Jilli, this may sound strange, but call David's Bridal. They have lots of strapless, corset style bras. At least they have them in white for sure, I would assume they would have them in black for some of their formal wear. And they're affordable for foundation garments.

I was thinking about using an around-the-forehead sweatband/piece of cloth and wrap the end of the straw with some more cloth, but raffia's a good idea--it'll probably be softer than straw, and maybe I can glue it to a light piece of cardboard to keep it stiff? It might be easier to keep it in one place if I cut a fan-shaped cardboard piece instead of just a rubber-banded bunch of straw that'll shift all over the back of my scalp.

Your best bet is probably the wander around Michael's method. There may be something in floral or one of those small decorative brooms.

Fernet!

um, happy birthday, juliana!

p,b & j:

From a while back.

Dang, is there any clothes shopping experience that IS good for a woman's self-esteem?

There's a used clothing store in Berkeley or Oakland that carries only large sizes. I find the neatest stuff there at great prices, and the folks there are always so friendly and helpful. Last time, I was looking at a coat that wasn't exactly what I wanted, but thought it might be the best I could find, and another lady who was shopping there offered me the exact coat I wanted, for free. I love that store.

This is what makes shopping for shoes so much better. It's easier finding things that fit and are stylish and comfortable.

Grrr....I hate shoe shopping even more than clothes shopping. My feet are wide where they should be narrow, narrow where they should be wide, flat as a pancake, and hurt.

Note to self: get Daisy Jane financing to open clothing store, stat.

I'm so with you on this one. DJ's store sounds even better than my favorite.

Clothes shopping and shoe shopping are equally horrible. Every time I step into a store that sells clothes, I feel the walls closing in.

I have no girl cred. I just proved it again by getting a hairbrush hopelessly entangled in my hair while I was attempting blowdrying.

There's a used clothing store in Berkeley or Oakland that carries only large sizes.

Ohhh, do you remember the name? I know of a place in Alameda, but it is always nice to find others.

I just proved it again by getting a hairbrush hopelessly entangled in my hair while I was attempting blowdrying.

Eh. I'm pretty girly and I do that all the time. It's not a question of girly so much as, "Is it possible for me to injure, maim, or otherwise embarass myself with this?"

Ohhh, do you remember the name?

Seams to Fit. I forgot it last time I was there, but double-checked with the friend that introduced me to it. I can never remember which town it is in, but I love it. They only go down to about size 14. Last I was there, there was a junk store next door, and this store is kind of falling apart at the seams, but the clothes are nice and cheap and the folks there are so nice.

I have no girl cred. I just proved it again by getting a hairbrush hopelessly entangled in my hair while I was attempting blowdrying.

I have NEVER been able to do that and I'm pretty girly. I've always wanted to just travel with a hairbrush and use the hair dryer in the hotel, but no. Always with the hot rollers or curling iron or hair in a bun.