Betty Pamper's Big Up Blighty Christmas Campaign

Pooki-Rae, Betty Bee, Nunu Von Pink, Kenny Dog leash and Lilly Von Pink doing our bit for Blightys Independent Sellers

I'm a massive Christmas head. I love everything about it, the food, the sentimental music, the gifts and the idea that for just one day of the year we  try and feel goodwill to all.
With the touch economic climate I know that our independent retailers are really struggling to stay afloat and Ive been wracking my brains as to ways I can help. I'm not able to act as a business angel, my own funds are tiny but I have this blog, I have some very beautiful generous friends and I'm married to a rather fabby photographer so Ive decided to start my own little campaign called "Betty's Big Up Blighty Christmas" and  I'm hoping you will join me in the fun.

Join me in my Big Up Blighty Christmas campaign

I'm suggesting we all pledge to buy at least one Christmas gift this year which is made by a small British independent retailer.
 I know that we are all watching the pennies and would never ask you to forgo the lure of the Boots 3 for 2 offer or the amazing value, stores like Argos offer, but if we each brought just one gift on our list from a small indie, either online at their shop or at a Christmas craft fair it would make a huge difference.

Lets put the wiggle back into  British  Retail

Britain is bursting at the seams with talented, creative peeps making the most remarkable items and they are often no more expensive than buying at a larger store. When I did my initial social media shout out about this idea I was inundated with super cool companies all keen to tell me about what they offered and happy to send me examples.
Last week myself, Mr Bee, Lilly Von Pink and Pooki-Rae all gave an afternoon of our time to shoot glamorous pictures of some very lovely items, all made in the UK.
 It was a rather chaotic shoot as it featured babies, dogs, fake snow and was all shot in the kitchen at BB Towers but we had so much fun and all felt we wanted to play our part in helping our UK shopkeepers weather the current financial storm.
And to add to the festive good tidings all the items featured in this post and in next weeks follow up feature have been very generously donated and will be made into a rather  awesome gift basket and given to charity to help make someones Christmas that little bit brighter.

So without further ado here is the first instalment of my Big Up Blighty Christmas Gift Guide.

For The Lover Of All Things Cosy

Hand knitted neckscarf (worn as a headscarf) £10 Woolleyfrog

Vintage Inspired Gloves with vintage buttons £20 Peggys Collection

Hair Flower £3 Evies Flowers

For Super stylish Tots

Nunu Von Pink Bigging up Blighty. Drool optional

50's Drive In Bandana Bib £4.50

50's Drive In Toddler Skirt £12.99 Both Bambino Diablo

For The Bookworm

Bookworm Custom Necklace Bete Noire £17

Handmade Wedding Crafts Book £12 Betty Bee Vintage

For The Pin Up Lover

Pin Ups In Pinnies Calender £10 Pin Ups In Pinnies

For The Roller Derby Chick

Pow Mirror £3.50

Roller Girl Necklace £16.50 Both Dolly Cool

Hair Flower £3 Evies Flowers

For The Pampered Pooch

Kenny Dogleash is loving his Rhinestone encrusted custom made coat

Custom Made Dog coats £10-£20 size depending Black Cherry Designs

For The Little Princess

Tooth fairy Cushion £15 Made By Em

Button Ring £4.99 Button dressed as lamb

Heart Bracelet  £6 Jen Rae Frances Design

I hope you have enjoyed this feature. Ive another one coming up next week and if you haven't done it already don't forget-buy at least one gift from a UK independent this Christmas and lets help keep Britain's shopping experience unique,creative and homegrown-just like us!

For loads more Christmas inspiration, recipes, craft ideas and tips check out my Christmas Page

All dresses by Sirens and Starlets (Blog post coming soon)

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

North West Burlesque Society: Talking To The Tassel Twirlers

Me, Ginger la Rouge, Mikey Wong & Lilly Von Pink at The North West Burlesque Society

Last weekend I was invited to speak at the North West Burlesque society’s monthly meeting.

Now being a bit of a burlesque botherer a society celebrating all things tassel twirling and tease is right up my street so I was very pleased indeed when they got in touch

getting my talk thang on at the NWBS

The NWBS as they are known  aim to create an informal event for burlesque performers and appreciators alike to network, learn, share experiences and meet those with interests similar to their own.

Portfolio careers-The pros and cons-setting out my stall

As it takes place in Manchester I’ve never attended before but the chance to mingle with the great and the good of the North West Burlesque community was too good a chance to miss.

Hoping I'm not being too dull

When they approached me to speak they very kindly allowed me to choose what I covered so I gave a short talk about how I manage having a portfolio career.

Selling my sassy self employment philosophy

As many of the NWBS members are performers I imagined they too may be doing more than one thing to make ends meet and as it’s a way of working Im quite passionate about I hoped my approach may be of some interest to them.

Lilly hanging off my every word as usual

Lilly Von Pink came along and they couldn’t have been more welcoming to us both. The lovely Ginger la Rouge and Mikey Wong who help run the event introduced me and once I had waffled a bit about the pros and cons of juggling a few career balls in the air the Q and A quickly turned to all manner of subjects including blogging, Lady Gaga, body image and why we were all rooting for Lisa Rily to win Strictly it was fab.

Sharing my ideas on how to make self employment work

I took along some of my Killer Curves tee shirts which also proved a hit so overall a great evening meeting some fabulous people.

The Q & A was random but fun

If you are a performer or simply a lover of all things burly hop on over to the NWBS website to find out more.
For more hints and tips about working for yourself check out my Sassy Self Employment page

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

Lisa Riley: Plus Sized Dancing Perfection

Lisa Riley-The beautiful dancer

I won’t lie, when ex Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley was named as part of the Strictly come dancing line up I inwardly groaned.

Year in, year out it seemed we had to contend with the “comedy fatty” 
A roly poly nightmare in spandex acting as perfect chuckle fodder to compliment the real dance "journeys" of the other stars.

Ann Widdecome, Russell Grant, John sergeant. Strictlys less than svelte contestants always seemed to be destined for increasingly ludicrous routines, Whether being blown out of cannons, thrown around like sacks of potatoes or flown on wires its always felt they were making the jokes in a desperate attempt to beat someone else to the punchline. 

The general message was always the same-fat people have no rhythm, always look ridiculous when performing any form of dance and can never be judged equally alongside the slimmer contestants.

Oh how "hillarious" another larger person who can't dance. Pass me the Tenaladies I just pissed myself

As a plus sized hottie with a lot of rhythm it quite frankly got on my tits and was always the low spot of a show I otherwise love very much indeed (its camp, it has great frocks and a live band its perfect TV viewing)

So how very happy am I that Lisa R has flown against the stereotype and proved to be a graceful, beautiful talented dancer.

From day one her attitude screamed, “Mock me if you dare but its you who will look foolish” and Ive slowly fallen under her spell.

The dream team

In the first few episodes I cringed as both the judges and Bruce Forsyth openly expressed shock at how good she was, as if her size was a disability that she was ‘overcoming’ and I do have real issues with some of the frocks they have put her in (news flash BBC wardrobe department larger ladies do have waists, they are just wider so not every creation has to be drop waisted) but little niggles aside it has warmed my cockles to see how utterly fabulous she has been (and getting better all the time) Lisa is dancing with the awesome Robin Windsor as if her life depends upon it and doing it very, very well.

Lisa you are warming my cockles

She has broken the cliché that larger figured celebrities on the show have to be a comedy turn. Her footwork, her timing, her musicality it’s all amazing. Her plus sized/curvy/fat (use whatever term you are comfortable with) body can perform a sizzling salsa, a dreamy ballroom or a classic Cha, cha, cha now isn’t that a turn up for the books.I thought us fatties couldn't run up a set of stairs without stroking out,got out of breath just from talking and were just plain old lazy? and yet this beautiful big boobied extra large lovely is as light on her feet as a gazelle and seems more than able to keep up with her professional partner.Weird that.

Dancing as if her life depends on it

I cant help thinking that all over the country women with less than perfect figures are suddenly thinking “hey if Mandy Dingle can produce a dance so exquisite it receives a standing ovation and the adoration of Craig Revel Horwood maybe I can do it do” and for that Lisa its a ten from me.

I may even break my non reality voting rule and pick up the phone. 
Lisa Riley to win and no not because she is plus sized but because she is the best dancer by a country mile.

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

Betty Pamper Tries Blinkbox

Watching Puppy Films On The laptop-Oh yes!

When Blinkbox approached me to try their movies on demand service I wasn’t sure I was the best candidate. I have never subscribed to any service which allows you to watch films on your laptop or tablet and rarely even watch a Sky Box office but always keen to give new things a whirl I happily accepted a couple of codes to watch a few flicks. I then of course promptly forgot all about it.

That was until last week when BB Towers became the house of sickness and my little girl succumbed to a winter bug spending a few very miserable days off school.

Running out of way to entertain her while she recovered I dug out the codes and investigated the Blinkbox website. I had expected it to be a bit complicated but it was surprisingly easy. 

They have all the latest releases  (some cost as little as 99p) and you simply pop in your bank details and for a couple of quid can watch a film from the massive choice available. 

Its so easy even I worked it out and yes I still have a VHS player

We spent a lovely afternoon watching some family films (Santa’s little yelpers made us feel particularly festive) and the best bit, you can pause them, leave them and go back even the next day as you have them for a full 48 hours. 

As Ive already mentioned I’m a bit of a Luddite so have no idea how this service compares to similar ones but I found it easy, the streaming was super fast and the choice of films quite mind-blowing. I will definitely be using the service again over the Christmas holidays when the festive TV has it usual dull periods and as a cheep fast alternative to driving to the videoshop its a winner for me and Baba Bee. Sorry this review is a bit basic. Technology is not really my thing. I used it, I liked it, I would use it again. The end.

Watch Movies Online here

Very Cherry Retro Dress Giveaway
If you would like to add a fab new frock to your collection enter this weeks competition.

Win this amazing dress by very Cherry Retro

This rather gorgeous Hepburn frock is by the fab Very Cherry Retro who are also one of my blog sponsors. its a gorgeous online boutique with a fab fifties flavour and a good range of sizes.

Very Cherry Retro have very kindly offered to give one lucky reader their very own Hepburn dress (available in sizes 8-22 and in three fab colours to choose from stock permitting) and it couldn't be easy to enter.

To enter:

Join This Blog if you haven't already

"Like" Cherry retros facebook page or follow them on twitter

Leave a comment on Tuesdays post.

The winner will be chosen on Sunday the 25th of November

Very Cherry Retro Discount For All Readers!

Very Cherry Retro are also offering a promo store code for all my readers. Using code BettyBee1 will give a 10% discount on purchases of £40 and over (discount does not apply to postage). This will run until the end of the month and is limited to one use per customer.

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

My New Winter Coat from Matalan!

My fab new coat grr

I have wanted a (faux) fur leopard print coat for years. Sure I own a leopard print Mac and many many leopard print cardigans but I’ve never found a leopard print coat that suited me.

I also went for a rather understated lipstick (yikes!)

Being on the fat side anything too furry has a tendency to make me look like a womble so rather like the little match girl pressing her nose against the store window I have only ever admired other peoples leopard print coats from afar.

Keeping me warm, at last I have my very own leopard print coat!

All this changed last week my friends when I found the perfect leopard print coat in Matalan. Its soft and yes furry but its sleek more like a big cat than a teddy bear and I feel quite splendid in it.

I feel like a sleek cat rather than a womble

Whenever I’ve tried on fur coats before they always swamped me and in order to get them to do up across my boobies would be huge on my shoulders. Somehow this coat doesn't do that. It fits me perfectly and I'm so glad I took my own advice and tried it on despite suspecting it would be like the hundred other fur coats I have discarded over the years.
The fact that it has rather snazzy turquoise lining is also a bonus. It looks rather swish when you take it off as well. Don't you just love that in a coat!

Loving the lining

I can now Indulge my obsession with leopard print to the full in my glorious tarty bet Lynch inspired coat. Hurrah! Just in time for the cold winter school run.
The coat was £40 and is part of the Be Beau range and I got in in store at Matalan It goes up to a size 18 but I went down two whole sizes so if you are a size 24 try the 18 on would be my advice.

Very Cherry Retro Dress Giveaway
If you would like to add a fab new frock to your collection enter this weeks competition.

Win this amazing dress by very Cherry Retro

This rather gorgeous Hepburn frock is by the fab Very Cherry Retro who are also one of my blog sponsors. its a gorgeous online boutique with a fab fifties flavour and a good range of sizes.

Very Cherry Retro have very kindly offered to give one lucky reader their very own Hepburn dress (available in sizes 8-22 and in three fab colours to choose from stock permitting) and it couldn't be easy to enter.

To enter:

Join This Blog if you haven't already

"Like" Cherry retros facebook page or follow them on twitter

Leave a comment on Tuesdays post.

The winner will be chosen on Sunday the 25th of November

Very Cherry Retro Discount For All Readers!

Very Cherry Retro are also offering a promo store code for all my readers. Using code BettyBee1 will give a 10% discount on purchases of £40 and over (discount does not apply to postage). This will run until the end of the month and is limited to one use per customer.

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.

Betty Pamper's Fave Frocks (well a few of them)

Earlier this week I wrote about pushing through the plus sized party fears and revealed how my secret to always feeling fabulous when I go out is to wear 1950’s style swing dresses. This got me thinking about some of my favourite dresses and that maybe you would like to see them too. A frolic through my frocks as it were (well a very small selection of them at least)

Can't view this embeded video-watch on Youtube

For those of you who can’t view videos here are the pictures.
Tiffany Blue Book Dress

This dress was handmade for me by the amazing designer Debbie Payne at Shameless originals. I had been watching the Hattie Jacques drama with Ruth Jones in it and loved the dresses she wore so it very much inspired the style. Having a dress made just for me felt rather wonderful and it fitted like a glove. I wore this for the author picture on the inside of my book so its very special indeed.

Regina Doll dress by Collectif

I wore this dress for the pin ups in pinnies calendar shoot I took part in earlier this year. I don’t usually like anything with bolero style sleeves as I find them a bit fussy but they really work on this dress, it also has the loveliest neckline and is very flattering to my big boobies.

Asos Curve dress

I had heard so many amazing things about Asos curve but nothing in their range had particularly grabbed me but when I saw this frock in the sale I had to have it. With its tropical print I feel very Hawaiian in it and it was perfect for my recent trip to Florida (which now feels very far away) This is definitely a summer dress and I never wear it during the winter months but as soon as there is even a whiff of summer I am drawn to it.

Primark leopard print

This dress is such a great example of how one woman’s cast off is another woman’s gold. My friend Lena gave me this dress when she grew bored of it and it’s become one of my favourites. I love leopard print and the fact that it’s not got a plunge neckline mean its perfect for when I want to look sassy but not have my boobs taking centre stage. I own far too much leopard print but it never fails to make me feel fantastic.

　

Bobbi Lee Helbunny Dress by Soho’s

Some dresses make you feel so pretty and never fail to cheer you up. This Bobbi Lee one fits me so well and the pale green colour with its design of strawberries and flowers is adorable. I wear this dress whenever I need to feel really confident. Its confidence in fabric form.

　
I hope you have enjoyed this little look at some of my fave frocks.I have so many more so please let me know if you are interested and Im happy to do some more frocky show and tells!
If you would like to add a fab new frock to your own collection enter this weeks competiton.

Win this amazing dress by very Cherry Retro

This rather gorgeous Hepburn frock is by the fab Very Cherry Retro who are also one of my blog sponsors. its a gorgeous online boutique with a fab fifties flavour and a good range of sizes.

Very Cherry Retro have very kindly offered to give one lucky reader their very own Hepburn dress (available in sizes 8-22 and in three fab colours to choose from stock permitting) and it couldn't be easy to enter.

To enter:

Join This Blog if you haven't already

"Like" Cherry retros facebook page or follow them on twitter

Leave a comment on Tuesdays post.

The winner will be chosen on Sunday the 25th of November

Very Cherry Retro Discount For All Readers!

Very Cherry Retro are also offering a promo store code for all my readers. Using code BettyBee1 will give a 10% discount on purchases of £40 and over (discount does not apply to postage). This will run until the end of the month and is limited to one use per customer.

Limited Edition Killer Curves Tee Shirts Now On Sale

My brand new Killer Curve tee Shirts cost £12 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

All content (text, photos and other) are the property of Betty Bee unless otherwise stated. Please refrain from copying any material without recognition of the author and a link to the source on this blog.