Medium T-Shirts Noon, Extra Seksi Na Ngayon!

Ang maging plus size ay 'di biro. Racks of drool-worthy fashion pieces are quite outnumbered...for the frugal ones, at least. As I've detailed in this entry, I often resort to ukay ukay shops and alteration shops for my mall purchases, particularly t-shirts. The latter can get really costly, though.

Paras Alter Station, for instance, charges P125 to shorten top's laylayan alone, P250 to re-size lady's t-shirt and P375 for whole body repair (maximum of 5 areas to work on). In my case, the medium-sized male t-shirts I typically fit in had to undergo neckline, laylayan, armhole alterations and placement of curves on the sides. That's P375 on top of the actual t-shirt!

That was my dilemma until I found my suki from the once-famous RFC Supermarket and Department Store in Las Piñas. Buddy's Alteration charges me only P70 for all my required t-shirt alterations! Sweet!

To be altered: this hand-painted t-shirt from Enigmata in Camiguin. If I can afford to shorten the laylayan which will remove the hand-painted message Open Your Eyes at the back, that is.


The Before Photo: High necklines choke me and irritate my nape. Must be the etiketa.


The After Photo: Now I can breathe, lift my arms and sing ♫♪ One Love ♪♪♫


You know it's bad when you've stopped raiding your mum's closet for your brother's. Worn without ♪♫ brother Louie, Louie, Louie ♪♪'s permission. His usual complaint after: Lumuwag na ang chest area!


LIBRE HIPPO t-shirt from Malis'ya. Stopped wearing this after alteration. It's gone too short! Not because of any encounters with perverts.


Here's something from Bisaya Ispisyal. It reads BASTA BISAYA, SIKAT. The neckline detail is too cute to be removed. Hence, tiis ganda moment.


This is actually a guy's t-shirt from Folded & Hung (if my memory serves me right). Again, the cute neckline detail is too refreshing to be thrown away.


DUH! t-shirt from Penshoppe. Got this waaaay back in college. [See, I support your brand, Akihiro Sato!] No alteration done for this one. The neckline, sleeve length and over-all length are just right.


This homage to a Terno Recordings gig is from Team Manila. Just like the rest of the t-shirts you'll see below, this used to be a medium-sized men's t-shirt.


WHO THE F*CK IS MICK JAGGER t-shirt from Iyaman Fashion House in Las Piñas. Wala lang, gusto ko lang i-share!


Even this IRATE t-shirt I helped produce for my closed-for-now t-shirt business, I always had them repaired so I won't look like a barrel woman or something. I am yet to find a plus size t-shirt supplier with a reasonable minimum order requirement.


INUTEL INSIDE t-shirt from Spoofs. Due to overuse, I need not to alter the neckline anymore.


Peso signs are the new polka dots! World premiered this Team Manila t-shirt in New Year 2008.


From A To Tee™ Shirts' FLAMMABLE: NO JOLOGS WITHIN 50 FEET t-shirt.


This Almost Famous moment with Angel Aquino is brought to you by From A To Tee™...and some dude from the alteration shop. It reads BOGSA NOVA.


Once-in-a-blue-moon purchase from Artworks. Finally, found something from their shop that fits my twins! And it pays tribute to Miles Davis! Wee!


Converted this men's t-shirt from Kultura to an off-shoulder top. Oha!


My friend Eems cut this once-plain t-shirt himself into an off-shoulder top before asking the staff to heat press the word BAND AID. It's from Team Manila's personalized t-shirt brand. I just forgot their shop's name.


SINULOG t-shirt from Island Souvenirs in Cebu. Check out how the neckline does NOT match the dark blue lining in the sleeves.


My Little Black UP T-shirt.


My UP-College of Mass Communication t-shirt.


Made changes on my Call Center Olympics organizer's t-shirt. Horns NOT included.


My altered saGuijo t-shirt from Team Manila.


Check out this intro dive souvenir t-shirt from Davao. THAT is the back design! I just prefer to wear it in the front and leave the tiny logo of the company at the back. Corny, I know.

When will laid-back plus size gals like me experience a happy ending? Not that finding cheap service for t-shirt alteration is bad news. I dream for that day when t-shirt brands offer their designs in ALL sizes: from super small for my friend like Danna up to extra seksi like myself. While I'm still unable to revive my own t-shirt project, please direct me to existing plus size shirt sellers and suppliers alike. I refuse to be the last to know.

Real-Life Goddess - Apaul Tatlonghari-Bello

During that awkward stage called adolescence, we struggled to discover our own identity and experience self-acceptance and, most likely, started by looking for role models and/or friends to be associated with. Amidst the high school and college populace where almost everybody wants to stand out and/or leave a mark, I found inspiration from a particular schoolmate (sorry, fair-skinned best friends!) whose simple yet elegant example reminds me that beauty can be effortless. With her consistently delightful smiles and charming exterior, it was easy for me to consider Apaul Tatlonghari-Bello a girl crush way back in high school.

Lornadahl: We Pinays are bombarded with reminders that "white is right". Have you always been convinced that brown is beautiful?
Apaul: I am. I never wanted to be a mestiza. I am proud Pinay! I just love my own color. I realized that we are blessed to have this complexion. Whereas people in the West spend lots of time and money going to a tanning salon just to achieve this kind of complexion.

Where can I get THAT smile?

Lornadahl: Did you ever try whitening products, too? Any rants and raves to share?
Apaul:: Yes... but for a short period only. Since my mom and I back then shared the same things. Hmnm.. something to share? Could that be a yearning? The most practical way is just to accept your color/complexion. Instead of spending money in those whitening products, use it productively like sharing it with your family or the needy.

Lornadahl: I used to think that being morena is limited to black outfits. I hated how I looked in white, pink, yellow and orange. How about you? Any colors you find unflattering for our skin type
Apaul: Back then, I had the same issue. So instead stop dwelling on it! The perfect solution is to embrace it! Now I'm bold in using different colors and wearing various outfits. Would you believe that my favorite color is white?

Lornadahl: Can you tell us what is your fashion style?
Apaul: Usually, my wardrobe staples are refined and sophisticated. I want to look sexy without wearing ass-skimming or boob-flashing clothes. Something with laid back vibe and looks effortlessly cool.

Looking perfect in purple!


Apaul goes for the black-and-red combo I'm also fond of


All-black!

Lornadahl: Which celebrities serve as your fashion icons? Why?
Apaul: Locally, I like Angel Aquino and Pam Quiñones. For international, I love Alexa Chung. All of them are epitome of beauty and style! Undeniably gorgeous! They always wowed us with some beautifully pulled-together looks with a unique ability to stay ahead of the trends.

Lornadahl: Do you consider dark men sexy? Why or why not?
Apaul: Ofcourse! Dark men look HOT and APPEALING. Derek Ramsay is the perfect example. Indeed sizzling hot. But sexy is subjective. For me, sexy is a lot of things: guys with self-confidence, sense of humor, beautiful eyes, honesty, eloquence and presentable fashion sense.

Lornadahl: Do you think you are/were treated differently because you're morena?
Apaul: Now, differently in a nice way. Living in other country where majority of people are "white", you can easily draw attention. They just like it! They will find you pretty. However, I observed that when I joined a beauty contest way back in high school, usually the winner is a mestiza. And I wonder why the judges always find mestizas prettier than morenas.

Living in South Korea: Such a knock-out beauty vs. the pale Yoo-jin (from teleseries Winter Sonata)

Lornadahl: Do you think being morena is better when you're slim? Would it also work for plus-size women?
Apaul: Not really! In fact, plus-size women having this color can make you look slim. Being tan has an innate stigma of being sexy.

Lornadahl: I know you're a beach bum, too. Do you still go for sunbathing to become darker? Are you satisfied with your color already?
Apaul: I'm very much satisfied with my color. So I just enjoy the sun, whenever, wherever. I'm not afraid of getting dark.

Lovely white kaftan!

Lornadahl: Do you confront people when they call you names (ex. baluga, kirara, etc)
Apaul: I haven’t experienced this yet. If ever, I will just ignore them.

Lornadahl: How do dark people want to be called?
Apaul: F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

Lornadahl: Do you also have a preferred skin tone for your romantic partner?
Apaul: Before I met my partner, I have a criteria for men. I wanted someone mysterious-looking, tall, brown-skinned and all. But now, it's changed! Regardless of the appearance, I love my partner. Loving him makes my life complete.

Who's the lucky dude, you ask?

Lornadahl: Do you still get insecure about your complexion? get intimidated when surrounded by mestizas?
Apaul: No. Never!

Lornadahl: What's your secret for that even skin tone? I'm envious!
Apaul: Honestly, there's no secret. I do body scrub 3 times a week with an ordinary bath soap and body lotion everyday.

Lornadahl: How do you deal with I'm-so-fugly/dark days?
Apaul: There are really those days! When that thing strikes, I just focus on my strengths.

Lornadahl: There are so many morenas out there who still battle with skin acceptance. What would you tell them?
Apaul: POSITIVE SELF AFFIRMATIONS, DAILY! At first, it'll feel like you're lying to yourself! I know it sounds crazy, but it works, I'm telling you from experience to be comfortable with who you are and how you look. What matters is that you are beautiful and you deserve to feel that and be happy with yourself! No need to be imprisoned by insecurity.

Who else will tell you how beautiful you are? Say it now and make it a daily habit!

All photos are from Apaul's Facebook page.

***End of Interview***

A Big Hand For Adele!

Guess who turned 23 yesterday? Now it's our turn to make her cry happy tears by singing ♫♪ Happy Birthday ♪♫♪ after making us confront our pent-up pain with her soulful songs like "Someone Like You", among others. Masochist or not, you can't possibly deny how incredibly amazing her voice sounds!

Nabbed from her Facebook fanpage.

On top of her songwriting, instrument-playing and singing gifts, she graces this world with unapologetic confidence and self-acceptance. In spite of the flood of insults and disapproval that most people felt licensed to express on YouTube and other virtual niches (see photos below), she remains undaunted and positive. How refreshing and inspiring!

Photos grabbed from here.

I admit such comments got into my nerves, prompting me to post pissed tweet after tweet. How come some people find those excess pounds distracting and forget the bottomless raw talent in front of them? And so what if she were big? What's the big deal?

Before I could forget to breathe in and breathe out, I found her statement on the recent issue of the Rolling Stone:

In the ♪♪Cover of the Rolling Stone ♪♫♪

"My life is full of drama and I won't have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like. I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine. Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my tits and ass out for no one.

"I love seeing Lady Gaga's boobs and bum. I love seeing Katy Perry's boobs and bum. Love it. But that's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears."

Although I would have to argue that Adele has this to-die-for classic beauty and carefree, head-turning "shabby chic" fashion style, I laud the fact that she's one artist who refuse to invest in manufactured public image or show up scantily-clad in her music videos or live performances to gain attention. After all, she doesn't sell entertainment. She makes us all sit down, recollect an unbearable memory and, hopefully, do something about it. I call it therapy. How about you?

Lifted from Adele's Facebook fanpage.

Before I conclude this entry, I'm leaving you with what's been on repeat mode for weeks now, much to my youngest brother's chagrin. And...nobody leaves until this fat lady sings!

MUSIC MONDAY: Katy Perry - Firework

♫♪♪ You don't have to feel like a waste of space ♫♫♪
♪♫♫ You're original, cannot be replaced ♪♫♪
♪♪ If you only knew what the future holds ♪♫♫
♪♫♫ After a hurricane comes a rainbow ♪♫♪

What else could be more liberating than to see the big woman in this music video break free from her difficult past and take a plunge into the pool wearing her bikini and THAT lovely smile? Go check out 2:33 to 2:39 now!

As I have expressed here, the beach [or in this video's case, the pool] is big people's runway, too. If there's anyone who stands in the way, that would have to be the shadow of your self-loathing soul. Come on, let go. You have no idea how goooood it feels inside.

POETRY: In Praise of Large Women

Photo lifted here.
In Praise of Large Women
Helen May Padway

I love a large woman
with generous hips and size D cups
a female not afraid of dresses that cling
or shorts
tank tops that show
the upper arm jiggle
and pyramid thighs
connected to deep-dimple knees.
Not the timid trying to shrink
into a tent of anonymity
my affair is with a Juno who stands
in front of the mirror and enjoys her image
in patterns and colors big and bold.
She may corset and cosset
for special occasions—but in the bedroom
I imagine husband or lover
drowning in her pool of amplitude
nuzzling nipples and
covered by waves of loving flesh.

All The Way from UK!

I'm one of the 5% of Filipina women* who find it extremely difficult to correlate retail and therapy. Shopping for me is one sob story that typically concludes in emotional eating. While most girls find this an empowering experience, I become a portrait of frustration for the scarcity of kikay pieces that fit me even before it's half-time.

Tell me how would I consider this as a pleasant challenge when my bust takes up too much space and my flat feet are too manly in size, among others? I'm not really most boutiques' target market. Sure, we have mainstream plus size clothing brands but I am yet to find stuff that will complement my personality and address my desire for bohemian, psychedelic and casual apparel. Inasmuch as I would like to, I can't really afford buying clothes from my favorite shops like Dorothy Perkins and Topshop anymore and I somehow find it sad to be limited only in the plus size section of Forever 21.

Thanks to ukay ukay shops, commonly known here as UK (derived from a well-received TVC for a laundry soap, I think), my frustration transformed to hope and excitement. Not only can I get to be overwhelmed with myriads of options that often fit me, I also get to take home clothes and accessories for less! The only dilemma? Carrying too many stuff home.

This entry would be pointless if I won't share my good finds, right? Here's a sneak peek of my closet below. Please forgive me that I can't provide how much each item costs. Memory gap happens, you know. I owe you such information on my next ukay ukay rave entries. All right?

Looking hippie or pang-teacher? Either way, I love this purple top! Looks good with white lounge pants, no?


Bought this purple dress during a garage sale my friends and I organized for one of our benefit events. Guess what? I earned my first marriage proposal while wearing this one fateful Saturday noon!


This long-sleeved brown top earned a compliment from a stylish friend before. It's a refreshing change daw from the usual low-neckline tops.


This is such an amazing dress! A rare color in my closet, cool fabric.


Here's a whole body shot to show you what I'm talking about. I remember mum preventing me to attend our company Christmas party wearing this dress alone. She went: "Mag-leggings kaaaa!" Good thing she intervened.


That polka dotted top that I world premiered during one New Year's Eve.


For some reason, I often use this long skirt as a tube dress instead.


My nth purple top from doing ukay ukay. With its detail in front, one officemate asked, "Are you trying to be Storm?"


Purple is looooove!


Don't you love this travel bag? So colorful, so me! The sides had some Japanese writing on it; it must be the previous owner's.


Yes, I'm a sucker for frou frou skirts!


That bohemian skirt never fails to score compliments.


This may be a men's t-shirt but, upon fitting, I enjoyed how it looked on me. Football fans unite!


Wearing this dress makes me feel like a biker chick in New York! Well, provided that I wear leggings and high-cut Chuck's along with it instead of that slip-on sneakers. What do you think?


Accidental kaftan, it is!


I love how this pink dress brings out the color of my morena skin. Perfect excuse, too, to wear pink lipstick instead of the usual puta red.


I remember purchasing this astig t-shirt for only P70.


I call this harem pants as statement pants! However, people react that I look like a genie each time. Is that a compliment or what?


I know this is a fashion faux pas moment during Halloween few years back, but you've got to appreciate the green top no matter how bitin it is.


Because I love ribbons...



This off-shoulder top can be a casual shirt or, in this case, sort-of kaftan.

* - made-up statistics