The Only Splits I'll Be Doing! featuring Yours Clothing and New Look

After Christmas I kept my head down in terms of shopping, avoiding any internet browsing because I've been buying shit that is just too damn fancy (albeit gorgeous) and having no social life to wear any of it. I basically live in this limbo of work clothes and pajamas. With the spring sales it's been a bit difficult to resist temptation, and for once I've been bulking up my casual wardrobe.

Yours Clothing have been putting out some fabulous pieces out lately and I've bought a couple of bits from them. I spotted this maxi tunic in my local store, but typically they had every size but mine! I figured I'd use the luxury of a changing room anyway and tried the next size down. A perfect fit! In fact they had my size in a different colour and I felt it was too baggy for me. Result!

Oh yeah my hairs back to red again too

The tunic has two large splits up the side and so I donned a pair of chub rub shorts for a little modesty! The fabric is a lovely, soft jersey. It felt lovely and cool and hangs so comfortably.

I gotta admit, I was feeling pretty fierce in this. I knew this outfit called for some serious boots. I picked these up in New Look after a lovely blogger breakfast, after being convinced by Sophie that as they were on sale I obviously would be a fool not to pick them up. How could I not heed such good advice?! 

While I went for a slightly raunchier look here this tunic is just as cute dressed down. I wore this out for lunch with the fella with some leggings and an old pair of leopard print T.U.K creepers. 

It's such a blank canvas that you can dress it up or down.

Your fat super heroine

Outfit details:

Short Sleeved Tunic: Yours Clothing

Ankle Boots: New Look

That's A Wrap! Featuring So Fabulous Faux Fur Coat

Back in September I attended the Curve Fashion Fest in Manchester. So Fabulous were holding a competition to win an outfit just by choosing something from the rails and having your photo snapped in it. Sadly I didn't win it but I was excited to find this Faux Fur Shawl Collar Wrap Coat (phew!). They didn't have my size at the time but it still looked pretty cute.

I wasn't able to get my paws on it until just recently, but luckily we got a second wind of cold winter weather so I didn't lose my chance to wear it. I have been pining for a fur trimmed pea coat style for so long, but most brands like Collectif and so forth don't even acknowledge anything close to my size. 

The coat itself is a lovely soft wool and fully lined. It's actually a little more flurry looking than the photos suggest. I don't personally like the belt that comes with it. I feel a bit like a link of sausages in it so I choose not to wear it with it. The faux fur collar is super soft and I feel like a real luxury bitch in it. 

I did have to size up. Mostly because, while it fit great on top, the bottom buttons were straining and I didn't think they'd last too long. Plus I wanted a coat to actually cover me if I was forking out for a new one! It meant I did have to compromise on a nicer fit on top but at least it's not snug. 

My only disappointment with it is that while the fur collar is detachable (hooray, you can create different looks!) some of the buttons that held it on have come off already and I've only had it a few weeks. Disappointing for the money you are paying. But it IS a fixable issue, if you've got the teeny tiny needles to sew them back on.

Thankfully I didn't pay full price for it as it has been reduced but it's a lovely warm coat, and it looks fab. I'm really pleased with it! 

Model diversity at ScarlettandJo.com

This week Scarlett and Jo launched their very own website. In days past they were only sold through Evans, and recently Yours Clothing. Now they have their own website.

While I haven't purchased anything from Scarlett and Jo before this new launch has me pretty excited. Lots of delicious velvet and adorable polka dots, as well as some other more classic looks. But what really drew me to them was their choices of models.

Not too long ago Georgina Grogan was made the face of Scarlett and Jo. They appeared to have an interest in bloggers, and customers, taking on board their comments and criticisms. But most inportantly the desperate need for a diverse range of body sizes and ethnicities to promote their range.

 While still quite high femme, which to be fair is the bulk of their range, this is a really great step for plus size fashion retailing. It's recognising that their demographic are not just one type of person and that a piece can look very different on someone who is taller, larger, who has a darker skin tone etc.
What I particularly liked was when clicking on a piece it was sometimes modelled by a couple of different types of bodies.

I'm excited to see what Scarlett and Jo are bringing in the future. I certainly hope it's more velvet!

Before I sign off I'd also like to give a big shoutout to the bloggers who modelled. You all look amazing and I'm sure you guys had a blast!

Halloween Love

It's coming up to one of my favourite times of year. Halloween brings a lot of expectations of crisp, Autumn days with the trees turning red and gold, pumpkins glowing in windows. Growing up in the north this was not often the case and more often than not it meant rain, rain, and more rain.

Living in the East Midlands the weather is milder which means there is more opportunity for cute clothes that aren't hidden under waterproofs!

Here are some spooky threads I am loving at the moment!

Halloween Cats Midi Skirt by Interrobangirl

I follow Interrobangirl on Instagram and it's just a constant source of want.

Everything is handmade and she offers a custom service and sizes go upto a 36 instore!

Dem Bonez Bodycon Dress by Topsy Curvy

Recently modelled by Betty Pamper I love this spooky little number and would be cute to wear with some killer heels (ha, geddit?!)

Frankenstein Cardigan by Baned Apparel

Lolly Likes recently posted an OOTD on her blog wearing this with a darling skeleton dress and she looked amazing. You can check it out here. In fact, just checkher blog out in general for some recent amazing Halloween outfits.

Banned Apparel don't have a store themselves but you can find stockists with a quick Google. 

Cleaver Clutch by Kreepsville 666

Ok this bag is seriously awesome. Sold out on the website but a quick Google shows there are plenty of other stockists!

Bat Hair Adornments by JanineBasil

 I LOVE these so much they've gone on my Christmas list. There's 36 colours you can choose from!

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I hope you liked my spooky pickin's! 

Anything got you shaking?

High Five!

Recently Everything5Pounds had an offer of free shipping with a £25 spend. In the mood to shop, I filled up my basket. I bought 5 items, though sadly one of them was no good. Not due to sizing but rather because it looked nothing like it did in the photo and the colours were not to my taste. So 4/5 aint bad!

Three of my five purchases are all in this outfit post!

Firstly the crotchet collar dress in a lovely chocolate colour. The material is substantial without being too heavy, so it's ideal for a transitional outfit that you can layer up with a cardigan and thick tights or leggings as it gets cooler. It's loose without being flimsy.

As you can see the sizing is generous on account of the material being stretchy. I'm wearing a 26, which is perfect for me, but you could certainly size up or down depending on the kind of fit you wanted. 

You may have noticed the boots I'm wearing. A bootleg (Ha, geddit?! I'm so sorry.) version of Dr Martens  but with a slight platform bottom. When I got them out of the box I thought there was no way in buggery they'd fit my calves with also having a side zip. I am happy to report I was wrong. For only a fiver even if they fall off my feet within 6 months it won't have been a huge loss. 

But boots that fit me, for a fiver? I'll take that!

Completing my look is this adorable satchel. It's a little snug inside so not very useful for much beyond your phone, purses, and diaries, but again for such a cheap price you can't go wrong.

Have you had a bargain haul lately? 

Heritage Collection from Yours Clothing

It's been donkeys since I walked into a store and came out with something. I'd popped over to my nearest Yours Clothing store to pick an online order up and was having a nosy around at some of the new autumn stock when I spotted this gorgeous longline tunic from their Heritage Collection.

Straight up the last thing I thought I'd find myself leaving with. I don't tend to vibe with florals but I loved the colours. It's got a great mix of autumnal colours with splashes of red, forest green, and orange. It's got a really great 70's vibe to it. 

As I'm a bit of a short arse I'm rocking this as a cute little baby doll. 

It's super roomy too. I'm generally a 26 but, typically, that was literally the only size they didn't have. So I sized down and I'm kinda glad I did. 

Also Dr Martens because I'm a 90's babydoll, ok?

Anything you have your eye on in Yours?

The Curve Fashion Festival 2015

I'm on a count down. Only three weeks until the Curve Fashion Festival in Manchester!

What's The Curve Fashion Festival?

Well let me tell ya! CFF is a fantastic new event this year taking place at Manchester Central Exchange Hall. There's oodles of plus size fashion related fun waiting for you with confirmed brands including Asos, New Look, Boohoo, and Evans as well a bunch of indie brands to name a few!

What can I expect there?

There's going to be catwalks, celebrity panals, pop up meet and greets, shopping stalls from lots of fabulous plus size brands. Oh and did I mention there's a campagne bar and afternoon tea restaraunt?

Zoowee mama! You said celebrity panalists. Who's going to be there?

Tess Holliday, Hayley Hassellhoff, Style Me Curvy blogger Louise O'Reilly, and Nicolette Mason are but to name a few of the faces you'll see!

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There's a bunch of information about the event, including information about the venue itself and how to get there. You can find this, and more, at http://www.thecurvefashionfestival.co.uk/

This is a ticket only event! So don't miss out and grab yours here: http://www.thecurvefashionfestival.co.uk/tickets2.html

I'm super stoked for this event. Will I see you there?

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