Recent Shennanigans

I’ve had quite an exciting week or so! A lot has happened, some good, some amazing, some scary! And so here is a little round up.

Firstly, I hit 7000 likes on my Facebook page which felt pretty great! I’m not one to judge my worth on how many social followers I have, but I can’t deny my elation. I am really blessed to have so many ladies on that page who are so kind, loyal and informative! A variety of topics get discussed there and it’s a fun environment to have helped create. I share images, blog posts and ask questions to help other readers and my own curiosity. I recently posed the question:

“What would you LOVE to see a plus size designer make? Whether it’s more bodycon, more mini skirts, more black tents (!!!) anything, what do you want?

Me – more options with sleeves, and more form fitting dresses.”

Within seconds there seemed to be a a dozen answers. It seems that a lot of women, like me, would like to see sleeved items and sexier dresses. A few wanted to know where they could find shirts that buttoned up over the bust. A lot talked about maxi dresses – where to find ones with decent straps and lengths. These dresses should provide a few solutions to some of those questions. A lot asked about wide fit boots, clothes for taller women, shorter women, small busted women…the list was endless. It seems that plus size companies have a little way to go before everyone’s sizes, tastes and needs are acquainted for.

On the plus side of being plus – Plus Size Fashion Weekend is approaching!To be in with a chance of winning tickets to this amazing event, click here.

It snowed several times here in the UK this week – not fun at all! I have been asked a few times about what I wear when it turns colder, and so I thought I would share my go-to layer up look!

My favourite recent purchase has to be my Maidenform Fat Free Leggings. Thanks to the linked post by Curvywordy, I discovered these amazing leggings, and I am hooked!

The perfect fit for me is a size large, and they suck me in and smooth me out without being too restrictive.

Remember – they are leggings, not trousers, and the arse stretching see through aspect means that I always wear them with something to cover my bottom!

When layering up, I add a long sleeved bust friendly BiuBiu top.
Any old dress, often without a belt as it’s not seen under the layers.
One of my boyfriend’s hoodies (most of them are from Primark).
My Collectif coat, a scarf, some thick socks, and either my Uggs or Evans boots

Like I said, I change this look up a bit but generally those layers keep me warm and snug and don’t add too much bulk to my already large body.

My dress obsession and broken handbag recently got introduced to two new sites – and thus, one glorious outfit was born.

The dress is, predictably, a Dolores doll by Collectif that I got in the sale at Miss Mole. The handbag is from JustFab and I got it at at introductory offer of £17.50.

Be warned though – if you do buy from JustFab, read the sign up instructions carefully as you will get a monthly charge if you do not make a monthly purchase.

That said, my new bag is gloriously green, has many zip pockets and the option of a long or a short strap. A beautiful bargain that looks great with my new dress – which I really need to iron, I do apologise!

And last but no means least, this happened…

I appeared in the Daily Mail. Something I swore to myself would never happen! But, if you read the article (ignore that horrific photo that I spoil) you will see it was for a good reason. You can read more about the project and the other ladies involved here, at Plus-Size-Tall.
Sadly we were badly represented what with all the ‘curves’ and ‘curvy’ and ‘real women’ being thrown about, despite me specifically telling Liz how much I hated those terms. I did not know who Daisy Lowe was, and after a quick Google I stated that I thought she was slim, yet curvy. I was also quoted as saying that I wanted to lose weight but feared what my readers would think. Nuh uh. I want too and AM losing weight. I don’t need 200 trolls to tell me to do so, but thanks for the concern guys! Fat as I am, I am healthy, I do exercise, my eating choices are not always the best but I am trying. I have no problem getting male attention (hello boyfriend of 4+ years) and I didn’t eat any dwarves. My thighs do not chaff, I love colour block dresses and guess what DM readers, you aint got nothing on me! Those of us who are intelligent will know that DM readers comment to provoke, they use pseudo names and would never dare look us in our piggy eyes and say such things to our fat faces. Which didn’t make reading them (I couldn’t ignore them) any easier, but it did help me put in a killer session at the gym.
I love this post from my fellow chubster Callie, as it summed up how I felt as well.

So, that’s my news!  I hope that this round up has been interesting and fun.  It’s something I may do more if you all would like.. just let me know 🙂

Wrapping Up With Collectif

I am a huge huge fan of Collectif. From their instore customer service, to the dedication of their head office team, to their gorgeous garments and amazing experiences at London Edge with them, they are awesome! And so it should be no surprise that I am completely in love with their winter coat collection.

Last year I bought a cheapish coat to last me a few years, and lo and behold it is looking a little bedraggled this year and is sporting several holes and other signs of wear and tear. And so I was looking for an investment piece, something to stand the test of time.

The coat that I lusted after for quite a while had to be the Gretel.

The lovely Julia works at Collectif and owns of of these goreous coats. Here is what she had to say about it:

“The Gretel coat is really a love it or hate it style.  I have spoken to ladies & gentlemen who just don’t get it and seen girls go mad for it.   Personally, after first seeing the sample of this style I was in love. Initially there were hesitations over whether the Red Riding Hood Theme had been taken too literally, but after relentless squeeling from the office girls we managed to confirm the sample for production. This was a risky piece for Collectif as its higher price tag could put some people off but it was worth the risk.

I originally hankered after the red for 2 months, as I live in the forest I felt that I needed this coat in my life. After it arrived I tried on the red and I felt like it was slightly too obvious. As a lover of black & the gothic aesthetic that was the one for me, it is more versatile and looks more elegant.

The Gretel Coat is made from a wool based fabric perfect to keep you warm on a chilly day. I will warn you though try and avoid getting it wet! This is a not a style to get caught in the rain in, snow in the forest though is it’s natural habitat. The whole coat is lined in luxurious polka dot satin. Black with white dots inside the black version & red with black dots inside the red. This lining is found inside the oversized hood and underneath the cape which gives it a truely luxurious feel. The high quality faux fur trim & pom-poms is another touch which makes this style worth the £175.00.

Size wise, if you are busty you may need to size up, I am a (34) D-DD and the 14 JUST does up over the bust, I think I will move the button so that it is the perfect fit. The 14 fits really nicely on the waist so I went for this size and sacrificed it being a bit snug across the bust.”

It was Julia’s initial images of herself in the coat that made me very sure that I wanted one and that she was not just being biased about her love of the coat!

She looked stunning in the black, but part of me wanted the red – and another part of me wanted both! However, my eye was caught by the now sold out Ashley, a style that proved so popular, Collectif will be making more next year. And you can see why!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the black Ashley in a size 20 just before it sold out for the year, and I cannot say enough good things about this coat!

It is so warm and snuggly thanks to the wool, and in no way itchy, which was my worry.

The beautiful silky polka dot lining felt amazing on and the coat slid on and off easily.

The 20 was a perfect fit across my bust, and the belt ensured I got my desired cinched in look. Sadly I did think that the belt length was a little short, and I may have to have a hunt for something a little longer to replace it with.

The coat has a gorgeous circle skirt, which not only looks great, but also ensures that my bottom will fit into it!

Of course, the leopard print collar and cuffs made Ashley a huge hit with me, and I loved how soft it felt.

I felt oh so vintagey in this coat, and couldn’t resist roping my boyfriend into taking a few snaps of me in it and messing with the resolution a little!

Collectif have really outdone themselves with their coats this year, and I don’t think that even they could predict just how popular they would be. I cannot wait to see what they come up with next year, as well as the return of Ashley!

Which coat is your favourite? What do you usually wrap up in in the colder weather?