Just after Christmas, a week before our wedding we took part in an engagement (pre wedding) photoshoot so that our wedding photographer, Charlie could get used to poses and the way which we work together in photos.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and even Mr FH enjoyed himself too! We spent an afternoon in a relaxed sculpture garden and I spent ages planning what I was going to wear! I wanted something quite colourful to stand out against the dreary January weather so I decided to choose my Rose Lace Print dress from Simply Be. I ordered this just before Christmas because I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it on the website. It has gorgeous sheer black lace arms and a beautiful red, cream and black rose pattern across the dress. I ordered a size 18, however on reflection although the dress isn't stretchy I think a 16 would have been better because it's a little roomy and the lace arms aren't tight against my skin. On the day of the photoshoot, the sunshine glistened and we were very lucky to get some beautiful pictures.
The quality of the dress is outstanding and the length is a little more modest than some of my other dresses which made it a perfect choice for our engagement shoot. This rose print dress is currently on offer on the Simply Be website for £31.50 which is very reasonable for such a stunning dress, however only limited sizes are left. I am even tempted to order the size 16 and keep both!
I wore my dress with gorgeous red heels from New Look and a red coat which was also from New Look many years ago. The coat is a little too small for me, but it looked lovely on even if I couldn't do it up! My bracelets were also from New Look, and came in a set of 3. Anyway, let the pictures do the talking (and if anyone needs a wedding photographer, Charlie covers nationwide and also destination weddings, so if you need her details just ask me!)
Dress: Rose Lace Print Dress, Simply Be, Size 18, Currently £31.50.
Red Heels & Bracelets: New Look, Red Coat: New Look (size 12 - far too small!)
I would go as far as saying this is now my favourite dress. It makes you feel absolutely gorgeous and I hope you like a sneak peek of our engagement photos (wedding ones coming very soon!) Two thumbs up for Simply Be again! x
You've probably seen a lot of press regarding Taking Shape on other plus size fashion blogs and that's with good reason. Taking Shape are relatively new to the UK. They originally formed in Australia and aspire to be a plus size fashion brand for sizes 14 to 26. I'd never heard of them before I noticed blog posts popping up over the Internet and then as luck would have it, Sarah got in contact with me to see if I knew about the brand and after a few emails back and forth, she offered me some items to review.
After looking at the Taking Shape website, I noticed that a lot of the products were bright, bold prints with some gorgeous tunics and dresses along with more work suited trousers. One of my immediate favourites was the Sugar Plum Velvet Coat and I'm sure you'll agree with me when you see it - it's so unique and looks extremely luxurious!
I found it quite difficult to choose items to review due to many of the products I liked being out of stock in my size and there are a number of products that don't exactly match my usual style that I am comfortable with. After browsing their website, I stumbled across some absolutely gorgeous trousers - Brocade Ponti Trousers. I am a massive fan of the "Damask" print, which appears on my duvet covers and around my house in numerous places so when I saw these trousers I thought why not expand my love of this print to my clothing!
Sarah kindly sent me a UK size 18 along with a tunic to review too which I did try on with the trousers but it was too long to wear together (my review of the tunic will come soon). When my package arrived it was wrapped in a really lovely gym bag which had leaflets and a little catalogue explaining more about the brand. It was a lovely surprise to receive just before Christmas Day and I tried everything on immediately - Now I'm going to let the photos do the talking...
Snowflake Jumper: H&M, £14.99, Ankle Boots: Tesco, Bracelets: New Look
These trousers are very well made and feel lovely on. They have a slight stretch to them too and feel true to size. Although you can't see the print very well on my photos, they have this gorgeous Damask print on them and I decided that due to the time of year and it being quite cold that I would team these trousers with a snowflake jumper which was from H&M. Although this is quite a casual look for me, I think that the trousers and sequins on the snowflake jumper make it look a bit more luxurious and it's a look I will definitely wear out.
I have bookmarked the Taking Shape website and although I can't justify spending £125 on a new coat at the moment with my wedding coming up, I will certainly be keeping an eye on it over the next few months! My experience of Taking Shape clothing so far has been great and it's always good to see a new plus size fashion brand that provides high quality and well made products that will last!
2013 has been a really great year for me for many reasons including visiting my first plus size fashion convention (Plus North) in Manchester and meeting so many lovely people. In 2013, my blog became "noticed" and I was fortunate to be contacted by PR companies to review plenty of gorgeous clothes and jewellery.
Mr FH and I travelled down to Southampton for a weekend away which proved rather eventful and we, of course booked our wedding date. I have enjoyed 2013, without too much heartache and pain which has made a nice change for me with the few years before that (prior to 2010) being some of my lowest times with losing my dad to cancer and going through the physical and verbal abuse from my ex boyfriend and do you know what, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be even better than 2013...
From the amazing start with our wedding coming up, we already have so many plans that we want to put in place. For once, I want to completely let go of my weight issues. Although I am embarking on "Simple Start" by Weight Watchers tomorrow, I don't want to tell myself that I am on a diet and that I can't eat certain things. This will set me up for failure so instead, I want to look at this "change" as a new lifestyle. I am getting older and I don't want to get diabetes or heart problems so I am doing this for ME. Not to look into the mirror and see a skinny person before me but to look after myself from the inside out and do everything in my power apart from sheer luck to stay healthy.
Whether this works or not, I don't want to let it hang over my head and call myself a failure. I have yo-yo dieted so many times going from a size 12 up to a 22/24 and have stayed around the same weight now for years so even if I change my eating habits and stay the same weight, my body is clearly happy with the weight I am and I need to accept that. No more poking my fat rolls while looking in the mirror or feeling extremely guilty if I eat that piece of chocolate. 2014 is going to be the year that I let go and start living.
Another reason for me wanting to get healthier is that by the end of 2014, I would quite like to be carrying a baby! I don't know if we definitely will plan for this coming year or not, because it does depend on a lot of factors but hopefully, all things crossed we will have a baby in 2015.
Along with personal goals and plans set in place, we also want to share some experiences together and finally get our asses to Wembley to watch an American Football game. We'd like to go on our first proper holiday together as a family and of course for our careers and my blog to take off even more than they already have.
So, 2014... you're nearly here... Let's start it with a bang! Oh and by the way, stay posted for some outfit reviews coming your way very soon!
This is the first time I've done a Christmas gifts post, and I'm a little late considering it is New Year Eve but we are planning a nice night cuddled up on the sofa and I have a few minutes to spare. Neither I nor Mr FH are big drinkers and I am going to be starting "Simple Start" with weight watchers tomorrow so I didn't really see the point in eating everything in sight that's left in the kitchen.
Anyway, back to Christmas. I always get beautiful gifts at Christmas. Everyone knows me so well and although sometimes I get nervous around surprises, they never disappoint. I much prefer giving presents than receiving them. Here is a selection of my Christmas gifts that my family and friends gave me this year...
Some of my gift highlights were Daisy by Marc Jacobs gift set from Mr FH. I had been leaving plenty of hints about this but I never imagined that Mr FH would have listened to me and to be honest I was worried it was a bit expensive. I was so shocked when I opened it on Christmas Day. My mum treated me to Nina L'Eau by Nina Ricci which is an absolutely gorgeous scent and the one that I wanted to wear on our wedding day. My step son (with help from daddy) got me "This Means War" on DVD, which is rather sweet because it's rated a 12 and he wanted to watch it with me. I had to explain it was a film for old people and suggested we watched Thomas the Tank Engine instead!
My future mother and father in law bought me some scented socks, body lotion and a bridal garter! I was so excited when I opened it because I hadn't actually bought one of these yet and it also has my something blue on it :) Mr FH's auntie gave me some awesome cat socks from Accessorize - they aren't pictured here because I've already worn them! They are so soft and comfy and everyone knows that anything with a cat on will be a winner :) She also gave me some hand lotion and my future sister in law gave me a cookbook (also not pictured) along with a cute marriage sign which I absolutely love and a chocolate orange (already in my tummy!)
I had an absolutely fabulous Christmas Day with Mr FH's Auntie cooking us a roast dinner - and beef too! I ate so much I felt like I was going to pop and I was a little greedy with trifle and cheesecake! It's only one day though and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I've seen many bloggers posting a Christmas edition of "get to know me" and I thought it would be fun to join in! I love Christmas, putting the decorations up, spending time with family and friends, choosing gifts for other people and of course now I have a five year old step son, things are a lot more magical around here!
What do you usually do on Christmas Eve?
These days, my Christmas Eve's alternate as once every two years we have my step son for Christmas Eve. Last year, Mr FH and I spend Christmas Eve at our local curry house and enjoyed a romantic meal. This year we will spend it together as a family watching Christmas movies snuggled up on the sofa.
Who do you spend your Christmas Day with?
Before my dad passed away, I spent Christmas day with my parents, my half-sister, her husband and my niece. These days, things are a lot different and I spend Christmas day with my mum, Mr FH, my step son (for half of the day) and Mr FH's parents and auntie.
Do you enjoy giving or receiving gifts?
100% giving gifts for this one. I love choosing gifts for people and spending the time to choose something that I hope they will love. I also like surprising my family with gifts and seeing their faces when they open them. I must admit I'm not great at receiving gifts as I don't like to be the centre of attention when people open their gifts one by one. I get a little shy!
What are you wearing on Christmas Day?
This year, I had two options. One was a gorgeous black, red and gold lace skater dress with red heels and the other was a purple embellished dress from new look with gorgeous purple kitten heels. I've opted for the purple number although I think I might get a bit cold! It's a bit of a tradition for my mum and I to buy something new to wear each Christmas Day.
Do you enjoy shopping for gifts for loved ones?
I really enjoy choosing gifts for my family and friends. I have quite a small network of people to buy for, but I get super organised and get everything done as early as possible.
Have you ever received a gift you didn't like but pretended you did?
Yeah, I think that everyone goes through this. I'm not un-greatful so there's no way that I would tell someone I didn't like a gift! I do know people, however who do tell you they don't like something and I find that really bratty!
What would your ideal Christmas be?
I'd love to go somewhere with snow, in a log cabin with family and friends and have a Christmas in front of a wood fire. That would be amazing!
What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?
This one is a bit difficult as I have received some lovely gifts over the years. Although it's technically not a Christmas gift (It was meant to be), probably Mr FH proposing to me. He was going to do it on Christmas day then changed his mind and did it on New Years Eve to make it even more magical. Another of my favourite gifts was a pair of pink crystal earrings from my dad but unfortunately I lost them a long time ago which makes me feel really sad.
If you could choose one person to spend Christmas with, who would it be and why?
Apart from my family of course, I wish I could have my dad back for just one more Christmas. Since he passed away, things have been very different around Christmas time.
