Simplybe AW14 Collection

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the AW14 press day for Simplybe. Despite having been in attendance a short while back I wanted to hold off making my AW14 posts until mid summer. While the temperatures are starting to make the switch and the sun is going in that little bit earlier I thought now would be a good time to show some of you what you can expect to see from the brand.

Treated to a series of sweet drinks and gorgeous cakes myself and the other bloggers spoke about the pieces that caught our eyes, what we really wanted to try and the bits that seemed to be pushing expectations.

Despite the fact that autumn and winter has us reaching for our darker and more conservative clothing. Simplybe have decided to give us quite a splash of colour to compliment the darker choices and I have to say what I have seen are some really funky, on trend and interesting looks that will suit all occasions.

Check out these looks from their look book:

As you can see; this peak at some of the collection shows us a lot of different pieces and I already have my eye on a several of them. 

This jacket is something I will most definitely want to pick up:

All in all I had a great time with the girls and the collection looks amazing, so I look forward to seeing many of you sporting the various different looks over the next few months. Until then I shall enjoy another cuppa (unfortunately not one like this)....

Bright And Bold!

I really think it’s important to find a style that suits you and makes you feel fabulous. When it comes to fashion and trying to find your own look I think it’s important to play around with different looks. A friend of mine once spoke about how she felt when she was shopping for her wedding dress and she told me that she was advised to try on absolutely everything in the store. She had previously walked into the boutique expecting to wear a long and slender gown, in the end she opted for a poofy dress that  looked absolutely amazing on her! So it goes to show you; when it comes to fashion we need to adopt the mindset that we used to have as kids when we were playing dress up, try everything! The thing to remember is that you won’t know how it will turn out or if you will like what you see unless you experiment.

A little over a year ago I had just started to discover my favourite fashion styles. I knew what colours I liked to wear and what I felt comfortable in. Since starting my blog I have made it my mission to push my style vocabulary more so and be as edgy as possible. I really enjoy having a wardrobe that is full of classy and chic items, comfortable and safe looks and more edgy options. I think it’s good to have clothes that can fit any possible event or occasion. I used to hate buying clothes with a searing passion! The only shopping trips I enjoyed were for music related items or pretty much anything other than clothes.

As some of you may know from previously viewing my blog I am keen on sheer materials and pleather at the moment. I thought that to pair this tartan print shirt and pleather skirt from Simplybe would be a fun look. For me I like items that are versatile. I wanted to have an outfit that was fun, popped and could be worn both at work or in a more fun setting. Since coming into the plus size community I constantly see pictures and articles about how “fat” women are supposed to dress and I’ll be honest with you, I don’t see why everyone is so concerned about how other people dress. We are told to follow a series of rules when it comes to our attire and I seem to keep breaking them, and I'm having fun doing it...

I thought I would be a little more girly with this look so I pulled out my black heels and thought that tights would fare better with the style. The loose fit shirt is actually a pretty decent length and is one that I have worn with jeans and leggings also. For me though I quite like to tuck tops into my skater skirts. I find that the outfit is the bit more together and structured and when I put certain items together they sit better on my frame that way.

I thought to finish off the look I would keep it simple. As the shirt is so bright I wanted simple silver accessories this time around. Of course my signature hoop earrings made an appearance, as well as simple silver bracelets. I really enjoyed wearing these items together despite the fact that they are rather loud and made me stand out a fair bit. I was a little out of my comfort zone but in a good way and I definitely felt good for having pushed my personal limits once again.

Remember whatever you wear, do it with a smile! 

No More Burn, Fighting Chub Rub - A Vevina Review

When it comes to the summer we are faced with many fun and exciting prospects such as amazing days out, fabulous nights on the town, holidays, warm sunshine and amazing music is usually there to set the scene. Having said all of that one thing that many of us worry about (especially anyone who’s thighs touch) is that dreaded chub rub!

I spent years avoiding skirts and dresses purely because the mere thought of the sore and awkward rash would be enough to stop me wearing some of the things I like. I was recently contacted by Vevina and asked if I would like to trial their anti chafe cream. Anything that could possibly soothe me during the warm weather or prevent any soreness when wearing skirts and dresses is something I would welcome trying. In all honesty I can wear skirts and things in the colder months without as much of a problem but I still prefer to use something for comfort as a preventative measure.

When I first tried out the cream I was at home just milling around the house and I didn't find it very effective. I assumed that perhaps it didn't do much for me in working with my body type. I have to say I was wrong about this observation. When I went out the other day in one of my favourite vintage numbers I tried the cream again; this time using a fair amount of the lotion and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the hot temperatures and thick humid weather I was able to go about my day having done a lot of walking in the sunshine and I felt protected.

I have previously used a heavy amount of talcum powder and even roll on deodorant when wearing skirts to prevent chub rub. Whilst these measures have been effective they haven't always been practical. The small 30ml tube is a perfect solution to slip into my make-up bag just in case a second application is required. 

What can be annoying is the fact that what works for one person may not work for another. Often lotions and creams can be be successful depending on your skin type and how much friction you have in the relevant areas. Some people have a heavy amount of sweat and so would need to reapply creams and and some would be fine with a single application.

There are many different areas on our body where chaffing can prove to be a problem and so Vevina have come up with this clear guide on where those might be and where you application might sooth the burning and sore areas:

If you have tried various things and want to give this cream a try click here for information on how to order some for yourself.

Golden Delicious!

I used to be scared of wearing clothes that glistened and sparkled. I think it comes down to that ever long list of rules that we plus size people are supposed adhere to when dressing ourselves. The thing is it feels good to wear something pretty that blings and that's how I feel about this gorgeous Gold Baroque Peplum Top from Pink Clove. I think it's always a good idea to have something in the wardrobe that be worn both casually and dressy and this item most definitely can feature well in the two styles. 

I really like the way that this top feels against the skin, the soft velvety texture makes this one a good choice for pretty much any season. I know that I will be wearing this one in the colder months too and quite possibly on a night out for drinks with friends or something. I have this one in a size 24 which gives me more than enough boob room and it doesn't cling to my upper arms either (which is always a plus point!). There is a fair amount of stretch in this one but depending on your dimensions you may want to up or downsize if you have a slightly larger bust or belly. I didn't want to have to wear any shapewear or anything with this one and as the material has that sheen to it I thought it best to go a little looser on the fit.

I was aiming for a sleek and casual look when I put this outfit together so I decided to pair this top with a simple pair of dark washed Demin Jeggings from Yours Clothing. For me it's important not to compromise on comfort when I pick my outfits so I like things to often be a little loose in areas especially in the bum and tummy areas. I am wearing a size 26 which is a size up for me when it comes to yours leggings. I think a bigger size can often look better with clothes that either have a thick or elasticated waist band that sits at the waist, as they don't cling to the unwanted areas which can result in bulging. 

I thought I would keep it simple when it came to completing the look so I pulled out a classic pair of black heels, my trusted twisted gold hoop earrings and my lovely necklace. Sometimes your clothes are statement pieces that will be the focal point to an outfit and I found that the Pink Clove Peplum top is one of those items so I thought it best to keep everything else simple.

Remember whatever you wear, feel fabulous in it and KEEP SMILING! 

Liberate Your Style Challenge (Part 2) - A Fashion World Review

When I was recently contacted by Fashion world offering me the chance to put together a look from their Joe Browns range there were several items that really caught my eye in the collection. As some of you know I really enjoy experimenting with different styles of clothing and seeing what works for me in different scenarios. I think when it comes to how we dress ourselves, one of the things we all have in common is the need to have a simple by cute look that allows us to play around with those staple items in our closet.

I absolutely love jeans and I enjoy wearing them. For me jeans are one of those items that can either be really fun and dressy or just a comfortable item that we can throw on during those fast paced days when you just need something that will work with whatever events the day may bring.

As a long time lover of all things paisley, when I saw the light blue jeans with paisley print I just had to have them. I think my long history with hair scarves and bandanas is what started this mild obsession but I'm happy to say this is one of the few style trends from my teens that I still hold as an adult! Usually I get to wear them with vintage styles but what's nice is the fact that I can also wear one of my white or blue ones with these jeans if I want to really want to make a thing of the classic pattern in an outfit.

When it comes to jeans I will be honest my size heavily changes from brand to brand. I can wear anything from a size 22-26 so when it came to picking these ones I knew I wanted a fair bit of extra wiggle room in the tummy and thigh area. I picked these up in a size 28. I will be honest they are pretty loose on me and I don't actually have to unzip or unbutton them to get them on. Having said all of that I actually like the oversized feel of this pair, I can pretty much do whatever and feel comfortable. I do however wear a belt with these ones for security purposes lol.

I decided to pair these jeans with an old top from Simplybe. The netted material is really comfortable and works really well with a causal look. With accessories I paired the jeans with the studded boots also from the Joe Browns Collection. I tend to wear flats and balerina pumps with my day to day clothes but since getting these boots they have worked well with many of my outfits and they are so comfortable! I got them at an 8E so there is plenty of extra room which is useful if you want to wear a thick pair of socks for comfort. 

I thought I would keep it simple and work with the blue tones in the jeans for additional pieces in my outfit. I thought this cute bag and cuff from Primark would fare well and some old bracelets I have had for years that I found lying around in my jewellery box. 

I'm pretty sure that these were a popluar choice with shoppers on the site aswell as many of the other items in the collection so make sure to take a look. There are some really nice bits available at the moment.

Studded Glory

Many of you lovely ladies will have the exact same issue as me when it comes to selecting an outfit...sometimes you just don't know what to wear! Now I'm not limited for options but we all have those days when we have some great single items but struggle to pair them with anything...

Those of you who are familiar with my blog will know that I like to play around with different types of clothes and have a variety of styles in my wardrobe. Many people have a select style that they love and they stick with it. I think it's cool to have a niche that's your own. In my case I simply have fun experimenting. I like to be ready for anything so I may have some gorgeous dresses and gowns on one side of my wardrobe and some edgy causal bits on the other. Having said all of that I am the kind of person that likes my creature comforts so when something works for me I stick with it! When I picked up the gorgeous tartan skater dress from Pink Clove last year it was an item that I really enjoyed wearing, still do. The look and fit of the item was right up my street so is it really any surprise that I picked up the bottom half of the dress, the single skater skirt?!

The length of the skirt and the fit was something that was a huge draw to me when it came to the dress; but because of the fit in the bust area it wouldn't really be an item you could throw a top over to switch it up, so the skirt on it's own made for a fun piece. 

As a lover of oversized sheer shirts I thought it would be cool to wear this studded one with cami from a previous collection at Marisota. Items with little accents tend to really catch my attention and I have always had a thing for studs on bags and clothes. As I was wearing black tights and black shoes to work with the skirt I decided to tuck in the skirt to make it the focal piece in the outfit. A sharp burst of colour is always fun with a predominantly black ensemble. 

With this look I was going for a rock chick look. I thought I would use the studs on the shirt as a way to pull accessories. I love silver accents and I tend to wear more silver jewellery than anything else so it's no surprise that my signature hoop earrings were included in the look as well as my loop chain necklace.

Often the little things in a single item of clothing can inspire an entire outfit. It could be a splash of colour somewhere, an adornment or the fabric. Whatever you decide to do when putting together a outfit have fun, play around and try things out. You may just surprise yourself. 

Going Bare In The Sun!

Summer is here and despite the odd rain shower we've had, this one is set to be a mega hot one! With all that in mind it's no surprise that we're reaching for our shorts, dresses and maxi skirts...

This year I have decided that on my quest to push my confidence and embrace myself further, I would be brave and head out without any coverage of my arms. For those of you who are new to my blog; my arms are my problem area (lord knows we all have one) I have always felt more at ease without them on show. Having said that I've started to get to the point where I'm not sacrificing my comfort in order to cloak myself. I used to wear boleros, jackets and shrugs in the blazing hot sun and would put a brave face on the situation and pretend I was absolutely fine when in truth; I would be on a constant search for the nearest store to relieve myself in the heat by reaching for the nearest cold drink!

I won't pretend that it's easy for me to ditch my usual cover ups though, I still feel more comfortable with them but I am doing what I can to just face those little fears head on and not let my personal hang ups ruin my day. As I recently mentioned, pushing my limits is helping me to gain more self confidence.

It's no secret that I really like animal prints in clothing and so I just had to have this amazing maxi shirt from Primark size 20. Unfortunately this is from a previous season but there may be something similar coming in stores soon. Keep you eyes peeled you never know what you can find in Primark. 

I thought it would be cool to pair this with a simple black cami from New Look Inspire size 20. I think sometimes being comfortable can still make for a cool outfit. I didn't want to go overboard with accessories either so I thought I'd pair this look with my twisted gold hoop earrings, lovely necklace and simple ballerina shoes. I'll most definitely be wearing looks like this one over the next few weeks. Not only is it a seasonal style, it'd lend itself well to days out on the beach or relaxed walks in the summer sunshine.

Have a look through your wardrobe and see what you may have in there. You'll be surprised what you have that might just be suited to this hot weather. Whatever you decide to wear have fun with it and play around I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results. 

Keep smiling!