Modcloth Monday

A week ago I wrote an international wishlist and one of the brands I focused on was Modcloth.

When they hold their Stylish Surprise, the lucky dip sale where you can buy a dress for $20, I jump at the chance. Low price, no customs and no idea what you're getting- it's such a thrill!

I ordered 2 dresses but an error on the website meant that one order went through 3 times! Three of the four dresses shipped before I could cancel them and the second they arrived I ripped them open like a kid at Christmas and got my selfie on!

(As these are clearance items, they're no longer on the site but this shows the variety available.)

First up was this lovely chiffon purple dress. I love the floaty feel of this and the deep neckline. It's my favourite of the three I think.

Next up was this teal spot party dress. I took this picture quickly as I was being ambushed by mini cupcakes but you can see its a bit big around the waist. It's my favourite colour though and I'll find an occasion to wear it.

Lastly is this quirky little number. With its halterneck and apple print, it makes me feel like I'm wearing an old set of kitchen curtains and I love that! I might convert the straps though as halternecks tend to make my neck ache. Such is life with big boobs!

I've always been fairly lucky with Stylish Surprise and love that Modcloth do these deals. And I must say the customer service over their Live Chat was absolutely superb. Long may it continue!

I wasn't alone in my Modcloth adventures. Take a look and see what Kathryn, Vicky, Nikki and Sarah got in their lucky dips!

Plus Size International Wishlist

Have you ever seen someone wearing something that you'd really love only to find that it's from overseas and will cost a small fortune to import if they even ship internationally at all?
I've had my heart broken by so many pretty things because of this problem.

Below is a list of faves that I'd love to buy if they were available in the UK.
The list is forever changing but the bits below are what I've been coveting this week.

The UK needs a website like eShakti. As you can see above, there are some very pretty dresses (yellow flamingos? Yes please!) but that's not all. At eShakti there is not a plus size section, rather you pick a dress and pick a size. Everything for everyone. Love it. But wait! There's more! Once you've chosen your size you can choose other features. Want that dress with a different neckline? No problem. Want to remove the sleeves? Done. Is the dress too short? Just select how many inches you'd like to add.
The size inclusive customisation is desperately needed in the UK... but they don't even ship here. Sob!

And then of course there's Modcloth. Oh, Modcloth. I'm lucky enough to have had chances to buy from there in most part due to Stylish Surprise, which is an offer they do 2 or 3 times a year. An item in this offer costs $20 or less so it just scrapes below the import tax threshold. It is a lucky dip purchase though so my wishlist remains. And grows.

There are so, so many retailers not based in the UK that I'd be here all day listing them all So these are just two of my personal favourites.

Check out the bloggers below to see what they would spend all their pennies on if international shipping and duty wasn't an issue:

Debz - http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk
Katt - www.acurvycupcake.com
Kelly - http://www.adventuresofariotgrrrl.com
Steph - http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/
Kim - http://www.callmekim.net/
Sharon - http://www.bigfatbetty.com
Sarah - www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Victoria - TheCurvedOpinion.com
Becky - http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com/
Leah - http://www.justmeleah.co.uk/
Nikki - www.nattynikki.com
Vicky - http://therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk/
Charli - http://curvygirlthin.blogspot.co.uk
Mookie - http://www.mookieslife.com
Filipa - http://uniquelyfilipa.blogspot.pt/

Tiny Takeover: Outfit 3

I REALLY loved yesterdays outfit. I got some hilarious "Oh my god did you dress in the dark?!" looks from the families who drove past me and little old dears walking around Morrisons but I'm at my most confident when I look a bit ridiculous. My previous outfit was fairly normal and left me feeling awkward and uncomfortable. This one though? My head was high and I didn't have a care in the world.

Jacket: Simply Be
Dress: Modcloth (no longer available)
Leggings: Primark (last year)
Brogues: Everything £5 (no longer available)

Tiny chose not to accessorise this outfit. Let's be honest, it doesn't really need it anyway.
With polka dots, scottie dogs and zombies all up my legs, I'm pretty sure we're covered.

Dogs vs Zombies

I get the impression he was saving the crazy clash of print and colour for this particular day because it was the day of his birthday party. This is what he wanted me to wear while greeting the parents of his nursery friends and holding his birthday cake in front of various cameras. Cheers, kid!

This has been my favourite outfit so far. Never would I ever have matched any of these items up and I think I can safely say I never will ever again... but it was great fun.


My camera battery died a death so I've used my phone for these pictures which is why the quality is rather naff. 

Money Saving Monday

As you may have seen me mention last week, I am on a self-imposed spending ban for all things fashion and beauty for July. There are a few things that have caught my eye this week that I am gutted to be missing out on but I don't need these things, so I can go without. For now!

To start with it was okay. On day 1, I just didn't think about it. On day 2, my You Beauty Discovery Box arrived. On day 3, a small free sample of Mac primer. Day 5, my gift from the Joyful June blogger gift swap.

And then yesterday. Day 6. Oh, how naughty I was yesterday.

Feel Unique currently have an active voucher code for £10 off a £25 spend (code MSEJUL14 valid until midnight Wednesday). They happen to stock my Bare Minerals foundation and I happen to be running out. So with the foundation and a Cosmo brush coming to £25.90, I would have been foolish to have missed the opportunity to get a tenner off, wouldn't I? That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

All in all I think I'm doing okay with the ban though. I didn't realize how much temptation there was to buy all the things, but the items I've seen this week that have made me think "ooh, I could do with that..." have far outweighed the two items I bought for fifteen quid. Take a look at my top 5 (in no particular order):

I love records. And I love cake. Records and cakes combined is basically a dream come true so this beauty of a cake stand from Modcloth is right up my street.

Some people (most people) say I'm slow. Or lazy. Or slow and lazy. I know how this sloth feels. You just gotta relaaaaaaaaaax.

The narwhal. Think of it as the unicorn of the sea or a big horny whale, either way it's pretty awesome and this brooch from LucysHappyPlace on Etsy is simply beautiful.

I started my Christmas shopping last month so forgive me for feeling a little festive already but I can't help but adore this Oh Deer brooch from The Crafty Show Shed on Etsy even during the summer month.

Last but most certainly not least, ever, is pretty much every swing dress available on the Lindy Bop website.

The Ophelia (right) is still my favourite but the new prints on the Audrey dresses (middle) and the stunning new Bella dress (left) give the Ophelia a run for her money.

So there you have it.

My confessions. My obsessions. And my word that I will try harder this week, I promise!

Take a look and see how the other bloggers taking part in the July spending ban are getting on:

Abi - http://aisforabi.blogspot.co.uk

Debz - http://www.wannabeprincess.co.uk

Lucia - http://www.ucantwearthat.com

Sarah - http://plussizeproud.wordpress.com

Katherine - http://acurvycupcake.blogspot.co.uk

Kelly - http://misskittykaos.blogspot.co.uk

Nikki - http://www.nattynikki.com

Gina - http://www.fatfitfine.blogspot.com/