I arrived back in Dublin today, somewhat embarrassed at the state my family found my bedroom in. When I offered them tea and they inspected the cups before drinking from them, I decided a mini-spring clean was in order.

But this proved to be too much effort so instead I made a half-assed attempt at tidying up my wardrobe after I unpacked. As I went through everything I don't wear anymore (due to being either too small or just disgusting) I realised that I have a ridiculous amount of costumes and props. Of course this is due to being a dramahead and going to a college that has to have a theme for every event.

What am I going to do next year when I graduate? When will I ever again need to dress as a bad fairy, an Indian, a guard, the Cowardly Lion, an English bobbie or a cowgirl?

I also never realised how many scarves I have, including a Ralph Lauren one that I have never worn simply because I completely forgot I had it.

You can read about my foray into the world of yoga on my Bella Blog, but after a less than perfect start, I woke up this morning happy that I had tried it.  Muscles all over my body felt so sore, in a great way that lets me know I moved my body in new and interesting ways.

Having decided not to wear the yogatard again for quite some time, I began my search online for plus sized yoga clothes.  I finally found some at Netsweat.com, and $180 later, I think I found some clothes that I can feel comfortable in.  I bought two pairs of yoga pants ($42 each) and three cami tops that have a built in bra (2 at $17.99 and one for $32).  I'm hoping that I'll feel a bit less self-conscious than I did in the one piece yoga outfit I had on yesterday.  Although it's basically the same look, I'm thinking that the pants I bought will probably be a bit less snug, so my cellulite and bulges won't show through quite as easily.  The tops should fit well, and hopefully not fall over my head as I'm trying different positions.  Since the clothes won't be here for at least a week, I'll have to figure something else to wear in the mean time, but I'm sure that won't be too much of a problem -- I hope.

I think I'm going to go to the 3:30 Yin class tomorrow, just to see if that type of class is better for me.  Here's a description:

A mellow class, challenging in a different way, conducted mainly on the floor with props, quiet music, and inspirational readings.  A series of deeply opening yoga poses are held for very long periods of time, typically (3-5) minutes.  Deep stretching of the connective tissues is achieved, while gently stimulating energy meridians throughout the body, and letting go of stress. Results of this practice are similar to those achieved by acupuncture treatments.  This practice is a perfect cross train with the other more vigorous styles of yoga.  It builds flexibility and concentration fast!

I want to make sure I get my money's worth out of the $40 for 30 deal at the yoga studio and out of the $180 I spent on the clothes.

The best part of this is that I really am challenging myself and trying things that are far outside of my comfort zone.  Yoga is very difficult for me, and my competitive side is having a hard time not being able to do the same things that everyone else is doing.  I think that yoga will really be good for me mentally, and not just because of its calming properties, but because I'll need to allow myself to feel frustrated and move past it, rather than giving up.  It's exciting.

The blogosphere is buzzing this week in response to Robin Givhan's columns as part of presidential candidate profiles in the Washington Post. Inevitably the entries are outraged that anyone would think clothes matter, especially in the realm of something so serious and important as politics. Those of us in the beltway know better, I think. That's the cynical insider in me talking, maybe.

Project Runway is on and I'm doing laundry. This is the Project Runway where Jack leaves early because of an infection. The room erupts in tears as he says, "This was the best experience of my life." The room erupts in cheers as the producers bring back Chris, who was booted last week.

I don't care about clothes, I think. I'm not watching this because I'm gay. I'm not sure why I watch it, actually. Even in the beltway, clothes matter.

Just as I washed and folded my boyfriend's Air Force T-shirt, he called to say that his new job was OK, that I sounded funny, was I sure I was alright, and that he had a lot going on and couldn't talk. "I have to wake up early. I can't sleep in anymore. I know you hate it when I don't call. You get all alpha male."

"No, I don't."

"It's fine. You're sensitive."

"No, I'm not."

Calling's a chore. I know how that can be.

Walking home from the subway one night a couple weeks ago, he in uniform, me in my sloppy office dress, a woman accosted him. Not accosted, I guess, but approached. "Are you in the Marines?"

"No, the Air Force."

"That's what up."

I fumed. "In uniform, I can't say anything," he said, head cocked to the side smiling that smile.

"I can." But I don't.

I'm fuming now, at the shirt, at his refusal to talk, at my insecurity. No surprise there. Introspection is necessarily repetitive. No man changes his stripes so radically he can't recognize himself in the mirror.

My room smells like fabric softener, as he said it always does last weekend. "I think of you whenever I'm doing laundry." There's comfort in that declaration.

Even in the beltway, clothes matter.

Well here it is... the finished item.  My brother went back this afternoon to celebrate New Year with his girlfriend and other friends, so I grabbed a picture of it before he packed it. 

The size was fine in the end... a big relief!  It was quite a labour of love, but enjoyable nonetheless.  He reckons he'll wear it around at work (he's a geologist and works in a University Geology department)!  I'm sure he will, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of his friends decide they want one too.  They're a mad bunch.

Put Your Finger on Your Shirt  (sung to “If You’re Happy and You Know It“)

Put your finger on your shirt, on your shirt.
Put your finger on your shirt, on your shirt.
Put your finger on your shirt, put your finger on your shirt.
Put your finger on your shirt, on your shirt.           

Repeat with other clothes.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a Weather Channel addict. While I find fascinating dew points, nor'easters and pressure systems, I know all too well weather reports should be used only directionally... to determine your outfit, your shoes, your hair and your makeup.

According to weather.com, this week in New York will start out wet and relatively mild and end cloudy and dry. Here's how a diva breaks it down:

Mon Dec 31(New Year's Eve): 40 degrees, AM snow showers. No real need to cover up with a bulky sweater by day (practical is a four-letter word). Wear a pretty long sleeve top under your winter coat or a dress with sturdy boots. Snow in the morning means no unseasonable peep-toes, no matter how cute. Patent is the best fabric for a wintry mix - so throw on patent heels or boots. To ring in the new year by night, wear whatever you please - but remember cabs are scarce and it's cold out. Make sure to layer up in scarves and gloves and hats IF they don't mess up your hair. Otherwise, go with cute ear muffs. As for makeup, start the new year a little bolder - whether that means embracing your inner MAC artist and playing with color or simply trying a new product like a highlighter or a new mascara.

Tues Jan 1(New Year's Day): 41 degrees, rain. Start the year embracing your natural beauty... and natural hair. If you had your hair done for the festivities, throw on a shower cap on Tuesday and extend the blowout. If not, work with the rain and go curly or wavy. A last option: a cute headband or hairband with a pretty pony. Enjoy your day off and throw on some jeans. No peep-toe or suede shoes. Waterproof mascara recommended if you'll be out and about.

Weds Jan 2: 31 degrees, cloudy. With the moisture gone, Wednesday is poised to be a good-hair day. Straighten it, curl it, do what you gotta do - it should hold. As the temperature drops make sure to dress appropriately, no matter how you long for spring (particularly now that Resort 2008 collections are popping up everywhere!). Flats, heels, boots, leather, suede, patent... anything goes on Wednesday. No makeup meltdowns either so have fun.

Thurs Jan 3: 27 degrees, sunny. Baby, it's cold outside! Layers demanded. Camis under tops under sweaters or blazers under winter coats with scarves, hats and gloves. I even have those heat warming packets in my coat pockets but I'm hoping to save them for single digit cold days. Make sure to moisturize well, particularly your precious face as you can't just wrap it up like the rest of you and it's prone to dry skin. Keep lips protected too with balms and chapsticks.

Fri Jan 4: 36 degrees, cloudy. Weekend weather happily climbs back into the low 40s. If you're desperate to ditch the down, throw on a leather coat instead (and stash a wrap in your bag for the evening chill). Definitely treat yourself to a manicure - your glove-free nails won't smudge.

Tired of just getting socks and underwear for the holidays? Be thankful that you got anything! And that you were able to give! This is a sobering video to remind each of us that we have it so much better than the majority of the world's population!

Being tall, I have quite a lot of tees that are too short for me.

There were many things that I didn't like about this grey tshirt, but I did really love the print.

So, I cut around the print and blanket stitched it on to a brand new purple singlet top. I love the result, I'm going to wear it to work tomorrow!

For the second year in a row, I'm actually going to have a fun New Year's Eve. Growing up, it was never something my family celebrated. My old fart parents would stay home most years, and we'd ring in the new year (if we stayed up that long) with whatever reruns were usually on that night of the week. Last year, my bleak end-of-year history was changed when a friend from high school had a house party. I played Apples to Apples, drank mimosas with my ex-girlfriend when the ball dropped, and of course got a kiss.

This year, aforementioned ex is throwing a New Year's/birthday party, a classy cocktail soiree with a black and white theme. This was an opportunity for me to descend upon my local discount department stores (let's call them "Darget" and "Poss") for an epic afternoon of wading through miles of polyester and frowning at myself in badly angled dressing room mirrors. I did snag this kicky little number from the racks of "Poss."

I pretty much love everything about this dress - the black-on-white paisley print, the smart ribbon at the waist, the bust padding that will save me from having to wear a strapless bra. And I'd like to think I'm enough of a badass to pull it off with red patent wedges, but we'll see. Read the rest of this page »

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