Money does not define people’s worth.

Honestly what is with this world and labels.

I’ve have just read someone spouting off about the amount of “so called” writers popping up. The intention of the article was that you can’t call yourself a writer unless you have been published.

Why the hell not? 

If I write a piece of poetry am I not a poet unless that piece is published?

If I dance a dance am I not a dancer?

Why does payment become part of a description.

Some of the greatest composers never made a penny off their compositions.

This is not the first time I have read this kind of opinion.

I’ve heard it from the modelling world as a model should again not call herself a model unless paid to do so.

Now I’m not trying to take away from the professionals but In life but do we need to be thinking this way?

Should I be describing myself as a published writer, a published poet.

Ermm NO

I was a writer when I was 7 years old when I handed my grandad book after book of my stories. When I made him sit through so many of my poems, when I danced around the house to songs I had written, I was a writer.

Seeing my name in print did not define me.

The act of allowing words out of my mind onto paper or through my keyboard did.

I am also a model, I wear clothes to show another.

I may not be earning the supermodel wages but heck that doesn’t take away from my description.

A lot of my friends are carers but I can promise you that they don’t see a penny from it. Does that devalue the hours of loving, supporting and bum changing they do.

When my daughter draw her first picture she was an artist. The fact that this picture was not going to hang in any gallery mattered nothing to me. To me that picture was priceless.

Please let’s not use money to define people’s worth. 

Let the world be full of singers, poets, composers, writers, dancers and so many more.

The definition of another should not define you.

If it does then I’m sorry because that says more about you than them.

Your definition should be whoever you want it to be.

You are the author of your own story.

The artist of your own design.

No rules, wear what you love..

My journey over the last two years of self discovery has birthed inside of me a new love for fashion and make up.

I’ve experimented and pushed myself out of my comfort zone. Tried colours and patterns that I would have never worn before.

I’ve had some great successes and some terrible failures but all have been a valuable part of growing.

So what have I learned?

Black is still my favourite colour but a little accent of colour can bring to life an outfit.

Pastels will cause everyone you meet to ask you if you are ill as you look a little off colour.

Wearing strong lipstick is great but make sure you drink from one side of a glass otherwise said lipstick ends up all over your forehead. Not good when schmoozing and trying to impress.

  

I can wear a dress and the sky won’t fall in.

  

Shape wear knickers sometimes roll down and cause quite a panic in the middle of an awards evening, no one noticed of course right. 😳

I love wearing hats and yes some do suit me.

  

Fake eyelashes are awesome but not stuck to your cheekbones.

I can wear heels now and again but I’m still on the search for the perfect black boots.

Heels look good but do not wear them for the first time at an event which requires you to stand for over four hours.

To be fair it’s been such an amazing time really discovering who I am and what I like .

Still I think the greatest lesson I have learned is that there are no rules. 

You wear what you want, be it a dress, a crop top ( yes Oprah that’s aimed at you) or ripped jeans. 

Never let anyone or society dictate your style. 

For years I’ve listened to others and not myself, not anymore. 

I’ve learned to love my body and in doing so I’m learning to live freely.

I’m loving fashion and make-up and the only limitation I have is my bank balance.  

Weekly wish list

Its that time again when I let you know my fashion wants and what has caught my eye in the plus size fashion world.

First off I’m still on the search for another swimsuit. Swimming a few times per week means I need another suit to add to my collection.

This gorgeous retro swimsuit from Simply Be is perfect and ideal match between fashion and strength. I need something with extra strength in the chest area, I will say no more ha ha.

i04hn001500w

My 2nd and 3rd choices are from New Look.  I’m in desperate need of some casual every day clothes. I seem to be ruining some of  my tops getting them covered with snot and all those wonderful bodily juices that my foster son loves to share with me.

I combined these Inspire Ripped Skinny Jeans with a Grey Peace and love T-shirt.  I love this set funky and casual all rolled into one.

343199303D1

 

325313646

 

To finish this weeks list is these beautiful handmade Confetti Lucite Earrings from the fantastic etsy store Desperate Beatnik. Serious go check this store out as Olivia makes some amazing jewellery.

The colour of these just really caught my eye.

il_570xN.736446909_btkp

How amazing are they..

 

So there you go my weekly wish list is complete. No if money was no an issue they would all be on there way to me now.

Click the photos to visit the stores…..

 

My Mothers Day Wish List.

So this coming Sunday is Mother’s day here in the UK and the shops are simply full of many wonderful things.

So this week’s wish list is based on this special day.

Medium Anatomical Skull Ring

First off I absolutely love this Anatomical skull ring from the awesome

The Great Frog London. I already have a ring from this company and the style and quality is amazing.

 

Second on my list is this beautiful Suede Hobo Bag from Simply Be. The colour of this is just so stunning and perfect for spring.

i04pd726502s

 

 

Third is this beautiful dress from Voodoo Vixen,  Emmie is modelled by my beautiful friend Sarah who looks stunning as always. Though to be honest I love most of the range.

DRA2513PL52-200x357

 

 

Fourth on my list is a print subscription for the amazing Slink Magazine, I love this plus size fashion magazine and the quality of its content.

coverprintissue15

 

 

Fifth and final on my list is this pretty outdoor planter from Next. Spring colours to brightened the day.

819045_1_h

 

Lets be honest, I’m not expecting any of these for Mother’s Day and that fine as I have the best gift of all and that is simply my beautiful children.

Now if only heaven had a postal service.

Hope all you Mom’s, Step-moms and Grandmas have an amazing day.

 

Dear Tess Munster

Dear Tess

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I decided to try and meet you on Wednesday.

It’s so different following someone of Instagram compared to actually standing in front of them.

I was so worried I wouldn’t know what to say. 

Was I going to look like a complete idiot struck dumb in awe?

I really was nervous walking toward Yours and actually changed my mind a few times about going.

You see you broke the mould for me.

You changed my opinions on models and how they should look.

You challenged all the lies and negativity that has been living in my mind for so many years.

tess 1

 

 

I have been on a journey of self discovery over the last few years 

Thanks to the amazing plus size blogging community I was finally seeing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. 

But I don’t really think i believed it until i came across your Instagram photos and learned about your work.

Simply you rock.

You have challenged so many people’s perceptions and ideas.

You have proven that beauty standards are never to be defined but to be discovered woman by woman.

I was so excited to say hello and to just get the opportunity to say thank you.

So there i was walking towards Yours actually sick to my stomach.

Thankfully the beautiful Hannah recognised me and her hug calmed my nerves.

She also told me you were so nice and so down to earth, so after a quick catch up with Hannah and pals i waited in the queue.

I could just write the word GUSH here right now as lets be honest I so did.

You were so sweet, told me i was cute which i promise you made my day, my year.

Tess 2

You also told my sweet hubby that he was handsome and that you liked his beard, I think you made his birthday right there and then.

tess&Alan

Thank you for posing for photos and taking selfies for me.

Thank you for my hug.

But mostly thank you for being one of the ladies I can inspire to.

For giving me the opportunity to look in the mirror and like who I am.

Sara xx

Hipster holiday hotspots

I love finding new fashion ideas and get excited by new styles.

So when I came across Simply Be’s Hipster holiday hotspots I did get a little loud.

Its a fantastic interactive graphic which allows you to check out outfits styles from across various locations.

You get to scroll your way around the world woo hoo.

Go take a look and choose and vote for your favourite hotspot.

 

My favourite hotspot is Rome, Italy. An on trend grungy get up.

Canda is a close second.

 

I think they have missed a New York outift, I’m thinking this outfit would be perfect.

h02sl644500w

I would love this outfit.

 

Go take a look and come back and tell your favourite hotspot.

Lets talk about Style XL

This weekend was all about Style XL. 

 

The fantastic midlands plus size event I had the pleasure of modelling for on Saturday.

 

Organised by the beautiful Leah from http://www.thirtysomethingcurvyme.com it was certainly a day to remember.

 

Beautiful clothes and beautiful ladies.

style xl num 1

 

The event was held in Leicester at the Sanctuary workshops.

 

The organisation was first class’s and the support Leah received from family and friends was priceless.

 

It was amazing to get to meet the brands some I knew and some that were new to me.

 

We had. Apples and Pears, MS.SVG, Dizzied plus, Topsy curvy, Yours clothing and Simply Be,  and Pink Clove. Not forgetting Iridescence, Chunky Cat Cuddler and Curvaceous 

 

I fell in love with so many outfits and accessories. My husbands blood pressure was rising with my list of I wants or I needs.

 

I had the pleasure to model for Simply Be, Apple and Pears and Topsy Curvy while wearing some beautiful Iridescence jewellery. A big thank you to the brands for letting me wear their beautiful clothes.

 

Wow I still can’t believe I wrote that.

 

Me, modelling.

 

Yes on Saturday I walked the catwalk.

 

I felt truly amazing the clothes were stunning and in the words of my husband I just glowed.

 

It was a fabulous day and It was wonderful to actually get to meet the ladies that I have come to know and love via social media in real life. I have also added to my list of blog crushes.

style xl 2

 

As the first Midlands plus size fashion event Style XL set a standard and after chatting to Leah I know it’s only the beginning. She has plans for next year that are bigger and better.

 

Regardless of what 2015 will bring Leah I hope you can see what a great success Style XL was and maybe give yourself a few hours of rest.

 

As for me, I am still on a complete high. I loved every minute of the day. Walking that catwalk, wearing those amazing clothes is something I could get used to. Now I am super excited for Plus North.

 

It was a real moment of realisation and body confidence for me a major step on a  journey I have been on for such a long time.

Modelling is something I never Imagined I would ever get to do again but you know what I loved it and to be honest I looked pretty awesome too ha ha.

style xl 3

 

 

Style on Sunday

This week has been so hot and my wardrobe choices have been pretty limited.

Although I would love to have a selection of pretty summer clothes the finances say different.

This doesn’t stop a girl from dreaming though.

This weeks style on Sunday is a little different as I have been joined by one of my beautiful girlies.

Say HI to Brodie

IMG_2051

So here are our outfit choices for this week. h02lh291500w

I just fell in love with this dress from Simply Be’s Folktale collection its perfect for these summer days.

I would wear it with these gorgeous sandals. g04dd581505s

And to finish it off I absolutely adore this bag. h04nl707506s

All this outfit was from Simply Be.

After seeing the beautiful Becky Barnes rocking the jumpsuit I have been wondering if maybe one would suit me.

So when I came across this stunner from Yours Clothing I knew it was going to be an outfit pic for this week.

. 349b749d-17d1-463d-a98a-74a088ab82eeI

Its beautiful isn’t it and with a pair of simple black Platform court shoes again from Yours Clothing the outfit is elegant and so stylish and I so want it. 340df274-f62e-4f19-ad9b-6f88bca28596

Now for my girlie’s outfit pick for this week. She has chosen a cute pair of high waisted shorts from New Look

296753240

Paired with with a sweet turquoise crochet T-shirt 313453948

With a gorgeous pair of sandals from ASOS to complete. image1xxl I

think Brodie would look beautiful in this outfit but I confess to being completely bias.

So there are our outfit choices for this week.

Click the photos for links.

Style on Sunday

I may have mentioned a few times that I have been on a journey this last year, one of body confidence.

Actually getting to a place where I like who I see in the mirror.

Its been a crazy ride and one that has happened thanks mainly to the support I have received from the plus size community. Their guidance and truth spoken to me has lifted a self hate that I have had for over 20 years.

It has been so amazing and life changing that I cannot and will not stop harping on about how truly fantastic it is.

One of the real difference’s  I have seen in myself is with clothes. I actually love clothes. No more do I turn to the comfortable old favourite of a tee shirt and jeans. Now I love to try different styles and colours.

The only thing stopping me from having a whole new wardrobe is the lack of funds, but hey thats not going to stop me looking and wishing.

Then I noticed a few of the bloggers had created their wish list and i though why the hell not.

Each week I will share with you my outfit of my dreams.

So here’s this week dream wardrobe choice.

IMG_1974

I am i love with this Glamorous Black Lace Hepburn Dress from Lady V London  it is truly stunning and I think it would be perfect for so many occassions.

I would then add a cute pair of wedges from Yours Clothing.

IMG_1973

Then to finsh I love this vixen red handbag from the Rock Collection. This is so me.ODVV-BGA3581-VoodooVixenRedHandbagWithBlackFlowers-1

 

Well there we go the first of my new weekly wishlist.

Click the photos to visit the stores and take a look for yourselves.

Birthday shopping

For the first time ever I was super excited about birthday shopping.

My family had given me the cash so that I could choice what I wanted for myself.

 

My list 

A new purse as my old one has broken.

A new spatula for baking

New clothes.

and some new undies.

 

So what did I get?

 

Well today I treated myself to some new make-up and some new nail polish.

 

But most importantly I have ordered some beautiful clothes.

 

Taking advantage of the ASOS sale i ordered this.

image1xl

And these gorgeous crop jeans from the So Fabulous range @ Very.

266x354t

 

What do you think?

 

I’m still on the search for a purse, nothing caught me eye today any suggestions?

I didn’t come across the spatula I wanted and as for underwear this is always a struggle, my boobs are so blooming awkward. ( I imagine you are so glad I shared that with you).

Anyway regardless of what I didn’t get I am super happy with my choices.

Birthday shopping is fun.