Feels Like Monday

Of course, my Thursdays always feel like Mondays. I’m used to it.

I just got an email from FatCow about a complaint(which they shared with me). No, I will not be taking the information down. All they can do is shut down my website which is schedule to shut down on the 13th of this month anyway. The only punishment they can give me is to shut it down two days early. I did nothing illegal as I did not mention names and the information I did list is information that anyone can get at any time. No big deal. It will be a relief to not worry about the website anymore. Plus, I wasn’t even sure it was you until you sent in a complaint, but now I am. So, thanks for that.

Hey Ladies, I post body image stuff for fun. I like it. You don’t have to follow my advice in any way, shape or form. Some women like to utilize the information I post. If you’re not one of those women I’m not judging you. Hell, I don’t even follow my own advice most of the time. Especially the “shut up, Liz!” type of advice. I just like helping people. That’s why I started Furies, to help artists. So, don’t feel obligated to dress a certain way just because you read my blog. I don’t even dress the way that I tell other people to.

I couldn’t sleep last night, as shown through my twitter posts. I was thinking about this thing that I saw on fb about a week ago about crayola bombs or something. Have you seen it? And I thought, “God, how cool would that be if someone could get Crayola to sponsor something like that?” Not bombs, obviously, but some sort of charitable contribution. Crayola(or any other craft supply company) should supply someone with at least 5,000 of the following: boxes of crayons, watercolors, sketch pads, pencils, and a pack of canvas panels. That person could then pack up one of each into a tote bag or something similar and deliver them to community centers, schools, and homeless shelters.

How excited would you be if you were a poor kid that received something like this:

Unnamed by lizkzook featuring forever 21 tote bags

I would be super duper excited. I would be fucking stoked, actually. I was the kind of teenager that if I didn’t have art supplies I would rip wallpaper down and use eyeliner. But that hardly ever happened because my mother always made sure that we had enough supplies to stay creative. She encouraged that spark within us. So I guess I could blame her for causing the itch that made me rip up wallpaper. (Kidding, Momma.) I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without art supplies. I don’t think any kid should have to know what that feels like. I know shoes, shelter and food are important. I’m not trying to diminish the importance of nutrition and health, but something should be said for creative health, too. And the things that creativity can breed; like self-confidence, interest, curiosity, and an eagerness to learn. Creativity can, especially in poverty, lead you down more positive paths that you didn’t know were available to you before. Man, I am fired up!

But how would you even get started with something like that? Would you raise the money with help from the community or would you go straight to Crayola and say, “Hey, we’re trying to do this really wonderful thing for kids. Will you help us?” Would it be a charitable organization or a one-time itch to encourage creativity? Would you reach out to the community and ask them where the packs should go or would you just show up at community centers with a hundred totes on each arm and start giving them away? I don’t even have a name for it what the tote bags should be called???

Also, about giving things away…

Does anyone have any kids that are learning to tie their shoes or know of a place that might be able to utilize these? I have about five that are finished. I can make seven more. I invented them to help Zo tie her shoes and it worked. I’m giving away the five that are finished because they aren’t selling. haha. And I could use the space they’re taking. (There is a pocket on the bottom for their little feet to slide into and a velcro strap to go around the back of their ankles. You basically just strap them on your kids feet to help them practice tying their shoes. The huge laces are easier to grasp with their little fingers.) Plus, they’re really cute and Zorrie still plays with hers.

I guess just leave a note in the comments. I’ve never just given anything away on the internet before. I’m going to double check and make sure that I have five left. Okay, I dug them out of storage. I have four that are made, but I’m going to save the red one for my Camalam, because he hasn’t learned yet. I’ll give away one of each: purple, blue, and green. They are a little flat from being stored with my neck pillows(there might be another giveaway), but all you would have to do is run them through the dryer. If your kid doesn’t need one, you might know someone that does. Tell your friends. This is a no-strings-attached giveaway. But I do have dogs, so keep that in mind if you have any allergies.

Last night was pretty much a normal night for my family. We checked out the currently-in-remodel Gateway Island. It’s looking really nice. I can’t wait until they are finished so we can go for a picnic there. The geese took off right over our heads and that was pretty awesome. A huge flock, seemingly out of nowhere, got the urge to fly and were literally within grasping distance over my husband’s head. The kids were talking about it the whole car ride home. Cameron especially. He loves anything that flies. Eventually I’m going to take him to the little airport in Murfreesboro. They give you tours and let you touch the planes. The girl has already been with her Nanny, but I’d love to take the boy. It’s in our list of Summer plans, among so many other things.

By the time we got home Kenneth’s ham was done baking. It was the most delicious ham that I have ever eaten. That man can cook! I didn’t even have to cut it. It just fell apart as soon as my fork touched it. And the girl? She ate it all and asked for seconds! She even ate all of her green beans without complaint just to get more ham. That has never happened before.

And as soon as the kids were asleep, we popped in the Hangover Part 2 and cuddled up. That movie is hilarious. It’s not normally my kind of comedy. I usually prefer dark or dry humor. But we enjoyed it quite a bit.

I feel like this blog should be separated into 4 different posts, but these are all of the things that are going through my mind right now, so, deal.

3 more days to capybaras!

 

Consultant Website and a New Project

I have created a website for consulting. I’m very excited about it. I think it looks great. I’ve gotten some good reviews and critiques on ease and functionality. You can look at it here* and tell me what you think in the comments. (It links back to the blog.)
Also, I’m working on getting an e-book done. There’s more information about that on the website as well.
I hope you’re all having a great week!
I have a weekly dinner guest that I have to start preparing for.

*EDIT: There is no longer a consulting page. I’m still making the books, however, due to lack of interest they are going to be in print format and there is no longer a sign-up for them. I don’t know if I’ll make a sign-up again or not.

ControlFreak Panties – It’s About Damn Time

So, I’m a little late to the party. But that’s par for the course with me. I can be kind of dense and sometimes I get so wrapped up in something that I can’t pull myself out to see new things that are going on. And these things are a pretty big deal. 

Control Freak Apple

Wacoal has released a new line of Shapewear Panties for Apple shaped and Pear shaped women. “ControlFreak aims to fill a gap in the market with a focus on women’s unique figures and varying body types. The new collection provides more specialized and specific solutions with women’s body types in mind – Apples or Pears. Both styles aim to solve curvy fit and comfort challenges, while offering smoothing, control and support.”*

ControlFreak Pear Brief

It’s hard for me to believe that it’s taken this long after decades of feminist activity and protesting stick-thin-models. However, I won’t complain too much. I’m excited that they’re doing it at all. 

The Apple Brief is supposed to smooth the tummy and lift the rear. The Pear Brief smooths, not only the tummy, but also the hips. It also allows for more junk in your trunk. Both panties have relaxed leg openings for comfort. You’ve gotta watch the video. 

I feel like it’s my duty to go buy a pear pair and test them out. If they work I’ll let you know. They’re being sold at all luxury retailers and department stores nationwide. 

*My information comes directly from a press release on PR Newswire and the Wacoal website.

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Related articles

• Wacoal Introduces ControlFreak Shapewear Collection (prnewswire.com)

I am an avid O Magazine reader. I love the articles. They are inspiring and helpful. I just received my January 2012 issue in the mail. I like to read before bedtime. Last night I was enjoying my O until I got to an article titled “Your Biggest Dressing Dilemmas Solved!”. It was written by Adam Glassman, an O Creative Director.

On page 110 you’ll see that Adam’s “solution” to muffin top is a soft, belted top and trouser jeans. I have two main problems with this outfit. The first being that the trouser jeans to not rise to the natural waist. The reason this is a problem is the belt is at the natural waist. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but if you put a belt at your natural waist and your jeans don’t rise that high, it can cause the shirt to cling to the trousers. That means when you walk the shirt is going to puff out in the space between the belt and the place where the shirt is clinging to the trousers. Which will accentuate your muffin top, not hide it.
My second problem is that the shirt that they put on this women is cut across the hips. What happens when a shirt is cut across the hips? It makes the hips look wider! So, not only has he accentuated this poor woman’s muffin top, he has also made her hourglass shape into a pear.

Later on in the article they come back to Muffin Top(page 113). The solution is shapewear. I disagree. You don’t need shapewear if your waist rises high enough and isn’t too tight.

On the same page they tackle the Tummy Pooch. Again, their solution is shapewear. Namely, “Briefs with elastic panels in front”. Then they put this poor woman in a tunic shirt that gives her the potato sack shape that I was livid about yesterday. No. No. No. When you have an apple shape you need to refocus the attention on the bust/shoulders and the hips/booty. You don’t just pull a sack over your shoulders to “hide” the problem.

Just a few more things I promise…

Mom Butt – They’re solution: padded panties under butt-lifting shorts under jeans. My solution: pants or jeans with flap pockets. Also, these days, they make jeans that lift the booty.

Chub Rub – They’re solution: more shapewear. My solution: better pants. Higher quality, stiffer fabrics.

Double Boobs – They’re solution: more coverage. My solution: The right size bra! If you’re not wearing the right size then you’re going to have spillage. It doesn’t matter how much coverage there is.

I don’t know what else to say. I think the article could have been better. I like to offer different solutions, not just one: shapewear. I’m a little disappointed in my O Mag this month. I am glad there are other, more useful, articles in there.

Love Your Body!

Love your bodies, Ladies. It has taken you through every happy experience that you have ever had. It may not be the same as it once was and it may not look exactly the way you want it to. However, it’s yours. You need to love it and take care of it the same way that you would anything else that belongs to you.

Out of all of the genes on all of the planets in all of the galaxies, something put you in this galaxy on this planet in your body. That’s a miracle. It may not feel like it sometimes. You might not always appreciate it.

Here are some ways that you can learn to enjoy your body:

• Dance in the shower. No one is watching. GO NUTS!
• Tell yourself (out loud) one thing you like about your body everyday. Even if it’s not on the surface. “I like that my legs help me to chase my kids around every day.” “I like the hugs that my arms receive.” “I like the dimples above my butt.” It doesn’t matter what it is. Say it. To yourself. Loudly.
• Someone in the world, right now, thinks you’re beautiful. Deny it all you want, but it’s true. You need to accept it. You need to embrace it.
• Get your wiggles out. Yes, I am using something from Yo Gabba, Gabba. But seriously. Get your wiggles out. Sometimes, all you need to feel good about yourself is to completely let go. And this is one way to do it.

These are all things that I do on a regular basis.

How do you enjoy your body? Tell me in the comments!