The meaning behind a song (as it relates to me)

I was changing my profile song on myspace this morning, and I always try to pick a song that means something to me. The Jimmy eat world song "work" made me think about the summer before last when I had a really good guy friend that couldn't be friends with me anymore because his mom thought I was "promiscuous", which was really funny because I was actually the complete opposite. I went to youth group. I hung out with the "good" kids. I lead worship for crying out loud, but because I wore a two piece bathing suit and owned a "mini" skirt, I was labeled inappropriate to hang out with her son. It broke my heart. I just wanted us to jump in my jeep and drive away from the accusing eyes, the gossiping tongues, and the judgments passed on me and our friendship. He "got" me, and I have never had a truer friend.

He respected his mother's decision though, and ended our friendship. We didn't talk anymore, and we started hanging out with different people. He avoided me, and took a lot of my friends with him. I didn't like going to youth group anymore. It was awkward and depressing. I began to feel alienated and had a disdain for people who called themselves "christians". People who said they'd stand by you no matter what, but fled at the first sign of scandal. People who were chummy to your face, but whispered about you behind your back.

I stopped going to youth group last November, right before Thanksgiving. I didn't want to be there anymore. The boy who had defended my honor had turned his back on me. My heart had been broken by the people who were supposed to be my friends.

A year later, life is good. I'm going to school, working, and having a pretty good time. David and I are going on a year this Sunday, and I couldn't be more in love. He tells me I'm beautiful even though he teases me about my lack of boobs. (I lost twenty pounds, and a cup size went with them!) He looks at me with those blue eyes, and I forget about everything else. He's the last thing I hear before I go to bed at night, and the first one I talk to in the morning. He's it for me. He's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

So when I think back to that summer with that boy, I'm glad we didn't jump in the jeep and drive away. I don't even have the jeep anymore, and the memories that went along with it are fading away as well. I'm glad for the broken heart and everything I learned from it. I grew up a lot that summer and began to see the world through less innocent eyes, and I think that's all anyone could ask for when your world falls apart.

So play a slow song and dance alone and think about the time you grew up. Growing rarely happens when everything is peachy keen, but it has to happen. There is something to be said for being an adult... and for the events in our lives that made us this way.

alright. Fashion Police deputy Rachel here, and I've noticed crimes of fashion occuring all over the place. That's it! I'm going to make a badge and start reporting people to "what not to wear".

Before I get started, I just want to reiterate on tank tops for a moment. I touched on them last time, but it being summer and all, we need to discuss it a bit further.

*Wear a bra that is suitable for the type of tank top you are wearing. I'm sorry, but bra straps are NOT sexy. They are skanky. especially if they don't match the color of the shirt. One might be able to get away with a black bra under a black tank, but that's about where we stop with the exceptions. Don't do it. Please.

*Victoria Secret, along with numerous more cost efficient companies offer "convertible bras". I like the Victoria  Secret Angel's secret Embrace convertible enhancer. Long name, but well worth the $45.00 ticket. It stays where it's supposed to when the straps are off, which is something that we all greatly appreciate. Not only that, but it comes with two sets of straps, a normal set and a clear set. You can change the configuration of the straps and where it with a halter, a tube top, or anything else you can think of. And the pushup cups help those of us less endowed.

*Watch the fit of the tank. It's the same rules as with tees. Bulges are not pretty. If your flab is hanging out over the tank, either buy a larger size or wear a different style. No exceptions.

*Be tasteful. A tank top can be very sexy, or it can make you look like a tramp. Watch out for super low cut tanks because cleavage along with a lot of shoulder might be a bit overkill.

Alright, that's enough for tanks.

Let's talk jeans, shall we?

I hate buying jeans. Really, I do. I have better luck buying bikinis than I do buying jeans. There was a period not too long ago when I went to the mall five different times trying on jeans before I found one pair that I actually liked. I may visit 10 different stores and try on thirty pairs of jeans before I find even one pair that fit me the way I need them too. Granted, most of you aren't 5'11", but there are still some guidelines that need apply.

*never buy a pair of jeans without first looking at yourself in a mirror from far away. Put on the jeans and walk out onto the sales floor. Find a full length mirror and walk at least six feet away from it. Then examine the fit of the jeans from as many angles as you can. Three way mirrors are the best because you get a view of all angles.

*I recommend trying jeans on with a friend or boyfriend present. Pick a friend that is loyal, not one that will tell you bad jeans look good on you just because she wants to look better standing next to you. Boyfriends are great to take with you because they want you to look your best standing next to them. Lesbian friends are also good for this task because you get the opinion of a girl and the opinion of someone who likes girls. I have two lesbian friends that I love to take shopping with me because they won't lie.

*If you are shopping alone, watch out for the following things: style, length, and fit. We as women as both blessed and cursed by the number of options we have when it comes to jeans. Flares, bootcut, trouser, boycut, skinny, and straight. Many companies offer assistance to this quandary by providing "body type" guides in store. GAP has original, curvy, and straight, and many companies, ie Aero and Old Navy are following suit. This is a great reason to know your body type!!

*Try on jeans from many different companies. Old Navy and American Eagle run a little large. GAP runs pretty true. Hollister, ya know the company that promotes their jeans as "the best fitting jeans"? Well, Hollister jeans fit great if you have sticks for legs and no butt. I've tried on a million different pairs of their jeans and have yet to find a pair that I actually like. Hollister does get props however for making their jeans longer than most. They are almost too long though for petite girls, but as long as you're tall and skinny, Hollister has great jeans.

*Please note that different jean styles will create different illusions when worn by different body types. Example: Wide bell flares will make a person with long legs looked disporportioned because it makes their legs look shorter and fatter. Girls with super skinny legs can use wider bells to give their bodies more shape.

*beware of the muffin top. I don't care if you can get the jeans zipped, that doesn't mean you should buy them. If your flab is squishing out the top of your pants, your jeans are too tight. buy a bigger size. Yes, you are a 12, not an 8. Work out a little more and cut back on the McDonald's and we'll have this conversation again in two months. (again, I'm not ragging on overweight people. I'm ragging on anyone who wears clothes that they shouldn't. Either accept your body type and adjust, or change it.)

*Please remember that the clothes make the woman. And you are not the only one who has to see you in those duds, so be considerate, and look in the mirror before you walk outside. If you have any doubt, then you probably shouldn't wear it. Keep that as a rule of thumb.

Until next time,

Rachel Weigler
fashionista
on patrol 

Currently Listening Never Take Friendship Personal By Anberlin see related

- stationery stationary (how romantic is that?)

Hello.

I'm just chillin, and it looks as though it may storm. Indeed.

This weekend was pretty crazy. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were spent getting david moved into his new house. It's smaller and has considerably less closet space... but it does have a basement, which could be considered one giant closet... hmmm

the only break in the moving/ unpacking was a wedding that we attended on Saturday. I wore the cutest pair of white pants and a black crocheted top. I wanted a one piece dress, but shelbyville, IN is no place to shop for anything remotely related to cute clothing. blah.

We didn't attend the reception because we had to go to L. Fish to pick up the dresser/vanity for David's bedroom set... which I love. It was funny watching the movers try to manage the headboard of the king sized bed on Friday... they said it was one of the heavist pieces of furniture that they've ever moved... I know... I had to help take it off the truck when he brought it home months earlier...but it is very beautiful... I picked it out myself.

We stopped at Menards in Southport on our way back to shelbyville. I got out of the truck and hit my hip bone on the edge of the door. Have you ever had one of those pains that hurts so badly that it makes you nauseaus and light headed at the same time? Yeah. It doesn't feel good at all... I must have hit a nerve.

Monday we took matt, meghan, and meghan's best friend Hallie to King's Island. By the end of the day I was tired, soaking wet, agitated, and to top it all off, my right contact lens was driving me batty... and no glasses were available at the time!!... I was ready to go home.

Must see movie... Annapolis. James Franco is dreamy, and the story is very inspirational. Highly recommend it.

Aeropostale had the cutest solid tee shirts for 2.99 each today. I bought one white one and a gray one... so much for diversifing my wardrobe... but I think i'm going to go to bebe.com and check out some black dresses... I LOVE black dresses.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Much love.

always,

*rach

my last post was terribly bleak. I'm sorry. I spent that whole evening crying. There was no way out of it, unless I didn't want to ever be in the military. Ever. And I do want to be in the military. It's a sweet deal. I leave for basic training tomorrow. As in I fly out of indy tomorrow. I spend ten weeks at Ft. Leonardwood, MO in order to learn a bunch of stuff that I might never need to know. Then, I hopefully will be home of a couple of days... I really hope so. I miss my boyfriend already, and I've only been away from him since noon!

Regardless of whether or not I get to come home for a couple of days, I will report to Ft. Huachuca, AZ on July 24th. (yes, arizona in july and august should be a blast!) Anyway, I am due to be back from there November 22nd. Then I will be home for about five months, when I will leave for alabama (not sure what the base is). I will stationed there for fourteen months. Yes. One year and two months. I'm becoming a pilot.

When I graduate from flight school, I will be an officer in the united states army. This is kick butt.

I might finish this later. maybe not. I'm going to target. I should be able to keep my celly, but the number is different... long story. I will still have the 6166350438 number, but if you can't catch me there, it's gonna be 8125935439. later guys I love you.