As part of my most recent NY trip I made sure to warn my friends ahead of time that much shopping would be done, possibly very little would be purchased, and that this was completely normal/what I expected. I also apologized in advance for any boredom they experienced. There was possibly no better example of this than at the Glossier showroom, where in the middle of the late afternoon, in full blazing summer sun, there was a freaking LINE. A line. To get in to the building and up the elevator.

I sh*t you not, waiting in line with a bunch of chatty women at least two decades younger than me (some with THEIR MOMS) has never been less appealing than when I had to do it in over 100 degree weather.

And then, when I did make it inside (and full disclosure, the line moved faster than I thought it would) the showroom wasn't even much cooler D:. I understand that everyone's AC was doing the most trying to combat the intense afternoon sun, but I cannot browse - let alone try on - makeup and skincare while actively sweating. It's just impossible. I compensated by doing the fastest round robin in history, viciously denying my dollars and time to products I didn't think would perform well (i.e. 99% of the skincare and all the lip products. My friend Jessy bought the raspberry scented lipgloss and the only thing she said to me afterward was "make sure to tell everybody that lipgloss is sh*".).

Now, the way you actually shop the showroom is also unique, because instead of pulling products and collecting them as you go, when you walk in they hand you a paper with a checklist, and after walking around the (much too) small space, trying/swatching/smelling/etc, you grab an associate in a pink jumpsuit, who then takes your order. Finally, after all that, you wait and they call your name to hand you your pick padded envelope (that's in another plastic bag. So much plastic is wasted here.).


First up for review is Boy Brow and the Stretch Concealer, both of which I actually feel pretty positive about. Boy Brow is a brow gel in a teeny tiny tube with a teeny tiny brush, and I went with the tinted version because while I have a little sparsity in the front of my brows, I'm generally too lazy to apply product to correct it. Now I didn't realize until after I'd completed my purchase that there is actually a darker color available, but I don't think it's noticeably too light. Instead I would say it does a good job of grooming all my hairs and keeping them in place for the day, while adding a bit of color just where I want it.

I've thought about this, and apparently I have very little to say about this outfit other than -

1) I love maxi dresses
2) I'm sorry this one is old so there's no current links to buy it new
3) The correct maxi dress length is always nearly skimming the ground while wearing your shoes of choice, thus guaranteeing the longest leg line possible.

I don't think I did too bad for May/June! Those last two pieces were an admitted fuck up (though I've already gotten so much wear and joy out of them I don't feel too bad). July/the rest of summer has the potential to be an absolute clusterf*ck though, mostly because I bought a leather jacket on July 1st that I still have to decide on whether to keep or not.



1. White Linen Dress (Reformation)
2. Linen Boyfriend Blazer (Reformation)
3. Cotton Joggers (Gap)
4. Mustard Ribbed Sweater (Theory Outlet, Also On Net-A-Porter (but annoyingly more expensive))
5. Denim Mini Dress (Free People)
*6. Linen Button Down (Urban Outfitters, different color ways are available online)
*7. Striped Pants (Urban Outfitters)

A big part of my trip to NY this past weekend was going to see in person a lot of the brands I'd only been able to interact with online: Sezane, Christy Dawn, The Frankie Shop, etc. You know, those big, usually more ethically minded darlings, that spoke to me aesthetically but who's size charts I was dubious of (to say the least). And in the end, while I'm glad I got to try things on, damn if it wasn't a bit of a blow to the ego.


I already knew that ethical brands didn't really welcome the inbetweenie/plus size customer. Outside of Universal Standard, I'm not even sure I could name another one focused on that demographic (Elizabeth Suzann kind of does, but their "Plus One Size" doesn't feel nearly descriptive enough to justify the price tag). Ultimately what I found myself faced with were pieces that either didn't fit, or fit so badly as to be comical, because the brand themselves didn't create clothing with curves - let alone big boobs - in mind. This usually isn't enough to get me down, but after the same experience in store after store, I'm not going to lie to you and say that it didn't.

When living in the interesting mindf*ck of a time where body positivity is being used to usher in a new wave of personal insecurities, being faced yet again with brands that didn't want or care about my body was annoying. And hurtful. The mental work I go through on the regular to try and reprogram the things my brain sees as "good" and "desirable" is exhausting enough, and when these brands that purport to disrupt the maintstream still act to enforce the extremely narrow definitions of beauty that are already all over the media, it's just another kick when I'm down.

Being a lover of fashion and a consumer/creator of content in the community means my personal style is a journey of discovery just as much as the rest of my life. I fall in love with people and places and feelings and hope that I can replicate them, but rarely do I feel like the inspiration stays true to the vision. For good or ill, once it's on me - curvy, average height me - it's not going to be what it looks like on anyone else.

I think the new hard mental work will be me getting to the place that NOT looking like it does on everyone else is ok. Great event. I'm not sure I'll be getting to the "love my body" place any time soon (if ever, if I'm being honest - I still can't see my FUPA as anything but a problem (which I'm also embarrassed to admit)) but I'm trying.


So please excuse my word vomit, in and among pictures of myself I was viscerally uncomfortable in, both because I felt like it highlighted features of my self I don't show often (tummy and legs) and also because I don't like male attention and I felt like this rode the line of making me a target (which I recognize is their problem and I shouln't make it mine, but here we are).

While I would not call this particular combination "interesting", I wanted to share it because it's also a great example of how I dress day-to-day. A simple button down that's upgraded with a few fun details worn with a comfy pair of jeans and I'm done. And happy. I wouldn't even say that I'd prefer a closer fitted shirt or tucking this one in - both things I have/could do. Really it's just a slightly different version of this look, which works for me haha.

Despite this past weekend being one of the warmest that wasn't also *constantly rainy and humid*, I did not spend any of it in a pool. Which would be tragic but instead I joined almost a thousand people at All Star Comic Con, one of the newest additions to the DMV's geek convention line up.

I haven't been to that many first year conventions, though I guess with three (or four if you count Wicomicon) under my belt I do have a pretty good idea of what I like. All Star excelled at communications and on-site customer service, could have done better at providing a bigger number of diverse (by topic) panels for attendees and seating/accessibility access for any of the activities done in the atrium area. All in all I would give it a B-/B, and would go again in the future.

Also, this root situation. It's getting really real and I should probably do something about that.

For my fifth installment in this Empties series I decided that it might be more interesting to collect empties over a longer period of time, and discuss what did or did not get repurchased, as well as my thoughts about the actual item itself. Just as a quick reminder, I have oily skin that's become more sensitive over time due to regular prescription-strength retinol use.

CLEANSERS

I know, I know - another floral dress. I'm not claiming to be the progenitor of unique personal style, but dang if I don't love a good dress. And this one is 100% cotton, which is an incredible win in DC's humid summers.

Now to be honest, I haven't been impressed with Anthropologie's offerings in a while, but I think they're having a very strong Spring/Summer. The last time I was in my local store I tried on a bunch of different dresses and tops, and while this was the only one that made it home with me, that doesn't mean some other piece wouldn't be perfect for you.