Cleo By Panache Maya Balconnet Bra 36J and Briefs 18

I recently reviewed the very pretty Cleo By Panache Minnie Red Spot Balconnet Bra and Briefs on my blog; today I'm lucky enough to be able to review another set sent to me by the very generous Panache team.

Step forward the Cleo Maya (bra available in sizes 28-38 D-J, briefs and thong available in sizes 8-18 (UK)).

Image courtesy of Panache

Cleo By Panache Minne Red Spot Balconnet Bra 36J and Briefs 18

It's been quite some time since I wrote a lingerie review on my blog so when the lovely people at Panache contacted me to ask if I'd like to review something from their Cleo range I jumped at the chance.

Panache's Cleo range is described as being 'crafted for fit; styled for fun' and I'd completely agree with this. The vibrant prints and colours are varied and exciting, and perhaps typically appeal to a younger customer, but as the fit is so superb I know these sets are worn by women of all ages.

The Cleo Minnie Red Spot (bra available in sizes 28-38 D-J, briefs and thong available in sizes 8-18 (UK)) is a pretty red and white set featuring my beloved polka dots:

Image courtesy of Panache

Lucabella Red Black Panelled Cowl Neck Tunic M

Earlier this year, I attended the inaugural British Plus Size Fashion Weekend.  During the main event on the Saturday, I got the opportunity to speak with a number of plus size fashion brands from all over the world.

One of the brands who were particularly friendly and easy to talk to were Lucabella, who had come all the way from New Zealand in order to attend the event.  To me, that demonstrates their commitment to working with plus size women to produce clothing that works for them and, having spoken to the team, I can confirm their passion to make a success of their brand.

BiuBiu Modena Shirt in Red 42BBB

You may have seen my previous post in which I mentioned that the lovely Kinga from BiuBiu very kindly sent me a package of goodies recently.  Next up for review from this parcel is the BiuBiu Modena Shirt in Red (£25.87):

Image courtesy of BiuBiu

Dollydagger White Cherry Gypsy Dress 18

A few months ago I visited the amazing Dollydagger store in Brighton.  Full of vintage-inspired clothing, accessories and footwear, the store regularly attracts customers from all over the UK and beyond.  I was like a kid in a sweet shop as I admired and tried on a variety of outfits - you can read about the fun I had in this post.

I was really excited when I was contacted by Dollydagger recently as they wanted to send me a dress to review.  I was offered the Gypsy dress: it's a 1950s dress available in a stunning range of prints and it was recommended that I should try the White Cherry Gypsy Dress in UK size 18 (£79).

Image courtesy of Dollydagger

Collectif Dolores Doll Red Polka

If you're a regular reader of my blog you will be well aware of my love of Collectif's Dolores Doll dresses. I have accumulated quite a collection over the past few months and currently have more than 12 in my wardrobe.  The fit of the dress is almost perfect for me and I adore the feminine shape it gives.

I've previously written about the Dolores Doll in Navy Polka; today I will show you the dress in Red Polka.

Curvy Kate Horizon Red Stripe Bikini 32JJ/16

Summer is slowly but surely heading our way here in the UK (honestly!!) and even though it's been a slow hiccuping start with only a handful of warm, sunny days and rather more cloudy/windy/rainy ones I have every confidence that we'll have some hot days suitable for sunbathing coming soon.

And, of course, for sunbathing we need a bikini!  I've reviewed quite a few of them here on my blog but these reviews were mainly last year so I am delighted to bring you my first bikini review of 2013: the Curvy Kate Horizon Red Stripe Bikini.

Panache Cleo Marcie Bra in Red 34J and 36J

I have long been a fan of the Cleo lingerie range by Panache.  Their designs are young, fun and a bit different.

I've previously reviewed the Cleo Zia in 32J and found the cups too small so when I saw the Cleo Marcie at a bargainous price on Amazon I knew I had to give it a whirl.

Image courtesy of Panache Cleo

Collectif Dolores Doll Red Riding Hood Print Dress

I have been meaning to write a review of this dress for several weeks but other commitments have meant that I've had to put it to one side.  Now I am delighted to be able to tell you about my latest Dolores Doll dress from the amazing Collectif.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Dolores Doll Red Riding Hood Print Dress.

Image courtesy of Collectif

Evans Shape Studio - Scarlett and Jo Side Panel Dress (and another GIVEAWAY!)

A few weeks ago, a handful of lucky bloggers were invited to a fab event hosted by Evans: the Evans Shape Studio.  I was thrilled to be one of them and duly trotted off to London to meet up with my pals.

The event was held at the Arcadia Group HQ and we were treated like old friends by the ever-wonderful Evans team, who plied us with fizzy alcoholic yumminess and scrumptious nibbles.  We were given the opportunity to browse the forthcoming collections from Evans and some of their key ranges, including Scarlett & Jo and Live Unlimited.

F&F Clothing Julia Peplum Ponte Dress

You may have noticed I've been giving peplum dresses a try lately (you can use the search box on the right to find all my peplum reviews on here if wished).  Peplums are something that until recently I thought were only for women with smaller hips but after trying a few different styles of peplums I must admit that I am quite the fan!


The one thing I hadn't found before was a peplum dress with a v-neck.  I'd seen heaps of peplum dresses with a high neck, a round neck or a slight scoop neck, but nothing at all with a crossover or v-neck.

You can imagine how thrilled I was when I spotted the Julia Peplum Ponte Dress on the F&F Clothing at Tesco website.  

Image courtesy of F&F Clothing

The Dollydagger VIP Shopping Experience

Last week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a very special evening.  A handful of bloggers were specially selected to taste the Dollydagger VIP Shopping Experience at their Brighton boutique so I headed coastbound just as fast as my car would carry me!

Collectif Dolores Doll 'English Rose' Dress

In Autumn 2012 I tried my first Collectif Dolores Doll Dress - the polka dot in navy.  I absolutely adored it and was instantly hooked!

Collectif Ashley Coat

I have been on the lookout for a winter coat for the past few years.  It's something I find incredibly difficult to get - a coat that is warm (so must have some wool content), stylish, feminine and practical.

Over the years I've had a range of different coats, from double-breasted to parkas, but I've never found anything I absolutely adore.

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 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

Collectif Dolores Doll Leo Red Velvet Dress

I will always be thankful to my lovely friend Georgina at Fuller Figure Fuller Bust for taking me to the Collectif store at Covent Garden a month or so ago.  That's where I discovered dress heaven...and the beautiful Dolores Doll Polka Dot Dress.

Since then, I have been searching the internet regularly to try to get my hands on more Dolores Doll dresses - it has undoubtedly become an addiction of mine - and recently posted a review of the very delicate and feminine Dolores Doll Ivory Hibiscus Dress.

During my search, I happened upon the Dolores Doll Leo Red Velvet.  

Image courtesy of Collectif

Bonmarché David Emanuel Red Pleated Dress

Bonmarché is a UK high street store that has been around for over 50 years.  

There's a branch in my local town and I've often popped in there to have a look around, either when shopping with my mum or on my own.  It's aimed at more mature ladies, stocking lots of 'classic' items with generous cuts so I've not bought many things from there in the past.  Having said that, on the odd occasion I have picked up general everyday items such as a pair of work trousers or a cardigan, so it's always worth a look.

Ewa Michalak PL Carmen

For a while now, I have been finding that my 36J/HH and 34J Ewa Michalak bras have been feeling too loose in the band.  This has made me sad because I love these bras so much...but wearing a bra with too loose a band is no good, regardless of how pretty it may be.  *Sob*

You can imagine my delight when Ewa very kindly agreed to send me some new bras to review.  I was thrilled to be able to try one of the bras I have lusted after for some time now: the PL Carmen.

Image courtesy of Ewa Michalak

Marisota Coleen Nolan Ruffle Dress

I was recently contacted by Marisota to see if I wanted to review something from their Autumn/Winter collection for this year and of course I jumped at the chance.  It's always so flattering to be asked to do this and seeing as I had been eyeing up several items I knew I would have a great selection to choose from.

I wanted to get something special and I was particularly attracted to some of the items from the Coleen Nolan collection, as they are glamorous and great for special occasions.  Coleen says the following of her collection on the Marisota site: