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The Size of Beauty

What is the size of beauty? A size 2? Maybe a 5? Does the size of beauty only extend to a 10? Now before I begin this post, know that I have never been a “Monique” type; one who praised big women telling them to be “phat-abulous” or downed the skinny ones calling them “skinny b*tches”. As a matter of fact I just would never talk about it, in hopes no one would notice or at least act like they noticed my size.  Even now it is hard for me to swallow my insecurities to write this. I have always been one of those out of sight out of mind type of people so as long as no one directly referred to my weight I was ok, BUT let someone bring it up, ooooo gosh it would be like one of those terrible dreams were you were in class and realized you didn’t have any clothes on. It would not even have to be something bad, as matter of fact there were certain compliments that would make my stomach turn, like “O something about BIG powerful women is so beautiful to me,” or “you are such a big beautiful woman.” To this day I cringe when weight is brought up! I was teased as a kid for being fat so I really have had problems with admitting to my size. I mean nowadays most friends really aren’t trying to be mean but they’ll start off sentences like “no offense but big people…..” and any time these comments were made I would curse evolution for not blessing me with a shell, or some safe haven to crawl into.

Now  I have always been the one to give advice to people telling them the best accessory you could EVER wear would be the self-confidence and love that you hold inside, while the whole time I have been battling that inner issue. Now I know at times it may seem like I am the most confident person in the world, because I wear what I’d like when I’d like, because I do things to stand out like dye my hair red, get piercings and tattoos but all the while a large part of those fashion statements were to create another identifier for myself outside of "the big girl". I hated the thought of my name being brought up behind my back and to think people were saying things like “ you know victoria, BIG Victoria” so I would do things in hopes that I could pick up a new identifier “you know  Victoria, the one with the red hair” or “the one with the lip/nose ring” or “ the one with all the tattoos” or “the one that dresses like something out of an eighties movie”….. anything but “the big Victoria.” but I have come to the realization that I was being a coward, that regardless of the color of my hair or the piercings in my lip, I am still a size 16, and it sucks right now for me because I don’t find me attractive BUT there is a brighter day in the horizon and from this point on I promise to try my hardest to love my body. Sorry this post is so long but I am doing this as step one in my self-acceptance,  I am big and I know that (please do not take this post for granted, it is really hard for me to say this to the public) but I am beautiful, and while big may not be your “thing” that’s fine because it is mine. And from this day forward I promise to love myself a little bit harder. For my readers that made it so far down the page, I want you to do the same thing, too big, too little, too tall, too short, too light, too dark…. Too perfect! Let’s accept these differences and find the beauty within ourselves. I am on the road to recovery, and hopefully by the end of this journey I will no longer need confirmation of my beauty from others, the love I receive from myself and God will be more than enough. Thank you and I love you!

-Victoria Jones

Polka Dots, Florals, or Stripes???

So within Vintro I would say I am the most partial to florals! while Melina tends to lean toward polka dots, and Andrea usually does stripes a bit more often. Now I came across this discovery while surfing throuigh pictures on the beloved facebook so in that order I will disect the different but equally as delicious prits. the first will be about floral, since I usually favor it a bit more then the rest. (But remember that all of these prints should be included in your wardrobe somewhere)

There are different types of floral, you have the dreadful hawaiin floral print, that I really won't talk about, because I don't reccomend wearing that unless you are actually a Hawaiin surfer.

You also have the smaller flowers that usually make you think of
childhood dresses and little girl comforter sets.

While in the opposite direction you've got big floral prints which are usually a bit more romantic and make you think back to you're grandparents sofa, this print will be the main one I talk about, because it is so romantic and is my favorite of three.






There are plenty of ways to do these fun patterns, a fun and easy way to do it is in accessories! Hats, jewelry, or even glasses. Any of these pieces are sure to add a little spark to any outfit. Either of the floral print sizes can be used in these statement pieces.

Now within a dress you can go really girly with a smaller print and a flowy print add a cardigan some cute flats and there you have a cute "meet the boyfriend's parents" outfit. Or a big floral print structured dress with a biker or bomber jacket, tights, and some funky shoes (sky-high heels, docs, or even just a shoe with a contrasting print or color) and have a great "meet your boyfriend for sushi" outfit.

Floral is also really fun to play with in footwear! Look at boots, pumps, sandals, and flats in a cute floral print. An adorable touch to any outfit.

So soon enough I will be giving you a run down of the other patterns, but for now go forth and be colorful thanks and Vintro loves you.

-Victoria Jones @lizabvintro

the breeze destroyer

The breeze destroyer, also known as the wind breaker is making an awespiring comeback. Once the most popular layer for 80's and 90's teens, wind breakers popped up in every single avenue of mainstream media, from Missy Elliot videos and Moesha episodes, to Backstreet Boys posters and the Beverly Hill's cast of Clueless. They seemed to be everywhere and perhaps we od'd on them for a while because they dissappeared! They couldn't be found anywhere other then on the backs of our grandparents and in the back of our closets. But we should have known an article of clothing that had seemed so permanant and popular in our wadrobe during the 80's-90's wouldn't be so easily forgotten. 

It appears that one of the biggest trends for the spring will once again be those brightly colored windbreakers, I actually bought a few of them from the goodwill no more then a couple of weeks ago, in various colors. So don't be intemidated by these lingering pieces, embrace it! Ladies try pairing it with a tank and equally bright skirt and some cute booties, or try a simple v neck, jeans, and sneakers for a more layed back look. Either way you decide to go with this look I promise you'll be happy with your results. Fellas, it should be just easy for you guys, just throw on a crew neck or vneck some jeans a breezedestroyer and some dope sneakers and become a cool kid for life!

-Victoria Jones @lizabvintro

Music to my ears

For most of my music listening years, I downloaded singles and entire albums through p2p file sharing engines like Limewire. With Limewire I could only download music that was reletively popular. So in my mind I was "stealing" from artist who had so much money, my little 2 dollar song or 13 dollar album download would be so insignificant that they would not have time to notice, what with all the parties, fashion shows, premiers, and red carpet events. I figured they didn't really need or deserve my little hard earned 13 bucks, as a college student 13 dollar translates to alot. food for the month (Ramen noodles) a couple outfits complimentary of 99 cents days at the goodwill, so for me to sacrifice this seemed too much for me. But as I thought about it more it began to bother me.

Since I was a child I have had a terrible conscious, I can't steal or lie without feeling a tremendous amout of guilt. I once found this really awesome pair of gloves and instead of my usual routine of returning lost objects to the lost and found I kept them, I could never bring myself to wear them though because I felt so bad, I know it seems silly but I returned those gloves to the lost and found about 3 months later because I couildn't take it anymore. I couldn't even steal from places like wal-mart, and I know for a fact they would't miss my little 5 dollar purchase, but I am a firm believer in karma, so once i decided that downloading was the same as theft I began to feel bad. I can't remember the last time I charged my ipod. But since I have come to this revelation I have purchased about 10 cds, the first was Kanye's new album, and the artwork included in the cd is something you couldn't download! I also bought King's of Leon new album, and Cee-lo's to name a few, and sure my ipod may not have a billion songs on it anymore, at least I feel good about every song on ther. And I have listened to these cds with a gratifying feeling in my ear, that made me feel like a true fan. I in no way want this post to sound like some goody to shoe read, but if you haven't bought a cd in a while then try it, I promise it feels a million times better then a 5  minute download.

 

-Victoria Jones @lizabvintro

velvet?!?!

So what you guys get for Christmas? That's great, that's great, ok my turn. So my sister got me this really huge rose colored velvet button down. Now I know at this point some of you guys are probably really disgusted and confused as to why a sister who lived with me for 18 years, who claimed to love me, who ran away with me when I was 7, I mean I taught this girl how to write her name and tie her shoes, would buy me an oversized velvet button down. Well she did it because she really does love me and she saw me swooning over it after I tried it on a couple weeks prior to Christmas. Now the disgust and dissappointed you once felt for my sister has probably shifted from my kid sister to me, but velvet is back and better then ever! Let me explain, now I'm not talking about some 3-piece velvet suite with a skirt to the ankle, that your grandmother may favor, or even that terrible velvet ddress we had to pair wsith penny loafers for christmas pics. Its simple cute and fun and here are a few ideas of how to put em together.

One of the easiest way to do this is with dress. Like the piece my sister bought me. I threw on that button down belted it up threw on some tights and some booties, and there you have it, my new years outfit. It was simple, and an outfit that I was sure no one else would have. Along with dresses another great piece be stapled in the wardrobe is a velvet blazer.

Now I do not personally own a velvet blazer, but I did just get a corduroy blazer and I imagine they probably work their way into the wardrobe about the same way. Ladies I would suggest letting this velvet piece replace the boring black one that you and every other girl in the world seems to own. And guys, get a great dress shirt, dark jeans and some loafers, treat it like a regular sports coat while adding a little visual and textural excitement to your outfit. Or how about some really cool velvet slacks?

Just throw em on in place of blue jeans with an oversized boyfriend top and there ya go, add the jewelry maybe a cardigan. Its easy if you believe within yourself that it looks AMAZING, but if this is all too much for you, try a great pair of velvet shoes.

Its fun and simple, and if anyone tries to tell you otherwise slap them in the mouth and move on, and remember you are beautiful and Vintro loves you!

-Victoria Jones @lizabvintro

few more photos from vintro's shoot with Showtime

I would like to give special shout outs to DeMarcus "Neiko Nicaro" Jackson, one of the fashion directors and treasurer of Vintro, for his awesome photography. He is just starting off in photography but since he's jumped in he has made huge leaps and bounds since he has begun.