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Beauty in The Abstract

January 22, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Seriously guys, is there anything better than a fashion bargain? If you can believe it, right now you can get this skirt and jacket set for just £22 from Yours Clothing, which I think is one of the best sale deals I've seen in a long while! 

I really love the concept of having a pencil skirt in a set with a bomber jacket, something so formal with something so casual. The wonderful monochrome print of abstract roses adds another level too and makes it so easy to turn into an outfit with any colour you fancy. The fabric is a nice scuba style with lots of stretch and I think the sizing on both pieces is quite generous, more so on the jacket. I usually wear a 22 top and this jacket is a 20, but to be honest I think an 18 would have been perfect.

The hot pink cami I'm wearing here was £3.00 from Tesco in their in store sale, the shoesies are old season from Dolcis and the necklace is vintage so sadly I can't link to any of them, but we all know it's the co-ord set that takes the cake with this outfit.

If you're looking for more super sale bargains head over to this page of the Yours website - there are lots of lovely pairs of briefs for just £1.00 each so I think I'll be stocking up my undies draw and I must say that this pleated midi skirt has also caught my attention!

Floral Abstract Bomber Jacket - Yours Clothing - £13.00*
Floral Abstract Pencil Skirt - Yours Clothing - £9.00*
Hot Pink Cami - Tesco - £3.00 in store
Pink Slipper Shoes - Dolcis - Old
Necklace - Vintage

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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Modelling for Scarlett & Jo!

January 27, 2015, 11:33 pm
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Hi loves! So on Saturday I had the immense pleasure of modelling for one of the UK's best fashion brands Scarlett and Jo along with some other gorgeous bloggers and vloggers! 

The shoot took place at the marvellous Home House in London where we had a huge suite to run around and shoot in, it was just dreamy. I got to flounce around in some stunning clothes and became even better friends with Betty, Mayah, Hollie, Georgina, Elena and Becky and made some new friends in lovely Gloria and her husband Ali who were both real sweetpeas!

It was a truly amazing day and I'm so so thankful to Scarlett and Jo for asking me to be a part of it. I can't wait to show you the final photos but in the mean time here is a little video diary of the day! I say beautiful too many times, sing most of what I'm saying and generally am over excited so sorry about that... ahem.


x o x o x

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They say you can’t turn a bad girl good

February 1, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Ok ok, I know it's another midi skirt but I love em to bits so sorry but you're probably going to see even more over the next few, well, years probably. Midi is just the perfect length for my taste, they make me feel elegant and feminine and I find them so much easier to wear than an above the knee style because they easily hide anti chub rub shorts.

This one I think is particularly lovely as it's made from a thick satiny fabric in this utterly gorgeous shade of teal. The pleating is perfect and the fabric is of a weight that can hold the folds easily. Unfortunately this skirt only goes up to a size 22 which is what I have on here and I must warn that there is no stretch to the waist band. It has a side zip closure too and also comes in silver.

I decided to keep the top minimal and let the skirt take full focus here so I just popped on a nice plain bardot style top which makes me feel very Wanda Woodward. To keep the chill off I grabbed my new stripey jacket that I got in Simply Be the other day which I think works so well with the bold colour of the skirt. If you're a long time reader you'll know that I adore a black and white stripe piece so won't be surprised that the minute I saw this jacket I knew I had to have it! I just wish it was a bit shorter in more of a cropped style so it shows my waistline more, but that's just personal preference!

As for shoes I decided to pop on these lovely sparkly sandles that I bought for just £5 in the New Look sale last week. They're so so pretty... but so painful! It's just because I'm used to having a platform so wearing a heel this high comes as a bit of a shock, but I do adore them so I'll class them as 'theatre shoes' and only wear them when I know I'll be sitting down for most of the night!

So what do you think, is this a look you'd wear too? Are you a midi lover like me or are you a mini or a maxi girl?


South Long Sleeved Bardot Top - Littlewoods - £8.00
Scuba Stripe Jacket - Simply Be - £35.00
Gold Chunky Heel Sandals Wide Fit - New Look - Sold Out (but lots more here!)
Pearl Choker - Vintage

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Plus Size Wedding Dresses for the Bride on a Budget

February 3, 2015, 10:00 pm
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So I've already said how crazily soon I had my wedding dress after my engagement, but I was lucky enough that my parents bought me it and if this hadn't have been the case I would have had to look for something at a much lower price range. I know from emails and messages I have received that a lot of lovely ladies are in this situation and are in need of a budget friendly wedding dress that's available in plus sizes. I decided to have a look around and I found quite a few pieces online that I think would be perfect as a wedding dress and are all under £150!

Chi Chi London


ASOS Curve


Simply Be


Modcloth

I really hope this has helped some of you out, I think my absolute favourite is the Gilded Grace dress from Modcloth - how about you?

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The stars are out tonight

February 5, 2015, 10:00 pm
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I'm not sure why but at the moment I just can't get enough of starry things. When I was little my sister and I used to watch a little animation over and over of a poem called Wynken, Blynken and Nod where three children sail a boat through a sea of stars in the sky. I really loved old shows set in space like Fireball XL5 and old foreign cartoons like the Cossacks that were very romantic about the night sky and the stars, so I think it's nostalgia coming back to me from my youth! Anyway, at the moment I can't resist anything with sparkly stars or beautiful old illustrations of moons and stars on and so when I spotted this cami from Definitions I just knew it had to be mine!

Unfortunately it seems like this cami is already totally sold out, I only got it last week so I was shocked to find this when I was looking for the link for this post. Perhaps as it went down so well it will be restocked though, fingers crossed. It's a nice stretchy two layer cami with a jersey bottom and a sheer mesh overlay that is embellished with the sequin stars. As you can see it's a nice relaxed fit which I think is a great juxtaposition against the sparkliness of the stars mixing casual and party styles. It also has adjustable straps which is a nice touch, I just wish it were a teensy bit longer.

The jeans I have on here are actually full length ones that I rolled under to give the impresson of capris. They're a really nice high waisted style by So Fabulous which are made from a fairly thin but very soft and nicely stretchy denim. The high waisted style is perfect for my pear shaped bod, I just can't wear standard styles as they fall down all the time with my waist being so much smaller than my hips. These babies are also available in blue and are £32 which I think is a good price for a nice pair of jeans. My only gripe is that they aren't very fitted over the lower leg so I'm going to have to do a bit of sewing to make them shorter and more of a skinny fit. I'm 5'7'' and they are really long on me so if you're petite be prepared to get them taken up by a good few inches!

I also must make special mention of these sandles, they are a style that Dani Vanier told me about at the Evans LFW catwalk show. She told me how they are the comfiest heels she's ever owned and she isn't wrong! They have a great platform on them which means that despite being high they are really kind to your feet and you can wear them for hours without getting that dreaded sting to the balls of your feet. They're wide fit too and are available in a few colours and at just £24.99 I think they're pretty much the perfect plus size on trend shoe!


Definitions Star Embellished Cami - Littlewoods - £15.00
Definitions Longline Cardigan - Littlewoods - £32.00
Wide Fit Black Chunky Sandals - New Look - £24.99


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The Scarlett & Jo SS15 Bloggers Shoot

February 8, 2015, 10:00 pm
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So you've already seen my behind the scenes video and undoubtedly seen all the buzz on social media about the Scarlett and Jo SS15 Bloggers Shoot, but I wanted to do a little post not only to share the final photos from the day but also to say a real heartfelt thank you to Gifi and the S and J team.

The first thank you must undoubtedly go to Gifi Fields, the Founder and Chairman of Coppernob Fashion and the creator of Scarlett and Jo. Gifi is a wonderful character, full of life and I hope he doesn't mind me saying, magically eccentric in the most creative fashion. He reminds me ever so of my mum and dad's friends from their days at art college in the 1970's. There's no doubt that he has an immense talent for designing beautiful clothes for both standard size and plus size bodies, but it's his passion for his work that sets him aside from the rest.
After only a few minutes of conversation you know that this really is his life, that he listens to every comment and really takes it on board - he mentioned to us that a few busty ladies had mentioned having trouble with a certain dress style and so he and his team are currently working on finding a way to introduce a more adjusting bust panel to suit different levels of boobliness!
It really was an honour to meet Gifi, he injected the day with passion and excitement and now I know why Scarlett and Jo continually release clothing that is a cut above the rest, it's because Gifi is at the helm ensuring nothing less than perfection hits the shelves. Thank you so much Gifi for letting me be a part of this, you are a real gent!

Naturally the rest of the Scarlett and Jo team and the group that were there on the day to ensuring things ran smoothly and to time also need a huge thank you, as does the wonderful Nicky Rockets who took all the photos. He's a real master with that camera and knows just how to shoot plus size models, he has all the right angles and lighting techniques on point and his fun personality puts you completely at ease from the first minute you get in front of his camera. As you can see from the photos below he really is a whizz!

Lastly I'd like to thank Betty, Elena, Becky, Georgina, Hollie, Gloria (and Ali) and Mayah for being so wonderfully warm and friendly and supportive during the day. It really was such a lovely lovely day and it wouldn't have been nearly as fantastic if I hadn't been with such a wonderful group of people. You are all gorgeous inside and out and I really hope we get to hang out and work together again in the future - mwah!!!

And so, here are the final photos from my sessions in all their glory - I really hope you like them as much as I do!


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Why don't you do right?

February 9, 2015, 10:00 pm
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I'll be honest, Pete and I never really make a big deal of Valentines day. I always get him a card and a silly little something but it's not big on our agenda, probably in the main because it's also my little sister's birthday. As we all know though I will take any opportunity to dress in something sexy and sparkly and this gorgeous Miami dress from Gemma Collins definitely fits the bill! 

Curve skimming and sparkly, this baby wouldn't seem out of place in Jessica Rabbit's wardrobe. With flattering ruching to hide any unwanted lumps and bumps this is a very flattering dress despite being a bodycon style. The central glitter panels also adds that illusion dress style trick of elongating your body and emphasising the curves of your silhouette, as well as just being darn fabulous and sparkly! I was also really impressed by the quality of this style, it's lined and made from nice thick and stretchy fabric so you feel nice and secure and the adjustable straps also make it easier to avoid any accidental boob spillage!!! What I really can't get over is that this gorgeous style is currently on sale for just £24.99 which I think is a terrific deal for a dress that is so drop dead gorgeous and so well made.

I teamed the dress with another beautiful Gemma Collins piece, the Brazil kimono. Now when this arrived I must admit that I was a bit 'oh another kimono' but then I put it on and was so so impressed! I just adore the shape with the dipped front and the semi sheer fabric is soft and light and wonderful with a gorgeous bold print. Cleverly the fabric from the solid black collar to the bottom of the points at the front are doubled over and sewn to add some extra weight which means it will always keep it's lovely shape skimming over your tum in two points that again flatter a larger belly and elongate your body - such a simple but smart detail! Well done Gemma!

I must say as someone who has not tried any of Gemma's pieces before that I'm ever so impressed with both of these items and I'll definitely be trying more in the future - I've got my eye on this baby next!


Miami Dress in Red - Gemma Collins - £24.99* (on sale, usually £75.00!)
Brazil Kimono - Gemma Collins - £24.99* (on sale, usually £49.00!)
Gold Glitter Sandals Wide Fit - New Look - No longer available
Black and Gold Corner Clutch - Primark - £4.00 in store only

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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Bedroom Makeover with George Home

February 11, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Well, very excitingly I have something a little different to share today - a room makeover! I was contacted by the very lovely people at George Home asking if I'd like to try out some of their homeware pieces and of course I jumped at the chance! It came at just the right time as I'd ordered us some new storage furniture for our bedroom the week before and so figured hey why not give the whole room a bit of a makeover while I was at it.

Now I live in a little terraced cottage that was built in the 1880's as housing for cotton mill workers and is Grade 2 listed. It's just gorgeous but it's a little on the snug side (especially for my ever expanding wardrobe) and so I have to be careful not to fill our rooms with too many dark pieces which can be a problem as Pete and I both naturally gravitate towards dark woods and black leather furniture as you can see from our bedstead. I also like to keep our rooms pretty gender neutral or combine pieces that both of us like into each room so we keep a happy medium - if it was up to me this room would be full on satiny boudoir but that just isn't Pete's style so I decided to go with a black, white and grey colour scheme that is stylish and keeps the room bright and airy. Aaaand because I really cannot live without a bit of shiny prettiness in my rooms I decided to use copper as the accent colour in some of the accessories - you can't take out all the glamour right?

I have to say I am so so so impressed with everything that I got from George Home and I had a surprisingly hard time choosing what to try out. There are so many gorgeous pieces on there to suit any taste, from super on trend pieces that you'd see for five times the price in Urban Outfitters to super glam and glitzy feminine styles to masculine clean lined pieces. The prices are just great and everything was such good quality. I think my favourite pieces were the bedding set printed with an old map of New York, the geometric wire pendant lampshade and Pete's new bedside tripod lamp which he picked out for himself. They're all really stylish and look so much more expensive than they were - the kind of pieces you'd expect to see on Apartment Therapy from some interior design house in NY but not at a price that makes your eyes water! 

Also, can we talk about how amazing it is that you can get large Yankee Candle jars for £13?! I adore this Bermuda Beach scent, it's all luscious and watermelony - yay!

So here are some photos of our made over bedroom and below I'll put links to all the lovely pieces!









So here are the links to all of the pieces I tried in case you'd like to snap some up for yourself!

NYC Map Duvet Set - George Home - £18.00*
Grey Blackout Curtains - George Home - £25.00*
Alphabet Cushions - George Home - £5.00 each*
Copper Origami Pendant Light Shade - George Home - £20.00*
Tripod Table Lamp - George Home - This style* sold out but alternative is here for £35.00
White Faux Fur Throw - George Home - £30.00*
Copper Effect Fan Ornament - George Home - £15.00*
Black and Copper Tumblers (as brush holders) - George Home - £5.00 each*
Large Yankee Candle Bermuda Beach Jar - George Home - £13.00*
Wire Storage Box - George Home - £7.00*
Wire Storage Tray - George Home - £7.00*

The black leather bedstead was from Littlewoods a few years ago but you can buy a similar one here.
The bunny lamp was from Next last year but you can buy a similar one here.
The hand ring stand was from Urban Outfitters last year but you can buy a similar one here.

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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We flawless ladies tell 'em!

February 12, 2015, 10:00 pm
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 It's Valentines Day tomorrow and I want you babes to do me a favour. As well as thinking and showing your significant other how much you adore them I want you to take some time to think about all the things that you love about yourself.

Thinking that you're a pretty awesome person isn't big headed or immodest (unless you scream it in the middle of a wedding perhaps...) and I think it's kind of sad that we're brought up to think so. Sure everyone has hang ups and wanting to improve yourself is no bad thing, but please don't get caught up only concentrating about what you dislike about yourself. Spend some time figuring out all the amazing things about you, be that a talent that you have, what makes you a great person to have as a friend, what parts of yourself you think are super cute, your dreams for the future... 

You're a wonderful unique individual and the things that make you different from everyone else are the things that make you amazing. Don't be ashamed of them, embrace them and realise how they make you something special.

I want to give a shout out to all the other bloggers out there who are helping men and women overcome and learn to embrace all manner of things they used to see as problems. Big love to all the parents and teachers who are educating children to be accepting of everyone including themselves. Much admiration to models and celebrities who are breaking the boundaries of what is acceptable to the media and showing that anyone of any size/shape/colour/sexuality/anything can be a rock star if they just believe in themselves and put in the hard work.

I'd really love for you to share with me what you think makes you wonderful - tweet me, email me, leave it in a comment - but once you've told me make sure you re-tell yourself every single day.

Happy Valentines you wonderful wonderful person!


 Venus Is Flawless Tee - Rad - £19.90
So Fabulous Mesh Grid Midi Skirt - Littlewoods - £32.00
Wide Fit Black Chunky Sandals - New Look - £24.99
Marilyn Scarf - Claireabella's Close - £4.95 (cream version)

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Inspiration

February 16, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Betty Grable



Lana Turner



Diana Dors



Mae West



Clara Bow



Hedy Lamarr


Marilyn Monroe


Louise Brooks

No words needed.

Images collected from Tumblr.

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Glamour to the max!

February 19, 2015, 10:33 pm
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A few years ago I would have thought that a dress like this being available in plus sizes was just a dream, but like they have so many times for me already Scarlett and Jo has made my dream come true!

Being plus size doesn't mean you can't be glamorous, feminine, classy and ultra sexy - you just need to find a dress that makes you feel like a million dollars and project that happiness outwards in your stance, attitude and movements. Glamour isn't just about clothes, it's about the person wearing them and that is what is so special about a dress like this - it makes you feel fabulous and so you project that pleasure and sassiness like a beacon letting people know that you're a woman (or man) in control and there's nothing sexier than that!

This dress is just a dream, a dual layered affair with an underdress that site just under the knee and a lace overlay which is so gorgeous it's untrue. Both fabrics are wonderfully stretchy and soft and the fishtail detail just screams vintage screen starlet. It uses a few of the wonderful Scarlett and Jo tricks that make all the difference with their pieces, such as built in straps so that don't have to worry about finding a strapless bra and the ruching to one side of the body with flatters your tummy and aids that all important hourglass silhouette.

Basically darlings, if you're looking for a drop dead gorgeous dress that will get you noticed but also be comfortable and turn you into a real glamour puss, then this dress is for you!


Happy Friday everyone!

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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Local Love - Danique Hair Salon, Leicester

February 22, 2015, 10:00 pm
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One of the questions I get asked over and over is about my hair, how I get it so blonde and how I've kept it up for so long when bleaching can be so damaging to your hair. Well I did a whole post about the products that I use a while ago which you can read here but I have to say that a big part of having healthy hair and sometimes in getting the perfect colour that you want is going to a good hair salon. Now I actually had my hair bleached and toned at my usual salon in Loughborough just before the Scarlett and Jo photoshoot, it cost me £77 and this did not include a hair cut... so you can imagine how disappointed I was when the end result was no better than when I do it at home and when my silver tone had gone after just one wash. It's a bit of an old fashioned salon and I just don't think they got what I was going for. Thankfully however a few weeks ago I had an email asking if I'd like to visit a salon in Leicester called Danique for a salon tour and to meet somne of their new stylists and have a haircut. Naturally I was very excited and jumped at the chance and so headed into town on the Saturday morning.

The salon is located just behind the Highcross so it's super convenienty positioned right in the city centre near lots of shops and parking and restaurants -  yay! My first impressions when I walked in were how beautiful a salon it is, nice and modern but with glamorous touches and nice dark wood floors contrasting with the white walls. There are a few floors to the salon I believe with the colouring stations upstairs and the main stylist and washing stations on the ground floor. I was met by my stylist Sean who was just lovely, I could instantly tell that he would know what I was looking for and when he heard how disappointed I was with my toner a few weeks before he suggested we give it another go which was so nice of him! The colour he got my hair was perfect, just what I'd been wanting for so long but never been able to accomplish and he knew just what products to use to keep my hair nice and soft and healthy. I was really impressed with the cut and style that he gave me, adding volume just how I like it and styling it with a round brush while he blow dried it so we didn't need to use straighteners - heat styling tools like that mean bad news for bleach damaged hair so use them as rarely as you can.

I can say for sure that I'll be going to Danique for the foreseeable future, the whole team looked were lovely and friendly and the atmosphere in there was lively and fun but most importantly they listen to what you want and like to experiment and try new styles and colours - something my old salon wasn't great at. If you're looking for a salon in Leicester I really can't recommend them highly enough!


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Say NO to chub rub with Chaffree!

February 24, 2015, 10:00 pm
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It's not often that you come across a life changing piece of clothing, but I can safely say that I am head over heels in love with Chaffree's Knickerboxers. I love wearing skirts and dresses without tights cause I love flashing my lovely leg tattoos, but up until now I've been severely let down by every anti-chafing pair of shorts that I've tried. So many problems arise, either the legs roll up or the fabric stretches so they go baggy and don't protect your thighs or they just aren't long enough for my thighs. Well now I have found the perfect solution I can spend my honeymoon in the USA and Summer in the UK tightless - hooray!

I won't lie, I was a little sceptical when the lovely people at Chaffree asked me if I'd like to give their product a go because I've been let down so many times before, but believe me these are the real deal! Knickerboxers* are a wonderful seamless and stretchy pair of shorts made from a magical fabric that keeps you cool and sweat free thanks to its wicking properties, the same technology used in good quality sportswear to keep moisture away from your body which naturally also helps with the prevention of chafing and irritation caused by perspiration. The fabric is also latex free and anti-bacterial which is great news for any allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin. My favourite thing about the Knickerboxers is that you can get them in two leg lengths and in two waist lengths so you know you'll be able to find the perfect fit!

These are hands down the comfiest shorts I've ever owned and they kept their shape all day with no rolling of the legs or the waist. They're super soft too and the seamless detail makes them the perfect thing to wear under fitted clothing so you don't get the dreaded VPL. Prices start at £19 for one pair but you get a discount the more pairs you order. I will definitely be stocking up for my honeymoon in the USA, they'll be perfect for hot days walking around Vegas and Florida and now the worry of chub rub is all gone!

I was also lucky enough to try the Chaffree Briefs* too which are made of the same fabulous fabric and come in either midi or full coverage for the tummy and most interestingly are available in standard and wide leg so if you have big thighs like me you're still all set! I found both standard and wide leg comfortable but the wide leg definitely did feel more natural. These are now definitely sharing my number one undies spot with my faithful Sloggi shaping briefs!

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She looks like witchcraft

February 25, 2015, 10:00 pm
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I'm the first to admit that my inner teenage goth is alive and well and still draws me to the spooky, elegant and macabre. Although some of my teenage years were filled with Opeth shirts and New Rock boots my adult dark side prefers the more feminine, glamorous path. Unfortunately however, it can be tricky to find these kind of pieces in plus sizes probably because the steriotypical witch like lady is thin and waif like, but I think an easy way of accomplishing the look at a larger size is to layer simple pieces and bring them to life with beautifully creepy jewellery and accessories. Here are a few of my favourite pieces...








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Your kiss is cosmic, every move is magic

February 26, 2015, 10:00 pm
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I have loved fashion my entire life, since I was a very young girl. My parents and the ladies on my mum's side of the family especially are all very stylish and I think it was inevitable that my sister and I would also develop a great love for clothes and make up. My love for glamour and styles of past decades was also clear from a young age, fuelled by coffee table photography books that my parents had and the classic movies that I'd watch with my dad, but for a long time this seemed a style that would always be out of my grasp due to my size. Over the last few years however I have been lucky enough to acquire and sometimes even model beautiful pieces of clothing that hark back to bygone eras of elegance and femininity that make me feel wonderful and beautiful. Realising that you have accomplished the look you had wanted to have since you were a little girl really is a wonderful thing and my love goes out to all the designers and brands out there that are making fashion dreams come true for women all over the world.

This dress is one of these pieces, a 1920's-esque dream of a gown, like a dress from my dreams. The team at Simply Be were lovely enough to send me this dress as a wedding gift and I plan to wear it on the evening of our wedding day when we head for dinner at a jazz supper club in San Francisco. I can't think of a dress that would be more appropriate for the occasion! The pictures make it obvious that this is a stunning piece with a wonderful cut, layered lovely fabrics and incredible beading but my absolute favourite detail is the scalloping to the sleeves.

Thank you so much Simply Be for making another of my fashion dreams come true and for being so generous as to gift me with this delightful dress, I will forever be grateful!



Scalloped Sleeve Sequin Maxi Dress - Simply Be - £135.00*
Hollographic Pumps with Gem Heels - Marks and Spencer - Old
Diamante Hair Chain - Bought on the Belgrave Road in Leicester - £8.00


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*This post contains items that were gifted. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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GIVEAWAY! The Wrap Around Ballet Top from State of Mind Active

March 2, 2015, 10:00 pm
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Well now, I know this might not be quite as glamorous a post as you're used to from me but hey, I think in the realms of fitness clothing this is a pretty lovely looking top! If you've been a reader for a while you might remember my New Years Day post which featured several pieces of active wear from a marvellous company called State of Mind. Well this is another lovely item from the SOM range and I think it's my favourite of all the pieces I've tried to far!

I think the Wrap Around Top (£48.00*) is quite a sexy design, going on like a jacket but with really long side pieces that you wrap around yourself several times and tie in any way you wish. The wrapover neckline is really flattering and I love how the wrap lets me adjust the fit so I can emphasise my waist! It's not the kind of thing I'd wear to a super high energy fitness class but it's great for gentle cardio, pilates, home workouts and would be just perfect for ballet or dance classes. I think it would also be great to put on over a vest top as a cover up for before and after your workout. Oh and let's not forget that it's made of SOM's wonderful Supplex fabric which is stretchy and soft and you can feel will wash perfecty and last you for a good few years.

If you fancy winning one of the wonderful tops for yourself in the colour and size of your choice just enter via the Rafflecopter below! The top is available in black, heather grey or plum and comes in sizes 14 to 28.

Good luck!


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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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The Best Ever Boots for My Curvy Calves

March 4, 2015, 10:00 pm
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One of the parts of my body that I really like is my calves, a bit odd I know but I think they're rather shapely with my wide calves and relatively svelt ankles. The downside to having volutuous calves is finding tall boots that accommodate them, a struggle I've had for some time. The standard experience is just not being able to pull up or zip up the top or being able to pull them up but them being so tight that they slip down or are so tight when I sit that I lose feeling in my feet. I also find that any boots I do find that fit relatively well aren't exactly a style that I love and are usually made out of not so great faux leather, as if it's assumed that as chubby legged birds either don't deserve decent leather or can't afford it. Well now I am really pleased that I can share with you all a stunning high end pair from a Holland based brand called Jilsen who have been making wide calf boots since 2005.

The style I'm wearing here are called the Evita* and I can honestly say I don't think my tootsies have ever been treated as well as when they're in these boots. You can tell as soon as you open the box that this is a special bit of footwear, the smell of leather hits your nose and at the first touch the calf leather is so soft and smooth. I don't think we plus size ladies have enough opportunities to own really special high end pieces of clothing and footwear so when I slipped these on and effortlessly zipped them up to the top before looking in the mirror and admiring their gorgeous design and fit I was pretty ecstatic. The heel is the perfect height for me and there's room for socks to keep my toes even toastier - I wear a size 7 in wide fit styles and an 8 in standard foot widths, these are a size 7. I love the gold buckle and d-ring detailing - I'm a gold girl most of the time so pleasingly these babies will go with most of my jewellery too! I think this style is really versatile, great with jeans or with dresses and skirts, easily dressed up or down. A perfect all rounder, but an all rounder of exceptional quality.

All of Jilsen's wide calf boots are available in three calf widths, 44cm, 48cm or 52cm. There's a size calculator here on the website so you can easily decide which to go for - I went for the 52cm and they are the perfect fit. The Evita's I'm wearing here are priced at £195.78 but are currently on sale (along with lots of other pairs) for £138.25. I've spoken before about how I'm happy to spend a larger amount of money on something like a good pair of boots if I know they're going to last me for a few years and get me through a horrible English winter and this is no exception - these boots are beautiful and so well made and I know they will last me a good long while. Knowing our English summers I'm sure they'll get a good bit of wear over the next few months too... Shipping and returns are free which is a nice bonus too.


Look out tomorrow for a full outfit post wearing these boots!

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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I just wanna break the rules

March 5, 2015, 10:00 pm
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No-one is going to be surprised that I have this dress. It's a well known fact that black and white stripes are my jam, so obviously this baby went straight into my wardrobe. My reasoning for the purchase was that I could wear it when we go to Alcatraz in May when we're in SF, but I knew it was really to fuel my stripe obsession. 

Obsession aside this is a lovely dress, made of nice stretchy scuba fabric that holds its shape and emphasises the lovely pleats at the waist. The short sleeves and cute and I love the high neckline as it means I can wear a multitude of necklaces to break up the bold pattern. As all skater dresses are I feel this is a little too short for me to happily wear with just tight or bare legs but unless you're 5'7''/5'8'' ish like me you should be just fine, and I'm happy to wear leggings underneath. As for the fit I think the sizing is true, but you may wish to size up if you have a bigger bust than little old me.

I adore how this dress looks on its own but I also wanted to show how versatile and smart a striped piece can look, that this print isn't just for carnivals and teenage goth girls like some may think. I simply threw a black crepe blazer over the top and the outfit was immediately transformed into a tres chic ensemble more than suitable for the office. If you're not a monochrome fan you can also add in any colour you fancy, it really is a very versatile piece. 

Another outfit proving that fat chicks can rock stripes just as well as anyone else - vive la stripe!

Black Crepe Jacket - Evans - £35.00
Necklace - H&M - £6.99
Handbag - Ted Baker - Sold Out


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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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I got that red lip classic thing that you like

March 8, 2015, 11:00 pm
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As soon as I saw this tee I knew I had to own it, it just feels so perfectly me. We all know I love red lipstick with an all encompassing passion but some of you may not know that sometimes I can be kinda clumsy. I have really bad balance (which my Pete thinks is hilarious and takes advantage of all the time...!) which is why I only ever wear chunky heels, I frazzle my fingertips on my curling wand way more than I should and I have a possibly deadly habit of accidentally cutting myself when I'm chopping veggies. I promise I'm a grown up, really! 

On another note, did you know that at H and M their size XL now equates to a 22-24 in their standard size range tops? I think this is fab, I used to always be bummed out about not fitting in lots of the standard range pieces. To be honest for the first time ever I'm really impressed with a lot of pieces in their plus range, this skirt being one of them. I've wanted a PU midi for so long but never made the jump, mainly because the ones I was looking at on ASOS were around £65, but this baby was only £24.99! What an absolute bargain! I will warn that the sizing is not very generous, I got an XL which should equate to a 22-24 which is my normal size but it was way too snug around the waist so I returned it for the next size up - I'd suggest you do the same if you order to make sure it's a comfy fit. It hangs beautifully though and the PU is really nice quality, lovely and soft!

As it was getting a bit brisk on the day I was wearing this outfit I grabbed the same Evans crepe jacket that I wore in my last outfit post to keep the chill off but despite the cold I couldn't resist wearing my fave platform sandals to echo the black faux leather look in the skirt and my Primark bargain clutch that was only £4!

Is PU a look that you love too?


Jersey Lipstick Print Tee - HandM - £7.99
PU Circular Skirt - HandM+ - £24.99
Black Crepe Jacket - Evans - £36.00
Black and Gold Clutch - Primark - £4.00 in store

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Budget Friendly Fashion with George - Outfit 1

March 10, 2015, 11:00 pm
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One thing that I feel I need to do more of on this blog is feature budget friendly pieces. I don't do it that much because in all honesty I buy investment pieces that I absolutely love rather than lots of cheaper pieces that I think are ok, but I know that I'm in a priviliged position being able to do that. That's why I was really pleased when I was contacted by the team at George to see if I wanted to try out some pieces from their new SS15 collections, so this week I'm going to be posting some budget friendly outfits featuring pieces from George! The outfit I chose here uses pieces from their Limoncello collection - I tried to pick some pieces that wouldn't be my normal choices and I really love how this outsit came out. The video below about how to wear botanical prints really made my mind up on the trousers and I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone to try them - plus they're only £10!


So the trousers, I adore the moody floral print with the charcoal grey and black and I was really pleased that the ankles weren't too baggy for me, a problem I encounter very often with trousers and jeans. They're made from a stretchy fabric so they're really comfortable and the waistband was both fairly high and not too tight, again adding to the comfort factor. I threw on an oversized black top that hit me mid thigh to elongate my figure and my fave black chunky sandals to keep my base palette dark so the acid yellow jacket would pop even more.

Before I made my hair colour more silver I'm not sure I could have gotten away with the colour of this jacket but I think it works wonderfully now, letting the yellow take centre stage. Naturally I added a little sparkle with this gold gem necklace but I also like how it breaks up the look of the long black tee. The fit of the jacket is a little oversized and boxy, not a style that I'd usually pick but I feel it really works here. I love the textured crepe like fabric that it's made from and the zips are the perfect finishing touch keeping it contemporary. Unfortunately the jacket appears to be sold out but below I've linked to a duster coat in the same wonderful colour.

Acid Yellow Jacket - George at Asda - £18.00* (sold out but here's a duster in the same colour)
Floral Plus Size Trousers - George at Asda - £10.00*
Oversized Black Top - Evans - Old (similar style here)
Wide Fit Chunky Heel Sandals - New Look - £24.99
Silver Oval Crystal Necklace - Dorothy Perkins - £8.50



So what do you think of my first budget buys outfit?

To keep up to date with my future posts and other adventures just follow me on
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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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