Viva `Voluptuous.

Tankini: C/O Viva Voluptuous. Kimono: Yours (old). Sunglasses: Specspost. Hair flower: Pin Up Curl. Sandals: Simply Be (old).

I'm back with my first swimwear post of the year! Usually I've had quite a number by now but due to my hiatus unfortunately this could be the only one but what beautiful pieces to show you! I was lucky enough to be sent this Tankini from Viva Voluptuous, I normally prefer a bikini or full suit but I actually really love this.  I am wearing the bottoms in a UK20 and they fit well without digging in or riding up, something I particularly like about Viva is that the Tankini and Bikini cups come in cup sizes and for plus size women that is often need a little support up top! I'm wearing the 38DD here and they are quite generous and I fit in well without spillage and as they are not padded cups I was concerned about the cups wrinkling as my chest isn't full at the top but that wasn't an issue at all. Another concern I had that I shouldn't have worried about was whether the Tankini part over my stomach would be tight as my tummy is larger than my back but it fitted well without clinging to any areas I'd rather it didn't. Viva Voluptuous currently have a sale on the swimwear so I'd grab a fabulous bargain while you can! 

I decided to style this up in my go to retro style and my hair flower from Pin Up Curl couldn't have matched any better. I decided to change from my usual red lip for a fun candy pink which I think I'll have to pull out more as it's nice for a change! Overall I'm so impressed with Viva Voluptuous and I definitely have my eye on a few pieces of there lingerie for myself. 

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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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Lipstick Loving with Lovedrobe.

Tunic: c/o Lovedrobe. Jeggings: Matalan. Clutch: Birthday present.  Flatforms: Next. Glasses: Max&Co at Specsavers. Belt: Asos Curve.

Before I type anything else I just want to say I LOVE THIS TOP/TUNIC! 

the print is my ultimate dream, I'm sure you're all aware by now that I'm more than a little addicted to lipstick and any print related to it and this is to die for. So when Lovedrobe asked if I'd like to review something from their site I knew it HAD to be this Lipstick print chiffon tunic. With it being chiffon I was worried that I'd get too warm in it as I'm just a really hot blooded person and always boiling but surprisingly for me this was fine! I decided to order a 22/24 as I wasn't sure on sizing and in the past I've usually had to wear a UK22 with Lovedrobe but I think I'd have gotten away with the 20 in this. However I do like it being more oversized so I can belt it and wear it with leggings. The sleeves are elasticated at the bottom with means you can roll them up like I have here or have them sitting on your lower arm. 

Here I've dressed it up more but I've also worn it with a scruffy pair of converse when I've been running errands so it's really versatile. I'm hoping to go out for drinks in Manchester soon with one of my old friends and I think this top would work perfectly with some wedges and a (p)leather jacket. If you can't tell I'm totally smitten with this and I will definitely be keeping an eye out on Lovedrobes website to see if they bring anymore super cute prints out! This look is also over on my YouTube channel and you can check it out now here!

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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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Electric Tone with Swimsuits For All.

Swimsuit: c/o Swimsuits For All. Sunglasses: Specspost. Bag: H&M. 

Today I'm showing you another fabulous number from Swimsuits For All, this time it's a One Piece. Back in the day when I used to swim ALOT my only option was usually an ill fitting and pretty hideous swimsuit. Luckily today I can find all different types of costumes to fit me that I love just like this Tropiculture Underwire! Yes you heard me it's underwired, this is something I feel is often lacking in swimwear having the support of an underwire, I mean generally speaking I don't desperately need it as the foam cups will do the job for me but I know many lovely women with a larger chest than me who would much prefer the more structured support. What I particularly love about this piece is that the underwires do not dig in at all and it are extremely comfortable to wear! The straps are also detachable if you don't fancy having the tan lines, the hooks on these are extremely sturdy so you don't feel like the straps will just ping off, which believe me has happened to myself in the past! Initially I wasn't sure if I'd like the print on this as it's something I'd not normally choose but once I'd put it on I decided I liked it after all. The print and neon accents really work together without being too in your face. Here I'm wearing a US18 I believe and in UK sizes I tend to be a solid 20. 

I decided to accessorise with my new favourite bag and my trusty chatty sunglasses which have my prescription in which is ever so handy! Obviously if I was at the beach and not in my back garden I'd probably just have sunscreen on and no make up but I decided to add a pop of colour with my MUA velvet lipstick in Criminal.

I'm hoping to get to the beach at least one more time this year so I can make the most of all my fabulous plus size swimwear!

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Polly Grace - Tee Shirt Challenge.

Top and leggings: c/o Polly Grace. Clutch: birthday present. Shoes: Amazon. Sunglasses: Dorothy Perkins.

The lovely team over at Polly Grace popped me an email not so long ago asking if I'd like to take part in a little challenge by styling up a Top or tunic with a pair of leggings from their range. Now I love a good challenge and decided straight away that I'd have a go at dressing them up a little so it would be something that could work for a few drinks out in town and hopefully I think it does! 

Here I'm wearing this adorable pineapple printed tee in a UK 22/24 I wanted a relaxed fit so I could wear it with leggings but I think I would have been perfectly fine in my usual size. I was a little dubious as the next size down was an 18/20 and usually I'm more of a 20/22, I needn't have worried though! I paired it with the Polly Leggings but rolled them up once or twice as being 5'2 bottoms can often be too long on me! these are true to size in a UK20 and very comfortable to wear! Initially I wasn't sure what to accessorise this look with but once I put on my usual slick of red lipstick I knew I had to have my bag and shoes to match with it. My shoes are of the jelly variety and I also own them in black, I've since found them in an array of different colours so I may have to stock up as I seem to be able to wear these beauties for more than 10 minutes unlike how I am with 'normal' heels! 

Over all I'm pretty impressed with Polly Grace and I can't wait to see what they'll have for A/W! 

My lovely blogger friend Em over at Terrible Tumbles has also posted a style up challenge too and you can check that out here!

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Lifes a Beach(ball) with Swimsuits For All!

Bikini: c/o Swimsuits For All. Sandals: Simply Be. Sunglasses: Specsavers. Hair Orchid: Gypsy Rose Vintage.

I'm here again with even more swimmer, yes I'm completely embracing swimwear this summer on the blog because I've spent so many years hiding away when it started hotting up but NO LONGER! I love this so much I just want to wear it all the time but I'm not sure that would go down well in my hometown! Now at the (not so grand) age of 22 I've finally decided I'm going to fully embrace the body that I have as even though I have days where I question myself overall I'm comfortable with the skin I'm in. 

I've always LOVED Swimsuits For All but I've never been brave enough to take the plunge and order from them so when they popped me a message seeing if I'd like to try a few of their pieces I almost bit their hands off! I've always thought the collection were so flattering and I just knew I'd feel really confident in them, which of course I do! Here I'm wearing the Swim Sexy Isander Halter High Waist Bikini, for starters I adore the print and can't wait to feel a little pin up on the beach but over all its extremely comfortable and I adore the bottoms! I was initially worried about the fact it has no underwire's but I had no need to as I feel fine in this! (and it probably makes it more comfortable) For reason its in US sizing and I believe I got either a US 18 or 20 which is around a UK 20/22 depending.

I'm so in love with Swimsuits For All I can't wait to show you the other two pieces they sent me! You can check out their full selection of Bikini's and two pieces here.

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Footwear Woes with Evans Clothing.

Top: Made by me. Leggings: Matalan. Necklace: Black Heart Creatives. Clutch Bag: Gift. Shoes: c/o Evans Clothing.

I'm back with a new post for you in featuring footwear from Evans Clothing. They recently got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested in working with them on a campaign about the problems us girls with wide feet often have and I snapped at the chance as I always struggle with shoes! I answered a questionnaire then I got to try a pair of shoes that would hopefully compete with my woes some of which were:

1. I genuinely have very wide feet, they remind me of a ducks.

2. Heels aren't really my friends, within ten minutes I'm usually crying.

3. I have a high instep so often straps across my feet won't work or will really cut in.

So Evans popped across these contrast scrappy heels. Which do include everything I tend to avoid in footwear. The low heel makes them easier to walk in mostly and I know from experience that Evans size 5EEE are pretty on point for me so they do fit well.  My only issues are that they do still cut in a little across my toes (however this is from first wear, When I wear them in around the house in fluffy socks I'm sure they'll be fine!) and the zip on the heel which makes them a dream to put on, no fiddly buckles(!) does however catch my ankle slightly, again though once worn in I don't think this would be any problem! I styled the shoes with my bardot top I created myself which was originally a skirt from the charity shop, my new lips clutch bag which was a birthday present from my babe Jess at college and the 3 lipstick necklace from one of my favourite jewellery designers Black Heart Creatives! P.S sorry for the lens smudge on my second photo, I really struggled getting snaps due to the sun though it does make it a nice change from blaming the rain! 

What are you footwear woes? You can see Evans full selection of shoes here. 

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