Posts Tagged ‘Featured’

• This is a scary true story.

  Date: 2009.12.19 | Category: Life | Response: 0

  Share

  Right Muffins – this is the deal. I blog you read. But what I’m about to write may give you nightmares. Please be forewarned before you continue.

  You’re still here I see. *cough* okay. Here goes.

  Last Saturday I was at work, in the office as you do. Just dropping off some account paper work when from the corner of my eye I could see the Big Boss and other managers huddled in a group looking quite concerned.

  It seemed Santa had not turned up to entertain the children in the newly formed grotto/dressed up park bench which had recently been erected by the fragrance hall and with only a few hours to spare they were tearing their hair out thinking of anyone who had the relevant police checks (due to being in contact with children these checks are advised) that could wear the outfit and shout, ‘ho, ho, ho!’

  Me and my big mouth! Of course I said I had a police check – meaning I am able to work with children. I didn’t know when I mentioned this what the situation with Santa was but I soon found out as I had a white wig, beard and scary red suit thrust upon me.

  Laughter ensued – lots of it.

  I just tried my best to see it as an acting gig. Que me getting into character. I figured Santa is like way old – so a dip in posture was needed and possibly a limp as well. You never know, he could have been a war veteran or something.

  With walk perfected I had to get my voice correct. One of the managers went through a roll play scenario.

  It’s not easy when another adult is trying to be a seven year old and you’re dressed as Santa. I mean, its wrong on so many levels I can’t even say. Plus I’m a woman and I’m trying to act like an old man. It was like Tootsie but in reverse.

  With sacks full of toys I proceeded (with the Big Boss’s help) down stairs where my throng of young fans awaited. Or not as the case may be. We thought there would be a line of children waiting excitedly but alas there wasn’t.

  Two and half hours later…

  I’d had people coming up to me to pinch me on the nose to see if I was real. Adults argue that I was an robotic Santa. Kids have their picture taken with me and some of them trying to hug me to death (a cunning plan to sweeten Santa up for Christmas Eve I would imagine).

  During the spell of sitting down on the park bench (decorated with fake snow and teddy bears) I nearly nodded off to sleep. Possibly why some people thought I was wasn’t real.

  Lots of staff come up to me to laugh their la-la’s off …and also tell me I was a mighty good sport.

  All in all it was quite a spectacle but I could never say I was a performer if I didn’t rise to a acting challenge such as this.

  Unfortunately no visual record of me as Santa is available (unless I send out a message in the local paper for parents to come forward with their pictures of me and their children – not the best plan). Our Big Boss did have one picture on her phone but that was stolen when she went out for the evening. In a way I’m sad about that. I have no idea how stupid I looked.

  The verdict was that I gave a good performance as Santa – possibly comparative of Dan Ackroyd in Trading Places…

  Merry Christmas,

  V x

• The busy woman’s guide to blogging…

  Date: 2009.12.08 | Category: Life, Thank you!, Vanessa Reece | Response: 3

  Share

  I don’t know where to begin with this blog post. It has been a long time overdue, I know. Things at Casa Reece have been beyond hectic. Events and thoughts are everywhere.

  Let me bullet point the main events and things on my mind in general.

  • I had a mild issue with my son’s teen angst. It surprises me when he gets a mood on since it’s so rare. Grounding him and taking his Xbox privileges away have done the trick. He is now back to the angel I adore.
  • The new job has been mostly awesome. For those not in the loop. I am on modelling/acting hiatus (it just takes too damn long to be paid. I’m still waiting for pay for gigs to come in from agency). I briefly worked for Urban Decay as a MUA but am now working on the management side of things in a department store as a beauty/fashion accessories supervisor. We have a new manager (supposed to be temp) and she’s awesome. I really like her and the way she inspires people to improve. My team are awesome and I’m enjoying being their supervisor. There have been a few stressful moments but nothing I can’t handle.
  • It’s official – Granny is being dragged screaming and kicking to London to spend Christmas with my Aunt et al. First Christmas I’ve not spent with her since my son was small. I have my mother who has decided and I quote, ‘We are having a chilled Christmas’. I think that means we’ll be eating Christmas dinner on our laps in front of the TV watching Oliver the musical. Yeah, cuz we is well common init.
    
  • Reading about Tiger Woods having ten mistresses on the go and can only think they all must be totally blind. I’ve never found him the least bit exciting. He’s got the personality of a wet cabbage.
    
  • I wish Perez Hilton would get off the righteous bus and actually stop commenting on anything regarding kids and family values in his blog. He clearly has no clue what he’s talking about. Generally I find his site passes the time of day when I want to switch all but one brain cell off but right now his Mother Pereza thing is getting on my titty la la’s.
    
  • To the woman who bought my modelling eBook only to lodge a complaint with PayPal saying I hadn’t sent it should actually go to Target and buy a great big bag of PATIENCE. Surely they sell it there in between the GET A GRIP and the TALK TO THE HAND. You may even find it on special since its Christmas. Seriously, you lodge a complaint barely hours after sending your request. Now the ebook has been sent – you still can’t be bothered to respond. If this book is for you let me tell you – you have zero chance of being successful in modelling with an impatient attitude like that. Good day to you Madame.
    
  • Queen Bee is no longer Queen Bee (she would like it known). Just call her Devyn Ashely since that’s her name. She still rocks.
    
  • I was delighted the bbwnetwork had a site revamp. I’m thinking it’s not that new but new to me. Anyway go and see if you’d like details of next year’s BBW Vegas Bash. http://www.bbwnetwork.com/ And yes, that’s me with some friends on the front page. Nice.
    
  • I’m not doing Christmas Cards this year. But more than happy to except mindless funny ecards. vanessa@vanessareece.com
    
  • I’ve nearly finished the African/Moroccan fusion lounge. The mix of orange/gold/and deep blood red is really rocking. Honestly it looks divine! Hoping to get the Christmas tree up this weekend.
    
  • I went to a Gagster and Moll party last Saturday. It was o.k. I thought the food was nice but really over priced and the entertainment was really quite crap – a burlesque performer who really was just a stripper and a hula hoop dancer. I thought I was in a Northern working men’s club on talent night. Yeah 32.00 quid for a turkey dinner, stripper, hula hoop dancer and a 90′s disco. Despite that I had a good time. Although, my feather boa wilted around my neck and subsequently feathers shed under my arm pits. So whilst sweating on the dance floor I looked like I had the worst armpit hair, or on closer inspection – underarm feather hair. Surface to say – I went home alone. Not the best look for pulling really – hairy feather armpits.
    
  • Is slightly bemused I have some of my teenage son’s friends on my Facebook fan page. They all think I’m cool apparently. In my best cool Mum voice, ‘Hello Boys.’
    
  • I’m very content with my life. It’s a very ‘slippers and pipe’ feeling. I hope everyone who reads this blog is getting to the ‘slippers and pipe’ feeling. Don’t let Christmas be a time you fall apart. I know lots of people do – lots of reasons for this. Just take a deep breath and make positive changes that will enrich you as a person. It sounds so Dr Phil but honestly, it’s a very stressful time and I think it needs to be said.
    
  • I tried to do a podcast but it went weird in the middle. I will try again when I have something new to say.
    
  • I think Gemini Mag’s new cover is fierce!! http://www.thegeminimagazine.com/
    
  • There was something else but I forget what it is? Going to bed.
    
  • Oh yes I know – I see Ruby advertised? Is it a reality show? Who won that ‘More to Love’ thing? I’m curious (even though it sucked).
    
  • Thanks to all who’ve commented so far.
    
  • Now going to bed. V x
    

• Kimmoy reminded me..

  Date: 2009.11.12 | Category: Articles, Life | Response: 0

  Share

  Kimmoy of http://www.thecurvycoach.com reminded me roughly how long its been since I stopped smoking. I’d clean forgot but I know I feel better for it. She also reminded me of something else which I’ll talk about later in this post.

  On a side note I’d like to shout out to Philly Nick who’s trying to quit smoking. Be strong Nick!

  As for my gradual weight loss it’s going very well. No pressure on me. I have broken my ‘no sugar’ thing many times though, and I noticed recently with the stress of work change I’d upped my sugar intake which was a huge factor in my weight  in general. Meaning: cut sugar = weight loss. A no brainer but sugar is a demon for women like me. A drug more addictive than nicotine.

  I must add also I’ve not beaten myself for enjoying the lapses. All it means is I need to walk it off and not do it the next day. It sure beats dieting.

  I am slowly weaning myself back to where I was with the low sugar intake because of me that was more of a battle than the not smoking.

  I don’t know how much I’ve lost in LBS but clothes are less tight and dare I say in some cases quite roomy. As I’ve stated my aim is not to be super slim – my aim is to be healthier and carry less weight so my back is not strained. I’m walking better with less back pain.

  My next step (if you’ve kept up with the original plan) was my excercise. Power walking has been a big thing for me and you know from possibly reading my blog or twitter in the past I really advocate walking as a low impact exercise tool. I used to do Yoga but since moving from London I can’t do the type I used to – Bikram Yoga. There is no Bikram Yoga place established here – such a shame.

  So palates is my next step. I was hoping to start this week but it’s simply been too much for my brain to handle. I’m still recovering from the awesome Beauty Gala night we had at work. I had such a great time but with that, and two interviews, life, and getting up at a ridiculous time in the morning to get in line for Call Of Duty : Modern Warfare 2,  - nope I just need to recover.

  My mind is itching though for a regular work out.

  So back to Kimmoy who reminded me about the importance of maintaining my personal goal. You’ll know I’ve really been keen to tell people how fabulous she is and her work is amazing. She has a confident calm and deals with my objections to pursuing my goal in a very effective way. Of course I’ll scream and kick like a child denied a candy bar but in the end I know Kimmoy’s common sense will win.

  Imbalance in life, especially concerning work often leads to us taking different paths. This is what has happened to me. As you may know I’ve stopped modeling and acting for a while. I went back to make-up artistry and retail sales because I needed reliable income (which obviously you don’t get when you’re self employed) and it was purely part time in order to buy things I needed for what would be my new regular business of make-up artistry/freelance. But no sooner had I begun my part time permanent job I realised it just wasn’t for me. I needed a bigger challenge and most of all learn something new. I felt static. I hate to be bored.

  For the past week and a half it’s  been a state of limbo up until last week when my boss asked me if I’d be interested in going for her deputy position within the beauty and accessories department.

  It was really out of the blue (especially after the other job interview which I actually left mid-way through) but the job description was just the type of permanent job with punch I’d been looking for. I was very honored and thrilled to even try out for the position.

  So this week after a successful interview I was told I’d been given the job as a Gold Supervisor of the local department store’s Beauty and Accessories department. Some would see this as a blah job compared to working in entertainment but let me tell you there won’t be a dull moment. In all I’m looking forward to learning more. I will be able to speak to the managers for different cosmetics brands when they visit – this alone will enrich me as an make-up artist because of the product knowledge.

  Oh, and I will finally be able to gain more knowledge when it comes to fashion. Did someone say designer handbags?  YAY! I am a handbag freak and I’ll be helping to oversee that section which I’m really excited about.

  Of course Kimmoy reminded me I still have a passion and a goal (to be a successful independent make-up artist) and I needed to be reminded of that. It may not happen at the force I want it to but it will happen at some point. Meanwhile in the imminant future I want to give this new position my best shot. I want to pay off lots of bills and I want a fresh start in a this old home town of mine.  Finally some balance.

  We all should shrive to learn something new every day – even if we think our jobs aren’t glamorous. What’s glamour? Oh boy that’s another post right there.

  Thanks anyway to Kimmoy – it’s always good to be reminded and reassured that the things we want to achieve still can be, if not now – in the future.

  Vx

• BITE BACK: Two wrongs don’t make a right. PETA vs MANIK Mag

  Date: 2009.11.11 | Category: size-acceptance | Response: 7

  Share

  I’m about to be stoned by most of the plus-size community as fragmented as it is.

  I’ll say it loud and in caps WHO THE HELL THOUGHT OF THIS RIDICULOUS AD?

  Have you lot lost your minds over there in the States. Do you seriously think this is the answer to PETA’s ridiculous ’Lose The Blubber Campaign‘.  (Which by the way was done and dusted months ago)

  Just to show I’m fair I’ll give you the link to this nonsense. Here you go –  http://www.facebook.com/manikmag

  Now while this picture may be beautifully shot with a lovely model to boot it does not represent how I feel about the whole PETA incident. It to me does not take into account all the plus-size anti-fur men and women of the world (who were also insulted by PETA’s ad). This is also in very poor taste.

  I personally have a huge issue with fur but only because I feel there are perfectly good alternatives to keeping warm (which is why we originally needed to wear fur as humans). I believe we need meat in our diets but I respect the views of those that don’t feel that way. You may as well have shot this model batting a baby seal. I mean what was Manik Magazine thinking? Oh I said that twice now – but really, I’m in shock.

  I don’t respect this ridiculous attempt to jump on the publicity band wagon with a picture of a fat chick dripping in fur with the words, ‘ I’d Rather Go Naked, Trimmed in Fur’.  I nearly spat my tea out when I read that. If my eyeballs rolled any further to the back of my head they’d stick there forever more.

  PETA are sitting their rubbing their hands together because they have ammunition now to launch another ‘sarcastic’ attack. I can see it now; the ad would read, ‘ONLY FAT CHICKS WEAR FUR.’

  Way to go Manik Mag – you sure know how to start the crap up all over again. Let me tell you; PETA don’t give  a hoot about you, me or anyone else but themselves and their agenda. The plus-size community won a small victory in my opinion with no loss to life, so to speak. PETA said sorry, took down the offending ad and we all went on our merry way safe in the knowledge we could communicate with this huge organization with a positive outcome.

  Of course we know they weren’t really that sorry and they will continue to take a little dig here and there at fatties. We are easy targets after all, but really, did we need to stoop this low to attack them back?

  We didn’t and I’m prepared to take an arse kicking to say it out loud – the above ad sucks worse that the suckiest suck that ever sucked.

  I don’t know who the heck is in charge of the magazine but please see sense – this is not the way to win over people in the plus-size loving stakes. You have to be smart enough to know that?

  I also can’t believe how many well known figures in the plus-size community (in the States) have actually signed their names next to this in support. With all due respect – ‘have you actually stopped to think for a second?’
  It’s really easy when the plus-size community gets its panties in a bunch and fights together for a cause – but do half of you have a clue what you’re fighting for?

  If it’s to be taken seriously with equality to boot – supporting this will not get you that. What it will do is make people think the fat people are petty and ugly. Once again – way to go.

  This is why I really am getting sick of the plus-size community click-i-ness. One braincell between a few hundred of you it seems. Oh bite me.  Here’s an idea – for once stand up for what YOU believe in, not what will keep you in the fat click.

  I may be losing weight but thankfully I’m not losing my mind. Whatever size I am I will know my own mind and support acceptance. I will never accept starting tit-for-tat drama in the name of all fat people.

  I dare and I double dare you all! Be liberated enough to stay away from supporting nonsense that does nothing to forward acceptance (of any kind).

  The stones are over there. I’ll be waiting, naked,  dripping in chocolate.  Yum!