Fashion Icons Through the Ages: 1920's Coco Chanel

When you think of Chanel as a brand, you're immediately drawn to the simple and classic style that Coco Chanel herself was a pioneer for. She blew the corseted silhouette for women out of the water, and wore trousers when they were still thought to be just for men.

The epitome of style, Coco made a staple of simple black tops with strings of pearls and the signature Chanel boxy jacket. 

Google an image of Coco Chanel and you'll find pictures of her in wide leg trousers with her hands in her pockets; she was a woman well beyond her time, undoubtedly the coolest woman of the 20's.

Famous for advising 'before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off', Coco Chanel's monochromatic style never seems to date. Celebrities are constantly imitating her style and Karl Lagerfeld continues to promote her legacy through his own similar sleek style.

Nothing about Coco Chanel is fussy or taken for granted. Every piece on her body, including perfume, is meticulously thought about, creating the faultless fashion icon of the 1920's that we love.

Within these posts I am going to challenge myself to create an outfit inspired by each of these style icons. I'm not going to try to imitate them because I want my own style to be complimented by my influences rather than covered by them.

The main influence I've taken from Chanel is the monochromatic theme so I've got a simple black dress which is actually a midi dress that I hoiked up with a belt to be a bit shorter. The dress is from H&M for £7.99 and is the perfect basic. I might even do a series of posts on how to use this dress in different outfits.

I just paired this with a black and white striped top from newlook ages ago. I thought that a whole string of pearls was a bit much for me personally so I went with a short string with small pearls instead.

For shoes I just went with smart brogues from Primark years ago but it's always a good idea to have brogues in your wardrobe as they're a classic staple that will never go out of style.

I really like this outfit and will be wearing again because I love the simplicity and it's a bit different to what I normally go for. It's good to go outside of your style comfort zone!

The next installment in this series will be an icon from the 1920's and 30's.

Tune in for that!

Sam x

Fashion Icons Throughout the Ages

Coming this week will be the start of a new series of weekly posts about fashion throughout different decades. The posts will be centred around different fashion icon of a certain era.

If you have any fashion icons you would like to see a post on please let me know in the comments section, or on Instagram.

Until then!

Sam x

Plus Size Fashion: Celebrity Makeover Photoshoot

I recently got asked in my Student's Union to fill out a survey. It was just about online shopping and the guy said that you could win prizes for completing it. I wasn't holding out much hope for that, but I ended up winning a celebrity makeover photoshoot with one free photo to take home.

Unfortunately I couldn't take any photos inside the building but I have included some of the final photos.

The day was great, and I could take a friend who would also have a makeover and her photos taken, so I took my friend Harriet (whose blog you can find here: http://styluscouncil.blogspot.co.uk ).

We were both a little out of our comfort zone, we'd never had someone else do our make up and hair and I for one am very particular about that. I'll admit I am anal about my hair and make up but the girls did a great job on both of our make up looks. My hair was a little more bouffant than I like it to be but once it had flattened a little throughout the shoot I was much happier with it.

Our photographer was lovely and helped to put us more at ease and we ended up with some absolutely great photos. I got 11 photos for a very discounted price partly because I was a prize winner.

For those of you living in Bath or surrounding areas, this service is from Art Team Makeovers which is located in Bath city centre. I highly recommend it!

Sam x

Plus Size Fashion: OOTD I won an award!

On Tuesday of last week I attended an awards ceremony and showcase of work for my creative writing course. Everyone's work was absolutely brilliant and I'm so proud to have been on a course with such talented people.

I had been told that I had won the leadership award for my work with second year performance poets and on poetry events that I ran with my friend Jp. However, when I got there I'd actually won two awards, the Leadership award and Rising Star in Performance Poetry award.

I don't usually win things like this, even though I always strive to be the best, so I was so happy to have received two! I'm so proud of my friends Katie and Nadia who also won prizes for writing for young people and the Picador prize, respectively. It was brilliant for third years to get together and share their work and be rewarded.

Anyway, enough gushing, onto the outfit. I knew it would just be a casual thing, and that day I also had an interview exam for one of my modules and was staying in uni all day so I wanted to be comfortable as it was hot that day.

The top I'm wearing is an off the shoulder crop top from New look and I'm also wearing just a strapless bandeau bra. As a lady with a larger bust, my shoulders can sometimes get sore from bra straps and the weight of my boobs so I like to wear this comfy bra every so often. Sorry if that's TMI but a lot of girls struggle with this!

My denim skirt is originally from Tesco but I got it on eBay years ago for about 2 quid. Underneath this, to keep some of my dignity, I'm wearing cycling shorts from H&M with lace around the bottom. I'm not very good at being lady like and more random people have seen my arse than I care to remember, so these are perfect.

My cardigan is just a really lightweight one from New Look about 3 years ago. It's almost falling apart which I'm very sad about because I wear it all the time.

The shoes I'm wearing are just some cheap converse style pumps from Primark about a year ago.

I love this look, it's so comfortable and I also think it's very flattering on me. The white of the top, when I have the cardigan off, also flatters my tan which is a bonus for me.

Again, well done to everyone who won prizes on Tuesday and have a brilliant graduation!

Sam x

Plus Size Fashion: OOTD Neon in the sun

The sun finally came out! Admittedly not for long; it's fairly overcast today. But the main thing is, it was here. For some amount of time.

I think I've probably said this before but coming from South Devon means that whenever the weather gets even slightly mild, we all start wearing shorts and dresses and you'd be pushed to find a man with his top on. As there are a lot of marines and young farmers around Torquay, I'm not wholly opposed to this!

So naturally, I sought out the shortest shorts I could find. I know some people think that because I am a lady of a larger variety, I shouldn't be wearing short shorts, but I'm pretty proud of my legs and I had a fresh (fake) tan, so God dammit I was going to get them out. And why should I let other people dictate my fashion choices? If they ain't Gok Wan, I don't give a damn!

So these shorts are just some cheapies from H&M that I usually wear for pyjamas, but they were freshly washed and accentuated my tan. They are so comfortable and don't show my bum cheeks so that's definitely a winner in my book.

As I was going to the park with my friends for a picnic, it would be around the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. For that reason, I wore this big loose t-shirt that is also from H&M. It was nice and big so still cool enough for a hot day, but it also kept me protected as I burn very easily on my back and shoulders. However, you can still be sunburnt through clothes so of course I kept my sunscreen topped up.

I'm very particular about protection from the sun now. Apart from it bringing on premature ageing, I had to have a mole taken off last year that the doctor thought was suspicious, which was enough for me to seriously think about how I protect myself in the sun, as the mole wasn't even in a place I got burnt very much. So if you're wondering what the little scar on my left ankle is, that's where I had the mole taken off.

For shoes I just wore my white jellie sandals from Primark. I think I must have extremely thin skin on my feet because the amount of blisters I get is horrendous. Or it could be the shoes I'm wearing! It is that but beauty is pain. So that's why you can see big old plasters all over my feet.

It was a lovely day with my friends out in front of the Royal Crescent in Bath. We're all graduating this year so we're making an effort to do as much as we can before we all leave.

Until next time!

Sam x

Plus Size Fashion: Casual OOTN and Jelly Shoes

This is the last post for today I promise (at least it gives you good bedtime reading material).

This week I've had a little more time to go out of an evening so I've had excuses to dress up a bit nicer. I did go out for a curry and loved my outfit but the pictures were a bit dodge so I'll retake them soon and post about that.

This OOTN was a bit more casual as friends and I were just walking around Bath listening to the music that was being played in loads of different venues around the city for a one night festival. It was a great night to be outside so we went to Bath Parade Gardens to watch a few bands, including The Zu Zu Men who did a 20 minute medley of songs. They were really something else and we even managed a little subtle dancing.

Before I get onto the actual outfit I need to do a little more babbling. The three of us listening to the band in park saw our future selves. It was like something out of Back To The Future, it was uncanny. The were around mum age and their children looked mortified as they were busting out their best mum dance moves. I personally love mum dancing so I was happy to see my future self doing it so well.

Anyway back to the actual subject of this post. I was feeling pretty tired from shopping in Bristol that day so I wasn't up for pretty dresses or whatever, but I wanted to wear a couple things that I got in Primark. The top I have on was 2 (my pound sign is still broken) and my housemate said it was a little highschool musical and I have to agree but I love these style tops. It's so soft and you could wear it with anything.

I'm also wearing my trusty dark blue jeggings that I got years ago at Tesco from the F&F range. They've now got a hole dangerously close to my lady garden but I can't throw them away because I can't find another pair that fit like these do. Unfortunately I tried to buy jeggings from Tesco again but they must have changed the pattern because they just don't fit the same. I'll be wearing these until they are just rags with a waistband.

Now for the crowning glory of this somewhat boring outfit, the heeled jelly shoes. If you don't by now, I love the 90's; not just the fashion, but everything. When jelly shoes started being produced in adult sizes I was all over it like a rash. I got two flat pairs from Primark months ago but was waiting for them to produce the heeled version because I knew it would only be a matter of time.

Now, I was going to wear these jelly shoes to my summer ball, which I know some people will think a little odd. I've since changed the dress I'm going to wear so they don't match anymore, but the beauty of it is they were only six pounds and so it doesn't matter and I can wear them any time I like now. Inevitably, I was going to end up with a pair anyway (I know I have too many shoes mum but look at them). I couldn't be happier with them and everyone is jealous mwahahaha.

Okay they have given me rather bad blisters, but what's a little pain if your feet look this cute?

Well, that's it for this post but hopefully I'll be back updating again tomorrow!

Sam x

Guest Fashionista: Curves aren't just for big girls

Today's post is going to be a little different. From time to time I'm going to be featuring people who I find fashionable and inspirational, and this lady is both. Like I've said before, just because I happen to be plus size, that's not all I'm going to be writing about. And being plus size isn't the only way you can have curves; curvy shouldn't be a code word for fat.

I first met Sue on my creative writing course in the second year when we had a class together. We happened to workshop our writing together quite a lot and so we struck up a friendship. I'd seen Sue around in the first year and had always admired her style, forever looking effortlessly cool. I also loved that, although she is a little older than your average student, she didn't let it hinder her fashion choices, and why should it?

Sue's style almost made me forget she wasn't around my age, and more than a few times, I've gone into class and seen her wearing something I wouldn't be daring enough to wear.

So during one of our last novel writing classes together I asked if I could take a photo of her for my blog. She told me she always worried that her fashion choices weren't on point, which actually couldn't be further from the truth.

What I love about Sue's style is that it is so unique and she always looks put together, even if I know she isn't feeling it. Sue has been through a lot in her lifetime and I love chatting with her because she just has so many interesting stories and advice. I can always count on her to cheer me up if I'm feeling down at all!

Some of the staples that I've seen Sue wear are patterned trousers which really show off her wonderful figure. In this photo she is wearing another lightweight pair of patterned trousers which I happen to love, especially paired with these boat shoes she's wearing.

I also love the way she has styled this cropped denim shirt with a long necklace and layering. She's taken androgynous and made it ultra cool. Her cropped hair will never go out of fashion and there is never a strand out of place.

Not only does Sue inspire me in terms of fashion, but she's also one considerate and interesting lady that I'm very glad to have met.

You go Big Bad Sue!

Sam x

Plus Size OOTN: Swimwear as an outfit?!

Hi all, I actually went out during the night! So now I can show you what I wore.

This is actually from a week ago but I've been so busy looking for housing that I haven't been able to post. So last Saturday a couple of my friends and I went out after a long slog of work was over; we needed alcohol to refresh us, ready for the next bout, amIright? Anyway, because I'm on this diet I calculated how many drinks I could have and of course went over that limit the minute I stepped out of the door. It doesn't help when people are buying you jagerbombs; I'm a Boarer, we love those things.

So as per usual we ended up getting a little more merry than had been intended, but fun was had and my hangover the next day wasn't too bad, and I ended up catching up on the sleep I desperately needed.

Right, back to what this post is actually about! I got this kaftan from H&M for 7.99, but had 5 off because I gave in a bag of my old clothes. And yes, I know a kaftan is just supposed to be a cover but I don't play by the rules. I figured that with tights and a slip underneath it could pass as a dress.

So that's what I did, and just paired it with my trusty Coltrane lookalike boots, straight hair, bit of make up, and it instantly dressed my swimwear up. I also just used my multi-way leather look bag which can be a cross the body bag or a rucksack. It's from everything5pounds.com which is a brilliant site! It even does plus size clothes, which aren't terribly fashionable but sometimes you can find a gem.

I love the colour of this kaftan, it goes well with my hair colour and it's so summery and fresh. I also wore this ensemble to dinner a couple nights before and just slung on my faux leather jacket from the New Look Inspire range. It toughened it up a bit which I liked.

My housemate has already purchased a kaftan like this but in a different print. They have them in so many lush colours and prints that I think they will be selling out fast.

My next post will feature a guest whose fashion I find awesome and inspirational. So make sure you come back for that!

Sammy x

DIY: Revamped hoop earrings

Hello all, something a bit different for you today; a DIY! This was super simple and ultra cheap, but still such an effective idea. Well I'm just going to right on into it.

You will need:

Hoop Earrings (Mine were 5 sets for a pound in Primark. Bargain!)

Embroidery or cross stitch thread.

Step 1.

Tie the thread to one end of the hoop. It doesn't really matter which one but do a very tight double not to make sure it's secure.

Step 2.

Making sure that the loose end is tucked in, start windings the thread around the metal. You tuck the thread in so that the knot is even more secure, and you don't have anything dangling off in mid-air.

Step 3.

Carry on winding until you get to the other end of the hoop, making sure you keep it tight. You can do it this way so that you can't see any of the gold showing through, or you can do it more spaced apart so that you can. It's up to your preference.

Step 4.

When you get to the end do another double knot, making sure it is very tight.

Step 5. (optional)

Since making these earrings I have actually covered the end in a layer of super glue so that I know that they're not going anywhere!

And there you have it, your new revamped, slightly ghetto fabulous, earrings. You'll no doubt see these in a future oufit of the day post so keep a look out and let me know if you make some yourself!

Sammy x

Plus Size Fashion: OOTD Wet look leggings

Today was intensive dissertation work ALL DAY, and it's in for tomorrow. I think we've done okay with it though (that's me and my partner not the royal we).

I just wanted something comfy to wear today so I threw on my trusty Primark tunic/long top/extremely short dress, I don't really know what it is. I have two of them, this one you see here and a graffiti print one, they are just so comfy and easy to wear. With this I just wore some wet look leggings that were on sale in Matalan for 2 pounds. I'm also just wearing a simple black hoodie from primark that I basically live in.

But they fell down all day, even when I was sitting down, and they often my pants down with them. Not the most flattering thing in the world but when they're pulled up they look good with my pink hi-top Converse. I put yellow glow in the dark laces in them that were from H&M. They came in a two pack and the other pair were pink but they are currently in my purple Docs.

I'm addicted to high exploding 90's ponytails and I'm growing my hair so just tend to put it up a lot.

On a side note, I got my graduation pack through the door a couple of days ago which is very exciting. We're having our graduation in Bath Abbey which will be awesome. We have to wear navy blue caps and gowns but they are open at the front so you will be able to see my dress.

My mum has said that I lose lots more weight before then (which I will) then she will treat me to a dress. When it comes to shoes we have to be careful in the Abbey because it's very uneven. I said this to my mum and said I'd better wear my Doc boots but she said no :( My friend Anna also tried that with her mum but she had the same opinion as mine.

I don't know what it is about a posh do that makes me want to rachet it up a bit.

Anyway, talk soon,

Sammy x

Plus Size Fashion: OOTD Hearts and Neon

Hello again! So today I went to see two of my friends in a play called The Beggar's Opera at a lovely theatre in Bath. They did so well and I love going to see them perform, and although my arse was a bit numb by the end of it, it was a great show.

It was a matinee and I don't think it was something you'd dress up for anyway so I did my usual thing of dressing like a child. I do like this outfit though, and it's really comfortable.

The dress was only five pounds from a pop up shop in Exeter around Christmas time. It's a strange material, silky but still quite heavy, with the little red hearts being made of a faux velvet type of fabric. It is, as you can see, very short, but I'm tired of tights and it's officially May now and that's Summer in my weird book. Also, I've resigned myself to the fact that people are going to see my arse when I walk up stairs. And when I bend down. And when the wind blows.

But I figure as long as I wear shorts underneath and don't get arrested for indecent exposure then that's okay.

It was really warm today so I didn't need a jacket but I didn't want to just wear the dress because I'm not in love with my arms, especially in spaghetti straps. So I teamed the dress with a neon yellow/green crop top. I like the combination, but I'm not in love with it, and I prefer to wear a white t-shirt underneath but I couldn't find it as I think it's in the wash.

The shoes I'm wearing are just simple pink holographic ballet style pumps. I don't often wear these because really flat shoes hurt my back as I have quite a back lower back injury. Also I don't really like how really flat shoes like this make my bare legs look. I'm already stumpy enough as it is!

I've included a close up look at my outfit today as well you lucky buggers! The watch I'm wearing was 2.99 (my pound sign doesn't work) on eBay and it came with a free bracelet which I gave to my foster sister. So as you can guess, it turns my wrist green, but I like the way it looks (the watch, not my green wrist) and it's rose gold coloured, so even when the colour inevitably comes off, it won't actually look too different.

My friend Hattie convinced me to wear my hair down today although at the beginning of the day I thought I was having a bad hair day but it got a bit better. I know it's all in my head.

I'm just wearing some big gold coloured hoops from River Island that were super cheap...annnnndd... I think that's it!

I'm preparing a DIY post for old jewellery for my next appearance here, and once I get my student loan in I will be going out on the weekend so there will be an Outfit of the Night coming too!

'Til then...

Sammy x

Plus Size Fashion: OOTD 90's Floral

On Wednesday I joined my friends in Bristol for an animation event at The Cube Cinema and since it was mildly good weather I decided to get my legs out. It really doesn't take much for me to get the sandals out and ditch the tights!

I almost sold this dress on eBay but I'm so glad I didn't because I love it and it's so flattering. I should have taken some pictures of the back of it but until I can figure out a way to take pictures without a mirror this will have to do. The back of it is kind of like a racer back, so I've got a little device that pulls my bra straps at the back together so that you can't see them. Magic!

The dress on it's own isn't particularly a 90's style but with my denim jacket, which i can't stop wearing, and my cut out boots from New Look that are dupes of the Coltranes, it does take on that sort of style.

I also just wore my hair in a super high explosive ponytail and put a scrunchie round it for extra 90's flare. My make up is simple as I still can't wear eye make up so I'm just wearing foundation and purple lipstick.

Unfortunately that day I was still suffering from the blisters after wearing my Dr Marten sandals and I thought these boots would be okay as they're one of my most comfortable shoes. But I think that any shoes would have torn my feet further apart and I was in terrible pain by the end of the day.

But I will continue to suffer for the art of beauty!

Until next time...

Sammy x

Lactose Free Cheese and Marmite Muffins

I've just got back to uni and am waiting for my loan to come in and currently have one pound to my name and I'm using that for the gym locker so I can't spend it.

I'm on a diet at the moment and need three healthy snacks a day to keep my metabolism up but am running low on those so I thought I'd try to make something from what I have in my cupboard. I've really been craving savoury things; I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I also suffer with IBS so things like milk and cheese are a problem for me.

I searched for recipes for scones and muffins with the least amount of ingredients and came across one for basic muffins that I thought I could adapt to my own choice. The recipe is so easy and you just bung it all into one bowl and mix then distribute it into muffin cases. Here is my adapted recipe, but of course you can use proper milk and cheese if you like, but it is a lot less fat if you don't.

225 ml Soya Milk
A Pinch of Salt
250g Self Raising Flour
Any sensible amount of cheese you like
1 tsp of Marmite or Vegemite
40g Extra Light Mayo

I know the mayo sounds weird but it makes the muffins nice and fluffy. I haven't tried without it but I think you could get away without it.

Each muffin is around 90 calories, depending on how much cheese you use, but they're perfect for a little healthy snack and this recipe makes around 12 small muffins.

Now it's just a case of not eating them all in one go!

Sammy x