You know how sometimes you have lots of awesome things going on at once, like, say, TWO catnip mice and a nice long ribbon to play with? And you get kind of overwhelmed, but you’re still having a rad time? Ruby knows. Yikes, I will never say “rad” again. That was weird.
Hey friends. This isn’t a real post, except to share some good things going on in the world and keeping me busy, which, as The Worst March of Them All (weather-wise) drags on, is a good thing.
**
Big News: I’m currently enrolled in a bra-fit certification program led by Ali Cudby, author of Busted!, which I reviewed last year when I started this blog and absolutely adored. I had the privilege of meeting her at CurveNY, and I had every intention of asking her intelligent, pointed questions about her career, the lingerie industry, consumer empowerment, the importance of bras to a woman’s self-esteem and self-image, and that sort of thing. Instead we talked about Bravissimo and our favorite bras. Whoops. Anyway, she’s lovely, warm, and incredibly knowledgeable, and the course is a wonderful reminder that women come in all shapes, our bra sizes are not set in stone and do not define us as people, and that no matter how we feel about our bodies or what we might be led to believe by the media/our own inner demons, there ARE bras out there for each and every one of us that will make us feel good. I’m really enjoying the opportunity to hone my bra fitting technique and especially to learn how to fit women who aren’t, you know, me.
The FabFit Academy is a new venture designed to improve the fit skills and customer service of boutique owners and employees. As such, it assumes course members have access to actual customers, and the homework assignments require questioning and fitting multiple women each week. As I work a full-time emphatically-non-lingerie job, my free time is dedicated to convincing my poor friends to let me see their boobs.
**
Speaking of work, I know it’s boring when people are all “oh my gosh, so sorry, work has been CRAZY lately,” but seriously, work has been CRAZY lately. Late nights, weekends, sigh, etc. Anticipate having free time to do laundry/cook real food/blog in two months or so.
**
When I’m NOT at the office or looking at boobs, I’m in my kitchen. One of my neighbors, a gorgeous, insanely talented, immensely generous woman who’s been my friend pretty much since I moved to New York, is getting married in June and has asked me to make her cake. I am flattered and honored to have been asked, and I’m so excited for her and her fiance. So naturally I, being a fool, chirped “oh of course!”, forgetting that I have shaky hands and usually decorate cakes by swirling the frosting and calling it a day. I’m currently keeping dairy farmers in the New York area afloat while I make sample cakes, curds, and frostings, test my decorating skills, and seek out new recipes. So far my freezer is 2/3 full, I’m two cakes and two lemon curds in, and I have only messed up one of each. Yep, I’m professional. Also, can I borrow ten dozen eggs and eighty pounds of sugar?
**
You know how at least once a year you run out of everything at once, and you have to restock shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, that face wash you’re convinced is overpriced nonsense, deodorant, razor blades, Q-tips, mascara, foundation, chapstick, tampons, hairspray, toothpaste, and nail polish remover in one fell swoop, and it leaves you financially shell-shocked and horrified and you resolve to stop grooming forever, but then it’s SO NICE having real shampoo instead of a watered-down bottle and real mascara instead of ditto? I just replaced a bunch of bras that were super, incredibly tired, and while I still feel sort of “gah you just had to buy a new computer and you still have to buy 1,302 sticks of butter before June, slow your roll,” oh MAN are these new bras nice.
Rapid-Fire Reviews:
Starburst Bra by Bravissimo. £29.00, available in sizes 28-38 DD-J (UK). Matching brief and thong, sizes XS-2XL.
Hot damn, I’ve been looking for a bra like this for a long time now. Bravissimo’s own brand bras seem to suit me really, really well. First Lola Luxe, then Boudoir Beau (pretty please more colors, Bravissimo?), and now this cutie, a star-spangled, unpadded plunge bra. The band closes with three sets of three hooks-and-eyes, and that extra depth gives nice, smooth support. The shape is lovely and rounded, the wires aren’t too wide-set, and there’s enough room in the top of the cup that the plunging neckline doesn’t cut into my full breasts. It’s not a super-push-up bra, but I’d say it’s a fair cross between Freya’s Deco and Panache’s Tango plunge in terms of cleavage– work appropriate so that it won’t show under a button-down or V-neck, but sassy enough for a fun night out. I wish the stars were slightly bigger, bolder, and starrier, but that’s me; others may appreciate the print’s smaller scale.
“Marcie” by Cleo. Available in sizes 28-38 D-J (UK), briefs sizes 8-18 (UK). Prices vary.
I don’t have much to add except it’s just as awesome as the last one. Fabulous color, lovely round, uplifted shape, good for “perky” full boobs, comfy straps, dots, ruffles– what’s not to like? This shape works incredible well for me, and I love having a mesh bra that’s supportive yet lightweight and cute. I’m going to try to treat this one a little nicer than my last one and maybe not wear it pole dancing, just to see if I can make it last longer. I’m hesitating on getting the matching briefs, as freaking adorable as they are, just because they are SO dang low-cut they keep wanting to slip right off my hips. I may size up to see if it fixes the problem; but I do wish the rise were 2-3 inches higher.
“Jasmine” by Panache Superbra, available in sizes 30-38 D-K (UK). Matching brief sizes 8-18 (UK). Price varies.
I had heard very, very good things about this bra, and I loved the bird print for Fall/Winter 2012, so when it came time to choose a new “everyday” bra, I decided to try out the pretty new floral print. Jasmine is very similar to Panache’s classic “Andorra” bra, which I like . . . okay. Both the plunge and full-cup versions of Andorra sit a little strangely on me, but I really, REALLY like the Jasmine. The bottom of the cup is laminated for sturdy support, while the top of the cup features the same soft stretch lace as the Andorra, which is so user-friendly for monthly boob fluctuations. The band closes with three sets of three hooks and eyes, and it just doesn’t budge– I wore it all day Saturday to go wedding-dress shopping with my friend, and I felt comfortable, supported, and pretty (the matching briefs are lovely and comfy). A+, would buy again, etc. Panache and I didn’t use to get along, but all of a sudden they’ve become my go-to brands for a good fit and pretty designs.
**
How are YOU? What’s new in your world? What is UP with all this rain/snow nonsense? Anyone else super behind on TV?
It’s okay Ruby. You’ll catch up on Downton Abbey one day.
