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Monday, 30 July 2012

How I Wear... Lady Vintage

First of all, I want to apologise for the poor quality of these pictures, they were taken quickly, and not with a post in mind. When going through my photos, the idea for this post was borne!

You will all know my love of the small brand, Lady Vintage London, and their amazing swing dresses. I love the cut, but more importantly, the variety of prints and colours that they are available in!

Now, some people have said to me that they would love to shop there, but don't know when they would wear these dresses. Now, I am lucky in that my work is rather relaxed when it comes to dress code - in fact I am more strict on myself then work some of the time!!

So yes, I have 4 of these swing dresses in different prints, and would probably wear all of them to work in some way or another. But how? Well, here this post idea was borne!


My Blue Tit print dress here, with my Little Miss Delicious red cardigan - buttoning the top button means I can be a little more 'covered' then the square neck allows sometimes!


Here is my scarf print dress - the dress is rather hidden under the blazer, but looky here for a better view of the print. I wore this when I was popping out to town for a few errands, and it did feel rather wasted on that - but it goes to show how my brain automatically switches to 'smart' rather than 'casual'!


Due to my ever more painful adhesions, I opted not to wear this with a belt to work - which also meant that it wasn't overtly busty or hourglassy - but if you want to see what it looked like with a belt, looky here.

Also, it is worth while popping over to their Facebook page here, where they are having a competition for their fans to post pictures of them in Lady Vintage, and the most likes, wins a £50 voucher. In addition, there is a discount code available for 10% off your next order - but only if you like them on Facebook and they'll message you the code.

I'm popping over there regularly and liking everyone's pictures as, really, everyone looks great in these dresses!

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

Saturday, 28 July 2012

Simply Be A/W

When the Autumn Winter collection 'Preview' was released, we were in the middle of a 'Second Winter', and to be honest, I needed the items there and then, rather than waiting for September and placing my order!

My order is slowly arriving, but now we're in the middle of an 'Almost Summer', I'm not getting the opportunity to wear - go figure!

But this dress: 


arrived, I needed to wear it! It was a perfect fit, and more importantly, a perfect length!




I love it! I love the V Neck, I love the sleeve detail, the elasticated back, the tie belt, and the colour!

I've now ordered it in the Navy with Red spots, and I'm sure, before the Autumn is out, I'll have ordered the black and cream as well!

What I love about this dress though, is that it creates the illusion of curves. Yes, it accentuates what I already have, but the fit of it suggests that it could create curves if you haven't.

Now, this is snug on my chest, but I know if I sized up, it would not be as flattering elsewhere!

If you missed the Simply Be A/W, check out this video of the behind the scenes:

Or check out the one on my side bar <------

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Mission Accepted: Separates

I joke I wear a lot of dresses. I own a lot too! But now I've 'mastered' (haahaaa) the art of the dress, I need to challange my use of separates now I think.

I don't mean a short lived '7 Day Challenge', I mean a meaningful change over a period of time. It started today really - my ASOS order arrived yesterday, and I've only tried one thing on so far, and I'm wearing it today.

It needed some consideration as to what I could pair it with, and I originaly had it with a neon yellow tee, which detracted from the skirt completely. And where was the fun in that?! The fun is in the skirt, not the top. See, I need to learn these things!

I paired it with my ancient (6years+) white tee with subtle sparkle, mainly because of the length. It is short enough to wear over the top of the skirt. I am so used to tucking into skirts these days, I don't own any 'short' tops to wear with this! I'll keep an eye out and try to pick some up (plain ones from ASDA should do it. I am thinking pastel blues / pinks - possibly a hot pink as well. But you see, I'm unsure!!

Enough of the talking! I need to put my pictures where my words are:

Image 3 of ASOS CURVE Skirt In Florida Print

I fell for the print of this skirt (obviously!) and love that it is a 'fuller' skirt!

  
  

I added my ASDA navy blazer to make it a little more 'business dress' -  and I feel really summery in this! I love the material, and yes, it does need an iron (just wanted to wear it today for a bit of a pick me up!)

So there we have it, a nice departing from my usual "Here is a dress I wore" posts - so rather happy with this!

I added a number of accessories as well to this combination - I had an extra couple of minutes to work this out, which is the only reason I don't normal wear earrings etc!

My new earrings are from Dainty Roses: http://daintyroses.co.uk/ - little blue flowers - perfect and girly!

My necklace is a pale pink racing car from Collectif, but no longer available:

And my brooch is again from Dainty Roses - but I bought the last one:


Much love my lovelies,

K x

Friday, 20 July 2012

Acceptance...

I'm sat here, curled up on the sofa, with an open box of chocolates beside me, staring at the blank screen of a blog post waiting to be written! I love this feeling!

If nothing comes to me, I close the window, read other blogs, read my own past posts, and make sure I don't force it. 

This post today though, has been buzzing around my head for a number of days now. 

We've been talking on twitter about acceptance, Health At Any Size, and our new hashtag - #psbloggers.

I've been trying to track my first steps of body acceptance, and those thoughts aren't quite ready for posts yet, but I wanted to share with you now, is my latest acceptance step:

My arms. 

I don't know when I started to worry about how my arms looked, and covering them up, but I do remember that this was perpetuated by my Mam, whenever trying something on, she would say: "you'll need to cover up your arms". This is just her projecting her own hang ups onto me. But that isn't the point. 

The point is I listened. This photo was taken 4 years ago:


And I hated that picture. HATED IT. Because of my arms. Now though, I love how happy I am, how young I look. 

So today, when wondering what to wear, given the changeable weather / temperamental air con in the office, I opted for this:


YAY! ARMS!

If anyone has a problem with them, it's their problem, not mine.

TIME OUT: Just wanted to show you the amazing print of this dress from Toni (we swapped some clothes in Leeds) and I loved this safari-esque print!


Not knowing the weather, I've added my Excite Clothing shrug in a 20-22, which I keep buying from eBay here


One other thing - the dress has POCKETS!!

I wish I had been able to bear my arms today, but I was going to. I promise! 

I'm getting there, slowly.

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Plus North IRL

Hello great followers! 

I am massively excited to be reliving the event that was Plus North. I knew it would be good, (see here), but I didn't expect it to be this amazing!

In my earlier post, I explained a little as to what Caroline (of CurvyWordy fame) and I got up to in Leeds, but stopped short of the Main Event!

The Main Event!

We had an early night in preparation on Friday, and were up all bright eyed and bushy tailed:


I had already planned to wear my Lady Vintage dress from this post, but I needed a cardigan to go with it - I opted for this cardigan by Little Miss Delicious:


I chose the 18-20 so it would fit my waist, which it does perfectly.

Once Caroline and I arrived at Aspire - a beautiful venue in Leeds City Centre - we were whisked away to Simply Be to try on the outfits we were to be modelling on the catwalk. Oh yes, the catwalk! But I'm getting too far ahead of myself!

We had the option of heading down two flights of stairs to try the clothes on in the swanky bathroom, OR, strip off in front of everyone, and hurriedly try on our outfits for immediate approval / suggestions from the other blogging models. I opted to get changed there and then... I only later realised that in my prancing state that there were males walking in and out of the mezzanine level!

Whilst changing, we had the chance to introduce ourselves (even though we really knew each other already), and I caught up again with Kaye (after meeting her at the Simply Be Stockton Opening), I also 'met' Dannielle, Rosie and caught up with Cyn - a fellow model from Plus London! Pals in Arms almost! Cyn wasn't happy with her outfits, and so we mixed and matched instead. The camaraderie was there, ready to help us if needed! We didn't need it.

With the outfits settled, I was keen to catch up with, well, everyone! But it was Benefit make up time. And I was a bad blogger and didn't get a photo of the makeup - suffice to say I've added Pore-ffesional, They're Real, and a brow visit to my list of 'must haves'!

Make up done, I handed my hair straighteners to Cyn, and headed downstairs to get my name badge:


This was where we met the comedy duo that was Mr BeBe, and his partner in crime, Ben. I can see how they kept Becky sane, or drove her to distraction, one of the two! 

Whilst at the 'front desk', Hayley Wall swanned in, looking luscious in her post Barcelona glow:

Thanks tohttp://www.rebeccanorthcottphotography.com/ for the photograph

We had a wander around the stalls as they were setting up, and I had the opportunity to hand out a couple of these:


 My new business cards from Staples in Crown Point! Suitably vintage and girly I hope!

We had the pleasure of meeting the lovely PeskyChloe, and my name badge gained an extra visitor:


I'm sure you'll agree that he is a sweetie!

On chatting with the brands there, I have to say I'm looking forward to working with Excite Clothing and Curvissa in the future, brands who are looking to develop and work with us to make sure they meet the needs of the growing plus size community.

The competition to 'dress' the dress form was a brilliant idea!


I added my Little Miss Delicious cardigan as I couldn't resist adding the burst of colour! To check out the other outfits, visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.395580510501540.88098.149650918427835&type=1 - and add a sneaky 'like' if you like as well!

Suddenly it was catwalk time!

Strangely, I wasn't nervous. I knew I was in a room of positivity, of inclusion, and most of all, of warmth. 

The 12 models all lined up ready for the catwalk to commence - Charlotte-of-SimplyBe was ready to read out our outfits, and where appropriate, our blog addresses. We were ready:


My first outfit. I cobbled this together, and so glad I did! I loved the jeans, and think it needed to be shown that fat lasses can wear skinny jeans. I have chunky calves, and large thighs, but felt AMAZING in these size 20 skinny jeans from Simply Be. The COLOUR is delightful. I can't decide if the outfit works or not, but I loved the sparkly animal print top, and as it needed a belt to give it shape, I needed to add the light tan belt. 

Second outfit:


This is my favourite. And I think it shows! I love purple, but never loved my legs enough to encase them in it! Now though, well, try to stop me!

I know that skater dresses work for me, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to wear this on the catwalk, and show how great it can look.

You want to see how amazing we looked on the catwalk?


Enjoy!

After the catwalk was over - which was all too quickly if you ask me - the models were told they could keep the clothes as a thank you - blumming generous lot if you ask me!


As you can see, we were a very happy bunch after that news!

Now we were free to enjoy the rest of the day. I managed to sit for all of 5 minutes, before heading off to talk to Tesco for a little bit, getting excited about their work on their plus size 'True' range, and their work in their virtual dressing room.

I was able to get my nails painted (quickly), to match the outfit I'd planned for the evening, and stole a number of fruitella sweets from the Curvissa stall! - I've requested parma violets and macaroons from them next year!

The prize draw was pulled, and so many happy faces as the winners  paraded up the catwalk. As we were wrapping up, I suddenly realised who half of the wonderful women were! I am so sorry if I didn't speak to you, or didn't know who you were, I was rather flustered by being in a room with so many amazing and beautiful ladies in it - I did the best I could!

I not only got a goodie bag as a thank you from SimplyBe, but I also got a gift bag from the lovely Plus North team!

Now, the Plus North team. Many things have been said already about the wonderful job these women did of planning this event in 6 MONTHS. Imagine what they could do in 12 MONTHS!

They tirelessly dealt with emails, with brands and with venues. Please visit http://theonlywayistoni.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://theramblingsofmrsbebe.blogspot.co.uk/ and http://www.lilybobombslovelylumps.com/ and show their blog some love. This is the best gift we can offer. Until next year when we can buy tickets and show our support again.

As we were leaving we hastily came up with a plan for tea - Jamie's Italian. We speedily rushed back to the hotel to get freshened up before the table booked for 8:30. Other than a delayed taxi and masses of rain, our night went as planned. 

My outfit was arranged in advance: My Collectif top (in a 20 this time), my Domino Dollhouse skirt and my Collectif petticoat for added umph!


I even went bare legged - unheard of for me, but with a bit of Vaseline smeared to avoid chub rub, I was set!

A merry time was had by all, and I have to say, I even stepped up on the Karaoke stage!

Much love my lovelies, see you next year, 

K x

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Leeeeeeeds

Disclaimer time: I have a love hate relationship with Leeds. I lived there whilst doing my Teacher Training 7 years ago, so not the best of times! But after a view fleeting visits, I have slowly realised why I hated it - I didn't get the chance to enjoy what this city had to offer!

Once PlusNorth was announced, Caroline (of CurvyWordy fame) and I decided to make a bit of a holiday of it! Wednesday arrived, and I reckon I'd packed for about 2 weeks, not 4 nights!! 


I wore my ASDA £6 dress, my ExciteClothing shrug from eBay, and my red nurses belt, again from eBay. I pinned my shrug in place with a couple of brooches - who needs to sew it in place! 

The Premier Inn Leeds West was slightly out of town, but the staff were top notch! I didn't get a chance to investigate too much as Caroline and I were off to meet Toni to go to a Nelly High Heels event in the Oracle bar. 

You can just about see myself, Caroline and Toni - picture courtesy of http://nelly.com/uk/events/high-heels/

We got to chose three shoes, one of which will be delivered to us! I'm a flat shoes kinda girl, and I'm a wide footer, so I've chosen some shoes well out of my comfort zone - in two sizes too small:




The Oracle bar was lush, but busy, so we headed out to Frankie & Bennies, so we could talk and eat and laugh. We headed back to Toni's, and some clothes were swapped! 

Thursday dawned, and Caroline and I had a mission: we wanted to go to Bravissimo, and have a wander about Leeds City centre. 

Before I'd left home on the Wednesday, my ASOS sale order had arrived. That meant I was able to wear this dress for my wander about Leeds:


I love the print, and the elasticated waist sits in the perfect place on me, but a belt would add an interesting twist to it I think. 

After finding parking a bother, we headed to Bravissimo, via the Doc Martin shop (hellooooo, leather smell!), and can I just say how lovely the ladies at Brav were? I went in a 36H, came out a 36HH, and with a plain white 'Satine', and my favourite:


We then mooched around, stopping for coffee, popping into Boots (helloooooo light up make up mirror with magnifier - 50% off!).

We made it back to the hotel and had a trying on session. Before we realised, it was gone 9pm and we'd not had dinner! The hotel restaurant beckoned. £22 got us breakfast and a 3 course dinner, so we knew we HAD to make use of our prepaid meal!

I was a bit rubbish come Friday after 2 late nights and no naps (!) so forgot to take a photo of the outfit, but it was this dress! We met up with some friends for a trip to Dorothy Perkins and in the end, that was about all we managed! Post to follow on the dress I found in there. 

White Rose was next on our list - and boy was it worth the trip! An Inspire section in New Look, and an actual Evans shop! I picked up some bedding in Primark, some brogues in Clarks, and this black skater dress from Inspire:


I already had it in the purple, but I love it in the black - and a perfect dress to go with my new WeLoveColors leggings!

Friday ended with Caroline and I eating in the hotel, and getting an early night, in preparation for our reason for going to Leeds in the first place: Plus North!

Gosh, I have rambled on, haven't I!? I'll cover PlusNorth in more detail in my next post. 

I have missed you all, and I'm sorry about my blog absense!

Much love my lovelies, 

K x