Black Magic And Gold Dust

So, we're now at that strange time in the year when the days are getting shorter, the sun doesn't seem to want to make that much of an appearance and we are forced to start covering up again.

I personally prefer summer to autumn and winter and I always will. It's nice to be able able to wear bright and garish colours, bold prints and show a little skin. Having said all of that my aim this year is to have a little fun with my warmer wardrobe. Cute hats, scarves and funky adornments might be the way for me to go when it comes to adding that extra style and flair to my sense of dress this winter. 

I hate to say it but I have now had to start wearing my jackets and jumpers and other winter warmers. I think it's fair to say that summer is pretty much over and any day of sunshine and heat we get we'll need to make the most of! 

I was going through my clothes when I started to feel that sudden chill in the air and I dug out this gold studded jumper from Primark that I purchased last year. I initially bought this when I was looking to add a little sparkle into my wardrobe. This size 20 jumper is really spacious and is just the right length to cover my behind. The thing I like about items with bold prints or with adornments is the fact that they become the focal point to the outfit. Often they can take away any need to accessorize or they can help you in the selection process. I really enjoy the dusting of gold studs I think it brings an element of fun to an otherwise simple piece. 

I like keeping it simple sometimes and I thought it would be cool to pair this jumper with my wet-look leggings from Scarlett & Jo size 24. They are so comfortable and stretchy and they are high waisted which is always a bonus because then you don't get the dreaded "double belly" that can happen when the waist band rests too low. 

This simple outfit is a nice one for this time of year when you may not want a coat or jacket but might feel the need to have that additional coverage for comfort and warmth in this weather. For a evening walk in the park I found this to be a really comfortable wear and it got me thinking that I need to pick up some more jumpers. 

I thought that I would pair the outfit with my Joe Browns boots from Fashion World. I wanted shoes with a touch of gold and as these boots have studs that compliment the jumper they were an easy choice.

My signature hoop earrings and my lovely necklace were also a no brainer as I wanted a simple look with no added colours.

What I really like about this look which I never paid attention to until I looked at these pictures is the fact that from the back it looks as though I'm wearing a plain black jumper and simple leggings. When you see the ensemble from the front there's loads going on with gold sparkles and the wet look shimmer on the front panel of the leggings. I think when it comes to fashion sometimes the element of surprise can be fun when someone is wearing something different to what you expect lol. 

Have a look in your closet and see what might work for you during the change in the seasons.

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

A Little Extra "Legroom" A Fashion World Review

When it comes to style we ladies all have those essentials that get us through the seasons. During the colder months of the year we have to adjust to the harsh chill in the air and the wet and dreary days. We are forced to take on a different approach when it comes to putting together our outfits and we can often find ourselves caught short and left with fewer options, especially when it comes to footwear!

When Fashion World approached me and asked me if I would like to try out a new range of boots that's coming to their AW14 collection I jumped at the chance! Many women struggle with boots; some have problems finding the right foot width others struggle to get a pair that will zip all the way up on the calf. These are the issues that many plus size women face and often we can be faced with both issues at the same time... 

The new Legroom range is a sleek and stylish collection of boots that not only has us set to tackle the cold and wet weather but allows us to do it with that style and finesse that we all enjoy. Finding a spacious pair of knee high boots is a tough challenge for a plus size woman and for me the hardest thing is finding something that's not too plain in the style and has the comfort and fit that allows me to enjoy my day. No one wants to have to carry a pair of flats with them to avoid the burning sensation in the feet when there is just too much of a squeeze. With a selection of different width and calf fittings there is something for everyone and a fairly big range of boots to choose from. 

I was really excited to receive such a sleek and interesting pair of boots. In most cases I tend to find a lot of the boots available for plus size women practical with not much else going on and often lacking in the style department.  The Chain Detail Boot has a style that is right up my street. The sheen on the leather and the gold chain and buckle were a really nice touch and I already knew which items in my wardrobe I could pair with them.

I'm really pleased to say that when I first tried these on they fit like a glove and the spacious room in the boot itself and around the calf made for a very enjoyable wear. I have worn these out and about and at work and never have I found myself in any discomfort at all. What pleased me even more so was the fact that I had enough extra room in the calf of the boot to wear these with jeans. Having the option to wear these with pretty much anything is a big draw for me and makes these an item I look forward to wearing during the upcoming months. 

The gold adornments with the buckle and chain add that extra something that I like, giving me another element I can pull from in putting an outfit together and I will most likely wear these boots with some gold jewellery as an accompaniment. 

If you are looking for something this coming autumn and winter that will suit your style requirements and feel amazing on then you really should give a pair of boots from the Legroom range a try. I can honestly say that they feel amazing on and the quality of the boot is really good. I have gone on several long walks in these and they still look just as new as when I first took them out of the box! 

You don't have to sacrifice on comfort or style to look good and feel amazing in the process!

* These boots were a gifted item.

Maximise With A Maxi

Do you ever find yourself searching for a specific kind of garment? Maybe you want something for a particular event or season? In my case I was on a quest for the perfect maxi dress. It seems that having a good maxi dress is just as important as having the perfect LBD in your wardrobe and with the holiday season here and the temperatures soaring, my eyes have been well and truly open as I scoured websites and stores looking for a dress that was just right!

I wanted something that would suit my style, needs and my taste in colour and fabric. The lovely Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge showed me a dress by Lovedrobe that she had recently gotten which I instantly feel in love with! The length was just right; adequate to wear with flats, wedges and heels. The silky soft fabric was light, airy and flattering on her and I knew this was one I wanted to pick up for myself. 

One of my concerns was trying to find a dress that I felt supported my breasts. So many maxi dresses have halter-neck ties or elasticated stretch material in that area, which is fine and looks good with the style. In my case I like to feel a dress mould around my bust and provide a little extra support. The thin straps are adjustable, giving you the option to wear the dress in a more fitted fashion (as I have in these pictures) or looser for comfort. The built in cups sit nicely against my shape giving me a full and elegant look.

I really wanted a dress with splashes of colour and this black maxi with splattered print in coral, pink, yellow and peachy tones is something I would wear out and about for drinks or enjoying myself in the sunshine. The waist detail and side ties pull you in at the middle giving a nice lift to the bust and comfortable sweep of the skirt. I picked this dress up in a size 26 as the area around the cups is rather fitted and it would have been too tight had I selected something smaller. Depending on the size and shape of your bust you may be able to downsize in this one as the skirt of the dress is very roomy.

I last wore this dress on a seriously hot day and despite the base colour being in black I felt really comfortable. The light fabric made this a perfect selection for such a sunny day in London. The interesting feel about the material of the dress is that I know I could have worn this dress on a cooler evening and still felt comfortable in it. To me the fabric of the dress feels rather adaptable and would be a comfortable wear for most temperatures during the summer and early autumn. 

I wanted to wear a simple shrug with this one. This was in an effort to avoid gaining thick tan lines from the straps of the dress and my bra. If I were to wear this out one evening, I would most likely wear a light jacket in black to compliment the fabric and offer a little additional coverage. 

For a dress with such a bold print I wanted very light and simple accessories. I played around with the colour pallet of the dress and so I opted for the Raffia Clutch from Simplybe and netted ballerina shoes from Primark. Feathered jewellery added those finishing touches I like and I feel that they worked well with the print in the dress.

The great news about this dress, it's on sale! You can pick this one up at Evans where I got mine at an amazing £30 reduced from £50. If you like this one I would definitely recommend it. It feels amazing on and the style is simple and elegant. With just the right amount of colour this is one that works perfectly for the current season. I look forward to taking this one with me on holiday where it shall make an appearance at the beach! 

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