Sunday, 8 June 2014

Body image

I was somewhat taken aback today.

An unknown brand that sells vintage homeware and a few dresses asked women for "Your dress size, height, and any body hang ups you have." 

I was amazed by the response they got.  So many women with so many different shapes and sizes who are unhappy with their bodies.

Have a look for yourself, here.

If you don't want to jump in to Facebook, here's a taster.

  • Emma Maudsley I'm a 12-14, big boobs - struggle to get something that fits waist AND across chest. Needs some "give" in the fabric otherwise I have yo buy a 16 and then get a saggy waistline!! I'm also 5ft 10 so length in body of a dress important 
    Like · Reply · 15 · 2 hrs
    • 4 Replies · 53 mins
  • Jayne White I think most women over the age of eighteen have a bit of a 'thing' about exposing their upper arms. I reckon if you could stock a co-ordinating range of cute little shrug cardigans or bolero jackets, they would go down a storm. (I am a size 24 and have no waist, so the dresses aren't for me just now, but I'm working on it!) x
    Like · Reply · 22 · 2 hrs
  • Elaine Denning THIS...THIS RIGHT HERE needs to go viral. Real shapes, real sizes, REAL WOMEN.
    Like · Reply · 12 · 2 hrs
  • Sharron Cobain 5'2" size 14.. I have no hang ups as I'm perfect down to the very last stretch mark and flabby bit! Luv who u are girls.... X
    Like · Reply · 8 · 1 hr
  • Karen Maddison Please get something short sleeved that covers the bingo wings 
    Like · Reply · 6 · 2 hrs
  • Liz Faulkner Size 22 5ft 8 - tummy and upper arms x
    Like · Reply · 6 · 2 hrs
    • 2 Replies · 51 mins
  • Linda Worsley 5'4 size 20 people don't make nice dresses for the larger ladies xxx
    Like · Reply · 5 · 2 hrs
  • Sandra 'maude' Green 5'2" size 18. I hate me upper arms! x
    Like · Reply · 5 · 2 hrs
  • Sharon Griffin i am always keen to find dresses that conceal the tummy area and also upper arm as worry about the wobbly bingo wings ;] i am a size 10 but as i am getting older i feel more self conscious about certain areas so am always searching for flattering dresses that cleverly disguise those wobbly bits x
    Like · Reply · 4 · 2 hrs
  • Katharine Haigh Dress size 16/18, 5'1 post pregnancy body so things are wobbly. Dresses need to be the right length or they look silly. I'm not a fan of my middle or the top of my arms so i prefer when the dress is fitted under boob and not waist. Also like a matching...See More
    Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
  • Christie Louise Barnes 5'6 size 10-12. Struggle with dresses because im VERY small chested. Dont fit even smallest of bras well so dresses look awful. Plus my waist is a size 8 & my hips a size 12 :S
    Like · Reply · 3 · 1 hr
  • Tina Jasmine Wright Size 16. 5ft 10. Dresses never come to calf length because of my height. Problem areas apple shaped. X
    Like · Reply · 3 · 2 hrs
  • Britt Lee-Crawshaw 16/18 on the bottom and 20/22 on top half, 5ft 8", I can never find any dresses that fit on my hips amd my bust because they're different sizes. So frustrating!
    Like · Reply · 3 · 2 hrs
  • Claire Mcgrath Givens This is me in one of your size 16 dresses. I'm 5 '2 and can't wear heels due to a disability. Felt great in this dress. X
    Claire Mcgrath Givens's photo.
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Genien Neen Blackwood 5ft 2 size 12 /14 36dd bust .wobbly tummy was a size 18 lost three half stone still got the wobbly tummy
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Sarah Oxby 5 foot 11 - I have trouble with dresses being long enough and the waist actually being in the tight place!
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Gill Calleja 22, have big top arms ! sick of dress always being sleeveless or capped  not everyone wants to show off the flabby arms x
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Shelley Mcgarry hi  im a size 16 5ft 7inch 38dd/e. my hang up is all the loose skin I have due to weight loss. I struggle to find clothes to fit properly as I have to accommodate it  xx
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Jess Flaherty I'm a size 6 or 8 and 5ft 2", so it's hard to find clothes I feel sexy in. I hate my flat chest and knobbly knees. 
    The thing I hate most, however, is the term "real" women. EVERY woman is real, no matter what her body type.
    Like · Reply · 2 · 1 hr
  • Mistique D. Primar I am 5'3" and a size 18 in dresses. My biggest problem is that that I have large breasts and it is difficult to find something that doesn't make me look larger in that area, or something that fits there, and in my waist.
    Like · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs
  • Michelle Morgan 18 / 20 my arms are my bug please stock the little cardigans xxxx
    Like · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs
  • Erin Lou Size 14-16, 5ft 3. Large bust is a pain cause usually have to size up for a fit which can be baggy at waist.
    Like · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs
  • Anne Monk 5ft 5 ,18, tops of arms and legs mainly
    Like · Reply · 2 · 2 hrs
  • Mandy Roche 5 ft 3 and size 16/18. my hang ups are hanging down lol. i like to hide my wings and disguise my "spare tyre"! xx
    Like · Reply · 1 · 24 mins
  • Ellie Louise 14-16 5 ft 11 belly and thighs and arms. Longing for a dress that covers my arms, the ones that half like half sleeves.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 24 mins
  • Jane Henshaw 6ft 1 size 14 would like more midi dresses to fit. Not floor length or above the knee
    Like · Reply · 1 · 34 mins
  • Sheryl Wilson 5'9, size 16/18, hate the tops of my arms, my knees and my belly, actually don't wear dresses at all cuz can never fund anything that flatters all my problem areas and is long enough, also am only 30 so don't want anything 2 old looking, feel like a old woman most of the time as it is, would rather not dress like 1 lol xxx
    Like · Reply · 1 · 35 mins
  • Chloe Morgan Size 14, a meer 4ft 7". Horrible thighs.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 36 mins
  • Gayle Robinson I have a belly, and, at 44 am finding I prefer something with sleeves that hide the tops of my arms - I sunburn there amongst other issues. 5'6'', 38 c ish, so some tummy corsetry would be lovely....or sell your beautiful dresses with those suck-it-all-in knickers!!
    Like · Reply · 1 · 37 mins
  • Michelle AndMike Hart Loving the 6ft plus girls x
    Like · Reply · 1 · 37 mins
  • Jessica Gizmo'is-real Birkett 167cm 
    Size 18
    Hate the tops of my arms usually wear 3/4 sleeves never wear anything showing the tops of my arms x
    Like · Reply · 1 · 40 mins
  • Chelle Bell Jones Size 24, 6'1, 
    Hang ups are the fact it is impossible to buy clothes to fit me
    Like · Reply · 1 · 46 mins
  • Michelle Marie O'Beirne Size 18 6ft 2 ! Dont have any hangups anymore! After 5 children and 30 i might not have a perfect body! But im finaly happy in my own skin
    Like · Reply · 1 · 47 mins
  • Emily Hunt I'm 5ft exactly. Size 18/20. Im a g cup with a littler waist so I like something with give in the top but not a saggy waistline . Also don't like my upper arms .
    Like · Reply · 1 · 50 mins
  • Tanya Russell Size 16, 5ft 7. I have a cup size of G so sometimes have to get size 18 but then its too baggy everywhere else!
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Janeve Clowes I'm 5'10 size 10 the problem I have is I have a small waist but size e boobs so tops r tight or loose depending on what I decide to settle for. Xx
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Faith Lee Size 24-26 and I'm 5ft 1. Being short and bigger I find it difficult to find anything in a flattering length that isn't too short or made for someone who is meant to be much taller. Plus finishing anything that doesn't make me look like I'm carrying triplets!
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Storm Cloud Size 14 on bottom and 18 on top! Boobs too big for waist...hate them lol.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Sally Houchen Size14/16 5'5". Body hang ups. Tummy and thighs. Like my boobs (36g) and legs below the knee
    Sally Houchen's photo.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Emma Jacqueline Smith 5ft 8 size 18..but that depends on if it's a top and got buttons as boobs are an issue. And hips. Love my curves but alot off cclothes dont like my curves lol xxxx
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Zara Louise Mead Usually 24 - 28 on top, and usually 22 - 24 below (I know, very odd to say, but it depends on the shops etc...) About 5"5'ish and as for body hang ups, where do I begin?! 
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Alice Maxwell 5'8 and a bit size 18/20. Big boobs. Hate belly apron after 2 babies
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Sophie DeMattia I would just love a dress that arrives without stains and a zip that works.please check your email.  one devastated customer here. :|
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Lynette Drummond 5ft2" - flat chested, tummy from 2 C-sections - size 12/14. Like slash neck designs, but would like to see some dresses with sleeves or little shrugs to go over the sleeveless.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Lesley Wybrow I'm 5 foot 11, size 14 and hate my stomach which has a baggy, saggy side after surgery many years ago so I always look lopsided. I love the clothes you sell but don't think they are long enough for my height.
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Louise Knight Eeerrrrggggghhhhhh.....all of the above x
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Lynda Webb 5'6. Size 18, large bust, with apple shape! Love clothes that enhances cleavage to take focus away from flabby belly! X
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr · Edited
  • Joanne Jenkins Was Pearson 5ft 2, size 12-14....and too many body hangups to list on here!!!  lol ♡
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Gemma Conway 5.2" size 10/12 - HATE the top of my arms so even a small sleeve is a make or break when it comes to purchase 😊
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
  • Elizabeth Jones I love that people feel so happy to talk about their hang ups and sizes so openly and there are no horrible judgemental comments. A sign of a good site!!
    Like · Reply · 1 · 1 hr
Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Rhubarb crumble cake

I had grave doubts about this recipe but they were all unfounded (although I did adapt it a bit).  Hubby says the only thing it's missing is a great big dollop of custard.
IMG 9970

You will need a 23 or 25cm square tin.  The recipe I had said 23cm but I used 25cm tin.
The recipe says serves 8 and, for pudding, I'd agree, but for a little treat with coffee you can cut into 16.
Ingredients
  • 300g rhubarb
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 175g caster sugar (I'm pretty sure granulated will work too)
  • 175g softened unsalted butter or soft marg (I used soft marg)
  • 175g self raising flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
and for the topping
  • 25g unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp self raising flour
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar (or granulated, or soft brown)
  • 2 tsps ground ginger
Method
  • When the cake goes into the oven you need it heated to 160˚C.
  • Grease and line (or use Lakeland magic baking parchment and don't grease) your 23cm or 25cm tin
  • Wash and trim rhubarb into 3cm pieces.  I had chunky rhubarb so cut it into 3cm lengths and then chopped the lengths so they were about 1.5cm max wide.
  • Pop rhubarb in a bowl with the lemon juice.  I might omit this next time as I have no idea how this helps the recipe.
  • In a separate bowl rub the flour and butter for the topping together and then add topping sugar and ginger.  Mine looked like this.
IMG 9967
  • In a separate bowl beat together (using the all in one method) the flour, butter (or marg), eggs, and sugar.  This needs to be light and well beaten.  It can probably be overbeaten but I have no idea how you know when to stop.
  • Fold in half the rhubarb.  This is a ridiculous instruction - just do your best.
  • Put the resultant mixture in your tin and spread it around using a spatula.  This was also ridiculous and I ended up shoving the rhubarb around the tin to try and make it evenly spread around the tin.
  • Scatter the remaining rhubarb over the top in a random but evenly placed way.  (Just do your best.)  My random evenness looked like this.
IMG 9968
  • Spoon the crumble topping over the top and it should look a bit like this.
IMG 9969
  • Bung it in the oven for about 40 minutes.  You need to use your eyes to judge whether it's turned a gorgeous colour before you whip it out.
  • Now the recipe contains pretentious twaddle about dusting with icing sugar and serving with créme fraîche and honey.  In this house we're happy with either cream, custard, ice cream or just the cake on its own.
Lovely. Yum.


Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

It's nice when that happens

I have a hair styling thingy made by BaByliss.  It has provided good service for a couple of years and is a sort of half hairdryer and half hairbrush.Babyliss2

Well it was working well until a couple of weeks ago it stopped working and started to smell funny and emit smoke.  Given that it had been working well for a good couple of years I figured it needed replacing.  I accepted that it would have gone beyond the one year guarantee and popped out to the High Street to pick up the latest model (essentially the same with a colour change).

As there had been a burning smell and smoke when it failed I thought I ought to let BaByliss know, so I pinged them an email.

They came back quite quickly and asked for the model number mentioning I could have it serviced.

I was sceptical.  How often does a service for a low cost item like this end up costing as much as the item itself, so I asked how much a service would cost.

Armed with the model number they were able to tell me that it was still in the three year guarantee period and the service would be free.

I was surprised there was a three year guarantee and also surprised I hadn't owned it longer.

So I popped down to the Post Office and a couple of emails later Babyliss advised that the model I had was no longer available.  Would I accept the latest model?

Of course I would, and did, and it arrived today.

So I posted it on ebay today too, because I'd already bought a replacement.

I hadn't expected much from BaByliss and they had significantly exceeded my expectations.  It's nice when that happens.

Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Monday, 5 May 2014

Scottish liars

A couple of months ago we left Scottish Power and moved to Ovo Energy.  I believe I mentioned it here.

Well this week Scottish Power were on the phone again.

When I was a customer they had promised to tell me about any deals they had that could save me money.  While I was a customer they didn't phone me once to tell me I could save money.

Well now I'm not their customer they think it's still OK to phone me (it's not!)

The phoned to tell me their prices had come down and they believed they could save me money over the tariff I have with my new supplier.

They asked why I'd switched.  I explained initially cost, then environmental considerations, and thirdly customer service.  I ran through the litany of customer service faux pas I'd experienced from Scottish Power.

They were sorry but they still wanted to tell me about their new prices.

I stayed quiet.

"Hello…"

"I'm still here…, go on."

"We've got your annual usage as xxxxx for gas and yyyyyy for electricity, is this correct?"

I had no idea but said "Yes."

"And which tariff are you on with Ovo?"

I couldn't remember exactly.  It's not as though I received the call just as I was reviewing my power supply paperwork.

"I think it's their 100% Green Fixed Price Tariff"

"Is that fixed for a year?"

"Yes"

"Well if you switched to Scottish Power we could save you £136 a year."

"Really?  On a 100% renewables tariff?"

"I'm not sure it's guaranteed 100% renewable energy but Scottish Power are leaders in renewable energy.  Let me check."

While she was checking, I did some of my own checking.

I plugged the usage numbers into the uSwitch site and then checked on the percentage of Scottish Power's energy that's renewable, and checked to see if they offered a free tariff.

Their level of green energy is just under 13%.  This is higher than the industry average (just) but lower than the Ovo Energy standard tariff at 15% and much lower than my tariff of 100%.  

When my caller returned she advised that she didn't currently have access to the system that could tell her the percentage of renewable energy in the Scottish Power supply.

I told her that was strange, because I'd found it (here).  I also explained that comparing their 12.9% renewable tariff with my 100% renewable tariff was not a fair comparison and that she needed to compare apples with apples, or 100% renewable with 100% renewable.

She told me that she was just trying to see if she could save me money.

I explained that if I wanted to save money I could switch to Ovo Energy's standard tariff which has 15% renewables and is still cheaper than the Scottish Power 12.9% renewable tariff.

Most call centre operatives would have given up, realising they were beaten fairly and squarely but this one didn't.  It was a reasonable argument and a reasonable person would have moved on.

I suggested that consumer organisations might  be interested to hear that Scottish Power are trying to persuade people they are saving money by comparing completely different products and that whilst she had phoned me and  could find the information whilst she was talking to me, not everybody else would be able to do this and the tactics seemed very underhand.  I thought about throwing in the fact that they had broken the data protection act because they didn't have permission to contact me as i was no longer a customer, but I thought I'd save that for next time.

This was the first day for about a fortnight that they had successfully called me.  They had been calling once or twice daily.  Unacceptable behaviour from a loathsome company with appalling customer service.

Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Just because...

Rashida Manjoo has visited our country to look at our approach to violence against women.  She was here for 16 days.  She saw some of the things she wanted to see but claims she was denied access to the Yarls Wood Immigration Centre.

She discovered she believed sexism was worse in the UK than in other places, and warned that the government's austerity measures were having a "disproportionate impact" on women's risk of violence.

I saw a report on Channel 4 News and started to look at the story on the internet.

Then I started to look at the comments left beneath these stories.

There seemed to be people in three camps.  

The first, small, group agreed with Ms Manjoo.

The second, significant group were outraged.  Surely the UK wasn't as bad as other countries?  What about Saudia Arabia?  What about Pakistan? What about, what about, what about…?  The point was that there were other countries that were worse than us so the criticism was unfair.

Really?  So if we have a sexist culture then that's OK providing there's somewhere else that's worse?  Isn't that like condoning torture in the UK providing there are some other countries that have "worse" torture?  Saying it's OK to kill people but that our "kill rate" is lower than some other countries. I could go on but you get the idea.

And then there was the third, reasonably-sized, group who just thought she was wrong.  Maybe she is, maybe she isn't.

 

Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

A riveting tale

This blog post is a misnomer because this is actually about a stapler.  Well a stapler and a minor personality defect.

A few weeks ago at work I needed a heavy duty stapler.  I wasn't just stapling a few sheets of paper, I was stapling a book.  OK, maybe not quite a book but a chunky wad of cheap paper.

Pete, the Stapler King, was out of the office but this didn't deter me.  I knew he wouldn't mind so I went and borrowed from his desk-based stapler display and grabbed the biggest, fattest stapler I could see.

My first staple didn't go too well.  The second attempt was also a bit rubbish.  After about seven staples I had a gummed up stapler with wedged staples.  You know the kind of thing, the more you try and staple your way out of the problem, the worse it gets.

I asked Al for help because that's what you do.  If you can't fix something yourself you ask for help.  I wasn't sure that Al had what it would take, but he was quietly confident.  It turns out that Al just added more staples to the staple mass that had wedged itself into the inner workings of the stapler.  I needed more help.

I turned to my best friend, the Internet, and found the Rexel website.  Surely there would be an instruction manual for this staple of office equipment (see what I did there?)

I searched in vain but I did discover a contact us link.  I duly clicked and filled in the brief online form explaining the stapler paralysis I had encountered and asked for an instruction manual.  I even attached a photo so they could identify the correct model.  I was being a little optimistic because the stapler I was dealing with was old, but, as I explained in my email, one doesn't buy a heavy duty stapler without expecting it to last for a considerable time.

I waited about ten minutes.  There was no email with an attached pdf and I still needed to staple things.  It was then that I took drastic action.

Ken also happened to be out of the office so I raided his tools and found some long-nosed pliers.  Brute force and long-nosed pliers succeeded where Al had failed.  I pulled a vast quantity of spare metal from the stapler and it was usable once more.

I thought nothing more about this until this week, three weeks after the incident, when an email appeared from Rexel.  An engineer had clearly been given the task of responding to "this nutter from Ford" because that's exactly how he addressed his email to me.

Actually he didn't, well he might have.  I just don't know because I haven't read the email, because I don't need to; I have my solution and I needed that solution three weeks ago.

Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Monday, 24 March 2014

The blogger's weapon of choice

'This blog isn't secret, but it doesn't need to be.  Yes, I expose a lot about me and my life here but I'm OK with that.  Typing it here takes it out of my brain where there is limited capacity.  I can store thoughts on the interweb thus expanding my brain capacity virtually.

So why do people do secret blogs?  Well there is the infamous Belle de Jour blog where the blogger had a very good reason for hiding her identity.  The Secret Footballer is by his very nature, secret.  And there was also Fleet Street Fox who is now exposed but was once a secret journalist blogging from within the industry.  I'm sure there are many whistle blowing type blogs where secrecy is essential.

I think I've found another where secrecy is optional, and lack of secrecy can be used as a weapon.

Ethan lied to me last week and told me he'd done his maths homework.  Since then he claims he lost his homework over the weekend (but he hadn't done it before he lost it).  He could have asked for another copy today at school and still had time to do the homework this evening before the deadline tomorrow.  Tonight was when he chose to tell me he'd lost the homework and I launched Operation Find Homework (which failed dismally).  We didn't find the homework but we did find lots of disorganisation, lots of mess and lots of junk.

The thing that really annoyed me, other than the complete disgrace of a messy school bag, was the stuff I'd given Ethan for the school Mothers' Day sale.  It has been carried to and from school for about a month without actually making it into school.

I honestly don't know how to improve Ethan's organisation, tidiness and memory.  I've tried a lot of things, but I now have a secret weapon - the blog.  I took embarrassing pictures of Ethan's messy life and created a blog, just for him.

If his attitude towards his life improves measurably then the blog can stay a secret.  If not then it will be published on Facebook and Twitter and his messiness will be exposed to all of his friends' mums and naturally filtered down to his friends.  I'm hoping that the threat of public humiliation might just be the turning point I've been hoping for.

Posted by Ann Cardus 0 comments

Thursday, 20 March 2014

How very dare you?

We're thinking of selling the house.  Well when I say thinking I mean we might have had a casual conversation about it and the next thing I know I'm booking valuations with three estate agents.

And there's the thing, I booked the appointments.  Dave wasn't involved at all.  I might have mentioned it in passing to him after I'd booked them but it was me that sorted it.

A couple of the estate agents asked about who else lived at the property and asked for and took Dave's details.

These two estate agents confirmed the appointment in writing.  And the letters were addressed to my husband and me.

They thanked my husband and me for giving them the opportunity to provide us with an up to date valuation.  Why are they thanking my husband?  It wasn't his idea and, when booked, he knew nothing about it.

They looked forward to meeting us.  Well they'll only be meeting me because I'M THE ONE THAT MADE THE APPOINTMENT!!!

They said if we had any questions we should get in touch and they'd be happy to help.  Well I've got a question "WHY THE HELL DO YOU FEEL IT'S NECESSARY TO WRITE TO MY HUSBAND WHEN I'M YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHT NOW???"

I'm a tad annoyed.  Their copy books are already blotted and there had better be a significant improvement in attitude or they'll never see a penny of commission, if we sell, which we don't really want to.

How very dare they?

Posted by Ann Cardus 4 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)