CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

Ok, I am blogging about this. Shame on you, @UrbanOutfitters.

When I saw this link posted to a friend's Facebook page the other day, he was chastizing the "Holocaust Chic" look of this overpriced tee at Urban Outfitters. I will not provide you with links as I will not honor their business with any click-throughs. Eff them. 

This shirt is APPAULINGLY offensive to me:

Perhaps you are not picking up the reference. Lemme break it down for you.

During the Holocaust, Jews were ordered by the Nazis to sew this patch and ones like it onto their outer garments in order to mark them as Jews in public.

Last week, we had Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was fresh on my mind when I saw the link on my friend's page. Horrendous. 

For $100, you too can look like a bullied, religious pariah who lost six million members of their faith in a horrible, despicable world war. 

And today, this:

I suppose that's better however now there is just an ugly yellow tee priced at $100. 

More on this topic from other sources:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/urban-outfitters-tee-offers-auschwitz-chic/

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/04/23/anti-defamation-league-slams-urban-outfitters-over-shirt-featuring-perceived/

And on the solution (of which I'm too cynical to even consider it as truthful): 

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20120423_Urban_Outfitters_removes_controversial_T-shirt_image_from_site.html?cmpid=138890509

 

The manufacturer of this tee, Wood Wood, is a Danish company. Think the Danish weren't affected by the Holocaust? You would be quite wrong. 

Shame on you, Urban Outfitters. That shirt should not have been up there a day, an hour, a minute. It was up there for far longer than that before someone finally took the hint. Shame on you.

Three Words: Discounted Designer Duds

Yesterday, I tried something new -- I went to Rachel Pally's sample sale in a rather seedy and isoltaed downtown neighborhood in Los Angeles. 

A thirty minute drive and some mild parking confusion later, I found myself wandering down an empty outside cooridor, past closed workshops and studios. 

Around the furthest corner in a large storage space, there were bins and bins, bars and bars of Pally's lovely apparel. Things previously marked at well over $300 or $400 now well under $100. And there was no shortage of White Label (Pally's plus line) items to pour through. I was jumping for joy on the inside upon spotting it! 

The dressing area was communal, which was rather awkward for me. But thanks to an illustrious high school theater career, I know many a trick to change an outfit without revealing too much of my lady bits... 

And let's be honest, ladies -- for discounts this vast, exposing a stranger to my bare thighs is not a big deal. They can suffer for fashion as I do. 

There was one girl in the dressing area with a body you might actually commit murder for. She was stunning. Everything she tried on was so perfectly fitting, it was actually hard to hate her. She was't vapid or arrogant. She checked out how her butt looked like I do; she covered her upper arms in embarassment like I do. I probably stared at her for too long -- thankfully, she did not offer me her number. 

I came home with a couple goodies and renewed love for Rachel Pally. If you have the dough to spare, treat yourself to something from her shop. And if you're in Los Angeles, make sure to sign up for her mailing list because apparently these sample sales happen a few times a year -- and they are worth it! 

A favorite White Label item

 

P.S. My previous post on Pally and White Label can be found here.

P.P.S. Rachel Pally is all over the web for you to enjoy:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelpally
• Blog: http://rachelpally.tumblr.com/
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rachelpallyinc/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelpally 

 

Highfalutin with "Oh Joy!" at Kate Spade

I had a real fashion trifecta this weekend between a Kate Spade cocktail party, a signing with Sam Edelman on Saturday and a sample sale for Rachel Pally today... More on the latter two in a bit...

You know, I am very fancy. 

Of course, that's bullshit but it's a nice delusion. 

Thursday evening, I went with a friend to The Americana at Brand in Glendale to attend a party at their Kate Spade store, hosted by one of my favorite bloggers and Pinners, Joy Cho. It was the last of four gatherings planned by the Americana for bloggers and fans to come meet high-profile lifestyle bloggers. Some included crafts and demos but the event I attended was really just to schmooze and shop. 

Joy adorned the shop's displays with her own party hosting tips, which were a cute touch. They provided snackables and mojitos, music, mingling and the like along with a chance to shake hands with Joy and some Kate Spade corporate reps as well as an opportunity to buy anything in the shop that night for 20% off. 

It was warm in the small store with so many bodies and I did hope to meet more new people, but I overall enjoyed the night and my friend and I were excited just to meet Joy and peruse one of our faorite designer's goods. 

No, I didn't buy anything but it was quite tempting! 

Thanks so much to Joy Cho, Kate Spade and The Americana. It was a lovely night! 

These along with the rest of the photos can be found here.

 

Yo, Bethenny! #SkinnyGirl #Fail

Ok, so here's the thing. I love me some Bethenny Frankel. I do. I can't help it. 

And I guess she is launching a Spanx-like line of under-clothes to further torture us and our bulging body parts. 

Here's where it goes awry. When she announces she is using "real" women in the ad campaign.

There is not a doubt in my mind that these women are REAL. I'm sure if one of them were sitting here beside me, I could reach out and punch her in the nose if it suited me. I'm sure they are real, which is to say I'm sure they are ALIVE. But that's where it ends for me. 

When someone advertises someting with "real" women, what they are trying to tell you is these women represent TYPICAL, AVERAGE women. The women in this image do not look typical to me. Granted there's not a supermodel in the group, but show me a heavier woman in sassy flats! Show me a woman with frizzy hair managing three kids. Her sizing actually goes up to a 2 or 3XL so show me one of THOSE "real" women, Bethenny!

I still love you Bethenny. As far as reality TV show stars go, you're pretty "real" yourself. But let's be honest here. Let's show everyone what typical really is. Because those are the women buying Skinny Girl's shaping bodysuit.

P.S. (Really, BF, I love you. Send me free Skinny Girl booze, won't you? Thanks.) 

Shopping Bug

Since I seemed to have caught a shopping bug (er, window shopping bug) yesterday, I wanted to share another plus size line I really like. 

Avenue is a leading retailer for "real women," sizes 14 and up. They have pieces for every occasion in your life from desk to dinner, corporate to cocktail, swimwear, sleepwear, accessories and shoes – the list goes on and on… and offered at an incredible price (most items under $100). 

I discovered it online and didn't even realize at first that they had physical stores - and in my area! I've still yet to visit one, though. Has anyone been? 

Here are some of theie currently available looks. The first one is probably my favorite. 

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In Love With @RachelPally White Label Spring 2012

Rachel Pally's clothes are remarkably comfortable. She is loyal to jersey fabric - it is just the best thing ever to wear. She laucnhed in 2002 and in 2007, she added her plus line, Rachel Pally White Label, sizes 14-22. Pally’s style has been distinguished by her ability to blend the “easy and elegant” with the “chic and classic". Her ability to fuse simplicity with glamour has consistently resulted in a collection that looks beautiful on everyone.

Rachel Pally is also a bit expensive. Beautiful and comfortable but... expensive. 

I own one Rachel Pally dress, which I eseentially stole on sale. It is a treasured posession. 

Ever since its purchase, I check her site often for new lines and I always see a few pieces to love. I do a lot of "window shopping" on her website. 

But her Spring 2012 looks for the White Label Collection are just TO DIE FOR. It leaves me no choice but to find someone to marry for money so that I can buy about 8 of the items. It won't matter that my marriage is miserable because I will look so good.

I have selected some favorites:

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P.S. (This model is stunning. I am girl-crushing on her.)

I'm not deluding myself, mind you. No one with my ass or skin tone should be wearing some of these looks (the day I wear a jumper is the day I dye my hair pink and join the navy seals), but isn't it all so lovely?

See the full line here.

Follow Rachel on Twitter and/or Tumblr. 

Fan Rachel Pally on Facebook (she posts often - and fun things!) 

Someone rich, marry me quick. Buy me pretty Rachel Pally things. Please and thanks.  

 

Way to go, Levi's Jeans

With thanks to my friend Becky, I could not resist posting this... 

 

I learned a new word today, boys and girls. Check it: BADVERTISING. Like it? Me too. Now check out a prime example of it...

 

A controversial ad for Levi’s “Curve ID” brand of jeans has drawn fire for claiming “hotness comes in all shapes and sizes,” while depicting only one size: Small.

The average American woman is a realistic size 14, but the models in Levi’s’ ad all appear to be in the low single digits. In fact, the only noticeable change from figure to figure is an increasingly protruding backside. (And I had to really look to even notice. I would happily take any of their waistlines over my own, readers.)

A Levi’s spokesperson says the ad is from last year, and is by no means “representative of all women’s body types across the globe.” (Give that guy a raise – he knows his shit, right?)

The Curve ID line claims to offer relief for curvy women who have a hard time finding a pair of jeans to fit their shape. But Levi’s choice of cuts suggests a hint of judgement: There’s “Slight,” “Demi,” “Bold,” and the recently introduced “Supreme.” 

I am not relieved. In fact... OUCH.

 

 

 

In Love With @Eloquii by The Limited

I'm stunned - yes, STUNNED! - that this exists and I have never seen it before. I wasn't even solicited to write about it. Found this gem all on my own.

Ever bought something in the mall from The Limited? Yeah, me too (ah, those were the days). They only own every other store in the local mall, you know. Bath & Body Works, Express, New York & Co., Abercrombie, Henri Bendel, Lane Bryant...

Ok, admittedly, I did not know about a couple of those. When I saw Abercrombie, my nose, as if conditioned by sense memory, immediately filled with the overpowering scent of A&F cologne. Guaranteed to give me a mall-headache since 1996. Dear LORD. 

AND, I never ever knew The Limited brand had this amazing online plus shop, Eloquii. Sizes 14 to 24. With $49 dresses! And if you use the code LOVE25, you're gonna get $25 off a $100 order. 

Some of their lovely, lovely pieces are below. Anyone wanna guess which ones I've got on my wishlist at present?!  

 

 

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Added bonus -- I love that they give you a few different ways to shop. By item type, by body shape (too cool) and by color:

 

 

 

Awards Season's Fashion Curve

Props to the curvy ladies in fabulous glam and fashion! Here's to self-respect and dressing for your figure. 

Do we have to keep calling Kelly "curvy?" She's looking rather svelt. Kudos, Kel. 

Adele in Armani. I just want to be famous someday so I can demand to wear this dress on a red carpet.

Also totally loved her second dress. Adele seems to subscribe to the same club as I do - sleeves and BLACK.

Kelly Price, rockin' the pink. I love it on her.

Octavia Spencer workin' the BAFTA red carpet with Viola Davis

Stunning in Lavender

Melissa McCarthy at the SAG Awards

Best Black Pants

 

I had to share -- I made a fab discovery this weekend. 

 

Combing the sales rack at Bloomingdales, I came across a pair of Michael Kors boot-cut black pants. In my size. So I tried them on. 

I almost didn't care that they LOOKED good, they were just so comfortable. 

You ever had that feeling when you buy a new item of clothing, and not only are you happy to have something new, you just love it so much, you can't wait to go home and wear it? 

If you wanna try them on yourself, you might still find them. They were on sale at Bloomies and seem to be elsewhere. I'm pretty sure these are them. 

They will feel fantastic paired with my new shoes - the so-comfy ones that came in my size, so I got two pairs balet flats. :)

Look, it's hard to be this size in this world. Sometimes you just gotta squash down a lot of feelings and hurts to make it through a day or week. Sometimes you come across words that cut you so deep, you can only curl up in a ball and try to comfort yourself. And dear god, it sounds silly, but an ocassional shiny new pair of black pants will really do the trick. Shiny new black pants will cheer you right up sometimes. 

But just in case it doesn't do the trick, I highly recommend a midnight screening of a certain roller-skating-disco-musical with glitter, random animation and good friends. It'll rock your world.