February 28, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 3 Comments

OOTD: Dress Up/Fancy Friday – Venus in Blue Jeans*

I know that technically speaking jeans on a Friday in the office mean “Dress Down Friday”, but for those that know me, jeans are not something I wear generally as I never really feel that comfortable, and therefore, to me this is dressing up! You will also note that I haven’t just worn jeans and a t-shirt….. As if I would leave it at that!

Jacket – Old (from Evans Seven Range – gives you an idea how old!) Size 24
Ankle Grazer Jeans –Evans (2011/2012) Size 20
Top – Taking Shape (available here at £25.00) Size L (UK22) I LOVE THIS TOP
Scarf – Ebay

I have been very surprised at how much I have really loved wearing this outfit today, I can see it becoming one of my many faves!

As the top is the only item that is currently available to purchase, I can tell you that I was very surprised at, again, how flattering it is, and it shows off my curves. The quality of the material is, as with all the Taking Shape items I have had the privilege to experience to date, of an extremely high quality, consisting of a thicker than your normal Tee material. If you like the look of it, check it out because you would not be disappointed!

Have you had a dress up day today, what did you wear?

Check out the others taking part in this challenge:

1) Myself – Plus Size & Proud
2) Maricel – My Closet Catalogue
3) Sabrina – Sabrina Au Fait
4) Leah – Morning Ink
5) Nadia – My Hartjie
6) Vanessa – Ness Bow
7) Marta – Mimosas And Fashion
8) Motown – This is Motown
9) Camila – The Geek Chick
10) Kate – What Kate Did Next
11) Alena – Pennies To Pins
12) Nicole – High Latitude Style
13) Dapperdolly – Substance and Style
14) Bec – Daisy and the Fox
15) Tasha – Jazzy Savvy
16) Marlena and Jessi Here Pretty Kitty

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

* Venus in Blue Jeans

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Venus in Blue Jeans”
Single by Jimmy Clanton
Released	1962 (1962)
Writer(s)	Howard Greenfield Jack Keller

“Venus In Blue Jeans” is a 1962 song written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller.^[1] It was recorded in 1962 by Jimmy Clanton, peaking at #7 on the Billboard charts.^[2] It appeared on the Chum Charts in Toronto on September 3, 1962 at position #46. It stayed on the CHUM Chart for 11 weeks peaking at #5 on October 1, 1962.^[3] The song was also performed by Mark Wynter, reaching #4 on the UK charts.Was also performed by New Rochelle NY singer Bruce Bruno.^[4]^[1] Jack Keller was dating Eileen Berner, about whom the song was written.

February 27, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 4 Comments

Jumping on the “Cut for Evans” Bandwagon!

There was a time when Evans was pretty much the only Plus Size Clothing retailer out there, but in recent months with, competition increasing, it had been said they had lost it somehow, the range just wasn’t “edgy” enough to keep up with the likes of ASOS Curve and, more recently, OneOne3. I can’t actually remember the last time I bought from Evans, it has been a while, but is this about to change?

Evans recently released their new range “Cut for Evans“

‘Cut for Evans’ is a new collection unveiling the future of plus size design.
Students from Bournemouth and Kingston Universities, known for their strong print and knitwear design divisions, entered the competition to see their designs launched online and at Evans’ flagship store.
The collection showcases Alice Farrow’s contemporary and bold prints and Rebecca Partington’s fun and unique knitwear pieces.

However, there has been much debate out in Bloggersville regarding the new range, and somewhat divided in some cases. Although I have yet to experience it for myself, and if I am honest I am unsure whether I will…. Jury is still out for me on this one. What do you think?

Here are some of the items I prefer from the collection

Prices range from £19.50 (leggings) to £49.50 (Jumpsuit)

(** Stock Photos Courtesy of Evans**)

To avoid the risk of repeating what others have already said, and to give my fellow Bloggettes a shout-out, please check out the below who have also reviewed the range. I do have to admit that my opinion has improved from my initial view having read these blogs, and seeing some of the designs on people of different shapes and sizes, but I still can’t decide whether I like it enough to buy into it…. We shall see…. But be sure, that if I do I will be telling you all about it!

Betty at Pamper & Curves
Cass at Plump Parsnip
Danielle Vanier
Debz at I’m a Wannabe Princess
Callie at From the Corners of the Curve
Katie at Toodalookatie

Have you experience of “Cut for Evans“?

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

February 26, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 3 Comments

#OMCZ 27: Red Carpet Glamour

A fortnight has passed already and it’s that time again, #OMCZ 27! This week’s theme has been chosen by the lovely Becky, and this is what she wrote:

As it is award season I would love to see some Red Carpet Glamour. Be inspired by some of the amazing outfits that have been down the red carpet and try and incorporate some of the key trends that seem to be appearing (colour blocking, bold colours, black and white) or even try and emulate your favourite stars red carpet look.

I did worry about this one a bit…. I try to incorporate the theme into my every day wear, and although my work colleagues at the day job know I’m a bit eccentric, and I’m not afraid to be a bit different in what I wear, to wear what I would really like to wear, and what I see as the ultimate red carpet outfit might just be a little bit too much for the office on a Wednesday, even by my standards…. Here is one of the most inspirational people for me and what I see as red carpet glamour personified, Ms Beth Ditto!

The fact I also do not possess anything remotely similar to this in my wardrobe as well also proved a problem…. Lol!

So I looked at some of the other influential people within plus size celebrities, Melissa McCarthy, Gabourey Sidibe, Amber Riley and Adele to name a few. Although I could probably have put together something that Adele may wear from my more vintage styled items in my wardrobe, I decided to go with Rebel Wilson….. Here is a photo of Rebel on the red carpet and here is my spin, adding that little bit of me to the mix. This may seem a little safe for me, but I still like it! What do you think?

Dress – Given to me by a friend (BHS – Size 20)
Shoes – Old (prompted today to be renamed #WinklepickerWednesday)
Bag – Old
Necklace – Old
Hair Flower / Fascinator – Off With Her Head Millinery by Lisa Jones

Which celebrity red carpet look would you like emulate?

Be sure to check out my lovely fellow Bloggettes also taking part in this challenge:

Natalie – http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk
Nikki – http://www.nattynikki.com
Stephanie – http://www.seeingspots.co.uk
Becky – http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Mary – http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Hollie – http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Erin – http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk
Debz – http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk
Becca – http://thegirlwiththeplait.blogspot.co.uk
Rebs – http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk
Katt – http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk
Leah – http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Mookie – http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk
Danielle – http://www.daniellerharris.com
Beverley – http://www.thecurvyword.com
Sam – http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk
Gillian – http://www.weegillie.com
ME – http://plussizeproud.wordpress.com
Abi – http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

February 24, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 0 comments

OOTD: Rock Chick!

Yet again I am featuring my new favourites Taking Shape! I saw the Starburst Gilet when I went for my personal shopping experience, but swayed away because I always go for red & black, but having since seen it had been reduced even more to only £19.00, I had to go back and snap it up! You can too here! This was originally £90.00, was £45.00 when I was first in store, but as I have already said, now only £19.00. What a bargain!!!!!

The pictures I have had taken today don’t really show you how this is really flattering, and shows off my waist to perfection. Yes, I do have one….. Lol! But, the person I asked to help me with the photos is 6ft8ins, which in some respects is good, but you can’t see my curves as well as I could when I took my usual sub-standard photo, head on, in the toilet mirror with the lovely hand wash station behind me….. Lol!

I teamed this up with the Integra 3/4 Sleeve Body Tee which is part of TS’s Essential range, which are classed as an under-garments and are ideal for wearing underneath certain garments, and a really fantastic idea. Well done TS!

Being a shorty, the gilet does come up quite long on me, but I think it still looks amazing, and with my Slimma Leggings I got last Summer from Simply Be (similar here), I think this is a really flattering, comfortable look, for day or night!

To keep the chill off, as there is still a nip in the air, I also had my faithful TS Decorous Jacquard Vest closeby, which is also available in the sale for £19.00, however, I was very lucky to have been gifted this by TS when I went to the store. However, I actually prefer the overall look without the vest, as I feel the vest hides my shape, but it is ideal to give that extra layer for added warmth until the sun decides to stay with us for a bit longer than a few minutes!

The majority of the Joolz are also from my friend’s TS, with the exception of the “Rock” necklace, which was one of my thrifty charity shop purchases at the weekend (see post here). The TS Joolz are also available in their sale. Here are some pics of the jewellery taken from the website to give you a better idea (note one necklace I have on which I purchased in store cannot be found online):

Top Notch Necklace
Was £20.00 Now £5.00!
** Stock Photo Courtesy of Taking Shape **

Magnetic Field Bracelet
Was £15.00, Now £5.00
** Stock Photo Courtesy of Taking Shape **

The ankle boots are my good old Ebay find before Christmas all they way from China, and having looked today cannot find them now…. Sorry. There are lots very similar out there if you fancy something like this. I love these boots, they look good with so many different outfits.

As you all know I do like a good old vintage look, but I have to say I loved releasing my inner Rock Chick today! What look have you taken on this Manic Monday?

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

February 22, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 1 Comment

You Can’t Beat… Charity Shop Buys! Thrifty Pic Post x

Vintage-esk Tee (Brown) Originally Union Blue Size 20 – £2.99
“Rock” Necklace Originally Claire’s – Also £2.99

Thank you British Heart Foundation! A very worthy charity, and you can help by visiting the website and donating now!

Who doesn’t love a fab charity shop purchase…. What is your fave charity shop find?

Hope you are having a fab weekend.

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

February 21, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 4 Comments

Blogger Challenge: Dress Up / Fancy Friday….. Well, DEFINITELY Dress Up Friday (and not a Fascinator in sight!!!)

As this week has been half term and I have had some time off from the day job to spend quality time with Mini Me, I have been very much a Slack Alice when it comes to keeping the blog updated…… Sorry :-( Today, to be fair, isn’t much better, but I did spend the day with a very good friend of mine, who has been my friend for 22 years now, and even though we are now 40 and 39 respectively, we still like to play dress up like all little girls (us being somewhat big girls now in more ways than one…. Lol!).

So I packed my bag with a number of new acquisitions to my wardrobe, and my lovely friend got out her new additions to her wardrobe and we played dress up….. And what fun we had! I even managed to bag myself something from her wardrobe that she didn’t feel was right for her anymore (the deep red dress in bottom right of the pic).

I’m not going to go into each item now, as this blog is not about the items themselves, it is all about the fun that we just had, two old friends, and when I say old, I only mean in the length of time we have been friends, as we will never grow up completely…. Hahaha! Just having fun playing dress up with our new clothes as if we were kids again…. Big kids…. Hee hee.

Each item featured in the picture will receive their own individual review in due course, once half term is is over, and things get back to normal……

What have you done today, have you played dress up too?????

Check out the others taking part in this challenge:

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x

February 18, 2014 by PlusSize&Proud - 1 Comment

Blast from the Past

I’ve got some time off from the day job this week as it is half term, and decided some quality time with the 5-year-old was in order, plus I save some pennies from not paying for childcare! And as I was catching up on some long overdue chores, dancing around to old skool Prodigy, thinking how I have nothing to share with you guys this week so far (I really did peak too soon last week didn’t I?), I thought I would try to locate a photo of me back in the 90’s when I was strutting my stuff on the dance floor to the original Prodigy, and how I look today…. Well may be not literally today as it has pretty much been a PJ day!

So here goes….. The Nineties

Here I am pre one of those infamous nights out on the tiles with my very good friend Louise, who’s house I frequently crashed at, being the one that lived out in the sticks! Now, she may not thank me for putting this picture out in to Cyberspace, but I think she may just be able to forgive me as we have been bosom buddies ever since and life would not be the same without her (sorry for the little gush of love for my friend there.)

Now the Noughties

IMG_20140215_113130

Me on Saturday sporting my fabulous #FreebieFriday tunic from Pink Clove UK, which I absolutely love (blog review on this here), before I underwent my Taking Shape transformation! Check out my blog post about that here if you missed it.

Much of a difference? How did you look in the 90’s compared to today?

Look out for more Outfit of the Day posts later in the week as I peel myself out of my PJ’s and get back to normality….

If you have liked what you have read today and would like to be kept up to date with future posts, follow me here: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Tumblr / Bloglovin’

BIG Love

S x