Okay so I'm really starting to think I'm pretty pathetic because today's Think Kit topic is: What habits did you start this year that you
want to continue? What inspired you to get in a new groove? Will you
continue into 2014?
And I have no new habits... I have plenty of bad habits but in no way did I start any new habits this year.
So... I again am going to Small-box to save my blogging-butt for a topic: Did you take any wardrobe risks this year? Did you follow a new trend? What item did you wear most?
Clothes... now this girl KNOWS clothes! I love clothes. I hate summer clothes because I can never get cool enough so I live in capris and flip-flops. And this summer that's what I wore. Because i went to Florida I did treat myself to a few new items like a pair of white capris, a sundress, and 2 cute little skirts. I wore those in FL and still when I cam back to reality and back to school.
Winter clothes and shoes are my favorite things ever!
I gave into a trend this year and I now own a pair of chocolate brown leather knee boots. And I LOVE them! I have lots of clothes they go with: a brown skirt, a tweed skirt in earth tones, a pair of skinny jeans (I own ONE pair of skinny jeans and I wear them with these boots only and with long cardigans), a black dress, several sweaters and shirts.... love these boots. I want them in black now, please! I followed the trend and am happy! I wear these lots!
As a fat girl, shoes always fit. I buy shoes. A lot. I bought new black loafers and put the old ones to rest. I also bought new brown loafers because.... uhhhh... I wanted some.
I adore scarves and have lots of them and wear them often.
I'm a librarian and I think a mandatory item is the ever present Cardigan. At one time I counted and I think I ended up with 37 cardigans... in about every shade known to humankind.
A favorite outfit this winter has been black tights, the basic black dress, a long brown cardigan, the brown boots, and my leopard print scarf and purse. Sometimes I swap the tights for stockings and the boots for my leopard print high heel shoes.
I love jeans and it would be my dream to have a professional job where I was allowed to wear jeans all the time. Yeah... right- not! And the school I work at does NOT have a jeans day ever so I bought a pair of 'denim trousers'. Women will understand this! And I realize that is a sexist comment...
Oh--- and I have a pair of yoga pants that I adore. It's like being able to go without pants but in pants. I don't leave the house in them because my ass isn't really built for yoga pants but at home--- all bets are off. OHHHH-- and no, the yoga pants have never been to yoga.
Yup I love clothes. I have my standby outfits of jeans and shirts, skirts and blouses, sweaters and the overall classics that never go out of style but every year I get a few items that are really trendy. I love clothes, the clothes horse than I am. I own just about everything... well, not everything. I don't own a nun's habit...
Maggie
Showing posts with label clothes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clothes. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, September 10, 2012
Diet week 19
Last June, Photographer gave me three bags of clothes and none of them fit. I tried everything on and kept clothes that I liked that I hoped would someday fit.
Then one morning last week, I was running around getting ready for work and was late AND because I was a bum who didn't get her laundry finished, I was trying to find a shirt to go with pants. I had put on about 4 different ones and didn't like any of them.
I saw a blue shirt that would match nicely on the top of the pile of stuff that didn't fit. I grabbed it and thought if it fit a tiny bit better than it did a few months ago, I could layer a sweater over it and survive the day.
A few months ago, it pulled really tightly through the bust and the arms were so snug it made my arm fat bulge, and it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too tight through the hips. When I put it on a few days ago, it fit perfectly. It hung nicely, not snug, no pulling. Just perfectly!
Nothing tastes as good as thin fits.
Mags
Then one morning last week, I was running around getting ready for work and was late AND because I was a bum who didn't get her laundry finished, I was trying to find a shirt to go with pants. I had put on about 4 different ones and didn't like any of them.
I saw a blue shirt that would match nicely on the top of the pile of stuff that didn't fit. I grabbed it and thought if it fit a tiny bit better than it did a few months ago, I could layer a sweater over it and survive the day.
A few months ago, it pulled really tightly through the bust and the arms were so snug it made my arm fat bulge, and it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too tight through the hips. When I put it on a few days ago, it fit perfectly. It hung nicely, not snug, no pulling. Just perfectly!
Nothing tastes as good as thin fits.
Mags
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Second hand and vintage clothing store love
I have a funky neighborhood I like to visit when I head to the state capital city. There are several vintage and second hand clothing shops in the area. Everyone seems to be on the vintage clothing store bandwagon, if you will.
The first one I found, Annie's, has amazing deals and bargains. I usually leave the store with several bags of clothing and only spend around $20. I also love the proprietress, Jennifer. She's a hoot, a former English teacher and just a fun character to visit with. I love her shop and she carries things in my size, too!
I went to a few other stores in the same neighborhood, and holy moly, their prices on vintage and seconds are unreal! What I would pay for an entire haul at Annie's would be equal in cost to one thing somewhere else. And there doesn't seem to be a difference in quality or name brand. It's appalling. While I can get a Jones New York suit at Annie's for $15, I would pay $50 at the other shops.
And I went to a second hand wedding dress shop. Look, I want to know what's second about having dresses priced near $800-$1000. Seriously?!? If I wanted to pay that much, I'd buy new. And I was looking as name brands and beading (and the detailwork) but for a simple sheath dress, with no beading nor train and simple cap sleeves- used, for $900???? No fricking way. I was in another shop that sold second hand dresses for $20-$200, which seems much more reasonable! And at least four times a year, David's Bridal has $99 dresses. Not that I'm in the market for a wedding dress, but I'm just sayin'!
There's also a cool, true, vintage clothing store a few neighborhood's away. And she carries REAL vintage clothing, not just gently used modern stuff. I love to go in there and try on stuff that look like Marilyn Monroe over the air duct dresses, and Lucy Ricardo dresses complete with apron and crinoline. I love to go in there. I can look like a flapper or like I'm ready to sing at the USO during WWII. I even found an outfit that would let me star in a production of Hair. I found a Scarlett O'Hara dress but not in my size, dang it! Anyway, her stuff is priced in a fairly spendy range but that makes sense to me since it's either the genuine article from that time period, or it's an excellent reproduction knock off. And you never know what she's going to be wearing. She does the whole look, including a wig and make up and jewelry to match what she has one, plus she's a hoot to be around! I wish I worked somewhere where I could dress in true vintage fashion, depending on my daily mood! (I'm reminded of the Annie Potts character in the film Pretty In Pink, and of the character Penelope Garcia in Criminal Minds- I want to emulate them both!)
Now I must dash, because I heard there's a sale on flapper dresses!
Mags
The first one I found, Annie's, has amazing deals and bargains. I usually leave the store with several bags of clothing and only spend around $20. I also love the proprietress, Jennifer. She's a hoot, a former English teacher and just a fun character to visit with. I love her shop and she carries things in my size, too!
I went to a few other stores in the same neighborhood, and holy moly, their prices on vintage and seconds are unreal! What I would pay for an entire haul at Annie's would be equal in cost to one thing somewhere else. And there doesn't seem to be a difference in quality or name brand. It's appalling. While I can get a Jones New York suit at Annie's for $15, I would pay $50 at the other shops.
And I went to a second hand wedding dress shop. Look, I want to know what's second about having dresses priced near $800-$1000. Seriously?!? If I wanted to pay that much, I'd buy new. And I was looking as name brands and beading (and the detailwork) but for a simple sheath dress, with no beading nor train and simple cap sleeves- used, for $900???? No fricking way. I was in another shop that sold second hand dresses for $20-$200, which seems much more reasonable! And at least four times a year, David's Bridal has $99 dresses. Not that I'm in the market for a wedding dress, but I'm just sayin'!
There's also a cool, true, vintage clothing store a few neighborhood's away. And she carries REAL vintage clothing, not just gently used modern stuff. I love to go in there and try on stuff that look like Marilyn Monroe over the air duct dresses, and Lucy Ricardo dresses complete with apron and crinoline. I love to go in there. I can look like a flapper or like I'm ready to sing at the USO during WWII. I even found an outfit that would let me star in a production of Hair. I found a Scarlett O'Hara dress but not in my size, dang it! Anyway, her stuff is priced in a fairly spendy range but that makes sense to me since it's either the genuine article from that time period, or it's an excellent reproduction knock off. And you never know what she's going to be wearing. She does the whole look, including a wig and make up and jewelry to match what she has one, plus she's a hoot to be around! I wish I worked somewhere where I could dress in true vintage fashion, depending on my daily mood! (I'm reminded of the Annie Potts character in the film Pretty In Pink, and of the character Penelope Garcia in Criminal Minds- I want to emulate them both!)
Now I must dash, because I heard there's a sale on flapper dresses!
Mags
Friday, May 25, 2012
Random crap in my head on Friday
If it's 97 degrees for several days in a row here in May, how miserable is it going to be in July? I might have to move to the polar ice cap for a few months.
Does anyone here play draw something? If so, let me know and we can get a game going. But consider yourself warned that I suck really badly. If I give you a lot of word clues it's because my drawings need severe help; words are my back up plan.
A shot of peppermint sugar free syrup in my iced tea is very light, refreshing, and yummy!
I have 4 days off. Thank you God of all Things Day Off. I would like to ask for Tuesday off too, but I don't wish to appear greedy.
My next pedicure is going to be a bright, florescent orange with little white daisies with yellow centers airbushed on!
Mac decided to NOT take some test that would then help him join the Navy, who probably wouldn't want him anyway.
I love laundry that's been on the clothes line all day; one of the best scents ever.
I've found the best used clothing store ever. I spent $30 and got 3xs the stuff I get when I spend $75 at Lane Bryant! And it's a small business owner, locally owned and the owner likes me and saves me special stuff!
Does anyone here play draw something? If so, let me know and we can get a game going. But consider yourself warned that I suck really badly. If I give you a lot of word clues it's because my drawings need severe help; words are my back up plan.
A shot of peppermint sugar free syrup in my iced tea is very light, refreshing, and yummy!
I have 4 days off. Thank you God of all Things Day Off. I would like to ask for Tuesday off too, but I don't wish to appear greedy.
My next pedicure is going to be a bright, florescent orange with little white daisies with yellow centers airbushed on!
Mac decided to NOT take some test that would then help him join the Navy, who probably wouldn't want him anyway.
I love laundry that's been on the clothes line all day; one of the best scents ever.
I've found the best used clothing store ever. I spent $30 and got 3xs the stuff I get when I spend $75 at Lane Bryant! And it's a small business owner, locally owned and the owner likes me and saves me special stuff!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
I don't want to be as outrageous as Lady Gaga but...
I want an Elf costume. Not a slutty one but a fun one, with red and white striped tights and the curly shoes with bells on the toes. I don't know why but I do. I think it would be fun to wear to work once in awhile. Or to go out shopping.
Occasionally I get this weird urge to dress funny. I always liked teaching because I would dress in costume to introduce different type of literature: as a flapper for Gatsby, in a toga for Julius Caesar, and once like a pirate when we did a short version of Moby Dick.
When I taught college I would sometimes wear wigs. At first I did it because I would over sleep from too much drinking the night before and would have bed head but not time to shower so a quick sink bath and a wig and off I would go. I had a red one, a blonde one and a black bob. It would flip my students out at first and then they just sort of became accustom. Now, I can't do this at the high school level because it's considered a "distraction" to the learning process. Yeah, right, whatever.
I like to put together an outfit that would be outrageous but because I live back in my small town I feel like I shouldn't be "too outrageous" because my dad has to deal with the gossip, whereas I could care less. A plaid skirt and combat boots and a wig would be awesome, in my opinion. I want to pierce my nose (Daddy-O said I would be kicked out and could NOT stay here if I did that. But I would like to point out that my dear late mother told HIM if he pierced his ear she'd divorce him. He pierced and they stayed married. Though he did spend a night or two on the couch.) and dye a streak of pink in my air. I have a Holly Golightly outfit, of sorts that I want to wear around town. Sometimes I dress like a Junior Leaguer or a Republican and wear trousers with a matching sweater set and a string of pearls.
When I moved to the Wild West I wore a tiara as I drove across North Dakota and my Native American name was "She who drives with tiara". Daddy-O named me. I forgot I had it on and wondered by people kept looking at me funny when I would get out of the car to site see or pump fuel.
I'm sure there's some sort of psychological reasoning behind all this, but I don't really care. I just like to look a little different, to try on a different look. I don't think it changes who I am, when it happens, but I like to "feel" different. I don't act so much on it now, but I wish I could. Changing my look is "my look."
And today I'm really rather hum-drum in my jeans and a red peasant blouse, and loafers. A nice diamond nose stud would really set this outfit off...
Who's that girl,
Maggie
Occasionally I get this weird urge to dress funny. I always liked teaching because I would dress in costume to introduce different type of literature: as a flapper for Gatsby, in a toga for Julius Caesar, and once like a pirate when we did a short version of Moby Dick.
When I taught college I would sometimes wear wigs. At first I did it because I would over sleep from too much drinking the night before and would have bed head but not time to shower so a quick sink bath and a wig and off I would go. I had a red one, a blonde one and a black bob. It would flip my students out at first and then they just sort of became accustom. Now, I can't do this at the high school level because it's considered a "distraction" to the learning process. Yeah, right, whatever.
I like to put together an outfit that would be outrageous but because I live back in my small town I feel like I shouldn't be "too outrageous" because my dad has to deal with the gossip, whereas I could care less. A plaid skirt and combat boots and a wig would be awesome, in my opinion. I want to pierce my nose (Daddy-O said I would be kicked out and could NOT stay here if I did that. But I would like to point out that my dear late mother told HIM if he pierced his ear she'd divorce him. He pierced and they stayed married. Though he did spend a night or two on the couch.) and dye a streak of pink in my air. I have a Holly Golightly outfit, of sorts that I want to wear around town. Sometimes I dress like a Junior Leaguer or a Republican and wear trousers with a matching sweater set and a string of pearls.
When I moved to the Wild West I wore a tiara as I drove across North Dakota and my Native American name was "She who drives with tiara". Daddy-O named me. I forgot I had it on and wondered by people kept looking at me funny when I would get out of the car to site see or pump fuel.
I'm sure there's some sort of psychological reasoning behind all this, but I don't really care. I just like to look a little different, to try on a different look. I don't think it changes who I am, when it happens, but I like to "feel" different. I don't act so much on it now, but I wish I could. Changing my look is "my look."
And today I'm really rather hum-drum in my jeans and a red peasant blouse, and loafers. A nice diamond nose stud would really set this outfit off...
Who's that girl,
Maggie
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Pants
So, I'm going pants shopping. This may not seems like a big deal to some but to me it's a huge issue. I need dress pants. I found jeans that work for me and I'm good at buying jeans, but dress trousers are a whole other kettle of fish.
I have a tiny waist, broad hips, junk in the trunk, and heavy thighs. I have long legs but am short waisted. Buying pants is a nightmare. I have to buy pants at a Plus Size clothing store so the price is always higher, too.
I can't wear the wide leg trousers because I feel like my legs look like stumps- because of my thighs. I usually need to get my pants in a "tall". There's usually a huge gap in the back because of my waist. UGH!
But I NEED dress slacks for work. That's all there is too it. I had a pair of black and brown pants that I've had for about 10 years and the butt is shiny on one pair- from all the use- and the other pair now has holes. My other pair of blank pants accidentally got dried and shank so they look like I'm waiting for a flood. (These I'm going to shorten to Capris and wear with boots this winter, though.) I have 3 pair of cotton pants but I really hate the way the look and the way they fit. I wear them because I have nothing else. They also have cargo pockets and I don't think that looks dressy.
I have lots of skirts but it does get cold and I like pants. I love the look of skirts and tights but I have to be honest here: I've gained some weight and some skirts don't fit right. AND almost every skirt I own is a summer, flouncy, twirly skirt. So, if I have to invest in some bottom wear clothing, I'm going with pants because of the need for "warmth in a Midwest Winter" factor.
Usually I'm a bit of a bohemian when I dress but my friend Photographer is not. And she's lost around 50+ pounds with Weight Watchers and has gifted me her clothes, as I've previously mentioned in other posts. And only the tops have fit. And these are NICE things. Many with price tags still on. And they look nice on me. But nothing is very bohemian.
I do have this pair of trousers that are a lovely shade of gray and look nice on me. But when I wear those, I always pair them with a lovely blouse and a cardigan sweater. And pearls. I feel like I'm in a costume, ready to go trick-or-treating as Junior League Member. Or a Daughter of the Young Republicans. Or Daughter of the Revolution.... you get my drift. I look very.... conservative, sorta like Sarah Palin but without the guns and the stupid.
Now don't get me wrong. I look nice. Really nice. I get very complimented the days I dress like that. I even make sure I coif my hair and I demure. It's totally a part I play. And now with all of Photographer's "conservative" clothes, I feel like I should buy more "grown up" trousers.
So, I need pants, I have a little bit of money to buy some clothes, I have a coupon at my favorite Plus Size store, AND I have a plan. I just hope I can FIND something. But FINDING is for another blog post.
Or I can do what I always do when I can't find pants.... buy shoes.
Mags
I have a tiny waist, broad hips, junk in the trunk, and heavy thighs. I have long legs but am short waisted. Buying pants is a nightmare. I have to buy pants at a Plus Size clothing store so the price is always higher, too.
I can't wear the wide leg trousers because I feel like my legs look like stumps- because of my thighs. I usually need to get my pants in a "tall". There's usually a huge gap in the back because of my waist. UGH!
But I NEED dress slacks for work. That's all there is too it. I had a pair of black and brown pants that I've had for about 10 years and the butt is shiny on one pair- from all the use- and the other pair now has holes. My other pair of blank pants accidentally got dried and shank so they look like I'm waiting for a flood. (These I'm going to shorten to Capris and wear with boots this winter, though.) I have 3 pair of cotton pants but I really hate the way the look and the way they fit. I wear them because I have nothing else. They also have cargo pockets and I don't think that looks dressy.
I have lots of skirts but it does get cold and I like pants. I love the look of skirts and tights but I have to be honest here: I've gained some weight and some skirts don't fit right. AND almost every skirt I own is a summer, flouncy, twirly skirt. So, if I have to invest in some bottom wear clothing, I'm going with pants because of the need for "warmth in a Midwest Winter" factor.
Usually I'm a bit of a bohemian when I dress but my friend Photographer is not. And she's lost around 50+ pounds with Weight Watchers and has gifted me her clothes, as I've previously mentioned in other posts. And only the tops have fit. And these are NICE things. Many with price tags still on. And they look nice on me. But nothing is very bohemian.
I do have this pair of trousers that are a lovely shade of gray and look nice on me. But when I wear those, I always pair them with a lovely blouse and a cardigan sweater. And pearls. I feel like I'm in a costume, ready to go trick-or-treating as Junior League Member. Or a Daughter of the Young Republicans. Or Daughter of the Revolution.... you get my drift. I look very.... conservative, sorta like Sarah Palin but without the guns and the stupid.
Now don't get me wrong. I look nice. Really nice. I get very complimented the days I dress like that. I even make sure I coif my hair and I demure. It's totally a part I play. And now with all of Photographer's "conservative" clothes, I feel like I should buy more "grown up" trousers.
So, I need pants, I have a little bit of money to buy some clothes, I have a coupon at my favorite Plus Size store, AND I have a plan. I just hope I can FIND something. But FINDING is for another blog post.
Or I can do what I always do when I can't find pants.... buy shoes.
Mags
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Love some 'new' clothes! And I didn't even have to shop.
My friend the Photographer is on Weight Watchers and is doing a great job. She was wearing size 22 and is now a 14/16, depending on how the clothes fit her.
I've been really blessed because as she looses the weight, she gives me her clothes. She and I carry our weight completely differently. She has no butt and skinny legs and I have a BOOTY and have some weight in my thighs. We both have it in the belly. I have broad shoulders and large boobs and she had to have a breast reduction several years ago for medical reasons, one being that she has narrow shoulders.
Anyway, I can wear most of her tops. And almost all her skirts. It's wonderful- my wardrobe has grown exponentially.
So SHE has a friend who is also on Weight Watchers and that friend went from a 24 to a 12. This friend gave Photographer all her clothes- 8 trash bags of clothes! It was like Christmas came early tonight.
I went to Photographer's house and we went through all the bags and I took what I liked that fit me, and she took what she liked and fit her. I got a 30 gallon bag, overstuffed with clothes... all tops. Because not a single pair of jeans or trousers fit me. I have tons of sweaters, shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, dressy, casual... tops of all kinds and not a single pair of pants. Photographer, on the other hand, found all pants that fit her.None of the tops. We decided her friend had my upper body and her lower body. Well.... had because she's now a 12. And we reaped the benefits of her weight loss.
It's pretty awesome, too, because all her clothes are nice! Now, I own nice clothes from a boutique but I do not have a problem with wearing stuff from Wally World or Big K or Meijer. All these clothes came from exclusive boutiques, nice department stores, and are all well known name brands. Nice stuff. Not kidding- I probably got about $1500 on clothes today, for free.
I love it! I hate that I'm overweight but it's really nice to have some "new" clothes! My friends and I always laugh that when one of us is losing weight another one gains- this time I'm gaining a wardrobe!
The clothes horse,
Mags
I've been really blessed because as she looses the weight, she gives me her clothes. She and I carry our weight completely differently. She has no butt and skinny legs and I have a BOOTY and have some weight in my thighs. We both have it in the belly. I have broad shoulders and large boobs and she had to have a breast reduction several years ago for medical reasons, one being that she has narrow shoulders.
Anyway, I can wear most of her tops. And almost all her skirts. It's wonderful- my wardrobe has grown exponentially.
So SHE has a friend who is also on Weight Watchers and that friend went from a 24 to a 12. This friend gave Photographer all her clothes- 8 trash bags of clothes! It was like Christmas came early tonight.
I went to Photographer's house and we went through all the bags and I took what I liked that fit me, and she took what she liked and fit her. I got a 30 gallon bag, overstuffed with clothes... all tops. Because not a single pair of jeans or trousers fit me. I have tons of sweaters, shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, dressy, casual... tops of all kinds and not a single pair of pants. Photographer, on the other hand, found all pants that fit her.None of the tops. We decided her friend had my upper body and her lower body. Well.... had because she's now a 12. And we reaped the benefits of her weight loss.
It's pretty awesome, too, because all her clothes are nice! Now, I own nice clothes from a boutique but I do not have a problem with wearing stuff from Wally World or Big K or Meijer. All these clothes came from exclusive boutiques, nice department stores, and are all well known name brands. Nice stuff. Not kidding- I probably got about $1500 on clothes today, for free.
I love it! I hate that I'm overweight but it's really nice to have some "new" clothes! My friends and I always laugh that when one of us is losing weight another one gains- this time I'm gaining a wardrobe!
The clothes horse,
Mags
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Random Sunday thoughts
I've been dreaming of buying new clothes. I even think I finally have achieved a professional look I want to carry on. So now, if I could get some money I'd go shopping. I love trousers and with heels, and blouses with cardigans and either necklaces or scarves.
Mac wants to see Arthur. I hated the first one and just do not like Russel Brand. Has anyone seen it and thinks it's worth taking him to see?
I discovered that if I open my blogger dashboard using Microsoft Explorer as my browser and I write and publish a blog post, there are no spaces where I hit the enter key to signify paragraphs. It makes the post one huge, giant paragraph. Another reason I hate Explorer.
I had a fight with ITSam yesterday- long story- and am considering ending this romance. XRayGIrl said if we were married would it be worth divorcing over and it just might. Anyway, when I get up this morning my computer and my wireless won't work. Is that a sign? I hate signs.
And then Mac came downstairs and before I could even open my mouth to ask him if he knew how to fix the computer, he held up one finger and said, "Mom, hold that thought. I'll fix it after I pee" and he did. Ha- to hell with signs!
I have a headache in the same spot, over and over again. I either have a tumor, lots of stress or need new glasses. The last time I had new glasses was in summer 2008. Might be about time to have the specs checked, eh?
Because we have summer school, I actually don't have the entire summer off like most people who work in education. I do, however, get three weeks to take at my choosing. If I am wise, I can use 13 of those days, the 4th of July holiday, and 8 hours of comp. time and be off from July 1- 24 which will feel pretty good to me. I'm saving 2 of those days to take Mac to college on Aug. 19-20.
I'm not sure I even want to get dressed and leave the house today. I have a good book and I need to do laundry. I want to make some cards with Daddy-O. I have food laid out for dinner. I'm thinking I might just be a worthless layabout for the day.
Speaking of card making, ever since I did the workshop at lunch with the kids at school, I've been making cards at home with Daddy-O. It's tons of fun. I really like it. There's even a card making workshop I want to go to in Northern Civilization. (SisIL you'll be hearing from me on this!)
And finally, please pray for me, send me good luck, go a dance, chant, rub Buddha, whatever you do because I applied for a job at the local prison. One of the Universities in my state has a program so inmates can earn college degrees. They actually staff an office at the prison and it has an opening. The administrative assistant there fills the role of secretary, registrar, financial aid liaison, and admissions reps. While you all know I LOVE working at the library, I need a full time job. With health benefits. I need MONEY. I'm hoping that with my brother's connection (he knows this guy because my Bro works at the prison and Bro told me about the job) and my ability to usually interview well., I'll be made an offer. Please please please.
That's it for the Sunday ramblings.
Maggie
Mac wants to see Arthur. I hated the first one and just do not like Russel Brand. Has anyone seen it and thinks it's worth taking him to see?
I discovered that if I open my blogger dashboard using Microsoft Explorer as my browser and I write and publish a blog post, there are no spaces where I hit the enter key to signify paragraphs. It makes the post one huge, giant paragraph. Another reason I hate Explorer.
I had a fight with ITSam yesterday- long story- and am considering ending this romance. XRayGIrl said if we were married would it be worth divorcing over and it just might. Anyway, when I get up this morning my computer and my wireless won't work. Is that a sign? I hate signs.
And then Mac came downstairs and before I could even open my mouth to ask him if he knew how to fix the computer, he held up one finger and said, "Mom, hold that thought. I'll fix it after I pee" and he did. Ha- to hell with signs!
I have a headache in the same spot, over and over again. I either have a tumor, lots of stress or need new glasses. The last time I had new glasses was in summer 2008. Might be about time to have the specs checked, eh?
Because we have summer school, I actually don't have the entire summer off like most people who work in education. I do, however, get three weeks to take at my choosing. If I am wise, I can use 13 of those days, the 4th of July holiday, and 8 hours of comp. time and be off from July 1- 24 which will feel pretty good to me. I'm saving 2 of those days to take Mac to college on Aug. 19-20.
I'm not sure I even want to get dressed and leave the house today. I have a good book and I need to do laundry. I want to make some cards with Daddy-O. I have food laid out for dinner. I'm thinking I might just be a worthless layabout for the day.
Speaking of card making, ever since I did the workshop at lunch with the kids at school, I've been making cards at home with Daddy-O. It's tons of fun. I really like it. There's even a card making workshop I want to go to in Northern Civilization. (SisIL you'll be hearing from me on this!)
And finally, please pray for me, send me good luck, go a dance, chant, rub Buddha, whatever you do because I applied for a job at the local prison. One of the Universities in my state has a program so inmates can earn college degrees. They actually staff an office at the prison and it has an opening. The administrative assistant there fills the role of secretary, registrar, financial aid liaison, and admissions reps. While you all know I LOVE working at the library, I need a full time job. With health benefits. I need MONEY. I'm hoping that with my brother's connection (he knows this guy because my Bro works at the prison and Bro told me about the job) and my ability to usually interview well., I'll be made an offer. Please please please.
That's it for the Sunday ramblings.
Maggie
Saturday, July 3, 2010
What to wear?
I'm shooting a wedding today- a photographer's assistant. I feel like the saying "jack of all trades, master of nothing" was coined with me in mind. Anyway...
I have to leave in about 90 minutes and I hate all my clothes. I had planned on black trousers and a white blouse. Well, after our beautiful week of weather where it's been sunny/ partly cloudy with highs in the low 70s, today is going to be a lovely sunny, humidity around 60% and in the high 80s. The wedding is indoors; the reception is in the middle of godforsaken nowhere in a rock quarry.
I don't have clothes that are going to accommodate this. At all. I need to look professional. I need to be able to bend and climb and stretch and maybe even lay on the floor, squat, just to be able to MOVE comfortably. It's a damn wedding so I have to be slightly dressed up because I need to look professional. And because it's a wedding. (What I wouldn't give for this bride to be all hillbilly so I could just wear jeans...) So because of the bending and movement, skirts and dresses are out. So are high heels.
I thought nice black trousers would be good. But they're going to be hot. None of my khakis are "dressy" enough; nor do they fit well. My white blouse is going to be hot because of the material. No flip flops.
I have nothing that's professional, cool, comfortable, and perfect for a rock quarry. So the black pants stay. I'm wearing a simply white cotton t-shirt. It's brand new and in perfect shape. And I'm wearing black loafers. I'm not looking forward to this at all. It's going to be a hot miserable day.
But the up side? At least I'm not the bride!
Mags
I have to leave in about 90 minutes and I hate all my clothes. I had planned on black trousers and a white blouse. Well, after our beautiful week of weather where it's been sunny/ partly cloudy with highs in the low 70s, today is going to be a lovely sunny, humidity around 60% and in the high 80s. The wedding is indoors; the reception is in the middle of godforsaken nowhere in a rock quarry.
I don't have clothes that are going to accommodate this. At all. I need to look professional. I need to be able to bend and climb and stretch and maybe even lay on the floor, squat, just to be able to MOVE comfortably. It's a damn wedding so I have to be slightly dressed up because I need to look professional. And because it's a wedding. (What I wouldn't give for this bride to be all hillbilly so I could just wear jeans...) So because of the bending and movement, skirts and dresses are out. So are high heels.
I thought nice black trousers would be good. But they're going to be hot. None of my khakis are "dressy" enough; nor do they fit well. My white blouse is going to be hot because of the material. No flip flops.
I have nothing that's professional, cool, comfortable, and perfect for a rock quarry. So the black pants stay. I'm wearing a simply white cotton t-shirt. It's brand new and in perfect shape. And I'm wearing black loafers. I'm not looking forward to this at all. It's going to be a hot miserable day.
But the up side? At least I'm not the bride!
Mags
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tales from a substitute teacher's diary part 1
I hate seeing students underwear. I just want to say that upfront. And I am NOT some pervy cho-mo who's looking. I'm in the classroom every day and I see it, right in front of me. I would have to stare at the ceiling or floor to NOT see.
First, let's take boys and baggy pants. They wear baggy jeans, halfway down their ass, or under their buttcheeks, with about 6-9 inches of boxer shorts hanging out the back. Or my new favorite, 6-9 inches of gym shorts hanging out the back. Now, if they're gonna bag the jeans that low, and wear shorts underneath, why not just wear the shorts??? It looks stupid. The boys spend most of their time, making sure the jeans don't slide to their knees, or grabbing their crotch, probably because they're chafing. They also walk on the hem of their jeans so they are ripped and dirty. And there's a TON of extra jean length at their ankles, so they trip. They can barely climb stairs since the pants are falling, and they walk like geishas, with tiny little steps, since the pants keep sliding. (And there are 2 girls I see who dress like this and I want to puke. 'Nuff said.)
The girls are worse, if that's even possible. Bras are popping out the top of t-shirts, which are usually skin tight. The shirts technically follow the dress code, but are about 3 sizes to small. even skinny girls have 'muffin' top in shirts like this. But back to underwear, yes bras and bra straps are exposed all the time. And thongs. Thongs, thongs, thongs everywhere. If a student drops something I practically dive to the floor to hand it back so I don't have to see a damn thong hanging out the back of the frickin low rise jeans.
Now that I have that off my chest, I do have to say kids are super dress casual these days. I can stand in a classroom or in the hallway during a passing period and am lost in a sea of denim. There are no skirts, no khakis, certainly no dress pants, and very rarely are there a pair of sweats or warm up pants. A few years ago, there was some diversity. Gap did a huge campaign on khakis and that's when seeing jeans was the rare thing. A few years ago, skirts and tights were all the rage- not so any more. Even the jocks aren't wearing their "jock uniform". I am not kidding- it's just all jeans, all the time. And t-shirts. The girls all have long hair, either down and hanging in their faces or pulled into a ponytail. Long, straight hair, not even curly. They are all carbon copies of each other. Hell, when I was in school we wore leggings, leg warmers, high heeled tennis shoes with layer socks, stretch pants, and jean skirts. Oh shut up.
The middle school kids have to dress up to present their portfolios so they can advance a grade. Dressing up last year was scary, is all I can say. Black jeans do not a dress outfit make. I just worry about that the state of dress casual is coming to in the future of corporation. Just think, in about 10 years from now Casual Friday will be jammie pants, clogs, and a hoodie!
Skirt wearing,
Ms Maggie Mae
First, let's take boys and baggy pants. They wear baggy jeans, halfway down their ass, or under their buttcheeks, with about 6-9 inches of boxer shorts hanging out the back. Or my new favorite, 6-9 inches of gym shorts hanging out the back. Now, if they're gonna bag the jeans that low, and wear shorts underneath, why not just wear the shorts??? It looks stupid. The boys spend most of their time, making sure the jeans don't slide to their knees, or grabbing their crotch, probably because they're chafing. They also walk on the hem of their jeans so they are ripped and dirty. And there's a TON of extra jean length at their ankles, so they trip. They can barely climb stairs since the pants are falling, and they walk like geishas, with tiny little steps, since the pants keep sliding. (And there are 2 girls I see who dress like this and I want to puke. 'Nuff said.)
The girls are worse, if that's even possible. Bras are popping out the top of t-shirts, which are usually skin tight. The shirts technically follow the dress code, but are about 3 sizes to small. even skinny girls have 'muffin' top in shirts like this. But back to underwear, yes bras and bra straps are exposed all the time. And thongs. Thongs, thongs, thongs everywhere. If a student drops something I practically dive to the floor to hand it back so I don't have to see a damn thong hanging out the back of the frickin low rise jeans.
Now that I have that off my chest, I do have to say kids are super dress casual these days. I can stand in a classroom or in the hallway during a passing period and am lost in a sea of denim. There are no skirts, no khakis, certainly no dress pants, and very rarely are there a pair of sweats or warm up pants. A few years ago, there was some diversity. Gap did a huge campaign on khakis and that's when seeing jeans was the rare thing. A few years ago, skirts and tights were all the rage- not so any more. Even the jocks aren't wearing their "jock uniform". I am not kidding- it's just all jeans, all the time. And t-shirts. The girls all have long hair, either down and hanging in their faces or pulled into a ponytail. Long, straight hair, not even curly. They are all carbon copies of each other. Hell, when I was in school we wore leggings, leg warmers, high heeled tennis shoes with layer socks, stretch pants, and jean skirts. Oh shut up.
The middle school kids have to dress up to present their portfolios so they can advance a grade. Dressing up last year was scary, is all I can say. Black jeans do not a dress outfit make. I just worry about that the state of dress casual is coming to in the future of corporation. Just think, in about 10 years from now Casual Friday will be jammie pants, clogs, and a hoodie!
Skirt wearing,
Ms Maggie Mae
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
When did I become a nerd mom?
I went shopping with Mac over the weekend. We have a store in Northern Civilization called Plato's Closet. I was gonna try and write some big description of it, but it's apparently a chain-- they sell second hand clothing but everything there is name brand only. Check 'em out and see if there's one near you!
Anyhoo, I was actually there twice this weekend. XRayGirl and I went. She told me about this place and I'd never been there before. I always thought they just sold women's clothes that were all name brands that didn't come in my size; and I thought it was all teeny-bopper clothing! Well, I was right and wrong. The one near me does sell teeny-bopper clothing and nothing in my size but they do sell men's clothes, or well, young guy's clothes. I'm talking about clothes that junior high, high school, college, and young twentysomethings would wear.
XRayGirl and I were looking for stuff for our sons to wear. And this is when I learned I'm a nerd. I, who can spot a pair of Pradas at 100 paces, learned I'm a clothing ignoramus. I would rather call myself a clothing nerd rather than just admit I'm out of touch or a complete idiot when it comes to young person's style. First, I could care less about girl's clothing. I have a son so that's important. When I was teaching high school on a full time basis, I was pretty good on what was in and out for the guys and girls. I knew all the name brands and styles.
Now that I'm no longer around kids ALL the time and Mac has never been a fashion maven (hell, see, I don't even know what you call a guy who's interested in fashion. Gay? Clinton?), I just learned that I'm totally out of touch. XRayGirl was searching for "skater" name brands and I hadn't heard of a single one. Zoo York, DC, Hawk, and Blind, to name a few. And I had never heard of them at all. XRayGirl is listing them and asking me to watch for these brands and I was clueless. (Funny: I saw kids wearing DC clothing and I thought it had something to do with comic books...duh me!)
I was trying to get something for Mac and was also at a loss. He usually wears black concert t-shirts and baggy jeans. I really thought there wasn't much there he would be interested in so I got a couple Aeropostale (I knew this one!) t-shirts, a DC shirt, and 2 others. I got 5 name brand shirts for $46, which I guess is amazing since the two from Aeropostale together would be more than that in the regular store.
WELL!
I got home and Mac thought they were "freakin' awesome"! He tried stuff on and 3 didn't fit. I told him about the store and he thought that "rocked" and wanted to know if he could go along with me when I exchanged the shirts. He said kids from school shopped there all the time. He didn't have a problem with the second hand stuff.
Furthermore, he LOVES the clothes. He KNOWS the name brands. He want to ADD color to his wardrobe. I stood there with my mouth hanging open the entire time as he's listing the great clothing brands he loves (that I, of course, had never heard of before) and has always wanted to wear. He told me he never asked to have that stuff because he knew I couldn't afford it. Oh. My. Goddess. All this time he wanted to wear it but wouldn't ask. And he said he wanted to add color to his wardrobe. A teenager wanting color is akin to the second coming... wow....
So back to the store we go and he tries on a Blue Label shirt- it still had the original store tags on it: $96 and we got it for $9. He got a pair of Diesel jeans for $20, and something with an F on it, or in it or something--- it was $55 in the store but $8 at Plato's Closet. According to Mac and to everyone I've talked to about this (and according the research on the Internet) these are really good deals. He had shirts in red, purple and a black one. The jeans are... sort of blue with a sort of brownish tinge, I guess.
But the point here is that Mac knows clothes and for about $50 I got him all expensive name brand clothes for an affordable price. And stuff he's always been wanting. And I have to say, he looked damn cool when he went to school. He walked with his head held a little higher yesterday.
Guess I'm getting educated, and a little less nerdy,
Maggie
Anyhoo, I was actually there twice this weekend. XRayGirl and I went. She told me about this place and I'd never been there before. I always thought they just sold women's clothes that were all name brands that didn't come in my size; and I thought it was all teeny-bopper clothing! Well, I was right and wrong. The one near me does sell teeny-bopper clothing and nothing in my size but they do sell men's clothes, or well, young guy's clothes. I'm talking about clothes that junior high, high school, college, and young twentysomethings would wear.
XRayGirl and I were looking for stuff for our sons to wear. And this is when I learned I'm a nerd. I, who can spot a pair of Pradas at 100 paces, learned I'm a clothing ignoramus. I would rather call myself a clothing nerd rather than just admit I'm out of touch or a complete idiot when it comes to young person's style. First, I could care less about girl's clothing. I have a son so that's important. When I was teaching high school on a full time basis, I was pretty good on what was in and out for the guys and girls. I knew all the name brands and styles.
Now that I'm no longer around kids ALL the time and Mac has never been a fashion maven (hell, see, I don't even know what you call a guy who's interested in fashion. Gay? Clinton?), I just learned that I'm totally out of touch. XRayGirl was searching for "skater" name brands and I hadn't heard of a single one. Zoo York, DC, Hawk, and Blind, to name a few. And I had never heard of them at all. XRayGirl is listing them and asking me to watch for these brands and I was clueless. (Funny: I saw kids wearing DC clothing and I thought it had something to do with comic books...duh me!)
I was trying to get something for Mac and was also at a loss. He usually wears black concert t-shirts and baggy jeans. I really thought there wasn't much there he would be interested in so I got a couple Aeropostale (I knew this one!) t-shirts, a DC shirt, and 2 others. I got 5 name brand shirts for $46, which I guess is amazing since the two from Aeropostale together would be more than that in the regular store.
WELL!
I got home and Mac thought they were "freakin' awesome"! He tried stuff on and 3 didn't fit. I told him about the store and he thought that "rocked" and wanted to know if he could go along with me when I exchanged the shirts. He said kids from school shopped there all the time. He didn't have a problem with the second hand stuff.
Furthermore, he LOVES the clothes. He KNOWS the name brands. He want to ADD color to his wardrobe. I stood there with my mouth hanging open the entire time as he's listing the great clothing brands he loves (that I, of course, had never heard of before) and has always wanted to wear. He told me he never asked to have that stuff because he knew I couldn't afford it. Oh. My. Goddess. All this time he wanted to wear it but wouldn't ask. And he said he wanted to add color to his wardrobe. A teenager wanting color is akin to the second coming... wow....
So back to the store we go and he tries on a Blue Label shirt- it still had the original store tags on it: $96 and we got it for $9. He got a pair of Diesel jeans for $20, and something with an F on it, or in it or something--- it was $55 in the store but $8 at Plato's Closet. According to Mac and to everyone I've talked to about this (and according the research on the Internet) these are really good deals. He had shirts in red, purple and a black one. The jeans are... sort of blue with a sort of brownish tinge, I guess.
But the point here is that Mac knows clothes and for about $50 I got him all expensive name brand clothes for an affordable price. And stuff he's always been wanting. And I have to say, he looked damn cool when he went to school. He walked with his head held a little higher yesterday.
Guess I'm getting educated, and a little less nerdy,
Maggie
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Retail Therapy Day 3- Clothes that fit
When I lived in the Wild West, the nearest store that sold plus size clothes was about 3.5 hours away AND there was no store- there were departments in other stores, but no specialty clothing store. So for three years I shopped at Wal-Mart. And while there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Wal-Mart clothes, it was different than what I was used to wearing and I shopped there for 3 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I do need a plus size but just barely. I have a small waist and wide hips and junk in the trunk. I've got boobage as well, so plus sized clothes just fit my boldly proportioned body better than others.
So when I moved back to Civilization, I was excited to have a chance to buy clothes would actually fit and I've spent hours trolling my favorite Lane Bryant store in Northern Civilization. There are 2 in that city but my favorite one is located in an outdoor mall. It's such a favorite that the sales clerks know me by name and love it when I come in. I've dragged Daddy-O on enough of these shopping trip that they also know him by sight.
First, I love Lane Bryant's clothes. Just because clothes can be made in a plus size doesn't mean they should be. And Lane Bryant realizes this, so they sell stylish clothes in great colors and lovely prints taking a woman's size into consideration. So I know when I go in there, i can find stuff to wear as a professional, to be casual, to work out, great jeans, perfect bras and jammies.
And speaking of bras, they just had their semi annual bra sale and I am now the proud owner of 7 new bras all with matching underwear, thank you very much. I love matching bras and pantie sets and though no one but me sees them (that's a post for another day, the loneliness of underwear viewing) I still like them to match and it makes me feel nice.
Lane Bryant also sells a name brand of clothing called Right Fit. These are pants (could have other articles but I have no idea) that are customed fit by a color coded system to fit the shape of every woman. These are the first pants in jeans and trousers that I've had in about 10 years that really, really fit just perfect.
I love the women who work at my favorite store. They are funny, sweet and kind. I walk in the door and they show me new stuff that's come in and couldn't wait to show me. They tell me when something I really, really want is going to be on sale, and have been known to tuck something away for me. My favorite clerks aren't afraid to tell me if an outfit looks good or is unflattering.
I love shopping at Lane Bryant and they sell clothes that fit with a friendly staff. OMG- I just love me a little retail therapy and I hear a pink sweater calling my name!
Now I do need a plus size but just barely. I have a small waist and wide hips and junk in the trunk. I've got boobage as well, so plus sized clothes just fit my boldly proportioned body better than others.
So when I moved back to Civilization, I was excited to have a chance to buy clothes would actually fit and I've spent hours trolling my favorite Lane Bryant store in Northern Civilization. There are 2 in that city but my favorite one is located in an outdoor mall. It's such a favorite that the sales clerks know me by name and love it when I come in. I've dragged Daddy-O on enough of these shopping trip that they also know him by sight.
First, I love Lane Bryant's clothes. Just because clothes can be made in a plus size doesn't mean they should be. And Lane Bryant realizes this, so they sell stylish clothes in great colors and lovely prints taking a woman's size into consideration. So I know when I go in there, i can find stuff to wear as a professional, to be casual, to work out, great jeans, perfect bras and jammies.
And speaking of bras, they just had their semi annual bra sale and I am now the proud owner of 7 new bras all with matching underwear, thank you very much. I love matching bras and pantie sets and though no one but me sees them (that's a post for another day, the loneliness of underwear viewing) I still like them to match and it makes me feel nice.
Lane Bryant also sells a name brand of clothing called Right Fit. These are pants (could have other articles but I have no idea) that are customed fit by a color coded system to fit the shape of every woman. These are the first pants in jeans and trousers that I've had in about 10 years that really, really fit just perfect.
I love the women who work at my favorite store. They are funny, sweet and kind. I walk in the door and they show me new stuff that's come in and couldn't wait to show me. They tell me when something I really, really want is going to be on sale, and have been known to tuck something away for me. My favorite clerks aren't afraid to tell me if an outfit looks good or is unflattering.
I love shopping at Lane Bryant and they sell clothes that fit with a friendly staff. OMG- I just love me a little retail therapy and I hear a pink sweater calling my name!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Runway to Heaven
There is some religious group in my community where the women wear long skirts, have really long hair and don't wear make-up. They don't wear any head coverings. Clothes don't look hand-made. They drive, have electricity and don't seem to have a huge plethora of kids. I have no idea what the religion is, and I really don't care actually, but it's the dress of the women that struck me.
There were a bunch of these women were at Wally World the other day (yeah, I seem to spend a lot of time at Wal-Mart. Just don't ask...) So anyway, I noticed that they all had on long denim skirts. All the way to the ground denim. They also had on tennis shoes. This, overall, was not a fashion statement of the good. It was not attractive at all. While the women were not necessarily ugly, these unbecoming fashion make them all look very, very short. And sort of stumpy. They were thin, but frumpy-looking. Is that the point?
Back in the Wild West I wore a long denim skirt, a pair of pink cowboy boots, a western shirt and a cool belt and I was looking stylish. I was "in"- I was cool. The more I looked at these women, the more I realized several things about myself.
First, I wanted to rush home and hem all my denim skirts short because I didn't want to be confused as a member of this religion, since I have a non-god issue. Then I thought about it. I could never be confused as a member of this religion because of several things. My hair is way too short- right now I'm sporting a very short pixie cut, short for even pixie standards, so my hair isn't long enough to either hang to my ass or put up in a HUGE bun. And speaking of ass, my ass is waaaaaaay to big to be a member of this church. I swear, ever single one of these women are tiny. Small. Thin. Skinny. There is no way I could belong since I have a fat ass, junk in the trunk, loot in the boot, whatever you want to say, I am just not skinny enough to be there.
And I have fashion sense, which is obviously missing here. I am not a fashion snob- I don't make enough money to be such, and I'm also not a perfect size 5 so not all fashions are meant for me so a fashion snob I am not. But I like to look nice and I try be neat and stylish. Not frumpy. I like clothes. And when I see these women they are always in really really long skirts, denim during the week (their answer to wearing jeans if they were allowed to sport pants?) or floral on Saturdays and Sundays- or dresses with really big flowers on them.
Do you think people with short hair are banned? Are fat people banned? Would I have to grow my hair and lose 25 pounds to join? What if I could make a big financial donation? I do own the long ugly denim skirt and have some tennis socks, after all. Do you think the women are given a brochure of clothes and hair dos and don'ts? Do you think they have a religious version of "What not to Wear"? OMG- I just can't see Clinton and Stacey hosting anything like this... And if this was catching on as a big fashion statement, then how come I'm not seeing a Versace or Armani "God Wear" or "Church" line of clothing?
I dunno. While I'm not religious, I really wonder if God cares what we wear. Is someone wearing a frumpy deim skirt, tennis socks with an ankle ball, no make up, hair to their butts and a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt going to get to heaven before a person in jeans and a Harvard t-shirt sporting eye shadow and loafers? It just seems to be a funny part of a religion to me.
Hey, I'm just sayin'!
Off to hem my skirts,
Maggie
There were a bunch of these women were at Wally World the other day (yeah, I seem to spend a lot of time at Wal-Mart. Just don't ask...) So anyway, I noticed that they all had on long denim skirts. All the way to the ground denim. They also had on tennis shoes. This, overall, was not a fashion statement of the good. It was not attractive at all. While the women were not necessarily ugly, these unbecoming fashion make them all look very, very short. And sort of stumpy. They were thin, but frumpy-looking. Is that the point?
Back in the Wild West I wore a long denim skirt, a pair of pink cowboy boots, a western shirt and a cool belt and I was looking stylish. I was "in"- I was cool. The more I looked at these women, the more I realized several things about myself.
First, I wanted to rush home and hem all my denim skirts short because I didn't want to be confused as a member of this religion, since I have a non-god issue. Then I thought about it. I could never be confused as a member of this religion because of several things. My hair is way too short- right now I'm sporting a very short pixie cut, short for even pixie standards, so my hair isn't long enough to either hang to my ass or put up in a HUGE bun. And speaking of ass, my ass is waaaaaaay to big to be a member of this church. I swear, ever single one of these women are tiny. Small. Thin. Skinny. There is no way I could belong since I have a fat ass, junk in the trunk, loot in the boot, whatever you want to say, I am just not skinny enough to be there.
And I have fashion sense, which is obviously missing here. I am not a fashion snob- I don't make enough money to be such, and I'm also not a perfect size 5 so not all fashions are meant for me so a fashion snob I am not. But I like to look nice and I try be neat and stylish. Not frumpy. I like clothes. And when I see these women they are always in really really long skirts, denim during the week (their answer to wearing jeans if they were allowed to sport pants?) or floral on Saturdays and Sundays- or dresses with really big flowers on them.
Do you think people with short hair are banned? Are fat people banned? Would I have to grow my hair and lose 25 pounds to join? What if I could make a big financial donation? I do own the long ugly denim skirt and have some tennis socks, after all. Do you think the women are given a brochure of clothes and hair dos and don'ts? Do you think they have a religious version of "What not to Wear"? OMG- I just can't see Clinton and Stacey hosting anything like this... And if this was catching on as a big fashion statement, then how come I'm not seeing a Versace or Armani "God Wear" or "Church" line of clothing?
I dunno. While I'm not religious, I really wonder if God cares what we wear. Is someone wearing a frumpy deim skirt, tennis socks with an ankle ball, no make up, hair to their butts and a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt going to get to heaven before a person in jeans and a Harvard t-shirt sporting eye shadow and loafers? It just seems to be a funny part of a religion to me.
Hey, I'm just sayin'!
Off to hem my skirts,
Maggie
Monday, March 16, 2009
Back to Dublin from Milan
With all this time abroad I'm struggling to find words to put to my thoughts. It's amazing and beautiful and powerful. I'm soaking up food and cultures. I'm experimenting with my lacking language skills, though without knowing any Italian I navigated my way around Milan. Sam and I are getting to know each other, living in the same flat and hotel room, which is also an adjustment. We're getting to know each other as people than just voices over the telephone. I think it's safe to say I'm overwhelmed.
And when overwhelmed... well, when in Milan, do as the Milanese do- resort to fashion.
Fashion here in Dublin and Milan is overwhelming. First, suffice it to say, while I'm a plus sized gal I usually look nice. I may not have the latest stuff in style all the time, but I usually look stylish, classy or maybe a bit bohemian. I like to be comfortable and I have great shoes. Sam told me that during the colder/ winter months women dress very monochrome. I have plenty of grays, blacks, chocolate browns and winter creams- and I think I brought them all with me. I sort of blend in Dublin minus a few things. First, I'm chubby compared to women here. I swear to the Goddess this country is full of skinny women. If there are fat Irish women, I have no idea where they bloomin' 're. So that being said, I have the colour scheme down for the city, but the fashion police could give me a ticket. All the women here wear black shoes; you can tell the tourists because they wear tennis shoes/ sneakers. I brought several pairs of black shoes, but the pair I wore the first day gave me HUGE blisters on the bottoms of my feet and I have had them the entire time. I went to Pharmacy while here and got blister pads but everything else I owned other than my Sketchers hurt.
Another Dublin fashion faux pas I made is the length of my skirts. I have several short flippy skirts, which are short my USA standards, but are long enough for nuns over here. Women here wear skirts that just barely cover their assets. I am NOT exaggerating at all. Tiny itty bitty little skirts. I had tube tops bigger than skirts these women wear. And they are not sluts. This is in the business district! Another thing that I love about the fashion here is that textured stockings and tights are all the rage. And women love their boots here, especially black knee boots with no heels. Heels aren't really popular in Dublin because of all the frickin' cobblestones. Can we say broken ankles? And most of this city walks EVERYWHERE so heels just don't make sense. Oh women do wear high heels, but rarely, or on a pub crawl which will end in a cab ride home. When you do see a women in pants, they are traditionally black (or some other very dark color) and very very dark dark blue jeans. And they are skinny jeans, tucked in the knee high boots. Tres chic.
Milan is a completely different story. Milan is the fashion capital of the WORLD! If there were fashion polizia the headquarters would be in Milan and I would be jailed. There is no way on this earth and my subbing salary could I dare complete with the classic, wealthy, fashionatta who reside in that city. "Money money money" as ABBA would say, gets you to be the best dressed- and when you walk the streets you can see the difference between quality, the real thing, verses my great, cheap, genuine imitation knock offs. Women wore much the same as they do in Dublin but there were obvious notable exceptions:
It was amazing and wondrous and almost like a real life fairy tale- but nope, it was real. I have the genuine Italian knock off Gucci Bag to prove it...
Yours in Handbags and Glad rags,
Maggie
And when overwhelmed... well, when in Milan, do as the Milanese do- resort to fashion.
Fashion here in Dublin and Milan is overwhelming. First, suffice it to say, while I'm a plus sized gal I usually look nice. I may not have the latest stuff in style all the time, but I usually look stylish, classy or maybe a bit bohemian. I like to be comfortable and I have great shoes. Sam told me that during the colder/ winter months women dress very monochrome. I have plenty of grays, blacks, chocolate browns and winter creams- and I think I brought them all with me. I sort of blend in Dublin minus a few things. First, I'm chubby compared to women here. I swear to the Goddess this country is full of skinny women. If there are fat Irish women, I have no idea where they bloomin' 're. So that being said, I have the colour scheme down for the city, but the fashion police could give me a ticket. All the women here wear black shoes; you can tell the tourists because they wear tennis shoes/ sneakers. I brought several pairs of black shoes, but the pair I wore the first day gave me HUGE blisters on the bottoms of my feet and I have had them the entire time. I went to Pharmacy while here and got blister pads but everything else I owned other than my Sketchers hurt.
Another Dublin fashion faux pas I made is the length of my skirts. I have several short flippy skirts, which are short my USA standards, but are long enough for nuns over here. Women here wear skirts that just barely cover their assets. I am NOT exaggerating at all. Tiny itty bitty little skirts. I had tube tops bigger than skirts these women wear. And they are not sluts. This is in the business district! Another thing that I love about the fashion here is that textured stockings and tights are all the rage. And women love their boots here, especially black knee boots with no heels. Heels aren't really popular in Dublin because of all the frickin' cobblestones. Can we say broken ankles? And most of this city walks EVERYWHERE so heels just don't make sense. Oh women do wear high heels, but rarely, or on a pub crawl which will end in a cab ride home. When you do see a women in pants, they are traditionally black (or some other very dark color) and very very dark dark blue jeans. And they are skinny jeans, tucked in the knee high boots. Tres chic.
Milan is a completely different story. Milan is the fashion capital of the WORLD! If there were fashion polizia the headquarters would be in Milan and I would be jailed. There is no way on this earth and my subbing salary could I dare complete with the classic, wealthy, fashionatta who reside in that city. "Money money money" as ABBA would say, gets you to be the best dressed- and when you walk the streets you can see the difference between quality, the real thing, verses my great, cheap, genuine imitation knock offs. Women wore much the same as they do in Dublin but there were obvious notable exceptions:
- Skirts are longer, usually to right above the knee and they are pencil skirts.
- Accessorizing in Milan is like breathing- bags, belts, scarves, jewels, and of course, THE SHOES.
- Women in Milan most certainly wear colour. While black is the staple and colour de rigeur, there was always a splash of colour- blues, reds, pinks, golds.
- Sweater dresses and leggings are coming back- you heard it here first. A long sweater, legging or texture stockings, and knee boots are the RAGE.
- Hair, nails and make up which might look overdone anywhere else in the world, are always done in Milan. And not that casual, fresh faced, I don't look like I'm wearing make up look, but heavily done makeup and lots of big hair.
It was amazing and wondrous and almost like a real life fairy tale- but nope, it was real. I have the genuine Italian knock off Gucci Bag to prove it...
Yours in Handbags and Glad rags,
Maggie
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