Just say yes…

This week I realised I haven’t done an outfit post for a while & set right to rectifying that. A quick rumble in my wardrobe uncovered this unworn gem.

ly h Kerr

Dress – Asos Curve

This dress has been languishing on a hanger for a couple of years. Partly because I forgot about it & also because I was worried about how my stomach would look in it. Turns out, pretty damn good. I have tonnes of clothes that I never get around to wearing for similar reasons. No matter how much I embrace my body there are always days when parts of it just don’t seem good enough. I suppose that’s just part of an unlearning process. I spent most of my life soaking up the message that fat is bad. Those notions aren’t going to entirely disappear. The good news is that there are also days like today. Days when I put on the scary dress look in the mirror & feel banging. Even better, the ‘loving my body just as it’ periods far outweigh the times when I’m hiding.

There’s definitely no hiding in this dress. It takes clashing prints to the next level. Who’d have thought tartan & floral would work on the same fabric? Me, I suppose. I love it.

Tartan & Floral

And yup, I did tartan nails to match.

Tartan nail art

Early bird gift guide…

I know I am getting into the Xmas chat a bit early & I apologise. I only do it because it takes me ages to get organised. I have loads of Dec birthdays & far off loved ones to send to on top of regular Xmas. The added complications of spoonie life means I’m usually already quietly Xmas shopping in October. I am certain there are others just like me out there, thus I thought some early gift guides might be useful.

I’m staring with this fairly random guide as I think most folk are a bit eclectic in their tastes. I find all those really specific guides a bit annoying because very few people fit in just one box. So, i have collated this bunch of cool, but varied gifts. I’m calling it, traditional eclectic, all the standard crimbo fare with some twists. 

I may have mentioned before that christmas without velvet is just not on. Velvet clothes feel divine, so imagine how amazing this most tactile of fabrics would feel right next to your skin. Yup, velvet lingerie is definitely a sexy festive gift. Of course along with something to slink about in, something to slob in is also required at Xmas. Never underestimate the power of good jammies. 

All good book shops, New Look, Plus size lingerie lounge, New Look, All good book shops,The literary gift company. 

Hand in hand with nightwear go a really good book & this delightful cushion to lounge upon. I have become a bit of a cushion fanatic, but I think most book lovers would be pleased with this couch addition. 

Everyone likes a bit fancy at Xmas time. Wether that be twinkling on your eyelids or quirky touches around the house. 


eBay, Asda Home, Urban Decay (Heavy Metal). 


Barry M, I want one of those, Pyro Pet, Ciate (Glitter Flip).

The rise of the christmas jumper in recent years has tickled my fancy. The sheer variety of festive knitwear means there is something to suit all tastes. Chocolate & jewellery are also Xmas staples. Again, if you look hard enough you can find some to please everyone. 


Vegan Town, Marks & Spencer’s, Bonnie Bling. 

As a kid I always had a holy advent calendar, so the idea of a vegan choc one really appeals to me. Making a statement with my accessories is so up my street, but sometimes I just want my baubles to look pretty.  There’s a bit of each here.


Rebel Circis, Marks & Spencer’s, Fuck the Tories. 

If my haste upsets you, I get it. If however you have a massive Xmas list that you need to get ahead of, have at it. 

They say it’s your birthday…

I had a birthday last week. I celebrated the proper way with sushi, cocktails & loved ones. I was spoiled with gorgeous gifts & even better company. Unfortunately I was also blessed with the worst hangover on the world the next morning

Perhaps it’s my advancing years or the fact that I don’t drink much anymore, but 4 drinks should not add up to feeling like you might die. My head had actually started hurting before I fell asleep. Pile on some hardcore menstrual pain (yup, I got my period for my birthday too) & I think I would have been forgiven for hiding in bed. I actually had a child’s birthday party to attend. I’m quite proud of myself for getting up, donning some presents & hitting that gathering. 


Dress – Asos Curve

Biker Jacket – Capsule

Tights – Gift 

Boots – Primark

Necklace – Taking Shape

Bag – Primark

I was flagging a little by the time these pics were snapped, but still looking cute. The observant amongst you will notice this t shirt dress appeared in my wish list last week. My clever little sister snapped it up for my birthday along with the most perfect autumn tights. I usually go for more curve hugging styles, but I really love this dress. It’s so bright & comfy; it feels great. Paired with a biker, scarf & a velvet clutch it kills. 

Velvet clutch

I feel incredibly smug about these boots. They were a sneaky bargain from everyone’s favourite fast fashion outlet, but are cool af. Pearls? yes. Floral print? yes. On a big clunky boot? Omg, yes! I expect to wear the soles right off them. 


Oh & a wee peek at the night before. Not doing too bad for 37.

ly h Kerr

Looking at the Autumn shade…

Last Saturday I was feeling a touch of cabin fever. So, I made myself look as presentable as possible & popped out to see a film.  Sold out movie & other cinema fails put paid to that plan. Hence, we retreated to Starbucks & had a nice long gab. 

I took some pictures thinking they’d be   useless, but it turns out I didn’t look quite as rough as I thought. It’s jumper dress time again & this one combines my fav colour with my go to style. Teamed with my new boots it’s the ideal Autumn ensemble. 

  
Dress – Asos Curve

Scarf – Primark

Boots – Vegan Shoes

  

Cold as ice…..

In the quiet time between xmas & new year my sister & I took advantage of a crisp, bright day to take Seb for a nice long walk. We of course also found time for a spot of outfit photography. It was a lovely day, but still very cold, hence I wrapped up warm in my ‘sleeping bag’ coat. It’s not the most glamorous outerwear, but it’s oh so cosy.

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This wool skater dress is also perfect for a winter walk. It’s delightfully comfortable plus lovely & warm. The autumnal/wintery colour palettes have long been my favourites, but any yellow tones have been particularly taking my fancy of late. This mustard colour gives an additional impression of warmth. It’s a top cold weather dress.

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Dress – Asos Curve
Coat – Very.com

I was in a crazy rush getting ready that day & just flung my hair up. Without knowing how, I constructed lovely voluminous bun. Of course all attempts to recreate it have failed miserably.

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Here is the main man creeping into shot. He seems determined to get in every photograph he’s not supposed to be in.

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All within the smallest treasures…

I am led to believe that little treats can make a big difference when you feel rotten. This is a theory I am more than willing to try out. So, this week I indugled myself with some pretty bits and pieces. I wouldn’t say I’m cured, but my purchases have brought mini bursts of pleasure, which can not be a bad thing.
First up was a classic impluse buy. I was queing up in New Look to buy some christmas gifts & there it was looking all vibrant. I’ve actually wanted a matt lipstick for a while. Ever since I first clapped eyes on Lime Crimes Velveteen, matt has been on my list. Unfortunately I keep finding conflicting information on their animal ethics & so can’t in good conscience buy their rich beautiful lippy. Anyway, turns out I don’t need an premium brand as this New Look offering is really excellent & definitely cruelty free. It’s a rich slightly orangey red, which is deliciously smooth. A bargain that feels & looks great, I’m sold.

Next up is another super bargain. A delightful tartan scarf from Primark. Perhaps the cheapness of these items is actually enhancing their charm. There is something to be said for finding something you love for pocket change. Scarfs are a big part of my winter wardobe, I’m all for an extra layer of cosiness and interest. Tartan has been sadly missing from my neck attire. I am very pleased to have recitified that.

My final treasure is a Lush massage bar. Until recently I wasn’t aware that there was such a thing as massage bar, but now I am their number one fan. It’s basically a block of solid body lotion. It melts as you rub it onto your skin & has textured elements to help massage the muscles. I was capitvated by the Wiccy muscle magic. It’s a heady blend of cinnamon, peppermint, cocoa & shea butter with knobbly aduki beans for extra massage power. The smell is incredible. Although it doesn’t appear on the ingredients list, the overwhelming aroma is aniseed & it’s bliss. I have scar tissue, which seems to dry out really easily, this bar is quickly replenishing the moisture in my skin. Lush claim that the peppermint essential oils will soothe tired & achey muscles, i was dubious about this. Well colour me totally wrong, my achey limbs showed significant improvement after a good rub down. Wiccy magic indeed.

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New Look Sunset Red

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Primark

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Lush

Each of these treats cost less than £5.

Bits & Pieces…

I was going through my clothes trying to clear a little space in my packed wardrobe when I came across a skirt I had forgotten I owned. I’m not sure how I managed to forget this skirt as on discovering it I instantly fell in back in love. So, I immediately changed outfit & wore it to see a movie with my wee sister.

The red kimono I wanted to wear with it was in the washing machine, so I decided I would experiment with some pattern clashing. I quite liked the outcome.

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Skirt – Dorothy Perkins

Kimono – ASOS Curve

Leggings – M&S

Vest – H&M

Sandals – Primark

Bag – Market

 

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I really love the fish taily detail on the back of this skirt; it makes it a bit more special. I am also infatuated with my new floral print kimono, I bought a size up as I wanted it to be loose & oversized.

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I teamed my mismatched clothes with my all-time favourite sandals & tried something new with my hair, which turned out ok, but will need a little practise to perfect.

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I wanted to see ‘Cold in July’, but my darling sis was very keen to see ‘Maleficent’. She won the movie debate in the end. It’s a sweet take on a fairy tale, but it’s essentially a kid’s movie, which is really not my thing. Next time I will definitely be choosing.

 

 

Bits & Pieces Dave Clark Five

 

 

 

 

For the sake of auld lang syne…

I’ve never written about fashion (or fatshion if you prefer) before, but I have been writing for a very long time. I certainly have no problem expressing myself through my clothes, so with a little bit of luck I should be able to find my style voice too.
I’m kicking off with the outfit I wore on New Year’s Eve, mainly because I felt bloody good that night. Tartan seemed appropriate for Hogmanay with the faux (veggie safe) leather adding a smidgeon of sex appeal. I wore it with some sneaky support leggings, which look like thick tights, but do a marvellous job of smoothing your contours. The bonus with this dress & leggings are they are seriously comfortable meaning staying out all night was easy peasy.

 

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Dress – Primark

Shoes– Irregular Choice

Vest – ASOS

Leggings – Primark