Thursday, March 31, 2011

Guest post/crosspost: I refuse to be afraid of visibility

Hello lovelies,

I've never directly crossposted another blogger's post before, but Eryn's post from two days ago really spoke to me, so I asked her if I could crosspost it here.

And if you aren't familiar with Eryn's blog, go check it out! She is an amazing and thoughtful writer, she posts DIY sewing tutorials every once and awhile, and is just in general one of the highlights of my blog roll!

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I refuse to be afraid of visibility

(original posted by Eryn on her blog)

I’d written a long, detailed explanation about why “doing you” is the most important thing in the whole world. I attempted to get all political, because breaking the cycle of shame and silence about how people have treated you because of the way you look is political. I’m comfortable saying owning your body for exactly what it is- is radical. But, the process of writing about the experience of being 300 pounds and owning it, was like the first time I drove a stick-shift (I stalled, into infinity). Yet, shoving my experience into gear gave me some well deserved clarity about why I choose to curate my own image and why I think everyone else should.

I think most of us grow up being told what to do, all day, everyday. Its my personal belief that this behavior closes off the infinite possibilities to us as individuals and as a collective. All of us get categorized, pigeon holed, and stereo typed- even those who are holding the clip boards and disapproving gaze. Somewhere in there, we either learn to conform to who we are supposed to be, or when we can’t or don’t want to conform, we are shamed. I believe this is a cultural fundamental that is reflected in our collective attitudes towords women, people of color, transgendered and queer folks, children, old people, immigrants and the poor. Based on our own perceptions, which are molded by arbitrary ideals and standards, we are convicted in our right to police who people love, who people fuck, how their bodies are supposed to look, how people should dress, and how people should conform themselves to how we think they should be. Let me say that again- We, as a Western Culture, behave as though everything around us should change to conform to standards established by elite and powerful white men.

I don’t want to get hung up on the whats and the who’s, and instead offer my own solution. I know I’m supposed to keep my fatness all quiet, and full of shame because, you know there’s some obesity epidemic I should give a shit about instead of questioning the mental and emotional anguish of hating my body. “Doing me” means wearing what I want, and taking pictures of that, and plastering them all over the internet and crossing my fingers that someone else will see them and question their own body hate. “Doing me” means loving the most I possibly can in life, and believing that any body is entitled to their choices in life as well. “Doing me” means taking an appreciation for my body that wasnt given to me.

Take an appreciation for the body you have right now, especially if no one has given it to you. Take it, and run with it, and do you.

Because I mean what I said, I'm hooking you all up with a photo I took for a thesis project someone was conducting on tumblr. Y’all should know I look so much like my late (and nutty) grandmother in this picture, its scares me!


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Thanks so much Eryn! There's plenty more awesome where that came from.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Stylish Sunday swap - Sonia from Anomalous Allure

Hello everyone! This week, Sonia from Anomalous Allure and I decided to feature each other for her weekly "Stylish Sunday" feature. So, if you really want to know more about me (and who doesn't?), head on over to her post.

I've been a big fan of Sonia's style for the past year - she's actually the one that got me into wearing floral prints!

Here Sonia is, in all of her adorable Canadian glory:


(seriously, what a cutie)

On to the interview!

Tell me a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, what you do...

I’m Sonia, an 18 year-old university student with an undeclared major. I’m hoping to major in visual arts and minor in math or women’s/gender studies. Eventually, I’d like to get a Master of Library and Information Science degree and work in a public library. I’m really passionate about pottery and have been smitten with clay for the past three years. I was born in Inuvik, NWT (the farthest north you can drive in Canada on a road!) but have spent most of my life in Alberta. I call Edmonton how, although right now I live in a dorm in a small city, and go to a university that has fewer students than my high school did!


How long have you been posting photos of your outfits online? What made you decide to start?

Long before I was aware of fat acceptance or fatshion, when others were likely using LiveJournal, I was using Nexopia. I guess I always chose Nexopia over LiveJournal because Nexopia was created and is based in Edmonton. Aside from keeping up with friends – and making new ones – Nexopia was great for forums. I initially was posting in a forum for self-proclaimed “picture addicts” but after receiving a lot of fat hate I quit posting. I eventually found some forums for beauty & make-up that were frequented by a group of really lovely girls, and it was there that I first started posting photos of my outfits. That was in grade 10, so in 2007. About a year later, after dealing with a lot of mental health issues I deleted Nexopia and took a break from the internet altogether. A link on the Feministing community sent me to Fatshionista.com in early 2009 and in the summer of 2009 I discovered the Fatshionista LiveJournal Community. I started posting older outfit photos of mine, and eventually became confident enough to start taking outfit photos again. I received a lot of positive feedbacks and decided to start a fashion blog on September 2009. Now, I post outfit photos all over the internet.



Who inspires you the most?

I’m inspired by fierce fat femmes who work to live life as fabulously as possible. I could name multiple names, but in general I am just inspired by other people whom I can relate to in some way or another.


What are your feelings on style versus fashion?

To me, fashion seems all business and, to be quite honest, totally goes over my head. The world of high fashion leaves me clueless. I’m not so naive to think it doesn’t affect my clothing choices, but fashion isn’t really something I’m interest in. I feel that style, on the other hand, is this really personal thing that allows people to express themselves, their personality and their politics. To put it simply, fashion is bought and style is found.



How does the country in which you live affect your clothing choices, both with regards to personal style and access to clothing in your size?

Canada has very limited options for plus-size clothes. Penningtons and Addition-Elle would be the two most obvious but they’re sister store, over-priced, and don’t have a lot of clothes for younger people. Shipping from international retailers, even places in the US like Torrid, can be ridiculously expensive. That being said, I have access to more than enough clothing because I can fit into a size XXL at some straight size stores, but in general Canadian plus-size clothing is seriously lacking. Living in Alberta definitely influences my personal style, though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how it influences me. In general Albertans dress practically, quite casually, and have a prairie/cowboy/western thing going on. It’s very easy to feel over-dressed, and if you’re not dressed for the cold weather you’ll get a lot of disapproving comments.



What do you love the most about living where you do?

Edmonton definitely has its downsides, but I really love living here. The summer brings endless outdoor festivals, and it’s a bit of a “small world” in that you can go for a walk or for coffee and bump into friends and acquaintances (which is especially special for a large city). Plus, Alberta has bits and pieces that are ridiculously gorgeous. The Rocky Mountains are a sight to see!


What is your favourite item or clothing and why?

My favourite item of clothing is my black floral skirt that I thrifted as a pair of shorts and altered, by hand, into a lovely skirt. This was just before I started my blog, and the skirt made me feel all fabulous and confident. It also made me realise that I can make clothes work for me. The skirt has a brilliant print and a very nice shape. It’s quite worn out but it’s still my favourite, and I’ll continue mending it and wearing it (and mending it and wearing it) for a long time.



Where are your favourite places to shop?

I like shopping at thrift stores, Old Navy, and Ricki’s the most. I also buy clothes from Walmart and Penningtons/Addition-Elle. I’m not much for shopping online, but I was happy with my clothes from Faith 21+ and Domino Dollhouse. In general, I much prefer shopping in person.


What is your favourite fashion rule to break?

I break every fashion rule. I wear horizontal stripes, wear skinny jeans, mix prints, pair black and brown… If it’s a rule, it’s meant to be broken. Mixing prints a bit obnoxiously would have to be my favourite rule to break.


Is there anything else you’d like to say to readers of We Are Large People?

Wear clothes that make you feel good, work hard at loving yourself, and allow your personality to show through in your clothing choices.



Thanks so much Sonia! Be sure to go check out her blog, Anomalous Allure.

If you'd like to see how I answered the same questions, feel free to head on over to her interview of me!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

French braid madness! MADNESS I TELL YOU!!!

My hair is finally getting long enough to braid! I'm so excited. I've been wearing it in messy french braid pigtails or variations thereof for the past several weeks, and I'm so pleased with it and with myself.

I'm practically smug with hair awesomeness.

Let me share with you.

really messy french braid pigtails:



French braid across top half of hair, brought to a messy bun underneath:


Neater french braid pigtails with ends clipped under at the bottom:



One smug and satisfied long-hair-haver:


See, I told you I was smug. Can't you just see the smugness radiating from my scalp?

I think I'm going to try this maiden braid tutorial next!

Do any of you have favorite hairstyles, or find yourself wearing a fave hairstyle for weeks on end?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Happy late valentine's day!

I wore this on valentine's day, to enjoy dinner at home with my super cute husband. I think it's my favorite new outfit, and nothing on it is new except the tights.





Outfit details:
Dress: fatshionista lj swap
Belt: Target
Cardigan: Old Navy, with the buttons replaced by moi
Patterned fishnets: Torrid
Shoes: Pikolinos

I love these chocolate brown patterned tights I got at Torrid recently!


Should I eat this one?


Or this one?


Nah, I'll eat them both!


Looks like someone else is interested in the chocolates too...


I hope you are all enjoying the change in season. I am so ready for springtime - rain rain, go away! Outdoor outfit photos will soon be a reality.

What's your favorite thing about springtime?

Friday, March 18, 2011

I've been away, but I still love you all!

Hello my lovelies,

I was out on vacation for the past week, and slowly catching up on all your wonderful blogs. In my journey of catching up, I came across the lovely Beej, who did an outfit inspiration post based on one of my outfits! Go check her out, she is amazing and lovely and fierce.

As always, thank you all for reading my blog and being generally awesome!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Animated gif playtime, brought to you by me and a hasty internet search for an animated gif tool

make gif
Make gif

Outfit details:
shirt: avenue clearance 22/24
jeans: source of wisdom grey skinnies, torrid 24
cardigan: target xxl, ages ago
brooch: from my husband's family

Ever try to get the right picture and end up with a ton of sequential pics in which you barely move but make funny hand gestures?

Me either. I am too, umm, cool for that. All of my pictures are super styled and awesome on the first take.

Yeah.

:)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Some things I've been liking lately

1) This bread box at Target:



2) The new coat I scored at 50% off at Macy's (see above picture - don't you love the gold enamel buttons!?!)

3) the "build your own sampler" at Taphouse:



4) Gifflar treats from IKEA:


(it said there were 11 rolls inside, but there were 14! THAT'S THREE EXTRA ROLLS!)

5) This shade of nail polish (the polish itself was kind of crappy, it went on horribly and took 3 coats):



6) Monkey's new hair color!

7) My commenters! You guys rock, srsly.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The wonders of IKEA

I think I need an IKEA tag or something, we go there not super often but I always end up blogging about it when we do. This was from a few weeks ago.

I also need an adorable husband tag:



So strong!



We got lost on the way back, as we often do, since it's buried in an industrial/office park and we always think we know a better way back to the interstate.



Any other IKEA lovers out there? Or people that like to disturb store displays like we do? :)
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