3 ways in which I recharge, re-set and relax - in collaboration with La Redoute

City life can be exhausting. Heck, life, in general, can be exhausting. It can be stressful, hectic and the weeks can speed past. Before you know it, you're worn out, feeling frazzled, and the only thing you seem to do is work, commute, sleep, repeat.

Now, that's not how life should be. Life is for living and obviously work is a vital part of existing, BUT it's so important to get a balance, so we don't burn out. As I have gotten older and I've learnt how to pace myself (because of my chronic pain condition), I've mastered the art of taking time out to just 'be'.

Taking time out for yourself is so important. You need time to recharge, reset and relax!

When was the last time you did something for yourself? More importantly, when was the last time you did something for yourself and felt no guilt? If you're a busy Mum or Dad or carer for someone, for example, you might find it hard to take time out for yourself.

If you can - I highly recommend booking in some 'me time' asap! Everyone deserves to check in with themselves, top up their physical and mental strength and look after their well being.

Here are a few things that I like to do when I feel like everything is getting on top of me, and I need some r and r time.

Spending time with my friends

I am fortunate in the fact that I live and work in London. Thankfully, most of my friends also live in this city which makes meeting up with pals, all the easier. I tend to bottle things up, which can then resurface in anxiety and worry. I know that if I meet up with a friend or my group of besties, I can share my fears, they can advise me on how to cope and also they do a bloody good job at distracting me from those worries.

I feel SO blessed with the friends that I have. I've been in London for approx 12 years now, and I've managed to collect the most AMAZING selection of friends. Uni friends, old work friends, blogging friends and even friends who I've met via social media platforms like Instagram.

My most favourite things to do with my friends are, chilling in a beer garden sipping on Aperol Spritz', grabbing brunch in one of London's fab food spots, dancing the night away at a gig or devouring a roast in my local pub.

Spending time with loved ones doesn't mean you need to spend any money. Some of my favourite 'friend time' is when they come over to mine, we snuggle up on my sofa, we order a takeaway, and we watch trash tv. It's the little things. I tend to gravitate towards this type of social time when my Fibromyalgia pain is terrible, my mental health isn't so great, and I don't feel like being out in the "real world".

Shop my look

1. *Dress | 2. *Denim Jacket | 3. *Brogues

Exploring London

One of my most favourite things to do, is exploring London on my own. I can go at my own pace, I can travel how ever I like and I can do what ever I like. Whilst I'm out and about, I like to stop off for food and drink in cute cafes, scout out places to shoot my blog outfits in, sit outside coffee shops and people watch and find undescovered places to add to my 'places I must go' list.

I like to have a go-to list of well loved places but my fave thing is finding a hidden gem and then recommending it to a friend. I love taking someone to a place they've not been to... I feel well smug ahaha!

Summer in this city is just so so amazing. It is hot and hard work when you have to commute every day and work in the city but when you can, taking time out to just lay in a park, have a bbq by a canal or sip drinks on The Southbank makes it all worth while!

Shop my look

1. *Trousers | 2. *Shirt | 3. *Trainers 

Re- charging with selfcare

My most favourite place is my house. I love being out and about in London, attending events, getting up to mischief with friends BUT I am at my most happy when I am at home, in my lovely little safe place. When I'm at home, I don't need to be "on", I can look like trash, and no one will judge me. I can look after myself, try to contain my chronic pain and totally relax.

Spending time on my own at home, in my garden, in a park...where ever it may be, is SO important to me. Having Fibromyalgia means that I am ALWAYS in pain and for anyone who knows what that's like, it's tiring... really tiring. When I am on my own, I can zone out and focus on myself and re-charge. There's no expectation from anyone, you feel like you don't have to have your 'best face' on and you can take things at your own pace.

My favourite relaxing things to do for self care are binging an entire Netflix series from the comfort of my sofa, reading or listening to music outside, pampering myself either at home or in a local salon.  

You have to remember, it isn't selfish to look after your well being. If you're feeling overwhelmed with life, it's so imperative that you learn to say 'no' once in a while and take time out for yourself. If you carry on pushing and pushing, you'll wear yourself out, and then you'll be no use to anyone!

Photography by JKGPhotography

Shop my look

1. *Denim jumpsuit | 2. *Trench Coat | 3. *Trainers 


*This post is in collaboration with La Redoute

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My Career history and How I got into Blogging.

On a recent Instagram post, I asked you, my readers for a little bit of help. I asked for some blog post ideas as I lacked in inspiration. Boy oh, boy did you guys come through! The post had hundreds of fantastic, inventive ideas below it and it ignited something inside of me.

I have mentioned before that I worry about my writing capabilities, but it's time I just shut up and got on with the task at hand. I CAN write, I CAN articulate myself and let's not forget, I am in charge of what goes on this blog, so I need to suck it up and get typing!

One of the ideas shared, was for me to write about my career prior to blogging as well as how I got into blogging. This idea stuck out to me because it was something personal and it meant me sharing a side of me that I haven't touched on before. I am an oversharer, and I find it very easy to do this face to face with people, why not bring that over to my blog more?

As I have progressed with my blogging career, it has dawned on me that people are inherently nosy and love to learn things about my life, how I choose to live it as well as the type of clothes I like to wear.

If I end up helping even just one person with my words, to feel inspired or less alone; I will be happy. 

My writing is never going to win any awards, but it's not a competition is it? I just have to keep reminding myself why I started this blog and how you're all here to support me and to ignore the niggles in my brain that tell me I'm not good enough or that others say things better than I do.

This is me, like it or lump it!

My Career History

Anyway, onto the focus of this post! Let's start at the beginning... (a very good place to start). When I was at school, I was atrocious in the sciences, maths and pretty much anything that wasn't arts based. I excelled at Art and Design and decided I needed to harness this talent I possessed and apply for a Foundation Course. I wanted to move to London. If I was going to go to art school, it HAD to be in London. Luckily I got accepted onto a Foundation Course at Chelsea College of Art and Design which is part of The University of The Arts London. I was made up! I moved to London, got stuck into my Foundation Course and was in my element. I came to the decision pretty quickly that I needed to study an applied art. I didn't have the confidence or motivation to study Fine Art, so I applied to do Textile Design at Chelsea. I passed my Foundation and got accepted onto the Textile degree, and after having a taster of stitch, print, knit and weave; I decided to specialise in print. I felt like this was a very natural path for me to choose as it would allow me to draw/paint and bring my drawings to life in print form. After a tumultuous three years of hard work, excessive partying, a near breakdown, the beginnings of a chronic pain condition and a dyslexic diagnosis; I passed my textile degree with a 2:1 and wow... I didnt think I'd get there.

For my Degree show, I designed jungle themed, unisex bomber jackets and luckily these attracted the attention of some of the team at H&M who came to look round our final degree show. The Head of Print Design called me a few days after the show, I went in for an interview and bamn! I was offered my first ever job in fashion, straight out of Uni! I started off working for H&M in the UK office, before moving to their Swedish HQ in Stockholm.

Working for H&M was an eye-opener. I had previously been used to just getting by at uni, I hardly even knew how to use photoshop and wasn't used to being creative on demand for a commercial brand. It was very different from having the creative freedom of being at university. I half loved living in Stockholm, and half hated it. I loved Sweden in the summer, but come winter and -21 degrees; I wasn't as enthused. During my time at H&M, I designed printed textiles for the lingerie dept, kidswear, their plus size dept (which was called BiB back in the day) and also for their maternity range. I have to admit, I really struggled. I had a lot of responsibility, and I struggled with stress a lot. I also missed my life in London, my friends and family and I knew I'd never stay there forever. 

While I lived in Sweden, I started to become very unwell, and this is where I believe I first started to see signs of Fibromyalgia. I will talk more on this in another post, but I went undiagnosed for the whole time I was living in Sweden, and it made my decision to move back to London, a lot easier.

After working for H&M, I then moved back to London and was lucky enough to get another print design job for Monsoon. I have to admit; I absolutely hatedddddddd this job. Wow, I could write an entire post on this but let's just say, I hated every aspect of the job, and as I continued to show more signs of having a chronic pain condition, I really struggled. After a year and a half of designing prints for Monsoon Kidswear, I HAD to get out of there.

Designing prints for the commercial sector actually killed my love of designing/drawing. I felt stressed and uncomfortable any time I went to design, and I hated that working in this field actually made me want to run away from my skills and never draw again. I plucked up the courage to hand my notice in and during my time of unemployment; I decided I needed to try a change in career. 

Through a friend, I started on the journey of training to become a social worker. I started off by volunteering at a care home for teenagers and this lead to me studying for an NVQ. I loved the change of pace, I loved working with the kids and learning an entire new skill base, BUT my health got in the way so badly; I had to give it all up, move home to my parent's house in Devon and quit my London life for a few years.

1. *Trousers | 2. Puma T-Shirt | 3. Bag, similar here | 4. Trainers | 5. Earrings

How I got into blogging


While I lived at home and I underwent a proper diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, I came to the decision that I wouldn't be able to hold down a typical 9-5 job. My Fibro symptoms were at their worst, and a lot of the time, I was immobile, very sickly and very depressed. My parents and I did everything we could to get me back on track, but it was hard.

The one thing I always loved doing while I lived at home, was sharing my outfits on Instagram. I have been plus size since I was 13 and after becoming obsessed with plus size bloggers like Gabi, Nicolette and Stephanie Zwicky; I decided I wanted to be like them! I wanted to help inspire women around the world. Growing up, I didn't have anyone, who looked like me, to look up to and wanted to change that. I wanted to show women that no matter what they looked like, no matter their size; they could still look and feel great...and dress bloody amazingly!

Instagram connected me to so many bloggers across the globe and most importantly to the UK plus size blogging community. I shared my outfits with gusto, tagging brands and using hashtags and making online friends with fellow bloggers. The next step for me to take was to start a blog.

Looking back, I'm not sure why I chose Tumblr as a platform to host a blog, but that's what I did and so began my blogging career!

In 2013 after posting on my Instagram and blogging on my Tumblr, I was invited to my first ever blog event. Oh my god, I was so excited, and I remember this event like it was yesterday. I met lots of the friends I had made online, including my BFF Callie and even though I was in pain for every minute of the event; I knew this was a world I wanted to be part of.

That blogger event, hosted by Evans ignited something in me. I returned home to Devon and tried my hardest to grow my blog. Even though I was ill most days, (and I still am to this day) I tried to build my online presence and shoot my outfits, travel up to London for events and make it in the blogging world. As the months went by at home in Devon, I knew that I wanted to be a full-time blogger.

Throughout the two years that I lived back home in Devon, I focused on getting my Fibromyalgia under control (where possible), and my long-term aim was to move back to London and become the best blogger I could be. I worked hard, networked my ass off, collaborating with brands and got my name out there. By the time it was time for me to move back to London, I had, in my opinion, secured myself as a strong contender in the plus size blogging world.

From the moment I moved back to London and was able to meet more brands, attend more events and work with even more companies; my career took off at a nice pace. I was able to support myself and went full time. Fast forward to 2018, and I CANNOT believe the opportunities that blogging has given me. It blows my mind that I can now call myself a blogger, designer and consultant.

Photography by JKGPhotography

Shop my Look

If you've read this post and it's given you the boost you needed to start a blog; then gurllll, do it! It was by far the best choice I have ever made. From a dark place, I managed to crawl out of it, and I now have the best career I could have. I am very privileged to be able to rest when I need to, work when I can and take things at a pace that is manageable. I feel fortunate and in all honesty, it's time I thanked all of YOU for allowing me to have this career. If it weren't for all of you guys, I wouldn't be where I am today. All of your support, likes, comments, content sharing... it's all so appreciated and means I can put food on the table, Aperol in my glass and raid ASOS on a regular basis.

Cheers to that! P.s I feel very on brand with this Aperol coloured outfit ahahahahaha...

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Living With Chronic Pain...

Over the Christmas period and more recently, because of the freezing cold weather, my chronic pain (Fibromyalgia) and chronic fatigue (CFS) were off the charts. I struggled SO badly and it really, really affected me physically as well as mentally. In order for me to preserve any energy/sanity, I kept myself to myself for a lot of the time. I had to leave my brother's house on Christmas Day to crawl into bed as the pain was so bad. I had to spend Boxing Day by myself instead of going to Winter Wonderland with my family and I spent the days after Christmas up until New Year's Eve, on my own.

Who else hides themselves away when their chronic pain or mental health is in pieces? I find that when it's all too much for me; I recoil and shut myself in. The reasons for me doing this are varied, but mostly it's so that I feel less of a burden on those I'm with. I get fed up of lying and saying I'm fine when really I'm not. It is easier not having to explain myself/my pain. I know if family members or friends were to read this they would tell me not to be so silly, BUT it's something you have to battle with when you have chronic pain or a disability and no one can take those sorts of feelings away sadly. 

Whilst I was on my own and lying in bed I made a list. I compiled a list of just some of the thoughts I have about living with chronic pain. This is a list of what I personally feel chronic pain does to me. It's a list of what chronic pain does to my brain as well as my body. 

I try my hardest to not let my chronic pain define me BUT it's damn hard. It's not all doom and gloom, I generally have a fantastic life with friends and family who love me but...

For me, this is what living with chronic pain is like...


Procrastinating and putting off things. AKA posting this post that I wrote back in January!

Spending the festive period on your own because sometimes, even being surrounded by people who love you; can be too much.

Having a kettle by your bed so that you don't have to go down 3 flights of stairs to make a hot water bottle.

Grieving for the life you once had, before you were constantly in pain. 

Cancelling date after date because you fear they'll run a mile once they find out you're in agony, every day.

Feeling like you let EVERYONE down, all the time.

Postponing and cancelling on people until they stop asking.

Lying in bed, supposedly the most comfortable place on Earth and it might as well be a bed of nails.

Wondering if your friends are sick of you being the "special" one. The one who needs the comfy bed when you go away, the one who can't attend 50% of your get-togethers. 

When you know a hot bath or shower would help relieve your pain, but getting up, undressing & turning the taps on/off is too much.

Feeling like you're triple the age you really are.

Being surrounded by piles of washing because doing the laundry is far too much.

Wondering if you'll go to the toilet on yourself because you can't get to the toilet quick enough.

Feeling like no one will ever want to be with you.

Apologising/forgiving, even when you know you're not in the wrong because being in an argument for any longer; will just cause you too much anxiety & even more pain.

Spending days and days in loungewear.

Being jealous of your peers and how much they achieve daily, weekly, monthly.

Feeling like you're a let down to your family because all you do is complain and whine to them. 

Being in so much pain, you stutter because you can't get your words out properly. 

Not doing your hair because you can't face lifting your arms for that long.

Wondering if you'll ever have a day when you wake & your first thought isn't pain.

Cancelling something you have wanted to do for weeks. 

Feeling like you hate everyone, even the people you love.

Watching one channel on television for hours on end because the remote control is too far out of reach.

Being unable to carry your own suitcase 

Leaving your DSLR camera at home every day because it's too heavy for you to carry.

Ordering uber eats 3X a day because you can't face cooking/preparing anything.

Taking taxis everywhere you go because travelling by public transport/walking is too much.

Being skint because all you do is take taxis & order take away food.

Having scars on your back, stomach and legs from years and years of hot water bottle burns. 

Wondering every week if your management is going to let you go because you're always sick & you're not achieving enough.

Having no space in your brain for anything else other than pain. 

Not being able to screw the cap off some medicine, because you have no grip.

Taking a hot water bottle abroad even though it's 30degrees +.

Planning out every single journey so that you know every single minute detail.

Turning down travel opportunities because the thought of the travel/flight is too much.

Worrying so much about all of these things, that it gives you IBS for over 9 years.

Thinking everyone just thinks you're lazy.

Pretending you're ok when really you'd prefer to not be alive.

Lying awake, even when you are shattered but your central nervous system is so hyped; it won't let you go to sleep.

Being in so much pain, you throw up.

Wanting to achieve everything & feeling like you achieve nothing. 

Looking at your friend's lives and being so jealous you wish something shit would happen to them, just for once.

Knowing you'll probably never have kids because even babysitting relatives for a few hours, leaves you in agony.

Keeping all of this to yourself because it's easier than telling someone.

Having no short-term memory because your brain is occupied by pain signals.

Having no sex drive because all of the above, just isn't very sexy now, is it?

Having a high sex drive but even just lying down in bed hurts.

Telling everyone you're "fine" when really, you're far from it.

Losing countless friends because you can't keep up with them all & they expect too much of you; so it's easier just to let the relationship slide.

Not texting anyone back because then you have to face up to why you've been ignoring their texts.

Wondering what it feels like to have a pain free hug from someone. 

Wanting to exercise but being unable to.

Sitting on the tube because you're in agony but giving your seat up because no one can see you're in pain & you're worried about looking unkind/unsympathetic to somebody else in need.

Using a hot water bottle minus the fabric cover because the burning sensation/pain distracts you from your chronic pain. 

Being in such a good mood, you want to cry because you know this feeling isn't going to last.

Being sick of your own thoughts.

How I cope

As I mentioned above, there are good days. There are days where the pain is manageable and I don't let it control me. It's very, very hard though. It is something that I am still trying to get to grips with and I do wonder if things will ever get better.

Lots of people private message me about how I cope with my Fibromyalgia and the one thing I constantly say is - pace yourself. You need to realise what your limitations are and what it is that will trigger your symptoms. For me, I know that stress, cold weather, travelling and walking/standing for a long time & dancing on a night out are my worst triggers - there are tonnes more, however. I then make sure that I plan as much as I can if I know I am going to do any of those things. I try to alleviate the stress of situations where possible by thinking about how every stage will affect me. If I am travelling for instance - I plan my journey, I pre-order my cabs, I take a pillow/hot water bottle with me and I make sure I carry as little as possible... the list goes on.

~ Seize the day ~

When I am having one of my good days - I really have to make the most of it. I have to seize the day! Shooting content with my photographer is an example of this. I have been struggling for a good few weeks since London Fashion Week and have been wanting to shoot these denim jeggings from Matalan since receiving them back in February! Sadly it's taken longer than I wanted - but I just had to listen to my body and wait it out. Finally, I felt strong enough last week, slugged through the snow and shot this snuggling, comfy, classic outfit. 

Some days I like to dress in a striking, edgy way and some days I like to be comfortable, timeless and relatable. Denim and a Breton jumper is the perfect combination for that 'done but not too done' look, in my opinion. 

Shop Matalan Denim here.

Shop My Look

1. *Denim Jeggings | 2. Jumper - Zara similar here and here | 3. Coat | 4. Trainers | 6. Bag - ZARA sold out.

There is so much I could say about how I cope with my chronic pain, but I think I will leave that for another more comprehensive post. Would this be of interest to any of you? I could write about my Fibromyalgia diagnosis, treatments I have had, drugs I have tried, how I cope mentally/physically etc...

Please comment below or message me on socials if this sort of post would be of interest. 


*This post was written in collaboration with Matalan

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My love-hate relationship with dating.

Dating. Who's doing it and what do you think of it? I am currently dating, and I must say; I have a love-hate relationship with it if I'm truly honest with you. I LOVE when you're two or three dates in, but I get SO nervous before a first date, no matter how well I know the guy.

I over think everything, so I worry about EVERYTHING before I meet someone. I come across as very confident and approachable but I actually really suffer from nerves in situations where I have to put myself out there. Anyone else with me on this? I can chat utter shite on Instastories, be the loudest in the room at an event but put me in front of people on a panel, make me do public speaking or send me on a first date, and I'm a nervous wreck!

I am 32 this year, and I have yet to go into detail about my love life here on the blog. To be honest with you all, fashion was my primary focus here for years but as time's gone on; my confidence with writing has grown, and I love sharing more of the lifestyle-type posts with you all. I am really open, and I don't have much of a filter when I'm chatting away on Twitter or Instagram; SO why shouldn't I be more like that here on the old blog?

So here we go... here's my dating history eek!

I haven't had the best love life. I had a few, short relationships at school but that was it. Lots of snogs and fumbles (don't fancy being too graphic seeing as my Mum reads my blog) but nothing long term. I was fortunate and privileged to go to a boarding school from the ages of 13-18, and I loved it, but I was pretty much single for the whole time. I had flings with guys, but apart from being scarily obsessed with a guy there for, I'd say five years...I never really felt like any of the guys were my type. I moved to London when I was 18 and BOOM this was more like it! Guys from different countries, guys from different backgrounds, guys who weren't just public school toffs... I was like a kid in a candy shop!

In my first week of Uni, I fell for a guy in my Halls of Residence. I met him in a lift, invited myself into one of his parties later that week, and we instantly hit it off. We became best friends immediately, went out with each other and dated for a while (I think it was a year?). Fast forward to 2018, and you might know the guy...he's still my best mate and he is called Bob. Bobbi is now a fully-fledged homosexual hahaha. I know what you're thinking, and no I didn't turn him gay. I knew he was Bi when we got together, but I actually helped him to come out when we broke up, and I love him with all of my heart. Bob is THE best person I have ever met, and I am so glad he's my best friend.

After Bob, I met a guy through a friend.  I fell in love with him, dated him on and off for years and then got into a relationship with him for approx 3 1/2 years. We broke up but continued to date/sleep together for years after and I'd say he was the first guy I've truly loved. I then dated different guys on and off after him (some great dates, some were awful, maybe I need to write a post on all my dating fails?) before meeting someone in 2015. I don't feel much like talking about this guy if I'm honest with you...but let's just say, I'm glad that's over with LOL.

It's 2018, and after a few nice but not-quite-right-dates as well as DISATEROUS dates since my ex, I am back feeling confident and enjoying the dating scene again, kind of.

Dating in London is tough work. Tinder and dating apps are great, and they've lead me to date some brilliant guys, but does anyone else feel like the guys/girls in London don't like to settle? I feel like because there is SO much choice here, the guys are always on the lookout for the next best thing. I have met plenty of guys over the last few years, but they've all been too young, too fucking moronic or too much of a player. I seem to have a sign above my head that says "Wankers Welcome", and that has slowly worn me down I must say!

It's not all doom and gloom guys.

I LOVE when you've had a successful first date, and you're on your way home, and you can't stop thinking about them. I like to ask my uber driver to put Magic on and look lustfully out the window like I'm in some bloody rom-com. I love when one of my faves like George Micheal comes on, and I well up and start planning my commute from my house to his...pahaha hahaha.

I love/hate the whole texting thing. My entire face lights up when the guy I like texts. I stick to imessage where possible because it is not healthy how much I check the 'read' status on WhatsApp after texting a boy I like. Stick to imessage, and you've only got to battle with watching that text bubble appear and disappear until they finally press 'send'.

I also love that online dating can lead you to meet people you wouldn't typically meet in your normal day to day life. I was stuck on meeting guys that I was getting to know via my social media lifestyle and I quickly realised this wasn't how I wanted to meet someone. Online dating does open you up to a lot more people, serious about dating and I would much prefer to meet someone like this/via a friend. Instagram is not tinder, and I have to keep reminding myself of that!

I'm not so ready to talk about where I'm at right now but let's just say I'm happily dating and I'm enjoying myself! Let's see where it goes, all I know is that I'm definitely up for finding love again. I'm surrounded by a lot of friends who are married, and in love and hell, I want that for myself.

1. Top - Mango Violeta, similar here, & here | 2. Skirt - Elvi (only size 20 left here), similar here | 3. T-Shirt Bra | 4. Faux Leather Jacket | 5. Tights | 6. Ankle Boots, (half sizes available!) | 7. Scarf 

What does everyone else think of dating? Do you love or hate it? I also have quite a bit to say on dating as a plus size woman and I'd also like to share my tips for dressing on a first date.
Let me know on my socials or in the comments below if you'd like to see these two posts from me.

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