Books on bOObs: A Guide to Your Girls

Mammography is one of the most effective methods to screen for and detect early stages of breast cancer. Yet there are still plenty of barriers preventing access to this life-saving technology, including an ability to pay for the test. Since the national average cost of a mammogram is $150, it can be quite a financial stretch for those without health insurance.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to remind all women to schedule an annual mammogram, Hologic has launched a new patient outreach initiative at www.promisetome.com. For every ten women who make the pledge to get a mammogram on their calendars, Hologic will donate $1 towards screening an uninsured woman. If you or a loved one can’t afford a mammogram, the Promise To Me website lists a number of ways to obtain low-cost or free mammograms.

Make the promise to yourself, or pass the pledge on to the breasts closest to you. One click of your mouse helps spread the love!

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Got something you’d like to get off your chest about breasts? InkSpotter Publishing is seeking submissions for a new anthology of breast stories: Wait a Minute, I Have to Take Off My Bra. Previously unpublished works are welcome from both men and women, and can range from light-hearted memories about breast buds in puberty to heart-wrenching recollections of breast cancer. The maximum word count is 3000 for both fiction and non-fiction. Poems are also welcome, although a limited number will be used. Visit the InkSpotter site for more detailed info on how to have your piece considered. Deadline is October 31, 2009.

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Need some support? Enter to win an autographed copy of bOObs: A Guide to Your Girls at The Luxury Spot. Guaranteed to perk up your “girls” or those of someone you love. Don’t delay, as the bOObs giveaway ends Friday, September 4th!

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Are you a gal on the go? Want to carry your license, cash or credit cards without the heavy lifting and space a purse requires? Let your boobs support your mini-load! The makers of Racktrap have created the first “bra pocket” that fits comfortably in any style or size of brassiere. Racktrap keeps your stash snug and secure next to “the girls,” and those necessary essentials close to your heart. Perfect for a night out or run around town. The Racktrap comes in four colors: White Lace, Black Lace, Nude Lace plus a water-resistant sport version for working out. This ingenious addition to your wardrobe keeps you hands and worry-free!

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Summer is in full swing, but you might not be heading to the pool or beach because last year’s suit looks a little tired or tattered. Before you go to the store, keep in mind that – unlike bras — bathing suits are not just about our boobs: they expose the entire package. Regardless of body type, most women dislike shopping for swimwear. (Studies show that the act of trying on a swimsuit makes women more anxious and depressed and reduces their score on math tests. You are definitely not alone if you dread the experience.)

Here are some tips for getting the most out of any purchase:

• The earlier in the season, the more choice in styles and sizes. If you’re getting a late start, don’t freak if you can’t find the perfect fit. You may just have to shop around.
• Check the calendar to ensure you’re nowhere near your monthly menstrual cycle. (No use aggravating any potential PMS symptoms with shopping frustrations.) Also avoid any shopping outing after you’ve eaten a big meal.
• Enlist the help of trusted and similarly built breast friends. There’s nothing worse than having all those suits you don’t dare try on look impossibly perfect on another person’s pair (or rear).
• Choose flattering styles for your body type. If your breasts are the favorite part of your anatomy, play them up. If you have wonderfully long legs, work to highlight your great gams. Got a teensy waist? Show it off! It’s not all about the boobs when it comes to feeling comfortable in the scant amount of coverage provided by today’s fashionable swimwear.
• Avoid swimsuit catalogs filled with page after page of perfectly coifed, cloned body types. If it’s too late, and you’ve already overexposed your powerful female psyche to such unrealistic images (remember: even the models don’t look like their retouched photos), give yourself an immediate reality check. Go to the nearest swimming pool or beach and observe some real people without “perfect” physiques. It may even inspire you to temporarily put off your shopping expedition and just put on last year’s suit so you can get busy having fun in the sun.

P.S. Please don’t forget the sunscreen. It’s more critical in keeping “the girls” looking their best than any stylish bikini!

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Want to get “the girls” into their best shape this summer? One easy way is to dress them for success. You may know your bra size, but given the variety of styles and fabrics, some makes and models support your unique “girls” better than others. Here are six quick dressing room tips to determine which bra fits you best:

1. Hook up. Fasten your bra on the loosest (first) hook. As the bra wears and the fabric loosens, you’ll still be able to adjust by using the second or third set of hooks.

2. Fill up. Lean over and make sure you’ve got all your tissue in the cups. Your breasts should fill up the cup, not spill out the top or the sides. Note: when trying on underwire bras, make sure the wire is sitting on your ribcage (bone), rather than your breast tissue. If the cups look wrinkled, try a smaller band size, not a smaller cup size, first. Do the same when not filling up the more padded bra styles.

3. Strap Up. Adjust the straps so they are laying flat against your shoulders but are not indenting your skin. Remember that everyone has two different sized breasts, so you may need to adjust straps at differing levels. Note: if after this step your bra rides up in back, try a smaller size band or loosen the straps.

4. Stand up. Turn sideways and look at yourself in the mirror. The back band of the bra should be at the same level as the front band of the bra. And the very center front of the bra should rest flat against your breast bone. Where should your breasts be? Level with your triceps. Hint: If you rest the palm of your hand on your stomach, your breasts should be situated halfway between your shoulder and your elbow.

5. Suit Up. Once you’ve found the right fit, redress for success! That’s right, make sure you like the way the bra looks underneath your clothes. If you’re not happy, you still have the chance to find something that looks better! 

6. Match Up. Found a bra you love? Love the way it makes you look? Buy three or four pairs of panties to complement its fabric or style. Don’t go to all the trouble of making your girls looks good without remembering to properly accessorize!

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All boobs are unique in size, shape, and volume. Yet women must dress their breasts in less than a custom fit. Standard bra cups, under wires, and sizing can’t take into account the various ways our mammaries morph. Most women are forced to buy off-the-rack for their original “racks.” Pattern maker and clothing designer Don McCunn has a solution for crafty gals seeking the perfect breast supporter. McCunn has written an eBook and teaches an on-line class in how to make custom-fit bras. Given the price of most manufactured bras (anywhere from $25 to $150), his approach is a real bargain. The class is $50; eBook is $25, materials run $12, and McCunn’s Yahoo support group is free. Happy and comfortable boobs: priceless. (Don’t delay, though, as his bra making class is offered only once a year, and the next one begins May 11th.)

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The bOOb Lady is proud to take part in Wedding Flair, Saturday, April 18th, from 11:00 am-7:00 pm. This bridal extravaganza is sponsored by Common Folk Company and PaperSource and features lifestyle expert Kelley Moore. All day (from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm), guests can enjoy luxurious table tops and  the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects that will take any wedding from ordinary to extraordinary. You’ll learn about the newest styles, and can shop unique vendors to meet all your happily-ever-after needs. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I’ll be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and provide tips on how to put your best breast forward on your special day. Common Folk is located at 15600 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue, WA. Stroll and shop from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, or attend an evening cocktail party from 5:00-7:00 pm to get the scoop on the latest wedding trends! 

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Three recent stories paint an interesting picture of how women are viewed in our world today. The first was the post of a video, recording the public flogging of a 17-year old Pakistani girl by the Taliban. Her crime of “immoral behavior” stemmed from either a refusal to participate in an arranged marriage, or having been seen publicly with an unrelated male. The second reported on the doctoring of the inaugural Israeli cabinet photo to remove the image of its two female members. Publications either blacked them out or digitally erased them to appease ultra-orthodox Jewish readers. The third covered Michelle Obama’s meeting with her French counterpart, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. While these two women are extremely accomplished in their own right, the story focused on the fashion statement each made by their choice of designer clothing. Oh yeah, baby, we’ve come a very long way indeed.

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On March 9, 2009, the most adored and vilified plastic doll in the world turned the big 5-0. Ever the style conscious fashion queen, Barbie’s legacy now spans five decades. Many have criticized the molded model as the reason why some women compare and objectify their physical selves, especially their own breasts (unlike Barbie, we sport nipples). Ironically, while Barbie’s popularity among young girls has not waned, she’s also known as the most mutilated of playthings. If you fondly recall cutting off your Barbie’s hair or defiling her in some way, you may appreciate artist Margaux Lange’s jewelry creations. Lange skillfully dissects these dolls with an X-Acto knife and repurposes them in sterling silver rings, bracelets, and earrings. The above necklace is one of her original creations and is proudly worn by the Boob Lady. How appropriate that Barbie’s boobs are wrapped in heart-shaped symbols of love. May all women embrace their bosoms in the same fashion!

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