New House, New Bras! May 14, 2008

Woo hoo! We’re finally in the new house. Everything is pretty chaotic right now. This is our third day here and we’ve already done lots and lots of painting. The living room is now a very inviting chocolate brown color and the bedroom is starting to finally look more like candy apple red and less like a bunch of smeared strawberry jam. Pics coming as soon as I find the wires for my digital camera.

Today I received those bras that I’ve been talking about for the last few days. I ordered from Figleaves.com and I must say that the shipping was very speedy and the packaging very sturdy. And hey, here’s something cool–we weren’t home when the FedEx delivery person came, so they just left it on the porch. I know it must sound a little silly to be psyched about boxes left on one’s porch, but at the apartment we would have had to go all the way back to the office and wait for them to dig it out of their vault. Now that we’re in a (I suppose) respectable neighborhood, the FedEx dudes can leave boxes on our doorstep without fear of theft. So, you know, yay.

I’m taking the Le Mystere bras for a test drive and, so far, I like what I see. It’s a bit disconcerting because it’s molded and full-coverage, so it sort of feels like you’re wearing armor. But you really can’t beat the support and it’s nice to have some wide-ish, comfy straps. I’m not sure whether it’s the bra itself that I like so much, or the fact that I’m finally wearing undergarments in my correct size. I suppose it must be a combination of the two.

I was walking around with this sort of strange, “light” feeling… and then I realized that my breasts were actually getting adequate support and that I was able to hold my torso up without straining myself. So, yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty cool thing.

Reviews coming soon, of course. I also received the Coolmax Sports Bra and still need to take it out for a jog before sharing my opinions.

Last Pre-Moving Day May 11, 2008

I can’t tell you how happy I am that today is our very last day in the apartment. When we finally leave, I may get nostalgic for the loud upstairs neighbors, the echoing shared hallway, and the creepy drunk guys my next door neighbor seems to attract like a magnet. But, then again, maybe not…

We’ve still got a bit of packing to do–mostly rearranging things, I think. Yesterday afternoon we decided to get a head start with re-painting the living room back to white. This was certainly no easy feat given that we were repainting the walls white over a kind of darkish blue. Needless to say, I’m a tad sore and not really in the mood to get much of anything done today. Still, the thought that, after today, I will never again have to endure my abominable neighbors is like a natural Red Bull for the soul.

No real outfit news today. Over the past week, I have taken to sleeping in this old slip I found in a Salvation Army store almost ten years ago. Instead of taking the effort to change into an actual outfit, I have elected to wander around the apartment in my slip like an old lush from the sixties. Should be fun.

Major Appliance-buying outfit May 10, 2008

Hi, guys! So, the last few days have been very crazy with all of the packing and everything, but I’m super-psyched to tell you that yesterday we finally signed all the paper work and closed on our very own house! Yay! It’s a very cool thing, though I’m not totally sure that the fact that the husband and I really, really own something has completely sinked in.

Today we’re off to buy a washer and dryer, our very first major appliance! It’s a really big step that solidifies our transition from unattached apartment-dwellers to real, semi-responsible homeowners. Here’s my outfit for today’s major appliance hunt:

I have just woken up and haven’t actually bothered to brush my hair or put on any war paint. Such is my devotion to my craft…

I’ve had the khakis for a few years now and you may notice that they have battle scars from multiple furniture staining and room painting excursions. I still wear them outside because I think they have kind of a likeable, worn-in character about them. On top, I’m wearing my little gray puff-sleeved thing from H&M over a shirred white tank top from Old Navy. I’ve got a real jones on for layering right now. And yes, I do plan on putting on some shoes at some point, probably a sandal or something.

In bra news, on Thursday night I ordered that Le Mystere bra I’ve been talking about as well as a Coolmax Sports Bra. Do yourself a favor and click on the link–HerRoom.com has an awesome demo video of the Coolmax Sports Bra in action. You’ll find yourself wondering, “Is that bra made out of fairy guts? Because there is no damn way that it controls bouncing that much.” I had to get it. Especially since I’ve started considering upgrading my morning walk with the puppy to a morning jog with the puppy.

I’m really excited about getting these bras. Now that I’ve decided to really commit to finding bras that are appropriate for me, I’ve started to notice how my current selection is too small, rides up in the back, and tends to put a lot of strain in my shoulders. Women always say that finding their proper bra size changed their lives. I’ve upgraded a cup size and changed my band size–looks like I was way off-base when it comes to sizing up my boobies. I don’t expect the new bras to change my life (unless they can help my pick the winning lottery numbers) but I am certainly looking forward to being able to stand up straighter and have fewer neck/shoulder pains. That would be awesome.

Spring Outfit Search May 5, 2008

Today is an all-office day, so you would think that I might try to wear something a bit more fancy than another t-shirt and jeans combo, however that was not to be. Apologies for the lack of pic–rest assured that it looks pretty much the same as this outfit, but with shorter sleeves.

I do have some valid excuses, though. Well, semi-valid. I did let myself sleep about ten minutes too long, so I ended up taking the dog on our daily walk just a little bit late. By the time I got back in the apartment, it was too late for me to change into a prettier outfit, so the original t-shirt/jeans combo stayed.

On days when I don’t have anything to do but stay at the office, time seems to go by very, very slowly. So much of my job involves being out in the community with moms, preparing for visits with moms, and doing paper work about what happened during my visits with moms. The only problem with this is when my moms either cancel on me or don’t show up to our visits. Right now things are pretty dull at work (at least for me.) I note with some resentment that all the other new hires seem to be building up their client bases whereas mine is looking pretty pathetic right now. Not that this is intentional or anything, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated.

According to my calculations, I’ve got about fifteen minutes of actual, honest work to do today. After that, my plan is to surf the web looking for the perfect casual spring shoe, fantasize about how we’ll decorate the new house, and troll around Etsy for cool handmade clothes. One slight problem with this situation is that, covet though I may, I will probably have to wait about a month or so to make any fun clothing purchases. I allow myself one splurge for each paycheck and this week I’ll be buying the Le Mystere bras that I’ve been blogging about.

Still, depending on how finances come out I may be able to buy a new outfit from Old Navy, a trusty old friend of mine. I’ve been looking into exploring different stores, but Old Navy has always been one of my staple brands. I’ve been a very, very good girl this last week and a half or so–mostly because I’m too paranoid to buy anything online because we’re moving so soon. So as it turns out, I might actually have a bit of extra money once payday rolls around this week. I plan to buy the Le Mystere bras and also possibly this cute little outfit retailing at about $50…

I do like cardigan-type things very much. Ditto on subtle puff-sleeves. I think the combination is kind of sweet and retro. I plan on wearing this with a cute tank underneath or maybe even a cute button-up shirt. And the polka dots are adorable. I think that my wardrobe is sorely lacking in polka dots.

Although you know I love my A-line skirts, pencil skirts are also comfortable and cute. Plus it’s nice because one doesn’t have to worry about random gusts of wind embarassing the hell out of you. This linen skirt should be a sweet addition to my wardrobe.

Now to find some cute spring shoes…

Update on Bra Shenanigans May 4, 2008

After much thought, I have decided what to do with my bra situation. As you may recall, I was sort of torn between three worthy candidates. On the one hand, the first two were so nicely priced that I could have bought three or four without flinching. On the other hand, the last bra was much more expensive but probably better-constructed and would most likely last longer.

Decisions, decisions. With the help of HerRoom.com (very recommended for in-depth lingerie reviews) I decided upon the most expensive bra. If you are ever in doubt when ordering your underthings online, check them out–their page for my bra of choice is pretty awe-inspiring. Not all of their product pages feature demo videos of the products in action, but it’s still a very fun site.

By the way, I did find out the difference between softcup bras and underwire bras. Apparently, softcup bras may not provide the same level of shaping that underwire bras provide, though they may be more comfortable than underwires. I’m not ruling out softcup bras yet (I do plan on buying the Playtex 18-Hour Comfort Shaping Softcup Bra later) but right now I’m really looking to stage a total bra revolution in my underwear drawer. This means that I need to invest in some daily-type bras that I can count on for good shaping and support both during the work-week and the weekend. The Playtex bra might be more of a weekend-type bra. We shall see.

Right now, I’m just biding my time, waiting for the first opportunity to order two of the Le Mystere Dream Tishas. Of course, pay day doesn’t come until later this week, so I’ll have to wait. However, it’s something I’m having a great time looking forward to–these bras will probably be among the first pieces of mail that I receive at the new house. Yay!

A Three-Way Tie on Bras April 30, 2008

So I’ve narrowed down my bra options to a few strong competitors. Each bra seems to have its own positive attributes, so I’m still weighing my options as far as fit and style go. The most relevant factor will most likely be price, however.

Here they are, in no particular order…

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Candidate A: The Playtex 18-hour Comfort Shaping Softcup

Though I’ve never been an 18-hour girl, I suppose that these bras must have something going for them if they continue to be so popular after all these years. This may not be the sexiest bra I’ve ever seen, but it certainly isn’t unattractive at all. I may need to get used to the amount of coverage it provides… But, then again, my bras have been too small for the last few years, so this might be a welcome change of pace. The price point is very good on this one–about $23 online. One concern is that it’s a softcup bra. As in, no underwire–I’m wondering if that will be ok for me. I have no experience with softcup bras, really, so I’m not sure if the lack of underwire would make a significant difference. I read a review that said that the softcup was generally more comfortable, but didn’t provide the same kind of shaping. Hmmm…

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Candidate B: The Bali Seductive Curves Seamless Underwire Bra

Another nice one. This one is a little bit more flattering than the first bra and seems like it might accomodate my scoop-neck and v-neck shirts a bit better. Reviewers generally seem to like it. And it’s got an underwire, which I guess is a good thing. Another good thing about this bra is the price. In fact, it’s about the same price as the first bra.

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Candidate C: Le Mystere Dream Tisha Seamless Underwire Bra

And here we have the best bra of all (at least it seems that way.) Oprah once reccomended this bra for full-busted women and now the manufacturer touts it as Oprah’s fave bra ever. It’s much better-looking than the first two and (I would guess) better-constructed. However, the price is significantly higher–about 70 bucks per bra, to be exact. So that means if I could get two bras (my plan) for about $140, which is a lot more cringe-worthy than two bras for about $60. The price is a little steep, though I could be saving money over time if this bra has greater longevity than the other two.

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I should probably just get some right-sized bras that I can afford right now so I can just go ahead abandon my current ill-fitting ones. The husband and I will soon be moving into our very first, real, grown-up home and so money is a little tight with all the sudden expenses. Thus, price is really the deciding factor.

But, then again, we’ve got less than two weeks left at our current crappy apartment and I probably wouldn’t order anything online right now in case we’re not there to receive the shipment. Soooo…. that means I would have to wait until next pay day (when we will be in our house–YAY!) to order anything. That also means that I’ll most likely be able to afford two of the more expensive bra.

Oh, choices. What’s really funny about all this is that I’ll probably end up getting the less-expensive bras because I’m so paranoid about unexpected costs. Go figure.

A Really Long Post about Boobs April 30, 2008

So yesterday I talked a little bit about my chronic bra troubles. Finding proper support for the twins has been an ongoing issue pretty much since they magically appeared on my body, like, a decade ago. In my case, the subject of bras is fraught with old psychological baggage—not only did I develop waaaay before any of my friends, I got to experience the joy of pervy stares from adult men and (oh boy!) the added bonus of never being able to find a bra in my size no matter how many racks my mother and I looked through.

As you may be able to tell, it’s not just ill-fitting brassieres that give me the night-sweats, it’s also my semi-negative perceptions about my ginormous boobs. In a society where being very, very thin and tiny is exalted, one doesn’t feel always feel great walking around with a set of huge knockers. Oh yes, you do get plenty of attention, but most larger-busted women will probably agree that being shamelessly leered at by nasty strangers is hardly something that inspires one to feel a rush of self-confidence.

I believe that my own body issues can be somewhat alleviated by taking a two-pronged approach. First, to simply remind myself every day that, hey, I’m a pretty good person and I shouldn’t be torturing myself for being born with a certain kind of body type. I mean, it’s not like I had much control over my own genetics.

And, second, to find a proper support system for holding up my sweater puppets. Not having to deal with pinching, bulging, and constant repositioning would certainly make me feel less resentment about having plus-size breasts on an average-sized frame.

As it turns out, a lot of my bra-finding troubles stems from the fact that I’m wearing the wrong cup-size (a very common problem.) It’s been years since I had my bra size measured and, undoubtedly, things have changed. The husband (who is always very concerned when it comes to this topic) suggested that we take a trip down to the bra section at our local department store to have my breasts scrutinized by the old lady with the measuring tape.

However, I figure that we could do just as good a job taking measurements at home and figuring it out ourselves. First of all, I don’t think that I’m emotionally secure enough yet to go to a department store and not feel like absolute dirt about my body just because they didn’t have my super-rare size in stock at that particular moment. Secondly, I don’t want to feel pressured to buy whatever it is they do have in stock in the (likely) case they only have something not-so-flattering in my size. 

I think some of you know what I mean here… It’s like, yeah, it takes a lot of material to hold these puppies up. But at least throw some lace my way. Maybe some detailing. And some other colors than white or black, for God’s sake.

So, anyway, it’s the internet for me!

Now that I have my true (I think) bra size, the search is on. More on this later. In the meantime, wish me luck!

Another boring outfit April 29, 2008

It’s not a bad outfit, really. It’s just not a really good one, either. It’s been pretty cold outside these last few days and my main focus has been to wear something that won’t leave me shivering. I suppose that I could have slapped on a pair of thermal tights (and may do so tomorrow morning) but I really didn’t think about it today.

Perhaps my feelings about this outfit is tempered by the fact that, underneath, I’m wearing a less-than-satisfactory bra. As a larger busted woman, I find it really difficult to find a decent bra. I used to think that going to Victoria’s Secret and the like was the answer, but I just can’t afford to spend $40 on a bra.

So, I turned to eBay. Perhaps not the best place to shop for undergarments, but these are desperate times and, hey, 30 bucks for six bras is hardly a deal one could pass up. I have to say that the fit isn’t bad, really, and I suppose that I can live with the non-luxe fabric. The jury is still out as to whether or not I am satisfied with the support it provides. Ditto on the silhouette.

Forgive the lack of pics regarding the bra situation. While I’m willing to post pictures of my fashion choices (good and not-so-good) I already feel as if my boobies are the focus of enough attention and speculation without <pun> exposing them </pun> to the blogosphere. I’m sure more in-depth and illustrative posts about my bra situation might up the readership on this blog, I just don’t think I’m ready to make that leap yet.