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.

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!

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

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!

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.

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.

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?

Sian: Sort Life Out; Buy Milk

Jocelyn: Fat, Fashionable, and Feminist

Cheri: Cheri'z Angel and Style Luvin

L: goodbye hollywood

Polka-Dot (Not) Bikini

I ended up getting this swimsuit. Mostly because it was one of the cheapest bathing suits I found that I actually liked. Though if I somehow come across some money, I'll probably end up buying this one.

Either way, this is a huge improvement after past swimsuits. I want to wear this with white skirts and red lipstick and my chambray wedges.

Oh, I'm brilliant.

This isn't a step back in confidence, either. This is the most colour my swimsuit has had since I turned twelve.

And, finally, Jess gave me confidence by saying, "Honestly, no one looks at anyone else in a bathing suit, because they're all too worried about how they look themselves. So do it!"

Would some swimsuit company like to offer me a free bikini please?

Bravery

So I'm assuming we've all heard about Gabi Fresh's collaboration with Swimsuits for All. I'm also assuming we're all drooling over the fabulously cut fatkinis coming out on the 15th.

I love myself a fatkini, I really do. I think that they look just as good as onepieces, if not better. I just don't know if I'm brave enough for one. I still have issues with body acceptance on my own, and while I'm generally pretty willing to shell out over $75 on a bathing suit that actually fits, I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that with something I might be too terrified to actually wear.

I've gone through more boring black onepiece suits over the years than anyone ever should. I used to wear tee-shirts and shorts over them, too. Then, a couple years ago, I bought a new black suit from WalMart that fit poorly around the bust and just wore crazy bright boardshorts with it. Short ones, too. That felt good. Then, the following year, I bought a bathing suit I really liked; it was still black, but with these fabulous mesh details that made me feel amazing. And it was from WalMart, no less!

Last year, I got my first two-piece in well over a decade from Torrid, and it fit beautifully and I looked great, and my brother accidentally threw it out a few months back. He threw out that one, my suit with the mesh, and those swimshorts. My heart broke.

Anyway, now I'm on the hunt for a new suit, and I'm trying to convince myself that a fatkini is not a bad idea. I might have a bit more of a belly than the girl in this picture, but why on earth should that stop me?

I'm looking to my friends for succour and any bravery that they can pass on. I like my body, so why should baring a few inches of midriff be so scary?