OOTD: Cool without trying

When I visited Ben in China while he was there for work, I saw a handful of women wearing these super cute reindeer antler hats. I pretty much turned Shanghai upside down trying to find one for myself (unsuccessfully I might add), and Ben, being the kickass husband that he is, said he would try his hardest to bring one home for me. In fact, he almost missed his plane doing a last minute dash around the shops for one of these bloody hats. He came home empty handed, I was bummed about it but life went on. And then, a magical parcel arrived in the post on Thursday night. As it turned out, he and one of his Chinese work colleagues had been secret-squirreling the last few weeks to get me one. And its has barely been off my head all weekend!

Jacket: c/o 17 Sundays

Top: New Look Inspire

Bag: Domino Dollhouse

Leggings: Kmart

Flats: Rubi

Hat: China

Necklace: ASOS

Lipstick: Limecrime

How totally awesome is this 17 Sundays kimono jacket?! Funny story about this top, Suger had come over for a sleep over and packed a bunch of the new 17 stock for me to try on and sigh over. I fell instantly in love with the slouchy and relaxed cut of this jacket, I love that its not trying to be boho or hipster, its just an inherently cool item of clothing in its own right. Its such a new and rad cut, so different to any of the current patterned and printed lightweight kimonos around. And apparently I fawned over it so much that Sug and the 17 crew decided I could keep it! Gems that they are!

I wore this outfit out last night for end of year drinks with some of Ben's work buddies. I felt cool and chic the entire night, there is something about this rocking jacket that just gives off that rad vibe. Plus, with a killer hat like this and my cute 'Got Milk' bag, it pretty much makes for coolness without trying. 

Hope and Harvest Nauticus Collection

As soon as I saw the Hope and Harvest look book for their new Nauticus collection, my jaw dropped. I pretty much wanted everything. So chilled with a classical nautical vibe, it instantly put me in mind of a Summer holiday! The H&H team sent us up a few pieces to show off, so Suger, Em and I got together and had ourselves a little Friday afternoon mixer at my place. Em and Sug both dragged a bag or so of goodies over and we literally had a dress up party!

Emma, Suger and Liv wear: Hope and Harvest Anchor-T-Shirt

So as you can see, there were more than a few laughing moments. We set up a tripod, pumped on some tunes and giggled our way through three sets of outfits. I was pretty impressed with our efforts, especially considering we changed clothes in the street with the open boot of the car covering us! Oh! And that time a delivery truck drove in front of the camera, but not before he kindly stopped so we could take a photo! 

I love how rad this anchor print H&H tee is. It's such versatile piece, it so easily dresses up an ordinary pair of jeans yet still looks really pulled together. Such a cool little instant-chic wardrobe necessity! 

Emma wears: Hope and Harvest Denim Jacket

Liv wears: Hope and Harvest Wrap Top

Suger wears: Hope and Harvest Nauticas Dress

This more dressed-up look is my favourite set of the day. One of the things I love most about these photos, is that Emma, Sug and I are a similar sort of tag size, yet are such different body shapes.  Each outfit is uniquely us and different from each other, yet still from the one collection. It just shows how each item can be so effortlessly included into anyone's wardrobe. Those are always the best designs! 

Emma wears: Hope and Harvest Nauticas Capri Pants
Liv wears: Hope and Harvest Denim Jacket
Suger wears: Hope and Harvest Anchor T-shirt, Nauticas Skirt and Zip-Off Jacket

This denim jacket was my favourite piece that we tried out on the day. I love the lightweight feel of it, perfect for these warm Spring days and cool evenings. And the zip off style is a very cool way to pretty much score two jackets in one! In fact, I loved it so much that I wore it out again that night!

What's your favourite piece of the collection??

OOTD: Luxe

It was Ben's birthday last weekend and he is soon off for a work rotation in China. Every weekend has become even more special for us as we count down the weeks until he departs. So with that in mind and the fact it was his birthday, last Saturday I wanted to look like a total fox!

I've had this gorgeous Meri by Design sequin cape in my wardrobe for the last few weeks. Its been hanging next to my mirror and not a day has gone by where I haven't looked it, touched it or sighed at its fabulousness. Its such a gorgeous statement piece and I knew it would be perfect for Ben's birthday cocktails!

Sequin cape: c/o Meri by Design

Slip: City Chic

Necklace: Colette

Heels: Torrid

Clutch: a rocking vintage find

I've never felt more luxurious. The weight, feel and movement of this jacket just feels luxe! I wanted to keep the outfit otherwise simple, so styled it with a plain black slip and minimal jewellery. A cape like this doesn't need much, its such a wow piece by itself that it makes everything look like understated glam. I used my vintage gold clutch to carry my essentials and I love the way it picks up the subtle gold tones.

Based in New South Wales, I first came across Meri by Design when I saw them on the runway at the Curvy Couture Roadshow (check out my post about them here!). From the first opulent piece until the last, I was hooked! I adore the cuts and elegant design of the brands collections, each one is so distinctive and eye-catching. I love that there is a high fashion plus-size label like this that is Aussie made and designed. It makes me proud to see the leaps and bounds Australian plus-size fashion is taking. I can put this cape on and feel like a movie star, its everything a wardrobe investment piece should be: high fashion, luxurious, timeless and glamorous.

How would you wear this sequin cape? 

My Favourite: Shopping as a plus-size bride

Wedding dress shopping is a pretty bid deal. Obviously. And for us plus-size girls, it can be a scary experience. Everyone has an idea about what they want and I know you could tell me where your local bridal shop is, but I'm also pretty sure you could tell me about a friend/cousin/sister who's had a nasty bridal shop experience. I had read some horror stories about shopping as a plus-size bride and to say I was anxious when I started my search would be an understatement.

So I'm going to throw it straight out there and say I LOVED wedding dress shopping- and I think its because I went in prepared. I did a bit of research and had an idea about some of the dresses I wanted and I goggled places near me that stock plus-size. Once I had a plan, I seriously enjoyed every minute. Yes, you end up pretty much naked in a change-room with someone you've just met, yes you are going to get hot and sweaty so make sure you wear the industrial strength deodorant and YES not every dress is going to look good, no matter how much you want it to. BUT, the most important thing to remember is that this is YOUR day. Get the dress you want, the one you feel comfortable in and the one that means the most to you. And hopefully you start your search with a little less worry by checking out some of the stores I stalked below- enjoy!

Henry Roth

With an amazing array of breath taking gowns, Henry Roth is an Australian based company with some pretty rad history. Back story aside, I literally spent hours pouring over images of the Henry Roth collection when choosing my own dress. They are stocked in a wide range of Australian stores (easily found by using their 'where to buy' link) and come in sizes 2 to 30. What I loved most though, was their album of real weddings featuring a bunch of gorgeous plus-size brides rocking their designs!

Dress: Zoe

Dress: Elma

Dress: Alexi

Dress: Camille

Dresses: Chloe and Eden

Michelle Roth

Available in sizes 0-30, Michelle Roth is sister to Henry and her dresses are available for purchase in Sydney and Adelaide (check out the website for international stores). Her collection is a wonderful continuation on the sophistication and elegance present in Henry's creations. I love both the simplicity and the opulence of these dresses, its not hard to feel like a princess on your big day when wearing a dress as exquisite as these.

Dress: Reina

Dress: Rhoda

Dress: Rosalind

For Her and For Him

I stumbled across For Her and For Him while doing some on-line bridesmaid shopping- in fact, all of my ladies hot pink bridesmaids dresses were purchased off of this site using their measurement guide! Based in New York, their collection of dresses range from the eclectic and modern to a definite vintage twist. By the time I'd found these guys I had already purchased my dress, but I didn't hesitate to order the girls dresses from them. The ordering, shipping and customer service was flawless. They pre-make dresses in size 2 to 26 but also offer the opportunity to fully customise and make your dress to measure- including a variety of colour options. They have easy to follow, step by step measurement instructions to help you find the best fit for you and with most wedding gowns falling around the $500 mark, there are some sure fire beauties up for grabs on this site! (Skip down to the bottom to see my bridesmaids in their For Her and For Him dresses)

Dresses: Cap sleeve with buttons, backless with 3D flower, lace and chiffon with plunging neckline

Dresses: chiffon with lace sleeves, lace tea length gown, boat neck satin and tulle gown, lace cap sleeve dress

Sydney's Closet

Sydney's Closet specialize in plus-size, glamorous gowns and with the outrageously reasonable prices (some from as little as $150), they should be your first stop shop when hunting for the dress of your dreams. AND they stock wedding dresses from a size 14 to 44! To have such a wonderful inclusion of sizes takes all the stress out of wedding dress shopping and with a flat international shipping price of $65, I'm sure you will find what you're looking for here.

Dresses: Perfect Love, Fancy That, Circle of Love

Dresses: Dream Lover, Promise Me, Love Affair

Alfred Angelo

Alfred Angelo was my stand out choice when I thought about the type of dress I wanted to wear. Their dresses are ethereal and romantic with exquisite attention to detail. Size wise, the vast majority of the Angelo dresses are made from a 0 to a USA 26- with some going up to a 30, I love that I can choose a brand that fits me and my skinny-minny besties. AND they have a Disney Princess inspired dress collection, yes, how freaking cool is that?! So if you truly want to look like a princess, these are the dresses for you!

Check out the stockiest directory on their Australian website for places you can go and see these beauties in real life. Local babes, I tried on quite a few of the Angelo dresses at Brides By The Bay in Capalaba. 

Dress: Style 2379, Style 758

Dresses: Style 2329W, Style 2347, Style 2117

Mia Solano

And then, saving (my favourite, obviously) for last, I bought my Mia Solano dress from Luv Bridal, a boutique bridal store that can be found in most major Aussie cities -check out the list here! Available in sizes 2 to 28, the Mia Solano range is classically dramatic. Here are a few of my favourites and then skip down to my happy snaps of my Mia dress on our day!

Dress: Amalie and M1347l

Dress: M1325I and M1219Z

You hear stories about when people tried on THE DRESS for the first time and I always thought they were rubbish, until, I kid you not, I cried when I saw myself in this dress in the Luv Bridal mirrors. Ridiculous but true. With its hand beading, boned waist and bust, chapel length train and eye catching runching, I knew it was the dress that I had to have! It was paid for and in my car half an hour after that first try-on! Size wise, I'm wearing a 20 and paid to have the bust tailored in- never under-estimate the power of a good tailor!

My ladies in their For Her and For Him Dresses

What are some of your wedding dress shopping experiences?
Do you have a 'horror story'??