I am finally famous. It’s about freaking time.

Thanks to the technological wonders provided by gadget geeks, I know what you are saying about me on the internet. Oh yes, I know when you Tweet about me, re-Tweet me (I love when that happens) and especially important — I know when you are stealing my content.

Recently, I found out that I am so famous that this entire blog is being stolen. Honestly, it’s about freaking time.

Thank you plusultrablog for importing my ENTIRE blog into your site. Not just the posts where I write about plus size fashion and sales, but you even stole the piece I wrote about my mother’s cancer. Classy.

And um…plus ultra blog. Just…oh my. How fabulous. I wish I had thought of that. Put up a blog that has no original content and no comments, then claim to be the ultra blog. Hee hee…hey Chucklehead, did you learn that in business class?

Yes I sent them an email telling them they are naughty children and to cut that shit out, and I have sent emails to other bloggers whose posts I recognize, but since all identifying names have been removed (but not the links to outside websites) if you have a Body Positive, Fat Positive, Health at Every Size, Diets Are For Dummies, etc., type of blog then you might want to check for yourself to make sure you aren’t also being ripped off.

Seriously though, I am wondering why it has taken so long for this to happen.

Perhaps I have not been controversial enough to have my blog posts stolen. I think it is very important to be nice — of world impact importance — and I have been using my desire for more niceness in the world to be my excuse to avoid internet fights and stay out of the mud slinging.

But, I am realizing that it isn’t nice to pretend that I don’t feel strongly about issues. But I do feel strongly about many things and I am going to write about it here. It is very nice to be honest, tell people where your boundaries are, and to be engaged in important discussions. It is nice to speak honestly and passionately even if those discussions become heated.

And so for 2010 I promise to roll out all kinds of controversy! I’m gonna have blog wars with bloggity badassness so watch out.

You hear me plusultrablog? I’m coming for you.

Voices of the Fat Poets’ Society – our first interview!

Five women contributed poetry about our experience of life as fat women to this amazing book, and I am very proud to say that I am one of them. On Wednesday, May 13th we will be featured on a teleconference hosted by Peggy Elam, Ph.D, of Pearlsong Press.

Here is how you can listen and participate in the Pearlsong Conversation beginning TODAY at Noon Eastern / 11:00 a.m. Central

Dial: 712-775-7000
Access Code: 555092# It’s important to use the pound sign after the access code!

I would also recommend Peggy’s online radio show, Health at Every Size, that takes place Mondays from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Central Time for weekly conversations about HAES, with great music and fun conversation. The show is on WRFN 98.9 lpfm in Pasquo, TN and can be heard via live streaming audio at Radio Free Nashville.

Update: There will be an audio link to the teleconference and as soon as it is available I will post a link. Thank you to everyone who called in and asked questions. Thank you for your compliments. Most of all I am so glad that you are enjoying our fat liberation poetry.

The Fat Poets’ Society book is here! Officially published today!

“Fat Poets Speak: Voices of the Fat Poets’ Society” is now available at Amazon, Powells, Barnes & Noble and I’ve been ego-searching myself on every search engine all freaking morning!

I can not even begin to tell you how absolutely thrilling this is and to see my name on the cover of a published book is beyond the beyond. I have had the enormous privilege of working with very talented women to bring this together. Frannie Zellman – who led the poetry writing workshop at the NAAFA convention where we all met, Kathy Barron, Anne S. Kaplan, Leleigh Owen (L.A. Chapter President of NAAFA), and a special warm thank you to Mary Ray Worley who inspired it all.

I also want to thank Peggy Elam, Ph.D., the President & Publisher of Pearlsong Press for her commitment to this project.

Today is International No Diet Day. How fitting that our book is published today? A day to relax about your shape, a day to love the skin you’re in. The same week as “Lessons From the Fat-o-Sphere: Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body,” the new book from Kate Harding and Marianne Kirby.

I have (quite thoughtfully) provided links to both books in the far right column. See? Over there >>>>> Yes, that’s it. So celebrate you body electric, celebrate Mother’s Day, celebrate your birthday — and have I mentioned that my book is published?

You can read our first author interviews on the new website More of Me to Love.

And the poetry? Well I can leave you with our first review, from author and illustrator of “More to Love” (unrelated to the More of Me to Love website) Elizabeth Patch:

Thank you for conducting this in-depth and insightful interview! I recently read “Fat Poet’s Speak” and found it to express the full range of emotions: longing and loneliness, anger and hurt, pride and attitude, sensuality and sexuality. It’s interesting to read a bit more about the influences and motivations of the Fat Poets, as well as their dreams and hopes for the future of size acceptance. Art can be an incredibly powerful force for change! It acts in a different, more emotional and intuitive way than just facts & figures, and it lingers in the mind longer. I hope that the art form of poetry helps spread the transformational ideas that every one of these women embrace.

Please visit this link to listen to a recent Pearlsong Press – Haes podcast. Peggy reads some of our poems!

Oh and have I mentioned that my book is out?!

Luscious Living: Sales and Events

APRIL DISCOUNT COUPONS

MAKEUP AND SKINCARE DISCOUNTED UP TO 50%

From eyes lips face: Save 10% on your next Purchase from EyesLipsFace.com. Use Coupon EGTENAZ. Limit one Use per Customer.

From Strawberry.net : FREE Stila Eye Shadow Duo Pan with any purchase over $25 USD at StrawberryNET!

SPRING FASHION

From Designer Shoes: World’s largest selection of designer brand name shoes for women who leave a larger footprint!
Also – 5% off for any Samanta brand shoe when the customer uses the code SAM430. The offer is good through April 30.

From Kiyonna: Posey Patio Dress at Kiyonna.com!

And this from Kiyonna: 35% Off All Lingerie with the Coupon Code: LUCK09 at Kiyonna.com!

From Swimsuits for All: Mix & Match Swimwear for the Perfect Fit. Tons of Styles Under $29. Shop Now!

FOR THE KITCHEN

From Cyber Cucina:
In consideration of the Earth Day celebration on April 22nd, Cyber Cucina has designated April to be All Natural & Organic Month

From Cooking: Closeout Prices on Top Brands! Now at Cooking.com!

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Happening around New York City

Golda of Body Love Wellness will be giving 3 workshops in April at Re/Dress in Brooklyn. All sound like wonderful evenings and you have a chance to do some shopping too!

Healthy Eating Without Dieting, Tuesday, 4/14 – 7:30pm
This class addresses the basics of healthy eating, healing foods, and how to manage eating without dieting.

Intuitive Eating, Tuesday, 4/21 – 7:30pm
This class is to help women get in touch with their intuitive sense of what, when, and how much to eat. We’ll work on savoring food, gauging hunger and fullness, what to do when you find yourself “eating to forget”.

Body Acceptance and Love, Tuesday, 4/28 – 7:30pm
As our cultural images of beauty have become more and more rigid (or at least thin) and there are more and more diet programs trying to convince women that being thin is the ultimate goal, women have to work harder to redefine and identify with their own beauty. This class will deal with and give techniques for owning our beauty and our bodies right now.

Come to one, two or all three workshops! Each class is $15, or $40 total if you sign up for all three.

All workshops are being held at this wonderful plus sized vintage store!
Re/Dress NYC

109 Boerum Place
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(Take the F or G train to Bergen Street.)

TO REGISTER:
Go to http://www.bodylovewellness.com/UpcomingWorkshops.html
OR stop by Re/Dress NYC OR email Golda at bodylovewellness@yahoo.com

Walk-ins are also welcome.

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Belle-Noir’s Curves & Cocktails event is three weeks away. Being billed as “The Ultimate Girls Night Out for Women with Curves”, Curves & Cocktails is taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 12 Noon until 6:00pm at the Avents Loft, located at 15 W. 28th Street in New York City.

Attendees will have access to vendors that cater to & show love to plus size women, including Qristyl Frazier Designs, Yania Creations, Collective Elements, and Lia Sophia Jewelry, among others. Attendees will also be treated to tasty treats and delicious cocktails sponsored by ToMA Vodka & Riunite Wine, as well as beverages sponsored by Izze Juice & The Water Shoppe. There will also be raffles every hour, with prizes that include $100 Igigi Gift Certificates and Gift Coupons from Samanta Shoes, and more!

Christina Mendez and Editor-In-Chief of Plus Model Magazine, Maddy Figueroa Jones will be presented with our 1st Independent Woman Awards.

VIP attendees will also be treated to a goodie bag filled with coupons from Igigi & Samanta Shoes, as well as products from Dove, Yardley of London, and gifts from our vendors.

The event is going to be one to remember, and will be the official kick-off as we start the Curves & Cocktails Tour with stops in Washington DC and Atlanta this Fall, and the West Coast in 2010.