LFW Day 3 outfit

This weekend we saw the fashion elite descend on London and unless you've been living under a rock; you will have noticed it was London Fashion Week. I was lucky enough to attend a show on day three and spent some time people watching in Somerset House. I tell you what ladies, something inside me has been ignited. I have always loved fashion and followed trends, been interested in emerging designers etc but this was the first time I was able to be part of it and I am going to make sure that this is the first of many! I know everyone else who attends gets to go to lots of different shows and they know all the inside secrets and they are well versed in the ways of LFW but for me this was my first time and now I've had a taste of it... I just want more and more!

I attended the Derek Lawlor for Ethologie show in ME London and it was incredible. I've known Derek for a long time and it is always a pleasure to see his intricate knit designs and to see how his work progresses each year. He is such a humble chap and his work is so impressive - check out his work here and pics from his show can be found on his Instagram/Facebook accounts.

WHAT I WORE

The 70s trend for AW15 is going to be huge and it has already started to appear in stores. There was a lot of 70s inspired shows this year - my favourite being Burberry's AW show. I decided I wanted to wear a 70s style outfit and I started to build my outfit around this incredible anorak from H&M. A note about the sizing of this jacket - I am wearing a UK14 and as you know I am a UK20 so this proves you should try on things, regardless of what the label says! I love the thick scuba material and the bold tobacco colour. I attached a pink faux fur stole to it and something I love about the 70s trend is the fact that pairing colours like orange, brown and pink somehow looks amazing.
You'll notice from my pics that I'm wearing a polo neck. Many of you are probably shaking your head and saying "You shouldn't wear polo necks as they aren't flattering"...well as I've mentioned before, I don't always dress to flatter my figure, you don't need to either and as long as you like something and feel good in it; you should wear it! This navy polo neck is from Marks and Spencers and I am glad I decided to try this style because I think it complimented the 70s vibe perfectly.
My skirt is from the Look Magazine range for Simply Be and I've worn it so many times since getting it last year. I love how the colours match the anorak perfectly and I picked up the blue in the skirt by wearing 'Malibu' by Barry M on my nails. My necklace is a mega old ASOS jobby and it was great to wear it again. Suede is a key fabric for this era and the thought of wearing a jacket or skirt might seem a little daunting so I introduced it into my outfit via my roll top clutch bag.
My orange ring is from Topshop, the small semi precious stone ring is also from Topshop and so are my boots which are sadly out of stock now and finally, my lippy is from MAC and the shade is called Chili.

Photographs by David Connolley 

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

That Day | New Plus Size Brand

If you're like me, you like to have options and thankfully the amount of plus size brands available to us are increasing constantly and I am excited to introduce you to a beautiful new brand called That Day - available to buy at Evans.

Their first collection has a mix of modern and vintage styles and includes floaty dresses, longline shirts and tops. The prints and colour palette of their first drop are perfect for this time of year and it's really nice to have another brand to stalk when I'm on the Evans website!

When an email popped up in my inbox offering me the chance to review some items I couldn't say no. I love being able to show you guys what's available and to show you new brands. They sent me three gorgeous pieces and the way they packaged them up really impressed me. I love when a brand take the effort to wrap things up beautifully and it made opening the parcel even more exciting!

Last week I spent the day with my Family, including my new teeny tiny niece, Eloise (omgggg she's SO amazing) and I chose to wear the gorgeous mustard dress. I sized up one size to a 22 and I would recommend you do the same if you like the dress. I am a massive fan of the sleeves - such a nice touch and something a little different. My Mum said it reminded her of a baby pink dress she had back in the 70s that had the same sleeves.
Mustard and grey is one of my favourite colour combinations and I knew I would be cold if I wore the dress on it's own so I paired it with my *grey eyelash knitted cardigan from Yours Clothing. That cardie is so good, it's like I'm permanently being cuddled when I wear it.

What do you think of my furry clutch bag, guys? I spotted another one on ASOS a while back but when I saw this cheaper one from New Look I had to snap it up. My black boots are from Topshop and I am wearing them constantly at the moment. I generally like to wear shoes that have heels on them and the heel on these isn't high so you can wear them all day and your feet don't hurt. My tights are old ones from Autograph at M&S and are a lovely Aubergine colour.

Well ladies, I hope you all take a look at what That Day have to offer, let me know what you think and I will be back soon to show you the other two styles I have hanging waiting for me in the wardrobe.

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

70s

I thought todays outfit had a little bit of a 70s vibe about it, what do you think? I love the dusty pink, maroon and blue and it's not normally a combination I find myself wearing. I felt really quite feminine in this outfit and I think thats due to the longer skirt hemline and the pointed boots.

I picked this rather excellent coat up whilst I was in Primark, it was on sale and available in a variety of colours and I was torn between the lilac one and this one - I chose the pink in the end as I feel it'll go with more of my other clothes. I sized down as it comes up quite big and I could actually do with the sleeves being a little shorter. I tend to always struggle with that, always hoinking them up to my elbows as I tend to feel swamped by jackets if the sleeves are too long. The skirt is magical. I bought it a while back from the Look Magazine collaboration with Simply Be and it was the brush stroke print and combination of colours that pulled me in. I bought my standard size and I'm happy with the fit. I thought the fabric would be a bit thicker than it is, it feels a little flimsy but I like the length and the fact it has pockets for you to stash your hands away in. My booties, although new haven't been off my feet since I got them! They aren't wide fit just in case you struggle with the fit of shoes. Jewellery wise, I kept it simple with my art deco inspired necklace from my fave brand Galibardy. I have such a weakness for allllll of their pieces and they are at the top of my hit list when I am after a statement necklace - you must check them out guys! You can't really see from my photos but I'm wearing maroon coloured tights from M&S which are old but I think they still sell similar ones now.

Heres a little head shot to show you my makeup. I'm really digging this new peachy blusher I've been wearing a lot recently (Warm Soul by MAC) and I am also wearing a new lippy. This one is no.49 Rouge Pur Couture by YSL and it is mega bright, a lot brighter in real life. I love it and it's nice to have a different pink in my collection as I was always wearing my Chanel one.

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

Black, red & leopard print... these are a few of my favourite things

I love to be experimental when it comes to my outfit posts but every now and then I just like to wear a combination of colours, prints and fabrics that I know will work and I know I will feel good in.

I've been going out a lot recently and struggling to find appropriate outfits to wear... seems strange considering I have a million and one items of clothing right? Well I was having a hunt around in my wardrobe and stashed away at the back was this *PU dress from Simply Be. I was gifted this dress back in the summer and I remember picking it and thinking how happy I would be to pull it out when the weather turned. I was right as I was very happy indeed to find it! I sized up a few sizes as I thought it would be a bit snug and I love the fit of it. I like that it doesn't cling and it'll be one of those dresses that I know I can wear when I want to look fancy but I don't want to put it all on show!

The jacket is so Pat Butcher - she's definitely one of my style and jewellery icons. I bought it from New Look last year, from their main range and I didn't really get a chance to wear it so I'm so happy that it's cold enough to wear it now. The Vivienne Westwood bag is a beautiful gift from my parents and I'm always so paranoid I loose it on a night out, after having too many shandies. I tend to only take it out when I know it'll be a nice classy affair! I bought these little booties last weekend with my Mum and they are mega comfy. They are the same shape as my beloved black and gold studded boots and I have worn them to death so I imagine these will get a lot of wear!

 As I mentioned in my previous post, I am trying to be a bit more adventurous with my makeup and leave my bright pink blusher in the makeup drawer. I'm wearing 'Warm Soul' by MAC on my cheeks and a new lippy from diego dalla palma which is available in Marks and Spencers. It is from their matte range, it's no. 149 and I have wanted a red like this for ages. It's such a rich colour, really pigmented, stays on for ages and it doesn't bleed outside the lip line. Bingo, the perfect red for this time of year.

SHOP MY LOOK 

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

Tartan + Knitwear

I've not worn a white shirt/jumper combo since last year but boy does it feel good to be reunited. Such a good pairing. I reckon I look quite officey today and I quite like it!

The kind folk at New Look got in touch recently and asked if there was anything from their Inspire range that I'd like to review. I was sent some fabulous things and thought I'd show you some of them today. Starting with this *tartan skirt - an autumn winter staple I say. It's a thick jersey material but watch out as it doesn't have heaps of stretch so bare that in mind if you decide to buy one. I chose my normal size though and it fits really well. I also chose this *long sleeved shirt, I sized up a size as shirts tend to gape open because of my ample bosom and I like the fit across my chest and the length but the arms are slightly too long for me. I've combated this problem by rolling them up which I actually naturally do to most long sleeve items I wear.

The jumper is a mega old New Look one but I've posted some others below so you can replicate this look if you so wish! The silver heels are also from New Look and are those wide fit ones I've been harping on about in literally all of my recent outfit posts - they are mega comfy, I promise you. The bag is from H&M last year but my *necklace is from Topshop and was kindly gifted to me by Impulse Loves PR.

SHOP MY LOOK

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

*denotes a gifted item 

View Post

B&W

It was one of those days where I stared at my wardrobe and I felt like I didn't have anything to wear. Odd, I know... I have lots of clothes but I just didn't feel very inspired. I knew I had to get creative and I began to piece together some of my favourites and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

I put my *waffle pencil skirt from Simply Be with my all time favourite lace bomber jacket which was from H&M and a simple black mesh T-shirt from George at Asda and carried on the monochrome theme with my Top shop necklace and high heeled plimsols from Office. The only colour in the outfit came from my hot pink bag from Topshop, which is a few years old now and my go-to Chanel lippy in 'La Diva'.

I spent the day at a George at Asda Xmas Press day followed by a Barry M beauty event and I felt comfortable yet stylish whilst I darted round town. I also got to hang out with my babe Callie which always puts a smile on my face. God we love a good natter haha! If you like it, you can buy Callies dress from Forever21+.

SHOP MY LOOK

*Denotes a gifted item 

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

How I'd style...

Week four of my How I'd Style feature and I'm focusing on these grey sweat pants from Zizzi which you can buy from Navabi. Bex, one of my Instagram followers contacted me and told me:

"I love the whole sports luxe trend that is about at the moment and love these tracksuit bottoms but I'm worried I would look too sloppy in them and I'd look like I was in pjs. Is there a way to make them more glam?"

What do we think of this combo then? I reckon there is a good balance of glam and casual here. This is the type of outfit I'd love to wear on a Sunday if I was catching up with my girls or doing a bit of retail therapy. Stylish Sundays are the best! I would tuck the front of the jumper in to the sweat pants and I really love the mesh panels on the sleeve. I've actually got this jumper and can't wait to wear it - for an accident prone person, I keep buying white things...is this wise haha?

Bex, I hope you like this outfit and I have given you some food for thought.

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

How I'd style...

Here we are again ladies, another week and another How I'd Style... post. This week the focus is on this striped dress from Forever21+. I bought this dress a few weeks back which prompted one of my readers to also buy the dress. Kara sent me the link to the dress and said:

"The dress I bought after I saw your blog. I haven't been really able to wear dresses for the past 2 years as I gained so much weight and felt too self conscious. I want to stop hiding behind jeans and dress in what I want and look good"

Let me just start off by saying that you can wear dresses at any size and shouldn't be put off by them. I live in dresses as they actually make me feel more feminine then trousers do. This dress is a really good length as it isn't too short but if you have problems getting your legs out, you could wear this with leggings and it would still look great. I've styled it with blue, tan and orange accessories - I love pairing stripes with orange and tan. I could have gone down the nautical (red, white and blue) route but I thought that seemed a little too obvious. I did pay homage to the trend though by using a bag that has rope handles. You can click on every other image and it'll take you to the correct website, except the bag which can be found here.

Slick on some orange lippy and wear with navy nails and you're good to go!

What do you think? How would you have styled this dress?

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post

I'm a sucker for scuba

So the problem with blogging is that you are constantly subjected to seeing your other blogging pals wearing cute things that you end up lusting after and the skirt I wore this weekend was one of those items!

Hanna has been wearing this skirt recently and it didn't take me long to drop it into my online shopping basket. It suits her so much and I like how she styles it with her crop tops and bombers. I too am a fan of crops and bombers and knew I would have lots in my wardrobe to pair with it. As Hanna mentions in here posts, this skirt is from ASOS main range and it comes up huge!!! I ordered a size 16 and could have got a 14. I normally wear a UK20 so as you can see this skirt has a lot of stretch in it and it's so comfortable round the waist. It's a thick scuba material and I like the tiered effect that the seams give this skirt. I am still getting used to getting my legs out and had a fake tan disaster on friday so I wore leggings with this outfit but I think I will try get my legs out in it next time as it is a good length and covers my knees which I am not a huge fan of.

The palm tree top is a lovely *New Look Inspire jobby and it's a goodun. A bit more dressy than a jersey tee and a really nice fit. It has little cap sleeves and a black trim that runs around the collar, sleeves and hem. Check it out here. It was nice and warm in London this weekend but I took my all time fave lace bomber with me to throw on later in the day. I have had this jacket for about 6 years and it's one of my most loved items. It was from H&M when they had a special Divided Black collection. I once lost it in a warehouse party and was devastated but luckily it was found and returned to me! My bag is from Topshop last summer but they always have nice bags so you should defo check them out. The necklace is from Galibardy and the high heeled brogues are from Office and are super old and bashed up. I love them though - so comfy.

Have a banging week chaps.

Be sure to follow me over on my:
Twitter / Blog Lovin / Pinterest / Instagram / Tumblr

View Post