Swan-derful.......

Oh I know, I get worse with the titles, stick with it though, its totally worth it, much prettiness to follow.....

Last week I was lucky enough to receive an invite from the lovely folk at Evans to a blogger preview of the highly anticipated "Swan" collection by esteemed designers Clements Ribeiro.

I had seen some of the prints on line and was very excited about the vintage feel, as some of you may know I love a bit of vintage styling so my appetite was whetted suitably by what I'd seen, by the time I'd got to London yesterday I was chomping at the bit!!

A riot of print....
Image courtesy of
EVANS
0845 121 4516
www.evans.co.uk

Now, I have a confession to make. I haven't shopped with Evans for quite some time, as the plus size market place (slowly) grows, and there have been more options, I've just not found Evans exciting enough, I'm hoping that this collaboration will be the start of a more fashion forward Evans and make it somewhere I want to frequent on a more regular basis....

Prior to the event I met up with Rosie, Joanna, Amy and Naomi, we headed over to the Arcadia offices where we were taken up to see the collection.

First impressions.... I was blown away by the vintage detailing, vibrant prints and variety of pieces, shapes and styles.

We we're given the opportunity to try the pieces on, and I'm not one to turn down a dress up session, so off I toddled. The first piece I tried on was the red beaded detail dress....

Image courtesy of
EVANS
0845 121 4516
www.evans.co.uk

I'll be completely honest, the fit on me was awful, the top half was too baggy, it was too tight on the hips and was not flattering, the sample sizes were available in a 16 and 24, I would not have got this over my hips had it been in my usual 22, this is not to say it wouldn't look great on a different shape. Just not mine.

Next on was one of the most beautiful things I've ever had on, and if they'd have had it in my size they may have had to call security because I would have run down those stairs so fast and out of that building with it! 

Security, Security... We've got a runner.....

The black cutwork dress is a very similar fit to the heart print dress and was equally beautiful....

Image courtesy of
EVANS
0845 121 4516
www.evans.co.uk

It was also great to see separates, the tapered trouser in gorgeous prints would be a welcome addition to any wardrobe, dress up with chunky heels, sheer top and statement jewellery, dress down with sandals and vest...

Image courtesy of
EVANS
0845 121 4516
www.evans.co.uk

Please excuse my rubbish photography....... just some of the things that caught my eye......

If you like what you see the collection is available exclusively on line at www.evans.co.uk from Saturday 31st March and available in the following UK stores from Monday 2nd April.... Marble Arch, Bluewater, Lakeside, Metro Gateshead, Meadowhall, Trafford, Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Belfast, and internationally at Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and UAE.

Available in the usual Evans size range of 14-32, Clements Ribeiro worked closely with the Evans fitting team to ensure that the range ran true to usual Evans sizing, so if you're a 26 in Evans, you will be in this range too.

I had such a fun time, its always nice to meet up with fellow bloggers and especially nice when you get to fawn over pretty clothes...oh yeh and eat macaroons! 

Five Take: Casual OOTD

Its Five Take time!! That came around quick, where did my week go?!!! Boy am I glad it was casual as I did not feel good this morning, but having decided to quickly nip outside and take the pictures we ended up spending all afternoon in the garden, it was bliss. We rolled around on the grass, did some digging, ate scones and giggled.

Yes people, I do actually go outside sometimes, no, you cannot lust after my vintage cabinet and my bush *ahem* and neighbours extension is not as attractive as said cabinet. Sorry 'bout that....

My new Cath Kidston trainers.... Oh em gee!!

I'm a bit excited......don't judge me.....

Stripe T-Shirt - F+F Tesco (Past Season)

Jeans - Molly High Rise, Littlewoods

Trainers (sneakers for you lovely american folk) - Cath Kidston

This is my "go to" casual look, comfy with a whiff of rockabilly.  I love stripes in fact I have this particular t-shirt in 3 different colour ways! (boring aren't I?!). 

Why not head on over to the rest of the five takers to see how they dress casually!

Nicole - A Well Rounded Venture

Rebecca - The Plus Side of Me

Gina - Fat, Fit, Fine

Claire - A Monkey Fatshionista

Do you have a "go to" casual look?

OOTD - Stripes to the max....

Hey Hey!! I was kind of all dressed up and nowhere to go yesterday, I'd got ready to take Poppy to playgroup when she got all snuffly and didn't want to leave my side. Luckily this dress is so comfy it didn't matter that I was sat around in it all day!! I love that its been mild enough to start digging out the maxis and lighter weight clothing in anticipation of the summer, and of course for me if its a bit nippy still I just pop my trusty denim jacket on...

As you can see I started with the flower in my hair and it ended up on the jacket!! And I apologise for the increasingly messy house!! As I get busier and busier, the house gets messier and messier!!!

Dress - Love Label @ Littlewoods (Past Season)

Denim Jacket - Littlewoods (Past Season)
Belt - Simply Be (available in store)

Vest - Love Label @ Littlewoods

Boots - La Redoute (Past Season)

Have you got a favourite item that helps keep the chill off whilst letting you get some wear out of your spring wardrobe? 

A favourite cardi, a spring mac perhaps?

Getting to know you: 11 Questions

Ok!! Hanna over at The Wardrobe Challenge tagged in me in one of those challenge thingys, so here goes........

There are five rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them.

11 Random Things About Yours Truly:

1.  I was a vegetarian for 20 years, I only started eating meat again last year.

2.  I am 1/4 Scottish and dream of moving there one day....

3.  I can sing, I've been in bands, and performed as a solo artist, but don't do it much nowadays....

4.  I LOVE Turkey, everything about it, the people, the food, the climate, the scenery, just love the place!!

5.  I'm an only child.

6.  I met my husband on the internet (He obviously wasn't my husband at the time!!)

7.  I hate smelly crisps, open a bag of Monster Munch near me at your peril, it physically makes me gag.

8.  I used to stage manage for a Burlesque troupe, I love burlesque especially the quirky, funny acts like Fanny Devine and Anna Fur Laxis and of course my very own Snappy O'Shea. 

9.  Terry Jones once slapped me on the back and I've been on stage with the Chuckle Brothers, how's that for crap claim to fames!!

10.  My baby is my life, but parenting is hard and can be soul destroying. I don't know how anyone does it, I don't know how I do it some days, but then I guess when she climbs up into my lap and looks in to my eyes it all just makes sense. 

11.  I'm completely obsessed with food, I'm always planning my next meal and devising recipes and experimenting in the kitchen, I love good food, great ingredients, cooking soothes me.

Hanna's Questions for us:

1.  What is the last movie you’ve seen? What did you think of it? - On TV? - Keeping Mum, it was ok a bit farcical, but some great British actors and the first time I've been able to watch Patrick Swayze since he died (yes I'm that sad!)

At the cinema - Sherlock Holmes 2, OMFG it was amazing, I didn't think it could get any better than the first one. I was wrong. 

2.  What has been your fave holiday? - I should really say my honeymoon, which was beautiful and fun, but my girly holiday with my best friend Giselle was so, so funny, I still crack up thinking about it now, I never though so many funny things could happen in the space of two weeks!! 

3.  Talking about holidays.. what is a place that you really want to visit? - Istanbul, I love Turkey, but I'd like to visit the big city, I'd also love to do Marrakech. 

4.  Do you like to cook? What’s your ‘signature dish’? - Ha!! I obviously didn't read these Q's before I did the bit above, yes I love to cook. Signature dish? ermmm I'm the queen of leftovers, I can whip up a mean dish out of what's in the fridge and cupboard.

5.  Have you tried online dating? Any success? - Erm yeh again, didn't read the Q's!! Yes, I had a few disasters before I met MrBeBe, including a guy who picked me up and drove me to Asda carpark for half an hour then drove me home again.... Weird!

6.  Are you a phone person? Talking on the phone I mean. - not really, I suffer from depression and anxiety so I can get very nervous on the phone, even to friends.

7.  If you could only shop clothes from one store for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? - can I choose eBay? LOL!! I think it would have to be Dorothy Perkins, although I'd never wear a pair of trousers again cos their trousers don't fit me!

8.  Do you have many best friends or just one? - I have a small select crew of best friends, each very different, I love them all the same though xxx

9.  Do you feel that you’re in your right career (or going towards one if you’re still studying)? - Nope, I'm hopeless career wise, always have been, don't think I'll ever have one to be honest, hence why I now run my own business!

10.  Are you a creative person? How does this come across? (Painting, photography, music.. whatever.) - As mentioned before I love to sing, although I don't do it enough :(

11.  Where is your happy place? Please describe it. - Sat on a the side of a still loch in Scotland on a fresh spring day, bright sunshine reflecting on the water, no noise, just the occasional ripple in the water.

My 11 Questions:

1. Who is your "weird" crush?

2. Who was the last person you said "I love you" to?

3. What's the most spectacular thing you've seen (place, monument, show, etc...)

4. What's your weird food confession? (I like ketchup on toast)

5. What was the last band you saw live?

6. Do you have a favourite Cuisine? 

7. What was the name of your first pet?

8. Cake or Chocolate?

9. If you could live in another country where would it be?

10. Do you have a style influence?

11. What's the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?

I’ve Tagged:

Mhairi - http://www.lilybobombslovelylumps.com/

Toni - http://theonlywayistoni.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire - http://www.bigbeautyblog.com/

Laura - http://www.whatlauralovesuk.com/

SLiNKing around

The world of the glossy is a strange one for a plus gal, page after page of exciting images and tantalising clothes.... but there's a problem, the girls whilst very beautiful, can be hard to identify with and the tantalising clothes don't come in our size.... balls.

But wait! Along came SLiNK, jam packed with a more familiar body shape, and when I saw a piece of clothing and checked where it was from, no longer was I filled with sadness that it wouldn't fit me, because low and behold, it blooming well would!

The first 4 issues of SLiNK are available to view on line, but for issue 5, Editor-in-Chief Rivkie Baum took the brave step of having it printed too, A-MAZ-ING!

Issue 5, like the past SLiNKs does not disappoint, the "Relationship Issue" (Don't let the name put you off, this is not some silly birds moaning about how their fella doesn't fancy them any more) looks at our relationships with our bodies, food, fashion and much, much more.

Not only does it talk about relationships there's a great interview with America's Next Top Models only plus size winner the very beautiful *GIRL CRUSH KLAXON* Whitney Thompson

And fashion, fashion and more fashion....

Issue 5 is available to buy right now and at £1 for a PDF or ePub edition and £3.95 for the printed version, there really is no excuse, get on it people, get on it!!!

Click here to buy your issue...

P.S. I *may* have written a little something in there too, but don't let that put you off........

OOTD: Peachy keen, jelly bean!

In my continued effort not to revert back to black in a vague hope it may encourage the weather to follow suit (ever the optimist), I decided to go with some peachy tones today. I was really into them a couple of years ago but didn't wear them much last spring/summer, but I'm starting to lean a bit more towards them again so I popped on my new cardi, simple white T and my trusty Pixie jeans.

Now let me tell you about Mazza, my wonderful if not a tad eccentric friend Mystic Mazza is so very talented at all things crafty, she makes the most beautiful paper crafts, she's and expert knitter and her crocheting is, well.... I'll let you judge for yourself... Mazza created this a couple of years ago as a prototype and I loved it, then last week whilst organising a photo shoot for my business I thought how perfect it would be for it, so I emailed and asked if she still had it and she very kindly sent it over to me. I couldn't wait until the photo shoot so I thought I'd pop it on today.

Cardigan - One Stop Plus

Tshirt - Asda

Jeans - Simply Be

Shoes - Littlewoods

Are you embracing your spring wardrobe yet or hanging onto your winter threads for just a bit longer?

Me and my blog.....

I've started to write this blog a hundred times over. And have deleted it as many times. Partly because I don't want to get dragged into what I can only class as drama, and partly because I don't think I need to justify myself. BUT, obviously there is a part of me that does and a part of me that wants to contribute, and besides, this is my blog so I can talk about whatever the heck I like!!!

Now let's get a few things straight. I'm pretty new to this blogging malarky so my observations might be ill informed and for that I apologise.

It would seem that some people feel there is some discord in the community, and honestly? No I don't think there is. On the whole I've been met with warmth, enthusiasm and generosity. As with any large gathering of people, there are the odd few who are less than warm, not particularly enthusiastic and well.... a bit bloody rude at times, but such is life!!! In all communities, be it your neighbourhood, school, work there are bound to be clashes in personality, difference of opinion and general annoyance at other peoples conduct.

There is no rule book for blogging, if there is I'd like to see a copy please. If someone wants to shout about their stats from the rooftops that's their decision, I can pretty much guarantee its not bragging, in most cases it's sheer amazement that that amount of people have bothered to stop by and read their ramblings *ahem* so to speak, and utter pride (quite rightly so) that what started out as throwing thoughts into the ether has grown into something quite different.

Along with that success sometimes does come the offer of working with brands, and yet again it's down to the individual if they accept that offer. Don't frown upon some for it, and if a blogger approaches a brand and says, "hi, I have a blog, I'm pretty proud of it, if you happen to read it and like it, and maybe want to work together in the future" the so be it, I'm a firm believer that if you don't blow your own trumpet in this life, no bugger will.

A blog can be many things, a blog can evolve into many things, and for some much quicker than they imagined.

For me I started blogging because as for most I'd been influenced by so many strong, stylish, witty women, I'd also been inspired by some truly awful blogs to do better too!!! I've had a deep love of fashion since I was a child, and having been plus size all my life had had to find creative ways to recreate those fashions not available to fit a plus body. I'd also had a very bad relationship with said body and wanted to try and build a good relationship with it by taking photos, forcing myself to look at it, enjoy it and realise it wasn't the hideous mess I thought it was.

I feel privileged to receive every single view I get, every comment made, every mention, RT, compliment and yes, every invite & piece of clothing too.

So what now? I'll continue to do what I do because I love it, it completely and utterly rocks my world, and what should "we" do? Just be nice to each other, it's really not that hard. At worse be polite, civil? As good old Jerry Springer once said.... Be good to yourself, and each other.....

Five Take: Movie character

Howdy!! I'm a bit late with my Five Take this week, I had 2 huge bookings for my business so was out about across 2 counties of our fair land providing tea and cake for the masses!

For those of you who are new to the blog, Five Take is where myself and four other gorgeous plus size bloggers decide on a weekly theme/style/time period etc and do our own take on it.....ok, so this week? Movie Character, ermmm ok, I was mega stumped at first and then I thought about a dress I was lucky enough to recently win courtesy of the oh so talented Ashanti of Adorn Girl.

It was so floaty and pretty it reminded me of the dress baby wears at the end of Dirty Dancing.

Yes, I know its oh so cliche and girly to love Dirty Dancing, but I spent 2 years of my life pretty much watching this film everyday and loving every second of it, although looking back now I was way too young to understand the politics and sex I just thought it was pretty people dancing!

So the dress looks nothing like Baby's dress, but I'd like to think it's a modern take on what she wore, the curls in the hair are more loose, and the dress is a different shape but I think it has a "feel" of what she wore, its floaty and girly and I feel pretty in it!!

Dress - Love Label @ Very 

Now all I need is a strapping chap to lift me above his head.....*hunts around for Mr BeBe*............

I can't wait to see who all the other Five Takers chose as their characters, I'm sure they're way cooler than mine, but I'm a saddo and I'm ok with that!!! 

Nicole - A Well Rounded Venture

Rebecca - The Plus Side of Me

Gina - Fat, Fit, Fine

Claire - A Monkey Fatshionista

OOTD - Coral crush

I've got two huge.....and as I write this I'm giggling, my maturity knows no bounds... where was I yes, I have two huge bookings for Miss Poppy's this weekend so I'm mega busy, but I thought I just do a quick outfit post.

I've always loved coral, so when it keeps coming back for summer every year I'm a happy chappy, and although no, its not quite summer, I'm determined to stick with more summery tones until the sun decides to make an appearance!

My best "I'm emotionally exhausted Victoria Beckham pose"

Aaaand thats when the camera battery ran out!!!

Denim shirt - South @ Littlewoods

Jumper - Dorothy Perkins

Jeans - Simply Be

Pumps - New Look

Scarf - Internationale

Right then, if you don't hear from me until Monday, don't send a search party, I'm probably just sleeping under a pile of cupcakes hugging a teabag.

OOTD - Bird is the word

Bored of my bird prints yet? Oh there's a few more to come!! Not sure I can give Claire a run for her money, but don't think I'm that far behind!!

We had a brief smattering of sunshine Sunday and Monday so I dug out some of my more spring/summer items....

It's that bloody denim jacket again......

Denim Jacket - South @ Littlewoods

Bird print Peter Pan collar top - Dorothy Perkins

Vest - Love Label @ Littlewoods

Trousers - Asda

Loafers - Tesco

Do you have a clothing obsession or a print collection? 

Five Take: 90's

This weeks five take sees us taking a trip down memory lane, well it did for me at least! Having been born in the latter part of 1979 I guess you could say the 90's were my formative years. I started senior (high) school in '91 and spent the first half of the 90's listening to rave music, wearing eclipse jeans and sweater shop jumpers, I used to back comb my fringe into a bizarre quiff and my fragrance of choice was exclamation! or Charlie.

Having asked the lovely folk of twitter what some of their trends were I was reminded of some corkers such as spaghetti strap dresses with white tshirts underneath with DM's, neutral linens (blurghhh) tartan trousers, long white shirts and cropped jumpers and the oh so subtle citrus brights....hmmmm.Check out #90sfashion for many more brilliant suggestions!!

I started college in '96, where I met my best friend Sara, she was achingly cool, she was the lead singer in a band and at the time was doing the 70's vintage kind of thing. As some of you will have seen I recently acquired a pair of flares having not worn any since then really, so I've taken inspiration from that time (a brilliant time spent driving around in her Datsun Cherry with cow print seat covers). I teamed my flares with my adidas trainers, which don't get much wear nowadays as the 90's were probably the last time I thought it was acceptable to wear trainers for all occasions!! I just popped on a simple vest top and in another nod to the 90's a bead necklace done up choker style. As with past themed/time period five takes I'm always weary of treading the line between a nod to the time period and full on fancy dress. I think I would loose the beads and add more modern jewellery for a more contemporary look

Vest - Love label
Jeans - Simply Be
Trainers - Adidas
Beads - Bowbangles.....LOL yeh thats right, way before Claires accersories

How very 90's 

What a knob!!

And just so you don't think I got off lightly, here is an embarrassing selection of photo's of me in the 90's.....GROAN......

Mmm beige linen...sexy...

Me and my lovely friend Frankie (and my special waistcoat, denim dress combo)

Oh look another waistcoat.......BARF

So there you have it, go and have a peek at how the other Five Takers got on with their 90's challenge.....

Rebecca - The plus Side of Me

Claire - A Monkey Fatshionista

Gina - Fat, Fit, Fine

Nicole - A Well Rounded Venture

Pretty Flamingo.....

Oh Mr George, why you make such pretty clothes? My purse can't handle it! You see, that's the problem with George, they are so cheap, you find a way to buy it.

When something's really expensive, I just write it off as never achievable, but when its a bargainous (yes that's a word) £10 I just can't resist, and when it looks like this? Hell I'll just not eat, who cares?!!

Thats right folks, its a shirt, it has flamingos on it, its blue and white, it has a tie neck, its jersey.....oh hell I might marry it and it can come and live in my house of polygamy with the Pixie flares from my Simply Be post

I've already introduced them and they seem to be getting on swimmingly, look!......

Top - George @ Asda

Jeans - Simply Be

I went for the 24 as I wanted to have room to tuck it in, but I think I should have got the 22, but I couldn't bare to send it back, it's wayyyy too pretty. 

It is quite long when not tucked in....

So there you have it. Can I wear it everyday please?

Spotlight: Domino Dollhouse

In a world of dull there are so few shining lights in the plus size clothing world, and all too often we have to look overseas for something a little more unique and exciting. Domino Dollhouse takes plus clothing to the next level, a mix of rockabilly and punk styling, its latest collection "Rebel, Rebel" does not disappoint. Needless to say its whipped me up into a frenzy and I am currently thinking of ways to raise the money to buy it.... Kidney anyone?

Here's my picks from the new collection....

Seriously, I need this in my life, the skirt is making my lady parts all a flutter.......

Hi, can I be you?

Yeh thats right, grrrrrrrr

Stripe me happy........

The collection is due out this month, keep checking back with the site for specific timings, and then get right on it, I demand it!! *Goes for a lie down*

A Flare for fashion

I know, the titles just get cheesier and cheesier right? Oh well I have lifetime of them to share with you, get used to it!!

So, for the last 6-ish years when it comes to my choice of demin, my heart firmly belonged with the skinny.
In part because I love a turn up and in part because when they first came out all the style "guru's" said fat girls couldn't wear skinnies. Well F you "guru's" this fat girl's wearing skinnies, in your face!!!

Of late though I've had a hankering for a flare, to swoosh around like some kind of Charlie's Angels reject...

Yeah, thats right ladies, you *can* lunge in flares, no biggy!

So when I recently visited the new Simply Be store in Doncaster, I saw Pixie, our eyes met across a crowded shop floor and it was love at first sight....

then when I tried her on for size, it was lust at first sight too....

I mean, seriously... look at my bum!!! (big headed bitch)

So Pixie parades herself as a wide leg Jean, but because of my ample thighs she resides on me as a flare, exactly as I wanted.....Sorry I'll stop referring to the jeans as "her" now........

So when I got her,, sorry I mean them home, I teamed them with a floral top, leather belt and cardigan, I still need to get some more versatile wedges, but these ones will do for now and they went with the red tones in the top.

Top - Dorothy Perkins (Past Season)

Cardigan - Love Label @ Littlewoods (Past Season)

Belt - Simply Be

Jeans - "Pixie" Simply Be

They totally take me out of my denim comfort zone, but I'm totally loving it!! Where's your denim comfort zone?

Simply Be Doncaster Store Launch

Thank to the guys at Simply Be I was very kindly invited to the store launch of Simply Be's latest retail outlet in Doncaster. As I couldn't make the Liverpool launch I was so excited to attend this one, especially as it gave me a chance to catch up with my fellow blogging beauties and meet some new ones too!

*Warning*, its a bit picture heavy but, it really was a visual kind of night, so go with it!!

On the approach we we're greeted with the oh so familiar Simply Be logo in the not so familiar retail setting, the shop front itself is impressive I must say....

On entering the store the champagne was flowing and we we're treated to the full VIP treatment, swit swoo!!

L-R Sara, Toni & Me! - Courtesy of Simply Be

Having a bash at the competition.... - Courtesy of Simply Be

Courtesy of Simply Be

The store itself is spacious and well laid out with exciting displays and a real fresh feeling about it. It was well signposted and funky..

And as for the changing rooms, you heard about the changing rooms right? along with the chalk board feature on the door where you're name is written a la movie star dressing room, there's the magic mirror; the magic mirror you ask? A fab gizmo where your picture is taken in your chosen outfit and you can have it printed out, or email it, tweet it or facebook it, clever huh?

Courtesy of Simply Be 

Courtesy of Simply Be

So apart from playing dress up and guzzling fizzy champers what else did I get up to? Well somehow I found myself being asked to help with the cutting of the ribbon with the stores manager, Bridgette..... Oh the situations I get myself into!! By this point I'd had to scrape my hair back after frantic changing room japes and probably didn't look my best!!!!

Courtesy of Simply Be

Courtesy of Simply Be

Courtesy of Simply Be

Doncaster is the 3rd store to be opened along with Liverpool and Bury that were opened in 2011, a further 3 are opening within the next couple of months located in Gateshead, Leicester and Teesside. Click here for further details.... If you have a store near you, why not go along, its great to see the ranges close up, feel the material and try on until your hearts content. Go on, get involved!!!!