Feeling Blue at Prom - A Scarlett & Jo Review

I have written, tweeted, instagramed and swooned over Scarlett & Jo very many times before - and to be honest with you, the chances are that I will do it again. Not only do Scarlett & Jo offer up a number of choices when it comes to clothing, but they actually listen to their customers. For example, they recognise that not everyone wears dresses so they now offer skirts and have recently launched a number of 'separates' items - great news! What I also love about Scarlett & Jo is  the support that they show bloggers - from dresses designed for them to random packages arriving on doorsteps 'just because' they're a brand that really do what they can to please people! Of course, when you add on the fact that they offer pretty dresses up to a size 32, they're winners in my heart!

So anyway, a few weeks ago they sent me this Navy 2 in 1 Prom Dress to try and it's a winner. I love the fact that it is a navy material rather than black, which is fantastic! It gives it something a bit different to the norm.

It has the now infamous thick elasticated waist that lots of the dresses and skirts from Scarlett & Jo now have. I love this because it brings everything in and gives it a nice shape - winner in my book.  As all of their prom dresses do, it has a slight netting underneath the skirt too which gives it a lovely lift.

The sizing is great and the top part of the dress being a thick, almost elasticated type material gives everything a really nice shape and feel. I wore this out to a local carnival the other day and it was comfortable to wear for the whole day. On that occasion I wore it with leggings, so it works as a dressed down look too!

Do you own anything from Scarlett & Jo? What are your favourite pieces?

P.S I have dreams of a 2 in 1 prom dress in a cherry print - how cute would that be? 

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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!

Scarlett & Jo: Revisited

I have blogged about Scarlett & Jo before and to be honest, I have no doubt that I will blog about them again. Scarlett & Jo are a brand that sell exclusively at Evans. One of the things I love most about the range is that ALL of their items go up to a size 32. They don't pick and choose what they think different customers of different sizes want - instead everything is available in all the sizes - such a revelation!

Over recent months they have bought some some beautiful dresses and skirts. They have definitely found a look that works for them - and it's safe to say, I am a fan! They're also big supporters of the blogging industry which is really nice to see.

A couple of weeks ago they sent me this beautiful dress which are far as I can see is not on the website yet. I wore it quite casual just out for dinner but it definitely has potential to be styled up and worn with more glamour.

As usual with Scarlet & Jo items, it's a fantastic fit and really high quality. Whenever I get items from this range I am always pleased with the look and feel of the material of the items - they never disappoint!

Head over to the Scarlett & Jo website today and have a look at their range. What do you have your eyes on?

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!

Making Dresses Work For You - The Gemma Collins Collection

A few weeks ago the lovely ladies behind The Gemma Collins Collection got it touch to see if I would like to try a dress. The Gemma Collins Collection is great for giving glitzy, glam clothing options to plus size ladies and for that it has to be applauded!

At the moment the The Gemma Collins Collection goes up to a size 26 (although I believe some of her options on places such as Simply Be go higher). When I spoke to the PR company I explained that their sizes wouldn't traditionally work for me, but that I would like to try them anyway! As you know, I am a big believer in working with what you have and ignoring clothing size labels! They were well up for working with me on the challenge and so sent me this little beauty in a size 24!

I really like the two sheer stripes at the bottom and think this gives the traditional little black dress something a bit extra! 

I have to say that the quality of  this dress is fantastic. It's quite a thick material which has a good amount of stretch to it! The dress fits me OK, although it probably shows a little more flesh than I am willing to show because it comes up quite short. That said, if you were a size 26 you could easily make this size 24 dress work for you in a traditional way. 

Now, the dress is such a lovely quality that I didn't want to give up on it! So.... Here's how I wore it!

I went to a 30th birthday celebration at the weekend and I decided that my Scarlett & Jo skirt would love to attend with me. So, I teamed it up with the dress. As the dress is a tight fit I think it looks great, especially because it is such a thick sturdy material so pulls me all in and gives me a great shape.

So - there you have it. Never give up on a dress just because you think it won't fit!

The Gemma Collins Collection has some great Valentines dresses so make sure you check out her range!

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!

Christmas Day With Scarlett & Jo and ASOS Curve

How was your Christmas? I hope you all had a brilliant one, I did!

Christmas in my household is always quite a quiet affair, but that's just the way we like it! It's been a lovely few days at home and now I am looking forward to travelling to Stafford for New Years with lots of friends!

Even though Christmas is reasonably quiet I love to get dressed up! Everyone in my house loves Christmas so we all get dressed up, have an epic dinner and spend the evening playing board games. I honestly can't think of a way I would rather spend the day.

Just before Christmas Scarlett & Jo sent me one of their newest dresses and I thought it would be perfect for Christmas. I love the blue colours in the kimono and knew it would be perfect to dress up with a bit of bling.

The Scarlett & Jo Multicoloured Floral Kimono With Black Dress is quite a grown up dress, but it;s lovely and I feel could be dressed in lots of different ways. The black dress underneath fits well too!

As it was on the day I felt that a plain black dress underneath was a bit plain, so I actually teamed up the kimono with a black dress I picked up in the ASOS Curve sale a few days before.The dress itself is lovely but I wanted to dress it up a bit for Christmas - after all, if you can't dress up at Christmas when can you?

One of the best things about the kimono dress from Scarlett & Jo is that although the kimono is attached, it is done so by poppers. This means that you can remove it and mix and match items. I love versatile pieces like this, so it's a definite plus point for me!

What did you get up to this Christmas?

Debz x

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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!

Floral For Winter: Scarlett & Jo

I have to be honest and say that I don't pay much attention to the seasons when it comes to clothing. I am not a massive fan of big winter coats or layering. When it comes to clothing I love bright colours and patterns and I don't see why winter should be any different.

However I know that when it comes to winter, many people prefer to wear more muted colours - perhaps they are mourning the loss of summer? 

When Scarlett & Jo offered to send me an item a few weeks ago I chose this Black Floral Jersey Dress. I thought it would be good to have some darker colours in my wardrobe for winter, but the floral pattern gives a nod to summer which I miss so much!

The dress itself is a lovely fit and definitely a bit generous, you could easily afford to size down. I love the length and the peep-hole at the top which allows it to be an evening or a day dress. It has a waist tie which also gives it a nice fit.

To be honest with you at the moment it feels as though Scarlett & Jo can do no wrong and this dress is certainly no exception!

What are you loving by Scarlett & Jo at the moment?

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!

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!

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/

A Dragonfly Inspired Summer Romance

Firstly, I know it has been an absolute age since I last blogged - sorry! I moved up north as you know and it has just taken me a few weeks to get settled and back on track! But here I am... I have a few exciting outfits to show you over the next few days and no doubt a rant or two will find its way in there!

The first outfit I wanted to share with you on my 'comeback' is this lovely dragonfly print dress from the fantastic team at Scarlett & Jo. It will come as no surprise that I am a bit Scarlett & Jo fan. I think when it comes to dresses they really do get it right every time. Their Spring Romance collection (with the infamous 2 for 1 prom dress) went down a complete storm and from what I have seen of the Summer Romance collection (which is slowly creeping into stores and online) this will be exactly the same - the poppy print dress they are bringing out is TO DIE FOR!

The lovely ladies at Scarlett & Jo were kind enough to send me this dragon fly print dress a few weeks ago and I love it. The print jumped out at me on the website  and although its a different style to what I would usually wear, I really love it.

The sleeves are a sheer material so they give a subtle cover up without being too warm. It's a wrap like style and the length is really nice on it too! Its a quite generous fit thanks to the stretchy material but that is perfect for summer when you really want to try and avoid anything that is too warm and clingy.

Now, I just need a party to wear it to!

Do you have any Scarlett & Jo items in your wardrobe?

Debz xx

If you liked what you read & want to keep up to date with future posts... You can do so here:

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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!

Summer Wish List - My Shopping Ban Is Nearly Over!

You might remember a month ago I announced that I was going to give up clothes shopping for Lent! Quite a few people decided to join me and though some have fallen by the wayside there is still a few of us going strong!

Now that I am on the final stretch of the shopping challenge (10 days to go!) I find my self online-window shopping and lusting over the items that I am going to buy when I finally am allowed to spend. Of course with a list as long as my arm, I can't possibly buy them all but with so many vibrant patterns and colours out there it's going to be hard to decide what I want to get my hands on first! I know we often moan about the lack of choice when it comes to plus size fashion, but I really feel (in my as far from expert opinion as you can get) that the retailers are doing us proud  this season!

Here's a look at the retailers that have not been making my shopping challenge very easy!

Pink Clove

Pink Clove seem to have updated their New Arrivals page twice in the last week (Yes, I stalk them that much) and both times I have gasped and then done a little dance of excitement. The colour of the page alone makes me smile - I love so many of their items! My top 3 (today, this will change tomorrow) are:

Tropical Floral Trousers, Sweetheart Neck Skater Dress (available in lots of colours), Floral Spot Skater Dress

Scarlett & Jo

Sold through Evans Online and a handful of Evans stores, if you haven't come across Scarlett & Jo before you're about the experience a revelation! I have blogged about these lovely dresses before and you'll see lots of bloggers also rave about them. There is just so much right about these dresses - the fit, the colours, the shade, the style - everything! This season they have launched a range of prom dresses and my goodness, they're beautiful!

2 in 1 Floral Prom Dress and the Floral Layered Maxi Dress

Topsy Curvy

Still quite a new player in the world of plus size fashion Topsy Curvy just seem to be getting it right time after time. Sadly I haven't been able to try any of their new stuff yet because of my spending ban, so I don't know about quality - but LOOK AT THOSE COLOURS!!! These girls seem to hit the nail on the head when it comes to giving plus size ladies a choice when it comes to clothing & I can't wait to see what else they have to offer! You can buy via their website although their Facebook seems to get items added quicker and that's where I spend my time lusting!

Neon Newspaper & Flower Midi Dress, 60s Print Cut Out Swing Dress and the Leopard & Rose Swing Dress

Lusting Over...

All of these are items that I would love to buy & most probably will splash the cash on at some stage. I also wanted to add a little lust-list in the shape of Silly Old Sea Dog - a vintage style dress company that have recently started a plus size range. Their dresses are available up to a size 28 and they are BEAUTIFUL! The dresses are (sadly) a little out of my price range but if you're looking for a dress with a difference and are willing to invest I would definitely head over to their site!

So.. .What are you planning to buy over the next few weeks, has anything pretty caught your eye?

Debz xx

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Falling In Love With Scarlett & Jo

You'll know that earlier this week I was invited to Evans at Marble Arch to view their Cut For Evans range. While I was there I took the chance to have a sneaky peak around the rest of the store, because I just don't get to this side of town often enough.

I have kept my eye on the Scarlett and Jo dresses on the website, but I have to be honest there was nothing quite like seeing them in the flesh. The prom dress jumped out at me - it's such a vibrant colour and nice shape. I don't own many 'pretty' dresses like that, but it's definitely one that I would like to have hanging in my wardrobe.

The Infamous Prom Dress

Scarlett & Jo first made a name for themselves with their Power Fit dresses which have gone down an absolute storm. You might remember that I reviewed the leopard print one a while back. What I love now is how they're expanding and offering so many more different shapes and styles, which helps to ensure that there is something for everyone.

Some of my favourite Scarlett & Jo offerings are:

1 - Red Embellished Maxi Dress 2 - Retro Button Front Ditsy Midi Dress 3 - Red Panel Fit & Flare Dress 4 - Beaded Crochet Collar Dress

It's really lovely that all of these come from Scarlett & Jo - just because they are all so different. I am really trying to expand the type of dresses I have in my wardrobe - I love skater dresses but I would love to step out and try something new. 

What are your fashion plans for 2014? Do you want to mix it up a bit?

Debz xx

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Powerfit Friday

Unless you have been under a rock, you have probably heard of the Powerfit dresses by Scarlett & Jo. I fell in love with these dresses when they were first launched and was really excited when I heard that they had extended their size range to go up to a size 32.

I have seen lots of beautiful bloggers wearing the power fit dresses (they come in a range of colours and designs) but no one that compares to me size wise - so before I invested in one, I wanted to try one on! Sadly, I am lazy and hadn't gotten around to going back to Evans to try one in store.

This week the lovely ladies at Scarlett & Jo emailed me to see if I would like to try the animal print powerfit dress, as they would like to send me one... How kind!

I finally got around to trying it on today - and I love it! Size wise I would say stick to your usual size. The dress is lined and panelled inside which means that you get a tight fit, but I like that the material is thick so it gives you a nice smooth shape.

What I like about the dress is that the print is in the middle, with a black border which gives a nice 'flattering' shape. You should all know that I don't worry too much about shape and being flattering, but I do think that this is a nice touch!

Unless you can catch a Scarlett & Jo sale (they do happen quite often) then these dresses are definitely at 'investment piece' price but to be honest with you, I would say that they are well worth the price - I currently have my beady eyes on a red one!

I have kept the pictures quite basic on this one, as I plan to dress it up to attend an Xmas event next week - I'll show you how it turns out afterwards!

Have you tried a Scarlett & Jo dress yet? What did you think??

Debz x

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

ABC Of Red Coloured Winter Dresses From Evans

As plus size retailers go, Evans have probably been around the longest! This means that they have seen more Christmas seasons come and go than some of their plus size competitors. This is great news because it means that can use their experience to put together fantastic winter wardrobe options - and for 2013 they have not disappointed.

Affordable - Evans Red Skater Dress

I love a skater dress and this one caught my eye because of the brightness of the colour. I love big, bold items of clothing and I think for less than £30.00 this is a great choice. I can see this skater dress put together with some nice bold jewellery and a big, sparkly belt to break up the colour a bit and give it a bit of glamour. You can buy this dress here. 

Bargain - Scarlett & Jo Red Lace Yoke Tunic

I have yet to add anything by Scarlett & Jo to my own wardrobe, but so far I have only ever heard good things about them! I like the colour of this tunic but I also like the lace shoulder and sleeve as I think it gives the dress a lovely look about it. You could easily wear this to work and then out to after work Christmas drinks without feeling like you weren't dressed up enough - a bargain for £35.00. You can get this dress here.

Cash To Splash - Scarlett & Jo Raspberry Red Powerfit Dress

When the powerfit dresses were launched people didn't stop raving about them - in fact they proved so popular that Scarlett & Jo alongside Evans bought out the dresses in a whole range of new colours and patterns. As you know, I am a sucker for a bit of colour so these new dresses were right up my street! I haven't had the money to splash out on one of these yet, but they are most definitely on my 'must have' list. This red dress is lovely and I can really see it being worn to a Christmas party. It's only £45 so not a bad price for a dress at all. You can get this dress here.

Of course, Evans have loads more dresses on their site - and they aren't all red! Why not head over and see what catches your eye?

Have you bought any dresses for the up and coming party season yet?

Debz xx

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ABC Of Rainy Day Clothes From Evans

So... I hate to say it, but I think it might be over. Has summer really upped and left us? I think so! We had 2 weeks of pure, blissful sunshine where we all moaned it was too hot and that we couldn’t sleep... Seems like Mother Nature has listened to our moans and sent us rain, thunder and lightning - lovely!

The problem with this weather is that it is so interchangeable & unpredictable... I went for drinks one evening last week in a dress and flip-flops, by the time I was on my way home it was full thunder and lightning - not ideal!

So anyway, I thought would do a little piece on items that can be layered easily and are perfect for when the weather just doesn’t know what it is doing! As a plus-size retailer Evans really seem to have upped their game recently & I love some of the pieces they have bought out... Once my bank balance allows me I'll definitely be purchasing some to do some proper reviews for you

Absolute Bargain - Swan By Clements Ribeiro Lips Print Jersey Dress

On sale for just £15.00 this would make a fantastic addition to any wardrobe. What I love about this dress is that it is so easy to dress up or dress down. I can picture it with tights and a nice sparkly shrug for an evening out or leggings and a cardigan for on the day. As a jersey dress the material is going to be lightweight, so you can layer it without having to worry too much about being too warm in this weather. You can buy it here.

Best Value For Money - Scarlett & Jo Purple Waterfall Stud Detail Dress

At £40.00 this dress is a little more expensive that other items I put in the best value for money section, but I really do think that it fits here perfectly. I love the waterfall stud detail on this dress and feel that it is perfect for those nights when you want to wear a pretty dress but not something that screams "look at me" too much! I love many of the Scarlett & Jo pieces and can't wait to own one - I have seen reviews from other bloggers and know that they talk highly of the quality and fit of these products. You can buy this one here.

Cash To Splash - Scarlett & Jo Black and Grey Sheer Yoke Dress

I love, love, love the cut of this dress - it is exactly the cut and shape that I love to wear. At £55.00 it is a cash to splash item, but what a lovely choice! I love the black and grey pattern of this dress - it is perfect to wear to an evening party or get together, especially as you can easily get away with wearing a cardigan with this to protect you from the unpredictable weather. You can get this one here.

So there you have it - a couple of choices from Evans for this sunny, rainy and then sunny weather again!

What do you like to wear when the weather is unpredictable like this?

Debz xx

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