#imnoangel by Lane Bryant

I was reading through my usual 'stack' of articles relating to plus size industry world wide and I noticed a very huge and viral post on Lane Bryant's latest new campaign ' #imnoangel ' Click the youtube clip above and take a look!

During my meeting with the Kaylene Babes, we were discussing on how this campaign will affect us or 'support' us in any aspects. We talked mostly about the pros of this campaign about how people ought to be reminded that it is okay not to own a VS model body in order to feel like an 'angel' or to be slim in order to be 'perfect' We also talked about how extensive this campaign Lane Bryant had spent on and were discussing what could be the potential reason for doing such a powerful advertisement. (Bear in mind ladies, there never have been one powerful and strong impacted advertisement previously) This is probably the few rare times where a leader in the plus size industry decided to take a big leap and make a stand. Interesting isnt it? We are not sure what their main core objective is and how huge amount of guts to do this massive campaign but regardless what it may be, we are sure applauding for their courage in our opinion.

One highlight mentioned by Eve was that looking at the other side of the coin where there will be a group of girls who are born too skinny due to the genetics or are sickly. They feel threatened by the campaign saying that the ad is insensitive toward the underweight girls who are did not become skinny just to make themselves blend with the 'society'. I was still unsure if in return we will be one nasty bully in future and hence I went to do a little more homework and found a very good response from Lane Bryant. From what I understand, they created this campaign to redefine what beauty is and they are challanging that. That I can accept and agree! Find out more from the following clip:

After watching this clip, I was assured that the direction Lane Bryant is trying to achieve positivity rather than shaming the 'skinny' girls. Their main motto is to enforce that everyone is BEAUTIFUL and SEXY despite size. 

I am really very happy that more and more ladies are beginning to accept themselves for who they are and truly be happy and loving themselves. And simply for this effort, I applaud and support Lane Bryant's campaign.

After going through the quick investigation through various bloggers posts and Youtube videos and online article, I am proud to say that at the end of the day, the message that was trying to get across is that Beauty comes in all size and Sexy simply comes from within. i am proud to say that because of this positivity notion to allow more ladies accept themselves for who they are, 

KAYLENE supports Lane Bryant's campaign on #imnoangel 

What about you? Do you support Lane Bryant's #imnoangel campaign? Tell us!

Days after the campaign broke the internet, I was too intrigued and super charged up and got really 'silly excited'. I met up with some of my girls and told them about how I felt about this campaign. AND THEN IT HIT ME.... I wanna do something more than just typing it here and proclaiming my support for Lane Bryant's movement. I spoke to the founder of I AM - a youtube channel that specially caters for the plus size girls and told her my 'silly excitement'. Instead of her laughing it off, she simply replied; "let's do it!"

While many of you are intrigued with what KAYLENE + I AM can possibly do, lets keep it in suspense! In days to come, we will launching a short video clip painstakingly directed and editted by Prissy, Karen being the "PUSH lady" (cos she is ALWAYS the one encouraging and guiding us in every aspect, bravely taking their first step and modeled by Jena, Cat and Prissy and lastly filmed(shoddy job) and shot by yours truly...

It is a very amatuerish work.. but we took pride and gave our best. We hope you will like it and enjoy the clip. Till then, stay healthy and excited for us!

 

I am Kayde and I am a plus size blogger

The truth about Elizabeth and the Lion...

*Kindly note this post is in my own opinion and my belief. It is not a religion related post.*

This is a super wee hour blog post and yes, I wrote this post a week ago and decided that I would like to share it with you. In this way, I get 1 week to think about my thoughts on this blog post and to see if I am really ready to share this with you. And by the time you manage to read this post, you would have known by now that yes, I have decided to open up and tell you whats on my mind. I would warn you first because this post is very personal to me and I am not sure how much you would like to know about myself but I am willing to try to open up a little more.

Tonight at a girlfriends house, I had 3 cards infront of me. One particular one was named 'Elizabeth and the Lion' and I was very intrigued.

While deciphering what this gorgeous card was trying to tell me, the sentence below 'Elizabeth and the Lion' was so strong and powerful. 

 'It is time to be a great leader'

 This definitely caught me off guard! The message from a simple card was so powerful till I cannot sleep. While reading what this message meant, I was so overwhelmed and had a lot of flashbacks on the past 8 years running this business. I had so many ridicules, mockery from others on how I run my business, how meek I am, how weak and how dare I call myself as one of the leaders in the local plus size industry. I was pushed aside and couldnt make a point, I was told to stand aside and watch how the others perform while I silently take it all in even when the company was being ridiculed and slandered as 'Money Making Machine'. I have grown since then naturally and somehow I overcame each ridicule and treated them as stones for me to step on to be higher than the rest. I have always been the one with 'no voice' although most of you know I am the sincere one who tries her best to work on giving her best. I am now much more mature as day by day I find my 'voice' and is totally at peace with myself. I do get hiccups often (still) but I definitely has handled them better and better. The 'noises' are now much softer and weaker and I no longer am too bothered by them. But this message sent to me and telling me to be a great leader is something I am not ready of. I was asked before I left the house 'The message is clear, and now the question is 'Are you ready to take on this role?' I couldnt answer and all I replied was; 'Something to think about, let me think about it'

I really do not know if I am ever able to be THE ONE trailblazer for my community and I am definitely unsure about me being able to even be part of one. But I know deep down, I know I have to. It is because 8 years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith and I took this amazing ride to be part of this plus size industry and I work very hard to where I am today. And as time passed, I found myself so involved in my business and I am sincerely concern about you and I am serious about making you a better and more confident person through my designs. I love the idea and am so proud of you calling to tell me your good news, you coming to me and tell me how much I have brightened your life, that how much I have solved your problems. I also love it when you trust me with your fears and concerns, your sorrows and even cry to me. I really am very grateful for the trust bestowed upon me and believed in me. But seriously, to be a great leader? Woah, I do not know man!

I will seriously think about what message the card truly want to convey to me and indeed it hit my straight to the heart. 

Will I ever be Elizabeth and the Lion? Will I ever be one? 

After consideration, I decided to ask my dearest wisest friend on what the card was trying to tell me. After an in-depth discussion, I was thrown a question as to what I should do in order to be good enough and be a true leader and lead these plus size ladies. Indeed there will be hurdles along the way and it is not going to be easy especially when i have too much on my plate right now. It is going to be a tough jurney and quote from her 'it's a matter of finding that right balance' and doing it right when the time arrives. She also mentioned that as much as is 'sounds cliche but everything happens for a reason and now you know who are the friends you can rely on' Indeed it is true, I have been so blessed with so many wonderful people whom I know can be depended on and give me 100% should I ever need help. Naturally I will be scared right, because I am only just a 'Kayde' and not someone who possess great powers. I have so much fear in me till I rather shut it out than to take a step forward and test my boundaries. 

Its been days since I last wrote this post (yup, this post has been editted a couple of times) and I am STILL pondering over what I can be. Will I be able to be like Elizabeth and the Lion? Should I even try to be one? After serious thoughts about it, I made the executive decision to at least give it a shot. I honestly dont know tonight on how this will turn out, but I am willing to explore to find out. Because only through taking this first step will then I know if I can be a true Elizabeth and the Lion... Will you be with me and stay with me, go through this journey with me till I become one? I am unsure of this myself, but I am more than willing to welcome you on board and ride with me...

XOXO

Kayde

 I am Kayde and I am a Plus Size Blogger

When I made my second visit... and I wonder

Recently I went to a famous steamboat restaurant and the next I knew I was there for the 2nd time. I am quite a 'steamboat' person but never did I encounter being able to visit twice the reataurant in less than 10 days. In these 2 trips, I found really interesting bits and pieces on why this place has entranced me into going there and even looking forward to the 3rd visit! I would like to share my experience with you and perhaps you can guess which restaurant I am talking about!

During dinner, my girl and I were talking about the food and praising how this place never fail to amaze her each time and she even felt like she has betrayed the other steamboat place where she frequents TOO often hahaha. Then she asked me why she always feel happy sitting there and taking approx 2 hours (she did a mental note every time she visits there) and she feel extremely happy despite this restaurant is FAMOUS for at least 2-3 hours wait on a regular meal time hours. I thought about it and thought I would like to share with you why I think she will keep going there again and again and again....

First up, from the moment you step in the restaurant entrance, you will be pampered with snacks and BEST PART, comfy cozy seats that is not shared with others. It was indeed a bingo because most of the time, we are hungry hence we look for food. But we tend to give up after a wait because the rest of your friends will be too hungry to withstand another 2 hr wait. My girl and I were busy eating the snacks and were caught catching up with each other DESPITE seeing her almost weekly. We talked about things we seldom dwell into, and enjoyed the little titbits they offered. They were refillable and no extra charges. I like the idea that they were SO attentive till they have a manicure corner for the ladies and a playroom corner for kiddos. Can you imagine that? 

Shortly after we got our seat (which was 1.5hours wait, I mean, 1.5hrs of catching up instead of standing and hungry and feeling frustrated) and we were seated comfortably. We had cloth to clean our glasses, aprons to wear, covers to protect our bags and even a ziplock to cover my mobile phone! These little details literally won my heart because they really understood what we need and would like to have. And once these 'problems' are solved, we will naturally end up having an enjoyable meal! 

Just when I was leaving, I saw what I thought was the 'ULTIMATUM', a baby cot being push out because there was a sleeping baby from another table. OMGOSH... a baby cot? In a restaurant? Thumbs up man... and while witnessing this, it suddenly occured to me 'What will happen to the other restaurants of similar trade?' 

By the end of the meal, I left the place full belly and superbly satisfied. The price is on the higher side but I thought every cent was well spent. I thought about my experience and why I would like to go back there again (which I did in less than 10days) The quality of the food, the proper ventilation (no greasy smell after I left), the minute attentive little actions they provide, the awesome service they provide (they moved aside and bowed a little with arms stretched to a direction where I was heading to when they found out they had blocked me by accident) the baby cot (??!!! are you kidding me, in a restaurant!) All these adds up to leading customer loyalty. They are pricey yes I agree BUT if we look into the quality of food, you will agree it is well spent. These customers will come again because this place foresee beyond focusing only on fresh food. They focused on every other aspect on having an ideal dining experience and this if you ask me, makes a successful business and I am indeed impressed.

Now the question to you now is that 'What makes you go back to this place again?  Do you feel extremely in distressed when you visit a manicure or hair salon for they keep insisting on you buying products and how bad your nail or hair condition is? Do you like to feel special every time you visit a place and patronise at ease and comfort? Are you a price conscious person or you would like to feel special and pampered every time you do a visit? Do you believe in quality over price? What kind of service would you like to have?

I asked myself if I can ever achieve this and I try my best in every way we can for the business. I am very far behind this restaurant's business operation but I am willing to learn and change along the way. In a couple of weeks I told myself there ought to be some change for KAYLENE. I am still learning and I will continue to progress which is going to be exciting and I cant wait for all these to be able to happen....

And for those who are asking me if I will go to the restaurant again, my answer will be YES YES YES! I will continue to enjoy this place for it brings me comfort and feels like a VIP the moment I step in.

I am Kayde and I am a plus size blogger

And Other than Just for the Fashion Show.....

Kayde and friends went to play! Well, more like a detox for my brain and very tired body. Since September last year, I have been working extremely hard for a project (which didnt work out) and days passed too quickly and next we knew it was the festive period. Juliah got ill during the period and my other collegues were burnt out. We worked too hard and yeap, before I could even slow down, I fell extremely sick. I fell sick for about 2 weeks and it streched all the way AFTER cny... It was crazy, I was miserable and cranky. I had no voice and strength to carry on. In short, I FINALLY GOT BURNED OUT. 

I had too much concerns for the shop as we just cleared our huge debt from the recent business failure and I was super stressed out. I be honest, it was one of the worst dark period for me to endure. I was blessed, I had good team and support. In short, I WAS STRESS and almost at my breaking point... my girls supported me whereever possible and allowed me to hop on the plane without any regrets
 
The trip came very timely despite there were too much to do for the shop, but Thank God for the divine timing, Juliah was back from her MC and the girls are rested and ready to work. I quickly packed my luggage and the next I knew I was on plane and headed to Australia. In this trip, I tried my best NOT TO TOUCH the laptop (and for some weird reason, my laptop REFUSED to function properly). My girls are really awesome, constantly reminding me that the shop is doing well and they got it covered. I am VERY THANKFUL for that. ***sending out love and virtual hugs to them***  

Putting all these aside, and now that it is over, I would like to show you some of the highlights I had in this trip! For those who are heading to Australia, here are some highlights of my trip and you can have some cool tips/ideas on these gorgeous place!

 

stumbled upon this gorgeous place and found a lady who makes her own Lavender products... really awesom products I must say!

We went to Brown Brothers to find out the history of their wine... Love it!

How can we not visit kangeroos and koalas? At Healesville Sanctuary

Groupie shot before we say goodbye to the sleepy koala!

Hoppidy Hop! Kangeroos in action!

And we are at Bondi Beach! I felt peace annd tranquility with the sea facing me and the gorgeous sky..

Mandatory jump shot, somehow I found a way to look like I jump very high! Hehe

Fish Market! We ATE TOO MUCH SEAFOOD!!!!

 

It was fun 'acting a scene' for this shot. Love the end result! At Queen Victoria Market.. Regretted not getting MORE SALAMIs

We went to watch Madaman Butterly - a popular opera. Surprisingly, I wept and enjoyed it! It should be a must go to watch an opera for any tourist in Sydney Opera House

So fortunate to be able to have some fun on St Patricks Day! Booze time!!!! We went pub hopping! IT WAS SUPER FUN LA!

wish they were all mine, but not! If I recall well, I didnt buy much during tt shopping trip!

me in my dress... am so thankful that a few came up to me and complimented this dress and asked where this is from. Of course, I was proud to say 'Singapore, by KAYLENE, by Yours Truly!'

love this shot taken by Pris, She captured the happiness and how grateful we were to be able to attend the show

Need I say more? Highlight for this trip! Its TESS HOLLIDAY! She was so enthusiastic and game to take crazy shots with us! Woooohooo

Braved myself and went to Eureka Skydeck... A little known fact about me: I have height phobia to a certain extend

Lets go GIRLS!!!!

You can tell how EXCITED I am from this shot..... :P

Alrighty! I dont wish to bomb anymore images! There were too many great shots for this trip and I am fully recharged... I am ready to go and work!!! Hope you like my images and be inspired to get to Australia and be wowed by this lovely place!

Love,

K