Seasons Change But People Don't

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons to dress for. 

Sure, I adore the Summer brights, Spring pastels, light, floaty fabrics and cheerful prints of the warmer seasons, but as the nights start drawing in I always look forward to wearing the decadent jewel colours of Autumn. I think rich colours like teal, emerald, forest green, wine, raspberry, and dark magenta suit my complexion best, but mainly, I just find them all too gorgeous to resist! I'd fill my wardrobe with these colours if I could!

I've already started wearing rich colours this September, even if it is unseasonably warm and too hot to start digging out my Winter wardrobe just yet. I'll start with dresses and the winter knits can follow later!

Last week, I put this simple look together for, err... a walk around the garden. I used the garden like a hamster wheel and did a couple of laps for physio, I don't feel strong enough to stray from home on my own, but walking back and forth from the tripod for outfit photos soon adds up, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and took some photos, while I was in the garden.

I've been looking forward to wearing this beautiful skater dress since I bought it last month from Dorothy Perkins. I was drawn in by the gorgeous colour, which is somewhere between dark magenta and raspberry. I have a few dresses in this colour, and it's definitely one of my favourite colours to wear.

What I love about this dress is that it's made from textured fabric- which features a floral print- and it adds some interest to an otherwise simple skater dress. It's not too light or too heavy, and the short sleeves are perfect for transitioning in to Autumn. Or if you hate baring your upper arms but don't want to cover up with a cardi.

The dress sits just above the knee and it has some stretch, so your usual size should be fine. It retails for just £20, and if purple isn't your thing, it also comes in baby blue, black, and nude.

I wore mine with black leggings and forest green studded ankle boots. As soon as I tried on the dress for the first time, I knew the green boots would go perfectly with it. The boots were from Simply Be last Winter, but they do have the same boots in black and purple this season, in E and EEE fittings. I have these boots in three colours and they are the most comfortable ankle boots I've ever owned. 

The colour of the dress is much darker than it looks in this photo, but it was the best close up I took. I kept it in so you could see the texture.

You've seen me wearing this necklace many times before, but I love it so much I can't stop wearing it. I won it in Rachel's giveaway last year, and I've barely taken it off since!

Outfit Details

Dress- Dorothy Perkins // Boots- Simply Be // Glasses- Roxy

Leggings- New Look // Necklace- I won in Rachel's giveaway

Have you began embracing Autumn fashion yet this season? What colours do you love to wear at this time of year?

Praslin Wish List

I was having a browse at the dresses on Dorothy Perkins' website the other day, and came across some beautiful dresses by Praslin that I just had to share. I was instantly smitten with half a dozen of them, so I thought they deserved their own post.

As almost all of the brands Dorothy Perkins stock are marketed at smaller sizes, I didn't expect this collection to be any different. After all, Dotty P's isn't considered a plus size brand, although their own pieces extend up to a size 22. (Which I'm sure you'll agree is a rare thing!) I was happy to be proved wrong. The selection of Praslin garments available through them caters to sizes 14-22, which is good news for us ladies on the lower end of the plus size scale!

However, Praslin is also stocked by Simply Be, and Fashion World, who, I discovered, extend the sizes further! Most of the following dresses are also available from them and up to a size 28!

You can find them here...

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 via Dorothy Perkins

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9  via Fashion World

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 via Simply Be

So, naturally, I was drawn to the beautiful polka dot dresses, and got led astray. I think I have a polka dot problem! In my defence, the polka dot dresses in this collection are some of the loveliest I've seen in quite some time. (How many times can I say 'polka dot dresses' in one post?) 

I completely fell in love with the frilled spot print dress (1 and 2), but I had a hard time trying to decide which colour (mocha or navy) I preferred. In the end, I purchased both so that I can make a better decision once I've seen them in the flesh. I'm pretty certain if I like the dress, I'll want to keep them both! The mocha version makes me think of the Pretty Woman dress, although it's not the same style dress. And I firmly believe a girl can never have too many navy polka dot dresses.

I also have my sights on the classic swing dresses in red and navy spots (4 and 5), bird print (3), and butterfly print (6). The shape of the dress is classic and compliments curvy and plus size bodies perfectly, and I find them so fun to wear. I'd wear them year after year because the style never really dates, although if you prefer to follow the trends, they're bang on trend at the moment!

I purchased my dresses through Dorothy Perkins, who are currently offering 25% off everything using the code: DPFW25 and free worldwide delivery using code: ITSONUS. I paid £26 for each dress instead of the £34 they retail for! 

Also, if you shop through cash back site Quidco, they're currently offering 10% cash back with Dorothy Perkins! It takes no time at all to use, and you get a portion of the money you spent back; it's a no-brainer, really! (It was 9% when I made my purchases the other day, and I shall be getting £4.59 of my £51 bill back! So I've in fact spent just £46. 41!) Bargain!

Do you take advantage of discount codes and cash back rates before you make an online purchase?

Are you a fan of Praslin? Which of these dresses are your favourites?

Purr, Purr, Purr

January... another month, another year, a time for fresh starts... and the month when most of us have to really watch the pennies after all that Christmas (over) spending. January has rarely been a month for adding new clothes to my wardrobe, but thankfully, I'm all about wearing my clothes more than once (hell, sometimes hundreds of times), and like to show my old favourites some love every now and then.

When I put my 'favourite outfits of 2013' post together a few days ago, I came across a few photos of myself in my coral AX Paris cat print dress, and realised I hadn't worn it since the beginning of last year. So, yesterday, I retrieved it from the depths of Narnia, and wore it when I popped in to town with my Mum.

I'm sorry about the quality of these photos. We've had torrential rain and gales for weeks now, which have made taking photos outdoors near impossible. I gave these ones a shot indoors at 6pm when it was pitch black, so I'm aware they're not the most flattering. The camera always captures my freckles oddly indoors, making it look like I've caked my face with dark foundation in patches. I haven't.

I adore this dress; it's so colourful and quirky- and very me! It's a sleeveless prom dress, with a cat print all over it, and cost me the astronomical price of £6.19 on sale last year! Bloody money-grabbers! 

I'm kidding, of course. It was a fantastic bargain, and probably the least inexpensive dress I've ever bought. Sadly it's no longer available, but if you come across one on eBay or a blog sale etc, be sure to snap it up!

On previous occasions, I dressed this dress with other colourful pieces, but this time I made it pop with lots of black. (Which matched the little bow-ties of the cats). It was a quite simple outfit, really. I wore opaque tights; a super soft cardigan with gold buttons; my black studded ankle boots; and a heart-shaped quilted chain bag. I then complimented it with a short colourful statement necklace, that Dani kindly sent me when I won her giveaway before Christmas. (I love it, thanks, Dani!!) 

Outfit Details

Dress-AX Paris Curve // Tights-Evans // Cardigan-TU at Sainsburys // 

Boots-Catwalk Collection at Simply Be // Bag-Topshop (similar) // Necklace-Gift

I got more than a little wind-swept popping in to a couple of shops in this outfit, (what's up with this crazy weather in England right now??) and had to hold down the skirt, but thankfully I avoided flashing anyone, and felt really good dressed like this! A sales assistant in Morrisons complimented the dress, and I came home from town with this bag that I've wanted since last summer, so it was a successful little trip, I'd say. I'd only gone in to pay a bill!

I'll be blogging about the bag along with a couple of other little sale purchases in a few days, so be sure to stop by again soon!

Do you find yourself cutting back on frivolous shopping in January, and try to make the most of what you already have?

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.

Doe a deer, a female deer... T a letter in tartan...

I am absolutely loving the tartan trend which is everywhere this Autumn, so when I saw this dungaree dress by Alice and You for ASOS, I knew I had to have it. The only problem was when I went back to buy one just a couple of days later, it had completely sold out of every size. I was disappointed to say the least, but I refused to believe that was that, and kept a regular watch over it from my saved list, and sure enough a couple of weeks later, one briefly reappeared in my size, and I snapped it up immediately. It arrived a couple of days ago, and I wasn't disappointed; it was instant love!

This dress is just amazing. That I can't state enough. I'm smitten with every last detail.

The navy, green, and red tartan is beautiful and so wintry. It may look a little like a kilt and school uniform mash up, but I love it just the same. My younger sister asked me if I got it off the set of the Sound of Music... but this is certainly not made from an old curtain! It's made from a thick cotton, which is both light-weight and warm, plus so soft to the touch. It has an elasticated waist and pockets in the skirt (yes, pockets! Pockets are essential!), and adjustable straps which cross over at the back. And as you can see, it's a couple of inches above the knee on me, and I'm roughly about 5'6'', so if you're taller it may be on the short side on you.

The style is so nineties, which I love, and I find that ironic since I would never have worn anything like it back then! I wouldn't have gone near it. I wouldn't wear dresses. I wouldn't wear skirts. I was such a tomboy, and was most commonly found in jeans and a t shirt, or Adidas poppers (and a t-shirt)! Oh, how times have changed! I wish I had embraced fashion at the time, but at least this dress reminds me of life back then, and I can make up for it now.

Before I'd even bought the dress, I was itching to try my woodland print top underneath it. I bought it from ASOS last winter, because I fell in love with the incredible woodland print of deer, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels. It's actually a soft peplum top, but it's a very relaxed fit, and I don't think it looks bulky underneath the skirt. I think it works well with the dress, and I'm happy I've found a new way to wear the top, as it doesn't get worn enough!

I also wore black opaque tights and my burgundy studded Simply Be ankle boots again, and avoided accessories as I think the look was complete without them.

The straps cross over at the back, and are fastened with a button on the inside of the skirt. There are two button holes on each strap, so they can be adjusted if necessary.

I've never posted photos of  myself from the back before. I'm not sure how I feel about this photo. Except I do feel like I should have my hair in milkmaid braids with tankards of frothy beer in my hands... twirling around on a mountainside singing 'high on the hill was a lonely goat herd...' Just me? Alright, then.

Just look at all those lovely little critters! Rabbits, and deer, foxes, and squirrels... isn't it adorable? There's actually a t-shirt with a pretty much identical print by New Look Inspire at the moment. I think it needs to come live with me!

I wore this outfit out to the supermarket, and the skirt rode up a little at the front as I walked. (Not a dress for thin tights if you're uncomfortable showing your thighs!) At first I felt a bit uncomfortable and kept trying to pull it down, but I soon thought 'oh, fuck it!' and just went with it. If people have a problem with my thighs then let them! Of course, nothing happened. I noticed no stares, I got no remarks of abuse...

I would never have had the confidence to wear a dress this short out of the house two years ago. Hell, even six months ago! I'm always surprised when I realise things like this! Blogging and being injured have completely transformed the way I see myself, and the way I think about things. My confidence, in lots of different forms, has risen about a million percent in the last two years, and I have you guys to thank for so much of that! So thank you for all your words of support and encouragement! I'm further along the road to self-acceptance than I ever thought was possible!

Outfit Details

Dress-Alice &You via ASOS // Top-ASOS Curve // Tights-Evans // Boots-Simply Be

Red Velvet and Reindeer

I've been going really stir crazy over the last couple of weeks. I've learnt to deal with being house bound and stuck in bed most of the time, and I accept it- but every now and then I get really frustrated with being cooped up, and would give anything to get out of the house. Anything to be out in the fresh air, just doing normal every day things... things that I used to take for granted. The ~cabin fever~ usually passes after a day or three, but I still miss living my life outside the confines of these four walls. I miss having the freedom to live a normal life; to go wherever and do whatever I want to do; to make plans or act on impulse, and just be me, I guess... but, c'est la vie. One day it will end.

My sister gave me a temporary break from captivity at the end of the week by taking me to Sainsburys for groceries. (Ooh, aah!) Yes, I live such an exciting existance! I did come home with a new jumper, though, so it wasn't all bad. I wore it out in to the garden the next day to get some fresh air, and test out my new boots on the patio.

It may only be mid-October, but yes, I'm wearing a reindeer jumper! I regret nothing. 

I saw the jumper in Sainsburys and I couldn't leave without it. (Mostly because my sister wouldn't have allowed me to). I don't know what it is, but I love fairisle patterns, especially on knitwear. My Mum used to dress me in the things when I was little, and then I spent the next decade or so avoiding them like the plague... it's funny how tastes change, and styles come back in to fashion again. Fairisle prints and Christmas jumpers are everywhere again. Bill Cosby would be proud! 

The jumper is so thickly knitted, and so cosy. It'll be perfect when Winter sets in. It was really chilly (and raining) when I took these photos, but I felt lovely and warm wearing it. The background is cream, and the pattern is in red and navy, with a burgundy reindeer. It was only £20, which is a pretty good price for a lovely, good quality sweater.

I had an urge to try it with my black velvet sparkly skater skirt that I bought from New Look last Winter, and opaque tights, and I really like how all these pieces look together. I'm not hugely comfortable in jeans, but I think the jumper looks cute over a skirt. I think I'll be trying to recreate looks like this through Autumn and Winter.

I was also wearing my new studded ankle boots from Simply Be that I treated myself to a month or so ago. This was the first time I'd worn them out of the house, and although I was a little underwhelmed when I first got them, I'm now loving them more and more each time I look at them. Looking at these photos, I think they look quite nice on. The colour is lovely, and they fit so well. They're wide-fitting boots (I got the EEE as I've got really wide feet), and I don't think I've ever had a pair of boots that fit so well. They're so comfortable, and there's even width to spare! I must get the other colours!

Who says a girl can't sparkle on a dreary drizzly Friday in October??

Close ups of the pattern, and my messy red hair.

The boots are a rich burgundy, and they are studded on the outer sides. Sorry about the crap photos. The zip feature makes it super easy to get them on and off. Always a bonus with wide feet!

I wore my anchor ASOS ring.

And I wore an old Evans ring on my other hand, which is missing a couple of gems and looks unsightly, but I still love it. 

I went for a burgundy nail polish (Barry M's 'Raspberry'), and added a red and black glitter polish to the tops of the nails (Barry M's 'Ruby Glitter'.

Outfit Details

Jumper-TU at Sainsburys // Skirt-New Look Inspire- Tights-Evans // Boots-Simply Be // 

Anchor Ring-ASOS // Black Gem Ring-Evans // Nail Polishes-Barry M

Well, I don't know about you, but I think I've found myself a casual Christmas outfit!

Accessories and Beauty Haul

A little earlier in the week I shared my recent clothes haul with you guys, and today I've got an accessories and beauty haul for you. I decided to divide my haul up in to a few posts since I've splurged a little (a lot) on myself lately. It would've been a bit overwhelming in one post, but I can't deny it's been lovely to have the freedom to treat myself to a lot all at once without feeling guilty. Hurray for unexpected funds!

I was supposed to schedule this post for yesterday, but I must have gotten too excited at the prospect of hunting for Fall Out Boy tickets first thing Friday morning that I forgot to actually schedule it. I've wanted to see Fall Out Boy play live since about 2005, and I've finally got tickets to see them next March! There are no words to describe just how excited I am! Though I could've done without the two hours of ticket stress it took to get them! I love having things to look forward to, and this one will be something for me to aim for and work towards. I shall get myself there in one piece if I have to crawl! I can't wait! Did anybody else get tickets to see them on their UK tour?

Anyway, enough rambling; this is my haul of random beauties...

So, I made it to Cath Kidston this week. Twice...  On Christmas shopping excursions with the sister. I really shouldn't be allowed near that shop as I just want everything, but I was fairly restrained. At least on the first trip... I bought a basket full of Christmas essentials like cards and gift wrap on the second trip, but to be fair they were all just a £1 or £2 each! And needed.

Ah Cath Kidston accessories! Oh how I love them. I treated myself to these accessories as it's an area I'm lacking in. I bought three brooches and a set of hair clips. 

The polka dot and floral hair clips were £4, the blue tit bird brooch was £5, and the red rose brooch was £6, all bought in store. I picked up the toadstool brooch (isn't it gorgeous?!) from ASOS which was on sale for £4, it's usually £6. I did spot it in store, as well. I adore toadstools, and their new toadstool range is all amazing.

I couldn't leave without this cream rose bracelet, which was £6. I already have it in dark red and I wear it constantly, so I just had to have this one as well.

I got this gorgeous green polka dot purse on sale at Cath Kidston's outlet shop in Bicester Village. I couldn't resist the beautiful emerald green colour, as it's one of my favourite colours, which I can never get enough of. It's beautifully made like everything Cath Kidston tends to be. I just love the quality of CK oil cloth purses, they're so hard wearing and last for years without showing the slightest sign of wear. I've got two other CK purses I've had for four or five years now, and they're still going strong! This one was £12 on sale, and originally would have been £28.

I went in to The Body Shop looking for banana conditioner, which is my new favourite hair product, but they were out of stock. They did have a banana shampoo, though, which I didn't even know existed, so I bought it to try it out. It has the same sweet banana smell that reminds me of those banana yoghurts I used to find it my lunch box at primary school when I was growing up. I can't wait to try it. It was £4.50.

The Models Own nail art pens came from ASOS and were both on sale for just £3 each, down from £6. I bought pastel lilac and pastel blue. I really love the Models Own nail art pens as they're so easy to work with, and I hope to collect the other colours before they sell out.

Some of my first purchases of late were these three beautiful scarves. I had been coveting the polka dot and tartan Accessorize scarves for a month or two, so as soon as I could afford to, I had to pick them both up. I used my sister's student discount, so I at least saved myself a few quid. The polka dot one retails for £19, and the tartan for £17; they're both stunning and wonderfully thick.

The pheasant scarf is from TU at Sainsbury's and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I mean, how often do you see a scarf with pheasants on it? It's so very English, and since I love our local / national wildlife, I just had to have it. I didn't buy it straight away, but went back for it and as there was a promotion on, I got it for £6 instead of £8. The quality is fantastic, so you guys need to go check it out!

I bought these boots from Simply Be, which are wide fitting ankle boots by Catwalk Collection. I fell in love with them online, but it took me a little time to warm to them in real life. They just weren't as stunning as I had anticipated, and didn't have studs all the way around on both sides, like in the photos online. However, they are great fitting boots and they do look lovely on. I bought the 7 in EEE, but I think the 6 would've been better. They retail for £45, but I found a 20% off discount code which saved me £9. I'm still considering buying them in black and forest green. These ones are 'wine' and are much more burgundy in real life.

And finally, we have the panda print ballerina slippers from Next, which I blogged about last week. They're adorable and only cost the bargain price of £10! For that price, what's not to love?

What have you been buying lately?