CONFESSIONS OF A FAT GIRL

A Fabulous Experience in Plus Size Shopping

My lovely friend Melissa served as a sensational guide yesterday. I've often admired her fashion sense and finally asked her where she gets her clothes -- she did me one better and suggested we go shopping together. I never see anything close to as cute as what she has on so I thought I was clearly missing something. I was really excited!

Behold the mall formerly known as the Foxhills Mall -- now a Westfield Shoppingtown in Culver City. Outstanding.

Check out the plus sized offerings, kids:

Faith 21 (Yes! In person! It's not just online!)

Torrid
Mode Plus

Cacique

Lane Bryant

Ashley Stewart

And departments in JC Penney, Macys and Target -- thought, frankly, those offerings were less than impressive. (P.S. JCP? Step it up, muffins. That was a hugely disappointing offering. I mean, that store in general could use a facelift - let's be honest.)

Also made a fabulous discovery today -- Calvin Klein? Fabulous clothes. Reasonably priced! Very impressive. I think you can pick that up at Bloomies, Macys and Nordstrom. Beyond that, don't know. If you're into dresses, they have them in hoards. And if memory serves, just while I'm on the topic, Nordstrom has a great selection of Nine West Plus. Also really classy stuff.

My friend is hard core. She knows her shit. And FYI, I'm going to save a ton of money being her friend- she knows all the sneaky tricks! I have a new shopping pal!

(Not stuff I bought -- I actually didn't buy much today -- but isn't it sassy and fab? The gray dress looked cuter on Melissa than it does on that model.)

Quote of the Day

"Great. Now my hands smell like boiled nuts."

That was all me, kids. I'm hilarious.

(And just to be sure, I really did eat a boiled nut before I said that and FYI, it was disgusting.)

Quote of the Day

Let me just explain -- at our youth group meetings, the girls go around and take roll call and usually say their name, age and something pertaining to the theme of the individual meeting like if the meeting were farm themed:  "I'm Bo-peep, I'm 15 and I love sheep."

Last night, lead by our VP, who just turned 18, she decided on name, age and identifying yourself as a minor or adult. And one of my brilliant ladies comes out with:

"I'm a minor but sometimes my therapist says I act like an adult, which annoys her."

I love her so much.

Size 16 Mannequins Debut

What a fabulous and fascinating prospect, no?

Size 16 Mannequins Debut At Debenhams

Debenhams has announced that size 16 mannequins will appear in its windows in a trial to gain feedback from customers to see if they like the idea.

Like most retailers Debenhams currently uses standard size 10 mannequins in all its window displays. However the majority of women in the UK are either a 14 or 16.

Signage next to the mannequins, which will be wearing the recently launched Principles by Ben de Lisi range, will ask customers ‘I’m a size 16, do you want to see more of me?’

Debenhams stocks up to size 26 in its womenswear department, and a huge 42% of sales come from size 14 and 16 garments.

Debenhams Head of Creative, Mark Stevens commented: “We are proud to offer a broad and varied choice for women of all ages, shapes and sizes in store. So we thought we should reflect this in our window displays. If it’s popular with customers we would love to roll it out.”

Susan Ringwood, Chief Executive of charity Beat, which lends help to people with eating disorders and their families, voiced her support for Debenhams’ trial. She said: “Women often feel it is their fault that clothes don’t look as good on them as they do in the shop window, so we congratulate Debenhams on taking this initiative.”

Mark Fast caused waves when he sent size 12 and 14 models down his catwalk last London Fashion Week, and gorgeous size 16 model Crystal Ren has had a huge impact on the fashion industry recently.

The window, which celebrates a realistic interpretation of the British female physique, was unveiled at Debenhams’ Oxford Street branch in February. The size 16 mannequins can be seen in the newly launched Principles by Ben De Lisi window as well. The initiative will be later rolled out across the country, again to get feedback from customers.


Source: http://dailyvenusdiva.com/2010/02/size-16-mannequins-debut-at-debenhams/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailyvenusdiva+%28Daily+Venus+Diva+Magazine%29

This is a brilliant idea... Or maybe I'm a nerd (or both).

Saw this at a fast food place whilst picking up some meals for the office and thought to myself that every publice restroom should have such a thing...

... So long as they actually pay attention to it.

My Intern is Wise

Me: "I have 272 e-mails. But I guess considering I was out for a week, that's not too bad."

Her: "Imagine how you'd feel if you didn't have ANY!

I mean, I guess she has a point...

Quote of the Night

Frightened teenager: Excuse me, can you come to my room? There's something scratching at my window.

Me: Oh. Must be the one-armed monster. G'night!

Saving the world one kid at a time. I'm just a big softy.

Greetings from Dallas

So here's what happened. The youth group I volunteer for invited me to participate in their international convention. With the trip paid for, I extended the trip so I could see my family in Dallas. Family I've not seen in about fifteen years. I am SO excited to be in Texas right now -- especially since mind you, it's cold and SNOWING and I love this weather. The hotel bed is like heaven and I'm just having a lovely time.

The flight out was a story. As always, terrified to fly as I am, I partook of the Xanax and promptly passed out before take-off. I was awakened sporadically by the asshat sitting next to me who kept elbowing me in the side while he snoozed, but mostly I slept.

Everyone in Texas is so friendly. I suppose it's the southern drawls and the "y'alls" and so ons... Everyone is smiling and personable. Even my waiter at the bar last night was oozing with happy. It's both annoying and refreshing.

If you need anything while I'm away... find someone else to do it. I'm on vacation.