Evans haul

Hello there,

I don't know about you, but I really struggle this time of year to find good light, and if there is good light then chances are it's pretty chilly or wet outside (and I'm not a cold weather person at all). Plus working from home normally means jeans, jumpers and slippers - not the most exciting outfit! All of which adds up to not many outfit posts this time of year.

But recently, I was lucky enough to win an Evans gift voucher while at the Curve Fashion Festival, so after a lovely day in the Newbury store, I decided to brave the elements (and give the postman a good laugh while he was doing his rounds).

First up, a couple of tops that I just wasn't sure about.

I really did like this heart print, but how many heart prints do I need (no answer needed). Plus I love my jumpers baggy and cosy so I would want to size up in this (this is a 22/24). I'm still thinking about this, it may end up in my wardrobe yet.

Not the best picture - the outline of my belt doesn't help! I just didn't love this as much as I thought I would. I still don't know why as this is normally one of my favourite colours (size 22/24)

Now for the items I fell in love with. Please excuse some of the wobbly changing room shots and my serious concentrating face!

This was in the sale - a bargain at £12 (size 20). It's sheer lace with ribbed cuffs and hem details. I had a white t-shirt on in the store, but normally I'd wear something like a black vest underneath.

Now this is a top I can see me getting a lot of wear out of. I love the detailing on the sleeves and can be dressed up or down with jeans and smart boots. I added a black vest underneath as it's very sheer! (size 22)

Now these last two jumpers are a perfect example of some of the confusion I felt with the sizing. I know that there is no standard size, despite what the industry would like us to believe. I have clothes in my wardrobe ranging from a 16 to a 22. I tried the 22/24 on in jumpers as I like a loose fit and I expected the 22/24 to give me that, but this white scenic jumper I had to size up to a 26/28. Now this is my personal choice and others may prefer a more fitted style, but it's worth remembering if you're ordering online. And you know what - it doesn't matter. It's only a label. 

Size 26/28 - it's so fluffy, I feel like a cuddly polar bear!

Size 22/24

Finally, a real frivolous purchase (you got to have one of those sometimes). I'm not sure when I'll wear it, I can certainly think of lots of occasions in the past when I could have worn it! But it will keep and I fell in love it with it, so it just had to come home with me.

Glitter waterfall jacket - size 22

The Newbury store may not be the largest of the Evans stores, but the ladies there were so friendly and helpful. I was in there for so long, I'm sure they thought I was moving in! 

I didn't manage to get any Scarlett & Jo, so a trip up to London is called for very soon I think to spend the rest of my voucher.

Thanks for reading

Cathy 

xx

Plus 40 Fabulous

Hi everyone,

The lovely ladies Leah from Just me, Leah and Mookie from Mookie's Life recently started the Plus 40 Fabulous initiative for all those lovely plus sized people over 40.

So here's my first post - and I'll start off by introducing myself.

First of all though I have to confess - I keep forgetting I'm in my 40's. Is that weird? I'm nearly 47, but every so often, it catches me by surprise. Most often when I'm filling in an online form and it takes longer and longer to scroll down to 1969 (I'm a child of the 60's - yay).

There are other reminders are all around me. Friends are talking about and even taking retirement. Some have sadly passed away. I click on Facebook and see photos of a work colleagues 2nd grandson (hang on, I think, she's way younger than me) so all around there are subtle hints than time is marching on. But somehow, the 16 year old me is still there and it seems like only yesterday.

I'd like to think I'd changed a bit over the years, I'm certainly more confident. I would never wear sleeveless tops or short skirts or even shorts. Now - what's the worst that happen? Someone could make a rude comment? Sadly, like a lot of us, I've already had that and although it was upsetting at the time, it didn't stop me. In fact, it's helped make me more determined to wear what I like. 

This photo makes me smile so much. Double denim, socks with pumps and I remember thinking I looked fab. Because you know what? I did. It doesn't matter about rules and what people say, if you like it, wear it. 

My hair has always done it's own thing though!

If I had to describe my style now, I would say I'm casual. I still love my jeans, I love casual tops, I like wearing cartoon t-shirts. If it makes me smile and is comfy, then it's for me. That doesn't mean I don't like dressing up occasionally though!

I think the last few years writing this blog have helped my confidence so much. The white dress above is something a younger me would never have worn. But talking with and meeting other bloggers has inspired me to try things out of my comfort zone. That's not to say I haven't given up jeans altogether!

This last picture sums me up completely. Doing what I love with friends and not caring if I'm too old, too anything. Just having fun.

So as you can guess, I'm not too worried about being 40+ because in my head I'm not. I'm whatever age I want to be. My Mother is 71 and we shop in the same shops and often inadvertently buy the same clothes. I hope that when I'm her age I'm still doing battle with the teens in Primark for the latest clothes!

Thanks for reading and please check out the blogs of the other Plus 40 Fabulous bunch

Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/
Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk
Cathy: http://www.southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/

Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk

Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk

Lisa: http://www.kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co.uk/

Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/

Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/

Betty Pamper: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/

Kaye: http://www.polishedcurves.com/

Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/

Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/

Cathy

xx

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Corrie tour in Manchester

Hello there,

Back in September my friend and I visited the Curve Fashion Festival. Little did I realise when I booked the hotel how close we would be to the old Coronation Street film set and tour. We were staying in the Premier Inn opposite the Manchester Central which was about a 10-15 min walk away from the set. And after a long day looking and talking fashion, it was good to do something completely different.

Now I'll be the first to admit, I watched Corrie all through my childhood, but as an adult, I only tend to dip in and out during the big occasions (births, deaths, marriages etc). I did wonder if some of the tour would go straight over my head. I needn't have worried, there was enough of a mixture of old and new to keep everyone happy. Plus an awful lot of 'Oh! I remember that' moments.

The tour started with a tour behind the scenes of the internal sets and some of the dressing areas. The biggest surprise for me was how small all the sets actually were - the magic of television! The guide during this was fantastic, cheerful and knowledgeable and helped to make the tour. We visited the set of the Rovers Return pub and had the chance to do the obligatory pose behind the bar. Reckon we make good barmaids!

Then after this, we were free to go out onto the external set with the famous cobblestones, terraced houses and Roy's Rolls (even all this seemed smaller than I expected). At this point we were free to take as many pictures as we liked so here's a taster of what we saw.

The tour is only open now until the end of the year (31/12/2015) as the site is earmarked for development and the current studios are now at Media City, Salford. If you can get there before it closes, I would recommend it - if only for the trip down memory lane.

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx