[Designer Spotlight: Regalia Designs]

(Credit: Model: Vivid Vivka, Photographer: Ryder Makeup Labs)

Regalia Designs

NW Artist & Crafter:

Nicole Carter

Nicole Carter, founder of Regalia Designs and lifelong fashion maven, has been designing beautiful and unique hair clips since 2009.  She recognized her deep desire to fill the world with embellishment and color.

"I had seen other hair clips before, but I wanted something brighter, more sophisticated.... not so festival-furry-over-the-top, just pretty....."

Drawing inspiration from such fashion influences as Cleopatra, Heidi Klum, David Bowie, Frida Kahlo, Andre 3000, and Audrey Hepburn, Nicole crafts each original adornment with a gypsy-wedding style flair, where natural elements and luminous qualities unite.  Using delicate combinations of vintage rhinestones, unique feathers, fabric flowers, silk, Swarovski crystals, pearls, lace, and other delights, each accessory  is guaranteed to complement any any event, outfit, and style.

In addition to the hair clips, kitty ears and top hats are already available for purchase.  Patrons are able to order custom designs   for special occasions such as weddings, holidays, festivals, as birthday gifts, or for specific ensembles.  This includes wedding and bridesmaids dresses, burlesque and belly-dancing costumes, or for circus, theater, and dance performances,  After gathering important information about the person and event, Nicole will create a personally tailored piece to add a touch of class and sass, a pop of color, and an elegant finish to any look.

(Credit: Model:Carolyn Creasia; Photographer: Mandy Darling)

Love what you see?  Stay tuned for details, as Nicole seeks to include wire-working, leather working, and jewelry making into her repertoire for new ways to dazzle and excite.  I am also working with some of her pieces and I can't wait to share the finished results!  And don't forget to "Like" Regalia Designs on Facebook  and check out the Etsy Shop!

xo

- K

[Permission to Curve: How Curvy Yoga Helped Me Heal My Relationship With My Body]

By Kristin Barron, Guest Blogger

Curvy Yoga? Wait... What's that?  It's yoga for *every* body.  It is partially an act of social justice, partially a way to ease the mind, and partially a radical act of self love.  So let's start with the basics.  What are the benefits of curvy yoga?

• Stress Reduction
• The basic act of being present with your breath and body as well as moving gently will calm your mind.  Meditation is very important to mental health.  Taking the time to quiet your mind and focus on breathing in "love" and breathing out negativity, or just to notice your breath reach a quiet, soft place of love, can make all the difference in the world.
• Muscle Lengthening & Strengthening 
• Proper Alignment & Strengthening of the Spine
• By making small adjustments and spending an hour working on proper alignment, your spine will be healthier and happier.
• Improved Flexibility & Mobility in Joints
• Over time, the act of stretching our muscles and tendons and warming up joints improves overall flexibility and joint health.
• Getting in Touch With Your Body
• Taking some time to just to be with your body can help you heal your relationship with it.  There is so much pressure from every direction for your body to be posed certain way in "this" or "that" position.  If you can just take some time to be with your body, exactly how it is, you can find a well of gratitude and self-love that you never knew was there.
• Joy, Kindness, and Love for Yourself
• Taking the time to connect with yourself will being will bring goodness to your life and your attitude to your own body.

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                                              My Story

  

    Making the decision to go to a yoga class used to be a terrifying prospect.  I would definitely always be the largest person in the room.  I would get looks and I would not want to look in the mirror, which we almost always faced.  and I would not be strong enough or resistant enough to do and hold every pose.

    Curvy Yoga changed every single thing about that.  After spending this year traveling to Nashville, TN from my home in South Carolina, each for a week at a time, I found myself being surrounded by a group of the most beautiful and inspiring women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  I am more full of self-love than I have ever been in my life.  My wardrobe has changed from big, oversized clothing to proudly wearing bodycon dresses and skirts over leggings.  My fear has changed to excitement. My anxiety has been replaced by by a pop nest that I bring to every class with me.  My self-doubt has been replaced by an overwhelming amount of self-love.

     It's hard to explain exactly how much Curvy Yoga has helped me.  It changed my entire outlook of life.  It made me something that seemed completely unobtainable into an every day part of my life.  It taught me gentleness with my body.  It taught me to love every part of my body.  Curvy Yoga taught me that even when things are hectic and I can't seem to catch a break, I can simply sit down for a moment, focus on my breath, and find a place of quiet love to move from.  It taught me to feel the love radiating out from my body and send it down into the earth and out into the world, and in return to take what I need from the universe - whether it is a little extra love, extra strength, or joy to spread to others.

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So What Is Curvy Yoga?

It is a form of hatha yoga, which means slow, gentle movements.  It consists of holding poses and taking time to get in and out of poses, as opposed to vinyasa or flow style yoga in which you flow from one pose to another.  

It is all about modification and props.  As I mentioned earlier, a "prop nest" is made up of:

- super-sized blocks 

- extra blankets

- an extra bolster 

-foam "eggs" for wrist support

- and some extra knee support.  

The modifications I mentioned can be anything from simply widening your stance a little to make some extra room or provide more support to a pose lying on the floor, seated in a chair, or against a wall.  To look at me, you wouldn't guess that I can do a shoulder stand or that I'm working my way towards a forearm stand now.  

Curvy Yoga is all about meeting your practice exactly where you are at.  If you need to make more space to fold forward, you can tuck the skin of your tummy.  If you need extra support, use a block or a bolster.  If you are having trouble with balance, you can do a pose against a wall.  If you can't stand for long periods of time, you can do poses seated in a chair.  Slow your breath.  Trust me, you will be glad you did. 

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I will leave you with a few thoughts I like to close my classes with:

May I greet my body with gentleness.

May I soften when life invites me to harden.

May I listen to my intuition when wisdom and trust it with ease.

May I appreciate my body a little more in this moment, just as it is.

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 My brand new website is over at pixelatedyogini.com. 

You can also find me at the following:

Facebook

Twitter
Tumblr

For booking, class schedules, or more information, please email me at pixelatedyogini@gmail.com.

So much love,
Kristin Barron

The Pixelated Yogini 

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I am a licensed yoga instructor, certified with the Yoga Alliance.  Please always consult a medical professional before beginning any kind of yoga practice, no matter what kind.

[Michael Alig: My Take On The Alternative - Guest Contributor]

I recently had an opportunity to talk to the one and only Michael Alig about his views on the alternative realm..... stay tuned for more snippets!

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     By its very definition there will ALWAYS be an "alternative" scene due to the fact there will always be something to be "alternative" to.  The main thing is that you have to be careful what you ask for.  As soon as the "alternative" [scene] becomes too big, it is no longer alternative and it has become the dreaded establishment. A *new* alternative will spring up to subvert it!  It took me many years to understand this fully, by the way.  I had to live an experience it myself.

- Michael Alig

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Very well said, Michael.

Go head over to the Project X Shop!
Michael is offering some cool swag: Alig lithographs, t-shirts, and Christmas cards!

[looking for guest writers, etc.]

Thank you to everyone who has checked out Big, Fat Alt Life!

Illustration by Etak

I have had approximately 1,300+ views in the last 24 hours!

Now I am looking for guest writers and contributors to mix up the content.  I am officially starting my juice fast tomorrow and will still be updating daily with stats and progress. I have been swamped with emails and replies and have been completely backlogged!

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I also have an "Ask Me Anything" post up on Reddit (click here!).  

 Check it out and ask me questions! 

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As far as guest writers and contributers go I am looking for the following:

- Alternative Lifestyle/Fashion 
**I will review clothing and product lines and feature them on the blog**

- Beauty/Health Tips, How-Tos, and Tutorials

- Model Interviews and Articles That Include Model "Tips"

- Nutrition/Health Related Recipes and Tips

- Fashion Designers and Fashion Trend Articles

- Outfits of the Day/Street Fashion

- Make-up Tutorials

- Music Articles

- Vlog Submissions

*All designs, models/artists, and brands will be credited and linked in posts*

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Please contact me directly at khristmodel@gmail.com if interested.  

The subject line should read "Submission."

Please be thorough of what you would like to submit.

[recipes, tips, and all the nitty gritty for juicing]

Thank you for the awesome feedback everyone!

Per request I am going to go through the "Mean Green" recipe.

I am also going to link to a few others as some people cannot stomach the taste - it definitely is something you have to acquire.

Preparing for your juice fast:

1. Drink tons of water two to three days before you start and throughout the fast.  You need to also drink about 10 cups of water at *least* a day while juicing.  It helps you feel "fuller."
2. Eat light foods to prepare yourself.  Seafood/fish and vegetables is a good way to go.  Limit your carbs, processed foods, sugar, and dairy intake - makes the transition so much easier.  Limiting alcohol and nicotine helps too!  Remember you are cleansing out your body just as much as you are losing weight!
3. *MAKE A SHOPPING LIST* You are going to be going to the grocery store or farmers market (best pricing) a lot.  
4. Buy an airtight container to keep excess juice.  I generally make enough for two days and stick it in the back of the fridge.  It will separate so just shake it back up.  Any longer than two days the plants will start losing the nutrients and it won't do you really good to drink it.
5. Yogi Detox Tea is super great to drink before and during fasting.  You can find it at pretty much any supermarket or grocery store.  Here is the product page just in case you get lost trying to find it: Yogi Detox Tea.
6. Juicing for Health is a great website for alternate juice recipes and health related juice information and I'll post some direct links to other juices below.

The ingredients for a 12-16 oz. glass is as follows:

- 6 kale leaves

- Handful of spinach

- 1 cucumber

- 4 celery stalks

- 1/2 lemon peeled

- 2 green apples

- Small knob of ginger (optional)

I generally do not put the ginger in mine and throw a few berries (blueberries or strawberries) to help the taste. Juice the leafy ingredients first as the other ingredients will push more juice through.  Also, cut your green apples into quarters. And lastly sometimes I use a whole lemon.

I personally drink 8 oz. at a time three times a day.  That is less than recommended as a 12 oz. cup only has 310 calories and 10g of protein! So starters, drink up with your 12 oz. at 4 times a day.  Also, whey protein powder helps as well if you need a protein boost.  Throw a scoop in there and you are golden!

Tip: If you do not own a juicer, you can use a blender too!  Add all ingredients with 1 1/2 cups of water and ice.  Found this on SkinnyMs.com! 

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This is the juicer I own: 

Cuisinart CJE-1000 1000-Watt 5-Speed Juice Extractor

It was a good investment as I did a 30 day fast. But you do *not* have to have the top of the line to juice vegetables and fruit!  This is just a personal favorite.

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Once again, please get on Netflix or find a way to way Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.  It prompted me to do my fast and kept me going!  Joe Cross has a website with all sorts of good information.
Reboot With Joe Website

Also on the website has tons of good recipes and tips, especially if the Mean Green isn't the one for ya'!

Alternate Juice Recipes!

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As I go along I will be posting updates and more than likely Vlogs so you can see progress and "how to" videos that will more than likely be hilarious.

  I unlocked comments so anyone can comment on these posts!
Next blog posts will include workout tips as I go along after trying them (ha!) and I have requested a few guest bloggers to help with beauty and health - so stay tuned.

I look forward to juicing with everyone and thank you for the amazing feedback.
Let me know what *YOU* want to see me cover next!!!

xoxo

- K

Note: I am not a medical professional and this is not to be taken as medical advice.  Please consult a doctor before starting any sort of regimen or fast.  I am not responsible for any medical issues that may arise from irresponsibly fasting. 

[It's that time again.... 30 Day Juice Fast!]

It's that time again!

Last time I did a juice fast it was following the rules of the "Mean Green Juice Fast" that was illustrated in the movie Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead which I highly recommend you watching.

I recently moved to a small southern town that lacks a certain "oomph" I would say in the fashion or fitness world which made it overly difficult to maintain my low weight.  Apparently I was trying to pack on pounds early for the winter!

I know my measurements are extremely curvy as I could fit a size zero if it matched my waist.  I have gained inches and thankfully there is a gym a mile down the road that I plan on immediately joining after this possible job offer.

So down to the nitty gritty.

 *If* you want to follow along with me I would be happy to answer questions and guide you along the way. I'm not going to lie, the first 3-4 days are going to suck.  The 5th day you are going to feel AMAZING.  If you need a kick in the butt of energy I do recommend black coffee or a sugar free Red Bull.  Keep in mind I am no doctor, so do not take any of this as medical advice.

Now to the numbers part:

Starting weight (ugh): 174

Goal Weight: 140

Total Amount: 34 lbs lost

Current/Starting Measurements:

Bust: 38 inches
Waist: 27 inches
Hips: 42 inches

A lot of people have asked for my actual weight and measurements and I am hesitant to show people as most of you know "fat shaming" definitely happens. 

But I will make a statement that I got published the most when I weighed 190lbs, and my measurements matched that of someone who weighed 150lbs.

My statement made above is a testament to that everyone's body is different.  Everyone has a different body shape, measurements, and way they hold their weight.  So don't be discouraged if you feel like you can't do it ......

Because you can!

Even if you don't want to lose weight and just cleanse your body of toxins, I recommend doing a 3-4 day fast regardless of your weight.

Since my last fast was in a specific bikini, I am going to do it again to illustrate weight loss.

Drum roll please..... Here is the "me" at starting weight not sucking in:

Depending on how much feedback I get tonight/tomorrow I will start posting my recipes, work out routines, vlogs, etc. 

And daily updates with any nifty links I have found!  

Since Blogspot isn't generally comment friendly, please refer to sending me an email over at khristmodel@gmail.com or contacting me on my Fan Page [here]. 

Let's get fit together!  

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Note: Please consult a doctor if you have any preexisting medical conditions or are on any medications and be cleared for doing a juice fast. 

[I'm Not Fat, I'm Curvy: Guest Contributor]

I've always had a weight problem, but I never truly saw it as a problem until later.  When I was 15, I had surgery that would change my life.  It placed rods with bolts and screws along my spine for scoliosis.  Unfortunately, though diagnosed at 11, it was too late for braces or alternative therapies.  I was put on the sidelines from exercising and basically lived on a couch taking multiple medications and eating.  Before surgery I was at 150 pounds, a healthy weight for my height, and after the three months sitting stagnant I had gained 30 pounds and would soon be entering high school.

I've always been individual in dress and had a taste in Patsy Cline and 40's swing music.  Keep in mind, I lived in a small country town and this was not considered "normal" and my sophomore year the name calling began about not only my individualism but also my weight.  I would have cow noises made at me and I tarted finding food my friend.  I never told my parents and I would cry in my bedroom every night.  Food didn't call me a "fat b*tch" or push me against lockers.  The fat shaming, which caused extreme emotional and physical abuse at school, became so horrible I ended up dropping out.  I am 21 now and am finally finishing my GED as I have gotten my life back.

At my highest weight I was 265 pounds. At 19 I was prescribed a weight loss pill called Phentermine, which I later learned was a strong amphetamine.  I dropped 13 pounds the first week.  I weighed 200 pounds at this point and had become addicted.  The doctor stopped prescribing me the pills and I went back to old habits which led up to my final and highest weigh in.

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One day, I woke up and looked in the mirror and said f^ck this, I am better than that. 

In one year I have lost a total of 90lbs.

To get an idea of this, here are my starting and ending stats along with progress pictures:

Starting Weight: 265lbs.

Dress Size: 24

Bust: 48"
Natural Waist: 56"
Hips: 53"

(190lbs)

(183lbs)

(180 lbs)

Ending Weight: 170-175lbs (fluctuating)

Dress Size: 14

Bust: 40"

Natural Waist: 24 1/2"

Hips: 39 1/2"

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Total Inches Lost: 43"
Total Weight Loss: 90-95lbs

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(170lbs)

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So how did I do it?

I started by changing my diet to healthier eating.  I dropped 15 pounds which gave me more motivation.  Then I started working out.  First I started with the in-home program "Insanity" and shortly after joined a gym.  I was sore but fought through it.  After changing my diet, doing cardio, strength training, and only drinking water, I dropped to 195lbs in 7 months.  I literally cried tears of joy.  I plateaued at this point and started cheating on my diet for about a month but snapped back into it shortly after.

After a year I may not be at my goal weight, but I have gained muscle, lost fat and inches, and put away the past and considered them nothing but obstacles you have to overcome in life.  They do not interfere with my new happy and healthy life.  I will tell you that losing weight takes willpower and determination.  I didn't expect to see changes overnight or look for magic supplements.  I stopped making excuses and just did it.

Today, I am not upset with the number on the scale.  I am no longer considered obese at a weight of 170lbs and a healthy BMI due to muscle gain.  I am not fat anymore, I am curvy.

I am starting a Juice Fast today and will be following along with the blog and recording my progress! I am very optimistic as I have an final goal weight of 140lbs and know I can do it!

- Leanne Ott