Copious Crush: Amanda Lee, Blogger for In the Thick of It
To be honest, we can’t remember how we first found Amanda Lee and her blog, In the Thick of It, but at this point her blog has become a must-read for us. It’s like that song you hear over and over without really knowing it, until you realize you know all of the words and sing it at the top of your lungs. Amanda shares her favorite finds, outfit shots, and thoughts on finding the best duds for plus-size ladies. Bonus points? Look at that new cute pink ‘do!
Introduce Yourself! What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you do?
I’m Amanda Lee. I live in Chicago now, but I grew up in the Gulf Coast area (Houston, TX). I’m a graphic artist, blogger and stylist. You can see some of my art on my site.
How would you describe your personal style?
Budget-conscious trendy with a strong pinch of goth. I basically really love the color black.
Do you have any fashion regrets? Or vice versa, things you’ll never stop wearing?
It’s taken me years to craft my style - there were many years of floundering style-wise. There were some embarrassing capri pants situations. I can’t seem to stop wearing my denim jacket - it’s a staple in my closet.
What inspires you?
I draw inspiration from fellow fat-fashion bloggers like Nicolette Mason, Stephanie Zwicky and Gabi Fresh. I also scour runway shows and tumblr. And I obsessively visit art museums and people-watch on city streets anywhere I am to gather general aesthetic inspiration.
Tell me about In the Thick of It Fashion. Where did the name come from? What do you focus on? Any goals for 2013?
In The Thick of It started a few years ago as just a way for me to explore my own style. After many years of interacting with other plus size women online, I decided to just focus on my own outfits as a way to really craft a look. The name is a play on the phrase “in the thick of it.”
I focus on budget-friendly style for plus size folks. I am not at all interested in talking about weight-loss or dieting. It’s very much a blog about loving your body as it is and dressing yourself in that body you have now. My goals for 2013 for the blog include a revamping of the site later this year, and working with a few more plus size partners and advertisers.
What are you listening to right now?
I am obsessed with late 70’s and early 80’s darkwave/synth…basically if it’s put out by Dark Entries label, I’m listening to it. One of my favorites on my record player at the moment is the 1980s Belgian band, Parade Ground. As for new music - I’m very much looking forward to the new albums by Austra and The Knife this summer.
Tell me about your ideal day. What do you do, where do you go, who are you with?
My ideal day starts with waking up with my partner S, getting dressed (we both love to really look stylish) and heading to a cafe. I love to sit outside with a journal to write ideas or sketch while I have coffee and a croissant. Then a little shopping - usually Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Topshop, Forever 21. Then perhaps meeting up with some friends for a late lunch and then home to hang out with our dogs and to watch a movie. I’m a simple person and really love having quiet time. While I do love dancing, I don’t like to go out super late very often - so tend to go out dancing once a month and really have a blast when I do.
Anything I should have asked that I didn’t? Tell me one more thing I should know.
It’s really important to me that fat bodies are taken seriously in fashion. The reason it has taken me so long to really hone my style is that options for plus size folks have been MISERABLE in past years. There are a great number of people that have done so much for fashion for plus size bodies and I’m excited to see that grow even more.
What are you loving on Copious right now? Send me links of things you love and tell me why.
https://copious.com/listings/bobby-boot
This boot is great for bringing a little edge to almost any outfit
https://copious.com/listings/cross-embroidery-sweater
This patterned sweater would be great worn over-sized with some skinny jeans and those bobby boots!
https://copious.com/listings/blackbird-soap-set
Black soap? Yes - it smells amazing and looks cool too.
https://copious.com/listings/peach-aragonite-gold-necklace-1
I love big raw stones in necklaces and earrings - this would bring a touch of flash and color to an all-black outfit.
INTERVIEW WITH: Amanda Stilwell
I recently interviewed the lovely Amanda Stilwell, the creator of In The Thick of It. In The Thick of It is a plus sized, fashion based blog that has seen great success since it started. Here is my interview -
- What inspired you to start your blog?
I was inspired to start my blog because I had already been posting my outfits and outfit ideas for years in Live Journal’s “Fatshionista” community and on a few Flickr groups. As social media shifted, I decided to pursue my own blog and hone my styling skills and work on developing my place in the plus size fashion community.
- How would you describe your style?
My style tends to be a mix of classics staples and trendy pieces. I usually curate a new look/feel about twice a year. This summer I started “Season of the Witch” which is a look I’m loving even still - it’s a grown up goth look with lots of layered accessories and pretty textures in monochromatic tones.
- What is your favourite item in your wardrobe at the moment?
he favorite pieces in my wardrobe right now are my sheer button-up black shirt and my R&J handbag (both seen in this look http://inthethickofit.tumblr.com/post/12621224454/the-buttoned-up-sheer-black-shirt-ive-already )
- What has been the highlight of your blogging experience?
I was honored to be asked to be on the tumblr fashion spotlight page. I’m in awe of how my little photoblog has taken off. I continually feel blessed and look forward to all the wonderful possibilities
- What is your number one style tip?
My number one style tip is to just be authentic. Figure out what *your look* is. I stay within my (often meager) budget and over the years have curated a collection that speaks to me. Sometimes this means saving for months to buy the perfect bag and sometimes it means thrifting carefully. Another tip is that I tailor a lot of my clothes to really get a great fit.
Visit Amanda’s lovely blog - http://inthethickofit.tumblr.com/
Adverse Effects
Wood SpiderNew record from our friends in WOOD SPIDER. Out now on Spikedriver Arts. Order the cassette on BANDCAMP or catch them ON TOUR. This is the opening track, “Adverse Effects”.
Fic: Thick of it drabble
Title: Snippets and drabbles
Fandom: The Thick of It
Rating: R (sexy bits)
Pairing: Malcolm/Sam, Malcolm/Jamie, Malcolm/Sam/Jamie
Word Count: 191
Summary: Few bits and pieces of different Malcolm pairings.
Notes: I’m a hopeless Capaldi fan who writes fic on the train home from work…oh dear
Sam shifted uneasily in her seat and then stopped when she noticed Nicola Murray staring at her. Malcolm’s habit of leaving deep nail marks on her waist and thighs when they were in bed could be bloody annoying at times when you were trying to sit still in front of nosy MPs.
…
Jamie hadn’t expected Malcolm to take time over him in bed; he’d expected quick violent screws up against the nearest piece of furniture with curse words turning the air blue. He hadn’t expected Malcolm to kiss him so gently after every single time either.
…
It was hard to tell which she liked more – when she had her head resting on Malcolm’s chest, one arm around her and the other around Jamie as they quietly dozed – or when they were all tangled together in a spaghetti junction of fevered sex.
