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Age Old Dilemma…

17 Oct

Let me preface this by saying, both co-worker and I are color sorters. That is to say, we have a method for eating candies which come in a variety of colors in one package such as M&M’s, Skittles, Smarties, etc.

I received the following query from a co-worker this afternoon:

“I’ve dealt with two but this time it’s not two, but three skittles are stuck together, one yellow and two red.  Do I pry them all apart?  Since the red outnumber the yellow do they go in the red pile? Do they go in the orange pile?  Do I ponder this for a few minutes and ignore my ever growing to-do list?”

My reply to her…

“Step 1) Evaluate the consequences of eating them all at once.

Step 2) If results of step 1 are inconclusive, or unbearable, pry them apart.

Step3) If they cannot be separated, and you refuse to eat them all at once, place them in the red pile since two outnumbers one.

Step 4) If at this point you still are trying to avoid your to-do list, play a round of Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock* to determine if you or the Skittle cluster wins.

*The rules of Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock are:
Paper covers rock.
Rock crushes lizard.
Lizard poisons Spock.
Spock smashes scissors.
Scissors decapitates lizard.
Lizard eats paper.
Paper disproves Spock.
Spock vaporizes rock.
Rock crushes scissors.”
Scissors cuts paper.
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Ramblings on Running…from a n00b

05 Jun

I want to preface this by saying that I know absolutely NOTHING about running. Always hated it in school because I was (am) the SLOW, CHUBBY girl who takes FOR. EV. ER. to finish the mile in PE. In fact, some times when we’d run indoors, we’d hide in the pile of gym mats until about 12 minutes had passed, take a couple laps, and then say we’re done. (Hey, I’m not too proud to admit that!)

Anywho…I know nothing about running…always jealous of those who enjoy it – it really seems like it’d be relaxing, and a nice way to wind down after a particularly crummy day. I never really tried it because I was embarrassed (still am a bit, if I’m honest) because I’m still the chubby slow girl who huffs and puffs a few steps then peters out and walks the rest of the way. Fast forward to May of this year when – on a bit of a whim – my aunt, uncle, cousin, mom, husband and I decided to participate in a 5K to help raise money for young man battling cancer. (I ask you, who decides to run a 5K on a whim?!!??!!) So we went….and we ran…and it was….GREAT! (I should add the disclaimer that I didn’t run the whole thing…I jogged to the 1/4 mile mark, then walked the rest of the way with my aunt. My husband did well jogging most of it (sprinting the last lap) with my Uncle, my cousin jogged all of it, and my awesome mom jogged most of the way as well!) But I have to tell you – I loved it. I was sweaty, tired, my legs were exhausted, but it felt wonderful. We all decided to sign up for another 5K in August – and this time I’m determined to jog the whole thing.

This was taken after my first 5K

This was taken after my first 5K

OK…back to my original thought…I don’t know any thing about running – proper form, foot strike, strides-per-minute, etc. I have been trying to learn as much as I can to improve – I know I don’t have proper form and I seem to get physically tired more quickly than it seems I should (I can go an hour or two with Zumba classes and feel great). So I thought I’d do some looking online for hints and technique to try out while I’m completing the Couch 2 5K program.

I first learned about my foot type (forgive me – I don’t know if there is a proper term for it), and I have low/flat arches, and I over-pronate as a result. Most running forums and articles recommend motion control or stability control running shoes. I have some decent shoes already, but they feel very heavy on my feet; I know I want something more lightweight. In reading more about shoes, inevitably barefoot or natural running comes up. And after reading more about it, I can see where it would be more beneficial/comfortable on your feet, legs, knees, and hips.

In doing further research on the subject of shoes and the like, I found a YouTube video of a person running on a treadmill with normal shoes, similar to what I wear. The foot strikes heel first, which is how it is for most runners, which tells me it may be ‘normal’. In the middle of the video, the runner removes his shoes, and begins to run again…the change is amazingly obvious – the foot strikes mid-sole or closer to the ball of the foot. Those of the ‘natural’ running persuasion feel this is the appropriate way to run. I began to think about this, in relationship to the shoes…most running shoes have a thicker sole, and a thicker heel – meant to protect the foot, provide support and cushion the impact of the foot strike. When you’re wearing shoes, you don’t really think about what you’re stepping on…you don’t think about the surface under your feet. You trust that your shoes will protect your feet from any foreign objects that might cause injury.

Now think about what happens when you’re barefoot. (Go ahead…take your shoes off and walk around a bit…I’ll wait…) What happened? When you stepped down, did the ball of your foot tend to hit the floor first? Is this because, when we’re barefoot, we don’t feel that sense of security of our feet? Do we subconsciously feel more vulnerable when our feet are bare, and so we tend to step lighter? Could this be why so many are turning to natural or barefoot running? Wearing thicker soled shoes may cause us to be more aggressive with our stride – we may strike the ground harder because we can’t feel the impact as much, which in turns causes stress on the joints which have to absorb the shock of impact.

Are there any runners out there? Am I on the right track? (HA! Get it!? Running…track…hehehehe!) Any suggestions for thinner soled shoes which still provide support for my lower/flat arches and over-pronation, but still gives me a sense of what surface I’m running on?

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…and just what the heck is ‘plus-sized’ anyway?! (or dressing for your body type)

09 May

(Let me throw a disclaimer out there that I obviously have NO FREAKING CLUE what being fashionable means because I tend to disagree with most every fashion “expert” or personality. When it comes to those ridiculous TV shows that critique/praise Hollywood for their bold fashion sense, I want to smack them all.)

Inspired by a recent article posted by one of my favorite magazines, I felt the need to say something about how plus-sized women are viewed today, and what exactly is considered plus-sized…and how it is VERY frustrating shopping for quality clothing and accessories when one is viewed as plus-sized.

To being, I will state that I apparently have been ‘plus-sized’ my entire adult life, fluctuating between sizes 10-14…yes, that’s correct…some designers/brands consider size 10 to be plus size. Let me repeat myself. Size 10 is considered plus size.

Many folks wonder why women have such poor body image…I feel there are two factors to this:

Factor 1) vanity sizing dictates more than what size pants to try on. You know the feeling…you have *that* pair of jeans – they fit like a glove, and they are your favorite. You can walk into that store and pick them up off the shelf and you’re good to go. Now you hit up another store…grab the same size pants (same cut, etc) only to find you can barely pull them past your knees! You double check the tag…yep, same size as the old ones…but now to get them to fit comfortably, you have to grab 2 sizes larger! TWO SIZES! What. Even.

Factor 2)  There are stick thin models/actresses who make me want to force-feed them cheeseburgers. You can see bones that have no business being seen! That’s not to say there is anything wrong with being lean and thin…AS LONG AS YOU’RE HEALTHY. The same goes for us curvy girls. Be healthy to be beautiful. Larger women can be a beautiful thing, AS LONG AS YOU’RE HEALTHY. I think more needs to be done to focus on the HEALTHY aspect, than the thin aspect. I observe this in my Zumba classes (well, when I go, anyway…hehe) There are some women in class that look like they’d keel over after five minutes (based solely on their size, just like the rest of the world views us), but they can make it through the whole class and barely need to catch their breath. Then there are some women who look like the picture of health struggling to make it through the first song. Fitness and health are not always directly related to one’s size. I weight more than I “should”, but I don’t feel unhealthy…and I get a clean bill of health from the doctor; therefore I don’t really feel the need to diet to lose weight. I do like to feel healthy.

Ok – aside from those two things, you know what REALLY grinds my gears?! WHY DOES ALL THE 12+ SIZE CLOTHING RESEMBLE FEED SACKS OR MOOMOOS???? Seriously – have you looked through some of the plus size catalogs or websites lately? All the clothing looks oversized and decidedly unfeminine. Just because a woman is voluptuous (chubby…pudgy…plump…whatever you want to be called) doesn’t mean they should HIDE everything behind yards of fabric and layers. Know your body type and dress to accentuate the curves.

Here are links to some blogs I enjoy – not all of them are plus-size, but all these woman have style and dress for their body types. They know what works for them, and they enjoy helping other women find affordable clothing for the real world. I hope you take some time to check out the blogs, and take a minute to appreciate yourself! You deserve it!!

Wardrobe Oxygen –  a blog that offers tips and advice for all women to achieve personal style, regardless of age, figure, budget, or lifestyle.

The Curvy Fashionista – Experienced in retail for over ten years, working in various retail stores as a stylist, fashion expert, or manager, Marie Denee lassoed her life experiences both studied and learned to bring her dream into fruition- The Curvy Fashionista®.

Retro Rack – Yep, you read that correctly! Retro Rack is a blog by New York Times Bestselling author Gail Carriger; this blog caters to fashion with more of a retro/vintage inspired appeal, but Gail gives wonderful tips for gals with larger bosoms. :)

Economy of Style – Created in 2007 as a means of inspiration for fashion-minded folks on a budget. While Psyche is far from plus-sized, she is a woman who knows her body type and dresses appropriately – and dang the girl has style! This is my main source of inspiration for my own wardrobe.

Do you have any fashion and style blogs to recommend? Lord knows there are more, but those I’ve listed above are the ones I read most. And what are your thoughts on the plus-size role in the fashion industry? How do you dress for your body style?

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Things I learned this holiday season…

27 Dec

As we move toward the New Year with hopes for a brighter tomorrow, I’d like to take a minute to share some of the revelations I had this holiday season. Some of these are things that occurred this year, some are just observations. Some are #facepalm and #smh moments…and some just make you say “WTF?!”

  1. Making a plan to get all your shopping done prior to the week before Christmas is great. Actually executing said plan is even better.
  2. When facing the holiday crowds in the mall, come prepared…this includes bottled water, easy to pack snacks, wet wipes, tissues, and making sure you haven’t consumed any substances that may wreak havoc on your digestive system at the most inconvenient times.
  3. Wear comfortable shoes. Even if that means you have to duck into Payless and buy a new pair. Or two.
  4. Dress in layers to avoid having to wear your bulky “I can’t put my arms down” coat in the stores.
  5. Be careful about using livestock references when you’re talking about the group of people in front of you who apparently have much superior hearing abilities than you thought.
  6. Eat a well balanced meal – start with breakfast that does not consist of Christmas cookies and fudge. I recommend donuts and coffee, but some prefer something heartier like strawberry stuffed French toast, eggs, and bacon. And coffee. Don’t skimp on the coffee.
  7. If you’re hosting a festive gathering, give yourself time to clean and organize your house properly as to avoid shoving things in boxes and bags at the last minute, only to never find them again.
  8. Do not guess on what size a relative is. They will inevitably be disappointed and insulting when opening their gifts. Yes, I said insulting…as in, “This might fit you, but I doubt it would fit me.” The same can be said for color palettes – don’t guess. If you really can’t figure it out, go with a gift card.
  9. When your relatives are opening gifts, don’t declare how much of a bargain you got on the item. In fact, most people don’t WANT to know how much you spent on the item unless it’s a gift card/gift certificate.
  10. When opening gifts with a group of people, do not comment on each and every item that is revealed, saying things like “That’s like the one I got you last year,” or “You never said you wanted anything like that!”
  11. If you’re a crafty person and enjoy giving handmade gifts, be sure the recipient KNOWS what it is to avoid any frustrations with their cluelessness. Even if you think it is obvious by placing related items in the same manner which they would be used by the recipient…
  12. Better still, it may be better to AVOID giving hand made gifts to these people.
  13. When opening gifts and you aren’t sure if the item will fit, don’t fuss about it so much so that the giver is unsure if you even like it. If you’re told “feel free to exchange it for a different size,” don’t act excited that you can get something totally different. This sort of ties into #8.
  14. Remember, as a gift giver, the more thought you put into a gift…the more heart and soul you put into a gift, the greater the chances you may be easily offended or hurt. Please take great consideration that not all people are as tactful when expressing dislike or disinterest in things that they may not realize their being offensive or hurtful.

How were your holidays? Did you survive? Have any great stories to tell – good, bad, or ugly? Do share :)

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Colors – Some Random Musings on a Sunday Evening

26 Jan

I’ve been trying to get my act together to redo a lot of my photos for listings – I just don’t feel like they’re eye-catching enough to be competitive on Etsy. Some of the pieces that I have waiting to list are monochromatic so I wanted to really accentuate the colors and make them pop; I’ve been looking into color theory – not in depth, but enough to be able to coordinate the backgrounds of my photos with the pieces to make them stand out. In my readings, I came across this awesome site called ColourLovers.com – and it’s basically what the name implies. The site is dedicated to those who love colors and creating interesting color palettes and patterns. In looking at a lot of the color palettes that the users have put together I’ve come to a few realizations about a few hues, along with a few examples…


  • Red – I think red is a very hard color to get along with. Red is a color you either love or hate; it can be eye pleasing, or it can be obnoxious. I also hate that red is always associated with love or lust, and you can’t really look at red without thinking of those things. It bugs me that you can’t have red in a color scheme without it looking like Valentine’s Day threw up.

  • Purple – Coincidental that it’s a member of the red family? Perhaps. I am not a fan of purple, but I think it can be pretty when combined with other colors. Think of the vineyard colors – mossy greens, chocolate browns, maybe paired with a wine-ish color. But I don’t like purple on it’s own, and you’ll tend to notice I don’t use it a lot in my work.

  • Pinks, mauves, etc. – I love pink, I really do. Give me a hot pink accessory like socks or a scarf and I’ll wear it until it falls apart. But I don’t like baby pinks, mauves, etc. almost as much as I don’t like purple. I’m not sure why – maybe it’s because at one point in time I had a bedroom painted mauve and it almost glowed even when the lights were off. Hmm.
  • Gray, black – I love these darker shades. I love black – the unknown aspects of it; I love dark gray and how it wants to be mysterious like black, but can’t fully let itself go and hangs on to white. I like how it’s a mix of traditional good vs evil, hope vs doom; but I think black in and of itself can be hopeful – it’s like a  long rest and that darkness you see behind your eyelids right before you wake up.
That’s all I have for now…I am sure I’ll come up with more thoughts as time goes on. I never did get around to photographing my work today. I guess there’s always next weekend. :)
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Save Handmade!

26 Dec

You’ll notice a new button along the left side of the blog – “Save Handmade!” with a cute little teddy bear on it. This is in response to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new law designed to ensure the safety of children’s products. As well-intended as it may be, it will force many small businesses to close their doors – the costs of compliance will be outrageous as testing will be required from third-party companies.

I can see both sides to this: As an aunt to two bubbly energetic girls, I appreciate there is something being done to limit the amounts of harmful products on the market. As a member of on online community who specializes in selling handmade goods of all kinds, I am put off by the thought of all the great Etsy shops who might be obsolete once this goes into effect, not to mention those who have brick-and-mortar stores who might suffer as well.

So please, if you support buying handmade goods, regardless if it’s for a tyke or adult, please take the time to read up on this and act on it if you’re so inspired. It’s better to be educated on a subject and choose not to act, than it is to choose not to act because you don’t know what’s going on.

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Infringement…

04 Nov

So I was catching up on some blog reading, and I came across a website selling various collage sheets for arts and crafts projects…what I noticed was this seller is using images that are specifically NOT for commercial use (I’m not going to post a link because I don’t want to give this place any business). Many of these images can be found free at this site, and specifically state NOT FOR COMMERCIAL REPRODUCTION IN COLLAGE SHEETS:
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/vintageresources.html

Not only are the using images that were provided free for non-profit use, they’re also selling collage sheets using images of Vampira – Malia (the mastermind behind Vampira) only licensed Vampira to two companies in her lifetime; now her niece owns the rights and has not licensed any usage (I’ve contacted the operator of www.vampirasattic.com to be sure).

Nowhere on this company’s website did I see any disclaimers or notices that they’ve obtained permission to use these images, or that they’re licensed to use these images…that’s the bad thing about living in a digital world – there’s very little one can do to protect your images or artwork from being used…

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