Cosy with Curvissa

I was contacted recently by the lovelies at Curvissa who asked if i wanted to do a coat review with a few other bloggers, I'm always on the look out for something cute to keep me warm especially with all this cold weather we are having at the minute so i said yes and was sent this beauty to review.

I got this coat on Monday night and wore it the next day to work, i was so glad of it too as it was absolutely freezing outside and it kept me lovely and warm! Sorry for the quality of the pictures they were taken on my phone during my break at work as i wanted to show you the coat in daylight and i seem to be leaving home and returning in the dark at the minute.

This beauty is available here

This coat is amazing I'm in love with it already and i can see it becoming my go to coat this winter. I went with a size 20 as i have had a few pieces from Curvissa in the past and find the sizing to be generous, so my advise would be to size down in this coat. The coat comes to my knees so its a really good length, i have a few faux fur jackets but i find my bum does get a bit chilly in this weather without any coverage!

The coat fastens with 3 hook and eyes and a button at the very top, i did find when i sat down they did come undone a few times but this might have been me rushing to fasten in on my way outside. The faux fur is really soft and quite thick and the arms are the perfect length for me as i tend to find with most coats i have lots of material left at the arm and they swamp my hands.

As you can see i can fasten up the coat with no issues or gaping and it was very cosy and comfortable to wear. This is available in either leopard print or black faux fur, it is priced from £140 but it is defiantly worth the money, the fur is soft and none of it has come off which has happened to a few of my faux fur jackets in the past. I'm totally in love with this coat its just perfect and something i will wear over and over again for lots of winters to come.

Check out the other ladies getting involved too,

Em

Betty

Mhairi

Nancy

XOXO

Party On!

It's that time of year when you get together with all your office friends for the work Christmas party. I was sent the Christmas party stereotypes by Curvissa and I recognised quite a few of these as people in my office. I am mix of the over dresser and the gossip, I love nothing more that putting on an over the top dress and giggling over the office gossip! And i know a few people who would probably put me as the most drunk too, although i try not to be this one too often as the hangovers are killer!

Some might say head to toe velvet and killer heels is a bit much for a glass of the fizzy stuff and a plate of finger food but I say never! I love to dress up and Christmas party's are definitely an excuse to put on my glad rags. 

According to Curvissa as the over-dresser i am,

Someone misinterpreted the dress-code… awkward! She'll be wearing an extravagant style prom dress, too much fake tan,festive nails and overly high heels; probably not the best code of conduct if your office do is in the local bowling alley.

That sounds about right apart from the fake tan, I've always overdressed even as a child running around in the middle of summer in my nans high heels,pearls and faux fur coat!

Now as the gossip according to Curvissa i am also,

This tittle-tattle talker can be found wide eyed, speaking in hushed tones to anyone that will listen stating "that so-and-so was spotted with that guy from the third floor". Bubbly and confident, this Christmas-party loving animal will definitely be festively fashioned. You might notice some tinsel wrapped around her ala a tinsel-boa or oversized snowman earrings, so if you hear the rustling on Christmas decorations, beware the gossip queen.

I'm definitely bubbly and confident and quite the party animal when i get going, but although i do love a gossip there are much worse I'm my office several men included!

It's doesn't take me too long to actually get ready but choosing what to wear can add hours onto my prep and leaves my room looking like the wardrobes have exploded. According to a recent survey it takes 21% of people from Yorkshire and the Humber 30 minutes to and hour to get ready which is about right for me if you don't include trying on 20 different dresses to find the right one! You guys in the West Midlands are super speedy with 37% getting ready in under half an hour.

I went looking for a Christmas party dress and I love this one it would be prefect your Christmas party .

I love the shoulder details and even if i am going bowling who says i can't dress to the max. I love standing out no matter what the setting, so Christams parties give me an excuse to go even further.

And as for the shoes, the higher the heel the better and if i can get some leopard print in there then that's a bonus!

So what kind of work party stereotype are you ?

XOXO

Post in collaboration with Curvissa

Plus North Part 2

So straight on from part 1, we got to Plus North a little earlier than we needed to but that gave me chance to chat with the lovely Chloe. She hadn't even finished setting up her stall before I'd picked these 2 beauties and decided they had to be mine!

Lisa and me spent a while chatting to everyone and generally having a giggle then it was time for me to get my model on! 

I was kindly given a bra and knicker set from Panache to wear under the outfit I would be modelling for Simply Be. Here it is,

Excuse the tape on my leg i had my tattoo
finished last week and I'm wet healing

Now lets talk about my outfit from Simply Be, it was amazing I loved it so much and I really don't think that Simply Be could have chosen an outfit that was more me! Here is a pic i took when i got home so you could see the outfit,

The top and skirt are both Anna Scholz for Simply Be and are a size 24, they are made from a thick jersey type material with some stretch. The skirt has the most amazing zip that goes all the way up the side so you can choose if you want to show a little more leg. The top is available here and the skirt is available here.

Everyone got together and waited for the catwalk to start, there was a lot of nerves and excitement as we waited to go on. Everyone looked so beautiful and it was great to see all the different shapes and sizes rocking it down the runway! I want to say a big thank you to Simply Be for giving me the chance to get my model on and being such a fab team to work with :)

Pic from the Simply Be blog

I didn't get any pictures myself but here are a few taken from some other lovelies.

Photo taken by the very talented @nickyrockets

Taken from Lollylikes instagram

Taken from Panache instagram

I loved how the top and skirt looked like a dress and when I told people they were really surprised and the fact you can wear both together or separately just makes the outfit even more perfect! 

Simply Be were very kind and let all of us keep our outfits which was amazing. I loved mine so much I kept it on for the rest of the day.

The rest of the day was spent chatting, looking at the great companies stalls and some major whooping at the other catwalk shows! Along with some time in the photo booth of course!

Me and Lisa

Me,Lisa and the lovelyCharlie

The other catwalk shows from Excite clothing,Curvissa,Yours and Evans were fab and everyone looked so amazing! Again I didn't manage to get any pics but here are some fabulous ones

Photo from Excite clothing blog

Photo from Yours blog taken by Kittie Jackson photography

I met so many amazing people far too many to list them all here! But it was great to meet new people and finally meet others who I had spoken to for so many months online.
I really did have the best time for more pics check out the #plusnorth has tag on instagram, i cannot wait to see all the picture from the event!

If you didn't go to plus north this year you missed a truly amazing day and I can't put into words how much fun you would have so make sure you come to next years.
Bring on plus north 2014! 

XOXO

Whats Better Than One Dress?...

Well two of course! I was contacted last week by Curvissa who kindly offered me the chance to review an item from the site. There was a lot to choose from but i finally decided on this dress which had caught my eye awhile ago.

The great thing about this dress is its not just one but two dresses! You can war them together like i have done above or you can wear each separately.

I love them both together as you just see a glimpse of the stripy dress as you walk. I love the colours and patterns on both dresses, they are perfect for summer.

I was sent this dress in a size 24 which is a great fit for me as the floral part of the dress is button down and i often have to size up for this style. If you are smaller in the bust you could just go for your usual size.

I decided to keep the outfit simple with some unicorn flip flops and a messy bun, perfect for keeping cool in the lovely warm weather we had.

This is the under part of the dress, i love it on its own its a great length and it feels really nice on. It has some stretch to it but is a good quality fabric and i don't think it will loose its shape easily. Both parts of the dress are 100% cotton so will wash well and keep you cool on sunny days.

This is the top part of the dress worn on its own, again it looks just as lovely on its own as it does with both dresses together. In direct sunlight the top part of the dress can become a little see through but with light coloured underwear on it shouldn't be a problem.

If you want to get the dress its available here for £69 in sizes 14-32 and if its your fist order check out the discount code.

Here are a few other bits from the site which caught my eye

Maxi dress £45

Camel harem trousers £42

Print trousers £35

Ballet pumps £15

XOXO

Curvissa

As you might know i have had a few pieces from Curvissa before and really loved them along with quite a few more bits that i have my eye on !

I was sent this ad and a behind the scenes clip from that ad to share with you. If you haven't had a look at Curvissa I'd recommend you do they have so much to choose from in lots of sizes and to suit every budget.

I love the retro feel to some of the outfits and as I've said before i really like that they offer up to a size 32 as you can find that after a 26 the selection of clothes you have to choose from is quite small. So after having a few days of lovely sunny weather its time to think about adding to your summer wardrobe so why not take a look at Curvissa.
If you haven't ordered before then you can also get 20% off your first order and free delivery which is great, you know i love a good discount!
I hope you all have a great day, I'm having my tattoo today so wish me luck. I'll be uploading pics once its finished.
XOXO

Go to Garments

With fashion trends constantly changing, fading and re-emerging on both the catwalks and the high street, it can often be difficult to keep up with latest looks. Moreover, as these trends can often be tailored to specific shapes and sizes, from plus size clothing UK trends to tall or petite looks of the season, it can be a struggle to know what will work for your own body shape. 

Fear not, as there are some must-have-items of the year which are here to stay, and, more importantly, look fabulous on every figure. Read on for a quick guide to the best go-to garments which work for every shape, and should definitely be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe this year.

The Blazer

The blazer is an absolute must-have for every occasion. From oversized boyfriend blazers and androgynous tuxedo styles to cute, cropped jackets, the blazer is a versatile buy which works for every shape, every season and every outfit. If you’re dressing for an evening out and you want to show off your curves, then why not go for a cropped black blazer with a pencil skirt and some platforms? The cropped look will help to create a gorgeous silhouette and make you look confident and glamorous as you nail the pencil trend as well. Alternatively, if you’re a petite woman, for spring you could try an oversized white blazer with a pair of linen shorts, a chiffon shirt and a pair of wedged heels. This look will elongate your legs and make you look taller, while creating a sophisticated, fresh look for the season. 

The Midi 

The midi dress is a great garment which can be done in a range of ways. If you don’t feel confident in a maxi or a mini dress, the midi is the perfect alternative as the length works to complement height as well as body shape. For an effortless, elegant look, try a straight shift style which brushes down to the calves and pair with some court shoes to lengthen the legs by making the ankles look shapely. Alternatively, a skater style midi dress will create a gorgeous womanly form by cinching in the waist and emphasising the hips with the contours of the skirt. You can also try different necklines to suit your bodice shape. For example, turtle-necks will look chic without over-emphasising your top half while deep v-necks and a supportive bra will work wonders for your cleavage. 

The Peplum 

The peplum trend has made a name for itself with its flexibility and femininity. Perfect for the office, a light lunch, an evening dinner out and even a day spent running errands. The shape layers over the stomach or hip areas, depending on the style so if you are conscious of those areas this is the perfect style for you. The forties-inspired style looks great on tops, dresses and skirts, and is a fashion-forward look for every figure.

There you have it: three go-to-garments which work to complement the modern woman and the various shapes and sizes that she comes in. Get trying on now and find out what works for you just in time for spring!

Do you have any go to garments?

XOXO

Super soft spots

I was contacted recently and offered some things to review from Curvissa i chose a super cute strawberry vest which i blogged about here and a lovely red and white spotted cardigan.

The cardigan is super soft and a great fit. I asked for the 18-20 as i have the same cardigan in leopard print and i knew to size down. I can still fasten the 18-20 so its quite roomy which i love! 

I wore the cardigan with my white jersey dress which I've had for a few years from Tesco, tights are from Primark and shoes are Irregular Choice.

This cardigan is available online here for £42 which might seem a little pricey for a cardigan but the quality is amazing and it really is worth the price, you will definitely get your wear out of it. I have worn both this one and the leopard print one several times and they keep there shape really well and  are lovely and snuggly. You can also get this is blue and white and it is available in sizes 14-32 which is a great size range.

Its even snazzy inside! I cannot praise this cardigan enough i love it so much i really hope they continue to bring it out in many different prints.

Here are a few pieces from Curvissa that caught my eye

This is two dresses in one! What more could i ask for i love the floral print which will look lovely in the summer there is also a second layer under this which is another dress in blue stripes. Available here £69  in sizes 14-32.

I love this denim jacket, i used to live in mine when i was younger but when it no longer fit i could never find another that i loved as much, but i think i might have hit the jackpot here! Available here for £45 in sizes 14-32.

I love a pastel clouded pump for the summer and these are really cute. Available here in the sale from £15 also in white,black and yellow in sizes 3-10, the size range is fab i love that they have included the smaller and larger sizes as so many places seem to stick to 4-7.

After getting the strawberry print vest I'm looking for more to go with my shorts this summer and thought this was pretty i love the purple flowers. Available here for £22 in sizes 14-32.

Do you have a favourite piece from Curvissa?

I hope you all have a lovely weekend :)

XOXO

Summer and Winter style

A lot of people I know have a summer and a winter wardrobe but i don't like to set clothes aside just for a particular season, so i do like to get things that i think can be layered up and worn during the winter but won't look out of place in the summer. When i was contacted recently by Freshwater PR who work with Curvissa about their SS13 tribal style range this dress jumped out at me, perfect and lightweight for the summer but i though i could winter it up easily too.
When i received the dress i was really pleased, its a lovely lightweight 100% cotton so it lets you breath, perfect for the summer heat. I got a size 22 which is my usual size and found the fit great with a little room, so if you are between sizes i would suggest sizing down.

This is how i would wear this in the summer, i'd like to say i'd probably be less pale but that would be a lie as you all know me and the sun aren't great friends! I kept the dress as it came, although you can remove the belt if you wanted too, and added some little black pumps. The dress is lovely and long enough to wear without tights in the summer time.

Here is my winter look for this dress. I added some 120 denier tights from Yours, my snow boots from Primark and my New Look cardigan. I wore this out to dinner with some friends and it kept me toasty warm. I really love the print on this dress, it's so different to anything else in my wardrobe at the minute. The dress is available in sizes 14-32 here for £35.

I have also picked out a few of my favourite bits from the site.

I love the print on this dress, i think i may need to buy it to add to my ever growing maxi dress collection. Available in sizes 14-32 here for £49.

This dress is really cute and the skull print adds an edge to it. Available in sizes 14-32 here for £42.

I love the look of biker jackets with dresses although i don't think they suit me i love them on other people. I think this faux leather one is great again you can get this from size 14-32 here for £85.

I'm always on the look out for a nice party dress and i think this one is fab, i love the lace and the detail down the side of the dress. Available in size 14-32 here for £110, this is quite a pricey dress but i think it would last a lifetime and its a classic style that would always look good.

Lastly this beautiful scalloped hem evening dress. It's available in black or ecru in sizes 14-32 here for £105.

One of the great things about Curvissa for me is the range in sizes fro a 14-32 and the range in prices, no matter what your budget you will find something on here to suit you.

Do you have separate clothes for winner and summer or is your wardrobe a big mash up like mine?

XOXO 

Its a True LBD

I have had this dress for a few months but i have only just gotten around to wearing it. I am completely in love with it. I bought it from Tesco along with the bird print dress i blogged about a few weeks ago.
The dress is sadly no longer in stock online but you might still find it in your local store.

I decided to go a bit wild with this and seemed to add everything leopard print that i own but i i love how it looks. The cardigan is from Curvissa and you have seen it a few times now, i really love it! The tights are from Evans and a size 2, i really love the colour but the fit could be better. The headscarf and shoes are both Primark.

The dress is super comfy and fits really nicely I sized up and went for a 24 as i preferred the slightly looser fit that it gave. It was an amazing price at £18 and for hat you get a great quality dress. The lace is lovely and soft unlike other lace dresses i have tried in the past. The main part of the dress is quite a thick stretch jersey material so its perfect of the colder weather. The length for me was perfect too. 

I love how you can dress this up and down. I went for a more casual look but i think it would look just as fab with some high heels and a bit for sparkle.

Whats your go to LBD?

XOXO