OOTD: Let's sparkle

At Curvy Couture Roadshow (posts coming next week!) I watched all of the fabulous fashions sashay down the runway and it rocked my world. One of my favourite standouts was Nyata. It makes me so proud to be an Aussie when I see such high fashion, original and sexy plus size designs being made. They've nailed the luxe plus-market, with gorgeous cuts and sexy detailing, I always feel amazing when I slip into one of their pieces.

Dress: c/o Nyata

Stockings: We Love Colors
Heels: Torrid
Clutch and Sunnies: New Look

I jumped at the chance to get my hands on some of their new goodies and the Biarkan Glitter certainly didn't disappoint. I love that I can wear it as a top or a dress, its easy to make it totally glitzzy or just to add some sequiny sparkle to an everyday outfit. For my first wear I went for a relaxed glam feel. With some stockings and a funky clutch, it was perfect for sunset drinks by the river. And I tell you what, I felt like a rockstar! 

The comfy, relaxed fit of the dress was one of my favourite things about it. Its the best of both worlds, killer sexy lines with the eye-catching sequin detailing and the comfy cotton of your favourite t-shirt. How often do we suffer through an uncomfortable outfit because we know it looks good? Hard to admit but true. Nyata's designs have taken all that stress away, there is no compromising comfort for fashion here team!

And now for the absolute coolest thing about Nyata? I'm wearing size Amazing (24-26) annnndddd their entire collection is available in sizes 8 to 30. Knowing I can wear the same high fashion and fabulous sequins as my thin besties is awesome!! And, when they asked me where I got my dress from, I can point them in right direction without having (that sometimes embarrassing) 'uh, but it won't fit you...' conversation. Its not about size classifications, its about looking and feeling good no matter what your body shape!

How do you feel about sequins??

Aussie Curves: Active Wear

Okay. So I guess I've essentially cheated with this weeks Aussie Curves. I'm definitely taking the theme to the edges of its meaning but the funny thing about active wear, is that although I have tights and comfy tees I wear while working up a sweat- more often than not, I end up hitting the pavement in my everyday clothes.

Top: Forever 21+

Jeans: Torrid

Jacket: Crossroads

Thongs: Crocs

On this particular day, I'd come home from the shops to a raucously excited puppy! Seeing her joyful little furry self bouncing up and down just makes me melt. That and this unbelievable choc-chip-cookie stare she does as I take me shoes off near where her walking lead hangs. So I sigh and put my shoes back on, grab her harness and ball and head back out the door with her gleefully taking the lead. This means I end up hitting the park in whatever I happen to be wearing before. Now, if it's something swishy, long, cotoure or ridiculous then I'll change- but if it's jeans and a top or a leggings and a tunic getup, I'm out the door without hesitation. 

I think the most important thing is that you want to be comfortable and have good range of movement. I've found myself wearing jeans a lot lately. Which is funny- because before blogging I was never a jeans wearer. I think that finding my perfect pair has definitely changed my jeans opinion- Torrid really do make the BEST jeans! Plus, Neo likes it when I wear them because she doesn't have to wait for me to change before we go for a walk! ;)

As you can see from these piccys, Neo cannot get enough of the park. From the minute we step out the door until her final collapse on the couch when we get home- she gives it all her energy! I love throwing the ball around for her and running her through the agility obstacles. Sometimes it's the little things like this that make for the best afternoons. 

Does your pet love the park?

Wardrobe planning

I'm more than a little guilty of buying clothes that I don't need. I buy them on special (and seriously, they are always irresistible bargains) with the intention of working them into my everyday outfits and more often than not, they sit in the closet with the tags on until I ebay them. So I've decided its time to be tough. With the wedding and honeymoon bills literally accumulating on my cork board, a bit of outfit planning is needed.

pencil skirt, floral dress, stripe shirt. 

2014 is my year for improved buying and re-wearing. I've started off my sorting with outfit essentials. Every woman's wardrobe needs (and honestly, I'm sure most of your probably already have these important basics) a black pencil skirt, a floral dress and a stripe shirt. These three indispensable must-haves are from Autograph and I've built some funky day and night outfits around them:

The Pencil Skirt

NIGHT: spike heels, gold necklace, clutch, bow belt, blue peplum, 

DAY: Floral kimono, gold sandals, purple boob tube, coral across body bag, stacked bangles 

The pencil skirt is the ultimate classic must have. They have flattering lines and that bombshell shape so its easy to dress up for a night out with an eye catching top and bold accessories. The cut is an instant outfit wower- looking like a million bucks pretty much goes hand in hand with a dressy PS. But, its easy to get into a pencil skirt rut. I've worn mine with soooo many peplum tops and although I do love the way it looks (refer to evidence A, where I've chosen my night outfit with a City Chic peplum, I have obscene amounts of those amazing tops in different shades!), dressing it down can be just as much fun; albeit harder work.

I'm trying to include a more bohemian feel into my casual day outfits and the pencil skirt stops the look from seeming sloppy. The long kimono means I can easily wear my PS at the markets or even a picnic without being overdressed. The purple boob tube is actually a tankini (cute much!?) and the bright colour looks awesome with a clashing across-the-body bag. Add some stacked bangles and you've got classic and casual chic!

The Floral Dress 

NIGHT: heels, necklace, flower crown, clutch, 

DAY: wedges, shopper tote, heart sunnies, polka-dot jacket

I've been going through my dresses and re-classifying them all. I'm often too quick to pigeon-hole a dress, thinking that it might only suit a day or night events. A floral dress can be one of the most underrated fashion essentials. It took me years until I started to transition floral summer dresses from my 'day-time only' to 'party-time' wardrobe.And I can definitely still fall back into that routine. Now don't get me wrong, they make the perfect debonair day look- I mean, denim jacket, heart shaped sunnies and cork wedges for the win! But by adding some heels and a clutch you can get so much extra wear out of them! I wore a floral dress to a wedding last weekend and it went off! If you're new to the floral dress night time look, you could try starting with one like this with splatters of black. The black makes the translation easier and gives an effortless night time look while still keeping the playfulness of the floral.

The Stripe Top

NIGHT: jeans, coral blazer, necklace, clutch, wedges, earrings

DAY: flats, moustache necklace, skirt, heart bag

I don't doubt for a second that you all have a stripe shirt in your wardrobe. Maybe its short sleeve, perhaps its a tank- but there is definitely at least one in there. You could almost even say that the stripe top is where my love-affair with fashion came from. A stripe shirt was the first adventurous item of clothing I bought myself. And it felt so rebellious wearing something I was always told I shouldn't. I actually have far too many stripe shirts now and am always thinking about new ways I can wear them. I love this gorgeous, dapper skirt and my stripe tops would like awesome tucked into it high waisted. Then for night time a stripe top is easy to dress up- a jacket and long accessories, coupled with killer wedges makes for a perfect chic look! Plus I somehow acquired far too many blazers last winter and I'm trying to include them in more outfits so they don't end up on the eBay pile!

Do you re-asses your wardrobe regularly? 

Do you outfit plan?

Aussie Curves: Black and White

When I first started to discover fashion, I went through a black and white phase. I liked the instant chic-ness of a white blouse with a black skirt and it became a look I well and truly wore out for a year of so. When I started playing with colours it was love at first pink skirt! I must admit that now, pure black and white isn't something I really put together much, so I had fun dressing up in this outfit!

Skirt: Cult of California

Top: New Look Inspire

Belt: ASOS Curve

Bangle: Torrid

Clutch: Kate Hill

Flats: Rubi Shoes

My girlfriend Kendall is moving countries at the moment so last weekend we had a goodbye dinner with a few of us. I love looking at photos of us out on the town- I always get so inspired by my ladies fashions. I never hesitate to dress up when we go out because I always know they will all be bringing it!

I wore this totally rad Cult of California peplum skirt as the base of my outfit. I truly love this skirt. It's got a sewn in pair of shorts under the skirt so you don't need to worry about chafe or flashing! Plus it has a glorious silky feel that makes it so easy to wear. I paired it up with some bold gold as well, I'm a little obsessed with this gold bangle at the moment, its been making an appearance in lots of my outfits.

I bought this white blouse agggeess ago purely because I loved the peter-pan collar. It turned out being far to long on me and quite billowy, but I adore it tucked in! Its got a cute little bird in flight print and is light enough that its easy to wear and layer all year. Then some flats, my favourite clutch of the moment and I'm ready to go!

How do you wear black and white?

Fatshion Faceoff: Maxi Skirt

I reckon every woman needs a few lightweight, breezy maxi skirts in their wardrobe. Easy to layer and last all year long, they are also super simple to dress up or casual. I fully embraced the mullet hem fad of the last few years and couldn't resist this coral one from Simply Be. So for this weeks Fatshion Faceoff, I'm technically only maxi-skirted on one side!

Skirt: Simply Be

Top: Forever 21+

Belt: ASOS Curve

Flats: Rubi

Bracelet: Torrid

The skirt is double layered with slip like material underneath. While the top layer gives it such good structure. My biggest worry with maxi skirts is that the material will bunch and crease over my belly- but this one sits perfectly, it going to be on high rotation this summer! 

These aren't actually the shoes I intended to wear (although they are super cute!). Neo, now 12 weeks old, has started getting at my shoe rack and hiding one out of a pair. Bad- because obviously its crazy annoying and time wasting, but good because its got me rotating around my everyday wearables. Its also causing me to wear my flip-flops less, she seems incredibly taken with them in particular!

Check out all my maxi-skirted FF babes! 

Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge

Dani from DIY Fatshion

Mouna from Brussels Fatshion

Mhairi from Lilybobombs

Fatshion Faceoff: Shoe boots

I haven't worn these shoe boots in such a long time. In fact, I had to unearth them from a mighty pile of shoes and stored clothes to find them! I remember when I got them I loved the hell out of them (is that even a positive thing to say?! Interpret it as lots of loving)! I hunted for some like this for months! Imagine a female version of David Attenborough stalking the shoe shops. Once found, I wore these babies as often as I could. Yet after a few hours in this outfit I remember why I had reluctantly stored them- epic ball of foot pain! As hot as they are, my feet (I almost wrote 'balls' HA!) are killing me. I either need to invest in some serious gel pads or keep up the search for the perfect pair of shoe boots!

Jacket: Harlow

Top: Kmart

Jeans: Crossroads

Boots: Kmart

Necklace: City Chic

Bracelet: Torrid

I'm obsessed with this Harlow jacket. It's the perfect weight for changing seasons. I'm sure you have heard me complain about the uncharacteristically high temperatures we are having; well with that is coming some chilly evenings. This jacket is lightweight enough that I can carry it with me and wear open in the sun, yet warm enough that I'm ready for that sudden mercury drop. And seriously, it's covered in sequins. Does it get any better than that?!

Floral cut offs are rocking my world right now. I would never have been caught dead in these a few years ago, yet these have barely left my legs in the last few months! Crossroads have some of the cutest little pants and often have awesome sales-  you can pick up pieces for a steal if you keep an eye on the stores!

As always, don't forget to see what all the ladies are up to this week! 

Hanna from The Wardrobe Challenge

Dani from DIY Fatshion

Mouna from Brussels Fatshion

Mhairi from Lilybobombs

Do you have awesome shoe boots???

Can you recommend any awesome shoe shops??