Friday 29 November 2013

Fashion World Shapewear Challenge

A few weeks ago, an exciting email from Fashion World appeared in my inbox inviting me to participate in a shapewear challenge just in time for the party season. Intrigued, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to try out a few pieces. You see, I had never worn shapewear before, but I had always intended to find out if shapewear was for me, so it was perfect timing.

I was asked to choose a party dress and a pair of shoes, and was provided with three different styles of shapewear to review.

Let's start with the dress...


I was asked to choose a dress, but when my favourites all sold out in my size, Fashion World suggested a few of their little black dresses. Now, while black is the go-to shade for the majority, I rarely wear it; I usually favour colour. So, I decided that was a great opportunity to try something I wouldn't usually pick, and went with the stunning Embossed Design Prom Dress. 

The dress is a beautiful leather-look number with a gorgeous floral embossed print, capped sleeves, a fit and flare shape, and a lace insert to the v-neckline. The colour and shape are classic, but the overall design of the dress has a real edgy feel; something different to your average party dress! It will really set you apart from the other ladies in the room. The fabric is so soft and smooth to the touch, and has a lot of stretch. I sized up because I thought the waist was fitted, but it's actually elasticated and comfortable. Being a D cup, I had plenty of room left in the chest area, and I think that it should accommodate much larger bra sizes. I really like this frock, except for the capped sleeves which make me feel very broad shouldered, but that is easily solved with a shrug, jacket or cardigan.

The dress is £50 and can be bought from Fashion World in sizes 12-32 here.

Now let's talk shapewear!

Worn With: Magisculpt Multiway Body Shaper




The first piece of shapewear I tried on under the dress, was the Magisculpt Multiway Bodyshaper; a one piece body, with a similar shape and fit to a good supportive swimsuit. My first thought was it has quite a pretty look for shapewear, with lace panels to the sides, and trimming the cups. It's far different to the frumpy giant pants Bridget Jones infamously introduced us to back in the noughties, that's for sure!

It found it comfortable to wear, and with medium, all-round control, it didn't feel at all restrictive; ideal for shapewear novices like myself! I felt it worked well at smoothing down my shape, and it would be perfect for creating a smooth silhouette under everything from body-con dresses to skinny jeans. With the multi-wear detachable bra straps, it really can be worn under almost anything. It has the standard hook and eye fastening at the back, and it conveniently has a similar feature at the crotch, meaning dashing to the bathroom after one too many drinks doesn't have to involve stripping off your entire outfit in a toilet cubicle. Unless you want to, that is; I'm not here to judge!

I'm really impressed with the item of shapewear, and I think it's excellent value for money. The only negatives I have to report, are that the cup size was too big for me (I only realised at the last moment I was sent a DD instead of my usual D), but since it's padded, I made it work! The cups also show through the fabric of this dress. Find it on Fashion World here, for £34.


Worn With: Magisculpt High Waist Briefs



My least favourite item from this challenge, was the Magisculpt High Waist Thigh Shaper, which are simply like high-waisted cycling shorts with good support. Now, they fit me well, and miraculously smoothed down my thighs and stomach. However, I don't get along well with anything that comes up to my waist without continuing up further as a dress. I've never felt comfortable with high-waist garments, as, like with the thigh shaper, I'm left with a mini muffin top which shows through the clothes and makes me feel super self-conscious. A couple of inches lower, perhaps, and I think I would rate this product quite highly!

For those of you who are comfortable with high-waists and are looking for something to smooth down your stomach, hips, and thighs, this may be the piece of shapewear for you! It's very supportive. You can find it on Fashion World here, currently on sale for £21 catering to sizes 12/14- 32-34.

Worn With: Magisculpt Control Briefs



The Magisculpt Pack of 3 Control Briefs I was sent were a little different to those in the scorecard above; sitting closer to my navel. I was given these Firm Control Briefs to review, but you can find the ones on the scorecard here. They come in a set of three, with a black, white, and nude pair, which should in theory cater to most outfit colours. I, of course, wore the black pair under this dress.

The knickers are plain in colour, with a lace panel on either side. I won't lie to you; they are quite plain in appearance, and dare I say the nude and white pairs look quite frumpy, but they were designed for function, and simplicity creates that sleek silhouette. Nobody has to see them! These briefs have firm control, and I'm impressed with how well they held in my stomach and smoothed out my hips, which are two of my least favourite body parts. Perfect for wearing underneath outfits that cling to these areas. The pack of three is £24, which is very well priced, and you can buy them from Fashion World here, in sizes 12 to 32.

The Shoes




The shoes which I chose are the Simply Be Studded Block Heel Shoe in black. I disregarded dozens of pretty high heels to spare my back further injury, and I'm so very glad I did. I love these shoes! They're the perfect mix of edgy and feminine; putting a spin on the classic ballerina flats. I love the studs to the toes, and the quilted design. 

These heels are wide fitting shoes, available in both E and EEE widths. I have quite wide feet, and went with a EEE pair in my regular size 6, and I have to say, I don't think I've ever had such a perfect fitting pair of shoes! They're so comfortable, and they even came with a pair of leopard print insoles for added comfort! They come in black and navy, and can be bought from Fashion World in sizes 4-9 here. I may be going back for the navy pair after Christmas!

I had a lot of fun experimenting with these pieces and putting this post together. Thanks to Fashion World for allowing me to take part. I can now understand how the right shapewear can really make a difference to an outfit, and the extra confidence it can give you under your party wear. 

Why not pop on over to http://www.fashionworld.co.uk/ and take a look at their fantastic selection of party dresses, shoes, and shapewear to find your outfits for the party season!


P.S. Can you notice anything different about me?

*This was a sponsored post with fashionworld.co.uk. I was provided with a dress, shoes, and shapewear for review in exchange for this post. However, all words and thoughts are as always honest and my own.

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Thursday 28 November 2013

New Additions to My Make Up Collection November 2013

Hey guys,

Last weekend, I seemed to run out of all of my essential beauty products at once, so I popped in to my local Sainsburys to pick up what I could. Hair dye, leave in conditioner, cotton wool pads, nail polish remover, and some make up all made it in to the basket, along with a few other bits. I thought I'd give you a little peek at the make up I bought before I review them properly at a later date.


So, what did I pick up?

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation in Light Porcelain.
Bourjois Paris Healthy Balance Unifying Powder in Vanilla.
Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black.
Bourjois Paris Color Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick in Red Island.
Bourjois Paris Extrait de Fard Intense Eyeshadow in 05.

And also...

Benefit Hoola Lip Gloss 6.5ml. *Free with this month's Elle Magazine.




The only item from this bunch that I have used before is the mascara, which has been my favourite and regular for years now, and I can't rate highly enough. All the other products are new to me, even though I've shopped from all three brands- Maybelline, Bourjois and Benefit- since my teens. 

The eyeshadow and lipstick were impulse purchases; "ooh, pretty new colours to try!"  I swear I have a serious addiction to green eyeshadow! It's my staple make up colour, and I'm not even sorry. 

I did actually need the mascara, foundation and powder, though. Thankfully, I had some Nectar points stored up, and a voucher off my next shop from a previous food shop, so I barely parted with actual money for them all! Now that's shopping I like!

Want a closer look?



Here's a peek at the lip crayon. It's not as bold as it looks in the packaging, but it's a lovely soft red all the same.



The eyeshadow is the most gorgeous dark forest green shade and seems to be well pigmented. I've not worn it, yet, but if it's like other Bourjois eyeshadows, I know we're going to get along well. It would look amazing used for a smokey eye look as an alternative to black.


I gave the powder a quick wear yesterday, and I'm already impressed with it. It's a pretty good colour match for my pale-as-a-picket-fence skin, it feels so soft on my face, and it covers shine without caking in to pores. If it continues to perform this well, I may have found myself the perfect new face powder!


I've been looking to find a new foundation, since the two in my arsenal aren't quite right for my skin tone or type. I already liked the results from the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse blushers, so decided to give one of their foundations a go. There weren't testers of the shades in store, so I had to take a risk. I'm not sure if the shade I picked, the palest available, is too dark for me;  I need to see it on me in natural daylight to come to a conclusion. I hope I'm wrong because it is the softest foundation I've ever had on my skin and I like the light coverage.


This is a swatch of the mini Benefit lipgloss 'Hoola', which was free with Elle Magazine this month. I've always wanted to try it, so I couldn't resist buying the magazine to get the mini sample. It's a subtle gloss with a hint of bronze and a delicate shimmer. There are two other Benefit lipglosses to collect with the magazine, and I'm keeping my eyes pealed for them both.



And, finally, the mascara with the wand which makes my eyelashes look fuller, darker, and longer than any other mascara ever has. Those little bristles don't miss a lash, and it's pretty much perfect.

I'll be reviewing these products properly once I've given them all some wear, but I hope you liked the little peek I gave you today.

Have you tried any of these cosmetics yet? 

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Wednesday 27 November 2013

Wednesday Wish List

Evening guys,

Firstly, I'm sorry that this post is later than usually scheduled. I fell asleep on the laptop while trying to put the post together last night, and managed to drift off before I'd added any text to the page. I didn't even realise I was sleepy until I awoke an hour or two later with the lights still on and my hands still on the keyboard! Oops! I haven't done that in a while!

Anyway, I'm here now with this week's Wednesday wish list, and it's better late than never, right? Who'd like to see what I've been coveting this week?


1 // 2 // 3 // 4 //

Pink Clove Shrugs- With the party season coming up, the classic shrug is popping up everywhere, and I'm drawn to Pink Clove's selection of velvet and lace cover ups. I'm one of those girls who isn't comfortable with her upper arms on display, so shrugs are ideal for preserving my confidence when I get dressed up, without ruining an outfit with too much fabric. The lace version is my particular favourite.

ASOS Full Midi Skirt- It's been just two days since I discovered this absolutely stunning skirt, and I'm gutted that it's already completely sold out. It may be the most beautiful skirt I've ever seen! The colour! The fabric! The flare! It's perfect. I dream of filling my wardrobe with tulle skirts, but so far, there's not even a solitary tulle skirt to my name. One day...

Tallulah Tu Necklace- I've always had a thing for stars, and this glittery black necklace is no exception. And it's currently on sale on ASOS for the bargain price of £10!



 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you've probably gathered that I have a thing for quirky accessories, and there are some fantastic animal-shaped bags around at the moment. I've fallen in love with the zebra cross body bag by H! by Henry Holland (at Debenhams), which is so wonderfully quirky. (It also has 25% off online right now.) Accessorize have had owl shaped bags for a year or so, and I think their latest design, Ibiza Yenzi is adorable. It would be perfect for taking on an Autumn walk. And there's also a quilted cross body bag by ASOS with cat ears I really like. I have a feeling a few of you will, too.

Dorothy Perkins Dress- Pansies have always been one of my favourite flowers, probably partly due to a life long love of Alice in Wonderland. This is the first time I've stumbled up on a wearable pansy print anything, and isn't it a stunner?! I love everything about this dress. That's if it doesn't gape, that is.

New Look Boots- I've wanted a pair of brogues for every day wear for ages, and I think these wide fit ankle boots are cute. They'd work with everything from dresses to jeans. I also want the burgundy pair.


 11 // 12 // 13 // 14

Simply Be Velour Dress- Checks and tartan are everywhere this A/W and are hands down the most coveted trends in the blogging world this season. I'm crazy for the patterns myself, and think this high neck velour skater dress is a beauty. Oh how I wish that it were mine!

Libertine by Giles Deacon Seahorse Necklace- It's a necklace with a seahorse on it; what more do I have to say?

Topshop Pom Scarf- A girl can never have too many scarves! This chunky knit one has a faux fur pom pom on each end and it looks so cosy. I'll take one in every colour, please!

Dorothy Perkins Dress- I'm drawn to this dress because of the beautiful shade of green, the subtle pattern, and the gorgeous classic shape. It's beautiful! It's just a shame it doesn't cater to sizes above an eighteen.


 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19

The festive season wouldn't be complete without some glitz and glamour, and these accessories sure deliver!

Johnny Loves Rosie Unicorn Ring- I don't know what it is about unicorns, but we sure are hooked on them! The Johnny Loves Rosie ring is amazing, and better still, it's on an adjustable band so we can all get a piece of the action! Hurrah!

Rings not your thing? Then how about the unicorn and horseshoe brooch, which would be perfect worn as a collar clip.

Minna Parikka Bunny Heels- I am in love with this pair of glittery, sparkly heels, which also have bunny ears! Oh how I'd love to own a pair. I'd never take them off! Sadly, I don't have a spare $438... but this crazy bunny lady wishes she did so she could buy 'em!

Accessorize Shell Bag- I just cannot resist anything with a seaside theme or a scalloped design, so this shell shaped bag naturally made it's way on to the wish list.

And I can't imagine any festive party would be complete without the amazing purple snake-skin effect box clutch from River Island, which has a diamante peacock embellishing the top! Isn't it pretty?!

20 // 21 // 22

I love a good handbag, and I discovered two green, blue, and pink patterned bags by Irregular Choice on sale the other day. The heart-shaped shopper is just £19.50 instead of £85.00 from Lets Buy Shoes, and the clutch bag is £20.00 down from £45.00 through Debenhams! (Links above). I want them both!

And finally, I really like the sweet mint green satchel from Accessorize. The colour may be a little harder to wear during Autumn and Winter, but it's one of my favourites and the satchel is simply pretty. I think I'll add it to the Christmas list.

What's on your wish list right now?


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Sunday 24 November 2013

Sunday Favourites #57

Morning guys,

It's that time of the week again...

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Let's start off with this unusual colourful manicure which I'm really loving. I might try to recreate it, but I know the end result will not look this good!

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How about this gorgeous unicorn tattoo?! The design is pretty damn awesome, and the shading is beautiful.

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I don't think I've ever seen a cake decorated with mini colourful meringues before, but I'm loving the polka dot look they give it.

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Amazing hair colour and do.

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Who ever heard of a cat loving a snowman?! This is far too cute for words.

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I'll take a one way ticket to wherever this is, please!

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Green and purple eye shadow is one of my most favourite combinations, and this look would be perfect for the party season, as well as just for every day wear.

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Fancy taking the plunge on the soon-to-be world's tallest water slide at a stomach-churning 140 foot high? I don't know about you, but I think I'll sit this one out.

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We've all seen photos of the Northern Lights, but have you seen a photo of the Northern Lights from under frozen ice before? I hadn't.

I find this photo both stunning and claustrophobic.

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I love this outfit modelled by Passion Jones.

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Just a beaver in a bee costume...

Which may be the cutest critter I've ever seen! Can I keep him? Pretty please?

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Rainbow hair.

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I am growing and learning. Let me live.

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I really want to make a crochet blanket. And I love this soft colour scheme.

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I want to make some of these someday.

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Rainbow Cake Jello Shots!

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The Stone Forest in Madagascar. A place to avoid a parachute jump, I think.

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During the second world war, a family kept a baby elephant in their garden for months because zoo keepers wanted to protect it from dying in a bombing raid!

I wonder if this was an isolated case, or if zoos fostered other animals out for safe-keeping during the second world war, too..?

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This week I heard about The Door to Hell, a 230ft fiery crater in Turkmenistan that's been ablaze for over forty years! It looks like something out of the film 'The Core'.

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The beautiful Southern Lights of Tasmania.

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Ice Crystals forming in the air in Wyoming. This makes me think of Santa Claus the Movie! Am I alone in that?

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Another stunning green eye make up look.

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Want to see this little guy's story in pictures? Then click through the link above!

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And my last image this week is this incredible tattoo sleeve, made up of artwork from the films Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. It sure makes a seriously cool statement!





~  Why we shouldn't begrudge a person on benefits for having a few home comforts.

~  WTF, plus size clothing manufacturers?

~  Should pregnant ladies really have to ask for a seat on  public transport during a busy commute? 

~  Ever noticed just how many turtle neck sweaters appear in the film Love Actually?

~  Things That Make You A 90s Kid.

~  27 Forgotten Early 2000 Fashion Trends. Gypsy tops, pinstripe flared trousers, roll neck jumpers, dresses over jeans, and asymmetric jersey skirts... ooh, what a time to be alive. *Sarcasm alert*

~  28 Incredibly Beautiful Places You Won't Believe Actually Exist.

~  What people think an animal should be kept in and what the animal actually should be kept in. You'd think everyone would do their research on the animal's needs before committing to taking home a living creature, wouldn't you?! Most people I helped whilst working in a pet store for five years didn't. And couldn't have cared less, either.

~  The moment when you realise it's too late to run...

~  Call me soppy, but these photos of grooms seeing their beautiful brides for the first time at the alter are so  lovely.

~  True Love Never Gets Old.

~  Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy tweeted advice to a fan dealing with boy problems, self-harm, and anxiety, and this is just one of the reasons why that man is amazing.

~  And finally, some more recipes I like the sound of: Red Velvet Brownies, Chewy Nutella BrowniesNutella Buttercream Frosting, Peanut Butter Nutella Swirl Cookies, (I sense a theme here!), Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes, Chicken Tamale Pie, and Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs.


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