Now that winter is here

I have finally decided it is time to start wearing a proper coat, my leather jacket while nice doesn't really keep me dry (something i leant the hard way last way). This is a coat i have had in the wardrobe for a little while now (about 2 years). It is from ASOS Curve and was originally £80 but i got it in the sale for £35. I shyed away from wearing it as i felt it made me look bigger than i am and back then that was something i hated, whereas now, so what, it is a lovely coat with amazing detailing, being navy makes it a bit different from plain black and it has big pockets to keep my hands warm in, a winner really.

Spotty Clash

Hanna at The Wardrobe Challenge actually inspired this outfit as i seen her do something similar and up until then had never thought about mixing polka dots in this way.

This is actually a Tesco Dress being worn as a top, it is the only polka dot item that i have that would work with this outfit, the dots are smaller and the opposite to the colour on the skirt, The skirt is from New Look Inspire, you seen me wearing the Navy version a few weeks back, i actually bought this skirt in the summer on a shopping trip with Hannah but haven't got round to wearing it as i wasn't sure what to pair it with. To keep me warm i am wearing it with my New Look Inspire Cardigan and New Look Leggings and Matalan flatforms (although in honesty having just looked out the window and seen how wet it is out, i think i might have to put on boots, BTW i am on the hunt for a pair of cute ankle boots, let me know your suggestions) and a slick of MAC lipstick to finish off the look (sadly my hair has got to that crazy length where it looks shit and i don't know if i should cut it or grow it a bit longer, it grows too quickly). So here is the finally outfit, maybe a bit too summery this is November day but i am moderating  6 presentations today so want to be comfy and the lecture theatres can get really warm.

ASOS Curve Review

I recently bought a few things from ASOS Curve as they had 25% and had some lovely things in. However i was rather disappointed. The models used on the website are just too small and don't really show how the clothes will look on my size 20 body, leaving me feeling like i'm the failure for not looking as good in them. Also the sizing is beyond erratic. 

So lets begin:

First up is the skater dress with lace top and polka dot skirt, Available here for £35. The slip is actually sewn in and isn't very well fitted making the dress not really fit that well, the size 22 was baggy in my waist. 

As you can see, it doesn't look that good on my body, it doesn't flatter my curves in anyway and it just looks bulky on my hips. The lace is quite stiff and scratchy, at £35 i think this is massively overpriced. 

Second: Mini Lace Dress, Available here for £38. 

When i seen this i fell in love with it, it is just so pretty, the lace and colour just make this perfect. It is a really nice material, the underslip is again attached to the lace which makes me feel a bit safer incase of wind. 

This is the 22 and it seems a but small, you can see my belly making a bid for freedom (but there is no button here and it just seems it is the way the fabric is) but it also pulls on my bust a bit, meaning i might have to size up (which is a mad really) but this dress really is stunning and worth it. 

Finally The Bodycon spot and floral dress, Available here for £30.

I have a dress similar to this already but i love polka dot and floral so much i wanted another one. Sadly it was not meant to be, this dress comes up huge, this is a size 20 and they don't do anything smaller, the arms are massive and the length is really long on my 5'4 body and is not tight round my knees, leaving it looking baggy and like i've stretched it. 

So all in all i'm pretty disappointed, nothing in this order can be kept, mostly because of crazy sizing (either too small or too big) do you find ASOS is a bit hit and miss in its sizing?

A bit of sparkle

Just a quick post. I originally seen this jumper in the main range in New Look, i tried the 18 on and while it fitted, it was quite short. At the weekend i went to Bristol to do a spot of shopping and came across this version in the Inspire section. I was really happy as i am loving the shoulder detail trend and really liked this jumper (any advice on washing would be appreciated). I did size up (not because it is that small but because i wanted it to be a bit longer so i could wear it on its own). Its wet out today so i paired it with my creepers to keep my feet warm and dry. 

Tunic Jumper - New Look Inspire, Available here. Leggings - Matalan. Creepers - New Look. 

ASOS leather skirt review

In the recent 25% off at ASOS I took the plunge and ordered the leather skirt i had been lusting after, with a whooping price tag of £80 (although i got it for £60) it is defiantly an expensive investment piece. 

I sized up after some advice on twitter that it came up pretty small and short. But now when i wear it just under my bust, it is actually a tad big, but if i sized down, i don't think it would fit. 

The leather is incredibly soft, i could sit stroking it for hours. It is fully lined and it has a side zip, which doesn't go into the waist band, that has an eye and hook fastening which i must say is a bit of a pain and difficult to get done up and undone. Also from the pictures on the website, i thought it would have more pleats in it, instead is it more skater style, emphasizing my hips a bit. On me the length is fine, but as you all know, i don't mind wearing short items. 

All in all is this skirt worth £80? i don't really think so, i am still deciding if i keep it, i am not sure how much wear i would get out of it, and i'm hoping Forever 21 are about to launch their version which looks really similar. 

Mustard

Just a quick Outfit post. I bought this dress from ASOS in the sale as i really liked the colour and cut. While it is a bit longer than i would actually wear, i got used to the length and have grown to like it.

Dress - ASOS. Belt - From another dress. Tights - Tesco. Pumps - Matalan. 

Ways to Wear Challenge: LBD

This is the first post of a new (and my first) challenge that i'm taking part in. The challenge was set up by Gemma of Big Girls Browse. The challenge is called ways to wear and any blogger can take part, for more information check out this post from Gemma for all the information.

The first challenge is the classic LBD (Little Black Dress). About a year ago my wardrobe was filled with black, it was about the only colour i wore, but since i started blogging, black has become a kind of foe to me, it was my security blanket, a colour to hide behind, so now i hardly have any black in my wardrobe, which made this challenge, quite challenging, so after a rummage through i found this beauty.

I bought this over the Summer when mesh and cut out was all the rage, it is main range New Look (showing sometimes you need to try things on). Wearing a bra with this top ruins the effect and look for me so i dared to go braless (the dress is tight enough and sturdy enough that i believe it will keep me in place). I added peep toes, a belt (i couldn't decided about the belt so i have pictures of both) to highlight my waist and i added some statement jewellery and a slick of red lipstick to finish the look off. A sexy LBD but still modest and keeping my dignity.

Dress - New Look, Size 18. Leggings - New Look, Size 18. Shoes - New Look size 5. Belt - DP. Necklace - Primark. Ring - Debenhams. Bracelet - Gift from my mum. Lipstick - Collection 2000, Queen of Hearts. 

Purple Swallows

I have had this dress for a while now but i haven't got round to wearing it so today i dusted it off and gave it an airing. 

I love the yellow colour with the contrast of the purple swallows and the pleat detailing of the skirt. I can just about do this up but it looks like it might burst open at any moment and seeing as i'm teaching today, i don't want that, so i wore it open with a vest top underneath. I also paired it with one of my new necklaces, i've been looking for some bold necklaces for a while and kept coming back to Primark, so finally i took the plunge and bought three and this is one of them. I paired the look with black leggings, my black pumps and a black cardigan to keep me warm. 

Dress - Matalan size 20. Vest top - New Look. Leggings - New Look. Pumps - Matalan. Necklace - Primark. 

Separates

For those of you who follow my blog, you will know i pretty much always wear dresses, they are what I feel most comfy and safe in, but it isn't exactly challenging myself or my fashion, so today I decided to try separates! Recently I have actually bought a few tops and I have invested in a few skirts and jeans to go with them so hopefully over the next few weeks you can see more of this. 

I have started out kind of safe, to ease myself into it (plus I had limited options in my suitcase). I think it defines my waist quite well and makes my boobs look pretty large (not always a bad thing I guess). The length is good, any longer and it might feel a bit frumpy on me.

Top - New Look. Skirt - New Look Inspire. Cardigan - New Look Inspire. Tights - Tesco. Flatforms - Matalan 

Miss BBW International (Part 1)

On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited to Miss BBW international, for those of you who don't know, it is a plus size beauty pageant. I will do a post next week about the amazing night itself but for now I want to show you what I wore.

This was my first blogger event and I thought I had my outfit sorted when I left Bath, however on Saturday at my BF's I had a bit of a breakdown, nearly sat crying as I hated my dress and thought I would look awful compared to all these other amazing bloggers (nerves got the better of me) luckily he drove me back to my parents where I picked up the dress I ended up wearing and I felt amazing in it all night (and received several compliments on it)

(sorry the photos are blurry, iPhone fail)

Dress - Evans. Tights - Tesco. Pumps - Matalan. Clutch - River Island. Watch/Bangle - Calvin Klein 

Onesie

I have lusted after a onesie for a while now but being a bit bigger i have always struggled, they either were too small in the chest and belly or way too long in the leg. I seen this one in the Tesco catalogue and stalked in online for about 2 weeks before i finally became available. At £12 it was a bargain and the print was fabulous and got my feeling a bit festive. It has poppers which is what i really wanted (zips are cold and uncomfy) and i just love) it, i spent nearly all weekend in it (the BF refused to let me in his car wearing it so i had to get dressed then) i am even wearing it now as i type this, it might actually be my new favourite thing.

Foil Print Florals

While ordering the Celia dress i also seen this top had come back in stock, I lusted after this in the summer and even added it to a wishlist but it sold out before i got a chance to buy it, so I was thrilled that it was back it stock and used my Slink code to get 20% off. I think i've got a bit of a floral thing going on. 

Ideally this is a summer top but I wanted to make it more appropriate for this weather. 

(Sorry for the bad photos, my  iPad, Bad light and my mother don't mix)

Top - Evans, Long Sleeved t shirt - DP, Tube Skirt - H&M, Boots - Tesco

A Casual Sunday

So Sunday was pretty chilly, i had to wrap up warm to keep the chill at bay. I went to see my niece as i hadn't seen her since i went back to Uni and just enjoyed a day chilling at home with my family and kitty.

Jumper - Matalan, Leggings - ASOS, Boots - Tesco (Last Season) 

Although it might be chilly you can still jazz up an outfit, i wore my floral panel ASOS leggings to add some colour and fun to my outfit, i also paired it with my knitted drop hem jumper from Matalan.

My Masters Dissertation

I want to make available to everyone my masters dissertation, it is on the Plus Size community and the forming of a Plus Size Tribe because of the Stigma and Discrimination they face, something I am continuing into my PhD, I would love peoples feedback and opinions on the piece. I hope you Enjoy!

Available to download here

(I haven't got my mark back for this yet)

A day at the races

On Saturday I went to Ascot for the day with my family, it was a great day and was ended with an amazing firework display. I also won £9.44. We had access to the premier section of Ascot which meant dressing up a bit to make sure we fit it.

I wore my new Evans dress.Evans recently had a sale on their brands and i loved this Clements Ribeiro dress, It is called Celia, I have the tunic version of this dress but i decided i also wanted the dress, I love the lace detail on the shoulders, it is such a pretty dress. I felt wonderful in it all day and it was defiantly perfect for Ascot. 

This dress is on sale for £35 (originally £75) and is available here

Baroque Print

Just a quick OOTD from my teaching this week

Dress - Dorothy Perkins. Belt - Matalan. Flatforms - Matalan. 

I liked the pattern on this dress, which is why i bought it, the waist sits a little low hence it needing a belt to help define my waist a bit more. In hindsight, i think i would wear a different belt.