Monthly Archives: February 2013

Avenue Wide Width Boots

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I love boots.  I live in San Francisco where we can wear boots year round, since we have foggy summers and the weather is moderate. The boots above (please ignore that the laces are different colors) are from Avenue, they are a 9.5 wide.  We were in Palm Springs in October this year for my 46th high school reunion and I went to Avenue and they had all these boots on display.  I was in love.  They had two pair that fit.  The first one that fit had elastic for the entire back of the shaft of the boot which I was not crazy about, but I kept out just in case.  Then they brought out these combat boots, that lace up all the ways down into the instep, which is unusual, and my instep is high, but OMG they were COMBAT boots and I was born a pacifist, I do not even wear camouflage, even pink camouflage, I am such a pacifist.  But they fit, and they were not heavy winter boots and I had to have them.

One of the things I liked a lot about these boots is that since they are not wide calf boots, but are wide enough because I can lace them, they are not too large in the ankle, and thus provide a little more support. I would buy another pair of boots from Avenue any time, they feel good and they are plenty wide enough. They look a little like the Torrid Studded Boots I bought a couple of weeks ago….but I still want knee high boots.

Peace…affinity

British Plus Size Fashion Weekend 2013

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british-plus-size-fashion-weekend-4Last weekend was the first ever British Plus Size Fashion Weekend 2013 and I wish I could have been there.  But since I could not I thought I would put together some of the things that I think it would be fun to have seen.  Here are the designers that are participating. Some familiar names like Simply Be, and lots of new names, like Syreeta Badu, that I will look forward to learning more about.  To checkout what happened check out their Facebook Page.

I am including a video below.   I loved seeing the larger sized models and I especially loved seeing one of my favorite designers, Cult of California, toward the end of the video.  I know right now I am going to have to have those back and silver tights.  They are not up on the website yet, but I will be checking every day.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxsZGHhPYMg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Peace…affinity

Affatshionista’s First Year Anniversary

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It is the first year anniversary of Affatshionista and it has been quite a ride. I have made new friends, I have a new fatshion hero, Beth Ditto and it has been one of the more engaging project I have ever taken on.  Thank you all for being here, it would not be any fun if I wrote it and no one read it, and I am having a fabulous time. Sometimes at an event someone will say to me “I read your blog and I really enjoy it or it makes be braver”, what could be more gratifying than that, because each of you reading my blog makes me braver.

The first post on Affatshionista is below, and it is a post from a prior blog in 2008 and I have also included my 2013 health update:

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM


I first posted this in my blog in 2008 and thought y’all might like to know my point of view! I think one of the “elephants in the room” in my life is my weight and my health.I think people want to know more but are afraid to ask. I am glad they feel that way because the conversation, if raised, rarely goes well. So here is what I think you might actually want to know:

AS A BABY I was premature and weighed 3 1/2 pounds, I was very sick and frail as a child, epilepsy, asthma, pneumonia, etc. Both my parents smoked heavily and in fact died from cigarettes.
MY WEIGHT At around 12 I developed a HUGE appetite and became overweight, from skinny to overweight in 2 years. From age 13 until about 35 I dieted, binged, fasted, took courses and therapy in listening to my hunger, anything I could think of, I continued to put on weight. Then I decided I was going to be happy however I was, and I still put on weight. According to my doctor’s records, in 1990, 18 years ago, I weighed 284 pounds, this is the most I have ever weighed. Today I weigh 272 pounds.
EXERCISE I have exercised off and on all my life, I used to swim as a kid (Palm Springs, everybody swims). Stopped exercising in my early 20s. Then in 1984 or so after law school I became enamored with aerobics, even trained to teach aerobics for large women in about 1990 or so…I exercised 2 – 4 times a week, it varied…Posed for a leotard ad for large women, went to an aerobics conference with my teacher, was on tv 4 or 5 times dancing with my teacher and a couple of other people. Was always the “fit” big girl and proud of it. In 2001, my knees started giving me problems and then a couple of years later my hips started to hurt after walking more than 2 or 3 blocks, I have less stamina. I have exercised less since 2001. I still go to the gym most Saturdays, 30 minutes on the bike and workout with the fat girls. I know if I did more it would help, but I seem to be unwilling to make it happen in my life.
MY HEALTH Until a few years ago I was VERY healthy. Great heart, no problems except mobility and then about 18 months ago I had some symptoms that looked like diabetes. I was not surprised because of my weight, age and body type (barrel shape) I am a good candidate for diabetes and other problems. After some tests, I have struggled the last 18 months with pre-diabetes. I have lost about 10 pounds, eat far fewer carbs and more protein and vegetables. I still have a sweet tooth and desserts are my favorite, but I try to be conscious of what I eat. Today the doctor called and I have pushed back my pre-diabetes for the time being. All my tests are normal. I am pleased and he is pleased.
MY LIFE So, yes, I know I am fat, I have lost and gained lots of weight in my life, I am no longer doing that. I try to be friendly with food so it is not a struggle all the time, but it is my biggest foible. I do not know how to lose and keep off weight. The success rate is about 3% after 5 years. So, if you are concerned about my weight or my health, know that I too am concerned and doing all that I can to be healthy, but I will continue to be a human being that is good at some things and bad at others.

April 10, 2008 – 8:34 PM

Update on My Health, February 2013: I had my physical last month, the first in several years.  And guess what, it was fabulous!  My blood sugar was perfect, my heart beats per minute were normal, my cholesterol was good, my triglycerides a tiny bit high, but exactly the same as several ago, and guess what…I have only gained 2 pounds since 1990, when this doctor started keeping track of my weight. So I would say all in all this is a WIN!

Nail Art Even I Can Do!

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From Art & Fashion on Facebook - posted by GC Gabriela Cimpoaie

From Art & Fashion on Facebook – posted by GC Gabriela Cimpoaie

I have loved the new Nail Art everywhere this year.  It used to be you just saw it here and there and it was kind of edgy, but now it is ubiquitous.

prodesign eyeglasses VioletI saw the scotch tape method on Facebook and I thought to myself, even I can do that!  I can imagine nail polish colors to match my eyeglasses, violet and blue.  Do you think you might try this?

I am going to a big party on March 5th wearing black and pewter.  That might be the first round.  I just love having a new little project.

Feb 23, 2013: I think I have found what I am looking for for the Bay Lights Grand Lighting on March 5th.  To match my studded dress, my studded earrings, my studded leggings, my studded shoes and now studded nails.  The nails would all be the same and just the straight lines to match my dress, more about the dress later. Oh yes, and I will be having a professional do my nails, still not really in my range. Matchy, match, nothing succeeds like excess…Screen Shot 2013-02-14 at 11.34.50 PM

stud-nailsPeace…affinity

Obsessed by Plus Size Necklaces and Collars

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Photo: Art & Fashion

Photo: Art & Fashion

Okay, I am obsessed, we have to have another post about how to make necklaces and collars work for you if you are plus size. I am moving, more about that in another post, and I spent last evening looking at collars and necklaces as discussed in my prior post (rather than packing), because there are so many statement pieces out there right now, like the one above.  It is kind of a summer spring Annie Hall look. Who knows what this cost, hundreds of dollars perhaps?  But you could recreate this look with this, in fact I may have to.

HAREMDESIGN on Etsy

HAREMDESIGN on Etsy

HAREMDESIGN on Etsy $45 including shipping.  It has a silver chain at the back which could have an extender if needed. Or you could add a long ribbon so it starts further down and surrounds the necklaces below, more like the inspiration pieces above.  There are other bibs or large lace collars on Etsy that are cheaper, but the lace look may be too lacey for me, although Torrid says the lace and denim look is trending right now.  You could combine it with the necklaces below by putting them all on a ribbon, together or separately.  I think it would look amazing, or maybe something a little more in the same shade and color of the collar above. Or this heavier but still spring summer look:

Statement Necklaces by VintageStarrBeads on Etsy

Statement Necklaces by VintageStarrBeads on Etsy

Statement Necklaces by VintageStarrBeads on Etsy about $30 shipped.

And here are several more statement pieces, all from Etsy, because I love that someone is actually making most of these.  That some woman has found a market for tatting or lace or crochet, or crafting, a talent that she thought was not marketable.  YAY!

lacetime on Etsy

lacetime on Etsy

From lacetime on Etsy

EPUU on Etsy

EPUU on Etsy

From EPUU on Etsy

From KBazaar on Etsy

From KBazaar on Etsy

From KBazaar on Etsy for under $10 with shipping.

BellaJewelry4u on Etsy

BellaJewelry4u on Etsy

From BellaJewelry4u on Etsy.  Most under $20 plus $5.95 shipping from China.

From OrangePlus at Etsy

From OrangePlus at Etsy

OrangePlus from Etsy $24 plus $18 shipping from the Netherlands

This season is all about the statement necklace look. Be brave and try something a little wild, you will be glad you did, hopefully.  I will try to stop now and get some packing done.

Peace…affinity

Beautiful Skier – Plus Size Ski Clothing

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Beautiful SkierOur favorite, Jenny Strauss, went skiing this weekend wearing these beautiful ski clothes from Beautiful Skier, and doesn’t she look fabulous.  She is wearing Bib size 28 and Jacket size 26.  I love the look and that she is wearing real ski clothes.  Yay Jenny.

Screen Shot 2013-02-17 at 10.13.53 PM

Peace…affinity

Torrid Studded Boot Review

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studded boots torridWhen I saw the Black Minka Studded Boot I knew I just had to have them.  I have a deal with my husband that I will not buy boots on line, I think I have sent back 20 pairs over the last 10 years.  We have a Torrid about 10 miles away, but I just could not seem to get there.

So last week I panicked and ordered them and YAY, they fit.  In fact they are on the largish size.  I wear a 9.5W and the size 10 more than fits.  It is a size 10W and is a little large for me, a tiny bit in the toe and in the ankle, but not so long or loose that I am afraid I will trip over them or the ankle will not provide any support.  I have a 18″ calf at the top part of the boot, and they are so big I have to lace them as tightly as possible, as you can see in the photo. I cannot really determine how much larger you could make them with longer laces, laced as loosely as possible, but I would think at least 21″ or 22″.  They have a side zipper so I loosened the laces all the way down so I coule get my foot in, but now even laced all the way back up my foot fits right in when I use the zipper.  I am just delighted.  I could not have imagined wearing spiked boots 5 years ago because they always felt violent looking to my little pacifist self, but I get compliments everywhere I go.

Peace…affinity

Plus Size Necklace Reviews and Neckline Cheat Sheet

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neckline cheat sheet I came across this fabulous Neckline Cheat Sheet from Charming Charlie.  Seems like I am always struggling with “what is a good look for this neckline?” I have some special plus size favorites for some of these:

domino dollhouse spiked collarcollar etsyCollars: Separate collars are all over the fashion magazines this season. I love the Domino Dollhouse Spiked Collar. I have not tried it on but since it is on their site I assume it will fit a plus size neck. I do not wear much in the way of crewnecks or I would have already bought it.  Etsy Lace Collars tend to be hand made and could be tied with a ribbon to make them fit, and you can get a lot of visual impact for a nominal price and dress up some of your less interesting clothing.  This lace collar is less than $10 with shipping (which may have been sold by the time you read this) and would look fabulous on black.  Do you think you can wear a collar with a turtleneck?  I may have to try that.

D.I.Y. Cyber Goddess

D.I.Y. Cyber Goddess

sonsi plus size necklaceNecklaces: I tend to wear necklaces that I have made or have been made by my friends that are artists but if you are looking for an edgy look Domino Dollhouse is once again my first choice.  I love Torrid, I wear their bracelets everyday, and Torrid necklaces run about 17 inches and often come with a 5 inch extender.  Sonsi costume jewelry necklaces come in a wide variety of prices and styles. The photo above is of a set on this page that I am seeing everywhere. Sonsi also has a fine jewelry necklace line.

faux pearlsFaux Pearls: Etsy has over 5,000 Faux Pearl Necklaces listed right now.  If this is the look you are looking for you cannot help but find it here.  I love this Vintage Triple Strand necklace (which may have been sold by the time you read this). The smallest strand is 22″ and the longest is 28″, for less than $20 shipped. That would work for me even with a turtleneck.

Facebook: If you use Facebook, FatToo Accessora has lots of jewelry.  But buyer beware, there are no returns and carefully view what you are buying.  I find I have about a 50% success rate on this site for receiving items that work for me.  But when I get what I am looking for, often I cannot find it any place else and I love that.

And it goes without saying that Goodwill and other thrift stores are a great place to shop if you are out and about.  Goodwill is often the most inexpensive because they have not been curated or handmade as they might have been in on Etsy or a smaller thrift store.

Shop carefully, check that the necklaces are long enough or that you are willing to wear a necklace extender, but they are out there for a good price, and currently I am loving the vintage or edgy look as you can tell from this post.

Peace…affinity

Cupcake Nail Art by Jessica

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792256_10151495767663900_1101896907_oNail art is everywhere you look, and I love it but I just do not think it is in my range. But it is certainly in Jessica’s. I blogged about Jessica this summer because I liked her DIY outfit at Burning Man and how creative she was.  I recently saw her and she had some fabulous nails and I failed to take a photo, but here is her most current creation, Cupcake Nails. And yes, I think they look like cupcakes. I am very impressed! How fun are these?

Peace…affinity