Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Va-Voom Challenge

I love a challenge. Really, I do! Tell me I can't do something and I'll go out of my way to prove you wrong. So when The Va-Voom Vintage Challenge: Love yourself, Love others, Love vintage, was issued... I thought why not push the envelope a wee bit further....(sorry in advance Mom)

If you are a reader of my blog, you know all about my last 5 year voyage back to loving myself. Where did I go??? I don't know but here I am. One of the things I've learned to do in my 30's was to except myself the way I am. I LOVE being in my 30's!!! Why I couldn't do this in my 20's, I don't know? I was to busy hating myself to actually take the time to discover how to love myself. The things I did to my body both physically and mentally because I couldn't see my own beauty was sad. I can only hope that my body forgives me and believes me when I promise to take better care of it these next 38 years.

Dear Body,

Please don't give up on me now. I promise to make it up to you. You and I still have so many places to go and fun things to do. I also promise to never let anyone come between us ever again. If they don't like us, we don't need them. This time, we're sticking together and I mean it!

Love Always,
MaryDeluxe
who's that girl?



5 Things I LOVE about me:

1. My goofy, silly personality. I like to laugh...I totally crack myself up on a daily basis. It's much fun!

2. The curve from my waist to my hips. I've worked hard for my petite curves and I'm still working!

3. My little tummy....I happen to think tummies are extremely sexy. :)

4. The muscle definition I've been getting in my calves and thighs from my workouts. I love seeing how my body changes with exercise.

5. My tiny feet... which allow me to fit into cute vintage shoes!


5 People who I admire and inspire me.

1. MsBitchCakes.....If you don't read her blog, you should. Her personal self journey is nothing short of amazing.



2. Ms. Desi De Lu Lu...My favorite bus stop goddess.



3. Kitty Von Purr...For her courage and strength as she battles breast cancer. Kick it's ass Kitty!



4. Shrinky Inky....because she turned 50 and still look's fabulous. I also adore her hair color!



5. Cheri Pinktrix from The Vintage Lesbian Project. Watch the video...now this girl knows how to have a good time with her body!!



Wake up, look cute, love yourself.

XOXO,
MaryDeluxe

30 comments:

  1. I just sat here with my mouth hanging open as Cheri Pinktrix did her thang. I am in awe. And I love you, too, Miss Mary, for putting yourself out there. Girl power at any age is a powerful thing!!!

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  2. I love Cheri Pinktrix!

    Life is soooo short to make ourselves suffer for stupid ideas about who we think we need to be instead of loving who we are. I won't do it anymore...I love myself to much now. :)

    MaryDeluxe

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  3. Great post! You look absolutely gorgeous!

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  4. Mary I love you - and btw, now lust after you as well - va va and VA VOOM indeed! thank you so much for the loveliest compliment and including me in your list of five (i am in awe of the company I am keeping in your list). big huge kisses to you.

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  5. *Gasp!* Thanks so much for featuring me! I think everyone has issues with their body, but the fact is life is too short to fret about something so silly. Just go live! Thanks for the post!
    -Cheri

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  6. Miss Mary thank you for being you! You inspire me. I have a long way to go but I hope I can one day achieve love of self the way you have. You rock!

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  7. Great Post! So positive,,,keep that attitude up, maybe it will be contagious and I'll catch some of that attitude as well.

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  8. You are such an inspiration Mary! Keep up every wonderful post, and thanks for encouraging all of us gals feel great about ourselves, no matter what.

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  9. Thank you for this post. It's just beautiful seeing and reading about women loving themselves. Too many of us get stuck in life wasting time, hating ourselves and treating our bodies (and minds) badly to compensate for something else. Too many women don't see how wonderful, clever and beautiful they are. I didn't want to see it for years and wasted about 7 years abusing my health batteling a very bad eating disorder. 7 years of wasted time where I could have been enjoying myself, celebrating who I am. A great women. But at least I got there in the end.
    I love your blog and I love your spirit. You are a beautiful women Mary Deluxe. Please keep posting these messages. It's great to be reminded every now and then how awesome we all are.
    To all the beautiful women out there!!

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  10. I think you 'are' an inspiration and motivation to many Mary'D' ('D' for D-vine!).
    Body image and all the social expectations and fantasy created about 'how' it should be (promoted by marketing and fashion Gurus) has caused far too much damage for many people (of all sexes/gender). You GO GIRL..!! Your positivity is creative, engaging and totally CONTAGIOUS! :)

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  11. Mary- you are SO awesome!!! I love that you posted that pic of you! That's something I don't think any one else would have had the guts and confidence to do! Thanks for taking my challenge and rockin' it! You look amazing!!xoxoxo
    http://vavvoomvintage.blogspot.com

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  12. Mary, you are SO awesome!! Thanks for taking on my challenge and taking it to the next level! I don't think many people would have the guts and confidence to do post a pic like that! You look -fabulous-! xoxo
    http://vavoomvintage.blogspot.com

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  13. Mary! You are gorgeous inside and out!

    XOXO~Syd

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  14. Thanks Everyone!

    I probably just gave my Mom a heart attack though! It's just my undies Mom...I'm not naked and I'm wearing a mask!!hahaha

    But really people...I've spent to many of my years starving myself, bingeing and purging, over exercising, thinking negative things about myself, and allowing others negative opinions about me to effect me....I'm not doing it ever again and neither should you!

    MaryDeluxe

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  15. Sadly, the image perpetuated in media and by many is that men are only attracted to a certain type which is so not true! There is nothing wrong with a woman being thin, but neither is there anything wrong with a woman with curves. We men like 'em all! And by that statement, I mean for every body type, there is a line of men waiting for their chance to woo. Just as importantly, let's not forget the underrated value of how much more attractive a kick-butt personality makes a person. It is a deal breaker!

    Touchofevil!

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  16. WOWWWWWWW!!! Mary!!! I love this post!!! You look great!!!! I guess your mom had the heart attack!!! BUT YOU LOOK GREAT!! And like you, I guess I feel much better in my 30's than in my 20's, even if sometimes I feel sad because I compare my self with those women on TV....then I realize I won't ever be/look like them, that THIS is me and take away the negative thoughts, I guess thanks to advertasing and tv shows we have the wrong idea of how we should look, it's hard to love our selves just the way we are, BUT when we do, then we feel happy!!!
    You inspired me....but I guess I won't show a picture of me wearing just my undies hehehehe.....

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  17. TouchofEvil,

    You are so true...we come in all shapes and sizes...and there are plenty of people who are attracted to all shapes and sizes! I say, if someone doesn't like you, find someone who does! :)Because they're out there, somewhere. Half the fun is finding them.

    I also think that a person who likes themselves flaws and all, is also pretty darn sexy too!

    MaryDeluxe

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  18. I always deeply confused when you say you have to lose more weight, your perfect! You have posted a picture of yourself in your undies.

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  19. Miss Deluxe, how fabulous do you look !!!!! I am way to aware of my flaws, every tiny thing is a drama for me. I need more of your confidence and wonderful attitude. I promise to try harder !!! You rock the undies ! xxx

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  20. With age (hopefully) comes the sense of comfort in one's skin, perceived acceptable flaws, warts and all. As well as the realization that those who do not accept you for what you bring to the table but slam you for what you do not, should not be a part of your little world. They are not needed because there are plenty out there who can happily fill it.

    Touchofevil!

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  21. Good. For. You. Sister. Rock on!

    How else can we learn to love all of ourselves if we cannot love all - including the bumps and curves? I love the empowered feel of this entry and I have to say that I am inspired to see someone, a vintage girl I've never met, be comfortable in their own skin. I admire your style, your look, your perspective... Consider me a fan, not simply a follower.

    Hello from Chicago!

    Darlene

    http://vintagenotionsandwhatnot.blogspot.com/

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  22. Well, I haven't gotten a call from the hospital so I guess my Moms hasn't read my blog yet?? :)

    Moni...Actually I've lost 5 more pounds since that photo which was taken in February. I was about 127 then. I feel good no matter what weight I'm at but I feel best when I'm working out and eating healthy.

    Jaede...Oh please I saw that HAWT leopard bathing suit picture I posted over in the lounge...it's funny how we can be our worst critics but others will see the beauty that we just don't see. Sometimes it's good to look at our selves through another's eyes.

    Hello Darlene and thank you for being my fan!

    MaryDeluxe :)

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  23. Humble thanks for letting me inspire you! Hahah.. it works both ways kid! Enjoy your thirties, and it only gets better trust me!

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  24. Great post, loving yourself is sooo important I stil haven't cracked it at 43!

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  25. So true, we are our own worst critics. I'm going to look at the pic again and be more positive !!! Thanks for being inspiring xxx

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  26. Miss Mary,

    When did you abandon the self-loathing that which you refer to in this post?

    And when did you get hit by the vintage bug?

    I can't tell you how envious I am of you, your home, and your positivity! Sheesh!

    Anyway, I'd love a new voice to chime in every once and again over at my own blog, so if you have time... ;)

    Darlene

    http://vintagenotionsandwhatnot.blogspot.com/

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  27. Darlene....Oh I've always been more of the glass is half full kinda gal but I spent a lot of my 20's hating my body. I guess I started my loving myself kick about 5 years ago. Went to therapy and started talking about and figuring out what I wanted for me. Joined a gym again, changed my career, ended my 6 year relationship and dated two men who had lots of baggage. The ending of those relationships really did me in and I hated how it left me feeling about me. These last 7 months I've been working on me and I feel good about how far I've come. Happy is a good place to be, much better then being miserable!

    MaryDeluxe

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  28. I so have to do this on my blog!

    I've just hit my 30s, I certainly like myself a lot better than I did at 21, I think, but I've a long way to go.

    And you're so lucky having small feet to fit into vintage shoes!

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  29. http://sweetbutterbliss.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-got-really-excited-when-i-read-about.html

    I did this and wrote about you! I used one of your pictures, let me know if that's not okay. Thanks!

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