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!

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!

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! 

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. 

Lip Service! A Pink Clove Review

Summer brings many fun and adventures times for everyone. Festival fun, long days, short nights and holiday romances. Dressing for the season is always fun and in keeping with the time old traditions of summertime it's no surprise to me that a massive trend at the moment is fabrics covered in lips and kisses. Many different companies are showering their items in kisses this year and I really wanted to get in on the action! 

Pink Clove recently ran a Facebook competition inviting their followers to like and share a picture that they had put up on their page. The potential prize to be won was this gorgeous Lip Print Button Front Swing Vest. I, like many others wrote a comment and posted the picture up on my page and thought nothing of it. When I got announced as the lucky winner of this top it of course was not what I was expecting at all! I instantly thought about what I might wear this one with and that it should be perfect for the warm British summer. 

I requested this one in a size 24 as I wasn't sure if the buttons on the front were just a design detail or if I would need to accommodate for extra boob room. As any woman knows there is nothing worse than having a really nice top or shirt which gapes where the buttons are! For those of you who may be considering this one for a purchase, the front is just a design detail and the top doesn't open at the front. 

The loose fit was just what I wanted especially as London can get unbearably sticky and uncomfortable in the sunshine. A light and airy fabric, makes for a really comfortable wear and I can also confirm that the colour does not fade after a wash or two. I decided to pair the top with a simple pair of black leggings; although a pair in a bright and bold colour would look really cool or you could pair it with some jeans. 

I really like using accessories and other adornments to bring a look together. I thought it might be fun to wear a lip print hair scarf to cover my often difficult hair and to add a little something extra to the look. The Raffia clutch from Simplybe and a pair of pink and white metallic drop earrings, and a simple pair of white ballerina pumps from Primark finish off the look.

If any of you have this top I'd love to see how you styled it up so feel free to send me a picture or a message.

This summer is set to be a fun one and I hope you all have lots of fun and have a many kisses yourself! :)

Snakeskin Wrap Dress - A Pink Clove Review

When I picked up this dress I was lookin for something a bit edgy. No matter what cut or colour, animal prints always add that different kind of flavour to an outfit that a plain print just can't achieve.

The Snakeskin Sleeveless Wrap Dress from Pink Clove was a must have item for me as soon as I saw it. I was looking for something sleek, sexy and fun that could be worn as a casual item or for club wear.

Whenever I buy my dresses I like to think of a least 2 different events where they can be worn. The pale grey tones of this dress would look amazing with jeans, tights, leggings or as a single item. I tend to wear this one with black leggings but I already have plans to wear a white paisley print bandanna in my hair and silver accessories with this one. 

I will be honest though, where the 2 folds of fabric cross over the chest there is a lot of wiggle room in the bust area. If you have a large bust like I do you have to be careful with how you move as it is rather low cut. The fabric feels really light on the skin and it's extremely comfortable. I picked this one up in a 22 and I find that this one has plenty of room and looks good both with and without shapewear. 

I love wrap dresses I find that they feel amazing on and tend to really work well with my shape and style.

As this one is a sleeveless one I tend to wear it with a shrug for evening wear and a cardi or wrap for day time wear. Those of you who are familiar with my blog and my style know that I tend to cover the tops of my arms, not for any particular reason I just feel more comfortable that way.

The lightweight feel of this one would make it great to wear on those warmer days with nothing but a pair of amazing heels to complete the look. If like me you want some extra coverage or you want to make it more of a casual piece then you can add more layers to it with a top and some leggings perhaps. 

Stock Images Courtesy Of Pink Clove

This dress is currently on sale and is an amazing £8 reduced from £18! 

There are so many amazing styles available on the Pink Clove website so check them out no doubt you'll find something you like.

www.pinkclove.co.uk

My Pink Clove Summer Wish List

What with the cold and rainy winter slowly dragging on I decided to take my mind off things and look forward to the warm days of the spring and summer. With holidays on the horizon, barbecues, long walks and all the other things we do in the sunshine I have already begun looking online at the looks and styles I might want to wear. The fantastic new range at Pink Clove really caught my eye with the sweet and colourful items in the collection. Here are my top picks from the range and hopefully I'll be able to grab a few of these items in time for the season!

Floral Skater Dress £18

Printed Wrap Maxi Dress £35

Stripe Cut About Longline Tee £18

Pencil Skirt With Floral Print Panel £14

Pink Lace Dress £30

All Stock Images Courtesy Of Pink Clove

I love the soft pinks, striking patterns and great colour combinations. Cool pastels and the classic floral look are in the collection. I have no doubt that some or all of these will end up in my wardrobe at some point!

Check out the website to see what other treats are available:

www.pinkclove.co.uk

The Butterfly Effect - A Pink Clove Review

When it comes to dress shopping we all have different things that we look for. In my case I tend to buy for different occasions or events. It's no secret that I love 50s swing dresses but I have also grown to love bodycon dresses, and when I saw the Butterfly Print Dress With Contrast Panels from Pink Clove I instantly knew I had to buy it!

A personal challenge of mine from last year was to experiment more with colours and bold prints and the fact that this one has both beautiful bright colours and a bold print made it a must have for me. As soon as I saw the photos on the website I thought about taking this one out on the town for a hot club night.

The kaleidoscopic pattern of pink, purple and silver colouring is so interesting and makes for a really fun and fresh panel on a simple black dress. The material is very figure hugging and clings to all your curves. 96% polyester and 4% elastane there is a fair amount of stretch in this one but in my case I know it would look just that little bit better on if I wore a slip or shapewear underneath. In these pictures I am wearing a pair of high wasted Bridget Jones knickers underneath. Depending on the fit you want to achieve you may wish to go up a size if you prefer your dresses to just skim you rather than to cling. I picked this up in a size 22.

Even though the dress is what I would call loud you can dress it down if you want to. I decided to pair this one with a simple black cardigan, think black leggings and my black platform heels to give it more of a casual look.

When first got the dress in the post I did an initial try on without any shapewear and I liked the overall look

I look forward to sporting this one in a club soon and I'll most likely wear it with black tights, heels and plenty of silver accessories! You could even take it to another level by wearing acrylic jewellery in pinks and purples and wearing some patent colour shoes or something if you really want to be bold. The bright print means that this is one that could be worn pretty much any time of the year and with spring and summer around the corner I'm sure I'll be taking it out in the sunshine.

Stock Images Courtesy Of Pink Clove

If you like this dress be sure to give it a try as it's currently in the amazing sale by Pink Clove and at the fantastic price of just £8 reduced from £18!

www.pinkclove.co.uk

Blue Wrap Dress From Pink Clove - Review

When it comes to the clothes I buy there are various different things I look at before I make a purchase. I like to dress in a way that not only suits me but works with my personal taste both in fabrics and colours. When I saw the Blue Wrap dress from Pink Clove I knew this was one of those items I just had to buy. The sleek and casual style of the dress was a serious draw for me but in all honesty it was the striking colour that most caught my attention. My all time favourite colour is blue, I don't prefer any shade in particular, but when I see a deep and bold shade I usually buy the garment or accessory available. If I see a blue dress I like I just have to try it on!

Sorry about the bad lighting in these pictures everyone. 

When I first sported this dress I was on a romantic trip in Paris Versailles. I found this dress to be so comfortable and extremely warm despite the fact that the material is quite thin and I was there in November. I paired this one with black leggings and ugg boots and silver jewellery but I know this one will be a fantastic one to wear in the summer months with or without tights. You could even pair it with some wedges or sandals and blue acrylic jewellery. 

The fit for this one is lose but the material still hugs to your figure in a very flattering way. The fabric feels amazing on and the best part, the dress looks like it's more than double the retail value due to the rich colour and great fabric. I have paired this one with various accessories, cinch belts, bangles and heels. When you have a block colour like this you can almost treat it like a blank canvas and play around with different styles! I picked this one up in a size 22 and I just love the cut.  If you are considering trying this one out I would! I can honestly say you will not be disappointed! To add that to that it washes really well with no fading to the colour. 

Stock Images courtesy of Pink Clove

This dress is still available on the pink clove website www.pinkclove.co.uk for a fantastic price: £10.80 reduced from £18!

I really hope to see similar styles to this dress come from Pink Clove in an assortment of colour ways!