Aussie Curves - Celebrate!

As I dressed this morning I realized that the outfit I was wearing was perfect for this weeks AC theme. Not because I was heading out to a party, I was just going shopping. I realised I had different reasons to celebrate.

Let me explain.

I have spoke quite a few times about how wonderful I have found participating in the plus size fashion blog hop. I have seen my style evolve. I try on things that I never would have looked at twice, and I am opening up to a whole heap of different brands I never would have known existed.

So, what is there to celebrate about this outfit? (Yes, I realised later i needed to clean the mirror. Damn toddlers and their grimy fingers)

Tunic - Belle Chemise 

Leggings - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Target

Cardigan - Millers

Firstly, the leggings. These are 'wet look' leggings. I the past I would NEVER, EVER have looked twice at them. I would assume that my tree trunk legs would look awful in them.

 Truthfully, I definitely need to wear them with a tunic, as they look less than flattering on my bum and upper thighs. However, the fact I bought them in the first place is worth celebrating. They are a symbol of how much I am evolving. They show that I am open to trying new styles. I also tried on a few other tops while shopping today, and was delighted to see they looked great wit the leggings.

Then there's the tunic. I am a little in love with this tunic. I picked it up on the weekend at some local markets. It is handmade, designed in Australia by a business called Belle Chemise . The lady, Jean Hines, had actually only just made the design that week, and had sewed them ready for the market. It is sleeveless, with a cowl neck, and is made from a  sheer fabric.

 I am celebrating the fact that even market stalls are embracing the plus size figure. I am proud that I saw the tunic, decided to try it on, and when I saw it looked exactly as I wanted, I bought it. In the past I would have assumed it would not fit, would not look good, and also would not spend the money on myself, because it was $50.  Instead, I have learnt that you must try things on. I also knew that this was worth the money. It is an unusual item, but offers versatility. Plus the colours were amazing. The tunics are not loaded on her website yet, but if you like it I urge you to send her an email. There were a heap of different fabrics and colours ( I am wearing 'Free size - plus').

So, I am celebrating Aussie Curves. I am celebrating the Plus Size community, and I am celebrating another wonderful year where I am inspired and challenged each week :)

What have you go to celebrate this week?

Aussie Curves - Timesaver

This week's theme on Aussie Curves is all about time saving tips. We all lead such busy lives that we can fall into rushing with our appearance and feeling like we don't have time to put together an outfit. I know I sometimes feel this way. In fact, lately I have felt so time poor that I stopped blogging altogether. I just kept forgetting to put the posts that I created in my head onto 'paper'. I also felt like I had lost my inspiration. I wasn't 'feeling' my clothing and didn't feel like I had anything to contribute to the challenges.

With that in mind, this weeks theme of 'timesaver' is really fitting. I am trying to find my groove again and having a few time saving tips will definately help. So here are my top tips for how to look and feel good, even when time poor

1) Know your 'go to' outfits

It is really handy to have an outfit that you know you can throw on and look good, no mater what. These usually involve a few basic pieces, that you can then throw on some accessories and run out the door.

For me I have one for Summer and one for Winter.

Summer

Maxi dress
Flats or sandals
A crop denim jacket/cardigan

This outfit is so simple. A maxi dress is so easy to throw on. It covers your legs, so it's great if you are in between shaves/waxing ;). They are also so simple to accessorise.  Whack on a necklace (You can't go wrong with a simple silver one) and maybe a bangle or some earrings and off you go!

Winter

Leggings
Tunic top or knee length dress
Long cardigan
Boots

This outfit is great for winter. The same accessory rules apply as summer, a simple necklace and earrings, or if it is really cold you can pop on a scarf for added warmth and colour. or a belt for some definition.

2) Have a simple make up routine

There are some days you are either too rushed or can't be bothered to put on a full face of makeup. On these days having a simple look that you can pop on to freshen up and go is great.

I think for those days it is easiest to wear a bit of lip colour but keep your eyes simple. I just pop on a bit of colored lip gloss,usually a red or a pink,  some mascara, a bit of blush and off I go.

If my skin is looking really healthy I might be able to forego any foundation and concealer.
However, I tend to have darker circles under my eyes. It's hereditary, so I find I often do need a bit of concealer otherwise I just look tired! If I am lazy though I pop on my under eye concealer and some BB cream.

3) Dry Shampoo!

I have hair that tends to get oily roots after the second day, but the rest of my hair is fine. I recently tried a sample of a dry hair shampoo spray, and I haven;t looked back. It works so well, even on my darker hair. You just spray onto the roots, then run your fingers through your hair. It takes away the oily roots, making your hair look clean. I do find it is better to then put my hair up, rather than leave it out and I will usually put it into a high ponytail, or a low bun.

4) Plan your clothing the night before

I often do this for work, or if I know i have a special event to attend the next day. I found since having my daughter that time can run out very quickly when you are trying to pack up a child, get a bag ready and dress them on top of getting yourself ready. The last thing you need is to then run around trying to find what you want to wear for the day.

I will often choose an outfit the night before and lay it all out on a chair we have in our room, or hang it off the linen press door handle. I will ensure that I have everything I need, right down to the underwear and jewellery. It makes me feel put together, and means I don't have to rush around the house trying to find that elusive shoe!

What is your ultimate time saving tip for getting ready on those days when time seems to be running out?

Be sure to check out the great tips from the other Aussie Curves Bloggers

Aussie Curves - Military

Military? What the heck?

That was my first thought when I saw military on the list. I was stumped. I tried to think of what I could wear. Cargo pants and I are not friends. They do nothing for my already wide thighs.

Military jacket? Years ago I owned the most DIVINE military style coat. It was a full length, latte colour, with a high neck and double breasted brass buttons. Sadly, I put on weight and can no longer squeeze my arms into it. My mother gleefully claimed it, and I must confess it looks better on her than it ever did on me. She loves it because during winter she can pop it on over anything she is wearing and pop into the shops and look chic and stylish.

I do however love the colour 'army green'. As a matter of fact, I refer to my eye colour as being 'army green'. It is the closest colour that matches the shade of green in my eyes.

Top - Avella by Big W

Skirt - Target

Boots - Williams

Hat - Sportsgirl

Necklace & Bracelet - Lovisa

After some thought I came up with this look. I think that is what is so exciting about Aussie curves challenges. They make you rethink fashion, and put together different looks. I always try to shop my wardrobe, and have never gone out and purchased anything other than accessories to fit in with a theme. It may help that I have a huge wardrobe, which no matter how often I downsize still seems to be bursting at the seams.

For this week's look I used my top as the starting point. I was going to pair it with skinny leg jeans, however it was a sunny day and I was going to wear the outfit while grocery shopping. I swapped the jeans for a denim skirt, popped on some boots, a military style cap and some some accessories. I actually really liked how the whole look came together and think it has a definite military feel to it.

Do you have a piece of clothing that you adored, but can no loner wear? What was it and why did you love it?

Be sure to check out what the other AC ladies are wearing this week!

Aussie Curves - Boots

Dress & Belt: Crossroads (a bargin I picked up for $10)

Jeggings: Kmart

Boots: Target (A few seasons ago)

Cardigan: SES

I (Sister Pear) have been nagging my Sister (Apple) for a while now about starting a fashion blog. I think we both dress well, plus size or not. I especially think Sister Apple always looks amazing.

We had both only discovered plus size fashion blogs in the last year or so. It has been a revelation. We have felt inspired by the beautiful curvy women that share how they put together their outfits. Like all fashion, we don't always like all of it. After all, we have our own style and taste. However, even having the ability to look at something and say 'hmm I don't like that' is liberating. For too long if you were plus size it wasn't about finding something you liked it was about finding what fit. Finally these is starting to be greater variety in clothing size 14+.

When  Danimezza announced that she was starting an Australian plus size link up challenge we took the plunge. This was the perfect time to start getting involved in Australian plus size blogging.

The boots in this outfit are cheapies I found a few years ago from Target. They were a bargain at $20. I loved them so much I picked up a colour of each (Brown and Black). They have a stiletto heel but not too high and are made from (synthetic) suede. The very best part about them is the way they have that overlapped slit in the side. This means they easily fit my chunky calves. For me these are the ideal dressy boot.

Despite these shoes being cheap I have had them reheeled, several times over. I am also planning on getting them resoled, to make them last longer and add comfort. I believe that if you find a great pair of shoes, it is worth paying for their upkeep, even if they were cheap to start with. Particuarly if you are like me and find it difficult to find boots that fit the calves.

Do you have a pair of cheap shoes that you just love? How do you ensure you get as much wear out of them as possible?