What I've been buying! The Review Edit......

Evenin' lovelies!

So, it seemed my last post was something that rang true with many of you. Although I'm not pleased with the state of the industry, I'm kinda pleased that I'm not alone with how I feel. Hopefully the more we all push for what we want the better it will get, as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Anyway, I've been a very, very naughty girl this evening, seems as though I'm not feeling too well and feeling a bit sorry for myself I did a bit of online shopping! Funnily enough at two of the places that I gave a verbal battering to in my last post!

I was noseying through the Very So Fabulous range and spotted this stunning horse print dress, I have ordered in a UK28 and I am really, really really hoping it arrives and fits......

Multi-Coloured Horse Print Dress - £32 So Fabulous @ Very

****UPDATE****

So, the horse print dress arrived this morning from Very. I really hope you can feel the disappointment I have had over it radiate through your screens, because it really was a massive disappointment. I knew it was going to be a bit of a risk as I am slightly bigger than a size 28 and more a 30 but I can usually make items work, even though I knew this wasn't stretchy I thought I'd give it a whirl and maybe end up suprised. 

Well, I did get a surprise I can tell you, I couldn't even get it over my bust it was that small and tight! There was absolutely no way it was going on. So, I got my mom to give it a try, my mom who is a UK size 20-22, thinking it would absolutely swamp her with it being so many sizes too big, well here came surprise number 2, although the dress was slightly too big in the bust area for her, it definitely didn't swamp her and fitted quite well to be honest, we both said how the dress definitely wasn't a size 28 and more a 24.....

 Female, a UK Size 20/22 modelling the Very So Fabulous Horse print dress in a UK size 28, just to give you an idea of sizing, or how badly sized this item obviously is. Very disappointing!

So ladies, if you are thinking about giving this dress a go the print is gorgeous, I can't deny that but unfortunately the sizing is all off! Definitely size up I'd say and if you are a 28, you can't size up because as I've mentioned before, So Fabulous has stopped producing sizes above a 28, so errrrr you don't have the option. Sorry! So, the hunt for my perfect party dress continues!

Anyway, I've had some super bargains over at Evans. There was already 20% off the two items I bought, then I got a further 20% off with the code 'Winter12' (with a £40 or more spend) and then I also got free standard delivery with the code '24POST' (again £40 or more spend required). So total cost for this little haul was £50! Considering the boots should have been £49 alone, I've had a right bargain......

 

 Black Biker Boots - £49.50 Evans

Black Studded Skull Top - £30 Lovedrobe @ Evans

Also a few days ago I picked up this rather brash,in your face, leopard print jacket from New Look Inspire, I haven't seen it online yet but I'm a sucker for a bit of leopard print, so needless to say, it came home with me....

Leopard Print Waterfall Blazer Jacket - £24.99 New Look Inspire (Instore)

Oh and last but not least I've been giving the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation a go and I have to say I absolutely LOVE IT! I usually use the Maybelline Matte Mousse, and although it's good, I find it tends to wear off quite easily through the day and doesn't really give me the coverage around my lower jaw line that I want. So, I was given a 10 day sample of the Double Wear to try in Boots just last week and thought I would be more suited to the Double Wear Light, for fear of the Double Wear feeling too heavy, but being a full on make up whore I've found that I love the coverage of the Double Wear, and didn't find it too heavy or cakey at all. I didn't have to use powder with it, just the foundation and a bit of blusher and voila! You can see how natural it looks here......

 Posing - Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation 'Fresco'

Face - my own unfortunately

You know, some days I really do wonder where my wages go, it's posts like this that make it all fall into place for me, I've not bought one Chrimbo pressie yet either! Whoops..... 

Anyway, I'm off to bed to try and feel slightly more human!

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX

The Last 'Acceptable' Plus Size?

An Open Letter to the Plus Size Industry......

Dear Plus retailers, 

How are you? I'm a little bit disappointed if I'm honest. I have noticed recently that although at times the plus size market seems to be getting a little bit more choice, the super plus size market (in my opinion UK sizes 26 and above) seems to be faltering somewhat. 

The first ruffle in my feathers came a while back when I noticed that the plus size range over at Next dropped it's size range from being available up to a UK size 28, to a UK size 26. Just a drop in one size, I know, but why? I had my rant about it at the time but unfortunately got no real answer from Next as to why they had chopped the size range down. Not long after it came to light that the H&M+ range had out of the blue dropped it's size accessibility which had previously catered to a size 32 (or what they tried to pass off as a 32) down to a size 28. Again, no idea why, but mysteriously it just cut off the larger end of it's market. So, two down, not very many retailers left whom cater to those of us in the 'Super fatty' category. 

So, I was over at the trusty Very 'So Fabulous' range recently having a shop (I say shop, what I really mean is browse online, because that's the only way you want us fatties to shop these days, right?) having a mooch at their 'New In' items when I noticed it, they, just like Next and H&M+ had chopped back their range that had previously catered up to a size 32, right down to a 28!!!! 

SHUT.THE.FRONT.DOOR! 

'Another one?' I thought to myself! Yep indeed, ANOTHER ONE! Another 'exclusive' plus size range which had closed it's doors to the ones of us whom are desperately in need of choice from the market. This is not to play down the issues that women below a size 26 have but you have to admit, clothing ranges that offer items up to a size 32 are pretty fuckin' limited. I bet I could pretty much count them on one hand! 

I angrily tweeted your PR team Very, whom said they would question their buyers about the change and I think I got some lacklustre, wanky PR response along the lines of 'Certain key lines will still be available up to a size 32'. Oh really? You mean we've got more chance of plaiting piss than getting a pretty dress from you guys if you are larger than a size 28? Yes Very, that's exactly what you meant! 

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a personal attack on you, Very (although it did begin to start sounding like it), but this is just sheer frustration at the fact that apparently, now, if you are above a size 26 you are out of the 'acceptable plus size' range. That's it, not only have they wiped they're hands of you once, by making the market as difficult as fucking possible for you being plus sized as it is, they're going to kick you in the balls, slap you in the face and piss all over your dreams if you are above a size 26 and make sure you've got bollocks all chance of ever owning anything remotely fashionable!

Not only does this frustration come from the reduction in the availability plus size ranges catering to us more buxom ladies, it also comes from exclusive plus size only stores whom seem to stop caring about their customers above a size 24! Yes Evans, I'm looking at you! Now, when I think about this, I am rather perplexed as to the logic behind it. The size range in Evans goes from something like a size 14 to 32, right? Now, the availability of clothing between a size 14 to 22 in the market in general is a damn sight better than what it is for the market for anyone a size 22 and over. So, my thoughts would be that this 'exclusive' plus size retailer would put more emphasis on making the higher end of their range better than the lower end of their range as they have the monopoly on fat chicks shopping with them, does that make sense? I know it does in my head, but apparently, if you are at the upper end of the Evans size range, all you can expect is, dual sizing and poorly fitted items, whilst there smaller customers reap the benefits of they're actual size and a proper fit! So, what's going on with that? Why can't I have a dress or a coat or a top in my actual size rather than half of one size and half of another that doesn't fit me properly? You have given me the choice of either looking like I grew out of my clothes, or looking like a clown in items that swamp me! I have also noticed online recently that a lot of your new in dresses stop at a size 28 also! *WELP!* Are you soon to be shutting your doors on us too???? Where is the love for us super fatties Evans?

Retailers such as ASOS and New Look go up to a 26 and don't seem to be rushing to broaden their parameters, the likes of Lovedrobe, Koko, Samya and AX Paris keep popping up only to make very small offerings past a size 26 but only in collaboration with other retailers and then there is dear old Gemma Collins whom decided that her love of the plus sized ladies only extended to those of us up to a size 22 to make sure she wasn't seen to be promoting 'OMG-OBESITY!'.

I don't have any answers or solutions really, but it seems to me, dear plus size industry that you have made your mind up on what is the last acceptable plus size, and right now, it doesn't look like I'm included......

Yours Sincerely,

One very disgruntled super fat, fatty!

Vodka & Swans - ASOS Curve OOTD

Evenin' m'dears!

I'm keeping this very short and sweet tonight. Just wanted to show off and tell you how much I LOVE my new ASOS Curve dress! As you know, I'm a dress fiend and combined with a quirky print I'm smitten!

This swan print dress is 'SH-MAZE-BALLS' (oh yes, I went there!). It's so fifties-esque, the length is perfect, the print is cutesey and the cut is gorgeous!

I threw it on last night to go drinking vodka with my dream team.....

Lashes - '145' Eylure Intense

Nails - Penny Talk by Essie

Necklace - Primark

Rings - Primark

 Swan Print Dress - £25 ASOS Curve (UK26)

Clutch Bag - £10 Matalan

Tights - We Love Colours

Wedges - New Look

And here are a couple of snaps of me and the dream team.......

 

Anyway this is now definitely one of my new favourite pieces of clothing!

Oh I also had a massive wardrobe clear out this weekend so there will be a bit of a sale coming soon if any of you are interested, loads of dresses, tops, shoes and accessories to get rid of which need new loving homes! Keep checking the blog!

Right I'm off to bed, my veins are still running sambuca and Monday is getting far too close for my liking!

Night night.....

BIG LOVE 

XOXOXOX

Snuggly, Sunday Chic - OOTD from New Look

Evenin' my lovelies!

All well I hope? Did you enjoy my footwear week posts? I do hope so!

This post is gonna show you some more shoesies I've been buying (sorry mom face!) along with just a really snuggly, cosy Sunday outfit. This is my absolute favourite time of year, I love being wrapped up in knitwear, chunky scarves, snuggly hats and cosy coats. I love the dark colours which reflect the seasonal change and all the sequins that start to pop out on the shelves as Chrimbo edges in closer and closer!

I was given some pennies to spend at New Look recently by a lovely company whom urged me to have a nosey at the coats, jackets and knitwear on offer. As I've mentioned to you all hundreds of times, I love, love, love New Look. Although I am technically too large to wear their Inspire range I always manage to get away with certain items. Unfortunately I wasn't able to squeeze myself into one of their coats or jackets but managed to get myself a really snuggly cardigan, a basic, but oh so comfortable black dress, and some really cute shoes! 

So, seems as though I haven't done a fat lot at all this weekend, I've spent it wearing my comfies and for me this outfit is super comfy but still a little bit chic, what do you reckon?

 Aubergine Cardigan - £22.99 New Look Inspire (UK 26)

Black Skater Dress - £12.99 (on sale) New Look Inspire (UK 26)

 Burgundy Buckle Tassel Pumps - £13.49 (on sale) New Look Extra Wide Fit (UK 6)

Gold Buckle Belt - Matalan 

Black Leggings - New Look Inspire 

Deer Head Necklace - Primark

 Earrings - Select

Motcomb Street Nail Polish - Nails Inc (Free with Glamour Magazine)

 And if I had a bit more cash to splash (and they were in my size) these are my picks from the other coats, jackets and knitwear New Look has to offer.....

 

 

In the meantime I am still on the hunt for my perfect winter coat, I won't go into detail about the ball ache I had in Evans this afternoon trying to find one I'll save that for another day, but I will definitely keep you updated on my search! How do you dress for this season girls? What's your go to Autumn/Winter item that you just can't live without? I'd love to know! 

Until later...

BIG LOVE

XOXOXOX