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