Beth Ditto Inspired Necklace

Beth Ditto NecklaceOMG!  As many of you know Beth Ditto is my fashion hero as well as my fatshion hero.  She wears whatever she wants and it all looks fabulous and she does not appear to care about the rules.  But I must admit that I was surprised to see a Beth Ditto inspired necklace.  I am curious if the necklace has her blessing, or can anyone call something “inspired by…”?

The necklace, in my opinion, does not seem to reflect her big, outrageous style, and is only 18 inches long, which would barely be large enough for my neck, and I would kind of assume hers, but I thought you might be amused to see it, I was.

If you are a Beth Ditto fan, as I am, do look at this post of her big, outrageous style, it is a wonderful deconstruction of her style and how you might achieve it.  The examples are not plus size, and certainly not super plus size, but the concepts are all there, and I am hoping it will make me braver.

Peace…affinity 

Affatshionista’s First Year Anniversary

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!

Beth Ditto’s Domino Dress and Leggings

aff 1st beth dominoAs you know, if you have been following along, Beth Ditto is my Fatshion Hero.  I have been lusting after the domino dress and tights that she designed for Evans in 2009.  I have been lurking on ebay and the “thrift store” plus size sites on Facebook for quite some time, and here they are.

My bodycon dress is a U.K. Size 32, which is equal to about a size 28 in the US.

The tights are a much smaller size, although they are no longer tagged.

Shoes: Torrid Size 10, very comfortable.

The Hunt:  I went on the Facebook sites and ebay every day and searched for Beth Ditto.  On ebay I had to narrow that to clothing because she shows up under books, magazines, make-up and music, before you even get to clothing.

So, I am still on the hunt for the Beth Ditto Heart Dress in a larger size and there is a Face sweater that I would love to try too.

I wore it on Saturday to Fatty Affair and got lots of compliments on it and had lots of fun wearing it.  I am sure I will be taking it out for a stroll again soon.

Peace…affinity

Fractured Friday V. 01/25/13

Love this video of British plus sized actor Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor jiving to ‘Hanky Panky’ on Strictly Come Dancing, and yes I love the dress.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce9HoAmL11I?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

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Did you know there is a term for the distance between your socks and your skirt in Japanese fashion?

Zettai Ryouiki 01

‘Zettai ryouiki’ is a term for a japanese fashion that translates roughly into ‘Absolute Territory’ or ‘Absolute Region’, which are catchall terms for any exposed legflesh between the tops of your socks and a skirt. Zettai ryouiki are excellent for cosplay, lolita, and just about everything. Even keeping (most) of your legs warm.

To see more photos

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beth ditto 2013-01-20 at 7.32.10 PM

Beth Ditto’s Craziest Outfits

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Last week I told you about the Edwardian Ball. I thought you might like to see my favorite photo so far.  45505_475594882478463_422759669_n

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Happy is a good vibe for peace_o

Peace…affinity

Fatty Affair 2013 or, Should I Wear my Beth Ditto Domino Dress?

Screen Shot 2013-01-23 at 5.39.52 AMI am going to a fat positive event called Fatty Affair in San Jose this weekend. There are lots of reasons to go.  Some of my oldest friends, Cinder Ernst and Deb Burgard, are going to speak and there is going to be a clothing swap.

I have never been to a clothing swap. I really cannot believe that. I have been involved in the fat community since 1982, and I have never been to a clothing swap.  So my husband and I cleaned out my closets of all the Dana Buchman etc. that I wore to years for work, plus dozens of turtleneck shirts that were part of my work uniform and you know, the pieces I have purchased from Fattoo Grand or ebay, or even retailer clothing that I never returned and that do not fit.  I have so much I cannot take it all.  I am going to pick out the fun, best pieces to take to the swap and give the rest to the Goodwill, because there is no way I could manage all of this.

beth in domino dressSo what to wear?  I have a new “vintage” Beth Ditto dress, but it is a pretty snug bodycon dress and not very comfortable, and I have a Burning Man staff meeting in the morning, so it is going to be a long day. The dress has matching leggings, but that seems like a little much. Then I have some “go-to” outfits that are easy and comfy, and are always complimented.  But you can’t wear a Beth Ditto, too tight, dress just anywhere, this is a fashion opportunity.  I will surely let you know what I decide, and you should feel free to express an opinion in the comments. ;D

A special shout-out to Elaine Lee for driving.  I really am not driving very far at night these days and I probably would not go if I had to drive myself.  Thanks Elaine.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBo6wUuIeo?rel=0]

Peace…affinity