Six days from 30
A week away from cruising to Bermuda
Going to carve a pumpkin
Wearing leggings!!!
Caprica
16 years ago
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Leggings!
About a month ago, I spent four days at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington DC, I was there because the Schomburg Center had a booth in the exhibit hall. This was my first time attending, and on the whole the conference appears to offer the following things to attendees (and crasher)s:
In the exhibition hall, a little way across from the Schomburg booth there were a group of ladies selling wrap dresses. Throughout the duration of the conference these women changed outfits at least ten times a day. They would start off in a wrap dress, then change to a jacket and matching head wrap combo, then put on a different wrap dress...then sashay a little bit to draw an audience. It was fascinating. I asked one of the women the cost of these dresses, because while I didn't like the print all of the time, it was cool that the dress could be worn in many different ways. She told me the prices ranged from $135 - $255!!! Umm...the dresses were cool, but not at all worth that much. My colleague and I thought, they must be silk. So I decided I was going to go up and feel the fabric.
As I approached the racks one of the women who was staffing their booth said, "That top is bad!" I thanked her. Then she said, "But why don't you have on leggings with it?!?!" Now, I've never worn leggings, and I'm a fundraiser representing a Library, leggings are NOT appropriate. But I said, "Oh, I don't wear leggings, I've got big legs and I don't think I can pull it off. I feel uncomfortable." She proceeded to lift up the skirt of her wrap dress to show me her legs, which, of course, were in leggings. She was a Plus-sized lady, though I would say, my legs might have been larger and more curvy. Another woman overheard our conversation and said, "With your size, you feel uncomfortable?" I smiled, and said, "Well maybe," felt the dresses' fabric, which most certainly wasn't silk, and moved on.
But I began to think, why not try wearing this outfit with leggings. What will it be like? So I resolved that I would purchase some leggings and trying wearing them with this "bad" jacket.
While I was in DC, after my obligation to staff the Schomburg booth was completed, I took a stroll to Forever 21 to purchase my leggings. Let me just say that finding leggings is not a simple process. You have to determine which thickness is needed, whether hardware, like zippers or studs, are wanted, or, if given the fall and their popularity, jeggings should be purchased instead. Also while I was searching for the right leggings, I started noticing how many women, from ordinary shoppers to Forever 21 employees, were wearing them. I got a little stealth and took some photographs.
What I hope you also can see is that many of these women are not what I would call "petite." So I guess I shouldn't have been feeling uncomfortable.
After going up and down the three floors of the store, I settled on three styles to try on. They ranged in price from $8.99 to $18.99, and later I tried on a pair of jeggings for $23.99. In the fitting room I did an underwear test. If I bent over, could someone see my underwear (the color, not he pantie line) through the legging. If they could, then those leggings were OUT! Needless to say, the cheapest pair was a little too thin...more like tights. So I left with a pair of $14.99 leggings with zippers by the ankles. And jeggings, while these were the thickest of them all, which is good, they also were the tightest -- they were cutting off the circulation in my calves!
A week or so later, I took a trip to Virginia Beach with Nicole and her two best friends from high school. I told Nicole that I was going to use the time in VA to wear the leggings with that jacket. On our last evening there, we decided to go out to dinner and eventually settled on a seafood buffet. Perfect! My jacket wasn't really casual, but the leggings were. So, a seafood buffet (a casual dining experience with not so cheap foods), was ideal. ha! Of course I'm thinking too much about this now, and wasn't thinking at all about it in this way then. Basically, all I cared about was whether I looked like a fool and if my booty didn't look ridiculous. Nicole said she could see the line of my pantie, but I smoothed it out and pressed on. hahaha
So you be the judge! Was the lady at the CBC correct? Does this jacket look better with leggings. Should leggings be my pant of choice going forward?
The one thing I can say with certainty, is that the next time I go to a buffet, I will wear leggings. My stomach expanded and I didn't have to unbutton my pants. The jacket felt more snug around the waist, but those leggings felt great! hahaha
- Opportunities to attend sessions and lectures on topics that relate to the state of Black America(ns)
- A chance to rub elbows with "somebodies" and "wanna be somebodies"
- Tons of people watching/glaring/ogling
- Shopping for Black art, Black books, Black Sorority & Fraternity stuff...basically anything Black-related
- PARTYING...PARTYING...PARTYING
In the exhibition hall, a little way across from the Schomburg booth there were a group of ladies selling wrap dresses. Throughout the duration of the conference these women changed outfits at least ten times a day. They would start off in a wrap dress, then change to a jacket and matching head wrap combo, then put on a different wrap dress...then sashay a little bit to draw an audience. It was fascinating. I asked one of the women the cost of these dresses, because while I didn't like the print all of the time, it was cool that the dress could be worn in many different ways. She told me the prices ranged from $135 - $255!!! Umm...the dresses were cool, but not at all worth that much. My colleague and I thought, they must be silk. So I decided I was going to go up and feel the fabric.
As I approached the racks one of the women who was staffing their booth said, "That top is bad!" I thanked her. Then she said, "But why don't you have on leggings with it?!?!" Now, I've never worn leggings, and I'm a fundraiser representing a Library, leggings are NOT appropriate. But I said, "Oh, I don't wear leggings, I've got big legs and I don't think I can pull it off. I feel uncomfortable." She proceeded to lift up the skirt of her wrap dress to show me her legs, which, of course, were in leggings. She was a Plus-sized lady, though I would say, my legs might have been larger and more curvy. Another woman overheard our conversation and said, "With your size, you feel uncomfortable?" I smiled, and said, "Well maybe," felt the dresses' fabric, which most certainly wasn't silk, and moved on.
But I began to think, why not try wearing this outfit with leggings. What will it be like? So I resolved that I would purchase some leggings and trying wearing them with this "bad" jacket.
 |
| At the CBC standing next to the Wilbourne Sister's mannequin. |
What I hope you also can see is that many of these women are not what I would call "petite." So I guess I shouldn't have been feeling uncomfortable.
After going up and down the three floors of the store, I settled on three styles to try on. They ranged in price from $8.99 to $18.99, and later I tried on a pair of jeggings for $23.99. In the fitting room I did an underwear test. If I bent over, could someone see my underwear (the color, not he pantie line) through the legging. If they could, then those leggings were OUT! Needless to say, the cheapest pair was a little too thin...more like tights. So I left with a pair of $14.99 leggings with zippers by the ankles. And jeggings, while these were the thickest of them all, which is good, they also were the tightest -- they were cutting off the circulation in my calves!
A week or so later, I took a trip to Virginia Beach with Nicole and her two best friends from high school. I told Nicole that I was going to use the time in VA to wear the leggings with that jacket. On our last evening there, we decided to go out to dinner and eventually settled on a seafood buffet. Perfect! My jacket wasn't really casual, but the leggings were. So, a seafood buffet (a casual dining experience with not so cheap foods), was ideal. ha! Of course I'm thinking too much about this now, and wasn't thinking at all about it in this way then. Basically, all I cared about was whether I looked like a fool and if my booty didn't look ridiculous. Nicole said she could see the line of my pantie, but I smoothed it out and pressed on. hahaha
So you be the judge! Was the lady at the CBC correct? Does this jacket look better with leggings. Should leggings be my pant of choice going forward?
The one thing I can say with certainty, is that the next time I go to a buffet, I will wear leggings. My stomach expanded and I didn't have to unbutton my pants. The jacket felt more snug around the waist, but those leggings felt great! hahaha
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
SWIMWEAR!!!
Swimming and swimwear...
SWIMMING UPDATE - My instructor from my second lesson has agreed to continue teaching me. However, when I went to my lesson this past Wednesday, again the instructor was nowhere to be found. I'm am about to go off on the Harlem Y swim coordinator because she never told my instructor that she was supposed to continue teaching me...ARGH! If this incompetence continues I'll be complaining. Hmpf!
Anyway, I wanted to write this post to talk about something that has really been bothering me for the last few months...SWIMWEAR.
Prior to going to Vegas, I bought an animal print bikini from Victoria's Secret. I didn't know that I would be going to Vegas at the time, but it was on sale (always a plus for me), I liked it, and decided to make an impulse purchase. But one of the things I liked the most about the bikini that it was very similar to a bra top, and by that, I mean that it had a band and cup size AND under-wire...cool! It'll be just like wearing a bra. I had a some bottoms from a tankini that I had purchased and wanted to find a pink bikini top to match. So I set out to find one in my usual stores( Target, L&T, Gap etc.) that were full of swimwear for the summer Little did I know that actually going to the store and purchasing a bikini or swimwear with a band and cup size and under-wire would be easier to say than actually do.
And this is where my confusion and frustration that's bordering on anger comes from. When looking specifically at bras, women are hard pressed to find them without under-wire. Even A cups have under-wire. Under-wire is so standard when it comes to bras that in recent years I noticed a great push to emphasize when a bra didn't have it. There seemed to be a whole "No Wire" movement underfoot. But as a whole, under-wire (and padding) still dominate.So please tell me, why does the bathing suit industry decide to forgo using under-wire? Everything about the bra industry is about push-up, padding, under-wire, and smooth lines... But in swimsuits they use bizarre padding and strange cups that barely cover, not to mention material that gives and moves every which way. Under-wire and a little extra support is appreciated and hell, needed!! How are little flimsy pieces of lycra supposed to support and shape the girls? HOW?
And what the devil does S, M, and L mean when it comes to breasts? This is not the current measurement for choosing bras, so why am I choosing a bikini top based on this measurement? Why are the established rules for choosing a bra getting thrown out of the window when I am essentially getting the same thing in a bikini top? So I'm left having to order bikini tops from catalogs and the web because the only under-wire bikini tops in the stores have ugly old-lady prints, as if women who want under-wire aren't youthful!! Don't I deserve the opportunity to try my bikini top on before purchasing it?
Ok...breathe. Clearly I could go on and on about this.
So, in the end I do now have three cute bikinis. This one is my latest. I'll be wearing it on my cruise to BERMUDA! 
Friday, August 27, 2010
Save the Date - Shayla's 30th Birthday Party
Save the Date - Shayla's 30th Birthday Party
Yep, Save the Date for my party. I typically keep it simple and small -- a little pizza party, bowling, dinner and karaoke -- but this time I'm doing it a bit bigger! The soiree will happen a little later in the evening, I'll wear a nice dress, do some dancing and of course, have CAKE!!!
Get ready y'all...
Yep, Save the Date for my party. I typically keep it simple and small -- a little pizza party, bowling, dinner and karaoke -- but this time I'm doing it a bit bigger! The soiree will happen a little later in the evening, I'll wear a nice dress, do some dancing and of course, have CAKE!!!
Get ready y'all...
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Swimming and...
So I'm not even going to waste time apologizing for not having written in awhile. If you've read this blog or know me, you know that I'm not a consistent or prolific blogger. I trickle... When I have something to share, I'll share it. And guess what? I've got something to say!
At 29 years and 10 months old, I am finally learning how to swim!!
Here I am in the locker room...
After a search for an appropriate swimming swimsuit proved fruitless, my mom pulled out one that she had planned to wear for aqua aerobics. Surprisingly, I liked it. It's sleek and unlike the swimsuits I bought prior to my trip to Vegas, which aren't really meant for swimming, I don't run the risk of flashing anyone. So with my swimming outfit taken care of, I decided that I could learn to swim. ha!
Yes, I strolled over to the Harlem Y, signed up for eight lessons and thus far I have had two. The first lesson was cool. I had to put my face in water, which freaked me out a little bit because I had NEVER done that, but after taking many deep breaths, eventually I dunked my head in. I did some kicks and used a "noodle" to kick across the shallow end and then...I began to feel sick. Like, "I need to vomit!" sick. I asked if feeling nauseous was normal and my instructor thought it was nervousness. But it wasn't. So I jumped out of pool. And yes, I did get sick, but not in the pool, thank goodness. There was a class with two little girls, and I had visions of them saying, "Ewww..." and the pool needing to be closed. I had to spare them and myself the trauma. Later that night I diagnosed myself as having motion sickness. And for my second lesson, my dad bought me earplugs, which were supposed to help.
I went back the next week for lesson #2 and did even better. I had a different instructor because mine didn't show up. I found out today that she doesn't work at the Y anymore. It would have been nice if the Y had told me instead of my having to investigate, but I digress. This new instructor had different techniques that really resonated with me. I was dunking my face in and blowing water out of my nose with relative ease...it was cool! I was working on gliding and getting more comfortable in the water. Felt a little queasy by the end, but didn't get sick. My dad thinks I might be swallowing the water. But wouldn't I know if I was doing that?? Ah well, on to lesson #3...
At 29 years and 10 months old, I am finally learning how to swim!!
Here I am in the locker room...
 |
| Don't I look like a swimmer... |
 |
| Then I display that I clearly don't know what I'm doing... |
Yes, I strolled over to the Harlem Y, signed up for eight lessons and thus far I have had two. The first lesson was cool. I had to put my face in water, which freaked me out a little bit because I had NEVER done that, but after taking many deep breaths, eventually I dunked my head in. I did some kicks and used a "noodle" to kick across the shallow end and then...I began to feel sick. Like, "I need to vomit!" sick. I asked if feeling nauseous was normal and my instructor thought it was nervousness. But it wasn't. So I jumped out of pool. And yes, I did get sick, but not in the pool, thank goodness. There was a class with two little girls, and I had visions of them saying, "Ewww..." and the pool needing to be closed. I had to spare them and myself the trauma. Later that night I diagnosed myself as having motion sickness. And for my second lesson, my dad bought me earplugs, which were supposed to help.
I went back the next week for lesson #2 and did even better. I had a different instructor because mine didn't show up. I found out today that she doesn't work at the Y anymore. It would have been nice if the Y had told me instead of my having to investigate, but I digress. This new instructor had different techniques that really resonated with me. I was dunking my face in and blowing water out of my nose with relative ease...it was cool! I was working on gliding and getting more comfortable in the water. Felt a little queasy by the end, but didn't get sick. My dad thinks I might be swallowing the water. But wouldn't I know if I was doing that?? Ah well, on to lesson #3...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Oh Snap...I haven't posted since April
I knew I was a bad blogger. And I actually was discussing this with Maya L a few days ago. But I didn't know I was this bad. Damn, it's been months. How have y'all been?!?
I have a lot that I want to share, but the main (i.e. the quickest) thing is that for the past 6 months I have actually kept my New Year's Resolution to make a new dish/meal each month. I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it in June, but I drew inspiration from my recent trip to Cuba (yep...I did go!) and decided to make some black beans or Frijoles Negros, which I ate over some white rice.
So I'm sure you're thinking, "How hard can it be to make black beans, Shayla?" And you know, it's not hard to throw some beans in a pot, but it isn't the easiest to have flavorful and tender black beans. I searched Foodnetwork.com, RecipeZaar.com, Recipes.com and even came across Tasteofcuba.com, which I plan to reference for some other dishes. But after all of that, I used the recipe on the back of the can of Goya black beans that I purchased.
I followed the recipe exactly, but added some chopped tomatoes because I had some in the kitchen and instead of letting it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, as they directed, I let it simmer for about 30 minutes. At the end of it all, I was impressed! My black beans actually tasted authentic. The best part, my mom gave them two thumbs up. She ate them over rice and went out and bought a roast "Latin" chicken from Fairway. Without actually knowing it, she was eating a Cuban meal!
Anyway, I hope to post again before I turn 30...but at the rate I'm going...who knows. hahahaha!
I have a lot that I want to share, but the main (i.e. the quickest) thing is that for the past 6 months I have actually kept my New Year's Resolution to make a new dish/meal each month. I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it in June, but I drew inspiration from my recent trip to Cuba (yep...I did go!) and decided to make some black beans or Frijoles Negros, which I ate over some white rice.
So I'm sure you're thinking, "How hard can it be to make black beans, Shayla?" And you know, it's not hard to throw some beans in a pot, but it isn't the easiest to have flavorful and tender black beans. I searched Foodnetwork.com, RecipeZaar.com, Recipes.com and even came across Tasteofcuba.com, which I plan to reference for some other dishes. But after all of that, I used the recipe on the back of the can of Goya black beans that I purchased.
I followed the recipe exactly, but added some chopped tomatoes because I had some in the kitchen and instead of letting it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, as they directed, I let it simmer for about 30 minutes. At the end of it all, I was impressed! My black beans actually tasted authentic. The best part, my mom gave them two thumbs up. She ate them over rice and went out and bought a roast "Latin" chicken from Fairway. Without actually knowing it, she was eating a Cuban meal!
Anyway, I hope to post again before I turn 30...but at the rate I'm going...who knows. hahahaha!
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