Wearing large size clothing, does it matter more to you or the people around you? You know what I did the other day, I cut the damn tag out of my new coat. Know why? I didn’t want to see it…

I almost weighed myself this morning, but stopped myself. Am I going to beat myself up over 1 or 2 pounds? Has my life changed drastically gaining or losing 5 pounds? No, but my mood has….so why go through it?

Does it matter if my large size clothing is a 1x, 2x, 3x or even a 4x? Really, is it anybody’s business? The only good it does for me is directing me to the correct clothing rack at the store. Why am I judging who I am at times based on that number. Seems silly doesn’t it?

We don’t judge our children based on their 2T or 4T clothing, so why does that all change when we’re overweight? Let’s stop beating ourselves up because of a number…I’m game. What about you?

This is my new plus size coat. It’s this style, only mine is in black. I also tried on and fell in love with another coat, but it was suede, and I was worried it would attract too much dog hair. I have 3 dogs, and dog hair is magnetic to some materials!

This is the other coat I tried on at Fashion Bug this past week. It’s so cute, and was adorable on. I’m itching to go back and get that one as well, but logic tells me I really only need the one.

The other item I grabbed while I was at Fashion Bug this week, was a long sweater with shades of black and white. It was 40% off, just like my coat, so it was a steal at only $24.99. I wear a sweat jacket all the time, so I thought this would be a nicer version of a jacket.

I REALLY wanted these too, but I told myself no, since it wasn’t in my budget this month. Maybe for Christmas- eh?

Secret Solutions are like Spanx for plus-size women. I stumbled upon these while paging through my Woman Within catalog the other day. I love that there’s a plus-size version made only for us. That means it’s not another manufacturer just “upping” the size dimensions on their regular sizes, but a company who understands that are curves are a little fuller.

Secret Solutions support your bustline, define your waist, and smoothes your body, front and back. These are perfect for under your Christmas party dress! With so many holiday parties coming up, you can have that same smooth look that other women have found…only now, you can finally find your size too!

I’m looking at a few plus size coats. Want to see what I’ve picked out so far?

I’ve got my eye on this sharp red trench. I tend to stick with black coats, since they go with everything, but this bright red just pops, and really makes a nice statement by itself. In comparison, there’s a Houndstooth and a suede black coat that I’m considering as well. What do you think of them?

I typically end up choosing one like this black one. I’m not sure whether to go with something like I always do, or whether to switch it up. Lane Bryant has so many great options- I love that about them.

I’m not traditionally a pattern girl, so I’ll probably opt for the solid red or black, but I really liked the look of the third choice. Out of the three, which plus size coat do you like? I guess I’m used to wanting to blend in black, but why shouldn’t I wear bright red. So I’m a little larger, I can still be fabulous, right?

I’m thinking of trying Alli. I don’t know what else to do at this point. I did the exercise with a trainer for a year, did clean eating, I’ve tried Weight Watchers, Atkins, Nutrisystem…you name it.

I don’t have goals of being a size 2. I just want a healthy, curvy body. While I’m currently about a 22-24, based on the clothing company, I’d like to see about a size 12. I think that’s a natural size for me. That’s about where I was in high school, and I looked healthy without being too thin.

I took Redux years ago and was able to lose about 30 pounds, but then they took it off the market. Thankfully, I didn’t experiences any of the problems.

Alli is FDA approved, and at this point, I’m just not sure what else to do. It’s a little pricey, but I’ve paid more for other things. Heck, I was paying A LOT more for each training session. At least it’s a month’s supply. If I do go ahead and give it a go, I’ll let you know how I do. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can click on the picture above, and it will take you to a page with details.

Anyone tried it and found success?

My stomach gets in the way when I try to paint my toes. It’s not a pretty site, me all scrunched up trying to give myself a pedicure. I opt to go to the nail salon when I can, but sometimes I’m in penny pinching mode and do it myself. The problem is…my tummy gets in the way!

To reach my toes, I have to take a deep breath and hold it! Then I bend over as much as my body allows, all while holding my breath, and as steady as I can be, I paint my toe nails. Why hold my breath? Well, when I’m bunched up like that I can’t breath! LOL I grab my air before bending over that much.

It was such a simple thing to do when I was thinner. I took it for granted! I can put my foot up on the bathtub or a chair, ad bend. Sometimes that works better for the right foot, but the left, forget about it! Eeeeeeshhhh…now I have to bend AND twist, and pray I don’t get a spasm in the process.

Speaking of which, I need a pedicure. I think I’ll put the money out this time!

I wear plus size underwear. Conjures up sexy images doesn’t it? On the other hand, my sister wears what appears to be dental floss for underwear. We were hanging out together one day, and I was helping her out by switching her laundry over. She yelled out to me, “My underwear air dries, don’t put that in the dryer!”

I’m moving clothes from washer to dryer, when I come upon a strip of lace or fabric that was about gee, 1/2 an inch wide. I hold it up, “Does this qualify as underwear?” Of course, we fell to the floor in fits of laughter, because she’s realizing it’s tiny, and I’m realizing I have a fat ass.

No way, that’s not really true, I don’t have a fat behind, I have a REALLY big behind! Fat would be sort of an understatement. Sure enough, she decides that next time I’m shopping, I have to buy a thong or g-string and just see how comfortable they are. Ha, do they make them in my size? Sadly, yes they do. Sadly, I bought one and tried it. Now, I’m not proud of this moment, but here I put it on, and it all but disappears from my view. Dear God! Where did it go? Yeah, I’m not into picking things out of my crack, so I’ll stick with my big undies.

I don’t know about you, if you’re plus size, but I like cheek coverage. Let my ass cheeks be fully covered. Now I know that takes a lot of material, but it feels better than pulling down material that slides up your cheeks all day long.

I remember my first experience going from traditional panties to when “Fit for ME” sizes came out. It was like the heavens opened up and angels were singing. I bought a package, and put them on. They covered my rear…ALL of it! Both of my cheeks were fully covered! This was some sort of small miracle. I pranced around in the bedroom, happy to finally have full check coverage!

I thought of my sister’s dental floss, then picked up a pair of my new plus size underwear, holding it up. Holy cow, I have a huge ass! That’s A LOT of material! It’s okay, because now my cheeks are happily covered, and I’m loving my undies. Don’t go hating on me because my ass is covered and yours isn’t! This girl loves her plus size panties, even if they aren’t sexy or cool.

At 250 pounds, I need rear end coverage, ya know? My plus size underwear and I are happily a team now!

Plus size shoes sounds funny doesn’t it?

Wide shoes is what most people say, but let me spell it out for you. My feet swell on top, as well as the side, and I need shoes that were made for me! One of the beefs I have is finding boots that fit over my calves comfortably.

Before I tell you where to find them, let me tell you where I personally won’t be shopping anymore. DSW is a shoe store that “has wide” sizes…or so they say. I went looking for some plus size sneakers, and they had 3 or 4 rows with a massive selection of sneakers. Know what, it was damn near impossible to find wide varieties of shoes. It was quite obvious to me at that moment that they didn’t want me for a customer. Point made, I left and I won’t be going back…even if I lose weight and wear normal, non-wide shoes. I’m an overlooked statistic in their store, and I felt it, seeing walls and walls of shoes, with so little choice for me.

Now, that I’m done with that rant, let me tell you where you’ll find a great selection of wide shoes, and a company who caters to your needs. Woman Within is an online store, and mails out catalogs. They have a great selection of wide or plus size shoes whether you want sexy, steamy pumps, or down to earth workwear shoes.

Check this out…they have an entire selection of WIDE CALF BOOTS! Go…go now, and finally have boots that go over your calves ladies! Rejoice in great boots, whether you’re a leather fan, suede, or prefer nylon. Doesn’t matter, you have choice!

You’ll also find more selections of plus size shoes here.

What is a plus size accessory you ask?

I have a huge collection of handbags and sunglasses that I consider part of my plus size accessories. Let me be brutally honest, being overweight can be downright depressing sometimes in the fitting room. On those days when I can’t find a fabulous fashion to caress my extra curves, I opt for a new handbag or great sunglasses. You know what, they come in one size fits all.

My sister first gave me the name of the “handbag whore” due to my excessive buying of handbags, and you know what, it stuck. I call myself that as well, seeing as she’s right. I have a crap load of handbags. Hey, it’s either the handbag pick me up, or squeeze my ass into a pair of jeans that leaves me facing the mirror and the fact that I’m not getting any smaller.

Sunglasses, jewelry, handbags…darling, they are all part of my plus size accessory must have list. Don’t even get me started on hair care products or make-up, because when that’s part of the only thing you have good control over, you tend to go overboard.

Great plus size dresses can be hard to find. How cute is this?

I’m totally loving this look of this plus size dress. Seriously, this would be great for the spring, summer or fall! A simple black sweater or wrap over it brings it to another season.

Do you have a favorite place to shop? I love Lane Bryant. They have some really great styles, and allow me to be fashionable, even though I’m not a small size. Ooh, match these with some great knee high, black leather boots, and this would be fabulous for fall!

By the way, if you like the dress, you can click on the picture, and it will take you directly the Lane Bryant site which will give you all the details on the dress.