Vegas 2015- The what I wore edition. (Part 1)

At the end of the year I was lucky enough to go to Vegas for my 13th Wedding Anniversary.  I was going to write about it whilst it was all still fresh and as sparkly as the neon adorned skyline. However, what can I say life struck I was pretty much straight back to work with a killer cold and there was Christmas.  Basically life was kicking my arse.

So here is a what I wore post which is basically print dresses and headbands from Janine Basil.

Day 1

My red Robot dress came out to play on landing but in honesty after a 11 hour flight we were just grabbing a pizza then heading for a snooze.

Day 2.

Conjunctivitis struck so I am in glasses, but I tried a kinda librarian look with a headband my Hell Bunny dress, black tights bizarrely the 100 denier Primark ones in XL fit but the 80 denier ones don't and I cannot find the legendary plus size Primark tights near me.  The shoes came from Top Shop but I got them from E bay for a bargain £2.99.  We may have indulged in drinks on the big wheel

Day 3

I wore my very old Galaxy Print Get Cutie dress with leggings and my Janine Basil Solar system headband, which I adore.  I may have indulged in the R2D2 handbag.

Day 3

My eyes were well enough to wear contacts again.  Yeay!!!!  This was the day the Hub went out to the desert to shoot guns, I watched and we went on allegedly the world's biggest monster truck.  I wore my Ninja turtles Vampire Bunny Dress, Primark Cardie and Leggings.

Day 4

So this was the dress that got the most compliments, people seemed to really love the Lady Voluptuous lip print Phoebe, which I teamed with my red glitter heart Bete noir necklace that says Mrs Jones and Red flat Mel shoes with a bow I picked up a few years ago in a sale,  I am also wearing the glitter heart headband in red from Janine Basil.  I felt like a Cartoon character and loved it.  I must say sizing down to the 20 in the Phoebe alleviated the sizing problems I had with my first one.  

This day was my day and we hung out in old Vegas and went to the neon graveyard.

Day 5

I had this dress made by someone, and it is based on a Get Cutie dress, I chose the elephant fabric from Fabricyard and the tiger necklace is one I won from Snixy swoons do check them out.  

I am going to leave it here and show you the rest of my outfits at a later in the week

16 in 16

Happy New Year you lovely lot.  Years ago I used to do resolutions usually diet, join slimming world, the gym yada yada ya.........  Usually these would be broken by the 14th of January if I was lucky I would feel bad, beat myself up about it, feel bad a bir more, then move on with a nagging sense of failure.  However, I like goals something to aim for, so when Sophie over at Busy Little Fee suggested 16 things to achieve in 2016 I was in, so I have set myself some goals for the year and if your super lucky I might update you.

1/ Read 24 Books
I used to be a proper bookworm with 2 books on the go most of the time, but after my Dad died I found it hard to read.  I don't know if it was because he was a bookworm too and a lot of the time we spent together was either reading or visiting bookshops.  However, 2 books a month seem nice and achievable.

2/Save for a Holiday.
Last year I was lucky enough to go on a brilliant holiday to Las Vegas and we would love to go back or go to South Korea.  Now whilst I know I won't be able to save all of it in a year I would love to manage to put a decent sum aside for this to make a start.

3/  Cook more.
I used to cook a lot and really enjoy it.  Lately I seem to have lost my mojo this might be a case of my husband going veggie and his shifts mean he is not home for dinner a lot.  So more and more take away and ready meals are featuring more which is less than ideal.  So i want to get back to cooking nutritious, simple and tasty meals.

4/  Aim for Promotion
I have been in a bit of a stale situation at the start of last year, treading water not really progressing or feeling happy and fulfilled.  I now am working for a great company and feel like maybe I am ready to make the next step.

5/ Update Blog
I am a bit hit and miss with this little space of mine but I am going to try and update once a week at a minimum.

6/Sort out Wardrobe
My clothes are crazy i have 3 bin bags I need to sort through from when I moved, it is past time I need to sort that shit out so I know exactly what I have, want and need,

7/ Buy More Indie Brands
None of the big players on the plus scene really scream to me and at times their messages are less than body positive.  So when I adorn my fat little body I will look further afield and maybe this will mean buying less nut at least what I buy will make my heart sing.

8/  Spend less time on Social Media
Social Media is great and I have met some fantastic, rad babes through it.  However, I am letting it become a time sucker spending ages on it looking at life rather than getting on and living it a bit more.

9/  Visit Harry Potter Studios
I have always wanted to go to the Harry Potter Studio Tour, as I loved the books and need to go and indulge my inner witch.

10/  Have a Ritzy Afternoon Tea
I have always fancied a lovely super indulgent Afternoon Tea at a Ritzy Hotel, maybe even the Ritz so this is the year I will do it.

11/Dedicate More Me Time
I used to love indulging in facepacks or lovely bubble baths but for some reason this has gone out the window.  So I am going to dedicate one night a week for me time to have a face pack, do my nails and make me treat myself like a princess.  As in the words of Ru paul; "If you can't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love someone else?"

12/  Take More Pictures
For year I avoided the camera which meant I didn't take a lot of pictures, I want to take more pictures so I have evidence on a mean red day of all the good stuff.

13/  Go back to Zumba
I used to love going to Zumba, the movement made feel good and alive.  Then I moved and stopped going, I moved back and still didn't return.  It's time.

14/  Write More
I got into the idea of blogging as I love to write and I wanted a outlet for that.  I have tried writing a book for years, now I don't want to challenge myself to finish that book but I want to get back into the habit of keeping a creative writing journal.

15/  Go to One of The Plus Fashion Events
I always want to go to these but I never get there so this year I need to go to at least one.

16/ Be More Brave
Whilst most people would say I am confident I actually think I am quite shy.  There are several things I would like to do such as: join a local book club and I don't ever get there as I think I won't know anyone and they all not talk to me. Really I need to just do it and if this happens so what, just stick it in the fuck it bucket at least I tried.

So there are my goals, do you do goals or resolutions?  I know other bloggers have done this so do check them out too.

Nikki

Sophie

Daisy

Charli

Kerry-Ann

Tanya

Katya

Kitty

Katt

Lucy

Cathy

Becky

Becky

Katt

Charlene

Normal Service Will Resume

 

Merry Christmas Duckies, apologies for the lack of posts on this my little corner of the internet but I had a yucky throat infection, went on holiday then returned to be blindsided with a cold/flu virus that has virtually knocked me off my feet and made the most mundane jobs feel like climbing Everest - really you should see my house.  However, rest assured in the new year I will be back like Arnold Schwarzenegger sharing my Indie Hits, holiday which involves some rather nice outfits, even if I do say so myself, food reviews and whatever adventures I go on as we all know I am a little random.

I hope your Christmases are all what you want them to be and if it's not don't beat yourself up, it is just one day.  I myself will be working and the Hub is nursing a rather nasty case of Man Flu.  Anyhow whatever your day is I hope it brings you joy.

I have barely been festive this year but I did have a work Christmas meal that I made a bit of a effort for.  I think despite feeling deathly I made a pretty good elf, helped by Primark and Crown and Glory.

And with that I will wish you a Merry Christmas x

#Plus 40 Fabulous - Introduction

Welcome any new readers, who are hoping over from over Blogs and sorry to existing readers sorry if I repeat myself, but welcome to snapshots of my little world.

I am excited to take part in this challenge devised by Mookie and Leah, as although I am 40 I do not feel ready for slacks or blouses and have no freakin desire to wear beige and although I am fat I do not feel like I should just settle in terms of clothing, I am all about the pretties and I will always search for that Holy Grail a pretty, cheap and comfortable bra in a larger cup.

So how did I find my style, I was a fat teenager and adult who always loved clothes especially unusual or vintage but obviously in the late 80's early 90's this was a bit of a problem but luckily I could always just about fit in the larger end of the High Street.  Then in my 30's I lost my way a bit I blame Trinny and Susannah a bit although they did some stylish makeovers they could make me feel that well I should dress my age! Ugh.  I got a bit lost for a while then I found pretty print dresses in quirky prints and I think this is my style really.

Obviously I love to wear dresses but I am also a carer so I have a work wardrobe which is usually Jeans, so when I'm not flouncing around in dresses I am in my jeans and tops,

So I suppose that is basically my style usually with a hefty injection of faux fur, I flirt with other styles and long for the day I can do edgy street style but that look never quite works for me, but I am all about fashion being fun and have through blogging managed to go from someone who avoids having their photo taken to a bit a of a poser.

I am really looking forward to these challenges as the fashion industry seems to think women of my age are past it and should be looking at classic pieces rather than following fashion, but I stuck my middle finger to that as I fully intend to be all the F's, Forty, Fat and freakin fabulous.

There are some pretty amazing and inspiring women taking part in this so please check out their blogs.

Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/

Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk

Cathy: http://www.southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/

Lee: http://www.pinkybellesshed.co.uk/

Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk

Lisa: http://www.kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co.uk/

Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/

Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/

Betty Pamper: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/

Kaye: http://www.polishedcurves.com/

Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Local Lunches - The Hayman's Kitchen

When my lovely friend Micky said she was returning to Deal and opening up a Cafe in Walmer (For those who aren't local Deal and Walmer are pretty much the same place) I was super excited.  This August The Hayman's Kitchen opened, serving delicious homemade vegetarian breakfasts, cakes, soups and other specials, she has also branched out into selling amazingly delicious sourdough loaves.

The Hayman's Kitchen - photo from Facebook page

I have visited back when it opened but as I am a terrible blogger no pictures were taken but I can report my Mum had a homemade rosti and poached eggs which I can report was bloomin delicious, whilst I had the damn tasty garlic mushrooms on toast.

I have of course ventured back and this time indulged in the yummy looking cakes.  I went for the home made sourdough cinnamon bun which was sweet but not cloying whilst remaining deliciously moist (God I hate that word but I can't think of a better one) and with a decent taste of cinnamon.

My Mum is more of a traditionalist and went for the scone, which was served with butter and local W.I. Jam, cream is available but my Mum is not a fan and asked for it without.  She said it was delicious and I know this to be true as she didn't offer me a bite.

Micky is a charming hostess and the whole place has a lovely welcoming atmosphere. It is also great to have somewhere in the plethora of local cafes that is exclusively vegetarian.  To check out what other options or specials are planned there is a facebook page, which also gives opening times,

Indie Hits - Snixy Swoons

The idea of this post is to share with you my love of indie brands.  I am a big fan of Indie brands whether for clothes or accessories and as a plus size woman I find a lot of Indie Brands really accommodating about doing bigger sizes.  Whilst I appreciate sometimes a dress from a smaller brand can be more money I find that with dresses from places like Simply Be coming in at £40.00 + Indie brands can be competitive especially for those times you don't want to look like everyone else.

I am not saying I wear clothes from Indie Brands all the time, for work I tend to be Primarni, supermarkets and Yours Clothing and I love seeing how people style clothes from chain shops for original looks and the Bargainista in me will always adore Primark.  However, I do love to buy from Independent Brands cos I feel like I am supporting someones dreams and livelihood, rather than paying for some bigwigs posh motor.

So the idea of Indie Hits is once a month I will share with you a Indie Brand I love and some of the bits I have bought from them.  So to start this of I am going to feature a brand  called Snixy Swoons that sell on Etsy.  I wish I could be all cool and say I found them on my own but I found these through a vlog by Betty Pamper of Pampers and Curves.

I then bought these necklaces in their sale for the bargain price of about a fiver for the pair

The brand features decoupage on wood, vintage buckles, toys and influences from Kitsch, pin up, Victoriana, classic children's books, pop culture and nature.  I have worn the cat quite a few times but have been too lazy to do a OOTD, but I am yet to wear the pin up style Hula girl but I am thinking vintage style top and jeans.  What really impressed me is despite my small cheap order it came beautifully packaged, which made it feel really special.

I was then lucky enough to win my choice of necklace a while ago, which I chose a wonderful Victorian Tiger in a Top Hat Necklace which I promise I will feature in a OOTD soon, well when life stops getting in the way.

Other favourites of mine on their website are these.

Cowboy and Indian earrings £8.00

Planet Necklace £15,00

Pin Up Necklace £20,00

Magic Roundabout Necklace £5.00

Other things making my wallet itch are the vintage toys as necklaces I love the Dinosaurs but this Zebra is amazing and could be coming to live with me.

So are there any Indie brands you love? or do you stick to the High Street?  Tell me a hook a girl up with new exciting possibilities!

PS I am new to Instagram and if you could give me a follow for occassional face and what I had for dinner that would be grand.

This Is Home

Over my adult years I have lived in a few places but I have always come back to what I regard as my home town of Deal, although I didn't move there till I was 15 I always regard it as home.

I am ridiculously proud of how beautiful Deal is, google it for more impressive images and love the fact we have the UK's only concrete pier.  Deal is a old smuggling town and I took these as I walked back from going to see a lady about a dress, like some people see men about dogs I see ladies about dresses.

Anyway as I love my home town and think it is beautiful I thought you might like to see some of the reasons why I love it so.

The shelter that I have pictured below always reminded me in my late teens when I was desperate to leave Deal and for something to happen, reminded me of the song Every Day Is Like Sunday andd I would sometimes sit here or lay on the beach humming or singing it to myself.  Funny how things change back then I wanted to be any place else now I love home.

Finally Deal has been voted High Street of the Year by the Telegraph, now I have to say I am not sure if it is High Street of the Year, or if it has been voted that due to some down from London's who work for The Telegraph, but there are some rather nice shops here.  This one Taylor-Jones & Sons kindly let me take a picture and they sell really lovely quirky homewear and art.

Anyway this is my home town, have you ever been here?  Or are you ridiculously proud of your town, tell me I want to know dear reader type as I am dead nosy!