Where To Buy Fashionable Plus Sized Clothes

For the past few months, I have been talking about the many dreadful aspects of PCOS. But today, I want to be more positive in focusing only on how I’d survived as a plus sized woman in a “petite world”. Living in Asia particularly the Philippines, I have very limited options because most of the clothes are tailored for the figure of Filipinos – very petite.

Before I had problems with this disorder, I could easily fit into clothes that were either worn by a mannequin or displayed on the rack. I love being in fashion, and it’s one of the things that I truly enjoy as a woman. So when I began to have weight problems with PCOS, it was totally heartbreaking

In the early stages, my self-esteem was so low that I didn’t bother dresssing up fashionably. For as long as the clothes fit, I bought them without even taking a good look at myself. But since I have been welcoming positive things in my life, I have vowed to make the most out of life despite having PCOS.

Since it’s a challenge to look for plus sized wear in our area, I have made a list of the stores that have a plus sized line:

1.    SM Department Stores – All SM Department Stores carry a line for plus sized women. I believe the name is Ladies Circle. They have tops ranging from P 400 to P800 and bottoms priced at P 500 and up. Their style is usually casual although they also have very basic pieces for a corporate look. I think they are the most affordable as compared to the other brands that I am familiar with.

2.    Robinsons Department Stores – Just like SM, Robinsons have their own line of plus sized clothing. I like their designs but their cut is so unforgiving for my body shape and figure. I am quite tall, and I need longer length tops to conceal the areas that I want to hide. I like their designs though. Price is slightly more expensive than SM but still within the affordable range.

3.    Collezione – If you want to buy very basic casual shirts, Collezione makes extra sizes for almost all their styles. Price range is from P 400 up to P 700 depending on the design.

4.    Landmark – I like Landmark at Trinoma because it carries quite a few brands specializing in plus sized wear. They have tops and bottoms to suit your every budget. Their style is very classic, and quite formal for my taste. But if you need work wear, it’s definitely the place to go shopping. Price will depend on the designs. Tops are reasonably priced at P300 up and bottoms at P 400 up.

5.    Tubby – As the brand name implies, it’s really for the plus sized woman. Their style is mostly for the corporate look, although they occasionally have a few pieces for the casual chic. But I like their accessories though. They have belts, necklaces, etc…for the plus sized fashionista. Price for tops is at 800 up, and pants at P1000 above.

6.    Maxine – I really like this brand because of their cut. Colors are usually very basic from black, white, beige, and gray. But they do have colorful tops available from time to time. I like their designs because you can mix and match their items depending on the look that you want to have. Prices for tops range from P 799 up and for bottoms at P 999 up.

7.    Sassa – If you need to find good quality active wear, this is the brand for you. They have plus sized items for most of their designs. I love their sweat pants! Price range from 499 up – quite reasonable!

8.    Maldita X – I love Maldita X! It’s a relatively new concept by Maldita but it’s suited for the plus sized woman! I love their designs. It’s one of my fave brands for tops. I really like the quality of their blouses and the fact that they change stocks quite frequently. Tops are priced at P 1000 and up. They still don’t have individual stores, and they only display their items at selected SM Department Stores.

9.    Debenhams – I like this shop because they have extra sizes for most of their clothes. They have sizes for almost everything from jeans, shirts, blouse and even dresses. For tops, prices range from P 800 for tees, P 1500 for tops, and P 2000 up for bottoms. They are quite pricey as compared to the other brands but the quality is very good!

If you know of any other stores, please let me know. I’d be more than happy to add them on the list.

The Wrath Of Tropical Storm Ondoy

The Metro has just experienced one of the most destructive typhoons ever recorded in Philippine history. The wrath of typhoon Ondoy was such that it left many people dead, and people numbering to hundreds of thousands homeless. Being a country sitting astride the typhoon belt, we have gotten used to having typhoons every now and then. But with tropical storm Ondoy, we were clearly caught off guard.

When typhoon Milenyo hit Manila, most of the people were inside their homes. The streets were literally empty because people were forewarned of strong winds and heavy rains. With typhoon Ondoy, people weren’t really as alarmed because it was forecasted only as signal number one. This category is obviously a far cry from the typhoons that we’ve had before. But as it turned out, we were very wrong. Typhoon Ondoy came with a fury unmatched by any other storm the Philippines has ever witnessed in more than four decades.

Seeing the footage of the flood on television, I feel so grateful that we are safe. With devastated areas close to my home, I can easily imagine that it can happen to anyone – including me or my loved ones. I realized that although we keep our families safe, our efforts will never be enough to protect even ourselves when faced against circumstances that are beyond our control.

A cousin likened the water current on the streets to that of the sea during bad weather – strong and unforgiving. And after only hours of downpour, we saw what was like a scene only seen in movies. Cars floated everywhere, and people clung to poles or to improvised flotation devices in the hope of saving themselves from being drifted away.

What’s totally heartbreaking is the fact that you see people in dire need of help, and you can’t do anything. Pleas for help came from people from all walks of life because the floods ravaged not only humble homes, but also homes in very exclusive villages. And with our small disaster preparedness efforts, responsible agencies didn’t even have enough rubber boats to respond to the call of even one village. Hence, so many families are still on their roofs at this very moment, without food, water, adequate clothing and shelter.

But despite this adversity, I am seeing the bayanihan spirit alive once again. In a program spearheaded by a network company, donations keep coming in from the unaffected members of society, and even from big companies, who voluntarily gave their products and even services, for relief operations. I am hoping that in the coming days, more and more of us will reach out to families who need our help during these difficult times. At least when we work together as one nation, all is not lost.

Remembering Cory

I was only 4 years old when she was catapulted into power through a peaceful revolution. Having been raised in the South, I felt somewhat sheltered from the turmoil in Manila and in other parts of the Philippines. But despite the distance and my youth, I was able to grasp how unbearable times have been because of Martial Law.

Those were dark times, and the smallest step towards democracy brought a glimmer of hope in the heart of every Filipino. I could still remember how my parents anxiously waited for every bit of news from a small radio. When the movement to oust the late dictator slowly gained momentum, my mom never failed to share us her glee.

Somehow I understood that she had such a high admiration for Cory, the formidable figure behind the peaceful revolution that impressed the world over. Having seen this from her, I secretly browsed her treasured compilation of news clippings and books about Cory because she also grew on me, I became her secret fan. Looking at the images from my mom’s books, I felt like I was one of those heroic people who marched down and prayed on the streets to topple the stronghold of a corrupt government.

When our ailing nation needed somebody to instigate changes, Cory selflessly and bravely responded to the people’s call for help. With her faith, she restored our spirits and started the slow recovery of our mangled nation. For her efforts, we are forever indebted to her for restoring democracy, and for allowing us to reap the rewards of her sacrifice.

She was a woman of profound humility and unwavering faith. When her presidency was threatened by force of arms, she stormed the heavens with her prayers. And just like her faith to God and to her people, she never faltered amidst overwhelming odds. But now that she passed away, we mourn the loss of a moral leader whom we love so dearly.

Thank you former President Corazon Aquino for all that you have done for our country. Although this is a time of mourning, I feel utterly blessed to have witnessed history repeat itself. As thousands troop to the streets to bid you their final farewell, I say a silent prayer for you. May your legacy continue to empower and inspire the people that you tirelessly served.

An Insightful Wednesday

How has PCOS changed your life?—If somebody bothered to ask you this question, what would you say? Would you start by enumerating your symptoms? Or would you rather explain how it has affected your life through the years? If I were to answer that question, I would also not know where to begin. PCOS seems to be too complex for me to explain in one full sentence. To add to that, I think I can write an entire novel regarding my frustrations about the disease.

After years of losing hope, I have come to accept the changes after I fully understood the condition. When I see flaws in my complexion, I now understand that it is due to my insulin resistance. And it is also the very reason why it is extremely difficult to lose weight. Although I could no longer change how I dealt with the syndrome during its initial changes, there is still much that I can do with my future.

I may only be 26 years old, but I really feel that PCOS has robbed me off 3 good years of my life — and counting! After having too many health issues, I haven’t been feeling my best. I used to exude self-confidence because I had faith in what I can do as a person. I really felt that I was made for a purpose. Although I still feel that burning inside me, I am now struggling with what’s left of my self-esteem.

But on my new journey, l am very determined to get back on track. Regardless of age, I believe that everybody deserves a fresh start. How about you? How has PCOS changed your life? Are you a better person because of it?

5 Reasons Why I Hate My Period

This is the time of waiting – Waiting whether my long-awaited period finally shows up, or if it decides to shy away longer. Ever since having other PCOS symptoms, my cycles have gotten way longer than usual. This has also led to longer periods of PMS or premenstrual syndrome. Even before I got diagnosed with PCOS, my PMS always bothered me and I would always wonder how other women just go through it so easily. Here are some reasons why I am so uncomfortable when it’s almost that time of the month:

1.    Menstrual Cramps -The most annoying symptom that I have is dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps. I usually have it on the first day of my period and it used to be very painful. Back in the day, it used to be the most common reason why I had to skip school. The pain was so severe that there were times when I would just pass out. After childbirth, I have noticed that the intensity of the pain is remarkably reduced. And I have to say that it’s so liberating to finally be free of that severe monthly pain.

2.    Bloating – The week before I expect my period, I seem to pack on more pounds effortlessly. There are even times when I could not fit into my usual jeans because of the bloating. Hence, I tend to avoid the scale during this time of the month because it can show an astonishing weight gain. However, there is still balance in the sense that all the excess seems to go away after a week.

3.    Sweet Cravings – Before getting my period, I feel like being pregnant all over again. I’d have this craving for anything sweet from chocolate to ice cream. Being insulin resistant, I know that I should never entertain these sweet cravings. But somehow it’s hard to resist it, especially when you feel that you just need to have even the smallest serving. How I wish that I can be just like other women who crave manga and bagoong because these are lesser in calories. But I have never taken a liking for sour foods, and I never even had one craving of anything sour in my entire life.

4.    Sad Thoughts – My tears seem to fall so freely before I’d get my period. The release is good for my tear ducts, but it’s totally unhealthy for my heart! Sometimes after crying for pointless reasons, I’d find myself back in my normal self again. It’s crazy and it’s funny at the same time because I have wasted too many tears to the oddest of reasons.

5.    Irritability – Parenting has taught me how to stretch my patience to the limits. I am a well tempered person, but when it’s the time of the month sometimes even the smallest things can get into my nerves. Hence, it’s also the time when I’m most quiet because I’d rather keep all my unreasonable and angry feelings locked up inside me. I see no point of aggravating the situation by transferring my irritability to others. So I basically just shut up.

With all the things that I have to deal with, I have come to appreciate the struggles of women. Hormonal changes may make our lives a bit more difficult, but these changes are still part of the entire mechanism that gives us this power to nurture a life. And I am left with no choice but to embrace these difficulties because they are all part of what makes me a woman.

Too Many Health Issues

This day has been a day of sorts. When I woke up, I was greeted with bad news that somebody we knew has stomach cancer. The doctor said that the prognosis is already grim, and he may only have a month to live. I was deep into my thoughts when I received a text message from my friend. She was asking for prayers because our beloved high school professor is battling the Big C too, only it was cancer of the lungs. I was set to go to the hospital today, and the news didn’t actually sit well with me.

I needed to get a test done today, and entertaining the thought of someone terminal is totally not part of my plan. I may be a nurse, but I am not exactly the most calm patient because the thought of consultations just freaks me out. Each time I would get test results, I would always receive it with shaking hands. I guess it has something to do with how I struggled to get diagnosed with PCOS.

I forced my husband to take half of the day off because I wanted him to see a doctor as well. He has been complaining of intermittent pain on his left side, and it was about time that I dragged him to the doctor. To add to that, I also wanted him to be around because I needed a PAP test or a PAP smear. As you know, a PAP smear is not a test that you really need to fear. While some discomfort is expected, the test is very helpful in detecting significant changes in the cervix. Hence, it is something that is definitely good for women. Regardless of this, I still could not get myself to look forward to it. But anyway, who would?

When I got to the hospital, I breezed through the familiar hallways so I can get our approval for the consultations. Aside from my OB, I wanted to see a gastroenterologist because my OB thinks that I need to consult another doctor regarding my pelvic pain. I also wanted to validate whether the pain in my lower abdomen is something GI related. Since my husband was scheduled to see the same doctor, I chanced upon the opportunity and went ahead with the consultation.

The doctor ordered a work-up for my husband to check whether there are underlying problems causing his pain. As for me, he laughed heartily and said that perhaps it’s something that I have been imagining. He said that I should just forget about it because the symptoms are not really something that I should be bothered about. So, here goes another one who didn’t understand my symptoms. I am quite convinced now that this is PCOS related because other women also had different tests done to determine the cause of their pain. And after all their tests, they could only find PCOS and nothing more. While I am glad that it is just so, I secretly wished that I just skipped seeing him because there is absolutely nothing amusing about my pain.

When it’s about time to see my OB, I was surprised to find out that she just left because of a surgery. She doesn’t hold clinics on my area during the weekends, so I have no choice but to see her again tomorrow. In other words, I have to see her alone and face my perceived fears because my husband could not leave his staff with a new system at work. Oh well, I guess I have no other choice. I badly want to be vaccinated for cervical cancer, and it would totally be pointless if I don’t get screened first. So, wish me luck!

The thought of being sick is truly distressing. But there are already preventive tests available so we can also do our part in protecting ourselves against certain diseases. While I am such a coward, I dare not miss these tests for the world.