#had to stop myself from only using beach pics to represent summer

[qiankunnies]

kun + summer for @kunfetti

[health-and-felicidad]

I Went to a Real Life Body Positive Pool Party, Just Like in Shrill. Here's What Happened

Swimwear can be one of the most intimidating and anxiety-inducing garments that we own. On the flip side, it can also be one of our biggest sources of confidence. For many of us that grew up loathing our bodies, particularly if they did not at all resemble what was being marketed in swimsuit ads, swimsuit season comes with a lot of feelings.

As an adult, I have decided to reclaim the term “fat” as a personal identifier. It is just simply a descriptor of how I identify—fat, Black, femme, queer. Those are all descriptors for how I navigate the world. Identifying as fat or plus-size is important for me because it represents how I have to navigate the fashion industry in particular. Fashion is not at a point where they “don’t see size,” and it continues to prove incredibly challenging for fat or plus-size folks to shop for clothes that actually fit, both online and in-store.

RELATED: Women Are Still Grooming Their Bikini Lines—But Why?

The swimwear industry is notorious for being fatphobic and having a lack of options available for anyone over a size large. Not so fun fact: According to Dr. Deborah Christel, apparel design researcher and founder of size inclusive intimates brand Kade & Vos, only 10% of swimwear sold online is available in plus-sizes. Once the temperatures begin rising as summer months draw nearer, you begin hearing the phrases “beach body” and “bikini body,” and though no one may outright say that fat bodies are not included in those categories, it certainly has always felt implied. So if you are a fat or plus-size person who does not make drastic changes to your body during swimwear season, where do you go if you are not trying to put on a suit that makes you look like Aunt Carol going to water aerobics (no shade Aunt Carol, get your swim on, girl)? Where can you find a suit meant for the beach babe you were born to be?

RELATED: Ashley Graham Opens Up About Why She's Not Afraid to Show Her Stretch Marks on Social Media

Meet Kitty and Vibe, a swimwear brand that’s intentional about body positivity and size inclusivity. The brand created a new sizing metric that uses hip and inseam measurements to create the perfect fit. Each swimsuit bottom size comes in two size options for smaller booties and bigger booties. This eliminates the issue of sagging, bunching, or not enough coverage.

RELATED: Tess Holliday Just Rocked the Cutest Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit—and It’s Perfect for Summer

In late July, the brand hosted a pool party that was like the real life version of the body pos pool party in Shrill. Kitty and Vibe aptly called their event “A Party for EveryBOOTY.”

RELATED: Chrissy Teigen Responds to Body Shaming Tweet: I 'Never Can Win'

When I arrived at the party, which was hosted at a swanky rooftop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, I found myself experiencing the same feelings as Aidy Bryant’s character Annie, thinking to myself, “I should have the confidence of a journalist with press access to this rooftop party, but I’m a little nervous, shy, and hopefully I can get away with standing by the snack table for the night.”

This is typically how I feel attending bougie press events as a plus-size person. However, when I entered the party and saw the diversity (pardon the buzzword) around me, I immediately felt at ease. Stretch marks, wrinkles, melanin, and all body shapes were in attendance to celebrate this brand that too was celebrating them. It was incredible.

I chatted with 25-year-old founder Cameron Armstrong about the ethos of Kitty and Vibe, body positivity, and “A Party for EveryBOOTY.”

RELATED: The 15 Most Flattering One-Piece Swimsuits

HelloGiggles (HG): Was this the first event for the brand?

Cameron Armstrong (CA): Yes, it was. We’ve done a couple in-person markets, but this was really the first full on Kitty and Vibe brand event. It was really special because obviously Kitty and Vibe is all about inclusivity and diversity, celebrating each and every person exactly as they are. But it’s one thing to preach that message, and it’s another thing for people to actually buy into it and respond to it and love it and live it. And so when everybody showed up—and it was the exact kind of demographic of everything that we preach—it was so fulfilling.

HG: It was really cool for me to witness that myself, too. It’s like you said—it’s one thing to see it as a consumer or even read about it as a journalist. But to actually experience it is really nice. It’s great to see brands that actually hold up their end of the bargain.

CA: I was so giggly the whole night, just talking to everybody and saying, “I’m Cameron, I started it. This is crazy.” It was just the most authentic night. It was really special. I had some people tell me, “I came here alone and I was a little nervous, but I’ve made about six friends since being here.” I think that’s very telling.

RELATED: The Workout That Demi Lovato Says Makes Her Feel Sexy in Bikini Photo

HG: That’s awesome. So I have to ask, what is the story behind the name Kitty and Vibe?

CA: Yes, very unique name. So for me, when I created this mission for myself to fix all of the pains within swimwear, I really saw the biggest issue for women and swimwear being that, for a lot of women, nobody could ever find the perfect fitting bottom. It would either sag too much or be too skimpy. And then, also, the experience was so degrading and triggering for so many women. So it was these two issues that I was really focusing on finding solutions for: the fit and the experience. For me, I’ve always had a very small booty. And so whenever I would swim in the ocean, the water would pool [my bikini bottoms] and it would be so uncomfortable. So I took this real life experience with me being a woman in a swimsuit, and I started measuring anybody that would let me measure them. I found that the biggest differentiator across all these women was actually the inseam size, so belly button through the legs to the top of the tailbone. Which is why it’s called Kitty, because I couldn’t call it crotch. And from there, I developed these sizing metrics. In standardized swimwear, you have the small, medium, large, but in Kitty swimwear, within each of those hip sizes, there are two different inseam size options. That’s translated to the customer as S1 and S2. Then we ask, do you have a smaller booty or bigger booty? A smaller inseam or longer inseam? The simple questions really seem to work for the customer because our return rate is insanely low for e-comm fashion. It’s just giving her double the options; we’re not these one dimensional figures that can bucket into three size options. So that’s where Kitty comes from.

Vibe is taking a product [swimsuits] that’s been so historically worrying and depression-triggering, and flipping it on its head to make it something actually enjoyable. I wanted this product to no longer be an enemy of a woman, but a friend. I refer to each of the prints as vibes. So the way our business model works is we drop a new vibe. And when a vibe comes out, it’s available in every single size and every single style. So she can choose the perfect top that will fit her chest in her size and then the perfect bottom with the right coverage in her size, and then get it in that print. Whereas [for other brands], a print will come out that’s maybe only available in a triangle top, which is not supportive enough for someone with an E-size breast. So this really gives her the flexibility to curate the perfect suit for her. Then the suit’s delivered to your doorstep with a curated playlist that matches the vibe of your suit. …It really just personifies the product and it makes you so much closer to it, and it makes it less intimidating. So that’s Kitty and Vibe.

RELATED: Why I Stopped Cropping My Body Out of My Photos for Dating Sites

RELATED: Influencer Who Was Body-Shamed After Sexy Photo Shoot Responds With  Empowering Advice

HG: What does the design process look like?

CA: I’m so glad you brought that up. Because I have no experience in design, I do all of the design decisions on Instagram polls. So if you go on our Instagram, you’ll see a highlight called “Your Vote.” And any time that we are creating new prints or new shapes, new styles, new upgrades to the suits, the decision is made through majority vote. So I throw it up on a poll and I say, “Do you want this or this?” I think it was a no brainer, especially since I’m really not the expert, and who better to ask than the people that are going to buy it… It’s important to note that it’s the highest engagement we get on social media. It’s a really fun way to engage and get the customer hooked at early stages because she’s designing it herself. She’s choosing it.

HG: What exactly does the term body positivity mean to you?

CA: I think it’s tough because obviously it’s a buzzword, for sure… I think body positivity is important to look at it as not so black and white, where it’s like you have it or you don’t. It’s a never ending process of accepting who you are… I really think that the Kitty customer is someone who is on that journey of accepting themselves, but I don’t think she’s dwelling in self pity or self doubt. I think she’s seeing the glass half full and is very encouraged to support other women on the same journey. And it’s really about about sisterhood and lifting other people up along the way. I think the most important thing to me is that it is a process. It’s a journey, it’s not you have it or you don’t.

RELATED: Plus-Size Influencer Nabela Noor Opens Up About Her First Bikini Pic and How She Deals With Hateful Trolls

HG: What does diversity mean to you and especially in fashion?

CA: For all of my campaigns that I’ve done thus far, I have never hired professional models. The people that are in the campaigns are friends of friends or people that have reached out to the brand to say, “I love your message; I would love to be involved.” …I think diversity just means “real.” It’s not photoshopped. It’s not perfectly curated. And something that I really want to be mindful of is avoiding any type of exploitation. I think we’re walking a fine line now where, it’s amazing that the representation is so insisted upon, but I think it needs to be done in the most organic and tasteful way possible. Luckily, within Kitty and Vibe, the people who love the brand are diverse. That’s something I am so proud of because I think it’s rare to be able to create a movement that has such a wide spectrum of souls in love with what you’re putting out there. That’s probably what I’m most proud of; the authentic diversity that is seen when you look at the Kitty and Vibe community.

HG: That actually leads me to my next question. As a straight-sized person yourself—meaning someone who isn’t plus-size or fat—what inspired you to create a brand that is size inclusive, body positive, and diverse—especially when it would be really easy for you to just create small, medium and large? Or, on the opposite end, you could have just tapped into the tokenization of the body positive and diversity movements in fashion. What inspired the movement behind the brand for you?

CA: I’m so glad you asked this because it’s something that I think about really often. To be totally transparent with you, it’s also my biggest insecurity… and when I close my eyes and put myself back at the beginning stages of developing this company, and why I was so fired up about doing it, it was really about the conversations that I had in my past with so many women. Everything that I’ve ever encountered where a woman feels less than because of the way she looks. When I developed the company, I was only two years out of college. I remembered so many conversations with friends where they would just be in tears because they didn’t want to go out that night or they didn’t want to go to the beach—simply because they didn’t like the way they looked. And it was heartbreaking. The one thing that I personally have struggled with in my life is acne on my back, so when I’m in a fitting room with the light beaming down on me, the acne scars on my back are what hinders me from feeling beautiful… And I thought to myself, “I need to give these women armor. I need to give them a suit that really just makes them feel beautiful, and that allows them to get out of their head and really realize that what matters is her confidence.” And so I think it was getting a taste of that triggering feeling. And I just decided that I had to do something about it.

RELATED: Amazon Shoppers Are Convinced This $26 Swimsuit Flatters Every Figure

RELATED: This Body-Positive Activist Rebuilt Her Confidence on Her Own Terms. Here’s How

HG: Would you say more of your larger sizes are being bought than your smaller sizes?

CA: You know, it’s really across the board. I am glad you’re asking me that because I would want to refresh the data and take another look at it. Definitely the most popular sizes were around an M2 or L2—which would be between a size 8 to 14. So it’s really in the middle—it’s not your size zero or the super stick thin that you see so often in advertising. But [the most bought sizes are] not only the highest sizes I offer. That’s why I really don’t ever use the term plus-size to refer to Kitty and Vibe. Because for me, [being inclusive] means every single size on both ends of the spectrum. And as I’m able to grow and as I’m able to hopefully start fundraising and really turn this machine, I have every intention of expanding sizes on both ends of the spectrum. I think we won’t settle until there’s a Kitty that makes every woman feel comfortable.

HG: When you first launched, did Kitty and Vibe always sell the range of sizes available now? Or did it start out smaller and then expand?

CA: At the very, very beginning, it went up to a size 16. Then, within 60 days, I was able to use the sales from the first batch to jump up to a size 20 and give another top size. And then this spring, with our one pieces, those go up to size 24. So it’s kind of like, as soon as I have the sales under my belt, we churn out more sizes.

HG: What do you see next for Kitty and Vibe?

CA: The possibilities are endless. The sizing is at the forefront—it’s just going to keep [expanding] on both ends. And then, also, I’ve had a lot of people say that the sizing metrics—your hips and your inseam—is so brilliant… So okay, where else can we take it? And I think there could be really great potential within intimates. Imagine if you had underwear that could do this, or you had leggings that could do this, or even jeans?! It really keeps me up at night… So I’m not sure what will be next, but I can’t wait to find out myself!

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source https://www.health.com/syndication/went-to-body-positive-pool-party-shrill

[sincerelysirena-blog]

Electric Island Festival Beach Clean up

The following is a true story:

On June 9, My friend hit me up and we made plans to kick it, since it felt like it had been ages from the last time we saw each other. We knew we had a lot to catch up on.  We met on the beach with her bunny and we started talking about upcoming events and our endeavors.

Her: Are you going to Electric Island Festival‎?

Me: No, I went a couple years ago. (June 26, 2015, Check out the third pic in my profile:)

Where Dj Koo, indeed was cool and let me dance on his stage for the last set. Thanks to my big sister who bought me the tickets just like she bought my ticket to Guam. That night was epic for me. I don’t need another one. They’re not like Electric Daisy Carnivals, like the one I worked and partied at my hardest in Las Vegas. Also, Thanks to my middle sister who got me inside all three days for free.

Her: Bish, GO I got shrooms and wearing a giant bunny costume and going to be dazed in Lala land!

Me: GOING! OMG!

On June 11 at 08:02am, Allan Cadawas, Guam’s party central photographer of Hit Da Spot Hot Shots, posted on Facebook that at Pacific Star, there will be a Beach Cleanup Today at 5:30pm. Meet at Pacific Star Lobby, FREE EIF tickets and Merch will be handed to all participants who show up ON TIME!  Only three people liked his post including myself and his self.

"I will see you there buddy ol pal!!! Lets make our island BEAUTIFUL!!! ♡”, - Jacqueline Garay

Las Vegas taught me that not only is punctuality, crucial, it is still not adequate enough under professional standards. Rather than most people who would show up on time; I showed up two hours early with my associate, Karl Hype on purpose. This allows us time to meet the crew, hype their spirits up, network and promote each other’s work. I walked away with ample free merchandise as opposed to everyone else. The public would be informed; one item due to limited supply. Instead, my gifts were handed to me with respect from Jia, the Festival Founder. I also purchased a mask from Karl Hype and promoted those with style as well. We both as professionals understood that people need to realize in order to jump start your day, bright and early and work towards finishing your day, strong!  Do not sleep on it. I don’t care if your from Guam and your on “Guam time”, which is just an excuse to be late to everything with no intention of working with haste. Simply, because you have lived on a beach your entire life so you are used to the setting of staying relaxed and taking things slow. Las Vegas, is nothing like that and neither are true hard workers.  

Gym fanatics can all agree with this topic as well. The best time to hit the gym is four in the morning. If you want to get a full workout then you have to get into the habit of waking up to an early start! You wanna rock a hard ass body, well then face the music… the gym never closes and the work never stops… it only gets harder! You have to trust the long ass process. To my dismay, my post did not receive any shares at all, which is a method for EIF organizers to spread the good word while promoting one of their best projects. Ultimately, my friends chose not to get involved on this sweet deal. Emily Paulson, if your reading this; your baby is cute and your are allowed to be absent from this rigorous beach clean up. Although, your support was appreciated, because I know you fell in love with this island as I did.

Later on that day, Jia holds a competition to whoever’s team picks up the most trash, will win something cool!

If you look at the EIF forum you will find the group pic of us standing next to the garbage we compiled together. This is how hard we all worked, separately.. but as one. Members of different parties all found a piece to a scattered portable charcoal grill and I was one of the last teams to arrive to home base… so as I walked up confidently, because I was holding onto two bags of trash; one bag was mine and the other was a friend that I had made that day whose bag had ripped. Solely, offered to carry it, because I love putting my muscles to work and mainly, because I had found the ash pan and drawer to the grill, so I had found something that could carry my load. Work smarter, not harder. That means after groups had already passed and picked up all the relic they could, our group still found some.. we could have only done that by going deeper into the jungle. Where no one sees the trash.  We also found a blanket and a used condom. If it wasn’t for my small stature, standing tall at 4’11, we may have never been able to reach all that trash that we found, even though the other teams did admirable work. As I arrived, instead of being sad that we didn’t win the VIP tickets.. I didn’t even care, because I could see the entire grill right there in my face. We had successfully retrieved every single component to the grill and we’re finally going to throw away the relic for good! Here, I was cheesing and walking up to my pack, already believing, I had the biggest piece and was feeling like the muthafucking champion. Now, imagine my bliss when we took our group pic of all our hard work and look at my smile. Together, we had collected over 2200 pounds of trash. Amazing turnout for a local beach clean up along with EIF’s, non profit partners. I would love to share a special shoutout to everyone that participated and everyone that continues to support our mission to save the fishes! My island and my actual man who was at work were so proud!

On Saturday, June 16 from 7:00pm to 4:00am, the island of Guam was ready to rage. Guam’s international raceway is right behind my house. Big difference in comparison to Las Vegas and driving a 4 hour commute in traffic on a freeway, while in the dry heat of summer in a desert. Thank you, Angelic, my sweet angel and sister who drove me back and fourth three days in a row and I didn’t even have to beg or ask her to. She is just a good person at heart. Always has been. In 2008, she was Vice President of Alumnae Affairs for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. She had volunteered for her sorority and does not even like Electric Dance Music. Held no interest in watching TIesto or Avicii, when they played in Las Vegas. Her motive was to join a sorority that helped mankind, because it would help propel her career as a doctor and give her real life experience of helping men, women, children, and animals by any means necessary.

KDChi's official motto is Leading With Integrity, United Through Service - Kappa Delta Chi

That night, everything most ravers would have normally needed to plan out six months in advance, because they treat this festival as important as a wedding; worked out heavenly for another one of my spontaneous adventures.

I arrived at dusk and was dressed to impress.

I wanted to go weird this year for EIF and show off my buns! I'm talking about HAMBROS guys!! I'm proud to represent free publicity to a great establishment even if I'm no longer working with them. I have mad respect for the Founders, Steve Baek, Jason Na and Derrick Kim. As well as my other boss and General Manager, Brian Hayes, a local celebrity who never sleeps and understands, that dedicated drive fuels happiness! I held a close reletionship with my team and do believe with all my heart, that the Explosion in your mouth and their other trademarked hamburgers hold a bright future!

So I put my apron and cap on one last time and I wore a bunny head, because I’m a beach bunny. Just as fast as a rabbit, I ran up and down the raceway like a child at a carnival and left my friends to catch up. Eventually, we all sat down and conversed about our lives. After, we decided to part ways and get weird. My friends were in a dance craze and I loved them for it! Good buds surrounding me and alcoholic beverages was flowing in their system so that their inhibitions could go running wild and free. If anyone knows me, you also well know that my ass had been turnt, still hadn’t stopped and was just plain happy to be in the company of like minded friends all without having to be as drunk as Guam’s Club USA, mama-sans on a good Saturday.

POOF! I did my magic and left them in the crowd of the center stage to feel the love of coming as one in a large crowd that will soon become their friends too. Just elbow and mosh each other long enough. As for myself, I can’t stay put in one spot for too long. A social butterfly needs to spread their wings in order to have a good time. The next move I made was so out of character, I could never have fathomed it. I ran to the food vendors and politely introduced myself and asked permission to use their gloves and a trash bag. I advised them we are all a team and if we want to earn and keep our A grade in the Food and Beverage industry, then we need to keep our area clean. I urged them to not help me pick up the trash, we can not afford our chef’s and waitresses hands getting dirty. Leave it to me and I will be running back here periodically to scour the floor. I did it, because I passed a trash can and saw plastic inside it when it was clearly labeled, Aluminum. This island was going to get clean and I was empowered by the beach clean up to do it all by myself. I had volunteered for clean ups in Las Vegas during my high school years when I had joined community services such as Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) and Key club which taught me a dynamic group with educated and driven individuals can make anything fun, especially cleaning up their community and feeling good about making a great change amongst new and like minded friends. Like a bunny, i hopped from food vendor to the next, then the alcoholic beverage vendors, soon after, the sound crew in the middle where people think its safe to leave unattended drinks near electrical maintenance. Three big trash bags later, I felt the need for a break and headed toward the main stage.  Right away, I see one of Guam’s finest videographers, and proud to call my friend, Michael Mazzei, who was just enjoying another day in the office.

I don’t ever fuck with security, because they hate girls like me. We slither and find our way backstage and eventually they may find us, but we continue to ignore them and still run amuck since I know they can not catch me. The DJ’s posse by then is already feeling my vivacious energy and he is always the one who gives me permission to perform my magic in from of his audience.

I stayed on stage till dawn under the Electric Sky. I came, I saw, I danced, I cleaned and felt conquered all in one night. If one little brown girl could do so damn much in one night. Just imagine what your footprint could do if you helped to do your part and keep your island clean. This is a powerful message to all Civilians, Militants and Locals alike… I’m a visitor… a tourist from LAS VEGAS. I have seen each and every one of you commit this sin to your island, whom I call my boyfriend. Your lucky my heart is kind. Normally, Latina’s do not take too kindly to anyone disrespecting their King and kin.  

“I love your energy! When you visit Tokyo, come see me so that I may show you around!” - Marimo Kusaka, Miss Universe Japan 2014

If you exude nothing, but positive energy and believe in pronoia with all of your heart, God will protect you and life will guide you into fearful scenarios, but the other side of the wall is so blissful and bright. You will not see it until you hop over that wall. Exactly, why immigrants travel with little to no money at all so that they may experience bliss when they haven’t even seen a glimpse of it yet. Walk by faith, not by sight!

I understand that my sister and boyfriend may hate that I live my life in the moment and spontaneously never have a plan. As opposed to my girlfriends who love me for it, because they are too shy to let their own inhibitions shine. So, I let them live it out through me and my happiness spreads just like roaches do when you light up the room.

Moral of the story: Icing on the cake was I got to earn my ticket to EIF and I didn’t have to pay for it, instead I got to do something I would have done over and over for F R E E which is clean up the beach, all day any day! #GUAMISMYBOYFRIEND. I do not preach it for no reason, I believe God put me here to make a difference, because his island sure as hell left a lasting impression on me. Shit does not happen by coincidence. Use every direction and obstacle thrown at you to surpass them and reach the center stage and dance your ass off! Do not let the big buff security or deep meek insecurities hold you back!

We don't just TURN UP we CLEAN UP; KEEPin the GUD Clean & Green EIF style! - Allan Cadawas