by Tiff -

Musical show and tell

I need to starting posting good music again! Here’s a funky song by definitive hip-hop group, Blackalicious, that I listen to whenever I feel the need for an infusion of swagger (and yes, it totes works).

by Tiff -

Jeggings: The most slimming jean you’ll ever buy

Well folks, I’ve been enlightened by the fashion Gods as of late. It all started with celeb photos on Perez Hilton, with me coveting the skinny ass stars in their glove-tight skinny ass jeans, and then it dawned on me: THEY ARE NOT WEARING SKINNY JEANS. It was a trick. What these trendy gals were wearing were in fact Jeggings, the latest greatest garment to hit the clothing world since the Miracle Bra.

Jeggings debuted last summer and are leggings masquerading as jeans. They have a jean print, come in several washes and colors, and some even have faux pockets and a real button-fly. BUT DON’T BE FOOLED. They are leggings through and through and will be the most comfortable pair of jeans (if you want to call them that) you’ll ever buy, and they look great on plus-sizes too. They are incredibly slimming and since they’re stretchy as hell, they hit every curve of whatever body they’re put on, whether you have too-skinny legs….or the opposite.

As a woman who uses a wheelchair, finding truly fabulous jeans that look good (read: do not make me look fat or make it look like I have a penis by fabric bunching in the crotch-area while I’m sitting) has been so hard, and such a waste of money. I had actually given up on finding a decent pair of jeans years ago, and instead usually just wear black leggings or a skirt. All of my friends can attest to Tiff never wearing jeans. But that all changed in the past week.

After discovering the existence of Jeggings 10 days ago, I started my search online to procure a pair. I checked out the Express, who were asking $50 for a pair of Jeggings. FAIL. Instead, I found two awesome pairs of denim leggings (one is cropped, one pair is ankle length with a cool ‘80s acid wash) at Herberger’s at $9.99/pair. Do your shopping homework, people. Always look online first before wasting gas driving anywhere.

Jeggings are the future of jeans. And remember – wear a long top/short dress with your Jeggings (never anything shorter), as Jeggings tend to be tighter in the crotch area than a regular pair of jeans. 

by Tiff -

3 disability etiquette rules you probably don’t know about

Everyone knows it’s rude to stare (one would hope so). And if you attended school at some point in the last 20 years, you were probably taught the other rude no-no’s regarding disability etiquette, like to never make someone‘s wheelchair your footrest, or never help someone with a disability without asking first. These are the basics of disability etiquette and I hope for your sake and mine, that you know them. Or else you’re causing me unneeded stress 😉

I have a problem however with the standard disability etiquette proffered at schools and corporations throughout America. It’s simply not enough, and the basic ten rules leave a lot of important, less-obvious, things out. Important things you should really know if being a non-douchebag to people with disabilities is important to you (and I hope it is!). And while my word isn’t the end all and be all, I’m an observant gimp. Let my last 17 years of paralysis serve you well. Here are 3 important disability etiquette rules that will take you from amateur land to the land of the super evolved.

3. Inviting us to your party? Everyone loves the token disabled person at a rockin‘ shindig (jk). If you’ve invited people with mobility disabilities (wheelchair, walker, cane) to your get-together, remember that you also need to let them know about the accessibility part of the equation, either in the invite or in a separate email, just to let them know how you plan on getting them into the party. One never assumes. And while the disabled invitee could ask, proper etiquette deems that the host makes it their responsibility all guests are cared for.

2. Think before you try to be funny: While most people’s intentions are usually pure of heart, throwing out random ass comments to people in wheelchairs as they fly by is no way to make them feel good. While it may make YOU feel good to say, “Hey slow down or you may get a speeding ticket!” it’s something we’ve all heard before, and btw, IT IS NOT FUNNY. Really, not funny at all. No laugh.

1. Stop complimenting us for doing simple things: Everyone loves a compliment (especially me), but being complimented for going to Target? Ummm…not so much. I didn’t go to physical rehab for months on end to have strangers give me two thumbs up for successfully making my daily errands. Condescending? I don’t even know where to begin.

by Tiff -

Suit styling: Imma be lookin’ all fly in LegaWear

After about a month-long wait, and what I can imagine was a very long and arduous tailoring process (as all their suits are made in Thailand), I’ve finally received my custom SMOKIN black suit (jacket/pants combo) from the adapted clothing company Legawear. See the jacket I’m wearing in the pic? This jacket is one of the greatest pieces of clothing I’ve ever bought and the reason is simple: Precise tailoring. More…