Curvy Kate Maya Red Print Balconnette Bikini Top 34K and High Waist Briefs 18

I'm breaking away from my marathon of reviewing Forever 21+ swimwear for a moment to bring you something bra-sized for a change in celebration of National Bikini Day.

I have been asked quite a few times if I would be reviewing anything from Curvy Kate's 2018 collection and although I can't afford to buy anything myself at the moment I decided to order a bikini, take some pictures for a review, and send it back. So that's exactly what I did!

I opted for the Curvy Kate Maya balconette bikini top and high waist briefs in red print.

Image courtesy of Curvy Kate

Simply Be Extra Curvy Plus Boots - Do You Get What You Pay For?

I have always had wide calves. I inherited my dad's thick rugby player legs and I have always had difficulty getting a decent fit in any kind of trousers or jeans. It doesn't help that I have a 19" difference between my waist and hips (currently at 32" and 51" respectively) but my thighs are also pretty chunky and don't like to be contained by fabrics, especially those of the non-stretch kind. My calves haven't usually caused an issue with leg wear garments, but they most certainly have with boots.

Every autumn I eagerly go to shoe shops and make online orders in a bid to find the perfect knee high boots...but every time I am sorely let down by how the boots fit me in the calf. They simply don't! I have tried all the usual suspects, including Evans, Yours Clothing, and even Duo Boots, but none have given me a perfect fit. They have either not been wide enough in the calf, or the width of the foot area has been insufficient. I know, I know...I have a very awkward body! But I strive to find a decent fit in footwear as well as in clothing, so my search for perfect boots has been a long-lasting one.

I was therefore super excited when Simply Be brought out a range of extra wide calf boots: the Extra Curvy Plus range.

Blogger Em Boombands Dress In Collaboration With Simply Be Designed For You 14

Earlier this year, online plus size retailer Simply Be worked with three bloggers to design their dream dresses. It was such a wonderful opportunity for Laura, Lauren and Em and they each came up with a unique design that was very typically 'them'.

Simply Be: Gok Wan Shapewear Collection Bloggers' Event

In late October, Simply Be invited plus size fashion bloggers galore to head to London to meet the fabulous Gok Wan and familiarise themselves with his latest shapewear collection. Fortunately, I was on annual leave at the time, so I donned my BiuBiu Vienna Dress (having altered the belt to fit) and caught a train to the big smoke during the day to met up with Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust for lunch and a long overdue catch up before we made our way to the Covent Garden Hotel for the event.

Anna Scholz for Simply Be Plain Ruched Dress 14

I recently saw the gorgeous Fuller Figure Fuller Bust looking amazing in this Anna Scholz for Simply Be Plain Ruched Dress (£68):

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Anna Scholz for Simply Be Print Midi Dress 14

If you're a regular reader of my blog you'll be very familiar with my love for Anna Scholz's stunning plus size designs.  Sadly I am not in a position to be able to afford items from her own label so I am eternally grateful that I can get designer plus size fashion at a snip thanks to her collaborative line with Simply Be.

When I was recently contacted by Simply Be I had a couple of dresses in mind, and one of them was this beautiful Anna Scholz for Simply Be Print Midi Dress (£56).

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Anna Scholz for Simply Be Mock Wrap Dress in Blue

Around 18 months ago, I attended a fab plus-size bloggers' event called Plus London Two.  This was the first such event I'd ever been to and I had a wonderful time meeting ladies who I'd only ever spoken to virtually before.

During the day, we were lucky enough to spend quite some time at the lovely Anna Scholz's HQ.  We got to try on items from the latest collection and generally had heaps of fun.

'My Boudoir': My Very First Photoshoot Experience

I am sure many of you will have seen the stunning photographs of Georgina from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust that were taken during her photoshoot with Nicola from My Boudoir a few months ago.  I am fortunate enough to know Georgina personally and consider her one of my closest friends so I am already well aware of her natural beauty.  However, even I was wowed by how amazing she looked in these photos and I wondered if I would ever have the opportunity to take part in something like that.

Roll forward a few months, and you can imagine how thrilled I was to hear that exactly such a chance was open to me - my own photoshoot with My Boudoir and Georgina!

Anna Scholz for Simply Be Cowl Colour Block Dress

Earlier this year, UK plus-size brand Simply Be launched the Spring/Summer 2013 range from Anna Scholz.  It comprised a range of lovely items, all with Anna's signature bold prints and/or feminine shapes.

I was offered the opportunity to try something from the range and I immediately chose the gorgeous Cowl Colour Block Dress:

Simply Be Flock Baroque Print Skater Dress

Have you ever seen a dress on one of your friends and wanted desperately to own one yourself?  Well, that's exactly what happened to me when I saw this post featuring the Simply Be Flock Baroque Print Skater Dress.  

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Simply Be Viva La Diva Pewter Shoes EEE Fit

Shoes.  I love them.  I hate them.  They give me pleasure.  They give me pain.  My troublesome feet make it very difficult for me to find shoes that are comfortable but stylish so I'm always trying different options in the hope that I'll find something that works for me.

I recently placed a reasonably large footwear order with Simply Be.  Amongst the items I ordered were the Viva La Diva Pewter Shoes EEE Fit:

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Simply Be Mary Jane Block Heel Court Shoes EEE Fit

Several weeks ago, I was feeling particularly fed up with having hardly any shoes that fitted me properly and were comfortable so I went on a footwear binge and ordered a TON of shoes from Simply Be.

I have long relied on Simply Be for wide-fitting shoes - did you know they stock footwear in a range of widths all the way up to EEEEE?  I usually find that the EEE works best for me, but this varies depending on the style of the shoe/sandal/boot and sometimes I size up or down in shoe size and/or width.  It's great to have the luxury of options like this, which is not something easily found on the UK high street, so I am eternally thankful for brands like Simply Be who really understand the varying sizing needs for footwear.

When my huge order arrived, I had great fun trying on all the shoes.  I ended up keeping several pairs, with one of them being the Simply Be Mary Jane Block Heel Court Shoes EEE Fit:

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Simply Be WOW Peplum Illusion Dress

What do you think about peplums?  My opinion varies, depending on who is wearing it and how.  For example, one of the local weather presenters on tv sometimes wears them and they look awful on her.  She is fairly tall and has a long torso but wears regular sized dresses (as opposed to those specifically for tall people) so they just don't sit in the right place on her.

I have never tried on a peplum skirt or dress myself.  I have been told that the purpose of a peplum is to highlight one's waist and/or hips...well, I am lucky enough to have been blessed with a figure that does just that all by itself, without the addition of a frill on my clothing.  But I have also been told that a peplum would look amazing on me so it's something I have wanted to try, merely out of curiosity.

Simply Be Pleat Dress

The lovely people at Simply Be have been getting in touch with some of us bloggers lately to help them promote their 'Find your perfect Christmas party dress!' campaign.  I jumped at the chance when they emailed me - any excuse for more pretty dresses!

I had a long look through the items available at Simply Be and in the end settled on the Pleat Dress.

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Simply Be And Abigail Strappy Wedges E Fit

Following on from my recent review of the Simply Be Viva La Diva T-Bar Sandals EEE Fit, I also received a pair of wedge sandals from the wonderful people at Simply Be that I wanted to review.

When browsing the Simply Be website these And Abigail Strappy Wedges E Fit jumped out from the screen at me and I knew I had to give them a try for myself.

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Simply Be Viva La Diva T-Bar Sandals EEE Fit

First of all I must apologise for not having posted for a couple of weeks.  Things got really hectic with My Blog's First Birthday Giveaway, as well as with work and my personal life, which has meant that I needed to take a break for a little while.  Thank you for bearing with me - normal service will now resume :-)

Back in the summer, I was on the lookout for a dazzling outfit to wear to a posh do I had to attend with work.  Not only did I need a frock, but also shoes to match.  It's always a bit of a quandary with an outfit - is it best to pick the shoes first or the dress?  I daresay the majority of people would say the dress, but for me it can often be best to start with the shoes.  

The reason for this is that I have VERY difficult feet.  Here are my main issues:

My Blog's First Birthday Giveaway - Simply Be

Simply Be are an online retailer who provide a whole raft of fashion choices for plus sized women.

Image courtesy of Simply Be

Anna Scholz for Simply Be Contrast Pencil Skirt

Ever since I got to try on an array of gorgeous dresses at Anna Scholz's London HQ during Plus London Two, I have been keen to add some of her pieces to my wardrobe.  I mean, how can a girl resist beauties such as these...

Image courtesy of Anna Scholz

Gok Wan for Simply Be Pull Me In Pants

You may have previously read about the wonderful time I had earlier this year when I attended the launch of Gok Wan's new shapewear range for Simply Be - and I even got to meet the man himself!

Since then, the range has been expanded to include some really beautiful items.

Simply Be Glamorosa Dress in Very Voluptuous

I have got lots of different dress reviews on my blog - from maxi dresses to fitted dresses and flared dresses.  But all of these dresses have something in common: they are all made from either jersey or viscose/elastane, which are both very thin fabrics.  With the cooler months heading towards us at top speed, I have been turning my attention to items available in thicker fabrics which are more suitable for cooler temperatures.

Thankfully, Simply Be have released their clothing and footwear collections for Autumn/Winter 2012.  And what a lot of beautiful items they have for us all!