MORE Stop Staring Dresses at Bodacious!

Pretty sexy!

Ticket Giveaway!!

Our good friend Lousie Green & Body Exchange present

Comedy For The Cure

Raising funds for Team Diabetes

Thursday May 28th 2009

6:30 pm

Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street, Vancouver BC)

This evening includes comedians, nibbles, a cash bar and a silent auction!

The tickets are a $30 value each and we have tickets (2 each) to give away to the first two people to email us bodaciouslifestyles@gmail.com

Tickets can be picked up at our shop.

Make sure to check out all the great programs available through Body Exchange and check out their blog too.

A Tribute to Treice...

Yesterday, Barb's very dear friend, Treice Backs lost her battle with cancer. As you can see by reading her blog, she was a bright light, a wonderful mother and friend and also a fearless fighter for the truth, for fairness and for healing. She leaves behind her loving husband, Kelly and a young son, Max who will miss her deeply. On Mother's Day (this Sunday) we at Bodacious will be donating a portion of our sales to help support the family through this sad time. If you care to make a donation directly, you can do so through her blog. Any financial support will assist Kelly in taking the time to do what's best for him and Max during this next phase of their lives. Thanks for listening and caring. We wish you all a love-filled day! http://treicebacks.blogspot.com/

No - You Stop Staring!

Yay! They're finally here. We've been admiring the Stop Staring dresses online for years and we've finally found a local source to bring them into our shop. Come in soon for the best selection. More items arriving every month.
Please note - their 1x, 2x, 3x means 14/16, 16/18, 18/20

Can you help?

Department of History

University of Waterloo

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HISTORICAL RESEARCH ON BEING OVERWEIGHT

We are looking for people to interview who may have considered themselves overweight at any point in their lives before 1980.
As a participant in this study, you would be asked to participate in a tape-recorded interview. Your participation would involve one session of about two hours at a location of mutual convenience.

Participation is completely voluntary.

For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study, please contact:

Alyshia BestardResearch Assistant

(519) 888-4567 ext. 33342

aostrom@uwaterloo.ca

-or-
Dr.Wendy MitchinsonHistory Department

(519) 888-4567 ext. 33342

wlmitchi@uwaterloo.ca

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Office of Research Ethics, University of Waterloo.

Getting married this summer?

Are you getting married this summer? I am. I'm down to my last 5 months of planning and feel like I'm a little behind. I don't want to get into huge amounts of debt but I want to make the day as special as possible.
Where do you scrimp and where do you splurge? If you've already had you wedding I think we would all love to hear any snippets of wisdom you can give us up and coming brides. Where did you get your dress? Who sells great plus sized wedding dresses? How about the cake? Did you find the perfect venue. Did you spend tons of money or did you do it frugally? Is there anything you would change now that you know better?
Us brides-to-be need to know. Why not help a girl out?

Check out the Vancouver Sun Today!

Thanks to Lucy Hyslop for writing this feature in today's Style section of the Vancouver Sun!

Check it out!

Bold and Audacious Women Interview - Take 2

We would like to introduce you to Karen Henrich!

Here's a little story for you

Once upon a time, two North American girlfriends went to Paris in search of fun and adventure. Day after glorious day and night after glorious night they frolicked happily in the City of Light. Magic unfolded as they strolled down grand boulevards and medieval streets, feasted like Queens, partied like Impressionist painters and encountered delightful Parisians and handsome men (wink). Even the occasional haughty indifference of a waiter charmed them so. Early one morning, as the girlfriends returned to their hotel after partying the entire night, the hotel clerk smiled at them and said in the Frenchest of accents . . .“In France, we call this a ‘nuit blanche’ – a ‘white night’. Bonne journée mesdemoiselles. . . ” After returning home, the girls lived happily ever after with their wondrous Parisian memories and wanted to share their delightful experiences with women across the land. Thus is how Nuit Blanche Tours began . . .
Sound like a fairy tale? . . . well it’s not . . . this is Nuit Blanche Tours . . .

Check out the links below to see what else Karen is up to. She's a busy woman and you must check out her Chic Walk shopping walks!

Just how busy is Karen? She says, "Two international businesses and I live on two continents: Canada and France. It’s why I don’t sleep much." Who needs to sleep when you're having this much fun?

http://www.nuitblanchetours.com/ - Tours for Girls Who Want to Have Fun in Paris (girlfriend getaways)

http://www.chicwalks.com/ - Step-by-step Shopping Walks. For Fashion Capitals. Worldwide.

karen@chicwalks.com

Favourite part of your body? Upper arms, which are still muscular from former extreme-sport days

3 words/phrases your friends would use to describe you/your style?

Joie-de-vivre

Morning person or not?

One of my company names is Nuit Blanche Tours, the first two words in French literally mean “white night,” meaning that you stay up all night because you’re having so much fun. So, I am not a morning person, unless I have stayed up all night as a result of a nuit blanche. Please don’t invite me to early morning meetings.

Favourite tv show/movie?HouseMovie:

Unfaithful (the American version with Diane Lane, Richard Gere and French hunk, Olivier Martinez

Knee high socks or full tights?

Neither, fish net stockings!

Sexy jeans or a flirty dress?

Both

Heels or flats?

Heels as high as they go, while still allowing walking on cobblestones without breaking my ankles/neck

Gotta ask - top 5 people you'd invite to dinner (alive or dead)?

1) My dad, who left us on earth but is still very much here in spirit

2) My incredibly wonderful, sexy fiance

3) The Obamas, the whole family, who doesn’t love them?

4) Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay

5) Leonard Cohen

Phrase/quote that inspires you?

Tout est possible (all is possible)

Piece of clothing that makes you feel sexy?

Long gloves that go to the elbow

Most recent clothing purchase?

No purchases but lots of voyeurism at Vancouver Fashion Week

Recently upcoming projects?

To add other fashion cities to chicwalks.com; already in progress are detailed shopping walks for San Francisco and LA, then NYC and London

Final words?

We're always on the look-out for fashionista journalist-types in other cities!

Who's Celebrating Curves???

I just discovered this site and fell in love with all the beautiful curvy images! Hope you enjoy them too.
http://www.artmozaik.com/Curves.html

Bold and Audacious Women Interview - Take 1

I'd like to introduce you to...

Miranda Lievers - owner of Blue Olive Photography. The first of many interviews we will share with you featuring strong, independent and Bodacious women. Enjoy...

favourite part of your body?... My smile! Is that a body part?

3 words/phrases your friends would use to describe you/your style?... I have consulted - they tell me Sassy, Passionate, and Colourful

fashion/personal inspiration? Life is for living and what I wear has to agree with that… I go for comfortable and practical, try to never forget the accessories, and never *ever* take myself too seriously

favourite tv show/movie? For no thought required end of day winding down - Grey's and Gossip Girl. For movies that make you angry and joyous and cry - Away from Her, Kolya, Across The Universe, Atonement….

knee high socks or full tights? Definitely full tights, and in some sort of fun colour

sexy jeans or a flirty dress? Dress me up! I never used to be a dress girl but now that I have a few that fit me well (Bodacious, of course!) I wear them all the time

heels or flats? Definitely flats - I'm just not that coordinated, I think it's best that I remain as close to the ground as possible

gotta ask - top 5 people you'd invite to dinner (alive or dead)? I thought about this for a long time. On different days I would have different answers, but today I'd love to sit down with my grandparents when they were my age and all of my great grandparents (whom I never got to meet) when they had the wisdom that old age can bring. I'd ask them to tell me their stories.

favourite colour combination? At this minute, Black & Turquoise. This changes multiple times per day.

phrase/quote that inspires you? I will be who I will to be, I am who I have willed to become

piece of clothing that makes you feel sexy? I finally bought a real corset, something I've wanted for a long time. I think they are fantastic for making you feel great about yourself

most recent clothing purchase? A cute retro print shirt with a keyhole neckline, perfect for work dressed up or with jeans for a beer

what's on the 'i need to have it' list for spring? A decent light fitted jacket, probably black but with a bright colourful liner inside!

upcoming projects? Entreprenessa Magazine! I'm starting a magazine for creative entrepreneurs, and I am so incredibly excited for it. Get involved at http://www.entreprenessa.com/

final words? Simply, never take life too seriously and take a minute every day to be thankful for everything incredible in your life. Focus on what you can change rather than what you can't and keep smiling. Everything else will fall into place. Cheers!

Great and inspirational words, Miranda! Thanks so much for being our first Bold and Audacious Woman interview!

How to Look Good Naked!

Last night I watched two of my favourite shows - Dancing with the Stars and How to Look Good Naked. Both make me feel encouraged, make me laugh and show different bodies as beautiful. (I would have liked to see Steve Wozniak get voted off before Belinda Carlisle though!)

I LOVE Gok Wan and I know many many women who would love to have this witty, encouraging and stylish fella as their new best friend.

These shows continue to challenge the 'norm' of body type and size. Gok shows women - my size!!! - naked! and...beautiful! If you haven't seen the show, please check it out and let us know what you think.

Calling ALL Vancouver Entrepreneurs!

Press Release
Register
CRAVE business PRESENTS:
SHOP SYMPOSIUM 09

take a day off to work "on" your business, not in it.
Calling all Vancouver entrepreneurs!
This is a must attend event if you want to grow your business.
CRAVEbusiness is a social and resource network for stylish innovators who own their own business or dream of starting one. Through one-on-one consulting, workshops, and red-carpet access to sage and savvy experts, CRAVEbusiness gives you a fresh take on designing your work life.
All registrants will have the opportunity to submit a profile of their business to have it reviewed by a panel of experts (click here to get started).
In Spring 2009, CRAVEbusiness’s SHOP Symposium series marks its third year of providing an inspirational, educational, one-day conference designed to support independent business owners. Attendees include retailers, spa and gym owners, travel agents, yoga teachers, creatives, self-employed service providers, and consultants of different stripes.

The only conference of its kind, SHOP Symposium/09 teaches practical skills, offers wise encouragement, and builds camaraderie. This is accomplished through expert speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions and vendors whose services support the unique needs of business owners not affiliated with large corporations or chains. “Independent businesses keep the marketplace diverse and add character and soul to our communities,” comments CRAVEbusiness founder, Melody Biringer, herself a life-long entrepreneur and independent business owner.

“Independent owners are particularly courageous. They need a community to support them, and this is the purpose of SHOP Symposium/09.”

TOPICS AND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• Online and Offline Marketing Strategies That Work
• Talk Back Sessions
• PR and Digital PR
• Social Networking
• Live Think Tank- Registrants can enter to win a free business evaluation by a panel of business experts
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
• Danielle LaPorte / White Hot Truth
• Sarah Bancroft / Co-Founder & Editor in Chief VitaminDaily
• Judy Brooks / Blo Blow Dry Bar
• Jill Earthy / MomCafÉ
• Lorna Ketler and Barb Wilkins / Bodacious
• Stephen Jagger / Reachd

Event Details
VANCOUVER BC
When: Mon, March 30, 09
Time: 8am-5:30pm
Where: Vancity Theatre
Tickets: $85 USD per guest $70 USD each for two or more
Contact sherri [at] craveparty.com to become a vendor or a sponsor.

Shoes that love you??

You have to pop in and see this new line of shoes we are carrying at Bodacious. OKA b makes a lot of claims and they're all true.

• They don't just make shoes they make "shoes that love you!"




• Arch support




• Massage beads




• Reflexology




• Non-slip




• Comfortable




• Washable (in the top rack of your dishwasher!)




• Anti-Microbial




• Vegan Friendly :-)




• Recyclable

Oh yes, they are also super cute! Oprah loves them and so do we. We have lots of styles and colours in store in sizes 8-12.

Come on in a try a pair!

Today's Vancouver Woman

It's finally out!

The current issue of Today's Vancouver Woman is here and look who's on the cover. You can click on the link and read the article written by Pamela Post.

Let us know what you think!

bodaciously,

Barb and Lorna

Bodacious Business Spotlight

Maybe you've heard about boot camps but have been scared off by the military, hard-core idea of it all. Nobody really wants someone yelling in their face and making them do push-ups in the mud!

We believe in positive support and encouragement and so do these ladies. They also recognize that skinny doesn't equal healthy - and curvy doesn't mean couch potato!

Body Exchange "Plus-Size" Bootcamps now available in Vancouver.

"dedicated to the Plus Size and Beginner community; our mission is Fearless Fitness. We are here to encourage people to make the exchange to a healthier lifestyle and start their fitness journey today. We focus on a healthier lifestyle; mind, body and soul. No more fad diets! Weight loss is a great side effect of better health. Body Exchange™ has a realistic training approach; we know there is nothing worse than demoralization through fitness! Finally, you will attain fitness success. We invite you to put aside your current size, age or physical ability and change your life today."

http://bodyexchange.ca/index.html

Tell them we sent you...

Check out the Westender today for a bit of Bodacious Wisdom:)

http://www.westender.com/articles/entry/thinking-thin-fake-it-til-you-make-it
Not the title we would have chosen but we got some good words in anyway...

Luxurious Loungewear On SALE at Bodacious!

40% off these softest cottons and satin sleepwear/loungewear sets

at Bodacious now! Available up to size 18/20

FYI - we were assured when we purchased these lovely pieces that they would fit much larger and once we recieved them, were disappointed that they didn't fit our full range. Our apologies on that. We do our best for you all!

Something to do...

If you're going to be in Vancouver on Monday, March 30th, you should check out this Shop Symposium event! Barb and I are going to speak on a panel of "inspirational speakers" and there will be all sorts of great shopping, fun, inspiration - when we're all needing a bit of that! Check out their site and let us know what you think.

Local Women Bare Arms!

...and legs, and a bit of cleavage as well. So why is it that so many women are afraid to show off their upper arms? Here's what we say to women who tell us they don't do sleeveless. What's the worst thing that can happen? Someone may actually see your arms and think, " Wow, she has big arms..." chances are after this insightful comment, they will already be thinking of something to say about someone else. The thing is, we tend to forget that most people are too busy worrying about the size of their own ass to even notice yours. Once we realize that the only opinion that matters when it comes to body acceptance is our own, then we can start dressing our bodies the way we feel most comfortable. A comfortable person has a much better chance of being a confident person. It's confidence that makes us truly beautiful and sexy. Whether it's arms, knees, tummies, thighs or butts, when a woman accepts the size of all of these parts and stops thinking of herself as a series of flaws, she can finally become one big beautiful package.

bodaciously,
Barb

How times have changed...or have they?

I was inspired by Big Fat Deal's blog this morning showing a vintage ad for "chubby" kids. Great discussion there about what constituted "chubby" in those days and what we might call those sizes now.

There has been some forward movement in the media - notably "How to Look Good Naked", the Dove Campaign For Real Beauty, and a few celebrities who are curvy, proud and outspoken.

I am, however, often shocked by how little progress has been made. From the perspective of a retailer who is always looking for fun, flattering clothing to carry for you, I think you'd be surprised to learn how often those beautiful designs we get to see and order at the shows are cancelled before delivery. (dozens of times, we've received the smaller sizes and told that they decided not to produce the larger ones meaning we had to ship it all back - we are pretty much an all-or-nothing operation)

This is apparently due to lack of interest or confidence from other retailers even though we know that if we had the product in our store, you would buy it. In fact, we do have it and you do buy it. (Thanks to our extremely talented team of local designers!) We're always just looking for more!

What do you think? Are curvy, larger-sized women just used to not having a choice or a voice? Are they more apt to settle for something that covers/fits unwell?

We know that's not our customer. Our customer is beautiful, proud and confident; willing to show off her curves and strut her stuff.

And the good news is, we have sourced for you some amazing pieces from reputable suppliers (lots of dresses!!!) for spring and they will be arriving through our doors any day now.

We'd love to know what you think so feel free to post here or check out our facebook page...