To the Galaxy and Beyond!

I sometimes think that choosing your mobile phone is as hard a decision as choosing the right place to live, or the right person to be with.

You need something that is going to fit you well, have functions or quirks that are compatible with you and something that you are going to be able to spend the next two years with.  It's a hard choice when you think about it.

Here is where I am stuck.  I currently have a Blackberry Bold 9900.  I adore it.  Well, I say that, but what I mean is that my heart adores it, but my head knows that it isn't the right match for me.  I have said as much about people in the past.

I love the keyboard and it is an idiosyncratic little thing; it fits my personality well in that respect.  I don't care that it isn't the most popular phone on the market, or that some people laugh when I say I have one, they can bugger off quite frankly.  It's my baby and I love it.

But.  There is a but here.  It isn't suited for what I want.  For that, I need either a Samsung Galaxy S4 or a Note 2.

So here is what I came up with.  I am writing down everything I need from the phone and will see if it takes me to any sort of decision.

Minutes - unimportant, I rarely use more than 60 minutes a month.

Texts - need unlimited.

Apps - must have the Blogger app.

Internet

This is an important one.  My home broadband situation is that I am on a mobile dongle.  This isn't about to change anything soon which means that I am stuck with 3 gigs of internet usage available there.  I need a phone with a larger screen that is going to be more useful for a more prolonged internet usage and with that, I need more than just the 750mb I currently have on my plan.

I am veering towards the Note 2 at this stage, but we will see what I think when I get hold of them both in the shop.  This is of course only if they manage to wrestle my beloved Blackberry from me....

Sorry by the way for wittering on about phones on here.  I was going to do a regular list offline, but when I blog I feel like I am talking at the same time which makes it a little more of a fun process!

Here's something funny to make up for it:

The Tea Cup - Creative Corner 4

Writing Prompt from "642 Things to Write About" book.

Write a Short Story That Is Set In Argentina in 1932, In Which a Teacup Plays a Crucial Role

Julia stared fondly at the white porcelain teacup in her hands as she dried it off with a cloth from the sink.  The original set had been given to her some fifty years ago by her mother and had been passed down from generation to generation.

Dark red roses were randomly scattered across the glossy white of the porcelain, looking as beautiful now as the first time she had seen them.  Back in 1882 when her mother had given her the tea set on the eve of her marriage, there were eight cups and six saucers but time, travel and numerous grandchildren had whittled her collection down to this single cup and saucer, with a small chip on the side of the cup.

As the bright Argentinian morning sunshine streamed through the windows of her small balcony in her first floor apartment, Julia let her mind wander back over the decades, thinking of her children and her grandchildren, all of whom had loved the tea set and had played with it since they were children.

Now they all had their lives of their own.  Grandma’s rose tea set was a fond memory to them all and on family get-togethers they would all squabble about who would inherit the last cup.

Julia was now 80 years old.  In their later years Julia and her husband Charles had moved to Argentina to enjoy the winter years of their lives but now, in 1932, some 5 years after Charles had passed away, Julia suddenly felt very lonely, standing in her kitchen holding on to the small tea cup.

Maybe it was time the tea cup, and she, moved back to home, to her family in Devon.       

Vlog! 10 Blogger Questions

I have recently seen both the fabulous Nikki and also Leah do this vlog challenge so I thought that I would do one too.

I didn't have the hindsight not to do it after a long day at work so I am a bit "off".  Sorry about that!

The Plus Sides of Plus North

I started plus size fashion blogging with the idea of improving my confidence in myself, in what I wore and hopefully finding some inspiration and new places to shop.  What I ended up finding was myself.  I know that sounds corny as hell, but it’s true.  It has taken so very very long but finally I have the confidence to be exactly who I am, with no apologies.  I wear what I want and I am happier now than I have ever been in my life.

In a very large part I have the plus size blogging community to thank for that.  The encouragement, the comments and the friends that I have found within the community have helped to support me and hold me up when I was at a low ebb.  They were my backbone before I grew one of my own.

No matter what your confidence level is, a place where you can feel comfortable enough to be completely yourself is a very special thing.    That for me is what Plus North turned out to be.

When I first bought tickets I was more than a little scared about meeting so many people I didn’t know.  Add the fact that I had been chosen to be one of the models and I was fully expectant of being a nervous wreck on the day. 

The plus size blogging community has from the start been an accepting and friendly place.  Everyone I have spoken to has been brilliant and supportive, but when everything is online, you can’t help but wonder what will happen in real life.   In turns out, in real life, everything was even better.

I met so many wonderful people and made a lot of great memories.  Kathryn's amazing hugs and how much she cheered for everyone, the fabulous Nikki who was my co-model and who I laughed with all day; particularly when getting ready for the Evans catwalk and I took seven attempts to get one top on.  

It was brilliant to meet Becky, Emma and her husband Chris, Kaye and her husband Andy, Beth and Steph and the lovely Sel Walker to name just a few.

What Becky and Toni have achieved in Plus North is nothing short of amazing.  It was a day that I don’t think I will ever forget.  Happiness, excitement, pride in how far I’ve come and sheer joy were only a few of the feelings I had whilst walking down the catwalk for the first time.    

I didn't manage to take any photos at the event, bad blogger, but here is one of me in the dress I bought from Sorrento Clothing which I wore for the after party.

Roll on next year!

Magnificent 7th - Animal Print

We will be posting on the 7th of each month, and the aim of the challenge is to create an outfit to fit the theme, using clothes from our wardrobes, and yes that does mean digging deep into the depths and finding those long lost clothes!  Hopefully one of us won't end up in the Narnia, but you never know with a blogger's wardrobe!

This month's theme is animal print, any animal you like!

Apologies for being late this month, I caught myself up in Plus North preparation and completely forgot! Bad blogger!!

Please check out the other ladies!

Beth

Becky

Nicola

Gail

Kirsty

Kaye

Mary

Kathryn

Steph

Charley

Rebecca

Nikki

Lindsey

Christiana

Averting a Fashion Disaster

Ok, so I’ve had a fashion disaster. 

You plan the perfect dress for an event that you have been looking forward to for months.  You store it away, pick the perfect shoes; get the right jewellery; all is well.  You have the perfect flesh coloured bra to go under it that is practically new so you don’t need to buy a new one.

 

Two days before the event you try on the entire ensemble to make sure that everything looks right.  Then, the disaster.  The bra.  Something’s happened to it in the washing machine.  It’s broken.  Panic.

 

So the red lace dress I was going to wear is now in the back of the wardrobe.  Nothing else looks right under it and I don’t have time to get a replacement before the event.  Time to improvise.

 

Luckily for me I have been on a bit of a buying spree this week.  One dress that I hadn’t thought would be suitable for Plus North now turns out to be the one I am going to wear.  It’s a magic dress.

 

Why magic?  Because I feel amazing in it.  You know when sometimes you try on a dress and the moment you look in a mirror, a massive smile appears on your face?  This dress did that for me. 

 

So whilst I am not wearing my confident red dress that I wanted, I have something else that makes me feel even better.  Also, wearing this dress (black and grey leopard print); it gives me the ideal opportunity to wear the one thing in the world that my heart truly belongs to.  Red shoes.

 

 

Looking forward to meeting you all at PlusNorth!

 

Creative Corner 3

The creative writing prompt was very short this time - just two words:

A Step

You know that saying "Every journey starts with a single step" ?  Well not to be disagreeable, but I believe that every true journey starts with the second step.

The first step is done hesitantly, with caution.  You can, and frequently do take the step back.  From the simplest thing of reading the synopsis of a book before you start reading it to choosing a different path that your life will take, that first step is always an exploratory one.

You may make hundreds, if not thousands of those first steps in your life.  A quick decision that you instantly change your mind on, an idea that you want to carry out but are still unsure; the new direction you want to take, but don't yet have the courage for.

The second step however, that is decisive.  You have made the choice, committed to it and you are going forward.  The second step is the one that is the hardest to take.  It shows that you are resolute in what you want, and you are going after it.

No one remembers the first step.  But the second, where the real action takes place, that is where the interesting things happen.

My New Favourite Thing

I thought that I would quickly share my outfit which I have worn to work today.  You have seen the fox print dress before (which can be found at +Very.co.uk ) but what I really wanted to show you was my new necklace which I found from Etsy.

I love all things that are from Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz.  This is the first of my necklaces that I have bought from Etsy recently, I will show you my Wizard of Oz necklace in another post.

 

 

Here is a close up of the necklace

 

 

If you want one for yourself, you can find it here at Etsy

 

What have you been buying recently?

 

 

 

Prancing round the Park

I decided to have a wander around the park today so thought I’d share a quick outfit of the day and a few photographs that I took whilst walking.

The park was practically empty.  I love it on days like that; I like to pretend that I am walking around my own private garden.

One more photograph for you, I went into my local Barnardos and found this beauty sitting on the shelf, waiting for me to buy it and take it home.  Would have been rude not too.

What did you get up to today?

OMCZ 14

Challenge 14

Unleash Your Wild Side!

Nat wrote: Leopard, cheetah, zebra....... I hope that will join me in unleashing your wild side and show some love for  animal print! Shoes, tops ,bags or be brave and go head to toe!

Now when I read this challenge idea my first thought was panic as I don't own any animal print clothing.  I do have plans to add a couple of pieces to my wardrobe for the A/W season but at the moment, my animal side is severely lacking!

I then remembered this bag below which I found in my local charity shop which I instantly fell in love with. I decided to use it as an inspiration for an outfit.  Hope you like it!

The black dress is from the @So_Fab_Clothing range at +Very.co.uk the red cardigan is from Primark, the necklace is from +Superdrug and the handbag as I said, was a charity shop find.

Check out the other ladies in the challenge:

Stephanie  http://www.seeingsp0ts.blogspot.co.uk
Gail  http://www.gailygumdrops.blogspot.ie
Leah  http://www.justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk
Mary  http://www.marysbigcloset.blogspot.pt
Becky Brown http://www.doesmyblogmakemelookfat.com
Emma http://www.meetthemillards.co.uk/
Rachel  http://www.adressisforlife.com/
Natalie http://awheelbarrowfullofstyle.blogspot.co.uk/
Rachel  http://stateofmylessthanthree.blogspot.co.uk/

Rebecca http://theplussideofme.com

Nikki http://www.nattynikki.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebs http://sullen-hearts.blogspot.co.uk/
Verena http://aplussizefashionobsession.blogspot.de/
Beka bekasstuffystuff.blogspot.com
Vicky http://www.thecurvedopinion.com/
Sabina http://www.femmefatalexsabina.blogspot.de/

My Heart Skips a Beat

I am on the hunt.  The hunt for the perfect black ankle boot.  It has to go with both jeans and dresses and it has to have "that thing".

What is that thing you ask?  Well if you are a shoe addict you will know.  When you first set your eyes on a pair of shoes and your heart skips a beat.  There is a sharp intake of breath and a little voice inside you whispers "They are the ones".  There is an immediate bond.

I am not the type that can just buy a pair of shoes, they have to speak to me.  The Mary Jane style of shoe for example owns a little piece of my heart. 

When it comes to ankle boots for Winter, I tend to look for boots that are comfortable and can be worn with either a dress or jeans.  Something that is both versatile but still stylish.  Here are my favourites for the upcoming season.  One of these lovelies needs to be mine.

A/W Ankle Boots & a Pretty Bag by kittycoop featuring studded ankle booties

During my ankle boot search I also came across the perfect bag.  Crocodile skin and a bow, I practically swooned.  Isn't it just perfect?

What are your favourites for the upcoming season?

MSVJ5M626AVD 

Sunday Style

I went out for a lovely meal yesterday with family so thought I would share my outfit and also my new hair, newly coloured to a much darker shade than I had anticipated, but I love it!

You have seen this dress before on the blog, but I love it so much, it’s here again.



I also had to show you this photograph of my mum.  She never believes me when I tell her how amazing she looks.  She is 73 believe it or not.   I can only hope I look as good as she does at her age.

What have you been doing this weekend?

Friends for Life

I used to be addicted to the "Friends" series.  I still miss it.

I came across this on Buzzfeed, you may have seen it, but if you haven't, you NEED to check this out.

I came across all nostalgic!

31 Things Friends Taught Us About Life

Enjoy!

 

Losing my Way

I’ve lost my way in blogging.   I didn’t mean to, but it has gradually happened over the course of the past few months and I have realised it this week.

Since February of this year my blog has become very plus size fashion focussed, with just the odd opinion piece thrown in.  Whilst I love putting up the pictures, writing about the clothes and choosing my outfits to go on the blog, I am now feeling a pressure behind it.

This is a pressure of my own making, to always have a new outfit to show, making sure I have enough clothing posts on the blog each week.  What is that even all about? To have “enough” clothing posts?  Since when have I put my blog under a military regime of what I can and cannot blog about?

I had another opinion post that I was going to put up this week and I found myself worrying that I should have been putting up an outfit instead.  That’s when it hit me; I have become more focussed on what other people think of my blog than what I think about it.  It wasn’t intentional, but it happened.

I have become too obsessed with fan girling about other people’s fashion blogs, about how many great outfit posts they do, how well they always style clothing, how regularly they post and how good their blogs look.  I realised that I have turned my own blog into effectively keeping up with the Jones.

I never wanted my blog to be one subject based.  I enjoy doing my opinion/rant pieces just as much as the fashion and beauty ones.  Frankly I don’t have enough money for the blog to become solely fashion based, nor would I want it to become that.

As a person I am a mixed bag.  I love fashion and Formula One; I love shoes and Sci-Fi movies.  I have (probably too) many opinions that I want to write about and my confidence is up and down like a yo yo.   That is what I wanted my blog to be, a mixed bag which is a reflection of myself.

So I am going to stop worrying about what other people think of my blog and just be me.  Write about what I want to in that second.  I will still probably post as regularly and there will still be the outfit posts, the beauty posts, the wish lists.  The opinion ranty stuff will still be there. 

Now though I am opening myself up to other possibilities.  I might even try a once a month creative writing post.  I’ve wanted to try something like that for a while now but I was (again) worried that it wouldn’t fit my blog.  But it fits me.  So I may well give it a go.

I’ve rambled on a bit here but I think what has been in my head has come across.  Always, that is me, I’m a rambler.  It’s what I do ;)

 

Pushing Boundaries

Today I decided to push myself a little on the old make up front. 

 

I have previously done a post called “Bare Faced Cheek” where I was pushing the boundaries of what amount or lack thereof, makeup I was happy wearing in front of a camera.  Actually going out in public like that is a further step forward.

 

Now I am not going to say to you that I am suddenly going to stop wearing makeup.  I’m not.  I love it and I love how it can transform your face depending on what look you are going for.  But I would also like to feel comfortable going to work with no makeup on.

 

Especially on those mornings when you are running on slow speed and putting on makeup is the thing that will make you miss your bus or make you late for work.  It isn't that important.  Yet I can't count the number of times I have left the house late because I have needed to "make myself presentable".

 

So here I am at work, no makeup, shiny nose, no eyeliner.  The world did not end.  People didn't draw back in horror.  The mirror didn't crack.  I look fine.

 

Whilst makeup is still something I choose to wear on a daily basis, I now know that I can live without it too.  Another step in being comfortable in your own skin.

 

Silent Sunday

Girl’s Night

Just wanted to share the outfit I wore last night.

Myself and my two best friends had planned a catch up with involved first much gossip, wine and 90’s music at my friend’s house to get us in the mood and then off out into town for a few drinks and a dance.

Alas due to the pulled muscle in my leg I didn’t get to do much dancing, but there was a lot of laughter, gossip and much needed time with two of my favourite people.

I wore my black Hush Puppy shoes, purple tights from Evans and a geometric print dress from South at +Very.co.uk .

After some persuading from my friends, I decided to ditch the little black shrug I had been wearing and went out with bare arms, so was feeling very brave as my arms are a part of my body I don’t like.

I had a fab time though and absolutely loved the dress.   Here’s the link to the dress if you fancy one yourself South Shirt Dress  I really want a mustard colour cardigan to go with it now, but need to be good on the spending front for the moment!

What did you get up to last night?

New Blog Challenge, Any Takers?

I’m thinking of starting a new blog challenge, so thought I would first write a post to see if anyone wished to join me.

 

This challenge would be once a month, on a fixed date.

 

The idea I have is one of a confidence booster.  Something very simple.  At some point during the month, take a photograph of yourself.  Not when you have decided to take photographs for a blog post or when you know that you are going to be dressed up.  Take the photograph when you look in the mirror and think to yourself “I look good today”.

 

I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t think that every time I look in the mirror but now and again, I’ll look, and think “You know what, you look ok today”.  That’s the image I want to capture.  Not planned, not prepared, just whenever you feel you look good, but it in your pajamas or a ball gown.

 

The title of the challenge, unless something can think of something better, will be “I Feel Good”.

 

I thought that I would put the idea out there to see if anyone wanted to join me, or if not, I will do it myself.

If you are interested, please email me at thecurvedopinion@gmail.com  I would love to hear from you.

 

Cereal for Breakfast, Tuna for Lunch

I wanted to write this post further to a blog that the fabulous Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista wrote on Wednesday, found here at I am always more than just a blogger.

She was talking about her friend, who had been told that she was “just a blogger”.

I always find it interesting to note when people insult bloggers.  While some people understand blogging and enjoy reading/writing them, many others have no comprehension what blogging is all about and insult it instead.  Sound familiar?  Insulting what you don’t understand? 

One pre conception I often hear is that bloggers write down everything about their lives, from what they had for breakfast to what pyjamas they are wearing that night.  Everything is micro analysed in the smallest detail and written about. Maybe some do, but so what?  That’s their bag, what they enjoy doing, who are you to criticise?

Blogging can be many things to many people.  I for instance used it in the beginning as my own free form of therapy.  Talking through my fingers rather than saying it out loud.  Any issue I have or problem I am worrying about, I write about it and nine times out of ten, I find the solution right there in what I have written.

source

Now I blog about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, opinion pieces, whatever takes my fancy.  It is something that I adore doing and the fact that some people would insult you for that blows my mind a little.

I started to think today as well; how many people who have insulted bloggers actually read blogs to find out what a product is like?  I bet many do it without even realising it.

That mobile phone review on Youtube, that’s a blogger.  That detailed camera review you found that tells you everything you need to know, that’s a blogger.  That £1 miracle mascara that you have thanks to something you saw online singing it’s praises, that’s a blogger.

I spend the equivalent of a full working day (probably more) each week doing what I do, if I review something (either paid for by myself or gifted) I try to be as accurate as possible, and if once in a while something that I say helps someone else to improve their lives; well what is better than that?

I read the post, as did many, on Wednesday entitled "The Rise of the Fatshion Blogger" (since deleted).  The writer implied that bloggers were solely in it for the freebies these days and that we were all doing somersaults for the brands in order to get attention.

Personally, I feel extremely lucky to have been allowed to review anything.  I don't accept every offer that comes my way and if I don't like something or notice an issue with something I have been gifted, I say it.  I checked the count and I have reviewed 9 pieces within the last 150 posts. 

I got into fashion blogging because I love fashion, I adore the plus size fashion community and have felt welcomed by it.  There are some amazing people who didn't deserve the critique that they received from someone who was clearly following them and reading their posts, but then slating them behind their backs.

So having read the posts as above, I still say yes, I am a blogger, and I am damn proud to be one and part of the plus size community.  Are you?