Cover Girls

Vogue Italia is always ahead of the game and I'm hoping more magazines around the world look to them for inspiration. For the June 2011 issue, Italian Vogue featured three plus-sized models posing for the cover. I couldn't believe it at first, but the surprise was a pleasant one.

By now, everyone must be tired of hearing about the stereotypical weight issues associated with the fashion industry. Model weigh ins, skeletons walking the runways and even deaths caused by anorexia.

Lately many women have been speaking out about having lower self worth after reading a fashion magazine. Air brushing and unhealthy models do not make the average woman feel good about herself or her body. And just because the models featured in June's issue are bigger, it doesn't mean they aren't as beautiful. In fact, these women have bodies, real bodies for that matter.

Editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani told Women's Wear Daily, "We help [plus-size women] dress fashionably. We say: It's pointless for you to buy leggings, take this because this will look good on you. We help them choose. We don't talk about diets because they don't want to be on a diet, but it's not a ghetto. Why should these women slim down? Many of the women who have a few extra kilos are especially beautiful and also more feminine."

Finally, someone is catching onto the idea that not all women are below one hundred pounds while being six foot something accompanied by stick legs and a teeny tiny waistline. And in no way do I believe this is a publicity stunt to increase sales. I am seriously impressed with the cover and the inside spread featuring a lot of food, a lot of nudity and a whole lot of woman.

Heel Boy

There's nothing more powerful than a woman in pumps. A pair of high heels can instantly add sex appeal and sophistication. And a little boost of confidence and height never hurt anyone either.

There are so many advantages to a great pair of heels. The obvious being it makes a woman's legs longer and more defined as the angle change between the foot and the lower leg accentuates the appearance of the calves. Wearing high heels can actually be a great workout. For those who don't wear them regularly, calf muscles are being put into a position where they have lost most of their strength and therefore have to work harder to do the same job. For experienced high heel wearers this is less of an issue as muscles will adapt to the different posture.

Walking in heels also burns more calories. By walking unencumbered, motion pattern minimizes energy consumption. The heels represent a restraint that makes it impossible for those to attain their preferred motion pattern which essentially increases metabolism for walking the same distance.

Adding heel makes any outfit that much more stylish and some experts say it can even boost a woman's career by transforming her into a confident, strident force to be reckoned with. Putting her at eye level with male coworkers can subconsciously create better gender equality in the office as well.

The best part - wearing high heels can improve your sex life because the act of wearing them makes you feel sexy and strengthens core abdominal and pelvic muscles at the same time (also another workout tool). High heels thrust out the buttocks and arch the back into a natural mammalian courting pose called lordosis. Rats, sheep, lions as well as dogs all do this pose. It's a natural sexy posture that men immediately see as sexual readiness. So enough said - isn't it about time you treated yourself to another pair of shoes?

“I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.”

- Marilyn Monroe -

“Nothing has been invented yet that will do a better job than high heels at making a good pair of legs look great, or great ones look fabulous.”

- shoe designer Stuart Weitzman -

“I like to literally put women on a pedestal.”

- British clothing designer Vivienne Westwood -

“How tall am I? Honey, with hair, heels and attitude I’m through this damned roof.”

- drag queen RuPaul -

Miss Wasson

There has been a lot of female bloggers confessing their girl crush on Miss Wasson lately, and I can definitely see why. This simple girl from Texas with a simple style has media chatting about and photographing her beauty and bohemian look on and off the runway.

Erin Wasson is best known for being a model and appearing in various campaigns, on the Victoria Secret catwalk and smack-dab on the front covers of French, German, Spanish and Australian Vogue. She is an occasional stylist and recently designed lines for RVCA and her personal jewelry line, Low Luv.

Although she's extremely accomplished career wise, it's her creative personal style that has caught the attention of fashionistas around the world. This tatted up bombshell looks just as great when professionals dress her for work as she does in her every day. Messy hair, no bra, cut off jean shorts and clunky boots are all key ingredients for her daytime signature look, while tight dresses and ankle booties are part of her evening attire. Add a little SPF face cream, funky hats, vintage accessories and voila - the perfect summertime outfits.

I adore her street style so much because it's effortless and natural. I along with many other women have become inspired by Wasson's look. Not only is it unique and trendy, but it's also very comfortable.

Key pieces in my closet for this spring and summer include:

-loads of cut off jean shorts

-vintage blouses

-worn in leather belts

-over sized tank tops

-bohemian scandals

-vests

-jean shirts

-loose blazers

-long chained necklaces

-men's ankle boots or oxford shoes. I just found a beauty pair of brown men's Italian leather snakeskin oxford shoes while vintage shopping and it has been the highlight of my month! Every time I leave the house with them on, I get at least five compliments. One of my best investments so far.

I could probably post pictures of Wasson all day long, but here are just a few boho looks that I'm into. Keep reading because I will post pictures of her eclectic NYC apartment very soon. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!

Happy Birthday Blog

My blog turns 1 year old today! I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who continue to loyally read GypsyMe. This blog is a way of expressing myself through my passion for writing and my insatiable appetite for life. I write about traveling the world, meeting fascinating people, fashion trends I pass on the street, regal events I manage to sneak into, love stories, my published work, projects I'm involved with as well as the films and music that give me goosebumps.

Most have already noticed GypsyMe is not topic-specific and this is for the simple reason that life doesn't just have one genre. There are far too many unique and beautiful things that come into my life and I don't mind breaking the blogging rules so I can write about them all in one place.

Whether you read my blog weekly, monthly, skim through the posts and stop only at the topics you fancy or simply just look at the pictures, know that I greatly appreciate your support. I would love for all - be it a family member, friend, acquaintance or even a complete stranger somewhere in the world who enjoys reading what I write about - to become an official follower of my blog. It's free and quite simple to sign up. All you have to do is provide a urine sample, blood type and a carbon fiber of hair (just kidding). Just go to the right hand side of the page under "Gypsies Who Dig My Blog" and click on "Become A Follower".

If you connect with a specific post, agree or disagree with my opinions or just want to browse the blog, please know I'm interested to hear what you have to say. This blog is a form of expressing myself, but it can also be a form of expressing yourself. It makes my day a little bit brighter knowing people read about the things I adore and enjoy the pictures I post. If you prefer to leave a private message, feel free to email my personal account at ctousek@hotmail.com.

Love,

Me

DIY Victorian Cabin

Hearing about creative people doing creative things will never get old. I was looking at some interior design blogs recently and came across one woman's whimsical retreat.

Turns out Sandra Foster's dream of having a romantic getaway finally came true. With a clear vision, some manual labour and lots of bargain hunting, Foster transformed an abandoned hunting cabin into a fairytale cottage. The 9 x 14 foot space lacks heat, a toilet and a kitchen. Instead it has more important things such as a crystal chandelier, a cabinet full of antique china and a tiny loft area that holds a bed fashioned for Cinderella, Snow White or even Sleeping Beauty.

With a $3, 000 budget to renovate and furnish the sweet spot, Foster relied heavily on her own carpentry skills. She also scoured many secondhand shops to score cheap finds for the Victorian-inspired decorating.

She lives on a 14 acre property in the Catskills area of New York with her husband Todd. Because the little cabin is not equipped with proper amenities, the two love birds reside in their 1971 trailer nicknamed "The Groove Tube". The Tube isn't located very far from the cabin though. She needs only to cross a picturesque stream and climb a small hill to reach paradise again.

Dare to be Different

If we all looked the same, dressed the same, thought the same and even blogged the same the world would be such a boring place, don't you think? So cut out the monotony and spice things up a bit gypsies. Do something out of the ordinary today and everyday.

Happy Monday to all my devoted readers!

Behind the Scenes

In less than 24 hours, MuchMusic will premiere the Candy Coated Killahz music video to their lead single titled Neon Black. I am ecstatic to have been included in this futuristic video and it's always a pleasure being surrounded by such talented and creative people.

The dynamic duo showcasing urban electro-pop has been hailed by the Globe and Mail as one of the bands responsible for Toronto's emergence as an "electronic music capital". Having already jammed with The Roots, The Gza (of Wu Tang Clan), Pitbull and The Cool Kids, CCK also had their 2009 debut single Playboy appear in a movie and several TV series in North America.

As one of the industry's few female producers, classically trained pianist and multi instrumentalist Tasha Schumann is the frontgirl of the group. Her candy coated partner in crime, Michael Ayodeji Akinlabi (also known as Icon the Anamoli), offers a great deal of artistic edge with his vocals, eclectic dance moves and a background in animation and game design.

The music video that everyone will be talking about is directed by Alon Isocianu. By incorporating a plethora of metallic costumes, wild hair and daring makeup the characters of this video easily fit into a world of flashy buildings and flying cars. Hairstylist Grant Butterworth had no boundaries when it came to my hairdo. He insisted on platinum blond extensions with a heavy set of bangs covering my eyes. The look was topped off with fetish tape wrapped around my head. I could barely see a thing during the whole shoot and was extra cautious when stepping over all the wires on set.

Despite my impaired vision, I was one of the dancers in the club scene. Some may even notice that Tasha gives me a little nudge as she and Icon are walking through the crowd. To let readers in on a little secret - the club scene with hundreds of ravers was actually only filmed with eight dancers in front of a green backdrop. After multiplying all of the dancers a few times over and digitally adding the background, it created the craziest party spot possible. The dancers were specifically asked to use lots of arm movements, which had me busting moves I wouldn't dare unveil even after a few extra cocktails. I bet the cast had a good laugh, not that I could tell for sure due to my lack of vision with the extremely long bangs and all.

Listen and love Candy Coated Killahz and I'm certain your heart will go Neon Black just as mine has. Below are some behind-the-scenes shots courtesy of photographer Michelle Belsky.

Happy LOVE Day

Move over Christmas, New Years, Easter, Halloween and birthdays because it's my favourite day of the year again...

Happy Valentine's Day to all my blog readers! Let yourselves love and be loved on such a magical and romantic day. I can only hope it brings flowers, chocolates, candlelit dinners, heartfelt cards, kisses and plenty of sexy time for all.

Don't be a Bitter Betty by celebrating Single Awareness Day if you aren't part of a pair this year. Show family and friends they are loved as well. Whether I'm attached or solo, February 14th still remains my most favourite day of the year.