The Big Boot Challenge revisited pt2 - Simply Be

After revisiting The Big Boot Challenge a few weeks weeks ago I decided to review a few more pairs of boots to show you some of the choice that are available this year. 

The second pair I have to show you is another pair from Simply Be*.

These boots are from the Legroom range and retail at £89. 

For this pair of boots I decided to get a leg fitting down and try the Curvy Plus in an E fit. Curvy Plus fits up to 518mm calves.

As you can see on this pair I have less bagging around the ankles and although I would struggle to get a pair of skinny jeans tucked in to these, I actually prefer them.

As with any leather boots they are very stiff and took a few wears before they stopped hurting, but now they fit like a glove.

I will definitely get my wear out of these boots this winter. I never realised how well tan boots go with everything!!!

Toni 

*these boots were gifted to me. All opinions are my own.

The Big Boot Challenge Revisited - Simply Be

One thing I find extremely difficult to buy is knee boots. Over the last few years more and more brands have taken the plunge and stocked wide and extra wide calf boots.

Last year I was lucky enough to review a variety of different wide calf boots that were on the market.

This winter there seems to be an even wide choice of boots available to women with wide calves. 

The first pair that I am looking at are these beauties from Simply Be.

I ordered these boots with the intention of returning them once I had tried them on and taken pictures. However, once I had tried them on it quickly became clear they weren't going to get returned!

I ordered the Extra Curvy Plus in an EEE fitting. The calf sizes on these boots is 556mm, which is 55cm. I ordered the bigger calf fitting with the hope that I could tuck my skinny jeans in to them.

I can easily fit jeans in to them. I could have actually tucked jeans in to the next size down, which fits up to 522mm.

As you can see from the first picture they are slightly baggy around the ankle to that only due to the fact that the EEE fitting is very very generous.

For £65 these boots really are value for money. They look great will dresses, jeggings and skinny jeans.

Toni x

I want it all and I want it now!!!

I am really feeling the effects of moving house and the forth coming Christmas festivities, so have been doing lots of online window shopping of late. I thought i'd show what I am currently lusting afterwards.

Evans 

 Fan Print Top £32

Live Unlimited Ponte Biker Jacket £65

Black Swing Tunic £23

Live Unlimited Purple Top £45

Monochrome Jumper £35

Yours Clothing

Skater Dress with PU Sleeves £30

Floral tunic £30

Cowboy Boots £75

Black PU Waterfall Jacket £49.99

Start Print Jumper £26

Simply Be
Rose and Lace Print Dress £35

Chloe Skinny Jeans £40

Floral Print Doll Dress £45
Regatta Jacket £90
Animal Jacquard Dress £35

These items would be part of my perfect winter capsule wardrobe. Add leggings, tights, a couple of cardigans and a few pairs of boots et voila!

OOTD

I have to admit, since I started blogged and especially in the last 6 month, I have become an avid dress wearer.

I dont know if its because of the gained confidence or the fact they make me feel more girly, but around 70% of my wardrobe is now dresses!!!

My latest offering comes from the one and only Simply Be. As always I know that I can rely on Simply Be when I want dresses... I am currently lusting after about 7!!!

This dress is available in three different prints. This one is the bows and spot print.

I got a size 22 and it is a tad big, mainly on the arms, but it was still wearable!

What I wore...

Dress - Simply Be*

Tights - M&S - THEY HAVE TAGS IN THE BACK!!!!

Toni x

* donotes that the item was gifted to me. 

OOTD

On Saturday night I had a rare night out with three of my best friends. We don't see each other as much as we would like to but when we do get together it always gets messy. Saturday night was no exception.

I always have a battle with myself when it comes to picking an outfit, so decided to only take one option with me.

Whilst recently browsing on the Simply Be website I came across this beautiful fishtail top in the sale for £19.

I am not sure how I missed this when it came out but I knew I had to have it!

Teamed with my trusty black skinny jeans, a black vest (as the top is quite see through) and some silver heels.... I was ready to go!!

I love a good night out but 6am bedtimes are no go for me.... two days later and I am still feeling it!

Toni x

Plus North pt2

I apologise now for how picture heavy this post will be but I can't seems to find the words to say how much it means to Becky and myself that you all travelled, stayed came and enjoyed!

We need you guys just as much as we need the sponsors!

For me, they day went buy in a such a blur and I didnt get to say hello to loads of people that I would have liked to.

As always we welcome all feedback, good and bad! We are not perfect or professional event organisers  and as such there is going to be things we learn from each year!!


Heres to Plus North 2014!!!

All photography is credited to Kitty Jackson Photography

Toni x

Plus North - Pt1 - Day Dress

As I already mentioned in yesterdays post, last Saturday was the day that me and Becky had been working hard to organise for the last year! PLUS NORTH!

From all the blogs and pictures I have seen I think we can call this years event a success, even if I do say it myself!!

Through blogging I have been lucky to build some fantastic relationships with brands. None more so then Simply Be. I kid you not, half of my wardrobe is made up of Simply Be and my bank account definitely knows when it payday and I have to pay my account!!

As Simply Be were one of our main sponsors this year they kindly offered to dress me for the day event.

I fell in love with the Project D London Piccadilly dress but sadly it was, and still is out of stock :-(

As an alternative I picked another Project D dress. The Lincoln Maxi dress from the past season.

As always, when you have your heart set on something and then it doesn't happen I was a tad gutted, and until Saturday morning I still wasn't 100% sure that I liked the dress.

But I have to say it felt faaaabbbulous on! I received loads of compliments on the dress!

Image courtesy of KJP 

I could have maybe done with a pin to cover my modesty around the boob area, but apart from that I am glad I stuck with the dress and wore it!!

What do you think?

Toni x

OOTD - Pure and Simple

Some times I don't think about an outfit, I just throw on the first thing that I come across. The other day was no exception!

Stripy jumper - ASOS Curve

Skinny Jeans - Chloe's from Simply Be

PS. LESS THAN ONE WEEK UNTIL PLUS NORTH....

Toni x

OOTD - Simply Be

Last weekend was my my grandma's 85th birthday and to celebrate the family got together and went to the local pub for a meal.

 A few weeks before I was very  kindly sent a few items from Simply Be to review.

One of the items I received was the Project D London Queens print dress.  When the Project D line first came out I wasn't 100% sure It was to my taste, but the more I look at it the more I want the rest of the range!!

I got so many compliments on the dress during the day. It left amazing on and although there was a lot of ruffled feather at the price tag when they first came out, you can definitely feel where the extra money has been spend.

The AW project D is out now and has the most amazing Olympia maxi dress!

Toni x

Simply Be - Plus North Spotlight Post

The second part of our Plus North countdown is highlighting Simply Be.

As we all know Simply Be is one of our biggest supporters, and as Becky has already said, without their support last year Plus North might not be the event it is now!

Simply Be are one of, if not, my favourite plus size brand. As well as basics, Simply Be always have on trend fashionable items. In the last few 18 months Simply Be have also gone that one step further and started opening store on the High St. With more to open in the next six months, I think we can safely say Simply Be are here to stay! and providing they keep churning out amazing items, I am sure to be a customer with them!

For the spotlight blog we were each sent this amazing denim style shirt. I adore very thing that is Western at the moment (Can't wait for Nashville Season two!!) and I am sure I wouldn't be out of place in Nashville wearing this dress!

I wore it simply with a pair of tights and tan brogues. This dress could seriously be styled in a million ways.. for me all I need is a pair of cowboy boots and a oversized cardi this would be my perfect outfit.... However, this dress will have be forever hung in my wardrobe.... let me explain!!

When I received the dress I quickly tried it on and thought to myself.... oooo, this is a bit generous.... and it never thought about it again until I was taking the photos....

Sadly I was sent the dress in a size 30 and didn't realise until I took the dress off and checking the size. For a perfect fit I would have needed a 22 or 24...

Maybe when the sale is on I might might it in my correct size.

Dont forget to check out how the other ladies wore their dress!

Becky

Rosie

Hanna

Mhairi

#FFF - Beer Garden attir

Fatshionolgie 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 showing that a variety of style can be rocked on a variety of body shapes.

This months theme is Beer Garden Attire... and what perfect weather we have to show this theme.

Ill admit that I wasn't in a beer garden went this photo was took, I was actually outside Panache HQ in Sheffield, But i would definitely wear this on a summers evening in the pub!!

See how happy I am in the sunshine!!! lol!!!

What I wore....

Skirt - Primark (size 20)
White Vest - Simply Be (old)
Denim Jacket - New Look Inspire

Make sure you check out the other ladies posts too!!!

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/

OOTD

Seems like ages since I last posted an outfit of the day!

On Wednesday myself and Becky toddled over the Manchester to meet Rosie for a meeting with Simply Be and Label PR for Plus North.

It was stoooopidly hot and I didn't really dress for the occasion!

I  had decided that I wanted to wear an ASOS Curve dress that seems to have been sat in my wardrobe for ages.

I loved it as soon as I saw it on the site but waited for it to go in the sale before I bought it!

Excuse the hotel mirror photo. It was hot and sweaty and I didn't have the patient to pose for photos.

My only issue with ASOS Curve dresses is that they are a tad too long for me.. I like them to sit just above my knee.

Toni x

PS. Thank you sooooo much to everyone who nominated Plus North and me and Becky for Best Event and Best Achievement at the Plus Size Awards.... If you can spare two minutes to vote for us to win we would realllllly love you for ever!!!

OOTD and 30 Day Challenge.

HIIIIIIIIIIIIII, I’m back!! I decided to have a blogging holiday! What with things getting a bit mental with Plus North (9 weeks on Saturday!!!) and trying to find a new house, I could feel myself falling in to the deep dark abyss, so took a step back!

I know that I am exceeding bad at completing challenges, but when Vicky suggested a monthly challenge with themes during the #psbloggers chat I thought I’d give it another bash.

Vicky has come up with a list of fab ideas.  So, starting tomorrow, along with my normal posts you will have something a bit different to read and maybe get to know ME a little better!

For today though, I have for you an OOTD.

I purchased this top a few weeks ago from Evans and couldn’t decide whether I liked it or not. And I wasn’t sure of it when I had it on. But I got quite a few complements on it, especially the colour of it and that it was ‘my colour’.

Yet again, I teamed it with my trust Chloe skinnies from Simply Be (best jeans ever!) and a pair of flats.

I really like how unusual the top is at the back.

I really like how unusual the top is at the back.

This is a size 22/24 and as much as I hate dual sizing, It was a really good fit. I often find the size variance in Evans can leave a lot to be desired.

What do you think? Should I wear Blue more?

Toni 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

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

Fat Fabulous Four - Sport Luxe

Hello my lovelies! Hope you are enjoying the sunshine?

This weeks FFF is Sport Luxe..... the words alone fill my head with dread! I don't know why but it's just not me. I have images of cropped tracksuits, trainers, Adidas vest tops etc etc. I won't lie it has taken me ages to decide what I should wear for this post.

I initially thought I'd wear body con and converse, but It looked ridiculous! One day ill show you the out takes!!

In the end I settled on this!

Maxi dress, Pumps and Denim jacket. I'm still not sure if  I can call this sports luxe, but hey ho!

What I wore......

Maxi Dress - Simply Be
Pumps - Clothing at Tesco (old)
Denim Jacket - New Look Inspire

What do you think?

Done forget to check out Becky, Mhairi and Rosie posts too!!!

Toni x