UNDER CONSTRUCTION

You’ll notice a few missing posts and a lull in posting, but currently CRISTINAMARIEME, kind of a big deal, is under construction, rebranding, and heavy editing while I put a few new graphic skills to use and also while I’m away on vacation.

With luck and deadlines, everything should be up and running by the end of May. Otherwise you can find me on tumblr, reblogging pictures of shirtless celebrities, video game comics, and general feminist rants!

See you soon, hopefully with a large increase of crop tops,

Cristina Marie Me

OOTD: Glorious

There is no other word for how I feel right now.

So here’s a little story all about how, my day got flipped turned upside down.

What started out as a decent, but tiring, day turned into the best fucking day of the year. I recently got a new job in the mall near where I live (full time visual coordinator y’all), and across from my store is a BUFFALO David Bitton. While normally I would stroll right on past that straight sized store and back into the corner of Ontario’s Biggest Mall people of my size have been shoved into (by corner, I mean literally one single store), I simply could not this time.

I saw the shirt. The shirt so perfect, so lovely, so wonderfully polka dot knitted that I simply could not walk by it. Now I own similar style shirts, usually from costa blanca where creating over sized sweaters for your super tiny hipster demographic means I have a lovely little collection of layering pieces. None of those, however, are black and white with polka dots. Upon discovering that they were all sold out of XL and only had one L left, I decided to fuck it and buy it any way because that is just how I roll today.

Normally I would pair this with a bright coloured tank underneath and a pair of jeans, but something stirred in me when I came home, a desire so great it could not be ignored. My belly needed to breathe goddammit and it was going to happen in this shirt. Now, despiteaI pretty healthy self confidence and possibly over inflated ego (not really tho, I’m actually really fucking awesome), I haven’t quite reached the point in my body acceptance journey where I’m willing to go around flashing the princess lumpy stretch mark goods just yet, OR SO I THOUGHT.

Turns out the reason I’ve been pulling down tanks and throwing on tunics isn’t because of a crippling fear of showing stomach but because the world could not handle my midriff.

Well guess what, World? You are going to have to deal with this crop top and you will fucking love it.

  

 

I literally could not get a picture that wasn’t me smiling like a motherfucker.

OOTD: Sheer

I actually had an outfit planned for today, until it turned out that the shirt I ended up buying from ASOS was too big, even after sizing down twice. So instead I went with this to take me to IKEA.

 

This ended up being kind of a wash, this outfit is sort of a uniform for me. 3/4 length, 1/2 button down, sheer white top (Addition Elle), with tight fitting bottoms (Torrid), statement necklace (Aldo), red lipstick (Benefit Cosmetics), and designer handbag (Michael Kors). I have worn versions of this outfit dozens of times before, it’s my “gotta get shit done” look.

The only thing different here is the shorts, I normally stick to leggings or skinny jeans, but it is hot today and if I’m gonna spend hours wondering through the IKEA maze then I’m gonna put on some short shorts and everyone’s just gonna have to deal.

I always wear this top with a dark coloured bra because 1. I spend a lot of money on them, you should totes check them out and 2. The dark colours keep it looking fresh instead of being Amy Sedaris in Maid In Manhattan.

_{that candy bra comment has stuck with me my entire life apparently}

 

Seriously, this is a uniform for me. I always pull out these shoes because when I get shit done, I do it in leopard prints flats. Also, no clutches for me on these days, I need a big ol’ fancy mother of a bag to hold notebooks, swatches, lists, plans, and my general dislike of people.

Short post today since I’m on my way to Swedish meatballs and getting lost in a maze,

Cristina Marie

Forever 21+ Wishlist

 

1.  Southwestern Maxi Dress – $33.80

2. Southwestern Denim Shorts – $27.80

I’m not normally a fan of southwestern prints, but there’s something about these two that I like, especially the shorts, I think they’re kind of an unexpected way to show of this kind of print.

 

3. Kaleidoscopic Jewel Print Tank – $17.80

BE AVAILABLE IN MY SIZE, GODDAMNIT.

4. Bejeweled Peter Pan Collar Top – $23.80

I love these jewel prints, I prefer them to the chain prints that were floating around a while ago (and are still somewhat staggering). It entirely possible I thought this top was charming enough that while doing this wishlist, I just went out and bought it.

By which I mean that it is on it’s way.

 

5. Polka Dot A-Line Dress w/ Belt – $29.80

6. Sleek Strapless Maxi Dress – $27.80

I feel like I could have 7 different versions of these exact dresses and it still wouldn’t be enough.

By which I mean I already do.

 

7. Polka Dot Pocket Tank – $12.80

I already have this top in Navy Polka Dot and Tomato, but I want it in all the colours. It is an amazing alternative to that standard tank, especially for work and going out when you want something that’s not quite the same level of casual as sweat pants, but also not so dressy that it’s inappropriate to NOT wear a crown with it.

The in between of those two things is this top.

8. Free Spirit Bandeau – $9.80

Sometimes things are just cute and cheap and that’s all they need to be.

9. Splash-Making Geo Swimsuit – $35.80

While I’m 1,000,000% behind the fatkini trend, this one piece is pretty legit. Maybe not everybody is down with having a LSD inspired third eye on their stomach, but those people will never know the joy of hypnotizing someone with a jelly roll.

OOTD: Black & White

Wooh! Third day in, Black and White. I actually had a hard time with this until I remembered a very cute ASOS dress I had not yet had the pleasure of wearing, and with a day filled with mall hopping and a fancy dinner, a day/night post was absolutely necessary.

_{Asos Curve Exclusive Spot Print Swing Dress – $22}

Day:

Let me tell you something, this dress is as cute as a mother fucker. In person, it is so adorable you’d think it was made by a basket of kittens and puppies. I originally bought it thinking I was throwing caution to the appropriate-for-outdoors wind because the length seemed short, but turns out it’s also practical as fuck. I needed something that was breathable and easy to move in, while still being put together, as I was going to see some ~business contacts~ at the mall, as well as shopping around and getting a pedicure (my days are tough, man). I threw on a simple red heart necklace (Claire’s) to add a little bit colour that wouldn’t battle/over power the whole look. I originally opted for a white tote bag, because it’s the middle of the day and I got shit to carry, but the clutch (Forever 21) gave the look a little bit of sleekness and purposefulness while the tote made it look just a tad bit like a Homer Simpson sack dress.

_{credit where credit is due, homer knows how to pull off a pink floral}

Night:

This dress is off the goddamn chain at night. I added the waist cinching belt (ASOS) to give the dress some shape, and the natural swing ended up working great with some structure. Paired with some white, black, and gold accessories makes this easily a new favourite look. I literally cannot wait to turn heads with the sway of this dress, it more magnificent than a plastic bag floating in the wind. I was worried a bit that the belt with the dress would make me look pregnant (not because I don’t like the shape, more because I hate children), but the draping was just right that it wasn’t a problem.

The necklace (Aldo) ended up working really well, while I’m not a fan of two different whites in one look, it does manage to give the look some pop without fading into the background the way some others did.

A point worth making, I was trying to avoid swearing and tried to keep the blog a little more professional-seeming? But I got to tell you, I have the vocabulary of a 72 year old grandma that you don’t think swears until she calls you a dumb little fucker for bringing her the wrong pills.

I swear a lot is what I’m saying. Trying to eliminate it felt weird and wrong and horrible and I just won’t do it.

Sincerely, and with all the fucks I can muster,

Cristina Marie

Re/Dress Wishlist of the Moment

1. Teggings Super Hot Crop Top $24

I am going to buy this and I’m going to wear it with skinny jeans, high heeled combat boots and a floral purse and there is no one in the world who can stop me.

2. Comic Graffiti Leggings – $18.99

Even if Fan Expo wasn’t right around the corner, I’d still be in love with these. This print is actually my favourite version of the “comic book themed body con clothing items” that have been floating around right now.

3. Magenta Rosette/Leatherette Skirt by Serita – $52

This is so adorably impractical and lacking in appropriatness but damn is is it frilly and fun and I want to put it on with tennis shoes and pearls and skip down the street listening to lollipop.

4. Geopuzzle Maxi Dress – $44

Badass.

5. Rayanne Floral Cutout Skater Dress – $68

The cut out version of a similar version that was available when the store first opened up, and frankly I’m glad I never bought it, because I love the cut out version way more. Especially the waist cut out. I don’t know why flowers and slightly covered skin areas go so well together, but they do.

August 2nd, 2013 – OOTD: Shoulders

 

On to day two! Let’s see how long this streak lasts.

Here’s the thing, shoulders is something I knew I wanted to do. I don’t have any “Cold Shoulder” tops because I hate them (seriously though, when’s the last time your torso was super chilly but damn are your shoulders boiling under that think t-shirt material). So “shoulders” really meant strapless, which I also kind of hate? I have a few strapless pieces that I normally wear with denim vests or blazers, something about that expanse of skin has always felt very awkward to me. So naturally I decided it was time to force something in there and maybe get a tan while I’m at it.

Today’s strapless influence?

 

  

Peggy Bundy.

The second I saw this shirt at Addition Elle last year, all I could think of was Peggy Bundy, and really, isn’t that all a girl wants out of a piece of clothing?

 

 

 

Imagine this with a pair of skin tight black leggings and a pack of Marlboro’s and it’s more Peggy than a person can handle. To avoid going too literal on the whole “flawless ball buster”, I switched out the leggings with some Seven7 skinny jeans and lost the belt that came with the top. It’s not the chicest look in the world, but really the only thing this outfit needs to be right now is something to answer the door for the pizza guy in, it’ll do.

Also, people really need to stop telling pear shapes to wear boot cut, skinny jeans are amazing and highlight your already immaculate hip size. Embrace them thighs and fuck everyone else.

 

 

 

 

I love this news Aldo necklace. I wanted something that wasn’t too large so it wouldn’t take away from the whole “shoulder” theme, and one thing to note about this neckalce is that if one more person asks me if they work and then try them anyway after I say no, I will jam it in their eye, which I think seems fair.

I knew that the “bowling bag” style purse would work best with this outfit, and I’m happy with those instincts. It provides just the right feel I think, and the structure really compliments the draping and tiers on the top. This particular one is from Guess’s previous fall season.

 

 

These are 100% Peggy Bundy, and that’s all their is too it. The only thing that would make them better is if they were hot rod red leather.

All in all I’m pretty happy with the outfit, I’ll gladly go out in it, especially going more into September, because there’s definitely a fall feel. That being said, I feel like it’s missing something and I can’t quite place my finger on it.

Maybe I should try a bump it next.

Tomorrow’s Black and White, and I have actually no idea what I’m going to do with it.

The Month of Dressing In Themes (or something)

After getting a little bored with the day in, day out of dressing with no where to go, I decided to pull 31 themes (or buzz words repeated in every magazine for the past 6 months), and assign one to each day of the week. For the entire month of August I’ll be making up an outfit and going out in it based on whatever it says on my (amazingly awesome Broadway) calendar.

While most of the themes are pretty self explanatory (starting off with florals in August is not exactly ground breaking Summer material, I know), there are a few that I think will be interesting. Like “monotone” for someone who is an avid complimentary colour fan, (there’s a support group and everything). For now, let’s just start with the florals:

   

I maybe did this one on purpose just because i knew I’d want to wear this slamming top I got from Your Big Sister’s Closet a few months ago. I am in love with the flowers and colours on this shirt, it has this great X detail on that back that is incredibly hard to take a picture of with long hair and a lack of flexibility. Since I figured the only way to make floral special was to really do floral, I paired it with this (ebay find) Simply Be Ditzy print tube skirt. It’s not quite floral, but the high monet look has a floral vibe. I love the way the yellow in the shirt picks up the flecks in the skirt and makes them pop more than they usually do.

Originally I had this paired with a large 3 flower necklace in a similar colour scheme as the skirt and a neutral white purse, but I wasn’t loving the way the shape of the purse felt with the outfit, and how it just faded away, so I swapped it out for a turquoise clutch that I think ended up working much better.

So I guess we’ll see where the rest of this month takes us on this crazy ride, and how long it takes to be abandoned?

With any luck, I’ll post one with my face when it doesn’t have Biore strips and redness.

A New Project: CMe A plus size magazine dedicated to showcasing visibility to those rendered invisible in the fashion world

Dear Entire Plus Size Fashion Community(?),

I’m currently working on a new project with a focus on plus size ladies, fashion and visibility. I’d really appreciate it if anyone who’s interested in these things could take a minute to read this and lend me your thoughts. 

Here’s how the story starts:

I’ve always loved fashion magazines. I read them as much whenever I can, wherever I am, and it’s this very ingestion that lead to a high school life full of low self esteem, isolation, and feeling like I didn’t have a place at the fashion table, no matter how much I wanted to be there.

Those feelings made me spend years of my life hiding behind clothes I hated, and a personality I wasn’t sure was mine. It was easier to pretend that I didn’t like fashion, that clothes were just something that were necessary rather than a platform of expression and art. I lost years of something I loved, and confidence that still hasn’t completely come back.

I don’t know what it was, but one day I just stopped caring. One day, I looked in the mirror and wanted to like what was looking back at me, instead of existing with it.

4 years after that day, and I’m no longer satisfied with not having a seat at that table. I’m not satisfied being told I’m invisible, that I don’t matter, and for that matter, that anyone else doesn’t either.

That is the drive behind CMe (See Me).

CMe is meant to be an independent online magazine dedicated to showcasing visibility in the fashion industry, while still having the feel of a print magazine. While the focus is meant to be plus size women, CMe will also include a highlight on women of colour, people with disabilities, people who are trans*, and other people commonly left out of the Fashion & Beauty industry. CMe will not only be a fashion magazine, but also a politics of fashion magazine.

 

So far, I’ve just ended the research stage. It meant a year of analyzing magazines, finding web hosts, figuring out costs, and researching companies. What I’m ready to do is enter Stage 2, which is creating a strong brand image, clearing up a mission statement, and really figuring out what content and articles CMe should have. Hopefully after that will be looking for contributors who want to share their take on fashion and visibility.

While I have always meant for CMe to be in magazine form, something that emulates the style of print magazines, it’s been suggested to me that a blog would be a more appropriate format. Something similar to xo,Jane or Jezebel, but with a bigger focus on fashion and inclusion.

So what I’m asking from you, if you’re interested in something like this, would you prefer a blog style webpage, or an online magazine?

I really appreciate any and all input on this subject. Frankly, I can’t take this idea any further without really figuring out whether this is a magazine or a blog, and I want CMe to be as much about it’s readers as it’s contributors and creators. A part of that is how that information is packaged and presented. I also appreciate any sharing of this information! I really do want to get as much input as possible. If someone has any questions or thoughts, please share them! 

Thank you to anyone who responds or shares this! If you’re interested, CMe will hopefully be a fully functional something by the end of this year 2013/beginning of 2014. 😀

-CristinaMarieMe

Harper’s Bazaar Russia – Sized Up

I love to take straight sized editorials/covers/ads and turn them into fierce plus sized outfits, so this post is inspired by this gorgeous Oscar De La Renta Spring 2013 dress and the SJP cover of Harper’s Bazaar Russia. ModCloth‘s jersey style version of the dress, at $80, it’s certainly not cheap for a maxi dress, but it’s versatility and ModCloth’s decent quality should make this a good buy, and an excellent piece in any wardrobe. For the trend focused, the shape and pattern are all very on trend, but since it’s a stripe and nothing to graphic and of-the-moment (such as galaxy or animal prints), it stands as an excellent piece even after the stripe wave has passed.

Casual:
1. modcloth – top of the byline dress $79.99
2. asos curve – denim bomber jacket $76.36
3. asos – leather fringe hobo bag $64.49
4. new look – nacy woven cork wedges $32.59
5. aldo – masa necklace $25

A splash of colour to add some dimension to the look makes it great as a casual day dress, but going with different shades of a single colour help to not take away from the boldness of the dress itself. Adding a boho style bag and a pair of wedges keep the look toned down and loose, while the pattern of the maxi and a structured jacket keep it from being more appropriate for Coachella than everyday  life.

 

Night Out
1. modcloth – top of the byline dress $79.99
2. asos curve – plate + ring waist belt $25.46
3. torrid – gold leaf cut out $14.50
4. forever21 – cutout crescent hoops $4.80
5. aldo – black + gold dharinee heel $90
6. aldo – black butchbinder clutch $45

GOLD!

I’ll be honest, I kind of hate gold, I almost always choose silver instead, but nothing goes better with black and white than gold. I don’t know why, it’s just goddamn pretty and awesome looking. Personally, I love this look for spending the night with the ladies and various other fabulous friends. I like the idea of nature inspired elements in such a synthetic outfit, so the animal clutch and leaf cuff add a little extra something to the overall look.

How would you style this dress?

-Cristina Marie