Luscious Lexi - An Elomi Review

Hi everyone I hope all is well and I hope you had an amazing Christmas with the people you love. The past couple of weeks has been crazy for me with long and tiresome work demands and the run-up to the holidays. I'm sorry things have been quiet here on the blog recently. I have some cool looks to share with you and some interesting developments which are happening with the blog behind the scenes, all will be revealed soon.

I was recently sent the most gorgeous lingerie set to review, the lovely team over at Bras and Honey sent me the gorgeous Elomi Lexi; I have to say as this is my first time wearing Elomi Lingerie I was really impressed with the quality of the fabric, the fit and the comfort in the set. 

Set modelled by Denise Bidot For Elomi

What first caught my eye about this set was the interesting print. It reminded me of a pine cone with a slight leopard print feel. The lace topped cups also add a little sexiness to the set. The available sizes in this range are M-4XL (Knickers) and bra sizes  34G-HH, 36-42D-HH, 44D-G and 46 D-DD. I find that when you wear sexy underwear you tend to have a different level of confidence when doing your daily routine. Even though no one can see your undergarments beneath your clothes the extra confidence boost can really help throughout the day. 

I got this set in 40HH bra and size 4XL knickers, I could have gone for a 3XL in the knickers but as this was the first Elomi set I was trying I thought it best to go for the 4XL just in case. I have to say that often when I get a new bra set it can feel uncomfortable the first couple of times I wear it, with this set I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable I felt. The silky soft fabric feels so light and smooth against the skin and my breasts felt secure and supported. 

Stock Image Courtesy Of Elomi

A nice thick back band  makes for a really easy wear with 3 different hook and eye clasps. The thick straps sit nicely against the shoulders and have a soft stretch material which doesn't dig into the skin. I was really surprised about the lace detail on the bra and knickers, the stretch lace looks amazing on and is really soft to the touch. Most lace additions for lingerie carry little or no stretch so this was really nice inclusion not only on the style but the fit. As we women come in so many different variations with shape and size it's nice to see some of the brands really thinking about the smaller details when designing their garments. 

I have worn this set a few times since receiving it and I should note that after several washes the colour is retained with no fading or bobbling of the fabric. I recently previewed the up and coming spring and summer range for Elomi Lingerie at a press event and this set was showcased with the same print but in blue with pink detail it looked amazing! I shall be keeping my eye open for this when it comes out. 

If you would like to try out a set of Elomi Lingerie check out these amazing sites:

Bras And Honey and Elomi.

Gold Dust - The Perfect Duster Jacket - A Boohoo Review

This year a huge fashion item has been the duster jacket. Tons of brands have had these available in an assortment of colour and print variations, different fabrics and interesting cuts. When it comes to my jackets and coats I like to select items that I can picture wearing with existing items in my wardrobe. A few weeks ago I had a bit of a shopping haul on Boohoo, they had an amazing offer which took 20% off all of the items in the plus range. I had been looking for a duster jacket that would act as a staple and work with many of my favourite items. I like wearing shrugs, boleros and cool jackets as my cover ups and when I saw the Natasha Checked Duster Jacket it had to be mine! 

The interesting pattern reminded me of a top that I have from Lane Bryant. As I have been able to work that into several different looks I knew this would be the same. The length of the garment matches loads of my bodycon and t-shirt dresses and the simple black and white colour makes this an adaptable item that works with pretty much anything. 

I picked this up in a size 24. I always buy my jackets and coats in a larger size so that they hang nicely with the clothes underneath. The 3 quarter length sleeves are a really nice touch especially if this is worn with a dress or short sleeved top. Short lapels and no pockets make this one a really nice cover up.

I paired this with the Cream Contrast Powerfit dress (size 22) by Scarlett & Jo. Check out my full review of my favourite bodycon dress that I have in 5 colours! All Scarlett & Jo Items can be purchased from Evans. Unfortunately the Powerfit dress isn't available at the moment but stay tuned as there are some gorgeous new lines from the brand! 

When putting this look together I was thinking about the amazing events that are happening this time of year. Christmas dinners, drinks, new years celebrations and I wanted a casual/sexy outfit that had that little something extra and showcased my curves in an understated yet chic way.

I decided to keep this look very simple with my usual makeup of black winged eye liner, mascara, brows and foundation. Accessories I kept to a minimum wearing only a pair of twisted hoop earrings and a black diamonte heart pendant. I finished up the look with some black platform heels and I was set. 

Wearing this jacket as part of a monochrome look really works but if you wanted a shock of colour you could pair it with black or white skinny jeans and then a coloured top. I would tend to gravitate towards something blue personally but any would work. Alternately fun statement jewellery or coloured acrylic accessories would look really cool. 

This Jacket is still available from Boohoo in sizes 16-24 so if you like it and want to try it out it's just been reduced in price and is only £25! 

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Inbetween The Red And Black - An Ann Harvey Review!

*This Dress Was A Gifted Item

When it comes to looking good we all have an idea of what makes us not only look good, but feel amazing too. I dress according to my mood and sometimes I wanna get dolled up and seriously girly. When it comes to appropriate work wear I tend to gravitate towards nice blouses and trousers or smart and sophisticated dresses. As I work in a showroom my style has to be appropriate yet smart. I like to still bring a little of my personal style to my work look.

Recently I was contacted by Bonmarche and they gave me the chance to review a dress from their current Ann Harvey collection. I took a look at the collection and was most drawn to the Baroque Print Dress. The intricate pattern of red and black swirls really caught my eye. The colours were nice and rich and the wrap style of the dress was a shape I knew I could pull off. I liked the length of the dress stopping just at the knee and the short sleeves. This to looked like a really nice piece to just hug the curves in the right places and hang nice and loosely in the areas where you want more room. 

I got this dress in a size 22 and the fit is really comfortable. I should note that I do wear this dress with shapewear as the fabric can cling a little to your behind and stomach. If like me you have a large bust this dress will showcase a generous amount of cleavage. I pin down one of the panels to reduce the amount of cleavage shown. If I am to wear this dress out for a dinner or something I most likely won't pin it as I feel comfortable with my cleavage exposed but for work I will continue to pin it to make it a more appropriate piece for the work environment. 

I really like the fit of the dress as the under lining it a really lightweight material that is silky soft to the skin. This also helps the top layer of fabric stay in place. Some dresses are known to shift upwards at times and can rise at the back or around the knees. This dress is a comfortable piece that you can wear without having to be concentrated on keeping the hem line in it's rightful position.

There is a slight gathering under the bust line which serves as a built in cinch and is held in place by a metallic buckle. If you have a larger bust like I do then the buckle may shift in place; it didn't bother me though as it's such a small detail which is really comfortable and doesn't dig into the skin.

I paired the dress with my Legroom boots from Fashion World. As I spent a lot of my day on my feet I tend to reach for flat footwear more than heels although a pair of nice black or red patent shoes would go really nicely with this dress if I was wearing this for a dinner engagement. I kept my jewellery to a minimum wearing only my hoop earrings and a black diamonte pendant necklace, both from Primark. 

Sometimes I like to keep things simple and not wear too many accessories with my clothes. I think that it's nice to let the clothes do the talking and keep the adornments to a minimum. 

If you like the look of this dress and want to pick it up yourself or you would like to see the rest of the Ann Harvey collection at Bonmarche click here.

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Mixing It Up - Casual, Sexy, Oversized And Skinny!

This year my style has once again expanded. Last year was all about pushing myself out of my comfort zone and doing things that would lead me to open my eyes and try new things. The past few months I have been drawn to items for practicality and style. I have considered more where I might wear certain things. I have been playing around a lot with clothes that have interesting cuts and shapes. One of the things I have enjoyed doing lately is wearing fitted items with oversized ones. I really like the contrast of doing this and the overall look that's achieved. 

When I play around with items that are mixed fit I tend to want simple colours especially if there is a bold or brashy print in the outfit. With this look I paired a sleeveless graphic tee (Size 22/24) with a metal stretch cinch belt from Lane Bryant. The stretch material of the tee is extremely comfortable and moulds really nicely to by bust. The looseness of the neckline provides a slightly ruffled look which gives the overall tee a really nice shape. I have always been a fan of cinch belts and I tend to wear them more with bodycon and vintage dresses but everyone now and again I find a way to bring them in to a more casual outfit. 

 I knew I wanted to pair the top and belt with some pants so I went for the Black Ultra Stretch Skinny Jeans from Evans (Size 28s). Jeans can be tough to get right for me because of the fact that I have a belly and a large behind, because of this I tend to wear different size jeans in all brands and often have to try out loads of them until I find something that looks OK. I tend to have troubles getting jeans that fit well on the leg and that fasten comfortably around the belly. Often the legs are too baggy and aren't so flattering. I should state that these jeans are AMAZING! The material is supper stretchy and they mould to the leg showcasing its curvature. Anyone who has had their eye on these I would recommend buying a pair, you won't be disappointed. 

To finish off this look I wanted an oversized jacket or cover up so I went for the Black Knitted Long Length Cardigan from Yours Clothing (Size 26/28). I tend to wear size 22 clothes when I buy from Yours but as I have large arms in order to have an oversized look I often have to up-size by a size or 2. I really like the length of this one and the way it compliments the rest of the outfit. You can't go wrong with an item like this; it serves as a great staple piece which can work with countless outfits. Lightweight and warm this one works really well this time of year.

A simple black clutch, black ballerina pumps and minimal jewellery were my final additions with my signature hoop earrings and my Crystal Detail Stack Ring. This winter I am really into my hats and so again my Beret from Simplybe was also a must have item in this look. I find that hats not only give an outfit a different feel but serve as an amazing safety tool when you are suffering from a bad hair day!

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Metallic Magic! A Boohoo Plus Review

This time of year everyone is feeling really festive enjoying the seasonal events and treats that come with. Winter Wonderland, fancy dinner parties and loads of cocktails. I think this time of year people make that extra effort with their sense of style. They want to look the part and are more than ready to be showered in sequins and sparkles and I can totally see why. Christmas lights are up, Santa's grotto is in almost every major department store and with all of this comes the need for the perfect outfit. 

I enjoy wearing a little bling every now and then. I find that if you want a more relaxed look without the need for many accessories; metallic fabrics or sequins can do all of the work for you. Boohoo recently had an amazing offer on their plus size collection with 20% discount on everything so of course I had to take advantage of the situation! To be honest it was hard for me to make a selection because I liked nearly everything in the collection! This is never the case when I'm online shopping but this time I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The Kelly Metallic Oversized T-shirt Dress caught my eye as soon as I saw it. I really liked the quilted effect of the fabric and the colour. I don't tend to wear much gold jewellery so I figure this dress more than makes up for that fact! 

I absolutely love the fit of the dress as it skims your frame perfectly and it moulds nicely to my bust and my behind. I should note that I'm not wearing any form of shapewear in these pictures as I wanted to have a more comfortable, relaxed fit but I may wear some the next time I take this dress for a spin as it can cling a little to my belly. This isn't an issue or anything I think it would just look a little better if I were to wear this out to a club or something. The length is really nice; stopping just above the knee. I got this one in a size 24. With a fabric like this one 96% Polyester and 4% Elastane it feels nice and lightweight on and has plenty of room. I decided to pair this dress with a pair of shiny black leggings. As I have a rather large behind I have to be careful with some dresses because the fabric would be likely to slide up at the back exposing my undergarments. For this time of year with the cold really coming in I wanted the extra coverage anyway.

I really like the ruffled detail on the sleeves and by the hemline of the dress. It gives the garment a little more structure to the shape and actually helps it to sit in the right places. For me one of the main draws with this dress is the colour. Even though it is gold there is a slight silver finish to the piece which makes the dress look different shades depending on the lighting. I really like the way it looks against my skin tone. I feel that this is definitely a piece that can be worn both casually and dressy and I will most likely be wearing this at a dinner or over some Christmas cocktails. 

I feel like a real diva in this dress. Even though the shape is simple the fabric and the shimmer it has makes me feel really sexy despite the fact that none of my assets are exposed. I guess this is one of those less is more kind of outfits. I decided to finish this look off with a simple leopard print clutch, black heels and my signature hoop earrings. 

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Curvy Connect Magazine And My Vintage Winter Style!

Hey everyone I hope you're all doing well and getting into the Christmas Spirit. For me this is a really busy time of the year with work and the countless birthday and Christmas engagements I'm required to attend. Despite being all over the place at the moment I received a message that really took me by surprise. Recently I was contacted by a lovely woman named Jennifer Amoako who just so happens to be the editor of an amazing online publication called Curvy Connect Magazine. Jennifer had seen some of my pictures on social media and mentioned that she liked my look and style. She thought I should should submit some images of some of my favourite winter looks to hopefully make the cut for the current issue of the magazine.

Curvy Connect is a magazine that speaks to curvy and plus size people and their admirers. Fashion, beauty and style trends are a heavy focus in the publication along with some really interesting articles and features. I submitted 3 different looks to Jennifer and awaited a response from the Curvy Connect team to see if any of my images made the cut. I was so excited to learn that they had selected an image of me in one of my favourite vintage looks to feature in their Winter: City Chic issue. 

This Is the Image that is featured in the Winter: City Chic issue of Curvy Connect Magazine.

Many of you may have read my previous reviews of the 2 main items in this look the gorgeous Faye Dress and Blue Dietrich Trench Coat; both from Collectif Clothing. My affection for vintage fashion stems from the fact that so many of the old Hollywood stars we know and love sported the fashion and many of them made the trends so popular that we still wear them today. Admittedly many of the items in my closet are vintage inspired and not original vintage items but that's actually the thing I like about it. Being a plus size woman and actually having the choice to wear a variety of looks and styles is such a blessing to me. It really wasn't that long ago when women like me were thirsty for variety in our wardrobes and the chance to look sexy and chic in our clothes. 

The thing I love the most about vintage clothing is the way that super feminine and sexy outfits are packed with class, fun and sophistication. I always feel my best when I wear these sorts of outfits and the compliments are never few and far between. It's great that some of the outfits I have are worn by women size 6-22. Even though we all put our own spin on the looks and we all have different shapes I can honestly say I haven't seen a single woman in these items who doesn't look good! 

This time of year the use of warm tights and petticoats is a must with vintage clothing because of the cold. Everyone wants to wear darker colours and heavier fabrics so when I was thinking about what looks I could pull for my Curvy Connect submission the Faye Dress was a must! The fact that the dress comes with built in petticoats makes it a comfortable and warm one that doesn't feel like you are wearing countless layers. For me this kind of dress works as a multi purpose dress. If you want to wear a cute party dress this is perfect, the flower accents and sweetheart neckline make for a really fun look. If you wanted to dress down a bit and wear it as more of a casual number then a cardigan, jacket or bolero might be a nice option. 

When I first saw the Blue Dietrich tench it was an item I had to have in my wardrobe! The length was the first thing that caught my attention, I loved how every vintage swing dress of mine was just the right length for the jacket. The pale shade of blue and grey is one that works with many of my outfits and that was a huge draw for me. 

As I have a thing for hats at the moment I wanted to wear my faux fur beret with this look. There is a heavy chill in the air at the moment here in London and even though we have the odd ray of winter sun I like to do whatever I can to feel warm this time of year. My signature hoop earrings were a must for this look as well as my favourite black heels and the addition of a black diamonte heart pendant. 

Check out Curvy Connect Magazine and subscribe to check out future issues. You may see some familiar faces with some of your favourite bloggers and fashionistas and you will most definitely see some new ones. 

Remember what ever you wear, feel fabulous in it and wear it with a smile!

Release The Hounds - A Lane Bryant Review

When it comes to jackets there are a lot of things I look at when picking out an item. I like items that work with other bits in my wardrobe. I think about the clothes I currently have and how I might style the new piece with them. I like jackets that I wear as a simple cover up and often these are the focal point to my look. I gravitate towards interesting adornments or features in a jacket and if those aren't the things catching my eye it tends to be the colour or print. I have always liked items that can remain in your wardrobe and aren't necessarily what's "in" at the moment. Unfortunately I don't have the kind of bank balance that allows me to dispose of items just because they are not in season. To be honest with you I wouldn't want that anyway. I love the feeling of buying a new outfit and being absolutely in love with it, so much so that to part with it would be a challenge! 

I have made no secret about my love of things that are classic and vintage. Polka dots, pleats and prints. This year I have worn a fair amount of items which have a houndstooth print. When I saw this gorgeous Moto Jacket from Lane Bryant I absolutely fell in love with it! This was something I knew I could wear with many of my clothes both in and out of the office. I loved that for such a sophisticated item it came with a casual twist. Under the arms at the waist line of the jacket there is a thick black panel which accentuates the shape in the waist and is a nice way to break up the print. The zip fastening takes the jacket up and across the chest in a diagonal style and provides a really nice coverage. I have worn this item at work almost in the form of a blazer with smart black trousers, a camisole and heels. For office wear it makes for a really practical and comfortable piece. 

I got this in a size 24 which leaves me plenty of boob room and allows me to fasten it completely with a sweater underneath. Despite the fact that this feels quite light weight on it is still quite warm so if like me you prefer to wear thinner layers this one will provide great coverage and warmth. The lining is really silky to the touch and makes for a really comfortable jacket. 

With this outfit in particular Hanna and I were on afternoon walk looking for cool spots to take some pictures for our blogs and we came across this really cute street nearby where all the houses were painted in beautiful pastel colours. It's nice when see things like that close to where you live. Especially as London can be quite colourless in places.

With this outfit I was feeling quite casual and seeing as there was a little winter sun I thought I'd take advantage of the situation and wear one of my favourite summer dresses. The cold shoulder dress from Boohoo has made for a pretty cool staple piece that I was able to use in various looks. I wanted something loose fitting and oversized so I got this one in a size 24. The weather wasn't quite warm enough for tights so I opted for a simple pair of black leggings. I wanted a little extra bling for this look to accent the classic print in the jacket so my Legroom boots from Fashion World were a must! 

For my jewellery I opted for some items from Primark; the necklace earrings and ring. I couldn't resit wearing my houndstooth satchel with this outfit either. It just seemed like the perfect bag for this look. I know it's houndstooth overload but I just couldn't resist. You may have also noticed recently that I'm pretty into my hats at the moment, especially berets so I opted for my old favourite from Simplybe. 

If you like the look of the jacket or have something similar please send me some pictures, I'd love to see how you styled the item and what you did with it. This is most definitely one of those items I will hold onto for a while and it will most definitely appear in some other looks of mine. Don't be afraid to change a perceived look, play around with your clothes. Some causal bits can be made more dressy and some more sophisticated items can be taken down a more causal route. Have fun with your outfits and try out different things. 

       Remember what ever you wear, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!

Strictly For The Office - A Junarose Review

Recently I was at an event for Junarose and MSSVG. We were being shown the spring and summer range for next year. I have to say you are all in for a treat. There were some gorgeous new lines coming to suit all styles and shapes and I already have my eye on a gorgeous beach wear item so fingers crossed I'll be able to pick that up when the time comes. 

While I was there I was lucky enough to try out some of the current lines in the collection. I really like items that aren't what they appear to be. This 3/4 mini dress looks like 2 separates when worn. The skirt of the dress cuts across the knee and the top half of the dress cuts short at the waist. I really liked how this one looked on and I knew it would be a good addition to my wardrobe and perfect to wear at the office. 

I like the simplicity of this dress, the colour is a rich and warm one which is great for this time of year and actually compliments a lot of my accessories and make up colours. When you want something that is practical and comfortable but also flexible you look for items like this one, at least I do. I like the fact that this is something that can be worn as a single item or with a little added flavour. This time of year the cold can be rather harsh and the last thing you want is to be bogged down with layers that you don't need. As much as I love a good bodycon dress it's nice to not need spanx or shapewear, especially when the outfit in question was bought for the office. I really wanted this dress to hang as loosely as possibly on my frame. When you have a large bust it can sometimes be an issue when clothes hang incorrectly against your frame or cling too much in areas. I picked this one up in a XXL to give myself a little extra wiggle room. A smaller size would have fit me fine but it would have been more fitted.  

I really like the detail at the back of the dress. The fabric from the front drapes behind your back leaving a V cut shape. I like that it adds something a little different to an otherwise simple dress.

I decided to pair this with a simple pair of black high waisted leather-look leggings from New Look Inspire. Those of you who know my blog will know that I like pairing leggings with dresses. Not only are they extremely comfortable and easy to work with they don't bunch up in areas the way that tights can. 

If you haven't noticed already I have a thing for hats at the moment especially berets so I thought my old black beret from Simplybe would be a nice addition to the look. To finish up I pulled on my favourite black pair of heels and  floral statement necklace from Primark. For that final bit of bling I wore the crystal stack ring from Evans. 

I will most definitely be looking for more looks that are stylish and sophisticated and perfectly suited to the office. The key is to feel good and look good in what you're wearing. I have some more office looks to come very soon so stay tuned! 

Remember what ever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!

Blue Magic - A Lane Bryant Review

I love being able to blend work wear into my casual style. We can't all afford to have totally separate wardrobes for day wear and night attire. These days I tend to be all over the place a meeting here, a dinner there. It's not often that I have the chance to go home and change from location number one before I'm required at location two. For me the busy schedules and numerous commitments can make styling your looks be somewhat of a challenge sometimes. I work in a customer facing role where how you present yourself can be just as important as how you present the products you're selling. Luckily in my case I am able to incorporate my wardrobe into my work life making it easier when shopping and selecting my outfits in the morning.

I have said many times on this blog how much I love the colour blue and that whenever I see anything in the colour I'm instantly drawn to it. When I first saw this Embellished Button Back Tee from Lane Bryant it was a must have item for me! This was something I knew I could wear to work at the office and still add a casual twist to the look to make it wearable at any time. Despite the fact that blue is my favourite; I definitely don't own enough items in the colour so when I do see one I like it's always a positive thing for me. 

The Tee has a black panel at the back and small buttons all the way down the back. With a lightweight feel I have worn this top with a pencil skirt at work, jeans and leggings. The short sleeves make this one I like to match with jackets. Seeing as it's getting colder by the day the extra coverage is more than welcome in my case. 

I took these pictures on a pretty weird London day. With the constant stop-start game the clouds were playing making it rain every other hour it was hard to know what to wear. I decided that even though I had an umbrella to hand I would wear a hat so as not to get the front of my hair wet. I pulled out an old sequin beret that I bought from Primark years ago and the colour was just right to compliment the tee. A simple black pair of leggings was my next choice. To finish off the look I pulled on my PU Biker Jacket from Yours Clothing and slipped on my Shawberry Boots from Hotter. After adding my mandatory hoop earrings and necklace I was ready and set. 

When I was going through the pictures for this post I got to think about what we mean when we call something a staple piece of clothing. Some people would refer to a staple item as something basic that we all own like plain black top or something like that. For me a staple piece of clothing is an item that I can incorporate into a series of outfits and even wear across different styles. This Lane Bryant Tee for me is one of those items not only because of the colour but because of the cut and fit. The material makes this one hang nicely against your frame. The sheer material is really soft against the skin and doesn't cling tightly in any area. I got this one in a size 22/24 which for me worked out really well due to the buttons at the back. A smaller size most definitely would have fit but one or two of the buttons may have gaped ever so slightly. If like me you have think about the size of your bust or if you have any back fat then you might want to up size in this one. 

You know what I always say, go through your wardrobe! Pull things out, see what items work together either through colours, prints and fabrics and see if you can get at least 2 different looks out of some of your clothes. This will not only give you more outfits to play with on a smaller budget you'll also get a proper wear out of your clothes. In my case I like to have items I can wear either across seasons or items that look stylish and chic both during the day and night. You might find some cool combinations that you hadn't thought of previously.

Remember what ever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!