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I don't know if it's because I'm more aware of the media since I started blogging and got involved in more groups and conversations about body confidence or if there really has been an upsurge in media pieces on plus size models/people/fashion etc but it really seems to be a hot topic. Although I love the amount of positive pieces I'm also finding myself being exposed to an awful lot of negatives and it really makes me sad and to be honest, confuses the hell out of me. I've always been fat and I've never exactly blended in with the crowd where fashion is concerned, and I have never been able to understand why some people find joy in pointing out what they consider to be people's flaws and making them feel bad about it. I can only assume that they do this because they're unhappy with themselves and it makes them feel better to cause other people pain and hope that it takes the focus off their own flaws. 

Anyway, the point I'm getting at is that you shouldn't listen to naysayers and meanies and please please please don't let the fact that the media tells you that you should be a size six/have perfect skin and teeth/have a zero tummy rolls etc to have a meaningful life affect you and make you unhappy with yourself. You're beautiful. You're probably thinking 'oh well what about my *insert not cosmetically perfect body part here* that's not beautiful'. Well, why not make a list of all the things you do like? Do you have gorgeous plump lips? A pretty laugh? Lovely silky hair? A great sense of humour? A peachy smooth tummy? I bet there are lots of things you like about yourself and you don't even realise it because you're too busy concentrating on your flaws.

One of my biggest peeves is when I see 'advice' in magazine and online telling you what fat girls should and shouldn't wear. I say, where whatever the hell you want! If it makes you happy and feel beautiful and magic then wear that tight dress, dye your hair bright pink, wear that sexy red lipstick, get that awesome new tattoo! Go you!!! Wear clothes for you, not for other people and if anyone makes a comment, just flash them a big smile to show them you don't give a damn what they think because you know you look freakin fabulous.

Here are some things that fat chicks are told they can't wear, but I say screw that!!!!

1) Fat girls shouldn't wear horizontal stripes. YES WE SHOULD!


2) Fat girls shouldn't wear bright colours. YES WE SHOULD!


3) Fat girls shouldn't wear crop tops. YES WE SHOULD!


4) Fat girls shouldn't wear leather. YES WE SHOULD!



5) Fat girls shouldn't wear sleeveless tops. YES WE SHOULD!



6) Fat girls shouldn't wear tight dresses. YES WE SHOULD!



7) Fat girls shouldn't wear attention grabbing clothes.
YES. WE. SHOULD.




Do more of what makes you happy, you deserve it.

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So I guess you're thinking why the hell is this crazy lady writing about boots when it hit 30 degrees the other day and I really wouldn't blame you for thinking that, but come on guys, this is England. We all know we'll have some showers again real soon and those flip flops will have to be traded for something waterproof. In a less defeatist attitude, even if the weather is nice and bright if you're going on a walk through the countryside or to somewhere pretty like my local Bradgate Park you need something sturdier than a gladiator sandal or you're getting dirty thorny tootsies for sure.

This would be just fine if it wasn't for my wide feet. I just can't get into most regular fit boots and this makes sturdy shoe shopping reeeeally difficult. Add in the need for something taller than an ankle boot and the difficulty multiplies when trying to find something that will fit my chubby calves. Fashion World have made this chore so much easier for me now, offering an awesome range of fashionable and practical boots for us plus size ladies in a wide range of foot and calf width fittings. To make things even easier if you head here you can watch a video that shows you how to accurately calculate your shoe, width and calf size using this here chart.

The boots I'm wearing above are the Catwalk Collection Biker Boot* which are available in an EE or EEE fit. They have a leather upper and oh my is it soft! Seriously, soft like butter and so comfortable. I hate buying boots and the leather being so tough that it rubs your legs. Unsurprisingly my favourite thing about these boots is the shiny gold detailing in the zip, buckle and heel guard. It's such a small detail but makes all the difference, and the fact that it's gold and not silver gives the boots such a luxe feel. They feel really sturdy and well made too and as someone that believes in investing in good quality winter wear I don't think the £69 price tag is over the top, especially as the leather is so lovely.

As you can see from the pictures they also have a very clever insert of leather behind the golden zip which allows you to easily and stylish adjust the size over your calf. A lot of the time in order to do this a bit of elastic will be added or an adjustable buckle but these are pretty obvious ways of doing it. You wouldn't know that this insert is there to adjust the size as it just looks like a styling detail, which makes it even smarter!

If you're in the market for some gorgeous and oh so cosy new boots I seriously recommend you check out Fashion World's collection, I'm sure you'll find a pair you love!

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.

Ever since I hit my teens I have had trouble with my skin and I have never been able to successfully shift it no matter what I tried. Since changing birth control methods the problem has got worse and worse and after trying many different skin care products and makeups I think I have finally got a routine that's working for me. A big part of my new routine is this foundation, Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup

Despite hearing so many times that Clinique's products are pretty wonderful (not only because they're allergy tested and 100% fragrance free) I've never taken the leap. I think the higher price tags kept my purse strings shut, but after trying pretty much every budget/drug store foundation out there I've now come to accept that if I want something that will work with my troublesome skin I need to spend a little more. This foundation is £24.50 for a 30ml bottle, but I can honestly say as this blends so easily I've used literally half as much for each application as I would with my other foundations.

This foundation has a silky smooth formula and a lightweight texture that you be forgiven for assuming would mean a light coverage, but that is not the case. I have a lot of redness on my cheeks because of my acne and usually I'd need a good layer of concealer to cover this, but now I just use this foundation and my setting powder and I'm good to go - unsurprising as it promises to neutralise redness and blend away bumps. The coverage is excellent and it feels comfortable on your skin, the best of both worlds, and it blends so easily that you get a lovely natural looking finish.

It's an oil free foundation which is something I always try and look for. One of my favourite things about this product is that I stay shine free for so much longer than I have with any other foundation and I can happily wear it all day. Before when I got home after work I'd be desperate to take all my make up off and let my skin breath again, but not anymore. Clinique also promise that the foundation contains targeted ingredients to help treat existing breakouts and keep them from coming back and I really think this is helping keep my spots and acne under control.

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Lace and satin. Satin and lace. Is there a more fabulously sexy fabric combination? Well I depend what floats your boat but I love a good bit of silky smooth satiny lounge wear. This particular pretty purple number is by Nine X Lingerie and I just love it! So so comfortable and cool in this hot weather, one of the best points is how soft the lace over the shoulders is - there's nothing worse than stiff, rough lace detailing that while it looks pretty irritates the skin a treat. Well there's none of that here, just smooth stretchy lovely lace to skim your shoulders and meet over the bust with an adorable satin bow!

As I'm sure most of you know, lingerie can be a pricey business and it can be hard to find plus size pieces that are more, ahem, tasteful so to speak. Nine X's pieces are not only sexy and stylish without being trashy, but are also amazingly priced. This lovely Florrie Satin Flared Babydoll* is just £11.99 but they have others on sale in their eBay shop for as little as £6.18. I think I'll be ordering this long satin robe next!

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*This post contains items that were gifted for review. For more information head to my disclaimer page.

Oh my am I a sucker for a pretty hair flower, but up until recently I'd been immune to the lure of the flower crown... that is until I saw Gypsy Rose Vintage at the vintage fair I worked at last weekend! 

As you can see from the pictures above these babies are a step up from the most that you will have seen before, using much more interesting colour palettes and mixing sizes and flower types to create beautiful statement head pieces that will surely set you apart from the crowd. 

Flowers aren't the only pretty thing to be added to these crowns, pearls and gems are also added to some of the styles for a little added sparkle - the crystal droplet head band above is just gorgeous and would be perfect on a vintage styled bride, as would the wonderfully dainty gypsum flower band. Can't you just picture a band of pretty bridesmaids each with a matching flower crown? Just darling!

I'm desperately trying to find an event that requires me to wear one of these babies so feel free to invite me to something fancy so I have an excuse to buy one!

As if the pictures above weren't enough to tempt you into making a purchase, the lovely Rebecca who is the creator of Gypsy Rose Vintage has very generously given me a discount code to offer you lovely readers which is valid for seven days! 

Just head to www.gypsyrvintage.com/shop and enter the code GRV10 at checkout 
to receive 10% off your entire order. 


You can even contact Rebecca and work with her to create a beautiful custom piece for your special day or event! Here's the lovely Sophie May, semi finalist from TV's The Voice, rocking a beautiful customer Gypsy Rose Vintage flower crown!
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I've said it many times before but pink is my colour for Spring and Summer. I'm lucky in that pretty much any shade of pink suits my fair skin and my bleach blonde hair is so pale I don't have to worry about colours going well with it. A lot of these lipsticks are budget friendly costing less than £5 as lipsticks are usually something I buy on a whim, although the Illamasqua lipstick I purchased after reading lots of great reviews.


1) Seventeen Lip Crayon in Knockout - £4.99 - A twist up lip crayon with a great texture and amazing colour pay off that has the impact and shine of a thick gloss but the lightweight texture of a lipstick. It has a great sparkle to it too and it lasts all day.

2) Illamasqua Matte Lipstick in Immodest - £18.50 - The first of two matte lipsticks and the palest of my picks, with a nearly neon look when layered. Some find this lipstick hard to wear as it can highlight imperfections in your lips but a thin layer of balm underneath will sort that right out. Wear a thin application for a sheer stain like colour or layer up for a bolder look.

3) Seventeen Lasting Fix Lipstick in Dusky Rose - £4.29 - This baby has a lovely pearly finish and is the peachiest shade of the bunch but in certain lights has a bluish sheen. This is great for a real English rose look and is easy to wear with lots of other colours.

4) Avon Ultra Colour Rich Rubies in Fuchsia Fame - £3.99 - This was a limited edition but can still be found on eBay. I wish I had purchased a few as I wear this an awful lot. It's not amazingly long lasting but gives your lips a great shine with some added sparkle. The blue toned pink also helps to make your lips look a little whiter which is also a bonus!

5) Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in Delinquent - £4.49 - A great bright, hot pink with real staying power. It's a rich and creamy formula glides on easily and dries slightly to a near matte finish - because of this I find it can be a little drying to your lips but that's nothing a little lip balm can't solve.

6) MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in Criminal - £3.00 - Offensively bright pink and I love it! A liquid lipstick that dries to a matte finish, these can take a little while to get used to as you need to be very neat and precise with your application but the does foot applicator helps make this a little easier. If I'm working a vintage fair, going to an event or going out shopping for the day lip lacquers are what I reach for as the colour does not budge and you don't have to worry about re-application. 


Do let me know if you try any of these, I'd love to know what you think! 

Like Audrey Hepburn said, "I believe in pink"
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Hi lovelies! I'm not sure if all of you know, but I have a little business called Miss Whittington's Vintage Beauty Parlour - I attend vintage fairs and do private appointments and parties doing vintage hair styling. I'm completely self taught and learnt my skills by purchasing old hair dressers magazines from the 30's, 40's and 50's, by watching tutorials online and with lots of practice re-creating my favourite looks from the silver screen.

I usually do around five or six fairs a year and my most recent one was this last weekend in beautiful Matlock, Derbyshire for The Vintage Suitcase. Here are three of my favourite styles from the day...


If you'd like to get more info on my styling services and prices and to see photos of other styles that I have created just click here!

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This is one of those outfits that's a little kooky and was born out of the want to wear two new purchases at once even though the patterns wouldn't usually be the kind I would wear together. Sometimes I end up looking like a crazy person but this time I really like the result. I think as the pink in the print of the dress is so bright and neon the grey silver of the cover up works to make it seem more subtle despite both pieces having really prominent patterns.

You wouldn't believe how much I've worn this longline cardigan/cover up since I bought it a few weeks ago, it's already become a staple piece in my summer wardrobe. The tribal pattern is really great and I love the burnout effect with the black flocking and the deep grey-silver background - these colours make it really easy to team with lots of different colours. The shape is also wonderfully flattering and the long dipped length to the back gives it a luxurious feel. I got it at my local Simply Be in Leicester and the girls in store told me they had only got it in two days before but only had three left, so I wouldn't wait around on this one ladies!


Burnout Extreme Dipped Cardigan - Simply Be - £40.00*
Neon Leaf Print Cami Dress - Clothing at Tesco - £14.00
Lace Trim Cropped Leggings - Yours Clothing - £8.00
Silver Bow Sandals - So Fabulous! at Littlewoods - Old
Pink Basket Bag - H and M - £5.99
Sunglasses Necklace - Gift


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*This post contains items that were gifted. For more information head to my disclaimer page.
Well we all know that when the weather gets warmer the flowers come out, not just in our gardens but in all your favourite clothes shops! This year in particular the catwalks and therefore the high street was inundated with flowery patterns with the daisy being the top posy for 2014. I myself am not a fan of the daisy print thing, but boy can I get on board with a good pansy print or pastel extravaganza! Here are my picks of the fabulous florals that are on sale now...

 Boohoo Plus

Simply Be

ASOS Curve

Modcloth

So this may seem a little unconventional, a lady post about the grooming products her guy uses, but hey I love the fact that my boyfriend cares about his appearance and likes to take care of himself. No offence but guys, if you use Lynx after age 18 and get your girl to pick up whatever shower gel and shaving cream is on offer at the supermarket you need to think about whether you should really be giving that man card back. There's nothing sexier than a man that can look after himself and I cannot explain how happy I am to see that caring about grooming, dress and appearance is coming back into vogue on the guy scene - although I must say if I see one more grown man wearing slip on shoes with no socks I will go AWOL. But I'm losing the point here...

As I said I love the fact that Pete is interested in looking after himself and to do that he uses various products from his favourite brand, Murdock London. I'm a big fan of all the products he uses too and so thought I'd share them on the blog giving both the male and female perspectives as to why they're so great! One of Pete's favourite things about Murdock is the smart, minimal and to the point styling and packaging of all the products. There's no fluff in the descriptions, they tell you what's in it, what it's for and where to use it and that's it.


First up let's talk about the Murdock London Beard Moisturiser (£24 for 150ml). I bought this for Pete last Christmas when I popped into their Liberty store as it had been high on his present list and it turned out to be one of the best gifts he got that year.

Pete says: The best thing about this beard moisturiser is how much fuller and tidier it makes your beard look, pulling in stray hairs and making it feel soft and conditioned. My biggest tip with this stuff is to apply when your beard is clean and very dry - have a shower, shampooing your beard of course, and then let it dry completely before applying a small amount of moisturiser and combing or brushing it through. If you use this stuff while your beard is still wet it makes it go kind of limp and it feels a little matted around the bottom.

Nancy says: I just love the mossy scent with a background hint of menthol, it's very subtle until you get right up close and then that lovely, ever so manly aroma gets you. Although it may seem pricey at £24 a bottle Pete is only just getting to the end of the bottle I bought him at Christmas and he uses it every day so I'd say it's actually pretty good value for money!


Next up we have the Murdock London Daily Lip Salve (£8 for 10ml) which was a very kind free gift when Pete made a big order a few months ago.

Pete says: Although I don't use this every day it's great when the weather is cold and my lips get dry, just one application sorts that right out. My favourite thing is that it's not too greasy feeling and doesn't go on too thick like a normal chap stick does. Menthol is the main scent that comes through.

Nancy says: This gives your man softer lips, what's not to like?


Now this was a little something Pete's parents got him for his birthday in February after hearing how much he'd like to try a Murdock scent, the Cologne Sample Set (£15 for six 2ml testers).

Pete says: This is such a great idea, especially if you're not London based so can't just head to a store to try each scent out. I knew I wanted to add a Murdock cologne to my selection and had tried to judge which would be my favourite from the descriptions online, but after trying them all out with the sample kit my two favourites were completely different to the ones I thought I'd go for. I gave each one a good test run at work and going out to see which I liked the most. Best of all, the set comes with a code for 20% off a full sized bottle.

Nancy says: This was such a great little birthday present and we both had fun deciding which were our favourites - thankfully we both liked the same two the best, then the tricky part was deciding which to buy in a full size bottle!


So, after much deliberation Pete decided to order the Murdock London Black Tea British Cologne (£70 for 100ml).

Pete says: I chose this because it was such a classic scent with just the right amount of spice to it, it wasn't too floral either which can be a turn off for me with some colognes. I'd be comfortable wearing this scent in any weather as it's fresh enough for Summer but warm enough with the peppery undertones for the Winter too.

Nancy says: This just makes me think of a smart, 1920's gentleman sitting in his club drinking tea on a hot Indian summer afternoon. Classic really is the word, with a spicy, herby, rich top note followed by a tobacco-esque undertone that you can't help but describe as 'manly'.

Pete also tried the Murdock London Cleansing Facial Wash (£24 for 150ml) which he really liked, you hardly needed any to get a good lather, the scent wasn't overpowering and it definitely made his skin less greasy. Another great product from Murdock!

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