Goal #3 - Waist Training

I have been in love with corsets since I was about twelve. Lately I've been reading up about tightlacing, a practice that serious corset lovers undertake. Okay, so mostly I've been drooling over corsets and pictures of ladies' waists, but I've also been reading articles and researching how to/health risks/benefits and so on. And the conclusion that all this has wrought is that I've decided to start waist training myself. As you can imagine since this is my blog you're going to be getting periodic updates on my progress so I figured I'd do an article on what exactly it is I'll be undertaking. So what's up with tightlacing and waist training and why is it different that just wearing a corset whenever you want?

Tightlacing:

Wiktionary

1. n. The practice of wearing a tightly-laced corset to modify one's figure and posture.

Waist training is also known as Tightlacing (click for Wikipedia article if you're still really unsure what I'm talking about). It is the practice of wearing and tightening a corset regularly so that your body slowly becomes tapered in the waist.  "It's like wearing a pair of high heels." -Meg of Skirting The Issue. I really like this analogy. Eventually you get used to 2" and move up to 3" heels. In this case a novice would order a corset 4 inches smaller than his or her waist size and wear it while slowing tightening it until the corset can be fully closed. Once you've achieved that goal you buy a corset that's 6 inches smaller than your natural waist size and the process is repeated.

What are the health risks? What are the benefits?

In laywomans terms here's a list of things to watch out for/be aware of when tightlacing:

Pros:
-Better posture
-Better eating habits - eating foods that cause gas/bloating can cause discomfort while wearing a corset so the wearer tends to eat healthier
-This can also help with weight loss, clear skin, mood boosting etc. as a result of eating better
-Confidence. Personally when I wear a corset I feel beautiful. Add a dash of red lipstick and I'm unstoppable!
-The reshaping of the body is temporary. When the corset comes off the waist reverts to it's natural size.

Cons:
-Possible Internal Organ Damage if you tighten too much, too fast. **It's akin to being wholloped in the stomach with a steel bar. Squeezing yourself into any shape that hurts is bad! It should be an obvious NONO** Literally go with your gut. Putting on a corset can feel a bit weird because you're not used to it but it should never hurt, be too hard to breath, pinch, poke, bruise, make your legs fall asleep etc. *extreme case

-Weakness of muscles or even atrophy of muscles unused to supporting the body without a corset *extreme case

-Exercise or activity requiring lots of movement can leave a wearer light headed and dizzy

-I've heard it said that corset wearers are slave to fashion. While perhaps less relevant now that corsets aren't an everyday garment it's still true someone who wears corsets regularly will have to plan outfits around their corset instead of picking a corset to casually amplify an outfit. And yet, the great thing about living in the 21st century is the choice I have as a wearer, not only in clothes but whether or not to wear a corset at all.

As with all of the above points I would like to note here that tightlacing SHOULD NOT be entered into lightly and without doing extensive research. The only way anyone could hurt themselves with a corset is to rush in and do something stupid. I'd also like to note that this little article here is not meant to be the be-all-end-all guide of information.

Have I grossed you out yet? If not here are some really great sources for more research and information.

The Long Island Staylace Association has a great directory of Medical Advice from an actual doctor who practices tightlacing herself. It's easy to read and she answers questions sent in from other tightlacers, so there's a good change that all of your questions are answered.

Lucy's Corsetry, a corset company based in the U.S., has a YouTube Channel called Bishonen Rancher and they have a list of videos under the title Physical Effects of Corseting. These videos are straightforward, clear cut and tell you everything you want to know but can't find on Google. This channel is amazing, especially for people wanting to get into tightlacing because they give you the facts without the naysaying, fingerwagging exaggeration that people who don't want to educate themselves about wearing corsets will give you.

Why the heck would you do something so crazy in the first place?

Besides the pro's and con's I listed above, tightlacing falls into the category of body modification. It's all about proportion. You can be really extreme, the way some people completely cover their face with piercings and others with tattoos. Or you can go about it in a milder approach- which I personally think is still pretty badass. I'm a huge advocate of body modification. I don't believe that anyone should be forced to get piercings or tatts to look cool but for me they've been milestones, meaningful, decorative, self affirming, confidence boosting and plain old awesome ;). I have wanted to wear corsets since I was twelve years old. If I'd been a more proactive or vocal about what I wanted teen I probably would have started wearing them sooner. But since becoming eighteen I've really spread my wings, and since becoming a burlesque dancer I've shed a lot of my inhibitions. Corsets are now something that's within my means of buying and acquiring and I have the stamina and determination to devote to them.

So let this delicious journey begin!

Saucily yours,
Miss Scarlet

Two Words: Portable Shade

Screw fifty shades (of grey), it is way too hot outside - and not in a good way. This whole summer the only shade I've been craving is the kind that shields my poor, ghosty skin from the effect I like to call "lobstering". I don't tan, I blister. Return to white, repeat cycle. But it ends here! This summer my saving grace has been my umbrella. Ideally I would have a parasol but I'm on a budget and my 'brolly is pretty enough to pass as a parasol for now.

After a mild sunburn on my face and chest in the spring I decided to heck with this heat. I appreciate that others live for the summer months but I'm an autumn gal through and through. I still haven't found a sunscreen that is more than SPF 15, doesn't clog my pores and doesn't feel like I'm slathering my skin in margarine. And even if my skin is protected from burning I overheat quick. Enter the best idea ever: portable shade.

Parasols have been around for ages and have a lengthy history, but most people think 'Victorian' when they think of or see a parasol. The Victorian era saw the unprecedented rise in popularity of the parasol as a fashion accessory. A lady in that age wouldn't be caught dead with sun browned skin, it was a sign of having to work and therefore not considered to be genteel. They didn't have sunscreen and with the heavy weight of all the clothing they wore an extra shawl would have been unbearable. The parasol was the perfect accessory for a walk in the park.

Fashion has changed but pale skin or fake tans are becoming the thing again. And parasols today range from the classically simple to incredibly ornate. Skin cancer is a serious risk health risk, one that parasols can prevent- and with style. Whether you opt for an oriental paper style or lace trimmed with ribbons a lady can find the perfect parasol to accent her wardrobe.

Alternative model Amber Gabriel/Ghettoblaster by Cherry Photography, bringing the parasol back in style 

I love it when old fashioned ideas come back in style. I still get strange looks or people asking if I think it's going to rain- which, to be fair, is a legit question seeing as how I'm using my umbrella. But a lot of people have also complimented me on having such a brilliant idea. Especially when I'm waiting for the bus and there's no shade to be seen. Next summer I'll be sure to have a proper parasol and hopefully I'll be seeing a few more around town.

EDIT: I was going to wait to take a photo of me and my parasol before posting but a rather blustery day managed to turn my umbrella inside out and break one of the tines. A quick repair job should fix it right up but that's always a danger when you live in Winnipeg. It can get pretty windy, especially down town! However I'm still set on getting myself a pretty parasol for next year.

Stay Saucy!
Miss Scarlet

Rockabilly Event - Part Two

Hairspray, corsets and greasers, oh my! I decided to go with a more metal-rock sound for my rockabilly burlesque routine, though there was definitely banjo in it! The song was Black Betty by Spiderbait. It was a knee high leather boots and crop meets hot pink sequined show girl ensemble and it went a little something like this:

Photo by Brad Mazur

Photo by Holly Halftone

Photo by Holly Halftone

Photo by Brad Mazur

Photo courtesy of Joel Nickel

This one is awesome because if you look closely my reflection is also blowing a kiss on the big screen. Look ma! I'm on TV! ;)

Photo courtesy of Joel Nickel

Photo courtesy of Joel Nickel

Left-Holly Halftone  Right-Brad Mazur

Photo by Holly Halftone

It was really interesting dancing on the same level as the audience. Usually you're higher up with blinding stage lights in your eyes. This time I could see every face of every person watching me ... and they were five steps away from me at any time. This turned out to be to my advantage, however, when I sped up my routine! Oops. I guess I was just so excited I frenzied myself out of tempo. However, a little improvisation and a lot of flirting-which Meg got the brunt of- managed to end the last little bit of the song on a credible note. Thanks for playing along Meg!

If you could take a minute to go and show these wonderful photographers some love I would be incredibly grateful. Brad Mazur, Holly Halftone and Joel Nickel do amazing work.

Stay tuned for more sass!

Saucily yours,

Miss Scarlet

Rockabilly Event - Part One

Alright, y'all! This post may seem a little self centered because out of all the amazing pictures taken during the  Drawn and Plastered Rockabilly show the only ones I'm going to be posting are mine. Don't like it? Stop reading my diary. ;-) There's just no room for all the incredibly lovely faces to be featured here. If you're reading this you probably came here from Facebook, in which case go here to see the Official Event album! It's probably  It IS the most gorgeous collection of people you will ever see.

Saturday, July 14th 2012: The pre-show magic happened at Rockabetty and The Foxy Shoppe, with half the group for the Drawn and Plastered Art Models and gals participating in the runway show going to each location. I was in the FS group which was delightful because a) it's one of my favourite places in Winnipeg and b) Miss Foxy just has to look at you to make you feel like a Fox. But to add a little more magic than even her bedroom eyes can muster she had two professional hair stylists and a make up artist waiting in the wings! Every runway model was provided with a dress and shoes for the evening. Miss Foxy even had a bag of false eyelashes-now that's thinking of everything! There was a long lineup of ladies waiting for beauty care so I took a front row seat in her shop mirror and did my own makeup.

Photo courtesy of Holly Halftone - super cute dress by the Foxy Shoppe!

I did however take full advantage of having a stylist do my hair. I swear she was the guardian angel of pin curls and victory rolls. She was laughing when she got to me after doing Miss Ruby Red Lips's updo because, as she told me, "I have two little girls named Scarlet and Ruby- I didn't think I named them after burlesque dancers!" It was the best way to get ready for the show. I was vibrating with nerves- a brand new routine never before seen by the public? But a group singoff of Hot Blooded by Foreigner worked out the jitters and got us all in the mood. And in case that wasn't enough sass Miss Foxy put the cherry on my sundae by lending me these:

Photo courtesy of Brad Mazur

When the magic was done we made our way in groups over to Le Garage Cafe. I drove a gal over in her own car because she was corseted in ... driving while constrained is a difficult skill to master! I know that from firsthand experience. I'd have loved to wear a corset for the evening but I was already going to be hopping in (but mostly out) of different outfits all evening. It's much easier done with zippers.

Photo courtesy of Brad Mazur

Miss La Muse caught me before my act to wish me luck. Is it just me or do we have fabulous taste in dresses? 

The show started promptly at nine pm with the art models posing five minutes each. Then at nine thirty I took to the dance floor in front of the stage and performed a burlesque act to Black Betty by Spiderbait. **I realized after writing everything out and organizing all the photos that my routine would have to be in another post. Yay more blogging for me! :D**

After my routine I scurried to change back into miss Foxy's lovely dress and heels. On my way back I was drafted *cough*eagerlyvolunteered*cough* to be an art model and post for ten minutes so that various artists could sketch/draw/photograph/do their thing. Two very amazing pieces came out of this episode. The first is this sketch by pinup artist David Oro.

He complemented me on my ability to not move or twitch but the secret to that is every time he looked down to draw I would quickly shift my weight, shake my foot or give my shoulders a roll. Staying in the same position for ten minutes is harder than it looks! David absolutely made my day by meeting up with me for coffee Monday night and giving this sketch to me.  I offered to pay him but he autographed it and gave me a roguish smile, saying "I like knowing that this way my work is priceless." What a man!

The second piece is by Kenneth Porhownik who took his sketches and made them into penny dreadful novel covers. So cool!

I held my position for as long as I could but shortly thereafter the fashion show began. Models from Hungover Empire, Rockabetty and The Foxy Shoppe all lined up at the door and then cat walked down the aisle, did a saucy little turn on stage and returned. Possibly the sexiest moment of the night? Two bad ass corsetted babes strutting their stuff and then having a stare down on stage as part of the show. The heat between them almost sizzled the audience!

After the show Miss Ruby took the stage. As one fan aptly put it 'she was the embodiment of Marilyn Monroe and she had the fanbase to prove it'. Uh, yeah she is!

Photo courtesy of Holly Halftone

Photo courtesy of Chris Hlday's Dynamic Photography

My favourite part of the evening was by far the best dressed contest because EVERYONE who wasn't a model was dressed up too! Everyone! It was like classy Hallowe'en had come early. With so many gorgeous  people packed into one place I'm surprised the place didn't burst into hairspray fueled flames. The contest was followed with live music by Greg Arcade and the Electrics, and the Go Go Pops with more music by DJ King Cabernet. It was one hell of an evening.

Photo courtesy of Holly Halftone

Look at this program! How amazing is that? I need to say that Meg B and Holly Halftone did a phenomenal job organizing this event. The sheer amount of hours they put in to make the event a success must have been mind numbing. Overall 115+ people decided to attend. It was a sold out show with standing room only! Since this was the last Drawn and Plastered event for the summer it was a hell of a way to end the season! The only thing that could have made it better was air conditioning. I was warmer dancing mostly naked inside than I was fully dressed outside!

So there you have it. I was a runway model, art model, burlesque dancer and mayhem partier all in one night. It was hands down the sexiest retro party Winnipeg has ever seen. Stay tuned for a breakdown of my naughty routine!

Saucily yours,

Miss Scarlet

Rockabilly Radness!

Drawn and Plastered is having a roof raisin', dance crazy, burlesque babes and pin up gals shakin' Rockabilly Extravaganza! So come on down to Le Garage on July 14th (that's a Saturday y'all!). You'll bear witness to:

-Some burly-q courtesy of yours truly, Miss Ruby RedLips and Lucy Rust
-Music by Greg Arcade and the Electrics [I've heard they're electric! ;-) ]
-DJ King Cabernet who'll be keeping us hoppin'!
-Pin-up gals galore! Let's not forget this is a Drawn and Plastered event full of gorgeous models

Teaser from Drawn&Plastered.com

So if you're looking for something a little naughty, a little nice and a whole lotta fun then come and get your groove on with us! 

I'm so excited for this!

Saucily yours,

Miss Scarlet

Rhymes With Orange

I had too much fun in the exchange district today! I got especially mischievous when I popped into Rhymes With Orange which is across from Ragpickers. Rhinestones, anyone?

Cat's eyes! Meow!

And my new sailor hat with the black feather fan my Mom previously picked up for me. I've got the strongest urge to do a photoshoot with both of those items.

Stay Saucy!

Miss Scarlet

More Thrifting!

My Mom is awesome! Last weekend she dropped into a bunch of different yardsales while I was at work. More often than not she brings home goodies for me and my sister rather than herself. She surprised me with these when I got home:

My sister got a matching dress/beach cover up.

A large jack o' lantern mug with ghosts on the handle, a black boa, bronze body glitter and a black feather fan. Everything a dollar or less. Win!

She told me she had been telling the yardsale people that her daughter was a burlesque dancer. :D If your Mom believes you can do it then you know you can.

Stay Saucy!
Miss Scarlet

YA 1920's Gala Pt. 4

Young Associates 1920's Black and White Gala (Pt. 4)

My second act was based off of a skit of a field maiden playing 'he loves me, he loves me not'. The woven basket, filled with blooms, was a fun prop to dance around with. Even more fun was taking off my coat to reveal the flowers tucked into various spaces on my lingerie. I tossed them into the audience and even tip toed to the very edge of the stage to hand one to an elderly gentleman before I blew him a kiss.
The fur coat I borrowed from my Mom. I'd like to make a point that I'm okay with recycled fur but you should never buy fur new. (Opinions! Gasp!) The coat is vintage but heavy and oh-so-warm! Combined with the bright stage lights I was only too happy to take it off. I also wore it while weaving through the crowd before and after the show. It prompted a great many compliments but also a lot of 'Aren't you warm?' inquiries. That was an easy set up - I'm always hot, darlings. ;-)


It Must Be Love

Saucily yours,
Miss Scarlet

YA 1920's Gala Pt. 2

Young Associates 1920's Black and White Gala (Pt. 2)

The Young Associates Black and White Gala is a fundraiser for the Asper School of Business. We performed in the VIP room in the Paddlewheel (at The Bay) which was a very cozy atmosphere. The stage was small, the lights were bright and the audience was a sea of flapper dresses and sharp suits. The crowd was warmed up by a jazz ensemble from the U of M, setting the mood.

The afternoon before the show we did a brief walk through and a sound check and playlist order. The songs were already set up but they needed to be paused in between so we could clear off and introduce the next act. Unfortunately when showtime arrived the sound tech was someone different. While he tried to figure out the iPod there was feedback and skipping songs. Thankfully Amanda, the wonderful event organizer, rushed over and put things to right! We were a little late in starting but once we got going the going got good!

My first act:

Ain't Misbehavin'!

Okay ... maybe I was misbehaving a little bit. ;-) Pictures, of course, taken by the fabulous John Ohm.

Saucily yours,
Miss Scarlet