Posted in Articles

“I Feel Pretty”- A Movie Everyone Should See!

Share This Post

The kiddo and I had the opportunity to go see “I Feel Pretty” the other night with some friends.  We were unanimous in our review.  We all loved it!

The movie had such a powerful message about body-confidence and body-positivity, that I think everyone should go see this.

A quick plot synopsis, Amy Schumer’s character, Renee Bennett, is working at Lili LeClare Cosmetics for the online shopping site.  Unfortunately, the company does not feel that the online workers merit offices at the headquarters, but a small windowless office in Chinatown far and away from 5th Avenue.  Renee does like her job working in the cosmetics industry, but really wants “a seat at the table”, even if that table is the receptionist at Lili LeClare.  That job is a dream come true for her, not because it is challenging or even more money (it is a pay cut and obviously doesn’t utilize her skills at all), but it is a validation.  If you are allowed to answer their phones, then you “belong”.  You are valued.  However, feeling as bad about herself and Renee does, she won’t even try for the open receptionist job.

 

Renee does not sit around feeling sorry for herself.  She is trying to make herself “better” by working out.  So, off she goes to Soul Cycle.  She is pedaling away really making the effort.  Well, her bike breaks, throws her on the ground where she hits her head very hard.  When she wakes up, she looks in the mirror and looks the exact same…to us, but she sees something completely different.  She sees a beautiful woman.

MCDIIFR_EC022

With the new body confidence and body positivity, she applies and gets the receptionist job.  She meets a cute guy at the dry cleaners.  Gives him her number without hesitation.  She enters a bikini contest and loses, but who cares, free drinks and an appetizer!  So worth it!

I’ll let you find out the rest when you go see the flick, but I really enjoyed this movie.  It was fantastic.  Her confidence and positivity ARE the magic.  People react differently to her after she thinks she’s suddenly smoking hot.  She looks the same, it is her energy and attitude.  Self-love for the win!

i-feel-pretty

Before you think, “Oh this is all about overweight women are pretty too and eff those skinny bitches.” NOPE!  For starters, Amy Schumer is not overweight.  She is a nice healthy size and pretty.  Secondly, she befriends another lady at the Soul Cycle class that is a fashion model, so she is thin, tall, the fashion ideal.  She gets dumped by her boyfriend.  She has body image issues.  So, this movie does not fat-shame or skinny-shame.  We are all trying to recapture that body confidence and positivity that helps us live our best lives.  The women in this film support and encourage each other, but they also each have their own struggles with body image and positivity (the woman with the high squeaky voice that is far from stupid; she has an MBA).

My final thoughts on this movie are that I really loved that I saw several groups of guys at this movie, not just girl squads.  I also saw a variety of ages represented in the audience.  We all showed up for a funny movie (and it was!), but left with a huge dose of positivity.  I hope you go get your dose soon.

Love, Kim and Scout

*All images may be subject to copyright

*All images from variety.com

 

 

Posted in Articles

When Living Your Best Life “Gets In the Way”

Share This Post

If you guys have read this blog at all, then you know that my love-life is pretty much a s*&t show (keeping it clean, cause all-ages blog).  Well, unfortunately, that trend continues.

However, this last experience was not without its revelations.  Quick recap, dated a guy for five months.  We were not exclusive.  We agreed to this.  I don’t date more than one person at a time, but I did continue to visit my dating profile occasionally since not being exclusive yet was important to him.  He waited a very long time before meeting my daughter and some of my friends.  When this finally did happen, I thought it was a sign that we were moving forward. I mean, a guy that was super cautious about hurting my daughter’s feelings wouldn’t meet her and then break things off, right?  Wrong.

20180418_112831.jpg
I know these are just toys, but I until I find the real thing… a girl can dream

This time around I didn’t give my heart to him.  I held off since he was holding off.  So, I practiced some self-protection this time.  His reasons were kind of all over the place, so I never got a concrete, “This is why I am doing the thing.” from him as to why the breaking off of things. But from what I can best discern is, that he just didn’t want to be around me anymore because of my enthusiasm for nerdy things.

IMG_20170926_150506_061

As per usual, I began to gather all the things that were “wrong” about me, and why I was getting dumped into neat little piles of baggage that were now mine to lug around.  After all, I wasn’t “good enough”.  I wasn’t “right”.  He even said, “You’re great, but…” So, I thought, “Well, serves me right.  I shouldn’t have been so enthusiastic about my hobbies.  I shouldn’t have asked him to go to the movies with me so much.  I should have dressed differently around him.”  So, I lug these bags to the vault and open it and realize something.  Holy crap!  There’s nothing but cobwebs and dust in here!  I forgot I emptied this out a long time ago!  Do I really want to fill it up again?

The answer was, “No.”

I realized that all the things that he saw as “wrong” were exactly what is right about me.  I have a hobbies that I adore.  I have a tribe of friends that I also adore.  I’m crazy excited about movies.  I like dressing the way I do.  It took me a long time to find my style.  I’ll be damned if you think I’m gonna ditch it now!  I have a house that I pay for and take care of myself.  I have a great kid that is going to rule the world, you’ll see!  I handle my own s*&t.

IMG_20171122_154535_536

I honestly think that all the confidence and comfort on my part, made him feel bad about himself on his part.  There is literally nothing I can do to help someone like that.  I can thank him, though. Thank him for giving me the opportunity to take a quick inventory of my life.  I’m good, thanks for asking!

Love, Kim and Scout

Posted in Cons

WonderCon Recap: Cosplaying With Your Kids Panel

Share This Post

We got to host our panel, “Cosplaying With Your Kids” again at WonderCon 2018.  We were so happy to be able to host the event again.

i-2bmXd8L-XL

Anastasia Washington was our Moderator again.  We were joined by Deborah and Celia of Ravenpuff Cosplay and Jake from Little Negan Cosplay.

We covered some of the same topics of discussion as last time, such as cosplay ideas, sources for smaller children, cosplay mash-ups, cosplaying as a duo or in a group, but we also took on some more topics this time.  Scout and Celia are 12 and 13, respectively, so they had some great insights into dealing with social media and bullying.  I think everyone was impressed with their mature take on the subject.  Basically, look for and find your tribe for support and protection from bullying.  As they get more and more involved with social media, Deborah and I had some parental tips and advice for the other parents in attendance.  The basics were to have an open-door policy on social media.  Know your kids’ passwords for safety and not for snooping.  If you give them freedom to explore the world, they will come to you for advice and guidance navigating those waters.

Extra thanks to Justin Davidson Photography for the photos of us!  Book him here.

i-XW3gNSG-XL

We had a fantastic time and hope to host another panel again at SDCC!  Stay tuned…  Meantime, if you have any items you’d like us to talk about at our next panel, please hit us up in the comments!

Love, Kim and Scout

*All photos of us by Justin Davidson Photography

Posted in Articles, Videos

Ashley Stewart Lookbook!

Share This Post

I posted earlier this year about a photo/video shoot I participated in for Ashley Stewart.  You can read that article here.

Now the video is out.  Take a look at it below and let me know what you think!

To purchase any of the looks, please visit the Ashley Stewart website here.

Happy Shopping!

Love, Kim and Scout

Posted in Articles, Fashion Alert

Fashion Alert: Adaptive Clothing Update as of April 2018

Share This Post

*This article was updated April 2018.  Please see the latest news on this fantastic fashion brand and their new team-up!

Recently I read an article about this great fashion brand, Runway of Dreams, and I had to share this story with you.

Runway-Of-Dreams-Website-Logo
All Photos: runwayofdreams.org

Mindy Scheier is a mother of three children and a fashion designer.  One of her sons has special needs wherein he has to wear braces on his legs to assist with his mobility.  One day before school, her son asked if he could wear jeans to school just like his friends.  “Of course!”, would be the answer, right?  Well, the braces present a unique challenge.  If he wears the jeans, then he won’t be able to go to the restroom unassisted.  If he doesn’t wear jeans, then he feels left out, like any kid would.  What is a mom to do?  Well, she created Runway of Dreams.

Runway of Dreams is a line of adaptive clothing to keep kids and adults that are differently-abled, fashionable.  Magnetic “buttons” hidden behind buttons allow people that would normally not be able to button a shirt unassisted, to button their own shirt. Openings in the back of a shirt or dress instead of having the garment be a pull-over.  It is little details such as these that change the fashion landscape and make it accessable to all.  What an amazing idea and what an amazing lady!

Please go to their website and watch the short documentary here and be inspired like I was.  You can also find stores to shop for these great pieces should you need them or know someone that would benefit from them.

Update: Tommy Hilfiger has now introduced a complete new line of adaptive clothing for all ages!

tommy-hilfiger-adaptive-lede

The website features USA Paralympians.  Take a look at the collection and shop it here.

 

There are real heroes out there!

Love, Kim and Scout

*Photos: runwayofdreams.org and usa.tommy.com