PLUS SIZE MODEL: THE ODDS OF BEING MONICA REYES

Monica Reyes, a 21 year old student entrepreneur / blogger of Prodigy Of The Odds, started attending plus size events, buying Erzullie (from the brown maxi pants down to the cropped top) and became the brand’s personal shopper.

She tried out for The Next Erzullie Icon (TNEI) 2012 search but was not chosen. Now she is back for a 2nd try, would the odds be in her favor this time? Check out her thoughts as a TNEI applicant, an Erzulliesta and her possible future of being an Erzullie Icon.

#1 How is your journey of TNEI 2013, so far? 

Before this, I’ve been judged physically and my capability as a person. I needed a support group and found Erzullie --- they have created a family, which plus size women really need.

I applied for TNEI 2013 because as a plus size advocate, I wanted to show that everyone is beautiful, equal and deserves to be happy. During the go-see, I was able to see women sharing the same sentiments.

When I got accepted --- I was speechless on my bed and thought: can I do it right this time? I didn’t excel last year, but I am thankful for the opportunity and I won’t allow this to go to waste.

#2 What’s your view on being an Erzulliesta? 

For me, an Erzulliesta is a plus size woman who is able to stand up and love herself for who they are, while respecting everyone. I believe that many Erzulliestas can relate to that because many of us have been judged harshly before. But by standing up and respecting others, we remember the fact that we are all beautiful and everyone deserves to be respected.

I believe that I am an Erzulliesta; not only because I buy Erzullie, but also because I believe in that idea of a person. For me, we won’t gain the respect that we deserve, if we do not respect ourselves and others.

#3 What is your thought about being an Erzullie Icon?

Being an Erzullie Icon would be to represent plus size women and make them feel that they are beautiful, could do the same things normal sized women can, be happy and excel in anything they want.

Should I be an Erzullie Icon, I would inspire other Erzulliestas to live a healthier lifestyle in general and my message is: “I’m Monica Reyes, a prodigy of the odds. I’m fat but I’m happy, thanks to my friends, family and Erzullie.”

If I’m not chosen as an Erzullie Icon, I would still continue being an advocate of plus size women. Other than me, Timmy deserve to be an Erzullie Icon because she is a beautiful woman --- inside and out --- and we have the same sentiments and purpose of inspiring other women.


Erzullie is a fierce plus size fashion brand from the Philippines dedicated to serving limited edition designer styles for the empowered Erzulliesta. Shop online: http://erzullie.wix.com/shop

PLUS SIZE TIP: HOW TO MAKE EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS

Let’s face it. We have all done it --- making extravagant resolutions for this year and never really pushing through with it. They all look good on paper but life happens, and it starts to get pushed back and we forget them. Another year has passed, we are still the same and we are just left with goals left unattended to.

So how do we make effective resolutions? Here are 3 easy tips!

#1 Break down big resolutions into small ones and make a check list.

Small steps towards a goal are more uplifting and realistic. Although this will depend from one person to another, this step will help you downplay the quest to manageable chunks, giving you less stress and more time to enjoy the process.

#2 Just make one big goal instead of several ones and do Tip #1

You don’t really need 100 resolutions a year because most likely, you won’t be able to push through with all of it. And with that, you might feel like a failure and that’s where the sadness begins. We don’t want that. Just make one big goal this year and focus all of your energy into that. Then, make a list on how to achieve it.

#3 Make resolutions that make you happier

Happiness is one of the greatest driving force of motivation. So make resolutions that will make you happy when you do it. Change can be a little uncomfortable for some, but if you visualize the end product and you feel happy about it, the little sideways of the track will become nothing.


Erzullie is a fierce plus size fashion brand from the Philippines dedicated to serving limited edition designer styles for the empowered Erzulliesta. Shop online: http://erzullie.wix.com/shop

PLUS SIZE MODEL: KAT CATAPIA ON ACHIEVING DREAMS

“Never let go of your dreams because you someday you won’t realize that it’s happening now.” --- Erzullie Icon and Plus Size Model, Kat Catapia, when asked what were her thoughts after doing the famous Pre-Holiday 2013 campaign.

More of this from her interview, “Model Behavior”

Cheers!

Aries


Erzullie is a fierce plus size fashion brand from the Philippines dedicated to serving limited edition designer styles for the empowered Erzulliesta. Shop online: http://erzullie.wix.com/shop

PLUS SIZE OPINION: “NEW YEAR, NEW ME” SHOULD BE CHANGED

The year opens and we hear a lot of people saying --- “new year, new me”. To be honest, all that I can wonder about this is that, “why wait for a new year to start? Can’t we just do it every day?”

All of us yearn for a reset button as a way to change our lives for the better. I guess the New Year aura gives all of us that feeling. As the first month of the year kicks in, we are all in high hopes of finding the “new me” as we say it.

But do we really have to wait for the New Year every time we want to find the “new” us? And also, if we do find the “new us”, what happens then? Do we evaluate if we are happy finding it and if not, do we seek a “new-new us?” If so, do we wait for another year to do it all again?

I suggest this --- no. Every day is an opportunity for you to reset your life. The present is a moment where the past has no power and the future is molded. The past can haunt you and sure can affect the circumstance that you have at the present, but it is in your every waking decision at this time that will change all of that for your future.

So take this power. Change the “new year, new me” mantra to “new day, new me”! Life is constantly happening and you are the one making it. Take it and live!

Cheers!

Aries


Erzullie is a fierce plus size fashion brand from the Philippines dedicated to serving limited edition designer styles for the empowered Erzulliesta. Shop online: http://erzullie.wix.com/shop

PLUS SIZE NEWS: ERZULLIE ICON KAT LOPEZ (W/ Q-YORK) NOMINATED FOR BEST HIPHOP SONG IN #VIMA

Singer/Songwriter (also Erzullie Icon and Plus Size Model) Kat Lopez, along with Q-York, has been nominated for their song “Lead the way” for the Best HipHop song category for the prestigious VIMA awards.

Lopez posted on her facebook page:

“The #VIMA Music Awards Southeast Asia Final Nominees List... @q_york and I are in! Awesome @roxannebarcelo also got into the 'Best Pop Song' Category. Very happy and thankful for this start-of-the-year surprise #LeadTheWay #OPM”

In the same category, rapper Pino G, was also nominated for his song, “Misteryosa”.

VIMA is Asia’s first independent Music Awards that launched last 2008. It is now considered as one of the most trusted platforms and award giving bodies that recognizes musicians in Malaysia, Southeast Asia and India. (Wiki and Bitemymusic.com)

Congratulations to all the Filipino artists that has been nominated!

And to Kat Lopez, from all of the Erzullie-verse, you know we love you, Erulliesta! “Lead the way!”

Cheers!

Aries


Erzullie is a fierce plus size fashion brand from the Philippines dedicated to serving limited edition designer styles for the empowered Erzulliesta. Shop online: http://erzullie.wix.com/shop