Shapes & Sizes

I'm honestly comfortable in my own skin. Like most people, there are things I would love to change about my appearance, but overall, I'm pretty satisfied. Are there areas that should be more toned or weight to lose? Sure but there are only so many hours in the day and I love food. And I know those of you who call me skinny-mini are grinding your teeth, but give me a moment.

Mich loves shopping and she seems to enjoy telling me what colors to wear, what accessories match, and what styles are most flattering. I would never wear bold pinks, straight line skirts, heels, or blue polish if it wasn't for her. Yes Mich, I started wearing the Birchbox polish and it was Clinique bonus last week and I went with the greens. Who knew? I know, you did. Mich has always encouraged me to go bold.

Someone recently told me that following her divorce, she threw out all her cotton bras and panties and bought only satin and lace. I'm way too practical for that but I have recently bought some items at Victoria's Secret because what gal doesn't want to feel sexy! 

The problem I've run into, which is a problem I have with shopping in general, is most clothing doesn't fit correctly or the store lacks my size. My body shape can best be described as an exaggerated pear. I am long and thin at the top. My waist varies due to issues with my vitamin absorption, but is tiny in comparison to the curviness of my hips and thighs. Why do I wear skirts and not dresses or pants? Everything I buy has to be adjusted. To fit my hips and thighs, the waist or top gapes. It's very frustrating!

Not that I'm going to reveal my bra size, but you'd be surprised. Victoria's Secret typically only carries one item in the store in my size, otherwise everything else has to be ordered online. And if purchasing a nightie or combo outfit, let the games begin. According to their standards, women are stacked at the top and tiny from the waist down and I'm the exact opposite.

To make a long, long, long story short, I had to exchange something that was ordered because the original item didn't fit. I was annoyed with the Glenbrook people so I went to Jefferson Pointe. Ladies, if you are seeking expert advice on lingerie or an ego boost, visit Zach at the JP store. Nothing makes a gal feel good then having a young handsome man discuss your curves, make suggestions, and discuss what turns a man on. Whoever hired him was brilliant!

He asked me why I selected the item I was returning, what about it made me feel sexy, and why the item wasn't working for me. Why wasn't it working? Apparently to fit very tightly around my hips though it was supposed to flow, it was two sizes too large in the top. 

Did you know that if your size isn't available, then you can possibly substitute with a sister size? Smaller band, larger cup. The things you learn. Unfortunately, as I had to explain to Zach after my failed attempt at what would have been seductive perfection, the problem with a smaller band is it's tight, which maybe I could live with, but it also pushes more than just the cleavage up, which I won't live with. Seriously, this was a straight-shooter conversation. I tried on some other items in the vain hope, but nothing worked. When you wear a petite on top and much larger on the bottom, even separates don't work well.

Seriously the dude deserves a raise! As I gave up, there was a knock on the dressing room door and I was handed this outfit that I would never have selected. Did I mention a raise? It had all the elements I had mentioned earlier plus the one that was inferred, but never clearly stated, I like my comfort. It was a Mich moment, I could hear her commentary though this was one of those rare shopping expeditions when I did not send her a pic to ask her advice. Yes, if I'm unsure of something, I send a selfie and ask Mich. Don't make fun because I recall other's indecision leading to the extra shoes in my hotel room and someone driving to my house in a dress with the tag still attached. I knew what Mich would say. It was so not me, yet it was perfect for me. It looked sexy and made me feel sexy which was the whole point of this exercise.

As you can see, it takes all shapes and sizes. In the end, we all have similar issues when shopping and the same insecurities when standing in the dressing room. Out of curiosity, would any of you throw out your cottons and replace them with all satin and lace? Do you experiment with trying new things? And do you get tired of what passes for acceptable measurements? Just a FYI ... according to some store labels, I'm an XL. I refuse to shop at these places. Why can't women's clothing be sized in the same manner as men's, i.e. using our measurements? It would lead to a more precise fit.

My Guy Steve

Okay this is another example of how amazing people can be and how we can touch each other's lives.

My guy, Steve, has been the force behind my skincare treatments but he outdid himself this week. My hair goddess, Erinn, highly recommended him years ago and on my first visit, he insulted me by stating that my skin, primarily my face, was a culmination of the perfect storm. Yet I found myself going back because the man knows his stuff.

Over the past few years, one of the issues has not improved but has gotten worse so I was having more frequent salon treatments. Steve was insistent that I have medical tests done to see if there was an underlying cause and in the meantime, he insisted on only charging me for every other visit.

On his recommendation, I visited a dermatologist who developed a treatment plan for me but insurance won't cover it nor will they cover the hormone and enzyme suppression prescription that I'm currently taking for this. So at my Wednesday appointment, I explained to Steve the full reason why I could not afford the dermatologist treatment at this time.

Steve and I have all kinds of personal conversations during these sessions. He knows about my career, my travels, and the house. We commiserate about his ailing dog, his side business and volunteer work. As we talked this week, I mentioned needing a handyman. He had an immediate recommendation and offered to check on a second candidate as well for me. I was touched by his offer to help.

When I pulled out my credit card to pay, he refused to accept it. He hugged me and said I needed to accept help sometimes. He hugged me again and said that I was to allow him to pamper me.

So if any men or women need salon level skincare, I would highly recommend my guy, Steve, who of course, made me cry with that last statement. I have a hard time asking for help, much less accepting it, but Steve's comments and actions had an impact on me. Once again, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have such a wonderful person in my life.

Shhh! I Am Superman!

I was in the midst of switching from my sunglasses to my regular glasses while I dashed into work yesterday when the guard stopped me to ask for my badge. Later, the guard remarked that she had not recognized me because I'm like Clark Kent and look quite different without my glasses. She is not the first to make this comment as evidenced by a previous post.

Now I've tried to deny that I'm a vain person but if you've ever seen me get ready in the morning, you know I have an assortment of products and a regiment to beautify myself. I am finally willing to admit that I want to look my best and may be a little vain.

I have my annual eye appointment in the coming weeks and am debating once again trying contacts. I have not had the best of luck since I take daily allergy medication which can cause dry eyes. At the same time, my allergy issues have been causing severe swelling which has created problems with my glasses. A few years ago, I bounced between glasses and contacts but finally decided to switch back to glasses because of the meds for the bladder injury which I no longer take.

I pay for new lenses every year since my prescription changes annually so cost is not necessarily a factor in this decision because I'm always having to buy new lenses for both my glasses and sunglasses. It truly comes down to vanity. I know several of you have struggled with switching back and forth between glasses and contacts. What do you think? Should I give it another go? Or will it confuse too many people since obviously, I'm Superman and unrecognizable without my glasses?

Aging Gracefully

This year marks a milestone for birthdays. I know some of you think I'm ridiculous, but it's true. I turn 35 this year and with it, comes expectations. I expected to be set in my career, happily married, have at least one child, stability, a home, and all around finally feeling settled into my life. Of course, life likes to show us that we have no control. I have actually met most of my expectations, but of course, I've also altered my perceptions on what I expect from my life. I'm more flexible than the expectations that I created in my 20s. But every once in a while, I turn reflective and thinking about my birthday, which is a few more months away, brings it all to the forefront. This thought process began because Michelle got her plane tickets to fly up to celebrate my 35th. Isn't that sweet of her? And Becky, Erin, and I have been finalizing our plans for a party weekend in Chicago with Michelle. They're all such great friends!

So now my thoughts have turned towards vanity this week. I've learned to accept that no matter how much I workout, certain body parts will never look the same again. I've tried to accept the lines that are appearing on my face, but don't deny I'm a moisturizer fanatic. Long ago, thanks to my genes, I've adapted to the grays that like to streak and chunk my hair. I've adapted. But last night, another aging factor was pointed out to me. I was having my eyebrows waxed and the technician was kind enough to point out that mine are thinning in places or should we say, balding in places. Of course, there is a fix for this. Yes, I was aware, but didn't need the reminder.

I hope to age gracefully. I think I'm doing better than a lot of women. I didn't rant at my 30th birthday, I celebrated it and acknowledged all the accomplishments that made it better than my 21st. I know part of my issue this year has to do with my health issues, which do make me feel older than I am, but I refuse to let them get me down. So here's to aging gracefully and silently cursing those who point out our flaws.

No More Glasses

As several of you know or may have noticed in recent pictures, I have been going sans glasses. It has been a trying experience. Actually, it has been 6 weeks of torture. The doc and I decided that with my scar tissue pain it would be best for me not to wear glasses. We've experimented with various contacts. I suffer from severe allergies that make me sensitive plus an odd astigmatism that limits what I can wear. After numerous versions of contacts, including several that didn't fit, one that I had a reaction to the material, several I couldn't get in the eye, a few lost ones; I think we may have found the correct prescription and material. It has been a week with my new pair, and so far, so good. So no more glasses for me (except on my severe allergy days).