for the awesome stuff people do with vintage suitcases.  The vintage suitcase DIY is the hipster wet dream and I my friends am not immune to it's siren call.  
You know it. You've been there.  Digging around through some pile of old scarves and non-functioning electric blankets when some weathered old suitcase calls out to you from under a pile of 80's samsonite "Take me home!  Love me!  Give me new life!".  How can you just walk away!?
I myself have been piecing together home decorating ideas for a while and think some of these clever creations might just find their way into my home.



1.  Suitcase as table


Easy peasy lemon squeasy!  A handful of table legs from a craft store, a power drill and an old case all come together in an afternoons work to create a cute as pie side/coffee table with the added bonus of having storage capacity for stuff like blankies :) 
Follow this awesome step by step tutorial on Korrine Wojcik's blog for the step by step how to!




2.  Suitcase as Medicine Cabinet


Say What!?  Blake Sloane you craaaazyyy boooyyy!  

This is such a neat idea for upcycling/recycling/whateveryoucallingit a suitcase.  
Pop a mirror onto the front, chuck in some shelves and chuck it on the wall et voila!  You just jazzed the crap out of your powder room my friend!
Check out Blake's Website for all sorts of cool ideas of things to do with old stuff you find.


3.  Suitcase as Pupet Theatre


Ok well this is just too adorable for all sorts of crazy reasons!  
1.  Because, how clever is that to come up with?   
2.  Keeps all the puppet stuff in one spot!  
3.  Getting kids to use puppets and imaginations is way more awesome than sticking them in front of the TV all day!  Go oldschool yo!  
Melissa over at Mellysews.com gives you the step by step how to for this super fun activity for the littlest vintage suitcase makeover lovers among us.

4.  Suitcase as Upright Bass


This one is a little trickier.  And by a little trickier I mean a lot trickier!  
This isn't your grandma's DIY folks! 
 The ever creative talent behind Daniyel.com shows you how to make an old suitcase into an amazing electric upright bass.  The principle of the cigar box ukulele is much the same, this is just on a far grander scale.

5.  Suitcase as Planter Box


Now sometimes an old suitcase is just too beat up to really be useful as a table or falling apart at the seams a bit too much to be turned into an instrument and that's when it's a great time to pop on over to the good ole folks over at the Peaceful Valley Farm Blog and check out the many different sorts of gardens you could make using old work out things.  Personally I do not have a green thumb in the slightest so I will not be attempting to grow things in a suitcase or anywhere else for that matter...but you know, you could give it a go if you are braver than I

Well there you go folks...these are my top 5 fav's for the moment but there about a thousand other ways you could use these old beauties and bring them back to life.
What about you?  Have a fav suitcase DIY?  

And the winner is....drumroooooollllll

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So today I popped the names of all the lovely ladies who entered the plus size vintage lingerie giveaway into a hat and drew the name of the luck gal who'll take home this super cute girdle.


And the winner is Miss Adrianne Braun!  Congrats Adrianne (and be sure to send me your address details so I can mail it to you) and a big thanks to everyone who entered, tweeted, and helped get the FB up over 250 likes :) xoxoxoxoxo Hmmmm what should we do for the next giveaway...hmmmmm

Did you miss me!!??

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Cause I missed you!!
Hey everybody!  DeRock is back yo!
My apologies for my very lengthy absence but I have had many many life changes going on (including moving countries!) but I am very happy to be back in the swing of things and able to start getting things going in my new town (Melbourne, Australia btw).
Today I thought I would share with you guys and interview I saw recently with plus size model Tess Munster via Orchard Corset.  A great insight into how she got into modeling, positive body image and just a few intimate tid-bits from the lovely ladies life as well as a bit about corsets for all you lingerie lovers out there xoxoxo
Glad to be back!  See ya tomorrow!!

When did being a douche become hotter than not being a douche?

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Oh that's right...it didn't!
I am sure I am not the only one who's seen way to many of the "when did this become hotter than that" crap floating around the Internet.
Not familiar?  Goes a little something like...


Where a bunch of skinny girls are compared to pinups of the 1940's and 1950's, in order to imply that their figures are less acceptable or desirable.
Or maybe someone got terribly clever and called those people out as being closeted fatties with delusions about body shapes and felt the need to correct them with something like this.


Or maybe they flipped it on it's head, you know, being really clever...and made it skinny vs fat in some other fashion.
Whatever way they've done it's offensive to someone and annoying to most.
I'm pretty body positive, supportive, whatever you want to call it.  Let everyone be as they are and be happy in their skin, so crap like this is annoying to me. And I am not the only one who sees the obsurdity in the comparisons.
Some have conjured up their own imitations of these viral std's of the internet that are actually quite amusing in that they poke fun at the concept.
Like this...

Or take it a step further than that...


Which I must admit I find chucklable.
I guess what I am wondering is when did it become hotter to be a douchebag and make fun and comparisons of each other...oh right, in 4th grade and then, silly me, I presumed we'd all grown out of it, but that's foolish to think isn't it?
When did giving a crap what other people look like in a bikini become a worthwhile way to spend our days?  
I recently saw this video.



The video is called "Selfie" I believe and is a short video project where some people went to what looks like a jr high, called all the girls out for a special meeting to teach them how they are all their very own unique beautiful snowflake and their perceived flaws are what make them different ergo beautiful.
The girls learn that what they see in themselves as flaws, others find beautiful and even their own mothers learn to better see their own beauty through their daughters experience.
Now, I get that the point of this is to help spread the word that a world with one standard of beauty is not a very interesting world.
And I do not wish to devalue any positive experience those who participated in it experienced or any positive message anyone took away from this experiment.
But am I the only one who thinks these girls should be more concerned with their studies than whether or not other people find them attractive?
These are young girls, who should be learning that their self worth should not be tied into their own or anyone else's opinions of what is beautiful, acceptable and fuckable?
You'll notice that there was no comparable beauty project for the boys.  And why?  Because while boys do suffer with image and body issues they are not the main demographic who suffer from this.  And why is that?  Because while they were in school, in class where they ought to be, being told they they had more important things to do, like get good grades, excel in athletics and make something of themselves in this world, the girls were in an assembly trying to redefine beauty, because being beautiful is so important that we must stop at nothing to become beautiful, even and especially if that means redefining beauty until the definition fits whatever it is that we are.

Ok, was this a bit ranty?  Yes, but it's my blog so I get to rant if I want to.
My point is, how bout we all stop comparing ourselves to one another and just enjoy each other for what we have to bring to the table?
How about we widen the definition of beauty to include rather than exclude.
And how about we make a decision that being beautiful isn't the most important thing a person can be?
But Lexi!?  You run a beauty blog!?
True, I do, I talk about fashion and beauty and trends I find enjoyable, but I wear what I wear and do my hair and makeup the way I like because it makes me happy and if other people like it, then great!  And if not...oh well, not my problem.
I know because I am clever and talented and funny and a decent person AND a special snowflake that I am awesome regardless of how I look or what other people think about how I look.  And isn't that a bit more worth while to teach in schools?
What say you?  Is being beautiful the be all and end all?
Can any of you name 5 things far more worth being than "beautiful"?


Voluptuous Vintage Vixen of The Day: Me!!

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Hey folks!  
So let's talk selfie yo!  I'll be honest, I don't really have an opinion on them either way.  Some people hate them and think they make the photo taker a self centered egoist.  
Others seem to love them and take them so often it would seem nothing is worth doing that isn't instagramed...
Today I felt like playing around with my hair after watching The Flintstones (yeah I watch cartoons!  Don't be jealous!)  and thought I'd give myself a retro pebbles inspired hairdo for the day.  



And YES I selfied it!
So what's your take folks?  Are selfies really the downfall of humanity?
Are they really not that big a deal?
If there's such a thing as too many selfies how many is too many?
Aren't pictures of the food we make, our kids, our pets all just really selfies trying to not look like selfies?

High Fives to Vintage Life Magazine and Haili Hughes aka Coco Fierce!

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Haili Hughes Vintage Life Magazine Cover February via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

If you are not familiar with Vintage Life Magazine then get familiar!  It's all pretty much in the title folks!  It's a stellar Mag for those interested in anything vintage related.  
Now as a plus size lovely myself I am always pleased when publications decide to use plus size models.  Especially on the cover and especially when it is not a part of a "Size" edition or because it is an article specifically related to being plus size.  Not that I think that that is a bad thing at all, because I do not.  More, I think it is a case that it is nice to see plus size women being represented as just a part of the tapestry of females that make up our great globe.
I also love to see when magazines use "alternative" models ie; anyone with tattoos, piercings, body modification or anything else outside the norm, which is another box Madame Hughes aka Coco Fierce ticks!


vintage woman getting tattoo via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

As a female with ink and piercings who think other women with ink and piercings happen to look awesome it's also nice to see that scope of ladies being accepted into a more traditional standard of beauty.
The vintage scene, and the rockabilly scene in particular is of course more accepting if not encouraging for people to express themselves in different ways.  From fellas with bright red over the top pompadours to ladies sporting full sleeves of tats all the way to conservative fellas in tweed suits and mummys who knit 1940's baby clothes and can their own preserves there is room for everyone in the vintage loving scene and that's one of the many things that makes me love it so.
vintage couple and rockabilly couple via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

So check out this months Vintage Life Magazine or get it on your mobile!
And go over and say hello to their cover girl Haili and give her some love!

Vintage Life Magazine

Haili Hughes

Happy St. Patricks! Don't get pinched!

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Happy St. Pat's VVV readers!


Ah it's that time of year again where beer is green and everyone and his uncle seems to be celebrating their Irish roots.
In my younger years I'd have dragged myself out into the night to consume stupid amounts of Irish Car Bombs at the local Irish pub.
What's an Irish Car Bomb you ask?  Well...it's a particularly silly slammer of a drink that gets you far too drunk far too fast...but that being said if you're in the mood to celebrate with gusto here's a little recipe for your St Pat's merriment.
Irish Car Bomb
8 ounces Guinness
1 ounce Bailey's Irish Cream
1/2 ounce whiskey

Pour your Guinness into a pint glass.
Pour the whiskey and Bailey's into a shot glass.
Drop the shot into the pint glass.
Drink it as fast a possible before it starts to curdle.
Repeat.
But these day's I'd just as soon not drink out on amateur night.  But that doesn't mean I don't like to celebrate in my own way.  I'd much rather celebrate by finding some fabulous retro cuteness in shades of that oh so necessary color of the day.
Here are a few of my favorite pieces over at mod-cloth all under $100.  Aren't they scrumptious?!

And so my little Leprechauns...Here's to St Pat's and all the ways we celebrate it from green beer to green gowns, there ain't no wrong way to celebrate...unless you wake up in a tub full of ice without a kidney..then you might have done something wrong.





Curvy Couture Roadshow: Massive Fashion For Plus Size Vixen's! Are you ready Melbourne....

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Boom! 

 Pow! 

 Prepare to get knocked off your chair and out of your socks by Melbourne's biggest plus size fashion show of the year!

I am very proud to be one of the bloggers selected to cover the event for the Curvy Couture Roadshow coming up at the end of this month, March 30th to be exact.

There are heaps of amazing plus size designers ready to show off their latest creations as well as some of them with stalls where you can even purchase some of their pretty to take home with you!
The models are ready to strut their stuff and there aren't too many more tickets to go around so you best jump on it quick!!
AND AND AND if you get them before the 25th of March General Admission tix are $20 after that they go up to $30, that is..if that last that long!
Head on over to their FB Page by clicking the link above and you'll get all sorts of info on tickets, location, time, to see backstage pics of the models getting ready for the big day and to see sneak peeks of the designs that will be headed down the runway!
This is an event not to be missed!!

Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Of The Day: Robyn Lawley and her awesome swimwear collection!

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Robyn  Lawley



Robyn Lawley in Easy Living Magazine in retro swimwear via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

I've showcased Robyn before and partly it's due to her awesome physique and pretty face but largely it's because she has such a great body positive outlook and is supportive of women being happy in their skin.  I nice role model and super model rolled into one.  
I love the vintage glam look she's got going here in the pic above in her shoot for Easy Living Magazine. 
The swimwear she modeled in that shoot was mostly retro in style, but Robyn has got her own line of swimwear out that is equally if not more so breathtaking.
Robyn Lawley in Robyn Lawley swimwear collection Almost French via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen
I love the Almost French suit.   It comes in a one piece and also a high rise  bikini and I love the skinny straps over the bust and the wait panelling.
Robyn Lawley in Robyn Lawley swimwear collection Cosmic Libra via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen
The Cosmic Libra suit too is way to much fun in this bright and bold print.  The high rise peekaboo top as well would be great for the fuller busted of us who hate having skinny straps digging down into your shoulders.
Robyn's swimwear line is available in a number of shops, though I think most if not all of the are Australia and New Zealand based so probably more easily for most people to find them online.
Check out the rest of her collection and find out where you can get her swimwear here at her site 

Robyn Lawley Swimwear

The Curvy Couture Roadshow Rocked The House! Part 1

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For those of you curvy fashionistas in Melbourne if you're in the know you were probably already at the amazing plus size fashion show that was the Curvy Couture Roadshow!
  It was a fantastic afternoon full of beautiful designs, gorgeous models and a thrilled crowd of stylish onlookers.


The event was hosted at the very cool North Melbourne venue The Meat Market Pavillion and the doors opened at noon to a huge crowd that had been gathering outside and stretched down the block and around the corner.
The only hiccup of the day was the bottleneck at the check-in entrance holding up the crowd a bit, but considering the huge turn out and this event being the first of it's kind and magnitude it's not all that surprising that it took a bit to get through the door.


Bombshell Vintage at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Once inside though it was a plus size shoppers dream!


The various designers showcased in the show had stalls set up in the market for eager shoppers to get their hands on.  Some with clothes you could walk away with that day, and others taking orders for the new seasons fashions.

Misty Belvadere at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Stalls were open before and after the shows and during the brief 15 minute breaks between the catwalk sessions.  
I made my way around to a few of the stalls checking in with a few of my favorites that I was eager to see.  Bombshell Vintage had their new collection of vintage inspired dresses, Beyond The Sea their amazing retro swimwear, one of my new favs The Professeurs Daughter had some stellar designs on offer and the marketplace was bustling as we started to make our way into the stage area.


The show was broken up into 4 different sections and each section featured around 5 designers collections.  As there was so much to see and share I'll be braking up this blog posting into 4 different posts to give each section of the show full attention and share the designs with you over the course of this week.
I grabbed my camera and squeezed into the media section at the end of the runway as the lights dimmed and the show began.

Casey Donovan at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Our host for the event was the luscious singer Casey Donovan, who in addition to showing off many of the designs also graced us with her rockin pipes as she sang us out of the show for a closing the brought the house down!  But I'm getting ahead of myself!  In the words of Julie Andrews in Sound Of Music "Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start!"

Robyn Lawley Swimwear kicked the show off on the right foot!

Robyn Lawley Swimwear catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Suit after suit coming down the runway looked great on the beautiful and curvy models.

Robyn Lawley Swimwear catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

The ruched red bikini top and capri pants towards the end of the collection might have been my fav, of course that could have something to do with how fab the attitude of the model was.
 Loved the retro inspired hair for the models in this collection as well.

Beyond The Sea was next up and wowed with every retro inspired swimsuit.


Beyond The Sea catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

The colors and paterns were all bright and playful and of course you know me, I'm a sucker for a cute retro swim suit.  I've been searching for ages to find cute suits I love and I saw so many I would have happily donned at the pool this summer.

Beyond The Sea catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Meri By Design sent some AMAZING looks down the catwalk.

Meri By Design catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Can't wear horizontal stripes if you're plus sized?  Me thinks not!

Meri By Design catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Great cuts, colors and textures at every turn!
Not a gal there who couldn't have found something to add to her fall wardrobe.

Meri By Design catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen
The Models looked absolutely lovely and I loved this black caftan with her long flowing hair...such a pretty look.
Last looks of the first show we some great designs by Belladonna.
Great block colors and geometric designs.  
Belladonna catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen
Belladonna catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Beautiful autumn rusts and plums worked beautifully with the slim leg pants and flowy tops.

Belladonna catwalk looks at Curvy Couture Roadshow via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

If you liked your peek into the Curvy Couture Roadshow keep your eyes here for the next 3 installments to see even more of the amazing styles!
So what do you think?  See something you love?
Were you able to attend?

Plus Size Superhero?!? And a Giveaway!!!! It's all too good to be true!

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Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

What!?  Plus sized super hero?
That can't be right?
 You must be mistaken Lexi!
All female superheros and comic book characters are super skinny with 6 pack abs and tinie tiny waists and enormous boobies way out of proportion with their body that make you sure that the only super power they definitely have is the power to defy gravity and the laws of physics and not constantly fall over or snap in half.  



Well listen up my comic loving friends because your world is about to get all shook up!
You may or may not be familiar with the awesome comic that is Halloween Man!
It's main (and title) characterf being a sort of undead anti-hero hero has a lusty love interest/mad-scientist type girlfriend Dr Lucy.
Now Lucy is a clever, foxy, red headed rockabilly loving lady...so you can imagine why I dig her
 (wink wink nudge nudge)
but she hasn't always been the ultra curvacious plus size bombshell that she is now.
Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog
Lucy was once a bit more svelte..a bit more like most of the gals you'd find in comics..but as Halloween Man, which has previously been a web comic is joining the Mosterverse family it's undrgone a few changes, and so has Lucy
Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

I asked Drew Edwards, the comics creator, just why it was he decided to give Lucy her plus size makeover and here's what he had to say.


"A couple of reasons really. The most basic of which, is that I am attracted to plus-sized women and I originally intended the character to be a full-figured woman.   It's something that has always bothered me, so thirteen years later I am correcting my mistake.

My second reason is less basic, but no less important. I wanted to see a character that is smart,sexy, tough, sensitive, AND plus-sized.  I know a lot of female comic fans will find it refreshing. I'm certain a lot of male readers will as well.  

  The great thing about independent comics is that we can break molds that the big publishers can't.  You will never see anything but a "slimline" version of say...Catwoman, but I don't have to follow those same corporate rules.  If I can't provide that with my own creation than I'm doing something wrong."

Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

I couldn't agree more!
I remember growing up collecting Marvel cards and having every female super here be pretty much exactly the same, but with different colored hair and maybe different colored skin (ala She-hulk), but there really wasn't that much diversity out there in race or size or shape.
I asked Drew why he thought it was important that diversity be shown in the comic world.

"Well, because the real world IS diverse ad fiction should reflect that.  Hollywood likes to pretend that there are a few ways of being atractive.  That trickles down into all forms of media.  But if you look out your window, you can see all of these amazing, beautiful, interesting people.  As story tellers, it is our duty to reflect that.

I hope readers will embrace the new Lucy and that she can be seen as empowering.  I also hope more comic creators will follow suit and create (or recreate) characters that reflect how diverse our world is."




Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog
A lesson I think could heartily be employed in all sorts of media from comics, to tv, to film and print, wouldn't the world be a more interesting place if there were more people of different sizes, races, people with dissabilities and sexual orientations represented for the world to see and appreciate!

Now as I mentioned Lucy is not the title character so I wondered how much attention she'd really be getting for her transforation.  Would it be mentioned or just happen without commentary?  To which Drew says...

"Lucy has always been the second most important character in the comic.  But for a few months after her transformation, she'll go from costar to star in the monthly digital series.  I thought it would be a good idea to show the new version of the character off."


Dr Lucy Halloween Man Comic via Lexi DeRock at Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

In celebration of this Drew has offered up 5 copies of this stereotype busting awesome rockabilly girls dream comic to my readers.

5 readers will be selected at random from those who submit by 10 days from now.
To enter.  Leave a comment below with who your favortie comic book character is and a contact info for you via email or fb.  And I'll name the winners at the end and get Drew onto sending you your copy :)
So what do we think VVV readers?  Who thinks the new Lucy was a good move?!

To check out more visit the website www.halloweenman.com


30 things every fat chick should have and know by 30

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So having just turned 30 it's been on my mind a bit lately that it's a milestone sort of birthday and in the weeks leading up to it I felt like I ought to celebrate it in some big way...like it was a requirement that I do something monumental to ring in the new decade and ring out the old.
Articles on turning 30 kept popping up in my news feeds as though FB knew I was turning 30 and figured I would be interested...which they surely do and I somewhat was.
But articles like Olivia Wilde's do's and don't for turning 30 (Spoiler Alert!  A great way to feel good about turning 30 is to be a smokin' hot, wealthy, successful actress .... so you know...get right on that!) and then of course Glamour Magazine's 30 things every woman should have and know before turning 30 full of great advice like having "one old boyfriend you could imagine going back to.", because, you know, that is super healthy!  Or "something ridiculously expensive you bought for yourself because you deserve it." because what everyone of our under-or non-employed, credit card debited generation needs it to own ridiculously expensive things out of a sense of entitlement "Because I'm awesome!  And I deserve to be paying off this handbag for the next 3 years!"
So I thought about it for a bit and I thought how about a list of things to have and know by 30, that's not written by Glamour magazine staff or movie stars?  How about one that's written by a 30 year old, plus sized glamourpuss who's pretty freakin' happy with her life?  So here goes!

30 Things Every Fat Chick Should Have And Know By 30!

15 things every fat chick should have by 30


1.  Properly fitting bras.

Nearly all women are wearing the wrong size bra.  Don't be one of them.  A great fitting bra helps your posture, eases back pain, makes your clothes fit better, and is better for your boobies.  Every brand fits differently and each cut fits differently too so take the time to try them on, jump around a bit and do a little shimmy.  If you're buying the same size bra you were buying at 18 you're probably wearing the wrong size.

2.  A drivers license with your actual weight on it.

Ask any woman fat or skinny and if honest she's probably fudged the weight on her drivers license.  Here's two reasons not to.  Firstly there is nothing wrong with weighing whatever you do so own it and be one of the 4% of the female population who can say she's didn't lie on her ID and secondly if you ever get into an accident you don't want to be getting pain meds for a 150lb woman when you weigh 220!  When anesthesiologist ask for my weight I tell 'em 600lbs!  I don't want to be awake for that shit thank you very much!!  Put me under and wake me next Tuesday!

3.  Clothes that make you feel good in your skin.

You don't have to be "into clothes" or a fashionista to dress in a way that makes you feel good when you leave the house.  It doesn't matter if you're a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal or you like ruffles and high heels there are choices so don't let yourself feel stifled when dressing!  When I was a teen there were so few option above a size 12 and that's simply not the case any longer.  There are soooo many clothes on offer in every price range in every style to suit just about anyone.  Heck, with things like Etsy you can have something made to measure, for not that much money and support a small business woman who supports the plus size community!  Double win!

4.  A Bed Tray.

Breakfast in bed is a luxury one should not reserve for special occasions.  Most of us snack in bed, whether it's popcorn and a movie or breakfast in bed (preferable prepared by a nude cutie in an apron) somehow a bed tray elevates eating in bed from precariously balancing toast on your knee to dining like a fancypants (pants optional).  Bonus, there's a lot less crumbs in your sheets.

5.  At least one form of exercise you can NOT hate.  

You don't need to love exercise but it's nice to not hate it.   I do not love exercise but in trying everything from running and kickboxing to step aerobics and soccer I have found that while I do hate most exercise (I will never do a push-up, jumping jack or run ever again), swimming, yoga and weight lifting are actually something I can do and not hate, if even enjoy.
There is nothing wrong with being overweight but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take care of the body you have.  Part of loving your body is taking care of it and realising that if you are lucky you are going to be walking around it in for a long time to come.  It doesn't matter if it's going for a walk (which is just about the best kind of exercise you can do) or having great sex or dancing round your living room.  Love your body by moving your body.  And if you choose not to (as it is your choice) try to be understanding and accepting of your body if it gives you diabetes or requires that you get knee replacements, it's doing the best it can with what you give it so don't get mad at it if it can't meet all your expectations.


6.  Knowledge of what you like/don't like/want/don't want sexually.  (And the open mindedness to know that those preferences are all fluid and open to change.)

Whether it's sex with a partner or partners or you're flying solo, by now one would hope that you're aware enough and in tune enough with your body to know what you like.  If not start reading, watching videos, experimenting and figure it out.  So many women end up feeling detached from their own bodies especially sexually and spend more time in their heads wondering what they look like rather than enjoying how they feel in the moment.

7.  A role model who's physicality has nothing to do with why you look up to them.

Find someone that you can gain inspiration from for their skills or knowledge, perseverance, or sense of humor.  It can be someone you know or a celebrity you'll never meet.  Appreciating other people for things that have nothing to do with their bodies or looks can help you better appreciate yourself for all those amazing qualities you hold that have nothing to do with the package they walk around in.


8.  A regular source of body positivity.

There are so many negative body images bombarding us from all directions every day from TV and movies to magazines and commercials that it is important to find a source of body positivity to, if not skew your thinking toward the positive at least help you balance out somewhere in the middle.  There are many blogs and magazines that offer up a much kinder way of looking at oneself, even a super body positive friend to have coffee with can help get your mind away from thigh gaps and diet fads.

9.  A decent relationship with food.  

Food is awesome!  Good food is magical.  If you love food then you and I have something in common with the majority of the world.  But if eating food makes you unhappy with yourself and food is something you use to bandage problems you'd rather not fix then you and food should probably work through some of your issues so that you can be wonderful friends in a loving relationship.  Food is meant to be enjoyed, sustaining, fulfilling, a shared pleasure with friends and loved ones but if it terrorises your mind and makes you feel less than the wonderful amazing woman you are then it's time to sort that out.  Don't let food make you it's bitch!

10.  Someone to put down as your "In case of emergency" contact.

Whether it's a parent, spouse or a good friend you should have at least one person who can be contacted in case of an emergency.  If you don't have anyone you could call if you had a car accident you should probably reevaluate your life choices cause you're doing something wrong.

11.  At least one friend who "really gets it".

I'm not saying all fatties together and don't have any slender friends, because that would be stupid.  What I am saying is have at least one friend who understands what it is like to not live up to the modern standard of beauty (ie skinny, white, young, think Abercrombie and Dill Holes).  Having friends who have different body types, are of different ethnicity's, physical abilities, non-gender conforming or with binary sexuality is a great way to remind yourself that you are not alone in not matching up to every Hollywood or advertisement image.  And guess what!?  There are more of us than there are of them so it shouldn't be hard to find if you don't already have one.

12.  The self esteem that you lost in Jr high.  

Something happens between 12-15 that makes everyone A-holes and for most women I know, especially those who were heavy at the time it was the time when all their happy childhood self esteem got smothered and squished!  But if you haven't found a way to get it back by 30 you best get on that shit!

13.  Ovarian Reserve Testing. 

 Many of us have mothers who had kids much younger than ourselves or mothers who don't talk about problems they faced with fertility or mothers who have died or left or who won't freely tell you at what age she entered menopause.  This can leave many women a bit in the dark as to where their own fertility sits.  Ovarian reserve testing is a pretty bad ass thing.  It's relatively cheap and painless (just a little blood drawn) and you can find out round and about what you are working with fertility wise.  As a woman reaching 30 if you think you might want kids this can be a good way to find out where you are at and what your options are.  As a plus size woman studies show that it may be more difficult and take longer for you to conceive so knowing how many eggs are in the basket can give you a heads up. If you don't want kids the info can still be handy to have as it will give you a better understanding of when you might expect your body to reach menopause, something we might all like to be better prepared for.

14.  A will.  

A will just seems like a good thing to have.  Even if you don't have much in the way on money or material goods you might have certain items you want to go to certain people.  You might not want to be kept on life support if you are rendered brain dead but your family might not know this or for their own reasons prefer to go against your wishes.  You might have a box of naughty items you'd prefer went directly to a best girlfriend unopened than rummaged through by your mom as she goes through your belongings.  You might want We Are The Champions played at your funeral and your ashes scattered at sea world.  These are things you might take a moment to put into writing.  A will is also important if you have special requests for how you are cared for if you are unable to care for yourself.  Your family might feel bad putting you in a care facility, unless they know it is what you would want in that situation.  You might also want to think about being an organ donor while you're at it!  No good hoarding all your awesome body parts if you kick the bucket before your time.

15.  Appreciation for your body.

Your body is awesome.  It gives you everything.  It allows you to hug those you love, to walk on the beach, to rub a puppies tummy, to accomplish your work, to raise your kids, to kiss your lover, to taste amazing flavors and hear beautiful music.  Your body works to repair the damage you do whether it's trying to maintain your lungs as you smoke or repairing blisters from when you wore those amazingly cute but terrible for you heels, it fights off disease and repairs broken bones and so much much more.  So use it.  Use it to do all of those things.  And then take a moment to appreciate what it allows you to have and be and do.  And then take another moment and be profoundly grateful.


15 things every fat chick should know by 30!



1.  People will say you look like people you look nothing like simply because both of you are fat. 

 It's usually a compliment, or at least meant to be one.  I've been told over the years that I resemble Wynonna Judd, Sara Rue (back when she was chubby), Kate Winslet (back when titanic came out) and more recently Christina Hendricks and Adele.  While these are all lovely women and it was of course meant to be complimentary it was not in fact because I actually resemble them, nor because they particularly resemble one another but because we were all plus sized women with red hair.  This is enough for most people to declare someone you look nothing like to be your doppelganger.  Take it as you will.  You can use this moment to correct them and enlighten them to the fact than you look nothing like you purported clone, but rather that person seems to see all fat people as looking the same.  Or you can just smiled and take it as the well meaning compliment is most likely was and move on with your day.

2.  BMI is bullshit!  

The Body Mass Index is the standard by which most women of this generation were judged by, at school, at the doctors office, and at the gym.  It is also an antiquated form of generally measuring ones health that makes most women feel like crap...why?  Because it's based on a man's body to start off with and skews higher the taller you are!  Fuck the BMI.  If you are really concerned with your health then check your body fat percentage, test your blood sugar levels and your blood pressure, test your lung capacity and get regular pap smears,  but skip the BMI.

3.  If you're into fashion then accessories might be the smarter place to stick you moolah!

If you're like a lot of curvy gals you're weight fluctuates.   You might go from a 14 to a 18 and then back to a 16 and then up to a 22, and you might do it many times throughout your life and while I wouldn't put anyone off buying clothes they love and rockin' em, cause I think everyone should dress in a way that makes them happy and feel good, most of us don't have the budget to buy a new wardrobe ever other year and don't have the space to store lots of clothes we can't fit into at the moment.   However hats and purses always fit no matter how many times you gain or lose the same 20lbs.  Plus nothing can make a simple outfit into something special like an amazing pair of shoes, or a fabulous piece of statement jewelry.
But if you're one of the lucky ones who's weight and body shape remain constant, by all means spring for those tailor made suits and bespoke dresses if you can afford them, they last you a lifetime you lucky lucky duck!

4.  You are not a fetish.

Yes, there are some people into fat chicks for their fat, just as there are people into Asians for their Asian-ness or people missing limbs or redheads, but countless people seem to think if someone is interested in a fat chick it makes them a chubby chaser and because of this so many fat women believe it to be true of themselves and of those they date.  Don't believe it or propagate it, it sells you and those who might be
attracted to you very short.

5.  That dieting is boring, counterproductive and doesn't generally work.

A fat woman who's never been on a diet is much like a unicorn.  It's nice to believe they exist because they sound beautiful and if you ever saw one in the wild you think she might poop rainbows.  By now you have probably figured out that diets don't generally work, at least not for long.  If you want to lose weight or eat healthier making sustainable changes to your diet over time is the only think likely not to backfire without you eventually getting bored and eating everything you've denied yourself.  And PS, if you are trying to change your eating habits to get to a healthier you, great!!  But if you slip and fall into a cupcake and afterward wish you hadn't, get over it, move on, and continue as you were before that delicious baked good attacked you!  Don't let it make you feel bad or counter mind you good intentions.

6.  Shopping with a skinny friend is a waste of precious time. 

As we get older we end up with more obligations and less time to spend with our best girlies, so don't waste it!  I am not saying you shouldn't have a bestest bestest bestie who is a size 6.  Be friends with whoever makes your life better, just don't shop with them.  Shopping on opposite sides of a size 14 basically means taking turns standing around in a shop you can buy nothing in while your friend browses hurriedly knowing that you are bored and not wanting you to get too impatient or splitting up to shop at your respective shops and meeting back up at a specified time and place, which defeats the point of going shopping together in the first place.  If you go to a big shop or department store that does actually carry things for both of you they are likely half way across the store from one another which leaves you shouting across racks if you want to carry on a conversation.  Make dates with your slender soul-sisters.  Just make them movies or pedicures or pajama parties (with your fancy new bed trays)  Anything but a trip to the mall.

7.  Knowledge that your fat is not what's holding you back.

If you're not accomplishing the things that you dream of and you're using your fat as the reason why you can't succeed you're using a flimsy excuse.  If you want to be a model, a singer, a neuro-scientist don't let your body size be what holds you back.  Don't wait til you lose those 40lbs to go after the things that you want in life.  You're not a yoga instructor because you're too chubby, you're a not a yoga instructor because you're spending too much time whinging about your muffin top and not enough time practicing your downward facing dog.

8.  Fitting room mirrors and lighting hate you.

It seems counter productive to selling garments that shops would have mirrors that seem to be so incredibly unflattering paired with overhead fluorescentswhich make everyone look like the crypt keeper.  You'd think they would have solved this problem by now.  WTF!  Alas most of us end up looking jaundiced.  So realise that fitting room mirrors hate you, but also realise that they hate everyone, so try not to take it personally.

9.  Baking cookie dough is for suckers.

Raw eggs be damned!  Baking cookie dough is like having a beautiful diamond and spending 12 minutes polishing it with Vaseline.  You still have a diamond but it's less shiny and wonderful than it was 12 minutes earlier and you wasted 12 minutes you could have spent eating diamonds!

10.  Never try on bathing suits/lingerie when you are PMSing.

If the aforementioned crap lighting and mirrors of fitting rooms isn't already enough to put you off I can think of no better way to ruin a perfectly good day than to try on a bikini 3 days before your period when you're bloated and hormonally challenged.

11.  How to change a tire, make pizza dough from scratch and give yourself a breast exam.

Though not necessarily at the same time!  Being able to take care of yourself and impressing others makes you feel good.  There is nothing quite so satisfying at changing your own flat tire, looking down at your greasy dirty hands, chucking the jack into the trunk and saying "Eff you flat tire!  You're my bitch!" then driving off into the sunset with your trusty little donut wheel wobbling along in triumph.  There is nothing so tasty and delightful as having people over for home made pizza, having them oooh and ahhh over you ability to make dough from scratch (even though it takes like 4 ingredients and minimal skill), having your guests top their own pizzas (ie, do the cooking for you) and then compliment your skillz as a chef.  And their is nothing quite so easy to do to prevent you from one day losing your boobies or losing a battle with cancer than regularly checkin' out the girls and keeping them in tip top shape.

12.  That butter is better than margarine in every conceivable way.

Unless of course you are lactose intolerant, in which case I am so very sorry you can not enjoy all the yumminess that is dairy.  If you're around the same age as myself and especially if you are American you probably grew up eating margarine.  The 80's and 90's was a time when butter was evil and artery clogging and margarine would save us all.  Well guess what!?  It didn't save us, in fact we are the chubbiest generation out there, which is all well and good...but butter sure as heck isn't to blame.  It tastes better so you use less, and it's a natural product straight from a cow or (or better yet) a goat's boobies, unlike margarine, which generally tastes like chemical flavoring and is a mixture of all sorts of ingredients.  If you haven't already switched to butter, DO!  Butter makes everything better.

13.  Buying clothes that you INTEND to fit into is a waste of money.  

How many times have you or a friend found a dress that you thought was too cute, but just a tad too small and said "If I just lose 10lbs this will fit perfectly" and how many of those dresses have sat unworn, taunting you in a closet.  I had a pair of jeans that were about 10lbs away from fitting that I bought and moved into three different time zones before finally letting go.  If it doesn't fit, don't waste your money!  If you lose that weight you want to lose you'll probably want to treat yourself to some new clothes anyway and if it's more than a size difference you're body may change in a way so that even if you do lose the weight the item may not fit and flatter the way you envisioned.  If it doesn't fit you, admire it for it's beauty and then set it free.  Same goes for lovers!

14.  30 is not the new 20 but it's also not the end of the world

30 is a strange milestone for many women.  In a society obsessed with youth and in a world where women are more and more responsible for their own healthy, career, relationship happiness, and financial security 30 is a time where women, even more so than men reflect on where they are at and what they have achieved.  30 is not the new 20, it's not better or worse, it's just different.  Ideally if you've done it right you're smarter, healthier, more experienced, more successful than your younger self who might have had better skin and perkier boobs and a less jaded world view.  You've managed to wrangle another 10 years on the planet, that deserves some applause ,it's not something everyone gets to do after all.  You're older, sure, but if you haven't done all those things you wished you had, there is still time.  You're not too old to finish a degree, or change a job, or end a bad marriage or start a retirement fund.  You're not the new 20, but you are the new 30.  Make it count!


15.  What other people think you should do and have doesn't really matter.

At the end of the day there is no one checklist that fits every persons life of where they feel though out to be and what they feel they out to have achieved.  No list of things someone else has done or things you should do should make you feel less than awesome about yourself.  Including this one.


Well that's it from me really.  That's my musings on turning the big 3 0.  If it rings true for you, I'm glad.  If it doesn't..well make your own damn list.   It's my opinion that most things on this list could apply to most women, not just plus size gals, but I'd thought I'd tailor it for us larger ladies on the brink of a new decade.  Enough writing about 30 for me, time to get out and be it :)

Two Awesome Vintage Blogs & One Awesome Give-Away!

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Okay, if you are into vintage and you follow awesome vintage bloggers then you should already be following Brittany of Va-Voom Vintage and Trish of Trish Hunter Finds!
  If you are not, here are the top 5 reasons to be following each of these lovely ladies.

Top 5 Reasons To Follow Brittany Sherman Of Va-Voom Vintage:



1.  If you are a plus size vintage lover then Brittany's site will be a wealth of inspirational looks, and ideas with your curvy bits kept in mind!  A great place to find advice on how to build your vintage wardrobe.2.  Free Patterns!  If you like to sew then Brittany's site is full of fantastic sewing patterns.  My favorite one is a pattern she recently created for learning how to make your own bullet bra in a step by step sew along tutorial!
3.  Like a bagillion (ok I exaggerate...but like, at lot!!) vintage hair styling tutorials.4.  All of the adorable outfit posts she does that can bring a new bit of inspiration to your own dressing habits.
5.  Swoonworthy Sundays each Sunday Brittany puts together a mash up of fabulous vintage and retro inspirations and finds.  A great way to cap off any weekend!

Top 5 Reasons To Follow Trish Hunter of Trish Hunter Finds:


1.  The Retro Roadshow is where Trish shows off peoples amazing collections of vintage paraphernalia.  Some people collect the neatest stuff!

2.  She's Melbourne based like me, so maybe I am a bit biased, however I love getting tips from someone in my newly adopted city that I am loving so much!
3.  Trish too showcases her amazing outfits to help inspire your own vintage wardrobe, and she's so cute doing it!
4.  She goes fabulous places with fabulous friends and is kind enough to let you tag along!   Trish goes to fab events and on wonderful adventures and documents them for your voyeuristic pleasure.
5.  She'll let you rummage through her closet.  Or more specifically she has an awesome online shop where you can purchase some amazing vintage clothing from the comfort of your living room couch!

And if those aren't enough reasons for you to check out these two lovely ladies here is one more!



They have partnered up to give you a chance to win a copy of Brittany's amazing Ecourse Bloggerific: A guide to a beautiful and successful blog with amazing tips and how to's to make your own blog a hit!
Trish has made it super simple to enter the giveaway contest



All you have to do is:
1.  check out Va-Voom's E-course
2.  Pop on over to Trish's blog post about it where she gives you tons of info and insight into what the course will get you!  And then leave a comment on Trish's post telling her what tips from the e-course you are most excited to learn and your email so she can contact you if you win.
That's it!  Easy as!
The contest winner will be announced 8pm Australian time Monday the 14th of April on Trish's Facebook Page
So what are you waiting for!?  Get over there!!









Upcoming Pinup Shoot Alert!

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Keep your eyes peeled next week for photos from the shoot!


Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Of The Day: Elly Mayday!

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Elly Mayday!

plus size model Elly Mayday via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

You may or may not be aware of the gorgeous plus size model Elly Mayday.
(If you are unaware then you've probably been living under a rock)

plus size model Elly Mayday via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog
Elly will be in the upcoming film "A Perfect 14", a documentary film about the plus size modeling industry.
Having been a plus size model in my late teens and early 20's I personally can't wait for it to come out!
I'm quite curious to see how much it has changed in the last 10 years.
I'm guessing a lot and hopefully for the best!
plus size model Elly Mayday via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

Elly has also had a whirlwind of press revolving around her battle with ovarian cancer.  

plus size model Elly Mayday via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

And rather than being a shrinking violet while undergoing treatment, she rocked her bald head in many photo shoots.
As a plus size woman and body love champion myself I think it is wonderful that this amazing young woman has not only pushed her curvacious form into the spotlight and questioned why people should find a larger woman to be less in any way but insists that people look at her beauty while she is sick and see that it comes from within, like strength.
I myself had the ill fortune to battle with cancer in my early 20's and found that rocking my bald head actually made me feel better.

Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Photographed by Steve Wells

 Feeling as though I needed to cover it to spare others discomfort in the situation actually served to make me feel worse about my condition than putting it out there and owning it.
Nearly everyone is bound to be touched by cancer in their life.
Whether it's having it or knowing someone who does.
Considering that that is the case isn't it time we stopped being weird about people who have it?
Just because you can see the treatment in such a public way somehow makes others sooooo uncomfortable.
I get it, but maybe it's time to just see the person and look past the bald head.

Of course I had a kick ass head tattoo to make me feel better about it too.
Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Photographed by Steve Wells
And before you ask...that didn't hurt ;)

Top Five Friday! Top Five Old Hollywood Redheads

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I've decided to start a new weekly post I'm calling Top Five Friday!

Each Friday I'll endeavor to share with you a different list of my top 5 picks for, well, whatever strikes my fancy that day! 

This week to kick things off I've decided to share with you my Top Five Old Hollywood Redheads.
As a fire engine red head myself I have a soft spot for women with red hair.
Ginger, auburn, strawberry or crimson I love every shade of red hair.
Sooooo drumroll, here are my top 5 picks!
5.  Tina Louise -
 aka Ginger from Gilligan's Island.  I think a lot of people would have been quite happy to be stranded on a dessert island with this ginger maned siren.
Tina Louise via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

4.  Maureen O'Hara
Isn't she just the loveliest!  I think I always like to think I look like this when I get dolled up to go out....It's not true..but I like to think it ;)


Maureen O'hara via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

3.  Rita Hayworth
Not of course, a natural red head, but I think somehow that makes me love her fiery locks even more.  The great fantasy that was Gilda.
Rita Hayworth via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog


2.  Ann Margret
I just adore Ann Margret.  I loved her in everything from Bye Bye Birdie to Grumpy Old Men. She just has a bubbly charm about her that tickles me.
Ann Margret via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

1.  Lucille Ball
Of Course I Love Lucy as much as the next gal but I think you would be hard pressed to find a more iconic golden era red head than Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball via Lexi DeRock of Voluptuous Vintage Vixen Blog

So who is your favorite old Hollywood red head?
Did she make my list? 


And The Winners Of The Halloween Man Comic Are......

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Drumroll please!!!




Kura
Peter Ryan (Tracey)
Mz Liz Mz Liz
Rae Schobel
Sweet and Brite


Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and showed interest in this fabulous comic and character!
And a thank you to Drew for not only creating her, but taking the time to chat to us about her and donate copies for our give away!

Drew will contact you all directly and collect your info to get you your copy of Halloween Man featuring the lovely and luscious Dr Lucy

Alessandra Grima: A plus size model's journey

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Today I have a very special treat for you all. As you know I am a proud supporter of body love and acceptance. I think everyone should feel happy and healthy in the skin they are in. And having been a plus size woman all of my adult life and a plus size model in my younger years I can tell you there is no career that can make a woman doubt her own body more than modeling and acting. Modeling is all about preference. There will always be someone who thinks you are too tall or short or fat or skinny or who think your hair is the wrong color. But there is also someone out there who thinks you are perfect just as you are. Finding those people can be like finding a needle in a haystack, but so rewarding.


Sometimes though someone finds themselves in modeling. They find the things they like about themselves. They find that things they didn't like about themselves are things that others find beautiful and through that learn to love themselves.The modeling industry has been changing over the years and more and more beautiful plus size women are joining it's ranks and changing the way the world looks at fashion. I'd like to introduce you to one of them.

Alessandra Grima.




Alessadra is a beautiful plus size model and comedienne who emanates all those things I love to see and so I've asked her to share with us her story and a bit about how modeling has changed her life.
Enjoy
“Fat chicks rule,” I yelled after one of the dirty boys at recess told me I could milk myself and make my own cookies.  Unfortunately, I only ever claimed pride in my dreams.  In reality, Bo Trahan got away with another one-liner as I shuffled my feet and mumbled my comebacks to myself; who names their kid Bo?  Little did I know; a 5th grade improv comedy class would make those comebacks much louder next year.
I. Was. Awkward.  I stood at five-foot three inches, 130 lbs at the age of ten.  I had a C cup, I was familiar with Tampax, and I only fit into t-shirts and my mom’s jeans.  Oh, how I wish leggings were around back then – not the stirrup kind from Kindergarten.  I heavily relied on my sense of humor in those days.  That’s what got me friends and favor.  If I couldn’t be beautiful and stared at like the other girls, at least I could be, “Oh, Alessandra, yeah, she’s cool.”  It’s hard to aim for more when your home life consists of, “You’d be pretty if you lost weight.”, “Just ignore the kids at school.”, “You don’t get dessert.”, and then your mom signs you up for fat camp.

Luckily, as I went into high school, boys and girls alike grew taller and larger than me.  I didn’t feel like the biggest anymore -- unless we’re talking about boobs. That trophy was always mine.  Bottom line, the pressure was off.  From here and into college I could actually get to know myself.  I found and lost my first great love, I dated around, I moved to Boston, got my degree, and changed my fashion style 15,838,393,453 times!  It was glorious!  But I was ignoring the fact that I was still hiding.  Behind all the excitement and change was an insecure girl; sweatshirts and black tees where my home because they covered me.  During intimate moments with my boyfriend, I’d want the lights off and I never allowed him to touch my belly – I never allowed anyone to touch my belly.  Honestly, I was ashamed of how I looked at such a young age; big belly and stretch marks galore.  My lovely boyfriend today has been with me for three years and I just gave his hands free range a year ago.  Wondering what snapped?  What saved my confidence?  Instagram.  Yeah, you heard me.
Instagram gave me life.  It wasn’t long before my little IG page came across Tess Munster, the plus size model.  I was floored—in shock—confused—and fucking excited!  My Instagram became my little place to follow every plus size model and plus-proud page known to man.  I drilled images of all types of bodies into my head and told myself, “These are all beautiful”.  My brain had to be reprogrammed and it wasn’t easy!  During this time, my boyfriend was photographing my headshots so I could submit for acting roles.  The photos were stunning!  Me?  In front of a camera? Not being funny, but being beautiful?!  This epiphany was much like when the Discovery Channel films a bud into a full-fledged rose before your eyes in one second.  It wasn’t long before I was thinking of themed photo shoots for us to try just in good fun… and then I read a Tess Munster interview about how she became a model.  One thing stood out: Model Mayhem profile.  And I made one.
In October of 2013, I was selected and walked the runway for The Thicky Chicky clothing line in Boston.  In November of 2013 I was chosen for a test shoot for Dede Allure clothing.  In January of 2014 I modeled The Thicky Chicky clothing for their website.  In April of 2014 I travelled to Los Angeles with Dede Allure to walk the run way as the first plus line ever premiering at L.A. Style Fashion Week.  Let me tell you, there is no better feeling than being among hundreds of beautiful, thin models and stripping naked to get into your runway clothes with pride.  Many girls ask how I did it or talk about how lucky I am; Ladies, I didn’t do it yet, I’m still doing it with a long way to go.  I work a regular retail job and do stand-up comedy on the side trying to make ends meet.  If you told me a year ago I’d be a plus model, an insecure Alessandra would’ve slapped you in the face, but here I am.

I’m Alessandra Grima.  I am five-foot three, 185 lbs, with a 40F cup.  I have stretch marks and freckles.  My left ear is lower than my right and my legs are much smaller in comparison to my hips.  I do not have an hour-glass figure and my ass is non-existent if I don’t do squats at the gym – the gym I go to for toning, and a strong heart, not to for punishing myself for being a size sixteen.  I eat healthy and have played sports my whole life, even though ignorant people don’t believe that.  This is my body and it is my identity and I love it with all of me.  I guess what I’m trying to say is: FAT CHICKS RULE, Bo Trahan.  Got milk?


Please hop over and follow Alessandra to see more of what she does and leave her a comment to let her know how much you loved her piece!

Ains & Elke Stylehaus: Beautiful Bespoke Retro Fab

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Anyone who knows me knows a few things.  

1.  I love me some good vintage and retro clothing.

2.  I love me some crafty-ass Etsy sellers.

So when two of my favorite things get together and make a love baby it's not surprising that we get something as lovely as Ains & Elke Stylehaus.
So when Alixis over at Ains & Elke deigned to create something for me from her fab collection of vintage patterns she uses to make all her bespoke retro pieces I was...to quote Blanch Deveraux (because, yeah, I'm the kinda gal who quotes Blanche Devereaux)

In other words...I was just a little excited for my new threads to arrive in the mail.
I chose a circle skirt as I pretty much live in skirts and dresses and I've recently realised I have way more dresses and not enough cute skirts to wear my tops with (first world problems right!) plus I just love a good circle skirt.  Nothing makes you want to twirl in circles till you fall down more than a pretty flowy skirt that swirls up like a flower.

Now, Ains & Elke Stylehaus is based in California, and as someone way over on the Aussie continent it's an ongoing bummer to find super cute things that people don't deliver to my new country.  So my Oz bound friends will be happy to know that they happily ship overseas.

So having chosen my item and sent off my measurements there was nothing to do but wait (and fortunately I didn't have to wait long before this fab creation come to my front door!


 When my package arrived I was charmed already by the care taken to wrap it up like a present, because even things you've purchased for yourself are more fun if you get to unwrap them like a gift.
PS how cute are these business cards!?



Before giving it a whirl, and a twirl I checked it out and was very pleased to find the care taken in the details.  It was a perfect fit, which is always a worry when buying online.


And everything from the beautifully finished seams to the cute little label inside made the garment polished and made me happy at the prospect of it having a long shelf life.

I wore my new skirt the very next day and loved how it fit and how comfy and girly it is.
Also since I had given her the measurements of how long I wanted it to be it was actually the right length for me.  As someone who is pushing 6 feet it's a rarity to get to wear things that are actually fitting as meant to.


I happily wore my new skirt a couple of times that week before the real test.
The wash and wear test.
Nothing peeves me more than clothes that either shrink up or fall apart in the wash so no matter how cute something is if it can't hold up to regular wear and tear it won't last long in my wardrobe.
I generally wash all my clothes with like colors, in cold water, on gentle and hang to dry, so I'm about as gentle to my clothes as I can be and I recommend you do the same!
Happy to announce after 3 washed and twice as many wears it's just as good as the day I unwrapped it and fast on it's way to being a staple of my wardrobe.

So, my overall rating it two thumbs up!  Go get your adorableness today!!
And in fact you're in luck because Ains & Elke have been kind enough to offer a 15% discount code for my readers for the next month!  How bout that!?
Just enter 

LEXIDEROCK 
as your discount code when you order to recieve a sweet deal on these great outfits.
To check out everything in their Etsy Shop click here!

So get on over and check out all the goodies and let me know what you think!
If you get something I'd love to hear back how you like it :)

You can also pop over to Ains & Elke's FACEBOOK page and keep up with all the fun creations as they get made and send out to customers :)

Enjoy xoxoxo
                             

Ains & Elke Etsy Shop
Ains & Elke Facebook
               


Cherry Piccing!

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piccing app via Lexi DeRock on Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Yeah, you like that!?  In case you were wondering if I am just an abominable speller, I will stop you right there my friend!  Yeah, there's a whole lotta punny coming your way!!! 
Today I want to share a cool new APP with you guys.  So, most of us use social media and are familiar with all the various platforms ie Facebook, Twitter if you are an old fogey like me and Snapchat and XXXtreme Dick Pic Tumblr or whatever else exciting new thing the youngins are gettin' hip to these days.  
But most of us use pinterest.  It seems to cross a lot of age and interest barriers because, well, we all like to look at pics of things we want and like.  That's were the new Piccing app makes me happy. 
Because, while pinterest is awesome, it's often full of heaps of cool stuff that you want, but don't know where or how to get.  There are often no links to the original poster or any way short of massive Internet scouring to find the items you like.  
piccing app via Lexi DeRock on Voluptuous Vintage Vixen

Piccing is cool cause it reminds me a lot of Pinterest what with all the fancy pics of neat stuff, but the cherry (see how I tied that in with the title there..yeah, that just happened) on top is that Piccing cuts out the middle man of web searching to find products and lets you click on things in the image and tells you where to get them!  Whaaaa!!??  The future is now my friend!


The little video does a better job of explaining how it works maybe than I do so if you like the idea take a gander at their short vid and get clicking (or piccing) the stuff you want :)

Check out their website for more info or to get the app :)
PICCING WEBSITE

Driving Gloves

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Ok.  ladies and gents, let's talk driving gloves

 Sure most of us throw on a pair of gloves when the weather dips into chilly temps, but the fluffy mittens and leather gloves for winter aren't the only gloves out there.  
I LOVE driving gloves.  

Ever since I could drive I wore driving gloves.  Much to the mockery of my friends.  And to be honest, at the time I wore them more out of vanity in not wanting to get sun spots on my hands than out of fashion.  

The way I see it is that you essentially have your hands under a giant magnifying glass the entire time you are driving and over a lifetime that sun exposure ads up!  

Over the years I have come to love the look of a more vintage driving glove.  You know those snazzy leather ones with little stippled holes, or the woven ones with leather backings.  They just have an air of retro pizazz that gets this gal every time. 

Also as a plus size gal who's size tends to go up and down I love accessories in general.  Even if you go up and down in dress sizes gloves, hats, handbags, scarves...well they all still look fab which is why I think they make such great investment pieces.
What about you?  How do you feel about gloves outside of the functional winter wardrobe?  

Alternative Curves Challenge #1: Alternative Fairytale

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 A group of lovely full-figured fashion bloggers decided to create the Alternative Curves challenge.
Each month they've chosen a different fashion challenge and the first month is Alternative Fairytales!

So for my post I decided to put on  my most jungle princess dress and show off my new leopard print hairdo and do my fashion story about an African folktale called.....

The Leopard Man



A handsome stranger once came into a certain village and strolled about among the people in mysterious silence. All the maidens admired him and wished that he would choose one of them for his bride. But he said nothing, and at last walked away into the forest and disappeared from sight. 

A month later the stranger came again, and this time one of the maidens fell so much in love with him that she resolved to follow him into the forest, as she could not bear to be separated from him. 


When the stranger looked back and saw her coming behind him, he stopped, and begged her to return home; but she would not, and exclaimed, "I will never leave you, and wherever you go, I will follow." 

"Beautiful maiden, you will regret it," replied the stranger sadly, as he hurried on. 


After a while he stopped again, and once more begged her to retrace her steps. But she made the same reply, and again the handsome stranger said in sorrowful tones, "You will regret it, beautiful maiden!" 

They went far into the depths of the forest, and at length reached a tree at the foot of which there lay a leopard skin. 

Standing under the tree, the stranger began to sing a melancholy song, in which he told her that though he was allowed once a month to wander about in villages and towns like a man, he was in reality a savage leopard and would rend her in pieces as soon as he regained his natural form. 

With these words he flung himself upon the ground, and immediately become a snarling leopard and began to pursue the terrified girl. 


But fear gave such speed to her feet that he could not overtake her. As he pursued her he sang that he would tear her in small pieces, and she in another song replied that he would never overtake her. 



For a great distance they ran, and then the maiden suddenly came to a deep but narrow river, which she could not cross. It seemed as if the leopard would catch her after all. But a tree, which stood on the riverbank, took pity on her and fell across the river, so that she was able to cross. 

At last, nearly exhausted, she came to the edge of the forest and reached the village in safety. The leopard, disappointed of its prey, slunk back into the forest, and the handsome stranger was never seen again.




This is a blog hop challenge as well....don't know what a blog hop is?  Well, neither did I but it's a neat way of connecting everyone on the challenge so if like me you are intrigued then check it out!
Special thanks to Ms Kobi Jai over at Horror Kitsch Bitch for snapping the awesome pics for me!
(She and I have a very special halloween photoshoot coming for you soon so keep your eyes peeled!)
So go over and check out the different months themes and join in!!  Share your pics with the hashtag #alternativecurves!!




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It's Alive!!!! Plus-Size Halloween Pinup Awesomeness!!

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Ahhh my friends the All Hallows Eve is nigh upon us!!!
 A night where the spirits of the dead may roam the earth, along with GI Joe, sexy nurse and Harry Potter.

This is going to be my first Halloween in Melbourne and I have to say it is a bit weird that the weather is more summer beach weather than crisp autumnal breezes.
I find myself missing the crunchy, colorful leaves underfoot and the smell of pumpkin spice pouring out of ever Starbucks, but mostly....I miss Halloween.


Simply put, Halloween is just not that big a deal here.  It's more popular than it's probably ever been, but nobody my age grew up trick or treating or running amuk amuk amuk!!!
 (Hocus Pocus Bitches, look that shit up!)
None of them remember lining up decked in your best home made Glinda The Good Witch Of The North costume for the school Halloween parade which is basically just a teacher judged contest to see which parents really care and which totally forgot and made a last minute super hero costume out of duct tape and black garbage bags.

But I decided that it was necessary to celebrate in a fun way!  So I put together a little collaboration with Miss Kobi Jae of Horror Kitsch Bitch to rock your Halloween socks off!


Kobi was so gracious as to allow my to make her up like the Bride Of Frankenstein...well a sexy, curvy take no prisoner homage to the lovely lady with the wild unruly curls.


I think she channeled that undead hottie we all have lurking somewhere just under the surface like a pro!


So please...take inspiration!  Share!  Get into the Halloween Spirit!  You still have time to make a costume out of curtains and the belt from your bathrobe!


Remember Halloween isn't just a night of silly costumes and way to much candy and booze and spooky movies that keep you up all night.  Halloween is the only holiday you are not expected to spend with family patiently waiting for a turkey to cook but rather it's understood that you will be ditching them for your friends and acting an arse and loving every minute of it!  


So my friends carve that jack-o-lantern! 
 Pass off the dusty cobwebs in your house as festive holiday decor rather than poor housekeeping skills!  Rent a horrible scary film and buy a bag of mini candy bars for the trick or treaters and eat them all between now and the actual event then rush out on Halloween to buy more....then eat those too!


  If you need me I'll be running Amuk Amuk Amuk!!!!

Kobi Jae Horror Kitsch Bitch

Top Wedding: Top Three Plus Size Vintage Inspired Wedding Gowns Under $300

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Hiya folks!
Today I wanted to share with you one of my new sponsors and some of their fab retro wedding gowns.
I've chosen to showcase the 3 dresses I like best with 3 different vintage feels all for under 300 bucks and all of them going up to a size 26W with lots of options to customise!
My first pick is this 

SWEETHEART APPLIQUED BODICE ORGANZA OVERLAID BALL GOWN WITH EMPIRE SASH

I love this dress as I think it has a really romantic feel and that classic 50's ladylike quality that you might see in something Elizabeth Taylor wore to one of her many weddings mixed with that babydoll look popular in the 1960's.


I adore the back details, though I think that, like many things is customisable.
I could see this also looking fab if you hemmed it to a tea length gown and wore it with a colorful petticoat for a more rockabilly look.

Look #2 

HIGH NECK SATIN A LINE WEDDING DRESS WITH LONG LACE SLEEVES

This gown has a sort of Grace Kelly feel to it for me. 

This gown has a sort of Grace Kelly feel to it for me.
 It would also be a great dress for someone a bit more modest in that it's not as revealing as many strapless or halter dresses.
The perfect conservative church dress if you have to please the folks, but with a classic elegant air of days gone by.

Last but not least!

BEADING NECK COLUMN SATIN WEDDING DRESS WITH BROOCH

This dress has a very Jean Harlow meets Great Gatsby kind of vibe to me.
The fun collar and the satin finish and brooch feels very Hollywood 1930's to me.
It doesn't have that very very body hugging thin satin look to it though so I think it would give off that 30's air but be a lot easier to pull off than the unforgiving look of unlined satin.

So folks what do you think?  Have a favorite look?
Check out all the other styles over on 




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