Back to the 50's... FOR ICE CREAM!
Freya "Lyla": Another Sad Sizing Story
I was just enjoying looking through blog posts on some of my favorite blogs Invest In Your Chest and Fuller Figure Fuller Bust about a lingerie show featuring Freya bras, among other brands. As I made overly clear in my earlier post Why I Hate Freya, I am not the biggest fan of Freya bras overall . But when I caught a glimpse of the new version of the Lyla in this Hazelnut shade, I fell in love.
Something about this color just sings to me—it’s so warm and unusual. I love the idea of sheer bras, they’re sexy and elegant at the same time. And the design on this bra looks like POPPIES and SNOWFLAKES. I have wanted a snowflake bra since the tender age of fourteen.
I got all excited, thinking I would buy this bra when it comes out, since I knew the Lyla goes up to a J cup and I would need a 28J. But then suddenly I got a nagging feeling that I was getting my hopes up only to be let down…
Well, I was right! Here’s the size range. I literally did a double take of unpleasant shock when I saw it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a size range so inclusive in most band sizes while being so severely limited in a 28. Hats off to you, Freya, for once more making me feel like I don’t exist.
DIY Ruffle T-Shirt: Clothes For Big Boobs, Budget Edition
I was really inspired when I read this tutorial for a ruffled T-shirt on Tea Rose Home. It's a really cute blog written by a woman who does lots of crafty clothes-altering, and if you click around on her list of popular posts, you'll see she has done loads of ruffled T-shirts!
I wanted to try to combine the ruffly element of the project with some of the alterations I regularly do on giant baggy men's clothes to get a custom fit for my bust. If you would like a reminder of the ol' "trace a top that fits onto the giant top and sew along those seams" deal, you can see my posts on that here and here.
This is the finished product that I'm going to show you how to make:
To do this project, you'll need a t-shirt of the length and color you want. In the Tea Rose Home tutorial, she uses two t-shirts, and cuts one of them apart into strips to make into ruffles. If you want to use just one shirt, like I did, you will need a shirt big enough that the fabric you take in off the sides will be enough for the ruffles. Alternatively, you could also use a normal-sized long-sleeved top and cut off the sleeves to use that fabric as your ruffles. I prefer to use large men's t-shirts because they end up the length of tunics on me.
In my post on altering the sweatshirt, I mentioned that once you've taken in the seams, you should test the fit by trying on the item inside out. That way, you can make sure that the fit is not too loose or too tight, and the extra fabric won't bunch up inside and make it hard to tell. I figured I should share a photo of how hilarious it looks when you do this. Here's my light blue, $3.99 CVS Pharmacy men's t-shirt taken in:
Once you've verified the fit, cut off the extra fabric on the sides. Try to cut close the seams and keep it neat, because these scraps are what you will use to make the ruffles. After I cut off the extra fabric, I trimmed off the section that had been part of the sleeve and then cut each strip down the center (what would have been the sides of the shirt). This left me with four strips.
Then I trimmed those strips so that they were relatively even and rectangular. I found, working with cheap cotton jersey, the strips tended to roll up and were pretty annoying to work with. But for some reason, this tendency went away once they had become ruffles, so just work carefully and don't worry too much about the rolling at this point.
Next step: the neckline. If you like the neckline of the t-shirt as it is, you can skip this part and leave it as is. But I find men's t-shirts tend to have necklines that are a bit too high and a bit too rough-looking to go with what I wanted, so away it went. With the t-shirt still inside out, I traced the neckline of another top onto the front:
To line up the back neckline, I cut the back so it was the same as where the front of the neckline had originally been, like so:
With the front cut out, I was left with this:
And I then simply cut the back so it lined up with the front. That way, it all ended up being fairly symmetrical. But you can cut the neckline however you want. I would just caution to make sure to cut it a tiny bit higher than you think you need, as it will not be hemmed in the back and will therefore stretch slightly with wear.
The finished neckline:
Next, it's time to prepare the strips into ruffles. You pretty much need a sewing machine for this, although perhaps if you don't have one you could MacGyver something. To create ruffles on a machine, set the stitch to a straight stitch on a very wide setting--on my machine, I turn the dial past 4, to where the stitch length setting just looks like this - - - - - - - -
Don't sew backwards to seal the seam at the beginning or end--you want to be able to pull the threads to create the ruffle. You basically just sew one straight seam along the top edge of the fabric strip. Once the seam is sewn, grab the top thread and gently pull the fabric into a ruffle. I actually found I didn't need to pull it myself, because the strip got ruffled just by sewing it on that wide setting.
I made three ruffles and lined them up as they would sit on the t-shirt.
At this point I decided I wanted the top ruffle to be thinner, so I cut the fourth strip of fabric in half lengthwise and sewed that into two more thin ruffles. I layered those slightly--you can see they meet and cross in the middle.
With everything in place, I pinned the ruffles in place and then sewed them with a regular, thin stitch (not the same wide stitch you'd use to make the ruffles). When you pin the ruffles, make sure that they are close-set enough that the ruffle above will cover the seam of the next ruffle down. The seam at the top will show, but if you use a matching thread color, this shouldn't look very messy.
The final step is to go over the shirt and trim all the loose threads that are left--there will be a lot! Trimming all the loose threads is essential when you're doing DIY projects that you intend to wear because a single loose thread will make it obvious that you made the top yourself, which in my opinion sort of takes away the mystique of the whole thing.
You can also shorten or hem the sleeves if you'd like, but I just folded mine up to a shorter length. And here's my finished budget ruffled top for big boobs:
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! I have been enjoying doing sewing projects and alterations recently and I have more posts like this to come.
I wanted to try to combine the ruffly element of the project with some of the alterations I regularly do on giant baggy men's clothes to get a custom fit for my bust. If you would like a reminder of the ol' "trace a top that fits onto the giant top and sew along those seams" deal, you can see my posts on that here and here.
This is the finished product that I'm going to show you how to make:
In my post on altering the sweatshirt, I mentioned that once you've taken in the seams, you should test the fit by trying on the item inside out. That way, you can make sure that the fit is not too loose or too tight, and the extra fabric won't bunch up inside and make it hard to tell. I figured I should share a photo of how hilarious it looks when you do this. Here's my light blue, $3.99 CVS Pharmacy men's t-shirt taken in:
Once you've verified the fit, cut off the extra fabric on the sides. Try to cut close the seams and keep it neat, because these scraps are what you will use to make the ruffles. After I cut off the extra fabric, I trimmed off the section that had been part of the sleeve and then cut each strip down the center (what would have been the sides of the shirt). This left me with four strips.
Then I trimmed those strips so that they were relatively even and rectangular. I found, working with cheap cotton jersey, the strips tended to roll up and were pretty annoying to work with. But for some reason, this tendency went away once they had become ruffles, so just work carefully and don't worry too much about the rolling at this point.
To line up the back neckline, I cut the back so it was the same as where the front of the neckline had originally been, like so:
With the front cut out, I was left with this:
The finished neckline:
Next, it's time to prepare the strips into ruffles. You pretty much need a sewing machine for this, although perhaps if you don't have one you could MacGyver something. To create ruffles on a machine, set the stitch to a straight stitch on a very wide setting--on my machine, I turn the dial past 4, to where the stitch length setting just looks like this - - - - - - - -
Don't sew backwards to seal the seam at the beginning or end--you want to be able to pull the threads to create the ruffle. You basically just sew one straight seam along the top edge of the fabric strip. Once the seam is sewn, grab the top thread and gently pull the fabric into a ruffle. I actually found I didn't need to pull it myself, because the strip got ruffled just by sewing it on that wide setting.
I made three ruffles and lined them up as they would sit on the t-shirt.
At this point I decided I wanted the top ruffle to be thinner, so I cut the fourth strip of fabric in half lengthwise and sewed that into two more thin ruffles. I layered those slightly--you can see they meet and cross in the middle.
With everything in place, I pinned the ruffles in place and then sewed them with a regular, thin stitch (not the same wide stitch you'd use to make the ruffles). When you pin the ruffles, make sure that they are close-set enough that the ruffle above will cover the seam of the next ruffle down. The seam at the top will show, but if you use a matching thread color, this shouldn't look very messy.
The final step is to go over the shirt and trim all the loose threads that are left--there will be a lot! Trimming all the loose threads is essential when you're doing DIY projects that you intend to wear because a single loose thread will make it obvious that you made the top yourself, which in my opinion sort of takes away the mystique of the whole thing.
You can also shorten or hem the sleeves if you'd like, but I just folded mine up to a shorter length. And here's my finished budget ruffled top for big boobs:
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! I have been enjoying doing sewing projects and alterations recently and I have more posts like this to come.
Meeting and Greeting My Favorite Designer
Oh, where to begin? It's a girl's dream to meet her favorite fashion designer... That one person who is responsible for the styles and pieces that make her closet complete! My particular experience had me feeling like SJP herself. This past weekend, I found myself presented with the opportunity of a lifetime' an opportunity to meet one of my favorite designers. STEVE MADDEN!
After waiting for about four hours, I found myself first in line thanks to my VIP wristband! There I was, face-to-face, with the chance to meet him and tell him how much of fan I am of his shoe and handbag collections. Many of the ladies present were so starstruck and in awe of him that they could hardly say so little as hello. He seemingly noticed how relaxed and composed I was that he even took the time to shake my hand; he even to time to get to know me for a brief moment. I was so excited that my knees were shaking, but I tried to keep focused on the moment. The photographer at the event took a photo of Steve Madden and I together, and I was overjoyed to see that he was looking right into the camera along with me; some of the girls weren't so lucky, as he was distracted and looking off elsewhere in their photos. Just for showing up, I got a lovely goodie bag filled with some free gifts, and my favorite pair of my favorite Steve Madden stilettos.
During my moment with the man himself, I got him to autograph one of the shoes for me. A funny story from the day was that a met Steve Madden's best friend, who happens to be an executive manager in the company; he and I had a discussion about the shoes I got, which he was responsible for naming. They were called simply "Awesome," which I'm sure many will agree from their aggressive and edgy styling! I am planning on wearing these shoes (can't let these babies go to waste!), though only special occasions. Overall, my experience meeting him could only be expressed in one way... Magical!
After waiting for about four hours, I found myself first in line thanks to my VIP wristband! There I was, face-to-face, with the chance to meet him and tell him how much of fan I am of his shoe and handbag collections. Many of the ladies present were so starstruck and in awe of him that they could hardly say so little as hello. He seemingly noticed how relaxed and composed I was that he even took the time to shake my hand; he even to time to get to know me for a brief moment. I was so excited that my knees were shaking, but I tried to keep focused on the moment. The photographer at the event took a photo of Steve Madden and I together, and I was overjoyed to see that he was looking right into the camera along with me; some of the girls weren't so lucky, as he was distracted and looking off elsewhere in their photos. Just for showing up, I got a lovely goodie bag filled with some free gifts, and my favorite pair of my favorite Steve Madden stilettos.
During my moment with the man himself, I got him to autograph one of the shoes for me. A funny story from the day was that a met Steve Madden's best friend, who happens to be an executive manager in the company; he and I had a discussion about the shoes I got, which he was responsible for naming. They were called simply "Awesome," which I'm sure many will agree from their aggressive and edgy styling! I am planning on wearing these shoes (can't let these babies go to waste!), though only special occasions. Overall, my experience meeting him could only be expressed in one way... Magical!
One Busy Life
Besides all of that being said something good has happened in my life... I got my dream job! I start in less than a week. I can't tell y'all how happy I was and still am when I received the phone call from my now boss saying I got the job! I want to write a little blog post about it so I don't want to spoil it. So stay tuned :)
Other than all of that being said, my Monday started off pretty good. I drank my cup of green tea on my way to class while being all bundled up for the cold weather (it's finally here in Georgia). I hope y'all are having a wonderful week and I hope to get back to my blogging schedule soon.
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Curvy Kate Conclusions
Curvy Kate says in their press that all their bras are sized the same—that once you know your size in one, you can just buy that size in all the others. This is partly true. Their unpadded bras all have the same three-piece design, so it’s not the same crapshoot you’ll sometimes experience navigating the disparate styles offered by other brands. But from trying on most of the styles they sell, I can report that the different bras Curvy Kate sells do differ in terms of the fit. I expect this is based on the different amount of stretch in the different fabrics.
I don’t think this is a bad thing at all, though! I’m glad that the bras vary slightly because if they all fit exactly like the Princess or the Portia, I wouldn’t be able to wear them. If they all fit like the Ella or the Angel, someone who fits better in the Princess might not be able to wear them. So even if you’re one of those people who, like me, didn’t have any luck with your first Curvy Kate attempt, I would recommend another try. Curvy Kate is definitely the most progressive lingerie brand for bigger boobs, and I’m happy to support them by buying their bras. Although not all of their styles fit me, I know they’ll never leave me out in the cold by refusing to produce my size. There isn’t any other brand I can say that about.
That said, there are some other bras that I truly love, as well as some other bras that I truly hate. Now that I’ve finished my Curvy Kate reviews for the moment, I’m going to start reviewing the Panache and Cleo bras that I own, and other bras (including Freya and Fantasie) that I’ve owned in the past or have tried on but never bought. I’m hoping this can be a resource for people ordering bras from the US and hoping to get the right size/style the first time. I’m also planning some posts on body image and the ups and downs of living with big boobs. Feel free to contact me if you've ever hated a bra and want to rant about it :)
Curvy Kate "Princess" Review
This is going to be a depressing review because the “Princess” is one of the most beautiful bras I’ve ever seen. I wanted so badly for it to fit me. I love all the colors it’s come in, I love the velvet polka dots, I love the floral details.
Unfortunately, I’d had bad luck with the “Princess” previously and had more bad luck with my recent orders. The first time I tried the “Princess,” I went for a 28HH, which is the size I wear in the Panache “Harmony” and “Confetti.” It was literally the tightest bra I’d ever attempted to attach to my body. I like a tighter band, but combined with the too-small cups, I could barely breathe in the thing. It also looked pointy and downward-pointing on the part of my boobs it did cover. I figured there was no way I could alter it to fit me, so I sadly sent it back.
 |
| Fail |
On my next attempt, I tried a 28J and 28JJ. Both had a band that felt like an average 28 band, not painfully tight like the first one I’d ordered. The 28JJ, in white, fit better in the cups, but looked a little more full-coverage than I wanted. It also didn’t give a good shape because I couldn’t tighten the straps as much as I needed to. Something to know about the “Princess” before ordering is that the straps are only half adjustable—the floral detailing is too thick to go through the metal bit. So although the 28JJ had the better fit in the cup, it didn't matter because I couldn't tighten the straps enough to get the proper lift.
 |
| Nope. |
The 28J basically fit me in the same red I’d failed with previously in a smaller size. I quickly realized, though, that it wasn’t going to work out between us. Though it seemed to fit when I first put it on, within minutes the 28J would slip down and start cutting into the top of my boobs, giving me quadraboob. After this shifting happened, the “Princess” started giving me a really pointy shape and I just knew that no matter how pretty it looked, I would never wear it because it ultimately wouldn’t make me feel good. Although there is nothing quite like the self-esteem boost that comes from putting on a beautiful bra, the feeling fades very quickly when the bra doesn’t suit your body.
The Princess clearly can give a great fit and shape on many people—I’ve read a lot of positive reviews where it looked brilliant on the reviewer—but here’s some depressing proof that it’s not for everyone. Specifically, I’d say to beware the “Princess” if your boobs are full on top. It has very little “give” in it, and the line of stiff floral lace across the top of the cup is especially challenging. I would also suggest that someone who usually needs to tighten their straps more than halfway should pick a different Curvy Kate bra. This is the only Curvy Kate bra that doesn’t have fully adjustable straps.
But then again, it’s so pretty… maybe you will want to try it for yourself anyway. I certainly did.
Check out the alterations I did on the Princess to make it fit me in this post.
Check out the alterations I did on the Princess to make it fit me in this post.
An Inexpensive Microdermabrasion Alternative
It seems that microdermabrasion is all the buzz lately. I've noticed signs in front of numerous spas advertising specials on this popular skin treatment. My bestie and I were window shopping one day when we decided to go into a spa to ask how much the treatment would cost... Well, we found out that the "special" price wasn't as enticing as we imagined. We walked out promising ourselves that we'd start saving up right away! Since I was so disappointed from the spa visit, I went online to find an alternative for the microdermabrasion spa treatment... And did I ever find one! I came across it in person when I was shopping at my local drugstore one day; there it was sitting on the shelf screaming my name!!! It's by Olay and contains essentially the same ingredients that they would use at a professional spa. I purchased it for roughly $25.00, a much better deal than "specials" at most spas. I rushed home to try it out immediately. After using this product, I noticed my face seemed so smooth and bright. I limit my use of this treatment to once a week since it can be a little harsh on your skin. I like to have Spa Sundays to prepare and freshen myself for the following week. Overall, I am very impressed with Olay's Microdermabrasion; I've even noticed some acne scarring disappear over time. This product is great for people who have such scarring, or who just want to refresh their face to jump start the week!
Bicycle Art by Lois May-Miller...
We all know that Bicycles make me happy, as does Art. So putting the two together is a sure-fire way to put a smile on my face, and Brighton-based bicycle-belle Lois May-Miller has done exactly that.
Lois created the blog Claud & I to mark her taking on the 30 Days of Biking challenge in September. What started off as a way to chart her adventures for a month, turned into a cycling blog that she didn't want to stop, after falling in love with cycling.
When she isn't riding her bike Claud, Lois works as a Graphic Designer, with illustration featuring a lot in her day to day work. As Lois explains, the relationship between her day-job and cycling started to come together naturally...
"When I got my first ever road bike back in March, I quickly became pretty obsessed by all things cycling. I was sketching my bike one evening, just for the fun of it. I showed the sketch to a friend who said 'there are people out there who would hang that on their walls!'... and it took off from there"
Her friend was right to tell her this, as Lois' Cycling themed prints have already gone down with fellow cyclists on Twitter... and I had to have one to hang-up in my Bedroom / Workspace.
The charm of the 'Love and Bicycles' Print captured my heart and my feelings about my Pashley Princess and the freedom of cycling. There are also some other pieces there that have caught my eye, especially as they remind me of the Clubman... Alongside her Prints, Lois also creates Car Window Stickers, for motorists out there who also have some cycling pride...
With new prints in the pipeline in time for Christmas, Lois' prints have certainly made it on my list of cycling related gifts for the festive season.
You can see the current range on the Claud & I online Shop, and contact Lois via her @ClaudAndI twitter account.
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