the FASHION thread

Lisa, I agree with Beth - go to Target and get some warm layering clothes (the swingy type as Tina suggests is a good idea). What about some flowing pants? You could always wear something underneath for warmth. How long do you have to be on the Decadron?

My cousin who has mets was on Decadron for three - four months (stopped the Dec in November and has lost most of the weight BTW) and had the very same side effects. She wore loose fitting tops, layered over long sleeved tees and comfy pants or leggings.

Have a wonderful trip, Lis.

Raye

Linora - the dresses look FAB! It's an honor to be chosen to display in storefronts and in the additional art show. You've gotta call that success!

Tina - I am a D-cup, so yes, the tendency is to have a tunic fall or drape from my 'shelf'' and definitely look blocky. I thought I might try to find a couple of clingy-ish t-shirts or tops that I can then put a sweater type tunic over - like a long cardigan? It irks me because I hate to wear camouflage clothes - it's always obvious you're just WIDE under there.

 Beth - I am going to Target today. After I go to the "Upscale Resale" shop that the Am Cancer Soc. runs. My friend volunteers there on Tues,. so she may have an idea what's in stock that has some potential. Maybe a combination of Target (for some up to date styles) and resale (for the fuddy-duddy, but classic) will get me through.

Saint - I'm considering the long dress/boots combo. But I've gotta find them cheap. My only boots are my UGG boots. I love 'em, but not with a dress.

Thanks for your help!

Lisa

ps - whoo-hoo on the thong, Tina! Guess we cannot expect pictures...

Three cheers for the resale store!!!

What fashion magazines does everyone read?  I have not read Glamour in years because I have thought it was too young for me but I glanced through this month's copy at the library yesterday and I thought it looked pretty good, esp. about catching up on trends.  I find Vogue and those high fashion mage just too out-there for me. 

I want to look current but not like I'm trying too hard.  Definitely don't want to look like I'm trying to re-live 25!

Well, the thong has not yet arrived but I have been wondering if I dare show my DH.  I don't know if his heart can take it. LOL

Daffodil, come on, go for it!  Who knows?  Maybe we will start a trend here.

And, no, Lisa, you cannot expect pictures.  So cheeky of you, young lady. 

Love the thongs, you wild thing! Very pretty.

Magazines. Glamour would have to be my favorite. Good articles, tips on makeup, products and clothes.  I do like Vogue and Vanity Fair as well, but almost just for the ads, as the clothes in the fashion spreads are not something I would wear or begin to afford. I also like to look at the pics in Vogue and Vanity Fair of the socialites attending their events. Fun to see, but for fashion ideas, naw. 

When I was doing chemo every other week, my husband would take me to the store and I would buy 2 magazines and a Three Musketeers bar. I was reading almost every fashion mag out there, except for Cosmo - now that one I haven't been able to tolerate since I was in my mid 20's.

 Snow anyone? We are having a blizzard! Beautiful.

Well this Project Runway is over and it's left a big hole in my life.  Had a lot of other things going on and gradually everything got cast aside in the name of the show.  It was fun, but the single biggest impression I am getting from the show is how the flash pictures added so much weight to everyone, including me!!!

I am on a diet starting today and the most important component of this diet is going to be exercise.  I want to be svelte and slim for spring... 

We have so much snow, never seen so much of that white stuff.  It's really screwing up my exercise regieme...I guess I have no choice but to ski in it!!!!

Linora 

Snowing here, too.  Some sleet mixed in.  Driving is awful.

Diet!  Who said the D word?  I am on one, too, starting right now.  I even stopped by the local health club yesterday to check it out in its latest incarnation.  Not bad.  Think I will spring for the 3-month trial for $165.00.  Includes all cardio equipment, free weights, machines, classes, pool.  Facilities are really decent.  Starting tomorrow.  (No driving today!)

Have even put new batteries in my jumprope.  Right now, though, I think I'd like a nap.

Lisa, Red fleece sounds very vibrant and pretty.

Count me in on the diet.  I wore jeans to work today because the weather is so bad. The last time I put these things on (Christmas), they were a little baggy, now they are so tight I can't stand it. I might take a risk and drive the 1.5 miles to the gym and run on the treadmill. The snow is supposed to slow down in the next couple of hours.

I have a couple of pairs of thongs, but I do not consider them comfortable.  Maybe they take getting used to. I know a lot of girls that wear nothing but thongs...well, under their clothing I mean.

The Garnet Hill site says that the Hanky Pankies are "renowned as the most comfortable thongs" on the market.  We shall see.  I chose these because of that claim.

They are stretch lace and the catalog says "one size fits all."  I figured my butt could fit into a "one size" deal.

Basically, I LUV granny panties but every now and then I go a little crazy.

EWB, yes, batteries for my Jump Snap.  Ropeless jumprope.  Here's the website.  http://jumpsnap.com/

I can jump in the LR in my stocking feet.  Don't even shake the house!  I suppose it is good for spine and hipbones as it stresses them pretty well as far as I can see, although I've not had any pain issues.  BURN those calories!

I think I paid about $50 for a pkg. deal which included the "rope," weights, carry bag and instructional DVD.  There are some deals on the website.

Really, though, I hate to exercise. 

Leave it to you, Beth, that you would be up on thong varieties!!  I own thongs, I've worn thongs, but I didn't know there were names for different styles.

Have to admit that I only ever wear a thong if I have a hot date.  Wearing a thong is like giving yourself an instant wedgie with dental floss but it's not the wearing that's the thing, as we all know, it's the instant before the removal....

Don't know if this will depress some of you, but actually I find that MORE Magazine is probably the most useful fashion mag for me because it's geared to us older chicks (40+) so they have actual women my age who are often real working women (not just models, but you know, normal 9-to-5-ers) wearing very cool clothes & not looking like total twits doing it.  Even if you're not 40 yet, we older girls will let you read it.  Gives you something to look forward to --  i.e., aging gracefully, beautifully & healthfully.

I love Michelle Obama for that -- good role model -- over 40, tall like me, not a skinny stick, smart, works hard, looks like a normal person, cute boyfriend.

I broke down and tried a thong last winter. Got a cheap one near Valentines day. Actually loved it! Didn't have to worry about panty lines, but the day I tried it was freezing. You really feel the difference on your carseat! Kept the band up high at my waist and didn't really notice the floss thingy going on. Polyester ones stretch nicely, my high cotton-content ones are stiffer.

Go ahead, you only live once!

I agree with More magazine but also watch What Not To Wear. It gave me the guts to wear tighter tops (when I had boobs) and someone who left work came back to visit and said "Oh my god, you've lost so much weight!" I thanked her, even though I knew I hadn't. It worked! Usually my tops fell from my boob-shelf and bagged down after that.

Barb & those of you from colder climes like me...

I just wear leggings in the winter...to the ankle & no underwear...no panty lines nothing to worry about.  And I pull on some socks...the bunchiness around the ankle can actually be flattering.  Looks like a little boot with your heels.  Also, if you get hot like I do all the time with my femara flashes, the socks can come right off!

And if I'm going to do some reallly cold like ski or be still inside not moving around, then I just pull on silk long johns under my slacks...very comfy!!  I hate panty lines too!!

It's hard for me to even think about a bare bottom right now....it's freeeeeeeezzzzzzing here.

Linora

When I got married my dress was a simple white strapless with beading, but had a heavy lining in it, so I needed no bra - nothing. My "something blue" was a pair of blue thongs. It may have been the joy of the day, but I didn't notice that particular pair of thongs being uncomfortable as I usually do. I usually wear VS bikinis in cotton. So sexy am I.

Yes, I believe in the tight shirt as well. Being small up top even with my size 3 (B cup) prostheses, I am overwhelmed in baggy shirts and feel dowdy in them, so I wear tight turtlenecks, T's, and cardigan sweaters. I don't have any cleavage, so I have to be careful about anything low cut, lest someone get a peek at my chest wall.

That book does sound good! Tina, did you buy How Not to Look Old? If not, I will send it to you. It is under my bed. Let me know.

I am excited about your treadmill, Beth. I actually love running on the treadmill, but I've been trying to mix up the exercise a bit lately, took a step class (first in about 10 years) a couple of weeks ago and am trying to start doing Yoga.

Raye, I requested the book through ILL.  It came in yesterday and I picked it up in the afternoon.  Have gone through about 3/4 so far and have lots and lots of questions and comments.  I would have to read this book through several times to absorb all she has to say.  Thanks for the offer, though, sweetie.

First, though, since it is copyright 2008, I assume some of it is already O-U-T.  Fashion is so fickle.

Okay, she says not to cut the hems off jeans if they need shortening but to cut off "the original hem, shorten, then invisibly re-attach the original hem."  Linora, since you are a seamstress, maybe you know how to do that.  Anyone else know what this means?  I cannot picture it and I used to sew.

Then, she actually advocates fishnet stockings!!! in some situations.  OMG, I am shocked.  Is she serious?

And, of course, she hates granny panties.  This is where I really differ.  If you have any fat at all on your butt and hips, most bikinis and other low riders cut right into it and it looks like heck.  Now, that thong I have on order may be okay but I've never bought a pair of bikinis in my life that didn't cut.  Maybe if I bought a size 100 they wouldn't but if I bought my usual size 5's it was a disaster.  Even 6's and 7's.  So, what's wrong with this picture?

I have so many things to talk about but I'll just leave it at that for now. 

Oh, BTW Beth, does the author of that new book Freakin' Fabulous agree with Charla? 

Also bought my first issue of Allure.  And that Glamour with Eva L. on the cover.  I have been reading InStyle for a while and like that but wanted to wallow in more fashion mags.