Vice Magazine Student Riot Photoshoot....

I absolutely had to post this. If I am totally honest I had never heard of Vice until a few days ago. Myself and Mr Naomi were having a discussion about the student riots and he was like "Have you seen that fashion shoot Vice did in the middle of the student protests?". I was like "errrrrr hold up, number 1. Who and what is Vice Magazine? and 2. Show me these photo's!" He promptly got out a crumpled newspaper from his bag and showed me the article.

My first thoughts were 'OMG how brilliant is that!' The shoot is so clever, cheeky, quirky, witty, edgy and ballsy that it really did capture me. I logged on to their website and had a nosey at the other pics and I have to say, as far as fashion shoots go, this has to be one of my all time faves! Brilliant, just brilliant!

Here are a couple of fave images from the set....

All images borrowed from Vice Magazine

To see the rest of the shoot, click here...

Vice Magazine Riot Girls

A week in the life of moi!

Hi guys!

How are you all?! Well I can wholeheartedly say its been a very busy week for me, between my usual run between both of my jobs, blogging and attending my end of Panto Party with my very favourite theatre boys and girls its been a bit of a whirlwind which has gone so so quickly!

First of all last week I was asked by Evans if I would be interested in doing a post for them on their Fashion Fix Blog about the new season of shoes they have in at the moment. Of course, I couldn't have been more excited to have been asked and jumped at the chance, being a massive shoe whore and an Evans lover. The post went up on Friday 28th January and I was thrilled to see my little name on their web page! Evans have started having some really amazing shoes in over the past 12 months and I regularly find myself lusting after them, so being asked to give my round-up of a fave 3 pairs and talk about how Id wear them wasn't exactly a chore! If you haven't already seen the post you can see it by clicking here...

Evans Fashion Fix, Shoes Glorious Shoes!

Also this week I received an email from Lauren who writes the awesome blog Pocket Rocket Fashion and now also looks after the Yours Clothing Blog. She asked if I minded if she used one of my images featuring a Yours Clothing item to feature in a blogger round-up. Again, the answer was of course a great, big, fat, YES! You can see that post by clicking here...

Yours Clothing Blogger Round-up!

I was also thrilled this week to have been able to have a sneak preview of one of the new Simply Be ranges, 'And Abigail' which is due to be released next week, which I featured in a post here at Diamonds 'n' Pearls.


So it has also been a busy week around the blog-o-sphere. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say thank you to all of you who have popped along and read and supported my humble little beginnings so far, I really do love writing this blog and from when I started it a couple of months ago and was barely getting any hits whatsoever to now having a lovely little following it just spurs me on to continue to interact with you all! Thanks guys! I am so excited about Plus London next weekend and the prospect of getting to meet some of you! Who's gonna be there?!?! And more importantly, what are you all wearing?!

Anyway, Thursday was our big end of panto party night where all of us from the theatre have a big night out to celebrate the end of the panto season and say goodbye! Cast, Crew, Performance Staff and all get all dressed up and dance the night away (any excuse). I had a fab night, I have some amazing friends whom I work with which all in turn is a great mix for an amazing night, just a shame it was on a work night for me (boooooooo). Heres a few snaps of the evening, my friend Adam looking very happy schmoozing with Christopher Biggins!

So, Im gonna round this up now with a little heads up to a new magazine called Beautiful Magazine. I had an email from a lovely lady whom was one of the judges at the recent Plus Size Tall, Evans model comp who asked if I would let you all know about the release of the new mag aimed at curvy ladies. If you pop along to their website you can get a free digital download copy of the December/January issue. Theres also a chance to become a cover model, winning an exclusive shoot with the amazing Velvet D'Amour and a trip to Paris! Check it out here...

Beautiful Magazine

Right, I have to get off to work and all that malarky, but I do have an OOTD coming up this week which I will get round to posting and some other bits and pieces, but until then everyone,

BIG LOVE!

Win, Win, Win!

My friend Domanique over at Live.Laugh.Love.Fashion is having a little giveaway over at her blog. A £50 shoe voucher for Spartoo could be yours! Check it out!

Win, Win, Win!

Simply Be's new 'And Abigail' range SS2011!

Hi All!

I had a lovely email today from the guys over at Simply Be offering me and my readers a little sneak preview at a new collection which they are launching next week ready for Spring/Summer 2011!

The collection is called 'And Abigail' and is so flirrty, girly, feminine and fashionable that when I first had a nosey at the preview pics it made me absolutely long for summer to arrive! I have always loved how Simply Be get summer trends absolutely bang on and create pieces which will not only last a season but will have you pulling them out of your wardrobe to wear over and over again for many seasons! I have a go to holiday kaftan I bought from them in 2008 which see's every holiday I ever have and I still to this day get compliments over it.....

Anyway, back to the collection, I'm sure you are dying to have a looksie so here is a round-up of the pics...

I really like all of the pieces but if I had to choose 1 it would definitely be the embellished waterfall cardigan! I love the studded detail on the shoulders and the length, perfect for the coming 70's boho chic, relaxed and versatile but also very eyecatching! I think it would look great paired with the white hankerchief vest pictured, or even a slinky, chiffon maxi dress to while away summer evenings, so the cardigan is definitely on my most wanted list!

I've also had a quick look around the blogosphere and it seems Simply Be have some really great ranges coming up for all us plusettes! The lovely Lacara of 'Oh La La Curves' has also featured and blogged about some really cute pieces coming to them very soon, including the new Frock and Frill 2011 collection, so be sure to take a look over at www.simplybe.co.uk

Big Love and Happy Shopping!
<3

When in doubt...seek 'Fatspiration'

So,

Its been a crazy crazy week for me. I started my new job which I am absolutely loving and Ive also been doing a crazy amount of hours at my second job, which has been very busy and taken its toll on Little Miss Nom! So much so, I think the tiredness caught up with me today and bought me down a little bit. Now, Im not one to wallow, Im generally quite an upbeat person so what does Naomi do when she feels a little bit on the gloomy side? On this occassion I had a nosey through some old photo's and remembered some really good times. In October 2009 I jetted off with some friends and visited New York, I have ALWAYS wanted to go and was so so so excited and added to my major excitement was the invitation to go and see the truly fabulous Substantia Jones and have some pictures taken for her brilliant and truly inspirational Adipositivity Project! I stripped off with a group of gorgeous girlies and bared all to take my place in the Adipose Hall of Fame. I had a great day and I was truly honoured to be part of a project which I have admired and watched from afar for so long!

My pictures have been up for a while, but the little memories from then have bought a smile back to my face this evening so I thought I would share my little moment with you, you cant see my face but I assure you that I am there, can you guess which one is my behind? ;)

<3

OOTD Evans Model Final....

Hi guys,

This is just a really quick OOTD post as promised. Evans posted the pics from the model final on their Facebook page and I spotted one taken of me in the outfit that I wore, so here it is...

Jacket - Evans A/W 2010

Chiffon Tunic - New Look Inspire £26.99

Leggings - New Look Inspire 2009

Stack Heel Wedge - New Look £14.99!!! (BARGAIN!)

I felt great in this! I have to have a platform on a pair of heels now as I find it makes them so much more comfortable to walk in, the heels are also on sale at the moment in a range of different colours, they were originally £24.99, seriously I would grab them as they are going to go really well with the up and coming 70's influenced season!

First day of new job went well, I have unfortunately though stumbled upon a major dilemma which I have never really had before but I noticed lots of other women seemed to suffer with it, there is hardly any decent workwear ANYWHERE! I popped to Evans in a mad dash this evening to try and get myself another pair of smart trousers, I cant say I was impressed. I have also had a browse through Simply Be and most of their trousers are either out of stock in my size or too long! *sigh* Anyone have any tips? Please do share!!!!!

Anyway tis bedtime, I am a 9-5'er now you see....

Big Love <3

Evans & Plus Size Tall model final, and overcoming my fear of Brogues OOTD!

Awwwwww where to start?! what a weekend it has been!

I was lucky enough this weekend to be able to attend the plus size model final hosted by Plus Size Tall and sponsored by Evans in Shoreditch, London. Amongst looking forward to seeing the event, more importantly I was there routing for my gorgeous friend Lorna whom was one of the 15 finalists, thanks to anybody who reads my blog who voted for her. Unfortunately Lorna didnt win the competition but all the girls who took part were fabulous and they were all winners as far as I was concerned. In the end the prize went to the very deserving Kelsey who will soon be jetting off to Las Vegas to take part in the Curvy Revolution and fly the flag for all us curvy girlies here in the UK. Well done Kelsey.

I have to say, overall it was a great day, all of the ladies were so brave and confident to get up there and do they're thing. For me, personally, it was nice to hear the stories behind each and everyone of them, stories that myself, as a plus size woman can totally relate too. It was rather emotional to be part of that group, with resounding agreement on how society, media and the fashion industry has made women feel about themselves. There were some serious 'ick' moments for me though when the words 'skinny' and 'real women' were thrown around. I totally understand the way alot of plus size women feel with regards to the size debate, but my view point on the matter is that by shunning women of a smaller size and labelling them as 'not real' then we are as bad as the society and the industry whom made us feel the way we have felt. I believe as women we should embrace the differences in each and every one of us, we have to be very careful when condoning and condemning different ends of a very wide and varied spectrum, we are all REAL WOMEN, regardless of what size you may be.

Anyway, I also got to meet some really great people, first of all I got a little bit starstruck and slightly overwhelmed when Rachel, the creative director of Evans said hello to me and introduced herself. I had a little chat and catch up with the lovely Lauren who was on the judging panel and most interestingly for me was having a natter to Zoe who works on the Evans online team and Gemma whom works with all of their social media. They were both so keen to talk about how they are really trying to bring the Evans community together to really try and understand their customers, they are so passionate and I could genuinely see how for them that its not just about a brand flogging a few clothes they really care about their customers and how they can work with them to deliver the best. Believe it or not guys, love or loathe Evan's clothing, I can wholeheartedly say from now meeting just a handful of people behind the brand that they do really care about their consumers. I feel theres some really exciting things going to be coming up from Evans over the next year and Im itching to see what they are going to be!

Anyway here are a couple of snaps from the day (apologies for the quality)

So I promised another outfit of the day, I was intending on getting one while I was at the event but it was such a busy day that I never got chance, but I do know that the Evans team managed too so if they post it I will blog it for sure! I did a little shopping the other day and bought myself a pair of tan brogues from Primark for £8!! If any of you follow my Twitter you may have seen a tweet saying that I have no idea how to wear them, but when I got home from London this evening I was inspired by a very kind parcel I received from the lovely guys over at Plus Size Tights.


Amongst the items were an AMAZING pair of tights, they were sort of a cable knit effect but were totally nylon, in a 60 denier! I havent opened a box that made me go *squeeeeeeee* in a long time, I know I go on about this all the time but I have a longstanding battle with tights not fitting and well, I now had a brand spanking new pair, in a style other than just basic black, excited? MUCH! So anyway I popped them on with a black skirt from Yours Clothing (which I adore), a long beige vest top from H&M, a beige cardigan from New Look Inspire, a tan waisted belt which I picked up in the Evans sale for a fiver instore a few days ago and these cute little tan brogues from Primark and low and behold, my love for the flat granny shoe (as my bro likes to call them) was ignited...so here I am, in brogues,

Cardigan - New Look Inspire (Summer 2009)
Vest Top - H&M B&B £7.99
Tulip Skirt - Yours £10
Tights - Plus Size Tights (Awaiting price info)
Belt - Evans £5 (Instore sale item)

The skirt is an absolute little gem from Yours it is in the sale currently only in sizes 26-28 and 30-32 but like a lot of Yours items it is definitely cut on the larger side! I originally ordered it in a 26-28 and had to exchange it for a 22-24. It has a lovely thick elasticated waistband that can be worn on the hips or up on the waist and has a lovely tulip split shape with little pockets. It goes with EVERYTHING! Probably one of the most versatile things in my wardrobe right now. So, here is a plea to Yours, please bring the skirt back, in some more styles or colours, please?!?! The tights are fabulous, I am yet to find out the price of them, as they are not yet available on the website, but they are a brand called Levee and as soon as I get more details on them I will post! I have to say, I do love the brogues now I have tried them, and I have decided I am going to get them in the black too, think they may be my new little staple for my new job wardrobe....

Yup thats right, as of tomorrow Naomi is joining the 9-5! *eeeeep* I am so nervous, I feel like its the Sunday night before you go back to school! So wish me luck and I will let you know how I get on!

Anyway it is time to say goodnight!

Big love <3

Runway Inspiration - Hazy 70's chic

Hey guys,

So, theres the tricklings of the new Spring/Summer trend edging its way into stores at the moment ready for the up and coming season. A key look which is coming through is 70's chic, which I have to admit I am so excited about. When I saw the return of beautifully tailored wideleg trousers, the maxi dress sticking around with new gorgeous chiffon layers thrown in and super fun prints I was thrilled! Im so sick of squeezing myself into my skinny jeans, I mean, dont get me wrong I have loved them but Im a happier girl with the return of the widelegs, Im serious! One of the main reasons for me sticking to dresses and leggings over the past year was due to the sheer comfort and not wanting to deal with the pain that skinny jeans and jeggings can be! I know, I know, we should all wear what we are comfortable in but I am guilty of being a bit of a throw away fashion victim. So Ive had a nosey through some of the runway looks from 2010 which forcast the impending sexy 70's, and this Derek Lam look was by far my favourite, I actually cannot wait to get on this look....

Pintuck Blouse - £22.99 New Look Inspire
Soda Mix Tassle Bag - £34 Evans
Wideleg Trousers - £25 Very
Peeptoe Wedge - £50 ASOS
Earrings - £7.50 Evans
Ring - £5 Evans

I know I have moaned about New Look Inspire recently, but as the new season is starting to come through I have noticed that their items seem to be much more on trend than what we were seeing last year and replicating their straight size range much more. There is loads and loads of chiffon, which is great but I am hoping that they dont OD on it. The accessories line at Evans is brilliant at the moment, so much glam stuff, I am going to be better with accessories this year (this is my pledge!). I am also looking forward to seeing the new styles that come through with the maxi as the season draws nearer. The maxi was my best friend last summer, I have to say I have never felt sexier than when I wore mine, so flattering and comfortable whatever your shape or size!

What looks are you loving ladies?!

So anyway, I am off to the Plus Size Tall, Evans model final tomorrow to support my friend Lorna who I asked you all to vote for previously! I cant wait to take lots of pics, so will update you all on that. I am also starting a new job on Monday (Squee) no more uniform and lots of officey dressing so hopefully Ill have some more OOTD's for you!

BIG LOVE<3>
xoxox

Treats? At Boots? Yes Please!

This is just a quick post to give all you ladies a heads up, but if any of you are like me and might aswell have your wages paid to Boots then you will love this....

I just had my Advantage card statement and in it was an advert about how you can now collect points on your Advantage card when shopping at stores such as Evans, ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, New Look, etc etc! Not only that, but if you go to www.boots.com/treatstreet and click on their A-Z of stores they also tell you what special offers and discounts are on at each particular store at the moment. You have to register with them online at the 'Treat Street' web address and enter your Advantage card details, then to collect the points from each particular store you have to hit up the web address through the Treat Street link so they can track you purchase and then 'et voila' more points! Im heading over to ASOS right now to hit up the sale! WIN!

NYE Outfit Of The Day

Hi guys,

So how did you all spend New Years Eve? I had a pretty relaxed one this year, which was nice, for the last 3 or 4 years I have been opting for a good ol' shindig at a friends house rather than hanging around town centres, paying ridiculous amounts of money into a club and arguing over taxi's at 3am. A lot of my friends have young children too, so its also nice to be able for us all to get together, children included and ring in the New Year that way. We had loads and loads of drinks, with my friend Des being the designated cocktail barman and my friend Liane was dishing up her amazing chicken, rice and peas.

I had, the day before NYE done a little bit of mooching around the sales (yeh I know I said I was laying off them) and spotted in my local Evan's store a pair of boots that I had tried on a few months previous for a £120 on sale for £70! I luckily found a pair of them in a size 6 and before I knew it they were bagged up and leaving the store with me! I have very wide calves and even Evan's extra wide fitting boots tend not to fit my 19/20 inch pins, so finding a pair that not only fit my calves beautifully but also reached right up to my thigh were an absolute bonus! Here they are....


I teamed them up with a floral tea dress I found in New Look the same day, from their Inspire range (Not in the sale), a pair of black tights, a long beige vest top, a biker jacket and a brown waisted belt also from Evans and a Kathy Van Zeeland handbag which I picked up at Big Bum Jumble for a £1 in August, for my relaxed but pretty, NYE outfit...

Floral Tea Dress - New Look Inspire £26.99
Black Tights - Plus Size Tights £6.75 (pk of 2)
Over Knee Boots - Evans £70 (Out of stock online)
Biker Jacket - Evans Autumn 2010
Brown waisted belt - Evans 2009
Vest Top - H&M B&B £7.99
Handbag - Kathy Van Zeeland, Big Bum Jumble bargain find!

I felt really fab in those boots, the first time I wore them I was literally strutting down the street! Its so nice to find a pair of boots to fit plus size legs, spesh if you are on the higher end of plus size like myself, being a UK size 26/28. I was also thrilled to finally find something I liked in New look Inspire! Ive found over the past 6 months their Inspire collection has been really bad, I used to regularly hit New Look knowing that there was always going to be something that I would purchase, but mid 2010 I dont know what happened with them but it jus kinda all went wrong! Heres hoping for a great 2011 collection with them! Ill be keeping my eyes open, as Im sure you all will!

I *heart* nails! Barry M Instant Nail Effects!

So,

I was sitting on my break at work today flicking through a copy of Company when I spotted this little beauty, Barry M Instant Nail Effects polish. The write up claimed that if you brush a coat of this little badboy across the top of an existing polish, that somehow the top coat of black Barry M polish magically splits and forms a sort of animal print pattern! I was like *OMG* I need to try some of this stuff! I am notoriously bad at keeping up with my nails, I am a hardcore makeup fiend, but I never seem to have much patience when it comes to nails. So, on my lunch break tomorrow I shall be hot footing it over to Boots to see if they have it in yet and I will give it a try! I cant wait! Has anybody else used it?!

Oh, btw.....