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Hayley Hasslehoff for Yours Clothing - My day as part of the Yours team!

June 18, 2014, 4:30 pm
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A picture of Hayley Hasslehoff modelling for Yours Clothing

Well I'm sure by now you will have seen the fabulous photos from the new Yours Clothing campaign with the stunning Hayley Hasslehoff, there was a fantastic buzz yesterday about the first look at the photos in the Daily Mail Online's first look article. I was actually lucky enough to be there for the shoot, helping the Yours team as best I could and I must say I had a wonderful day, it was so interesting to see how a professional photo shoot is conducted and naturally I just adored being surrounded by pretty clothes all day!

It was an early start, I hopped on the train and stole a few extra minutes sleep before arriving at St Pancras and making my way over to Kings Cross to meet the lovely Yours team of Jacqs, Laura and Charlotte. In a cab we jumped and raced through town to Shoreditch where we went seeking a cup of coffee to wake us all up before heading to the studio. Here are some photos I took throughout the day, there are a lot there sorry! There was so much to photograph my battery died before the shoot was even finished!

A picture of details at Tuckshop at White Rabbit Studios

As you can see the space we were shooting in was fabulous, there were so many different textures and areas to shoot it really was a photographer's dream. It was also a Nancy's dream - I could have moved in then and there! I've always had a fancy for open plan living in a factory development like this, I just love mixing glamorous vintage pieces with industrial urban spaces and I could picture this loft filled with my vintage trinkets and our chesterfield sofa's very nicely!

First job when we arrived was to unpack all the clothes and organise them into the different stories or themes we had for the day. Once this was done we were on to steaming the pieces so they were all wrinkle free and ready to photograph - I'd love a steamer like this at home I'd never have to iron again! Hayley arrived while we were getting things ready and went straight in to hair and make-up after saying hello to everyone - she was wearing the most amazing black floaty outfit and some killer heels, just as I had expected! 

I fell in love with so many of the pieces that were to be used, I couldn't stop ooing and aahing over everything as we unpacked it and had a mental shopping list as long as my arm by the end of the day. I surprised myself especially as I was really drawn to the two pairs of harem trousers that Hayley modelled. I'm not a trouser person as you may have noticed (all my posts involve skirts or dresses) but these were lovely and I could see myself wearing them and not looking too stumpy and childish as I feel I do in most trousers!


As soon as Hayley was ready the shoot began - I can honestly say I've never seen anyone who looked as perfect in every photo as she did. She was so professional and knew the best poses for her body so well, every picture was wonderful it must have been a hard task picking which ones to use. She was ever so nice too, bubbly and fun and she was so interested in the brand and excited about the campaign, it was lovely to see!

The photographer Dan Kennedy was just incredible too and definitely deserves the excellent reputation he has, when I looked at his website I couldn't believe the impressive list of celebrities he has shot in the past! He truly is an artist, I can't get over the incredible knowledge he has and how he manages to create such amazing photographs - Yours couldn't have picked a better person for the job!

A picture of Hayley Hasslehoff modelling for Yours Clothing

I had such an incredible day and I can't thank the Yours team enough for inviting me along. The girls were real gems and ever so kind and friendly, they definitely made the day for me. I had worried I would feel a bit awkward and like a third wheel at the shoot but the girls were so welcoming and Dan and the photography team were great fun.

Again I want to express how impressed I am with all the pieces featured in this campaign, and not only those but pretty much everything Yours have put out this year. They've definitely become much more fashion forward but have still kept up with their reputation for excellent fitting and flattering pieces and price points that don't break the bank. I highly recommend you take a look at the pieces Hayley modelled, if you're new to Yours you can get 15% off your first order if you sign up to the mailing list or if you're already a customer you can get free delivery this month by using the code 'JUNE'.

It's safe to say that Hayley isn't the only one that loves Yours, so do I!!!

Make sure you check back tomorrow when I'll be re-creating one of the outfits Hayley modelled!

A picture of Hayley Hasslehoff modelling for Yours Clothing and doing a hand heart shadow

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Hayley Hasslehoff for Yours Clothing - Recreate The Look

June 19, 2014, 8:00 pm
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Guys! I'm wearing trousers! For the first time EVER on the blog I'm wearing trousers! And guess what... I don't hate them!!! 

I chose to recreate this outfit of all the ones that I saw Hayley model not just because I wanted to try something different but because I was amazed at how much I loved this look - I'm not a trousers or jeans girl and I genuinely must only wear them about six times a year at most so this was a big thing for me! Perhaps the other reason I was such a big fan was because the way Hayley modelled it was with the top tucked in and we all know I'm a fan of a tucked in top to emphasise the waistline, too many plus size retailers only show long, loose tops over the top of leggings/jeggings/jeans and I know I can't be the only one who just isn't interested in that look.

This whole outfit, top, harem trousers and shoes clocked in at £59 altogether which is not too shabby if you ask me! I don't think I've pulled it off quite as well as Hayley mainly because I'm less gifted in the chest area so don't fill the top out quite as nicely, but I still really like the look and will definitely be wearing it out and about. I might just be ordering myself some more trousers from Yours soon too...!

 

Black And Ecru Print Harem Trouser - £22.00*
Black and Gold Gladiator Style Low Wedge Sandal (EEE Fit) - £22.00*

Don't forget you can get free delivery on orders over £40 this month with the code 'JUNE' or if you're a new customer and sign up to the mailing list you can get 15% off your first order!

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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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New Obsessions - Bait Footwear

June 23, 2014, 1:19 pm
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Seriously guys, how freakin' cute are these shoes? They're by a company called Bait Footwear and I first came across them while admiring Kate's lovely outfits at Scathingly Brilliant. They all look so comfy too and none of them have whingey thin heels so the risks of my going off balance and breaking my ankle are minimised - additional points for sure!

I absolutely adore the bright pink brogue-esque Ida's in the bottom left hand corner and know I'd get a lot of wear out of them but I think my favourite are the next ones along, the Ismay in pale blue. They're just so classic and elegant but incredibly adorable to boot! I know a lot of girls think there's no point in a heel that low but I just love them, they are so comfortable and you still get that satisfying bit of lift and I'm convinced I walk more gracefully with even the teeniest heel there.

Have you ever purchased some shoes from Bait? I'd love to see photos if you have, I'm planning on starting my collection very soon!
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ASOS Curve - Plus Size Summer Holiday Looks

June 23, 2014, 8:30 pm
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Well it's finally happened, I'm going on holiday somewhere hot for the first time since I was about six years old! I thought I was about eight last time I went abroad for a proper holiday but my mum corrected me and told me I was six which makes it much more scary haha! We're heading to a little Greek island in September and naturally that has caused me to peruse many a clothing site for some lovely new clothes to run (?!) around in on our not quite summer vacation! Here are my picks from ASOS Curve...

Midi Dresses // 1  -  2  -  3

Two Pieces // 1  -  2  -  3

Tops // 1  -  2  -  3

Midi Skirts // 1  -  2  -  3

Maxi Dresses // 1  -  2  -  3
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Recipe: Key Lime Pie with a Gingernut Crunch Crust and Sweetened Vanilla Whipped Cream

June 25, 2014, 12:55 am
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Key lime pie is one of my favourite puddings and something I can remember my mum making since I was a little kid. We always went by a recipe from an old Sainsbury's cookery book of American recipes, but the end results using that method was always a bit volatile as you added the lime juice to the condensed milk with a few other ingredients and just left it to chill to set. As you get different amounts of juice from different limes and it didn't give you a measurement of juice, just a number of limes to use, this meant that sometimes the citrus to other ingredients levels were off and it didn't set leaving you with a (still very delicious) but un-cuttable liquid pie. I was looking through some recipe books recently and came across a recipe for a baked version, so thought I'd give it a try!


Key Lime Pie with a Gingernut Crunch Crust and Sweetened Vanilla Whipped Cream
Serves 10-12 people

You'll need a loose bottomed tin for this recipe that's between 22-26cm in size (I used this one)

Pie Shell Ingredients
300g gingernut biscuits
150g butter, melted

Filling Ingredients
1 x 397g tin condensed milk
3 egg yolks
the zest and juice of 4 limes

Topping Ingredients
300ml double cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp icing sugar
decoration for the finished pie, if you wish

Method
Preheat the oven to 150C (fan) / 170C (normal). Lightly butter your tin - if you're using a non-stick tin like I did you won't need to do this - and set it aside.

Take the gingernut biscuits and whizz them in a food processor until they're in fine sand like crumbs with as few big chunks as possible - this can be done by putting them in a thick bag and bashing them with a rolling pin if you don't have a processor. Thoroughly mix in the melted butter and then press the mixture into your tin, making sure you go up the sides of the tin to create a lip to the pie shell and also making sure you haven't left and holes for the filling to seep through!

Pop the tin in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes, while it's cooking zest and juice your limes and set them aside. Remove the cooked pie shell from the oven after ten minutes and set it aside to cool while you make the filling.

Whisk the egg yolks for a minute or so, then add the condensed milk and whisk for 2-3 minutes until it has fully blended with the yolks. Add the zest and juice of the limes and whisk for another 3-4 minutes before pouring into your cooled pie shell.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at the same temperature then remove and leave to cool - the filling should be set kind of like a cheesecake. When the pie is cool pop it in the fridge and leave it for at least an hour to fully set.

When you're ready to serve whip up the double cream with the vanilla extract and icing sugar until it is a nice spreadable consistency, about soft peak stage, and then pile it onto your pie smoothing it down a little and then finishing with your decoration if you're using one. Now you're ready to serve!

Remember to store this pie in the fridge, covered, and eat within two days as it uses fresh cream!

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Comfort to The Maxi

June 26, 2014, 11:30 pm
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Sometimes, you need the perfect balance of comfortable and pretty. Not too jazzy but not too casual, not tight and restrictive but still feminine and easy to move about in. This dress from Yours hits all those nails on the head, taking tribal and neon trends and creating a striking and stylish maxi dress that could be worn for so many occasions. 

I've worn this so much since I got it, including to the Hayley Hasslehoff shoot and it was the perfect choice for the day, cool and comfy both for travelling in and for spending the day snapping backstage photos trying not to get in the way of the pros! I've had lots of compliments mainly because of the striking pattern, but I have to say my favourite thing is the silky smoothness of the fabric and how it hangs and flows when you move. It's lovely and cool in the heat too, so throw on some shades and catch a few admiring glances ladies!


Black Curved Hem Knitted Shrug - Yours Clothing - £16.50*
Studded Ankle Boots - Simply Be - £30.00 on sale

Have a lovely weekend everyone! Is anyone getting up to anything exciting?

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*This post contains items that were gifted to me. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
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Recipe - Asparagus, Garlic and Goats Cheese Spaghetti

June 29, 2014, 10:30 pm
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One of the things I love about my little town is that we're lucky enough to have not only a great market twice a week that sells fresh fruit and veg, seafood and meats but also a really great greengrocer shop called Fresh which is located about five minutes walk from my house. I don't go here all the time (laziness prevails, I love Ocado and not carrying heavy bags) but whenever I go into town I pop in to see if they've got something interesting to make a little lunch or dinner with that day and I always get my Boxing Day dinner veg from them on Christmas Eve morning.

Last weekend I'd very smartly bought some spaghetti for lunch but nothing to accompany it and so decided to see if anything jumped out at me while I was strolling through town, I headed into Fresh and immediately spotted a basket full of lovely Lincolnshire asparagus. Well that was a no brainer, Pete and I both love those tender green stems so a bunch went right into my basket along with a nice fat clove of garlic, I handed over my £1.80 and trotted off back home. Unfortunately when I got back I saw that all the parmesan was gone which I had been counting on for a bit of salty sourness, but thankfully I had a little log of goats cheese to crumble in. This was a really nice lunch and naturally could be easily transformed into a dinner either by upping the portion size or perhaps adding some grilled salmon or prawns or chicken. Or anything really. Just make this, cause it's really tasty. OK?


Asparagus, Garlic and Goats Cheese Spaghetti
Serves 2

Ingredients
200g spaghetti, linguine or any pasta you like really
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter, about 15g
bunch of asparagus, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
75g goats cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper

Method
Boil a big pot of water, dump in your pasta, give it a stir and set a timer for when you want to take it out depending how al dente you like it.
Heat the oil and butter together in a drying pan and add the asparagus, frying until tender and if you like as I do, a little charred. When just about done throw in the crushed garlic and season with a little salt, let this cook for about another minute and then take it off the heat.
Drain your pasta and throw in the cooked asparagus, mix through then crumble in the goats cheese before seasoning to your taste and stirring some more so the cheese melts a little.
Dish up and enjoy!
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The Plus Size High Street - Simply Be Leicester Highcross Store Review

June 30, 2014, 10:00 pm
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I don't know about you, but there was a time when I loathed clothes shopping that wasn't online. Going clothes shopping on the high street felt like self inflicted torture, dragging my butt into shop after shop finding only a couple that sold plus size clothes that were usually ugly and dowdy and ending up with bags full of accessories and jewellery because hey, you don't need to be the right clothes size to fit into most of that stuff right?

Well not anymore. One of my favourite things is now to head into my local city of Leicester for a good shopping session, and the first stop on my list? Simply Be! We're lucky enough to have a beautiful big store in the Highcross Shopping Centre and I cannot express how much I love it. As a plus size woman, being able to walk into a store and know that everything in there is available in a size that will fit you is just an amazing feeling and one that we are far too seldom given.


I was so pleased a few weeks ago to receive an email from Simply Be HQ asking me if I'd like to review the Leicester store, naturally I've been many times before but I just couldn't wait to have a little styling session and speak to the lovely ladies and gents that work in the store.

The store itself is big, bright and airy and is divided into two halves as it also stocks Jacamo for the man in your life! I really like the layout of the store, it's usually split into sections showcasing new in items or specific trends or seasonal items and then has swimwear, lingerie, accessories and footwear at the back of the store near the (amazing) changing rooms.

The selection of items is always great and covers all bases - casual, basics like plain tops, jeans and leggings, going out pieces, some formal wear... you're pretty much set for any occasion. And if there's something you're looking for and can't find it just ask one of the lovely members of staff! From my experience they're always really friendly and helpful and have excellent knowledge of the in store and online items so even if what you need isn't in store they'll be able to guide you to it online - there are even in store computers so you can place orders then and there!


When I arrived I met Sophia one of the store's stylists and she was just a doll. We started off having a wander around the store and chatting about the kind of things I was looking for - I'm off to a friend's wedding and on holiday soon so we decided to concentrate on wedding guest outfits and pieces that would be great for a sunny trip abroad.

Sophia walked me around showing me everything in store, picking out pieces in the colour palettes I said I liked and suggesting lots of lovely pieces including items I never would have picked myself - I find it all too easy to get stuck in my ways with what shapes and colours I go for so it was lovely to get someone else's perspective on what might suit me!


We headed into the changing rooms with a mountain of things for me to try on and got to work, Sophia stayed with my and I came out in each outfit - it's so useful having another set of eyes there to see from a different perspective so they can let you know how the fit is at the back or how the length suits you.

The changing rooms at Simply Be (as I've mentioned before in other posts) are my favourite - generously sizes and with a big mirror and a bench. There's also the 'magic mirror' but I won't spoil the surprise as to what that is, you'll have to take a trip to your nearest store and find out! There's always someone there ready to grab you another size or advise you on fit, not just if you're having a styling session, and there's even a till in there so if you try something on and decide to make a purchase you can do it then and there rather than have to join the queue in the main store - genius!

Here are a few of my favourite pieces that I tried on...


As you can see they had lots of the new season items in stock which I was very excited about! They have excellent stock rotation too - even on occasions when I've been in store twice in as many weeks there has always been new items I'd not seen the time before.

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to snap photos in everything I tried on, but I was pleased to find some new styles that I never would have thought suit me that actually do like shirt dresses and long blouses over leggings. I came home with three lovely new pieces to add to my wardrobe including the amazing tropical kimono jacket you can see above and two other pieces that I'll be featuring in outfit posts very soon!


There are now nine Simply Be stores across the UK (with a tenth London store opening soon!) in Bury, Derby, Doncaster, Gateshead, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester and Teeside - most stores offer a stylist service and bra fitting service too!

If you're near a store I highly recommend you head in, every time I do I come out feeling fabulous and it really has changed my mind about high street shopping having these stores around to shop in. Why not try it yourself, then maybe you'll start loving the high street too!

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Exercising in Comfort - Panache Sports Bra Review with My Curves and Me

July 1, 2014, 10:30 pm
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Exercise. This is something that I have to force myself to do. I don't really enjoy it but wish I did. I would love to be one of those people who adores being at the gym and that rush of endorphins, but I'd rather get that rush by having a tattoo or buying a particularly fabulous dress. That said, I do think exercise is important and a big part of having a healthy heart and so I do try to make myself do it.

One of the biggest downsides I have found and one of the main things that puts me off exercise is that I can never find comfortable clothing that I feel comfortable in, especially in the boob are. Sports bras have never been my friend, they've always made me feel self conscious as they squish me into odd shapes and I'm just not a fan of feeling so restricted despite knowing that this is what I need to stop the devilish boob-ache occurring when I'm on the treadmill or the cross trainer.

I was very excited when the lovely team at My Curves and Me emailed to ask if I would like to review a piece from the website. Although there were lots of pretty bras and undies available I decided to go more practical and try out the Panache Sports Bra* after hearing amazing things about it for so long.

I must admit I was a little daunted when it arrived as it looked pretty darn huge, but as I looked it over I got more and more impressed even before trying it on just by the amazing quality of the materials and the stitching and how well engineered it seemed. I tried it on and immediately knew that the search for a great sports bra was over.

Finally there is a sports bra that doesn't squish your chest into an odd shape, keeping you looking nice and rounded while feeling supportive but not too restrictive. The comfort is amazing and it is obvious that this aspect has been very well thought out - there is padding over the wires to prevent irritation and the straps are wide and also a little padded so they don't cut into you, the stitching is also done very well and I didn't experience any rubbing as I have with others before. Another great design feature is that there are little clips on the bra straps at the back which mean you can turn this into a racer back if you wish which I think adds even more support and stability.

The Panache Sports Bra* is available at My Curves and Me for £35 and although this may seem a lot to some I really think it is worth every penny. If you are going to make a purchase I think that the sizing is bang on with this bra and so you should go for your normal size, but I have seen other reviews noting that some ladies have sized up or down in the back size depending on the fit they like. It's available in a range of colours and matching shorts are available too. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be adding the raspberry colourway to my bra draw very soon too...!

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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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Atelier Paris Rose Violet Lipstick Palette Review

July 2, 2014, 10:30 pm
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This palette is my current obsession. At the moment I just can't use anything else, I long for the beautiful pale pinks, the bold fuschia and the simply perfect purpley plum. In my eyes the summer is made for pinks - pink cheeks, pink lips, pink nails, pink dresses. Pete often says he thinks it's my ambition to look like a human marshmallow when the weather turns hot, and do you know what? I think he's right!

I was very kindly given this palette by a friend along with another in beautiful shades of reb, both by Atelier Paris. There are fourteen different lipstick palettes available and each contains four lipstick shades and one glittery gloss. You must be careful with the gloss, it is very soft which makes it wonderfully easy to apply but means you can get a little messy if you're a little haphazard taking it out of the pan. Usually I find it's a nightmare to get glosses from a flat pan so I actually really like the softer texture. 

The lipsticks are very highly pigmented and can be worn in a thin layer more like a lip stain or can be built up for a bolder effect. The textures are just wonderful and very rich, some more creamy and some more silky and I haven't experienced any feathering or bleeding from one yet - a very good and rare thing when moving into the darker shades.


Atelier Paris's lipstick palettes are priced at £25 each and are available online here.

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Modcloth Sale Picks

July 3, 2014, 10:30 pm
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Who doesn't love a good sale? As we're mid-season the world is awash with pretty discounted clothes, so you have to be wise with your picks. As I just bought a new car my pockets are a little light at the moment, but that sure doesn't stop me windowshopping, and this I've been doing just that at Modcloth the land of pretty kitschy frocks! Here are my favourites, all available in the plus size section up to size 4x...


1  -  2  -  3


4  -  5  - 6


7  -  8  - 9


10  -  11  -  12


13  -  14  -  15

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Panels of Perfection

July 6, 2014, 10:30 pm
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Words cannot express how much I love the midi skirt trend. I'm sure my friends are all tired of me banging on about how I want dresses and skirts that finish below the knee, but I just find them so much more flattering and they make me feel much more ladylike. I have four now in varying colours and patterns and I'm going to add more - they're just so versatile and perfect for hot weather cause you can just throw on some anti chub-rub shorts and off you go!

I grab this lovely number for just £11 in the ASOS sale - in fact, I've just realised that all of my flared midis are from ASOS! They have lots of lovely ones available at the moment, some of which I included in a wish list a few weeks ago. I think my next purchase will be this silver metallic number!

The sheer tee I got last weekend while having a wander through Primark, it's a 20 which is my normal top size but as it's oversized I reckon you'd be fine if you were a 22 or maybe even a 24 if you have quite slim upper arms. It would also be lovely with a coloured vest underneath too or you could use it as a cover up on the beach - it will definitely be accompanying me on my holiday!

Sheer Floral Flocked Tee - Primark - £6.00
Black Cami Vest - Peacocks - £3.00
Colourblock Midi Skirt - ASOS Curve - £11.00 (on sale)
Gold Low Wedge Sandals (EEE Fit) - Yours Clothing - £22.00*
Watermelon Clutch - New Look - £9.99
Gold Geo Necklace - New Look - £5.00
Sunglasses - TK Maxx - £??? old!

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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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Sapphire skies of blue and nights alone with you... // Beautiful plus size rings from Harry Fay Jewellery

July 7, 2014, 10:30 pm
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I must admit that I've never been overly fussed about rings, that is until I found out about Harry Fay Jewellery. The thing is I think I had subconsciously not wanted to love rings because I always thought that nice ones would be very expensive and because I'd never really had luck finding ones that fit well when trying to buy them on the high street. As you can imagine knowing the above, I was very excited to be contacted by Harry Fay and asked if I would like to review a ring from their plus size collection but to be honest I was still thinking that nothing would really be to my tastes - but then I had a look at the collection and was really wowed! It wasn't just the gorgeous selection of styles available but the amazing prices that caught my attention - these beautiful rings start at just £20 with the most expensive at £48 and they are all just gorgeous.

As we all know I'm a fan of vintage glamour and decided to go for the very elegant Frea style. I had a hard choice trying to pick between the sapphire centred Frea (£40) or the Eri which is the same style but with a garnet centre (£23), finally deciding on the Frea* as the lovely blue sapphire will go with more of my wardrobe. I used the handy ring size guide from the website and decided I needed a size U and then waited patiently for my lovely new finger bling to arrive!

A few days later I was sat at work and a parcel was handed to me, so I unwrapped it and found inside a darling red, velvety heart shaped ring box. I opened it and couldn't help but gasp and show the girls around me - everyone agreed that it was absolutely stunning, the way the sapphire and cubic zirconias glistened even in the unnatural office lighting was just magical! It says on the website that each piece is created in the family studio and hand polished before it is shipped so you're in no doubt that the first peek upon opening the box will be super sparkly and impressive!

I gingerly took it from the box and slid it onto my finger and... it fit perfectly! That would be my main concern about ordering a ring online, but the size guide was great and best of all they offer a free and fast ring size exchange if you haven't picked the right one first time around - psst, if you're planning on proposing but don't know what size to get they even have a handy guide of sneaky ways to find out without ruining the surprise!

If you're in the market for something sparkly that is wonderful quality and doesn't cost the earth I would highly recommend Harry Fay, and they don't just offer rings there are some beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings and matching sets on offer too. But don't just take my word for it, one of their lovely rings was recently featured in the June edition of Vogue so don't be surprised if you hear about them from someone else soon too!


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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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Come and get a vintage hair style in lovely Matlock!

July 9, 2014, 12:00 am
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Hello darlings! I just wanted to let you know about a vintage fair I'll be working this month on the 19th in pretty Matlock, Derbyshire! The Vintage Suitcase fairs are always wonderful and packed full of amazing traders with beautiful goods for sale including clothes and accessories, homewares, crafts, beauty products and much more! It's only £1 entry and there are lots of other lovely shops in Matlock if you fancy making a day of it.

I'll be there doing vintage hair styling with my business Miss Whittington's Vintage Beauty Parlour. I have a few appointments left so if you'd like to snag one pop me an email at misswhittingtons@gmail.com or send me a Facebook message at this page and we'll sort something out! Here are a few example styles of my work from previous fairs...


I'm also running an offer for fellow bloggers! Pre-book with me including a link to your blog and receive a 25% discount on your style!

I hope I see some of you lovelies there!


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Spending Ban Wish List

July 9, 2014, 10:00 pm
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Well, I'm still trying not to spend any money but unfortunately it's not gone so well this last weekend. I really need to curb my spending for the rest of the month so I'm going to try and make wish lists of all the things I'm not allowed to buy and hope that helps me stay on track!!!

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Forever 21+

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Selfridges

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Anthropologie

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The Body Shop

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Dorothy Perkins

Have you found any pretty things to add to your wish list recently?

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Plus Size Wedding Guest Outfits - Lily Print Midi Dress from Yours Clothing

July 10, 2014, 10:00 pm
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Wedding season is upon us! Time for happiness, dancing, drinking and picking at fancy three course meals while chatting to perfect strangers and friends alike. Weddings are long, especially if you're there for the full day and not just the evening, so whatever outfit you choose it must be comfortable and please do resist wearing silly shoes that hurt your feet, however glamorous they may look. I always think a wedding guest should look elegant and fun but not overly fancy - we don't want to upstage the bride now do we? I've seen some terribly inappropriate wedding outfits in the past and I think if you follow the three C's of comfy, colourful and chic you will be just fine.

The first dress I wanted to feature in this series is a great example of how black doesn't have to be a dark look if you pick the right print. The lovely ivory lilies with their bright green leaves elevate this from a boring black dress to something much fancier - it's quite an unusual floral print at the moment I think, I can't recollect any other lily prints that I have seen recently. The fabric itself is smooth and light and soft and just wonderful, it hangs very elegantly and the pleats to the skirt are tres flattering to a larger tummy. The sheer top with little sleeves is a pretty touch too and would be best worn with a strapless bra really, however I detest them and just wore a normal one and don't think it looks atrocious, although a thinner strapped bra would probably be better.

While wedding guest dresses usually set you back by at least £50 this little number is a perfect steal at £35 and if you like the style but fancy a different print there are three others to also choose from. As the colours are on the monochrome side you could get away with lots of different accessory colours but I think I'd go for ivory or green to pick out the detail from the flowers. Red shoes, hat and lips would also look fabulous too though I think!


Lily Print Midi Dress with Mesh Panel - Yours Clothing - £35.00*
Black Suede Platform Heels - Clothing at Tesco - Old


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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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Plus Size Wedding Guest Outfits - Flower Print Prom Dress from Fashion World

July 13, 2014, 10:00 pm
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Sometimes, a dress comes along, and you feel like it was made for you. This is one of those dresses. The colour palette of pinks and purples standing out against the black background is exactly the kind of print I always gravitate towards as it's so eye catching and bold. It has a lovely v-neckline which is flattering to pretty much every figure, cute little capped sleeves and a pleated waistband that helps to define your figure. All those plus's aside, my favourite things is the built in underskirts - there are two, one of them being net, so it gives such a wonderful shape to the skirt of the dress.

I'd say this is pretty much a perfect wedding guest or occasion dress. There are so many shades of pink, purple and red in the print that you would have a really good range of options for shoe and bag colours and a hair piece would definitely look amazing with it! It may seem a bit of a splurge at £75, but the design of this dress is impeccable and the fabric is lovely and soft and thick.

Flower Print Prom Dress - Fashion World - £75*
Lace Bottom Cropped Leggings - Yours Clothing - £8
Fuschia Slipper Pumps - Primark - £4


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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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Creature Feature - My little bundle of joy, Cleo the Sphynx cat!

July 14, 2014, 10:00 pm
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One thing Pete and I decided a few years ago is that kids aren't for us. If I'm being completely honest I think we're both too selfish for it, we really enjoy the lifestyle we have now and are more interested in adventuring through life as a couple than as a family with kids in tow. Although we may not have a family in that sense, I feel like we already have a family unit as we have our lovely little kitty cat Cleo.


If you follow me on Instagram you have most likely seen photos and videos of my little bundle and noticed that she isn't like most cats. No indeedy. Cleo is a Sphynx cat, a breed that most people think is hairless but actually isn't - they have a thin layer of down and to me Cleo feels like very soft suede and sometimes velvet if it's got a little colder and she's grown a bit of a thicker coat. She has no whiskers (but she does have the little holes where they should be), bright yellow eyes and a very pink tummy and paws.


Unsurprisingly Sphynx's aren't just unusual in looks but quite different from regular cats in both behaviour and what you need to do to look after them. Most Sphynx's don't go outside (not least because they get sun burnt, seriously) and because of this I think, they are much more reliant on you and therefore are much more loving. I've seen them be called 'parrot cats' before and this name really rings true, Cleo often sits on my shoulder snuggled into my neck - this isn't as weird as it sounds, Sphynx's are usually a lot smaller than regular cats.


If you're thinking of getting a Sphynx yourself, you need to be prepared for some extra care that you need to give them. As they have very little fur there is nothing to absorb the oils from their skin, so you need to bathe your cat pretty regularly and in a gentle shampoo - Cleo has a bath once a week and I wash her with a soft sponge and some Johnson's baby, oh my is she soft when she's towelled off and dry! You also have to clean their ears as they tend to create more ear wax than regular cats, and clean their claws. I also clip Cleo's claws after each bath to make sure she isn't all sharp and ouchy - you need to as she is pretty much constantly on either my or Pete's laps/shoulders/head etc and as she is indoors we want to prevent anything getting scratched.


Another thing with our little one is that she has to be fed special food for sensitive stomachs. Unfortunately Cleo was very over-bred from much too young an age and this really messed up her insides so she gets really ill if she has anything but food that is gentle on her stomach. This is sadly quite a regular occurrence and Sphynx's are often bred out of greed rather than love as the pure breed kittens usually sell for £800-£1000 each. We adopted Cleo from a couple who had rescued her and her sister from a breeder who had gone senile and couldn't look after the cats any more, sadly her sister died of malnutrition but they managed to feed Cleo up a little. Unfortunately they had three big dogs who used to bat her around so they looked for someone to adopt her and luckily we saw the ad! We brought her back home from Doncaster and slowly fed her up to her proper weight, got her fixed so she didn't have to have any more litters and made sure she had a safe, loving home.

I'm so so glad we rescued her those four years ago, our lives definitely wouldn't be the same without her! To end, here's a little video of her exploring the garden in the sun from a few weeks ago...


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Man Time with Murdock London - My guy's favourite products and why I love them too!

July 15, 2014, 10:00 pm
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So this may seem a little unconventional, a lady post about the grooming products her guy uses, but hey I love the fact that my boyfriend cares about his appearance and likes to take care of himself. No offence but guys, if you use Lynx after age 18 and get your girl to pick up whatever shower gel and shaving cream is on offer at the supermarket you need to think about whether you should really be giving that man card back. There's nothing sexier than a man that can look after himself and I cannot explain how happy I am to see that caring about grooming, dress and appearance is coming back into vogue on the guy scene - although I must say if I see one more grown man wearing slip on shoes with no socks I will go AWOL. But I'm losing the point here...

As I said I love the fact that Pete is interested in looking after himself and to do that he uses various products from his favourite brand, Murdock London. I'm a big fan of all the products he uses too and so thought I'd share them on the blog giving both the male and female perspectives as to why they're so great! One of Pete's favourite things about Murdock is the smart, minimal and to the point styling and packaging of all the products. There's no fluff in the descriptions, they tell you what's in it, what it's for and where to use it and that's it.


First up let's talk about the Murdock London Beard Moisturiser (£24 for 150ml). I bought this for Pete last Christmas when I popped into their Liberty store as it had been high on his present list and it turned out to be one of the best gifts he got that year.

Pete says: The best thing about this beard moisturiser is how much fuller and tidier it makes your beard look, pulling in stray hairs and making it feel soft and conditioned. My biggest tip with this stuff is to apply when your beard is clean and very dry - have a shower, shampooing your beard of course, and then let it dry completely before applying a small amount of moisturiser and combing or brushing it through. If you use this stuff while your beard is still wet it makes it go kind of limp and it feels a little matted around the bottom.

Nancy says: I just love the mossy scent with a background hint of menthol, it's very subtle until you get right up close and then that lovely, ever so manly aroma gets you. Although it may seem pricey at £24 a bottle Pete is only just getting to the end of the bottle I bought him at Christmas and he uses it every day so I'd say it's actually pretty good value for money!


Next up we have the Murdock London Daily Lip Salve (£8 for 10ml) which was a very kind free gift when Pete made a big order a few months ago.

Pete says: Although I don't use this every day it's great when the weather is cold and my lips get dry, just one application sorts that right out. My favourite thing is that it's not too greasy feeling and doesn't go on too thick like a normal chap stick does. Menthol is the main scent that comes through.

Nancy says: This gives your man softer lips, what's not to like?


Now this was a little something Pete's parents got him for his birthday in February after hearing how much he'd like to try a Murdock scent, the Cologne Sample Set (£15 for six 2ml testers).

Pete says: This is such a great idea, especially if you're not London based so can't just head to a store to try each scent out. I knew I wanted to add a Murdock cologne to my selection and had tried to judge which would be my favourite from the descriptions online, but after trying them all out with the sample kit my two favourites were completely different to the ones I thought I'd go for. I gave each one a good test run at work and going out to see which I liked the most. Best of all, the set comes with a code for 20% off a full sized bottle.

Nancy says: This was such a great little birthday present and we both had fun deciding which were our favourites - thankfully we both liked the same two the best, then the tricky part was deciding which to buy in a full size bottle!


So, after much deliberation Pete decided to order the Murdock London Black Tea British Cologne (£70 for 100ml).

Pete says: I chose this because it was such a classic scent with just the right amount of spice to it, it wasn't too floral either which can be a turn off for me with some colognes. I'd be comfortable wearing this scent in any weather as it's fresh enough for Summer but warm enough with the peppery undertones for the Winter too.

Nancy says: This just makes me think of a smart, 1920's gentleman sitting in his club drinking tea on a hot Indian summer afternoon. Classic really is the word, with a spicy, herby, rich top note followed by a tobacco-esque undertone that you can't help but describe as 'manly'.

Pete also tried the Murdock London Cleansing Facial Wash (£24 for 150ml) which he really liked, you hardly needed any to get a good lather, the scent wasn't overpowering and it definitely made his skin less greasy. Another great product from Murdock!

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Summer Florals - A warm weather wish list!

July 16, 2014, 10:00 pm
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Well we all know that when the weather gets warmer the flowers come out, not just in our gardens but in all your favourite clothes shops! This year in particular the catwalks and therefore the high street was inundated with flowery patterns with the daisy being the top posy for 2014. I myself am not a fan of the daisy print thing, but boy can I get on board with a good pansy print or pastel extravaganza! Here are my picks of the fabulous florals that are on sale now...

 Boohoo Plus

Simply Be

ASOS Curve

Modcloth
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