LFW AW17 Day 1

The madness of London Fashion Week descended onto central London for another season and as ever; I was so happy to be part of it. For Day 1 of LFW I collaborated with my faves over at Simply Be and took control of their Instagram page. I love that plus size brands are now getting more involved with the hottest fashion event of the year and it's always a pleasure to show readers what's happening in LFW each season.

I started my day at the incredible influencer hangout, The Apartment and had my hair did by Priv (a mobile beauty app) before setting off into Holborn to snap some street style around the Fashion Scout venue, Freemasons Hall. I caught some shows after snapping a few looks and had some lunch with friends. My show highlights for the day were the Judy Wu presentation and Mark Fast show. I had a ticket to the amazing PPQ show but sadly due to some other shows running late; I didn't make it in time. *still feeling very distraught about this a week later*

Photo credit: Derek Bremner for the Apartment

To finish the day I partied into the early hours at The Edition Hotel for the Jordan Dunn X Missguided launch. The supermodel herself was there, (I may or may not have pushed past her by mistake...oops!) and incredible performances from Che Lingo and Nadia Rose really topped the whole event off. Day 1 Was amazing and here's a little look at what I wore...

Photography by Moeez for Comb

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1. Bomber Jacket | 2. Satin Maxi Skirt | 3. Checked Duster Coat | 4. T-Shirt | 5. Trainers 

*This post was written in collaboration with Simply Be 

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I've got that 70s flare

When I first found out that the 70s trend was back in full force; I recoiled. I never, ever thought I would love it as much as I have done this year. I have lost count of the number of 70s inspired posts I have done and let me tell you; I don't see myself stopping any time soon! I have a fair few posts in store for you still and I can't stop lusting after everything denim, suede and fringed!

Nothing has surprised me more than the fact I have found myself wearing not only a pair of jeans recently, but a flared pair at that! Now, these jeans aren't the standard 'flare' style but actually... wait for it... a bootcut jean. Now, if you said to me that I'd be rocking a pair of boot cut jeans in 2015, I would have probably laughed at you and then grimaced at the idea BUT look at me now!

These super bootcut jeans are from Simply Be, the only place I've ever managed to find denim to fit/suit me. They kick out at the bottom in a subtle way and they high waisted which I love. I recommend picking your usual size as I tried a size up and they were too big - sure a rarity in plus size jeans!

Styled with a camel coat, plunge neck bodysuit and over size sunglasses;  I've reached optimum 70s realness with this outfit I think!

Photographs by Gemma Bellfield 

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New In | Simply Be

I had to put a post together to show you girls some of the treats Simply Be have recently dropped on their site.

There are so many on-trend items I can't even cope. The 70s trend is still going strong and I just love all these suede pieces! My fave being the lilac jacket and that fabulous jacket with for fur trim! I need want them badly.

Click on the bits you like and it'll take you directly to the site.

Anything you particularly like or are these pieces really not your thing?

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Pink Paisley

If you follow my blog on a regular basis you'll know I've been struggling with inspiration recently and I've not been excited about fashion or putting outfits together. Coping with my Fibromyalgia is a constant battle and keeping my head above water during what I call a "flare up" is hard work. I'm eager to post lots of outfit posts but that's hard when you're at home in your pj's because you're in too much pain to face wearing 'real' clothes. I always try to stay positive though because I know if I just take it easy and focus on getting through the rough patch; I'll come out the other side. It's a daily struggle because my pain never, ever goes away but life goes on right? I can't just sit, mope around and wear pjs for the rest of my life. It's all a balancing act and I'm learning to pace myself.

A few weeks back the lovely ladies at Simply Be sent me a few bits to review and I chose this *Paisley Dress as I've been loving the 70s trend recently (as I'm sure you've noticed) and what better way to channel that era than wear paisley. It was a short dress to start with so bare that in mind if you are tall but sadly I think I must have washed it a bit too hot as it is now mega short! I can still wear it but I tend to wear it with thicker bottoms like leggings now.

When I put this dress on I knew instantly how I wanted to style it and that like a really positive step towards me getting my fashion mojo back! I found this murky pink jacket in H&M (main range) and I thought that attaching one of my faux fur collars (old boohoo) would work really well. I wore old maroon coloured tights from M&S and an old clutch bag that my Mum gave me years ago. My silver metallic shoes are fabulous don't you think? They are from Vagabond and I now basically live in these and my other white chunky boots! The two chunky rings I have on are from Topshop, the heart earrings are old ones from Jonny Loves Rosie at ASOS and I'm a bad blogger because I've forgotten where my long necklace is from...oops!

Photographs by David C Photography

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Spring Undies | Simply Be

During the winter months, I'm not sure if I'm the only one here but I tend to live in the same big 'granny' pants, thick black tights and I rotate a black and a nude bra - very unadventurous! I mean, there's nothing wrong in wearing what you're comfortable in but sometimes a change of season/ the weather can give you that extra umph to try something new.

During the spring and summer months I tend to wear a lot of dresses and strappy tops and this means there's more chance of people peeping my bra! I was having a think the other day and realised I needed to update my underwear draw as it's all looking rather frumpy at the moment!

Here are some of my fave sets available at the moment; these are all from Simply Be as I think they have a lovely variety at the moment and it's nice to know you can buy your dresses there as well as your lingerie. These sets come in a variety of sizes/ band widths so hopefully there is something for everyone here! Click on the item you like and it'll take you directly to the correct website! Happy shopping!

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K is for Khaki + Kim K.

Khaki has always been a fashion classic and it has been a staple on the fashion circuit for years and years. Last year we saw designers such as Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Ralf Lauren sending khaki, military and utility styles down the run way; showing us how easy it is to wear these particular trends.

Spring/Summer '15 trends are in full swing now and it only takes a minute of browsing online to see that there is a lot of khaki out there. I spotted this beautiful shirt and when I tried it on; I instantly knew how I was going to style it. Last year I saw Kim Kardashian wearing an entire Balmain look (here) and became OBSESSED with it. The mix of leopard print, green, gold and dark lips got me hooked! I loosely wanted to recreate her look - and voila here it is!

I picked up this leopard print skirt from Missguided+ (similar here) and teamed it with a wide belt from ASOS Curve (similar here) & added some military style collar tips which I bought from ASOS. I haven't worn a wide belt for about 55 years *slight exaggeration* but I enjoyed it I must say. The fabulous mules are from New Look and I like how the gold details further add to the military vibe by looking similar to bullets. My bag is an old H&M purchase (similar here) and I finished off the look with a dark red lip. A few weeks back, Kim K chopped off her hair and rocked a side parting so I thought I'd do the same so that I could really channel Kimmy K vibes. I just wish I had her bottom because that would have really finished the look off!

Photographs by David C Photography

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As you can see from my photos, I am also fully embracing the VBO (visible belly outline). Many of us feel self conscious by our tummies and some times I try to wear styles that conceal it. I don't even care that it stands out in this outfit though because a) why try and hide something that is obviously there and b) I'm cute, belly and all!

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LFW Day 3 outfit

This weekend we saw the fashion elite descend on London and unless you've been living under a rock; you will have noticed it was London Fashion Week. I was lucky enough to attend a show on day three and spent some time people watching in Somerset House. I tell you what ladies, something inside me has been ignited. I have always loved fashion and followed trends, been interested in emerging designers etc but this was the first time I was able to be part of it and I am going to make sure that this is the first of many! I know everyone else who attends gets to go to lots of different shows and they know all the inside secrets and they are well versed in the ways of LFW but for me this was my first time and now I've had a taste of it... I just want more and more!

I attended the Derek Lawlor for Ethologie show in ME London and it was incredible. I've known Derek for a long time and it is always a pleasure to see his intricate knit designs and to see how his work progresses each year. He is such a humble chap and his work is so impressive - check out his work here and pics from his show can be found on his Instagram/Facebook accounts.

WHAT I WORE

The 70s trend for AW15 is going to be huge and it has already started to appear in stores. There was a lot of 70s inspired shows this year - my favourite being Burberry's AW show. I decided I wanted to wear a 70s style outfit and I started to build my outfit around this incredible anorak from H&M. A note about the sizing of this jacket - I am wearing a UK14 and as you know I am a UK20 so this proves you should try on things, regardless of what the label says! I love the thick scuba material and the bold tobacco colour. I attached a pink faux fur stole to it and something I love about the 70s trend is the fact that pairing colours like orange, brown and pink somehow looks amazing.
You'll notice from my pics that I'm wearing a polo neck. Many of you are probably shaking your head and saying "You shouldn't wear polo necks as they aren't flattering"...well as I've mentioned before, I don't always dress to flatter my figure, you don't need to either and as long as you like something and feel good in it; you should wear it! This navy polo neck is from Marks and Spencers and I am glad I decided to try this style because I think it complimented the 70s vibe perfectly.
My skirt is from the Look Magazine range for Simply Be and I've worn it so many times since getting it last year. I love how the colours match the anorak perfectly and I picked up the blue in the skirt by wearing 'Malibu' by Barry M on my nails. My necklace is a mega old ASOS jobby and it was great to wear it again. Suede is a key fabric for this era and the thought of wearing a jacket or skirt might seem a little daunting so I introduced it into my outfit via my roll top clutch bag.
My orange ring is from Topshop, the small semi precious stone ring is also from Topshop and so are my boots which are sadly out of stock now and finally, my lippy is from MAC and the shade is called Chili.

Photographs by David Connolley 

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Valentines Va Va Voom

Sometimes you need to put a sassy dress on, glam yourself up and paint the town red. Whether I'm going out with my girlfriends for a dance or on a date with my latest victim I always seem to gravitate towards a bodycon dress, a chunky pair of heels and a cute little clutch. As you all know it's Valentines Day on Saturday and I've been feeling the love recently so I thought I'd show you my ideal  Valentines themed outfit.

My dress is an oldie but a goodie, right? It's from ASOS Curve and although I've worn it a lot; it hasn't featured here on the blog for some reason. I normally size down in ASOS bodycons (from their main range) as they tend to come up big and they have lots of stretch. With this dress, I'm wearing a 20 from the Curve range and I love the fit. Sadly it's not on the site any more but I've linked some others below so take a look and see if any of them take your fancy. In regards to shape wear, I'm wearing my all time fave Maiden Form singlet which you can buy from Yours Clothing.

A while back I talked about my dislike of the colour maroon. Well, I've kind of had a change of heart because I keep seeing things in maroon/burgundy and lusting after them (my best friend Jo will be so  proud of me). This quilted coat caught my eye when I was wandering round Simply Be the other day, and I tried it on and before I knew it I was on my way home clutching a carrier bag planning my next outfit post. Voila, here is said outfit post!

My cute Vivienne Westwood clutch was a gift from my parents and I always get so much pleasure when I use it. The heart earrings are from Jonny Loves Rosie and you've seen these heels before... they're my all time fave black heels - they're honestly such a dream to wear.

Photographs by David Connolley 

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Well ladies, what ever you end up doing this weekend I hope you have a fab time and even if you don't celebrate Valentines Day - know that you're beautiful and loved by at least one person... *me* ;)

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