My Top Picks from Yours Clothing

Now, I'm here to admit something; being a 'smaller fat' I have often overlooked some stores, purely because I can shop in most high street stores that cater up to an 18. Yours Clothing was a shop that although catered to my size and bigger, felt that sometimes their range was just a little too tame for me. Never frumpy, just styles which I'd class as safe and not to my liking.

But then Bristol opened up their new store in The Galleries, Broadmead and I'd occasionally pop in and find an item I liked. So I'd look online and find even more! 

With this in mind, I thought I'd share some of my favourite finds for Spring. 

 

This cold shoulder sweater dress is my new go to. As a stay at home mum, it's not all glamour 24/7 and I do need something that looks good as well as being practical. I know the cold shoulder trend isn't for everyone and I know it can be frustrating if your shoulders are 'problem' area when it comes to confidence. But for me, I really don't mind them. 

 

This gorgeous mesh bodysuit is bang on trend, with its embroidered flowers. I wore this to the opening of the new Yours store in Yate, Bristol. Teamed with a maxi skirt (old Primark) and a pair of tassled boots. 

 

 This hoody and jogger set is next on my list. Again, cold shoulders but this is just screams ultimate laid back casual and I'm all about that! 

 

I LOVE this mesh dress. Not only would I wear it over a top and jeans but I'd also wear it over my swimwear by the pool.

Have you seen the latest looks that have arrived at Yours recently? Let me know your favourites x

Yours Store Opening In Yate

Last week I got to pop down to my local shopping centre, West Walk in Yate and cover the opening of their brand new Yours store. 

Getting an email from head office asking if I'd like to cut the ribbon and give style advice to their competition winner was such a surprise to me that I had to re-read it over and over until it sunk in. No big deal to some bigger, well known bloggers, but for me, felt it was a pretty big deal and such a great opportunity. I mean, in my eyes, my blog is pretty small and basic and I often doubt its potential or impact. 

I arrived early to find customers eagerly awaiting the opening and once we were almost ready, a queue grew quickly, spreading down the length of the shopping centre, attracting much attention from other shoppers. 

 

Now as you know, I suffer with anxiety and this did affect me on the day. I had to arrive an hour early in order for me to calm my nerves and as I struggle in social situations, had to really push myself to let my confidence shine through the nerves. Once I was there and chatting to customers, my anxiety soon eased. 

I decided to let the first customer in the queue to cut the ribbon, the lovely Stacey. 

 

 

  One lucky customer who received a £50 voucher in her goody bag 

 

  Competition winner with her £100 gift card 

I got to chat to local press about the store, current fashion trends and a little about my blog. 

It was so lovely to see customers so excited to be able to try on clothes for their size. With no other plus size retailers in the area, Yours was eagerly anticipated and the feedback from customers was so positive. 

You can read more about the opening on the Yours blog 

here

 

 

Keeping it Casual in Yours Clothing

This Mothers Day was all about keeping comfy. As much as I wanted to dress up and be spoilt, this day is never about me. I was visiting my mum for the day and making her feel special with a walk along the beach and a home cooked roast, so with this in mind, I had to be dressed practically.

So I went for my new clothes from Yours.. I've always wanted a pair of dungarees but as a round bellied girl, I doubted that they'd work on my shape. Then I stopped listening to that voice and thought that I might as well try them then decide. 

 

I chose this gorgeous black pair, as we all know that black goes with everything! And powder pink was the perfect colour to team with them for such an occasion. 

 

The dungarees  themselves are non stretch and tapered at the leg, which I love. I worried that they would be too fitted around my belly but baggy elsewhere but as I sized up, these fit in the slouchy way I hoped they would. My usual size being an 18, I went for the 20. 

The pink jersey top is like a dream. Sounds silly as it's just a long sleeve top but it's generous in arm length AND in the body. I hate tops that ride up but with this falling below my bum, there's no chance of ride up here. It's so soft and slouchy that it almost feels like I'm wearing loungewear. And I'm all about that pj life! 

 

 

I chose this cute velvet satchel like backpack to finish off the outfit. X



**Disclaimer; Although items were gifted, all views are my own.**

  

May Roundup of Outfits

I've been either A; a bit slack, or B; a bit busy to post any outfit up so I thought the easiest thing to do was to compile a blog post featuring them all. 

 

I recently got this grey maxi skirt from Yours. Super soft, stretchy jersey with a side split to show a little leg. Not that you can tell as its billowing in a breeze! The top is a ribbed, open backed vest that I picked up in Primark recently, along with the hologram sandals. 

Next up is this cute little jacket from Boohoo.com I love the pastel colours and with this crazy cold/warm/rainy weather we've got going on, it's nice to chuck on something light yet practical. 

Vest is the same as above. Leggings are from River Island but are pretty old now. Platform plimsolls are from Primark and the bag is EBay.

This is another Boohoo.com number. A soft quilted scuba type material in lilac (lighting makes it look a bit pinkish). The shape of this little dress made me feel like Baby Spice. I teamed it with black leggings and chunky platform boots- both Primark and my little hologram backpack. Necklace is from Black Heart Creatives as featured in a previous post.

Xx

What a Winner!

This month I was super happy to of won an Instagram giveaway from the ultra cool brand Carnakoma (found Here) And what a prize!

An oversized shirt in slate grey leopard print that is long in length and dipped at the back. I was instantly in love. I teamed it with Yours Clothing Tummy control leggings, plastic chain necklace from Topshop and chunky boots from Primark. Perfect for a date night.

The shirt can be found Here x

Plus North pt1

Recently I attended my first ever Plus North. I had previously heard nothing but positive things for this event when I first ventured into the world of plus size blogging. Did it live up to expectations? Totally!

These events are not a simple thing to put together but spread over the two days, I thought it ran pretty smoothly. 

I was fortunate enough to model for two brands too. Like many others who attended, I was too busy enjoying myself that I forgot to take any pictures so I've had to pinch them from other people!

Modelling for Yours Clothing

The first day was a mixture of catwalks and shopping. Stalls included Curvy Kate with bra fittings and bargain knickers, Chunky Cat Cuddler with her beautiful laser cut acrylic pieces of jewellery, Nicky Rockets fab T shirts, Bon Prix, Zizzi, SLiNK magazine, Apples and Pears and Topsy Curvy. 

The fashion shows included Simply Be, Yours Clothing, Ann Harvey, So Fabulous and Topsy Curvy. 

The So Fab models

I travelled to Leeds for the event alone, shared a room with girls I've not stayed with before and was in a room full of people I either didn't know or only had seen or spoken to online, all this was completely out of my comfort zone. I get a little shy and uncomfortable around new faces and I'm generally a bit socially awkward. But here, I didn't let that bother me. Not everyone knew each other and that was ok. I met new faces and those that I have been following on social media sites for a while. If at any point of the day I found myself alone, there was a face I recognised to talk to. What a truly positive environment to be in!

After the first day was done, a group of us went out for meal before the afterparty 

Wearing Modcloth for the day

Part 2 to follow x

StyleXL

Last weekend I was given the amazing opportunity to model at a brand new plus size fashion event hosted and run by the ever so lovely Leah Shafik from www.thirtysomethingcurvyme.com

Some amazing plus size fashion brands were in attendance including Yours Clothing and Simply Be. I walked for Simply Be, MSSVG, Topsy Curvy, Pink Clove and Apples and Pears. 

 

This was me in Topsy Curvy. A fun, young and price savvy brand

Credit to Charles Davis

Here I am in Simply Be

And being a little poser in Pink Clove

 Credit to Aimee Tink

For it's first year, this event was very successful. There were plenty of people in attendance and things ran smoothly. There was some great stalls to shop at such as Chunky Cat Cuddler with their funky bold acrylic jewellery and Irridescence with their beautiful accessories.

I had so much fun modelling for the day and hanging out with fellow bloggers. It was such a positive environment and I was so proud to be part of it. I can't wait to see what's in store for next year!

OOTD

This is my first 'OOTD'. As a stay at home mum, I don't have a real need to dress up or look smart. I do, however, feel the need to make an effort. Not for anybody but myself. It makes me feel a bit better about myself and also express myself as anyone would, through fashion. 

                                                     Jacket;     F+F
                                                     Blouse;     Yours Clothing
                                                     Leggings; Beth Ditto for Evans
                                                     Shoes;      Topshop

Today's outfit is a little on the dull side but unlike a lot of bloggers out there, I don't go to work. My work involves changing nappies, cleaning mucky faces and crawling around on all fours, pretending to be a monster. So because of this I don't wear nice, delicate clothes. I get smeared with chewed up biscuits or have fromage frais thrown at me.  I try to keep on trend or wear something a little different at least. I don't think I could ever be a boring mum!

I wear this jacket a lot at the moment. Its comfortable, warm and does the job as any little biker jacket will do. Was a bargain too. Nice little find in the supermarket. It even ran in a 22. Bonus.
The top is from Yours, it came with a little cami that you can detach but on this particular day I chose to wear a thicker, high backed vest underneath. The leggings were past seasons Evans from the Beth Ditto range. They have a wet look panel down the legs which make my legs longer (not that you can tell in this pic!) Shoes are studded pumps from Topshop. Comfy. 'Nuff said!

xx