A jacket I gotta have!

A bit of whimsy.  A bit of fun.  A bit of fashion flair.

As only Miss Piggy can do, here she is in her lovely quilted jacket.  Watch out for the new film The Muppets where the indefatigable Miss Piggy wears some "designer clothes" with panache.

I'm a little intrigued though at the hair colour change.  Wasn't she a buxom blonde?  Why the dark hair - perhaps she is trying to hide those few little grey hairs that sneak up on us all?

Or am I not being fair to Miss Piggy suggesting that?  Perhaps it's a fur hat hiding all those glorious platinum locks?

Finding something new!

I know there are hundreds of thousands of websites all with a special focus on plus size clothing.  And I admit I've only found a few hundred - LOL.

But when I find something REALLY fantastic, I've got to shout it from the rooftops.  Because whether you will admit it or not, don't you sometimes feel frustrated and impatient with many suppliers who, while they might bring in new designs and colours each season, still seem to have no IMAGINATION!

So take time to visit this site:   http://www.idaretobe.com/  I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised, as I was.

What's with Spring?

Can't believe it.  Today it was around 28 degrees with sun shining nicely and then the sun went down and the temperature fell to around 12,  and it's cold!    That means instead of being able to float around in glamourous chiffony (OK, cotton or linen) summery garments until bed time, it's a matter of rummaging around trying to find a nice cardigan to keep out the chill.

So it's a matter it seems of seeking out lovely clothing from the other side of the world to keep us happy while we complain about the weather here in Oz.   (I've read though that many of our American sisters particularly are complaining about the fact that Fall seems to have passed them by and they're already well into Winter as well!)

But let's get back to basics.  I found this beautiful cardigan from http://www.simplybe.co.uk  Isn't it attractive?

PS  This is yet another case of colours that you think may not suit you.  I usually can't wear yellow or orange but I found that by ensuring the basic colour that DOES suit me near the face, even a scarf, (i.e. either white of black) that I can wear the colours I never thought of wearing in years gone by.  It's all a matter of a change in mind-set.  Experiment - always experiment.

When in doubt , wear red, then perhaps white

As a plus-sizer (well I prefer calling myself curvaceous), I just love cowl neck sweaters.  People tell me I shouldn't.  Why?   Because I have a bust, I suppose.   What I think more likely is that they're jealous that I can wear cowlnecks and that I always feel good wearing them.

Anything that has a batwing or magyar sleeves will always compliment a shapely woman.   (Quite often too it's possible to go for a smaller size because the batwing effect gives so much more room about the bust and midriff).

So take a look at these from Avenue (http://www.avenue.com).

First a Cowlneck Diamond Sweater

And then for a change white not go for white (yes, don't believe the critics, we can all wear white and we can look stunning).  Again from Avenue.

Approaching the "Party" Season - Part II

Dinner Table Etiquette - the 10 Don'ts!

1. NEVER start eating before a signal from the host to do so.
2. Forks should not be turned over unless being used for eating peas, sweetcorn kernels, rice or other similar foods. In which case, it should be transferred to the right hand. However, at acasual buffet, or barbecue it is quite acceptable to eat with just a fork.
   
3. It is not generally regarded as good dinner table etiquette to use one's bread for dipping into soups or mopping up sauces.
   
4. Loud eating noises such as slurping and burping are very impolite. The number one sin of dinner table etiquette!
   
5. Talking with one's mouth full. is not only unpleasant to watch, but could also lead to choking! Definitely not a good idea!
   
6. Don't stretch across the table crossing other guests to reach food, wine or condiments. Instead ask a guest sitting close to pass the item to you.
   
7. Good dinner table etiquette sometimes involves a degree of diplomacy when it comes to the host's choice of food and wine! Even if you feel that you can do better, don't ever offer your criticism. If you feel unable to pay any compliments, at least remain silent on the subject.
   
8. Picking teeth (unless toothpicks are provided) or licking fingers are very unattractive! The only exception to the latter is when eating meat or poultry on the bone (such as chicken legs or ribs). In which case, a finger bowl should be provided.
   
9. Drinking too much wine can be very embarrassing! Where a different wine is served with each course, it is quite acceptable to not finish each glass.
   
10. Don't forget to make polite conversation with those guests around you. Dinner parties are not just about the food, they are intended to be a sociable occasion!

http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com

Approaching the "Party" Season

Have you ever been invited to a special event or function and you're never quite sure how you should behave, or more importantly what the etiquette demands for that particular occasion?  Have you ever stayed at home because you felt you couldn't cope with the anxiety of not wanting to make a fool of yourself?  Have you ever gone to the event and felt embarrassed all night because you made a couple of faux pas?  Do you relive those embarrassing moments?

I wish that I had known some of these "do's" during my younger years.  They would have solved a lot of negative self-talk when I did a few things wrong.  

So, here's a great little list of the "10 Do's as they apply to Dinner Table Etiquette".   Read them, learn them, and then go out and enjoy yourself knowing that you have the knowledge to enjoy your evening (or function) without any worries of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Good etiquette is an asset - it's not old-fashioned or out of date.   These pointers are handy to know, because you may receive an invitation out of the blue and it's always good to be well prepared.    

Dinner Table Etiquette - the 10 Do's!

1. Once seated, unfold your napkin and use it for occasionally wiping your lips or fingers. At the end of dinner, leave the napkin tidily on the place setting.
2. It is good dinner table etiquette to serve the lady sitting to the right of the host first, then the other ladies in a clockwise direction, and lastly the gentlemen.
   
3. Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath.
   
4. Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the centre of the plate.
   
5. If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!
   
6. It is quite acceptable to leave some food to one side of your plate if you feel as though you have eaten enough. On the other hand, don't attempt to leave your plate so clean that it looks as though you haven't eaten in days!
   
7. Desserts may be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or alternatively a fork alone if it is a cake or pastry style sweet.
   
8. Should a lady wish to be excused for the bathroom, it is polite for the gentlemen to stand up as she leaves the table, sit down again, and then stand once more when she returns.
   
9. Always make a point of thanking the host and hostess for their hospitality before leaving.
   
10. It is good dinner table etiquette to send a personal thank you note to the host and hostess shortly afterwards.

http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com

Today's quotation

Fashions fade , style is eternal

.... Yves Saint Laurent

Is this "fashion" or not?

At a recent seminar the subject was raised, by some of the young men attending, as to what is considered to be the "suitable dress code" for today's workplace.  At first this may seem a little strange, given that young people seem intent on breaking down all previous and pre-existing codes of dress, whether inside the workplace or in their private lives.

Quite a discussion followed, and it was interesting to hear that many of the male attendees thought that some sort of reasonable dress code should be promoted within their ranks, rather than anyone wearing what they like, in whatever condition that clothing may be.  It seems that high standards are still sought by the young.  (The idea of dressing any way they liked on Fridays seems to have run its course?)

That gave me some thought, and when I visited the post office on the way home, I caught a glimpse of the "latest" gear for the up and coming male "professional" in the window of a boutique store nearby.  Having my camera gave me the opportunity to take a shot.  

I don't think this is quite a dress code that the young attendees to the seminar were thinking about, but it does pose a couple of questions.  Firstly is this suitable for a young professional person in his workplace, and secondly are the jeans in particular worth $200?   And yes, those are deliberate tears in the knees, and the fabric looks as though it's been recycled many times over with the obvious tendency to becoming threadbare around the pockets.  This is NOT a charity shop with second hand goods, but a boutique store well known for it's trendy gear and accepted for being forward-thinking in it's professional wear. 

What do you think?

OAKS DAY - 2011

This is the day where women go "ALL OUT" for fashion's sake.  Some succeed, others just have fun.

Then there are the "IMPORTED STARS", and that's not the race horses.   This year two "celebrities" were brought in from overseas - Sarah Jessica Parker 

All above photos copyright R Parry-Brock

and the inimitable Joan Collins, who outshone all competitors and proved that when a woman has established her own style of dress, that she can get away with it time and time again.  Isn't there an old saying, practice makes perfect?

(Photo 9 World of Sports).

On the traditional ladies day, 78 YEAR OLD JOAN COLLINS had a few words of wisdom for the young girls on how to look glamorous on a day at the races.

"I think it takes effort and a little bit of mystery and certainly it helps if you wear makeup I think," Collins said.

"I don't think you can be glamorous without wearing makeup."

More Melbourne Cup 2011

Well, the girls certainly came up trumps when it came to colour yesterday.   Even the fashion commentators expressed a little concern that everyone would be dressed in black and white, but their fears were unfounded.   Colour, colour everywhere.  Blocks of colour, tonings of colour, and florals and geometrics were the order of the day.

Here are some photos taken from the internet.  Copyright to the SMH as well as the Age, and News.com.au

And here's a "professionally" posed photograph of Jennifer Hawkins (she certainly looks a bit better than the photo taken from the television interview yesterday).   Maybe I'm being a bit "picky" but somehow or another I think that the some of the girls in the above photos come up looking better than our professional models!  Am I being biased?

Melbourne Cup 2011

While the photos on the Melbourne Cup 2011 Pages (see link under Pages) may appear a little grainy, (due to having been taken by a digital camera aimed at the television!) they will give some idea of the spectacle that is the Melbourne Cup.  I do wonder though, why in temperatures of 14-18 degrees that women will wear sleeveless dresses.   While there were pre-Cup commentaries along the lines that "fascinators" are out, this obviously didn't deter most women wearing them.   I guess there's a difference between a "fascinator" and a hat, but the majority that I saw on the telecast this afternoon showed fascinators in all sizes and it was difficult to find a "real" hat.

But that doesn't in any way suggest that all the ladies at the Cup didn't enjoy themselves immensely - maybe the weather was overcast, but there was, apparently a lot of champagne to warm the hearts of most racegoers.

While I try never to be negative, I can't understand why "top" models who are dressed by the most fashionable designers in the country (dress, hat, shoes and handbag) they spoil the entire look by untidy hair.  This photograph was taken very early in the morning of the Cup, not after hours of being entertained and interviewed, so I wonder why the lank hair!  This is Jennifer Hawkins, one of the highest paid models in Australia - does she really look the part?

Pre-loved versus Second Hand (it's all in the wording)!

There's been a flurry of activity here with the Buy Nothing New campaign for October.  In fact the concept has been so popular that many participants have made a conscious decision to follow the principles all year round.  What is so good about this is that, as far as the pre-loved garment market is concerned, it can not only be ongoing but increase in ways of utilising the Buy Nothing New principle.

"Second-hand" for some reason of another has taken on a negative thought in many people's minds.  It's as though being "second-hand", it should only be relegated to the waste bin.   I guess it all comes down to the way you think about things.

For instance - you may go into a leading boutique and buy a highly priced garment which in your thinking is "new".   Has it ever occurred to you that that particular garment may have been bought by someone else, taken home, tried on, and then returned to the boutique as being "unsuitable"?  It does happen you know.

As a comparison you enter one of the major Charity Stores, such as St Vinnys, Brotherhood of St Laurence or one of my favourite haunts, the Salvation Army Thrift shops or Family Stores, and you are surrounded by, in many cases, absolutely new garments that have never been worn.  They still retain their swing tickets, and they have been carefully and lovingly checked and rechecked as being squeaky clean without any blemishes, by professional people within these organisations before being distributed to the store outlets.

Even obvious second-hand clothes have been dry-cleaned, buttons sewn on, hems and sewing checked, and presented in such a way that you don't "see" the second-handedness of the garment, but that it is something that appeals to you, that fits you, and more often than not, is totally affordable.   And in many cases, these garments are priced so low that they shouldn't be missed!

I read in a national newspaper that three mature aged ladies had bought themselves lovely pre-loved wedding gowns which they have had altered, and which they intend to wear to the Melbourne Cup!  "We said to each other, let's dress up!  And none of us had ever been dressed as brides when we married, so this was a great opportunity!"

Women who were born during and following the Second World War, and indeed their children, grew up with what used to be termed, "hand-me-downs".  There was never a thought that they were not appreciated and in fact many times a garment such as this became a firm favourite.   These garments would never have been afforded, but with the advent of passing one garment to another person, meant that each was given the opportunity of having nice clothes to wear.   And for many women, that continued throughout their married lives, when money was tight - and let's face it, money is tight in many families all the time, not just occasionally.

So there are many reasons why the Buy Nothing New campaign has been a success - of course to many of us it's been a way of life for a long time.

What's this fascination with fascinators?

Have you noticed that "fascinators" are still fascinating women?   What is it about fascinators that appeal to women of all ages?   (And women don't seem to worry about the cost - some of them are around the $200-300 mark!)   And fascinators that sit hanging down over one ear compel me to question (and hold my breath) that they'll fall off if the breeze lifts!

Hats are beautiful creations that will set off an outfit to such an extent that people will look and say, "oooh", and "aaah".   A lot of fascinators look the same or at the least similar to each other.  But look at it the other way - there are craft shops that sell all the parts needed to make a personal fascinator, and there's something really pleasing about making something yourself.  A few feathers, some sequins, a flower or butterfly, a little veiling, and a glue gun, and you can create all sorts of wonderful fascinators.

So it looks as though fascinators are with us for while, and that's good, because "dressing up" needs to be for the whole person, not just the body, the feet and the hands.  A lovely dress, matching shoes and handbag will always be complimented by a lovely hat, be it a large flowery one or a feathery whimsical fascinator!

(Photos from the internet)

A long way from anywhere!

Yes, Australia is a long way from anywhere!   Even in today's age where air travel is fast.   So we don't get too many "celebrities" visiting.   I mean real celebrities, not current "singing sensations" or similar.  We get the occasional "Hollywood actor/actress" but that doesn't mean too much to the majority of people.

So the visit by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, while expected, who attended the opening of CHOGM in Perth a couple of days ago, took many of the commentators by surprise.  Not that they weren't expecting them, rather that the hundreds of thousands of people who lined the streets and airports to see their arrival and departure, argued the point that a lot of people had been saying, "there's not much interest in the Royal Family these days!"

Well!   The Monarchy, to those hundreds of thousands, and to millions of us who were watching television and reading newspapers and magazines, certainly is relevant today.

The underlying tone of journalists continues the thread set more than 50 years ago when she was crowned,  that the Queen is warm and gracious; she is knowledgeable; she is intensely interested in where she goes and who she speaks to and with; she is regal; she is, as one reporter wrote, able to be serious one moment and then she smiles and the recipient is made to feel as though she personally cares.

The Queen to many of us, represents stability (even taking into account all the shenanigans that some of the Royal Family get up to); and ethics.   She carries out her tasks with pride and elegance and at 85 astounds with her energy and exurberance.

We have watched her over the years grow into the role of Queen, at first tentatively but with compassion and a distinct awareness of responsibility (her first speech as Queen showed that!), and then through the years to the current day.  Her popularity is, it seems, almost as strong today as it was back in 1953.

This blog is written for women, about women, and we couldn't let the opportunity go by without including this post on the Queen, as she departs Australia in October 2011.

Spring Racing Carnival

Today the women of Melbourne are dressing up in their finery for the start of the Spring Racing Carnival.  (I'm writing this early Saturday afternoon, the 29th October).

While the weather is somewhat overcast, the infectious excitement that this season brings is easily seen in how the girls dress up.  I often wonder why women don't dress up all the year round, rather than just going all out just for the racing season.  

This morning though I've been a little surprised to see the majority of women dressing in black and white.  Now I don't know whether this was a prerequisite of being seen and interviewed, but I do hope that bright colours come into the picture as the season progresses.   On that subject though you'll see one lass wearing bright green with a pink hat - she obviously likes the idea of "block colours" that is a current trend.  Of course we used to describe this trend as merely "wearing contrasting colours", but there you go even the descriptions undergo changes themselves!

With that said however, and of course this blog is for women of ALL ages, ALL sizes and ALL shapes, let's have a quick look at a couple of outfits seen this morning.

Comfort food!

Well, that was an interesting post on comfort food we had recently.   I heard from a friend through Google, and a variety of emails from ladies from around Australia as well as from Europe.

It's interesting to hear what any one person thinks of as "comfort food".   Here are some of the suggestions, and I have to say, I was in total agreement when I saw that Macaroni and Cheese was high on the list.  Then there's Spaghetti Bolognaise; Lamb Shanks and vegetables; Home made Meatloaf; Chicken Snitzel; Egg and Bacon Pie:  Irish Stew and Dumplings: Bread and Butter Pudding; Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding; Crepes and Big Pancakes.    And of course as in our earlier post, Sausages and Mash1

It's also encouraging to hear that so many are now preparing meals at home rather than going out for dinner more than a couple of times a week.   It could be stretching the budget or it could be that more and more women are remembering what it was like when they were younger and they came home from achool and or work, to find warm nourishing meals placed on the table.  And those meals were prepared with love by their Mums and Grandmas.

(Photos from the Internet).

There's a feeling of Spring!

What strange weather we're having here in the Eastern States of Australia.   It's supposed to be Spring - well officially the 1st September is supposed to be the first day, but this year things seem to have gone a bit haywire.   While we've had a couple of beautiful days with bright skies, sun shining and a general feeling of wellness that is associated with better weather, the majority of days have skirted around the 12 to 15 degree mark (top temperature!), with one day in between of 30!

So much for being able to pack away the winter clothes and to bring out the spring/summery garments.

Yet there is some great plus-size fashion coming out at the moment, and in many cases, by Australian designers and suppliers.

Maggie T (http://www.maggiet.com.au) is a by-word when it comes to the understanding of what a more curvaceous woman needs when it comes to fashion.   She knows, because as she tells it, "I am one (plus-size, that is)!"

So here are a couple of the latest tops/jackets.  You'll notice that they sit below hip length, which is the length we all need, especially when we have those curvy "saddles".   A hip length jacket will always bring compliments, and the front view as well as profile will always encourage you to stay with sensible lengths, rather than above the waist or sitting on the hip!

Clothing Tips for Pear Shaped Figures ....

Sometimes it's better "seeing" than just reading or being told!

This is a great series of videos on "how to's" for the plus size.     http://www.ehow.com/video_4405359_clothing-tips-pear-shaped-figures.html

The 'lil' Black Dress

There's something about the little black dress that every woman desires.   It's a dress that can be "dressed up" or "dressed down", it all depends on what the occasion calls for.   This year Maggie T has come up with the goods.   Visit www.maggiet.com.au to see the latest selection.

But here's the little black dress I spoke about.

Comfort food!

There's "comfort food" and then there's "comfort food". And all of us, from the Prime Minister down to the old gentleman who lives down the street, has our favourites. Even people like Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson.

One that comes to mind easily is Sausages and Mashed Potatoes, or as it is more commonly or popularly known, "Bangers and Mash". I see where it has become the all out favourite in Britain particularly during the economic down-turn.

And whatever you may think, (and I can hear some of you say, yuk when you look at the photos), it is a delicious and filling meal. That is, if it is cooked properly and if it is presented properly.  And made from top quality ingredients.  Why even my dear old Mum was able to throw a couple of snags (sausages) on the plate with a dollop of mashed potato, and we kids would be straining at the bit to get stuck into "dinner".

I can't think of when I've been so disappointed at a serving of "comfort food.   Until I recently had a spot of lunch at Stallions, that is. There it was on the menu (for kids alas, but I've heard that anyone can ask for whatever's on the menu as an adult serving and expect to be served), so I figured, yes, it's bangers and mash for me today. Even if it's just a teeny tiny serve!  The wait-person checked and confirmed that I could be served with an adult size, and I sat back in eager anticipation.  I knew I'd have to pay, but it was going to be worth it.  Wasn't it?

Well it fronted up, and if I'd served this to my kids, they would have thrown the plate and its contents at me. The above photos tell a story and even though the four have come from the internet (with full acknowledgement to the owners of the photo copyrights) they also tell it how it is when it comes to serving up simple tucker like bangers and mash. Or how it should be. 

But take a good look at this photo - this is a photograph of the ACTUAL meal I was served. And before I go any further, please take note that this was an "ADULT" serving!

You'll see what I mean by "you don't always get what you expect" even though you pay for it. This meal cost me $15 - so what?  While McDonalds or KFC are known to have "affordable meals", there are many local places where you can buy a good meal (even 2 course, either soup and mains or mains and sweets) for just $13 in nice surroundings, accompanied by table linen, and a house wine (on the house). Why didn't I go to one of those? Simply because it's nice to try out something new. But again back to the photo. You can even see the "grease"or "fat" that the sausages had been cooked in, smeared across the plate (to the right). This serving and plate presentation, did not endear me to the restaurant at all.  Especially when I asked for a glass of cool water, and was told I'd have to buy a bottle.  I didn't want a bottle (a plastic bottle at that), I wanted a simple glass of cool water.  I didn't get one!

Needless to say I didn't have any lunch at this restaurant - I returned the Sausages and Mash with the comment that I certainly wouldn't recommend Stallions to any of my friends.   All I got was a snort of disapproval from the chef.

And what's this got to do with being a blog on a plus size site? Everything. Because all of us are consumers.  All of us keep these businesses in business.  All of us have to eat. It matters not that we are size zero or size 20 or 30. And sometimes we need a bit of "comfort food". But not greasy food (even the mash was sitting in grease!) thrown on a plate and served up as though it were part of King Henry VIII's banquet!  (If he'd been there, there'd would have been shouts of "off with their heads"!!!!)

We think we'll regularly re-visit the subject of food and "comfort food" a bit more often within this blog. There's nothing quite as good as a bit of constructive criticism!

Have you got any favourite places to dine out?   Let's share them.

Growing old and deserving to be treated with respect

It's difficult at times to convince yourself that what is happening around you, is actually for the best. You might get slapped down and trodden on, by people who you think really care about you, and you tend to blame yourself.

And sometimes the blame is deserved, but quite often not. It seems to me that there is a growing lack of courtesy and respect shown towards older people these days. Is it my imagination? Has it always been so? 

I don't think so. And I base this statement on what I have seen happen around me, not only within my own family, and extended family, but many others, over the years. In our family parents and grandparents all shared in the dignity of being considered important and worthy of respect, in both thought as well as speech by all members of the family, and even more especially by neighbours and the society in which they moved.

Today people up to and around 40 and 50 years of age, tend to "look down" on older folk, as though within their wrinkles and greying hair and slower painful steps, they've managed to lose all their intelligence! They also take the attitude that older people don't have "feelings" anymore and can't be hurt or offended by inappropriate attitudes or behaviour.  Sometimes their exasperation is extreme.

In different cultures around the world, older members within families and society were, and in many cases still are, seen to be the "wise ones". They are sought out to advise, and to give encouragement, to the younger members of family, based on their experience and knowledge of the world. Even if that knowledge only revolves around their home-life, and nearby neighborhood or community. 

Sadly there are a lot of people today who are never thought about by their families. They are left, isolated, and forgotten. Others are more fortunate enough in having the security of a home and financial backing. Today one seldom sees or hears of older parents or relations living within the warmth of the family circle. 

The speed and extent of the building of "retirement villages" has even surprised the developers/investors. Many loving and gracious elderly parents (even both sets of parents - that is parents and parents-in-law) who remain mobile and independent (i.e. not expecting to take precedence over other family members, are content to be part of the family when it is convenient for all to mingle and get together. It keeps them young! 

Yes, "retirement villages" are a viable and sensible option for thousands of "retirees" - if they prefer to be totally independent, and can afford to be, that is. So many men and women find themselves at the time their lives when they should be enjoying themselves, no fault of their own, to be almost penniless. Not every one can call upon the proceeds of "Superannuation" to provide financial security in purchasing a home unit within a "village" and being able to carry-on in a life-style that they have chosen or prefer.

Yet as people in the western world have become more affluent during past decades, the threat of a "recession" brings with it all sorts of stresses about where to live and how to afford to live, even very simply. And this applies more specifically to those who, as said earlier, have no financial security upon which to draw upon.

And this brings me back to what I said at first. being ignored, slapped down and trodden on. Because I don't like seeing older people treated with a total disregard for their feelings. I don't like seeing them ridiculed, and bullied, and spoken to as though they are naughty children. They deserve the right to be able to stand with head held high, and to be given the respect that their age and wisdom and experience demands.

And because this is a long "post", I can't but help add my observations of many younger women (in their teens and 20s etc) who display the old-fashioned courtesies and respect that older people so earnestly desire.   Is it perhaps that those in their 40s and 50s are so busy with life that they can't or don't want to spend time with their elders and that the younger people have seen the void and actually taken steps to fill that void?   I'd like to think so.