Every morning, my hair and I do battle. This battle is largely based on the fact that my hair sits right for precisely five minutes a day; the five minutes before I leave the house... meaning that I spend most of every day glancing in every reflective surface to see if it still looks as attrocious as last time. It nearly always does.

On a good day, my hair can look beautiful; I have the kind of golden-brown curls that make Grandmas go weak at the knees. On a bad day, my hair looks like Hermione Granger before she discovered straighteners and Frizz Ease. The problem is that good days are becoming rarer and rarer:

Amy's hair through the ages

And the last time a semi-decent photo was taken of it:

You can see the development from managable and cute to irritating and weird there, I think. Anyway, the reason that my hair and I have such a poor relationship is based largely on the fact that I have a) natural frizz and b) a genetically weird scalp, requiring medicated shampoo.

Over the years, though, I've learned one or two lessons about patience with hateful hair, and I thought that (as hair hasn't been tackled by Body Image Season yet) I'd pass them on...

Appreciate every good hair day you have

Seriously. You may be a member of Facebook's wonderous group "Why isn't my hair cooperating with me?", but if your hair does sit right for one day, enjoy that day!

Nod and smile

When your mother tells you that she loves your hair just the way it is. If you don't, you shouldn't settle for second best.

Do your research, and try out different styles

You might no believe it from those photos, but I have, and I'm now in the process of growing my hair out again, after trying it out short. Short was not a good look for me. Neither was straight; and don't even mention the word "layers"... I now know that the only way to wear my hair is to wear it long, and keep trying products...

On which note;

Try out different products

And don't believe the advertising slogans. Aussi Formula claims to de-frizz any frizz. Oh ho, it failed on me, and some! Also, don't take your friends' advice... unless their hair is identical to your own.

And... wait.

And, if in doubt, write a really angry blog post about your hair-based issues, and see what your readers recommend!

On which note... what do my readers recommend? :)

Good luck, fellow hair-haters - I feel your pain!

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Image: HERE

Most people's perceptions of anorexia are probably the same as mine were before I read Monkey Taming by Judith Fatallah. In my mind, before that point, anorexia wasn't an illness; it was a condition of vanity, to do with the media and the way that body image is shown to us all on a daily basis. But then one of my friends mentioned this book, and I asked to borrow it, as research for this campaign... and I'm honestly glad that I did.

Because, in Monkey Taming, the strange reality of anorexia is presented; the book tells the story of thirteen-year-old Jessica's battle with anorexia, a mental illness. It presents anorexia as a monkey in her mind; a monkey who is sometimes her friend, and sometimes her worst enemy - but who is the lone being that she can trust. The monkey tells her what she can eat, and counts her calories, and tells her that, basically, emaciated is a good look for her. He tells her she is beautiful when she is thin, and he tells her she is ugly when she eats.

The monkey is a disease; and that's what I think most people don't understand about anorexia. It's got nothing to do with the way the media portrays thin as beautiful, and it's got nothing to do with vanity, once it's set in. It can be caused by a hundred and one different things, and it develops into an obsession, and a compulsive disorder which takes far more than will power to break.

Why, though, should I accept this as the truth? Monkey Taming was written by a teenager, about her experiences - and, although it is a work of fiction, it is, on so many levels, the truth.

It may be a teenage novel, but it is compulsively readable: beautiful, horrifying, tragic, saddening, poetic, and, ultimately, uplifting.

And... I would have to say that, as it's only £4.79 on Amazon (UK), I would have to recommend that everyone reads it - especially if they want to finally understand what anorexia is truly about.

As one of Amazon's reviewers states;

"I know from experience that people often get frustrated with anorexics, because they don't understand what is happening to them. It's one of those things you can't really understand unless you've been there, and if you haven't, this is as close as you will come. A unique and revealing veiw into the inner half of a mental condition. Reccommended for anyone who has known someone with anorexia, and people who have never encountered it. An intense and wonderful read. "

Hello, hello! Well, today, we have a very special post. We're introducing a new member of our team. His name is Josh, he's a model, actor, and just about everything else, and, yes; he's American. We know we're British Style Bloggers, but we want international opinion to make this campaign work, and Josh had so much to say that we couldn't resist!

You can catch his first column here on Thursday.

Image: HERE

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Where do I start? I'm extremely busy seems like at ALL times. I'm a Model. Writer. Actor. & Singer-- In that order. I'm signed openly with 4 agencies around the country (& looking for more outside the U.S.) and I travel around frequently for live shows, photoshoots, etc. I've been published many times as well, even in foreign countries. As a writer, I have many projects going on. I work fulltime publishing articles for a Medical Tourism company. I'm also working on getting a TV sitcom off the ground as well as a full-length movie. Sadly, both projects are in a stage where they can't openly be talked about. Recently, I've done work on a couple "Indie films" but I've been in talks working on making it into Hollywood. I plan to produce an album as well, eventually. Vocally, I sound a bit like Adam Lambert with a little Darren Hayes or Daniel Bedingfield thrown in-- but my style is a mix of Lady Sovereign & Lily Allen. Unfortunately for me, however, I've been way too busy to put more focus into my last two endeavors but I like to conquer one thing at a time. 2 down, 2 to go.

We asked you to join our team because of your enthusiasm for the Body Image cause. Can you tell us why it means so much to you?

Body image is something I've secretly battled most of my life. However, I've never dealt with eating disorders or anything like that. I love food. In fact, if i had an eating disorder it would be that i eat TOO MUCH! My answer to body image is basically something we all must just get over. I feel as though nobody seems to be happy with the way they look-- by getting plastic surgeries, or even mildly complaining about it off & on-- nobody's happy! I was no different. I'd never thought I was all that gorgeous to look at but I'm comfortable with myself and the way I look and I think I happen to take great pictures. I've never been completely HAPPY with the way I look, but I'm comfortable.

How did you first get up the guts to be as unique and original as you are?

I have tons of drive. A lot of self inspiration. And basically I'm out to prove I can do anything. And in order to do anything one must do.everything. Plain and simple. :)

You've obviously got tonnes of confidence! Have you got any advice for others who may be struggling with that?

Like I mentioned before, it all comes from within. You have to be happy with who you are inside & what you're doing with your life. Once you're happy, it will show. People will sense that something about you as well-- you'll have that mysterious edge. Self confidence is a very powerful thing.

Can you tell us a little sneaky tiny bit about what your column's going to be about? We're really excited!

I'll tell you a little. I don't want to give it ALL away, right?! :) Fashion and self-awareness. I'll start my path with a little how-to find your own individual style, then teeter-totter back and forth with Fashion and Self-Awareness. Obviously what I have to say is all very positive so I'm sure it'll all be very uplifting.

Don't forget to check back on Thursday for Josh's first column!

Image: Operation Beautiful
In the near-future, an interview with Caitlin of Operation Beautiful will be posted here :)

I think that, sometimes, no matter how rational our thoughts are, we need to be reminded that we're beautiful just the way we are. Even if you don't usually feel bad about the way you look, everyone has bad days, when things start to get them down - bad hair days tend to be what I suffer from most frequently, and I found that the easiest way not to feel bad about my massive frizz of hair was to remember something that someone I admire once said;

"I won't ever straighten my hair to impress a guy again"
- Taylor Swift

So, I thought I'd collect some positive body image quotes to remind you all that you're beautiful; pick the one that's most relevant for you, write it on a post-it note, stick it to your mirror, and always remember that you are beautiful.

"Find yourself and your own unique, signature style, rather than trying to be 'of the moment'"
- Dita Von Teese

"There are flowers everywhere, for those who bother to look"
- Henri Matisse

"Wear a fabulous smile, great jewelry, and know that you are totally and utterly in control"
- Donatella Versace

"Beauty is not in the face - beauty is a light in the heart"
- Kahil Gibran

"I think I've become more comfortable about being a human being"
- Cameron Diaz

"I think that whatever size or shape body you have, it's important to embrace it and get down! The female body is something that's so beautiful. I wish women would be proud of their bodies and not dis other women for being proud of theirs!"
- Christina Aguilera

"Eat healthily, exercise regularly, and listen to really good music"
- Perez Hilton

"I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful"
- Anon

"Beauty comes in all sizes, not just size five"
- Roseanne

"I don't like standard beauty - there is no beauty without strangeness"
- Karl Largerfeld

The most inspirational thing I found when I was looking for quotes for this post, however, is not a quote at all; it is a secret sent in to PostSecret months and months ago now... and I wanted to share it with you all;

(: Very poignant...

Which are your favourite quotes? And have you got any of your own to share?

LoveLoveLove

- A -

PS - we have a sparkly new community! Click HERE to join!

Now that my exams have finished, I've finally got time to write a very important post that I've been meaning to write forever and ever, about BSB's lovely best friends! They've sponsored us through our Christmas competition, and they deserve a lot of love for that, so we're here to tell you all about them. We promise that Body Image Season will be back very very very very soon :)

Don't forget that you can read What Katie Thinks About Body Image (featuring Katie of 'What Katie Wore') now - CLICK HERE.

Illustrator Claire

Can be found at -  www.illustratorclaire.com

Claireis a BSB columnist and professional illustrator,who also runs an Etsy shop, selling "hand-drawn magnets, craft-based sculpture and my Mum's old jeans".

She donated her Fridge-Style Game  to the Christmas competition prize-fund, but our favourite of her products at the moment is her Magnetic Romance set, worth $6.50, which is about average cost for her products.

Take a look;

"A gentleman, a lady, and the flowers she breathes over him, depicted in magnets.

Will stick to fridges, radiators, etc! Anything your average magnet likes.

Hand drawn! One of a kind set."

See it HERE

We'd recommend this shop to anyone looking for a unique, eclectic gift for a friend, or for someone who just wants to jazz their kitchen up a little bit!

CoCo Rose London

"Unfold when the going gets tough"

Can be found at - www.cocoroselondon.com

CoCo Rose Londonis run by a very lovely lady named Janan, who kindly donated a pair of CoCo Roses for the winner, as well as a bunch of other stuff for everybody else. They sell foldable shoes to store in your handbag, for nights out when those heels get too much... and foldable bags to keep the heels in afterwards!

Shoes cost between £30 and £35, and bags cost £3.50.

Our favourites are their Vesper Shoes -

You can see them HERE.

We'd have to recommend these to literally anyone who has ever felt the strain on their feet after too long in their stilettos - they come in a range of colours and styles, so everyone is sure to find some that they like :)

I Love Cutie Pie

"Cute, Kitsch Vintage Jewelery"

Can be found at - www.ilovecutiepie.com

The lovely Dani of I love Cutie Pie donated a beautiful necklace towards the competition. They sell a lot of wonderful, unique jewelery - necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings in cute vintage styles. Jewelery can vary in price significantly, as is to be expected, but prices are reasonable, and everything is beautiful!

Despite the fact that my ears aren't pierced, my personal favourite product is a pair of gorgeous earrings called Stupid Cupid -

See them HERE

We'd definfitly recommend this store to all lovers of unique jewelery, and the vintage look - it's an absolute goldmine for that kind of thing!

So, thank you, once again, to all our lovely best friends - make sure you check them out!

We'll be back to normal, and talking Body Image again very very soon!

LoveLoveLove

- A -