Beach Daze

Gerry and I have gone to the beach twice since moving to Oregon. A few weeks ago we went to Cannon Beach along the Oregon Coast, and this past weekend we went to a large lake near where he works (Forest Grove) called Henry Hagg Lake. Very different beaches, both fun in their own ways.

Cannon Beach was my first time seeing and feeling the Pacific Ocean, and it was insanely gorgeous. I thought I had read that The Travel Channel named it on some beautiful beach list, but further googling of that "fact I read" yielded no results... just know it was super, duper pretty. 

Gerry and I felt like such naive, little out-of-towners when we showed up ready to swim. HA! The water was like 55 degrees. Sheepishly, we left our swimsuits in the car, but ended up having an incredible, memorable day anyway. Picnic lunch, walking and freezing our feet as we wandered up the coast, looking at Haystack Rock and all the cool barnacles and starfish that cling to the rocks in a small tide pool, napping on the beach and delicious fresh fish and wine for dinner. It was prefect.

I gave him a hard time for the "From, Gerry" part. That silly mans, I swear...

So when we set out to go to the beach this past weekend, swimming was an absolute must. We wanted to get out of our apartment (which actually does a decent job staying cool despite the lack of A/C), and into the sun and water.

Sheer Poncho Avenue / Cut-offs Old Torrid Jeans / Sunnies Arizona Trading Co. (Lawrence, KS) / Sandals TJ Maxx / Bracelet Vintage via The (Grandma) Inez Collection / Neckalce Torrid

The poncho is good for the beach, but I still consider it to be a purchase I regret. Although I like the pattern and purpose, I strongly dislike that it is one big square on its side as opposed to having rounded adges or even being a normal square. It just make me feel awkward when I wear it, but you know, the receipt was gone and the tag was off. Live and learn... maybe. I was way too hot to take bathing suit pictures prior to going in the water. The sand in this lake really freaked me out because I kept sinking. There was also a lot of grass and the lake looked murky. I was not a huge fan, and acted like a big, theatrical baby getting in, but once I was to the point where I could float or tread water, I was happy. 

My hair looks awful, but I wanted to share my bathing suit pictures. I've had this suit for years now. I almost bought a new one this season, but right before I did it, I found out Gerry got the job, so I couldn't rationalize shopping. I hope the super cute Mod Cloth emerald green suit will be around next year because I crave it. Having said that, I do still really like this suit, and appreciate the fact that it's a halter that easily ties in the back to be strapless. And you guys know how I feel about turquoise. 

Swim suit Lane Bryant

I'm hoping we get to squeeze one more beach trip in this year; hopefully to a less murky part of the lake.

Because I love you guys, and because laughing at people in pain is only natural, I thought I'd share this absurd picture of me stepping on a cocklebur. I look totally ridiculous, but I think it's the funniest picture of me ever taken. How could I not share?

 

Polka Dots, Checks & Stripes

Last week I met up with Rachele, who took my pictures, to grab a little lunch, and go thrifting.

Blouse Gap / Scarf, Skirt & Purse Thrift / Belt Off a Different Skirt / Shoes Target

I'd say combining items in the same shades is pattern mixing 101. It's a pretty fun way to ease into the styling, if you're a more "by the rules" kind of girl. I really liked this outfit, and the way different patterns seem to add texture. 

I'm trying to be more conscious of my money right now since I'm not working, but I did find a sweet, perfect-for-fall pair of oxfords I can't wait to wear once the leaves start changing color. It's been really hot in Portland the past week or so. We spent all weekend outside, and Gerry and I have been taking cold showers, and eating Blizzards too often. It's been the only weekend we really craved air-conditioning, but it still beats Chicago heat by a longshot. I'm ready for the first crisp, chill of autumn. 

Fat Dialogue [In the Doctor's Office]

If you follow me on Twitter, you may know last week's doctor's appointment left me reeling. Without getting too far ahead of myself, I'll give you a little background.

I have not had health insurance since the beginning of 2009 because I graduated college in December of 2008. Insurance companies are remarkable. The red tape and hoops to jump through to actually get health insurance are astounding, yet when the date to cut you off arrives, there is zero leniency. After a few failed attempts to get health insurance on my own (a long, sob story), I accepted that I would be insuranceless until I found "proper" employment. That day has yet to arrive (fingers-crossed it's around the corner), but when Obama's health care bill passed, I was able to get back on my dad's plan. Obviously, it was not without months of the aforementioned red tape: dozens of phone calls, filling out and faxing paperwork, e-mails, etc, all of which my wonderful, caring and persistent mother handled. 

So after months of bullshit, the time arrived when I could actually go to a doctor without worry of the cost. I admit I did not do much research about the doctor I selected. I just wanted to find one at a bigger clinic so it would be easier to see any specialists should I need one. I made an appointment to see a general practitioner so I could cover all of my bases quickly (as I am only insured until my 26th birthday, next month). 

I'm tempted to get into the nitty-gritty details of this doctor's rude, dismissive comments, but I'll refrain and stick to the point. After having been there for about five minutes, she hurried me through my birth control questions to declare:

You need to lose weight.

I stared at her kind of blankly.

Although your blood pressure is fine, your BMI shows that you're morbidly obese. You're at risk for high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease. The list goes on.

How much weight would you like me to lose?

Well for your height, you should weigh about 150 pounds....

source

I'll admit I'm paraphrasing, but I'm in no way skewing the point: she was preoccupied with my weight and made meritless presumptions about my health. My blood was yet to be drawn, and no meaningful questions about my weight and health were asked.

She proceeded to rattle on and on about my obesity being a "real problem," and disregarded the questions I came to a doctor to ask. It wasn't until I got emotional about my current health issues that she actually allowed me talk. She ended up recommending I see a specialist, but not before advising me that losing weight would likely solve my problem.

I wavered about sharing this story, which unfortunately, is not all that uncommon of a situation (or a blog topic). Fat discrimination in the doctor's office, and the weight-loss-as-panacea recommendation are as common as colds. Do a little light research and let the results flow. It just so happens this was the first time in my whole, fat adult life that I identified it, and realized what was happening to me.

I have been fat my entire life. It is my natural state of being. While I willfully acknowledge that I should make an effort to sweat more often and eat less ice cream (for my heart and blood sugar), I'll vehemently deny my weight as being the cause of my health issues (or killing me). It is one thing for a doctor to listen to a fat woman, and based on what she has shared, advise her to eat more greens and move more, it's a whole other ball game to throw out the same hollow advice grade-school bullies spew. Additionally, even if I were this slobby, greasy, lazy, walking, fat stereotype, it still should not affect the kind of healthcare I receive. All people should receive the same unbiased, indiscriminate care.

Although the doctor made no exercise or diet change suggestions, I'll reluctantly give her a healthy-approach benefit of the doubt, all while knowing: losing weight is one possible and incidental result of exercising more and eating better, but being thin is not the end all and be all of health. Not all thin people are healthy, not all fat people are doomed. It doesn't take a doctor to know that.

Have you ever been blatantly discriminated against at the doctor? What was your reaction?

Vintage Print at the Laundromat

Suggested soundtrack - Hanging on the Telephone by The Nerves

Clearly, summer translates to mean a listening-influx of pop. Pop is such a broad, all-encompassing term for so many sub-genres, all of which I love. This song, popularized by Blondie, is power pop perfection. 

On Saturday afternoon Gerry and I went and checked out the Portland Saturday Market. It's an enormous open-air market in downtown brimming with locals selling arts and crafts. Apparently, it's the largest in the country. Pretty cool.  We also grabbed some food truck burgers from Brunchbox. Gerry went for the big dog, the youcanhascheesburger, a burger with the works sandwiched between 2 grilled cheeses, something we agreed you gotta try just once. I had the special, 4B's: Black & Blue with BBQ and Bacon. The burgers were deliciously sinful, but made us feel terrible later. Shocking, right?

This is what I wore. A bright, loud sunshine-day outfit.

Cardigan Swapped / Cami Old Navy / Belt, Skirt & Clutch Thrift / Flats Shoe Carnival 

We live across the street from a laundromat, which I thought was a fun location to take pictures. I tried to do a little math, and I've come up with estimating this outfit cost me less than $30. Not bad if I do say so myself. 

I am in love with this vintage print, I only wish the fit was better. The elastic is completely worn around the waist making it the same size as the hips. I have to roll it and belt it to wear it. Maybe some day I'll get some sewing skills, but for now, it'll do. I still consider it to be one of the better, vintage plus-size scores I've thrifted. 

Saturday night I had my first internet double date. I felt just as nervous as when I went on my first date with Gerry because I'm anxious like that. He and I met Rachele, of The Nearsighted Owl, and her mister downtown at Someday Lounge for drinks and live music. It was just as fun as I had hoped it would be, but we were both bad bloggers, and taking pictures didn't happen. I blame the vodka. I'm thinking it just means we'll have to hang out soon to create photographic evidence. 

P.S. Someday I'll remember to take my sunnies off my head before taking OOTDs. Today was not that day.

There She Was Just a Walkin' Down the Street

Suggested soundtrack: Do Wah Diddy by Manfred Mann

This song played at the bar last night while we were playing darts.

I wore this out last night. Pretty casual and comfortable.

Cardigan Old Navy / T-Shirt Target / Skinny Jeans Torrid / Espadrilles Target / Necklace Thrift

This is my back balcony, and where I can watch the goats. I haven't seen them since Monday. Where did they go? I hope they come back! 

I've had this cardigan since high school. I almost got rid of it in my last round of purging, but I'm glad I held onto it. I like the pale, subtle color palette.

This is one of my most favorite necklaces. Definitely in the top 3. I thrifted it for $2. Amazing deal. It was lost for nearly a year, and then I found it while I was packing before the move. This is a trend with me, as the exact same scenario occurred about 5 years ago with my vintage windmill locket. I need to be more careful with my favorite things, but I always feel amazing when I find them.

Last night Gerry and I walked to downtown Multnomah Village for dinner and beers. We went to a very tiny, casual "Healthy Bento & BBQ" joint called The Village Hut. Although the service kinda lacked (there were only two people working the whole place, including cooking) and they initially brought me a cold plate of food, I asked for a new one and then everything was perfect. They have an amazing spicy Thai brown sauce they put on the side with all of their entrees. Very delicious. 

Afterwards, we went to The Ship, which we've been excited to try because it's a Chicago bar! The place is a total dive, but I love dive bars more than any other kind. Cheap beer and real dartboards. 

Last summer Gerry and I started playing darts pretty casually, and then one night a bartender convinced us to join her dart league. We were on a dart team called Dog Party! (because we like dogs and we like to party, of course). The dart league was a mixed bag experience because it was quite competitive, and we weren't very good. We needed a break from it when the season wrapped up, but last night we played and it was really fun, despite being pretty rusty. I have a feeling we're going to be playing a lot more darts because I have a new goal. 

When I ordered a PBR last night the bartender informed me there is a raffle going on for a PBR cruiser. Through September 30, every time you order a PBR on draft you get a raffle ticket for the bike. You have to be present to win. 

Guys, I am in love! I want a bike pretty badly, and this one is beautiful. I kept staring at it while I was playing darts. So Gerry and I plan on hitting up The Ship for a few PBRs a couple times a week through September. I hope I win, but even if I don't we'll have fun trying. Wish me luck. 

Even Got My Smile On

Suggested soundtrack - Drawbridge by All Girl Summer Fun Band

AGSFB epitomize all the toothache sweetness I like about twee music. It's somewhat shallow and juvenile, but all-around too adorable and positive to resist. Being cute is king. It makes me feel happier, and I've been feeling a little mopey about being broke in a new city.

I wore this out to dinner and drinks in our new little downtown area last Friday.

Cardigan, Dress worn as a Top and Shoes Target / Skirt ASOS / Necklace The Casbah (Lawrence, KS) / Purse Thrift

I love aqua, black and white together. I realized after taking the pictures that I've worn this vibrant color with this skirt on the blog before, but oh well, it's what I wanted to wear. 

I told myself I'm not allowed to shop, but I'm feeling like I really need to purchase these bandage skirts. In every color. I'd say if I were confident about what size I need, I already would have. 2X or 3X, that is always the question with F21. Sizing advice? I only own tops and dresses from F21, but I'm an 18/20.  My measurements are 47-41-50. I'm thinking a 2X would be too tight. Why does F21+ have the worst size chart in the history of time? 

And why is this the face I made when I thought I got busted taking OOTDs in front of my neighbor's garage? 

Questions I can't answer, people.

We Can Do It!

Suggested soundtrack: The Bleeding Heart Show by The New Pornographers

Sometimes there really is no specific reason I choose a song for a post. I just think this is a really good song, and I like trying to soundtrack your experience on my blog. Neko Case, you make everything a little bit better. 

Gerry told me I looked like Rosie the Riveter in this outfit, which is pretty rad. I wore this to the library, and to run other errands.

Striped Button-Up Thrift / Belt Torrid/ Bermuda Shorts Avenue / LaCoste shoes The Antique Mall (Lawrence, KS) / Headband Probably Claire's / Microbrew Ad Astra (Amber) Ale (Free State Brewing Co, Lawrence, KS)

I'm loving blousy, open necklines lately. Actually, that's nothing new. What's new, for me, is not wearing a camisole underneath. I like this breezier, freer, less structured style. Gerry is liking more cleavage. Also, I think this may be the first time I've ever tucked a shirt into jeans. I'm pretty sure some body-shaming, rules-following fashion writers will say it's a no-no for fat girls because it emphasizes a larger lower-belly, but you know, fuck that noise. I like what tucking a shirt in did for this look. I'm surprised it took me so long, but sometimes you have to re-teach yourself how to tune out fat fashion "don'ts".

I'm a dork... let's move on.

Unrelated to my style, I'd like to introduce you to our new neighbors:

These guys and gals are right in our backyard! Isn't it bonkers? I live in a city, how does this happen? I don't get it, but I love it. There is a big fenced-in, tree-filled area behind our duplex. They are there only about half the time. I am home all day long, and days will go by when they're not back there. Where do the goats live? In someone's house, or is there a farm they go to part-time? I have to assume the latter because as far as I know, you can't house-break a goat like you can a cat, right? If anyone has goat insight to share, I'd love a little more information because for now it is a mystery I can't solve. I can't even tell to which house this fenced-in area belongs. I just know I burst out giggling every time I hear a goat baaahhh (is that the correct term for the sounds goats make?) while I'm eating dinner or watching TV. I also love the sound they make while eating leaves, grass and other greens. It's a cute goat-grinding-munching sound. Aren't those sweet looking goat kidlets? I think so!

The Professional

Friday I had an interview, and tests with a temp agency. I'm actually going to another of the same tomorrow. It feels like a good way to get my foot in the door quickly. The woman with whom I interviewed was about the same age as me, and very friendly and conversational. She asked me to define the most interesting thing about me, and I ended up talking about mitten paws, which surprised me, but in a good way.

Blouse,Vest & Belt LB / Skirt Macy's (on super clearance, I think it was $7) / Pantyhose Target (Assets) /  Pumps Guess / Tote Target

This is my official "Interview OOTD." I've worn it a handful of times, and I'll probably wear it again tomorrow. I love how confident I feel when I wear this. I think it makes me look put-together, sophisticated and professional.

I used to hate having to dress professionally because I always felt like I looked like a Republican. Shopping for professional clothing is admittedly my least favorite trip, which I think is pretty common for plus-size women. I still have yet to find a well-tailored pair of trousers, or a fitted, long-sleeve blazer. It is for this reason I turned to the vest and pencil skirt. 

I love the lace and pleating on the back of this vest. It makes it far more interesting, and less conservative. 

I bought this green tote specifically because it pairs well with all neutrals. Versatility is a good thing to keep in mind if you're on a budget (like me).

When it comes to professional clothes, how do you inject your personality?