Friday 28 October 2011

Friendship Bracelets

How lush are these friendship bracelets?

I bought one for myself and and my best friend, Carly. We have been best friends all our life (our mothers are friends), and we have never fallen out once. In fact, I don't think we have ever even argued!!!

We don't often buy each other gifts, but I saw these on LilyLovesLola blog and knew I had to buy them!

They are super cute, come in a range of colours and different charms, and don't cost the earth!!!

I ordered on Wednesday and received them today!

I will be buying lots more from this website! 




You can find these, and many more hand made items at lilyloveslola and clicking the shop tab. Or by going directly to either of Victoria's shops. http://lilyloveslola.bigcartel.com/ or http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilyloveslola?ref=pr_shop_more

Thank you, Victoria!

BB Creams

I have never really been a fan foundations. I find them very heavy and thick, and regardless of which brand I generally they always bring out in spots, so I use a tinted moisturiser.
Then I discovered BB Creams.

BB Creams, or blemish Balm as they are also known, provide a foundation like, natural coverage that doesn't block pores whilst concealing pigmentation's, discolouration and redness. BB Creams can be worn alone or as a base for further products. Worn alone they give a natural, dewy, barely there look. Whilst when worn with other products they provide a bright, primer like base that holds powders and foundations for hours without slipping.

Originating in Germany in the last 50ies, primarily for patients which has undergone chemical face peel to soothe and protect skin, as well as reduce redness, it was quickly picked up by the South Korean beauty industry. Widely used by the South Korean actresses to enhance their naturally flawless skin it wasn't until Song Hye-Kyo (pictured below) revealed the 'secret' to South Korean's natural beauty that people started to take notice.



At present BB cream sales make up 13% of the South Korean mass market for beauty products.

I have started using Garniers Miracle Skin Protector Daily All-in-One BB Cream (and breath, longest title ever?!?). Garnier claim that the 'sensation of the light texture will melt in to my skin, that the formula with mineral pigments will give me a 'perfect' skin look, resulting in sheer coverage, blurred imperfections, illuminated skin and softer looking lines. And as miracles go, it does exactly what it says on the bottle!

I suffer mild bouts of acne (I'm 26!!!) and as a result have some discolouration and pigmentation on my chin and it conceals it wonderfully. I also seem to be getting fewer and fewer break outs since i started using it. It feels lighter than any foundation or tinted moisturiser that I have ever used and stays in place all day. It matches my skin tone, so gives that 'no make-up' natural look whilst at the same time brightening my skin! (the picture isn't great i know, but shows the natural effect the Garnier BB cream gives.)


Garnier is one of the cheaper BB creams available at the moment, retailing at £9.99. Once this tube is finished I am going to try the Mac Prep + Prime BB cream.

I think BB creams are now my new best friend!



Wednesday 19 October 2011

Colour

OK I'll be honest. I tend to stick to colours that I know suit me. I love natural earthy colours and I love back. I wear something black to work every day. Whether it is a cardie, trousers, tights or a top. I feel good in black. I have occasional days when I moan to my boyfriend that I am feed up of wearing black and buy something in a different colour and then it lives in my wardrobe for the rest of eternity! However, I have seen some lovely pieces that I really want. Especially as its coming up to my birthday and Christmas and I'll be going more nights out in November and December then I have done in the whole of the rest of the year.


Evans £29.50


Simply Be £47


Evans £39.50
I love these Shoes from Next. They come in black and red in standard and wide fit. For £30 they are an absolute bargain. Next wide fit shoes are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.  

If, like me, all out colour is too much adding coloured accessories is definately a must.

Evans £6 available in a range of colours

http://www.plus-sized-tights.com/ £3.75


http://lilyloveslola.bigcartel.com/ hand knitted scarf from £18

These scarfs look lush! I can't wait to get paid so I can buy one! I am going to get the bright Pink one. Delivery can take up to 4 weeks but they hand made so I can cope with waiting that long. Below are the colours that are available. They start at £18 and increase in price depending on the length of scarf you want.
Colours available


See you soon  xxxx

Tuesday 11 October 2011

Boots

I have an addiction to boots. Well, to footwear in general, but boots are by favourite type of footwear. Over the years I have struggled to find boots to fit my man sized calf's and always ended up disappointed that all my friends could wear  lovely boots and I wasn't able to :-(

Nowadays, its much easier for us 'wide calf' girls to find decent, fashionable boots in varying calf and width fittings. The most obvious choice for wide fitting boots is Evans. In the past I found that the fitting of Evans boots wasn't every good, but over that last couple of years this has drastically improved. As well as having a good fit I find the quality of Evans boots is exceptional.

Here are my favourite boots at Evans at the moment


Available in Brown and Black and in Extra wide (EEE) fit. £79.50

£79.50




£39.50


Available in Black and Tan and in extra wide (EEE) fit. £89.50
Click here to see Evans Footwear size guide.

Next also have a good range of boots. They accommodate standard, wide and extra wide calf's.  Next also do a good range of wide fitting shoes. I do tend to find that if I buy Next wide fit shoes I have to get a size smaller, size 5 instead of size 6. I also find that the next range is more fashionable. They also have a lot more choice of 'going out' boots.


available in Tan, brown and Black and standard, wide and extra wide fitting. £85


£40

£50

£65
 Click here to see Next's footwear size guide

Now to Viva La Diva. If you didn't know Viva La Diva is a partner company to Simply Be. Viva La Diva have some amazing shoes (and handbags). They hold a lot of designer brands from Ugg's to Rocket Dogs to WedgeWelly. Some brands are ridiculous expensive for what you are paying for and some are very reasonably priced. The range of wide calf boots isn't very extensive, and some of the boots are very old ladyish. My previous purchases from Viva La Diva have included ankle boots or shoes, but i have managed to find some wider calf boots.



Legroom Boots available in Standard, wide (E) and Extra wide (EEE). £85


Rocket Dog cowboy style boots. £54.99


Ugg Clovis. £200

Wedgewellys. LOVE THEM. The circumference around the calf goes up to 15inch, with an adjustable strap, but have managed to get my 17inch calf's in to them. I also love that these wellies are so glamorous. I hate with a passion the multicoloured, patterned, love heart print wellies!!! These are definitely wellies to go 'glamping' in!
Wedgewelly. £45
I also love the short Hunter wellies. And as I love pink they are perfect for me. I don't own a pair of Hunters at the moment but my sister does. She has both standard and short length. She told me that the standard wellies don't have a very big calf circumference but they are uber comfortable. The claims that the short one are more suited for wide calf's as they are quite short!!! I think I need a pair of these on my wish list!!

Click here to see Viva La Diva's Footwear size guide.

Friday 7 October 2011

Red Carpet favourites this week!

Cheryl Cole wears Victoria Beckham
This dress is absolutely stunning. Cheryl looks super glamorous, happy and more relaxed than we have seen her in a long time, in this Victoria Beckham design. The colour of the dress is perfect for Cheryl's skin tone and blond hair. I do get the feeling that I will never be able to wear any of Posh's pieces though, because, lets face it, I will never be able afford anything in her range, and I would need to sew about five dress together for anything comes near to fitting me!  Click here to see Victoria Beckham's AW 11 range.

Kimberly Walsh wears TruBlue

Cheryl's band mate Kimberly Walsh wore a black lace maxi by TruGirl.  I have one word for this dress, AMAZING! I would actually do anything for this dress. However, I think I can say with some degree of certainty that they won't make my size. I might have to try and work wonders with a maxi dress pattern and a sewing machine to see what I come up with! Here is a look at TruGirls range.

Emma Bunton looked immaculate, as usual, in Dolce and Gabbana. 

Emma Bunton wears  Dolce and Gabbana
Tulisa wears Vivienne Westwood

How beautiful does Tulisa look in Vivienne Westwood? Tulisa is fast becoming my favourite celebrity. She seems like a down to earth, say it how it is kinda girl, which I like. And I want her to be my friend!!!

Jessie J also looked stunning wearing Julian McDonald at the Mobo's.

Jessie J wears Julian McDoanld



Thursday 6 October 2011

About Me

About Me

The boring bits first!


Name – Toni
Age – 25

Early mornings dont suit me!

Being an Idiot Abroad - Look at the freckles


Height – 5’2 ish
Clothes size – 20/22
Eye Colour – Blue
Hair Colour – Honey Blond
Home TownLeeds
Siblings -1 sister. 1 brother
My sister on the left, me in the middle and my brother on the right (they are twins)


Living arrangements – I live with my boyfriend of 5 years in a very small flat!!
Twitter – plussized22

I don’t have a very exciting life, (I wish I did then maybe my blog would have more followers! lol), but I guess it’s what you make off it! I am happier than I ever been.I have a few very close loyal friends who I couldn't live without and a wonderful boyfriend who loves me for who I am (although he won't have his picture taken.. Grrrr).



Laura and Me - One of my best friends. Been that way since Primary school


Me and Carly. Best friends for 25 years. (I looked a little worse for wear on this pic)
  I know I am not the best blogger in the world (by any stretch), my English can be appalling, like wise my spelling, but I have found something I enjoy. I am following a number of blogs which give me so much inspriation to write about what I like and my opinions. I have always loved fashion and beauty but have never had the confidence or belief that I could actually make it my hobbie until recently.


I won't bore you with the rest of my life story!!!

Toni x