The Day Of Drama

I was on television today, talking The Business of Blogging. It was a delightful experience, hampered by the fact that

a) I woke up late

b) The traffic going through the tunnel was b-r-u-t-a-l, and I would have known that had I actually LISTENED to the traffic report, given by the VERY PERSON who was to interview me - but I was too busy trying to tame my very poufy hair into submission with my flattening iron (purchased on Ebay) and

c) I made a wrong turn going to a facility that I've BEEN TO BEFORE because I was too busy obsessing about the fact that I was LATE.

But, I'm happy to say, the segment went well. Except for the fact that I forgot to mention the name of my ad network - which is Blogher, which is a network that I adore and would have it's babies if that was possible. I can only blame the fact that I was flustered and nervous and forgot just about everything I should have said. I was also concerned - bordering on obsessing - that I might look, shall we say, less than svelte, since I've been banned from my beloved Muay Thai, capoeira and running and feel like my body is a big, fluffy, flabby thing. ALSO - it was hot here today and I have NO short sleeve dress clothes, so I was forced to wear a winter top and wool pants, and I was worried about THAT. I haven't gotten up the nerve to watch the video yet. I may not - I'm always hypercritical and hate how I look and hit myself for something I either did say or didn't.

So, there's that.

To complete the drama, I went bathing suit shopping today. That was sooooo much fun. First I checked Nordstorms. I'm a big believer in two things, when it comes to bathing suits. First, I love me a MiracleSuit. I like things nice and tight and lifted and supported, and the Miraclesuit just feels good that way, since I'm so NOT that way. Also, I believe that paying more for a suit means it lasts longer. I've been able to get two seasons each out of my last two bathing suits, and that includes wearing them every single day all summer long. I found nothing there, so I went to Everything But Water, where I found one I liked - but I wanted to look around, so I had the clerk hold it, dismissing her repeated attempts to sell me a $128 cover up in one of three matching colors. I went mall wide, searching for a different suit - I didn't want to buy the first one I saw - but I finally settled on the first one. Which looks like this. (When I went back to buy it, the clerk had paired it - again! - with another cover up. WHICH I did not buy. She really wanted to sell me that thing.)

We went to shop after shop, looking at clothes. I tried on lots of stuff, but wasn't really happy with it. Even though I've lost a large amount of weight, my body image hasn't caught up with what I see in the mirror, and the discordance is tough to bridge. I realized this morning that I don't have anything for summer that's not shorts and t shirts - only two pair of capris and a couple of sundresses. While I was browsing, I lamented my lack of dressy summer stuff to my husband, who bought me two shirts while I was looking for bathing suits. Button down the front, short sleeve - not the usual t shirts that fill my closet. I think I'll keep him.

I thought by losing weight, I'd like my body better - and I do, to an extent. But I still HATE bathing suit shopping. No matter what my weight, I don't think that'll ever change.

Comments

[kyoot]

I saw the clip, YAY! YAY and more YAY!

Bathing suits, I'm still faking it in my too big for me suit from 3yrs ago. I'm not sure the seams will make it this year. Maybe it's time to join me a nudest colony there must be some money saving involved in that idea.

[Beth]

1) You're wearing the same thing the host is -- except for the color it's EXACTLY THE SAME, so obviously, you choose the perfect outfit!
2) They say tv puts 10 lbs on you -- and you still look SKINNY!!!! Did you think the host was thin? Because girl, you were the same size, only taller (another plus). Even though you're out of the cardio business temporarily, you look rockin!
3) This is kind of funny, but you know how it is when you don't know what someone looks like, but you talk to them on the phone all of the time? Well, I have seen you (duh -- you're plastered all over the internet), but I expected to hear a very southern girl talk. That kind of cracked me up a little bit, which I needed desperately because my kids were driving me insane 2 minutes ago and I'm hoarse from screaming (seriously)
Great job Carmen

[Dianna]

The clip is great, Carmen, and you looked lovely.

[Jenny]

Carmen-
Try Lands End website for bathing suits. Their sizes run pretty true, they have lots of miracle-suit type things and they last forever. I have some that I've had for 4-5 years and I live in FL with lots of sun, sand, etc. Also, if you need to return, Sears accepts their returns. In fact, I think some Sears stores sells limited items from Lands End in the stores. I know, Sears, where your Grandmother shopped, - but the clothes are just real good classics - I used to buy all my son's polos and shorts for school and was able to hand them down to 2 nephews.
Good luck
Jenny

[Tammy/Photosy by Tammy]

Your mom emailed the clip to me. Very cool! I left some love for you on my blog too. :0)

[sylvia jones]

You looked fabulous! And who actually likes swimsuit shopping? I dread it but find it necessary because since I've had kids I'm a different size nearly every year. I like the suit you picked though, it's classy AND sexy! Score!

[elizabethk]

You did fabulous! I would have loved to seen more of you face on - it was kind of a side interview. Not your fault...

I am finally okay with wearing a one piece in public, but what is with the pubes!? (Sorry!) - I never had an area that needed waxing (I mean if it can't be seen by the general public, I wasn't about to even think of it!) now I can't go swimming without embarrassing my kids if I don't (wax)...sigh!

[Villagepig]

Gosh darn it hun, you look (and sound) perfectly poised!

It is inbred that we are self critical but take it from us readers, you ROCKED! :-)

[Marie]

Wonderful job Carmen !!!

[Katie]

I hate bathing suit shopping too...Always have, always will!

[Maddy]

I hate clothes shopping but I hate swim suit shopping even more mainly because I know exactly what I want but can't find it anywhere. I think I'm stuck in the 1980's.Cheers

[Tami]

Congrats on your Telly interview!

I am surprised Nordstrom didn't have better choices for a suit, they are always my first stop.
Here is a website you might like to check out: layersclothing.com. They have great suits, mostly Tankini's. We are a big boating family and basically live in our suits all summer. We love the Tankini for the convenience of a quick potty-break, and I happen to have a long torso which make one piece suits a little uncomfortable.

[Nobody]

Congratulations on the TV spot Carmen. You're really making a name for yourself in the blogging world, and the rest of the world too. I'm sure your whole family is really proud of you. BTW, do you keep track of how many hits you get ion an average day? if so, what is 'normal' for you?

[MiaHysteria]

Congratulations.

I don't think any of us have a good body image, if we're honest with ourselves.