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Thursday 26 December 2013

A look back on Curves Around the World 2013 and Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ladies! I hope you all had a fab Christmas and are enjoying the festive period. Hopefully you've spent some lovely time with family and friends and Father Christmas bought you some nice pressies. 

This week, we decided not to post a new outfit as it was Christmas but we decided to look back and re live our favourite posts. I have three favourites so I thought, why not show all 3 again....
Lace
I love lace. I think it's classic, chic, timeless and feminine. I really don't think you can go wrong with it and the fact that this dress is red makes it even better! Everyone loves a red dress! I think this is a really pretty look.
Animal Print

This look is fun and flirty and a little different. The odd bit of animal print is one thing but a full on dress is a little more daring. I really like this look. It's comfortable, and very flattering. Although the print is busy, it's actually a pretty simple outfit.
One Dress, 3 ways
This is one of my top posts as I think it was different to the others and there was more to it. It was my idea so I am bias! I like wearing the same item for different occasions. I'm not a fan of having something you can only wear on certain occasions and it ends up being worn once a year and sits in your wardrobe. It makes sense to have versatile pieces and get the value and wear from your clothes. Also, if you have something nice, it's great to wear it as much as possible. 

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies wore in my favourite weeks-lace, animal print and 1 dress, 3 ways. Click the links in the captions, under the photos! They all have great looks.

What's your favourite post so far the 'Curves Around the World' series? Let me know in the comments.....

I hope you are all looking forward to Curves Around the World 2014! We have lots of interesting themes and posts planned! 

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

Jennifer (Germany). http://dressingthesecurves.blogspot.de/  
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Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #29 JOGGING/TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS

Happy Wednesday Ladies. I hope you are all having a lovely week! The theme this week is 'sweat pants', which we call tracksuit or jogging bottoms/trousers here or as I call them trackie bums (short for tracksuit bottoms!). Pants in the UK are underwear.....'and sweats' is a very American term which we don't use here. So I'll use my preferred term of 'trackie bums' as let's be honest, it's the most fun! Anyway now we have the lingo down and clarified, let's move on!

So, trackie bums for me are only worn in 2 ways-chilling out at home or doing excercise (yep that does happen sometimes!) They are very comfortable and fit those purposes but for me, that's as far as it goes. To me, they are very casual and there isn't much to them. That being said, if you want to rock them in other ways, you go for it! So trackie bums are full length (sometimes cropped) and either straight or boot cut usually and those are the kind I have. I have a few in grey and black and they are very soft,stretchy medium thickness material. I wouldn't say they are the most flattering things in the world but if you opt for boot cut in a dark colour in a thick material they aren't too bad and let's be honest, they are functional rather than for fashion purposes.

As I said, I wear them for those 2 purposes and as chilling out at home doesn't have much style or finesse to it, I decided to show an outfit for exercise.
plus size / curvy outfit for casual wear and for gym and excercise

I like to keep it simple, flattering and functional when it comes to work out excercise wear. These trainers add some fun, colour and femininity. I'd obviously add a sports bra, sports socks, throw my hair up and out of the way and no make up.

Do you love these trainers as much as I do? Leave me a comment and let me know if you wear trackie bums for the same things I do!

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

Jennifer (Germany). http://dressingthesecurves.blogspot.de/  
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Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #28 1 DRESS 3 WAYS

One Dress 3 ways - plus size and curvy outfit ideas / black primark skater dress 
It's that time again and it seemed to come around very quickly this week! The theme this week is 'one dress, 3 ways'. It was actually one of the themes I put on the list. It's a little bit different. I alo think is important to be able to wear things different ways and have multiple options to change things up. It gives great value too as one piece can be used for different occasions and different styles.

For my dress I decided on simple and basic as I think this dress is something pretty much everyone has in their stash. A simple black dress, (in this case, a skater style). Mine is a cheap one from Primark and as you can see has some subtle stud detailing on the shoulders and 3/4 length sleeves. The material is thick and comfortable. The dress came with a black belt. 

LOOK 1 - CASUAL
plus size and curvy casual outfit of the day idea / black skater dress / primark
For the casual look, I ditched the belt, added a boyfriend style big oatmeal coloured cardigan, chocolate Emu boots, black leggings and a colourful scarf. I also added a long length heart necklace and hoop earrings (which you can't see!). I love wearing scarves like this as it draws the eye vertically and is very flattering and the necklace also mirrors this. I didn't do anything special to my hair, just as it comes after rough drying it and my make up is my normal.  I would add pink nail varnish to this look for some more fun and colour. 
LOOK 2 - WORK:
plus size and curvy smart work outfit idea / black jacket / primark black skater dress with waist belt
plus size and curvy smart work outfit idea / black George @ Asda blazer jacket / primark black skater dress / black ballet flats / tights
For this look, not that you can tell but I put on thick tights instead of leggings as they are smarter and changed to black bow detail ballet flats. I added a smart black blazer jacket and a mint green and gold bow detail belt for some colour. I also added small silver stud earrings and again my make up and hair are the same as usual. My nails aren't done here, but I would go for a nude colour to be work appropriate.

LOOK 3 - NIGHT OUT
curvy / plus size night out and evening outfit idea with black skater dress and leather studded jacket
make up and jewelry ideas outfit of the day with red lips, gold eyes and statement necklace / plus size and curvy 
Okay so I've sassed it up a little here. I put back on the belt, added a statement gold and leather detail necklace, gold dangley earrings, and added red lipstick, more bronzer and more eye make up -gold shadows, black eyeliner and lashings of mascara (it's not toally clear but trust me, it's there but hard to capture clearly in a photo with the lighting). I also added a faux leather jacket with gold stud detail which ties in with the necklace being gold and leather.

I would add to this look by doing my nails red, and doing more with my hair by curling it but  I didn't have time! I would also have worn either black heels or black ankle boots but due to my ankle I can't wear either of these (boo!) but you can use your imagination for that. Those final things of the nails, hair and shoes would really top this outfit off.

Versatile outfit options for plus size and curvy /work  / casual / night out / primark dress
I kept the outfits pretty simple to make sure you can re create these looks with things you have in your wardrobes and get some easy to do ideas. All 3 looks are things I would and do wear and I really like them. I love versatile pieces and think it's important to be able to wear things casually and on smarter occasions. Basics like this dress are fab at being easy to change up and you definitely get more wear and value from them. They are great to add/take away layers for different seasons too. I hate having nice things that sit there in your wardrobe and you can only wear on certain occasions or at certain times of the year. It feels like a waste of a nice piece and a waste of money.

So, what do you think of my looks and do you like to have versatile options in your wardrobes? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

Jennifer (Germany). http://dressingthesecurves.blogspot.de/  (a lovely newbie to our group so please check out her blog! She's gorgeous and I'm sure you will love her blog)
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Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Thursday 28 November 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #27 STEAL HER STYLE

Curvy / plus size Primark denim chambray shirt dress casual outfit of the day
It's mid week ladies and we all know what that means.....and this week the theme is 'Steal her Style'. Names were picked out of a hat and we each got given one of the other lovely ladies in this blog series to steal the style of. Mine was Nina from CurvyMod.

Nina's style is quite difficult to define. She switches it up quite a lot but there are a few things I noticed. Often Nina's style is summery casual (probably as she is from California), and she often wears denim (and chambray), shirts, floral patterns and floaty skater skirts. She also often wears a cardigan over her outfit and her outfits are often laid back and simple and girly. I also noticed she often wears longer necklaces and doesn't often wear earrings. Nina's hair is usually in a relaxed down straight style which is lucky as mine is naturally the same. 
Curvy / plus size Primark denim chambray shirt dress casual outfit of the day
So with all that in mind, I came up with the above outfit. I had to add leggings (it's freezing here and this dress is very short).  I think this outfit is very Nina. The denim (shirt dress from Primark), the chambray, the fact it's a shirt dress, the cardigan (Primark) over the top, the simplicity and girly edge, and the long necklace (no idea where I got this from!). I think the only thing I would add to this would be some ankle boots which Nina often wears.
Curvy / plus size Primark denim chambray shirt dress casual outfit of the day
Nina, I hope you think this is similar to your style! I think I did pretty well. 

What do you think? Leave me a comment and let me know how well you think I did!

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

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Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Monday 25 November 2013

Christmas Gift Ideas for Him under £50

My boyfriend and I have decided on a budget this year. Now some may not like the idea that, but we have big things like a wedding, buying a house and a big holiday next year and so we decided to not go too crazy. We don't have a huge family but have quite a few people to buy gifts for. Plus at this time of year you seem to spend more on travelling to see family, and things like snacks when shopping and hot chocolates to warm you up. All those things added to gifts really does adds up. Personally, I'd rather spend more on someones birthday as I think that's more of a personal day to them. Christmas to me is more about spending time with family and yummy food and relaxing with lovely decorations around you and good movies and board games! Getting into debt and spending ridiculous amounts of money is silly this time of year it shouldn't be money.

So, with budgets in mind (and even if you don't have a budget you'll get ideas), I decided to put together a few gift ideas. I am going to be doing a few of these but gift ideas for the men in your life come first so here it is and they range from £10-£50.

Details:
Hoodie £49.99 Superdry / Computer Game £42.99 Sainsburys /  Headphones £32.99 Currys /Bag £40 Ted Baker @ John Lewis / Chocolate slab £16 Hotel Chocolat  / Wallet Set £50 Ted Baker @ Asos / 
Trainers £38.50 Adidas @ Debenhams / Belt £18 Debenhams / Watch £48.75 Debenhams/ Toiletries/Skincare set £16.00 Boots / Boxers/Sock set £28.00 Debenhams / Tie £16.50 Debenhams / 
Grooming System £19.99 Sainsburys / Battery back up phone case £21.00 Amazon /                         Cufflinks £35 Ted Baker @ Asos / Fragrance £24.75 All Beauty / Gloves £22 River Island @ Asos / 
Shoe Kit £10 Matalan

What do you think of these ideas? Leave a comment and let me know what you are buying the men in your life.

Come and say hello on facebook or twitter! Also, don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #26 SEASONAL

How's your week going ladies? My camera isn't playing ball so instead of not posting at all, I'm posting ideas and will hopefully add in photos when my camera isn't being naughty.
Autumn in England, U.K / forrest / trees / beautiful colours
Can we just take a moment to check out this photograph I took at the weekend? I am one of those people that sees something really pretty and wants to take a photo but it's usually in bad light, or we can't stop or we are running late etc so I often find myself grabbing my phone and just clicking away and hope one comes out nice. I took this through the car windscreen when we were going quite fast. I patted myself on the back for this one. It's not bad, if I do say so myself!!

I digress...for this week we decided to do a 'Seasonal' theme. We all live in totally different parts of the globe and so it really does show what season we are in and how varied the climates are. Autumn is well and truely here in England, actually it's pretty much Winter but no snow yet although there is already morning frost and ice. Autumn is my favourite season as I really like that in between weather where you wear a cardigan but no need for a big heavy coat or snow attire like hats, gloves, snow boots etc. I kind of like that chill in the air with the sun shining and the leaves and trees are so pretty.

Outfit wise recently I've been very unadventurous and I've either been wearing similar to my last post  (dress, leggings, boots, cardigan/jacket) or similar to below. Lately I've been rushing to grabbing outfits I know work and are comfortable and easy but look nice. I've also been wearing berry shades of lipstick like the Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smooothie or the Bourjois Rouge Edition Shine in a slightly darker plum shade.

What season are you in where you are, which season is your favourite. Do you like my comfy outfit? Leave a comment and let me know.

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

----------
Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #25 TARTAN

Curves Around the World time ladies! How is your week going so far? Life got in the way again last week so I'm sorry I missed it. I'm sure the other ladies kept you entertained with their posts though!
Tartan shirt dress Primark Autumn Winter 2013 / plus size casual outfit of the day
This week the theme is, as you can see, tartan. I'm a big fan of this trend. I am part Scottish so perhaps that's why and I'm pretty sure somewhere there is a tartan specifically for my family clan. For those that don't know, in Scotland the different clans (family groups) traditionally have their own signature tartans which feature different colours and the sizing of the lines is different. I'm no expert but you get the idea!

I love the pattern of tartan as it's just a bit different. I automatically think chilly Scotland and Christmas time as tartan is so often used in festive decorations. I don't own too much tartan (I'd love to own more), but didn't even need to think what I would do for this weeks post as I have been wearing this so much and the colours are just right for this time of year. I just had to show you!

Outfit details:
Boyfriend cardigan-New Look
Tartan shirt dress with belt-Primark
Leggings-Peacocks
Boots-Emu
Bag-local boutique
Statement necklace-Matalan
Hoop earrings-Matalan
Black vest top-New Look
Here's a closer look at the dress so you that you can see the detail. As you can see, it has buttons all the way down the front and a nice square collar. I really like that the tartan goes diagonally by the buttons as it breaks it up a bit and focuses the eye veritcally down that front section.

I absolutely adore the colours in this dress. Navy and dark red are colours that really suit me and I need to own more of those colours as I love them! This style is the perfect length and just so easy to wear and is pretty flattering I think, especially tight fitting bust area, the sinched in waist then the more flowing bottom part.
curvy and plus size casual outfit of the day / tartan dress Primark Autmn / Winter 2013
This outfit has been my 'go to' recently. Casual, comfortable, easy to wear and great Autumn/Winter colours. Tartan is so on trend right now and although I don't always follow the trend (I go with what flatters me personally and what I like), but this is one trend I really like. A tartan scarf is also on  my wishlist so any recommendations, send my way!  

Do you like the tartan trend? Comment and let me know what you think of this outfit.

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

----------
Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.

Sunday 3 November 2013

Bonfire/Fireworks night 2013

For those not in the UK, you may wonder why everyone in the UK is posting photographs and commenting about Fireworks. For those of you not from these shores, Bonfire/Firework/Guy Fawkes Night, which ever name you prefer, is on the 5th November. It's an annual commemoration dating back to 1605 when Guy Fawkes, one of the members in the 'Gunpowder Plot' was arrested in the House of Lords whilst guarding explosives. The plot was to assassinate the King. People celebrated the King being alive by lighting bonfires and then it became a national day. That's a long story short!

Clearly 1605 was a long time ago and nowadays, focus isn't really on the original sentiment, it's just an enjoyable social gathering and excuse for a celebration. All big towns and cities have events with hot food (think burger vans, hot dogs, baked potato with chilli, and fresh hot doughnuts!), hot drinks (obligatory hot chocolate in my case), bonfires and fabulous fireworks.
Where I live, there is a big central event  the weekend before the 5th, but the roads are closed all around, and its very crowded so we usually watch from afar or give it a miss which always makes me sad. This year we were determined and decided very last minute to go to a small town event not far away in a place called Olney so we wrapped up warm and off we went. I'm so glad we did! It cost us £5 each to get in but we parked close by, it was flat and easy to get to as it was on flat playing fields and there was lots of space, no crazy crowds (even though there were lots of people), and the fireworks were really really well done with background music as well. It was a lovely atmosphere, no drunk idiots and very family orientated. It was extremely well managed. We got there just in time for the fireworks and then had a cheeky small hot dog,  fresh hot sugar doughnut and a scrummy hot chocolate. It was a lovely night and we will definitely go back next year.
 
I hope you all had a enjoyable weekend and that you have all had/will have a good and safe,  Fireworks night and you all wrapped up warm!

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Blog Series - Curves around the World - Curvy Plus size Outfits - WEEK #23 GIRLS NIGHT OUT


Happy Wednesday girls!
Firstly, I apologise for no post last week. I won't bore you with the details, life got in the way but I'm back to brace yourselves for this weeks installment of 'Curves Around the World'. 
Girls night casual outfit plus size & curvy outfit of the day/night featuring floral kimono
For this week's post, I decided to show an outfit I wore on my last 'girls night' out so you may have seen it briefly, but I didn't go into detail as I knew I was going to do another post. It's a casual outfit.

A few weeks ago, I went to a clothing launch. I was travelling into London and didn't know anyone there, so I wanted to wear something comfortable and practical. I would have worn a dress but  it was windy that day and as I was travelling down, changing trains etc, a dress was at risk of blowing up and I didn't want any embarrassing moments so opted for jeans.
Outfit for the evening featuring jeans and Primark floral kimono with statement necklace
Outfit details
Basic Vest top (New Look)
Kimono (Primark)
Jeans (New Look)
Shoes- (Converse)  ....yes I wore Converse as my ankle is awaiting surgery
Bag (Matalan)
Statement necklace (Matalan)
Earrings-gold hoops (Matalan)

Onto the rest- face/ hair/nails. 
I used my Urban Decay Naked Palette and went for a bronze/grey look and on my lips I used Cargo Lipgloss in Bourbon Street which I patted down a little into my lips. It matched the flowers in the kimono print really well. For the rest I used my Natural Collection Bronzing Pearls for some colour with a tiny bit of 17 Damson Wine blush, put a little brown eyebrow pencil through my brows, Collection concealer for pesky blemishes and Rimmel Wake me up concealer under my eyes and under my brow bone for some highlight. I also used MUA eyeshadow in the inner corners of my eyes (I love doing this to brighten my eyes and face). Foundation wise I used my usual MaxFactor Face Finity powder foundation and for mascara I used MaxFactor False Lash Fusion with Rimmel waterproof liner on my lower waterline and brown smudged out on my top lash line. For hair I went pretty natural but I did straighten the ends a little and for nails I went nude and used Rimmel varnish in 'Soul Sessions'.
Cargo Bourbon Street Lipgloss, Urban decay eyeshadow, MaxFactor FaceFinity powder foundation,
face of the night

This outfit is comfortable, easy but pretty and is great for a casual girls night. The kimono and make up are the main focus. I love the kimono trend. The floral print and silky material is girly and luxurious looking and as it's loose, it's so comfortable and easy to throw on. The rest of the outfit is simple so the kimono does the talking and takes centre stage. Oh and let's not forget, any pretty cover up is fab for those (like me), who want to cover upper arms etc.  Do you like kimonos, what do you think of this outfit? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Subscribe by email or follow via Bloglovin, and if you fancy it come and say hello on facebook or twitter! I love to chat!!
                                                                      ----------
Now it's time for you check out the other ladies in this blog series. We are all from different countries and all have different styles and takes on each weeks theme so go check them out to see what they came up with! (Please note, we post every Wednesday but we all live in different time zones so if the posts aren't up yet, please check back later!)

----------
Don't forget to follow me so that you get all the latest posts and don't miss anything. Plus it's a lot easier to read all your favourite blogs and it's free. Click here or the button below.