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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 1, 2006 20:59:17 GMT -6
Had an interesting experiance yesterday which reminded me of this thread. Ramble later if no one objects.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 2, 2006 0:42:16 GMT -6
Object? Pfft. This whole thread is objectionable. That is the objective of it.
Ramble away, Fairest.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 2, 2006 1:24:14 GMT -6
While waiting for the ramble, just a brief bit of history about underwear. Briefs or boxers? Corset doesn't matter; neither are anything near as restricting as that horrid invention: the corset.
These contraptions have been around for centuries. The ancient Greeks even wore them. In the Victorian Age, they were so tight, the result was women dropping like flies, fainting from lack of oxygen.
Severe lacing damaged internal organs and deformed rib cages. By gradually tightening the laces a woman's waist could be reduced to 16 inches in about two years. It would take about one year of not wearing a corset for the body to return to normal size.
Sheesh.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 6, 2006 10:07:13 GMT -6
I watched the Super Bowl last night. Or at least the commercials. Tucked in among the Godzilla type monsters giving birth to Hummers, the colt aspiring to pull the Budweiser wagon, Beer.com ads, and Shak sniffing over the fate of desperate housewives, was an ad sponsored by Dove. Set to the song, “True Colors”, it showed shots of young girls and teenagers, with captions such as “thinks she’s ugly”, and “thinks she’s too fat”, followed by “Let’s tell her she’s wrong….And she’ll be beautiful.... Let’s make peace with beauty.” I thought “Wow! Finally!” And that’s what this is all about. I was urged to start a thread about body image after having a discussion with a friend about what prompted it all: my daughter’s questions. Maybe I was the wrong person to tackle it; maybe I went about it all wrong. I don’t consider my “flaws” flaws; they are part of me, and I’ve never desired it be otherwise….except, on occasion when trying on clothing and being a bit taller would be helpful….because I never learned to hem. At the end of the Dove commercial a website address flashed across the screen. www.campaignforrealbeauty.comI checked it out. Again I say, “Finally!” In my initial post here, I wrote my response to LX’s question was, “Short or tall, small breasted or large, regardless of your size, you should be comfortable and like who you are – inside and out. That is the image you portray to others…and that is the image they will remember.” Wish I would have seen the website first. Dove says it better. “…..strong self-esteem is at the heart of feeling beautiful. Women who are truly beautiful feel good about themselves. They are unlikely to feel insecure, compare themselves to others or believe people who put them down. Instead, people who are happy and confident truly embrace life. …every woman is entitled to feel this way and to celebrate her own beauty.” And whether or not they are just trying to sell product, the message attached is a good one. And one I wholeheartedly believe. Much better than using a model who statistically weighs 23 percent less than the average woman today, (an actual statistic). It’s a good commercial, though specifically targeted for Canadian audiences. I hope it airs here often in the States. The ad, but without the song attached, can be viewed at… www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca/flat2.asp?url=flat2.asp&id=1606Oh, and one more thing. Sandra Bullock…definitely no higher than a B-actress.
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Post by Joxcenia on Feb 6, 2006 17:51:28 GMT -6
Hey Phalon... I saw that commercial just today during Oprah... so cool.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 7, 2006 7:38:03 GMT -6
"Beauty is an attitude that comes from within; from an optimism and belief in life." ~ Rita Barros
"Beauty is confidence. Plain and simple." ~ Katrina Dickson
"Beauty is honesty, openness and awareness. The ability to perceive all the invisible energies at work and to share and communicate without inhibition. Magic!" ~ Anette Aurell, photographer
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Post by Joxcenia on Feb 7, 2006 17:24:14 GMT -6
That commercial was on again during Medium.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 13, 2006 0:32:12 GMT -6
Ok...here’s my ramble. Sorry it took so long folks.
A couple of weeks ago some friends from work decided to go to a strip club and asked if I wanted to tag along. I refused at first, simply because it’s not really my thing. Though I had never actually been to one I had a preconceived idea of what I would encounter there. Loud obnoxious music, dirty chairs and naked women. And let’s not forget the droves of old men hanging out and hiding from their significant others.
However, a friend of mine, being the persuasive sort, said it would be fine and convinced me to step out of my little box for a change. I did. It wasn’t that bad. I arrived with all of my stereotypical thoughts intact. And there were a few that were reinforced. Yes there were droves of men ogling the naked or near naked women, but most were in business suits, not trench coats. The place was clean and well kept. The music, while not to my taste, was not turned up so loud you couldn’t have a conversation without screaming.
My thoughts then turned to the women who were on stage. The question that came to the forefront the most was...why? Why would any woman subject herself to that? Yes, they all had what is considered perfect or near perfect bodies. Surely these women had more going for them than to parade around and let people simply view them as objects. They have minds and other skills which would make them valuable in other areas.
And then the strangest thing happened. I was sitting there. Trying to keep my focus on the group I was with. And yes...I was a little embarrassed at actually being there. When out of the corner of my eye I spotted a well tanned naked thigh. My first thought was OH god....all I said was no thank you. I never looked up, fearing I guess I would look like a deer in headlights because that’s exactly how I felt. The naked thigh stayed where it was. I said no thank you again. Finally, the thigh, or I should say the arm attached at some point to the thigh, taps me on the shoulder.
So I finally look up. And there standing next to me is a long time high school friend who I had lost touch with. I was in shock. I stood up, hugged her and the first thing I said was “How are you?”, but the second thing I said was “What are you doing here?”. Of course she could have asked me the same thing, but she didn’t.
So, winding my way back to the original thought. Why? I have no idea. The only conclusion I came to was money. They can make more money in one day than I do in a week. My friend had a child to support and a dead beat jerk of a dad. And in this state, the money is hard to make. At some point though, my persuasive friend pointed out that it really isn’t a bad job. Decent money and there are rules for the nicer places. As evidenced by the two rather large men occupying the front door and the one who seated us. Best behavior and absolutely no touching.
So what does this have to do with body image? A lot. What will my friends child think when he grows up and understands what his Mom does/did for a living. Will this alter his view on women in general. Will he treat them differently? How will this effect my friendship with her? Not at all. I was happy to see her regardless of where it was.
And, what are the men in that place thinking? Do they really think that they will find a woman out there to date or have a relationship with that actually looks like that? Considering that those women made up like one percent of the total typical body types....I doubt it. And if they did, would they appreciate the whole woman or would it be all about the arm candy? And would the women expect them to treat her with the respect she deserved or would she play into the roll?
Needless to say, it was an interesting day.
And oh....my contribution to the list of actresses.....
A Double D A-typical body type.....Bette Midler.
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Post by Gabbin on Feb 13, 2006 0:49:28 GMT -6
Hi Scrap. Interesting story. Oh, and Bette an A? She doesn't seem so. Get out the measuring tape.
Sigh, well, strippers. I dated a stripper, once. Refurbished antique chairs.
I stumbled upon an interesting news program one night. It had a feature on a woman who dressed as a man and did man things. One thing she did was to go to a strip club-not to be confused with a NY strip club sandwich. She concluded-and this can be found in her new book-that for women, love is all in the mind or up here and for men, down thar-a bodily function. That was her take.
She felt the men went there for sex, not relationships. Only for the sensation. The experience was for release. I think it is a little different with women at Chippendale shows. There is is entertainment and fun and sex in a lighter form.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 17, 2006 0:43:52 GMT -6
I think, Gabbin, that Scrappy meant Bette was an atypical body type for an actress, being a Double-D, but not the typical Pam Anderson type D.
The whole strip bar thing; a mother making a living - wasn't that done in a movie? Demi Moore, I'm thinking.
I got my bust back; a small bust, but pretty none-the-less. I bought it a while ago. My friend made improvements to it; enhanced it here and there; did some highlighting. He's an artist, and made it oh-so-pretty. A new and improved bust, and I should take a picture of it and post for all to see.
A bust of Sappho I couldn't resist buying. Her expression got to me. Not much breast on this bust; Sappho is definitely no larger than a B.
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Post by Phalon on Mar 14, 2006 23:44:19 GMT -6
Dragging this back up for just a bit - because with A-cups that's all you get - just a bit.
I received an e-mail the other day from Kohls. A big, big sale, (they have one every other day, you know). Intimate Apparel. Back to work soon, and yes, yes - I could use a big, big sale to stock up on sports bras.
No sports bras on sale, but it seems Olga has a new line of bras "specifically designed for the smaller frame": The Petite Bra Collection. I still think Pea-tit is a more accurate term.
So I browsed, thinking maybe these petite bras might actually fit a petite person and not have straps long enough to fit over football shoulder pads, so that they slip down to your elbows at the slightest move. Might be so; I'll never know. Won't be buying any of these.
Extra padding. Extra, Extra! "Extra padding....for a more feminine feel"..."for added femininity". No where does it say in their non-petite bra descriptions anything about "added femininity", implying once again that to be considered feminine one must have big boobs. Pfft. Sorry, I feel quite feminine without being padded; thanks very much.
And so the search for the perfect bra continues. I think that ought to be a documentary: The Search for the Perfect Bra." Not just A-cups, but the whole alphabet range. Didn't Opbra do a similar show once? I seem to remember someone here talking about her groping guests.
Morgan Freeman can narrate, as the grueling seventy mile march in extreme conditions...back, and forth, and back, and forth to the mall is made by the bra-weary shoppers in search of perfect bras.
Possible title..."The Hunt for Red Octobra" or maybe, "Looking For Mr. Good Bra".
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Post by Mini Mia on Mar 15, 2006 0:03:43 GMT -6
If you ever have to have a biopsy, I suggest you get a good foam or padded bra... the firm support was much appreciated a couple of years ago when I had one. A small pillow under my arm and breast as I slept at night also did the trick. I didn't use any of the pills they gave me for pain. I was thankful for that.
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Post by Phalon on Mar 15, 2006 1:04:02 GMT -6
Yes, there are definitely good reasons for padding, but for me personally, padding for the sole purpose of appearing bigger than I am - because it looks more feminine - is not a reason at all. It's ridiculous.
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Post by Mini Mia on Mar 15, 2006 1:35:44 GMT -6
I've never tried a padded bra, but I got tired of the thin-clothed ones and tried a foam bra and found I liked the thickness. No worries when you get cold either. And it was perfect timing for the biopsy... perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that I chose to change when I did...
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Post by Phalon on Mar 15, 2006 23:59:55 GMT -6
What is the difference, Mia, between a padded bra and a foam bra? Foam, foam on the range. Free range boobs as opposed to boobs locked in padded cells. They allow one foam call from those padded cells. Foam home.
Walked into a friend's house this morning. Took off my coat, and she greets me with. "Man, you're stacked today. Where'd you get those boobs?"
"Some guy was selling them on the street corner; two for the price of one. So I bought a couple."
"Padded bra?"
"Underwire."
"Should wear one more often. You're huge."
"It's the sweater. Or maybe a combo of the two. And I like my sports bras; they were in the wash."
"Sports bras mash you down."
"Sports bras offer support and are comfortable."
I explain the whole added femininity thing in the petite bra ads. She says, yeah well, so it was probably written by a man, and to a man, femininity most likely means bigger boobs.
"I like sports bras."
"They make you look athletic."
"And? So?" Gonna have fun with this one. "So I look athletic and that makes me less feminine?"
"No; you look strong."
"Like a man, you're saying."
"No - you've got broad shoulders; an athlete's body."
"Like a boy then."
"No; you've an hour-glass figure."
"Never would I have imagined anyone to tell me I've an hour-glass figure."
"Proportionate. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, curvy hips."
"My hips are as broad as my shoulders?"
"No."
"You're saying my butt is big then."
"You do this to Hubs, don't you. That whole 'does this make my butt look big' thing."
"Yes. Does my butt look big in these jeans."
"Stand up; let me look."
After a couple more hours chatting and laughing about subject just as ridiculous, it was time for me to leave.
"Thanks for the coffee. And thanks for noticing my big boobs." (another burst of eye rolls)
"Anytime. And thanks for not mentioning mine are down to my waist."
"Anytime."
Damn, what are friends for.
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Post by Mini Mia on Mar 16, 2006 0:08:50 GMT -6
I've 'felt' a padded bra at a store trying to decide if it was what I 'really' wanted, and it was thicker at the bottom half of the cup and thinner at the top half. Foam bras are the same thickness throughout the whole cup. I think foam bras are more about support, whereas the padded bra is to add size to what ya ain't got.
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Post by Gabbin on Mar 16, 2006 21:42:08 GMT -6
So are foam bras padded underneath? I am imagining a little football under-eye type of filling; a crescent.
And foam vs padded. Is the padded foam? I would then call a padded bra Paddington to keep it seperate-Paddington Bare.
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Post by Gabbin on Mar 16, 2006 21:50:50 GMT -6
Funny story about Xena Sis, Gams. She is a hooter, for sure.
Welp, as I backread a bit. I have to say that I think the padding is nice for erasing the 'cold' look, too. I like the support. I have several now. I like the old style but I think the padded ones last longer. The sports bras are very similar in that way.
I have some sport bras but find the a bit confining. Yep.
My favorite now is my burgundy underwire and the front clipping pink panther padded bra. All very comfy.
The pink one has a sport bra back.
And I am not brag-ging, either.
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Post by Mini Mia on Mar 16, 2006 22:21:31 GMT -6
Not the ones I have.
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Post by LMV's Old Account on Mar 16, 2006 22:23:29 GMT -6
hmm i love my bras, i hate padding though coz im a DD and i dont think i look that good when i wear a padded bra it makes me feel a bit like dolly parton
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Post by Phalon on Mar 16, 2006 22:37:28 GMT -6
Oooo; favorite bras! How far this thread has plunged. Like my plunge bra - it's okay. My favorite - my smokey plum demi, (unpadded but wired), with the floral embroidered edge.
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Post by LMV's Old Account on Mar 16, 2006 22:39:19 GMT -6
sounds nice mine is my red one its a cheap one but its made out of lace and i have matching underpants
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Post by Gabbin on Mar 17, 2006 22:35:51 GMT -6
Can someone explain the DD thing? Is there and AA bra that one wears to the AA meetings? What about a BB thing? Does it come with batteries? AAA or BB or DD. What is going on? I never seem to have looked around before. I have seen those double wok size bras but thought they were for shooting rocks at castles.
So, if you wear a DD does that mean you like XX movies? Let me try to ask a serious question. Ehem.
Does DD mean twice the D size?
I am thinking symbals.
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Post by LMV's Old Account on Mar 18, 2006 0:11:39 GMT -6
HRM>>>> nope cant explain it all i can say is like D is bigish lol
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Post by Phalon on Mar 20, 2006 23:10:22 GMT -6
I like to feel up and grope the bras too, Mia. Important to know what you're getting. Broke the rule though, and ordered a bra on-line last week - always a gamble. But I was ordering tank-tops - the plain old ribbed muscle shirt kind - and Victoria's Secret has the best. And bras on sale for 70% off. Wow. Who can resist? I'll let you know how it fits, (rolls eyes).
Bras in the News. Found this article in People's magazine while waiting in a waiting room, (a room appropriately titled), at the doctor's office, and tore out the page so I'd remember it. I felt so guilty afterward, and thought about taping it back in but didn't have any tape. So I might as well post the stolen piece of news...
The headline is "Shot, But Saved by her Bra". Seems a woman in London exiting a theater got caught in rivaling gang crossfire and was shot in the chest. The bullet though, was deflected by the under-wire in her bra. "But for the wire, it would probably have gone straight through her chest, "says London police detective Robert Wishart. Instead the under-wire bounced it away from her heart. It did though travel through her breast, but did only superficial damage.
Damn, and Xena wore a breast plate. Pfft.
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Apr 7, 2006 19:30:37 GMT -6
Just a quick comment only because I was discussing this with someone today....
When looking for a mate...if you go looking for someone who fits the physical idea of perfection, I should say the American idea of perfection, and you find her/him do you then hope that they have all the other qualities that make them the kind of person you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Or do you go looking for the qualities first only to discover that he/she is beautiful either anyway.
Beauty resides in the heart of a lover like a rose, ignoring the thorns but savoring the scent.
Beauty, like all other qualities presented to human experience, is relative; and the definition of it becomes unmeaning and useless in proportion to its abstractness. To define beauty not in the most abstract, but in the most concrete terms possible, not to find a universal formula for it, but the formula which expresses most adequately this or that special manifestation of it, is the aim of the true student of aesthetics. ATTRIBUTION: Walter Pater (1839–1894), British writer, educator. Studies in the History of the Renaissance, “Preface,” p. vii, Macmillan (1873).
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Apr 29, 2006 16:36:05 GMT -6
Ok...quick question for the A-Cup team from a member of the DD-Cup team.
Would you upgrade if you could?
Borrowing this from a friend....
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
Henry David Theroux
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Post by Phalon on Apr 29, 2006 17:15:45 GMT -6
Ewww, upgrade, huh? Implying what....that small is substandard? Basement level? The slums? Moving on up, to the meaty-side, to a DD-lux apartment in the sky.
Get new and improved, super-sized ones? My answer would be no. Personally, I think there are definitely perks to having small breasts: no discomfort in that area participating in sports, not worrying about shirts fitting across the front, being able to sleep on my stomach, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.
Do I think that having bigger boobs would make me for feminine? No - I can be girly when I want. More sexy? Ask Hubs; got that handled too.
Just me, but I like the way I am, as little of me as there is. If being small bothered me, or I wished it otherwise, I would not joke about it the way I do.
My toes though; I would like a new set of those. Know where I can get some?
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Post by Phalon on Apr 29, 2006 17:23:55 GMT -6
Oh, and I would like to add, when viewing yourself...
"It's not what you see that matters; it's how you feel about what you are seeing."
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Post by LMV's Old Account on May 7, 2006 19:32:23 GMT -6
i love what ive got i wouldnt have them any smaller or bigger. i guess ive just gotten extreamly attached to them infact the other day i got defensive in a lovely conversation between me and my ex who ive just started speaking to again after 5 years she was my first girlfriend but anyways back to the conversation. oh and my friend kylie was involved in this conversation too...
Kylie: Cherry have you always had big boobs? Me: Yes... Sarah: Oh you are such a liar! Me: No i'm not i have ALWAYS (Gives sarah a look) Sarah: What ever I remember when your boobs were just a handfull, a very small handfull. (Sarah hold her hand up, (she has small hands)) Sarah: about that size *Kylie Laughs* Kylie: your kidding right? Sarah: Nope...this big *Waves her hand about* Kylie: well how did they get that big? Sarah: Beats me I havent seen her for 5 years Me: Will you two shut up My boobs were never that small *Giggles* Kylie: SO they were really tiny? Sarah: Yep Me: Argh shut up shut up shut up Kylie & Sarah: Denial much??
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