Grace: Vol.Up.2

I'm a fat lady. There's no other way to put it. That's what I am. It is by no means who I am though.

I am a fat lady, who is allowed to be beautiful, attractive, sexy, cute and all of those other words that don't ordinarily come along with the 'Fat' word. 

Over the last few years I've been on a bit of a journey with my body and my own road to self acceptance and I firmly believe that it's an ongoing adventure which never really ends. 

A few months ago I was asked by the amazing Velvet D'Amour, if I would be interested in taking part in her editorial, Vol.Up.2. Now, I'm no model but there was nothing to think about really, how could I say no?

On the day of the shoot I turned up on a very cold February morning armed with a suitcase full of beautiful clothing sent to me by the amazing Shawna of Chubby Cartwheels and met Velvet at a fabulously quirky London apartment. The awesome hair and make up girls, Rachel Williamson and Rebecca McMahon turned up and began working to transform me into a new Naomi, the Vol.Up.2 'Grace' Naomi...

These pictures are fantastic (and there's more on the site). Chubby flesh, double chins, visible belly outline, bare arms, they're fantastic because these pictures showcase all the things women work so tirelessly hard to hide ALL OF THE TIME. 

My hands are up, I'm one of those women, I can't help it, but as women we're driven to desperation trying to attain and maintain that 'perfect body Mecca'. Constantly looking for miracle fixes to hide all of our 'ugly flaws'. When I first saw these pictures, I'm not going to lie they were difficult to take in without that critical voice in the back of my head going 'Oh my god, look at your fat arms' but the more I look at these pictures the more I feel proud to be the person in them giving a big fuck you to the pressure society places on us to conform to it's 'beautiful' standards. 

And there it is, these pictures are another stop on my journey to self acceptance and that road to loving my body, every chubby knee, every wrinkle, every crease, it's all mine, it's all real and it's all beautiful, no matter what society or anybody else wants to think about it...

I don't expect everybody to understand some of the sentiment behind this post, especially some of my friends and readers whom are consumed with hating themselves or obsessed with 'commercial beauty' standards, but I hope you will all take away something from what I say. Beauty isn't just about the biggest cleavages, the fake tans and the size 8 waists, it's about so, so much more...

Check out the Grace issue of Vol.Up.2 and see all the other beautiful, real, amazing models who took part....

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX

Indian Summer: AX Paris Curve Outfit

Afternoon my loves!

I'm a little bit behind with my AX Paris reviews as I've not been feeling too up for photo opportunities to be honest.

The guys over at AX Paris Curve sent me over a gorgeous Indian Paisley Print Maxi dress for April and as we've had a little sunshine today I've taken full advantage of getting my maxi on!

Cue a lot of cleavage and ridiculous posing pics....

Indian Paisley Maxi Dress - £38.00 AX Paris Curve

Studded Fringe Bag - Littlewoods

Peeptoe Studded Flats - Primark

Chiffon Shrug - New Look Inspire

Yellow Earrings - Primark

Great dress, a little snug on my 46G boobies and maybe a little clingier than I would like but it is a size 26 and I always said I'd be 'making it work' with the AX Paris Curve items as they're size range is only to a 26. Still, works though? Yay? I don't care, I love a maxi for summer days!

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX

Changing Room Dress Up: Clements Ribeiro Swan SS2013

Evenin' Lovelies!

So, I'm gonna cut to the chase with this post because it could go on for a while. 

I was around London today so took the opportunity to pop along to the Evans Marble Arch store to check out the new Clements Ribeiro Swan collection 'Holiday' for SS2013.

I love the bright, fun, kitschy, playfulness of the collection, I feel it's reminiscent of the Beth Ditto collaboration (oh how I loved that collab!) and am so pleased to see it being thrown in the spotlight headed by some of my very favourite, fabulous blogger girls!

Although I liked them, I wasn't really bothered about the t-shirts as they aren't the right length for me to wear comfortably so gave them a miss and instead went for the 3 jersey tunics and the 2 shirt dresses in the range to try on.

First of all, the jersey dresses. I really wanted at least one of these to work for me, but due to the dual sizing making them too generously cut around my bust, but clingy on my tummy I just didn't feel comfortable in them, the cut was just all wrong for me. If I was to choose one of the dresses that I preferred I'd have opted for the Lobster Print but I didn't love it enough to hop, skip and jump out of the store with it. It looks so good on Bethany who models it for the range, but I'm just far too conscious of VBO (visible belly outline) for me to rock it and feel amaze! I'd say if you're busty and broad shouldered with a smaller tummy these could work well for you, but remember, there's no stretch in these as you'd maybe expect with jersey.

Lips Print Jersey Dress - The one I originally wanted, but after trying on, it's not for me sadly.

UK 30/32

Daisy Dot Print Jersey Dress - Bright, vibrant, fun, but too baggy in the bust and again too clingy around the tummy.

UK 30/32

Winner of the jersey dresses for me...

 Lobster Print Jersey Dress - Kitschy, comfy but again slightly too snug around the belly.

UK 30/32

Secondly, the coveted shirt dresses! Oh how I longed for one of these to look good on me! I really prayed for it! There were only 30's left on the rail, no 32's, so I was hopeful that they would be OK. The Painterly Animal Shirt Dress was an imminent NO! I haven't actually taken pics of that dress because I couldn't even get it on. I felt a bit like Sarah Jessica Parker in that one episode of Sex and The City where she's ripping the wedding dress off her for dear life. Maybe it was just that the one that I tried was really badly cut? I don't know, but that dress was a no go for me. 

Lastly was the Lip Print Shirt Dress which was modelled by the gorgeous Callie of 'From The Corners of The Curve'. I tried it on after the Painterly Shirt Dress and had already resigned myself to it not fitting after my previous experience, funnily enough though it went on fine. Both of these dresses are pretty much cut the same, so I couldn't understand why I didn't have a chance in the Painterly Dress in a 30 but the Lip Print Dress was OK? Odd? Anyway, the Lip dress went on great, but unfortunately as it was a little snug it gaped and pulled at the bust and my tummy. 

Lip Print Shirt Dress - Great print, fab colours, some stretch, but a size too small for me.

UK 30.

The dress does have some stretch in it and the material is lovely but unfortunately I'm not comfortable with anything clingy, so again it was a no for me. I'm hoping I can try and get my hands on one in a 32 to see if that's any better, so if anybody spots one, let me know!

Overall my favourites from the collection are the Lobster Print Jersey Dress and the Lip Print Shirt Dress. It's really great to see Evans release something fun and kitschy again so regardless of my experience of the fit of the range, I'm pleased to see that it's out there and engaging a younger, edgy audience to the brand. If I manage to get my hands on a 32 in the shirt dress I will definitely let you know and post an outfit. Otherwise, what are your favourite pieces from the collection?

Let me know!

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX

One Woman's Junk: Music Magpie

So, 

Over the last couple of weeks, due to my mega skintness I've been pulling out some of my beloved dresses and clothes to send off to new homes where they can be loved and appreciated just as they deserve to be. 

Sometimes it's really hard to let go, last week I finally bit the bullet and sold my much coveted Beth Ditto for Evans Domino Dress. When I bought it I told myself I would never let it leave me but I just felt so bad seeing it thrown to the back of my wardrobe, especially as this season has exploded with bodycon dresses, that I knew it was time to let it be loved by someone who will truly treasure it. 

 Farewell my beautiful Beth dress...

Whilst there will always be some items that will be snapped up for pretty much the price you paid for them and are no trouble finding new homes for, I can guarantee that if you're anything like me you will have a bunch of items sat in your wardrobe which aren't really worth spending loads of time uploading and adding listings to auction websites, but still have enough value for you to not want to dump them off at the charity shop.

Cue clothes recycling at Music Magpie! I know, it sounds absurd, right? They're the guys that just buy your old 'Now That's What I Call Music 35' album that you begged your mom for just so you could bounce around in your latest Spice Girls themed hairstyle, but honestly, stay with me.....

Music Magpie have now added a function where you can get cash for your old, unwanted clothes too! I had a nosy through the site and was impressed. You select the brand, then the item, click a few other drop downs and voila, you're given a price for your old dress. I'm not gonna lie to you, they aren't offering mega bucks but if you've got a bag full of items that you just need to get rid of quickly, then it's a great way to make a few quid quickly and easily.

So ladies (and any gents out there reading) it's definitely worth checking out!

BIG LOVE!

XOXOXOX 

 *sponsored Post*

Shiny, Happy, People: Outfit

Whoops not quite ready for my picture yet Grant....

Afternoon my loves!

I went out last night for a few drinks with friends (nothing new there) and wanted to show you my outfit!

My mom originally took some snaps of this outfit for me but I looked like a right minger on them, so my Grant-face friend took a couple for me. I love the fact that my friends totally understand my blogging life and all the things that come along with it, like posing on a grim Wolverhampton street just for a photo opportunity. 

No, seriously though, when I first started blogging years ago I have to admit, I was terrified of anybody finding out about it. Why? Mainly because I didn't think anybody would understand it and that my real life just wouldn't be accepting of me being so vocal about my life as a fat girl, funnily enough, they've all proved me and my worries wrong, so this is a big thank you to everyone who has supported me and my blogging, it really means a lot to know it's something I can be open about. I know it seems silly to think that anybody would be against it, but people are strange aren't they? But I have awesome friends, it's as simple as that. 

Anyway, enough of the soppy stuff, here are some decent pics oh and some obligatory toilet mirror shots...

Skull Drop Earrings - ASOS 

Studded Fringe Bag C/O - Littlewoods

 Butterfly Kimono - 'Collection' by Evans given to me by Claire

Sequin Vest - New Look Inspire (old)

Black Jeggings - Simply Be

Studded Ankle Boots - New Look

I wear this kimono so much! It's become a go to item in my wardrobe, absolutely love it. Also I really wanted to show off the studded fringe bag I received from Littlewoods, I only received it yesterday but I'm really in love with it! Also I wanted to point out the highlighted glow on my cheeks in these pics, it's courtesy of my Estee Lauder Gelee Blush palette in 'Tease', a tiny sweep across the apples of your cheeks give such a great highlighted glow, it's so fantastic! Expensive but if you can get your hands on one I guarantee you will love it too!

Right, I'm off! Enjoy your Sunday guys!

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX