Get to know Lisa of MustangSallyTwo.com! by Alexandra Hill
During the day you work in an accounting firm. What inspired you to start a blog?
I went to an event in Toronto called The Big Deal in 2014 that was run by the owner of Your Big Sister's Closet, a local plus size boutique owned by Karen Ward (aka the Curvy Canadian) where you could shop blogger's closets. I never really felt a sense of community as a plus size woman until I went to it and met all these amazing women, particularly Karen & Thera Warren of the blog Cloud 14+. Over the next few months I became good friends with Karen and her husband Peter and Thera and they encouraged me to start my own blog. I always loved fashion, was a huge shopper & I realized I had something to say especially being a size 26/28. So from that Mustangsallytwo was born.
Photo by Velvet d'Amour
How would you describe your style?
My style is feminine, glamorous, sophisticated and classic with modern elements mixed in.
Who is your style icon?
I love old Hollywood actresses like Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Sophia Loren. I appreciate their grace, the way they carried themselves and that hint of je ne sais quoi sexy. My modern day icon is Kerry Washington.
by Stefanie Augusteijn
You have over 50,000 followers on Instagram (@mustangsallytwo). What about your blog do you think attracts so many followers?
I think I write from the heart and share personal experiences that my followers can relate to. I also am very detailed in my reviews and discuss fit, sizing, price, etc. which helps them make informed shopping decisions which is important because so much plus size clothing is only available online. And being a size 26/28 is a niche, there are not a lot of bloggers my size, we are a small but mighty group!
How has blogging affected your life?
Blogging has completely changed my life. It allows me to express my creative side, it allows me to motivate and inspire other women who have struggled with self-love like I have. I have made so many wonderful friends I would have never met otherwise. Being in the public eye and facing scrutiny and trolls has been hard but it shows me how strong I really am and that what I am doing is important. I even found love from it.
Photo by Velvet d'Amour
You recently posed for VOLUP2 in an upcoming editorial, tell us about that experience.
I don't think I can adequately describe how amazing it was. Ever since I started blogging people have often referred to me as a model and I honestly shy away from being called one. So when I did my initial shoot with Velvet and she said she saw something in me and asked me to do the editorial I was blown away. We have a great connection and the day we shot she pushed me outside of my comfort zone and brought something out in me I never knew was there. The fact that she allowed me to choose all the looks and style them was amazing because it allowed me to express myself. And let me tell you, I also learned modelling is hard work! I am grateful that she took the time to teach me and made me believe that I could do it, that my size was not a limitation.
Photo by Velvet d'Amour
What do you feel is the most common misconception about plus-size women?
Honestly, there are so many but the ones at the top of my list are that we hate ourselves because we are fat, we always eat unhealthy foods or a ridiculous amount of calories, that we are lazy and don’t exercise, that we are automatically unhealthy and that we don’t deserve love.
How do you feel about the term “plus-size”?
I don’t have an issue with it. I see it as a descriptive and not a negative. I proudly wear it.
You recently started working with Vivacity Sportswear. What are some of you favorite exercises?
I have been side lined with a knee injury for the last year so what I can do is currently limited but I love swimming, weight training, and interval training classes. Working with a trainer was one of the best experiences because they push me outside my comfort zone and beyond my limits.
Photo by Stefanie Augusteijn
What other brands do you like to wear while exercising?
I like Penningtons and Lane Bryant. I would like to venture out and try some new brands like Rainbeau Curves and Juno Active because I am impressed that they also carry an extended size range.
Your motto for 2017 is #NewYearSameMe. What does this motto mean to you?
This motto means that I am allowed to be happy just as I am, that I don't NEED to make changes in order to be valued or have worth. It doesn't mean that I won't set goals for myself or try new things but I will not allow myself to be defined by them or to feel less worthy if I fail.
What are your thoughts on the plus-size fashion industry?
Well, that is a BIG question, haha. I feel that we are making progress but there is still so much work to be done. I think more plus size women need to be involved in decision making in the industry.
What growth do you hope to see in the plus-size fashion industry?
More brands need to expand their size range, clothing for ALL women does not stop at a size 24. I want to see more choice, just because I am plus size does not mean I won't pay for designer pieces. I want to see a model my size that isn't a celebrity, just an average girl like me in a campaign, on a website, in a catalogue so that my followers know they have been heard and that they deserve representation. I want there to be less negativity and more empowerment.
Photo by Velvet d'Amour
What are your goals for your blog?
I am currently working on rebranding my website and adding full ecommerce capability so that you will be able to shop my closet. I want to work more closely with the brands I work with to hopefully impact change in terms of sizing, fit, styles, etc. I want to continue to expand into more beauty and lifestyle posts to share some of my other passions and provide a well rounded experience for my reader. I am also contemplating starting a YouTube channel, which has been a popular request from my followers.