Another Carpet Bag - Cath Kidston clocks (again)

I finished a bag yesterday. I have a few too many orders to cope with at the moment - fortunately I've had a bit of extra time at home waiting for people to fix the boiler, so I managed to get this commission completed. 

Emma saw my previous carpet bag, and wanted the same Cath Kidston fabric, but with a black polka contrast instead. I found some pu handles on etsy, and they arrived yesterday morning just after I told her I couldn't finish it until they arrived!

There is an inner zip pocket as well as slip pockets and a front pocket with a magnetic fastener and polka piping.

The tabs are to help pull open the frame. 

Anyone wondering what it looked like before finished: this is before I  put the handles on 

This is it held together before I sewed the lining to the outer. It then all gets pulled (handles and all) through a smallish hole in the lining (birthing!) to get it right side out.

Also I realised yesterday I was wearing the same print but in green!

Plus size fashion : Voodoo Vixen Connie, Retro Kitty, Penny, Edna

So first off, just to clarify, some might say I'm biased as I have done some modelling for Voodoo Vixen.
I'm not.
If I didn't like their clothes, I wouldn't wear or promote them on my personal pages or facebook. And since there's a high chance I won't be doing any more shoots for them (I won a competition - I'm not a model - I'm a software tester that makes bags and likes posing in nice frocks) there is no reason for me to want to review their clothes other than I think they are fabulous.

I wear their 1XL - previously 2XL - this is a size 18-20.
On Simply Be they are stating its a 16-18 but I think that this is incorrect - if you are 16 this will be too generous for you. My measurements are 42-38-48 if that helps.

Disclaimer: Our bedroom is generally a mess - as is the landing. Please try to not notice this. I don't get many opportunities to take photos so I do it regardless of the state of my house.

First off. The Connie. 
Since I posted pics of this on facebook at the weekend I had umpteen friends asking where to get it from. (Simply Be are the only place that stock it if you're plus size - if you aren't, you can get it in many online shops that sell retro fashion)

I cannot tell you how much I love this.
a) its my colour
b) the shape is lovely and sits on my waist correctly. Its a really flattering shape with a semi-full skirt.
c) the fabric is thick and slightly stretchy as per VV's usual standard - this means it supports and has 'give' all at the same time.
d) the neckline is. to. die. for
e) its a good length to hide my knees (I'm 5ft 6")
f) I don't actually need to upzip it (zip at back) - it goes over my head no problemo.
g) The glasses pattern is quirky but not too in yer face so I don't mind wearing this during the day. Its also easily worn as an evening outfit.
h) It has a matching cardi, the Edna - which is quite generously sized and I think I might get away with an XL in this. It also think the cardi might be overkill teamed with the dress. If the Lidl jeggings I bought the other day actually fitted me I might wear it with those instead. Or some black cigarette trousers. I have chosen not to post about those jeggings though, as the pics would be too embarrassing...
i) IT HAS POCKETS!

Secondly: the Retro Kitty

This dress surprised me. I would never have bought a candy pink dress. Pink is just not me. But I wore it for the London Edge aftershow party and was utterly surprised that I loved it!
I know I should have ironed it, but I don't iron until I wear in public. I also had a visitor whilst I was trying to take these shots - that's Joey - he's my 8 year old.

a) the colour actually suits me. Wowsers!
b) The shape is great. Its slightly too low on the waist for me unfortunately but I just wore a different belt and pulled it over slightly. Those cutaways are awesome. As usual plus size VV dresses are very modest so nothing feels like its 'hanging out' or overexposed'. The length is great.
c) the fabric - goes without saying - that thick stretchy cotton is nothing but flattering
d) the cats. <squeal> Its so cutesy, but I could wear it day or night.
e) the arms are cut low enough not to dig in. So important on a plus size dress.
f) it has pockets. Just leetle ones. but big enough for a phone.

Finally: The Penny in emerald green.

This dress has a bit of a goth vibe when worn. Its slightly shorter than the other two I've reviewed, but it still hides my knees. Its also available in fuschia. I like the green best.

a) the colour is gorgeous and the lacey overlay makes it fantastic for an evening out. Its sexy, as opposed to cutesy.
b) again, the fabric used has some give which gives security and comfort at the same time
c) the arms are cut low enough.
d) you don't have to have massive boobs to look sexy in this (I don't)


P.S. in case you were wondering, the shoes are Miss L Fire Palacio wedge.

In which I make a Della Wallet - with Vinyl :)

Due to ongoing dramas with British Gas, I had to take the day off work yesterday (my 5th day off for BG visits since 29th December - and I need to take another next week!)

I took the opportunity to make this - its a sort of cross between a purse and a clutch (it has a wrist strap) and its made with a vinyl exterior.

Vinyl is hard to work with. This particular stuff is very thin though so I figured I'd give it a shot. 

Unfortunately what I didn't know is that it can crease, which is exactly what happened in the finishing stages when I was turning it all right side out. I am still working out how to remedy that without melting it!

The inside is very busy! There are credit card slots (8) note/voucher slots and also two zipped pockets which would easily fit a phone.

It fastens with magnetic snaps to a band on the outside.

Fingers crossed I can get those creases out!

My firstborn is 8 years old today!

Can you believe it. He is 8. My beautiful Joey is so grown up already. He got his bike yesterday which thankfully he's pleased with. It can be quite tricky getting him out of the house and away from the X-Box/PC/tablet, but once he's out there he loves it!

Joey had a very tricky start to life. He was an undiagnosed breech baby, and he basically got stuck on the way out. There was a high chance we'd lose him, and an even higher chance he'd sustained brain damage. That first week of his life, when his organs were failing and he was fitting - they kept him sedated and we didn't know how what was going on - that was not a good time.

He defeated the odds however, and look at him now. Life isn't always easy with my firstborn boy. He struggles with the world quite a lot. He's sad quite a lot. He thinks everyone is against him. But when he's happy - well look at that smile! 

He's more affectionate these days too - we never got many cuddles when he was little but now he's quite happy to be hugged. He is so bright, and he draws amazing cartoons. He is witty and imaginative and amazing. We love him just the way he is. 

Happy Birthday Joey.

Plus Size Fashion - Scarlett & Jo (Evans) and Peacocks (just the one)

I apologise in advance for messy bedroom shots. Some are worse than others. I am particularly proud of myself however, for finally attaching my mirror to the wall, instead of it leaning untidily against it. So I give myself top marks for that!

I took this purely because I wore it today. Its my most favourite throw-on dress, and it was £7 in the sale at Peacocks.

 Its a really really lightweight little frock with pockets (yey!). Sooo comfy. Gorgeous colour.  This is a size 18 and its just nice and roomy but not too billowy. Peacocks do some really nice pretty clothing, although I don't think the size range goes beyond a 22 (you can correct me on that - that's just what I've seen on the rails) Sometimes I have issues with waist positioning. I'm short waisted so it hangs too low, but you can't argue with their prices, especially the sale rail.

And so we move on to Scarlett and Jo. I bought five dresses to try on (I'm not keeping them all!) I bought all in a size 18 as that was their size guide suggestion for my measurements.

This was the first. Fail. It looks really cute in the pic, but it looks frumpy and rubbish on me. Its also too big in the bodice. I think someone could rock this style. Its clearly not me and I'm a bit disappointed because I thought I could pull this off. I cannot. This is a bit weighty for the summer months too as its last season, but at the moment its still chilly and it would be perfect if I didn't look like my maiden aunt.

Love this one. Its jersey, and they do jersey really well. Good quality fabric. Lovely 40's style with a gathered yolk. Comfy fit. Cute keyhole cutaway. Floaty sleeves. What more could a girl want - its textbook flattering. I love the design, but somehow the colour isn't as zippy as I'd like. Probably because of the next dress...

...I already own a dress with fans on (Blossom & Billie from Dotty P's - that's generally a nice range but again I think max size is 22) which is black and body hugging. This one is more forgiving. .Isn't it lovely? I just think this style is so classy. A very 40's bodice with high gathered yolk, and a crossover bodice with a neck tie. 

The shape doesn't suit me that well (I don't think you can tell in this pic cos I'm pushing my waist in) possibly because its a wee bit big all over and its quite saggy in the boob region - I think Scarlett and Jo are quite generous with their sizing and I probably need this in a 16. 

Love it though - can you tell by the smile?! This is my colour. I have lippy in this colour.

Bah. This one would have been a great work dress, but its just cut. too. low.

I don't have great knockers - Im' a C cup at best, and I don't have a cleavage even with serious hardware assistance - but if I did it would be too much in this dress. 

Sad because its a great streamlined shape and feels lovely, but I'd be too self conscious wearing this. 

OMG I love this design. 

Its just perfect. That 50's sweetheart neckline with the mesh insert. Again its slightly too big all over but I've pulled it in with the belt so you can't really tell. The raspberry/purply colour is gorgeous. The fabric is jersey but silky. The sleeves are billowy floaty. Its a great length for me (I'm 5ft 6 on a good day)

I have no idea when I'd wear this - I think its more of a party dress than a day dress,but the shape is divine.