OOTD - Sunny Days

Although the weather has been quite warm, its been very muggy and humid up in the North of England.

Don't get me wrong I'm glad its not cold. But I do like a bit of sunshine with the warmth...

I've had this dress sat in my wardrobe for awhile (I bought it when it was baltic!), and it as been my go to beer garden, BBQ and summer stroll outfit whilst it been nice.

I never blogged it the first time I wore it (to the fat swap a few weeks ago), but wore it one day last week when I visited my sister.

What I wore -
Dress - New Look Inspire
Sandals - Evans
Denim Jacket - New Look Inspire

What's your go to sunny day outfit?

My First Beauty Blog - Dark Angels

Ok, So in a bid to expand my blog a little I have decide to try my hand at beauty blogging. I have shown you what products I like to use before, but never really reviewed them.

I'm starting safe by reviewing a product I adore and use almost daily!

Ladies and gents, boys and girls, I give you Dark Angels from Lush.....

Dark Angels is basically Angels on Bare Skin but designed for those with oilier skin types. Containing charcoal, sugar and a form of mud called Rhassoul, Dark Angels is an exfoliating cleanser and which makes your face feels amazing soft.

To be honest I was a little scared to use this at first. I mean, look at it! It looks like mud and charcoal. It felt very strange to be putting something 'dirty' on my face....but after the first few washes you forget about the colour.

I had read some reviews which said that it was difficult to wash off and that it stained bath, but I didn't find that it did either. I did, however, find it easier to wash the cleanser off with a flannel, a bit like a hot clothe cleansers.

I suffer from occasional bouts of adult acne and often find that products work for a while but eventually stop working or, on occassions, make my skin even worse that when I started using it. But Dark Angels seems to keep the breakouts under control. Even after a course of antibiotics, I noticed a considerable inprovement.

I cant recommend this product highly enough. Also, due to the small amount you use per wash (pea size) its really good value for money (100g pot is £6.25). My tub lasted me about 12 weeks and I used it 5/6 times per week.

The natural ingreadinace really seem to have help my skin, which means I am wearing less make up to cover my break outs, which, in turn is also improving the condition of my skin.

I hope Dark Angels continues to keep my breakouts to a minimum. As long as it does Lush will have a loyal customer. And I might even find a nice natural moisturiser to use too!

Dear Dad.....

Dear Dad,

I guess this has been a long time coming.

I know our relationship has never been an easy one. When you and mum split up we were so young and you moved so far away.  At first none of use wanted to see you, but as we grow older we came across to Liverpool and you came across to Wakefield to see us every few months.  You had a good job and met a lovely new girlfriend who we all loved.

Our relationship continued like this for years and it worked for us. You'd ring once a week and we talk about all sorts.

But there was one thing that you seemed to love above anything else. Alcohol. You got it from your Dad, my granddad. When I was younger I was oblivious too it. But over the years it became more and more apparent that alcohol was your mistress.

It effect your relationship with us as well as with Marg. As we became older, the visits became less and less frequent. The telephone calls were still weekly but I could tell the second I spoke to you if you were drunk. You slurred your words and told me the she thing over and over again and our relationship became full of  broken promises.

Then my beloved Nana passed away. She was the best thing in your life. She put you on the straight and narrow and no one ever defy her. She was the rock of your world. The family rallied for her funeral and for a moment I, we, felt like I had my dad back. But your way of copying was by drinking more and more heavily.

You didn't seem to care any more. About anything. You didn't eat, you stopped looking after yourself. You forgot about us.

We tried really hard to help you. You'd promise us that you would stop drinking, that you wanted to stop drinking, that you wanted to see us grow old. And for a time, it seemed that you were true to your word. I would always tell when you didn't rely on your mistress. You are quite, softly spoken. You asked about us, how we are, our lives. And we would tell you how proud we were of you and that we couldn't wait to see you again.

But it never lasted.

Then within the period of 18 months we suffered three more losses. First Granddad, then your brother and then Marg... All three hit you hard. Especially Marg. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't breathe when you told me. I cant imagine what you must of been feeling. I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to look after you. I wanted to tell you that it would be ok. but it wasn't... After everything that had happened, this was the final straw. Your heart was broken and no one could do anything to fix it. Part of you died on that day too. The funeral was horrible. I hated seeing you so upset. I didn't know what I could do. You drinking began really bad. Id never seen you in such a state.

I didn't know what to do. You're my dad, you're supposed to worry about me, what trouble I'm getting in, that my boyfriend is treating me right. But its the other way around. I feel so guilty because we've abandon you. But it was killing me. You were killing me. Seeing someone I love so much killing them self with drink. I worry every day that I am going to get a phone call that will destroy my life, that will leave three kids without a father.

You have two beautiful grandsons, one of which you have never seen. The other you have seen once. If you don't want to get better for us, do it for them.

We can't offer you any more help. Can't try and force you to get better. The disease you have can only be cured by you wanting to get better. It will be hard. But only you can decide if you going to let it continue to kill you.

We will always be here. Go to the phone box and ring us... even just so we know your alive.

Happy Father's day Dad.

X

FAT FABULOUS FOUR - Camo

This edition of Fat Fabulous Four is about camo. I have been looking forward to this theme for ages.

When Simply Be kindly offered to let me a few items from the last range the first item on my list was this jacket, and as we already had this list of further themes it made sense to wait!

Its not something I would normally wear, but it seems to go with everything!

I actually cheated when taking the photos..... I needed to take pics for another challenge so killed two birds with one stone et voile la...

This jacket works really with everything!

What I wore.

Camo Jacket - Simply Be

Jeans - Simply Be via clothes swap

Check out the other awesome ladies!!!

Becky - http://www.mrsbebeblog.com

Mhairi - http://www.lilybobombslovelylumps.com

Rosie - http://aroselikethis.blogspot.co.uk

Fatshionologie - Polka Dots

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

The theme for this month was polka dots.

I love polka dots but it isn't something I have in my wardrobe......until I remembered this top!

I kept it plain and simple and teamed it with a pair of black skinny jeans and pumps.

I really need more polka dots in my life!!!

Becky http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com/ 

Charmaine www.mytwenty1.com 

Joanne  http://justjoannablog.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Lisa Lookingforlisa.blogspot.com 

Rachel www.adressisforlife.com

Steph - http://seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk

Mel www.gladragsandthehandbags.com

Kim http://www.callmekim.net/

Simply Be Blogger Takeover!

Last Wednesday I popped myself across to Manchester for the launch of the Simply Be bloggers takeover launch!

The lovely Lauren, Laura and Em where all given the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Simply Be to design a outfit which would be sold on the Simply Be website. The girls gave a talk about how they came up with their designs and how the Simply Be designers helped them create their outfit!

I think Simply Be have done exceptionally well to allow the girls to design an outfit that they wanted. It really seemed that they were given free reign on design and print, with helpful guidance to what would and wouldn't work, you can really see the girls' personalities in their dresses.

During the event there was also a talk from the buyers and designer from Simply Be. I found it really interesting to find out how brands design and pick ranges. I love the fact they design from what is 'fashionable' instead of what they think plus size women should be wearing. I also love that they seem to be interested in what the consumer want. They were very keen to ask about what we liked, what we didn't like etc etc. and although they are never going to please everybody, Simply Be have, and will have going forward, some amazing ranges and collaborations to launch.

During the event we also go a sneak peak of the AW13 range (which will be on display at Plus North). Items inspired by the 40ies, folk, the 50ies, the grunge era. (I was so intrigued by some of the new range I forgot to take pictures....oooops)

I was also excited to hear that Project D London are doing another range for AW13. Although I didn't love all of the last range of items were really special! The buyers talked about the price range and it has, apparently, been reduced.

I also found the dress of my dream..... the pics are really bad but you will kinda get the drift.... floor length, black with lace over lay MAXI!!!!! I honestly haven't stopped thinking about it since last week..... Me and Becky are going to the British Plus Size Awards in November.............and I have my dress!!!! THANK YOU MISS MINOGUE!!!!

What I wore....
Over sized tee - ASOS Curve
Midi Skirt - Clothing at Tesco
Shoes - Barratts

OOTD - Lets Play Dress Up!

When I was offered the change to review some items from Simply Be to review on my blog, one of the items I picked was a stunning coral Angel Ribbons dress.

Its one of those dresses that you like to pull out of your wardrobe, admire how beautiful it is and think of places you have to visit to be able to wear it. (I may also occasional stroke dresses like this too!!)

But the other day I decide to play dress up so I could show you the dress. its very girly. Very cute and most importanly, very comfy!

WARNING!!!!

Yes, my leg are actually that pale! If I could put fake tan on with out streaks I would, but, alas, I can't!!!

I ordered a size 22 and it really is true to size. I think the next time I wear it, i'd like to try some shape wear, maybe a Gok Wan style kinda body to nip my waist in and give me better boob lift.

I definitely think this will be one of the dress I wear the hell out off when I  go abroad. With a little denim jacket and some bright coral sandals??

What do you think re the fake tan? should I try it?

Toni x