Aussie Curves: Leggings

I'm looking forward to Mondays, I get to do an Aussie Curves challenge!

This week is leggings. Leggings are a vital part of my winter wardrobe. I don't have any bright prints or crazy patterns yet, but I do have a bunch of coloured ones from Autograph. I'm wearing the purple/berry colour today.

I'm inbetween the M and L size in leggings at Autograph. I get the M so they don't get too baggy- the stitching tends to get wrecked around the waistband over time though. The tunic top is also from Autograph- I love the swirly colours and the pockets.

The long sleeve top is a cheapie from Big W and just happens to match my leggings.

These new shoes are a big deal for me- they actually have a bit of a heel. I like the flowers on them, and the colour should go with lots of stuff. The lining is leather, which is a bargain considering they were $25 from Big W.

To be totally honest, I only wore them for the photos- I still feel too wobbly on them to wear them out. But I'm going to practice. The way the heel is raised, they feel more like high flats than heels. There doesn't seem to be too much pressure on the front of foot- but we'll see.

Love my new hair flower from Target. I tried out some Sally Hansen nail strips today, you can see the results below. They took about the same amount of time to put on as painting my nails. I love the hippy pattern, it will be interesting to see how long they last. I put Opi Chip Skip underneath, and Sally Hansen Diamond Top Coat over the top.

Outfit Details

Leggings: Autograph (M)

Tunic top: Autograph (24)

Long sleeve Top: Big W (22)

Earrings: market in Italy (present from parents when they went overseas) 

Hair flower: Target

Shoes: Big W (11)

Blue, Pink & Polkadots

I threw together a quick outfit to go to lunch with some friends at a cute, quirky cafe called Frankies. Lately I've been getting into the blue and pink combo. I picked up the pink top from an op shop, it is a BeMe brand from Rockmans. I love the cut of it, it's not too long, not too clingy, just a great casual style that hangs well. 

I'm wearing the hell out of my coloured jeans from Big W. My blue ones are my favourites. The polka dot top is from Domino Dollhouse. I love how bright and cheery it is, and have been experimenting with what items in my wardrobe it will go with.

My hair flower is from Best and Less. I love the shape, and how it sits on my hair. My hair needed a wash, so I put it back in pigtails and made some little buns.

I love my Doctor Who TARDIS earrings. I bought them from Etsy.

Outfit Details

Pink Top: Thrifted- BeMe from Rockmans (22)
Polka Dot Top: Domino Dollhouse (2x)
Blue Jeans: Big W (26)
Shoes: Big W (11)
Earrings: Etsy
Hair Flower: Best and Less

Aussie Curves: Bold Nails

This week's theme for our Aussie Curves challenge is bold nails. I've just gotten back into painting my nails after a long hiatus. I was sick of them chipping when I so much as looked at them. Now with the additional steps of buffing the nail surface, applying Opi's Chip Skip, and finishing with a good brand top coat, I've been able to make the polish last long enough to bother with doing it.

I looked at my nail colours and decided that the boldest colour for me is fushia pink. Pink is a recent addition to my wardrobe. I've slowly come around to it, and recently acquired enough wardrobe pieces to create a pink outfit.

This dress is a recent purchase from Asos Curve. My boys have renamed it "Mummy's kissy dress." I love that. The material is a sort of slippery cotton, comfy and bright. It was sold out of my usual size (24) so I tried a 26, figuring I could always belt it in. Thankfully I did, as the dress fit my body perfectly.

I paired the dress with long-sleeves and my favourite star-print leggings from Autograph. I'm finding that the star print is so subtle, that I can pair it with pretty much anything. I wore my domino necklace that a friend made for me, tying it in with the polka dot print background on the dress.

I love my new shoes, I picked them from Big W recently (from the men's section as usual). All the different black and white patterns hanging out together on this outfit is fun!

I'm loving these Aussie Curves Challenges, they're inspiring me to post more often. Check out below what the other ladies have come up with.

Outfit Details
Dress: Asos Curve (26)
Pink Top: Big W (22)
Leggings: Autograph (M)
Shoes: Big W (11)
Belt: Asos Curve
Bracelets: Can't remember!
Earrings: Colette
Necklace: Made by a friend
Nail Polish: Fuschia by NYC (along with Opi Chip Skip, and Sally Hansen Diamond Top Coat)

Stripes of Body Acceptance

This outfit inspired a post for Kiki and Tea, whom I write regularly for.
Here's a quick excerpt, but I encourage you to go read it in its entirety here.

"I looked at where the material hugged my tummy. A year ago this would have been a deal breaker. Anything that showed the shape of my stomach was not to be considered. As I studied myself in the mirror, I thought “well who cares. This is my tummy. It’s round and part of me, and I don’t need to hide the shape of it.” I suddenly became aware that I was having a moment. Never did I imagine that I would be able to think of my body in this way."

This dress is from the straight size section at Target, size 18. The stretchy fabric and oversized style make it possible to fit my 22-26 body. The plus-size section at Target is woeful, I wrote on their facebook page about it. 

Nope, not ashamed of my belly! The earrings are from Target too, I love their shape and colour.

And a "screw the fashion police" side pose. Yep, my butt does stick out that far. ;-) I loooove stripes!

Outfit Details

Dress: Target (18)

Shoes: Big W (11)

Earrings: Target

Leggings (under dress): Autograph (M)

Aussie Curves: Boots Challenge

Thanks to the wonderful Danimezza, I'm now part of an Australian plus size blogging community, and we have started doing a challenge together each week. This week is boots, and as I only have one pair, this was easy! Apologies for the photo quality- in my backyard there was the option of full sun where you couldn't see me, or shade, which is what I went with.

I have wanted boots for a long time, but only found my pair last year at Autograph. They were a new venture for them, having not sold footwear before. They sold out quickly, and I was overjoyed to find a pair of boots to fit my problematic legs. My calves are very wide (50 cm), I can't stand heels (I have very flat feet) and my feet are size 11. So shoe shopping is usually problematic and annoying for me. I had given up on boots until I came across these, and they ticked all the boxes.

I paired them with my jersey dress from Asos Curve, which is comfy and bright. It picks up lint from my jackets badly and has funny seams over my boobs, but I forgive all because bright colours. I'm wearing a new belt from Asos Curve. I like belts, but you see my problem with them in the photos, it just can't stay around my natural waist. It likes to ride up. Yes on my blog, I tell you about the annoying things my clothes do.

I hope you enjoyed my first Aussie Curves post, and that you check out some of the other ladies' awesome efforts. Autograph boots are currently half price so I recommend you check them out online and in-store.

Outfit Details

Dress: Asos Curve

Belt: Asos Curve

Necklace: Olive Tree Markets

Boots: Autograph

Star Print Tights (under dress): Autograph

Polka Dots and Coloured Jeans

Today was a beautiful winter day- sunny with no icy wind. The perfect day to go to my local artisan market, The Olive Tree Market. I picked up some presents for family and friends, and my friend bought me some hair bows to give to me on my birthday (not until October, so I'll have to wait a while!).

The occasion called for cheerful colours and polka dots (though to be honest, when does it not?!).

I am so impressed with Big W at the moment. Their plus size section still has a way to go (need more options, and larger sizes) but they are really making an effort to provide fashionable bright coloured clothing. Having visited K-Mart and Target, Big W are miles ahead. All I saw at the previous shops were shapeless, boring drab clothes. Big W has fun colours and prints, even short skirts! Their sizing seems to be running a little small though, so that could be improved. I've sent tweets to Big W praising them for their efforts and suggesting where they could improve, and will be emailing K-Mart and Target in the near future. We need to stand up for our fashion rights friends! Target's slogan is that they provide stylish living for all Australians- well I'm Australian and I'm not seeing any style in my clothing section!

I love the polka dot shirts Big W are stocking at the moment. They come in black, white and bright blue. I bought a blue one too (only $15!). I chose a 24, for I wanted a slightly baggy fit. There is a bit of detail on the top sleeves- ruching and a little cut-out. I like that they've made it a little interesting.

Big W have a range of cheap ($25) coloured jeans at the moment. The legs are straight-cut, the material is stretchy and a little thin. They come in red, blue, green and neon pink.

I love my blazer from Autograph. I am wearing it nearly every day, it goes with everything, and gives a bit of structure to my dresses. Today I put some pins on- they are pictures of budgies. I have a budgie and the last pin looks just like him. 

Outfit Details

Blazer: Autograph (22)
Jeans: Avella for Big W (26)
Polka Dot top: Avella for Big W (24)
Pink top: Big W (22)
Pins: Blackbird Corner
Hair flower: Local boutique
Shoes: Target (11)

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Sweet Like Candy

I now have a tripod (woohoo) thanks to my Dad, who bought one about 40 years ago and never used it. Obviously I still have lots to learn about where in the sun to stand, but at least you now have another outfit post. Outside, even!

I wanted to put together a fun and cute outfit, and after discovering the Etsy shop Em & Sprout, I knew of the perfect t-shirt to pull it all together. This shirt goes up to a 2x, which is around an Aus size 22. If you have bigger boobs than me (DD) and am a size 22, you might find the shirt pulls across the chest a bit. It does a little with me, but not enough to cause any issues. I love the colour and the cute print. I have a fondness for graphic tees, especially geeky ones, but have so much trouble finding any in plus sizes, let alone in colours other than black or white. Threadless, why you no make the plus sizes for women?!

My gorgeous stripey socks came from Sock Dreams, and were a bit of a splurge. I love them, they're very roomy stretch-wise, and they come to halfway up my thighs. The down side is that they roll down, but I'm trying to solve the problem- I've ordered some sock garters. The other socks in the order fit too (except the marone ones) and you may see them in future outfit posts.

Like my hair flower? I got it from Best and Less, along with some more colours. I love the shape and how it sits on my hair. Crocodile clips work so well on my thick slippery hair, better than hair clips.

Outfit Details

Long sleeve shirt: Avella for Big W (22)
Sweet tooth shirt: Em & Sprout (2x)
Bubblegum stripe socks: Sock Dreams
Hair flower: Best and Less
Skirt: Autograph (24)
Shoes: Big W (10)

Polka Dots

Today I wore my blue oversized polka dot blouse from Domino Dollhouse. It's sheer, comfortable and I love the bright blue with the polka dots. It was another cold day, so I layered a black singlet, long sleeve black top (which took care of the sheer issue) and put on my dark denim jeans from Autograph. Believe it or not, the hair flower clip did not come with the shirt, it was a local buy, it came with a scarf. I'm a big fan of Domino Dollhouse, I love their stuff, and how you can always find something that's affordable. Shipping is pretty reasonable too, around $20, sometimes less if your item is light. Go visit their site and have a browse, you won't be sorry!

Outfit Details

Polka dot top: Domino Dollhouse (2x)
Black top: Big W (24)
Black singlet top (underneath): Big W (22)
Jeans: Autograph (22)
Domino necklace: made by a friend
Bracelets: Yours Clothing
Hair flower clip: local boutique

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Writing for Kiki and Tea

Just a quick note to let you know that I'm now a regular writer on the website Kiki & Tea.

I've got two posts up about fatshion, one on where to shop for plus size fashion, and one about winter coats. 

I've got some other posts there too, I encourage you to have a read, and if you're a writer contact them- we're always looking for new writers, either as guest posters or regulars.

Multi-Coloured Stripes

My 7 year old photographer has lost his steady hand. In desperation I put the camera on top of the tv unit (I don't have a tripod) and took some self-timed photos. It was night time, so please excuse the bad lighting. I'm loving my new tunic top from Autograph (you'll be seeing a bit of Autograph in upcoming posts, they had a sale and I found some nice stuff). It was on the $20 sales rack, they only had a size 20 (I probably would have gone a size 22) but it still fits ok.

I love the cheerful colours, and the criss-cross style bodice. A versatile top I can wear in all seasons, thanks to layering. 

The colour didn't come out in the photos, but my trousers are these ones in the photo below. They were a cheap $25 buy from Big W, and I've been wearing them a lot. They are comfy, and the colour goes with a lot of my outfits.

Outfit Details
Stripey tunic top: Autograph (20)
Black top (underneath): Big W (22)
Purple jeans: Big W (26)
Shoes: Payless (men's 10)
Hair bow: The Olive Tree Markets