Thigh Gap Nonsense

Agreed!

OK, I know I haven’t posted to the TVP blog in a while but this is something I just had to comment on. No offense to the naturally thin women out there but who the hell decided that possessing a #ThighGap (Pinterest has plenty of examples to go ’round if you don’t know what I’m talking about here). was something worth coveting?! To me, it seems like yet another attempt at the media (and some fitness industry professionals) to perpetuate fear and poor body image messages to women. Furthermore, it’s a way to brainwash men into thinking that women with a thigh gap are more desirable than women without.

I’m sorry folks – wait, not I’m not! – but I’d rather gaze upon a woman with soft, toned thighs that look healthy than someone with what resembles leftovers from a wingette eating contest!

But enough about how I feel. What do you think about this not so new trend in bad body imagery? Chat away in the comments below!

Breathing New Life Into The Voluptua Project

The Voluptua Project – Model: Tracy K.

Greetings Fam!

 

TVP has been resting dormant for quite a while now. Fortunately, things are turning around, there are people that have my back and will assist in the contribution of material and – well, it’s just time to really set it off and take this thing to the 2.0 stage!

 

SO…

With that mentioned, I’m going to begin recruiting models from Chicago and surrounding cities to reignite TVP. I’ll also be developing a core creative team for this and other projects as my “go to” professionals for shoots, events, etc. If you’re in Chicago, a creative professional and interested in being part of TVP simply fill in the form below. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

Humbly,

 

Michael

TVP Creator

 

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TVP Meets Light Scribe Photo

Greetings TVP Fam!

Recently, I’ve had to halt all activity with TVP due to financial, scholastic and other personal reasons. During this time, TVP was never far from my mind and I kept thinking about how I could somehow reintroduce into my life and the lives of all those that follow the movement.

I may have mentioned that photography is a passion of mine; since March 2011 I’ve been attending The Art Institute of Pittsburgh online in pursuit of a photography degree. A few days ago it dawned on me that by merging this movement with my passion for photography I could reach people in a whole new way. To that end I’ll be creating a photo project through my forthcoming photography business Light Scribe Photo.

In an effort to get this going I’m putting the word out that I want to work with makeup artists, designers, stylists and other photographers to create the Voluptua Photo Project. Interested? Send me a message via the Contact TVP tab and let’s change lives!

Michael

TVP

TVP on Indefinite Hold

Greetings TVP Fam!

As of today, The Voluptua Project is on hold indefinitely. I just have too much going on right now and I’d rather come back to it when I can than too continue providing less than stellar posts (from myself) or late posts (not scheduled on time by me).

I do want to thank my contributing writers – Uhuru, Vonda, Raquiyba and Flossie for providing such great articles. I’d also like to thank you, the TVP readers and supporters for sticking with us.

Your Voluptuousness In FULL View

Image by McBeth via Flickr

Greetings TVP Fam!

You’ve probably have seen our posts featuring influential and inspirational people and businesses before. Additionally, some of you have requested that we do interviews with those that we feature. To that end I’d like to introduce our forthcoming feature post format – In FULL View!

Beginning next Monday, In FULL View will combine the profile version of our feature with an interview component to bring you even closer into the lives of our curvalicious friends!

Interested in being featured? Send us a note via the Contact Page and tell us about yourself and/or your business and someone will follow up with you ASAP.

I Ain’t Saying I’m A Gold Digger…

Hey Vonda,

I’m writing to you to get your opinion on something.  I am 32 year old single woman with no kids that has had some terrible relationships.  I had one guy that I found out was married, one that was a habitual cheater, one that was a stalker and the last one I think was gay.  I have had nothing but bad luck in the love department.  About 6 months ago, I met a man that didn’t quite have the cuteness I go for, but he was and is a nice guy.  To add to that, he spoils me completely. Vonda, all I have to do is look at something sideways and I have it almost immediately.  He has bought me fine jewelry, clothes, bags, shoes and he wants to buy me a car.  Now, all that sounds wonderful right?  Any woman would tell me that I hit the jackpot, but…I just can’t seem to find those deep feelings for him that he has for me.  I just don’t understand it!  I don’t want to leave him because he is a nice guy (and I won’t deny that I will miss the pampering part).  What do I do?  He has recently started talking about the possibility of marriage and it sends shivers down my spine.  What do I do, Vonda? I don’t wnt to leave the best thing I have found in forever, but I don’t want to hurt him either.  Help!

I Ain’t Saying I’m A Gold Digger

Dear I Ain’t Saying I’m A Gold Digger,

I’m going to cut right to the chase…you have to make a decision now.  It’s not fair to you or him for this to continue if its all one-sided.  Trust me, I get the whole pampering thing; what women wouldn’t?  You just have to understand that as long as you stay in this relationship and let this man shower you with gifts, the deeper and deeper this hole gets.  It’s okay not to be attracted to him.  He can be the nicest thing on the planet, but if you aren’t attracted to him in that way it doesn’t make you a bad person.  Now, staying with him solely to keep soaking up his money would.  You said that you had some bad relationship experiences in the past…use this one as a template.  What I mean is, if this guy is as “good” as you say he is, now you know what to look for in the next one.  From what I read here, it doesn’t sound to me like there are mutual feelings here.  You need to sit him down and be honest with him.  Don’t do to him what the guys in past relationships did to you by being dishonest.  You never know, you MAY be able to maintain some sort of friendship with him.  It just comes down to you doing the right thing.  Hope I helped!

Vonda

About the Author: Vonda Howard is the author of the new hot book series, The D-Cup Divas™, a graphic designer of her own graphic design firm, Cupcake Creative Studio, mom to two, wife to her one and only and a domestic goddess (not really…LOL). She does not profess to be an expert, but just that one opinionated girlfriend you go to for the straight nitty-gritty. So just relax and enjoy. ;o) Do you have a question? Send it to this address:heyvonda@thedcupdivas.com and you may get featured!

A New Year and New Beginnings for The Voluptua Project

Greetings TVP Fam!

I have tons of stuff going on right now so this post will be rather short and sweet…

The Voluptua Project was always – and still is – meant to be a platform for promoting positive plus people, body image and heath and wellness. I have always tired to bring  you content that met or exceeded the mission of TVP.

In the pipeline (for those that are curious) we have the following coming up:

• TVP Online magazine
• First Quarterly TVP Meet & Greet
• TVP Charity Fashion Show

I cannot do it alone however and so, beginning this month, I am actively seeking editors for the blog and community managers for the FB page. We’re ALWAYS seeking writers with a finger on the pulse of the plus community. I mention all this to basically say: If you would like to be part of TVP’s core team I’d love the company! Just visit the Contact page and let me know how you’d like to contribute. Thanks for reading (A BIG thank you to the TVP writing team!) and I hope your year is off to a fantabulous start!

When to Say No to Your Partner or You Want Me To Do What?!

Hey Vonda!

Okay imma get right to it.  I just need a little clarification.  The other night I decided to spice up our sex life by agreeing to watch a xxx movie with my hubby.  I have to admit, I was enjoying it and it definitely was working.  It wasn’t until the woman in the movie showed us that she obviously has no bones, that this fool turned to me and actually said, “Ooo baby.  Why don’t we do that?”  I told him HELL NO and we continued to watch.  Vonda, ever since we watched that damn movie he has been asking me to bend, twist and squeeze into positions that my body just was not made to get into.  I love my husband and want to make him happy, but I am just not that comfortable with some of the things he wants me to do.  Vonda, what should I do?  Am I being a terrible wife if I tell him no?

You Want Me To Do What?

Dear You Want Me To Do What,

I have to admit your letter made me chuckle.  In the grand scope of things, this is a really minor problem.

I am glad to hear that you are open to trying new things with your hubby.  Lots of times, we wives and girlfriends can get a bit complacent when it comes to intimacy with our men.  Just like we want them to do things for us, we have to be willing to budge a little and do some of the things he is interested in too.  Who knows; he may just be curious about it and end up hating it too!

Now, to answer your question.  The answer is no.  You will not be wrong for telling him that you are uncomfortable with something.  After all, that is YOUR body and although you allow him to borrow it from time to time, you still have the ultimate say as to what happens to it.  Simply tell him that you love him and are having a good time trying all the new things, but that one is just not for you.  If he truly loves and respects you (which I assume he does), he won’t have a problem respecting your wishes.  Try buying some books and YOU pick out movies that may interest you and both of you decide on what you BOTH are willing to try together.

Have Fun!

Vonda

About the Author: Vonda Howard is the author of the new hot book series, The D-Cup Divas™, a graphic designer of her own graphic design firm, Cupcake Creative Studio, mom to two, wife to her one and only and a domestic goddess (not really…LOL). She does not profess to be an expert, but just that one opinionated girlfriend you go to for the straight nitty-gritty. So just relax and enjoy. ;o) Do you have a question? Send it to this address:heyvonda@thedcupdivas.com and you may get featured!