Thursday, May 30, 2013

Rock of Ages

This will be very picture-heavy, guys.

Let's launch straight into this, yeah?
Yeah.
My mom and I flew out of LAX (least favourite airport) last Tuesday and arrived in Tucson (favourite airport) about an hour later. Truth be told, I love flying, but it gives me so much anxiety. Let's face it, though, nearly everything gives me anxiety.
My mom, aunt, uncle, and I left Tucson the next day and drove up (or down, I have no sense of direction in Arizona) to Sedona from their house. The drive was pretty dull, but I secretly enjoyed it. The Arizona desert is so different from the one I live in. There's so much green. And, of course, everything wants to poke you. It's not even cool.
Our first hotel was this gorgeous resort. It was a three-bedroom condo thing, and I had my own fancy bathroom and very nearly private, personal patio. The grounds weren't that special, but who cares about that when you're in the lap of luxury? I called it Shangri La the whole time we were there. I'm not sure if everyone was amused the fourth time around. We'd eaten lunch at this restaurant, Ken's Creekside, before going to the hotel, so we basically stayed in for the rest of the night. I had a TV dinner. In Shangri La.
The next day (Thursday? Probably), my mom and aunt and I went uptown to check out some of the shops. At least I think it was uptown. I really ought to have paid more attention. The street itself was really cool, as the sidewalks were all reddened and the fixtures all copper. In every direction, you can see the amazing rocks rising out of the desert, and it's absolutely gorgeous. I got a few souvenirs and gifts, checked out a really dull museum, and had a delicious mocha. I do like mochas now. We ended the night with Cold Stone and spaghetti.
The next day, we couldn't decide what to do. We eventually settled on breakfast at Coffee Pot Restaurant, a drive to check out Slide Rock, and pizza.
The following day (what on earth are these days of the week?), we left that resort and went to check out some national monuments before checking into the next hotel. We saw Montezuma Well, which was amazing. It's this ridiculously large oasis in the middle of the desert, a huge pool ringed with cliffs and dwellings within the cliffs. If you go down a few steps, you'll find a trail surrounded by nearly lush greenery that winds alongside a creek. It's kind of amazing. After that was Montezuma's Castle a few miles away. The Castle, much like the Well, is amazing. That's best explained via photograph.
We ended up staying in three different hotel rooms, eating a ridiculous amount of food at Coffee Pot Restaurant (fantastic breakfast burritos, and the best biscuits and gravy ever) and El Rincon (amazing green chile and cheese enchiladas), seeing Hangover III (worth it), and going on a Hummer tour on our last day. There was no off-roading, as it is impossible to talk either me or my mom into it. It's just not gonna happen.
After spending one more day at my aunt and uncle's house, we flew back to California and came home to a massive dust storm. That was on Tuesday. It was clear as a bell on Wednesday. Our weather is being absurd.
Well, enough of my nonsense. Here, have some (so many) pictures!
Arriving in Tucson!




Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Get Your Life Sorted!

Hooray! It's Marvelous Monday Wednesday! This would have gone up on Monday, but I was traveling from Sedona to Tucson, so today it is. If you're new here and don't know what Marvelous Monday is (even if it's on a Wednesday), go right over here and learn things.
This week's theme: inspired by each other!
The subtheme: inspired by Sian!
Hopefully, you all are very well aware that Sian is pretty awesome. Let's look through some of her stellar outfits:


Seriously, her style is too cool. She mixes tough black with crazy colours, punches up otherwise drab pieces with her own signature studded tough-girl thing, and has green hair. If anything else is necessary in life, then I don't know what it is anymore, I'm too enthralled by Sian's gorgeous hair.
Here's my take:
This jacket, much like Sian, makes everything tough and I like
that.

Sterling silver and (real!) opal earrings for twelve bucks from
Sedona!

Lipstick is Rimmel, Lasting Finish by Kate, in 04.
Top, jacket: Forever 21 | Skirt: made by mom | Leggings: WalMart | Boots: Forever | Earrings: Sedona
I hereby formally apologize for the state of my bed and my hair. I mean, I'm not even unpacked yet, guys. I've been sleeping and taking finals. It will all be better next time, I promise.
Anyway, go check out some inspiring and inspired ladies!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Misled Youth

Last week, my art professor asked us to write about what we envisioned when we thought about different classes. I wrote up my mental images, realising that they are kind of absurdly romantic notions, and I'm fine with that, I really am.
Anyway, I also ended up writing up my perfect inspiration for the rest of the year, because that's who I am.
Disillusioned teens from the 1950s with frilly dresses, flawless eyeliner, messy beehives, and leather jackets. Chain smoking and reading Oscar Wilde, falling in love with This Side of Paradise (but never Catcher in the Ryeit's so annoying). Collecting over piles of french fries after cheap rock shows, laughing and teasing and finding a second family. Carrying lipstick and a switchblade knife in the same pocket. Kitten heels, perfect red manicures, and brass knuckles. They'll either get thrown into jail and live a life of petty crime and beer bellies or grow up and become visionaries who look back fondly on misled youth.
I might have to make a nice little post with some photo inspiration one of these days. For now, I'm just going to live with all of these fantastic images in my head.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Hotter Than

You know that phrase "Real women have curves"? Sure you do! It's kind of ubiquitous. And obnoxious. Not to mention completely counterproductive to the whole body acceptance movement in that it is still body shaming.
I've got curves. I have rounded, ample flesh that only forms straight lines with concentration. My fingers arch and bend. My belly consists of bands of softness, much like my arms and thighs. My calves are uneven and round and curvy. My toes, my nose, the bows of my eyes: all of them are curves. Some are finer and more delicate than others. Some of those others are like bending arcs.
I am curvy, but that isn't what makes me a woman, real or otherwise.
There are women with straight hips, or rounded hips. Women with flat and ample chests. Women with one distinct chin, women with multiple.
It isn't the shape that makes a woman, and this is obvious, right? Well, you'd think so. While we know this, quite clearly and logically, there is still this temptation to try to do good by one group by stepping on another. Mothers, don't tell your daughters that "real women have curves" when they're fighting their bodies. Tell your daughters, sisters, best friends, reflections that your body is beautiful because it fits a certain constraint or construct. Your body is beautiful because it is yours. Lame and cheesy as that sounds, it's true. Even if you're a twin (or triplet, or nontuplet, whatever), no one before or since has had your precise body, down to the whorls of your fingerprints, down to the planes of your belly, down to the bows of your eyes. Don't squander your own body by believing that it isn't as good as others, but most of all, don't tear down others because they don't fit your construct of beauty.
That's just not cool, dude.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Back in the Day

Guess what: it's Marvelous Monday! If you're new, go here and learn more.
This week's theme: inspired by a childhood picture!
I'm a nostalgic person, and I take pictures of everything. I also occasionally put those things into scrapbooks, but that mild obsession mostly died out in middle school. Now I use one of those Smash books, and it's slowly filling with fortunes, movie tickets, and random little notes. One of these days, though, I'll add photos.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure nostalgia is genetic, as there are so many pictures of me back when I was a kid. My first eight years or so are very well documented. It was no trouble finding a picture, but it was a bit troublesome to find an outfit to base around it.
Whatever.
The outfit works, and in the picture, I'm eating cake. It was my birthday party, though I don't remember which. Regardless, I don't have cake now, and I really prefer cheesecake, so I've posed myself doing something I did all through childhood, something that I still do now.
Reading.
Yup. I was that dorky little kid spinning around in circles for way too long, reading while walking, and pretending I was Sailor Moon. Now, I still walk around with my nose in a book, but I've given up on spinning for days and playing pretend. You have to make room for things when you grow up, like watching Doctor Who and continually craving pupusas.
The inspiration. I'm so charming.





Dress: Forever 21 | Tights: WalMart | Shoes: Payless | Collar: DIY | Rope bracelets: Claire's | Bead bracelet: gift
Now, go check out the others' childhood-inspired looks!

Alrighty Then

Well, that's it. The giveaway is done. The winners have all been contacted and will be given their vouchers soon. Thanks for entering guys!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Spotted

My bathing suit came today! It fits perfectly, except the bust is aggressively too big, like everything usually is. Luckily, my mom can take that in, so then it will be perfect.
I'll have photos once that's happened!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

My Body is Home

This is honestly, seriously, truly one of the most powerful things I think I've ever listened to. The message is vital and beautifully done and I'm not sure if I want to smile like a dope or cry.
Just give it a listen, yo.

Monday, May 13, 2013

The Metal Woman

It's Marvelous Monday, guys, so I went and put some clothes on. If you're new to Marvelous Monday, head here to learn more.
This week's theme: metallics!
The Three Laws of Robotics are:

  1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
  2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
  3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
Metallics always make me think of robots and cheesy science fiction movies and TV shows. I painted my nails with a new chrome nail polish today ("No Place Like Chrome" from Essie), and they totally make me think of Cybermen from the 60s. I'm not even sorry.
I also brought metallics in with my bag, and my cool shark tooth necklace, and my headband. In case you couldn't tell. You're welcome.



Not-so-gratuitious face shot?
Dress, earrings: Forever 21 | Necklace: Charming Charlie | Bag: Target | Headband: WalMart (probably) | Shoes: Payless
Let's go see how the others styled their metallic looks! I'm sure they were stellar, and certainly infinitely less nerdy than me. Also, don't forget to congratulate L, who got married this weekend! Congrats, L!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Just Keep Swimming

I've already shared my own mild swimsuit debacle this summer, and it's ended quite nicely. Will, it will have done so once it gets here, but that's beside the point.
Anyway, I was talking to the lovely Malene, who lives in Denmark and has had some trouble finding swimsuits that actually ship to her country. She expressed a preference for bikinis, but I also threw in a couple of suits that are obnoxiously cute (not gonna lie: one of them is on its way to me).
Erika's been on the hunt as well, so I decided to help her. And, yes, there actually is a straight-up straight size guide up in here. Everyone deserves adorable swimsuits, not just fatshionistas! She has a soft spot for fringe and monokinis, so I was like, let's find you stuff, and this happened.
Finally, I've included some swimsuits that I just really like because I could.
So...
Yeah.
ASOS, Evans, and Modcloth all ship to Denmark, and I know that for a fact. I did some research. These prices are all in USD. I hope you'll find these to be acceptable, Malene! And, actually, Evans has a great black bikini top (like the one above, but without the print) that I think would look stellar with the ASOS bottoms!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Kool-Aid

I'm sure you've all heard of Cult of California by this point, and if not, then fix that. Now. Seriously. They're this amazing, independent plus brand that I want filling my closet. And, once you've checked out their stuff, I'm sure you'll agree.
Anyway, they've recently hit a bit of a snafu regarding their Summer 2013 line, and have since sought the help of friends, enthusiasts and customers in the form of a Kickstarter campaign.
They have some awesome stuff up for grabs if you back ($100 gets you a dress and buttons and fuzzy feelings, which is cool).

Independent brands are great. Independent brands that cater to plus sizes are amazing, and need to be kept in the world. I'm still too broke to contribute (soon, though, I swear it!), so I'm doing my part by spreading the news like that Kool-Aid you shouldn't be drinking.
If you have a bit of cash to spare, then go for it. And I'm sure sharing this project, and the brand, wouldn't be too bad an idea, either.

Plus, they're based in LA, and I like that.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Glorification

I just read this article about Abercrombie, and the first thought running through my head was, "They are going to go out of business in no time."
The second thought was the dumb one.
Hm, I wonder what the comments will be like?
Seriously, never read the comments
So many people were actually lauding the CEO for his decision not to cater to people (women especially) above a size ten.
I'm not sure how many times I read the phrase "glorifying obesity."
Here's the thing that people don't understand when they throw that phrase out there: no one, not a single person, has stood up and encouraged people to be fat. Certainly not in the way that everyone is encouraged to be skinny. Not even the Fat Acceptance movement does this!
I'm just ridiculously tired of people crying out "glorifying obesity" like a protective spell anytime anyone, a company or a blogger or just a normal person, simply says that not everyone fits beauty standards. That's it. They don't say things like, "Fat isn't bad," even though they should, but that's much too controversial. No, they simply state the fact that fat people exist, and suddenly they're telling everyone to adopt "unhealthy lifestyles."
A couple of months ago, H&M put up size-12 mannequins (in Sweden, though, I'm not sure if that's happened in America), and that phrase came up again.
Really?
And then, even more recently, they used a plus size model in their beachwear campaign. Of course, for a plus size model, she's still quite slender, but she has a belly, and it's soft, and there are rolls, and oh goodness me, why did you put her in a bikini?
Seriously, though, people need to cool it with their "glorifying obesity" shrieks. No one is doing that, so just calm down and maybe drink some chamomile and take a breather. I think you need it.

Shield Your Eyes

You guys know I like firmoo.com, right? I mean, you can get cool sunglasses for a pretty good price, and that's awesome. Of course, you can also get regular glasses, but we're not talking about that, so ignore that fact (for now).
Well, these lovely folks have contacted me, and I'm pleased that my first giveaway will be with them. Cause, seriously, I love sunglasses. A lot. And I'm sure you do too!
They're offering up six $20 vouchers, which will then be turned into sunglasses to put on your face. But, if over fifty people compete in this thing, then one additional winner will be given a free pair, shipping included.
Did I mention that you can get the lenses tinted on any frames, too? Cause you can. I did that, and you can copy me to your heart's content.
And, if you have prescription glasses, you can turn them into prescription sunglasses. So you can see all the time, even in the sun (and they offer photocromic lenses, which even I think is really cool).
All you have to do to win is visit the site and post a comment here, telling me which pair you'd love to own. It's as easy as that. It would be nice if you gave me your email address, too, so you can be contacted if you win. Just saying.
This contest is open very nearly worldwide (if your country is listed here, then you're good), and the winners will be announced on May 20th!
Till then, here are some other people wearing firmoo sunglasses.




This has been a sponsored post. All opinions provided are both honest and unbiased.

Ye Olde Everything

Posting a picture in my flower crown yesterday reminded me that I didn't give you pictures from the Renaissance Faire!
Oh.
I should be more sorry about that, shouldn't I?
So, flower crowns through the ages Ren Faire photos!
Aww, my first Ren Faire. Also, a barbarian.


I am so going to be a pirate next time. Or River Song. Either works.




I don't know who the waving guy is, but I like his cheeriness.


Guys, that's the queen.


It took some maneuvering to get an angle where you could 
actually see his face under all that hat.


Compare the 2013 photos to this one and
 laugh.
Oh, and as I'm sure you've noticed, I've done a bit of messing around with my layout. Thoughts? Feelings? Opinions? Nada?
Yeah.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Miss Nature

It's Marvelous Monday again, and if you don't know what that is, head over here and that will change.
This week's theme: an outfit inspired by nature.
We all know I love this top. It's just so pretty, and it goes with everything, but sometimes you just have to stick with what you know best. I did pair the outfit with different shoes from the usual, though, so there's that.
Unfortunately, it's chilly and windy and very cloudy today, so I guess I'm bringing the outside in with my flowery outfit.
In addition to my floral look, I've given you pictures of me in various other floral crowns, just because.
Oh, and I made my bed.




What even is this pose?

Renaissance flower crown, oh yeah.
Top: Marshalls| Skirt: Fashionbug | Bracelets, earrings: Claire's | Headband: WalMart | Shoes, both flower crowns: DIY
Now, go forth and find out how the others channeled Mother Nature, will you?