A Review Of The BiuBiu ‘Portofino’ Top

I am very much a flouncy dress person, but sometimes I do like to rock an outfit that doesn’t blow up with the slightest gust of wind! And I have the ideal skirt from New Look, but it can never hurt to have a few more tops to go with it…

One perfect top has to be my 44BB/BBB BiuBiu Portofino top.

I have tried many a BiuBiu top in the past, but I’m always happy to add a few new styles to my wardrobe!

The Portofino top ticked many many boxes for me. The length was perfect on my longer torso, and the clingy fit was flattering enough to show off my shape without being too tight.

The way it ruched across my stomach was fabulous, as that is an area that I struggle with when things are too tight.

The v neck was cut rather low, but the fabric crossed over in such a way that meant that that top was still very modest. I could easily have sized down to a 42BB/BBB or maybe even a 40BB/BBB, and in those sizes I may have found myself spilling out a little more. But this top fit me well, and I liked the way the neckline sat.

This top does come in several more colours, and ideally I would go for something a little more stain friendly. But I do love the way the white looked against my skin tone and hair.

The sleeves were perfect. Loose enough to not give me sausage arms, and tight enough to not add extra bulk.

This top will go perfectly with jeans, trousers and skirts, and with the right layering (probably another BiuBiu top underneath it!) this top will be perfect during the cooler seasons as well. A big thumbs up from me!

In these photos I paired my top with an old skirt from New Look, my trusty Maidenform shapewear, a plunge bra from Ewa Michalak and my old Marks and Spencers high heels.

Special thanks goes to the beautiful patient CurvyWordy for taking these photos for me.

Being Fat.

I apologise in advance for what is going to be a very selfish post all about…me. My life, my experiences and my views.

I’ve been bigger for most of my life.  Not as large as I am now, but compared to my peers I was a heavyweight.  I must have been, or else why would they and my family have constantly found new and interesting ways to bring it to my attention? ‘Heffalumpa’, ‘tree trunk thighs’, ‘Georgie Podgy’ and all manner of other creative terms were flung my way throughout my teenage years.  I sometimes wonder whether I would have loathed my body had no one brought my larger frame to my attention on an almost daily basis, or whether I would have still compared my shape and size to those around me and despaired at it’s apparent heftyness.

These days I have a healthier approach to my body.  Just because I am a larger lady, it doesn’t mean that that is all I am.  I am Georgina.  I am someone’s best friend. I am someone’s girlfriend.  I am a blogger.  I work in marketing.  I have done the odd bit of modelling. I have fat on my body, but I am not fat – a mere lump of the stuff. And so what if I do have a bit of chub? What has my extra wibble stopped me doing? I’ve travelled, bungee jumped, sky dived, danced all night long. I’ve gone swimming in rivers, pools, streams and oceans. I’ve been flirted with, hit on and chatted up enough for me to safely conclude that I am not just an undesirable blubbery mess with no other attributes. I go running sporadically, I can climb several flights of stairs without collapsing and although I could be fitter, I’ve never felt hindered by my physical abilities. I fit comfortably into bus, train, plane and rollercoaster seats, and I’ve never capsized a boat. I have never experiences any ailments or illnesses due to my size. Diabetes? No, I am not a silly nonsensical cliché. Raised blood pressure? Only when people push onto a tube that I am getting off (you think they would see me…) Cholesterol problems? Give me a break! I could go on and on with a smug self important things that I have achieved DESPITE my weight and a list of problems that do not go hand in hand with squishy frame, but I think you all get the picture!

There are only ever two occasions that my lardy body gets my down. The first is when I catch a glimpse of myself in photos not looking my best. I am generally happy with my appearance, but when someone with a camera catches me off guard the end result can be monstrous. I do accept that they are capturing me as I look at that time, but I still get hung up and ‘detag’ myself in photos! Likewise, when I sometimes look in the mirror in something that doesn’t suit me or is too small for me, I feel horrid. I feel ashamed. However, would I still feel that way if I were smaller, but just about other parts of my body rather than my fat? And would I still feel that way if I didn’t live in a country that is obsessed with diets and cellulite and the idea that the only way to be perfect and happy is to be slim? Who can say.
The other thing that gets me down is… other people’s reactions to my size. Because as much as I want to make friends with the word ‘fat’, being branded a ‘fat lazy slag’ or any other random throwing together of seemingly negative words DOES hurt – how can it not? Sometimes I dwell on that hurt for days, sometimes I laugh it off within seconds, but it does make a mark on me and make me mentally regret every bite of chocolate and drunken burger I ever scoffed down. I curse myself for allowing my body to take on this vast form and I wonder how anyone could have ever liked me, loved me, seen me naked and felt anything other than nausea.

However, I do bounce back, more determined than ever to carry on with my life, doing all of the things that most other people do, unhindered by my size. I would like to shed some flab, as I do think that I would feel a little more content with some weight off. But my life will not stop until that point, and nor will the opportunities and amazing experiences that I have had and will encounter. I am not my weight. I am not simply ‘fat’ and every negative connotation that goes with that word. I am so much more than that, just like every other person out there who constantly gets reduced to being nothing more than a body size.

‘Being fat’. It’s not a disability, or the worst thing someone can be. It’s not an adequate singular way to describe a person. It’s not a term for a life half lived. It doesn’t call for the faux concern brigade to start firing out phrases like, “I just worry about how their weight will impact their lives in the future.” It’s just the way some people are.

Get over it.

Win Tickets To ‘Loving your Curves’

Loving Your Curves is a plus size UK event like no other!

“Expo ~ Saturday 21st September

Loving Your Curves has partnered with some of the UK’s most innovative and unique Plus Size designers and retailers to bring you an exciting and relaxed atmosphere of size acceptance for Curvy Women to experience a truly enjoy unique day out.

Visitors will enjoy an entertaining day with Plus Size Fashion shows, workshops, entertainment and a Curvy beauty lounge. You will also be able to meet Plus Size, Health and Beauty experts providing an intimate platform of motivation, inspiration and education all under one roof, specially designed for you.

With over 50 exhibitors at the show, you will find a lovely mix of Plus Size designers, jewellery designers, make-up artists, shoe designers, bags, accessories and much more.

Wedding Fair ~ Sunday 22nd September

Loving Your Curves Wedding Fair has partnered with some of the UK’s most unique and luxurious independent designers and retailers to create a platform for Plus Size and bespoke suppliers of wedding essentials to showcase their work and create an exciting and relaxed atmosphere for Curvy Brides-to-be and their wedding party to experience a truly unique day out whilst being introduced to suppliers in every are required for planning and adding the finishing touches to their special day.

Visitors will enjoy an entertaining day with Plus Size Fashion & Bridal shows, workshops, entertainment and a Curvy beauty lounge. Brides will also be able to meet Wedding and Plus Size experts providing a complete wedding shopping experience under one roof specially designed for Curvy Brides-to-be.

With over 50 exhibitors at the show, you will find a lovely mix of Plus Size designers, jewellery, photographers, cake makers, make-up artists, henna artists, florists, caterers, DJs and much more.”

If you would like to win two tickets to one of these London based events then please leave a comment below this post. Please use your real name and email address (so I can contact you in the event of you winning) and please let me know this:

Why do you love your curves?

The lucky winner will be announced on August the 15th. Good Luck, and I will hopefully see some of you there!

Click here to find out more about the ‘Loving Your Curves’ event.

Women Are Back

If you have been following my social streams as of late you will have seen me gushing on and on and on and on and ON about the fact that I was in Milan! I was flown there by Marina Rinaldi, as myself and eleven other girls were due to spend four days together working on an exciting project – more will be revealed in a few months!  All I can say is that I ate gelato, met some babes, tried on some amazing clothes and had my hair and make up done every day.  It was like a dream!

It was amazing to meet some of my blogging idols, and I absolutely adore every woman I had the pleasure of spending time with over those four perfect days.

I’d love to introduce you to these women if I may, I will go from left to right.

Katya Zharkova. What can I say about this girl!? I’ve wanted to meet her ever since I saw the spread she did for Plus Model Magazine.

She looked so fun and so beautiful, and meeting her proved that she was that and then some! She has fought and fought and fought to become a plus size model for so many years, and she has such a great attitude towards body image and body confidence, and I felt truly inspired to be around her. Plus she was a dream to watch in action on one of her shoots and I can’t wait to meet her again.

Tanesha Awasthi aka Girl With Curves.

Wow is all I can say. What a beautiful graceful woman she was! She had the ability to make everything she wore look sublime, and was always so composed and perfect looking!

Melike Çarpatan was a complete darling.

She brought everyone good luck bracelets from Turkey and looked amazing in her sophisticated outfit choices.

Ditte Vallø – my booby twin! A mother of three who looked too young to even have one! Ditte was so funny and amazing to be around, a really positive effervescent woman.

Roberta Scagnolari was wearing a Marina Rinaldi dress when we met, and seeing how good her busty petite curvy frame suited the garment made me even more excited for the following when when I got to try on everything and anything! This buxom beauty had a knowledge of make up that blew me away!

Iris Tinunin – I love this girl! She was so fiery and fun, a pocket sized Italian beauty.

Gabi Gregg. What plus size blogger doesn’t want to meet this voluptuous legend!? Gabi was so down to earth and fun to be around – and the fact that she is my body shape twin didn’t hurt either!

Shila Kreuzer was an complete babe. She wore the best accessories and had the most beautiful lips.

Stéphanie Zwicky – wow!

I have to say she was a little intimidating at first, but I soon got to know her and discovered a very sweet warm loving woman. My favourite moment from the trip happened when a little old lady in the Marina Rinaldi store asked me what us girls were doing in the store. She mentioned that she read a blog by a French lady called Stéphanie, and I excitedly told her she was in the store! Stéphanie could not believe that this lady in Italy read her blog, and moments after meeting her she burst into emotional tears. ‘This is why I do it. This is why I blog. I get told I’m fat, too fat to wear nice things. But I don’t care. I blog for women like her.’ – I think we all started crying at this, and Iris summed it up with ‘Your emotion; it’s beautiful.’ Stéphanie recently launched her new collection, and she looked amazing wearing a few of the items from it when in Milan.

Marie Denee – it was so good to see her again! Marie and I first met when we worked together on the Evans campaign, and I was so glad to see her name amongst the others, as I was a little dubious about meeting so many new people. She was as fun and beautiful and sassy as ever, and seeing her work it for the camera was something really special!

Edith Dohmen – the girl with the lost luggage! I felt so sorry for Edith, turning up to Milan to find her bags a few hours behind her! Luckily it arrived, and so did she looking as beautiful as she does on her blog. I really enjoyed her attitude and outlook on the plus size world. She is more of an ‘inbetweeny’ at her size, something that she covers a lot on her amazing blog, and with her amazing brand of clothing.

So there you have it! The eleven women I spent time with last week! The Marina Rinaldi gang were also a dream to be around, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Milan, exhausting as it was! I ate great food, had my photo taken by Riccardo Vimercati and Max Cardelli. These photos and accompanying interviews will be appearing on huge posters and in magazine in a few short months, something that I’m even more excited about!  And best of all I finally got to try some beautiful Marina Rinaldi clothes – the links and reviews of which I will also post in a few months. I caught myself crying several times during the trip, and on the way home. I feel so lucky to have been given such a wonderful opportunity with some truly fabulous women, and although I can’t reveal everything about the trip just yet, I can share a few photos with you. Enjoy!

Top Of The Tights

With the weather hotting up every day in England, it doesn’t seem right to be blogging about tights! However, we only have a few months of delightful weather left before we’re back to breezier climates, and it’s best to be prepared!
Luckily for me I have been sent a few pairs of tights, hold ups and stockings to try out recently, and in this post I will be showing you the ones that worked well for my size (around a UK18/20) and height (5’7).
Please bear in mind that these I tried these tights on in my rather toasty flat, and therefore it was a little hard to get them on and looking picture perfect and so I do apologise!

The first pair I tried were the 15 denier Pretty Polly Curves Superfit ladder resist tights, XXL in ‘Barely Black’.

They fit me extremely well, and as you can see sat very high on me, which is perfect! They were easy to get on and didn’t snag or catch easily. They were a chocolatey brown colour, and will be perfect on darker skinned girls.

Next up I tried the Nylonica Linea Classica Sheer 15 stockings in XXL.

These stockings were incredibly soft, and felt like air to put on! They were easy to pull up and didn’t cut into my thighs. The colour is not one I would wear unless going to a fancy dress party, but I would definitely get them in a darker colour.

Hold ups are something I struggle with. they often won’t stay up on me, or they’ll dig in uncomfortably. And so I was intrigued to try the Nylonica Linea Classica sheer 15 lace top hold-ups in XXL.

These fit me excellently, and stayed up successfully for quite some time. They were easy to roll up and felt great on.

These Cette Oslo tights, size L were something a little different…

I have to say that the red and black colouring is NOT something I am a fan of at all, and these will sit firmly in my fancy dress box! However, I liked the fit and the thick comfy material that was easy to put on, and meant the tights stayed up. The fit over my bottom was rather questionable as you can see, but if these came in black I would love them!

Next up I tried two pairs of Sonsee tights, one pair in 60 denier, and one pair in 100. My size 18-20 puts me as a size ‘Flawless’ in Sonsee, and I really love the way the brand is dedicated to making larger women feel and look amazing!

“If you’re a Sonsee-sized woman, you know how difficult it can be to find sexy, luxurious hosiery that truly fits your body. Until now, plus size hosiery has been tight, controlling, restricting, uncomfortable, sold in bland colours and generally thrown out after one wear.
Not anymore.
Sonsee has discovered the best thing to come out of Italy – next to Sofia Loren, that is.
Italian materials and manufacturing have married to create hosiery that stretches beyond your imagination.
It’s comfortable, sexy, durable and fits your body.”

My friend was over as I tried the tights on, watching in amusement as I road tested them all. When I put these tights on her mirth turned to amazement, as she admired just how well they looked and how good they fit! I am so impressed with these tights and I can’t wait to see more from this company.

Last up I tried some products from another brand new brand – Lida.

All of these products were a size 4XL and once again I was impressed with the wonderful fit and look of the products. The hold ups were once again prefect on my chubby legs, and the lighter tights will serve me well during Autumn. Dominik from Lida was absolutely brilliant and patient with me when it came to ensuring I had the right size of product, and I adore the fact that this company are investing time and effort into making hosiery to fit and suit larger women.

Have you got any favourites when it comes to plus size tights, stocking and hold ups? Do you also struggle to find the perfect fit? Let me know in the comments.

A Little Lovedrobe In My Wardrobe

SUMMER IS ACTUALLY HERE!!!! I can’t quite believe it! And that means Pimms, beer gardens, and a spot of sun bathing! I’m lucky enough to have a communal private garden that no one else in my block of flats cares to visit, and so last weekend I threw on a bikini and set off to my little spot of sunshine to settle down with a good book and some iced water. And what better dress to throw on over my bikini than this one:

The Lovedrobe beige antique inspired lace and floral dress.


I went for a size 20 in this dress, and it didn’t look overly generous in the bust. I was spot on with this prediction, and even in a 20 it proved touch and go size wise.

I think a 22 may have been better in this dress, but with my non padded bikini and loose fitting belt, the 20 sufficed nicely.

The dress is a gorgeous floral print with pretty lace detailing. The lace around the neckline did feel a little scratchy and rough, and I feel like it may have irritated me had I wore it for much longer than I did.

The length was ideal for a casual day of sunbathing in my garden with very few people around, however, I would probably start to feel paranoid about my legs if I were out and about somewhere busier.

The sleeves are nice and spacious and not at all restrictive.

The dress has three buttons on the bust, making it perfect for showing a bit of cleavage and ideal for breast feeding mummies.

The skirt hung nicely, and didn’t blow up and overall the dress was nice and light. It really was a perfect dress for a hot summer’s day!

If you also fancy trying out this dress or anything else on the Livedrobe site then you have until the end of the month to get 15% off. Use the code ‘FFFB’ at the checkout.

A Review Of The Scarlett & Jo Floral Prom Dress

Since I first laid eyes on the Scarlett & Jo collection at Evans I have been in love. They make well priced fun funky garments that have suited ladies of so many sizes, shapes and ages. They run from sizes 14-26 at present, and so fingers crossed they go up to a 32 in the very near future.

I recently spied this gorgeous sheer yoke print dress in an Evans store, and I shockingly adored it! Shocking because I’m not a fan of pinks and purples, but you can see why…

And so imagine my joy when Lucy from Scarlett and Jo was kind enough to send me the dress in a size 16.

This dress has no stretch too it, and so the 16 was a snug fit across the chest.

The mesh panel at the top of the dress does of course show my bra straps off, but not in an obvious way.

The dress comes with a tie up sash to help cinch it in at the waist. I will no doubt add my own belt, but I did like the dress as it was.

The cute V neck back made it easy to zip up on my own AND was rather flattering.

The dress comes with a silky underskirt that helps give it a bit of flounce and body. Not so much that the dress is comical, just enough!

The dress is a perfect length for me. It hits me right on the knee, showing off my slimmer lower legs.

Sleeveless dresses are something I do usually have to modify with a bolero or cardi, and this will look great with a variety of colours – pink, purple, black, silver. I can see it working well for a wedding with some shoes to match the bolero. It will also make a great party dress, or something to wear on a casual summer’s day.

You can see what Hanna from ‘The Wardrobe Challenge’ thought of the dress here – you will have to agree, it looks sublime on her!

What do you think of Scarlett & Jo’s range for Evans? Have you tried any pieces or would you like to?

Aztec Prints

When I visited Vietnam back in February and roped Robbie into haggling for gorgeous bag, I had no idea that I was unwittingly buying a ‘fashionable’ piece of clothing…

It was only upon returning to the UK that I saw Aztec prints everywhere. I got my first taste of the print when I tried out some New Look Inspire pieces – and I really loved the print! And so when I spied Beth from Butterfly rocking a gorgeous Aztec midi dress, I just had to have it…

The dress is currently available in size 16/18, 20/22 and 24/26. I went for a size 16/18 and it arrived in no time at all…

The dress is made of a stretchy polyester, and is finished with a gold foil. It stretched to accommodate my shape, and finished just on the knee. The horizontal pattern felt very flattering, busting that myth that it adds pounds to the figure! I loved how many colours were in the dress and how well it would lend itself to a number of accessories.

The scoop neckline finishes high enough to conceal cleavage, but low enough to still be flattering. The capped sleeves felt comfortable over my arms and didn’t restrict them.

The dress didn’t quite nip me in at the waist like I would have liked, and so I naturally added a thrifted belt. I also paired this dress with my Freya Deco, my Maidenform shapewear and my shoes from M&S that are now several seasons old.

What do you think of the Aztec print trend? Do you own any Aztec print pieces or would you like too?

My First Taste Of Curvissa

Curvissa is one of those brands that I have always been curious about.

“Plus size fashion shouldn’t be about compromise, it should be about choice. Curvissa.co.uk offers a selection of over 3,000 quality fashion items in sizes 14 – 32, giving you a comprehensive collection of plus size clothing that includes everything from trousers and tops, to jackets and jeans.”

I was recently given the chance to try out a Curvissa item, and I naturally headed straight for the dresses! As I scrolled through the pretties, one dress in particular caught my eye – the 50’s Inspired Dress. Hello retro style + polka dots!

When deciding what size to order in this dress, I consulted the customer reviews and size chart. I have to say that I was rather amazed to see my measurements indicating that a size 26 would be most appropriate! I’m used to needing to size up to accommodate for them, but I’ve never needed to go beyond a 20, 22 at a push. And so I went against the recommendations and decided on a size 20, although the reviews did make me apprehensive, especially for the fit on the arms.

The dress arrived, and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the material felt, and how it was barely creased. The dress is designed to be slipped on like a t shirt, although it has no stretch.

I didn’t even have to unbutton the buttons at the bust to get the dress on, and after years of twisting my arms and awkwardly zipping up various zips, it was a refreshing change!

I quite liked how the dress looked on me. The fit on the arms was spot on, and although the tier felt a little snug, it fit rather nicely across my mega hips. However, to make it perfect I knew I had to add one thing…

Ta da!

My belt, which came with one of my Pinup girl Clothing dresses made the dress a lot more wearable and a lot more ‘me’.

As you can see, the sleeves have a slit at the back of them, which makes them very comfy on my large upper arms. The length is pretty much perfect, and the ruffled button up neckline means I can vary my modesty!

The only thing thing that I would change about this dress is the tiered bottom. I don’t feel that it fits with the style, and it would be a little more flattering if the dress were a simply a line – or of course a circle skirt! However, this dress is something that I will be wearing to work as it is very comfortable and versatile – and so perfect for those cheeky post work cocktails!

If you haven’t already tried Curvissa then I would recommend them. I’ve only tried the one dress, but I can’t wait to work my way through some more items. Just take that size chart with a pinch of salt!

A Review Of The Anna Scholz Plain Ruched Dress

Anna Scholz is one of those designers who gets it so right, all of the time. And the fact that she is a plus size designer makes her really special.

If you are a fan of Boombands Em you will have seen several of her glorious creations featured on there. If you are NOT a fan of Boombands Em then you need to become one…
Em and I are pretty much body twins, and so when I was asked to review an item from Simply Be, it’s no wonder I immediately thought of Anna Scholz.

I hurried to the Simply Be website and had a look at their Anna Scholz range. So many pretty dresses! However, there was one that stood out for me – the Anna Scholz plain ruched dress.

I went for this dress in a size 16 as I discovered in this review that her dresses are cut quite generously, and in no time at all I had my grubby little mitts on the beautiful magenta creation.

As predicted, the 16 was a great fit for me. The material is such that I feel a 14 may have also sufficed.

It fit my curves perfectly, and I am torn as to whether I will need to add my beloved belt to the dress!

I adored the colour – I am not a pink girl, and so this purpley pinky mix was just girly enough without straying out of my comfort zone.

The ruching was very flattering and helped skim over my lumps and bumps. The neckline was perfect, and makes this dress ideal for office wear, nights out and so much more.

The length was spot on, hitting me just below the knee. I also LOVED the 3/4 length sleeves as they covered my arms without being too tight and restrictive.

I cannot stress just how much I adore this dress! I am hoping it will come out in green as well, as I think it would look amazing!

I know that a lot of larger ladies say that they cannot wear tighter dresses, but I feel that a dress like this would be perfect on many unsure girls. You don’t have to go for such a fitted style, you can add a belt and a cardi and gradually get used to a tighter dressed look. The ruching on this dress is great for flattering bigger tummies, and the material is sift and gorgeous!

Are you a big girl who also loves figure hugging dresses? Or do you loathe them? Let me know 🙂