Fashion with a Purpose with Sue Ryder

I was very kindly invited along to take part in a Sue Ryder fashion show they were holding in Aberdeen. Instantly I knew I wanted to take part. The show combined together some of my favourite things: Modelling and Charity. So it was a no brainier to jump on the chance.

Sue Ryder provide incredible hospice and neurological care for people facing a frightening, life changing diagnosis. They do whatever they can to be a safety net for patients and their loved ones at the most difficult time of their lives. They see the person, not the condition.

Told to arrive at 11.30 to the Hilton Treetops in Aberdeen, I arrived to greeted by girls looking through rails of clothing preping for the catwalk ahead. I picked an elegant dress as I was deterimed to wear my pagent crown. Of course it was in black, which is my staple colour, with a lovely pale gold trim.
It was great to see such a great turn out, all looking excited to take part in this great cause. From tiny toots to yummy mummy's in all shapes and sizes. This really was a catwalk free from restrictions, which I strongly believe should be how all catwalks should be. If you know me you will know that I believe in a world free from discrimination, so was really nice to be part of a catwalk with this in mind.

Standing on stage with little electronic candles we practised our opening routine. It was very simple which was perfect for everybody. I'm glad to say, bar the song not being stopped in time, it went without a hitch when it mattered. From 1.30-4.30 we were free to do what ever we wanted to do. I took this time to get to know the lovely Cathy who was hosting the event. We had met twice before at the previous Wobia Entertainment Pageants. However learning more about Cathy it was great to see what an inspiring, strong, confident individual she is. The perfect face for opening such an event.

Having previously picked my dress it was just a waiting game for the show to start. Unfortunately what was missing in crowd was more than made up by the enthusiasm of the models. The show began with announcing of the amazing charity we were there to raise funds for, followed by the candle opening then on with the show.

One by one models strutted there stuff up and down. A smile, pose, hair flip here and there went down a treat with the audience seeming to really get into the event. A quick break with three talented dancers then back to the catwalk. It was finally my turn to go up and down. I always feel so alive on the catwalk, its such a rush and I honestly could do it all day if I could. The experience was over far to quick as I made my way back to the changing room to settle back into my normal clothes and then off home I popped.

I really enjoyed myself being with such a fantastic bunch of models who were all there to support Sue Ryder. Over all we raised an amazing £650. If you would like to make a donation to them please do. The link to do so is here.

Have you ever taken part in a catwalk or taken part in a charity fund raiser? Let me know down below.

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User ability of a Fat Chick

I'm fat. I'm big boned, plus size, curvy, overweight and whole range of similar words that basic means I'm fat. Now to me fat is not a bad word, its simply a description that defines what my body is. I like to eat a bit to much chocolate, and I like to exercise. I'm relatively healthy for those who are concerned about my weight, I just like to indulge myself a little more often than I should and that's OK. 

  

I get offered work as a plus size model and I love to take a selfie. I'm not shy about how I look, why would I be? The world has so much different standards of beauty and hopefully I appeal to some. I want to take who I am further and help promote a body positivity that is not defined by your weight but rather how you feel inside. I post semi-nude images baring my flesh and all the jiggles I posses, because a body is not to be shamed.

So with that out the way today I'm writing about the user ability to not see past a fat chick in a picture.

I have a website for my modelling, I'm no designer so after finding out about a website called Peek User testing I jumped on the chance to see how my website looked to an outsider. 'Get a peek into the mind of your users.' it claims. To be honest I wish I didn't.

Its sad that in this day and age, after all the press and all the supposed body positive movements there is still those who put down somebody based on there weight.

It claims on its video that is is a service for ”finding and fixing the problems faced by your website visitors”. Well obviously me being fats a huge problem on a plus size website! 

 

 

Now I wont completely slate the website. I did find it OK on my blog, neither pointing out anything negative or positive about it. In fact the first time I used on on my modelling website I had a very helpful man state things in a 7 minute long video. This did actually help me improve the website, helping me see things that an outsider would see. Spurred on by his helpfulness I applied twice more to see what people thought about it. 
 

Greeted by a 1minute 32 video for the second attempt, which did nothing to test the user ability of the site but to sexulise my clothing, point out my breast side and also note that it was a site for overweight models. This review irked me as did not do anything but judge me based the images on the first page. 
 

It was the first video however which really took it further. I was also put down based on my appearance.

“It makes me feel like this is some sort of adult site or porn site”

“though one should always try to be healthy”

I have big boobs, I do pin-up, but in what way does this have ANYTHING to do with the user ability of the site. This is straight out judging based on my appearance.

My appearance may not be to everybody's taste, but when asked for an impartial view on it I'm named as an adult model. I have nothing against adult modelling, iv done some more risky shoots in my time, but these images have nothing to do with the ability to use a site. The fact my breasts automatically make something over sexulised is alarming. Without learning about me, who I fight to anti-discrimination with, what I believe. I'm simply named as a porn model. My weight again a judging factor on my website. 

 

I wonder if my images were all removed if I would still get the same remarks about user ability? I highly doubt it.

Much love,

Umber x

 

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Love Your body

Hello lovlies
Today I posted something different on my instagram. (Ps its Umber_Phoenix if you haven't followed me yet)



To often people strive and hunt for the ideal of perfection. Id much rather be happy and me.
So if I have to bair all to do it you bet im gonna be naked and wiggling my curves in your direction.

Love the body you are in regardless of what people think.
You get only one body in this life time, make peace with it.

When we look back at our younger selves we think how we could have changed things. So why wait for tomorrow for the todays. Be proud of who you are.

Im not the slimmest , tallest and most certainly not the prettiest. But do you know what I love me.

I love my lumps and bumps
I love my wiggles and jiggles
And most importantly I love my inperfect imperfections

A naked body is not to be shunned, hated and spat upon because it does not fit into the medias views.
I will love myself for being who I want to be, not for who im ment to be.

Love Umber x

#wearethethey

A few weeks ago I got I got the exciting news that my article for the magazine Twisted Edge was published. I was so thrilled to know that my little piece was good enough to be included along side some beautiful and talented people for the #wearethethey edition.

Iv always loved writing, and I will admit I'm not very good, but to know something of my dislexic pen was published feels fantastic.

I chose to write a little about what I know and how I feel. So picking the subject of plus models just seemed natural. If you would like to read it the article is on www.umberphoenix.co.uk.

I used to blog all the time. I loved writing then like everything else, life got in the way. So today im writing this little post, just over the moon at the magazine being in my hands. Maby I should write more often about my adventures and achievements.

Much love,
Umber x

Red Skye Comic

So I just got something exciting through the mail.

 

After waiting months its finally here. The comic in which I had back cover, and trading cards.

And honestly? Its poor quality.

Im so disappointed by it. There is the printer lines across it, the graphics inside are bad. The story line is awful - how many times can they fit "blam" into it? Far to many. 

Honestly I would not recommend going for this and there customer service is awful too. They 'lost' my first copy to have to send this one out again. One of these images *the one with the brick wall* was taken after I had ordered my copy.  Plus they do not email back to keep you in the loop or do they reply to you at all a lot of the time.

Im lucky they wanted to publish my picture but as a customer buying a product the product is extremely poor. I had to buy this, quite often people believe you will get things for free if your in it. This is quite often not the case. 

Disappointed to say the least. 

Umber x

A Sneek peek into my modeling world

 

Im not as crazy about makeup as I used to be.
But I do have a huge amount still. My love seems have shifted towards shoes and clothes. Im madly in love with colecting outfits for photoshoots. I adore being a model so much, keeps my head in check and constantly looking for the next one.
Iv been published a few times now in magazies and also in a news paper which is great!

Thought I would share a few pics with you. Will write more in depth in a few days x


Umber x

Everything You've Ever Done

Something a little different to write about today. Im writing today about a book, but not just any book. A gripping story about exploring, memories and above all else love.

The author Amelia Whalen puts it best herself when she writes in her blog;

"Dave and I were real-life characters who blasted thought a life stranger than fiction"

From chapter one you are hooked in the tale of herself and husband Dave. From them getting engaged, to the tragedy of being diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy and beyond.

It hit me on such a personal level, and whilst I personally have never faced ALD, I currently am facing a similar but very different tale. With my own father terminal with cancer these glimpses of her memoir were uplifting. Her faith throughout, not drowning in self pity but gathering strength to carry on. Her love never wavering. She is a beautful powerful woman to be admired. Seeing how strong she is to carry on and make the best out of a horrible situation. It gives me such hope for my own future. 

This memoir, I believe, will touch everyone in one way or another.

 Extracts of Amalia Whalen's 'Everything You've Ever Done'  can be found at www.everythingyouveeverdone.com 

You.

You can set your mind to anything you want. 

YOU control what YOU do.

 Be who you want to be.

 Do what you want to do.

 Live life to the fullest. 

Smash thoes goals you set. 

Dream the biggest dream.

 Live only for you.

Umber x