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How lovely are your branches…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 5 Comments

I love Christmas. I love spending time with loved ones, eating all the food & drinking all the drinks. I love choosing gifts that I know people will love. I am sucker for the lot. However, this year I struggled to get in the festive mood. So, last weekend I decided I had to jump start my merry motor & I’m so glad I did. 

I had the pleasure of having my darling friends, Kay & Frankie visiting last week, which offered the perfect opportunity to take in some twinkly Xmas spirit. We hit the market in St Enoch square, took some selfies in the super sparkly Frasers &  wandered under a blanket of lights in Royal Exchange Sq before finishing up in the beautifully bedecked George Sq. My guests were in awe of the architecture, people & especially how friendly Vegan friendly Glasgow is. It’s amazing how easily we Glaswegians forget how lucky we are. Through their eyes I found new pride in both my city & it’s Xmas splendour. 

The obvious next step was to start the Christmas shopping & get my decorations up. I managed the tree in an evening & it  jollied me right up. I prefer a simple scheme when it comes to my tree; this year I stuck with gold & creams tones, but did invest a some new baubles to add to my old favourites. It is amazing the difference some glitter & lights make to my mood. The presents I fear will take a little longer as some of my people are very particular. It’ll be worth it when I find the perfect items. 


My festive visuals have been given a lift this year by the introduction of a gorgeous scent from Isle of Skye Candle co. I absolutely adore their Scot’s pine candle. As a child I had a huge pine tree in my garden and the aroma of pines needles has always conjoured happy memories. The candle is rich with that very smell, but also had undertones of mint, giving it the perfect fresh cold morning feel. I usually opt for heady cinnamon or frankincense type candles during this period. I’m loving the change the change this year.

My final get into Xmas project is more altruistic; it is after all ‘a time for giving’. I have been putting together a hamper for my local food bank & I encourage you to do the same. I’ve included items from the list of required items supplied by the food bank. I also wanted to add some treats as everyone deserves some Christmas cheer. You can find festive chocolate, biscuits etc really cheaply in supermarkets and a few pounds on such thing could give someone a little to smile about. In the same vein I picked up some small inexpensive toys because no child should be without a present on Christmas morning. Likewise no parent should have to explain why Santa hasn’t come. Lastly, I hit the pound shop for toiletries, tampons & cleaning products. So many of us are fortunate enough to be able to indulge at this time of year, I urge you to consider making Christmas a little easier for those not so lucky. 

My plan worked. I am now fully festively onboard. Ho, ho, ho, darlings. 


* Candle was gifted, but all opinions are my own. 

‘Cos every inch of you is perfect….

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 6 Comments

On my way to Dublin last week something happened that not so long ago would have been a massive issue for me. The fact that it didn’t really phase me proved to me how far I’ve come. 

The incident was an airplane seat belt that didn’t fit. This is something that I actually used to fear. A while back every time I boarded a plane I braced myself for the humiliation of being too fat to fit. It turned out to be no big deal. I had a brief moment of panic, my thoughts raced through all the seat belts that had fitted & how big I was then. Then it dawned on me that I didn’t care. It didn’t matter if I was bigger or this particular seat belt was smaller. It just didn’t fit & there was an easy rememdy for that. I asked for an extender & stopped thinking about. 

Until yesterday when it dawned on me what that meant. I wasn’t embarassed to ask for the extender meaning I wasn’t ashamed to acknowledge my fat body. That is incredible. Being a part of the body positivity community has led me to a place where I can genuinely appreciate my body. Once I realised that I started thinking about all the little things that marked real progress. 

It recently occurred to me that I had gained some weight on my bum. The marvellous part was I liked it. I’ve found myself dressing to show off my bigger arse &  I am so chuffed about that. 


Then on Saturday as I was dressing I automatically tucked my top into my skirt. Not a very momentous act except that I spent years of my life ensuring that my top always covered my stomach. I was that person tugging at my clothes to ensure I was hiding flabby bits. Now I just wear what I feel nice in & here’s the kicker, I look better tucked in or in clingy vests. 


Along the same lines whilst out with my sister I asked her to take blog photos. I am usually a pain the arse about pictures. Never happy with who I look, probably because I wasn’t happy with my body. In the past I have ducked out of pictures at big events & special moments, which  I’ve come to regret. So, in recent times I have made a conscious effort to push through my discomfort & mark significant times. I was however still dissatisfied with my appearance in the photographs. This weekend was different. My sister snapped pics of me in various poses & I loved them all. Break through!

The last and probably most obvious symbol of acceptance of myself is how comfortable I am naked. I run about my house in the buff all the time. I look at myself in a full length mirror whilst I dry my hair and I do not feel critical. I have no desire to hide. I notice the parts of my body that look amazing rather than hating my stomach or chubby arms. This carries through to being naked with others. I no longer feel worried about comparisons when changing with female friends. In the same vein I confidently show my body to anyone I get jiggy with. 

This may strike a lot of people as unremarkable, but it’s a life changing shift. Immersing myself in the body positive has helped me alter how I think & feel about my body. I’ve gone from yo yo dieting, disordered eating & choosing clothes to specfically hide ‘problem’ areas to being a woman who no longer believes there are any bad body parts. I like me. I like my curves, my wobbly bits & everything else. Body positivity works. Women supporting & encouraging each other moves mountains. So, I owe a big thank you to all of you who read, comment & create fat friendly content. High five, ladies, we’re changing the world. 

Day after day…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 5 Comments

If, like me you read a lot of blogs, you might wonder from time to time what bloggers look like in their down time. I follow lots of woman who look utterly amazing in their blog shoots. Whilst I’m usually a more low key chick, I thought I’d give you a wee glimpse at a day to day me.

My eyes are closed in about 80% of pictures taken of me. I have to pose for a startling amount before I actually look alive and awake.



Who you gonna call? probably not me as i’m creeped out by the supernatural.

This is my ‘it’s too hot for my ginger self and I may well melt entirely’ look.


German beer wench/pretzel lover.

Bronan often appears not because he takes an interest in what I wear, but because that’s his favourite snoozing spot.

Waterfall cardi proving it’s versatility as part of super comfy outfits.

Summer in the city…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 2 Comments

A few week ago I was invited to a Hotter Shoes blogger event. I’ll be honest I didn’t know very much about Hotter & the little I did had led me to believe that it probably wouldn’t meet my shoe needs. Well, it seems I had judged them unfairly.

  
It is true that Hotter do have styles that cater to an older audience, but they offer a lot more besides. I was particularly taken with their more casual sandals & wedges. I love an outlandish heel, but these days they only really come out for the big occasions. Something flat and not pain inducing is more my everyday brief. Enter Hotter with their focus on comfort and fit.

Unfortunately for me a few of styles I really liked included leather, which obviously clashes with my  veggie sensibilities. Hence, I was feeling a little down cast until one  of the super Hotter staff members unearthed these cuties.

  

The weather took a while to co operate, but over the last week or so my wee floral beauties have hardly been off my feet. I can attest that all those bubbles in the soles really do make my feet feel cushioned delightfully cushioned. They don’t rub or pinch or harass my tootsies in any way. I suspect they’ll be getting plenty of wear this summer.

  
 

 * These shoes were gifted, but opinions are my own. 

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside….

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 4 Comments

I took a little trip to see my friend & her lovely boy on Friday. She lives in Musselburgh, which is a seaside town outside Edinburgh. I love any excuse to get close to the sea & Lisa (and James) is a fabulous reason to go anywhere.

  
It was chilly & wet when I set off so I employed my new beret to keep my head warm. I don’t wear many hats as I don’t usually look great in them. Thus, I was surprised to discover that berets are totally my thing. 

  
I was also chuffed with the new dress I donned. I’ve had my eye on this for ages and finally snapped it up in the sale a few weeks ago. The cat print is purrfect & the colour matches my eyes. 

  
Dress – Voodoo Vixen

Cardigan – Monsoon

Beret – House of Bruar (gift)

I really love the neckline on this dress. The fit is superb & the large pockets are a dream. 

I can only share the mirror selfie as I had so much fun with my east coast chums that I forget to get any pictures. However, I did remember to snap some photos of our escapades. 

  
(That feline beauty is Bronan’s sister, Mena)

Swing when you’re winning…

~ somethinginthewayshemoves ~ 2 Comments

I had a little thing on Monday evening. I did my hair all pretty, but then made the foolish mistake of going out in the wind & rain. I returned home with hair that looked like a hedge. I did a last minute rethink & pimped my bun with some fresh flowers. Let me tell, flowers in your hair make you feel awesome. 

  
I stuck with the floral theme & wore my swing dress. It was a gift from someone lovely & I felt lovely wearing it. I have sort of stumbled into the 50’s look by accident. I must say I have zero regrets. I’m too fickle to devote myself to one style full time, but I’ll certainly be exploring this more.   

 
  
Dress – Lindy Bop

Leggings – Forever21

  

Oh & this spring roll was delicious.