OOTD - Simply Be Red Check Dress

The last two weeks have been insanely busy. My step son has been struggling with his school work and bullying, the school have not been able to really help Josh to reach his potential, and have limited his options so much this year with his GCSE's that he has become very frustrated with the whole situation.

We are very lucky that Josh does not have any behaviour related needs but his dyslexia requires different teaching techniques which most of his teachers refuse to use in the classroom which means he struggles to keep up and understand what is required of him.

After more than a year making the decision this week we officially removed Josh from secondary school and as of today we are officially a homeschooling household! This decision has been exciting and scary all at the same time but we know that we are making the right choice for him.

I am able to tech him Maths and science and have my sister helping to tutor in English skills and he will be allowed to explore the other subjects of his choosing to find the best fit for him.

As you can imagine I have been looking for outfits that are comfortable and relaxed as I am sat either in the office or in the kitchen with him while working. Todays outfit is an amazing dress that I was kindly sent by the lovely Simply Be.

While this dress is not the usual figure flattering nipped in waist style that I prefer, it is just so comfortable and makes me feel fabulous anyway! It has false zip pockets (would have loved real ones) and the bold check pattern is fantastic.

I didn't manage to capture the best photo of it today but you get the idea and I think you can see i feel happy and relaxed, excuse the hair, it was stuck up in a ponytail while we ran into town for school supplies.

* Red Check Dress - Simply Be

I also have another amazing tartan inspired outfit for you from Simply Be which is gorgeous so keep an eye out for that this week.

Hopefully now this decision is made and we are all less stressed I can get into a blogging schedule again.

Mhairi

xxx

Claire Richards - Fashion World Ambasador

A few weeks back I received an announcement about Claire Richards becoming Fashion Worlds new Ambassador.

Claire Richards known for her time in the band steps has had quite a battle with her body over the years but seems to be finally settling into herself and I find her refreshing, she isn't shouting how she loves herself or how she hates herself, she just seems to be very honest and normal like most of us who battle to be ourselves and love what we have.

Personally I think Claire is stunning and an absolute hottie now, so there!!!

At the moment, Claire has only selected the clothing she loves the most from the selection at Fashion world but has fabulous things planned with the JD Williams Brand.

The lovely Fi gave me the opportunity to put some questions to Claire for this post here is what I wanted to know

1. What are the future plans for Claire and Fashion world? (own line etc)

I have designed a range for autumn/winter 13 which I'm really excited about people seeing. I've tried really hard to make all the pieces wearable for a plus size but also fashionable and really flattering.

2. Claire looks beautiful and confident as she is now, does she feel happy with herself?

I am in a really good place right now and finally feel that whatever size I am I feel comfortable and happy with myself at last.

3. Does Claire have any music plans for the future?

I would absolutely love to do a solo album, it's something that I've wanted to do for 20 years and I feel that now could be a good time.

4. How passionate is Claire about Fashion?

I am pretty passionate about fashion and I'm very passionate about making fashion accessible to plus size women, if you are bigger it doesn't mean you don't want to look great in the latest fashion but for some reason the high  street makes it impossible for you to be able to do that. With Fashion World I'm hoping that I can change the way people think about a plus size.

I am really looking forward to seeing Claires new collection for Autumn/ Winter but for now I have been given the opportunity to try out a few bits from her selection at Fashion World I decided rather than individual items I would try and create an outfit for the Spring/ Summer seasons ahead.

*Glamourosa tunic

*Neon Trim Parka

*High Waisted Leggings

I love this for the season ahead, I feel comfortable and relaxed, the colour is so pretty and very different from my usual choices!

I do need to find my purple glasses which will clash a little less with the coral pink :) 

Do you like the selections and are you looking forward to seeing what the clothing range is like? 

Mhairi

xxx

Ups and Downs

This weekend has been a difficult one a while ago we had to make the choice to find a new home for our beautiful puppy Nelly, she is such an amazing girl but our other dog poppy just hasn't taken to another girl coming into her home.

This led to fighting and us having to keep them separated at all times which is no way for either of them to live, so the choice was made, we have been worrying ourselves sick over finding her the perfect home where she can flourish and be the happy puppy we know she is.

Plus North turned out to be a godsend, as after a chance conversation with the wonderful Clare, of Big Beauty Blog, she mentioned the loss of her dog and how she would love another puppy if she could persuade her husband, well fast forward 2 days and she came back to me to tell me they would love to offer Nelly a home.

We arranged for us to drop her off this weekend and on saturday we made the journey Up North to drop her off, it was a very long journey with 8 stops for a very car sick pup but we made it and left knowing she would be loved, I did well I made it 2 hours down the road before I burst into tears when I thought of her spotty tummy.

Clare has set up a wonderful little blog for her, so we can see her growing into a big doggy, you can see it HERE it is really lovely.

Here is a little outfit post from yesterday, I broke my own rule and wore leggings with a shorter top, it still covered my bum, I just needed comfort as I was in the car for nearly 9 hours in total!

Today to take my mind off things and as it was finally a nice day with a breeze we thought it a good day to get some gardening done as all the rain recently has meant a very overgrown messy garden.

We did about 4 hours work and have made a good start, there is still lots to do, but my gardening tools are a bit crap, lots seem to have been lost in the moves, so will have to invest in some new items.

Here are a few images of our handy work.

The two big bushes over the back were being completely strangled by tangle weed (our name for it, not sure its real)

Watered all my potted plants.

wave my bush a trim ;)

And removed lots of nettles.

Now does anyone have any idea for cheap paving ideas up top there, as you can see the grass has been destroyed by the dogs and needs to be more practical.

Have you had a good weekend, did you work hard or have a lazy one?

Mhairi 

Fatshion Faceoff - Shorts

Shorts

My Fatshion Faceoff post is late this week as I have had the craziest day, my little puppy Nell got over excited with our other dog and got caught by a tooth on her cheek, unfortunately it turned into an abscess, so today has been vets and snuggles for my little lady.

Until all the craziness started we had planned a relaxing day or walking dogs and me getting ready for a press event I should have been attending, which I had to cancel.

So this is my shorts outfit, its pretty casual, but I kind of like it, I felt sassy! 

Excuse the not so good quality phone picture, it was really all we had time for today.

The top is from Newlook last year and the shorts are cut off jeans.

My shoes are from Tescos.

I am not sure I am a Shorts convert I may have to try more to see how I feel about them, but for now I think I will still be in skirts and shorts.

Don't forget to go check out the other fabulous ladies involved in the challenges.

Hanna – http://thewardrobechallenge.co.uk/

Dani – http://diyfatshion.blogspot.com/

Olivia – www.waituntilthesunset.com

Molly – http://molly-pocket.com

Mouna – www.brusselsfatshion.com

And here is a little picture of my poorly baby girl, you can just see her swollen face :(

Send her get well vibes. xxx

Mhairi

xxx