Posts by Timothy James9

Jessica Brown5 said:Oh my gosh, I actually went out and bought a swimsuit yesterday at Target! It is absolutely stunning—bright red, with these cute little straps on the bottoms and then this band right under the bust that’s covered in glitter.. $30, size 50. My girls fit perfectly in the top part! 😁 And honestly, they have such amazing swimwear there, though most of it was already sold out, it's definitely worth a look.. I am seriously obsessed.. I only went in to grab some snacks for the beach trip, and I ended up walking out with a whole new swimsuit. This might actually be the first time I've ever bought a suit without all the usual agony, tears, and stress. 😁

This deserves 🙂

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with that... if there was more to the thought, feel free to elaborate...
I could really use some help from an iMac user...
I'm heading out next week to pick up an iMac - Compare The 21.5... the 2.7 GHz model with the 1TB hard drive...
Since it’s about $220 more expensive here in the States, I think I'll just pick it up while I'm in Austria... not counting the travel costs, obviously, since I'm pretty much heading over there every two weeks anyway...

I was wondering about something... can I actually just buy the iMac by itself, without the mouse and keyboard? It looks like everything at the Apple Store is only sold as a bundle... 🤷
I’ve got this Magic Mouse sitting at home that I haven't even touched... couldn't get it to pair with my old MacBook Pro because the OS was just too outdated... now I really need an American keyboard because of certain symbols, and I can't be bothered to learn the international layout and start sticking little paper scraps over the keys to fix the accents... 🙂
So, the plan is to just pick up the iMac while I'm over in Austria, then grab the keyboard and mouse back home... though I am still wondering if there will be any software compatibility issues later on... 🤷

Peter Gray2 said:It's because you simply can't walk into a decent store and find a high-quality, beautiful dress for $150-$100. It's just not happening.

Partially correct.
Look, let's be real—not everything, and certainly not every bit of advice, helps me snag high-quality gear without breaking the bank every single time. I mean, sure, I can hit the sales if I'm lucky, but otherwise... do people honestly believe those twenty-dollar trousers from H&M are actually built to last? Not really...
They aren't...

When you look at the actual cost of custom sewing, there's a practical reality people often overlook... a larger person is always going to pay more. It really just comes down to the math of material consumption. You’re using significantly more yardage, especially when you're drafting patterns for something like a structured dress or a tailored shirt... it adds up.
Finding a decent tailor is an absolute nightmare. Most of them just seem to slap a pattern together without any actual thought, and they have zero ability to actually fit someone with curves. It’s like they can't be bothered to think through the construction... some are just lazy, others genuinely don't have a clue how it works.
Sometimes, the issue isn't actually with the model itself. It’s more that the foundational cut just hasn't been tailored to your specific build... for instance, if the shoulder slope isn't angled properly and instead sits almost completely flat...
The contours along the back need to be smoothed out more significantly... everything there needs a better curve. Maybe lift the edges slightly, refine the details, and so on...

And when I brought up Ullu to you all, you were all so skeptical just because it’s a German firm.

I suspect the dress itself isn't actually that structured; it looks like the model is wearing a corset underneath, aside from some minor Photoshop tweaks.
If you plan on wearing one, don't expect that silhouette to just float there effortlessly... honestly, it’s going to get pretty warm and you might feel a bit "suffocated," but you get used to it eventually. If you decide to go that route, maybe try it on a few times before the wedding day so you don't pass out at the altar...
This is more like what you'll actually need:


p.s. please, don't just grab the cheapest thing you find online! Trust me, there’s a very good reason why the higher-end options cost more...
Fitting the dress shouldn't be an issue, but you really need a seamstress to look at you while you're just in your underwear... they need to adjust the fit to your actual body shape, since we aren't all built like runway models...

And there’s an eBay fashion outlet too...
http://www.ebay.de/mode/outlet/srp/u...erId=957703134

I have a bit of an unusual question here!

My health insurance is currently through my husband’s employer back in Austria.
However, since we’ll be stationed in Chicago for work for a while (at least 6 months)
can I still request a social security card for the US?
There is absolutely no way I'd give up our Austrian coverage just to get American coverage, but it really doesn't make sense to fly all the way back to Austria if I get sick...
I'm honestly not sure how I'll handle things once I start working in the States, especially since if something serious happens, the care in Austria is much faster and higher quality...

thx

Justin Foster45 said:That’s true about NKD. Though, I have to say, I found these amazing pants there—I've been wearing them for almost a year now and they still look brand new. 👍

Pencil skirts are honestly such a great staple. Only problem is, I usually have to get them tailored. I have this annoying gap between my waist and hips. 🙂 Okay, I won't complain; I actually have an hourglass figure. Now that I'm getting older, I'm slowly learning to just embrace it. 😁

I’m a size H. It’s kind of ironic, actually... being this overweight and yet hanging out in this PDF group.
My main issue is that all the extra weight goes straight to my stomach. So, I’d much rather be thin than deal with a belly.
Personally, I think an hourglass shape is incredibly sexy... and obviously, I’d love to actually have that kind of body, with big eyes, great hair, and all that... you know, woman stuff...

There is something about pencil skirts that is just incredibly satisfying... almost addictive.
I actually whipped one up for myself about two months ago for a wedding—took me maybe an hour and a half, including the structural pieces for a custom fit.
Honestly, there’s a certain allure to that specific silhouette.
It’s just sooooo sexy... especially when you pair them with stockings...😍 god...
and if the fit over the hips is right, too...😛>

If you're looking for those classic German-style patterns, like the old Burda layouts from back in the day, you can find some decent stuff at stores like Joann Fabrics, though the quality varies wildly. Just a heads-up: if you're picking things up during a clearance sale, you're usually stuck with what you get. No returns or exchanges if there's a flaw, so definitely double-check all the seams before you head to the register.

Jason Moore63 said:It’s mostly because I’m still a student and I’m not exactly swimming in my own cash right now. 😉 If there’s a cheaper option, I’m taking it. Once I’m actually working and making real money, then I’ll start splurging.
Besides, it wouldn't just be $167, it would be closer to 1500 since I always buy black, beige, and white all at once. And there’s zero chance I’m buying just one—there is no way in hell I’m wearing a white bra under a black shirt, or a black one under white. 😱
At places like Victoria's Secret or Aerie, I can grab all three for $200. They have those specific lines geared toward younger women. Chantelle also has a more affordable collection for younger girls, though their largest cup size is usually a D 🙂.

Girls, you are all hopeless...
I was at the H&M in downtown Chicago this morning, and instead of actually looking for some sexy, scandalous lingerie for myself, I found myself analyzing all of your bra sizes!
🙂

Jack Gray51 said:I don't really get why you think $167 is too much for a daily bra when you already know it’s actually good? Especially since you're dealing with such a limited size range—finding anything that fits is a struggle in itself, so I think that price is totally fair. Like, your average "standard" bra is usually around $100.

My whole philosophy is that I’m always gonna splurge on whatever is most comfortable for my day-to-day life, even if it costs a bit more—rather than blowing a ton of cash on some fancy dress shoes or something similar that I’ll only wear once or twice a year.

I'm with you on that.
Jason Moore63, just buy a high-quality bra regardless of the tag. I know things can be a bit hit-or-miss in the States, but I think it’s vital that bras for fuller figures, shoes, and winter coats are all top-tier quality.
I remember there used to be a shop for larger sizes at the mall in downtown Chicago... but I haven't been back there in five years. 🤷

And then there's the whole thing with Ulla Popken... they're opening up shops in Avenue Mall and CC1 in Split.

C&A...maybe....
Ugh. I’ve been seriously considering finally getting into designing clothes specifically for plus-sized women. It feels like every designer we have in the States only cares about the super thin crowd, and nobody seems to be looking out for those of us with actual curves.
I know there are a few boutiques tucked away in Chicago, but honestly, none of them really hit the mark for me.
Now I’m stuck thinking about size ranges. I’m not sure if I should focus on sizes 12 through 16... I can barely even wrap my head around a size 18. To be totally blunt, the biggest person I’ve ever actually sewn something for was my mother, and she’s a 14—which doesn't even feel large to me.
hm...what do you guys think....any of you have experience with sewing...

They always throw in a little extra, mostly because Ujevic spent millions at TTF and still hasn't managed to wrap up an anthropological study on Americans...
When I'm sewing for someone, I stick to German sizing since we’re basically cut from the same cloth...
Better to have too much than not enough...

C&A, Takko, and Klik all have their clothes manufactured in India and China for pennies. The quality is decent enough, depending on what you pick up, but the design? Yeah, the design is a total disaster.
Typical German style...

Honestly... finding decent clothes for plus-size women here in the States is a massive struggle, especially once you hit a size 14 or higher. I’m curious, what kind of price points do you all find reasonable?
If you have any benchmarks for what counts as a good deal versus what's just overpriced, please let me know.
I'm heading back home soon, and with everything going on in the job market right now, I’m looking to find my own path. This idea of starting a clothing line specifically for larger sizes has been buzzing in the back of my mind for ages, but I haven't really taken the leap yet...

Alright then... why on earth won't it let me pull this image up for Photobucket?

test(image)

amberfox4 said:Now, please don't take everything I say as gospel, because I am certainly no doctor.
From what I understand, older generations of birth control pills used to affect carbohydrate metabolism in certain ways (specifically the progestin component, depending on its strength and type)—essentially affecting glucose tolerance.
And it affected lipid metabolism, too, or fat metabolism.
I believe modern formulations have reduced these specific side effects to a minimum, though.
Why don't you just bring all of this up during your next check-up and ask your doctor if they can switch you to a different brand? It seems to me that your symptoms stem from the progestin component, especially since you aren't experiencing nausea.
For instance, they say Yasmin contains drospirenone, a progestin that is supposedly very body-friendly and doesn't cause water retention.
Yasmin didn't work for me personally because I dealt with nausea—which was clearly a side effect of the estradiol component—since the progestin in Yasmin was evidently too weak for my system. On the other hand, Diane works fine for me; even though it has more estradiol, I don't feel sick, despite it having a strong progestin component (cyproterone acetate) used to treat hyperandrogenism.
If any of this sounds confusing, the bottom line is this: you need to present your physician with every single symptom you're feeling. They will be able to pinpoint exactly which part of the pill is causing the issue and then suggest a better alternative that fits your biology.

It would be great if things worked like that in practice... unfortunately, our doctors tend to swap medications based on a "trial and error" logic: if Celest isn't working, try Yasmin?

Sure thing... just like walking into a bout of pneumonia or a heart attack

Samuel Morgan40 said:I mean, what exactly are you allergic to regarding condoms 😕? There’s such a massive variety available these days—personally, I can't stand certain lubricants (though that usually ends up messing with my pH balance and triggering yeast infections), but there are plenty of specialized options out there designed specifically for people with sensitivities.

Exactly... five of them cost more than$33... it wouldn't be an issue if they weren't such a pain to find locally.