Monday, July 28, 2014

NOBODY EVER SAID IT WAS EASY - but then if something is worthwhile it’s worth fighting for ...


self-esteem
if you want it, you have to work at it!

Today in the 21st Century, women are targetted with never-ending pressures to follow the dictates of many sections of society to meet a certain criteria.   That criteria has been set by people who are not perfect, so the probability that we can attain the standard demanded of us, is impossible.   

That doesn’t stop them from pestering us, nor does it stop us, for that matter, from turning ourselves inside out (both physically as well as emotionally) in an effort to become more acceptable to these people.   

For the plus-size women, as a result of unabated intolerance, whether it be based on our size, shape, weight or age, we begin to believe the negative insinuations voiced and displayed through magazines and television as well as by other people.

It doesn’t take too long before we are agreeing with them, maybe not so much verbally, but certainly from an internal guilt attitude.   If we had self-esteem to start with, then it quickly begins to erode, as year after year we are buffeted with unhealthy discriminatory attitudes.   We lose the fight to overcome this sort of treatment until such time as the perpetrators of this intolerance believe they’ve won the battle.

As a person of size, some time ago I personally decided to take a stand against this intolerance, and surprised everyone, including myself!   

My story runs parallel with thousands of others, in that being a taller and larger child I was subjected to rudeness and humiliation from a tender age by one of my parents.  The other loved me unconditionally!

Many women who are plus-size confide that their childhood was one of utter confusion.   If some members of their family showed affection towards them, then those who wouldn’t tolerate them being chubby or even taller than others at a similar age, showed hostility and disdain.  Growing up in such an atmosphere will make anyone confused!   This confusion may go on for years, and may sadly continue without a solution.

So what can we do about it?   I think it’s more a matter of “what do we want to do about it?”

If we are serious about wanting to change the situation, then it’s up to us, first and foremost to make an Action Plan.

Nobody else is going to fix the problem - if we’re honest, everybody else has got their own problems.   And anyway, isn’t  it a lot more fulfilling to know that we have resolved a lot of inconsistencies by doing something for ourselves?

I’m a great believer in making “lists”.  I’ve done it since childhood, and I still do it today.   If I want something or wish for something then I get out my pen and a writing pad, and write down the pros and cons of how I aim to achieve that plan or dream.

It’s all very well having the plan inside your head - it’s when you actually express your desire in writing and see it in black and white before your eyes, that suddenly a whole lot of things fall into place.

And that makes the journey VERY interesting!  

Don’t make the mistake however of believing that it’s going to be easy.  Oh, no.  Nothing worthwhile in this life comes easy.  If it did, then we would never have to struggle or strive and we’d never really gain what we’re after.  We wouldn’t grow as a person, because we’d get used to sitting back and having everything nice come to us.    What a lazy time of it we would have!

So let’s look at Self Esteem and some of the things it means.   Believe me, it means a lot, and my list only covers some!

Add your own, and if you’re brave why not let us know some of your additions to the list!  

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Summer/Winter

It's hard to believe that somewhere in the world women are enjoying summer weather.   Even if it is tending towards the start of autumn (fall).    Here in the southern states of Australia, we're having one of the coldest winters on record.   The snowfields are ecstatic with the falls, and even visitors from Canada and the USA are quoted as saying this is one of the best snowfields for 2014.

It's when comparing the garment industry - insofar as trying to find smart winter wear here that is innovative as well as colourful while at the same time eyeing the beautiful summer wear on sale in the US, that we become eager buyers especially when it comes to taking advantage of the many sales over there.  In other words to get ourselves some lovely summer wear in anticipation of our spring/summer seasons.

















It looks as though the pantsuit had returned, as have the maxi dresses.   Which is good for the woman with curves because both these styles suit the gently rounded figure.  Much to the pleasant surprise of those of us with curves!


So here's a selection of maxi dresses, together with a pantsuit that will take you through the balmy afternoons and evenings of the spring/summer weather.   They are all from Igigi.

























As well here's a delightful short skirted dress that will fit in to any occasion.   Dressed up or dressed down all these beautiful dresses say one thing - Big is Beautiful.




Friday, July 18, 2014

The NoteBook July 2014


As with countless other business woman over recent years have done, I've reinvented myself a number of times.  Now I think the time has come again, as the Walrus said, "to speak of many things".  I'd like to add a rider, that the things I speak of will be nice and happy things. 

For those readers in warmer climes, please think of us here in the southern states of Australia experiencing a very cold, if not freezing, winter.   It has to be said (and thousands are saying it) but the weather patterns are definitely changing, and yet reading archival newspapers it seems that with each season there've been articles over the past 150 years at least, saying the same thing.    Perhaps we are heading for another Ice Age!  That's not to say that when we are experiencing the excessive heat of our summers that we don't think we're heading into a Heat Age!   

Of course weather patterns have a big bearing on what we wear.   For the generously endowed woman, we are persuaded that the clothes being presented to us each season, take into account not only our needs but also give us many options in being able to buy clothes that are imaginative and flattering.   I said earlier that I intended to make my comments nice and happy.  Here I am already contradicting myself!  In a nutshell, the majority of clothing stores for the more curvaceous woman have fallen into a habit of giving us clothing that looks as though it is being made from one pattern and one pattern only.   It's all very well having a comfortable tunic style garment to be worn over tights or leggings but most of us would like to have more options to choose from.  More stylish garments;  I know I would.    I'll give you some examples of what I mean by stylish and flattering.


I've included the first picture because its from way back in the 1950s - Jane Russell is wearing a swing jacket that is completely lined in satin.  Oh, yes, I remember this type of garment so well!   The pictures following are from the modern era - Monif C, Love Your Peaches, Kita Ku and Igigi.   All these garments make a statement - and we need garments like this to make us feel proud, feminine and attractive.  In fact we should by this time be demanding our suppliers to cater to what we need and want, rather than allowing them to "persuade" us that what they want to give us is what we should be grateful for!







  

Another thing too.  I do like shopping for myself.   Being able to walk into a store, wander around and choose something that really takes my eye.   Being able to see the true colour, the feel of the fabric and how it looks on me when I try it on.   How I feel about myself when I have it on!  


Now here are some from the latest seasonal offerings, for the larger woman no less.  







Do we really want to dress like teenagers?  To dress as our daughters, or for women like me, to dress like our grand-daughters?   Should I consider myself a grumpy old woman - never satisfied with what the market is offering me?   I'm beginning to think that maybe I have the right to say what I'd like to wear, and to persuade manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers that I deserve to be pampered.   I have made the grade, and earned my Degree!  

I'd be so interested to hear your thoughts.  Write in and voice your views and opinions.  

'til next time

Fondest regards

Rosemary    

Thursday, July 3, 2014

BAG a BARGAIN

It's the end of the financial year and we're already three days into the new financial year.   So it's not surprising that there are lots more sales going on.  We've said it before but it seems as if this is the time for sales of sales!

Millers is a good example of affordable and flattering wear for all seasons.   We have only just discovered Millers again after quite a break, and our wardrobes are now bulging!

They've presently got a special 80% off sale going on, and here are a couple of specials to whet your appetite.   Animal prints are all the rage and Millers have a special special deal of Tote Bags for $5 with amy purchase.   The animal print jacket pictured below as well as the white and black placket shirt are $15 each!    A bargain - you betcha!