Making The Most Of Your Wardrobe Featuring Simply Be

The last few years, for us, have been difficult financially, my husband has had to jump from one temporary contract to another far too many times and has sometimes had to sign on in between. This has meant me putting a hold on my clothing budget, meaning I could only buy the essentials, luckily I do get sent clothing items now and then through the blog so that is a bonus.

Making my wardrobe work year round has been very important to me because of this so when I do shop I buy items that are versatile, that can see me through multiple season and be layered for warmth in the winter. Each season I do try to get one or two bits that will help me work with what I already have.
Just before Christmas Simply be sent be a selection of items that I could use to make my winter wardrobe more adaptable for winter into spring.

My first item is something I purchase most winters, Knee-high Boots, as I wear them on a daily basis, I always look for a pair that looks good for day and night.

Anna Scholz Studded Boots

I was sent these fabulous Anna Scholz Studded boots, they are great thrown on over leggings but are smart enough that I can wear them out in the evening, which is perfect for my budget! they are in the sale right now so grab a bargain.

Next up is a dress that is great in the daytime with a jumper or cardigan over the top but easily dressed up for the evening.

High Neck Check Velour Dress

I adore the print of this dress and the colour is beautiful, it is great to wear with tights ankle boots and a chunky knit cardigan, or I can throw it on with heels or my knee boots for an evening out.

A good knit is very important for a versatile wardrobe it helps with layering against the cold, easily dresses down an outfit to make it more casual and works with so many outfits. I often go for cardigans as they are the easy option but this time I went for a jumper, I wanted the option of a skirt and top look if I team it with my dresses.

Fluffy Knitted Shell Top

It is fluffy and warm and wonderful, It is fabulous with jeans and over blouses and dresses.

The last item I was sent were an awesome pair of leggings, I have a ton of plain black legings but sometimes I want to make a plain out fit stand out.

Check Leggings

These are perfection, appealing to my inner 90's teenager.

 Over the coming weeks I am going to try to show you as many outfits as possible including items from this selection to show you how I make my wardrobe work for me on a very tight budget.

Do you shop for key versatile items or are you a trend setter, do you just buy what you love regardless of if it fits in with your current wardrobe?

Mhairi

xxx

Lifestyle - Kitchen Makeover Part 3 Wishlist

Now that the kitchen is nearly done, there is just a little more painting to do, I am finding myself looking for those finishing touches we have known for the last few years when wanted to go for reds and creams in there so I have a good idea what I want.

The first thing I know that I want for the kitchen is a clock, it is such a huge room that I didn't want a tiny little wall clock, so have been looking out for something nice and big, I came across the perfect one just before Christmas in Matalan and will be getting it asap for the back wall that we have wallpapered.

Clock

it is about 25in across and an antique off white colour which I think I may rub with a little wax coloured with the cream we are using for the walls to make it fit it perfectly.

Utensils

I love Le Creuset but it is definitely at the higher end of the price range but these utensils are gorgeous and I can add to them as and when we have spare funds.

Bookends

I need some bookends for my shelves once I get them up as I keep all my recipe books and gardening books in the kitchen, kind of loving these for my recipe books and the ones below are awesome too!

Pans

New pans are a must, as mine were purchased a very long time ago and they have seen better days, I quite like these as they will look just as good on my hob as off, I would love Le Cruset but they are way out of out price range for now!

Dining Set

I hadn't even thought of Simply Be for kitchen items, but these plates came up when I was searching for all the tartan items and I have fallen in love!

 There are still a million and one other things I would like to buy but these are at the top of my list for now. Do you have a colour theme for your kitchen?

Mhairi

xxx

Fatshion Faceoff - Shoe boots

So so sorry this is late posting I have pictures for the next 6 or 7 post for Fatshion Faceoff and had planned on spending my morning writing this post while Josh worked through his English worksheets, unfortunately we ended up without electricity for 5 hours so took our work into town for a hot drink.

This weeks post is Shoe boots, something that I have a slight love of.

Mine that I am wearing in this post are from Simply Be and can be found HERE.

I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them, they remind me of similar boots I had in my teens when I was a bit goth.

I wore them with my Tartan Skater Dress from Pink Clove and plain black tights.

The thick heel makes them so simply to walk in and I love the cut out sides, I cant wait to were them with coloured tights in the winter.

Check out the other gorgeous ladies 

Hanna The Wardrobe Challenge (UK)
Olivia Wait Until the Sunset (Australia)
Mouna Brussels Fatshion (Belgium)
Dani http://www.diyfatshion.com/(USA)

Mhairi

xxx

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

In the Spotlight - ASOS Curve

Right now, I am feeling that being plus sized is pretty darn good, there are some new brands out there and the old ones are stepping up their game.

Today I am going to show you some of my favourite peices from Asos Curve.

Now ASOS are very hit and miss for me, I have had some terrible experiences with fit and materials, and always feel a bit insulted that at 32 I am too old to go to one of their fit days, but I am going to put these feelings aside for now as at the moment they are honestly rocking my world with their selection!

First up is this gorgeous Tartan pinafore dress, this is just so cute, I need to have this in my wardrobe! at 32 maybe I am too old for this, but I am in the middle of dying my hair blue so I guess I am aiming to grow old disgracefully!

Source

I love the colours and mixed prints of this dress it is beautiful, I think I would cinch it in with a belt for nights out and just as it is with leggings for a casual look.

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I have been obsessing over a parka for quite some time now, but I cant be doing with big bulky ones with huge fur trims as I am very short and find the make me look a little like a tiny eskimo! Oh but not this one, I love the leather details and the colour, perfect for my Autumn wardrobe.

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 I ordered a pair of jersey peg trousers from ASOS a while back and had to send them back as I found the material to be a bit too thin for my liking and knew they would become baggy and misshapen around the knee, I think though that for this print I would live with these faults as they are just so cute!

source

The last item I am showing you is this onesie, the marmite of the pyjama world, but with the colder weather sneaking in I am getting ready for the comfort of a onesie!

Source

So they are my top picks from ASOS Curve right now and I really do want to buy them all as well as the skirt, blazer and jeans from my previous lust list post!

Mhairi

xxx

My Never Ending Lust List

Have you noticed when you have money to spare there is nothing in the shops you really want or need, but as soon as you are strapped for cash, the most amazing clothes hit the shops!

At the moment, money in our house is very tight and my lust list is massive! So here are just a few for you to take a look at.

Check Blazer - ASOS || Heart Cardigan - Evans || Neon Skirt - ASOS || Fossil Overlay dress - Evans || Navy Lace Powerfit Dress - Evans || Ripped Jeans - Junarose || Oxblood boots - Evans || Lace Biker Jacket - Evans || Spot Jeans - ASOS

Evans have some gorgeous bits in at the moment, I am loving the Scarlett and Jo and Live Unlimited brands, Junarose is a new brand and these jeans are stunning!

The Check blazer from Asos is just amazing, I need it for the cooler autumn to wear with jeans! Please money tree grow and solve all our money woes!

Have you got your eye on anything new, let me know.

Mhairi

xxx

Plus North Premier Sponsor Post - Curvissa

My next Plus North Premier Sponsor post is for the lovely Curvissa.

This is what Curvissa have to say about themselves.

Plus size fashion shouldn’t be about compromise, it should be about choice. Curvissa.co.uk offers a selection of over 3,000 quality fashion items in sizes 14 - 32, giving you a comprehensive collection of plus size clothing that includes everything from trousers and tops, to jackets and jeans.

Great Values Across a Range of Sizes

We’re also firm believers that plus size clothing shouldn’t come with a premium price, which is why every item at Curvissa.co.uk is available in sizes 14 - 32, with a single competitive price across all size options. Search the site for specific items, or browse by category, size, occasion or trend for inspiration across the latest looks and styles.

Be Inspired

There’s more to Curvissa than just fabulous fashion at competitive prices too. Through our regularly updated Inspire section our experts bring you the latest looks and industry trends, as well as seasonal style tips and interactive tools to help you build your look from the ground up. Check out our Shape Calculator to start shaping your individual style.

The Curvissa Community

We also love sharing in a good discussion too. Curvissa is home to a great customer community which we welcome everyone to join in - find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to talk trends and plus size fashion with like-minded ladies and fellow customers, as well as the Curvissa team, or follow our blog for behind the scenes secrets, clothing chat and much more.

I really like the vast range of clothing that Curvissa offer, and own a few of their pieces myself.

Myself and the rest of the team were all sent the Pinafore Dress, which is a really sweet little dress, it is a quite thin material with no stretch so pay close attention to the size guide, I have found I need to order at least 1-2 sizes bigger than my usual dress size with curvissa.

In this I went for a 24 and should possibly have gone for the 26 (I am usually a 20-22) but the numbers on labels have never bothered me, I wear the size that looks best on me.

So how did it look

I decided to try it with my current favourite tartan blouse and I love it, I need full length leggings with it I think but need to buy a new pair.

I think I would normally wear it with a simple long sleve top, leggings and converse. it is currently a little tight over my bust, but I am wearing it with a slightly padded bra so a non padded may work better.

Head over and check out the other gorgeous girls in their outfits.

Hanna

Toni

Rosie

Becky

Pink Clove has Launched!

Today I was invited to the launch event for the fabulous new brand Pink Clove, today is my stepsons 14ht birthday so I have not been able to attend the event, so I thought I would share with you a few of my favourite pieces from the website for you to have a little drool over!

First up is my obsessive love with Tartan!

Tartan Skater Dress with Belt £30

I love skater dresses, I love sleeves and I love red tartan so this dress was an instant hit with me.

Tartan Print Skater Skirt £18

This fabulous skirt hits all the right spots too.

Floral Pleated Dress with Belt £30

 I have fallen in love with the gorgeous monochrome houndstooth teamed with the girly floral print of this dress, it stops it being too cutesy.

Lace Skater Skirt £24

 I like the simplicity of this skirt, it would be great teamed with a simple black top and tights for a relaxed night out.

Peplum Top with Contrast Upper £18

 I love the style of this top, and would love to try it with Jeans.

Wide Leg Jumpsuit with Lace Shoulder £39

Jumpsuits are my worst nightmare, they never look right and are massively too long, but I can not help but fall in love with this one!

There is such a great selection of clothing on the Pink Clove website and they cater for a size 16 to 32 which is fantastic! it is great to see something new.

Head over to the fabulous Hanna as she has a competition running to win a £100 voucher for Pink Clove and some amazing behind the scenes photos from the model shoot.

The Wardrobe Challenge

Mhairi

xxx