From Blah to Glamour + An Anna Scholz Code!

Some of you may have seen my Facebook Status last week stating I was about to have a "Blah" day, and so - I put on a new dress, did my hair and makeup and went out into the world wearing a little glamour as armour.

The glamour came thanks to a dress you've seen in a preview post before - but this dress - the one on my GLAMOUR DAY was mine all mine! Yup. I raved about this dress when I reviewed it and many of you told me to get it... It's the Anna Scholz Blue and White Feather Print Dress.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of glamour. I KNEW my day was going to be ordinary so I countered it with a look, that I knew, would keep me feeling confident and pretty.

Glamour, without needing to be overt, can go a long way! 

When I wore this outfit last week, there was a chill in the air and the sky was grey, so I wore the dress with tights and boots. Thanks to the vibrant print and elegant style - I felt bright and pretty and ready to tackle anything. 

I adore this dress and it's really one that I couldn't let pass me by! I still feel the sting of not buying the Scarab Print Shirt Dress when I had the chance. The Scarab Print was released over winter last year and is now sold out... I STILL regret not purchasing it! Don't you hate that feeling!

To compliment this post and in perfect timing, I'm lucky to have a Anna Scholz code for you. Type in: ASMAY10 when you're buying online to get 10% off all full price items at the Anna Scholz website until the end of May. Lovely.

Meanwhile - I'm loving the delicious UK sunshine right now... My desire to be online at the moment is quite low - but I AM out taking photos and thinking of you all lots. I hope you are all really well.

Loves. x.

Psst. Have you seen...

My latest post over at Inside Chic yet? 

I kind of love it - it's a very different outfit for me.

Also - From what I've heard, enjoy these codes...

Use Code WEEKEND20 for 20% off at AX Paris Curve from the 18th - 20th May

Use Code SUMMER20 at New Look on the 23rd May (only) for 20% off.

Review: AX Paris Curve Zip Front Bird Dress

AX Paris Curve is a bit of a newcomer to our world of Plus Fashion and as they launched their collection recently - Twitter went wild. It was an amazing night, with many girls really excited by what was on offer. My only frustration? No size chart! Well - after chatting with AX Paris, I've been assured a size breakdown is on it's way and when I was offered a piece to review - I turned to blogs for an indication of required sizing. I was told by one trusty source (Pocket Rocket), that I should look at the clothes I wear at Yours and go from there... At Yours, I average about a size 22. Mind you, thanks to Hanna doing a "change room run" on the exact garment I wanted to review, I knew that the Zip Front Bird Dress had very little fabric stretch through the breast - so I sized up to a 24... GOOD CHOICE.

That's something to note Ladies... Sizing, ultimately, is just a number. If you need to size up or size down to find the right fit - it doesn't matter, the outfit just needs to look banging. I know from other blog reviews - that had this dress contained jersey or elastane - the 22 would have done me fine. Don't let sizing define you - just do your best to look fab and feel confident - because ultimately - THAT goes a long way.

So, clearly - the shape on this garment is really great. This fits me snug through my breasts, but with room for me to move and feel comfortable. The zip-front is nice and indeed, a slightly alluring feature. The drape through the skirt is amazing and has a real tulip look and feel to it. This dress has a nice amount of room through the waist which makes it a light, airy choice for the warmer months. That being said - the front hem is ruched slightly higher between the legs - so for me, this will probably always be worn with tights or leggings. This dress has pockets, a smooth texture (it's 100% Polyester) and a lovely shape that's inherent in the pleated tailoring. This dress has been really nicely made - it is soft, but highly structured and it gives me an effortless shape that looks beautiful and natural.

Seriously, this dress makes me excited to try more from AX Paris Curve.

There are lots of nice items over at AX Paris Ladies, and it's exciting to think that another brand is buying into the Curve market. To be honest - this is what we need to happen. The brands who do these initial buy-ins of plus-size clothing will stock more and extend their sizing range so long as they make sales and hit targets. I plan to help them do it!

I love this dress and feel lucky to share it with you. I already know this one's gonna be a wardrobe front-runner for me - a veritable "go to" dress for work, socialising and generally looking awesome. 

I kept my look simple with this garment. The dress is Navy with a Fawn Bird Print and Dirty Gold Central Zip, I paired it with a Vintage Handbag, Black Leggings, Baby Bolero, Simple Jewelery and Knee High Boots.

O.H. Y.E.A.H.

Smooch. x.

PS - From May 18th until MIDNIGHT on Sunday May 20th you can get 20% off all AX Paris stock - including CURVE, with the code: WEEKEND20

A Casual Work Look.

I got a message from a lovely reader asking me if I dress up for work or indeed, what I wear during the day when I'm not blogging? I'm totally lucky because in my line of work, I can get away with a pretty chilled out wardrobe. Some days I'll dress up - but others - I rock about with a casual edge. I always try and feel confident when heading out, so usually put some thought into how I'm looking. I like to leave my house feeling like a million bucks. That doesn't mean I wear makeup or put together outfits every day, but really, I like to walk out of my house knowing I'm looking and feeling okay in myself. That's important.

I snapped some candids with my Blackberry to show you my one of my usual "work day" looks...

My outfit for this post was taken last week while I was freelancing at the BBC. Black tights, Shorts, Shrug, Leggings, Leather Jacket and a flash of colour with my grey and pink "sparkle" top. This whole outfit is pretty much "previous season" City Chic, except the jacket which is my trusty Evans Biker Jacket.

Wicked.

Also - quickly - a few of you knew I was getting my haircut last week. I was apprehensive as I've been growing it, but I needed to get something done to help keep me motivated to keep it growing. After months of no style (just growing, growing, growing), I've had it layered. An inch had to come off the ends as it was dry and GRIM - but really - the layering has helped my hair curl up and gain volume. Previously, my hair had become quite limp and the weight of it meant it didn't curl. I took the grainy shot below, right after I got home from the haircut - I LOVE it and feel I have a new lease on this hair growing malarky.

And so it continues. 

Smooch. x.

PS. I'm loving that some of you, who've been reading for ages, have just started commenting. I feel flattered and really appreciate it. xxx.

The Swan "Betty" Dress in Black Broderie Anglaise.

Heading out last week to the Carolyn De La Drapiere Charity Fashion Show, I decided to wear my Swan "Betty" Dress in Black by Clements Ribeiro for Evans (that's a mouthful!). I knew it would be quite a cold night out in Richmond, so wanted the sleeves, high neck and length of the "Betty". I'm wearing it in a 22.

I kind of rushed to get ready and forgot under-eye makeup, but luckily for me - one of my best friends Nic was on hand and she had eyeliner and a steady hand for our train journey... HOT:

My colours are a bit off due to train light, but I either look really saucy OR like a vampire about to eat you!

This was kind of an interesting look for me as I don't wear high necks very often. I admit, I was a little self conscious of the neck at first, but after pairing it with my hot Mimco necklace, I felt really great about the whole look... I actually felt like I was channelling Lydia Deetz from Beatlejuice. Gosh I loved that character!

Lydia Deetz. She. Is. Alone. And a GREAT film character.

As for the fashions on show that night - there were LOTS of great models and sexy looks down the catwalk. My position on the catwalk wasn't ideal for snaps due to the lighting, but I will let you know a link when more "official" shots come online. Here is a sneak peek thanks to Facebook!

Kate Blackett rocking one of Carolyn Draper's gorgeous Summer Looks.

Totally hot. 

Psst. Haircut Tomorrow!

xxx.

PS. Thank you so much for all your amazing comments on my last post. I read every single comment and feel really touched that so many of you shared your stories with me. I also feel really proud of us as a group of women, for our ability to feel united and together and give each other such strength. Thank you Ladies. x.

My Emotional Size...

*Little Potential Trigger Warning as regards Growing Up and Self Acceptance*

I feel emotional today.

But let me start with this: for the record, I am 32. 

This week has been quite a great week for me in the blogging world. I attended two great events - the Eveden AW Lingerie Launch as well as a Charity Fashion Show put on by Carolyn De La Drapiere. I connected with the Curve side of AXParis and have an item in hand to review for you. I posted my interview with Harriet Coleman, as well as secured another couple of interviews with totally HOT Plus Models. I met up with some fellow bloggers and we talked about how we feel in our little fashion world and I also went out with a girl I met because she READS this blog.

All really good things. 

Last night, while I was at the Fashion Show, I tweeted: 

All I can say is THANK GOODNESS for blogs. 

Thank goodness for the internet and the ability of like minded women to pull together and chat about fashion and shapes and bodies. I was watching last night and all I could think was that I WISHED there were more teenagers and young women and girls in attendance. The models on show were stunners across a variety of ages, heights, shapes and sizes. All of them were beautiful and unique. All I could think was - I needed this when I was in my teens. 

Little me and my little sister.

Now truthfully ladies? I am lucky with my upbringing. I come from a big family in which we were taught never to pick on each other's physicality. We were taught not to be mean. We were all different, with different issues and certainly, I was the chubby one. I think I got called "Thunder Thighs" at least once, but to be honest, we almost never picked on each other's aesthetics. What I'm trying to say is that at home, I was never really made to feel bad about myself for being overweight (one of my best friends gave me a diet book when I was 15 for my birthday - but that's a whole other story). Inherently, in my upbringing we were taught that we were all "okay". On top of that, we were taught about health and being aware of ourselves and our bodies - but ALWAYS, right at the root of that, was that we were "okay". Beautiful, even. That doesn't mean I didn't have massive body issues or struggle with my image or size - I certainly did and I've written about some of that before... What it did mean though, is that I had a really good grounding with which to tackle my body issues, because at my core, my mum and dad taught me: I was okay. Not everyone is that lucky. I am well aware of that.

Models at the Plus Size Charity Fashion Show.

For me last night, even with my current day confidences, I still looked at those models and felt really emotional WISHING I had seen them when I was 14. We are all self critical in our own ways. As females, most of us grew up with images of very slender women surrounding us (in magazines and the like) and those images were sold and published as what we should be aspiring to... Thank goodness for the recent explosion of designers and bloggers and models and magazines aimed at focusing on a range of bodies and differences. 

Lauren, Georgina and Bets as captured by Claire for her blog post on the Eveden Event.

This week, out with fellow bloggers - Claire, Bets and Lauren, it was refreshing to talk so candidly about what we're seeing in Plus Fashion. At the Lingerie Launch we attended, there were three different models. All of them tall (and totally sexy), but there was one model, Alex, who was there specifically to showcase bras and pants for heavier curves. There were also curvier mannequins, wearing the lingerie that I'd buy. I wasn't told to look at a slim model or mannequin and then imagine the lingerie on my figure - I was given a curvy mannequin and a curvy model to boot. That actually moved me and was a really great showing by Elomi. To be honest, the Eveden group NAILED that Launch and I will post more on it soon.

Model, Alex, for Elomi at the Eveden Launch.

Georgina was at the Eveden Launch too. I'm kind of in awe of Georgina. I really like her as a person, but she's also someone I wish I could've known when I was a teenager: you know, when I was struggling with a pair of boobs BIGGER than everyone else I knew. What a role model she is. Georgina has embraced her figure and looks totally fierce while doing it. I wish I'd had a Georgina to look up to as I went through puberty - but honestly, I thank goodness I know her now! Totally inspiring. Thank goodness, to be honest, to all the bloggers (including Gabi, Hayley and Val) who inspired me to really get involved.

What an amazing time. Whether you're older than me or younger than me - if you're reading this, THANK YOU for being here. My blog has grown bigger than I ever thought it would be and I have many women from all over the world stopping by. I hope whoever you are and no matter your age, you know you're part of something that's making a huge difference. And not just to 14 year old girls. You make a difference to women and girls ALL OVER who are yet to find us online. You're also making a difference to the women and girls who are already here, but are still coming to grips with the concept of knowing, inherently, that they are "okay".

WE ARE ALL OKAY.

xxx

Model Series: Harriet Coleman.

Harriet for Evolve Magazine.

I met Harriet Coleman last year at the Curves In Couture Event... On that fantastic night, Harriet was one of those models who hit the Catwalk and immediately made me think - WOW. The spirit and energy as she walked was electric. For me, Harriet brings curves to fashion - but with an added sense of attitude which immediately intrigued me. Harriet makes me want to pay attention.

WOW. Shot by Brian Rolfe.

1. As a plus model, you bring a gorgeous dose of curves to fashion - how do you feel about what you do?

I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the plus size industry, I love my job and it means the world to me! I feel very privileged and grateful in what I do, I get to experience some amazing things, go to some great places and meet lots of lovely people! Modelling is not just my job, it’s a passion too! When I’m modelling, I’m at my happiest, and to represent the plus size industry is an absolute pleasure!

2. You got scouted by Toni and Guy! Can you tell me a little more about how that all happened?

I was 17 years old, I was getting my hair cut and I guess you could say it was being there - in the right place, at the right time! The owner was visiting the salon and he came up to me and said 'have you ever been interested in modelling, if so would you like to be the face of Toni and Guy?' I instantly said yes and a few weeks later we were shooting!! It was a surreal moment, I couldn’t believe my luck, but having that experience I knew that was the career path I wanted to go down!

3. And after they scouted you - how did you find yourself signing to an agency?

Whilst modelling for Toni and Guy I wasn't signed with a specific agency, I just had an agent who actually worked for Storm model management at the time. After having the experience of modelling for Toni and Guy, I then got signed with agencies.

Whilst modelling for Toni and Guy I was a ‘straight size’ model. Naturally, I wasn't skinny so it was a struggle for me to maintain a specific size and after modelling for them and other hair companies for a year, I then decided to apply for plus size agencies, this was a perfect decision for me to make. I'm 5'11", quite big boned and curvy, going into the plus size industry was a great idea and seemed more realistic for body! :)

Doing what she loves the most!

4. I've read that you thought about being a model, but initially studied Fashion Design, Textiles and Art before being discovered - do you find that study affects your work as a model?

I managed to fit my education in whilst modelling, I think it was important for me to have gone to college, just as a backup plan if my modelling career didn't work out. Before I got scouted, I originally wanted to be a fashion designer, but after having my first modelling experience at the age of 17, I knew that it was all I wanted to do!

Muse Promo featuring Harriet and Kailee O'Sullivan.

5. Now, you've travelled from London's Milk Agency to be "on assignment" with Muse in New York, what opportunities have opened for you in the States?

My time in New York has been truly amazing! I’ve just recently done an editorial for BUST magazine and worked with the very talented photographer Samantha West, who I have worked with before, it was an absolute pleasure to work with her again, and I'm very much looking forward to the issue coming out next month! I also have been working regularly with the client Macy's and Ideeli, its always great working with those clients too!

7. When I was in New York, my friend and I went to the Russian Tea Room for dinner and another evening got really tipsy and sang "New York, New York" outside of the Flat Iron Building - what is your favourite "tourist" moment in New York so far?

I've had many great moments whilst living in New York, I don't think I can decide on a favourite one!! St Patricks day and superbowl was pretty interesting...the New Yorkers most certainly know how to through a good party!!

8. You've done some stunning editorial and fashion work - quite recently for Vogue Italia, Anna Scholz, Macys - when you think about all that work - how does it make you feel?

I can’t quite believe it, since being with Milk and Muse management my career has really rocketed, I have two amazing agents, Anna Shillinglaw and Becca Thorpe – (both former plus size models) who generally care about and believe in all of their models! I’m in my element when it comes to doing editorial, I love trying different things, and thinking outside of the box!

Harriet for Anna Scholz Black Label.

Being the face of and working with the designer Anna Scholz for the Black Label campaign was an amazing experience, it was an absolute dream to collaborate with her, she has a heart of gold! Being featured on Vogue Italia several times is over whelming, I’m currently on there now for the Muse model management plus board promo!

9. Your mother and grandmother (right) were also models - it must feel pretty amazing to be continuing that line?

It sure does! My grandmother and mother never pressurised me into perusing a modelling career, but they always said that I had the potential and left me to figure out when I wanted to become a model! They have both been hugely inspiring and very supportive, and have stood right behind me! I guess I have no option to escape modelling as it’s in my blood! But it’s what I love doing the most! ☺

10. Now, One of my favourite things I found is that you have your own tumblr page and sometimes pop up little snapshots of your life! Do you use your tumblr to be a little creative? Keep people informed? What's the inspiration behind that?

I just decided to make a blog for friends, family and followers to catch up on what I’m up to. It’s a really quick, convenient and easy way to update people! Especially being far away from home sometimes, it’s a great way to let people know what I’m up to! ;)

Harriet and her fellow Milk Girls!

11. How do you look after your skin?

I have super sensitive skin, and personally for my skin I get on well with very natural products, nothing too strong, so at the moment I'm using Neal's Yard remedies power berry face wash, rose water as a toner and then I moisturise with Dr Hauschka rose light day cream - all of those products I use are non tested on animals too, which is a bonus!

Shot by Elliot Morgan.

12. What is your personal fashion style?

I like to mix and match, sometimes I wear dark colours, prints and patterns. Or I like to wear something a bit more colourful and edgy! Depends on how I’m feeling that day, I believe that clothes and style is a way of expressing how you feel!

13. What is your fashion advice for any girls reading?

Literally every body, shape and size is different. I think dress according to what shape you are and what ever makes you feel most comfortable, show off your assets and curves! For me it would probably be my legs so I’m a big fan of skinny jeans and then a nice floaty top and my favourite leather jacket.

14. What self indulgences (fashion or beauty) do you allow yourself?

Time to time I will treat myself to a nice facial, being a model we have to look after our skin, and having to wear heavy make-up on a regular basis I think there’s no harm in investing in a nice treat now and again!

A sneaky peak. Shot by Samantha West for BUST Magazine. 

AND FINALLY - If you could be in a modelling campaign with any international celebrity (model, actor, writer, director etc.). Who would you choose and what would the campaign look like and be about?

I would love to be given the opportunity to do a high fashion campaign, it would be amazing to work for Tom Ford, I love all his ads that he does, they’re very sexy but classy! I have a slight obsession with the actor Adrian Brody, so it would be very nice to model beside him! ;)

Harriet, I mocked this up for you. TOTALLY HOT.

Harriet is signed to Milk in the UK and Muse in New York. She stands at 5'10", wears a UK 14 and is just gorgeous. I feel lucky to have had the chance to interview her - and feel so excited to share this piece on my blog.

Thank you Harriet!

xxx.




Photo Credits include: Evolve Magazine, Brian Rolfe, Natalia Illina, Ashlee Grey, Elliot Morgan, Sam West

Total Pants!

SO. As you all know, a while back, I was given a jeans challenge which I embraced! Indeed, I now own a couple of pairs of jeans and every now and again - rock some denim. 

More recently another request came through to see more trousers on this blog. Hmm. Well, firstly - I call them pants. I know some people in the UK do tpp, but in Australia - that's pretty much what we call trousers. Pants. So. Pants challenge. I've only ever worn Pants at university when I was working in retail - it was a requirement!

Now, any long time readers will know that I occasionally mosey into Evans for a Change Room post - at which point, trousers DO get a look-in. They also featured when I was doing my Clements Ribeiro posts recently too. So - knowing my size and the cut of Evans' pant wear, I decided to order myself a pair of Super Wide Leg Floral Pants. I ordered a 22 and when I put them on at home - they were too big... So. I went to Marble Arch and hit the Change Rooms!

Evans Daisy Print Extra Wide Leg Trousers - £35.00

Here we start. Now, before anyone tells me I have to get with the Carrot shape pants - all I'll say is, I like Wide Leg. I love wide leg, actually. I like the long lines from my hip and especially enjoy the floaty feel of wide leg material on my skin. This is the 22. You can see that in the crotch, there is a little excess material and hence I sized down...

The 20 rocked it. I LIKED these in the size down, but wasn't entirely convinced. The length you can see in the first shot is replicated in the 20, so for me - a little long. Now, this can easily be rectified with a trip to a tailor (which I do for jeans), however, my head isn't quite convinced this is the right pair of pants for me. So I'm mulling them over!

Next up - I thought I would try a pair of simple black pants, unfortunately - due to the curtain in the background - these don't show up so well - but I am sure you get the gist.

Evans Black Wide Leg Trousers - £25.00

I really like these. Initially I tried this pair in a 20 Short, but soon sized out to a 20 Regular, which were the perfect length for my 5'5 body. The short length COULD have worked, but I have a tendency to wear a low heel/wedge - so I needed that wee bit extra. These babies have a little elasticity in the fabric and the waist has some extra elastic through the back, making them really comfy. I checked these out online before going into Evans and really liked the sound of them from the online reviews. Also - they don't require heavy ironing (I love doing laundry, but hate ironing - I will avoid it wherever possible!). This is a good pair and a total contender for me as my renewal pair of pants.

One thing I've been asked about is 1940s trousers. I *think* they get worn with shirts tucked into them. Is that right? They're slung from the high hip too? Well, here's a taster of my cami tucked into my pants. Unsure I like this look on me: I might be a bit short with too much boobage to personally feel confident I could pull this off. I'll try - but am still looking for a pair in my size.

Finally. I decided to try something really on-trend...

Evans Rust Straight Leg Jeans - £35.00

I'm in a 20. Not sure about this on me (you know - I'm still pretty new to jeans - so COLOURFUL jeans is a total brain fritz). I hilariously (and deliberately) paired this colour with the Evans Coral Bolero so I clash a little. I TRIED to get the Coral Jeans, but there were no Coral 20s on the rack. I could size these pants up to a 22 for more room in the thigh and waist, but this size pulled up quite easily and were comfortable on. I LIKE these. Sure, I look a bit daft with the coral and the rust - but the shape is great and the denim in comfy.

Lovely. 

Em. xxx.

A Smouldering Love Letter To Simply Be.

Minimal Makeup, Cute Headband and the Sequins and Pearls Bead Neck Dress from Simply Be - £50.00

Dear Simply Be,

Please come South. I like LONDON as a potential store location, but at this stage, anywhere South will do... Just get your butt down here! Come close to me.

Because you aren't around - I rely on our internet exchanges to find me delicious clothing at great prices. I'm always paying, but you have discount codes quite often and I do love them. Indeed, Simply Be, your little codes make our shopping dalliances so much fun. BUT... I can be naughty too! Last week - I went crazy, I was ravenous, I couldn't resist you and I spent pound after pound!

But alas, sweet Simply Be - as is the problem with most frenzied embraces - our exchange wasn't entirely satisfying. Some of your items weren't quite right for me. I just...

Well, I just wasn't that into them...

Beautiful? YES. But the fit wasn't always right for me. Like the dress in this post, your sexy and alluring Sequins and Pearls Bead Neck Dress. I loved it online and bought it - quick smart - in a size 22. I should have stuck with my normal 20, or even sized down. The floaty fabric is divine and soft, and the shape will be beautiful and airy through summer... I LOVE the little waist ties and the beading is beautiful, but alas, it's too big; and because it isn't the right fit, it feels a little roomy for my breast and hip.

Dear Simply Be, you aren't in London - so my triste with this dress (while delightful), was short lived. I've had to kiss it goodbye... If only I'd been able to try it on in a few more sizes. I long to be able to do that.

You leave me wanting more, Simply Be. It would be so lovely to have you near me so I could spend time with you every week. It would help me to be certain too! You know, help me really know I'd NAILED my dress choice. So please. Come to London? That's what I really desire, that's one of my little shopping fantasies.

I need you close to me.

Love Em. x.

PS  (I kept the Elomi Lingerie - wink wink).

PPS #simplybelondon

To all the girls who read this post - hopefully you can tell it's all very tongue in cheek - but I will say, this dress is AMAZING. I bought it with a killer (and now expired) 50% code last week, but it would be worth full price too. This is selling out - if you want it - you must get it. It is DIVINE.

xxx.

Bum Massage.

Because life is short and joy is wonderful!
Remember to try and take a moment and have a little bit of fun every day.
xxx.

Goodnight Twitter...

Hello lovelies. In this blog post, I talk about myself a little. No fashions. It's a personal one that looks at my current experiences with twitter and why I've (pretty much) decided to limit my use for a while. I also talk briefly about my feelings on the term "real" women. Come back later in the week for the fancy fashions if such a post doesn't interest you. x.

-------------------------------

I'm not really enjoying twitter anymore. For me, as someone who has a big heart and lots to say - the 140 character limit seems to be causing more woes than I enjoy lately. And even when I try and slam out tweet after tweet to form a twitter paragraph, it all goes tits up. 

In 140 characters, because the world is such a "fast food, fast fashion, fast friendship" society - disconnects can occur over things as simple as a written sentence, that has no prosody to help define meaning. 

It's no ones fault - it's just how things can be.

I don't discuss my core beliefs too much on this blog. I feel this is my forum to say that we are all fabulous and wonderful and should love ourselves and our bodies because we are amazing. I relate that to myself - and occasionally go into my personal experiences. Mostly though this blog is for fashion as well as body confidence and love. 

For the record (and I've said it before): I believe that pretty much everyone is beautiful. And unique. And worth something. I am not racist or homophobic, I love people too much to be either of those things. I have travelled a lot and embraced people and lifestyles from a multitude of cultures. I am not judgemental. I also believe that a woman is not just a physical thing - that being a woman goes beyond curves or weight or the physical and that those who identify as women, are women. On twitter though, I admit I've written tonight that "pretty much any woman with a vagina equals a real woman" in order to make a quick (140 character) point about how curves don't define women as real either. I made a similar 140 character point when the River Island Casting Call went out to remind them not to exclude people through the use of the term "real". I did not, on either occasion, mean that a vagina = a woman. Ultimately, I believe in being inclusive, equal and fair. To everyone. I've written about that inclusivity here on this blog before too... 

Anything I say on twitter that misrepresents that, is literally just a misrepresentation. My own misrepresentation, but, still a misrepresentation. 

I love blogs and blogging. I love the different blogs and how many people contribute in so many different ways. Big blogs, little blogs, vocal readers, committed lurkers - all of it. I value it all. But. On twitter this week - that has been unintentionally muddied at one point too and while better now - at the time, it wasn't great.

Misrepresentation and accidental offence is avoidable.

Ultimately, I like my blog and the ability to adequately express myself too much to engage with twitter anymore. I will pop up new blog posts on twitter, retweet other people's posts and forward any questions any readers may have to twitter (as it is phenomenally good at getting responses to questions), but apart from that - for at least the next six months - interaction will be highly limited. I have too much to say - and twitter doesn't have the character count or patience for me!

140 characters will rarely be enough characters to define a person and who they are. Society all seems a little disposable when the ability to clarify and converse are thrown out the window in favour of snap reactions - maybe next time - people should remember not to limit their ability to interact and simply ask for more words. Communication. Easy.

So see you here or on Facebook from now on. 

And very rarely - I'll see you on twitter.

xxx.

I don't need affirmation or condemnation on this post so am still debating publishing comments on this. If you write a comment, I will read it (good or bad) but at this stage do not intend to publish them. Thanks. x.

Sometimes things get a little boring...

Boob Alert! LOL. The Asos Curve Lace Dress that was like a gift from the fashion gods...

The thing is, I love this ASOS dress. I bought it a while back, featured it previously and now use it as a measure of almost anything I buy from ASOS Curve. This is lined, made with high quality material, feels sexy, LOOKS banging, makes me feel confident and I look colourfully hot. It also FITS.

Do you know what I'm bored with? Not the dress. I flipping LOVE the dress.

My hair. I'm so damn bored with my hair. I was a grunge kid. A teen who rarely brushed it, I spent years where I coloured it blue/black/plum. I also wore a graduated, fashionably asymmetrical bob for ages - but now? Now it's kind of like a shapeless block of hair, desperately wanting to be longer.. I feel  like I missed the years where I was supposed to learn how to "do" my hair and frankly, right now -it's not telling me any kind of style secrets or how to fulfil luscious/stylish yet awkwardly mid-length looks. I don't want to cut it short again (yet), but need it to have some sort of styling/layering done. But that involves cutting. You've all seen the hair clips I wear. I love them. LOVE them, but really? I need to mix it up.

I'm like - BOOM!!!

Now. Don't judge me. I've decided to try some of the ethereal, psudeo-hippy headbands currently in the high street accessory stores. I need some easy ways to switch up my hair and this is a new look that I'm about to confidently embrace and wear all over London. It allows a little hair mess too. LOVE. My hair isn't meant to be slick. I actually think this headband look works with my blue fingernails too - because it's all a bit switchy.

Hot accessories complimenting this headband?

Hot LOVE Earrings.

Faux Vintage Style Necklace Clock.

Boom!

I love it. I'm embracing it. I plan to buy a trillion colours and prints to help me rock this look. It totally looks hot with this Asos Curve dress too. The smallest things make me happy. It's a good way to be.

YES.

xxx.

ASOS Curve Dress (20) + City Chic Tights (S) + Evans Boots (7EEE) + Nails Inc Nails (Baker Street Blue)

By the way. To the keen chappy in Canada who (over the weekend), did over 50 different image searches looking for "Boombands Boobs Nude", I put these girls away a LONG time ago; and while some of my friends may have the odd "candid" hidden away on their cameras somewhere, they are far too rad to post them on the internet. And me? Well - this is my fashion blog. I am a FASHION girl. That means bras may be a "yes" but nipples are HIGHLY unlikely. Put it back in your pants and keep dreaming.