Suzanne Bells Blog

Where Muse Meets Whimsy…

A Quote By Melissa McCarthy

Apr 18

Posted by SB in Found Items... | No Comments

Even when someone gets to looking like she should be so proud of herself, instead she’s like ‘I could be another 3 pounds less.  I could be a little taller and have bigger lips.’ 

You just have to say “It’s pretty damn good.  I am right here at the moment and I’m OK with it.  I’ve got other things to think about.” ~ Melissa McCarthy

{{Information |Description ={{en|1=Melissa McCarthy at the Audi and Derek Lam Kick Off Emmy Week Celebration 2012.}} |Source =http://www.flickr.com/photos/minglemediatv/7996875793/ |Author =http://www.flickr.com/people/47170787@N05 |...

Melissa McCarthy at the Audi and Derek Lam Kick Off Emmy Week Celebration 2012.  Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minglemediatv/7996875793/          Author =http://www.flickr.com/people/47170787@N05

The above image is from Wikimedia Commons. Information about it can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Change Of Pace

Mar 31

Posted by SB in Musings... | 1 Comment

It has been such a different lifestyle not working.  For me it has been great to slow my processes down and take time  for the journey my head insists on taking.  When I was working my brain seemed to “quick fire”, always making me  fast on my feet and accomplishing lots of things but not really allowing that deep brewing that can shift one’s thinking.

After the store closed and I had some time to catch up on sleep. It seemed that I was in for a time of engaging with friends who needed me.  As always it was also a time for me to learn some universal lessons of my own.  I believe that as one engages with a pure intent to be sincere and “there”for friends in need, we receive an opportunity to grow.  I have trained myself to listen carefully ( in a large part thanks to all of my friends from the store) for lessons that I need.  Wow have they been coming in my direction…

Like learning to say “no” which I am good at, it feels very powerful for me.  It gives me a sense of authenticity.  When I say no, I mean it and therefore when I say yes I mean that also.  This is not a new lesson for me, in fact I think I did write about this before.  It comes up still which probably means I need to pay attention.  I have a friend who’s yes and no I do not trust.  She does things often that she does not want to do and shares that with me.  I find it hard to have a meaningful friendship under those circumstances.  On the other hand I have a dear friend that took on this lesson with me and we love the feeling of pure clarity, although she says I waffle sometimes.  Waffling for me is just working out the logistics and I am sticking to it….

Thanks for  asking about what I have been doing.  This is a taste.  In this moment I am in the “zen zone” as one of my friends and I are fond of saying.  I am learning to do things and have relationships in life without expectation.  I am also learning that this is very tough work.  I believe it has something to do with getting it all clear about yourself and therefore being truly available as best you can at this moment in time.  Expecting nothing in return, incredibly, has brought me great joy. 

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Pennington Ads

Oct 14

Posted by SB in Musings... | 3 Comments

I hope you have had a chance to see the Pennington ads that are now showing on TV. It is a woman of size wearing a bra and briefs, several funky choices and she dances in and out of the shot. It is also a breast cancer campaign if I recall. I have heard lots of chatter about the fact she is a large woman. From my camp it is mostly positive but of course lots of the negative chatter from those who are opposed to using large women as role models.

This could be a very long piece, as most of you know I have lots of opinions, but this reminded me of something important…..When I started to teach fitness for large women 30 years ago it was the first time folks in community centers had seen women of size participating in fitness classes. At first it was shocking to them and as we assimilated it became part of the norm. I remember very vividly when I was asked by the center to sub for a “regular fitness class teacher” who was away. The fact they asked me in itself was amazing (they were stuck but still…) but when I taught and stood at the front of the class of 50 adults, men and women I was accepted. They were accustomed to seeing me in that environment. As the class progressed I was could feel the shift and by the end they were asking me if I could come back.

Seeing this Pennington’s ad has the potential of having a real impact. It is well done, positive and hopefully will be the first of many… I am sure there are lots of opinions about the underwear but the big picture from my many years in the “plus” business is “we are being seen”. We all might choose to stand proud and give a clear message we are here, in this moment in time, as we are. For those who are fat phobic and don’t like it, well maybe you will just have to get used to it, we are great and we are part of all communities.

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In My Opinion – Suzanne Bells Fashions Closing

Jul 14

Posted by SB in In My Opinion... | 2 Comments

It is with a huge amount of emotion I write what is my last “In My Opinion” as we have known it.  Retiring seems such an odd word for me to even say.  I never thought  about it and expected I would stay here for much longer.  Ha…well I should have known that the road would divert for me.

I suppose I really saw this coming in the last few years.  The truth is that so many circumstances converged to bring me to this point.  It is no surprise that retail as we have known it has changed, really changed in the 30 years since I have been in business.  I love to tell the story of Christmas pasts when we would spend months getting ready to decorate the store and fill it with liquid gold and silver lame pants and tops and more.  It was so sparkly and fun.  All of us went to Christmas parties and dressed up and had huge celebrations.  I guess we even had a” few” and drove home. Let me bring you to this last “Holiday Season” where we hardly put up decorations  and our customers were buying big shirts to stay cool while cooking the turkey.

Suzanne Bells Fashions logo  I know this will not feel great for many of you but I know that the time is right.  Aside from the fact I can feel 30  years on my feet in my knees, in this business leases and contracts are usually fairly long and my lease is up.  I have been fortunate to have a great landlord and been here in this location for 20 years.  Access is tougher, Vancouver city taxes are so high and a move was out of the question. Nothing a young entrepreneur and a few million wouldn’t fix.

I have always loved being in this business, most probably because I have had customers who have been so interesting and loyal.  I have  been very grateful for you.  Now that I am closing let me have my last words to you.  Thank you for being there when I first started and took what was a huge risk to follow my dream. Thank you for coming in year after year and reminding me that what I did was important to you. Thank you for allowing me to get to know you, and thank you for your stories that always made me laugh and cry.  Thank you for teaching me that I should never give up my fight for the right to live my life as a woman of size with dignity.   That in itself my friends has given me the drive to stand proud and speak on your behalf (self appointed of course).  Thank you for allowing me to come to work everyday with joy, how often can one say that about work? Thank you for teaching me so much, more that I can even express.

I have a good friend who always said to me that this business of fashion was always a cover story.  A reason to connect and share and help each other.  I for one have taken a great deal from you, I have learned to really listen and therefore really learn. You have probably not heard the last of me.  Although I have not got solid plans I am bursting with projects left undone.

This last 30 years would never have happened without some very important people.  My business partner Stephanie who has an amazing ability as a buyer, a very smart business person and my very best friend. Inez who you all know as the “model”,  has been here for 11 years and likes you all as much as I do. Jane Ham who was with me from the first days and always promised to stay until her husband retired ( now they are globetrotting) and Jody who we miss but is now a mom and calls us to make sure we are doing our jobs up to standard.

As I put labels on this “mail out” I see so many names I have not seen in years.  I would love to see you, just to say hi or for you to get a great bargain.  We will be here until we sell everything but I am not sure how long that will take.  I am told it can go quite fast…

In the words of Maya Angelou “Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now!!!”

Suzanne

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