BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl


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Fashionista

I can hardly stifle the giggle as I type the word “fashionista.” It is a word that is so far from who I am that it seems ridiculous to even mutter it, but lately I’ve been really enjoying the world of fashion, at least the little bit of it that I’ve chosen to bite off.

It started with my curiosity about capsule wardrobes. I did some research on them and I liked the idea, but in my world not everything is mix and match. Hemlines from shirts have to be of a particular length to be worn with certain pants or skirts, or else the entire effect is quite horrifying. Maybe not to the casual observer, but unless the bulges are covered just so I feel exposed and uncomfortable. I find myself with the same go-to outfits over and over, as so many other women do.

I wanted to expand my horizons a bit, so I looked into the clothing subscription services. It didn’t take me long to find Dia & Co online, and their reviews were terrific. I read through their website, watched a few unboxing videos, and decided to give it a try.

For a $20 styling fee (mine was waived with my first box) items are chosen specifically for you and sent to your door. How do they know what to choose? You provide guidance by answering a series of specific questions and uploading some pictures of yourself. Just like online dating, the more you’re willing to share and be vulnerable, the better matches you’re likely to secure.

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kimono and skinny jeans

My first box arrived, and my initial thought was how can they fit five items to fit me in that little box? They did, though, and they were thoughtfully wrapped in tissue paper with a gold seal and a personalized note from my stylist, Melly. As I took out each item I got more and more excited. That first box contained a wrap dress in a funky geometric print, a brilliant blue blouse perfect for work, a cute striped top for weekend wear, a gorgeous flowing kimono type garment, and a pair of skinny jeans. Honestly, I don’t think I would have tried on any of those pieces in the store, but then again that’s why I wanted a stylist

I loved being able to try everything on in my own home, and I felt like a little kid putting on a fashion show. The only item I didn’t instantly love was the striped top because it felt a little snug to me. I decided to keep the rest of the items but try to exchange the top for the next size. The only glitch was that the next size wasn’t available, so I simply didn’t buy that piece. You only pay for what you keep, and if you buy anything from the box your $20 styling fee is refunded.

By the time I got my second box I was nearly giddy with anticipation. I figured the first one must have been something of a fluke, but there was bound to be something in there that I liked, so I opened it up with great fanfare and again felt like it was Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. Melly sent me another beautiful dress,this one in vibrant tones that I just adore. She also sent a pair of “boyfriend” jeans that I was a little afraid of, because of the distressing. Her note assured me that they were on trend and age appropriate. I decided to reserve judgment until I tried them on. There was also a flowing, flowery tunic, perfect for topping leggings, and a black top with flowered sleeves.  Finally, there was a maxi-skirt with a Southwest type print in coral, turquoise, and black on a white background. Again, nothing I would have chosen, but off to the fashion show I went.

I have to say it, I loved it all. Even the boyfriend jeans. I feel adorable in them, and I’ve received several compliments on how cute they are. The black top with the floral sleeves? I would have NEVER picked that, but 1) it’s SO comfy and looks great dressy or with jeans, and 2) I’ve received more compliments on that top than any item of clothing I’ve ever owned (except maybe my wedding dress, but people HAVE to compliment those, right?). Needless to say, I kept the entire box. The nice part about that is when you do, Dia & Co gives you a 20% discount.

When you consider that you’re purchasing five items that are hand-picked for you, based on your size, body type, coloring, and preferences, and you don’t have to set foot outside of your home to do it, I think it’s a deal. My items have averaged about $40 each, but to have them chosen for me, fit me, look good on me, and not have the disappointment of rummaging through rack after rack to find items is totally worth it. Plus, with this company, I’ve found ways to expand my style to include new looks that make me feel confident, and, dare I say it, fashionable.

Listen, I’ve been blogging for a few years, and if you read BulgingButtons regularly you know that I don’t generally do product endorsements. I didn’t receive anything in exchange for this blog post, I’m just really happy with the company. And yes, if you’d like to give them a try you can use this code: https://www.dia.co/r/7gg5 . I think it gives me some sort of discount or something, but that’s not why I’m sharing. I’m sharing because as a fat girl who has literally shed tears in store dressing rooms it’s nice to have a positive shopping experience, and it’s nice to feel valued by a fashion company. Shopping has become fun again, and I want other plus sized women to know this service is out there and it might be the boost your wardrobe and image needs.

 


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Am I Really A Writer?

I like to think of myself as many things. Some of them are irrefutable. I am a mother. I am a teacher. These are simple facts. I have a son, therefore I am a mother. I go to work each day and spend the day teaching fourth grade students, therefore I am a teacher.

What else am I, though? And how do we verify these different identities?

Lately I’ve been a writer. How does one become a writer? By writing, some would say, but many others would say that one becomes a writer only when one’s writing has been published. Even that definition isn’t sufficient for many people. I’ve heard the argument that in order to be considered a writer one must be published and paid for one’s writing.

Well, I do write. And I have been published. I publish here, in my own little corner of the internet, regularly. Nobody pays me for it, though. I’ve also been published on other websites, like Scary Mommy and Education Week. Again, no money in that, but to me it’s still pretty cool.

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My design!

I have actually been paid to write. Not much, but I’ve submitted tips to a teaching publication that have been published and I’ve been compensated for them. I also designed a fish quilt that not only made it to the cover of Quiltmaker, a well-known quilting publication (it’s an inset photo, but hey, it’s still on the cover), and the design was turned into a kit complete with gorgeous watery indigo fabrics and magentas and purples for the fish. I was paid for that too, not much, but still they cut me a check. That one, however, wasn’t really a writing win, even though I was published.

I’ve been writing for NaNoWriMo, too. I finished a manuscript during NaNoWriMo in 2013, and I’ve been revising it with help from my critique group (another thing real writers do, I’m told). Now I’m into a new one story, about a young English teacher who needs to solve a mystery that threatens the security she’s found amongst the quilters she meets in a small town. See what I did there? Teaching, quilting, things I know and like.

I also teach writing. I teach it to my fourth graders, sure, but I’ve been teaching it in the summer too, for the past three years. Kids from seven to seventeen have come to these camps, and working with them as they explore the creative side of writing has been such a privilege for me. We’re not focused on grammar, structure, or spelling in these camps. We’re focused on imagination, empowerment, and risk-taking. We’re helping kids to develop their voices through their writing, whether in a poem about a leaf or an ode to their dog or a comic about super heroes and villains or an introspective look at their own strengths.

This type of writing is so powerful for kids that I’ve begun an after-school creative writing club at my school that is well attended. Both boys and girls come in to write and share their writing, blasting the stereotype we sometimes hear that “writing is for girls.” I’m sure Stephen King, James Patterson, Dav Pilkey, Neil Gaiman, Alberto Ríos, and many others would disagree.

So yes, I’m a writer, even though you won’t see anything I’ve done on the shelves at Barnes & Noble and if you search me on Amazon you’ll come up empty. I’ll keep at it, though, and maybe someday you will see my work there. Maybe someday soon.


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Getting Busy With Prezi

What do you do when you’re busy? Get busier, of course.

Why is it that when I’m already pulled in a million directions I feel like it’s the perfect time to take on something new? Maybe because my brain is in overdrive and it feels competent and energized? Or maybe because my common sense has abandoned me?

Either way, IUnknown.jpeg decided that I should learn how to use Prezi presentation software. I’ve seen it in action a few times, and to me it’s far more engaging than good old PowerPoint (no worries, PP, I’ll still be using you for many years to come, I’m sure).
I visited their website and was delighted to learn that educators can use a version of Prezi for free upon verification of their status (it was easy, just submit school email and website). The tutorial is straightforward, and blessedly short. In under five minutes I had created my first Prezi.

Of course that first one had about as much complexity and polish as a first grader’s attempt at poetry, but it’s a start. I keep pushing my students to try new things and stretch their brains, so it stands to reason that I should do the same. I plan on playing around with Prezi more in the future. In fact there’s a report on the Mayan culture that we just wrote that would look great as a Prezi. Oh yes, this is going to be good!