Betty's Babes Colouring Book

Betty's Babes is the most inclusive and diverse colouring book I have ever seen. It's the brain child of artist Betty Brown and it just fills me with utter delight. Colouring books have had a huge surge of popularity in recent years and Betty's Babes is my new favourite.

Betty's Babes isn't your usual collection of pin ups, it's full of as many different types of babes you could possibly imagine. Each page features a gorgeous piece of art ready to be coloured in, with an index page telling you a little something about each person featured. Polly and Cash are LBGTQ* alternative babes, Winnie has vitiligo, Kit shows off her masectomy scars, Aurora is a trans woman of colour, there are disabled babes, curves a plenty, hairy legs, stretch marks and so much more. I challenge anyone to find a collection of pins ups that is more diverse!

Every page of this colouring book gives a million options for your own creativity. They have so much detail included in them, from feminist tattoos to pretty backgrounds, there is hours of relaxing colouring to do here. If you want your own, they are currently on sale for only £14 from Betty Brown's Big Cartel. It's full of bodies you don't normally see represented in art, and they all look so damn beautiful.

I implore you to check out more of Betty Brown's work. She's an incredible black artist who works so hard to be inclusive and showcase that every body is beautiful. When you have a body that is marginalised, to see it showcased in a collection like this is everything. I can't wait to spend literally hours doing each page carefully!

Much love,
Kitty xxx

PS. All the photographs here were kindly provided by Betty Brown. This isn't a sponsored post, I just love this book!

2017.

2017, it's been a year! I've been MIA from my blog since my carpal tunnel surgery in November, but my hand is healing nicely now so I'm hoping to get back to some regular scheduled programming ASAP. Politically 2017 was a terrible year, and I'm aghast at the direction our planet seems to be going in, but this blog is going to be about my personal 2017 in an attempt to finish the year with some positivity and reflection.

2017 had it's highs and it's lows. Family members and friends were ill, thankfully these illnesses seem to be under control or on the mend now, and I am more grateful for the NHS than ever. Friendships changed, and I learnt a lot about being able to tell myself that it's OK to give up on people who let you down or hurt you. I had my first carpal tunnel surgery (full blog post on that coming soon), I'm still waiting on the other hand after that operation was cancelled last week. I scarred my face and managed to lose a good chunk of eyebrow in May, which very much affected how I felt about myself, and was a whole journey to accept the changes that I wasn't expecting. Note to self - the kitchen floor is extremely slippery when wet!

In the highs of the year, I had the absolute privilege of seeing three of my nearest and dearest get married this year. My little brother two days before Christmas, my darling cousin Hannah, and my best friend Fal. I was bridesmaid for Fal, and any long time reader will remember my being thrown out of the last wedding I was supposed to be a bridesmaid in, so it was a joy to finally be trusted to be a part of someone's day.

My husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary whilst away on a wonderful holiday with two of our best friends. We also went to a whole bunch of incredible gigs this year, we were lucky enough to see Metallica, Stone Sour, Inglorious, Wayward Sons and Bigfoot. We're hoping to make 2018 even more music focused and already have some gigs planned.

Blog wise, things all went to the wayside from November because of my surgery, but I still hit some personal targets and achieved some things I'm very proud of. I hit 200,000 views, something I had wanted to hit before the end of the year, and I hit yesterday, so I did it with a day to spare! I wrote 37 articles for She Might Be, 3 of which were some of the most successful pieces on the site for the entire year. I did my first ever photoshoot on the other side of the camera, with the truly amazing Shannon Swift, I cannot recommend her enough! If she can make an awkward turtle like me look so glam, she's got skills.

I was published as a blogger in a print magazine for the first time, in the brill Blogosphere Magazine. I can also now very proudly announce that I'm in the magic Bethany Rutter's book Plus+ that is due out 15th February! I've already pre-ordered it and cannot wait to get my mitts on it.

 

I'm hoping that 2018 can bring about more travel, more music, and more good times. I know my blog will have another hiatus when I have my other hand operation, but it's well worth it because hopefully my hands will be greatly improved and I might even be able to pick up my camera again.

Here's to hoping for a kick ass 2018!

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!

Thanks For Nothing OOTD*

When it comes to wardrobe staples, a denim jacket is something I always come back to. A good denim jacket lasts for years and is so versatile, I wear mine with everything from a casual every day look to the most glam of dresses with heels. 

This River Island denim jacket* is one of the sassiest and most fun things I've ever worn. I love the slogan on the back, and I love the oversized fit. I hadn't worn any River Island before this photoshoot so sized up just in case, but it's actually very true to sizing so I didn't need to size up at all.

The purple top I'm wearing here is also from RI, but has since sold out. I really like mixing casual slouchy items with something more glittery. This is a totally sheer top, so I popped a vest top and a harness bra underneath it for a daily look. 

The detailing on this jacket isn't a print, instead it is painted on, so while it costs £55 this sort of detail is justifiably more expensive. Pale denim is my absolute favourite wash and I could see myself wearing this for years.

Sadly these pieces were only lent to me for the purposes of this photoshoot with the awesome Shannon Swift, but I really, really need to save up for this jacket!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Third Bloggerversary : Punky Pins Haul

*denotes an item sent to me for the purposes of this photoshoot, in no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

My Third Bloggerversary!

A couple of weeks ago my little blog turned 3, and I totally forgot about it! I usually organise some sort of bloggerversary giveaway but it slipped my mind so I'll see what I can do! I never thought I'd do so much with my blog and keep it going for so long, so here are some of my favourite things I'd done recently.

Writing for She Might Be

When Georgina Grogan started her online magazine She Might Be I applied to write for them and was thrilled to be accepted as a main contributor. I'm actually the second most active writer on the site and I am SO proud of what I've written for them, particularly 'Let's Reclaim the Word Fat' and 'The Problem with Iskra Lawrence'. Being part of a body positive environment that encourages self love for everyone is so amazing and has really pushed me to keep going with my blogging and be a better human being. Seeing people enjoy what I write is such a mind blowing thing for me!

My photoshoot with the utterly awesome Shannon Swift. I haven't written about my experience being on the other side of the camera yet, but I will soon, but I am so so glad I did this and got to meet Shannon. Plus, the photos are beyond beautiful and made me feel so wonderful.

Meet bloggers I've admired for years and make some fantastic friends! I don't have many female friends IRL, but because of blogging I've been surrounded by strong and inspiring women like Steph of Nerd About Town, Nancy of Sugar Darling, Georgina of She Might Be Loved, Bethany of Arched Eyebrow, Tara of Cattitude and Co, it could be a never ending list of inspo. There are so many people on my 'must meet' wishlist, like Marie Southard-Ospina, Alysse Dalessandro and Ushshi. One day!

Since my last bloggerversary I married my amazing husband Stu, and I shared the planning and details of our wedding along the way. Check out the wedding tab at the top of my blog for DIY tutorials, advice and so much more. I'm so lucky!

I haven't been on many adventures, I don't get invited to many brands events and I live miles from London so my blogger experience isn't the 'typical' London blogger experience by any stretch, but I enjoy what I do and plan to keep on doing it for a little while longer yet!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Punky Pins Haul : Floral and Mesh Stripes OOTD

Leopard Print and Faux Leather OOTD*

One of the things I often struggle with is feeling sexy. I'm not a plus size gal with the traditional hourglass figure, I'm not busty, I don't really have a big butt, all those things associated with being sexy. Society tells us that fat women aren't sexy, and then it tells us that only certain fat women can be sexy, and I don't fall into any of those categories. I'm tall and awkward, I'm clumsy to ridiculous extremes, I stutter over my words some times and I get anxious about everything. But if I want to be, I can still feel sexy. Feeling sexy isn't necessarily something that everyone wants to feel, but sometimes, I want it, and this outfit had me feeling like a siren.

Top - New Look (sold out)

Harness Bra - New Look (sold out)

Pleather Skirt* - River Island

Firstly, this skirt. It is sex on legs. That zip is fully functioning and goes all the way up, so if you were so inclined you could remove this skirt in all sorts of fun ways. It's made of a quite thick and high quality faux leather and all the hardware on it is silver, which is my personal preference. A pencil skirt always gives your walk more of a wiggle, and add in that faux leather and I felt powerful! It fits true to size and sat just at the knee on my 5ft 11 body.

Shirts are sexy. Worn by every gender they just work. I love them. Wearing this unbuttoned isn't something I would have done too long ago. I don't have the kind of bust that meets in the middle and gives cleavage, but just because I don't have big boobs doesn't mean I can't show off a harness bra and feel lush. I don't have the sort of chest that the media might tell us is sexy, but I'll damn well show off my bra and feel like a sassy diva whilst doing it! A good harness bra always boosts my ego, New Look regularly get really lovely bralettes in and this is a prime example. It isn't totally wire free however, I find their mesh styles tend to have the side panel of wiring, so I save them more for special outfits or occasions than every day wear.

Many thanks to the incredible Shannon Swift for these photos of me. I always smile in photos out of habit. I feel prettier when I smile, and because I don't think I generally do sexy well these sort of photos were hard for me. Shannon really pushed me to do something different and I'm so glad she did!

Much love,

Kitty xxx

Dreaming of Denim Jackets : Why I've Ditched Bras for Bralettes

*denotes an item lent to me for the purposes of this photoshoot. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

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