OOTM

OOTM? Whats that?
Well, OOTM for me is 'Outfit Of The Moment'.

I, my dears am a bit of a creature of habit. If I like a song I will play it non-stop until I cant stand it, if theres something I have eaten that I love, I will gorge on it until I am probably repulsed by it, and, when I find an outfit that I feel really comfy in but I also feel it shows off my personality perfectly I will probably wear it till its thread-bare....

Queue New Look Inspire dress that I bought in a sale one season and never wore. Shunned it to the back of my wardrobe for it to never see the light of day. Why? I have no idea now come to think of it. I remember buying it, loving it, but then never putting it on. I recently had a massive wardrobe clear out and I was about to put it in my 'to bin' pile, when for some reason I decided at the last moment to give it another chance.

The straps were falling away from the bodice, so I tacked them up and it has lost a few sequins through being thrown about in the back of my closet, but its now become a firm outfit staple for me in this unforgiving rainy, on/off summer we're currently having. Put together with a cosy cardigan and my very favourite Evans boots that I recently had from their online sale and I'd pretty much say Im a happy girlie! If I fancy a change I'll throw my denim shirt over the top just to switch it up a little.

Now heres something I need to say, because sometimes I get a bit worried when I'm blogging that people are looking at me and thinking 'why is she blogging, she hasn't got any style, blah blah blah, ya-da, ya-da, ya-da'. And here it is, in no way do I believe I am the best dressed person out there, I am, just another fat girl, who loves clothes, who loves dressing up, who loves to feel good. I have my own unique sense of style. I am a full on girly girl, I like to wear dresses that I probably wouldn't have given myself the option of wearing say 5 or 6 years ago, I love anything sparkly, glittery and probably a bit tacky. I'm no high fashion, high trend diva, I pick and choose elements of whats currently riding high in the fashion stakes that suit me and my style and personality. What I have learnt over the past few months is that I need to dress for me, and what makes ME comfortable and happy. I remember going through a bit of an identity crisis a few months ago and I was lost in a sea of 'OMGZED WHAT DO I WEAR?'

So I suppose this little excerpt today is to all you girls who have maybe lost their way. I want to say to all of you, JUST BE YOU! If you like my style, if you like X,Y, Z bloggers style, than go for it, attempt it, but somewhere, in amongst that replication make sure you leave room for you!

Im not really sure why I am putting this out there, maybe its down to me being a bit lacking in confidence at the moment, so more a stark reminder to myself, that I need to start getting confident again, but whatever it is, I hope you all remember to just be yourselves!

P.S my 'SOTM'

(song of the moment)

Ruby Rocks my socks...Well she definitely would be, If I was wearing any!

Not much to be said on this ladies, as it pretty much speaks for itself!

Style369 have released the new Ruby Rocks collection and it is STUNNING! Young, fun, flirty and totally fabulous. A range of 7 gorgeously summery items, here are my fave....

Ruby Rocks Print dresses - £40 Style369

Also, I hear that Evans shall also be stocking them at the end of the month...


Which one is your fave?!

LOVE LOVE!
XOXOX

Evans Blogger Brunch Event

Evening all!

Well, last Thursday I was fortunate enough to be invited along to a sneaky preview of the Evans and Style369 Autumn/Winter 2011 range. I haven't been blogging for very long, as you are all aware, so to be invited to something like this was a real privilege for me.

I headed on down to London early Thursday morning; dressed in an outfit I had literally just thrown on, randomly pulled out of my wardrobe 5 minutes before my taxi turned up, after initially spending all of Wednesday evening after work trying to put together the perfect collaboration (FAIL).

When I arrived in London I met up with a group a fabulous bloggers, Stephanie, Claire, Carla, Rosie and Lauren and we all headed over together to the venue where the event was being held, where we also met Laura and Lacara, the venue was merely a stones throw away from bustling Carnaby Street in a really swanky set of studios!

We were greeted by the Evans team whom encouraged us to have a nosey around and take in the new range. The outfits were styled beautifully, pieces which I would never usually be inspired by really caught my attention, like a gorgeous berry coloured pleated maxi skirt which had been hitched up over the bust on a mannequin, styled up as a dress, teamed with a skinny belt, and gorgeously luxurious faux fur jacket.

The very new 'Collection' range will be continuing, and as I mentioned in my recent post on the range that I would love to see more tailoring and structure I can assure that this is being delivered, one of the pieces that caught my eye was a gorgeous tuxedo jacket, which I hope makes it through to the stores in the Autumn. There are also going to be some really interesting changes, which will change the way we all shop, but Ill leave that to be disclosed at a later date ;)

The team discussed with us some of the changes that are going to be happening to the Evans brand, they recognise that they cannot please everybody within the huge demographic in which they cater for and after seriously taking in the feedback they get from all of its customers, the team have listened, (believe me, there isn't a brand I have ever known who care about their customers as much as they do!)

Evans are looking to be known as the grown up, sophisticated store in the future which will address the needs of a certain clientele whom want tailoring, structure and their needs met through quality long lasting pieces. Where as the very recent Style369 is being looked at to cater for the younger of Evans customers, where the emphasis will all be on fast fashion, high street trends and fun! My concern with this (which I did bring up with the team) is that Style369's sizing is smaller than Evans, even though a lot of the clothes crossover between brands. I have mentioned that the brands should take this into account and look to include all of us over and above a size 26 (myself included) when this change begins to happen, as I fear that once again young plus size females are going to be sized out of being able to access trend led clothing, which would be a huge shame!

Overall I had a great day, catching up with other fabulous bloggers, getting to know the Evans team and being able to see the thought and hard work that goes into keeping the label going. Keep your eyes peeled ladies, and as soon as I get anymore info *ahem* gossip *ahem* I will make sure I let you all in on it!

Big Love!

xoxox

OOTD Summer Brights from One Stop Plus Uk

Evening all!

I haven't done an outfit post for absolutely ages (mainly because I have nobody to take pictures for me and feel a bit silly asking people!). But after receiving a gorgeous maxi dress from the folks over at One Stop Plus Uk I had no excuse but to show it off to you all!

Last year I fell in love with the summer maxi trend and was extremley pleased to see it make a return this season. The maxi, for me is so comfortable, versatile and so easy to wear, dressed down for daytime, or done up to the nines for an evening out.

I chose a vibrant coral number from the Taillissme collection, in a really slinky jersey fabric which hangs beautifully. I am only 5,4 and was also really pleased that the length of the dress suited me perfectly, it just skimmed below my ankle comfortably so that it wouldn't drag across the floor and also wasn't too short making it look like it had shrunken (like some maxi's I have come across seem to do).

I went for a lovely walk in a local country park yesterday, the sun was shining and the weather was great, all just right for the dress to get its debut, so here it is..

Coral Vest Maxi Dress - £29 Taillissme for One Stop Plus Uk

I layered it up with a little black jersey vest, my old faithful New Look Inspire sparkly black cardigan, which has been worn to death but is still doing me proud, some satin flat black peeptoes from H&M last season and my bargain Primark shades bought on Saturday for £1!

I felt so comfortable in this dress, its super stretchy and lightweight, but the material I'd say is made to last. I have had basic maxi vest dress's from other plus size retailers for the same price and the quality of the fabric hasn't been anywhere near as good as this which has pleased me immensely. This dress starts at a UK size 12 and goes all the way up to a UK 30, due to the stretch in the garment I would definitely recommend that it could fit anybody a size or 2 higher than that.

This is my first experience with One Stop Plus Uk and the Taillissme collection and overall I am definitely not disappointed and endeavour to order from them in the future. The website offers sizes from a Uk size 12 up to a Uk size 36, although I would say the ranges seem to thin out with less being offered over a size 28. I am really hoping that they start stocking the gorgeous Stephanie Zwicky's exclusive La Redoute.fr range and make it more accessible to us Brits as I never seem to be able to find it on the La Redoute Uk site (is it just me who can't find it?). Other pieces on the site I am currently covetting are....

Striped Fleece Cropped Blazer - £49

And if I really had some cash to splash...

Pale Pink Sequin Dress - £109

So guys, go and check them out and let me know how you get on!

Big love!

Things that make me go 'Ohhhhhhhhhhh'

So,

I am sat at home with a bitch of a stomach virus, and thought I may aswell do something slightly productive other than loafing around on the sofa feeling sorry for myself, so, a round-up of some things that are actually putting a smile on my face at the moment, like they say focus on the positive....

1) Guys Who Like Fat Chicks - An article by Camille Dodero on the USA's 'Village Voice'



This has first and foremost made me smile because I am acquainted with some of the people featured within this interview. I know that it has a mixed bag of opinions on it at the moment, but I believe that it is a well rounded read, helping to diminish the stigma around preferring a fat partner. The people who have been interviewed aren't 'creeps' or 'fetishists' or 'weirdos', they are ordinary, intelligent, aspiring people, who have a preference, just like you and I, take a look!

2) Super Fierce Pin-up Style...

Image borrowed from Rocket Betty's via Etsy, I do not own this image

I spotted a Tumblr post earlier which linked to a fabulous Etsy store called Rocket Betty whom specialises in pin-up clothing, not just any old pin-up clothing, but they also do custom! Anyway, the dresses are really eye catching but to be honest, it was the model of one of the dresses (see above) who really caught my eye, a super fierce, tattoo'ed glamour puss. She inspired me to put together a little pin-up outfit round-up...

Floral shirt dress - £45 Style369
Poppy Print Headwrap - £4.99 New Look
'Lady Danger' Lipstick - £13.50 MAC
Cat Eye Sunglasses - £12 ASOS
Red Slingback Courts - £25 Evans

I adore pin-up glam, for me it never goes out of fashion and anybody can rock it. It gives confidence in an instant and oozes sex appeal!


3)Fatshionista Inspired Facebook Competitions by fave plus size retailers....

Simply Be have a competition going on at the moment via their Facebook Page

We are offering 10 of our facebook fans the chance to attend the Launch of a NEW Designer Range from Simply Be for the AW11 Collection. The launch is a breakfast event on Thursday 14th July at a fabulous London Hotel. The prize also includes £150 to spend on an outfit from Simply Be to wear to the event, 1 nights hotel stay in London (if required) and standard return travel to and from the event and/or hotel

Thats my kinda prize, I really really really want to go, but I thought Id let all you lovely ladies know about it too! If you win a place and I don't, make sure you tell me all about it!!!!


4)British Designers in the limelight....

I don't really need to summarise this, you all know what I mean by 'That McQueen wedding dress....', Sarah Burton has really done the label proud with her elegant lace creation for the Royal Wedding, I have always thought of McQueen as edgy, gothic and dark, but this has bought a whole new license to the outstanding British Label...God Save McQueen!


And last but not least....

5) Recycling old wardrobe items.....

I have recently had a massive wardrobe purge and now have a huge bag full of stuff to get rid of. Due to my recent bad experience with eBay (again), I have decided that I am going to have a blog sale. I will be uploading pictures very shortly and posting them on here for people to have a peruse and maybe get themselves a bargain. So keep coming back to see if Ive got my bum into gear and got it all sorted!

Thanks for listening to me while I passed my virus induced time away...

BIG LOVE!
XOXOX