Good ting no cheap

This morning while scrolling down my Facebook Newsfeed, I met SEVERAL comments from various Friends in different circumstances, all talking about how their work is undervalued. I know I have spoken about this before, but this plague of cheapness must have an end somewhere.
What is it about the mentality of our people, that they cannot and will not give appreciation to creativity and Arts?

A young man, Steven Taylor has to plead on a vlog about his stifled dreams to go to USC, but cannot access support.
 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151625421576719&set=vb.514121718&type=2&theater
You know, if or when he does go, and becomes a big movie producer, every Carnival he'll be invited back home to jump on a truck while the mega phones sound his name and people cheer that he's a hero. He'll be written up about in every publication. He would be awarded medals and have stadia and theatres named after him.

I quote a young woman's status that i saw this morning
 "Oh you find my prices are high do you? Well next time bring your own hairpins, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, (all of which cost no less than 10 USD EACH, cuz unlike some other hairdressers, I don't mix squeezy, lime and Pantene to make shampoo) COLD PRESSED hair oils, electricity, hooded hairdryer, water, basin, chair, comb, brush, hairclips, hairpins, cape and sink and you get the service for FREE!" 

How is it that people do not see the time, effort and capital invested into beauty treatments? What do you think people spend on a haircut in Italy, or Los Angeles? Often, the technicians we have here were trained in the same schools, but they must come here and be subject to people's cheapness? How do you put a price on time, care and conversation? Aside from the expertise in a field of beauty (which is the result of hours of training and practice  not to mention thousands of dollars of investment in education and tools) you are paying for a person's time, that they are spending to comfort you, listen to you share about your life, and for the time that they are with you, they are a friend! If you had to pay your friends their worth in dollars and cents, how much would you give them?

I saw a comment today that said "Every has Positivity but NOBODY has money..."

What price do you put on looking your best? How much will you pay to feel inspired to live a more meaningful life? What monetary equivalent is there, that makes you a perfect role model to your daughter, that she can go to school and say that her mother or father is the most patient, loving parent of all? What would you spend to have warmth spread through your veins, the way it does when the theatre lights dim and the orchestra music fills the hall?

The creative industry is not built on tangible products. We cannot give you a box with a smile you can glue on your face. We're sorry, but the hairstyles are not ready-made so that you may attach with Velcro. I wish, but it is unfortunate, that we don't have a pill that would give you the instant gratification that hours of research and care would. Instead, we give you ourselves. We can only offer our passion and love for what we do. We are limited to our words, hands and experiences.

Next time you purchase a custom-made dress, think about the sleepless nights that went into the hand-stitched detail. Think about the hours of careful draping that went into mimicking the unique curves of your body.

Next time you read one of those inspirational memes about picking up the pieces and going on with your life, think about the hardships that the writer had to overcome to be able to share with you the fruit of their drudgery.

When people spend their life devoted to improving the quality of yours, let ME tell you something. IT IS PRICELESS.

The most important thought I want to leave you with today is that paying for these kinds of services in not just to put money in someone's pocket, but it is an investment in yourself. Each of these professionals, is working to make YOU a better person. So, are YOU worth it?

Playing Fass Part 2: The Bustier Experiment

It would seem that many of you who read my blog posts could relate to the quandary involving boobs, bras and backless outfits- since over 500 people read about my battle (and defeat) with the Free Bra adhesives!

I mentioned at the end of that post that I was having a bustier custom made for me by Van de Vlugt. Yesterday I put it to the test, and wore the yellow satin peplum top to a friend's wedding, where I stuffed my face with dessert, jumped up to Karma's covers of Machel and Super Blue, and waved upon request.

With a beautiful asymmetrical slope from the centre front of the ruffle to the back point, this had to be one of my favourite pieces that I have ever worn in my life! The designer, Darcel for her own label, Van de Vlugt artfully built a superb structure with flattering V-shaped top-stitched style lines and  a marriage between comfort and support like I had never experienced. When I would answer the countless questions about it people where shocked to hear that there was sturdy boning involved! I was told that I looked completely comfortable (and I was)!  Even more surprising as that when the Super Blue comeback hit "Fantastic Friday" played, the bouncing started on the dance floor, but not on me! I was securely locked and loaded, bra-less and all!

Conclusion: Darcel de Vlugt is a creative genius. With technical skills to compete with any couturier, I have 100% faith and trust in her! I definitely recommend that you see her now, before she is grabbed up by Milan or Paris!

This a link to the Van De Vlugt Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/houseofvandervlugt?fref=ts

Playing Fass: Bountiful bosoms and the backless dress

It is every girl's dream to have large boobs! Women have invested billions specifically to breast augmentation in the plastic surgery industry. You don't even have to be wealthy- today I heard one of the girls from Teen Mom2 (one who was living in a car) say that she was thinking about a boob job! Ample breasts are a coveted dream by all except those who have it- those like myself.

When you love fashion, DD's are quite problematic. Dainty, feminine silhouettes and soft sheer fabrics can look like hooker-garb when draped over mountainous mammaries. Unless you're wearing a large box (or tailor all your garments by a pricey specialist) a simple shirt at work can be a peep show with gaping holes between buttons.

The world has recognized our plight and a bunch of products have come out to help us out with being able to rock all the popular fashion trends with ease. Some shirts come with secret buttons which button on the inside between the buttons on the shirt facade.  That seems to be working well. Also, a lot more brands, like Victoria Secret to name one, are making not only attractive bras in larger cup-sizes, but even swimwear! So no longer will I be scaring children (nor attracting their hungry baby siblings) on the beach!

The biggest challenge lies in the dreaded backless garment. An exposed back is so sexy. Hilary Swank's plunging asymmetrical navy Guy Laroche dress that she wore to the 2005 Academy Awards was a monumental fashion statement. It could be one of the sexiest yet still quite sophisticated dresses to ever walk any red carpet. Why can't I have a moment like that?! So I tried a thing.

Hilary Swank as feautred in US magazine

Low back converter straps

Yesterday I played over fass and wore a dress with a very low back and strap detail that draped over the exposed shoulder blades. So beautiful! I tried my Maidenform Lo-back bra converter straps, but they wouldn't go low enough, plus they took away from my bra's support and also dug into the skin around my belly. Since they don't make Nu bras in my size nor have I encountered a backless bra (yet) that can fit me, I decided to go with a pair of Free bra adhesives. Basically it is a sticker that you shape and place over yourself to create support and modesty.

Playing Fass in people house

Necklace by Melissa Phillips

They did the trick! I was very confident strutting to Simply Runway at Grand Bazaar and then to a fashion meeting with some very chic ladies. Compliments galore! Was feeling great until the stinging began. As gravity kicked in the stickers were being pulled off slowly- like the worse Band-Aid ever made. After many bathroom visits where I could discreetly assess my plight, I surrendered to the reality that when I get home (which at this point could never be soon enough) I would be peeling this "bra" off together with some skin. As the hours went by this thing got worse. Not only was all the support gone, but the discomfort was unbearable and the fear and reluctance to go home and skin myself, was creating major anxiety.

So if you have full bosoms and a curvy body, just say goodbye to the loose backless sheaths. We can't have everything. At least we have cleavage. I don't know if that's a sufficient enough consolation prize.

By the way, when I finally got them off (after a PAINFUL 15 mins of peeling away a millimetre at a time and throwing body powder and spraying dry shampoo on myself, I only ended up with minor bruises. Still- not worth it though.

I'm having a dress custom made by Van de Vlugt, with careful boning and lining so that I can attempt this bold bra-lessness once more. I'll keep you posted on if this works. In which case, Darcel will become very popular with the big boobied ladies.