Wrap It Up Differently!

When it comes to clothing there are many ways to make an item work for you. I am pretty frugal when it comes to fashion I don't like to overspend and like quality at a fair price. Having said all of that I will spend a little more for something I fall totally in love with or perhaps require for a special occasion. I have mentioned several times on the blog that I try to purchase items that can work with other items in my wardrobe. I find that you can create several outfits this way.

I purchased this blue wrap dress from Pink Clove right at the beginning of last year and it has fast become a favourite of mine. I have made no secret about the fact that my favourite colour is blue and so any chance I get to pick something up in any shade of the colour I do it! Electric blue and royal blue I find really look nice against my skin tone and the colour of this dress is a key reason I can't get enough of it! I'm wearing this in a size 22 and I really love that this can be worn in so many ways. It looks great with tights or bare legged. I also like that pretty much any form of footwear compliments it. 

I decided that I would create a whole new outfit with items currently in my wardrobe. This dress was the only colourful item I wanted to wear. I decided to pair this with my pleather fronted leggings from Miss Guided in size 24. Not only are these super comfortable but they are also really warm on cold days which is great for this time of year seeing as we still have some cold days. 

I like comfort when I dress and I much prefer nice long cardigans than thick coats so I thought that this long length cardigan would be great for coverage seeing as the dress only has three quarter length sleeves. As you can see from these pictures it had been raining in London when I wore this outfit so the chill was still very much in the air. This one is from Yours Clothing and I'm wearing a size 26/28. I love oversized cardigans, they're really comfortable and work with pretty much anything. 

Even though I love getting dolled up like most women sometimes I like to take my look down a notch and so I wanted a more casual feel to this look so I decided to wear my legroom chain boots. These are so comfortable and I can literally walk in them for hours, seeing that I was out and about I wanted practical footwear. These are from Fashion World and are currently reduced in price so if you are looking for a good pair of boots take a look at the website and see what else they have in the collection.

Something I ALWAYS do which you may have noticed is colour coordinate. I'm not sure if it's just me or part of my Caribbean heritage coming in (they take coordination to a whole other level and match everything down to the perfect shade and I mean the whole outfit!) but it's something I like to do to pull a look together. With this in mind I thought my gold plated cinch belt would compliment the chain detail in the boots and provide a little added glam to the look. With 99% of my outfits I like to wear hoop earrings. This is an accessory I have worn since I was a teenager and to be honest I love it just as much as I did back then. My twisted gold hoops were a must with this look. In keeping with this look my blue floral statement necklace was my final addition and I was set.

If I were wearing this outfit to a club or something I would ditch the cardi and the boots and put the outfit with some heels to take the style from casual to dressy. There are so many ways that you can play around with your look and style. As I always say you never know what you can put together until you give it a try. Take a look in your wardrobe and try on a bunch on stuff, you may surprised with what you find! If like me you are a frugal person and you really wanna get your monies worth it's a pretty fun experiment and can be an amazing way to hold on to some of your cash! 

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

Pastel Infusion - A Cut For Evans Review

One of the hardest things for me is finding ways to make simple casual styles fun and enjoyable to wear. I have a lot of fun getting all glammed up and I find that it's easier for me to have fun with glamours looks. I think that because I had previously spent years in simple jeans and uninspiring tops that when it comes to playing around with basics I can often fall back into old habits I have spent time trying to break. 

My old style consisted of mostly black clothes including  a lot of t-shirts, bootcut jeans and fairly boring items. Last year my mission was to fill my wardrobe with wild and garish prints, bright colours and interesting fabrics. The Cut For Evans range that launched early last year really intrigued me. Full of interesting neon tones, wild patterns and interesting cuts, I just had to grab an item from the collection and so I opted for the tube skirt in the collection. Check out how I styled it here. 

The second collection from the Cut range which launched at the end of the last year brought with it a very different style to the previous collection. This time a different design team and a different approach brought us a more subtle range which still held the edginess of the original Cut For Evans Collection. There was a large selection of items that still contained wild and interesting prints, interesting shapes and fun outer wear. 

At the launch event for the second collection I tried on several items and, one that most of the women were drooling over; myself included was the amazing Purple Digital Bomber Jacket! Bomber jackets are a really fun way of adding a large burst of colour or different dimension to complete an outfit. When I want to wear something that provides a decent amount of coverage but serves as part of the outfit I gravitate towards fun jackets and blazers.

The kaleidoscopic pattern with an infusion of purple and blue pastel colours seriously caught my attention. I love purples and blues as you all know and this piece serves as a funky and stylish casual item that can be dressed up or down. I picked up the jacket in a size 26. Despite being a soft and stretchy fabric, the upper arm area of the jacket has very little stretch so if like me you have large arms you may wish to size up for this one. I decided to wear this one with the indigo super stretch denim jeans, also available from Evans. In keeping with the pastel theme of the look I put these items together with a simple mesh tee from Primark and the main look was complete. 

Being that I have problematic hair I have built up quite a collection of hair scarves and bandanas for those dodgy hair days lol. When I found an old lilac bandana that I bought about a hundred years ago I was really happy to see that the shade matched the bomber perfectly! My signature hoop earrings are always a must and a simple drop necklace finished off the look. I really look forward to wearing this jacket with some of my spring and summer items. I love the colours and I just think that it can add that little colour that's lacking this time of year but be in keeping with the flowery tones that pop up during the warmer times of the year. 

This look sees me bringing elements of my old style together with key features that I now embrace in my new look. Those of you who are familiar with my blog will know that I love experimenting and playing around with some of the older items in my wardrobe. If you have that odd tee or jacket you really love have a play around with other items in the wardrobe and your accessory drawer. You'll be surprised what options you have and what cool looks you might come up with! 

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

Luxurious Lingerie! - A Plus Size Lingerie Boutique Review

*This item was gifted to me

P.S Sorry about the quality of the photo, lack of make up and the random plug socket on the floor.

It doesn't matter what your size, shape or age is, all women want and have the right to feel sexy when wearing lingerie. For years I have struggled to find flattering and comfortable lingerie that makes me feel like a million dollars. Recently I was contacted by the Plus Size Lingerie Boutique, this online store has an enormous variety of items to cater for whatever your lingerie needs might be! There's a selection of playful costumes, sweet sets, cute babydolls, hosiery, robes and pretty much everything else in-between.

In the past I had had trouble finding lingerie that not only fit me correctly, housed my breasts and made look sexy. Usually I would have to give up on the idea of owning nice pieces and so I relied very much on nice separates and sleek robes to give me that extra something I was looking for. When I'm looking for nice lingerie to wear I try to look for pieces that initially catch my attention it could be a nice lace detail or a striking colour. Once I have the look I want, I hope to find something that will give me the confidence that all of us women seek in the bedroom department. 

I selected the mesh babydoll to review, available in red or blue in sizes 1x-2x or 3x-4x. As blue is my favourite colour I of course went for that one and in size 3x-4x. As always when selecting underwear or clothing make sure to buy against your measurements so that you get the right size. This is especially import with this kind of item as the set comes with a thong and of course like all underwear the returns policies for such items are a lot tighter than with outer wear for hygiene reasons. 

The babydoll fit me like a glove and the soft chiffon material felt silky soft on the skin. I should note that in my pictures I am wearing this with a bra. Due to the size of my breasts unless a babydoll comes with under wired support which this doesn't I like to feel that extra support. The central panel in the babydoll helps to provide that hour glass illusion we all love and the buttons are just for detail. The blue trim at the hem of the double layered skirt is a really small but really nice detail. When I first tried this on one of the straps unclipped which I thought was quite an interesting detail. If you wear this one to sleep it will feel really comfortable on and provide a lot of wiggle room. If however you want to be more playful when wearing this, the fact that the straps can unclip may make things a little more fun!

I was very impressed with the style and quality of this babydoll and I would most definitely like to get my hands on another piece, maybe a costume or something for the next boudoir style shoot I do or just for fun.

If you feel like picking up something a little naughty and nice check out the site. A large selection of the garments are currently on sale so you can't go wrong. Pick up a bargain and add a little style to your bedroom attire.

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

Bringing Colour Into The Winter Wardrobe

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of the winter. I find that the weather is random and wild but we as people on appearance alone are the total opposite. We drape ourselves in lifeless, boring and uninspiring clothes limited to a variety of dark tones and we tend to replace style with comfort. The start of the year brings with it many changes and this is the time of the month when people are ready to ditch their new years resolutions and continue on with life as they had been. One thing that never changes with me is a need to bring a little colour to the season. I love the rich and warm tones that are around this time of year, deep greens, rich reds, crisp oranges and luscious blues.I get really frustrated at how the cold and dreary weather makes people feel that they shouldn't wear bright colours though. 

I love my black staple pieces and I will always have a large variety of black items in my wardrobe. Monochrome colours tend to work with pretty much anything and everything in the wardrobe so they make for a great staple colour to have. I like to switch things up a little by finding ways to wear some of my favourite items in a way that is comfortable and stylish this season. I recently went out in one of my favourite bodycon dresses from Pink Clove (click here for my review of the item). I have a deep love of panel dresses and this is definitely the brightest one that I own. This time of year it's important to cover up and the fact that the neckline is above the cleavage is definitely a bonus if you're wearing this as a casual daytime item. I thought it would look cool to wear this dress with a thick pair of black leggings and my biker jacket. 

To finish off I wore my black Shawberry boots, black beret, my black diamonte heart necklace, twisted hoop earrings and small black clutch. 

If like me you like to wear bright colours but still want to keep in with the current trends maybe try a singular coloured item. This kind of look would work with most dress types and a block colour would be pretty cool which would also give you the option to play with colourful adornments and accessories.  In my case everything I wore in these photos is black except for the dress. I wanted something bright, bold and sexy that would pop, and this dress was the perfect option for the look I was trying to achieve. I developed a love for bright and brashy prints last year and it's definitely a trend that I hope we see again in 2015! 

Seeing as the weather is getting colder by the day this sort of outfit would most likely require a scarf and some gloves. A cool pair of black leather gloves would enhance the biker chic look and a scarf or snood are not only practical, they can also provide a little something different to the style. 

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!

High Waisted Swimming Knickers - An Elomi Review

It seems that even though the weather has changed and the coats and scarves are coming back out, we are still very much talking about swimwear. With every summer that passes fashion critics and consumers all over the world are talking about what makes suitable swim attire. I would think opinions on this matter would vary depending on who you are in conversation with. 

I have seen loads of posts and articles about one piece items, bikinis, tankinis etc all featuring a plethora of different styles and brands, celebrity collections and blogger favourites. A little over a year ago I first heard of lingerie and swimwear brand Elomi. The brand specialising in garments for a fuller figure have a series of gorgeous and simple styles and I have to say when I recently tried out their high waisted swim knickers I was beyond impressed. 

Image Courtesy Of Elomi

Many people buy swimsuits so that they can look super cute on the beach whilst catching some rays. I personally like items that are cute to look at but are practical for me. I really enjoy swimming and when I get near the sea I love take a leisurely dip and really go for it! First and foremost I want to feel comfortable and relaxed when I have a lot of skin on show. As a very busty woman I like to feel supported, lifted and secured in my swimsuit especially as water can make a garment feel heavy and loose. I also like something that is tight and firm against my stomach. 

When I first tried out these high waisted knickers I was amazed by the comfort, flexibility and support. They came just under my bra line, and held me in nicely. Some of my looser, wobbly bits were smoothed out and I really liked the overall look and appearance of the garment. I must state that I have a lot of high waisted spanx and control underwear that I like to wear with more form fitting items especially dresses. As much as I enjoy wearing these I have to say I was shocked to find that these swim knickers gave me a better overall shape and support than most of my shapewear and they actually feel amazing on, even when wet!

I was worried that I would have a little slippage in the back and stomach areas once the garment was wet which would inevitable reveal my back-fat but in truth I NEVER had this issue and felt amazing on the beach when I went away earlier this year. 

For those of you who are wanting to try a fatkini but would consider wearing a bikini top and matching swim knickers these are amazing and I cannot rate them more highly. You can pick these up via the official Elomi website or of course you can check out some other online retailers. I picked my pair up at Brastop for an amazing price so do check them out if you have a holiday coming up or you like to go to your local swimming baths. 

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

That Zizzi Feeling!

Hey everyone I hope all is well. Sorry that it's been been rather quiet on the blog lately.  I've been a little under the weather and quite snowed under at work. Having said all of that I have still taken the time to make sure that I am prepared for the change in the seasons and I have made it my mission to play around with some cool looks for autumn and winter. 

It's now the time of the year when things start to wind down, we try to get prepared for the cold and wet days and the special events such as Halloween, Christmas, New Years Eve and the office Christmas party. 

I like to tone things down a little, bringing in a little more bling, dark and rich tones and some warmer essentials when it comes to my wardrobe. Recently I have been looking for some sleek items that I can wear both in a casual and sophisticated way; items with that little something extra. 

I was recently gifted this gorgeous top by Zizzi. This is a sample for an upcoming collection in size M. I really like the style of this top. The asymmetrical cut really adds to the piece. I really enjoy wearing this top as it hangs nicely and clings to all the correct places. The material is lightweight and would suit both warmer and cooler months. What I really like about this piece is the detailed features. The rouched hemline gives it a nice dimension and the beaded shoulder with draped detail is really nice. I like a little extra sparkle and the shoulder detail in this itself is almost like wearing an additional accessory. 

I really enjoy items with a bold section or garish print. For me a single item that can act as a strong focal piece for any ensemble is likely to find its way into my closet. I find that items like this really take the pressure off; it can be a challenge to find the right adornments and accessories to pull together an outfit so something with a show stopping feature can do all the work for you leaving you to just enjoy your look. 

This top is a multi purpose item that can be worn in many different ways. I decided to pair it with wet look leggings for more of a classic-chic look. For me comfort is a really big thing when it comes to selecting an outfit and simple leggings made this outfit a really easy wear. This top could also be paired with skinny jeans, jeggings or a skirt depending on the look you want to achieve. 

A simple drop necklace, silver clutch and black heels complete my look here. You could of course have some bursts of colour by wearing some interesting shoes, coloured leggings or you might even play around with your choice of make up.

Hopefully we'll see this one make it's way into the new collection but for now check out some of the gorgeous items from Zizzi and take a look at the AW14 lookbook to see what items might work well for you in this current season. 

There are some gorgeous items coming from Zizzi in the Spring and Summer of 2015 and I can already say I will endeavour to add several items to my wardrobe because from what I have seen so far they are must haves! Check out this clip of their recent fashion show for some sneak peaks!

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

Bright, Blue And A Little Different!

In the past year and a half I have been on such a fashion adventure! Journeying through different cultures, colours and fabrics and still finding new things to excite me with each passing day! I will be honest having so many options is strange to me and it's most definitely a new and liberating experience. Being a plus size woman and not having many options with what clothing was available to me is what I have been used to for so many years. Now to be spoilt for choice is a very welcome and refreshing experience! 

Even though I am enjoying my time playing dress up there are still so many items that catch my eye and that can be down to small details, colours and cuts. This gorgeous cobalt blue top (size 4) is from Pure Energy; a US brand available at Target and various online outlets. Unfortunately this top is no longer in circulation but it may be worth checking out ebay or some other sites to see what there is in the plus range. Many of the items are really nice options for office wear or if you want to find an interesting separate. I really like the lace front detail on the chest and thought it gave an otherwise simple garment that little extra something...

Paired with this black kilt from Asos Curve size 26 (also unavailable). I think this was a casual yet fun look for me. Admittedly the skirt could be a size smaller to sit firmer on my frame but I quite like the looseness in the fit. Sometimes it feels good to have something skim your frame rather than hug it. As my arms are quite big, the sleeves of the top are a little snug so the contrast in fit was nice for me. 

I really enjoy wearing skirts that are knee length or just that bit longer. My reason for this is that they work really well with my body type. Fitted skirts sometimes have to be up-sized because of my behind. They tend to ride up a little and in order to maintain a good look and fit I often look better a size a bit big. Having said that this isn't an issue that I face when I wear A-line skirts, skater skirts and kilts as you can see in these pictures. 

I decided to keep it really simple with accessories and just wore my twisted silver hoop earrings. Earrings are an accessory that I wear every single day and without them I feel as if something is slightly off. I can go without necklaces, bracelets and other additions but the tools that decorate my ears are a must have! 

A simple pair of low ankle boots from Evans were my shoe of choice and my look was complete. A little extra height and I was on my way. These boots are no longer available but check out the site to see what new lines are available as there are some really nice ones. 

I like those outfits that can be worn at work or on the go. In the fast pace life that we live these days it's near impossible to have the time to go home and change for a chance meeting with friends or whatever. 

Play around with your wardrobe. It can be fun to have a selection of funky separates that can form several different outfits. In my case I look out for many blue items what with it being my favourite colour and all. If any of you have found a fun way to play around with a kilt and put your stamp on the traditional Scottish item I would love to see what you've done. Feel free to send me an email or drop me a message on my Facebook page.

Play around, take risks and remember, whatever you where, feel fabulous in it and where it with a smile!