Pink Clove: Here's What I Would Have Spent

When Pink Clove launched last year with an array of tartan dresses, print tops and leggings that went up to a size 32 I was one of the first to sing their praises from the roof tops! I love the fact that they offered fast, fashion in sizes right up to a size 32.

Slowly I started to notice that their new arrivals would shrink quite considerably when I ticked the 30/32 box to see what was available. To me it was such a shame that a range that started so well went down hill. I understand there are probably some restrictions as to what they can offer & that some 30/32 options is better than none - but I'd love to see more!

Today I thought I would head to the Pink Clove website to see what they were saying... Firstly they had this AMAZING dress in a size 32 which made me very happy, it's an item I'll be adding to my wardrobe for sure!

Skater dress in Rose Berry print

Seeing this in my size spurred me on to see what else was available. Their New Arrivals page is pretty exciting at the moment and I love seeing these plus size options. Sadly as soon as I tick my size I go down from 18 pages of available items to get 8... Which if you ask me, is a massive shame.

I feel like we need to start letting retailers know what we would buy, if they would give us the option. After all, they're not going to start stocking it until they know the demand is there!

So... Pink Clove, Here's What I Would Have Spent!

I really feel that alot of this is great for plus size fashion... Extend the sizes offered and I'd be even happier! Keep up the good work Pink Clove, but do what you can to make a fat girl happy please ;)

Debz xx

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When Life Gives You Lemons

Just a very short post today, because I sadly can't see this dress on the Simply Be website anymore. 

I saw this dress on someone weeks ago and had to have it! Then I saw on sale online for £15 so snapped it up - and I am so glad that I did. I know lots of people shy away from colour for winter, but I will definitely be giving this an outing or two over the colder months!

What do you like to wear over the colder months?


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Debz x

Scarlett and Jo - A Splash of Colour for Winter!

It is probably quite obvious but when it comes to clothing, I love nothing more than a bit of colour! I know winter is supposed to be about browns, purples and darker colours but I have never been one for breaking the rules!

I have had my eye on the Scarlett and Jo items for a few months now, but never taken the leap to buy one because I wasn't sure how they would fit on me. As you know a few weeks ago I spoke to one of the new Evans online Shape Stylists and Sarah gave me some great advice about them and so I bagged myself a bargain and bought this skirt in the sale.

I think it looks great worn in different way which is another thing I love about fashion - making it work for you!

What are your favourite items for winter?

Debz xx

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I was lucky enough to be gifted some items in this post and I am very grateful, but I am always open and honest in my reviews!

Evans Shape Stylist - Does It Work?

You might remember the other day I tried out the Evans Shape Stylist service and Sarah via their online service recommended some boots and jeggings for me! I am SO excited to say that I fell in love with both of the items when they arrived a few days later!

The look is something completely different for me but I actually really love it! The jeggings are a little long but that's my fault really as I probably should have bought the short length ones as discussed with Sarah - which just goes to show that they really do know their stuff!

The #Amaze t shirt is also from Evans - how cute is it! The boots are really comfortable and I am so glad I now have some proper shoes for winter :) Jeggings are something brand new for me but I really liked them! Talking to someone before I made my purchase definitely helped me try something new and I am really glad I did!

So, the shape stylist service definitely worked for me - have you tried it yet?

Debz xx

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I was lucky enough to be gifted some items in this post and I am very grateful, but I am always open and honest in my reviews!

Yours Clothing At Westfields, Derby

A few months ago (I haven't had a chance to post this for ages - sorry)I went to visit Lucia from www.ucantwearthat.com and as she lives in Derby we decided to visit the Yours Clothing store at Westfields. Being able to visit a physical store and try on clothes in my size is amazing and something that I really enjoy! Actually Westfields in Derby is really good for plus size shopping, so if you get the chance to go - make sure you do! They have Yours Clothing, Simply Be, Evans, Bon Marche, New Look Inspire and Primark! 

I wrote a piece for the Yours Clothing website about my visit to the store, you can read that here!

When I visited I wore my turquoise dress from Yours Clothing and thought I would share some pics. You can see the original pics here but I thought this one shows the lovely pattern and colours a bit better. Excuse my squinty eyes - it was SO sunny! (I really miss the sunshine!)

Look how pretty the Yours Clothing shop is!!

Have you visited a Yours Clothing store? What did you think?

They're actually doing a pretty good job of opening up loads of stores up and down the UK - find your nearest Yours Clothing store here.

Remember If you're new to Yours Clothing you can use my Blogger18 code to get £10 off of a £20 spend on their website.

Debz xx

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Kimono: Old Style New Look

Kimonos are nothing new, they have been around for a number of years. However this season that are as fashionistas would say 'bang on trend'. I am so pleased that so many plus size retailers are taking this on board and providing plenty of choice! I have a few of them and they are definitely fast becoming a staple diet of my wardrobe. 

One brand that seem to be doing this quite well at the moment is New Look, who have plenty of in stock online and in store. They recently sent me a lovely grey kimono which I really love. I wanted it because lots of the kimonos around at the moment seem to be big, bold, brightly coloured patterns.

Normally I wouldn't be one to shy away from a bit of colour, but when you have a bright coloured pattern dress it is hard to team this with another bright, colour pattern - which is where this grey kimono is so perfect! The grey kimono I have doesn't seem to be on the website any more, but they have loads of nice tops and kimonos from the Inspire range so make sure you check them out! I haven't included outfit pics of this because it isn't available any more but there are so many good alternatives.

A glimpse of the grey kimono - such a lovely colour

For Plus North, I wore my trusty Yours Clothing kimono, which has become a firm favourite of mine. I teamed it up with this amazing Topsy Curvy t-shirt, which I have practically lived in since they sent it to me. 

Topsy Curvy are a brand that actually listen to their customers, which for me is amazing! They know that the larger end of plus size is often under-catered for and so are trying to push out new products, including this t shirt which they stock right up to a size 36!

I have also worn this kimono with an amazing maxi dress I got from New Look a few weeks ago and this has fast become one of my favourite outfits. As is so often the case with New Look dresses, I found this maxi dress to be a generous size.

One thing I have become more used to recently is mixing and matching brands. Each brand has something different to offer, so matching a plain Topsy Curvy top with a bright Yours Clothing kimono or a plain New Look kimono with a bright ASOS dress is fine!

What is your go-to item at the moment?

Debz

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I was lucky enough to be gifted some items in this post and I am very grateful, but I am always open and honest in my reviews!

Plus North Review - A Different Perspective!

First of all let me tell you now - Plus North was AMAZING! A different perspective just means I am going to review it in a different way to most people, just because I like to be difficult :D

I have spoken before about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right type of media. It can be tough living in a body that doesn't fit the media version of perfect that so many of us are force fed, often without us realising it. It's up to us to change that and surround ourselves with something new - an alternative version of good, so that we can change the influences our brain sees as positive.

Which leads me on to Plus North - an event which oozes inspiration. If you haven't attended Plus North before, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you go next year, there is literally nothing quite like it. I have no doubt that over the next few days there will be bundles of reviews and photos posted, so I wanted to share something different with you.

Photo thanks to Plus North. Some of the blogger babes on Sunday

I have to tell you that being in a room full of women that are strong and confident is amazing. When you can see plus size fashion being modelled on actual plus size women it is just perfect. When you see those women laughing together, sharing stories, supporting eachother, wooping, clapping and cheering for each other it gives you that sort of warm fuzzy feeling. Talking to brands and being able to tell them what you want from fat fashion and where you think they are going wrong is a crazy sort of liberating - Imagine being able to go into Asda and tell them what's wrong with their bread, it's amazing! 

(c) Plus North 

You can get measured, try make up, have your photo taken, browse clothes, buy clothes, win prizes or simply sit and enjoy a drink - all in the surroundings of plus size women who just like you fight the media's idea of a perfect body and live a happy, loving life. I know it sounds a bit cliche, but there is nothing quite like seeing someone like you living the life you would like for you to see that you can be fat (*plus size, bbw, larger, cuddly, curvy...) and happy because those people ARE DOING IT!

That is without the almost startling concept (for me at least) that maybe plus size fashion isn't quite as limited as it once was. I saw hundreds of women at this event, all looking AMAZING in different outfits across three different events (Saturday day, Saturday evening and Sunday day), which just goes to show that over the years plus size fashion has really improved - definitely steps in the right direction at the very least! 

Plus North had its 3rd Annual event in Leeds this year - with fashion shows, brand talks, blogging tips, pub quizzes, raffles and an after party that was beyond fun. All this was alongside ladies you see on Instagram, read the blogs of, chat to on Twitter and generally nosey on their lives - it's amazing! I have everything crossed that there will be a Plus North 2015 and if there is, make it your mission to be there!
Debz xx

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Fallen in Love!

Ahhhh I am in love and I want to shout it from the rooftops! In fact if you follow me on any social media forums then the chances are that you have heard about my love affair already!

This dress... LOOK AT IT!!!! Have you ever seen anything SO pretty?? I can't really blog about it too much because it's now out of stock on ASOS, but it is BEAUTIFUL!! I really love what ASOS are doing at the moment - there are so many Curve dresses that I have my beady eyes on!

I wore this dress to the Style XL event in Leicester a few weeks ago. This was a Midlands based plus size fashion show put on by Leah and it was a brilliant day! It was lovely to see so many of the brands getting involved, plus size bloggers strutting their stuff in next seasons fashion offerings and of course geting to catch up with everyone! 

There are lots of blog posts about the event around so make sure you give them a read - as usual I was too busy having fun(*read eating cupcakes) to take photos so I don't have much to share at all. Leah announced that she plans to do the event again next year, so that is well worth keeping an eye out for.

What are you loving at the moment?

Debz xx

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I Have Sinned: Money Saving Monday

Last week I blogged about a July spending ban that some of us were undertaking and I was all set to have a month of no spending on clothing... and then Blackpool happened!

At the weekend I went to Blackpool for a night (more about that in another post) and so took one dress with me for the Friday night! Saturday morning I was persuaded (by my parents of all people) to stay another night and go out with them to see a show! So... I had nothing to wear!!

Blackpool has quite a nice New Look Inspire range so I had to go emergency clothes shopping - It's not my fault!! Anyway, I got this dress from New Look for just £13 in the sale, so even though I spent I tried to do it sensibly... and not bad for £13!

I teamed it up with my Yours Clothing kimono and a cheapie Primark necklace and I was good to go!  I didn't get any proper pictures so this toilet mirror, drunken selfie will have to do for now!

So - I have sinned... SORRY!! I am going to try and keep it up for the rest of the month though - wish me luck!!

Debz xx

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OMCZ: We're All Going On A Summer Holiday...

Time For another Outside My Comfort Zone post, this time around the theme of summer holidays. I am not going on holiday this year, but to be honest with you a bit of sunshine even in the UK gets me giddy. I love hot days where you can sit in the park or the dark and just relax!

For me summer comfort is all about wearing flowy clothes that are easy to wear and of course summer wouldn't be summer without floral patterns and pastel colours. The whole idea of the challenge this fortnight was to look at how we would dress for an evening meal on holiday. The important thing for me would be to feel comfortable.

I was a bit late typing this post and only started this morning... As I was typing THIS little beauty from Scarlett & Jo dropped on my Twitter feed and it's lovely! I am almost glad I am on a July spending ban because otherwise this could well be winging its way to me already!

I wouldn't over dress the skirt as I feel it is already beautiful on its own. For me a white t shirt or vest top and a pair of pretty sandals would be enough.

Another option for me would be to wear a kimono! Lucia at U Can't Wear That has dragged me into her obsession with kimonos and now I love them! Yours Clothing have some beautiful offerings at the moment. For me a kimono is perfect summer holiday evening wear - a plain maxi skirt and white shirt are perfect and then you can add a splash of colour with a kimono of your choice!

What would you wear for an evening in the sunshine?

Debz x

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Don't forget to check out everyone else taking part!

Natalie	http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki	http://www.nattynikki.com
Stephanie	http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Becky Brown	http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Mary	http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Hollie	Http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Erin	http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk/
Stephanie	http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Debz	http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk/
Becca	http://thegirlwiththeplait.blogspot.co.uk/
Katt	http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah	www.justmeleah.co.uk
Mookie	http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk/
Betty	http://www.bigfatbetty.com/
Danielle	www.daniellerharris.com
Sam	http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk/
Gillian	www.weegillie.com
Sarah	http://plussizeproud.wordpress.com/
Abi	http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk/
Shuhina	http://hsquaredblue.blogspot.co.uk/
Charlene	chinupsandpinups.wordpress.com
Sabina	http://www.femmefatalexsabina.blogspot.co.uk/

Going Koko For A New Dress

Teeny tiny post today just to show you my new dress. I actually picked it up on sale from Simply Be for £11 a few weeks ago! It's from the Koko brand which I had never tried before, so picking the dress up for a bargain price was perfect. I also wanted to show you that sales are worth paying attention to. I often assume that sale stuff is what's left so there will be nothing good, but this dress proved me wrong!

Koko Zig Zig Print Dress (now back up to £17!)

Simply Be often have good sales so they are well worth paying attention to! 

Share your sale bargains with me!!!

Debz xx

Maxi-mum Summer Loving!

Just a short post today about this lovely dress I picked up from Yours Clothing at the weekend. I was in Derby this weekend and so paid a visit to the Yours Store at Westfields there (it's lovely - more about that later). They had this BEAUTIFUL maxi dress in store and now it's mine!

The Purple and Green Tropical Print maxi dress is £35 on the website or in store and is available right up to a size 36 - amazing! It is a little long for me, but I quite like that long gyspy/boho look anyway. It also means that it would be suitable for someone taller than me too (which is likely to be most of you!).

I am quite new to the whole maxi dress trend, but I am really loving it! I now want all the maxi dresses! Yours Clothing have some really lovely ones and even though I have said it once and I will no doubt say it again, it is SO pleasing to see them do pretty dresses up to a size 36! As far as I know there isn't a fashion retailer in the UK doing such an affordable range like this and I only hope it continues to grow.

Remember If you're new to Yours Clothing you can use my Blogger18 code to get £10 off of a £20 spend.

What dresses are you loving this summer?

Debz xx

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Wild Horses

You might remember a few months ago that I blogged a So Fabulous wish list, of items I would love to try. I hadn't yet tried anything from Very but I did this post http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk/2013/08/so-so-so-fabulous.html on what I liked from their range - including a lovely horse print dress!

As window shopping often does, these remained in wish-list state and I never got around to trying them! 

A few weeks ago Naomi from Diamonds N Pearls sold a few dresses on Facebook and this one popped up. I bought it as I loved the print and then remembered how much it was like the one I blogged in my wishlist!

I can't find any links to buy this online as it is old stock, so I realise that it is quite unhelpful. However the dress is a little different for me and so I wanted to share it. 

I quite like the contrast of long sleeves and legs out. I don't often wear sleeves but it really suits this dress. It was quite warm to wear as it is a thick material but that makes it perfect for cooler days!

Shoes are a £6 Primark bargain - their wide fit shoe range is amazing at the moment!

Do you own any dresses that are a little different to what you normally wear?

Debz xx

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Using Primark To The Maxi

This weekend my mum and I headed to Primark for a bit of a shopping spree! Primark always makes me a little sad because of them not doing a 'proper' plus size range - but we can only hope! That said, I never come out of Primark empty handed!

When it comes to bargain shopping, Primark is another reason to IGNORE CLOTHES SIZES!!! Primark goes up to a size 22 if you are lucky, but often you can get items in a size 20. I can hear plenty of you going.. Oh I am much bigger than a size 20, that'll never work for me - but trust me it does!!

This maxi skirt came with a hefty price tag of.... £10!!!! A tenner for a maxi skirt - amazing! I go around the store seeing what has stretch to it and this skirt didn't disappoint. The skirt I am wearing in the pictures is a size 20... I am, as you can see quite a bit bigger than that!

The skirt is really long (this is pulled up to right under my bust) so it would be perfect for someone taller too! It's really stretchy and generous, so it doesn't cling too much which I like for summer! It also comes in a massive range of colour and patterns, I wish I had bought more, and to be honest with you - I probably will go back for more.

The top is an old Forever 21+ top, flip flops are also from Primark (£1!) and so is the heart necklace (£2)

If you do just one thing next time you pass Primark, go in, play with the clothes, stretch the, hold them against your body and think about how you can make it work for you. I bet, most of you if you go into store with an open mind can find an item or two to suit you.

Let me know how you get on!

Debz xx

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A New Look At Fashion

You might have seen a post I did before with Simply Be, looking at how you can dress the same as your smaller friends - even if you are plus size. I wanted to show this in a different way and the lovely team at New Look were happy to help and kindly sent me and my sister a dress each!

Once again I roped in my sister to help me and we set about choosing items to wear from New Look. It's great that we have a choice of using the same retailer even if our bodies are so different. With this post we decided to do something different and choosing non-matching items. 

I wanted to show that you can dress however you want, even if you are different sizes. My sister and I want to dress differently, but that doesn't mean that we wouldn't enjoy a shopping spree in the same place - as you can see, New Look lets us do this!

Lisa choose this Mela Navy Stripe Floral Skater Dress, which is out of stock now but there are plenty of patterns like it. It is a material that has no give or stretch in it, so that's worth remembering when you do order. It's only £24 too so bit of a bargain!

I chose this palm tree print dress from New Look Inspire and I love it. The dress is a lovely material and I found it to be a very generous size. I like the fact that it's black as I don't have many dark colours, but the pattern is also lovely and really breaks it up - and the dress has pockets, which I know so many of you love! It's less than £20 too! YAY!

So there you go, another way you can your friends can all shop in the same place :)

Thanks for reading

Debz xx

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A Look At How Simple Fashion Should Be

When it comes to plus-size fashion one of the biggest bugbears of the ladies you'll talk to is the fact that they can't shop the same places as their smaller friends. Although the range of plus-size fashion choices has increased dramatically over reason years there is still quite a long way to go.

So, I decided to look into what options were out there and roped in my little sister to help me. Lisa is a size 10, so as you can imagine the differences in our bodies are quite drastic. I thought it would be interesting to see what choices we would have if we wanted to shop in the same places... First up Simply Be.

As Simply Be cater for sizes 12-32, as you can imagine they had plenty of choice! The lovely ladies at Simply Be offered to send us both a dress, to show just how versatile the brand is! We both chose the same dress as we wanted to showcase how different bodies can wear the same dress, look different but still look fab! 

AX Paris Coral Lace Waist Skater Dress

We both really liked the dress, it's a lovely colour. I would say that the material is very unforgiving and has no stretch at all, so if you do it make sure you size up once or twice. As you can see you can easily style it with either leggings or tights and it would work just as well.

I intend to feature a few brands where you can buy a range of clothing in different sizes, just to showcase how good plus size fashion can be - if you know where to look!

Thanks for reading & thanks to my little sister for letting me feature her, she's a beaut isn't she!?

Debz xx

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I was lucky enough to be gifted some items in this post and I am very grateful, but I am always open and honest in my reviews!