Floral and Mesh Stripes OOTD*

When it comes to dressing up for more formal occasions, keeping that feeling of 'me' is so important. It can be hard when you have a more alternative style to feel like you've dressed up enough for an occasion whilst still also feeling like yourself. Thanks to City Chic's range at Evans however, I've found some really beautiful pieces that fit the bill wonderfully.

Dress - City Chic at Evans*

Lace Jacket - City Chic at Evans*

I've featured this jacket in another blog post (here) but I totally adore it and always reach for it. It adds an extra layer of warmth but nothing too bulky, and it's a more dressed up way of wearing a biker jacket. I always reach for a biker jacket so this fills me little punk heart with glee. It is SO versatile and I adore it.

This dress has something about it. The print is gorgeous, the floral with mesh stripe inserts is a great combination and the colour tones are incredible. This is a classic fit and flare dress, but they do have this dress in other silhouettes too if something a bit more unusual is more your style. It is so soft and incredibly made, City Chic is a brand I really enjoy and their quality is consistently fantastic. If you like dresses that are a bit different, have a hint of goth or have their own little quirks, check them out. I'm forever eyeing up their range on Evans and wishing I could buy it all!

Just a note on City Chic's sizing, Evans has their XXL listed as a size UK 24, and this is the largest size. However, this size chart has been taken direct from City Chic and doesn't seem to have been converted from US to UK sizes, so their XXL is more of a 26/28, so check your measurements rather than relying on the size conversion they have listed on their website.

These photos are from my photoshoot with the wonderful Shannon Swift. I don't usually share photos of me sat down, subconsciously or not I tend to pose in ways that are more flattering than these photos are. Shannon got me to pose sat down and I love that she pushed me to do something different. And her lighting is EVERYTHING.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

A Mini George at Asda Homeware Haul : How to Spot Real Fur vs Fake Fur

*denotes items gifted for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

Lace Dreams with Evans*

Ever see an item of clothing and just know that it is meant to be on your body? That happened with this jacket. This is the City Chic MOD Biker Jacket* from Evans, and it is one of the best things I have ever worn. City Chic have been stocked on Evans for a little while but I hadn't had chance to try them out, but Evans kindly sent me some pieces for a photoshoot I did recently (photos coming soon!) and one of them was this absolute beauty. 

Jacket - City Chic MOD Biker Jacket from Evans*

Dress - Alice and You Mesh Skater Dress from ASOS

Harness - Pentagram Harness by Malice

Necklace - Double Daggers by BloodyMary Metal

Boots - Demonia (no longer available)

Sunglasses - Sorority Princess by Quay Australia

This outfit feels like peak Kitty, like I have finally achieved the plus size outfit of my dreams. The mesh dress is actually two layers, a simple camisole dress, and then the mesh skater dress is a totally separate layer, so you could wear it over anything you liked. It sold out almost immediately on ASOS, but you never know, it might come back into stock! To make it look a bit more put together I wore my favourite Malice harness underneath it. There are a lot of companies that make harnesses, and a lot who have ripped off this design, but Malice are the originators and I adore them!

Oh this jacket, this jacket is just everything. I love a biker jacket, and this is something truly exceptional. The actual jacket is sheer lace, so whatever you wear underneath it is visible which I love. So often I feel like a jacket hides an outfit, but not this one!

The details of this jacket are just everything. It has functioning zip up pockets that are big enough for your phone to fit in comfortably, and these lovely mesh straps give more depth to it.

It zips up on one side which is a favourite style of mine, the lapels have a mesh underside and the hardware is all silver. Silver hardware is SO rare these days and it's my favourite!

The sleeves have a zip up them too, I've worn the jacket with them unzipped with the sleeves rolled up too and it looks awesome both ways.

The fabric of this jacket means that while it adds some warmth, it isn't too warm, so I can see this being my go-to jacket for those cooler summer evenings. Every time we go out lately to somewhere I know will be on the warmer side I opt for this and always get compliments on it!

This outfit is just me in a way that plus size fashion doesn't often allow me to feel. It felt liberating and incredible to wear something that is exactly what I want, rather than just making do.

The City Chic range on Evans is definitely a new favourite and I wish I'd tried it out sooner!

Much love,

Kitty xxx

Surprise Flowers to Say Thank You : Elle King

*denotes an item that was gifted to me. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

Give Me Lace Wingz*

Wingz are a company I've been aware of for a little while, but until recently I didn't quite 'get'. They make something totally different, they make sleeves that can be added to any outfit. Sleeves! What one earth would you need separate sleeves for? They started out with plain jersey styles to begin with but have recently expanded their range bringing in some lace styles, so when given the chance to review them my inner goth was more than happy to!

I'm wearing the new stretch lace Wingz in 3/4 length sleeves in black*. Once I had these, I finally got it. All those cute dresses and tops I have that I don't wear come autumn because it's too warm to wear a jacket over them, but too cold to go sleeveless? These are the answer. Any top without sleeves can be turned into a new part of your autumn wardrobe just by popping these on underneath.

Wingz are like a crop top you pop on over your bra, that is open on the bust. I'm wearing the size 3 which is a 22-26 and it fits me just fine, and I am a very broad 26. The material is nice and soft and stretchy, so if you have bigger arms they should be no problem. I'm ft 11 and they sit just below the elbow on me which I think is a great length. The pattern is lovely, and the scalloping at the hem is a really nice touch, much prettier than just a straight finish. I found these slipped a little but when I first put them on, but it was more my error when dressing myself that caused this, than the Wingz themselves. They have a video on their website showing the best way to put them on here. Once I had that right, they didn't budge.

I don't think these would work with spaghetti straps because you'd be able to see the elasticated parts of the Wingz, but any top or drop that is sleeveless will be ideal. I wore them under an older Simply Be dress that I love and you couldn't tell that they were part of the dress.

If you aren't the most comfortable with your upper arms, which seems to be a sadly all too common insecurity for us plus size folks, these mean you really can buy that LBD you saw and wished had little sleeves, because you can add those sleeves yourself! They have chiffon versions, split sleeves and jersey material in a variety of colours, they can add a whole new dimension to your wardrobe! It means being able to bring those cute dresses into autumn with you, and being able to add an extra layer of warmth without adding and bulk.

A brilliant concept, and one I'm sure I'll rock this autumn!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Mesh Insert Skater Dress :  A Cloudy OOTD

*indicates an item that was gifted to me for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

PS. You have no idea how hard it is to pose to show off your arms, I am the awkwardest!

A Scarlett & Jo Surprise

EDIT - While the quality of their clothes isn't in doubt, I cannot encourage anyone to buy from Scarlett & Jo or support their business for ethical reasons.

Recently the Scarlett & Jo launched their own website! I have been really excited to see this, S&J really care about what they do, and really love what they are doing. Their website is a wonderful thing, the range of models is so diverse, there truly is every body shape and size wearing their clothes and looking amazing. So many brands claim to care about all sizes of customers, but so few then actually use models who don't conform to the 'acceptable' side of plus size. Hour glass figures, big boobs, small waists, tall, white. So to see what Gifi has done with S&J fills me with joy!

I've been ordering a lot of Christmas presents lately, so when a box turned up for me I assumed it was one of those. Imagine my surprise when I opened it up to discover a Scarlett & Jo box inside! I hadn't ordered anything, and had no idea anything was being sent to me, it was such a treasured marvel!

My beautiful surprise inside came wrapped up in tissue paper in this box, it's so well presented! I couldn't wait to open it.

And inside was this gorgeous fit and flare dress with lace shoulders! It is so very 'me'. The neckline is incredible. I don't have much of a bust, but it really played up what I have! It is very short on me, I'm 5ft 11 after all, but I paired it with some mesh leggings from ASOS, an old ASOS belt, and my favourite stompy boots, and I was well away. The dress hangs slightly longer at the back, so while it is short, my butt was well covered! I went out for dinner in this dress with my family and got compliments all round.

I couldn't resist an extra cheeky selfie in the bathroom at the Kingsway. It had a freaking chaise lounge in it! I added accessories in the form of a Rosa Pietsch necklace and a Crown & Glory flower crown. S&J were also kind enough to send me some truly lush midnight blue velvet leggings that I will post as soon as I have a good outfit photo of them. I often find velvet leggings to really slide when you wear them, but the stretch and fit of these doesn't feel like they will.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

ps. Don't forget to check out my new YouTube channel!

Check out my last OOTD here.

An Evening Do

Stu and myself were recently invited to the wedding evening do of a work colleague of his. I slightly panicked outfit wise because I realised that I have never actually been to a wedding as an adult that I haven't been photographing! So I tried on about 10 dresses before I decided what to wear. I also wanted to do something different with my hair for once so decided something cute and vintage was a must, so victory rolls!

The vicotry rolls only took me about 18 attempts to get roughly even haha. One always goes perfect, it's a rule I am sure!

I have no idea what my face is doing.

Sugar & Vice Solar System Necklace £28

I love this necklace for a statement necklace. It is so different, and it always gets complimented, love it!

ASOS Curve Leggings in Tartan Check Print £18

ASOS Curve Exclusive Cami Skater Dress in Lace £17(on sale!)

Black Dusk Oversized black floral fringe side split longline kimono £50

Black Converse Hi-Tops

I love this dress. It's rare for a skater dress to be long enough for me, but this one is so cute, and comfy, and I really like the neckline too. I got a bit iffy about wearing black to a wedding, so went for the tartan leggings to brighten it up, and the kimono for more colour as well. I LOVE this kimono so much. Black Dusk sell through ASOS Marketplace and they have so much beautiful goodness. It was dark by the time I was ready so apologies for the full outfit photo not being the best.

The wedding night do was lovely fun, and it was nice to get to meet Mel and Jon, so many congrats! They had a photo booth, which you better believe I dragged Stu into!

Stu's amazing suit jacket is from Oppo Suits and is part of a full suit, but he opted for just the jacket. I love it so much. They are also available on Amazon and often go on sale, so keep an eye out, this one was a bargain!

Much love,

Kitty xxxxxx

Father's Day!

Sunday was Father's Day in England, so it meant a family BBQ to celebrate the day with my love and his children, and my Dad too :)

This is what I got for my Dad. Custom Uranium and Plutonium element cufflinks from Sugar & Vice. He works in the power industry so he enjoyed these!

My outfit :) Stu took the first one but I think the hemline is more visible in the second one. Isn't it cute?

The dress is from New Look, my Mum found it in store on sale and treated me to it :) thanks Mum! I wouldn't normally go for a pink dress, but I liked the lace detailing and the hem is so cute.

I usually live in plain black leggings but I'm trying to break that habit, so cute new leggings! These are from ASOS. The material they are made of is so soft, I love them and will be keeping an eye out for more. My sandals are from Evans last year, it is so hard to get a size 10! The are wedge heels which I find much more comfortable.

To finish the outfit off I wore one of my favourite necklaces, the Sugar & Vice Swimming Mermaid necklace £20, and my black Gorilla Glass super spirals.

Much love

Kitty xxxxxx

The Dress

A couple of years ago my parents had a huge party for their 25th wedding anniversary and my little brother's 21st. It was a formal affair, and I needed something to wear. As a bigger girl, there was one option for me, design something and have it made!

I love lace, so so much. It was always going to feature in the dress. Well, actually, I call it a dress, it was a skirt with a top. I have had a couple of things made for me now, and always get them made as seperates, that way it gives more options for rewearing them!

The wonderful lady who made my dress is Angela Jones. She has made several things for me so was the obvious choice for this. It came out perfect!

I went for a sweetheart neck, I'm not a busty girl, so anything to emphasise what little I have, and also allow me to wear a bra. I had a little lace jacket made too as I can be self conscious about my upper arms. It was boned, to try and show off my waist which I have always liked. My necklace is from the Disney Couture range, an Alice in Wonderland inspired piece. I shall have to dig it out, I've moved a few times in the last few years and a lot of my jewellery is still in boxes.

Sadly I only have mirror selfies of this outfit. My ex featured in the other photos, eugh! It was a dark green silk with black lace overlay. It really flattered me! The skirt was a full skirt, but rather than a rounded bottom, it actually hung in sections, like a pixie skirt, the silk and lace hanging in peaks. It really finished the outfit off nicely. I felt really good in it, but have only worn it once since to a work related ball, which I don't have any photos from either, I am rubbish! You'll notice I'm wearing a lot of rings... still do! It's an addiction. I hate how bare my hands look without them.

I totally recommend getting things made if you are a different size to the average for a better fit. At 5ft 11 most things do not fit on my waist as they sit too high, and knee length is never knee length! This way an outfit is just right, and I always felt better in something right than trying to make something fit which never would.

Love,

Kitty xxxx