I'm a big fan of cardigans. They just have a way of sneaking up on you, unassuming and twinset-and-pearls-y, when suddenly you're wearing a cardigan with an ice cream on it and thinking - this is ME!.
**ahem** Sorry, I get a little carried away when on the subject of cardigans. The lovely Maxine Delicious named me her Cardigan Queen!
As you can tell from the collage, I'm a fan of the short cardigan, but I was really looking for something a little more relaxed and slouchy:
Which meant it was perfect for dressing down my Junarose dress for a relaxed Sunday doing chores, and then heading out to dinner with my Grandma!
It then made a poorly feeling me feel a little less icky in the office on Monday - where the comfort levels needed to be much higher than normal!
In fact, it is now hanging on the back of my chair at work, as I don't know about you, but my office fluctuates between the heights of summer and the depths of winter in one day - so there is no way to dress accordingly other than layers! So this cardi is a great way to counteract that as it's a neutral colour (although I'm not usually one to let colours clashing stop me!).
I opted for the 22/24, and found the fit to be perfect for the oversized look! My only criticism is the material is a little scratchy, but I get the idea that it would soften with washes.
Overall, I'd give this a 5 * rating! The roughness of the material really isn't something I would mark them down for!
A perfect piece for the transitioning wardrobe from Summer to Winter - and if you have an office like mine!
Have a look at what my fellow Knitwear Reviewers make of their pieces:
The words "denim jacket" always bring to mind the same shape to me - the classic shape:
Which is great for the cool summer nights, but I'm in the market for a transition jacket - one that is lightweight but a little bit more practical.
This Parka by Curvissa hit all the right boxes in what I was looking for - a hood, longer length, but still lightweight and summer-y.
The new denim collection by Curvissa is more of the same - taking classic ideas, and giving it a bit of a twist - from the pinafore dress to the denim trenchcoat!
Teamed with a summer tunic, I opted for the double denim look, with my bootcut jeans:
I opted for this coat in a 24, as my sizing experience with Curvissa was a little hit and miss, and I have to say I feel it's little tight to wear with layers, but with this lightweight tunic and jeans, I feel it's just about right!
There is a zip fastening which goes the length of the jacket, but by just fastening the press studs I managed to avoid the bunching at the knees!
While I see me wearing this open more than anything, as that way I can show off what I'm wearing underneath, it is nice to know that I actually can fasten it to no great sacrifice to style or looks should I need to!
Thanks to the Curvissa team for allowing me to take this collection for a test run! See what the other ladies chose of the new Denim Collection:
I'm not going to dwell any more on this post here. It said what I needed to say. Thank you everyone for your lovely and kind words, it is greatly appreciated, more than you'll know.
Now, THE GOOD STUFF!
Plus North last year was amazing, and I was expecting more of the same with this year. It surpassed that. It was immense. These are big words for a big occasion, and it was a wonderfully positive and safe space for all.
I got to Manchester earlier than expected, given the rain, and so had time to settle into my room, before a wonderful message at 4ish arrived from Elena saying she and Toni were downstairs. The first of many booby, squishy GOOD hugs were given out, and it was like I'd known Elena forever.
After stealing Becky away from a big meeting, and doling out more hugs, a catch up was called for! This happened during the unpacking of cars, nail painting, sticking of stickers, viewings of venues, playing with mannequins, comparing underwear, and generally EVERYTHING!
We quickly realised we were running a little late for our 9pm dinner date with 25 other rad fatties over at an all you can eat place. You can't make this stuff up, it is all true!
The food paled in comparison with the company. I got to squeal so many times when I saw faces I 'knew' and loved and got to hug so so many beautiful bodies. It was amazing. I can't believe I finally got to meet Beth, Becky, Steph, Dani, Naomi, Nikki, Emma and Chris, as well so so many more wonderful women.
I was sad that I'd missed the beautiful Chloe, but I knew I would see her the following day.
Miss this lady lots already - Elena x
After an light nights sleep (too excited to get much sleeping done!), I bounced up and out the door pretty much! The shower was heavenly, but I had no time to dally - I wanted to slip into this lovely Koko London number. I picked it up from New Look (now £18!)
I had a little flap that the collar and the necklace was a little too fussy:
But then I thought, STUFF IT! I loved it!
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day - and when you start it with Toni and Elena (who ROCKED shorts!), it really is important to your self worth!
By 9am, I was playing with helium, chatting with Emma & Chris (Meet the Millards), and generally loving life! When Chloe rocked up, I sprinted over to give her the biggest of squishiest hugs - it was like a reunion in a RomCom! Chloe also managed to snap this pic of my love of the PacMan effect detail in the pillar:
Fast forward an hour, and Elena and I wandered into the meeting room for the Best British Bloggers chat. I want to call it a workshop, but it was very much a two way discussion about the service they offer, as well as the people behind the account.
I had a massive SQUEEEE over meeting @EmGlobetrotter, looking HAWT in her jumpsuit (or jumpsuit effect!) outfit. THOSE SHOES!
@Amy__Liz looked adorable in her swan print dress and bowler hat. And @Chloe_Rushworth looked so put together in her monochrome shirt. So much fashion love in that room!
Sadly we had to leave before the talk ended - us models were very much in demand - but I did manage a cheeky catch up before suggesting they watched the ROCKING Simply Be catwalk. I'm persuasive, I know!
When standing around in the models room, with gorgeous dresses in my hands, I just stripped off. I didn't think twice about it. We were all given a bra from the Panache range. I was lucky to be given the Andorra in Pearl to wear, with the matching shorts, which I'd collected the evening before from Toni.
Rather quickly, the whole room was getting changed, trying on their new bras, and getting a fitting from the Panache fitter. A few ladies were looking a little apprehensive with their items, or with the fit, and I tried my upmost to put them at ease.
The whole modelling thing, is more about the model, than the clothes, in my eyes. It is about us feeling comfortable, confident and OWNING IT on the catwalk. I'm brash and loud, but the Mother Hen came out and I started clucking around the ladies around me to praise and swoon over their outfits. This was out of genuine love for the ladies and whilst some of the clothes were out of comfort zones, they still looked awesome.
Once my 4 outfits were planned, I snuck out of the room to leave the ladies to it, and was met by Alyssa, over at Twisted Siren, and the posse of pretties who were milling about the stall of shiny handmade wonder. And yes, I did pick out a few treats while I was there!
At some point I also managed to get Chloe to make me this:
as part of her #travellingbadgemaker enterprise!
In between being the receptionist for the MUA for the models, I met with the ravishing Rachel @Catsuitcity, who was having a little model related anxiety. After frog marching her over to Charlotte at Simply Be, who brought a sense of calm to the situation, the perfect outfit was found:
See? So much fun was had! I WHOOPED! Boy did I whoop! I was under the impression my camera on my phone would do for the event, and most of my pictures are rather blurry. For the rest of the shows, I added clapping to my WHOOOOOOPING!
The ladies exuded confidence and class. Just thinking about it has me out in goosebumps!
The Yours Clothing catwalk was just the same - full of gorgeous women being gorgeous in a range of autumn and winter clothing.
When trying on our outfits, I did think to myself that Excite clearly know me very well, opting for this:
Look at us all! All happy and clappy and so AWESOME!
The rest of the day was spent running about and not really having much time to talk to many people. By the time 5pm arrived, I was asked to model for Scarlett & Jo, which will come in part 2!
Much love my lovelies,
K x
Disclaimer - I am not actually sure which came first, Excite or Curvissa. So I may have my order a little jumbled up! xx
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:
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!
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!
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!
