CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Shopping Tip

Found this website courtesy of Plus Model Magazine and thought some of their clothes were pretty cute (and inexpensive)!  Happy shopping.

 

 

30 Dresses? You Go, Girl!

Thanks to my friend Jamie for sending this link: http://30dressesin30days.blogspot.com/

What an adorably fabulous idea! The author writes:

"In September 2007 I decided to work my way through my closet and wear a different dress every day for the month of September. The idea behind it was twofold. I wanted to make sure I wore what was in my closet and also to showcase all the different sizes and stores I get my clothes in. It was quite popular and so I did it again in 2008 and now again in 2009. Which means yes, I own (or owned at some point) 90 dresses/tunics/long shirts. I've gotten generous with what constitutes a dress over time. I firmly believe that when you're fat dressing well is a political statement. It says here I am, I'm not embarrassed of my body, I'm not ashamed and I'm going to show it off. Self confidence is the best accessory."

SELD CONFIDENCE IS THE BEST ACCESSORY.

I love it!

I went to a wedding on Saturday night and I did wear a dress. This is a tough thing for me. I think of all the things I'm insecure about, the worst for me are my arms and legs. So finding a dress with good sleeves that is also down to my knees is a challenge. But this particular dress has been a favorite of mine this year and with a pair of heels, I feel pretty okay about myself.

Of course, that's just til the pantyhose start to get annoying. I swear, those things were designed by men -- do thin girls hate them, too?

 

Shopping Tips

It's not always so hot -- I've seen some crap on this site -- but their stock seems to be improving. Take a look....

 

Anyone ever purchased from them before? 

Take That, Bitter Columnist

As you may recall, a couple weeks ago, I posted a link to a New York Times column in which the author lambasted the new Manhattan JC Penney for its polyblends and larger size selection. I also posted a lovely comeback piece from Jezebel...

Well a lot of you had your own feedback!

"Wow. That's the most awful thing I have ever read... I hope that people don't read that and think that's what NY is. It isn't - the new JCP has been packed since it opened and not all with tourists. With real New Yorkers looking for clothes that fit real people..."

"NY Times alienating even more readers?! No surprise there, I guess. No wonder the written word newspaper is going out of business. Can't wait for their next article entitled 'Isn't it cute that women have important jobs?'"

"I can't imagine a professional talking crap about such a huge population of people. It sure doesn't sound like she values ALL of her readers. I hope the feedback was so horrible that she was reprimanded."

Well, speaking of reprimanded...

The NY Times Goes After Its Own Cintra Wilson

It's been a week and a half since the NY Times published a bitchy review of Manhattan's first J.C. Penney, penned by columnist Cintra Wilson (pictured). She received plenty of unkind words in return for her barrage of insults about the average American woman and her size 12 style. Last week, she declared on her blog that the issue has been "flame-broiled to death" (a nod to the fast food nation she targeted?), but yesterday the Gray Lady gave her a lexical slap on the wrist.

In the piece, Bill Keller, executive editor of The Times, says his mother was a Penney's devotee, and goes on to publicly declare that he wishes Wilson's review was never published, saying it “would make a fine exhibit for someone making the case that The Times has an arrogant streak." Yet they go on to say the real surprise is "that Wilson’s reviews haven’t created more of a controversy before now.“ As the writer herself explains, her biting style is meant for who she believes her audience to be: “1,300 women in Connecticut and urban gay guys in Manhattan.”

Meanwhile, the department store's VP of Communications told the paper, “We found the review very offensive to our customers.” She went on to say that the average American woman wears a size 12 and weighs 150 lbs; while the shop was stocked for their regular customers, in Manhattan "smaller sizes sold out quickly, and the mix will be adjusted to meet demand." But even if more size 2 products are on the racks, will Wilson dare let Penney's polyblend graze her skin?

source: http://gothamist.com/2009/08/24/the_ny_times_goes_after_its_own_cin.php

And thanks to Steph for sending that to me. It made me smile with satisfaction and vindication.

Dress You Up

I always have SUCH a hard time finding nice dresses, especially because I hate my arms and nice dresses are, more often than not, sleeveless.

Looks like Bloomingdale's is pushing their plus size dresses today, though, so I thought I'd share. Some of the prices are pretty reasonable and they have some really gorgeous items.

Muffin-Tops and Thongs

Okay, my friends, I come to you today to discuss something serious that's been weighing heavily on my mind... I come to you -- not just as AJ, author of COFG -- but as a woman. A human being. With taste.

Can we take a look at this, please?

Look, I am all for wearing some sexy, hip-hugging, tight jeans. You have a great ass? Honey, show it! Have a nice stomach working over there? Display it. But THIS is like a crime against humanity. And if also, here's the thought that'll keep me up tonight:  What happens when she SITS DOWN? Holy christ, I can't even wrap my head around the physics of how that happens.

And just when you thought it was SAFE to sit down in your stylish, suitable jeans, THIS happens:

Right??? I mean, we all do this by accident from time to time, right? It's especially hard when you're overweight. You end up with that pair of jeans that sort of gaps in the back and you sit down; lo n' behold, the town can see your underpants. But you know there are hoochies out there who just aren't paying attention.

LADIES! Let me tell you something:  I do NOT want to see your underwear or thong. I don't. Does that offend you? I'm sorry. Bite me.

I have my pride. So should you. Take my advice- keep your side-flab in check and you thong contained. It will make the world a better place.

It Was Prom-Fabulous

Like, omigod! I totally went to the Blogger Prom and it was, like, totally 80s themed and totally fab, kids.

So the short-version details are that it was a Bloggers only event at The Andaz in West Hollywood - their rooftop lounge, it was from 7-10, the food, drink, admission and goodie bags were all free, you had to be dressed like a cheeseball 80s adolescent and they had a shit-ton of sponsors and contributors-- it just blew me away!

I was invited with a guest so I took the first person I thought of that I KNEW would get into the theme with me and enjoy it with me - my friend Cammy. She had the most fabulous $20 dress from Forever 21 and I think I liked her flourescent pink socks with black stilettos the best (the pro. photographer took a pic of them but those photos arent up yet)... I had to improv. with my outfit and accesorized my fave black dress with bangles and a wide belt and flats with bows. My eyes and hair were the best part - I really think the side-pony and teased bangs need to makea comeback cause I rocked that hair.

Incdientally, all the photos from the event are being posted to the FLICKR group if you wanna see the whole lot.  

The event was at this new hotel in WeHo - the Andaz, which was very nice and pretty swanky (and, as Cammy said "pretty swanky for a whole lot of non-swanky people). The party was in the penthouse lounge and outdoor area which coulda been lit better after dark but was pretty awesome anyway and the food was delicious (when does free food suck? almost never)... I think if I'd had less class, I'd have torn up that shrimp and avocado ceviche and downed about 13 more of the "Prom Punch Jungle Juice." The really clever bit was that Verizon Wireless was one of the sponsors and provided all these fabulous little laptops, stationed all over the locale so that all us Bloggers could blog AT the event and stay tuned in. In theory, this would have been more fun had I known my Typepad login and password by heart but I trust my internet software for such things. Oh well. It didn't stop me from tweeting at the event, of course... I'm a twittering fool. I also have to give a shout out to the cheese station because that was INSANELY delicious. I don't know how or when but some day this woman is coming to my home to do a cheese tasting party for me and my friends- she was adorable and I especially loved her aged brick spread (the "sex cheese") and the bleu drizzled wirth apricot honey. HELLO?! Amazing.

I guess I was bummed not to win one of what seemed like DOZENS of raffle prizes (and some really fantastic prizes there - WTG, prom committee) but the swag bag (the goody bag) was a pretty amazing reward. Check out what they sent everyone home with: free Pinkberry, free entry to the Viper Room, Sun chips (full bags!), Pepsi, a pretty sexy lube goody bag, chocolates, Carls Jr. freebies, season 1 of the Big Bang Theory, hair products, vodka, certificates, vouchers, handouts, bags... it was a pretty sick bag. I am stunned by what they pulled together.

What would be my critique? More integration. For starters, I'd handout or display a program. I know there's a listing in the blog online but I would have liked to see a list somewhere in the room of the bloggers participating in the event; something like that. I would have liked to find a way to approach people more - I felt like everyone really just kept to who they knew and/or came with. Another idea to get people chatting and participating would have been a costume contest. Like "most cheesy dress" or "best use of tafetta." To tie in the blogger promotion theme, I might have encouraged people to bring a one-sheet on their blog or business cards to put out on a table or something.

But I hate to critique at all because really, it was a stellar event and I am so flattered to have been invited. What a fun time! Why hasn't someone done this before? Us bloggers need a union. LOL. A network, if anything.

Oh, but one lass criticism: ORIGINALITY, people! Hello? Can we all remember for a moment what attire was like in the 80s? I wanted to see far more taffeta and poofly sleeves. More fishnets and flourescents and bad linen suits. Some people really wussed out on the costumes. Some people didn't even bother to try. Oh sure, 7 girls came in the same fuscia dress from Forever 21 but at least they made it work for the theme. But I'm not joking- check this out:

No joke - by the end of the night, you couldn't even tell them apart and it was HILARIOUS. And FYI, the two girls on the right? Not even related but shit did that throw us off in a funny little bathroom incident...

Like I said this morning, as I sorted through my goody bag: At long last all this blogging (I’ve been blogging since 2001, people) has paid off. I got free vodka and cupcakes. Score!

 

Hurty Skin

Looking at this photo makes my skin hurt.

I just got a text from my face that said "don't you EVER do this to me."

Fashion Stretches

Thanks to Melissa for this link... It makes me happy to see it.

 

Fashion stretches to fit plus-size teens

By Lola Ogunnaike
CNN's American Morning

NEW YORK

(CNN) -- While companies across the country are downsizing, some in the fashion world have decided that it's time for a bit of upsizing. This spring, the cheap chic emporiums, Target and Forever 21, will launch plus-size lines for teenagers.

Forever 21's line, Faith 21, will have sizes ranging from XL-2X, while Target's Pure Energy line will go up to a size 30.

It's about time, said several shoppers scouring the crowded racks of a Forever 21 branch in downtown Manhattan,  New York, one recent afternoon.

"I would love to be able to shop in one store with my friends that are all different sizes," said one young petite college student, who was eyeing the $2.50 tank tops. "I think it's great that they're expanding."

Another shopper, a full-figured teen in a stylish baby doll dress, was also excited. "I tried on something earlier that was totally cute and it did not fit my breast size, which is really frustrating, because I liked it."

Faith 21 will feature of-the-moment pieces like sheer peasant blouses, denim leggings and curve-hugging mini dresses. Pure Energy will have skinny jeans, maxi dresses and sleeveless party tops.

"In the past we've had XL sizes and we would sell out of them so quickly," said Heidi Canalizo, a regional manager at Forever 21. "Our customers have been asking for this for so long and in the past few years we've really decided it's time to get into it. Not everyone is a size 2."

Apparently not. In the last 20 years, the rate of obesity among adolescents age 12-19 has more than tripled, increasing from 5 percent to 17.6 percent, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Catering to bigger teens could potentially mean bigger bucks for the fashion industry, which has been adversely affected by the recession.

"You're looking at an under $2 billion business that could easily grow to a $4 billion, $5 billion business within a relatively short period of time, like within a year or two," said Marshal Cohen, an analyst for the NPD Group, which studies the clothing market.

"Not only are the [fashion companies] leaving money on the table, they're not even looking at the table. It is a huge opportunity."

Historically, there has been a stigma attached to plus-size clothing, experts said. Many designers don't produce beyond a size 10, even though the average women is a size 14.

"These brands don't want the consumer to aspire to be a plus-size," Cohen said, "they want them to aspire to be that mini-consumer, that slim model that walks down the runway, that's a size 0."

But curvy girls want to be trendy too, said Emme, a popular plus-size super model.

"If you're squishing yourself into clothes that are a couple sizes too small or you're wearing men's clothes, how are you going to go out on a date? How are you going to go to parties with your friends and feel like you fit in? That all has to do with self-esteem and body image," she said.

"Could you imagine taking away all of the clothes for thinner women and saying, 'Sorry, you're too thin. You can't have that.' It doesn't make sense."

Not all are pleased with the supersizing of teen clothing.

"Yeah, as capitalists they have the right to address a growing marketplace and it's a smart business decision," said MeMe Roth, president of the organization National Action Against Obesity.

"However, when you look at the human cost, what we're doing is we're on the Titanic and rather than forcing our children into the lifeboat, we're telling them to join the band. Worrying about fashion rather than worrying about the food is a horrible message that we're sending these kids," Roth said.

The critics have got it all wrong, said Emme.

"I completely disagree that these lines are promoting obesity," she said. "You need to wear clothes to look cool at school. You need to wear clothes to be present in life. And when everybody else has fashion, you should, too."

source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/homestyle/04/29/plus.size.teens/

Discount!

Just a little FYI, friends...