The Trouble with Tights.
Can we step away from natural hair from for a moment?
I want to talk to you about tights.
I love tights. I do. They have come out with such cute styles and colors lately.
These are from Avenue. I DIE!
However, I have a severe problem with tights. The sizing.
You see, I am short and round. My weight is such that I guess clothing companies feel as if I should be a specific height. I am not that height. I will never be that height.
As a result one of two things happens when I wear tights.
1. The tights are so long that I have to tuck them under my bra and hope for the best.
OR
2. I attempt to go down a size and can’t get them over the tree trunks I call thighs.
I can’t win.
I work in IT and I crawl around sometimes, but a lot of time is spent at my desk. I would love to wear skirts and dresses in the cold weather, but I just can’t find tights that suit and fit me. *sigh*
What are your favorite tights? Where did you get them?
PS: Stick with me! Next week I have some exciting news!
Protective styling in this heat.
This has been a crazy week. I take a medication that, if not taken early enough, will keep me up all night. I took it within the normal range on Tuesday, but I was still up until 7:30am Wednesday. I slept for three hours, and went about the rest of my day. Around 7pm Wednesday night, I started getting incredibly drowsy. Unfortunately, that was not a great time to get drowsy because we had to go to the grocery store. When I say HAD TO. I mean had to. We didn’t even have milk. The past two weeks we had gone out to eat. It feels good to have groceries in the house again.
While at the store, I saw something a little… inappropriate, and I feel the need to say something about it. I understand that a lot of skinny girls (not skinny just skinny as in Paris Hilton, but skinny as in average) are wearing rompers this summer.
I don’t really like them. They look cute on people, but they just aren’t my cup of tea. Not to mention that I am shaped like a barrel (or a duck) and it just wouldn’t look right.
Anyway, Jeff and I are shopping and I see a couple ahead of us with their little girl in the cart. The mom is wearing a romper similar to what I posted, but it is made of a different material. What I notice the most is that her left butt cheek is hanging out. Not a hint of it, THE WHOLE THING. Then to make matters worst, she drops something and lets it all hang out! Really lady? Really? Way to set an example for your baby girl. Meh.
Anyway, she was probably eyeballing me like I was crazy as well. It was 98 degrees out yesterday. The heat index made it feel like it was 108 degrees. I was clad in jeans, a black shirt, AND A KNITTED BLACK BEANIE/BERET.
I know, it sounds insane. It is hot as hell outside, what am I doing in a knit cap? Currently my hair is protective styled in two strand twists. As I have stated in the past, my hair is never lovingly parted into two strand twists, I co-wash, detangle, and moisturize my hair. I then two strand twist it all haphazardly, then seal in the moisture.
Not the prettiest picture of myself, but you get the gist.
Unless I have somewhere I have to be (mainly job interviews), those twists do not come out of my hair until it is time to co-wash again. I don’t want them to get ‘loc’d’ up, so I take them down again to co-wash. As a result, when I go out some place that doesn’t really matter, I have a hat on. I won this beret in the winter from Revealing Beaute and it has been a godsend. However, I think I need more options.
I need to learn how to do up-dos. I attempted one before an interview, and it failed horribly. One major thing I have to take into account is that they are time intensive. I have to make sure I have the time to sit there and part and flat twist and everything.
Another option, is more hats. Did you know I know how to crochet? Yep, that and I can do basic knitting. Well, I can do the knit stitch when it comes to knitting. Because the purl stitch is just a backwards knit stitch, it messes with me. My thoughts are to purchase some lightweight yarn and make a couple of caps of my own. I know there are a few hat patterns in the stitch and bitch book I own. I am also a member of Ravelry, you can get a ton of patterns from there for free. I also have a binder of printed out patterns. I just need to get back into it. I also need to purchase lightweight yarn. I have a ton of yarn, but it is all blanket, afghan, baby blanket stuff.
What about you? How do you protective style? What kind of hats do you wear in this oppressive heat?
Flat Feet and Chub Rub
I want to talk to you guys today about something other than hair. For those of you that are new to this blog, I live in Indianapolis. We don’t have a really good method of public transportation, so more than likely, you have a car. Yes, we have a bus system, but as an example, they don’t stop anywhere near me. I live within city limits. I don’t think it runs 24 hours a day. It’s not great.
I am currently on vacation in a city that does have great public transportation. You do a lot of walking as well. Because I usually drive everywhere at home, there are certain things I do not think about. Yes, I have heard of chub rub before; I have never experienced it. I wear dresses and skirts all summer long, and have never had an issue with it. Yesterday for the first time in my life I experienced it. DEAR. MOTHER. OF. GOD. by the time we got back to our hotel, I was walking like a bowlegged penguin. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BOWLEGGED PENGUIN!? It isn’t pretty. We got to our room and I ran to the bed, laid on the bed, lifted up my pretty dress and HOWLED. The hubs looked and gasped “You are so swollen on your thighs!” We looked at each other and said at the same time “Chub Rub” The swelling has since gone down, and I actually wore shorts today, so I am pretty much back to 100%. However, I think I will be wearing shorts the rest of my trip.
Another thing I want to talk about is shoes. I wear a size 10 shoe. I have an incredibly wide foot. I don’t know the exact width, as my foot has not been measured since I was a kid. My feet are also flat. So you have a plus size girl with a flat and wide foot. I cannot find a comfortable and stylish walking shoe. It’s not fair. I shouldn’t have to sacrifice style or comfort for a walking shoe. Don’t believe me? Go to Zappos.com. look for sandals, in a size 10, with a width bigger than just W. A lot of that stuff looks like something my grandmas would wear. Plus there is no telling if they are comfortable. When I get a chance, I am going on a severe hunt for a comfortable, stylish walking shoe, that comes in wide widths. If you have any suggestions or thoughts, do not hesitate to leave a comment or even email me. I shouldn’t have to wear sneakers with my cute dresses just because I am big foot. It is amusing. Big and tall guys do not have as many choices as us girls do when it comes to clothes. A lot of times they have to buy at the “Lane Bryant” of clothing stores, which means they are spending an arm and a leg. However, they can get all different styles of shoes in different widths. Plus size women have more and more choices. They grow with every single day. However, I can’t find the same shoes that are cute, and comfy to walk in to save my life. Everything scrapes the side of my foot (by my big toe) or they just hurt.
Do you have problems with shoes? What is your favorite brand of shoe to combat this? What about chub rub? How do you combat it?
Fabulosity at its finest!
Before I start this entry, I was using the phrase "Teeming with fabulosity" Before Kimora Lee Simmons. I love her show, I just thought I would throw that out there.
This past Sunday was Easter. I didn't have any major plans. It was going to be, my programming homework (shoutout to visual basic 2008!), some math homework and an organizational communication paper. My husband requested that I go with him to his family's Easter Sunday dinner. I told him I would if I finished my programming assignment. Surprisingly, it went smoothly this week. It took maybe an hour and a half (usually I go at it for like 4-5 hours) so I had plenty of time to go with him.
I decided since I rarely leave the house (I haven't had a face to face interview in so long.. I NEEDS A JOB!!), and when I do leave the house I am going grocery shopping, or somewhere that just jeans are required, that I would dress up. It was going back to that whole making myself happy. I love to dress up, even if I am the only one who does so.
I also decided to do something different to my hair. For all of you that follow me on Facebook, you'll know that for the past few days I have had my hair in two strand twists. When my hair is in two strand twists and I have to go somewhere, usually I take them out and put my hair into a poof. I then wear it free for a couple of days because I get a HUGE 'fro. Instead of the poof, I untwisted my hair and kind of parted it to the side, so I would have side bangs. My twists are crazy. They will be bent at odd angles and just stick straight up on my head. I took a handful of duckbill clips, and clipped like 5 of those bad boys to my bangs, weighing them down. I then clipped more of them wherever I had crazy twists flailing about. I then went about my business, applying my makeup and getting dressed. When it was close to the time to leave, I removed the clips. I was still a little flyaway in the back, but it was cute. I then put a headband on (just a stretchy one that I normally use) behind my bangs. My bangs were threatening to creep up, so I searched high and low for a bobby pin. I can't believe I don't own any bobby pins! I eventually found one, it had a jewel on the end of it, and so it looked a little odd with my flower there as well. Everything turned out really cute though!
PICTURES!!!
These are really blurry and I apologize. Camera phone for all of them except one. This is the back of my head.
My twistout
Front View
Attempting again to get a decent shot of the back.
Before I left the house.
So yeah, I really liked this look and can't wait to do it again. I also can't wait to try other things! I hope you guys are having a great week!
Torrid is messing with my emotions
Torrid just posted on facebook and on twitter that their clearance is an additional 50% off. It is not! Driving me insane!!!
Swimsuit Scandal 2010
In my last post I mentioned that it was the first time in several years that I have purchased a swimsuit. What I forgot to mention is that I have TERRIBLE luck with swim suits. The last swimsuit I purchased fell off in the ocean in front of a friend and her boyfriend. So yeah, not the greatest luck with swimsuits.
I should have known last nights bargain was too good to be true.
You see, I didn't try the suit on in the store. It was the hottest day of the year in Indiana. I was just trying to find something and go home and be with my dogs. I nabbed the first one I could find in my size, did the peanut butter and Jelly time dance and ran to go pay.
later on that evening I pulled it out to look at it again. I took a closer look.
I had bought a swimsuit..TOP.
No bottoms. Nothing
I was trying to go to Y yesterday evening. Can't really go swimming without bottoms. Unless I want to scandalize some people.. and possibly anger my husband.
So today I went back to fashion bug in search for bottoms.
They sold their last two pair of bottoms this morning.. and they were a size 8 and a size 6. Even if I knew how to sew well (which I don't) and sewed those together, It might cover a THIGH. ugh. I had to drive to Castleton to find the hubs some swim trunks (we are both plus sized.. so this crap is a chore) and I knew that Avenue was on the way there, so I figured I would check them out.
I found a swimsuit....for 30 dollars. Sadly enough, that is with 50 percent off. *sigh* I then proceded to find my husband some swim trunks...
Editors note: If Plus size male fashion would mainstream like plus size women fashion has, they could make a KILLING. I seriously over paid for swimtrunks. Cute or not. Bastards.
So here we go again.
Swimsuit shopping and Banding
I am going to be honest with you. I haven't owned a swimsuit in possibly 5-6 years. Why? I'm fat, I live in the Midwest, and.. well, that's about all. When it gets hot, I don't go to the pool to cool down. I sit in the house. In the blessed air conditioning. With my dogs.
Things have to change though.
You see, I have always been an active person. Whether it be shopping, working, and cooking, I was always doing SOMETHING.
That has come to an end here recently. I've gotten so big that it has sapped my energy. It hurts to even move. I can't shop because within 30 minutes, my back aches like I just walked 20 blocks.
Things have to change.
Today my husband and I joined the YMCA. I am going to start out swimming. When I have lost enough weight I will work on the machines. I want to be fit and able. I want to be able to have kids. When I do have kids, I don't want to be the bump on the log that parks them in front of the TV.
Things are going to change.
So, with the whole swimming gig, that means I need a swimsuit. It is incredibly late in the summer apparently to be swimsuit hunting. I first started at Wal-Mart.
...I know... I KNOW! But I was there... and it was a good thing I was there too.
There was a teenage plus size girl crying with her mom.
Apparently the girl was upset that the only thing available at Wally world was bikinis. She was feeling fat and unloved. (haven't we all felt this way?) She tugged at my heart strings. I did the only thing I could do in a situation like that; I spoke to her.
"Uh.. excuse me?"
the girl looked up at me mortified. "My name is Leslie..uh... I couldn't help but overhear you having issues with the swimsuits. I'm plus sized too...but, you are smaller than me, and I know for a fact they have a couple of great swimsuits here in your size that will not show a whole lot of skin." I pulled two random pieces from the rack. One was a skirted piece and the other was a halter piece that came to the edge of the skirt. Her mom thanked me and she ran off to the dressing room. There wasn't much there for me (very slim pickings) so I left and went to Fashion Bug.
People, before I continue further, I need to let you know that it is the hottest day of the year. I don't sweat and I AM SWEATING. The walk from Walmart to my car culminated into me being a big hot sweaty fat girl. Don't you just LOVE that visual.
I get to Fashion Bug and walk in. Fat, blobby, sweaty and ugh. The sales lady was nice to me either way. I explained I needed a swimsuit and she frowned.
"We don't have many left, but I will show you what we got." She leads me to a rack of swimsuits and I begin digging. LO AND BEHOLD! I spy a gem of a swimsuit. In my size! that looks decent! OMG!!!! I go up to pay.. AND IT IS EVEN FURTHER ON CLEARANCE!!! This damn swimsuit is like 10 bucks. I must stop this story.. and do the robot.
*does the robot*
I am ready YMCA. Bring it ONNNN!!!!!
In natural hair news, today I have decided I am going to band my hair. I will take before, during and after photos of the whole thing. I am excited.
Today's hair outlook is kind of bleak. I conditioned and moisturized my hair within an inch of its life. I don't know if it is the heat or what, my hair feels horrible. It feels like straw.
I went today to purchase bands and a wide tooth comb so that I can comb the conditioner through my hair when I am deep conditioning tonight. While I was at the store, I came across a darling hair accessory. It is a pink flower with a crystal gem on it. It has three small plumes of feathers on it. I have a wedding to go to this month and have been looking for something like this. YAY!!! It was really inexpensive too. It was 1.99 I will take a picture for my banding entry and put it up there.
Now I need to go read about all the fun stuff the Y offers. I want to get strong enough to take a Zumba class!
Espionage Cosmetics
