New Years Eve.

Dress: c/o navabi. Fake fur collar: Off a coat.

Now I may not be out partying this New Years (if I had been I would have been a major third wheel!) but it doesn't surely mean I can't dress up? I was lucky enough to be asked by navabi if I'd like to try out one of there party dresses for the festive season and I decided to give this stunning floor length number a go. Now I have to admit my photographs don't do this beauty justice! Unfortunately with being left with my old digital camera due to my brother moving away with his swanky camera I wasn't able to get pictures I was completely happy with but I just wanted to show you it anyway!

This is floor length and as I tower at a mere 5'2 it certainly drags along the floor, even with heels on which obviously means it's great for all you ladies who tower above me and lets be honest that's the majority! So this is something I can stand in and feel extremely glamorous and grown up but have to hold up to walk in. I've chosen to wear the fur collar as not only was it freezing when I was snapping these but this is also very low cut and I wanted to keep this post a 12A.

This dress is something the Rosie of this time last year wouldn't have gone for but I'm so glad I've developed my style and hope to up it another level in 2014. As cheesy as it sounds I can't wait for my blog to grow with me as I've had some utterly amazing opportunities in 2013 and I'm looking forward to jumping into 2014 and seeing where life takes me.

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Polka Dot Pretties.

 Xelence Mini Spot Tights - Light Shape Dress Size 16-20.

Xelence 30 Denier Semi Opaque Tights - Light Shape Dress Size 16-20

Dress: Dorothy Perkins Concession. Glasses: Jeepers Peepers.

I was contracted way before Christmas by the lovely team at Charnos to see if I'd like to review some tights from there XeLence range which are made with us plus size girls in mind and go up to a size 32. I received the size 16-20 in both styles, though I have to admit I was a little dubious initially as I always tend to size up with tights as so often if I buy ones that will only reach to my knees! Of course I needn't have worried as even though I'm at the top of the size bracket they fit like a dream and don't really cut into my stomach at all!

I was really excited to receiving the polka dot pair as I've been swooning over this cutesy look for so long but just didn't want to risk such thin tights because I've lost count of the times I've put my fingers through tights when trying to yank them on! When I originally popped these pretties on I was really careful not to snag anything but they pulled up really easily are very soft to the touch and even with them being thin I didn't feel like I was going to have to carry a bottle of clear nail varnish with me to stop any ladders! The second pair of tights being perfect for daily and basic wear and something I'd certainly feel comfortable wearing all day in the office or at uni, another thing I noticed when I wore these out was that they didn't fall down a lot either which is always a nice thing!

Each pair of Charnos Xelence is constructed with a higher denier yarn on the thigh area to help combat chub rub which I personally think is a fab idea but doesn't feel like it's heavier or tighter on your skins. They also each have a clever feature of a single layer waistband which helps eliminate the elastic band effect you can get across your stomach when wearing tights (I get this ALL THE TIME!) Priced between £7 to £10 I do think this is a great price for such a wonderful piece of hosiery and I certainly plan to order some more in myself in the future.

I think Charnos have really hit the nail on the head by saying there Xelence range is Custom Made For Curves and I can't wait to see more!

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Fat girl in a crop top AGAIN?!

Velvet crop top: River Island. Disco Pants: Simply Be. Heels: c/o Simply Be.

I'm trying to keep this short and sweet as I'm all sickly and gross and just want to curl into a ball under my duvet for the next 12 hours or so! In case you haven't realised I've had a slight love affair with crop tops in the last year. I do realise they are something as a plus size women people think I should stay away from but obviously I never listen to what people think I'm "supposed to wear". 

I actually originally saw this top on the lovely Bee from The Littlest Buzz who wore it with the matching skirt when I first briefly met her at the Gok event (p.s blog soon to come on that and I bought the matching skirt as well!) I simply adored the colours and of course that it's a velour material which is something I swoon over as soon as September hits us! I decided to be brave and pair it with my disco pants which I have a love/hate relationship with. I love how comfy and tight fitting they are but I always get paranoid over how they look above the crotch and haven't ever really found a top that matters them but for this I decided to hell with it and paired them with this crop.  

P.S I know you can see a visible belly line but it's part of me and who I am so I'm not deciding to embrace it a little more - STARTING NOW!

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All Stars.

1. 2. 3. 4.

I've always been a fan of Converse, the love affair started when they were THE coolest thing to own if you were a wannabe emo. Of course now I'd pair them with pretty tea dresses and quirky retro styles where as the 13 year old Rosie would have worn ill fitting skinny jeans, a black top, striped hoodie of some kind and truly hideous wonky eyeliner.

Littlewoods range of Converse is almost second to none, they have all the classic colours and a range of low tops or high tops. My first pair of converse (which were bright pink and black, oh so emo) were high tops and as much as these were the most popular look I now much prefer low tops as they look so much cuter with tear dresses and frilly socks! They of course range in price but these were my top four which you could wear with all manner of outfits, you can take a look on the links at the bottom of the image for more information. I can't wait to try out some Chuck Taylors in the future as I have so many idea's for looks with the items. These would also look fab with turned up jeans a slick of red lipstick and a breten style tee which I tend to style quite often for interviews among other bits and bobs!

What's your favourite style of Converse?

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The Rich is Back!

Wearing all Benefit on my face bar face powder, concealer and a red lip stain used to enhance the gloss.

This is part of my make up looks with the fabulous Limited Edition Matthew Williamson The Rich is Back Makeup Kit from Benefit. The lovelies who sent me this said create anything you like and as I'm very much still an amature when it comes to applying make up so this was certainly something different! Now if we were talking lipstick I could do that like a pro but generally speaking I never bother with my eyes as they're either covered by my glasses or my annoying thick hair. I was most excited for the mini mascara to arrive as  I've seen so much hype around the piece that I wanted to try one for myself! I wouldn't say it's life changing moment when I pop it on but it keeps my lashes dark and thick without it all smudging down the road in the rain after you've ran everywhere else too! My look is an alternative on the classic Cat Eye flick!

Step by Step:

1. Covered whole eye socket in disco dust, taking particular attention to the corner of my eyes.
2. Kept Solid Gold concentrated on my lid only to create the a shimmering effect when layered.

3. shaded with Get Down Brown and blended with some more Solid Gold

4. Put a cotton ball dipped into water and dampen the end of a fine eyeliner brush (mines from Real Techniques) and line eyes with a flick using Feel So Teal.
5. Lightly used Get Down Brown and Feel So Teal sparingly on my lower lash line.
6. Curled my lashes then used They're Real Mascara and used the tip for lower lashes.

7. I used a felt tip lip stain under the gloss to give a slightly more intense colour.
8. Finally used Gimme Fever lightly on cheeks and also on my brow bone to catch the light.

I'm no beauty whizz but I was super happy with how this look came out! And of course also loved this fab set! I've always been a fan of Benefit Cosmetics but always shied away from anything but there primers but this would be fabulous as a gift for some of my nearest and dearest as even though the colours aren't something I'd normally wear they're all set out to compliment each other beautifully! This was my first ever kind of beauty post so I'm still a little wobbly with my descriptions! This look was used in an upcoming outfit post and I'll be posting my second look shortly!

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Meet Taking Shape!

Coat: c/o Taking Shape. Jeggings: Excite Clothing. Dress: Matalan. Scarf: Primark. 

What now seems like an age ago I was contacted in regards to a well known Australia and New Zealand 

 brand with oodles (yes I said oodles) of experience which has newly launched in the UK. This brand of course is named Taking Shape! They carry a number of brands to suit an array of lovely ladies. In my eyes I'm probably the youngest of there spectrum but when looking through the site I did see a few pieces I know would work brilliantly within my current eclectic wardrobe including this Highland Rose Top!

I was lucky enough to be asked to choose something from the site and when I saw this coat I couldn't resist. I've been looking for a new winter coat since last year after I realised my previously beloved duffle was more snug than I wished for it to be. I went for a size 22 as I've been feeling like my size has fluctuated within stores lately (whether that's due to all the crisps I eat or companies sizing I can't decide!) so I size up but once it arrived I realised I really needed have worried about it as a size 20 would have fitted fine with room for a jumper underneath! Luckily for me the 22 doesn't look like it's swamping me so I'm happy with that all I've got to do is take the arms up a little because I have short arms! I styled this with my beloved tartan scarf which I haven't stopped wearing since I bought it at the start of September. My new dress I picked up from Matalan yesterday for a fiver and my insanely comfortable leggings from excite clothing!

Taking Shapes price points are a whole range depending on what you're looking for. I'd say the pieces are made to last and be worn often as the first thing I do when I get a garment is check the stitching (problems of being a fashion design student!) and I have to say this coat is beautiful made, so I'm super impressed! 

Have you checked out what Taking Shape have to offer and seen anything that's taken your fancy? Let me know in the comments below!

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Golden Renaissance with Simply Be.

It all happened on slightly grey day in October but that didn't matter because me and 3 other fabulous bloggers were there to make the place glow (or in my case get VERY shiny, forgot how boiling it is under lighting!) Of course there was lots of of planning involved mostly by the utterly fabulous team at Simply Be a huge thank you to them for thinking of me and letting me have this opportunity! You can check out the Simply Be website, blog and Facebook page for lots more snaps of us all together and solo! Simply be were also nice enough to pop me into the Doubletree Hilton right by Piccadilly station in Manchester the night before (it is sad to admit that I was overly excited because when I was 17 I once hunted down One Direction there?..)
I met my babes Rachel and Nancy in the bar (I've never met Nancy in person until then but lets just say we had a connection and I LOVE HER) Of course I love Rachel equally as much to!

Then bright an early the next morning we also met up with with adorable Allie as we were all bleary eyed due to the 7.30am set off time and bundled into a mini bus to make it too our wonderful location where we were all united as the awesome foursome when the complete babe  Betty Pamper joined us! The MUA and hair stylists were amazing listening to what our usual looks were or what we wanted to try, I am now slightly obsessed with fake eyelashes! We were put into our rather fabulous outfits and it was ready to shoot! Of course we were constantly primped and primed so we looked right in each shot, I was worried I'd look overly awkward as I'm far more used to being behind the camera on shoots like this not in front of them but thankfully the photographer was a doll and called me sweetpea and somehow got me to naturally smile in the pictures!

Before I begin the mass of photographs below I just want to thank Simply Be again for the opportunity at letting me play model for the day and for letting me get the chance to spend some times with people I was already lucky enough to know and two new fabulous ladies I can now certainly class as friends!

Be... The Sweetest Rose

Be...Ready To Rock 'n' Roll

Be... Unique

Be... Proud of the Women You Are

Be... Pretty as a Pin Up

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Rain Coat.

Dress: New Look Inspire. Jumper: Asos Curve. Jacket: c/o Bonmarche.

The lovely people over at Bonmarche asked if I'd like to review an item from there new pieces what seemed like an age ago now but due to work, my new degree course and Loss of camera and equipment it's taken me a good while to get the post up and for that I can't apologise enough. At the moment everything is still settling so my posts are becoming pretty sporadic but please do stick with me, I'll be back on a more regular basis soon I hope!

I've been looking for a practical yet cute and classic rain coat for quite some time! It needed to be something that still suited my style but also worked well for Girl Guiding too and I think this jacket has hit the nail on the head perfectly! The only downside to this for me is that I think it runs a little small as I can do it up but wouldn't be able to get many layers under neath, If I was going to order again I'd probably consider sizing up personally. As you can see I actually got to test it out weather wise as when I was shooting these the heavens opened and I have to say it stood pretty well with the sudden downpour!

So cute, pretty comfy and easy to throw on or carry around. Over all top points for practicality! I finished this with my cute printed dress from New Look inspire which is really short but I can just get away with it when I wear tights and my usual red lipstick! Have you ever thought of checking out Bonmarche before now? I know as a 20 year old alot of people wouldn't think of it as there first port of call but they have some stunning pieces in this season including the fabulous David Emanuel classics.

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Curvissa - The Shoot!

I was lucky enough WAY back at the end of August to be invited to the filming of Curvissa's Autumn/Winter Campaign. I've been meaning to get this post up for utterly ages but due to a few things life has thrown at me lately I haven't been able to and for that I'm so utterly sorry! I met the fabulous Betty Pamper and her adorable daughter Betty (Cute overload!) on set and we went about  meeting some of the lovely Curvissa team and of course the models. Betty being a total pro with interviewing lark set away chatting to models asking some fantastic questions, ones I'd probably would have only thought about asking once I was on the train home knowing me! I of course did have some lovely chats with the models particularly Gemma who you can see me photographed with below, she was an utter babe! You can see below a few snaps of the day (please excuse my face in the photographs below!)

Gemma and myself.

The lovely Laura.

The acting pup melted my heart, the cheeky little scamp!

I had a fabulous afternoon being behind the scenes and checking out the upcoming collections and I can actually say I can't wait to get my hands on some. Whenever I think of Curvissa the first thing that comes to mind is how much detail can go into each piece! Keep a look out on the blog for a post of me wearing the cold shoulder dress above and you'll know what I mean (They have little buttons perfectly sewn by each split! So lovely!) For a much more detailed view of the day check out Betty Pampers wonderful post here!

And of course without further a do below is the FABULOUS advert! 

Curvissa are running a Facebook competition where you lovely lot can win £150 worth of vouchers to spend on the site which ends on the 18th October! Take a look here for more info!

They are also currently offering 20% Off for new customers! I'm currently lusting over this lace sleeved top. Perfect for the up coming party season. (PS they've also got 10% off partywear!)

I just want to thank Curvissa for inviting me along as I totally LOVED it! And as a fashion student it proved to be not only extremely interesting but also fab research for myself!

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Hearts and Heritage.

Shirt: New Look Inspire via Asos. Jeggings: Excite Clothing. Biker Jacket: Dorothy Perkins. Necklace: Blackheart Creatives. Shoes: Primark.

Just a quick post from me as I got my lovely friend Jess to snap these for me super quickly on my iPhone while we were at the Gallery of Costume at Platfields in Manchester (if you're interested in clothes from all era's I'd say it's a must see and free!) We'd also spent the morning doing some market research which entailed for me to be like a ninja in The Kooples trying to get some photographs!

I wanted to be comfortable as I knew I'd be standing and wandering around all day. I didn't quite bank on how warm it would be though and ended up dying alive in my jacket but due to the fabric of the top I had to keep it on as the shirt had creased so badly! I will one day try and look less awkward in photographs people have taken for me, I worry I look weird posing but gotta take opportunities of pretty hallways or changes to my brick wall when I can! I do love this shirt though and I sized up so it would be longer in the body meaning I could wear leggings with it. Talking of leggings just in case I haven't said this before these Excite Clothing ones are to die for thick, comfortable and keep there shape well, extremely impressed!

Apologies that I seem to have lost my blogging mojo lately. Not only with starting a new course again and being at work I've also got costumes for 2 upcoming shows to think about so my mind is quite jumbled! I'm hoping in the next week or so I can managed to get some looks shot as I have so many fabulous things to show you!

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Twinwood - Part Three

Skirt, Cardigan and Pearls: c/o Collectif. Pumps: Simply Be. Bag: c/o Zatchels.

Hair flower: Primark. Sunnies: Red or Dead. Hair Bow:  c/o Punk up Bettie. Pearls: c/o Collectif.

 On the left is of the cutest couples I saw and the right is equally adorable son and mother! (What a babe!)

I'm finally at my last post about Twinwood 2013 (I think!) these photo's were mostly taken on the Monday our last day and thankfully it was a gloriously sunny one! With lots of lovely people coming to say hello and I even got chance to sneak away for 15 minutes or so to do the speedy bit of shopping and get some snaps of different area's at the event. I'm sure you'll get to see all the bits I bought eventually on here!

As I've mentioned previously Collectif were fabulous enough to supply my work with a few bits and bobs to wear for uniform when we were at our stand and bopping around during the day. We all got a few options each though unfortunately the adorable Capri pants I got sent were just so tight. I received everything in a size 22 as I know when it comes to repro I often have to size up! My pencil skirt fitted like a glove but as I'm still a little less than confident in such a piece (one day I will be) my firm favourite was the black circle skirt. It was the perfect length and just my cup of tea of course after a few hours wear it was slipping down so I did eventually borrow my editors one. We also all got sent a cardigan as well which I utterly love and is in a colour I'd never normally choose but loved wearing. The pearls has also hardly left my presence since either!

I decided to be sensible with my footwear and stick to these pretty floral pumps from the Simply Be sale and matching my socks to my cardigan too. As you can see by Monday my hair was massive and a little out of control but I decided to embrace this by just smoothing the outside of my hair and throwing on a large flower I'd otherwise be to worried to wear out and about in my hometown. One of the girls I'm lucky enough to work with actually mentioned how much I suited the more pin up girl look and of course this was such a lovely compliment I think I MAY agree with her?

After this huge ramble I'd just like to thank the whole team I work with at Vintage Life Magazine for making it such a great weekend and cheers to my lovely editor for letting me get so involved!

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Twinwood - Part Two

Glasses: c/o Specspost. Dress:c/o Lindy Bop. Accessories: c/o Collectif. Cardigan: Matalan. Shoes: Evans.

The lovely Mel, our editor Rae and myself all in Lindy Bop!

So here is my second post on the wonderful weekend that was Twinwood Festival. This is what we all wore for the Sunday night, the only evening we all ventured out together to watch the final band on the main stage opposite our stand and then head off to check out a few other places in the bar section. Where we managed to see the end of the Tootsie Rollers set, which was technically the third time seeing them and just loved them more every time. I even thought it was a good idea to hand my camera to a drunk passer by to snap the picture above this was our whole team for the weekend!

I wore my hair the same as the day but added the lovely flower clip and pearls Collectif were kind enough to send over with our uniforms (which you'll see more of in my third instalment) and this pretty swing dress the lovely guys at Lindy Bop also sponsored our team with some lovely bits to wear on the evening so we had to take them out at least once! If you're looking at ordering a dress like this from them I'd recommend sizing up as this is a 22 and I could just about breath! I also wore my own cheapo petticoat under to give it even more volume! I loved this and it makes me feel like I should embrace my vintage side even more as in my day to day life other than a slick of red lipstick I tend to keep it pretty muted.

Look out for my next instalment which is my last full day outfit which I managed to get a full snap of!

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Twinwood - Part One

I also got to meet the lovely Urban Butterfly  in the middle she's even more adorable in person!

Twinwood happened what feels like weeks ago now but I took so many photographs that I'm probably going to have to split them into 3 separate posts! Twinwood is a fabulous vintage event which is held over August bank holiday and this year I was lucky enough to go along as part of the Vintage Life team with work! I don't want to ramble to much as This is a very picture heavy post but after the first day being rainy and grey the rest of the weekend turned out to be pretty amazing! Not only did I get to meet readers of our Magazines of who I was one of until a year ago before working there but I got to see a number of fabulous bands including The Three Belles who I unfortunately didn't get to meet and the adorable Tootsie Rollers who you can see took a shine one of our boys from our new publication His Vintage Life Jimmy!

My next posts will feature my outfit for the last day and the evening outfit I was also lucky to be dressed in! I must also thank my lovely editor Rae for playing vintage hairdresser to us all over the weekend! My hasn't been as bouffant since!

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