allthingsadair

[allthingsadair]

I received several amazing vintage pieces last weekend (and bought a few as well) Since I love vintage and have been accumulating it for some time I thought I'd share some photos. 😊 The coat and dress were gifted to me by a friend's mother. Lucky me she was cleaning out her attic.

[allthingsadair]

This was my dog, Maximus. He was born July 11, 2002. I adopted him from The Humane Society of Baltimore County in 2003. He passed away July 2, 2016, just 9 days shy of his 14th birthday. He was not the best dog in the world, but I was not the best owner. I loved him so much and didn't realize how big a hole he would leave in my heart, in my life. I'm not sure I'll ever fully recover from this loss. I hope he knew how much I loved him even when my patience was short. He was the brightest spot in every day and was there to cuddle whenever I was sad. I truly did not deserve such a wonderful creature. Rest in peace my beautiful friend. 💔

[allthingsadair]

DO IT NOW: Guide to Proper Bra Fit and Measuring because Victoria Secret and La Senza and whatever are full of shit and you are definitely wearing the wrong size ok? ok

Hi guys I’m obsessed with this shit lately because I don’t want anyone to have unhappy, unsupported boobs like I did. Even if you think your boobs and bras are fine, try it. It will make a big difference in comfort, support, and shape, even if you have small boobs or big boobs. A proper fitting bra can fix back, shoulder, and neck pain, along with breast soreness - and it can help you look 10lbs lighter, and your breasts a hell of a lot perkier. This guide also works for proper-sized bikinis and bathing suits (many online stores linked to below sell both- sometimes for as low as 10$!)

Don’t just like this, REBLOG IT. EVERYBODY WITH BOOBS DESERVES A PROPER FIT. Even if you don’t wear bras yourself, spread it around to tumblr or with your friends or family.

Grab a soft tape measurer (use inches) and get nekkid - don’t wear a bra or shirt please, you don’t wear a bra or shirt underneath your bra, do you? This part is fast and easy, and will help you find your ‘Starting Point’ bra size - you may not end up in this exact size, but it will get you in the right ballpark.

How to Measure:

Measure your underbust - go right underneath the root of your breasts, but make sure the tape is straight/parallel to the floor. Take a firm, snug measurement - if you have chub, take it tighter.

Measure your bust bent over - bend forward so your back is parallel to the  floor and your boobs are hanging so you have access to all that beautiful breast tissue that is now brought forward. Measure very loosely around the nipples, keeping tape straight/horizontal/perpendicular to the floor.

If your breasts are kind of empty and/or have a lot of sag, this method may overestimate your cup size. Instead, take your bust measurement bent over, standing, and lying flat on your back, and take an average of those three measurements and use that for your calculations.

How to Use These Measurements to find your 'Starting Size’:

Round up your underbust measurement to the nearest even number. If you are only half an inch or less away from being a lower size, use that instead (unless you have a bony ribcage). This is automatically your band size. No BS. There is no adding imaginary inches here.

The difference between your underbust measurement and your bust measurement dictates your cup size. Every 1 inch in difference represents a cup size, so 1 inch = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D. As you can see here, a true D or DD cup is actually pretty fucking small. 

CUP SIZES ARE NOT STANDARD, UNLIKE COMMONLY THOUGHT (AND TOLD TO US BY ASSHOLES LIKE VS). They are TOTALLY relative to band size. The cup on a 30D has 4 inches less volume than the cup on a 34D. A 30D is actually the same cup size as a 34B! 

No one has their shit together on the lettering for each cup size, so here’s a handy dandy chart. Remember to go with UK measurement as they somewhat have their shit together (and because American companies do not make much above DD, so there’s literally no point in knowing it, but the European sizing may come in handy)

I DON’T CARE IF YOU LIVE IN THE USA, DO NOT USE THE AMERICAN MEASUREMENTS, FFS. YOU’LL ONLY MAKE THINGS HARDER AND MORE CONFUSING FOR YOURSELF. ANY BOUTIQUE IN NORTH AMERICA WORTH GOING TO, AND 99% OF ONLINE STORES, IS GOING TO SELL PRIMARILY BRITISH OR EUROPEAN BRANDS AND WILL GO BY THEIR SIZING. THERE IS LITERALLY NO POINT IN KNOWING AMERICAN SIZING

DO NOT USE AMERICAN SIZING

DO NOT USE AMERICAN FUCKING SIZING

EVEN IF YOU ARE AMERICAN

AND LIVE IN THE US

USE THE BRITISH SIZING

For example, I have a 29.5 inch underbust and a 38 inch bust when bent over. So, I should take a 30 band and then there’s an 8 inch difference. So I am a 30FF in UK sizing. This is just my starting point when looking for bras, and I may not always end up with this exact size

Do not pull the 'omg no I’m not a G cup my boobs aren’t that big you’re more stupid that the idea of vegetable bread’ shit with me ok? You drank the Kool-Aid and now you need to piss it out. CUP SIZES ARE NOT STANDARD. A 34D IS BIGGER IN THE CUPS THAN A 30E. Here, take a look at a chart of cup volumes and see what I mean.

Also… not all 'big cup’ bras are ugly and granny-like. Just check out brands like Freya or Gossard or Gorteks or Panache or Cleo! They are gorgeous!

Trying it on: What a proper fit is like

ALWAYS SCOOP AND SWOOP BEFORE ASSESSING WHETHER IT FITS OR NOT. What does this mean? This means bend over, hike up your bra so that it sits right under the root of your breasts. Then, start smooshing all your back fat and armpit rolls or any loose tissue thats underneath or to the side of the cup, INTO the cup. All that stuff is breast tissue that got pushed around from your shitty bras, no I am not bullshitting - after a few months of wearing better bras, many people end up having to get a bigger cup and sometimes even a smaller band too, as all the smooshed breast tissue migrates back to the boob, where it should be. Not kidding. So get everything in there and make sure the wire is positioned perfectly under your boobs. Then stand up and assess the fit. If it seemed to fit before scooping, it won’t fit now.

THIS IS JUST A STARTING POINT. Try on your starting size and work from there. You may need to go up or down a band size, or up or down many cup sizes. Not all brands or even models in that brand are made the same way, and the shape of your boobs also helps determine the size and fit, so don’t try on JUST the size you calculated, say “it doesn’t fit”, and then give up and go back to your 36Cs. You aren’t doing yourself any favours. If you don’t feel comfortable in your 'starting point size’, go ahead and try a size up or down in bands and/or a size or two or even three up or down in cups as needed.

ALWAYS start on the loosest hook. If you need to start on the tightest hook, go down a band size. The point of hooks is simple - as your bra gets used, it gradually loses its elasticity and gets loose. So, you use your hooks to bring it in, and when you reach the last hook, well, be prepared to get rid of your bra in a few months (unless you invest in a band tightener like the Rixie Clip)

A proper fit means the bra band is straight and parallel to the floor. If it isn’t, and seems to be getting pulled up, its too big and isn’t supporting you. Get a smaller band. You shouldn’t be able to stretch it more than a couple inches off your back. It may feel tight at first, but bras do need 'breaking in’ and you are used to wearing things that do not fit correctly, so give it a chance. Of course, it should not hurt either!

A proper fit means your bra straps are not digging in. 

A proper fit means the gore (the little centerpiece of the bra where the wires sort of meet) MUST tack/sit firmly against your chest. If it doesn’t, then the wires are not truly fully underneath your boobs and so are not giving you the proper support. 

A proper fit means your boobs must fit smoothly into the entire cup (after scooping and swooping). The wire should totally encase all your breast tissue (this includes armpit fat and stuff). There should be no empty space at the bottom or top of the cup. Your boobs should not be overflowing from the top of the cup. If there’s overflowing or uncontained tissue after scooping, or of it feels tight, get a bigger cup.

A proper fit means you should be able to lift your arms over your head and jump around without the band or underwire budging or exposing underboob.

Size Tweaks/Troubleshooting (make sure you scoop and swoop first):

The band feels tight: Is the gore tacking or not? If not, go up a cup size or two (or maybe even three or four). Even if the gore is tacking, try this first. The band may be tight because the cups are too small, so your boobs are stretching the band out too much to overcompensate for lack of cup depth, making it feel tighter. If after trying larger cups, it still feels uncomfortably tight, go up a band size (and down a cup size if the first size fit well in the cups - remember, cup is relative to band, a 32DD is the same in the cups as a 34D). Remember though that it takes a few days to break a bra in, so it may feel tight or perfect at first, and then comfortable or too loose later.

The band feels loose/band is riding up and not remaining parallel to the floor: Go down a band size (and up a cup size or two because blablah relativity). 

The gore is not tacking, but band is not tight: Band size is too big, or maybe fits just right - but the cups are too small. You know what to do.

Boobs spilling over: Go up a cup size. Check first though that the bottom of the cup is not empty, and hike it up if it is!

Empty space at bottom of cup: Hike that shit up so it gets right to the roots of your breasts. This may fix bulging/spillage. If you can’t get it higher, then you need a smaller cup or this make of bra is just not suited to your shape.

Empty space at top of cup: You need a smaller cup, or this shape of bra just does not suit you your breasts, especially if your breasts are not very full on top. Or you need to scoop and swoop!

Straps digging in: Loosen them. If your boobs suddenly sag, then the band is not supportive enough, and you need a tighter band.

Armpit rolls: Bigger cup and/or scoop and swoop that shit. The cut of bra may also just not be for you (for now anyway - your armpit rolls may migrate back into the boobs and disappear eventually!)

They don’t even make my size!!: If you’re in a 28-48 D-KK (UK sizing) cup, you will find your size online easily enough. however, if you have a smaller band than that or need smaller cups, they are hard to find - message me and I’ll try to help you with a solution!

So, for example, my starting size may be 30FF, but I may end up wearing a 28G or H if the band of that model is too loose and the gore not tacking. Or the band may be fine and I may need a bigger cup so I’ll get a 30G. Or The band may be good but the cups too big, so I’ll get a 30F or E. Or the band may be too small to be comfortable and I’ll wear a 32F or E (same cupsize-ish as 30FF!). 

 What Not to Do:

NEVER PUT YOUR BRA IN THE DRYER. AND PREFERABLY, WASH IT BY HAND. The heat and twisting ruins the elasticity of the bra and reduces its life! This is the best way to ruin bras, don’t do it.

Do not add 3 or 4 or 5 inches or whatever to your band measurement. That is BS that American companies use so that they don’t have to manufacture a larger range of sizes - they use it to fit you into their stock, not their stock onto you. The band will be too big and unsupportive. Those 4 inches they add to the band are 4 inches that should be in the cup size, so no wonder people think anything over DD should be huge.

Do not measure your 'overbust’ cause really what the fuck does that have to do with how large you are underneath your boobs, come on

Do not do the above because 80% of the support comes from the band, which needs to be firm against you and not be sliding or moving around.Would you wear underwear 4 inches bigger than your hips? No, so why would you wear a bra band 4 inches bigger than your ribcage that gets pulled up and stuff and would fall off if not for the straps, while expecting it to support the boobies at the same time?

Do not go down a band size and then forget to go up a cup size or two. Again, cup sizes are not static. A 30FF is the same cup volume as a 32F or E. If you don’t do this, no shit the bra will fit badly or feel tight.

Do not go straight to Victoria’s Secret or La Senza or whatever, even if you are lucky enough to fit in their small range of sizes - they don’t seem to follow sizing very well. Still, try, by all means, but be aware that their bras may be odd compared to others.

 "But where do I get these Bras? I’ve never even seen these sizes!“

Luckily, the internet makes this shit really easy. Buying bras online is nearly always way cheaper, even with shipping, and even if coming from somewhere in Europe! But of course, its best to try on stuff first, to avoid the hassle of return shipping (even though its still not that expensive - just annoying). So what I advise is to find a store near you, try stuff on there, note down the Brand, Model, and Size, and then buy it online for up to a quarter of of the in-store price.

If you can’t find a store near you, online ordering is still extremely cheap, even with return shipping. Instead of getting a whole bunch of bras in only 1 size each, pick out a few models and order a few sizes of each. Ex: one with a bigger or smaller band if your measurements are close to needing a bigger or smaller band size, and then some up or down a couple cup sizes so you can compare the fit. When you have the perfect fit in one bra, it will be easier to go on Bratabase or r/ABraThatFits and have them suggest bras that give similar shape or suggest a different size to you as a model you’re interested in may run large or small.

So, Where to Find:

Note: You can find proper-sized bras as low as 10$ US online (particularly from ebay or brastop.com) and most average 30-45$.

List of Online Retailers from BustyResourcesWiki: A complete list of online retailers around da world. Many ship internationally so take a look at all of them (particularly the UK ones)

Ebay, Etsy, and Amazon all have bras inexpensively.

List of Offline Retailers from BustyResourcesWiki: List of chain-stores (not of privately owned stores)

If in Canada, look for a Change Lingerie near you to try on bras. Note that they only carry their own brand.

If in the USA, look for a Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack near you to try on bras. They carry all sorts of brands and have an online store as well (and also ship to Canada!)

Use a store locator from the webpage of a bra brand company to find non-chain, privately owned stores - if they have one of these brands, they’ll have others. Here’s the locator for Freya, Curvy Kate, Fantasie, Chantelle, Panache, and Affinitas. There are more than just these of course.

If you are small in the band AND in the cup (under a D cup) look at the Little Bra Company.

Ask around on Bratabase or r/ABraThatFits for stores near you.

WOMAN, YOU HAVE THE INTERNET! GOOGLE! YELP!

WARNING: There are many chain stores (Nordstrom, Lane Bryant, Mark and Spencer, Change etc) that do bra fittings and have a good reputation. However, each store is different - some measure correctly, and some use the stupid VS method. Every store has a different team of employees and knowledge. DO NOT GO IN WITHOUT HAVING MEASURED YOURSELF FIRST, JUST IN CASE THEY ARE ONE OF THE BAD STORES. DO NOT TRUST ALL BRA FITTERS, EVEN IF SOMEONE RECOMMENDED THEM TO YOU. If your fitter gives you a measurement different from this one, be mentally prepared to have a difficult time getting them to help you find the right bra.

I had the fitter at Change help me, and when I mentioned that the gore did not tack, she said "Oh, the gore never touches the chest with these bras”. I was like HAHA NOPE BRING ME A LARGER CUP WOMAN. And lo and behold, 2 extra cup sizes later, the gore tacked (and my boobs stopped spilling out). She was very nice otherwise but if I hadn’t known better that could have been bad.

Resources:

r/ABraThatFits: forum for bras, they will help you with sizing, fitting, and finding the right model for your breast shape - they have links to a lot of resources, such as online stores, used bra listings, etc.

Busty Resources Wiki: Great resource for fitting tips, diagrams, explanations, styles.

Bra Band Project: an online gallery of what various sizes look like! Dump your disbelief!

List of Online Retailers: Online is MUCH cheaper and shipping is usually cheap too, even from Europe. Try bras in a store near you , pick out what you like, and order them online instead.

Bratabase: Database of bras, with user inputted measurements of each bra model in its size - bras may be marked the same size, but with this you can see which may have bigger or smaller bands or cups, or what style may suit what shape of breast, all of which helps find the perfect fit for you! 

Great Youtube Video on Bra Fitting: This is one of the few people on Youtube who knows their shit about bras. Great for the visuals to help you understand what a bad fit and proper fit look like.

Venusian Glow is a great bra blog - SO MUCH INFO. Suggests bras based on your boob shape amongst other things.

[allthingsadair]

Allbirds review!

I wanted to review these shoes because in so many ways I love them but there are a few things that make me say hmm...

I like to start with the good so here my thoughts followed by some facts from their website www.allbirds.com that made me excited to purchase:

First my thoughts...

These shoes are incredibly soft and comfortable - FACTS. They say they are machine washable - I have yet to test that. I did however wear them more than 10 days (not in a row) without socks and they still do not smell. They are moisture wicking - FACT. They are incredibly light - FACT. I think they are pretty cute to boot!

I originally purchased the green pair you see on the right. It seems this color is no longer offered! The only thing I did not like was the black sole, but it was not a big deal. I had a trip coming up to Amsterdam and Dublin (maybe another post on that) and these seemed like the perfect shoes to explore in. I was very happy upon receiving them. I can just feel the arch. I have high arches so usually can feel no support, nothing, nada. The fact that I could feel something means that regular arched people would have awesome support.

I tested them out a few times before the trip. No rubbing, no blisters, just soft comfort. I traveled for 12 days and wore these at least 9 days. I did a lot of walking, about 3 hours every day and they were super comfy.

Facts from the website:

“Our merino wool is ZQ-certified, which means it meets stringent standards of sustainable farming and animal welfare. In other words, no sheep were harmed in the making of these shoes.“

“Our merino has a carbon footprint that is 60% smaller than typical synthetic materials used in shoes; and castor beans are an incredibly sustainable source for the green polyurethane used in our insoles.“

“We spent over two years working with the finest wool in the world (New Zealand superfine merino, if anyone’s asking) to create a new fabric that’s incredibly soft, lightweight, breathable, and flexible. This natural fabric not only boasts the incredible properties of merino, but is durable enough to take you far.“

Now my issue:

About halfway through my trip the tongue of the right show tore! Not a huge deal but I do not think I was tying them particularly tight so it seemed strange. I took a pic and emailed customer service letting them know I had no info with me and was traveling but it was less than 30 days. Ashley responded that they would send me some free grey wool runners to replace them and whenever I returned home I could send the damaged pair back. She said that some colors have thinner tongues so this may be what happened. Even my issue turned out to be a non issue. I wore them a few more times on the trip. Less than a week after I returned I had a new pair on my porch that happened to be in the other color I was considering.

Comparing the two pairs I noticed the insole/arch support is slightly different. (see second photo) I do not feel the arch as much in this grey pair. The green pair had allbirds written on the arch support, these do not. I took a photo of the insoles to show that they are a bit different. I would assume they changed them completely as it would seem odd that it be based on shoe color, but who knows. They are still comfy, but I feel I will need to replace these much sooner. Replacement insoles are available on the website but if they are wimpy like this I would rather keep my $25. Just my thoughts of course. They do have the soft/no need for socks factor so that is something to consider.

Overall:

excellent customer service

comfortable

light weight

moisture wicking/breathable

great for walking all day

I will and have recommended these shoes.

[allthingsadair]

I know I'm late to the Mad Men party. I started watching it on Netflix after attending a Mad Men themed party. I figured I often dress the part, I should see what it's all about. I never imagined I would fall in love. Now I have 3 episodes left and it's done for good. I am almost as sad as I was when Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended. And if you know me at all...well, let's just say I rewatch that entire series at least once a year. This is my tribute, my final good bye to the characters I have grown to love. Pete Campbell, I mostly hated you and your receding hairline. It wasn't all your fault. You played Connor on Angel (the spinoff of my beloved Buffy) and you were extremely unlikable on that. I hated how you treated Peggy when she was so young and innocent. The only time I really enjoyed you was when you and Trudy danced at Roger's party. I need to find a YouTube video of that. I was impressed. Then you lied to Joan and convinced her to sleep with that man as a business deal. You cannot get lower than that. However, by the last season you did somewhat redeem yourself. Maybe the less hair, the nicer you were. You seemed to have grown, but I still can't totally trust you. Betty Draper Francis, omg you were evil. At first I felt bad that Don cheated all the time, but the way you treated the kids and everyone else. I truly say good riddance to you. Although I did enjoy your fashion sense. I felt bad for the children. Some people should not be mothers. Megan Draper, I truly liked you, you were good for Don. He was happy for a time and he was faithful to you for quite awhile. Sad to say that's impressive for him, but it was. Of course he did you wrong eventually because that's what he does. I wish you hadn't done your best to hurt him. I really hoped you would work out. Roger Sterling, probably the handsomest man I've seen. Yes, you were a card, a player, but eh. I never cared for any of your women other than Joan so I didn't care much how you treated them. I loved that you lived your life. Drugs, orgies, whatever you felt like doing you did. And you still made it to work the next day. I wish you and Joan had gotten together. You were adorable. Peggy Olson... So much growth. The first season I didn't care for you. You were dowdy and you liked Pete, yuck! You grew to be one of my favorites and my hero. You learned so much and made a name for yourself. At times I hated how you treated Don, even though he may have deserved it. I think he always had your back but you didn't see it. You were frustrated by him, but you have him to thank. You were so incredibly strong. Joan Harris, I loved everything about you. I felt like we were so similar. The way we dress, the way men treat us. You are my fashion icon. It's a shame you had to sleep with that disgusting guy. Well, you didn't, but it was too late. I was upset when you wanted to fire Don. You know he was against you doing that. Sure you became a partner and I know you were thinking of Kevin, but damn girl. When you voted Don to be fired I was so disappointed. The two of you had had a close and lovely friendship. I know it was business, but that saddened me. Don Draper, last but surely not least, I wanted to hate you from day one. I ended up feeling bad for you. Not pity, but sorrow. You were such a broken man. I can't fault you too much for cheating on Betty as she was a horrible person. But Megan did not deserve it. The last 2 seasons have made me mad at everyone on your behalf. Clearly you had a breakdown, firing you was not the answer. The agency always needed you and you too have came so far in life. I know you never meant to hurt people, you were just so messed up. Your friendships with Roger, Joan, and Peggy had many ups and downs but Roger always looked out for you and Peggy always admired you. The friendships with them worked so well because you didn't cross certain lines. I'm incredibly sad this series is ending, but all good things come to an end. Three more episodes....😭

[allthingsadair]

yes. <3

[allthingsadair]

#TryDry Voxbox

My most recent VoxBox from Influenster featured Dove Dry Spray. This deodorant is a game changer. I work 8 hours and then go to the gym most nights. Even after for working out for (at least) an hour Dove Dry Spray is still working. The scent is great, I do not feel sweaty or stinky. I will purchase this in the future. Thanks Influenster!

*I was sent this product to test, but all thoughts and opinions are definitely my own!

[allthingsadair]

Love! !!!

Top 10 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters as voted by my followers ➤ Number 06: Antoine “Trip” Triplett Sir, I bring the noise and the funk wherever I go.

[allthingsadair]

Look what I received from Influenster to test!

[allthingsadair]

Sigh

[allthingsadair]

Dating in Baltimore

I hate dating. I really hate it. Can we just skip to the part where I’m already in a relationship? For the past year and some months I haven’t had to worry about dating. Technically I’ve been single for 3 years but I was seeing the same guy and we were only seen each other. However we weren't in a relationship. Are you confused? Great, because so am I. We met in August 2014 and from that weekend on we spend at least one day a week together every single week. This wasn't a hook up or fwb situation either. These were actual dates. We went places together, we met each other's people, etc. Then around October of this year..well I don't know what happened. I admit I have gone ghost on people but not after a year that’s something that I feel like you can legally do in the first couple weeks of dating. I'm still confused and clueless about what went wrong. We didn't get in a fight, no disagreement, I really don't know. Now that I’m officially single, although I guess I always was, I’m back to dating. Which brings me back to the fact that I hate dating. My next few posts will be about my experience with dating in Baltimore. There will be a lot of online dating. I work a lot and don't want to date people from work so online dating is the easiest option. Let the games begin!

[allthingsadair]

Love this picture

Phil Coulson and Antoine Triplett [x]

[allthingsadair]

😢😢

We’ve come a long way from where we began Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again [x]

[allthingsadair]

My otp. I will ship these two forever! 💜

[allthingsadair]

[Channing] was like, “You just couldn’t even believe…  a butt could be like such a bubble and so perfect! It’s like all muscle!” He’s like, “Everybody was like… I was like, ‘What is that?!’“ So Channing is even saying how much he admired it! Like it was just unreal, and I’d never seen his butt, so I had no idea what they were talking about, until I saw him do his first take of his strip scene, and I was like “un – believable!” I had no idea – I had no idea he had that!  - Channing Tatum on the perfection of Matt Bomer’s booty [x]

[allthingsadair]

Behind the scenes with Gayoncé & mattbellassai​.

[allthingsadair]

I feel slightly weird posting a pic of this, but Influenster gave me these free to test. All opinions are mine of course. Thanks Influenster. #FreshIsFierce