Label Lab at House of Fraser.

Top: c/o Label Lab at House of Fraser. Leggings: Matalan. Shoes: Evans. Hair Flower: Claireabellas Closet. 

All I feel like I do is apologise for not blogging as much as I'd like to at the moment but I've been pulling extra hours at my new job as Christmas is always a crazy one! 

The lovely girls over at House of Fraser sent me this top and another in a similar style to try out and as I'm currently looking for comfortable but put together outfits for my job I knew these would be perfect for just that. So far in the colder months I've worn a long sleeved tee under these tops and either left them loose or usually with this confetti printed one I belt it. Here I'm wearing a UK22 which really I didn't need to size up at all as I'd say this one is very generous, I could have easily even sized down to a UK18. I do however still love the shape and style of this top particularly how it flows. Some of the detailing which I unfortunately struggled to photograph (but can be seen on my YouTube video!) are the exposed sections on the back which are similar to a key hole look on a garment, they'll lovely and I'm sure will be wonderful for keeping cooler in the summer months! 

I wanted the colours on the top to pop so kept the rest of my outfit muted. I however couldn't resist matching my lips to the deep rich purples on the print, I'm not sure if it works for me but make up is all about having fun anyway! The rose in my hair is also the newest edition to my hair flower collection and it's LOVE. I am a little unsure if I can fully pull it off for more than just special occasions as it's pretty huge but I don't care it's velvety and lovely! 

The other top they also sent me, which you'll see in a YouTube video very soon is also on sale! And what a bargain!? I've worn them so much already and they wash very well with no ironing or fussing, which for a lazy gal like myself is perfect. To see the full range of Plus Size at Label Lab click here.

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Elomi Nina.

Nina Set: c/o Elomi Lingerie. Cardigan: Dorothy Perkins. Hair Flower: Claireabella's Closet.

Yes another lingerie post for you today and this one has been a long time coming! I took these photos what feels like forever ago but due to all sorts I've only just had chance to post about this darling set from Elomi. I also really wanted to get this up before The Plus Size Awards but I'm glad I didn't now as I'm happy to announce that they actually won best lingerie! Which was amazing and a huge celebration all round! I will be posting about the awards separately as soon as I can as it was amazing! 

Normally I'm not an unpadded bra kind of girl. I just don't trust them, maybe it's the pure fear of potentially having some form of a nip slip but with the Nina I do feel a little more comfortable with it as the fabric is thicker. It also still gives me good shape under my tops and dresses where sometimes I worry I won't feel supported in an unpadded bra, with this though I don't feel like that which is always a good thing! Here I'm wearing a 38DD which has always been my size with Elomi every time I've been fitted by their lovely ladies. Another thing I love about this set is the knickers and that they're pretty big! I feel well covered as I do love a big pair of Bridget Jone knickers and these are comfy enough for me to wear all day without getting annoyed at them, which for me is a rarity! 

I finished the look in a vintage style so hair flower, eyeliner and painted red lips which I think works well with the details on the underwear set (which initially I was worried may look a little mums but actually I love it now!) Over all a comfortable and cute set which I feel comfortable enough to wear most of the day, until I get in from work and run for my pjs! 

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Love Is Love.

Tee: Dom&Ink for Rock on Ruby. Leggings: Matalan. Sunglasses: Claireabella's Closet. Bag: Primark. Trainers: Converse.

This is just a quick post to show you what I wore while I was away on Holiday (I know it seems like forever ago now!) I was bit of a bad blogger while I was away and hardly took any photos of my outfits at all, even though I had my trusty photographer (older brother!) with us for the week! These were very quickly taken when we were visiting Woodbridge in Suffolk. We always try to go at least once while we're away as it has some brilliant charity shops and it's a pretty nice place to just wander around. 

As soon as I saw the Dom and Ink Collection at Rock on Ruby I knew I had to get at least one top from the collection and this one just spoke to me! I've known about Dom's illustrations for awhile and   I just adore them so when I saw there was a chance I could wear them emblazoned across my chest I had to snap at the chance! Here I'm wearing a XXL but it's actually much more generous than I expected it to be so I think I could even just get away with a L depending on how relaxed a fit you wanted, but I just love it so I don't care anyway! Dom also has a seriously awesome book out called Map My Style which is currently on offer and you can get it here! 

I'm currently also lusting over this "Lets Make Out" top and think it may JUST have to be my next purchase! 

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Retro Twist - Bandelettes Review.

Bandelettes: c/o Mish Online. Dress: Alice & You at Asos. Hair Accessory: Diablo Jo's from Claireabella's Closet.

So I may be having a Marilyn Monroe moment here on purpose but it was needed! I know that the dreaded "chub rub" is something that so many women battle with whenever they choose to wear a skirt or dress without tights I know I do and I've tried some anti chafe sticks, not very glamorous let me tell you that now! And my usual choice for under anything would be my comfort shorts or a pair of cut off leggings which certainly does the job but they aren't really pretty and when I'm dressing up properly it does make it feel ever so slightly less, well dressy when I pull them on! 

So when Mish Online offered me the chance to try out a pair of Bandelettes I couldn't resist. I'd heard about these bands of lace with non slip silicone strips on the inside to battle the 'chub rub' but I have to admit I'd never tried these before because I was pretty sceptical as to whether they'd actually work but I'm happy to say they really do! Now I've not worn them for a full day where I've been walking for miles but I've worn them when I've been out for drinks etc and I didn't find any issue with them rolling down at all as this is something I was worried they may do. My only issue is that I may have measured my thighs wrong as on the edge nearest my knee they are a little loose and aren't tight to my leg there, however it hasn't seemed to compromise their performance and it's my own fault for my dodgy measuring skills! One of the things I love the most about these Bandelettes is that they look like the top of hold ups and I don't mind if my vintage dresses flip up and you see some of the lace as it looks so retro and cute!

You can find all the different styles of Bandelettes here!  

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Vintage Glamour thanks to HMS Vintage.

Photos by HMS Vintage. Dress c/o Voodoo Vixen. Necklace: Black Heart Creatives. Hair Flower: Claireabella's Closet.

Now these photos were taken quite awhile ago now but unfortunately due to being a crazy busy bee I've only just had chance to show you all on my blog. I have however posted snaps up on my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages! I was lucky enough to be offered the chance to have a little shoot with the Photographer Ian who runs HMS Vintage that is based in Manchester. I'd been desperate to do another shoot with him after taking part in one for my job at the back end of 2012! Now this shoot is different to others I've done in the past it's a little more sultry and dare I even say sexy? Normally I stick to the cute and fun look because I tend to think I'm not grown up enough for anything else but I was surprised at how sassy I kinda look! I think out of the final 3 my favourites are the hair flick an the accidental pinky! The make up was amazing and the girl who did it (whose name I can't remember because I'm awful!) was an absolute doll, I mean just look at those lashes! 

When Voodoo Vixen sent me the Emmie dress I knew I had to save it for this shoot! As I could tell that the tartan print would come out so well in black and white, You can see it below in full colour from a photo I put on Instagram on the day! I'm wearing a 2XL which is roughly a 20/22 and it fits me perfectly the fabric has a slight stretch so it just skims and hugs the body perfectly. Voodoo Vixen are quickly becoming my favourite place for plus size reproduction as they just fit so well and I don't fluctuate size wise in their range at all! I couldn't resist wearing one of my Black Heart Creative necklaces as they're my favourite indie jewellery designers and it was also a big hit from the team at HMS Vintage! 

From Instagram @aroselikethis (my make up had worn off a little!) 

Unfortunately HMS Vintage will be closing it doors for a short period of time at the end of the Month, so if you're based in the North West and fancy some snazzy photos and a Vintage Makeover I think you can still book in! I've also heard a whisper that they may be having a sample sale of the outfits they use for shoots, so if I find out more I'll of course let you know! I couldn't recommend Ian and the team enough I felt really comfortable and they event made me a brew! What more could you ask for?! 

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Do You Want Fries With That? - Love This Sunday

Swimsuit: c/o Love This Sunday. Sandals: Simply Be. Fat Babe necklace: Black Heart Creatives. Skirt: Was dress altered by me from a charity shop. Sunglasses: Claireabella's Closet.

A few weeks back now the babes over at Love This Sunday gave me the chance to style up another of their swimsuits and how could I say no to this one covered with chips?.. WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE COVERED IN CHIPS?! Yell I know I want to be. Again I've not had chance to properly test this out in deep water yet it held up fine with a little paddle and splash around. I certainly match the British seaside perfectly in this! Here I'm wearing a 3XL but I'd probably easily be able to size down it's just that I panic when looking at sizing so normally opt for the larger option as I'd rather something a little loose than too snug.

I styled it up with some cute retro sunglasses and windmill that went with my graduate collection (but really I got them because I loved them too!) and what chip covered swimsuit isn't complete without a fat babe necklace?! This skirt I've had for years but now I've cut it up a little I feel it's much more wearable and something which will be perfect now it's heating up. The sandals are old favourites from Simply Be which I bring out year after year and they still seem to look cute and work with my personal style. 

Finally I just want to say a quick sorry for not jumping back into blogging as quickly as I would have liked after getting through my degree. I'm currently trying to decide what my next move will be and what I want to do next! Exciting but also terrifying! 

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