aesthetics & picnics

[hermionesviolin]

Part of yesterday's shopping trip was Victoria's Secret.  I haven't worn bras since I think 10th grade.  (For those of you keeping count, that's something like 7 years.)  Mostly I just want cleavage (nipple-minimizing is a bonus), and I had this delusion that I'd be able to find bras that basically mold to my body, cup my boobs from underneath, and have basic straps keeping them in place.  What I want seems not to exist, though (demi cups are more material than I had in mind -- okay, searching the online catalog, maybe this push-up bra? ... oh hey look, a strapless bra that comes in D-cup  P.S. Why does VS do its photoshoots like porn?).  I bought two that seemed promising, though, and I wore one of them today.  I keep wanting to readjust it 'cause the front band rubs against me funny and I feel like my boobs keep moving around.  Okay, it occurs to me later that my cleidocranial dysostosis might have something to do with the straps slipping, but still.  One of my original thoughts had been sports bras, which is clearly what I should try.  I half-suspect I'm gonna decide this is all too much, though, and go back to not wearing a bra, 'cause I don't have any physical discomfort involved in letting them hang (yes, despite being a 38D); it's just an aesthetic thing.

I also tried out my new sandals, except the weather changed its mind and the high was only ~65F.  Being out in the sun improved matters, though.  The interfaith picnic started ~12:30 and I stayed until the end ~3:30.  Attendees from Emmanuel Lutheran (Pastor Saling was in jeans like at Thursday evening service), First Congregational, Grace Episcopal (Kate was in jeans with a nice shirt and clerical collar), Church of Christ Scientist, and Temple Shaare Tefilah (I didn't officially meet the rabbi but have decided that I like her).  I initiated hugs with both John and Ed as we were leaving.  Weak hugs, though.  I miss real hugs.

I wanna get my hair cut.  Am thinking cut to my hairline at the back of my neck with some sort of chunky layering, maybe bangs?  I sort of have mental visuals of what I want but am so out of my depth when it comes to this sort of stuff.

Oh, did I mention that one of the issues with muchmaterial bras is v-neck tops?  I definitely wore one today and noticed in the bathroom mirror after dinner tonight that I've been kind of smooched by the sun.  Oops.

Dinner also included discussion amongst by parents about Veronica Mars.  Further reminders that my parents are teh awesomest.  I don't actually watch VMars, but I offered to open up a discussion post on my LJ.  Apparently they expect their questions to be resolved in the finale this Tuesday so I needn't.

Also, I kind of regret not getting the PBJ sundae at Friendly's -- black raspberry ice cream with peanut butter toppings. We'll probably go again when my brother comes back from college next weekend, though.

Gay & Lesbian Film/Video Festival at the MFA starts this Wednesday.  Meep.  I need to figure out exactly which ones I want to see (and which don't conflict with other commitments) and get myself a festival pass.

TV time now.

Comments

[bella-loki.livejournal.com]

Babe, you don't want Victoria's Secret. They're bra's are ok but they're made more for looks than anything. Bali, however, is your *friend*. Little less clevage inhancing but generally comfortable and full of holding-up goodness. Yes, I sound like an advertisement but I'm allowed to be devoted to one of the few bras that works for me. (also? Maidenform is a good idea. Department store Lingere people tend to be actualy pretty nice and useful.)Also? there are bras made specifically for wearing with v-necks. Again, best to talk to lingere dept. store people.
Victoria Secret photoshoots *are* porn. they just like to pretend not to be.

Hugs!
(from your friendly neighborhood bra expert. aka- me!)

[burnalive.livejournal.com]

I would have to agree that VC bras are kinda crappy. My large-breasted friend from college swears by Wacoal bras, which you can get fitted for/buy at department stores.

[kitkatpaws.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'm definately not your size, but i'll try to help. Had probs with VS too. The bra i got there was comfortable, but the straps wouldn't stay up. I really like Calvin Klien. A bit expensive, but it's worth it. Very comfortable, just enough padding, strechy fabric. I'm a fan. Maidenforms are nice too. Go to Wrenthem if you can. They have lots of underwear outlets and a CK store with cheap bras.

[helholden.livejournal.com]

It is very hard trying to do bra shopping when you want both quality in comfort and appearance. I'm with you on the woes of bra hunting, yet I always seem to wear them. I could never get used to the feeling of not wearing them.

Wish I could help you with the hair thing, but I have no idea what would suit you best.

We need to have film festivals closer to where I live. Even Florida might be workable. Sigh.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

I have to say an amen to that. I'm a DD, and I have never found a VS bra that worked for me. But Wacaol is amazing. They are expensive, but they are the best.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

They're bra's are ok but they're made more for looks than anything.

Which is funny, because so many of them I'm like, "Dude, way too much material. Aren't you supposed to be the sexy bra store? How are these sexy?"

Searching Bali's website it looks like they're all full coverage, which isn't so much what I had in mind. Maidenform looks slightly more promising (and has nearby store locations: Kohl's at Walpole Mall, Filene's at Cambridgeside Galleria ... Bali also lists that Kohl's, so I could try both of them in one go).

Yes, I sound like an advertisement but I'm allowed to be devoted to one of the few bras that works for me.

Exactly. I suspected you'd be one of the best sources of information on this issue.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

Brooke (burnalive) said "department stores" and I did a Store Locator and got Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Filenes, which threw me 'cause I hear "department store" and think, like, Sears, but your comment makes me feel less insane.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Somehow I missed this post last night. But, I will suggest that a department store is your best bet, just for the sake of variety. Also, depending on when/where you go, you might be able to get a fitting, which REALLY helps. Also, going during a low-traffic time also cuts down the stress level.

I'm a big fan of Maidenform, personally, and Warner's more now that I'm a newly minted d-cup. And, believe it or not, Wonderbra actually makes the best strapless bras I've found so far (in case you're in the market for one).

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

I was an A or B cup when I stopped wearing them. I'd just been wearing sports bras and it ultimately seemed kinda pointless to me. It's been so many years that I just got used to it as I grew (like how one doesn't notice getting taller -- save hardcore growth spurts -- for example; I'm actually only just now training myself out of thinking of myself as that small).

I've posted mediocre photos of myself to LJ a few times (http://hermionesviolin.livejournal.com/tag/self:+photos), so you can check those out if you wish for sort of a guess as to what I look like. No pressure, though.

I love having so many options for movies, music, art, lectures, etc. Does your college ever do film festivals? (Though wait, if you're a commuter community college probably not so much, huh?)

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

I've gotten measured both at VS this weekend and a lingerie place in Northampton last year (spring, I think) but am definitely not averse to additional fittings (since stuff that's supposedly my size so often doesn't fit right).

[Warner's is at the Walpole Mall Kohl's along with Maidenform and the abovementioned Bali, so that's definitely looking like a place I need to go.]

Strapless bra would be awesome. The ones I've seen for D cups always seem to have these huge bands, though, which I'm not such a fan of -- like if I'm gonna do that I'd just as soon go all out and get a hot looking corset ;)

[bella-loki.livejournal.com]

I actually find it difficult to find pretty/not full coverage bras over a size C (actually if you're not between a large B and a C you're basically gonna have a hard time with pretty) but it's doable. And Maidenform is gonna have more choices coverage wise but I dunno- for someone who's known to wear as little clothing I have I'm still fond of bali.

[helholden.livejournal.com]

Ooh, how long is your hair now? Because, curls? Yeah. Curls would look lovely on you. Not the big wavy ones, or the tight ringlets, but the medium-sized type curls.

If you do the bangs, get thin bangs that part mostly to the sides. Then again, I've never liked thick bangs personally, so your preference could be different.

Suggestions, anyway. You can ignore them, take 'em into consideration. Whatever. ;-)

Oh no. We don't have any, sadly. The, ah, artistic and intellectual levels of my community college are quite low. I hate saying that about it, but it's true. Most of the professors are genius, but our students don't quite . . . match them. At all.

And I'm usually the insane maker LOL

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

You might can get them at Sears; I buy mine at Dillards or McRaes when I'm home at my parents and at a froufy boutique here in Oxford, but the price is the same at both places. Bout 50 smackeroos.

http://www.wacoal-america.com/viewdetail.html?table=bras&key=71 this is the one I wear.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

You photograph well! I love your hair in these pictures. It's such a nice color.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

My hair's about to my chin -- has been around that length for the past few years.

I really like the idea of soft curls, but my hair is naturally v. straight, so I'm not sure I want to inflict that much chemical/heat treatment on my hair.

In the past when I've had bangs, they just lie (lay?) flat on my forehead -- much like the rest of my hair, obviously -- but I like the idea of fluffy bangs. Will have to consult with an actual hairdresser/stylist about whether that's possible.

Most of the professors are genius, but our students don't quite . . . match them. At all.

Bummer about the students. But I'm glad to hear the professors are so good.

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks. The January photos I'd just gotten my hair highlighted -- occasioning the photographing (and zomg never again so expensive). I tend to think it's a pretty boring brown normally. (I've recently been enamoured of the idea of getting red and gold chunky highlights -- which amuses me because I've been hunting Ravenclaw icons recently, so I have red&gold immediately leads my brain to Gryffindor.)

Re: And I'm usually the insane maker LOL

[hermionesviolin.livejournal.com]

$50? *winces* (That is of course not much more than I paid for the ones I got from VS -- which I winced about a mite at the time -- but still; not so much used to spending that much on any single item of apparel -- though yes, if it fits well and will last long it's worth it I know; feeds my "so not committed to this whole bra wearing thing" though.)

good luck!

[onwingsofeagles.livejournal.com]

47 yo and still trying to find "perfect."
having no shoulders is definitely not helpful.

[lunabee34.livejournal.com]

I love love red hair. I think everyone should put red in their hair at some point.