Support Small Business This Christmas

 With lockdown looming, and Christmas on the horizon, it is more important than ever to support small businesses for your shopping this year. Small businesses are essential to our economy, and provide so many jobs to so many people, but have sadly been badly affected by this pandemic. Buying from a small business isn't putting more money into the pocket of some billionaire from a corporation, but is helping a family buy food, keep their lights on, and keep their dream alive. I wanted to share some of my favourite small businesses, and encourage you to check out their products. You can find a lot of inspiration on Etsy and Notonthehighstreet too (but wherever possible, I buy direct from the small business themselves, because they will charge fees).

First up, Sugar & Vice. Over the years I have bought SO much from Sugar & Vice, my jewellery collection is probably in the majority from their collections, and despite owning some of it for 6 years plus, it is still in just as good nick as ever. Run by pals Sarah & Matt, these guys have made incredible stuff over the years, and have always been so helpful with any of the custom requests or ideas I've had for them. Even making me a sign for my house! I'm a huge fan of their new homewares section, and if you love your horror movies, they are definitely the company for you.

They custom made our wedding cake topper to fit our 'True Romance' obsession.

I personally own this tiger paws necklace and it gets compliments every single time I wear it, a true statement piece I always find myself reaching for.

Next up is a company I just can't seem to stop myself from buying from lately, Crafty Glass London. Crafty Glass make stained glass for a new generation, everything from hearts and moons, through to Pikachu and David from Schitt's Creek! They even did a spooky Halloween range, and have been teasing not only some festive Christmas pieces, but also a personal Pokemon favourite of mine, Venomoth! I can't wait to see it. Their store isn't open all of the time, and instead they tend to offer limited pre-orders, and open their shop for a limited space of time every 2 weeks or so, to ensure that their shipping and customer service is up to their standard, so keep an eye out on their social media for their next update!

This is their mountain range piece, and below is their cheese plant leaf. Just 2 of the maybe... 8 pieces I've bought and gifted since I discovered them? I really need to buy something for myself already!

Another jewellery company that I can't help but adore, is Bloody Mary Metal. Between me and Stu, I'd say we easily own well into 40 pieces from them! We even visited them during our Cornwall holiday to celebrate our first wedding anniversary to buy pieces from them in person for the first time. While they do make some of their jewellery in gold, they are known for their unusual silver designs, with an alternative twist. If you see me wearing silver jewellery, I can basically almost guarantee you that is it from BMM. Their customer service is also absolutely wonderful. They've repaired pieces we have broken because we are both clumsy AF, and when we visited in person they offered to reshape jewellery we were wearing that had been bashed about it over many years of daily wear!

Just some of the many pieces I own from BMM, they offer a lot of one offs and it is so cool to know you own something unique no one else will ever own!

And final, inclusive clothing designer and general bad ass Plus Equals! Plus Equals manage to not only be one of the most fun clothing companies out there, but also one of the most inclusive, offering a standard size range of a UK 14-42, but also offering made to measure at no extra cost, and if your size isn't listed, just drop them a message and they will get you sorted, love!

My ridiculously incredible purple and faux fur sequin jacket is from Plus Equals, and I wear it for all my fancy occasions. I am sure I will be swanning about in this on Christmas Day no matter what ends up happening! If you love bright colours, faux fur and sequins, Plus Equals are the place to go.

My absolute fave faux leather vintage jacket is also from Plus Equals, part of their upcycled range. It just makes me feel cool (which I am so very far from!).

What are your favourite small businesses that you'll be shopping from this Christmas? Please do comment and help me find some new faves!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

My Photoshoot with Shannon Swift Photography

Back in February I did a photoshoot with the wonderful Shannon Swift Photography. I'd been speaking to her online for a little while and when the chance came to have my photo taken by her I was all over it. I absolutely adore her work, her lighting in particular is just something else, but more importantly, Shannon is a truly incredible human being. She's political and vocal and always fighting for what is right, and I admire her so much.

I was pretty nervous in the run up to the shoot. I've been taking photos of people for 10 years, but bar for my blog, no one has ever really taken photos of me. Seeing myself how someone else sees me, rather than being 100% in control of my image was terrifying, but I couldn't think of anyone I trusted more to do something amazing with my awkwardness than Shannon. And I was so so right. From the moment I met her I was 100% comfortable, changing outfits in front of her no problem, and doing my best to take direction to get the shot. As it turns out, I suck at not smiling in photos, so if I do this again (which I hope to) I will be practising my expressions before I go! I have Botox, so my face isn't exactly the most movable or expressive, and this is the first time I've really noticed that. (If you want to know more about why I have Botox, read this blog)

We shot several different outfits, all of which I'm utterly in love with. These photos in my mega Plus Equals jacket are definitely my favourite though. The whole look just worked perfectly with Shannon's style and I mean look at me. Even I'm obsessed.

I'm not going to share all the photos from the shoot in this post because I've blogged each outfit individually, but I will share a couple more favourites, because how could I not?

I'm not a show your lingerie off sort of a gal because I do get a bit nervous about my smaller bust (I've written about this in more detail here), but instant comfort with Shannon meant  I just kept undoing those buttons!

And the last look we shot in public, in a busy park no less. Something that should have had my anxiety in over drive, because I was posing and clearly having my photo taken in front of dozens of strangers. And you know what, I didn't care at all and did my best to do my own awkward blogger version of modelling. I could not have done that with just anyone!

Finaalllly met this beauty today, ive admired her work for YEARS and i can't wait to go visit her for a shoot swap!

A post shared by Photographer, Artist & Model (@lady.swift) on Feb 4, 2017 at 11:19am PST

Can we talk about how sweet this is?! I was blown away to find out that Shannon even really knew my work as a photographer. And she's such a fox, look at her!

Shannon often offers studio days and I highly recommend booking her. She's so unbelievably talented and her work is stellar, she'll give you something truly different for your blog. She loves working with plus size babes and women of colour and I encourage you to go see her out and book her.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

A Curly Girl Update : Photoshop and Bloggers

Disclaimer : This post contains some Photoshop, my skin is not that perfect!

The Plus Equals Jacket of Dreams

Back in February it was my birthday, and when my Mum and Dad asked me what I wanted, I knew. I had been eyeing something up since the moment it was released and I had to have it. My Mum was... baffled to say the least when she saw what I'd requested, but they are awesome parents and understand my love of unique fashion. And so I came to be the proud owner of the jacket of my dreams, the Plus Equals Leni Kimoni in purple and silver.

You know that amazing sequin fabric that you rub one way and it's one colour, and rub the other way and it's another? This entire jacket is made of that fabric! It's just wow. It has a purple faux fur collar and it is the coolest thing I have ever owned!

It's super long, it sits about knee length on my and I'm 5ft 11. I felt like I was about to do my best Ric Flair walk into a wrestling ring! I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

I wore it with my favourite Alice & You mesh dress for this photoshoot that I did with the unbelievably brilliant Shannon Swift Photography. I mean you guys, just look how good she made me look?! She runs studio days that I would highly advise booking in for, I'll post more about the actual experience of being photographed soon, usually I'm on the other side of the lens but it was so much fun.

Plus Equals keep posting teases of new fabrics that have this sort of two tone effect and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Dreaming of Pleather Jackets : The Curly Girl Method

Plus Equals Win!

Recently I was immensely lucky, and I won a £100 Plus Equals voucher via an instagram competition they ran! I was so excited, and I also immediately knew what I was going to spend that voucher on.

This magnificent faux leather jacket. I'd seen it before and fell in love, but just couldn't justify buying a third faux leather jacket, even if it is totally different to the others I own. This jacket retailed for £100, my voucher was for £100, it was meant to be.

Plus Equals sell up to a size 26 and are a vintage shop that specialises in plus size. I don't think I've ever seen another store offering vintage plus sizes, and especially not such unique upcycled and reclaimed pieces.

This jacket features a white panel along the inside of the collar and it fastens over to the left side rather than in the centre. The white sections have black ink splatters, and the rest of the jacket has predominantly white splatters, with some red. It also features rose gold hardware, which is a trend I am really late to get into and am now totally sold on.

Probably the coolest thing about this jacket is that the sleeves zip completely off, making it into a waistcoat. It makes the jacket so much more versatile, perfect for when the days start turning to autumn. I love a sleeveless cover up, I actually just cut the sleeves off a denim jacket I'm modifying because I love the style so much.

This jacket is all kinds of punk rock cool, and I am so happy I could add it to my wardrobe. Plus Equals have so many unique and unusual pieces, if you want a really stand out piece definitely check them out. All their pieces are one offs, so you know you aren't going to bump into anyone else rocking the same thing!

This is absolutely one of the coolest things I own, so thank you Plus Equals! 

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

PS. My sunglasses are by Quay Australia and I got them on ASOS. They are sold out, but they tend to release this style in other colours each season.

Swimsuit Impossible : Plunge Bra from Navabi