Now this was my second year playing mas and last year I learned a whole new set of lingo around the event which made things much easier to understand. But I had a great friend who was so helpful in the whole process this year. Her name is Nadelle and she is a fellow Plus Model here in Toronto. And this year she actually organized a group of other plus models to play mas all together and has coined the hashtag #EveryBODYplayahmas.
This year we played with Toronto Revellers. From our group we chose a few different sections. I joined Nadelle in choosing ‘Going for Gold’ in which we wore an entirely gold costume adorned with gold gems and coins. I felt like a belly dancer actually (and sounded like one too lol). This year, I did my own hair and makeup – and I actually was quite pleased with how it all turned out.
Now let’s talk about the day….
I was up at 5:45 to start hair and makeup…out the door around 8:30 and we took the train down – in full costume. Yes, it happened. When I walked into the station to buy my train ticket I was by myself and there were a few women in there who were obviously going to the parade because they were wearing t-shirts that said so and they kept giving me dirty looks. But, as per usual I just was my confident self and didn’t care – but I did notice.
As my friends joined me we got more and more hyped up and ready so that by the time we got off the train we were ready for the road. When we finally arrived to our band’s section most of our friends were already there and it was so amazing to see everyone just owning their curves. Some of the girls even came in from Detroit – it was so great to see them again. While we waited to go down the road we took lots of pics, had lots of laughs and just enjoyed ourselves.
The day was hot but perfect weather and we danced like no one was watching…meanwhile all eyes were on us. I actually had a lady in our section keep looking at me and finally I asked what was wrong and she just stood there in shock and asked me how I learned to dance and move like that. She couldn’t believe it. I think that was a compliment. I also had another girl come up to me and ask me why on earth I was wearing carnival tights because I had such an amazing body and shouldn’t be wearing them. So that was pretty neat.
Anyways, it was another day to go down in the books. This wasn’t just about paying mas to us. This was about a statement that everyBODY CAN play mas. But more than that – your body, your weight, nothing actually, should hold you back from doing what you want to do. Live life, have fun, live it up and do it with all the confidence in the world.
This year I attended one of the events as well – the Elite Party Series On the Water Boat Cruise. It was probably one of the best parties I have ever been to! Amazing music all night, a great crowd and great friends. That night I chose a new florescent yellow top that I picked up that day from Voluptuous paired with a black skirt from Forever 21 and my fav Nine West peep toes (next time I’ll skip the heels all together).
A very, very, very big thank you to Nadelle for all her help organizing our group and especially for all her patience with me with all my questions. Nadelle you truly are a gem and an inspiration! However I’m still trying to figure out how on earth you did so many days of events and parties and yet you are alert and alive…I’m still recovering lol. Love ya lots girl!!!
Be sure to check out the hashtag #everyBODYplayahmas on Instagram to see all our posts and check out some pics below from Saturday and Sunday.
Until next time….
Stay Beautiful,
Thank you Sarah for joining #EveryBODYplayahmas this year! It was truly an amazing experience of togetherness and bonding and I am ecstatic that this group has formed. I look forward to all our upcoming plans and playing mas all over again 🙂