I get this catalog from a company called “Solutions” you may have even read some posts about it or their products on this blog before (before it was a dedicated Fat Acceptance blog, that is).I discovered something called a “bra liner” and the catalog carried Pambra’s version and seemed to have some good reviews. Well, being the “bargain huntress” that I am, I just couldn’t bring myself to pay retail for them. But I knew I needed something!!! You see, I believe I have Hidradenitis. Though I have not been diagnosed with it, it often gets misdiagnosed anyway, after finding others on Fatshionista and later someone started a LiveJournal Community specifically for those with it, I soon realized that that was exactly what I had. I had assumed I simply had “sensitive skin” or heat rashes. When it gets hotter it gets worse, too. UGH! And that means painful bumps along my bra line. Terrible stuff, let me tell ya!

So I headed to eBay, my fave place for open market bargaining! I bought a 3-pack of bra liners and couldn’t wait for relief! When they arrived I tried them and while they were a bit awkward at first, I did like using them. Only, after running them through the washer & dryer? They became misshapen and unusable unless I wanted to hand wash, dry flat or even possibly have to iron them. UGH! No thanks! So, when I saw another blogger giving rave reviews over the Pambra’s liners I was quick to comment with my dissatisfaction. I was contacted by Pambra that same day (and my comment quickly disappeared). Turns out, I had purchased an impostor! They offered to send me one bran and one tummy liner to try out.

Bra liner                        Tummy Liner Illustration

I received them and you know what? They were 10 times better than the impostors. Ha-ha! Go figure. But I can assure you, personally, that I gave it the old washer & dryer test (I iron no clothes!) and they came out perfectly fine! I have worn the bra liner a few times and still enjoy it. It takes a bit of coordination to get it on at first, but then it stays put all day! Nice! I only tried the tummy liner once because the weather has gotten colder and colder lately and I haven’t needed it, but it fit nicely in place (read how to measure on the site as I didn’t and had to remeasure) and I didn’t think about it much while wearing it. Cotton and comfy!

My lesson in this? Sometimes, it’s just better to pay retail up-front than end up with impostor products that simply don’t do the job of the original! Hard lesson, learned! This bargain huntress thinks the Pambra’s Bra Liners are perfect!

*I was not paid to review these products, though I was given a free sample (1 of each).
The above is an absolutely, 100% honest review.

Tough economic times call for creativity and using all resources possible! How does this relate to fatshion? How doesn’t it?! Ha-ha! Yesterday I decided to finally dye the vest I bought two weeks ago at Avenue to complete what I’m dubbing “The Ultimate Outfit” (though it won’t be complete without the right knee-high boots, but that search is still in progress). You see, I found the right style vest at the right price, but the color? Meh. The vest was $6.96, how could I pass it up?! So I bought a bottle of RIT black dye and gave it a go! (I have never dyed any garment before, other than tie-dying which is different all together since you’re going for more color/designs/etc.)

The vest’s original camel-khaki color:

As I was about to dye this vest I went to my dresser for a shirt I wouldn’t care if it got stained. I first chose this top I got at Torrid a couple of years ago and looked at it and though, “Why don’t I wear this? I love this shirt!” Then I realized that it had a stain. Boo! So I grabbed two identical shirts from the same drawer and they, too were stained. Y’all! I don’t have to tell you about staining t-shirts on the frontal-chestal area, do I? I believe it’s a fairly common thing with everyone, but especially those of us gifted with larger boobages (I am using all sorts of made-up words today). Anyhoo, I decided I needed to save these shirts from their previously considered destiny: Cut into rags for cleaning! Oh Noes!!!

I headed out to my current sewing station (I’ve been making aprons like crazy for an upcoming craft show) and laid out my supplies and planned my next course of action. Dye? Appliques? Iron-on transfers? Check, check and check! I turned on the iron and filled my bucket with hot-hot water, a cup of salt (my vest was a cotton-linen blend and the bottle said this would help) and the bottle of dye. I first soaked the vest itself in hot water and then lowered in into the bucket-o-blackness. Doing this caused a mini-splash onto my aqua t-shirt and I realized, “Hey! I should just dye this, too, probably won’t see the stain anymore!” And whipped it off my person and into the bucket it went, too!
Supplies:

So much stirring!

30 minutes of stirring followed by many-several changes of water (have to keep agitating and then mild detergent and more water changes until the garments rinse clear) and finally my vest and t-shirt were ready to lay flat to dry. (I must note here that I chose not to use rubber gloves for two reasons: my husband had mysteriously thrown mine away and the dye was washing off my hands just fine at first, until? Well, see the pics!) After that I tackled the two remaining shirts. One got a neat-o iron-on transfer that covered the little stain it had perfectly, I think. And the other got some embroidered appliques ironed-onto it. Now I haven’t worn any of these yet, but I think they’ll look fairly if not entirely cute with these little upgrades. And the “Ultimate Outfit?” Well, I’ll just have to leave you in suspense for a bit, my dears. That will be for another day/week. =0)

Two tops saved (the black swirlyness at the right is what I ironed-on):

The “Corpse Hands” as my husband has dubbed them after the dying:

What creative or resourceful way have you saved something from the garbage or rag bin? Tell me about it! =0)

My favorite customer was in today (I know I’m not supposed to have faves, but c’mon, if you met him he’d be yours, too!) and I was telling him how excited I was to see Michael Moore this evening at SJSU. I explained that I was a tad nervous because we’ll be in the front row and even if he’s not going to take questions from the audience (I sort of hope that he does) he’d still have to look at us and it’s laundry day and what the heck am I going to wear. And it’s at a university and I’m a high school drop out and will sound like an idiot-valley girl if I say anything…Yes, I can be melodramatic. Wev. And do you know what he said to me?

“Sarah, you being fat & self accepting and just putting yourself out there? That’s brave, man! Doing that is beyond most people’s comprehension. Just be you, don’t worry about anything else. You’re awesome.”

Holy crap, right?! I was so moved by this I just had to write about it here. The thing is, he’s right. I mean, so fucking what if I’m not mega-educated. I think I have what I need in the brain department. I just get intimidated sometimes. Especially around highly educated people.

He did go on about inspiring others and becoming famous and stuff and well, that’s not what I’m about. If I can help someone, rad! But in the end, it’s not about fame, it’s about sharing knowledge and learning from each other. That is too cool for school if you ask me. Ha! With friends like him? I certainly can’t go wrong!

I hope you’re having a great day and if you’re not? Well, shit! It’s almost over anyway. A new day tomorrow and it’s FRIDAY!!! WOOT!

Thsi week’s Tank Top Tuesday pic comes from Kath. You may know her wonderful and fabulous blog: http://fatheffalump.wordpress.com I’ve been reading it for ages! If you haven’t visited before, please do so and say hi!

Thanks, Kath! Love that dress, you look amazing! <3

**Would you like to be our next Tank Top Tuesday pic? Exercise your right to bare arms by emailing me your pic here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com

This week’s Tank Top Tuesday pic is from Abigail Nussey, she’s been writing about FA for three years now (under a handle), and is currently working on a fat-positive fiction project in addition to her other size-positive fiction projects (mostly science fiction). Check out her personal site:  http://nusseymagazine.com

And that tank top? She got it from Torrid during one of their recent 50% clearances. Nice!

Thank you so much for the pic, Abigail! You looke gorgeous!

**Would you like to exercise your right to bare arms? Email me your pic for next week’s Tank Top Tuesday post here: notblueatall@notblueatall.com