Aussie Curves - Swimwear

It is a testament to how much my confidence has grown that I am taking part in this week's challenge. When I first saw the AC list I thought I would sit out on the swimwear week for sure. 

Then... My Mum bought me two beautiful swimmers in Hawaii, from WALMART of all places. I really really loved both swimmers, and was shocked at the ultra cheap price tags that were attached. 

As I have gotten older I have started to feel more confident in my own skin. I am starting to realise that ultimately the only person who should care about how I look is me. I also started to realise that wearing baggy cover ups over my swimmers actually made me more conspicuous when I was at the beach or pools. 

I do struggle to find good swimmers though. I am small busted, so I prefer swimmers to have some padding on the top. I want them to sit on or below my hips (If it's a tankini) and i want bottoms that cover my ample bottom.

Tankini & Bottoms - Walmart

Boy Leg bottoms - Mix Apparel

Hat - A hand me down from Mum

These swimmers tick all the boxes for me. I really love the bright, colourful pattern. They are just long enough to cover my belly, but are also not clingy.

Best of all are the bottoms, a swim skirt. I really love swim skirts as i find they are much more flattering than board shorts, but provide more cover than a pair of bottoms. However, the pants that are attached were not quite as full as I like, with the edges of my bottom cheeks peeking out. 

To solve this I bought a pair of boy leg bottoms that I wear under the skirt, but over the bottoms. 

These are actually really great because they have ruched sides that allow you to lengthen or shorten them according to your tastes. 

I wore these swimmers all summer. They were perfect. I felt comfortable, and best of all, no saggy, baggy cover up!

 

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Aussie Curves - Second Hand

I really enjoy going for a dig through secondhand stores. Over the years I have found a few gems. I remember a time when I was younger my Mum was unwell and stopped working. After a bit she retrained to be able to work in an office. When it came time for her to go to work she needed office work wear, which she did not have a lot of. I remember she hunted down her clothing in op shops. She found some wonderful clothing, much of it from expensive brands that she would not have afforded otherwise. People always commented on how lovely her clothing was.

I shared some of the treasures I found op shopping  while back in this post, where I also shared some of my tips for how I hunt down items.

Another way I score second hand clothing is through other people. The best part about these is that they are free! Sometimes the clothing is my style and fits well. Sometimes it is not. Anything I won't use I pass along to others or send off to my local charity shop.

In the two outfits below one is a 'handed down' item, and the other is brought from a local charity shop. Both are really gorgeous!!!

My lace dress was given to me by my Mother In Law. I actually have only worn it once as it never seemed quite right. However for this picture I experimented with it a bit and added a thin rose gold belt. It was just what it needed. The belt seemed to give the dress a little bit extra definition.

I really love this dress, and am delighted because I know lace dresses like this are making a bog comeback, with similar dresses being made by Igigi and Kiyonna. I love that the dress has sleeves as it means I can wear it without needed to add a bolero or cropped cardigan. The sleeves actually have a longer bit of lace on the inside arms so that they dip down a bit like 'Morticia Adams'/The excess lace is also split into two so can be tied into a knot. I don;t like the look of it so I tied them up and tucked them in so they couldn't be seen. I plan on cutting them off before I wear it again.

I really love that this dress has a wide V neck which balances out my torso with my wider hips. The skirt also has wonderful pleats that allow the skirt to be a little fuller.

Dress - Vintage

Belt- Equip

Shoes - Spendless Shoes

Earrings - Diva

Ring - Lovisa

Nerida's dress was found at a charity shop. She wasn't going to try it on at first, but was encouraged to do so. Afterall, one of the rules of successful op shopping is TRY IT ON.

The dress is a fitted faux wrap dress from Basque. It looks WONDERFUL on and suits Nerida's shape perfectly. The length of the dress shows off her shapely legs without being too short. The patten is also great with the busy, large print being really slimming.

Like mine, it has longer sleeves which means it can be worn without a cardi or bolero. Nerida added a belt to her look as well, to draw attention to the narrow point in her shape. We are thinking that a thinner belt would possibly look even better and will try that next time.

To add a pop of colour she put on a wooden beaded necklace, which also happened to be purchased from a charity shop. This is the kind of dress that could be worn out for a special occasion, but that could also be worn to work. 

Dress - Basque (Secondhand)

Belt - From another dress

Shoes- Kmart

Necklace - St Vincent de Paul

Bracelet - Tiffany & Co.

You really can find beautiful, budget friendly clothing anywhere, if you look around. You do not have to have a lot of money to wear fashionable clothing. 

Tell us, what is your favourite second hand item you own?

Check out the other great pre-loved fashions from our fellow curvettes

Aussie Curves Round Up!

I thought it would be time to do a bit of a round up of the looks I have loved most from each week on Aussie Curves.

Warning: This may be a picture heavy monster post, so maybe load the page, then make yourself a cuppa. Be ready to indulge in some of the most fabulous outfits that Australian Plus Size fashion has to offer!

Honestly, being a part of Aussie Curves has been a privilege and delight. To be part of a community of women in Australia who are embracing plus size fashion, inspiring each other, and sharing our wonderful fashion finds has been life-changing. A prolific Australian blogger Danimezza was the brainchild of the idea, deciding to create the blog link up in order to encourage a plus size community in Australia.

Over the years the Australian Fashion Industry had been woefully lacking in beautiful plus size clothing. Given that the national average size for women in Australia is size 16, it has puzzled me why retailers were unwilling to design clothing for the majority of Australian women. However, there seems to be a shift n the last few years. Retailers are introducing plus size ranges (Target - Moda, Best & Less - Lily & Lou, Big W - Avella to name a few) and there are some brilliant specialist shops that are making leaps and bounds in Australian plus size fashion (Autograph, City Chic, Virtu, TS 14+, Belle Curve, 17 Sundays).

Aussie Curves has also generated many articles in the media, that is catching onto the plus size revolution that is happening here. It is wonderful to see that some bloggers are finally getting the attention they deserve.

So, without much further ado - here are my favourite looks from each week for the first 12 weeks! ( The next 12 weeks will follow in a fortnight).

1. Boots

Olivia from Wait until Sunset - I LOVED the purple, Suede boots. Finding wide calf boots, that are coloured as well? Be still my beating heart!

2. Nails

These nails from Fashion Hayley are just awesome. While they may not be a style I would usually choose myself, I think they suit Hayley's kawaii Japanese culture style perfectly. It served as a reminder that nails can be an accessory too!

3. Leggings

There were many different looks that I really loved from this week. I am a firm believer that leggings are NOT pants. However, my fellow AC ladies certainly showed that there are many ways a plus sized lady can make a pair of leggings look flattering an fabulous. I was introduced to the world of printed leggings. I loved how this outfit was bold, bright and showed how awesome leggings can actually look!

4. Red

I think the colour red is much loved among women. It adds that awesome pop of colour to the most boring of outfits, and can be worn by all types of women. My favourite post from this week was from the witty Cherie. Cherie shows how women of all ages can look classy, fashionable and colourful!

5. Celebrity Copycat

I just loved this week. I actually learnt that copying looks from celebrities can be really versatile. You can actually really learn a lot about what works, what doesn't, and about being bold. For me I think Falala Mele really nailed it. She looked at a celebrity whose style inspired her, and used aspects of a look to fashion her own. The result was great.

6. Sparkle

Sparkles. What is it about things that sparkle that make a woman's heart flutter? I think sparkly things for most women are like blue is to a bower bird!

I loved this look from the brilliant Melissa of Suger coat it. There is so much to love about the look. Pencil skirt. Peplum top. Sequin Blazer. All on trend items, that really shows plus size women CAN look glamorous and fashionable.

7.  Tribal

Tribal was a week hat I personally struggled with a bit. I just couldn't put together an outfit I really liked. Luckily other ladies were able to offer better inspiration, such as the aptly named Jeanie of Inspired Wish. The skirt had wonderful colours and patterns, and the necklace was perfect. It was a reminder of how wonderful more earthy tones can look. 

8. Stripes

Caitlyn from Closet Confessions looked so edgy and cool in this outfit. The biker jacket is just to die for, and paired with the floaty midi skirt softened to look. I really loved this week because all of the women proved that stripes CAN be worn by plus size women. In fact, it is highly recommended! Nothing is off limits really, you just need to find the right cut/pattern!

9. Picnic

I must say, picnic week was the week that Nerida and I are most proud of to date. We loved our outfits, and our photos turned out wonderfully. However. I also loved the look above from Lisa of Life as we know it. It was fresh and colorful. I loved the colours, the floral print, and the great necklace. I actually really love Lisa's style, as many of her looks are ones that I feel I would wear myself.

10. Blue

The colour blue! I think it is a colour that can be a little bit overlooked, although there was a recent resurgence of the magnificent royal blue colour recently. As usual there was more than one favourite look from this week. For Nerida and I, I wore my favourite cocktail dress that is an amazing royal blue, while Nerida shared a tutorial. However this look from Ashley Rose was just wonderful. Ashley always looks classy and elegant. This skirt was so refreshing and the sequined clutch was so cool.

11.Knits

When I think of knits I often think of cardigans and shrugs. These are generally a staple wardrobe item for the curvy lady, as they are used to cover up the arms a bit. Although I am not so sure why we find our arms so offensive? I must say, since taking part in the challenges I have actually ditched the cardi on most occasions. I am embracing my own shape and not adding n extra layer just so I don't 'offend' someone with my flabby arms. To hell with it I say!

Anyway, I loved this look  from Claire of Owls. Teapots. Shoes Oh My! because it was something different. A clingy knitted dress that look amazing.

12. Breaking the rules

This week was a revelation! Curvy women are bombarded with a long list of fashion do's and don't on top of the usual list that all women are told. This week saw many of us challenging ourselves, and societal rules at the same time!

You may not get how Omega from Fashion Adjacent is 'breaking the rules' in this picture. You really must head over to her amazing blog and see how this outfit is so different from what we usually see from the wonderful Omega. I just love her blog because she dances to her own beat, proudly.

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If you are a curvy lady in Australia/ New Zealand who wants to experiment more with fashion, or just be  part of a brilliant community then head over to Aussie Curves. This is a wonderful community of women who are really breaking down barriers that society has built around plus sized women.

Best of all, revel in the wonderful variety of outfits that are presented each week and become inspired.

I know I have, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had :)

Aussie Curves - Feathers!!

Feathers have been used as an adornment for women, and men, for centuries. After-all they come in a variety of magnificent colours, patterns and shapes. I think feathers add a bit of whimsy to an outfit.

This top was a sale item I purchased last year. It is actually a hi - lo tunic style, but I quite like it tucked into a skirt. I wear this top to work quite often. It is good because it has short sleeves, which means I don't feel I need to wear a cardigan with it. The skirt is also an old purchase, from a brand called Leesa. It is actually a shop that caters to older women. However, when I was in there with my Mother I found quite a few lovely items for myself. For me, this ust goes to show to look around. You will find lovely things in unexpected places. 

This skirt is a soft, silky stretch material. It has a gathered skirt, but also features deep pockets. It is a dream to wear. 

Top - Crossroads

Skirt - Leesa

Belt - Temt

Shoes - Spendless Shoes

Earring - unknown ( they are VERY old)

Nerida's outfit is really bright and colourful and looks a bit tribal. The rusty red feathered necklace is really beautiful and is the stand out piece in the outfit.

Nerida picked up the bright turquoise dress from Millers. It is a perfect summer staple as it is lightweight, stretch cotton type material. It came with the tab coloured belt. It is a dress that lends itself really well to lots of different colours and looks. So far every time she has worn it she has made it look completely different.

The shoes are mine, but they just happened to match the rusty red colour of the feathers perfectly. I was tempted to do a bag search on Nerida before she left my house because I wasn't convinced I was going to get them back!

Dress/belt - Millers

Cardigan - SES

Shoes - Rivers

Necklace - Diva

Lets have a look at what the other ladies have done this week. After-all, 'Birds of a feather flock together'

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Aussie Curves LBD!

I'm baaaacccckkkk!!

Oh dear, what a long hiatus that was! I have missed out on FAR too many weeks of Aussie Curves. It was not intentional. Life just seemed to get in the way. I am now understanding the true work and dedication that my favourite bloggers show when they are able to deliver weekly, sometimes more, posts.

I was determined to get back into the groove with my LBD! When I saw that wardrobe staple on the list I figured it would be easily done. Until I opened my wardrobe. Whilst I have many dresses that are majority black, I was amazed to realise I only owned one completely black dress. It is a lovely black lace dress that I wore to my daughter's baptism. It was perfect at the time. Soft. Stretchy, covering a multitude of post baby body sins. Yet, ad I looked at it I realised I wanted something more modern. More edgy.

Luckily for me I found the perfect dress in the post Christmas sales at City Chic. It is this skater dress, but all in black. The dress is really a dream to wear. The thick material makes fit wonderfully. The cut out design on the front and back makes it look very modern, while the length is just spot on, sitting right on my knee. Best of all? It was a very budget friendly $40.

Really, with a good black dress you can do anything. That's why they are universally loved by women around the world. I wore this outfit to a night out with my SIL's. I have not had a night out drinking cocktails in a long while. I wanted something that I felt classy and fabulous in. This outfit certainly made me feel sexy and modern. I picked up the stunning necklace for $8 at Diva, and the matching bracelet was $5. My shoes were also a bargain at $10 from Kmart. The divine clutch was a bargain buy from Sportsgirl dating back to  my university days. It is a beaded number that just makes me happy looking at it.

Dress: City CHic

Necklace & Bangle: Diva

Shoes: Kmart

Clutch: Sportsgirl

So, all up the whole look cost me $63! Which is nearly half the price that the dress itself usually retails for. BOOYAH!

I think you can expect to see a lot more of this dress. I have already seen a girl wearing a similar dress but with a fabulous twist to make it look casual that I am VERY keen to try.

UPDATED: This is Nerida's take on the LBD

This is a classic all black look but dressed up by a bright belt and a pretty headband. It really shows how simple it can be to make a black dress look a bit more special.

Dress - City Chic

Wedges - Kmart

Belt - Autograph

Headband- Diva

To see how versatile the LBD really is; check out these other wonderful posts by my fellow Aussie Curves ladies.

Ho - Ho - Homemade Christmas Gifts

I love Christmas time. I really love everything about it. I adore Christmas carols, decorating my home, and I am a Christmas tree perfectionist, with each item placed on very carefully.

Most of all I love giving people gifts. I know many people see Christmas as being very commercial. However, I really feel that it is one time a year that I can think of a gift for people I love, look for it, buy it and wrap it with care.

I also LOVE to bake for people. I really love to cook, particularly sweets. I also do a bit of cake decorating as a hobby, so I really enjoy to put together a few treats for family and friends at Christmas.

With the introduction of Pinterest into my life my ideas for what to make have doubled. If you love to cook, decorate or craft and you do not have a pinterest account yet then GET ONTO IT!

So here are a few ideas of what I am thinking of making this year.

1. Gingerbread house

I have made a few of these in the past, not always with a lot of success. This year I have decided to make small gingerbread houses as a gift for some of the people I work with. I am not going to make them really large, so hopefully I will have more success this year.

2. Cookie jars

I have been saving Moccona coffee jars all year in preparation for Christmas. I am saving them so that I can fill them with yummy biccies and give them as gifts.

I wash the jars in the dishwasher to get the labels of and get rid of the coffee smell. Sometimes they also need a bit of bicarb left int hem for a day or so, then another wash. Once cleaned and label free they are lovely jars that are ready to be filled.

I have a particular biscuit recipe that I like to use from an old Donna Hay magazine. It makes a sweet, shortbread type biscuit. It also is one that you can turn into so many different flavours. I often use the same recipe to make chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia, and cranberry and pistachio cookies.

Also, it freezes really well so you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it then just bake when needed.

3. Sugar Cookies

Because I love to decorate cakes, decorating sugar cookies is a natural extention of that. I like to use fondant to decorate rather than royal icing. This year I am going to experiment with making my own marshmallow fondant, and am thinking of trying to flavour some of it.

My cookies from last year.

I use this recipe often for sugar cookies. They make great tasting cookies, but are still firm enough to decorate.

If I make everything as planned I will come back and share my photos!

Do you plan on making any gifts this year? If so, share your ideas with me. I'd love to hear your plans.

Aussie Curves - Orange

I have had quite the unintended hiatus from blogging, and Aussie Curves! It wasn't intentional, life simply got in the way. I am a teacher, so the last few weeks has been report writing frenzy. I also unexpectedly picked up my first senior class  (Exciting bu challenging). Throw a virus that caused me to cough so violently I burst the vessels in my eyes and pulled the muscles in my neck into the mix, and it made for a very busy, very stressed lady!

I have been giving this blog some thought, and have been looking at my favourite blogs and I am thinking I want to add a few more posts on other topics in here. So stay tuned as you may find a few different posts popping up over the next few weeks.

Now, onto my putfit post. Orange is not a colour I usually gravitate to so I was really unsure if I would find anything in my wardrobe that suited this theme. I was out shopping with my Husband when I spied Millers had a sale on dresses. I talked int his post here about how Millers seem t have had a recent change in the style of clothing offered. I decided to have a look as I am on the hunt for more maxi dresses.

There were a heap of beautiful coloured dresses in some wonderful pattern, but one really stood out.

Dress - Millers

Shoes - Kmart

Cardigan - Temt

Necklace - Diva

Bracelet - Really old! haha

I am just in love with this dress. The pattern is just beautiful, as are the colours. The material is a soft stretch jersey type so it just feels beautiful on.

It was only when I put it on to attend a baby shower that I realised it had Orange in it! Hooray!

The dress has a handkerchief hem, where it dips longer on the sides. It was a bit too long so I tied up the sides into a little knot so they didn't drag as much on the floor.

I love the gold beads on the straps as well. It just adds something extra to the dress. The cut is wonderful, as it is Vneck for the front, perfect for my small bust. It also juuuussstttt skims over my belly and hips. I did put on a pair of very light pull ins. I purchased the Rikki Lee brand from Big W. They went up to just below my bust, and actually included straps so you can hold them up if needed. I didn't use the straps, but I must say the underwear was SOOOO comfy! Although it doesn't really pull you in, it is more so that you have a smoother line underneath.

Pear Tip: Look for V necks for small busts. it helps widen your shoulders visually, which evens out your hips.

I really urge you to take another look at Millers if you haven;t recently. There are some real gems in the current collection. Check out some of my picks here.

While your checking things out, make sure you check out the other Aussie Curves posts from these ladies.