Okay... here goes!  I was extremely nervous about filming my first ever V-log but I knew it was something that I wanted to overcome so for my first ever V-log, I review two of Simply Be's Spring/Summer collection: the floral print woven front sweater and the peplum hem textured skirt.


My First V-Log - Review of Simply Be Spring/Summer 2014 from Felicity Hart on Vimeo.

Along with the V-log, I have also taken a couple of photos to show how these items look as a complete outfit, and as you can see, they are really lovely! Thank you Simply Be! :) 

 

Floral Print Woven Front Sweater*: Simply Be, Size 18, £35.00 available in sizes 12 - 32
Jeans: Select, size 18, £18, Ankle Boots: Tesco

Peplum Hem Textured Skirt*: Simply Be, Size 18 - £25, available in sizes 12-  28 (up to 32 currently out of stock), Top: Wallis, Size 18, Cardigan: Wallis, Size 16, Bracelets: ASOS Curve*

Not long after I wrote an article about the new range of ASOS Curve jewellery that is due for release in August 2013 I got in touch with ASOS Curve and they were lovely, they sent me a few items to review.

I must admit I was very excited about this *insert squeal here* because although I have ordered accessories from ASOS before and one dress from their main range, I had never experienced ASOS Curve and I really love their fashion forward pieces.  For these reviews I decided to be a little more adventurous and instead of choosing things that I knew would suit me straight away I chose three items that were very different to my style even though there were three dresses I loved.  I have the opinion that if I always choose things that I am guaranteed to fall in love with it doesn't make very impartial reviews.

The first item I was sent to review is the ASOS Curve Quilted Jacket in Floral Print.  I was very unsure about the sizes since I've never tried any of their products before so I opted for a size 18.  I was delighted when it turned up - it fit perfectly, no gaping on the bust line due to my massive back.

This jacket is black with a multitude of different coloured flowers on it.  Pink, blue and orange are the other main colours that stand out on this jacket. It is very striking to look at and super comfy - made from polyester and a cotton lining it feels really smooth on your skin and although it isn't a lightweight jacket it doesn't pull you down with its weight and feels like it is a really high quality jacket.

When styling this jacket my first thoughts were to pair it with some skinny jeans and a black tank top however I noticed that this was how the model wore it on the website.  I took photos of this look anyway to show you all what it looks like on my frame/shape.  This jacket can be worn as both a casual jacket and a smart one though and is very versatile!  Try wearing it with a pencil skirt and the whole look changes completely just from changing one item of clothing (and shoes of course!).  

ASOS Curve Quilted Jacket in Floral Print *: ASOS Curve, currently £36.00,
Skinny Jeans: George @ Asda, £8, Tank Top: Select, £3, Cross Necklace: Select, £5.99, Ring: Unknown, Shoes: George @ Asda, £6. 

ASOS Curve Quilted Jacket in Floral Print *: ASOS Curve, currently £36.00,
Textured Pencil Skirt: Select, £8, Tank Top: Select, £3,
Ring: Unknown, Necklace: Star by Julien Macdonald @ Debenhams, Shoes: Morgan

This jacket is available over on the ASOS Curve section of the website in sizes 18 to 28 and is currently reduced from £45.00 to £36.00.  I would say that even at full price this jacket is worth every penny and will be a perfect addition to any Autumn wardrobe now the weather is cooling down substantially.

So far my experience of ASOS Curve is a very positive one and I actually went to place an order the day these review items arrived but unfortunately the dresses I had been drooling over previously were all out of my size so I am trying to decide what to order potentially to wear in the daytime at Plus North.

I'm so excited that this challenge is finally here!  Week one of the "Style It My Way" challenge is to present a maxi dress or skirt in your own style!  For my challenge I played it safe with one of my favourite ways to wear a maxi dress.  Team it with a cardigan and some gorgeous jewellery and away we go! 

 

 Halter Neck Dress: Imported (Going to be selling them if anyone is interested
please get in touch), size XXL, Cardigan: New Look, Size 18, Bracelets: Unknown,
Shoes: George @ Asda, £6

I absolutely love this halterneck maxi dress. The colours are really vibrant and I also love the added halterneck straps which feature a big wooden circle and beads.  There really is no need to wear a necklace with this style of dress. I am going to be importing a bunch of them (unfortunately they only come in XXL which fits a UK size 18 to 20, possibly a 22 with a small bust) as I think they would be really popular and they also come in a number of colours too.

I can't wait to see how everyone else has styled their maxi dress/skirt! :) Here's to the start of a really fun and interesting challenge.  If you'd like to take part, get in touch! 

Today's "Outfit of the Day" features a feather print maxi dress from Simply Be.  Technically, this dress belongs to my mum but one of the bonuses of being a similar size is that I normally borrow all her clothes!  This feather print maxi dress comes in two lengths and two base colours but I think the black is a much more flattering tone. The dress is still available on the Simply Be website at £35.  Unfortunately it isn't in the sale at the moment but they have plenty of sizes left in stock and I think that price isn't too bad for a maxi dress.  I've seen second hand branded maxi dresses sell on ebay for over £25!!

I am wearing a UK size 18 regular length (52 inches) dress and I have combined it with a bright green shrug/cardigan from George at Asda (size 16) and a bracelet that my mum bought me on her "find a bracelet to match the peacock dress" hunt.  The bracelet is from Wallis and was reduced from £14 down to £3!  My mum is a bargain hunter and that's probably where I get it from!

 

Feather Print Maxi Dress, Simply Be, Currently £35.00, Cardigan: George @ Asda,
Bracelet: Wallis, reduced from £14 to £3 Shoes: Unknown