Polka Dot Pretty with Lady Vintage.

Dress: c/o Lady Vintage. Shoes: Bait Footwear. Beret: old! Clutch: Primark.

Lately I've been delving a little deeper into the retro loving side of my own personal style and from my blog posts over the last few months it's been even more obvious than ever! So I was so excited when Lady Vintage asked if I'd like to review The Maria Dress from their Lady Voluptuous range which goes up to a UK32. A size range in such a scale as theirs is sadly often lacking when it comes to vintage reproduction brands. Lady Vintage have been on my radar for quite awhile but I'd never gotten chance to get my hands on a dress before! 

Here I'm wearing a UK20 which I would say is very true to size. If you've read my blog for awhile you'll know that I often mention how in vintage reproduction brands in the past I've found sizing to run small compared to high street sizing etc but I'm happy to report that in this Maria Dress that isn't the case! The dress itself is well made and the fabric is a thick stretch cotton mix meaning it hugs to the body well but also keeps it's shape! What I particularly love about this design is the flattering shape of the neckline and gathers across the chest and the 3/4 length sleeve as these aren't often on dresses and it does mean that there isn't any need for a cardigan if you were at all self conscious about your arms. I styled the dress up with a cute beret that I don't wear enough. these Bait Footwear flats which I utterly adore but they're just a little too snug to wear a lot and my go to classic red lip! The clutch bag was a recent and rather frivolous purchase from Primark but I just couldn't resist! 

If you're now dying to get your hands on a Lady Volup piece, the team have been nice enough to offer you guys 10% off your order with

ROSIE10

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Currently Coveting - Dolly and Dotty.

1.Sabrina Glamorous 50’s Style Cape. 2. Gloria Bardot Polka Dot Top. 3. Ivy Vintage Style Button Down Skirt.  4. Alice 50s Inspired Cropped Jacket. 5. Melissa Bandeau Dress. 6. Anna Adorable Striped 50s Inspired Dress. 7. Poppy Vintage Shirt Swing Dress.

It's time for another Currently Coveting and lately I've seen that the adorable Vintage Reproduction company Dolly and Dotty have brought our some sweet as can be separates including the Gloria Bardot Top in an array of prints and this cute as a button cape which is available in red, black or white! I also couldn't resist including 3 of their dresses that I've been in love with since I first found out about the company! I may have to treat myself to the Poppy Shirt Swing dress when the warmer weather arrives as I think it'd be perfect in the summer! 

One of the things I love about Dolly and Dotty is that their sizing seems to be very true to size! So often with vintage reproduction I've found they run small and I've had to size up at least once to a UK22 and when these brands often only go up to a UK24 it can mean some women can't wear the pieces (I mean in an ideal world they'd go up to at least a UK28/30 but that's for another blog post!) I've found Dolly and Dotty even be a little generous in some of their dress styles! So they are definitely worth a try and the pieces I've tried so far have worn really well considering how reasonable the prices are! 

Have you tried anything from Dolly and Dotty?

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Poppy Lovely with Voodoo Vixen.

Dress and Cardigan: c/o Voodoo Vixen. Necklace: Topshop. Shoes: Evans Clothing.

I'm so happy I've finally had chance to take some photographs of this stunning dress that was sent to me by the babes at Voodoo Vixen. The weather among other things in life put getting these snaps on hold until recently! Sometimes I do wish I had somewhere other than our garden to take my blog photos unfortunately it's just that and a tripod for me! 

Anyway onto the dress I absolutely adore this dress from the cut to the beautiful scalloped edging on the sleeves and neckline, it's such a darling dress. As normally it's a little too long for my short body but that is something I can easily amend myself and it isn't a fault with the dress just that all the women in my family are vertically challenged! Other than that the dress fits me really well and has a slight stretch in the fabric which very Voodoo Vixen dress I've tried has, making it hug the figure really well. The cardigan I also love and finishes the look really well but also looks so cute on it's own with a pair of jeans rolled up with my converse and a hair scarf! I kept my accessories simple with flat flats and and old classic necklace I've had for a few years from Topshop. I'm also attempted to grow out my fringe but it's in that really annoying stage where I want to cut it again so please bare with me while it looks a mess for the next few weeks! 

The Dress is no longer available on Voodoo Vixens main site but you can still pick it up from Simply Be. The cardigan you can pick up from Voodoo Vixen along with this adorable bag that matches the poppy print! In VV I always wear a 2XL which fit's me perfectly and is the equality to a UK20-22. 

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Simply Be... My Valentine!

The lovely team over at Simply Be sent me this surprise parcel of Valentines goodies and I thought the best way to show you all would be to film a video for you! As I'm single I won't be spending my Valentines with a guy but I'll be spending it with my friends, which lets be honest will probably be more fun! 

Below are all the products featured in my box (which I could link you too!) 

Lipsticks available as part of a set here.

Heart Necklace by Label B from Simply Be.

Satin and Lace Balcony Bra by Pretty Secrets in a 38DD. 

Satin and Lace Brazilian Knickers by Pretty Secrets in a UK Size 20.

Red/Black Nicole Lace Body by Pretty Secrets in a 38DD.

Heart Box Clutch Bag (currently in the sale!) 

Bra I mentioned in the video here. 

And finally the stunning dress I'm wearing in the video was sent to me By Voodoo Vixen before Christmas but due to all the awful weather I've not been able to properly shoot this beauty yet for the blog but watch this space because I'm in love with it! Like I am with every piece Voodoo Vixen ever send me! This is also available here at Simply Be and currently reduced, score!  

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Very Cherry with Dolly and Dotty

Dress: c/o Dolly & Dotty. Bag: Primark. Shoes: Evans.


I'm back with a new post today showing you one of the dresses adorable Vintage retro brand Dolly and Dotty sent me across to show you guys and I have to say I'm really impressed! I just wish my photos did it justice but my surroundings were against me when I snapped these!

One of the first things I love about Dolly and Dotty is how true to size the two dresses they sent me were with Vintage Reproduction brands generally speaking I've learnt to always size up so where possible I'll order a UK22 but here both dresses I was sent were UK20's and they fit really well in fact with this Evelyn Retro Swing Dress I find it quite generous particularly around my arms which makes it really comfortable! Another thing is that each dress came with a matching reversible headscarf which is such an adorable idea! Here I just tied it onto my clutch bag, another thing is that this dress came with 2 belts one in a matching print then this plain red one and for how reasonable the price of this is, these little extras are a complete surprise! The only downside for me really is that it's a little long in the body for me but this is something that often happens with me due to being pretty short!

I can't wait for warmer weather so I can wear this bare legged and show the fabulous print off! You can also see a video of the look over on my Youtube Channel 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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The Edna Cardigan by Voodoo Vixen.

Glasses: c/o Specspost. Cardigan: Voodoo Vixen (available at Simply Be). Circle Skirt: Made by me. Boots: Simply Be (old).

This is my second post featuring Voodoo Vixen the first can be seen here. This cardigan actually matches the fabulous Connie Dress perfectly but I thought I'd style them up separately as I was desperate to see if this cardigan would work with my lipstick circle skirt I made for myself last summer and low and behold it does! Again I utterly adore this cardigan and it fits much better than the first cardigan (which I still love) I tried from their collection here. I found with the first one that the knitted band at the bottom of the cardigan didn't stretch anything like the rest of it which meant it wouldn't button up but as you can see from my photos above this time round I didn't have a problem with it at all! I also found that overall it's a little thicker and softer and the sleeves could be rolled up with once pulled down didn't really loose the shape or stretch to much. I have to admit I can't resist the glasses print either and what better this is also available on Simply Be now as well! Here I'm wearing a 2XL but I feel I could have also gone down a size and it would have been fine.

I decided to really run with the red theme and paired it with these awesome frames Spectpost sent me just before Christmas! You will have seen them on my instagram but I was struggling what to wear them with and I just knew it when I put this look together that I'd have to, my only problem is that I probably need a petite pair of frames as my nose is quite small so these slide off alot. I genuinely love Specspost they're really helpful and I've had some frames reglazed by them and couldn't recommend them enough. In fact I have two more pairs to send off to them soon! The fabric I made the skirt with I picked up in London last February and I loved it so much than whenever I've had the chance I buy around 4 metres as I'm yet to find it anywhere up north! I'd love to make a dress out of this fabric soon but I'll just have to see if I have the time and enough print left! I finished the look with lashing of red lip gloss/stain (which is fabulous for photos but the most impractical thing ever my hair ALWAYS sticks to it when it's windy!)

Have you checked out all the Voodoo Vixen collection available at Simply Be yet? And seen some of the fabulous frames Specpost have to offer?

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The Connie Dress by Voodoo Vixen.

Dress: c/o Voodoo Vixen (now available at Simply Be) Glasses: Jeepers Peepers Via Asos (reglazed at Specspost with my own prescription in). Boots: Simply Be (old)

Before I go into detail shall can I just say

 I UTTERLY LOVE THIS DRESS, IT IS THE DRESS OF DREAMS.

The amazing team over at Voodoo Vixen sent me this dress after I saw it in the main range and fell in love!

They were sweet enough to pop me an email to let me know they were going to bring it into the plus size range and a few months later it landed on my door step and it's everything I imagined! Voodoo Vixen have resized a little and I definitely think it's for the better, I'm wearing a 2XL and at a UK20 I find it a perfect fit on my waist/tummy without being uncomfortable in any places at all. My only issue is the skirt is a little bit long for me but I am 5'2 and can easily take it up a little without any problem (this is just my personal choice as I like my skirts a little shorter nowadays but I'll also happily wear it as this length!) I also find that I don't need a petticoat under this dress and I personally wouldn't wish to add one as I feel the skirt of the dress is a lovely shape and not at all needed. FYI it has pocket that you can actually fit your hands in, I don't know why this excites me so much but it does! 

Now lets talk about the neckline, isn't it just fabulous?! It's low cut enough to show a little cleavage if you want to but not so much that you feel like you're going to be tugging it up constantly.(which is something I'm often guilty of) There is a zip in this dress but I just pull it over my head as the fabric is rather stretch and just works really well. What  also thought was a nice touch is the belt and surprisingly it actually fits, unlike so many plus size dresses that come with belts that don't even go near! I finished the look with some Rockalily lipstick, half my hair up (though I may have preferred to wave my hair in the end, nevermind!) and my vintage reproduction frames which I picked up in the Asos sale and have reglazed at Specpost.

As you can see I've fallen head over heels with this dress and Voodoo Vixen in general! You can see the previous posts I've done on them here and here. Up next I've got another piece that matches this dress but I decided to do a separate post for it!

This dress is now available on Simply Be how great is that!?You can get it here now.

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