Day Twenty Three

Today is the day I thank you all!

I want to say thank you for reading, commenting and generally making my life a better, happier place.

Over the last 12 months I have meet many amazing and inspirational women. Some of whom I know I'll be life long friends with. Without all of you Plus North wouldn't have been the achievement it was and Me and Becky wouldn't be planning Plus North 2013. I wouldn't have seen London and I wouldn't have worked with so many amazing companies.

I've had my wobbles and a moment in time when I contemplated quitting blogging but I had the support of people I am proud to call my friends!

So here's to you. And to you to wish you all a few Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. Here's to an amazing 2013!

Toni x

Day Twenty Two - If you really knew me....

I saw Sian's post tonight and it hit a cord with me.

If you really knew me, in real life, would your opinion be different?

So here goes....

If you really knew me you'd know that I have have suffered from depression since I was 14. You'd know that I don't really know who I am because meds make me subduded and no meds make me fragile.

If you really knew me you'd know that my biggest fear is being alone. You'd know that I need security. I need reassurance. That I'm terrified that one day my boyfriend will leave me and I'll be alone forever.

If you really knew me you'd know that I long to me a mother. You'd know the that the multiple miscarriages I have suffered took me to the brink. But you'd also know that I am not mentally or physically ready.

If you really knew me you'd know that if I'm your friend I'll be there for life. I'll take you in to my heart. You'll become my family and I'd do anything to make sure that your happy and it will break my heart to see you upset.

If you really knew me you'd know that I have hope. That one day all my insecurities will no longer matter. You'd know that the hope I have makes me smile and gets me through each day. You'd know that I am stronger that what this life throws at me and that I'll fight until my last breath.

Day Twenty One - OOTD

Well we are all still alive!!!! We survived the end of the world!!!!

As I've mentioned before Friday is officially dress down day in my office and although I really struggled getting out of bed this morning I decided to wear a dress that I bought from the Simply Be Outlet online.

I loved this dress when it was first online but chickened out of buying it, but after seeing it on someone's blog (sorry, I can't remember who's!) And seeing Lisa Riley wear it on training for strictly I wanted it!

I bought it with the 20% of they had a few weeks, so think I ended up paying about £15 for it.

I mentioned on twitter a few days ago I was struggling to find decent tights, and then found a unopened pair from tesco in a kitchen draw?!? They are really comfy and stayed up all day!

You will also have to excuse the miserable face. I am yet to find any Christmas spirit!!

Toni x

Day Twenty - Pin fail.....

Yesterday I told you all how much I was addicted to interest and how I was going to start trying things I saw on there.

Well today I did just that.

I pretended that I was a super talented nail art technician. Now, as the world is supposed to end tomorrow (a symptom of my depression is once I get an idea in my head, no matter how stupid,  I can't stop thinking about it), in said I wouldn't get any festive spirit until Saturday, but I was bored and wanted to try this.

Click to be directed to original post.

I hought the nails were a lovely pattern and festive without been in your face. However I swapped red for blue as I hate red nails.

As you can see, I don't quite have the flare or artistic ability to decorate nails. I trained as a beauty therapist and can only just paint nails!!! I'm not sure why one is up side down either.

Anyway, this is a 'pin fail'! Its hard to keep a steady hand on something so small. I even used one of those nail art pens. I will probably try Nail art again. But maybe something with just straight lines.

Toni x

Day Nineteen - Pinterest

I love Pinterest. Infact, I'm addicted to it.

It gives me the outlet for my creativity that my brain thinks I have. It makes me think I can be a master baker. Nail Art Technician, hairdressers, well, basically anything I want to be.

I love pictures of cute dogs and cats. Of hairstyles I want but will never be able to achieve. Outfits I will never buy, make up I will never wear, places I will never see and home decor I will never do.

It's my dreamland I suppose. It's a place where I can have all the creativity in the world and never fail at anything.

I love some of the DIY pins. I think I am going to make a note of my favourites and see if they actually work.......

The tooth whitening ones are a bit scary, actual bleach??? (I think some people have made some other them up).

Here a few of my favourite pins.....

Source: shopbop.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Toni on Pinterest

Source: laisbernuccio.tumblr.com via Toni on Pinterest

Do you use Pinterest? Click on the P button on the top right to follow my boards!!!

Toni x

Day Eighteen - Yours Clothing

I was browsing the Yours Clothing website today and noticed that they had a preview of the Spring Summer range.

Here are a few pieces that caught my eye!

 I love this dress, it would be perfect for a summer night with a biker jacket, leggings and a pretty pair of flats.

I think these two items really go together! I would wear the wm with a pair of flip flops and a denim jacket!

What do you think! I am waaaaay premature planning spring outfits!

Toni x

Day Seventeen - Revisit

Last year I posted The Sarah Millican Guide to Surviving Christmas!

As we are only a week away from the big day I decided to repost..... Honestly, one of the funniest things I have ever read!

Sarah Millican is fast becoming one of my favourite stand up comics. She is funny, witty, down to earth and surprisingly honest.

I found this in this months Glamour magazine had to share it... I was laughing out loud reading it!

12 Steps to Surviving a Family Christmas.

1. Very early on, cultivate a reputation for being a terrible cook. Then you'll just be put in charge of the serviettes. Someone else will slave over the cooker for five hours, while you'll make six paper swans and be a hit.

2. If you're visiting family, wait outside in the car until you can smell gravy.

3. Always check with parents about what's an appropriate present for their child. I don't have kids and sought advise from a friend on what to buy a baby girl. She said "Something she can grown into." I bought her a bra.

4. Go to the toilet in pairs. If you are left alone with you bloke's family, the "why aren't you married yet?' questions start. And judging by the volume you drank last year, that's a lot of questions.

5.Always take a cardigan, as it's rude to tell people to turn up the heating. (the opposite is the case with my family. We usually end up sitting in string vests.)

6. Watch award ceremonies to help you lie when opening presents. But clapping at you new socks and saying ' well done, Kate Winslet' will give the game away.

7. Make you parents argue one Christmas - you might end up having two Christmas dinners the following year.

8. If your not an arguing family, put Eastenders on and join in.

9. Take you time over opening presents. Unless there is children in the family, the whole thing will be over in four minutes.

10. Join in with activities but remember you're with blood relations. I always sit Oops Upside Your Head out; it feels wrong to be vaginally close to family members.

11. Plan you escape; always have arrangements for the evening. its amazing how many pantos you can see if you're willing to drive for a 30 mile radius. We travel to where the Daleks are appearing. they make my fella more happy than i ever could!

12. But most of all, remember that it is spending time with you that makes your family happy, not necessarily what you bring. Unless you come to my house - I love presents.

You can find more information, tour dates and a blog from Sarah at: http://www.sarahmillican.co.uk/home.html
http://sarahmillican.blogspot.com/

You can also follow Sarah on Twitter;
@sarahmillican75

Day Sixteen - Slumday Sunday OOTD

Today was slum day Sunday in my house(well, apartment)!

The boy has put his back out, I am broke and I didn't have anything to do which meant going very far!

After mouching around for a few hours I decided to get dressed.

I put the first thing I saw on and it ended up being my AX Paris ladder Paw print jumper I got from a recent visit to the Simply Be store in Liverpool!

I wore it with a pair of grey Jeggings from Dorothy Perkins and a black and white stripy vest under it.

To be honest I am not sure if I like this jumper. I just don't think its me....

What do you think?

Toni xx

Day Fifteen - Fatshionologie

Fatshionologie is a blogger style challenge born out of a discussion on twitter in the hopes that it would help us create exciting new content for our blogs as well as show that each new style 'theme' can be be rocked by a variety of different body shapes!

The first topic we decided on was Festive.

When we were discussing the topic I thought this was great! I'd get a Xmas jumper and I'd really be in an festive mood, but I am get to found my Christmas spirit!

To be honest I never really get in to the Christmas mood until I break up from work! The day I look forward to is Christmas eve. I love last minute Christmas shopping in a packed Leeds. I love last minute wrapped and getting getting packed up for visiting family on Christmas day and I love Christmas eve new PJ's!

Here are my favourite...

Micky and Minnie PJ's - Simply Be

Fairisle set - Tesco

Robin pyjamas - Matalan

Do you buy new Pyjamas for Christmas eve?

Toni xxd


Steph - http://sheiselec.blogspot.co.uk/

Becky - http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com/

Charmaine - www.mytwenty1.com

Joanna - http://justjoannablog.blogspot.co.uk/

Lisa - Lookingforlisa.blogspot.com

Rachel - www.adressisforlife.blogspot.co.uk

Mel - www.gladragsandandthehandbagsbags.com

Day Fourteen - Simply Be OOTD review

A few weeks ago I was contacted my the lovely Jess From Label PR, who now handle all things Simply Be.

There are so many lovely items at Simply Be at the moment I gave Jess a list of my favourites and let her pick a dress for me!

I received the AX Paris heart print dress which is currently retail at £35.

The first thing I noticed about this dress is that its super short on me!  I'm only 5'3 and don't particularly have a big booty but this dress barely covered it.

So I teamed it with my True black skinnies. I have a thing about my tan belt at the moment, so popped that on, and as it Arctic like outside I wore my trusty black cardi with it.

Black card - Asda. Dress - AX Paris. Belt - Simply Be. 

Skinny Jeans - Tesco True

I am really struggling to take pictures as the moment. I really hope Santa brings me a new Camera and a tripod!!

Toni

Day Thirteen - The Big Boot Challenge

Another installation of the Big Boot challenge and I bring you boots from Curvissa.

This is the 2nd part of boots I received from Curvissa. The first pair didn't fit me. I ordered the wrong size and I had absolutely no chance of fastening them up my 20inch calf's.

Curvissa kindly replaced them with these babies!

Retailing at £85 these boots are stunning!

However I have a problem with them! 

I can only get them fastened up one leg!!!! Yes, I like to be awkward!

Out of all the boots me and Becky have tried, these are definitely the best looking! They are also the best fit around my ankles, well at least my left one!!!

I have no idea what's going on with my right ankle but this is as far as I could get the zip up. The boots would definitely fit around my calf thought. 

I can suffer from horrid swollen ankles when the weather is damp or extremely hot, so I might wait until the weather improves a bit and revisit these Boots.

Toni x

Curvissa

Day Twelve - Oneee huuuuuundreeeed!

I have nothing of any interest to share with you today.

However this is my 100th post. Nothing compared to some, but to say I generally don't follow through with anything I start, its quite an achievement to me.

Thank you for putting up with my rubbish photos, my lack of consistency and general bad bloggerness! 

Here's to the next 100 posts. I promise to try harder!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! 

Toni xx

Day Eleven - .........andthatswhoiam....

I have tumble. I have no idea how to use it but I have found something I love. A page, member, group, or what ever they are called on there.

You can find it at  andthatswhoiam.tumblr.com.

And this is my own 'and this  who I am'

I don't can't remember my actual natural hair colour......but this will be the next colour.

I love tattoos on girls......

And guys......and Adam Lavine

I feel guilty even when I have done nothing wrong.

I always feel left out

I love Boston Terriers

I love Photography

I wear my heart on my sleeve

I love snow.

And whilst I generally accept my size, I will never fully accept my body.

what would your '...andthatswhoiam' look like?

Toni x

All the images above are courtesy of Google images and tumblr.

Day Ten - Presents

I started buying my Christmas present early this year and felt the need to wrap them all super early!

Then I decided I wanted to wrap them in gold and brown. So I re wrapped them.

Yes, yes, I am aware that its super sad to do that but never mind!!!

Here is just a few, I have wrapped over 30 presents like this!

What do you think?

Toni xx

Day Nine - Designer needed.......

I'm not normally one to quibble about the differences between the variety of style of clothing between straight and plus size clothes, but I really wish there was a plus size high end designers.

I have spent hours pouring over web pages of clothes that don't fit me. Most of of the time I can find a plus size alternative. But occasionally I find a designer that I love and clothes that I want to wear with no plus size alternative.

Although I'll never be able to afford anything, Alexander McQueen is one of my favourite designers and I am so glad the name has continued after is sad passing.

If I could make any dress plus size, it would be this one. I would make it slightly shorter, only fitted to under the bust,have pockets and belt hoops. But this is my perfect dress! There is just something about a classic maxi that I can't resist.

If you could make one designer item your own, what would it be?

Toni xx

Day Eight - Saving Face

There is one thing I am jealous of.... All of you with amazing skin!

I suffer from mild adult acne and often have really bad break outs. And its not just normal pimples I get. I'm talking boil like, red lumpy things! 

I've used just about every product on the market! Some work for a few weeks. Some don't work at all and some actually make my skin worse!!!!

I think I have now found a routine that is good for my skin!

Face Soap and Clarity 3-in-1 daily vitamin C facial wash from Soap and Glory. Makes my face feel super clean and fresh! It does make my face slightly dry, but as long as I moisturise its fine. 

Fab pore hot cloth cleanser. In one words.... AMAZING! I had the Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser and I honestly think that this one is better. It smells fabulous and melts away all traces of make up and grim from the day! And it leaves my skin feeling like a babies bottom!!!!

Clean and clear dual action moisturiser. I use this product everyday. It really rehydrating and perfectly finishes my daily facial cleansing.

If my break out is particularly bad I break out the big boy! PanOxyl.
This literally clears my skin in a few days. Its pretty much the same stuff as doctors prescribe but at half the price. Its pretty harsh and I can only use it for a maximum of 3/4 days, but its normally done its job by then.

What skin care products do you use? Is there any other products you recommend?

Toni xx

Day Seven - My favourite Blog

I love reading other blogs.

I started reading blogs long before I started writing my own and through various gatherings and Plus North I have been lucky enough to meet lots of fab ladies!

But the one that inspired me to start blogging was Wait Until the Sunset.

I love Olivia's posts. She always looks amazing and has an awesome sense of style and has the best smile ever!

I would love to raid her wardrobe!

Hopefully one day I'll get to meet there lovely Olivia!

Whats your favourite blog?

Toni xx

Day Six - What have I let myself in for?

Every get a realllllly good idea, start it and then got a total mind blank?

Well that is today.

I have nothing to tell you. Nothing to show you, and although I could rant for England, I shall keep that to myself.

I have had a manic day and have got tonsillitis, so just want my bed.

Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

And next time I have the idea to post everyday, please remind me of today!!!

Toni x

Day Five - A sad OOTD

So its day 5 and my first outfit post.

During the week I generally wear boring outfits as I work in a bored office. Occasionally I like to dress a bit different and wear something that's still smart but more me.

I bought this dress as part of my birthday order from Evans. On the website it looked fab and it was reduced to £20!

Evans Sienna dress - £20 (sale. No longer)

Simply Be belt - passed season

Tights - Yours Clothing
Boots - Evans - shown on previous blog
Cardigan - ASA (old)

I would like to leave this outfit post here. I loved the outfit and it  could have quite easily be a go to outfit, but this happened. If I'd ordered my normal size and it was tight, I could maybe understand it, but I'd actually sized up to a 24!

Alllll down the seam. I am so thankful I wore a cardigan with it.

I tweeted Evans but am yet to get a reply. I am so disappointed. When I got home, I swiftly got changed and took the dress to Evans in the White Rose Centre. They refused to exchange it as I bought it online. I explain that I didn't have the receipt as I bought it on line, and they flatly refused to do anything as they don't stock Sienna in store. 

I can't believe I wasted £20 on this dress! Thanks Evans!

Toni

Day Four - what do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was younger I wanted to be so many things. In wanted to be a teacher for awhile, then I toyed with the idea of wanting to work in forensics and when I was doing my GCSE's I settled on the idea of becoming a probation officer for young offenders.

However during my GCSE's I discovered the perks of earning a full time wage. I managed my A1 year whilst working 30hrs a week. And at 17 it was hard! I decided I like the idea of money more and dropped out of A2 year.

Now, a whole 10 years after leaving school, I wished I stayed. I know now what my dreams are, what I want to do and how I want to do it.

My dream job now is to be a photographer (not that you can tell from my crappy blog pics!). I love photography. I love the thought of catching a memory forever. Photos tell stories. And I love stories.

The only thing I have missing is a decent camera. I have had professional DLSR camera but never learnt how to use of properly and I hated the bulk of it.

Now a days thought you can buy compact size cameras they produce stunning DLSR style photos.

I am saving up for this camera. The Nikon 1 J1. Nikon are on par with canon at producing amazing camera's. Then hopefully when I get my bonus in the summer I'll be able to buy a DSLR and go on a photography course. 

Do you like photography? What's your dream job? 

Toni x

Day Three - Monday Mani

There always seems to be a post about nail polish. Today is my turn!

I love painting my nails. I find it amazingly therapeutic. And I have been know to paint my nail, remover the polish and start all over again!!

OK am quiet snobbish when it comes to buying nail polish. I won't buy cheap, unbranded polishes. With nail polish I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. If you pay a few quid for cheap polish them chance are its going to be rubbish. I generally stick to Barry M, nails own, OPI and Essie.

Essie polishes are the most delightful polishes, beautiful colours, applies evenly, and dries super quick and lasts days.

My two newest shades are Bahama Mama (plum) and mezmerised (blue). I love them!

Essie polishes retail at £7.99 in most boots stores. Although they are quite expensive for nail polishes I highly recommend them.

PS. If you have have a TK Max nearby check out the cosmetics sections, I recently got three full sized bottles for £6.99.

Do you have any Essie polishes? What's your favourite brand?

Toni x

Day Two - Birthday boots

Tuesday saw me officially entering my late 20ies. 27 to be exact.

I was a little bummed all day as I had envised my life too be so different when I was younger. I thought I'd be married with kids and a cute little house somewhere. But instead I have no kids, and no cute little house. I have my boy, we been together seven years, and on the whole my life is pretty good, but not the one I wanted.

Any how, I'm digressing. My mum and mum in law very kindly gave me some money for my birthday.

Originally I was looking for a pair of biker boots, but stumbled across these beauties in Evans.

I loved the zip and buckle on the outside of the boots. They also have a super comfy insole.

I am not going to post any more pics I plan join wearing them as part of an outfit in the next week.

The boots are super cute, and are a very good width around the bottom of the calf. I even wore them with my skinny jeans this afternoon.

are you a fan of ankle boots?

Toni x

Day one - The challenge

I have decided to challenge myself this month.

I have challenged myself to post everyday.

I need to blog more and add a bit more variety.

December is looking busy for me. I have my birthday night out, although it was Tuesday, German Market madness, The big boot challenge, shopping madness, works attempt at a Xmas do, a buffet a work, a new plus size challenge with a group of fab ladies and of course, Xmas day!

My first 'proper post' will be my birthday boots tomorrow.

You can see links to the other challengees below.

Kaye
Steph
Becky
Beth

Until tomorrow......

Toni x