Pick Of The Sales: High Street Novelty Bags

I could make a list as long as both arms of novelty handbags that I love, want and absolutely definitely need in my life. But unfortunately the majority of these bags are designer accessories runnung into the hundreds or even thoudands of pounds. Dream on, Cupcake, dream on...

But wait! All is not lost! The high street and affordable fashion websites are forever upping their game when it comes to their cute and bizarrely fantastic handbag offerings. Many of them are currently on sale too so now is an excellent time to grab a bargain. Here are a few of my sale picks:

Camera (Accessorize) was £29 now £14.50 - Donut (New Look) was £12.99 now £4 - Chocolate (ASOS) was £12.99 now £9 - Clock (Accessorize) was £25 now £19 - Unicorn (ASOS) was £12.99 now £7.50 - Tape (Accessorize) was £25 now £12.50 - Milkshake (New Look) was £12.99 now £4

I'm finding it incredibly difficult to pick a favourite but the camera and the unicorn are probably the ones I'd use the most.
Which one would you pick?

New Year, Same Me

Hooray, it's 2015! Happy new numbers everybody. I hope you spent New Years Eve exactly as you wanted. For me that was eating pizza and ice cream at home, being in bed by 11pm and seeing in the new year beside my snoring husband with a toddler nestled under my arm. What can I say? I'm no spring chicken. I've come to appreciate the finer things in life... and I'm extremely fond of my bed.

Of course for many the welcoming of a new year comes with a new start. New promises. Resolutions. But that's not me. To make such a strong vow to change would be to say that I am unhappy with my current self.

Last year I ditched the resolution and instead I have been focused on making daily decisions based on how I feel and this year will be no different. Feeling sassy? Work it. Feeling self conscious? Do whatever makes your confidence soar. Is the day a non-starter? Don't stress over it, take a day off. Start fresh tomorrow. Or the day after. Or next week. Do what you need to do to make the best of today. You can't make a blanket resolution for an entire year. Who knows what will happen in that time? So forget the annual resolution, take each day as it comes and just continue to be the same fantastic human being you've always been.

Vintage Inspired Monochrome With Taking Shape*

Recently I was browsing the Taking Shape website, eyeing up the new collections and taking a peek at the sale items when an outfit came together into my head around the dress I had my eye on.

Dress, Coat, Petticoat, Tights

I snapped up the petticoat (currently £15 down from £65) and tights, and Taking Shape very kindly sent me the dress and coat to complete the outfit.

When I first laid eyes on the Carnival Rose dress I was skimming the Taking Shape page and the flash of black and white caught my eye. In that split second it almost reminded me of the cover of The Beatles' album Revolver. I know, ridiculous, but that's what registered in my sleepy brain and I've been smitten by the dress ever since. I feel so lucky to have been given the chance to try this dress and it most certainly doesn't disappoint.

This vintage inspired dress has a flared skirt that sits a fair bit below the knee (I'm 5'4") and the waist hits exactly in the right place for me. It's not too high-waisted so there are no problems for ladies who are larger in the chest department. The contrast of the monochrome and clash of stripes and florals makes the print really pop and the piping along the panels of this dress fit and flatter in all the right places.

I opted for my usual size in this dress but as you can see I may benefit from sizing down. There's a bit of gaping in the top and I prefer a slightly more fitted look around the chest and waist.

The Lavish Coat is a thing of utter beauty. The modern velour feels so luxurious and compliments the sateen dress perfectly. There are so many things about this coat. The asymmetric hem, the puffball collar with the scarf intertwined throughout and the single button make it truly special.

I sized up as I do have very wide upper arms but I would say this coat is perhaps a little generous so getting my regular size would have sufficed as I doubt I'll be layering much under this. It's not that kind of coat. It's very much an "occasion" piece for this season however I can see it getting much more use when the evenings turn a little warmer.

I have had so many compliments on this outfit and it really does make me feel glam! Despite choosing to let the dress speak for itself, after seeing these photos I think I need a nice vintage necklace to fill the space and bring it all together.

I can't wait to try this outfit in the warmer weather with bare legs and bigger petticoat. I think it'll look fabulous!

Both the dress and the coat are currently reduced on the Taking Shape website. Head over there to check out their daily Glitzmas offers.



*The Lavish coat and Carnival Rose dress were kindly gifted but all opinions are my own.

Comfort In Coatigans with JD Williams*

When JD Williams contacted me to review some items from their knitwear range, I knew there was something I had to try.

It seems there is a trend for combining two items of clothing to make something newish, and this is one such item. So move over skorts, jog on jeggings, make way for the mighty coatigan.

Not quite a coat, not quite a cardigan, this badboy is a a cut above the rest. I am seriously in love.

I wore this on a fairly nippy school run one morning last week and I can honestly say I was surprised at how warm it kept me! It beats my autumn trench coat hands down in both warmth and comfort and is perfect not only for those dry crisp winter mornings when you don't want the bulk of several layers, but also when you want something to snuggle into of an evening when the heating's off.

I sized up for this as I always do for outerwear and I'm glad I did since I love my outerwear baggy but if you like a normal fit, then stick to your usual size as this coatigan does run true.
The coatigan is available to buy now here and is currently reduced from £40 down to £20-24. Up to half price and worth every penny.

I'll be honest, I do have one hangup on the coatigan and that is the lack of a button. On the school run I'm juggling with backpacks and lunchboxes, hats and gloves and could do with a button to stop it flapping open in the wind but then I suppose that's what shawl pins are for!

Its not the end of the world, mind you and it hasn't stopped me wearing it almost every day since it landed on my doorstep. It even accompanied me to Harry Potter World on Friday.

So go now! Grab yourself a bargain and stay warm this winter.

*This item was gifted but all opinions are my own.

Black Friday Plus Size Fashion Highlights

Love it or hate it, Black Friday has taken the UK by storm. Over the past few years, it's been adopted by us non-Americans as a giant countrywide flash sale for anyone mad enough to queue in the cold at midnight.

I have to say I'm far too sensible/lazy/broke to be partaking in such shenanigans so instead I sit indoors, watching the madness from my laptop, whilst checking out what Black Friday bargains are to be had in the online plus size fashion world. It'd be rude not to share the wealth, wouldn't it? So here are my tips for Black Friday shopping this afternoon.

Actual tip: Avoid Currys and Tesco unless you are invincible, invisible, superfast and completely bonkers.

So where can we find good deals in size fat? Search no more! Here is a list of bargains I have sniffed out just for you:

Yours Clothing are offering 25% off everything in store and online for a limited time only. Which makes me rather pleased that I held off on buying anything earlier in the week!

Lady Vintage are offering up to a whopping 60% (whaaaaaat!) off their clothing today. This one had me so excited that I stayed up til midnight to bag a bargain.

ASOS have 20% off everything with code CYBERWKND20

Pink Clove are offering 20% off all new arrivals including some pieces perfect for the Christmas party!

Boohoo have up to 30% off and are also offering free delivery with code FREEDEL

Missguided have 20% off everything with code CYBER20

Topsy Curvy have 15% off with code BLACKFRIDAY14

Taking Shape are offering 25% off sitewide

Simply Be have up to 50% off selected lines here

Evans have a selection of Black Friday offers here and use code BLKFRIDAY for free nominated delivery

Lindy Bop have 15% off selected items

Collectif have 20% off everything with code BF20

Modcloth, oh Modcloth. They've got 50% off hundreds of new items in their Beyond Black Friday offer.


Hurry! Some of these end TONIGHT. I may have a little splurge (I may have already started), so keep em peeled to see what I've bought over the coming weeks.

Enjoy!

Early Christmas Discount From Yours Clothing!

Sorry folks, talking about "that time of year" is 100% unavoidable now. X Factor and the Coca Cola advert. John Lewis and their pengiun. Cadbury and their (lack of) chocolate coins. Everyone's talking about it and with less than 6 weeks to go until Christmas, you may want to think about sorting out your outfit for the day and (if you're anything like me) maybe another outfit for Boxing Day too. Not to mention the stretchy pants for when you're as stuffed as the turkey.

To help you along, the lovelies at Yours Clothing are offering a festive £5 discount on all full-priced purchases throughout today and tomorrow both online and in store with the use of the voucher below. Enjoy!

I've taken a look at the party dresses on the Yours website and picked a few of my favourites that are currently eligible for the discount. I've been sensible and chosen mostly darker colours. Let's face it, nobody wants to witness the horror of a gravy covered sprout rolling down a baby pink dress!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Head over to Yours Clothing now to get kitted out for Christmas!

Tess Munster & Yours Clothing: A Perfect Pairing

Exciting news guys! Today it was announced that Tess Munster is going to be working with Yours Clothing for some up and coming campaigns. This is amazing for all involved and something of a breakthrough for a UK plus size high street store.

Most models hired for plus size campaigns on the high street are a size 14 or 16, which I believe is the UK average. To me it makes little sense to hire an average sized model to showcase plus size clothing. It's far more realistic to have someone larger than the national average to show us what plus size clothes may look like on a plus size target market. Why this isn't done more often is beyond me so hats off to Yours Clothing for taking this step. Let's hope more brands follow suit.

This pairing of Yours and Tess is a little more significant than just the coming together of a brand and a model for me and quite possibly many others.

As recently as 14 months ago I was a completely different Cupcake. I had no confidence and  no self esteem. I had a very negative body image and couldn't handle even the slightest suggestion that I put on a dress. And then someone shared a post on Facebook.

It was the first time I had ever heard of or seen Tess Munster and I instantly admired her attitude, her confidence and the way she was completely unashamed to stand up to everyone and say "This is me. I am beautiful. If you don't like it... That's not my problem,"

I decided I had to feel like that.
I had to turn my life around and try new things. To not feel ashamed of who I am and to accept and learn to love what I then perceived to be flaws. That weekend I went shopping in Yours Clothing and bought my first two dresses since I don't know when (my wedding dress absolutely does not count) and almost instantly became a happier, more confident version of myself.

So thank you Tess. Thank you Yours.
You got me out of a rut.

I can't wait to see the results of this campaign.


**To celebrate the announcement, Yours  Clothing are offering a 20% discount to new customers with the promotional code "TESS"