OOTD Keeping it Neutral with OneStopPlus Uk

Evenin' lovelies!

It's getting ever closer to Kissmas, are we all excited? I hope you've all been very good boys and girls! :)

So, I have been meaning to do an outfit of the day review of this lovely little dress gifted to me by OneStopPlus Uk for a few weeks now. I was asked if I fancied reviewing another item for them and of course, I said yes! I thought this time I would choose something that I would never usually go for. I opted for the Duel Fabric Dress from the Taillissime range in taupe. The dress is a combination of jersey and cotton panels all finished off with a really cute little macrame trim.

I popped the dress on with my We Love Colors tights in Maroon, some cute strappy ankle boots that I had just received from Simply Be and a little black cardigan.

Duel Fabric Dress - £45 Taillissime @ OneStopPlus Uk
Maroon tights - $9 We Love Colors
Strappy Ankle Boots - £24 Simply Be
Black Cardigan - New Look Inspire (few years old)
...and yes, the Gryffindor scarf is mine! PRICELESS!

This is a very casual outfit for me I feel. Even Mr Naomi commented on how toned down this was, I think it was due to the colours that I had put together, most of my outfits are usually full of prints, or colours or are generally quite blingy (as I can't resist a sparkle!) but this was full of muted hews and the only real pop of colour was from those oh so gorgeous tights!

I do really like the dress, although I must admit, I feel it is probably a bit highly priced for me for what it is. It is well made, and the material is really nice, the 3 quarter length sleeves make it perfect to wear in cooler months aswell as warmer months but the one thing that I think has really thrown me with it is the bust area. Although this dress is a UK 28-30 I found the bust portion which is meant to kinda sit underneath the boobage kept riding up on me, I imagine that this is due to having a rather large set of melons and that can't be helped, but it just made me feel a little bit uncomfortable as I was having to tug it down quite a lot.

Let me get onto those amazing We Love Colors tights!!!! I don't have to remind you of my constant battle with the plus size hosiery world, it never fails to disappoint me, well STOP.THE.PRESS I am sold! I bought 3 pairs of tights from the US site and I have to admit, with postage and customs charges all in all 3 pairs of tights have cost me a shade under £50 but I am not kidding you when I say it is probably the best £50 I have ever spent! They fit beautifully, I can pull them right up without there being any sagging around the ankles, they are comfy and the colour of the maroon is so sumptuous (pics don't do it justice but trust me!! AMAZE!). Seriously, if you have issues like I do and you can muster together a few quid extra then do it, purchase some, I can honestly say you will not regret the We Love Colors experience!

The Simply Be ankle boots are an absolute steal girls! Get em whilst they are available, they are leather and have been reduced from £60 to £24!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know! At the time of writing this they have low stock on the black but have lots available in the tan and they are wide fit! I have to admit, I am sending mine back, but this is only because they are slightly too big on me in the 6 and they are too small in the 5! I must have awkward feet! *booooooo* :(

Lastly, I just wanted to thank the OneStopPlus UK team for supporting my blog over the past 12 months, this is the last post I will be writing for them for 2011 but hope to be doing more in 2012! I was very new to blogging when OneStopPlus UK first contacted me to work with them and I still am really and very far from being one of the well known bloggers on the block, so I was thrilled that they gave me the opportunity me to review for them, I really appreciate you letting me work with you, thanks alot guys and have a great Xmas!!

So, in other news, from now until the 3rd January we have casual dress day every day at work, now this is great, but having to find something to wear everyday is going to be a chore, and, don't hold me to this, but I am going to try and do and outfit post of what I throw on each day, *Eeeeekkkkkk* lets see how it goes, until then guys,

BIG LOVE!
XOXOXOX

Tights Tight Tights! The Big Bloomers Company!

Ello lovelies!

I have been meaning to post about these fabulous people for a couple of weeks now but have been a very busy lady!

You all know my rant about tights for us plus sizers, and especially when you are of a certain size getting tights is just an absolute nightmare! I recently discovered The Big Bloomers Company and, although the range of tights is limited at the moment, they have ones that actually fit me!!! FANTASTIC!! They were kind enough to send me 3 pairs of their Supersize tights in barely black! Whilst I haven't had chance to wear them just yet, I wanted to give you a heads up to them as they are fantastic!

Super, super stretchy, roomy and comfortable! Non of that awful crotch riding down business and you can get them properly over your tummy and hips! They even go up to a 9XL (100" hips)!!!!

They have recently added a new range in a 20 denier in jet black, barely black, mink and tan and if you are unsure you can try a pair for just £1! So I am currently off over there to order mine! If you are a plus sizer who struggles with tights like I do, then seriously try them out. I just hope they start getting in some fun colours and styles too, then everything will be complete for me!

As soon as I put an outfit together with them I will show you! Can't wait! :)

They also ship worldwide!

Big Love!
xoxox

Evans & Plus Size Tall model final, and overcoming my fear of Brogues OOTD!

Awwwwww where to start?! what a weekend it has been!



I was lucky enough this weekend to be able to attend the plus size model final hosted by Plus Size Tall and sponsored by Evans in Shoreditch, London. Amongst looking forward to seeing the event, more importantly I was there routing for my gorgeous friend Lorna whom was one of the 15 finalists, thanks to anybody who reads my blog who voted for her. Unfortunately Lorna didnt win the competition but all the girls who took part were fabulous and they were all winners as far as I was concerned. In the end the prize went to the very deserving Kelsey who will soon be jetting off to Las Vegas to take part in the Curvy Revolution and fly the flag for all us curvy girlies here in the UK. Well done Kelsey.

I have to say, overall it was a great day, all of the ladies were so brave and confident to get up there and do they're thing. For me, personally, it was nice to hear the stories behind each and everyone of them, stories that myself, as a plus size woman can totally relate too. It was rather emotional to be part of that group, with resounding agreement on how society, media and the fashion industry has made women feel about themselves. There were some serious 'ick' moments for me though when the words 'skinny' and 'real women' were thrown around. I totally understand the way alot of plus size women feel with regards to the size debate, but my view point on the matter is that by shunning women of a smaller size and labelling them as 'not real' then we are as bad as the society and the industry whom made us feel the way we have felt. I believe as women we should embrace the differences in each and every one of us, we have to be very careful when condoning and condemning different ends of a very wide and varied spectrum, we are all REAL WOMEN, regardless of what size you may be.

Anyway, I also got to meet some really great people, first of all I got a little bit starstruck and slightly overwhelmed when Rachel, the creative director of Evans said hello to me and introduced herself. I had a little chat and catch up with the lovely Lauren who was on the judging panel and most interestingly for me was having a natter to Zoe who works on the Evans online team and Gemma whom works with all of their social media. They were both so keen to talk about how they are really trying to bring the Evans community together to really try and understand their customers, they are so passionate and I could genuinely see how for them that its not just about a brand flogging a few clothes they really care about their customers and how they can work with them to deliver the best. Believe it or not guys, love or loathe Evan's clothing, I can wholeheartedly say from now meeting just a handful of people behind the brand that they do really care about their consumers. I feel theres some really exciting things going to be coming up from Evans over the next year and Im itching to see what they are going to be!

Anyway here are a couple of snaps from the day (apologies for the quality)

So I promised another outfit of the day, I was intending on getting one while I was at the event but it was such a busy day that I never got chance, but I do know that the Evans team managed too so if they post it I will blog it for sure! I did a little shopping the other day and bought myself a pair of tan brogues from Primark for £8!! If any of you follow my Twitter you may have seen a tweet saying that I have no idea how to wear them, but when I got home from London this evening I was inspired by a very kind parcel I received from the lovely guys over at Plus Size Tights.





Amongst the items were an AMAZING pair of tights, they were sort of a cable knit effect but were totally nylon, in a 60 denier! I havent opened a box that made me go *squeeeeeeee* in a long time, I know I go on about this all the time but I have a longstanding battle with tights not fitting and well, I now had a brand spanking new pair, in a style other than just basic black, excited? MUCH! So anyway I popped them on with a black skirt from Yours Clothing (which I adore), a long beige vest top from H&M, a beige cardigan from New Look Inspire, a tan waisted belt which I picked up in the Evans sale for a fiver instore a few days ago and these cute little tan brogues from Primark and low and behold, my love for the flat granny shoe (as my bro likes to call them) was ignited...so here I am, in brogues,

Cardigan - New Look Inspire (Summer 2009)

Vest Top - H&M B&B £7.99

Tulip Skirt - Yours £10

Tights - Plus Size Tights (Awaiting price info)

Belt - Evans £5 (Instore sale item)

The skirt is an absolute little gem from Yours it is in the sale currently only in sizes 26-28 and 30-32 but like a lot of Yours items it is definitely cut on the larger side! I originally ordered it in a 26-28 and had to exchange it for a 22-24. It has a lovely thick elasticated waistband that can be worn on the hips or up on the waist and has a lovely tulip split shape with little pockets. It goes with EVERYTHING! Probably one of the most versatile things in my wardrobe right now. So, here is a plea to Yours, please bring the skirt back, in some more styles or colours, please?!?! The tights are fabulous, I am yet to find out the price of them, as they are not yet available on the website, but they are a brand called Levee and as soon as I get more details on them I will post! I have to say, I do love the brogues now I have tried them, and I have decided I am going to get them in the black too, think they may be my new little staple for my new job wardrobe....

Yup thats right, as of tomorrow Naomi is joining the 9-5! *eeeeep* I am so nervous, I feel like its the Sunday night before you go back to school! So wish me luck and I will let you know how I get on!

Anyway it is time to say goodnight!

Big love <3

NYE Outfit Of The Day

Hi guys,

So how did you all spend New Years Eve? I had a pretty relaxed one this year, which was nice, for the last 3 or 4 years I have been opting for a good ol' shindig at a friends house rather than hanging around town centres, paying ridiculous amounts of money into a club and arguing over taxi's at 3am. A lot of my friends have young children too, so its also nice to be able for us all to get together, children included and ring in the New Year that way. We had loads and loads of drinks, with my friend Des being the designated cocktail barman and my friend Liane was dishing up her amazing chicken, rice and peas.

I had, the day before NYE done a little bit of mooching around the sales (yeh I know I said I was laying off them) and spotted in my local Evan's store a pair of boots that I had tried on a few months previous for a £120 on sale for £70! I luckily found a pair of them in a size 6 and before I knew it they were bagged up and leaving the store with me! I have very wide calves and even Evan's extra wide fitting boots tend not to fit my 19/20 inch pins, so finding a pair that not only fit my calves beautifully but also reached right up to my thigh were an absolute bonus! Here they are....


I teamed them up with a floral tea dress I found in New Look the same day, from their Inspire range (Not in the sale), a pair of black tights, a long beige vest top, a biker jacket and a brown waisted belt also from Evans and a Kathy Van Zeeland handbag which I picked up at Big Bum Jumble for a £1 in August, for my relaxed but pretty, NYE outfit...

Floral Tea Dress - New Look Inspire £26.99
Black Tights - Plus Size Tights £6.75 (pk of 2)
Over Knee Boots - Evans £70 (Out of stock online)
Biker Jacket - Evans Autumn 2010
Brown waisted belt - Evans 2009
Vest Top - H&M B&B £7.99
Handbag - Kathy Van Zeeland, Big Bum Jumble bargain find!

I felt really fab in those boots, the first time I wore them I was literally strutting down the street! Its so nice to find a pair of boots to fit plus size legs, spesh if you are on the higher end of plus size like myself, being a UK size 26/28. I was also thrilled to finally find something I liked in New look Inspire! Ive found over the past 6 months their Inspire collection has been really bad, I used to regularly hit New Look knowing that there was always going to be something that I would purchase, but mid 2010 I dont know what happened with them but it jus kinda all went wrong! Heres hoping for a great 2011 collection with them! Ill be keeping my eyes open, as Im sure you all will!

Have a 'hoppin' new year!

Hola Blogosphere!!!

Did you all have very merry Christmas's? I hope so! Ive finally had an evening off work and thought Id drop you a line just so you know Im alive and well and because I just like randomly chatting at anyone who will listen (or read)! I had a lovely Xmas day, well from what I remember. I was itching to post an OOTD but I unfortunately got a little bit drunk and fell asleep before I had chance to get anyone to snap me! Nevermind! I got bought lots of nice things from my family and also got some vouchers, which I cant wait to spend but Im waiting for the new season stuff to come in as I always end up buying tat in the sales which I never wear! I am also looking forward to my second Christmas day and present opening with Mr Naomi on Friday, heres hoping he's got me lots of nice things too! *wink wink*

Anyway, I promised I was going to post a really awesome retro, 50's inspired outfit a few weeks ago so here it finally is! On my recent girls night out in London, my lovely Miranda friend wore an AMAZING 50's vintage inspired, pinup dress. She received so much attention over it that I asked if she minded if I blogged about it. I know a lot of women, myself included, who love the whole glitz and glam which I feel is embodied in 50's style. Here is Miranda in her gorge Vivien of Holloway red dress pictured with another of one of my very beautiful friends Lorna...

Miranda's Outfit:

Red & Black Polka Dot Halterneck Circle Dress - £69 Vivien of Holloway

Matching Bolero - £25 Vivien of Holloway

Red Stretch Waisted Belt - £14 Vivien of Holloway

Lorna's Outfit:

Faux Fur Shrug - £70 French Connection @ ASOS

Black Dress - Thrifted @ Big Bum Jumble

Miranda's dress was from the Vivien of Holloway store located on Holloway Road in London, but there is an extensive collection of 50's inspired reproduction dresses on the stores website. What you also can't see pictured in the photographs is the beautiful petticoat which is being worn underneath the dress, also from Vivien of Holloway for £59, layers of beautiful tulle fabric which really gives the dress that oomph! I love all the individuality within all of my friends, and Miranda is absolutely no exception, she's definately no shrinking violet who would never get overlooked, as she puts it...

'My style? 50's 'At the hop' as much as I can do [...] generally just going balls to the wall as much as I can with a bit of bespoke boutique thrown in'.

I love how daring and individual her look is and being able to find gorgeous vintage inspired pieces in plus size is an absolute WIN! Vivien of Holloway's range goes up to a UK size 24, but please check their size chart, as Im guessing due to the tailoring of the garments their sizing may vary from more mainstream retailers.

I also absolutely loved Lorna's gorgeous faux fur shrug from French Connection @ ASOS! A bit on the pricey side, but definitely an investment piece! Lorna told me it is actually a UK size 14, but she thought she would try it anyway (Lorna ranges from a UK size 16-20'ish on top, I hope Im right?) but she wanted to point out that this is...

'...proof that it's always worth giving something a go to see if it works for you.'

Also while we are talking about my luscious red headed friend, just a little plea for all you lovely boys and girls to please go and vote for her if you have a spare minute in the Plus Size Tall Model search competition. Its just a quick sign up and a little clickety click! She is a beautiful girl, with a real healthy outlook on the whole size debate, intelligent and articulate, a great role model for plus size women, she also looks after me a lot *D'awwwwwww* so....

*VOTE FOR LORNA HERE*

So I think thats about it for the mo, but I cant wait to post about all the bits and pieces I will probably end up buying in the next few days (yeh I know I said I was staying away from the sales but I know Ill end up with something!) Oh and dont forget that discount is still valid over at Plus Size Tights.com until the 3rd of January, just enter 'diamondsnpearls' at the checkout!

In a bizzle guys...

BIG LOVE AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

<3

Plus Size Tights.com discount and the Plus Model Magazine Blog Post!

Ello ello,



I bet you all thought you wouldn't be hearing from me again so soon, but I have some exciting bits and pieces to post. First of all this morning I was so pleased to see my little image posted on the Plus Model Magazine Fashion Friday Blog Post. They have featured my floral tunic Evans outfit which I posted a few weeks ago and I have to say I am chuffed to bits! So a big thank you to the guys over at Plus Model Mag for featuring it and linking up to my blog, its massively appreciated.....

*Click here to see the post over at Plus Model Magazine!*

Secondly I wanted to tell you all about a website whom are my favourite people right now for many many reasons. Im not sure how many of you have the same problem, but my massive peeve here in the UK as a plus size girl is how difficult it is to get good fitting tights. I am aware that certain other plus retailers claim that their tights are to fit up to a size 32 but in my experience even their largest pair I cant get over my amply proportioned bum, so I feel their claims are worthless. Anyway I discovered a few months ago a website called Plus Size Tights.com whom stock a wealth of hosiery which ranges from 40 inch hips and supplies hosiery for hips up to 100 inches. I was amazed when I found them and I must admit, like whenever I discover places whom claim they create great plus size tights, I am always rather dubious. I have to say, so far I have never yet been disappointed by Plus Size Tights.com. I usually always order their '40 Denier soft black opaque tights' in a pack of 2 for an amazing price of only £6.75 (with the option of free p&p) and they have never failed me! The fit is great and the quality is amazing! So I urge you all to go and check them out, and while you are there please take advantage of a special discount code which I have been given exclusively to offer to my followers! Just enter the code 'diamondsnpearls' at the checkout and you are entitled to a great 15% off right up until the 3rd January 2011! If you are thinking of ordering tights for the party season get in now!!!!



So after all the excitement of my morning with the blog stuff, I am also on a little comedown from a job interview I had this morning eagerly awaiting the call to see if I was successful. In other news my Simply Be dress STILL hasn't arrived in time for my night out tomorrow so I am going to have to head over as quick as I can to my local Westfield shopping centre to try and grab something. I am so angry at Simply Be right now!!!! ARGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Anyway, here I go again! Please let me know if you use the code, Id love to hear your experiences too! And thanks for the support!!!

BIG LOVE! <3