Quick Outfit Post | Red Nose Day 2015

So it was Red Nose Day Friday just gone, nothing was organised at work so I considered doing something funny anyway, briefly I thought about letting the child dress me for the day…. That soon passed!  So I finally decided to go with an outfit I had been mulling over in my head for a while, but had not actually got around to putting together, and by no means funny!

It worked, but it didn’t have that WOW factor that you sometimes get when you have an idea in your head and finally get around to putting it together, but even still it was still a good look and will get worn again I’m sure…..

Blazer – New Look in the January Sale (Similar at Evans here)
Dress – ASOS Curve (Old – Similar at Pink Clove here)
Shoes – F&F at Tesco (available here)
Badge – SoSo Happy and part of my goody bag from LondonEdge
Hair Flower – Off With Her Head Millinery (This was made in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness)

We still did our bit as a family, and Mini Me went to school in her onesie and red nose, and we paid our dues to the amazing cause that is Red Nose Day / Comic Relief….. did you donate?  It’s never to late!

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

Don’t forget I am shaving my hair off for Mind on 11th April 2015, and you can donate by clicking the Just Giving link below…. Thank you! x

BIG Love

S x

Playing Catch Up & Playing with GIF Files!

I’ve been feeling a bit like I’ve lost my mojo recently, not being able to come up with anything I feel is worth while talking about, and not being able to come up with anything for the blogger challenge posts I am part of…. I’m putting it down to the heat…. Lol!   How are you all coping with this mini heatwave we are having here in Blighty?  I’m thinking best we make the most of it, it is bound to end soon…. Lol!

Anyhoo, I am going to make this post a combined OMCZ #36, Shop Your Stash #3 and Money Saving Monday #2 !

Bizarrely I am managing to stick to my spending ban this month…. Not entirely sure how, maybe I have been abducted by aliens, had probes stuck where nobody should have anything stuck and returned back to my home this new improved version of me????  Then again, maybe not and I have just realise I need to get my priorities right….

My OMCZ post was due last week, and this was chosen by the adorable Mookie of Mookies Life blog (I can’t wait to meet this amazing lady and give her a big hug at Plus North at the end of August…. Eek!), and this is what she said about it:

Theme: “Two Different Looks”

I decided to go with two different looks. Firstly I want you to show us what you consider is your go to style. The kind of style you know you look good in and that flatters your body. The secondly I want you to go totally out of your comfort zone and choose something you’ve been dreading or don’t really like wearing for some reason. So comfort style and then out of comfort style. 

I have quite a mixture of styles in my wardrobe, but one of my fave looks is a vintage look, so this had to be one of my different looks to share with you….

This dress was bought months and months and months ago, end of 2013 I believe, with the view of it possibly being worn at my friend’s 40th in January.  Needless to say I bought another dress, maybe even two or three, and this was not worn in the end.  I had to have it shortened, and I had never worn it properly until one day last week, to go to work, just because I can!

I bought the dress from a store which had a page on Facebook, but for some reason I can’t find it now, but I think it was called Pin Up Boutique (I think they may be no longer), and it was called their Betty Dress! I paid around £35.00 for it, and it was well worth every penny.  I am wearing the equivalent of a UK24-26.

The petticoat was bought from eBay from a company, which also has a website, called Black Butterfly (I think it is a size 22, but has lots of stretch around the belly), and the shoes are imitation Converse Stars from Tesco (size 3)!

The second look I have decided to share with you is what I would say is me releasing my inner grunge… Haha!

The dress was bought from Toni over at The Left of Perfect during one of her recent blog sales.  It is an ASOS Curve Swing dress in a size 22.  I bought this dress from Asos Curve last year, when I was still in my tent wearing mode, in a size 26…. As you can probably imagine this was somewhat a tad big, so when I saw Toni selling it in a UK22 I decided to replace my oversize dress for this one…. Good call on my part me thinks!

The scarf was bought from eBay, but was originally H&M, and I have a pair of my  Iron Fist Wedge boots on!

Obviously all of these items have been in my possession for several months now, so constitute for Shop Your Stash for sure and not a new item in sight so most definitely money saving, albeit Tuesday not Monday!

So there we are, three blog challenges in one, I think that is me caught up for now, until I fall behind again, which no doubt won’t be long, it is the story of my life these days…

Make sure you check out all the chicks taking part in these three fab challenges….

 

For Outside My Comfort Zone (OMCZ) see:

Name	Blog Address
Natalie	http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki	http://www.nattynikki.com
Stephanie	http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Becky Brown	http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Mary	http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Hollie	Http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Erin	http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk/
Stephanie	http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Becca	http://thegirlwiththeplait.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah	www.justmeleah.co.uk
Mookie	http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk/
Danielle	www.daniellerharris.com
Sam	http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk/
Gillian	www.weegillie.com
Sarah	https://plussizeproud.wordpress.com/
Abi	http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/
Charlene	chinupsandpinups.wordpress.com
Sabina	http://www.femmefatalexsabina.blogspot.co.uk/

For Shop Your Stash see:

Hollie
Debz
Nicole R
Gemma
Leah
Natalie
Helen
Vicky
Kittie
Michelle
Anne-Lise
Lucia
Nicola
Nicole F
Sharon
Sam
Kim
Sarah
Abi
Kaye
Toni
Nikki
Charlie

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

EXTREMELY Late Magnificent 7th!

‘We will be posting on the 7th of each month, and the aim of the challenge is to create an outfit to fit the theme, using clothes from our wardrobes, and yes that does mean digging deep into the depths and finding those long lost clothes! Hopefully one of us won’t end up in Narnia, but you never know with a bloggers wardrobe!’

Firstly I am so so so so so sorry for being so so so so late with this month’s Magnificent 7th post…. This month is all about putting together an outfit based around a celebrity.  I was really struggling, but then I snapped these Stevie Pants up from Taking Shape at the weekend, and because they end up being full length on me…. Haha! I got to thinking they had a harem pant look about them, which is fab ‘cos I’ve always wanted some and couldn’t being a short-arse, and then…. I thought of Kate Moss!!!!

Kate Moss does seem to regularly wear the harem/peg trouser look, and I was thinking how far off we both are in our stats…. Kate at 34-23-35 and me at off the scale-off the scale-off the scale…. Lol!  So it would be good to see the different shapes and sizes in a similar look.

So here is my take on Kate’s pant look.  Apologies for the rushed photo, I was in such a hurry, had to be at the dentist, the sun was in my eyes hence the grimace, and this picture doesn’t really do me a great justice, or the clothes either….

Stevie Pants (Medium – UK20) – (Taking Shape)
Waterfall Jacket (UK26) – Old (New Look Inspire similar here in summer pastels)
This jacket is really too big these days, and it’s so old I even found holes in it!
Top (UK26) – Old (M&Co)
Flip Flops – Old F&F (Tesco)

I am so glad I saw these trousers, super soft feel to them, super comfy and just fab all round!

And here is Kate’s pant look, one of many, it is obviously her favourite look….

Do you have a favourite celeb you like to try and base outfits around?

Check out the other ladies taking part in this challenge and see what is their fave accessory!

Kaye – http://polishedcurves.wordpress.com/
Becky – http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com/
Nicola – http://chunkycatcuddler.blogspot.co.uk/
Gail – http://gailygumdrops.blogspot.co.uk/
Mary  – http://marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt/
Kathryn – http://misskathrynsmisstakes.blogspot.co.uk/
Steph – http://seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk/
Charley – http://www.biggirlabouttown.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebecca – http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah – http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Lindsey – http://linzerellofatshion.blogspot.co.uk/
Vicky – http://thecurvedopinion.com
Nikki – http://nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk/
Christiana – http://www.lifeofouk.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah – http://www.thirtysomethingcurvyme.blogspot.co.uk/
Nancy  –http://sugardarlingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Beverly – http://www.thecurvyword.com/
Gillian – http://www.weegillie.com/
Katt – http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk/
ME! – https://plussizeproud.wordpress.com/
Hannah – http://www.fabulouslyfatfashion.com/
Hollie – http://prettybigbutterflies.com/
Kitty – http://misskittykaos.blogspot.co.uk/
Emma – http://emmaatouchofsparkle.weebly.com/
Michelle – http://stageyourpresence.blogspot.ie/
Abi – http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/
Sarah – http://pookledo.blogspot.co.uk/
Charlie – http://www.freakumdress.co.uk/
Sally – http://www.thehumanmannequin.co.uk/
Mayah – http://www.beautyfulyouniverse.blogspot.co.uk/
Lucie – http://www.fatbeautyx.co.uk/
Natalie – http://www.awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/

I have entered my blog for “Best Newcomer” in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next 2014 as we are less than 12 months old…. If you enjoy my ramblings, I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to give me a little vote…. Follow the link here: http://www.next.co.uk/cosmo-blog-awards/

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

80’s Inspired Outfit of the Day

Having been to a vintage fair this weekend, I think I may be stuck in a timewarp somewhere…. but I like it!  Today I bring to you a bit of the 80’s… all that is missing is the Madonna lace gloves!

I’m loving the oversized top look out there at the moment, but I am always worried I will loose shape and just look like I am wearing a tent!  I bought this top along with another one in coral from Yours Clothing.  I tried these tops out with a couple of tube skirts I have, but I am not convinced I can carry that look off as well as others (in particular Becky from The Ramblings of Mrs Bebe), but having teamed the black top up with my trusty Jeggings an 80’s Chick was born!

I feel really comfortable in this outfit both physically and mentally.  This look can be dressed up or dressed down, and I can see it being a regular look for me.  I didn’t feel like I had turned into walking advert for Campers R US in their new and improved 10-man tent, I felt chic and stylish.

Top – Yours Clothing
(I can’t find the black online now but the coral is available here)
Jeggings – Tesco (last year, similar available here)
Necklaces – Old
Boots – Ebay (similar available here)

I’m still not sure the coral is my colour, but having most definitely stepped out of my comfort zone with the oversize look, I’m going to stick with it and experiment with various items in my wardrobe and see what I can come up with…. Watch this space.

Do you like the oversize look… Are you a closet 80’s Chick/Chap?

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

I have entered my blog for “Best Newcomer” in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next 2014 as we are less than 12 months old…. If you enjoy my ramblings, I would really appreciate it if you could take the time to give me a little vote…. Follow the link here: http://www.next.co.uk/cosmo-blog-awards/

BIG Love S x

Maxi-million! #OOTD Post ft Taking Shape UK

A few weeks back I was kindly asked to model some pieces at the Taking Shape Summer Look Book event, and obviously it would have been rude not to have come away with at least one item (or may be a few).  Here is a beaut I managed to nab myself on the night…. the Enchanted Lands Dress.  This is part of the Virtuelle range and I am wearing the XL, which is classed as a UK24.  This dress is currently on sale at £39.00.

I had looked at this at a previous visit, tried it on, and for some reason decided against it that day.  This bothered me considerably, so when I got the chance again I snatched it with both hands!

As you can imagine, being only 4’10”, I struggle somewhat with maxi dresses in the Summer, and it makes me sad every year that another one passes and I didn’t get me a maxi… It will not be the case this year… MUHAHAHA!  Clearly this dress is not a maxi, it should be a midi, but it makes an ab fab maxi on this short fat bird!

As it was a bit chilly this morning, I grabbed a trusty cardi from F&F Tesco, and in order to compliment the overall outfit, my wide fit Emilio Luca X ballet pumps from  Brantano (available here).

The only thing I have to keep an eye on with this dress is due to the way the armholes are cut I do keep flashing a bra strap every now and again, but it is a small price to pay, and luckily, now I have my lovely Curvy Kate Lola in  Ivory/Gold, at least it is a pretty bra strap I’m flashing!

To finish off, in aid of World Earth Day 2014 (yes, I realise I am a day late), my most recent Hair Flower of the Month – “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle” – made completely from recycled materials by the ever talented Lisa at Off With Her Head Millinery…. How does this woman know to match her monthly flowers with my wardrobe so well??????  If you are interested in a 3 month taster subscription, you can do so here, 6 month and 12 month subscriptions also available.

Are you a lover or non-lover of the maxi dress????

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

Shop Your Stash #1

Welcome to the Shop Your Stash Challenge. This is all about finding a gem in what you already own and creating a blog post on it. This is to let go a little of the stress that comes with being a blogger – even if it is just once a month. Rummage through your beauty products and climb through those clothes draws. You might surprise yourself!

The fabulous Hollie of Pretty Big Butterflies came up with this fab challenge…. You can read a bit more about it  on her blog here, but basically, as the intro above says, it is all about digging around what we already have in our wardrobe, amongst our beauty products, reviewing something different like a book, restaurant, film, recipe…. You get the picture?

I’m sticking with what I know at the moment, good old FatFashion, although I will spice it up in future months, and although I did post this as an “Outfit of the Day” pic on Instagram, (it was raining on the day the pics were taken hence being an indoor shot) I’ve never got around to the full review this skirt from SimplyBe UK deserves.

Every time I checked out the SimplyBe UK a few months back, or saw a bloggers wish list post based around SimplyBe UK, this skirt would feature and always blew me a little kiss, or gave me a little wink (yes, I am aware that one day the men in white coats will come for me one day).  This skirt is made of a thick, shiny jersey, and although I was worried that I may need to size up due to the material and style, I stuck with my usual size, UK24, and It is spot on!  I am only 4ft10, and again, had my concerns that it was going to be long, and although it doesn’t look like it does on the model on the website, I don’t think it looks out of place, more of a maxi skirt rather than a midi, and still looks fab with my ever faithful ankle boots from Boohoo, full review on these here.  this skirt is still available here at the affordable price of £25.00…. so what you waiting for…?!?!?!

I didn’t read the reviews on the website before I bought this skirt, as it wouldn’t have affected my decision to purchase it or not, but I have read them today just to see what others thought of it, and although most of the cons raised I disagree with, poor quality, fit etc. I do have to agree that the colour is a little odd…. It clearly states black & pink, but the black is an off-black, if that makes any sense, and does give a look of navy, yet it isn’t a clear navy either!  Bizarre, but I still love it!

I am still in search of the perfect top to compliment this skirt, I am thinking a dip hem style, oversized crop or an 80’s retro batwing, but in the meantime, I teamed it with a very old Yours Clothing 2-in-1 bolero style top and my F&F Kimono cardigan, which has featured on the blog before, and is still available here in sizes 10, 12, 16 and, although low stock, 18, and now with 50% off at £7.00!  I am wearing the UK22, and if your size isn’t on he website, maybe it is in your local store.

I know that a few people have had their eye on this skirt, has it winked and blown kisses at you, have you given in to it’s advances too???  I’d like to hear about it… even if to prove I’m not the only nutter out there!

Make sure to check out the other ladies taking part in this excellent challenge:

Hollie

Debz

Nicole R

Gemma

Leah

Natalie

Helen

Vicky

Kittie

Michelle

Anne-Lise

Lucia

Nicola

Nicole F

Sharon

Sam

Kim

Sarah

Betty

Abi

Kaye

Toni

Nikki

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

 

These Boots Were Made For…. EVERYTHING!

You may have seen recently that Boohoo.com released their new plus size range, Boohoo Plus, catering for sizes 16-24, you can see a little wish list post I did here.  So of course it would have been rude not to take a look!  I did acquire a Bodysuit as I had been wanting one to add to my “essentials” in my wardrobe, but what I hadn’t planned on was taking a look at what else Boohoo.com had to offer, like menswear, accessories (jewellery, handbags etc) and shoes!!!!  Which is where I found these little beauties, Honey Cut Out Double Buckle Ankle Boot:

I had seen cut out ankle boots making their way on to the various fashion blogs I follow, and I was suitably impressed.   I am a big lover of ankle boots as being a chubster and vertically challenged, I’m not exactly in proportion and fashion friendly.  Where my butt is is usually where your waist is, where my calves are is probably where your ankle is, so if an ankle boot comes up the ankle too far then I can struggle to get them done up, and as for knee high boots, unless they are completely stretch, you can forget it…. These, however, are perfection!

These are also super comfy, not too high in the heel for everyday wear (I do love a nice heel, but not for an all day in the office kinda day), easy on and off with a zip at the back, so you don’t have to fight with the buckles all the time, and, as the title suggests, can be worn with ANYTHING!  Since these arrived I have worn these boots with leggings, skirts and dresses and they look great in all situations.  I went for the size 3, and I am glad I did.  Sometimes I have to size up to a 4 in footwear if they are not a wide fit, Tesco is a prime example of this, but if anything these come up a bit big, only very slightly, and nothing a decent pair of socks couldn’t sort out if necessary.  And not unreasonable at £25.00.

So the moral of the story is, if you do head over to Boohoo.com take some time to see what else they have to offer, you might be surprised!  And if you do make an unexpected purchase, make sure to let me know all about it.

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love S x

 

#OMCZ 29 – Pretty in Pastels

I almost forgot about this weeks #OMCZ post…. Where has the time gone??  There I lay in bed at approximately 11:30pm Tuesday night thinking to myself “Mmm…. we must be due an #OMCZ post soon….”, checked my emails and it would seem I was correct….. tomorrow…… Arghhhhh!!!!  Needless to say, I was not prepared and this has made me late with my post, and with added issues with WordPress yesterday, I am posting two days late… Better late than never I guess!

This fortnight’s post has been chosen by the wonderful Hollie of Pretty Big Butterflies, and this is what she said:

“Pastels are here for Spring & Summer but I’d love some inspiration from you lovely ladies. I want to see you florish in fondant colours. Pinks, Mints, Sky Blues… the list goes on. I don’t want to hide away this Summer so this will be good practise!”

Now, as it is still like winter out there (there was apparently snow within 30 miles of where I live Wednesday night, according to Facebook updates), it seems strange to be getting the pastels out, and I have to confess, my wardrobe does not runneth over with them, not any that you haven’t already seen anyway! But, thanks to a cheeky little SimplyBe purchase I have managed to put this little ensemble together.   I know, there is still a lot of black, but you can see the pastels are trying to sneak in, and with what I have seen in the shops whilst doing a bit of cyber window shopping (feel free to check out my previous wish list posts here and here), I know I will be getting my chubby little mits on some more in the coming months…. So watch this space!

(Indoor pics today as it was raining & hailing cats & dogs!)

Skirt – SimplyBe (available here)
Top – Yours Clothing (Old)
Scarf – Ebay (similar available here)
Ankle Boots – Boohoo (available here)
Kimono Cardigan – F&F at Tesco (available here)

Loving this skirt from SimplyBe!  I went with the 24 and it is very true to size and not too much VBO.  It i s a thick jersey, and reminds me very much of my Pink Clove Tartan Skater Dress (featured in my post here).  I defy anyone to not love this skirt if they added it to their wardrobe!   I also love my new boots (Boohoo), and I will feature these in a later review post on their own.

Have the pastels started to invade your wardrobe yet this Spring?

Be sure to check out the other ladies taking part in this challenge:

Natalie – http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk
Nikki – http://www.nattynikki.com
Stephanie – http://www.seeingspots.co.uk
Becky – http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Mary – http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Hollie – http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Erin – http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk
Debz – http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk
Becca – http://thegirlwiththeplait.blogspot.co.uk
Rebs – http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk
Katt – http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk
Leah – http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Mookie – http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk
Danielle – http://www.daniellerharris.com
Beverley – http://www.thecurvyword.com
Sam – http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk
Gillian – http://www.weegillie.com
ME – https://plussizeproud.wordpress.com
Abi – http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

Men are most definitely from Mars!!!

I had the dentist today…. Not very exciting, had an old filling drilled out and refilled, no injection I might add (tough as old boots me!).  Anyway, I was most impressed when one of the Receptionist complimented me on my style, said how much she liked it, realised it was 50’s, probably because she promotes the 40’s style when she can.

Anyway, I came home, told the hubster about what she had said and about the 50’s style I was, and had been wearing for sometime now, to which he replied “Since when???”  Where has this man been the last however many weeks???????  When I explained I had been trying to wear this style for sometime now, his response was that he tries not to look as it only then worries him as to how much this is all costing!!!!!!!  I wonder why I bother sometimes…. Humph!!!

Anyway, it would be rude not to show you all my Outfit / Look of the day, so here it is!

Top – Was my mate’s Florence & Fred, but I bagged it from a charity shop!

Cardi – http://www.justfor5pounds.com – Been in search of a red cardi for a while and was so unbelievably chuffed when I found this!  Really good quality to.

Hair Flower – Handmade by the lovely Lisa Jones at Off With Her Head Millinery, she has her own website, sells via Etsy and is also on FB! Get over there she is fabulous! This was one of her poppies she made in aid of Remembrance Day, she donated a portion of the sale price to the charity.  However, I wear it ALL the time!

Well, it won’t hold me back from embracing my inner Vintage Betty, so watch this space!

BIG Love

S x