Pop! Goes the Fashion

Ok so this post is massively overdue (naughty blogger). Quite some weeks ago now, myself and Toni headed to the Manchester Arndale for the Flashmob Fashion event. On arrival we were greeted by the Lovely Leanne of LFJ PR, and shown round the hub area of the event. 

Just some of the fantastic stands and activities...

Over the course of 3 days the Arndale was host to a fashion extravaganza including pop up pamper stations, offering hair, make-up, skin care and perfume consultations from high street brands including The Body Shop, Boots No7 and Hotel Chocolat.

I headed over to the Body Shop stand where I was treated to a full face of make up and given lots of helpful tips on products and techniques..

Getting my face on...

After experiencing some of the pamper treatments we were whisked off to see the first Fashion Flashmob of the day. Instead of just using regular models the clothes were modeled by professional dancers who performed slick routines on a revolving stage. I loved this twist on a traditional fashion show as not only was it really entertaining but it gave you a better idea of how the clothes looked on and how the fabric moved.

After the excitement of the first flashmob we got the opportunity to speak with Debs the Arndale's resident Stylist who had worked alongside Leanne in creating this brilliant event. It was really interesting to hear how it had all taken shape, and the influences behind the styling for the flashmobs. 

We then went on over to Simply Be, where we had a great chat with the team and had a good look round the store. I was especially excited about this part as its the first time I've been to the Manchester store after having to miss the opening last year because I was in London. 

The gorgeous Simply Be Manchester store and the fab team... 

If you're based in or around the Manchester area  the Arndale hosts so many great events throughout the year, be sure to check the events page here

We really had the loveliest day thanks to the Arndale and Leanne at LFJ PR, so thanks for inviting us!!

In the swing...

Hey hey! A quick Friday afternoon OOTD from me! I bought this really cute swing dress from ASOS which arrived yesterday.. It's soooooo pretty, it's lightweight, flowing and floral, and although summer is still not rearing it's stubborn head, I felt positively sunny in it!

And now for a major photo blast...



I wore... Dress - ASOS Curve// Jacket - South (Past Season)// Boots - Kurt Geiger

Swimwear Edit - Evans

Hey! It looks like weather has taken a turn for the worse again. I mean really? Can we just have a little bit of sunshine? It's not too much to ask is it? So I guess in terms of swimwear we're reserved to swimming pools and sunnier shores, doesn't look like we'll be getting the chance to wear any of it in our country!

I was sent this swimsuit by the lovely folk at Evans. I haven't had chance to give it a proper road test yet, but I can see it being a great costume to wear when taking Poppy for a swim. Please try not to get too excited about the glamourous location, you know I've had several magazines on the phone looking to do swimwear shoots in my back garden.....



I really like the spot print and tie details to the sides. The legs are a good shape, not too high, so offer good coverage. I found the suit to be a little short in the body for me, I'm not sure if I'm particularly long bodied so it might be worth trying even if you are taller than me (5'7") because everyone is different.



Evans swimwear comes in different cup sizes, so you order your dress size (I went for the 22) and then get your cup size, I sized down to the C/D because I find my boobs often slosh around in swimwear with bags of room. There was more than enough room in the cups for me, but there is no wires/support so this might be something to keep in mind for those of you with a larger bust. You can check the details of the swimsuit here...



I have absolutely no idea why I look so drowsy in this picture, I promise I'm not on anything!



The suit has quite a high back ensuring there is lots of support and coverage. I really like this suit, it's a good all rounder, great for family swims, fitness swims (maybe not vigorous Olympic type swims) and for holidays. The little tie details are cute and the straps are nice and substantial without being too chunky.

Evans have some really great swimwear in this season, head on over to the site for more inspiration..

Help a sister out....

In the last couple of days I had the absolute pleasure of stumbling across the very talented Charlotte, a fashion student who had designed the most amazing plus size collection for her final project at uni. Charlotte has come up against a lot trying to get the collection together, a plight the lovely Lauren has covered over on here blog (read here).

We're all trying to rally round and help Charlotte achieve everything she has worked so bloody hard for, so please read Lauren's blog, check out Charlottes blog and if you can help please do so.

It's my Desire!

I was approached by the lovely Nikki at clothing company Desire to see if I'd like to review something from them. Desire? Never heard of them (sorry Nikki) Nikki had written to let me know they had just launched a plus size range "Curve" and would I like to take a look over it...

At the moment, there is a great selection of quite pretty girly dresses and a couple of separates (tops, shrugs, that kind of thing) now I know you can usually find me bombing around in jeans, or dungarees or at a push a maxi dress, but I've been gravitating to quite pretty dresses of late, I don't know if its the summer or what, but the one I chose is this really delicate peach lace dress...



Now I played dress up a little with this look as I haven't had occasion to wear it properly yet, but if I was going to dress it down a little bit, I might be tempted to team it with some dark jeggings, some pumps, chunky jewellery and a cardigan. It would still be quite dressy, maybe to wear out to lunch or shopping that kind of thing.

But for the purposes of today I've done quite a dressy, occasion wear type feel. Teaming it with nude heels, belt and bangles.



I think if you added a metallic clutch bag and some kind of fascinator it would be really cute for weddings or the races.



The dress is from the KoKo line, a brand I've never worn before. The sizing was incredibly generous, I ordered the 22, and could have easily fitted in the 18. But if you are blessed with huge boobies, you might want to stick with your size. It goes up to a 26, so if you are above that size, I would definitely give this one a go, I'd say it would fit 28/30 as the waist is elasticated, it has lots of fabric to the skirt and the bust is really generous.

I really like this dress, it's a little out of my comfort zone (I seem to be doing that a lot lately) but I felt really lovely in it. I'm really looking forward to see what else Desire have in store... And finally? Had a bit of a Marilyn moment in the garden...

Flash the flesh!

Hello all! A week or so ago over twitter conversation a bunch of Plus Size Bloggers thought it might be fun to do some body confidence/confidence building posts, the fab Becky came up with the Flash the Flesh concept... And the lovely Mary wrote a little intro...


When a group of bloggers join together for a chat you know that the final result has to be super!! And so this happened once more when, a few days ago, we were talking about our preferences between mini and maxi and Becky thought that it would be great to create a challenge which goal was to show a little bit more skin and our body (but with style and no vulgarity) showing proudly our curves. And so it was born “Flash the Flesh”.



So for this first challenge I though I'd start of with a little flash of tummy and a hint of VBO (visible belly outline) and just to smash another fat girl no-no I've worn some horizontal stripes for shits and giggles.



I think for me, the most important thing to acknowledge is that not everyone will be comfortable enough to do this, and nor should they ever feel pressured to do so. I am, and happy to do so, but please don't ever think we're saying to others you should too.... but, if it does give you a little confidence boost, or make you feel better about your own body, then that is AMAZING.



I eased myself gently into this one, as I don't mind my tummy area too much, my legs are my big area of woe, and I'm hoping by the time the next challenge comes around ill have the confidence to show them off a little bit more.

And one last note, Toni posted a shot of me on her blog yesterday that was taken from behind. I NEVER pose any other way apart from front facing, but after seeing the ass shot, I'm quite enjoying flashing my butt, so here's another one!



Here's a list of all the other fleshy babes flashing theirs...

Becky - http://www.mrsbebeblog.com

Becky - http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com/

Beth - http://www.tinkerbellandthelostgirls.blogspot.co.uk

Charley http://biggirlabouttown.blogspot.co.uk/

Christiana - http://www.lifeofouk.blogspot.co.uk/

Emma: http://www.plussizemillard.blogspot.com

Gail: http://www.gailygumdrops.blogspot.ie

Kaye - http://polishedcurves.wordpress.com/

Kim - http://www.callmekim.net/

Leah - http://justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk/

Lolly - http://lollylikesfatshion.blogspot.co.uk

Mary - http://www.marysbigcloset.com

Natalie - www.awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.com

Nikki - http://nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk/

Rachel - http://www.adressisforlife.com

Sian - http://sortlifeoutbuymilk.blogspot.co.uk/

Steph - http://seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk/

Vicky - http://www.thecurvedopinion.com/

To dungaree or not to dungaree?

Ha! That was terrible wasn't it? I told you my puns just get more and more laboured!

Ok, so dungarees? Love, hate? Remind you of the 80's too much? I've got a feeling they'll be one of those marmite trends this year. Me personally? I bloody love them, I love any all in one garment for some odd reason, jumpsuits, playsuits, onesies the lot... I'm a bit strange aren't I?

So anyway, when I saw these bad boys on the ASOS site, I had to have them, I can just see them as an all year round wardrobe staple, with vest tops in the summer, blouses and jersey tops in the autumn and jumpers in the winter... To say I was a little excited would be an understatement.





I've teamed mine with my ASOS woodland print top, Primark coral pumps and big earrings. I had originally worn them with a stripy tshirt until Michael pointed out I looked like a mime artist... A strong look I think you'll agree but probably not one I'm ready to rock quite yet!





I sized up to the 24, in hindsight I think I might have been ok with my own size, but at least I have a bit of room in these for a looser look. They're a heavy twill material with a bit of stretch and really comfy.





I get that this is not a look everyone will want to embrace, but I'm totally loving the dungaree!