2 x OOTDs – Yes, Really!

…Because you miss my mug, right? These pics are special as they were taken by my lovely mum in our garden – so obviously I couldn’t get too Vogue. Apologies for the picture quality – you can click on the images to get the full size versions…

Lace overlay Dress: Simply Be
Shoes: New Look
Necklace: Wee Sparrow

I’ve been buying clothes from Simply Be since I was a teenager, so I was super excited when they contacted me – they sent me this gorgeous dress I’d been eyeing for ages, from their Frock’n’Frill range. Frock’n’Frill is my favourite range in Simply Be at the moment though they have collections by Mica Paris, Anna Scholz and Joe Browns. Unfortunately while the dress was the perfect length on Valerie and a smidgen too short on Dee, I had to lop a good few inches off the bottom! But I think it’s the perfect length now, and I love it so much. It fits like a dream! The shoes are also wonderful:

Vintage style courts from New Look’s Wide Fit section.

I recently won my first ever competition = $50 worth of jewellery from Wee Sparrow – I didn’t even realise I’d entered! But I chose some lovely necklaces and this is one of them.

Dress: ASOS Curve
Heels: Evans

Words cannot express how much I love this dress. I love the fact that ASOS Curve had the balls to make it in the first place – not only do you have the outrageous ruffle, but both the front and back are fully ruched -the detailing is incredible. And you know what? It’s made of thick jersey knit, making it one of the most comfortable dresses I own. I have no idea when I’ll get to wear it in public but I’ll make an occasion if I have to!

Also, on the subject of ASOS Curve you should definitely check out the lovely Vanessa‘s blog – she’s their fit model and has really opened my eyes to the laborious processes retailers go through. Though I feel she should be their actual model as well as the fit model, she’s stunning!

Totally in love with these shoes – again, not only do they look fab, they’re really comfortable! A++, ASOS Curve & Evans!

Lauren’s Top 5

Here’s my rundown of favourite fashion-y things this week:

1. Evans’ A/W 10-11 Preview

Courtesy of Evans' Fashion Fix

I am super impressed with what Evans are coming up with lately, and these pictures are no exception. It all looks so luxurious and glam – that fake fur coat WILL be mine!

2. The (admittedly rather glum) plus model at GFW

Courtesy of Christopher Moore - http://www.catwalking.com

Tokenism it may well be, and I may not be too keen on the outfit – but cheer up love, you look hot, and Onez Lau thinks so too! Graduate Fashion Week ended today, and a proper post about it is coming soon. I found it completely inspirational, and obviously, a bit bonkers.

3. THAT dress from ASOS Curve

YES, YES, YES!!!! Judging by the reaction to this dress and the amount of people I’ve seen buying it there really is a market for striking and edgy plus size fashion, despite craven retailers’ cries of the contrary. I’ve also bought this dress – it’s beautiful, and something as adventurous as this needs to be bought. We have to vote with our wallets, people!

4. Definatalie‘s pattern upgrade

The ever-amazing Natalie has taken a straight sized tea-dress pattern from BurdaStyle and attempted to scale up for larger sizes, and is looking for people to road test them. Go for it!

5. Simply Be‘s knitted black tunic

I’m especially interested in this as I wore a similar dress in a straight size in Topshop for my Vogue Curvy vlog a couple of weeks back. I understand that it’s harder for ladies of a bigger dress size than myself to walk into a store like Topshop and make things work – however Simply Be go from a UK12 – UK32, meaning anyone can get in on the action, you just need an obnoxious feather cape!