Outside My Comfort Zone: Work Wear

I knew from the second I read the topic for OMCZ 22 that I'd struggle a bit. The topic is work wear but I don't work. I have no clothes that I'd consider work clothes as I instantly think to office attire and I've not stepped foot in an office since I went on maternity leave over 2.5 years ago.

However who's to say what I do isn't work? I'm a stay at home mum. I may not get paid but I am on call 24/7. This week alone I have spent three sleepless nights being a nurse, a comforter and an entertainer to three children who have been unwell, unable to sleep and in need of cuddles and distractions. All the while I have been unwell but unable to rest because I cannot (and will not) let them down. It's a harder job than the call centre I used to sit at taking abuse for 8 hours a day. It's more emotionally draining than the ambulance job I had before that. So it is work. Hard work. And I love it! So I'm going to show you some of my "work" wear.

I start my day between 4 and 6am. And for the first couple of hours I wear nothing. These little guys don't judge!

I can put on whatever I fancy. Clashing prints? Who cares! Antlers? Why not!

Dress and leggings: Everything5Pounds

Antlers: Wilkos

And sometimes my little toddler picks stuff out for me. In Asda on monday he picked me out some socks. How can I say no?

So there you go. Its not officey but a glimpse into what I have worn this week while working my bottom off to be the best mummy I know how.

I hope the other #OMCZ girls can give you more work related inspiration than I did:

Stephanie http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Leah http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Mary http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Becky Brown http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Rachel http://www.adressisforlife.com/
Natalie http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki http://www.nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebs http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk/
Verena http://aplussizefashionobsession.blogspot.de/
Beka bekasstuffystuff.blogspot.com
Rebecca http://theplussideofme.com
Hollie Http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Sabina http://www.femmefatalexsabina.blogspot.de/
Betty http://www.bigfatbetty.com/
Katt http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk/
Mookie http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk/
Erin http://erinslittlebigcorner.blogspot.co.uk/
Debz http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk/

Christmas Casual

I have neglected my corner of the internet recently. I apologise. Family dramas and illnesses are now (hopefully) over and I'm back on track.

So here's a quick ootd from me.

I received this tshirt from Yours Clothing (retailing at £12.99 on the website just now). It arrived yesterday and I knew I had to wear it for the Herne Bay christmas light switch on tonight. I was a bit unsure about the ruched sides but combined with the length it's rather flattering. I adore the red glitter embellishments however I'm not sure they'll last the wash. I'm dropping glitter everywhere I go. It only needs to last the season though so it's not too much of an issue. All told, I love it! 

Cameraphonetastic

You've Got My Back

When the lovely Leah over at Just Me, Leah asked if anyone would brave the subject of this blog post, I instantly put my name down. Almost everyone has this little extra padding yet it is never talked about in a positive or even neutral light. I'm talking about the dreaded back fat.

We all have issues with parts of ourselves. Some of these problem areas are so seldom discussed that we suffer in silence thinking that we're the odd ones out with back fat, cellulite, an overhanging tummy. But we are not alone. These things are normal. WE are normal.

So everyone, please say hello to my completely normal back.

It has fat. Rolls. In some unflattering bras, I'd go so far as to say it looks like a second set of slightly too high up jiggly buttocks. But it's mine and it's here for the foreseeable future.
Do I love it? No. Do I even like it? Not really. But I accept that it is part of me. I am learning to accept myself for who I am and looking at my back, learning about a part of me that I never actually see, is quite liberating. A revelation of sorts. In fact, even now as I look at the photos, I hate them less and less. I'm sat here thinking y'know what? Shar Pei puppies are cute and they have rolls. Maybe I can look at my back rolls like a shar pei. Huggable, squeezable... maybe one day I could learn to love the folds of my back. Maybe.

That's not to say that I enjoy showing off this back fat or that I will be buying backless dresses any time soon. In fact, the reason I jumped at the chance to write about my back folds is because I tried on a dress a few days before I volunteered to do this post. The dress looked lovely from the front. It made my boobs look fab and my waist nipped in nicely. But then I turned around and looked in the mirror over my shoulder. Oh, hello, unexpected bulges!

I bought the next size up in the dress, making the waist slightly less nipped in and my boobs a little less fabulous, just to attempt to cover up something that is just a part of me. But now, looking at the pictures, I regret that decision. Why did I try hiding something which isn't all that offensive in the grand scheme of things? And that's the thing. It's NOT offensive. I'm not offensive. I'm completely normal.

So here's to having back fat, being normal and still feeling fabulous.


A massive massive THANK YOU to Leah for encouraging me to look at a part of myself in more detail than I would normally find comfortable. It's been a real eye opener and it feels fantastic!

*Please visit Leah's original post where she gives two perspectives on back fat and body positivity.

Just Another Blogging Challenge: Christmas

It's coming.
Love it or loathe it, with only one month to go, the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on it's way. This year is the most excited I've been about Christmas since I was a child so I'm thrilled that this months blogging challenge is all about "The Holidays".

I'll be honest, I've been planning it for months. My shopping officially started on the 22nd of July. I bought my new tree in August. So imagine my horror when I found out I'd be moving house in January, living out of boxes in December and unable to host on the big day. Tragedy!

But nothing will ruin Christmas. Santa and Rudolph will still have their plate of goodies when they deliver presents to my three boys, we will still have a tree and we will have a lovely combination of toddler made and shop bought decorations.

Christmas shops and decoration are my weakness. I splurged in the M&S Christmas Shop the other week and bought the above set with two baubles as it'll be the twins' first Christmas. 

I may have also purchased little elf outfits and a Santa outfit for the 2 year old. I'm a cruel mother!

I am preparing blog posts for both my christmas dress and also my completely awesome jumper so I won't ruin the surprise by revealing them here!

In the meantime, please check out the othe beautiful bodies taking part in this challenge:

Steph - http://seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk
Toni - http://theonlywayist.com
Kim - http://www.callmekim.net
Gina - http://fatfitfine.blogspot.co.uk
Nikki - http://www.nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk
Becky - http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Kaye - http://www.polishedcurves.com
Naomi - http://www.diamondsnpearls.co.uk
Victoria - http://www.thecurvedopinion.com
Em - http://terribletumbles.blogspot.co.uk
Beka - http://bekasstuffystuff.blogspot.co.uk
Gemma - http://www.pinkgemmaplus.blogspot.co.uk
Anne-Lise - www.muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk
Michaela - www.Cardifforniagurl.blogspot.co.uk
Katt - www.acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk
Betty - www.bigfatbetty.com

Skater Girl: Dress Wishlist

I'm still not entirely brave enough to venture away from skater dresses just yet. I've found a style that I like and that likes me back. Because of my ample boobage and high natural waist, this style of dress suits my shape perfectly. It nips in at the right place and skims my hips nicely. Love em!

These are my current top three skater dresses on my wishlist... I just need a few paydays to hurry up:

1. Yours Clothing Wine And Black Sleeveless Flock Skater Dress With Patent Belt £35

 I absolutely adore this dress. Burgundy feels a bit like my safe colour now that I'm trying to avoid too much black but I feel so comfortable in it. This dress has a lovely stretch to it (yay elastane!) and is true to size. I am usually a 22 and tried sizing down to a 20 but it hugged a little bit too much above the waistline. I really love the large print, it's not something I would've gone for before but I keep going back to this dress. It will be my Christmas dress, somehow.


2. Evans Black Lace Skater Dress £45

This is a beautiful lace skater dress from Evans. It's very lightweight and I think it'd look lovely either dressed up with gold jewellery and heels or a bit more casual with a biker jacket and ankle boots. This was my original Christmas choice but it got bumped down to 2nd simply because a) it's more expensive than the dress from Yours and b) I caught my ring while trying it on and I would worry about snagging the lace maybe a bit too much. It felt so natural and comfortable to wear though, especially as it has the added bonus of covering the upper arms so it's still in my wishlist top 3!
Also worth noting I had to size down to a 20 for the best fit.

3. Topsy Curvy Navy Velvet Heart Printed Skater Dress £30

I've never tried on anything from Topsy Curvy so I can't comment on the sizing or feel of this dress but I do know it's gorgeous! It only went up on the website this week but it's got my attention already. It's 95% polyester 5% elastane, which is the same as the Yours dress so I expect it'll fit in a similar way- hugging all the right places and skimming over the rest. 

So. That is my current Wishlist Top 3.
Just for fun, here is a changing room photo of me in the Top 2 dresses.

Is anyone else as hooked on skater dresses as I am?

Boots, Glorious Boots!

I would like to apologize for the picture quality in this and possibly a few other posts. My camera has been refusing to keep a charge, even with fresh batteries, so I'm using my phone camera. Anyway...


Primark and I have never been the best of friends. Until very recently, I only went there to buy clothes for my toddler. I somehow forgot they sell jewellery and shoes so last weekend I went back. While trying to navigate the 3 floors of cluttered everything, I spotted these and knew I had to have them:

I am a size 5 but found these a bit narrow so I tried them on in a 6 which fit perfectly. I'd recommend trying your normal size and the next size up to make sure you're getting the best fit.

I so rarely shop in Primark. The prices seem to be a little higher than they used to be but it shows in the better quality of the product. These boots (£15) were instantly comfortable and remained comfy even after a 4 and a half hour walk. I only had thin socks on and still these boots didn't rub, hurt or blister and they kept the rain out. No soggy socks!

These boots have exceeded my expectations. They are comfortable, practical and I must admit I am in love with them a little bit.

Now can someone please tell me where to get leggings that don't sag, stretch or crumple?

OMCZ: Horizontal Stripes

As the newbie on the block in the OMCZ challenge, I felt a bit under pressure to come up with something fantastic for my first submission. I saw that the theme was "Horizontal Stripes" and felt quite confident that I could at least come up with something. So imagine my shock when I went to my wardrobe and found only these striped items; a nightie, 2 maternity tops, a top that had already featured in this blog and a cardigan that I haven't worn in three years.

This revelation has led me to question whether I conform to the myths that certain clothes just shouldn't be worn by people with fuller figures. I didn't think I did. It's never been a conscious decision to avoid stripes, short dresses or high neck tops but apparently, somewhere in my mind, these "rules" have been embedded.

So today I have been inspired to try new things. Next time I'm shopping I will shop outside my comfort zone. I will try on things I usually walk straight past. I might just find something that surprises me!

In the meantime, I thought I'd take the chance to post a picture of me actually wearing the top I mentioned a couple of weeks ago from Yours Clothing. It's so comfy. It's one of my go-to tops to throw on if I'm going out somewhere casual although the length does tend to accentuate my lower belly bulge with certain trousers. I blame this on my shape and the length of the top though, not the stripes.

I did think this was a bit of a cop-out since I have already featured this top before but I couldn't think of anything else I had that had horizontal stripes on at all, except...

My most favourite scarf of all time!

I'm sorry to say that this is my snuggly excitement face.

So there you go. My first Outside My Comfort Zone feature.

I'm excited to see what the other ladies taking part will come up with:

Stephanie http://www.seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk
Leah http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Mary http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Becky Brown http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Rachel http://www.adressisforlife.com/
Natalie http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Nikki http://www.nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebs http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk/
Verena http://aplussizefashionobsession.blogspot.de/
Beka bekasstuffystuff.blogspot.com
Vicky www.TheCurvedOpinion.com
Rebecca http://theplussideofme.com
Hollie Http://www.prettybigbutterflies.com
Sabina http://www.femmefatalexsabina.blogspot.de/
Betty http://www.bigfatbetty.com/
Mookie http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk/

Love From Misbehave!

I absolutely cannot resist a new bit of jewellery. So, when I first heard of Love From Misbehave! I had to take a peek at what the website had to offer. I spent a long time narrowing down the list of what I wanted, eventually submitted my order, sat back and waited for the postman.

I am so happy with what arrived. Earrings, rings, necklaces and a wonderful zipper bangle which is the perfect kind of chunky for my large wrists. The cross necklace is quite generous in length, I imagine it'd look lovely over a higher cut tshirt with a biker style jacket or blazer this autumn.

I opted for a couple of pink accessories because this time of year tends to mark my changing into wearing a bit too much black so the pop of colour will make a nice change for me. There are so many colours and styles to choose from though that there really is something for everyone.

The Paris ring and spiked hair band were both free gifts and not items I'd think to pick up myself. I can see myself getting good use out of them both though and I'm very happy with them, particularly the hair spikes.

All of the items pictured cost me under £12 total. I'm so impressed with the cost, quality and variety that I will definitely be shopping with Love From Misbehave! again. In fact, there is already a new item on the website that I'm eyeing up for next time.

(Bonus: If you like the Love From Misbehave! Facebook page you will find a voucher code for £5 off a £15 spend.)

Happy Halloween!

I planned a Halloween blog post for today. I was going to tell you all about my spooky nails, make up, costumes and pumpkin shortbread. Thanks to a clumsy fall and torn ligaments in my foot and ankle, I didn't finish my nails, wear any makeup or make shortbread. 

So in lieu of a proper Halloween post here is a terrifying picture of me with a pumpkin on my head.

Of course there's one thing that comes from laying in bed feeling sorry for yourself and that is comfort shopping! So in the next week or so you will see posts about a jewellery haul from Love From Misbehave! and some new purchases from Evans, George at Asda and New Look.

Happy Halloween xx

Hanna over at The Wardrobe Challenge is currently running a fabulous giveaway for a lovely tshirt, so I thought I'd show you the outfit I would put together around the prize tee. (Click here to be taken straight to the giveaway.)

Top, Lane Bryant
Black PU studded biker jacket, Yours Clothing
Check leggings, Simply Be
Clarks Kankan Buzz Boots, Simply Be

I think the biker style is the perfect outfit for this top. It's edgy but comfortable. The perfect combination!

I promise I will start blogging more about my outfits and such like. I have actually been given £200 (as an early Christmas present) by my wonderful man to go out and get a few bits. £40 of that went straight on jeans though! Today however is all about doing my Halloween nails.

Lazy Sunday

I went for a safe bet with todays outfit. A sunday lunch with family followed by sitting on the floor entertaining children meant I had to think sensible. 

I love the drop pocket longline hoodies from Yours Clothing. I actually bought a second one in black and purple stripe. They're soft, so comfortable and have a good amount of stretch. They don't hug under my boobs as much as I'd like but adding a belt would solve that issue.

I paired the top with a pair of Evans high waisted jeans I've had for a while. They're a touch on the loose side for me but that prevents them cutting in when I bend over which was practical for today.

I very nearly reached for my usual Converse on the way out this afternoon but wore a pair of New Look ankle boots instead. I adore New Look boots. They fit me perfectly. Snug but not uncomfortable and need no breaking in. 

So although I played it safe today I felt good. I added a pop of colour with red accessories and found another style of top that suits me. Things are looking up!

The Awkward First Blog Entry

This is my blog of self discovery. Of plus size fashion. Of rebuilding my confidence and loving my body no matter it's size or shape. I recently gave birth to twins and as such my shape has completely changed. Completely. I struggle sometimes to find clothes that suit my new body and I'm sure there are thousands of girls who feel the same way. Here I will endeavour to talk about the clothes I am comfortable in. The clothes I'm daring to wear despite being outside my comfort zone. New outfits, old habits, guilty pleasures. The small victories and big achievements.

I will no longer be defined by jeans, tops and converse. I will wear dresses. And knee high socks. And boots. Heels. Lipstick. I am redefining myself starting right now.

Join me.

Kx