The days are finally getting longer. The shops are starting to fill with the first hopeful hues of summer fashion, and there are daffodils everywhere. Which means we are seeing the first stirrings of the great marketing con, perpetrated against all women, the "summer body". Also known as the "bikini body" or "beach body", it is a myth rooted in a desperation to sell us things we don't need, patriarchy and utter horseshit.
Say it with me "ALL BODIES ARE SUMMER BODIES"
The days are finally getting longer. The shops are starting to fill with the first hopeful hues of summer fashion, and there are daffodils everywhere. Which means we are seeing the first stirrings of the great marketing con, perpetrated against all women, the "summer body". Also known as the "bikini body" or "beach body", it is a myth rooted in a desperation to sell us things we don't need, patriarchy and utter horseshit.
How is it that every season Studio 8 London make the perfect green dress? It's like they have a gift! And incidentally this Thea dress arrived as a little gift for me last week from the lovely lot at Studio 8, and I couldn't wait to get it on my body!
Welcome to the Jungle: Studio 8 Thea Dress
How is it that every season Studio 8 London make the perfect green dress? It's like they have a gift! And incidentally this Thea dress arrived as a little gift for me last week from the lovely lot at Studio 8, and I couldn't wait to get it on my body!
We make a lot of rules for ourselves. We put boundaries our own way. I am currently on a course that talks a lot about the limiting belief systems we construct for ourselves, and how we get hemmed in by them. I am unpicking some of those beliefs now, and I'm finding the process most enlightening. It's also hard seeing how many rubbish rules you have put in place for yourself, that are usually based on flawed evidence and are instrumental in holding you back. It's got me thinking about some of the nonsense fashion rules we follow.
First Blush: Sequin Pearl Top from Navabi
We make a lot of rules for ourselves. We put boundaries our own way. I am currently on a course that talks a lot about the limiting belief systems we construct for ourselves, and how we get hemmed in by them. I am unpicking some of those beliefs now, and I'm finding the process most enlightening. It's also hard seeing how many rubbish rules you have put in place for yourself, that are usually based on flawed evidence and are instrumental in holding you back. It's got me thinking about some of the nonsense fashion rules we follow.
I really enjoy doing these monthly round ups. It inspires me to keep enjoying my wardrobe and be creative with the outfits I put together, and I think it's also important to see how new items can be incorporated into your existing wardrobe because sometimes with bloggers I think it can look like we have a new wardrobe every month. While I am lucky to have a vast wardrobe, with more new garments than most, I still really love to wear my favourites, whether they are a month old or a decade. So, here's what I was wearing in February (with again the reminder that I am not working at the moment so most of the time I don't get dressed!)...
My Month in Outfis: What I Wore in February
I really enjoy doing these monthly round ups. It inspires me to keep enjoying my wardrobe and be creative with the outfits I put together, and I think it's also important to see how new items can be incorporated into your existing wardrobe because sometimes with bloggers I think it can look like we have a new wardrobe every month. While I am lucky to have a vast wardrobe, with more new garments than most, I still really love to wear my favourites, whether they are a month old or a decade. So, here's what I was wearing in February (with again the reminder that I am not working at the moment so most of the time I don't get dressed!)...
With my latest incarnation as a lady of leisure (read unemployed) I am definitely wearing casual looks a lot more often. Anyone who has read my blog for a while will know this has always been an area of fashion I've been less comfortable with, but I feel like I am finally starting to crack it. And so I have put together this totes casual season transition look from Simply Be, which I am living in right now.
Keeping It Casual: A Casual Look with Simply Be
With my latest incarnation as a lady of leisure (read unemployed) I am definitely wearing casual looks a lot more often. Anyone who has read my blog for a while will know this has always been an area of fashion I've been less comfortable with, but I feel like I am finally starting to crack it. And so I have put together this totes casual season transition look from Simply Be, which I am living in right now.
It's been a while since I've shown you a really Hayley, plus size work wear option (not working means I rarely have to even get dressed - hallelujah!) but this look from Studio 8 London is cute and fresh, and almost enough (but not quite) to convince me to get a damn job already!
Ain't Got No Blues: Studio 8 Dita Dress and Priya Jacket
It's been a while since I've shown you a really Hayley, plus size work wear option (not working means I rarely have to even get dressed - hallelujah!) but this look from Studio 8 London is cute and fresh, and almost enough (but not quite) to convince me to get a damn job already!
My taste lately has taken a really girly turn. It might be that after living in black most of the winter, I am now ready for the colour and lightness of Spring. It might be this season's obsession with pinks, florals and embroidery. Or it might be that pretty, romantic clothing feels like a wonderful antidote to the rather broken, angry world we seem to be living in right now. It's probably a combo of all the above!
Pretty in Pink: ELVI Premium Embroidered Skirt
My taste lately has taken a really girly turn. It might be that after living in black most of the winter, I am now ready for the colour and lightness of Spring. It might be this season's obsession with pinks, florals and embroidery. Or it might be that pretty, romantic clothing feels like a wonderful antidote to the rather broken, angry world we seem to be living in right now. It's probably a combo of all the above!
January is always a bit of a slow, lame month. Not much happening socially, and even less happening generally if you're unemployed (yup - I took the plunge at the end of last year and left my job after almost 5 years, and now I am (kinda) looking forward to pastures new). Which means that a large part of January was spent in pyjamas and slippers. Not that I'm complaining. But when I could be arsed to get dressed, here's what I was wearing...
My Month in Outfits: What I Wore in January
January is always a bit of a slow, lame month. Not much happening socially, and even less happening generally if you're unemployed (yup - I took the plunge at the end of last year and left my job after almost 5 years, and now I am (kinda) looking forward to pastures new). Which means that a large part of January was spent in pyjamas and slippers. Not that I'm complaining. But when I could be arsed to get dressed, here's what I was wearing...
Okay, I'm gonna say it. Curvy Kate's Tease bra is my favourite! It's pretty and sexy, gives my rack a wonderful shape, and is comfortable enough for day wear, but saucy enough for the bedroom.
She's a Tease: Curvy Kate's Tease Balcony Bra in Black and Purple
Okay, I'm gonna say it. Curvy Kate's Tease bra is my favourite! It's pretty and sexy, gives my rack a wonderful shape, and is comfortable enough for day wear, but saucy enough for the bedroom.
This was a hard post to write. When you write a blog that is largely about being body positive, and loving you body, it's hard to admit that you have experienced a bit of a body positivity wobble lately. How can I hope to be a light to others, when I am struggle to keep my own little flame going? But I want to talk about it. Because I think sometimes we can really beat ourselves up when we think we're the only ones struggling. Body positivity is not like a qualification - when you've found a body positive mind set, you don't get a certificate or a couple of letters after your name, and that's it. It's something you have to work on, and work for.
Dealing with the Wobbles: Feat. Collectif's Blossom Printed Dolores Doll Dress
This was a hard post to write. When you write a blog that is largely about being body positive, and loving you body, it's hard to admit that you have experienced a bit of a body positivity wobble lately. How can I hope to be a light to others, when I am struggle to keep my own little flame going? But I want to talk about it. Because I think sometimes we can really beat ourselves up when we think we're the only ones struggling. Body positivity is not like a qualification - when you've found a body positive mind set, you don't get a certificate or a couple of letters after your name, and that's it. It's something you have to work on, and work for.
Since their launch in late 2015, I have been obsessed with Scantilly. The gorgeous, flirty designs are a dream come true for busty girls everywhere, and a product that the plus size market just didn't have before. The team at Scantilly are radiantly body positive, something that shows in their campaigns and their social media - if you're not following them already you really should be - and so it's not just their product that I love, but their ethos as well. Recently the team sent me this gorgeous Ignite half cup bra to review, and it's just as saucy and sultry as I could have hoped.
Light My Fire: Ignite Halfy Cup Bra by Scantilly
Since their launch in late 2015, I have been obsessed with Scantilly. The gorgeous, flirty designs are a dream come true for busty girls everywhere, and a product that the plus size market just didn't have before. The team at Scantilly are radiantly body positive, something that shows in their campaigns and their social media - if you're not following them already you really should be - and so it's not just their product that I love, but their ethos as well. Recently the team sent me this gorgeous Ignite half cup bra to review, and it's just as saucy and sultry as I could have hoped.
Urg, January! How hard it is to hold on to any semblance of body positivity in the cacophony of new year new you bullshit. Television is choked with dieting adverts, social media feeds are full of self deprecating memes about being a fat fucker, and everywhere people are being smug about sticking to their resolutions, or self flagellating for not managing to do so. It takes a lot to hold on to any sense of normality in this tsunami of bullshit. Not because making change is in any way a bad thing, but because of the nonsense moral value that is ascribed to making certain changes. As though anyone not doggedly chasing societal depictions of the perfect body, skin, hair, diet is some sort of deviant, delinquent aberration. The horrifying "Before" shot, to be avoided at all costs. Urg! Enough!
Kiss My Deadly: Hell Bunny at Yours Clothing
Urg, January! How hard it is to hold on to any semblance of body positivity in the cacophony of new year new you bullshit. Television is choked with dieting adverts, social media feeds are full of self deprecating memes about being a fat fucker, and everywhere people are being smug about sticking to their resolutions, or self flagellating for not managing to do so. It takes a lot to hold on to any sense of normality in this tsunami of bullshit. Not because making change is in any way a bad thing, but because of the nonsense moral value that is ascribed to making certain changes. As though anyone not doggedly chasing societal depictions of the perfect body, skin, hair, diet is some sort of deviant, delinquent aberration. The horrifying "Before" shot, to be avoided at all costs. Urg! Enough!
This season a big trend has been textured pieces - exciting, tactile fabrics of various types have been a big hit. But sometimes I can be hard to know how to wear such statement pieces. How to blend them with your existing wardrobe and make them your own. I've taken this PU skirt from Elvi, a rather modern piece, and made it something wearable for me.
Making It Your Own: Elvi PU Skirt and Velvet Trench
This season a big trend has been textured pieces - exciting, tactile fabrics of various types have been a big hit. But sometimes I can be hard to know how to wear such statement pieces. How to blend them with your existing wardrobe and make them your own. I've taken this PU skirt from Elvi, a rather modern piece, and made it something wearable for me.
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