Sunday Links, 4/26/15

Climate and Sustainability
–Loving earth is complicated, says this African-American pastor.
–GoSol is crowdfunding a scalable and cost-effective solar solution.
–Climate justice is intersectional feminism in action.
–Peaceful Uprising’s solidarity work: the year in review.
–There would be more regulation of coal mining if it didn’t just affect “hillbillies.”
–Polluters Pay! Carbon majors funding loss and damage.
–Happy bloody Earth Day: every year, more and more environmental activists are killed.
–Swarthmore sit-in ends with fossil fuel divestment support.
–The world is finally producing renewable energy at an industrial scale.
–Is the carbon divestment movement reaching a tipping point?

Fa(t)shion
-The new issue of Skorch is fabulous!
-Also fabulous: Chubby Cartwheels’ “Curves Reign” line.
–18 times Janelle Monae took “Flawless” to new heights.
–This is what plus size clothes actually look like on plus size women.
–Help a young plus size woman find a size 5x prom dress.
–Plus size: blogging vs. influencing.
–An open letter to Lane Bryant.

Sunday links, 4/12/15

Climate and Sustainability
-An important new number: using all the fossil fuels currently available could warm the planet by 16.2 degrees F (8.8 degrees C)–which is far, far beyond humanity’s ability to adapt.
–Everybody needs a Climate Thing. I’m still trying to find mine…
–3 reasons to be optimistic about the fight to save the climate.
–Finally, a climate change message that just might work: public health.
-Kate Schapira set up a Lucy-from-Peanuts-esque counseling booth in a public plaza to listen to people’s climate anxieties.
–May Boeve: the new face of the climate change movement.
–Life above the Alberta tar sands–why we’re taking the government to court.
–Top academics in anti-poverty research ask the world’s universities to divest from fossil fuels.
–Harvard feels the heat on fossil fuel divestment.
–With sit-ins around the country, students escalate “Divestment Spring.”
–7 things to know about California’s drought.
–Obama is about to announce a big job creation move for the solar industry.
–8 things you need to know about Hillary Clinton and climate change.

Fa(t)shion
–20 plus size floral dresses that scream spring.
–How to make Kentucky Derby hats with 5 tutorials that ensure you’ll have the biggest, baddest floral topper at your derby party.
-HELL YES to floral hats as the new flower crowns.
-Amazing pictures from the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York. I would love to go someday!
-“5 years ago today, I came out of the closet. Today, these are the clothes that came out of my closet.”
–Questing for garments that work with–instead of against–your body is a worthwhile project.
-I love this lookbook of plus size goth outfits.

Sunday links, 4/5/15

This Belgian waffle with dark chocolate and strawberries was so good, it was pretty much life-changing.

Fa(t)shion
–First boi in: dressing queer in the corporate world.
–Rebel Wilson says she’s a reluctant plus size fashion icon–and here’s why that makes sense.
–Gemma Correll’s cartoons are wonderful, especially the one about trends men hate.
–Inspired by art herstory: Mandy Greer.
-I’m madly in love with these rose gold spiked sneakers with light pink rosette-covered platforms.
–Lily Allen’s pink velvet coat and ultra-sparkly dress = awesome.
–Lela Rose’s designs for Lane Bryant are lovely and springy.
–7 stores for plus size swimwear.
–Hayley Williams of Paramore = girly-punk style inspiration forever.
–Why are women’s clothing sizes so weird?
–5 fat fashion failures.

Fat Acceptance
–Where are all the fat zombies?
–Fat man dancing and misogyny.
–Say Something Sunday: say something nice edition.
-I was disappointed to find out that Trevor Noah, the new host of The Daily Show, has made sizeist, sexist, and anti-Semitic tweets. As one of my acquaintances, a fellow fat Jewish woman, commented on Facebook: “He literally is disgusted by everything about me.”
–Living Superfat is a Facebook group where larger fat people can come together for support and community.

Sunday links, 3/29/15

Saw this great poem on the T on my way to work. It reads:
This Is Just To Say, after William Carlos Williams, by Rachel Wiley
This is Just to Say/I have eaten/the beauty standards/that were in/the icebox/and which you were probably/clinging to/for profit/Forgive me/They were ridiculous/so binding/and so cold.

Fa(t)shion
–Meet the internet’s goth body-positive princess!
–Top 10 weirdo-babe plus size shops.
-These 50 Lindy Bop dresses are gorgeous. I especially love #s 1, 5, and 7.
–#DropThePlus campaign by Stefania Ferrario and Ajay Rochester ignites social media–but is it invalidating to actual plus size women?
–11 Lakme Fashion Week looks that will inspire your spring wardrobe.
–6 bloggers wearing gorgeous floral dresses from Igigi.
-My new favorite shop: Asunder, which makes gothy, witchy, Victorian-inspired jewelry.
–Which ’90s jewelry trends are primed for a comeback?

Fat Acceptance
–How “obesity” became a disease.
–The trouble with before-and-after pictures.
–Are there fat Asians? Yes, I’m one of them.
-I’m looking forward to Susan Greenhalgh’s upcoming book Fat Talk Nation: The Human Costs of America’s War on Fat.
-Marilyn Wann has started Hank’s Gab Café, a “fat-positive place for people of all sizes and descriptions.”
-If you can, help out Rob, a man who is suffering a health crisis because his doctors spend years blaming his symptoms on his size rather than treating them.

Saw this pinkish-purple SUV on my trip to the Cape last week. If I ever get a car, it will be this color.

Sunday Links, 3/15/15

Climate and Sustainability
–23 women in the climate movement who inspire us.
–50 years after Selma, a search for environmental justice.
–In 2014, for the first time in 40 years, global CO2 emissions have stalled, but…
-Bill McKibben: Climate change won’t wait for Paris: vive la resistance!
-George Monbiot on the UN climate conferences’ failure to address the production end of fossil fuels: “There is nothing random about the pattern of silence that surrounds our lives. Silences occur where powerful interests are at risk of exposure.”
-Naomi Klein: How will everything change under climate change?
–We need regenerative farming, not geoengineering.
–Jordan’s 6,000 mosques will soon all have rooftop solar.
–The USDA is helping rural farmers get their own renewable energy.
–10 myths about fossil fuel divestment put to the sword.
–“Man-made” climate change is a major women’s problem.
–There’s a local flower movement blooming.
–Why bike lanes are battle lines for justice.
–These urban farmers want to feed the whole neighborhood–for free.
-I would love to live in an urban treehouse.

Fa(t)shion
–Celebrate the style of these 8 women for International Women’s Day.
-I love Leah’s photoshoot with Jim Hawkins.
-Nancy reviews Chaffree anti-chub-rub shorts.
–Mei Smith NYC will bring indie designers to plus size customers.
–Why I love altering my shape with corseting (and it has nothing to do with looking thinner).
–9 oversized floral looks from the Spring 2015 runways.
–Lust list: the Curvy Couture Roadshow 2015.
–18 places to buy colorful lipstick.
-Harriet Parry’s dramatic floral headpieces are everything. I also love this dress made of flowers and this tulle dress adorned with flowers.

Sunday Links, 3/8/15

Butterflies at the Museum of Natural History

Fa(t)shion
–Ready to Stare releases their new “Let Them Eat Cheesecake” collection.
–11 awesome brands for plus size workout clothes.
-Fat Babes of LA is hosting their first annual clothing swap.
-Two upcoming events in the South: Love Letters Benefit Fashion Show in Huntsville, AL, and The Fashion Playhouse in Atlanta.
–Feeling myself: Katie’s new bod.
–I know the rules–I just don’t care.
-I love the spring florals in Tess Holliday’s first shoot with Torrid.
–Gudrun Sjoden’s 40 years in fashion.
-Through poking around on Gudrun Sjoden’s site, I found another wonderful Swedish designer, Gunilla Ponten. Her online shop only sells children’s clothing, and doesn’t have an English-language version anyway, but I love looking through the pictures of her creations.
–Mixing prints for beginners.
–Dress shapes for bodies in flux.
–An interview with Magaela, who makes gorgeous flower crowns.
–The first day: I was joining the ranks of fearless women before me, and lip gloss was my way in.

Fat Acceptance
–New horrifying medical device for weight loss: the Full Sense device.
–Why I won’t get WLS.
-If you can, help fat activist Juicy D. Light, who is in the hospital and unable to work–and signal-boost!
–The one with all the fat jokes, or how Fat Monica on “Friends” stuck with me all these years.
-Abundia 2015 has put out a call for speakers.
–We remember Kayla Moore: a black trans woman who was killed by police, who then tried to blame her death on her size.
–Tough love for born-again thin people.

Sunday links, 2/8/15

Blog note: I haven’t been doing Fatshion February posts for the past few days because I’ve been sick, booo. I’m hoping to be better, and back to daily outfit pictures, within the next day or two. 

Cute Valentines I saw in a store window

Fa(t)shion
-Rachelle is putting together a fatshion zine. Check it out and submit if you’re interested!
–16 black fashion bloggers.
-Mary Lambert writes about how she learned to love shopping as a plus size woman, and shares her favorite stores.
-I hope Julianne is right that ginormous pants are coming back in style–I still love them.
–Massculine Fatshion is a new site for masculine-of-center fat folks interested in style.
-Chastity shares her favorite plus size budget-friendly online shops.
–Plus size wedding dresses for the bride on a budget.
–Observe and reserve judgment on other people’s clothing choices.

Fat Acceptance
–Missy Elliott taught me that it was ok for a fat woman to feel desire.
-(NSFW) The Adipositivity Project has a gorgeous Valentine Series which features fat people and their lovers.
–Football, fat people, and media representation.
-Ali shares her strategies for combating fat-shaming on a day-to-day basis.
-Ragen also shares strategies for fat activism in her Say Something Sunday series of posts.
-The Fat Nutritionist talks about her relationship with food and exercise.

Mac n’ cheese: the ultimate winter comfort food.

Sunday links, 1/25/15

Fa(t)shion
–Are fashion bloggers the new socialites?
-Check out my friend Maggie’s fatshion blog–she’s been posting some great outfits, and fatshion inspirations as well!
-Candystrike just released a bunch of new items, including an amazing silver and black striped skirt.
–Big & Tall Style for Butches and Others is a new Facebook group for fat people who have a masculine style and don’t identify as cisgender men.
-Speaking of masculine style, my friend Milo is selling handmade bowties at his new Etsy shop, Dappy Dandy Duds.
-I have mixed feelings about Target’s new plus size line, Ava & Viv. On one hand, inclusion by corporate retailers isn’t all that awesome in the grand scheme of things. On the other hand, it’s nice to finally see a collection that’s available in-store, since there are so few options for fat women who either can’t or don’t want to shop online. Most of the clothing doesn’t excite me, but there are a few pieces I like, and there’s nothing wrong with good solid basics. The size range (up to 26/4x) could be better, could be worse. Overall, I feel pretty meh, but can understand why other people have strong feelings one way or the other.
–The scientific reasons behind fashion don’ts: “Don’t wear white after Labor Day. White appears in stark contrast to fall foliage, making the wearer a prime target for bear attacks.”
–11 fashion mistakes all women should avoid: “5. Mixing floral prints with lighter fluid and an open flame.”
–Cambodia’s garment workers aren’t backing down.
–Fashion and “normalizing obesity.”

Fat Acceptance
–I stood up to a fat-shaming bully on the train because I’m tired of fighting for the right to exist.
-Chicago’s new plus size burlesque group, the Fat Follies, now has a Kickstarter campaign to help get their group off the ground.
–Capitalism and the weight loss industry.
–There’s a new paper advocating terrible medical guidelines for treating fat people–and surprise, the author is on the advisory boards of multiple companies that make weight loss drugs.
–On the latest in fat eliminationism.
-A letter to doctors: why there’s no point telling me to lose weight.
-“Hang on a minute…shouldn’t all mermaids be fat?”
–Dear white fatties (and other socially visible fat activists).

Sunday links, 1/11/15

Wintry frolicking

Fa(t)shion
-When I read this, I was internally jumping up and down and shouting “YES”: The revolution will not be plus-sized. I’m working on a post of related reflections, which I’ll try to put up within the next few days.
–Deb is going out of business, which is a good opportunity to get clothes at rock-bottom prices, but also sad because it’s one of the few options for cheap, trendy plus size clothing. I still remember how excited I was the one time I visited a Deb store in person.
-Leah writes about why she is finished with SimplyBe.
-Gabifresh’s new line of swimsuits looks awesome. Like her last line, it only goes up to a size 24, but she is hoping to expand the size range in the future.
–A review of (mostly) black plus size leggings.
–The most important fashion trend of this century: Quvenzhane Wallis’ puppy purses.
–Legendary women in literature are rewriting the rules of style. This piece links to a great piece by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about her struggle to be taken seriously within the literary world as a woman who loves fashion.
-New online vintage shop Future is the Future sells clothes with sizes listed in both men’s and women’s sizing.
-Major fatshion inspiration: the incredibly glamorous all-black outfits of Melissa McCarthy, Amber Riley, and Gabourey Sidibe.
–Advanced Style interviews the Accidental Icon: “As someone who has been involved in thinking about social welfare and social well-being for my entire career, I have recently become interested in the power of fashion and clothing to challenge oppression alongside it’s [sic] potential power to oppress.”
–Target finally listened to Chastity Garner and decided to make a plus size designer collaboration….which will be available online only. *sigh*
-I love Buttercup’s end-of-2014 post, especially this: “Seriously though, where does this come from, this bizarre, misplaced sense of moral outrage at other people’s clothing choices, as if there were a universally recognised right and wrong way to get dressed?”
-If you live in western MA, check out this upcoming clothing swap.

On our adventures, we came across a field of friendly cows.

A few more reflections on the end of 2014, and the beginning of 2015

With my fellow fab fatties at the Curvy Yoga retreat

Here are a few things that didn’t make it into my 2014 Year in Review post. In 2014, I:

-Started participating in the Alternative Curves blog hop, and joined its Facebook group. It’s been great to find my niche with other plus size bloggers who enjoy punky, goth-y, costume-y, and otherwise quirky fashion. Looking for that niche was the very reason I started this blog! I’m especially excited for this upcoming month’s theme, Riot Grrl Heroines, as well as June’s (’90s Mall Witch) and August’s (Japanese Streets).

-Joined another fashion-niche FB group, the Glitterati, for people who subscribe to Crown and Glory’s monthly subscription box (which is always awesome and full of shinies). It’s fun to connect with other people who love sparkly things as much as I do. And I got Leah into C&G too, woohoo!

-Even as I joined more groups and connected more with the fatshion world, I also felt left out, as people have increasingly moved to Instagram. I don’t have a smart phone and don’t plan to get one anytime soon, so there’s a whole social network I can’t be part of, and it feel like that’s where everything’s happening these days. It’s also frustrating seeing so many lists of “top ten bloggers!” “best 20 outfits!” and knowing that I never even had a chance to make the list, because they’re all pulled from Instagram. (I know, I know, I’m not in this for the recognition–but sometimes recognition is nice.)

-Read 30 books by women of color.

-Participated in a Curvy Yoga workshop at a yoga retreat in Western Massachusetts. Anna Guest-Jelley is just as wonderfully body-positive in person as she is on her blog, and it was so powerful to do yoga with a room full of fat women, moving our bellies out of the way without shame. I hope to have more opportunities for movement with other fat people in the upcoming year.

I wish I could wake up to this view every day.