Plus Sized Fashion: Lindy Bop and Dorothy Perkins

Lindy bop sale is on, and as always its absolute chaos. Wrong orders, cancelled orders, late and missing orders etc etc, however I finally got two dresses.

The first is the ZsaZsa tropical wiggle which comes with a bolero. Now a wiggle is always a gamble for me. I have a supersize bottom and a big old belly. However this fabric is just the right thickness and has enough stretch and I love it. I don't quite have the chest to fill it, but that's ok. £12 well spent.

The Myrtle in red gingham on the other hand - WTF is going on with the wings? They are just too big to look anything other than absurd when down, and won't stay up of their own accord. Apparently this is a common confusion. People have suggested interfacing, velcro, stitches and so on. I think I'll just sell it on.

Dorothy Perkins are also doing the hard sell at the moment. I couldn't get the dresses I wanted (anchors and pineapples) so I thought I'd try these three because I want something comfy and soft to wear on holiday. Well none are particularly flattering, and the third isn't really comfy (and has crossover back straps and a saggy bodice) so I may just send them all back.

Plus sized fashion - what I bought in the sales

Actually I have been very restrained this year. I have gotten so big as to be uncomfortable, and therefore haven't purchased that much.

I also didn't get this one in the sales but it was so cute and only £12. Hard to tell, but its a festive tunic, with skaters and suchlike. I saw it on a friend and had to have it. The problem with Tu @Sainsburys is the sizing is all over the place. The top I'm wearing today is a 14, however the one in the pic below is a 20 (I probably could have gotten away with an 18 but they didn't have any left)

Collectif penny £12

Seriously. I had to didn't I - for that price? This is an 18. I doubt I'll wear it unless I get some tummy off though, and the neckline is supposed to be crossover but I find that unbearable, so I'd wear it halter style like this.

Lindy Bop Adriei - £23.99

I really love this dress, although its currently too tight on the bust (Lindy Bop also have very random sizing and usually I'd have more issues with the waist rather than the bust as I'm an apple shape - this is an 18) I like the simplicity of this. It has lovely shaping around the bust area and very stretchy fabric. I anticipate 8 weeks of the gym will allow this to fit properly!

Scarlett and Jo Black floral dress (from Evans £22)

This is so pretty. I have to size down in S&J so this is a 16. The sweetheart neckline is a little low for my liking and I'm not that well endowed so there's no cleavage to show off.  However, I love it, I like the longer length. I kept it. 

Scarlett and Jo Black keyhole tunic (from Evans £20)

I really wasn't sure if this is meant to be a top or a dress. I'd never wear this as a dress as I cannot bear getting my legs out, but I might wear it with leggings. I ummed and ahhed about this, then decided to return it. Its nice, but not nice enough.

Scarlett and Jo Black keyhole dress (from Evans £20)

I really didn't consider keeping this. I think because I tried it on after the floral dress and it felt too short. I'm not sure why I'm not keen otherwise, as the bodice is a lovely shape. I think there's something about the colour I just don't agree with. Can't explain that...

I didn't buy these. My youngest bought them for me (ok, he asked daddy to buy them) Gold sparkly with pompoms. What more could a mother want?!!

Catchup on Social and Family!

Its been a while. So I'll do two posts. This one is a summary of what we've been up to without mention of me crafting!

First up - end of October was Sashas Hen do.

 

Michael Jackson Tribute Night +Wyboston Lakes 

It was a good laugh, even though the food was pretty bad. They ran out of potato (who runs out of potato?!!) So gave me extra aubergine. Lucky me. 

When we complained, they gave us luminous green risotto to go with our beef instead. Mmmm....

I did get to wear my Hell Bunny pansy dress which was originally meant for mother in laws wedding though :) Bit tight on me (not the dresses fault) and I had to sew the straps down because for some reason they fasten at the back with buttons. That's a disaster just waiting to happen

Just a garden centre shot. Cos I like it.

There was an overnight trip to Bewilderwood at half term...

...followed next day by a visit to Norwich Castle

There was a Halloween Party @Houghton Mill 

With a walk by lantern light (or disco-ball-on-a-stick in Noahs case)

There was a Halloween Party at the Comrades Club - almost missed it as I thought it was on the Saturday when in fact it was on the Friday. Found out half an hour before it started. 

I still won best dress adult though, simply by putting this frock on (bought on sale in Sainsburys in Norwich the day before)

We had an afternoon at Nene Park in Peterborough...

...and another trip to the garden centre

It was my 'babys' 6th birthday. He had a bouncy castle party for all heroes and princesses.

My Captain America (yes I forgot his costume for his own party - daddy had to dash home and retrieve it)

He got a lovely shiny keyboard...

...and a beautiful red haired doll (complete with Anna outfit I bought from China)

I can't believe my lovely boy is six already :)

We visited the Cambridge science centre. Joey looks good in a space helmet - no?

I only bought ONE dress in the sales (and it wasn't on sale) This is Lindy Bop. I wanted to go festive for the upcoming Christmas Market

And most recently, we visited @Wimpole Hall where they are currently doing lots of lovely christmas activites. (Its free for National Trust members, which we are)

The boys put on a light puppet show

Made pomanders and lavender bags

Decorated gingerbread shapes

had a wander to the walled garden, past huge christmas trees

then had a massive tantrum because the hot chocolate was finished and the crafty cottage shut as we arrived too late. We won't go into that...

Finally - it was decoration day at school last Friday. They all wear festive jumpers and make decorations all day. The parents are allowed to come in and help

And our tree

Pinup Shots from Dumbletons - cheesy but fab!

So a couple of weeks ago I went for my pinup photoshoot at Dumbletons in Cambridge. It was a Groupon jobby. Cost £15 for the makeover and shoot and 2 identical prints.

I've had two of these before. Dion Gallichan (also Groupon) and the Voodoo Vixen shoot.

I'd say Peter the photographer is very similar to Dion. Fun to work with and eager to get the best shots from his clients. The VV shoot was different as it was to model the clothes rather than focussing so much on the models themselves.

The makeover experience was different for all three. My first experience was pretty dire. I wasn't impressed in the slightest. When Jane Crowhurst did my makeup for the VV shoot, I was like 'Oh, that's what its supposed to be like' I was so happy with what she did. 

This time I had Izzy Wild who is based locally, and she was also fab. I felt like she knew exactly what she was doing and went with my suggestions and did everything professionally and confidently. She didn't mind me using my own accessories.

These are the four shots I picked (yes I bought some extra - sucker!!)

They are super cheesy but thats ok - its what we were going for. There were a few 'sultry' ones but I'm not comfortable with me looking like that, so I've gone for 'grinny' instead!

I picked the ones I thought were most apt - I'm always taking photos (bad ones!). I eat lots of cake, and I sew all the time :)