Where does my money go?

Where does my money go?

Lane Bryant-This is my good ol standby, and the number one place I shop. I love a bargain, and its not too hard to get one here. I dont normally pay full price, Im on the mailing (both snail and email) to get coupons. The coupons are what seal the deal for me. It usually $25 off a $75 purchase, $50 off a $150 purchase, or $75 off a $225 purchase. Once in a while I'll also get the $15 off a $15 purchase. Several times a year they run a promo called "Real Woman Dollars". For every $100 you spend, you get a $25 off a $50 purchase to be used during a specific time. I like Lane Bryant because they offer a wide selection of pants in petite sizes. I caught a great deal a few weeks back; all pants were buy one get one free. Considering most pairs cost $30-$50, this was a fantastic deal. I also live not too far from a Lane Bryant Outlet store. The outlet store is pretty different than the regular store, and you cant use the normal coupons there (you must get on the outlet store mailing list), but Ive gotten fantastic deals there. Lots of pretty, work/office appropriate tops for $15 or less. There are some pricey pieces, but are usually a lot cheaper than the stores. I often see things in here that never were in my local Lane Bryant's, so it appears they are either sending in stuff from other areas or are pulling from some of their other related stores.



The Avenue-For the longest time, I loathed this store. Every time I went in there, I was disappointed. The clothing is by no means "hip", and much of it is what I don't like about plus sized clothing. I am disappointed by their website as they have chosen to show their clothing off on models clearly not marketed towards a plus sized woman. I prefer to buy clothing online that is portrayed in a manner that I can see how it hangs on someone with curves. Sadly, I was recently looking at dresses and I was disappointed to see how the dresses just hung on someone who had no curves. The only thing I like from this store is a few styles of petite pants and the brand of shoes they carry, cloudwalkers. I was able to snag a pair of black mules with a 2 1/2 inch heel, and they are actually pretty comfortable.

to be continued!

First Post / Why I am here

I maintain a livejournal but I felt like I wanted to branch out more and talk about things I find important. I think that I use livejournal more as a space to vent frustrations, talk with friends, and socialize with communities. I like it for what it is, but I've been burning to connect to others who are in the same state of mind as me.

This blog, first and foremost, is fat positive. That should go without saying, but I am going to put it out there. I don't have a strict plan of where this ship is going, but it will be a place I can talk about my "fat experience". My fat experience is not your fat experience, but I hope you enjoy the ride anyway. I won't tolerate hate, and I encourage discussion.

I am fortunate that I grew up in a family that did not force some sort of idea that I had to be thin to be of any self worth. I did, however, let other people around me, the media, and those I thought knew best, to warp my views on things. From the classmates that made fun of the fat kid to the skinny models you see all over, I felt like I was wrong and that I didnt fit in. Somehow, I came up with this distorted view of what I was supposed to be and look like. I believed it for years. I was trained to think that I was too fat, that I would never be skinny enough, and that I just wasn't worth a damn.

I have been up and down in my weight for years. From a size 7 to a 24, to be exact. When I was "considered skinny" I was never happy. There were still things wrong with me. I still was not good enough. It depressed me, I gained more weight. Lather, rinse, and repeat at least 5 times in my 25 years on this planet. When I was fat, I was embarrassed, depressed, and miserable. What a terrible life to live!

I woke up one day and realized that this cycle of hate was not a life I wanted to live. I can't put my finger on the exact moment a light bulb went off and I realized Im just fine who I am, but I know how I got there. It was about 3 years ago that I realized that I need to create the standard I live up to. I am in charge of my own destiny. Not the jerk that made fun of the fat kid in school, and certainly not the media. Sure, I may have stretch marks and a belly, but that doesnt make me any better or worse than a woman that wears a size 2. The fact is, the number on my clothing matters very little. It is not directly related to my IQ or what kind of person I am. It doesnt tell you if Im kind, and it will never tell you if I am having a good or bad day.

Life has been so much better since I opened my heart up to myself.