Dare to go without?

This past year, my battle with the red hair dye shifted. 

It is no long a case of the colour had faded, or that my dirty blonde roots were coming through that had me grabbing a bottle of red. 

It was the battle with the white roots. Not the grey ones, no, I think I missed that step, but white. 

So this New Year, I'm actually have a resolution - the resolution to let the red fade, to let it grow out, and to see what shocking shades of grey / white lurk under the cherry red!

I might be 30, but that doesn't mean I can't be grey too!

My reward? 

I have a blue rinse waiting for me - not really, but I do have a box of lavender hair dye waiting for me!

Wish me luck!

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

Plus North - The Good Stuff Part 2

Not only did I have the pleasure of modelling during the day, I was asked by the lovely team at Scarlett & Jo to model in their evening catwalk. 

Whereas the day time catwalk was about our own hair and makeup (although if we wanted to, there was a team of MUA to help us out), the evening show had the theme of Hollywood glamour, and a team of 3 MUA to work their magic. 

MrsBeBe looking effortlessly glamorous, oozing sex appeal.

There was a lot of waiting around, either for there to be a slot free with the MUAs, or waiting for our hair to set, or just waiting. This was a bless though, as it meant I got to spend quality time with the beauties that were my fellow models:

Minxy-Megan Faye, Me, Sexy-Sian, Racy Rosie, Ex-Rated Elena and Bootiful Betty

Now, any normal social situation, that involved me sitting there with no make up on, and surrounded by ladies I've admired for a great while, would have had me retreat into a bubble - but this bunch of beauties? Well:

When my dress for the evening wasn't enough to contain my boobs, I tried a little improvisation to sort out the problem:

Using an ear stud - but this wasn't enough for the chief designer, so a quick tacking and it was all fixed!

Now, Hollywood glamour, to me, means soft waves, or pin up style rolls, not really much they can do with my short hair:

Ooooh, I was wrong! I felt very Chicago-esque with my sleeked down hair and red lips. I was set!!

My 'twin' Rachel, my vision Elena, and fiery redhead Kaye

I loved meeting the gorgeous Kim, and spending some time with Emma, as well as a chance to chat properly with Betty, from Pamper and Curves. I first met her at the main event, but as I was begging her for a favour, I wanted to make a better 2nd impression!

Rachel and I opened the show, as we were both in versions of the same dress:

My fellow models made this a joyous experience, where we supported and encouraged each other throughout the whole event:

I would like to thank the team at Scarlett & Jo for this complete one-off opportunity. I can't ever imagine having this empowering, sexy and confidence-boosting experience again. 

Unless of course, I wear one of these powerfit dresses in the office, and treat every trip to the canteen as my own personal catwalk that is!

Much love my lovelies, 

K x

We are the MODs!

As you might be able to tell from my love of all things Vintage, as a teenager, and into my early twenties, I wished I could be a mod. A proper, modern gal, with vinyl, short hair and fierce dancing skills. I read things like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Kes, and Clockwork Orange. I listened to Nuggets, mix CDs with obscure cover versions and B sides. We regularly went to 60s club nights, and every month you would see me at a club night called Brighton Beach. 

Why am I telling you all this?

Because, even with all my dedication to the 'cause', I couldn't get the look right. And in Mod terms, the look was the whole sch-bang! Mod fashion and boobs didn't mix.Mod fashion and curves didn't mix either for that matter! It was all shift dresses and mini skirts. 

My outfit yesterday is the kind of outfit I **wish** I'd have worn 8 years ago. But better late than never:

Top: Wardrobe for Simply Be Contrast Jersey Top

Skirt: Domino Dollhouse Full Skirt in Back & White Stripe

Belt: Gifted from Caroline

And look - NEW HAIR! Since I was 20, and my short hair grew out, I swore I would not go down this route again. But to even my hair out, and to combat the humidity we've been having lately, I took the step! 

And this is the finished effect! 

I had an amazing night in Durham with my very good friend JM, with a lush tea in Chiquito (this is their Apple & Elderflower virgin cocktail), and wandered up to the Cathedral to see a band very close to my heart, the Futureheads play:

This was taken before the rains came, and the two photos below were my views in the Cathedral: 

Such a power venue, and two great 'support' acts in Natasha Haws and The Lake Poets.

Truly a night to remember on that score.

Much love my lovelies,

K x

A post to say Thank You

Having got in from work today, feeling the pinch of #frugalfeb already (had to put in for a leaving present and resented it for a second - then I realised that it was allowed, but still it ruined my clean slate of spending), I was in a funk. Granted a funk in new jeans, but still a funk!!

Until I saw a number of letters from our Service personel. And I realised my #frugalfeb was pittence in comparison with their sacrifice. Funk avoided.

Then on top of the envelopes of thanks, I had a parcel. "I thought you weren't spending this month" muttered Dad.

My parcel contained this:

My prize from the lovely PlusSize22. Toni, you little star - adding extra items like the nail pen, and the dry shampoo! Toni's blog was one of the first I started to read, and was the one that made me sign up and try my hand at this now very addictive pastime!

So now a chipper Kathryn sits behind the screen, and I'm thinking a relaxing evening of TV ahead, rather than the planned room tidying and packing for PlusLondon2!!

Much love my lovelies,

K x

Week of Colour, Day 6

So, today I got lost north of the river - nothing new there then - and had a date with my good friend Erin for a general catch up. She also wanted to get her hands on my hair to see if she could convince me it was a good move.

Well, what to wear to such an event. As you may have noticed, I don't really do jeans / trousers if I can help it. So I dug out the following outfit, in the hope it would fool you all as a part of my #weekofcolour. I think I managed it, as the teal cardigan stayed on all day!

Dress: ASDA George

Cardigan: ASDA George

Tights: M&SNails: Front Cover

I love the pattern of this dress; I love that I can wear purple / teal / grey with it. It is my 'go to' dress for any type of dressy / casual (read date) type event!!

And today, I fancied a little something colourful and bright, without being too 'in your face'.

Oh and look, I managed my nails as well today! All together a good day in terms of clothes, but this outfit didn't lift my spirits as much as a mooch and a chat with Erin did!

Much love my lovelies,

Kathryn

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Okay, so I've had some strange hair dos in my time. I think the only thing I've not done to it is a perm!

So when I think about how I can change up my hairdo from the bob / graduated bob / side fringe / full fringe combo, I'm a little stuck!

My new hair do:

Short on one side, chin length on the other, is a little scary for me, as my previous daliances with 'shorter than chin length' testifies:

Sorry for the rotation, blogger seems to be clitched at the moment.

Yes, that is me. I started off wanting hair looking like this:

And ended up with a number two, back and sides, short and spikey on top.

Not only was this a one time thing - I had this hair for about 3 years (17 - 20ish). Oh yes. I thought it was cool and edgey. Then I realised, and started to grow it out.

There is a reason I don't have many pictures of my hair bright red, with a newly shaved back and sides. Other than the one above, in a memory book made for me by Jackie for my 21 birthday.

My favourite photo of me / my hair is this one:

So honestly, where was left for me to go from here, other than growing it, and pulling it back in a ponytail everyday  -  which I would.

Shorter hair needs more work, more effort, but it makes me do it, and so, helps with the framing of the face, and air of "I give a f**k about how I look", even when I don't.

Any photos of you out there that you wish didn't exist? Or hair styles you regretted?

Much love my lovelies,

K xx

Blood Orange

Okay, when the fashion world annouced that this seasons colour was tangerine, I cringed. I dye my hair red, and my colouring suits it. I would not say I was a orange person. I don't like the fruit. I didn't think I need this colour in my life.

Until...

The esteemable Mrs BeBe introduced to me this ebay purchase - a Tu dress, meant to be £40 but was being sold for £14.99:

I'm getting used to the new hair - post to come - so pardon the strange posing. But I love this vibrant colour!!

The skater dress has been around for a little while, but this is the first on I'd managed to get that I liked the fit and cut of. The material is heavy, but moves beautifully!

I'd say this though, I'm tall. Yes, this again, but I might not be able to wear less than 60 denier tights with this derss.

If I was a part of Five Take Five, I'd have this as my 1960s outfit. I was wearing my purple tights when I tried this on, and actually it looked okay!!

Now, I really need to start selling some dresses to make room!!

Much love my lovelies,

K x