Pamper and Curves: June 2014

Monday, 30 June 2014

Can You Design A Life You Love?

I came across this poster on pinterest the other day (aka my happy place) and loved it so much I shared it on my facebook page.

Later on it got me thinking about how we can all design a life that is perfect for us but that in order to do it we have to throw off the shackles of expectation and that can be really scary.

Expectations of how we should live our lives can come not only from wider society and our friends and family but also from ourselves.

Its so easy to get into bad habits, fall into routines, acquiesce to things you aren't fully committed to that before you know it you are living a life that doesn't reflect the true you. By being "agreeable" and "sensible" and fundamentally being a "good girl" you have cheated yourself out of living the life you want.

Well its never too late to change and its doesn't have to be all grand gestures and selling your belongings to live in India, designing your own life can begin with something as simple as changing what you drink your morning coffee in.

Design the life you want

To really build a life that fulfils you on an emotional, spiritual (and yes financial) level definitely takes some planning and commitment but the rewards are so worth it.

The exciting thing is that this is a lifetime project, there are no prizes for finishing first and the first set of changes don't have to be huge.

You have a lifetime to work on your own design

When I decided to take my own life in hand the very first thing I decided was that I never wanted to drink out of an ugly mug again-bizarre I know but throwing away stained novelty mugs (I actually smashed them up and used them in the bottom of my plant pots) and replacing them with dainty china cups which I brought one at a time from ebay was a visual change which reminded me every time I had a cup of tea that I was taking control of my own destiny and could (within the parameters of what was legal) do whatever I wanted.

Enough with clothes that are "practical"

These changes quickly escalated-I decided I never wanted to wear anything that could be described as "practical" or "comfortable" looking. It didn't matter that most people are happiest in casual clothes with a nod to sportswear I'm not, I want to dress every day as if I'm in my own movie and if this is construed as vanity, indulgence or eccentricity that's fine because this is my life and I am designing the one I love.

Yes my kitchen is pink and I love it

I now use this approach to all areas of my life. I pursue doggedly the kind of work I want to do, have only the type of flowers and plants in my garden that I like even if Alan Titchmarsh wouldn't approve, and my kitchen is now bright pink-why? because its what I want and I like it.

A design for life

Day by day I work at designing the life I want and sure sometimes I find myself in situations that aren't ideal, too much month at the end of the money,cleaning up puppy poo instead of finishing my novel but incrementally I find more and more my choices and lifestyle are a perfect fit to my personality and this makes me happier, more comfortable in my own skin-its bespoke baby. Couture living without the logos.
How is your life design? Is it perfectly formed or are you just at the moodboard stage?

MSSVG Skirt Giveaway

Win your very own grey animal print skirt just like this

Ive got a fab Junarose skirt to giveaway to one reader courtesy of MSSVG. Check Mondays Blogpost for details

And here is my latest video-if you would like to see more of these subscribe to my Youtube channel

Limited Edition Betty Pamper Tee Shirt Now On Sale

My brand new Betty Pamper tee Shirts cost £15 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

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Sunday, 29 June 2014

A Little Rockabilly Pug Styling Outfit

As you know I'm never one to shy away from a themed outfit and today is a great case in point.

I've got a pug at my throat

I spied this pug print bandana and necklace on the instagram feed of a rather cool little boutique called Dolly Cool and instantly had to have them in my life.

Woof

The boutique also do cat ones, boston terriers and French bulldogs if any of you readers fancy accessorising your outfit to your pet (and really why wouldn't you?)

Along with my pug pretties Im wearing a new skirt by a plus size boutique Ive only just discovered called MSSVG which features lots of different plus size designers including Junarose who this skirt is by.

Grey animal print-such a fab print

Its a grey animal print skirt with a fab wide waistband and was only £20. The sites definitely worth a peruse for the dress section alone. Loads of quite quirky interesting plus size designs. I like it a lot.Note to self don't tuck a long vest into a fitted pencil skirt-I have VVL rather than VPL.

Sorry I've ruined the look of this skirt with my vest-must try harder

I've gone for classic rockabilly styling today. I always love wearing a pencil skirt and little cardigan, it makes me feel like Rizzo from Grease (always my favourite character) My cardigan is by a brand called "No name" I've had it ages and got it from a store called Quiggins in Liverpool. My vest is by Primark.

Rockabilly Rebel

If Rizzo had a dog I'm sure it would have been a pug

Mister Truffles the pug continues to rock my world. He is such a needy affectionate little thing. Never happier than when he is near you, tottering around on his short little legs. He is obsessed with chewing everything and is particularly drawn to material so is endlessly kidnapping tea towels and dirty washing to hide in his basket and nom.

Love this pug so much

What is particularly lovely is how much people are drawn to pugs. They seem to just make everyone who sees them smile. I have never been stopped so many times by people wanting to know his name, how old he is or just wanting to stroke his big fat neck. Its a wonderful thing.

So today I raise my glass to Pugs and all that own them-may your necks be filled with rolls, your faces fat and your snores loud.

More Pug Love-Some other Pug stuff I love

Pugs Not Drugs Notebook £5 Buy here

Pug Lunchbox £10 Buy here

Galaxy Print Pug Scarf £6 Buy Here

Pug i-Phone case £15 Buy here

MSSVG Discount Code

Use discount code pamper20 - for 20% off full price items on clothing (not beauty products or sale items). It is unlimited usage meaning customers can use it multiple times as opposed to just once. The expiration date is Monday 21st July 2014.

MSSVG Skirt Giveaway

MSSVG are very kindly offering the Jungle print skirt I'm wearing in this post to one of my readers. Its available in sizes 14-26 and entering couldn't be easier

To Enter

Follow MSSVG on Twitter
Leave a comment below along with your email address.
Make sure you follow my blog (you can do via bloglovin or network blogs) or "Like" my facebook page or follow me on Twitter

The small print

The winner will be chosen on Sunday the 12th of July 2014

Winner will be selected using random number generator.

This prize can not be transferred.

Good luck!

All Photos by Nicky Rockets

And here is my latest video-if you would like to see more of these subscribe to my Youtube channel

Limited Edition Betty Pamper Tee Shirt Now On Sale

My brand new Betty Pamper tee Shirts cost £15 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

Friday, 27 June 2014

Betty Pamper's Weekend Wish List

Its payday for lots of us and whilst most of our hard earned cash will probably be spent on dull stuff like gas bills and car repayments its still can't hurt to have a little nosey at the best of this weekends online shopping, even better there are some cracking sale bargains at the moment too. Here are my top picks (excuse the sticky paw prints)

River Island Pink Floral Devore Kimono £50 Buy Here

I have been lusting over this for weeks and I think I may have to succumb. It just screams glamour. As well as wearing it to flounce around the house in like a 1940's filmstar I can also see this working with jeans and a vest for a festival vibe or with a long summer dress for a bit of a Stevie Nicksathon. Not the cheapest thing on today's wishlist but by jove its a beaut!

Simply Be Printed Tunic Dress With Contrast Collar £40 Buy Here

I am definitely going through a bit of a Jane Birken 1960's phase this summer and this frock with its jaunty little collar and vaguely vintage looking print is making me sit up like a mere cat. This with a pair of black ballet pumps and lots of black eyeliner-oh J'Taime indeed.

Asos Curve Mono Print Playsuit £12 Buy here

I've always been a bit dubious about how foxy I would look in a play suit but the generous cut of the shorts coupled with the non butt skimming length is seriously tempting me. I love the New York casualness of this look and yet think it looks infinitely wearable and for £12 may just take a punt.

Asos Curve Shift Dress With Lace Hem £19 Buy Here

This is definitely my bargain of the week. Asos offer free delivery so this beautiful dress is under £20 and it just looks amazing. This is going to work hard for you all summer long and can be glammed up with heals and a clutch or dressed down with a pair of birkenstocks and a satchel. I reckon this will sell out soon.

Also Lusting After
4 Leaf Clover Necklace £4 Buy Here

I'm going through a dainty jewellery phase where I want all my necklaces to look like I've picked them out of a jewellery box which plays a tune and has a twirling ballerina inside. This fits the bill perfectly and is less than a fiver which feels rather lucky to me.

Evans Joanna Red T Bar Court Shoe £32 Buy Here

I adore red shoes. Call it my Dorothy obsession or maybe it was seeing the film of the fairytale as a kid but red shoes to me are just almost magical. I also heart T-Bar shoes but my fat little feet rarely fit in them so the fact that these babies are in a wide fit is making me want to dance right over and stick my chubby little trotters right inside their red suede loveliness.

Barry M Jelly Hi Shine Nail Varnish in Coral Buy Here

Gelly Hi Shine is in my opinion the nearest thing you get to a shellac nail polish on the high street. Long lasting, glossy and the colour range is amazing. I tend to favour corals and pinks in the summer months so this shade is perfect.

Tukri Wood Necklace £19 Buy Here

This looks like sweeties. A necklace made of hundreds and thousands. Its playful and also vaguely ethnic as its made of wood. As much as I love disposable fashion this actually looks like a real statement piece of jewellery and isn't by Topshop-me likey!

Pastel Tealight Holders £20 for set of 4 Buy Here

I think these would look quite glorious dotted around my garden. I already have candy coloured garden lights and with these on the decking I can pretend I am in Tuscany.

So there you have it. A roll call of online lushness for your delectation. Whatever your plans for the weekend have a good one.

*Don't forget the 20% off Lovedrobe discount code you can use for the next few weeks. details here

And here is my latest video-if you would like to see more of these subscribe to my Youtube channel

Limited Edition Betty Pamper Tee Shirt Now On Sale

My brand new Betty Pamper tee Shirts cost £15 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Big Up Blighty: How To Make Milk Bottle Vases

Its time for my weekly craft injection and this one is such a simple idea but looks so effective.There is something quintessentially British about milk bottles in crates and this project is a humorous take on wedding flower displays. If you just fancy some cool looking flower vases forget the crate. I've gone for a union jack colour theme but you could go for pastels or all white. They look great in a row on a book shelf or window sill.

You will need

A wooden crate (I got mine from my local green grocer)

Milk bottles (if you have your milk delivered check its ok with the milkman)

Red, white and blue enamel spray paint

A dust mask

Gloves

Red, white and blue ribbon

White emulsion paint

PVA Glue

A paint brush

A Union Jack postcard

Step One

Paint your wooden crate with white paint. For a shabby chic look use just one coat with a large brush

Step Two

Spray your milk bottles. Ensure you do this outside or in a well ventilated workshop and wear your mask and gloves. The bottles need two coats and look almost like they made of china or porcelain when they are dry.

Step Three

Tie Ribbon around the bottle stems

Step Four

Glue your sign to the front of your crate and put single flowers in each bottle.

To stop the bottles moving you may want to pad your crate with some tissue paper or sisal.

Quick, inexpensive and very effective.The perfect antidote to overblown expensive floral displays.

If you enjoyed this I have plenty of other craft projects over on my crafts page

I also have a book called Handmade Wedding Crafts which features this and lots of other fabulous vintage inspired wedding craft projects for your delectation.

*Disclaimer- I bear no responsibility for any craft related injuries you might receive in the pursuit of handmade loveliness. As with any craft or DIY project the reader undertakes it at their own risk.

All Photos by Nicky Rockets

Limited Edition Betty Pamper Tee Shirt Now On Sale

My brand new Betty Pamper tee Shirts cost £15 and are available to buy from here having curves never looked so good!

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Totally Tropical Flavour: Lovedrobe floral chiffon skater dress review

Club Tropicana drinks are free

This summer is all about tropical prints. Now as a lover of bright, loud designs this is good news but even I have found some of the interpretations a tad on the unwearable side.Every other fashion editorial looks like a palm tree has vomited on it.

I love all this but don't see it working in my everyday wardrobe

(Pic from Pintrest)

I want my tropical prints to look vibrant but not too carnival, beautiful without screaming cruise ship and after looking for a while I have found the dress to get my tropical on.

This floral chiffon skater dress £45 by Lovedrobe gets the balance of tropical print and wearable design just right.

How the dress looks on the website

The pink colour is gorgeous and the flowers are a fabulous selection of blues, yellows and greens which contrast but don't clash.

Tropical Perfection

The shape is pretty damn perfect too. V neck, capped sleeves and gently elasticated at the bias. Structured enough that I go in and out at all the right places but relaxed enough that its perfect for a summers day.

How perfect is this colour and print

I love layering different shades of the same colour into an outfit so I've pinned some pink flowers into my hair and on my arm have my trusty Birken style tote.

This dress embraces the hot tropical colours that are so on trend but also feels totally wearable

Its bright and pretty and gives a good nod to the tropical trend without me feeling it will be unwearable next season. Now all I need is a pina colada and I'm set.

Welcome strong prints into your plus size wardrobe-its time to take centre stage

Strong prints can still be one design choice plus size chicks struggle with. When you have spent years hiding behind black, making yourself the centre of attention with a blast of colour can be nerve racking. My advice is find a print which keys into your favourite things, floral, birds, tropical and introduce some exquisite pieces into your wardrobe.You can start small with a bag, a necklace or a scarf and before long your wardrobe will be a riot of colour and print. Trust me you will feel amazing.

More Tropical Loveliness

Tropical Slip Ons £10