Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Even 1940’s Pin Up Girls were subject to “Airbrushing”

We may think that electronically shrinking waistlines and thighs, removing winkles and changing the color or background of a photo is something of our generation but women have been being “enhanced” for years. Times have changed these models posed for photographs that were then redrawn for the poster versions, the result is still the same, slightly unrealistic. When you look at them you realize that this may have been even harder core, sometimes their facial features, hair color as well as their body shapes were augmented for the final produce. However it is clear that through the eras the concept of the female hour glass form, that thing Susan Scafidi, director of Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute talked about (in the Sara Ziff film on fashion week) the preferred body type regardless of size had a .7 hip to waist ratio is very true and illustrated here. It’s mind blowing!!! check them out.

You can find more after the jump

Dance Studio, Uncategorized

Natlalie Portman FINALLY response to SwanGate!

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Here is what Portman said about the controversy when E entertainment interviewed her on the press junket for her new movie Your Highness:

“You know, I, it’s it’s….um…I know what went on. We, we had an amazing experience making the movie and I don’t want to tarnish it by entering into nastiness, because it’s such a positive thing what we get to do. We get to create things. I feel so lucky to be part of that, and um, I’m so proud of everyone’s work on that movie and my experience. And I’ll have that forever. And and and and and it’s important for me to remember that no matter what nastiness is going around.”

humm is nastiness code for the T’ruth? Could she have squirmed or stammered more? She was shifty and not just in her seat. you would think that an Academy Award winning actress would have given a better performance. Clearly I’m team Sarah!!! what do you think?

Uncategorized

Sara Rue Wears a Bikini for First Time Ever!

I loved Sara Rue in her television show “Less Than Perfect” she was this cute, chunky, funny girl with red hair she was so lovable, but part of her appeal was the fact that she was chunky, it made her lovable. It’s the Al Roker syndrome. Well the show was canceled and she faded out, but just recently she resurfaced as a spokesperson for Weight Watchers, and has dropped 50 lbs.! she looks amazing. People magazine covered the story.
Let me just say Weight Watcher’s has got it going on–or should I say OFF!
Before

Now WOW

People Magazine
By Aili Nahas

Only a year and a half after she began the Jenny Craig program, Sara Rue has lost more than 50 lbs. – and 4 dress sizes! – and is wearing a bikini for the very first time in her life.

“It’s a little strange,” says the Shedding for the Wedding host, 32. “But after I tried it on, I thought, ‘I look good!’ ”
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Dance Studio, Uncategorized

The Children of Theater Street- The way students were chosen for the Kirov (1977

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(thank you Charlotte for reminding me of this!)

I can remember watching this as a young aspiring ballerina in Philadelphia. I was sort of an obsession, because it was the epitome of what becoming a dancer was, and because my father constantly threatened to ship me off to Russia! It brings back a lot of memories, ah sweet nostalgia…
First of all the film is introduced by the last, great and elegant Princess Grace, that was enough for me right there, but later as the this first clip progresses (around 7:00) the very specific and scientific methods of determining the which children possess the “ideal” body I find fascinating. That coupled with (and remember this was in the ’70’s) I find it interesting that the children are assessed in their underwear, some of the girls topless, and they actually shot them full on. Now the children are between 7-12 but it just shows you haw times have changed, in the way things are done and the way we view them. I the time I viewed this as a child I thought nothing of those scenes, now in 2010 I feel a bit strange watching the children being pushed pulled and prodded in of a table of women and men alike.
They were measured and weighed as well . It’s so interesting, in the other clip there are some great class work and training clips. enjoy this blast from the past. I wonder what happened to the children in the movie, how many actually made it through the training and how many actually danced for the Kirov?

Uncategorized

Leann Rimes is looking mighty tiny

I am a person who tries not to jump to conclusions.
When you see a person be it in person, on television or in a photo you never have enough information to make an honest assessment as to what is going on. For instance, when I see that a student of mine has lost some weight, (regardless of whether or not they look “good” or not) I never say “Oh you look so great” I always say “Your body has changed, what are you doing?” because I have no idea how or why that transformation came about. I don’t now if they simply cut sugar out of their diet, or if they haven’t been eating at all. I don’t know whether or not they have been binging, or perhaps they are ill. My stance is don’t assume, or jump to conclusions, ask a question and get the information.

So when it comes to someone like Leann Rimes, and her dramatic weight loss, It’s hard not to immediately say “Oh she’s anorexic” but I have not idea, it could be a result of stress because of the negative press she and her fiance Eddie Cibrian have been getting due to their relationship, it could be that she has a new trainer and changed her diet, who knows perhaps (I hope not )she is ill. So I’ll just express a passing concern as to her continuous reduction and say with sincerity that I hope that she is alright…

Dance Studio, Uncategorized

Dancing can be Dangerous!!!

I spent half my life in a pointe shoe, I have had my share of bloddy blisters and corn nibblet toes, but who knew that ballroom dancing could jack up a gals feet like this! Wendy girl, I guess I don’t have to wonder “Howwwyooooudoooowin'” because these picture tell the story. I feel your pain. All I can say is that after you finish that Rumba, Quick Step or Jive, I hope that is was in the words of that overly exposed movie Black Swan, that “It was perfect!!” you get all 10’s from me for the effort and the agony that is a part of the beauty that becomes dance!!

Wendy tweeted her battle wounds from Dancing with the scars I mean Stars!!!

wendy williams' dancin' feet


But she looks FAB!!!

Uncategorized

Beauty vs. Attractiveness: A Matter of Semantics?

Vivian Diller, Ph.D.

Psychologist; Author, Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change

Since Elizabeth Taylor’s death last week, much has been said about her illustrious career and colorful personal life. And while tributes highlighted her many movies and marriages, it’s probably fair to say that a lot of us will remember her for her exquisite beauty: those violet eyes, her creamy skin and thick, black hair.

With Taylor’s iconic image in mind, I was interested in reading Robert Tornambe’s article, “What Is Beauty? A Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective.” The piece intrigued me not only because of my own research on this topic, but because I was interested in how his point of view (as a male and a surgeon) might differ from mine (a female and a psychologist). My work focuses more on raising questions about our beauty culture (e.g., “Under the Knife and Under Scrutiny,” and “Cosmetic Drugs Gone Too Far”), but I was pleasantly surprised that we both shared a similar perspective: that a woman’s attractiveness is based more on perception than the sum of her biological parts. I particularly resonated with these words: “We must stop sending the wrong, unhealthy superficial message to our daughters and granddaughters about the definition of beauty.”

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Uncategorized

Your Best & Worst Stories About Developing Boobs

I found this topic on Jezabel.com and I thought that it was terrific!! here is the link

It’s so funny that once you get your boobs and you are out of that awkward stage of adolescence you totally forget about how traumatic it was. I can remember that it was summer time my left breast started to bud, I was about 12 and I was still in those flimsy white undershirts with the white bow at the center. When that hard knot developed seriously thought I was going to die. It was tender and sore and back in the day there was all this talk that if you got hit hard in the breast it could cause cancer so I just knew my days were numbered. Since I was still in these little girl undershirts it was hard to hide so at play, all the boys would point and remark and all the girls would silently feel my pain as they laughed with them in hopes of diverting attention from their own personal developments be they breasts or armpit hair. Some had already developed and others were so chunky that they had had baby fat breast since they could walk.

I have 5 older sisters so I when they saw my little left bud they all had to put in their 2 cents and took bets on how soon I would be getting my period. Great! Just want I wanted to talk about at the dinner table! Since I had only one lump getting that all-important “training” bra was sort of pointless. And while we are on the subject just what is the bra training? It’s not like your breast really do anything. Anyway. I made it through the summer, and finally the right breast started to bud, and then both, all to abruptly stopped, I still look like am in puberty since I am struggling to be an A cup. Well that’s my story what’s yours?

Breast Friends

Dodai Stewart — Your Best & Worst Stories About Developing BoobsOh, puberty! The agony and the ecstasy! After we shared our alternately hilarious and harrowing tales about blossoming and growing breast buds, you chimed in. Even the commenters who said they “had no memories” of getting boobs managed to reveal intense emotions about their breasts, proving what a complicated, sensitive subject the mammary glands can be. Though many, many people shared their personal stories, there were some that stood out. These are the best.

First up, there were those of you who, like some of us, thought that breast buds were a disease or medical issue.

speedingbullet can blame her mom:

My mother — I absolutely swear this is true — didn’t know what my breast buds were, and took me to see the pediatrician. AWKWARD.

So can GrievousBodilyMarm:

My left one came through first, when I was eleven, and rather than reassure me, my mother panicked that I was getting breast cancer. Next door lived four boys I used to play on the street with. Their mother was a doctor so my own mother dragged me over there to be examined. The boys were kicked outside, sniggering, while I cried throughout my “examination”. Needless to say, my mother looked extremely sheepish as we left, and the boys taunted me about my “girl problems” for a good year after that.
here is the link“>read more

Uncategorized

I’ve Just Turned 55… And I Couldn’t Feel More Beautiful

I love this. I have to say that the older I get the more confident and self assured I feel. Sure I don’t look the way I did when I was 20, personally in ways I think I look better. I know myself better now, I can stop trying to be something that I am not, or can never be and have learned to accept and appreciate what I am and what I do have. There are blessings in youth and there are blessings in maturity, a wise woman (or man) would do good to take full advantage of both and not covet one or the other!

Julia Moulden:
Author, speaker and columnist

Today I turned 55. How do I feel about being five years into my fifties? I love it. I’m at the top of my game professionally (with a million things on my to-do list), and I think I’ve never looked better.

And I mean that bit about loving how I look. Sure, I’ve stood in front of the mirror and played “face lift” (the grown-up version of “doctor”), pulling up the corners of my eyes. But I’m beginning to realize that a new kind of beauty emerges at this age. Not the obvious stuff of youth, but something that’s hard won — the result of life lived and a body cared for.

This is why I was delighted to receive a copy of “I Feel Great About My Hands: And Other Unexpected Joys of Aging.” It’s a warm, wise, witty response to Nora Ephron’s “I Feel Bad About My Neck.” Shari Graydon set out to challenge the widespread notion that women over 50 should all be mourning the changes that come with age and invited women across Canada to provide alternative perspectives.

Comedian Mary Walsh weighed in:

After a certain age, it’s impossible to find anything to wear. If you’re over a size two — well, over a size ten, really, but still mercifully under a size triple-X — they don’t make anything to fit you, and it’s getting worse. Yesterday, because I’m blind as a bat in a felt hood because of my encroaching maturity, I ended up in the dressing room of a shop with a size-double-zero dress. Double zero! Where did that come from? Size zip. Size nada. Nothing. But now, not even nothing is good enough. We have to shrink ourselves down apparently to size double-nothings.