Dipping your foot in the water.

I started this blog talking only about plus size fashion and then I realised I wanted to share more than just what I was wearing. When I moved into my first place I started doing home improvement and home interior posts and was so happy to share all the things I was doing as well as sharing my clothes and outfits. Over the years I have been including more about home and lifestyle and my content has developed with me. I’m older now and I have more financial responsibilities than I did when I started when I was able to spend as much as I wanted to fashion and make-up. I found that trying something new can be really rewarding and in some cases useful to other people.

A few years ago I used to post videos to YouTube, those of you who have been around from the start will already know this but one day I just decided that it wasn’t for me. This week however I have been really wanting to record content again so I’m trying to decide what it is exactly that I want to create and share. I could go back to doing beauty and makeup videos or I could go down the route of fashion so it ties in with my blog and my Instagram or I could just turn on the camera and see what happens. But it’s definitely time to get creative and get back into creating content and be seen. I miss the excitement of having myself out in the world.

Something else that might be exciting for me to try is playing the lottery, it’s a funny old thing because growing up all my family members played the lottery, on their own and in a family syndicate. Initially I was too young and then when I was of age an uncle of mine would put money in for me under my name. Sometimes they won but mostly they didn’t and I never really thought much of it but I never actually played myself. I’m nearly 34 so I’ve been able to take part for many years but it was never something I thought about but recently I’ve been putting money into app games and it seems ridiculous to me because there is no chance of winning anything I just give them my money for bonus things in the game lol, don’t get me wrong it’s a lot of fun and I don’t mind that I do that but it’s weird that I don’t play games that can actually give me a return. I’m looking into the National lottery and might play a line occasionally and who knows. I’ve also been made aware of a few game sites like Netbet casino where I can play games exactly like the games I’m always playing on the app but I can actually win some money back!
Obviously you have to play responsibly. I’m a game girl so I do wonder how I’ll enjoy this type of gaming.

V-neck evolution bra

Having a large bust makes it very difficult when it comes to purchasing bras and sports bras. Recently I have been on the lookout for good supportive bras that don’t contain underwire as I find underwire extremely uncomfortable and I’m always waiting for the end of the day when I can get out of it.  I’ve gotten to the stage now in my life where comfort is key to me especially when it comes to underwear and clothes and it is top of my checklist when I am shopping now.

You can see from my last post that I have been trying out some comfort bras. I’ve recently been made aware of this company that have large cup and large back comfort bras that look fantastic. Knixwear have a range of soft cup bras that offer good support and great quality and they go up to large sizes which is obviously important when you’re plus size. Their products, specifically the V-neck evolution bra, are perfectly designed for a larger bust. It has sport straps which are wider and offer more support than regular bra straps so is very handy for people with larger busts so the straps don’t dig into your shoulders from the weight.

The Bra has molded cups for added comfort and adjustable straps so you can wear the bra having you like with straight back straps or a crossover in the back. perfect if you want an essential v-neck bra.

vn1

 

They say “We packed as much innovation as we could into this one bra. Because we know how much you pack into your day. We’ve designed this bra to mold to your shape, so you may find it snug for the first few wears. It’s also unlined so you can rock your natural shape. Prefer some extra coverage? Try the Padded Evolution bra.”

I hope more and more companies start making bras like these is larger sizes because not everyone wants to wear uncomfortable underwire everyday and some of us don’t have the luxury of being able to go bra-less.

Saving pennies while clothes shopping.

Being someone who started out blogging only about fashion and being a fashionista through and through I’m always glad to hear about ways I can save money when shopping, especially when shopping for clothes. With summer fast approaching I have been on the lookout for some new maxi dresses and a few summer cami tops so I have been shopping around the main plus size stores that come to mind. There are so many ways to save money when shopping for clothes and coupons are a fab way, check out https://www.raise.com/coupons/macys for great discounts on apparel.

Forever 21 are a really good brand for low price throw away fashion, they are always on trend and have a huge range in the plus size section, which I love to see. One thing in particular I love about the brand is that the fashions are not only what society deem “plus size appropriate” and have a lot of items for people who are happy to wear tighter items and show more of their bodies.

f23

Somewhere I never thought I would be stopping by when thinking about shopping for clothes as a plus size person is Groupon.  At the moment they have some great deals, check out Groupon’s latest clothes discounts including Forever21. They offer discounts codes for so many websites that its silly not to check them out before making any online purchases because there are so many opportunities to save some money. I love that you are able to save on so many things that you would normally buy anyway so you’re not having random things you don’t need shoved down your throat. You can save on your normal grocery shopping, things for your children such as nappies or toys and it’s especially good for buying gifts for people with special categories to help make finding the perfect gift easy.

The website is super easy to navigate and has a ton of categories for you choose from to narrow down what you are looking for. If you from electronics, gifts for him, pets and beauty to travel.

Any go to money saving ideas you have , I would love to hear x

Make Your Beauty Regime More Eco-Friendly

We’d all like to reduce our ecological footprint, whether it’s increasing the number of recyclable products we use to making a conscious effort to cycle, walk or use public transport to get around. We want to ensure our planet remains green and healthy for future generations and prevent further damage already caused to delicate eco-systems across the globe.

You don’t have to make massive lifestyle changes to support the planet. Instead, you could create a bigger impact by making lots of smaller tweaks that you don’t notice as much. Encouraging these changes in your personal and family life is the first step to a brighter future.

So, don’t rush to throw out your disposable tableware or plastic cups. Swap them out for an eco-friendly alternative and look at bio-degradable options in your local party supply store. Likewise, tossing your plastic bags out now means they are likely to spend years decomposing in a landfill or (more horrifyingly) end up in the ocean. Reuse the plastic bags you have lying around until they can function no more, small changes like this could mean big improvements for the planet.

While there are plenty of things we can do in our day-to-day life to become eco-friendlier. Have you considered how you can reduce the waste and become more environmentally-friendly in your beauty regime?

In the Shower

Have you got a shampoo or conditioner you always use and are constantly having to buy? Consider looking for a bulk-size bottle alternative or contact the manufacturer to see if they can offer one. This can cut down on a tremendous amount of plastic waste. Alternatively, swap to a shampoo bar – no plastic, just product and you use it just the way you’d normally use shampoo, rub the bar on your hair and rinse away.

Make Your Beauty Regime More Eco-Friendly 1

This also applies to shower gels and liquid dispensers – stop using plastic packaged solutions and instead switch to a bar of soap. There are plenty of companies that offer everything from organic to hypoallergenic soap, without drastically harming your bank balance.

At the Sink

Did you know 50 million pounds of plastic waste is generated every year in the United States by…toothbrushes? Amazing, when you think about it. That’s an estimated 850 million to over a billion toothbrushes and it’s only one country (Although quite a big one). The eco-friendlier option is to use a bamboo toothbrush, a recent market development that is becoming more popular in the UK.

Toothpaste becomes a bit difficult, aside from the obvious – switch to larger packs of your favourite brand, there isn’t a lot of choice for ditching the plastic. Recently, some eco-friendly cosmetic companies have offered “chewable toothpaste” – a solid toothpaste tablet that you chew on to release the cleaning foam. These are great alternative to normal toothpaste and won’t cost you the earth either.

Make Your Beauty Regime More Eco-Friendly 2

Out the Door

Have you ever considered skipping your daily or alternate day shower? I know what you’re thinking but hear me out. There IS an eco-friendly alternative and it’s not going to leave you the unpopular one. Several water-free body washes have been popping up on the market and they’ve been taking the world a little bit by surprise with the quality. Cleansers that foam up as you pump so there’s even less wet mess and many of them can be simply towelled off once you have refreshed.

Combined with a solid bar deodorant that acts as a roll-on and you’ll not only smell great and feel fresh, but you could be saving as much as 45litres of water. Wow.

 

Like we mentioned before, you don’t need to make big changes to have a big impact. All these little adjustments to your day routine will quickly add up over the long-term. It also won’t cost you a fortune to be eco-friendlier, buying bigger packages will eventually save you money. While the package-less alternatives aren’t unreasonably expensive like they have been in the past. So, what are you waiting for? Make a small change to your regime today and start saving the world for tomorrow!

 

Happy boobs from Molke

Hi guys,

This week I got a really cute and bright comfort bra in the post from Molke.

Firstly a little background about the brand… “It originated with our creative designer, Kirsty, who wanted a fun and comfortable bra to breastfeed in. It became a hit quickly and from there the size ranges have increased. We are very passionate about supporting women and we feel that so many of us are not catered for. We now have customers from ages 15-80 wearing our bras for the comfort they have found.” So the brand originally started out as a breast feeding bra, which would explain the way the bra is cut with a wrap over so you have easy access if you wanted to feed a child. I do not have any kids but I really appreciate the crap over style because it gives me a lot of cleavage on  show so when I put it on underneath a low cut top or dress you can’t tell that I don’t have on a regular bra. I wear a 46K bra and all the sports bras I have tried come up really high in the front.

Processed with VSCO with c1 preset

As you can see from the pictures, the bra is a really nice fit, Im not bulging out at all and it has great support all round. It is made from a nice strong thick fabric and I think that is where a lot of the support comes from, the straps are nice and thick too so there is no digging in on the shoulders. I find it very nice and comfy to wear. I would definitely benefit from having a larger back that is just because I carry a lot of weight around my top half and need a little more room for rolls but they definitely have their sizing right.

They have a range of soft bras and matching pants and I think what they are most known for is the super pretty range of prints and colours. I love that they realise just because someone has a really large bust doesn’t mean they don’t want cute underwear.

Sizes… They go up to a XXL back size which I believe is up to a 46 back and they have cup sizes from regular to mega (with the thundercup that I have coming very soon). I also enquired for you guys about any scope for bigger back sizes and they have said that they will hopefully be adding another size to give more space around the band. I have the XXL/Thundercup but I could definitely do with a little more space in the back.

IMG_20180520_183233_270

Molke have sold out of the ore-orders on the new Thundercup size but they have assured me that they have a ton of new stock coming soon in the thundercup and lots of new prints! I am so excited, they have a gorgeous unicorn print that I want next.

They have a very comprehensive size chart on the website so you know what to choose but if you are at all unsure I’m sure you can shoot them a quick message if you need any advice.

I would really love to know what you think of yours if you get one.

xx

If Someone Tries To Judge Your Style, Tell Them Wear To Stick It!

gc1

It’s bizarre just how much judgment there is in the world aimed at people doing nothing more than trying to embrace their own style. As though one person feeling good about themselves is just so awful to a lot of other people that they have to do whatever they can to try and drag that person down again. And it’s not just from other people either. It comes from all sides with the media and advertising all doing the same thing. Well, if you’ve ever felt like people have tried to judge you on your own style, the best thing you can do is to tell them where to shove it! With that in mind, here are some ways to embrace your own personal style.

 

Your hair

It’s amazing to think that people try to police other people’s hair so much considering what an integral part of their bodies it really is. After all, your hair isn’t just a fashion statement. For a lot of people, it’s a sign of their cultural and ancestral heritage a well. The last thing you want to is to feel like you have to change your hair to fit with society’s expectations. You can get more info on ways to embrace your own natural hair while finding styles that suit you. The key is to hold on to what makes your hair unique to you, rather than trying to fit it around society’s expectations.

 

Your wardrobe

Here’s the big secret that a lot of people will avoid telling you: you can wear whatever you want. Seriously, no matter who you are, how old you are, or what shape and size you are, you can wear any clothes. This idea that certain clothes are only for people of specific shapes and sizes is just ridiculous, and there’s no reason that you should have to put up with it. If you see something that you think that you’d look really cute in it, then don’t let anything stand in your way. As long as you carry yourself with confidence, you’ll be able to pull off any outfit.

 

Your makeup

It’s a real shame that so many women are forced to wear makeup as a way of fitting society’s expectations. It’s not a shame because makeup is bad, but because it’s such a waste of its potential;. Rather than using it to force people to look the same, think about how much better things would be if everyone used makeup to be creative and to express something about themselves. Rather than trying to meet society’s expectations, why not try your hand at breaking them instead?

Of course, none of this is meant to make it seem as though breaking out of the habits that modern society gets so many of us into is somehow easy. The truth is that it can be incredibly difficult to get out of the kind of feelings that the modern world creates in us. However, by taking the time to really think about these things and to try to shut out the sound of outside influences, you’re going to be able to finally embrace your own sense of style.

 

Divine Plus-Size Skirts

I love skirts. They are a great way to give yourself plenty of outfit choices. With just a couple of skirts, a few tops and maybe loose fitting wide belt, you can create enough outfits to take you through an entire week.

Right now, there are some lovely plus size skirts available from retailers like fashionworld.co.uk. They sell skirts for ladies who are sized between 8 and a 34. This retailer stocks nearly 200 different cuts or designs, so you really can´t go wrong with them. Here is a quick roundup of some of my favorite 2018 skirt cuts.

Pencil skirts

If you like the tailored look, a pencil skirt is the way to go. They can be very sexy and glamorous as well as being very smart. If you have an interview to go to or already work in an office environment a pencil skirt is an especially good option. You can pair it with a nice jacket or, on a hot day, just wear one with a blouse.

All you need to do is to choose the cut that works best for your body shape. Click here to learn exactly how to do that. Generally speaking, you need to avoid the straight-cut versions. Tapered pencil skirts with high-waistlines are a good place to start. This cut tends to accentuate your womanly curves and is more likely to actually stay in place, so they hang better. Try one on and I think you will see what I mean.

A-line skirts

A lot of women look good in A-line skirts. Although you do need to be a bit careful with this cut. You do not want to choose one that flares out too quickly. They tend to look a bit tent like. If you feel self-conscious about your hips be sure to choose one that skims over that area. In all likelihood, you will have to try quite a few on to find the perfect one for you. But, once you do, you will be able to look at photos online or see one in the shop and know almost instantly whether it will work for you. So, buying your second A-line skirt will be much easier.

ps1

Chino skirts

If you are looking for something a bit more casual, consider buying a chino or denim skirt. Again, be careful with the cut. Generally speaking, the dead straight cuts are best avoided. Also, ignore the ones with pockets. On a woman with curvy hips, the pockets will have a tendency to gape.

This style of skirt is generally made from quite a heavy cotton fabric, which has a sculpting effect and provides a bit of support. If you can find one that is embellished, that is even better. The embroidery adds a little extra weight, which will help the skirt to hang properly and stay in place. Plus, the embroidered area will not crease. This is an important consideration if you spend a lot of your day sitting at a desk or workbench. A heavily creased skirt can look pretty scruffy.

Light summery skirts

If you come across a lightweight floaty skirt, in your size, definitely order yourself one. Provided the waistband is well-made and sits in the right place, you will look great in this type of skirt. I was lucky enough to find a couple of 100% cotton print skirts a few years ago. As you can see here, they looked great.

IMG-20150802-WA0017

 

When shopping for this type of skirt follow the same principles as you would when buying an A-line cut. Provided you do this, you really cannot go wrong with this style of skirt.

Ok, so those are my favorites. I would really like to hear which styles of skirt you like best, so, please, let me know by leaving a comment.

 

My own holiday must haves

These tips are all based on my personal experience travelling and are things I cannot holiday without. You can find a bog standard packing list anywhere on the net if that is what you are looking for but nothing beats the experiences of a fellow plus size holiday maker.

So for me the number one thing I cannot travel without is a plan. As a plus sized traveler I need to consider things that straight size people may not think about like seat dimensions. Being a UK size 32 I have concerns about plane seat sizes and bathrooms so I like to know who I’m travelling with (airline) and if I haven’t flown with them before I call ahead to ask any questions or air my concerns to get reassurance before I travel.

I like to make a very loose itinerary just so I know what I want to see, places I want to go and places I wanna shop while I’m away. It saves me having any wasted days sitting around on holiday not knowing what to do with my time. I by no means stick to the itinerary, it’s just nice to know what things are in the local area that have peaked my interest while research them. I like to have a stress-free experience when I’m travelling therefore planning is the first thing I do when I decide I want to go away it eases my mind and gives my trip more of a focus.

Once I have a plan I move on to the more exciting things…

When I’m on holiday one of the most important things for me is having good swimwear. Having a large bust means support in swimwear is crucial the last holiday I went on to Vegas, I took 11 pieces of swimwear with me and only two of those had the right amount of support and I found myself reaching for those the most.

I think investing in good swimwear is the way to go as they will last you many many years and they are something we are all like to feel comfortable in whether that be good boob support or firm tummy support or just a really well structured swimsuit/bikini. Paying that little bit extra for support or design really has is good investment as once you feel good in it you’ll definitely wear it year after year after year. Shopping for good swimwear online can be difficult especially if you don’t know your exact size. I always suggest buying swimwear and underwear in store where you can try them on and get the best fit, but if that is not an option there are many places online where you can get fantastic fitting, well made designer swimwear in plus sizes.

Finally, something I will always have with me well when I’m away on holiday now is good supportive footwear. I cannot stress enough how important footwear is, whenever I’m on holiday I always walk so much more than I do at home. There’s so much to see and do and you don’t want to waste any time so you’re constantly on your feet and the biggest mistake is not having the right shoes. When I’m on holiday I thought I having a pair of trainers it was good enough but having a right kind of trainers is so important I find that trainers that have good arch support and are made for walking or running are the best bet. Last time I was away I chose shows for fashion and not practicality and that was a mistake. Not taking the right shoes affected my entire holiday even once I bought the right type of shoes my feet still hurt and I was feeling the effects of the first few days wearing the wrong shoes. Even now back in the UK I still wear supportive trainers for when I’m going on long walks and I will never make that mistake again when I’m going on holiday.

So everyone has a few things that are personal must haves for their travels and these are mine, what are yours?

 

Bedroom makeover on a budget

There are so many ways to makeover a bedroom without spending a ton of money. I’m going to give you a few ideas on how to give your bedroom a glamorous overhaul without breaking the bank. If you are in a rented home and I’m not allowed to paint or drill holes to add photos or artwork there are still many ways to change your space using stick on hooks and wall coverings.

Wall hangings and tapestries are great way to make big changes to a room, you can create a feature wall using large pieces or use smaller pieces to hang like art. Choosing the right colours and patterns are very important as large tapestries draw the eye immediately when entering the room, you can decorate the entire room based around the colours or patterns or theme of the fabric.

Fabric hangings and tapestries can give rooms are very bohemian look and feel and also makes a room feel less cold as fabrics are very warming and this goes for bedding, cushions and throws eccetera. If you’re going to go for a wall hanging tapestry I suggest this is one of the first things you purchase as it sets the tone for the whole room.

20180305_152440

Just like a wall hangings, bedding has a huge bearing on how your bedroom looks. The bed is often the largest item in the room so covering it with a fabric definitely draws the eye so choosing bedding is very important as again it helps to set the theme or colour scheme that runs through the bedroom. The bedding tying into the theme/colour scheme of the room will create cohesion. When making over a bedroom on a budget bedding is a great place to start as it is something that will always be in the room.

Once you have decided on a theme for your room you can buy different bedding that all fall into the same category for example for beddings with peach tones or monochrome bedding sets or elephants depending on what you want to create in your room you can even mix and match bedding pieces if you want to go for a more boho vibe. If you buy a number of different bedding sets you will be able to mix and match the pieces to create anything that suits you. Bedding allows you to be creative in a space where a lot of furniture items can’t be changed frequently, so for example you’ll have a desk and a wardrobe and a chest of drawers that stay the same three years and years but changing the bedding and smaller items can make over your room entirely.

20180209_144809

There were so many places that do great bedding for great prices so it allows you to have many bed sets to pick and choose from or mix and match for any bedrooms in the house. You can enjoy great savings on bedding at Groupon allowing you to get more for your money and therefore way more options to play with.

The most cost effective way to make changes to a room is to switch out smaller decorative accessories. Recently rose gold accessories have been huge in home decor and really add a touch of glam to a room. I personally like white accessories at the moment just because I like clean and simple looking pieces, also it’s very easy to add colour in different ways for example bedding and fabrics. White, gold and black accessories are nice and simple and will fit in any bedroom and if you every decide to change the colour scheme completely these items could still stay.
Accessories can range from plant pots to rugs, cushions, artwork, chair covers, lanterns, pen holders anything really and they make a room feel more you and will showcase your style and character. All of these things work together so you don’t have to replace any large furniture items to get a brand new room.

20180209_145424What tips do you have for making most effective changes to make over a room? I hope you found this post useful.

 

 

Menswear? No fashion rules

As you all know I’m a fashion girl and love a little look on clothing sites to see whats new and what I might have missed and I’ve even blogged outfits wearing boyfriend fit clothes . I like to look at plus size men’s clothing sites to see what I can get as at my size its impossible to find anything oversized fitting on plus size women’s sites because I wear the largest size.

I have been following more and more plus size male fashion bloggers on Instagram and have been loving the smart outfits, plus size men in traditional well fitting suits look amazing in my opinion.

There are a number of UK based brand that stock plus size menswear and if you are anything like me and you don’t adhere to what clothing labels tell you will fit, then there is an abundance of straight size menswear stores that will have items that you can make work. nr1

Whether you are looking for simple everyday pieces like shorts or a jumper all the way to looking for classic suit items to get a real androgynous look, menswear stores are a great place to shop as a women. Obviously these stores are great if you are looking to shop for someone else too. I find shopping for men can be quite difficult, especially if you don’t know the person very well. I also find that its much harder to guess when choosing clothes for a man. In my experience with friends, family and ex partners they seem to like what they like and be less willing to try styles outside of their comfort zones. Maybe its because I’m often surrounded by fashion bloggers and very confident plus size women I find that we are more will to take an item and experiment with it and make it our own.

For my plus size ladies who read this I honestly suggest having a quick look at plus size mens sites if you like big baggy pieces like an oversized hoody or boyfriend fit jeans or blazer etc. style is limitless so getting nice pieces to make a great outfit is the important bit to me not where they come from. Its so nice to be able to create an outfit that not every single other fat girl has and menswear increases choices vastly.

me4

Me, trying out a more androgynous look than I’m used to but absolutely loving it.
Whether you are wanting a boyfriend fit blazer, some boyfriend fit jeans or it you just want standard wardrobe staples that can be found in both the menswear and womenswear departments like Tshirts and trainers etc.. Mens clothing retailers are a great way to get new pieces into your wardrobe and also to oudh fashion boundaries and create new ensembles that you may not have discovered if you stuck to the regular stores you normally shop in.

The majority of sportswear is non gender specific so brands like Ellesse are great for adding stylish and practical items that you will get a lot of wear from.

Plus size mens fashion is a great way to get inspiration for cute outfits and I have been finding following plus size male bloggers has been great for inspiring androgynous looks which I absolutely love.

Do you have any plus size male blogger recommendations or plus size menswear brands that I should take a look at?

A Lifestyle blog and much more