Friday, 30 December 2016

My Year Of Not Buying New Clothes

At the beginning of 2016,spurred on by some major life changes I decided to stop buying fast fashion.
For many people this doesn't sound like such a big deal, but as a style blogger and clothes obsessive I can only compare it to when I decided to quit smoking-I knew it would be good in the long term but I dreaded the withdrawal.
Keeping up with trends, scratching the style itch had become so much a part of my life I worried that I would somehow lose my identity (and be really badly dressed) if I stopped being a "dedicated follower of fashion" Regardless of this slight sinking feeling, I also recognised that wearing outfits created in poor working conditions, that were ultimately ending up in landfills was in complete opposition to my changing values so a switch had to be made.
I'm nothing if not a realist and from the offset realised that buying nothing wouldn't work. Instead I decided to buy as much second hand clothing as possible, to only buy new clothes that were created in a more ethical sustainable way and of course rework as much of my existing wardrobe as I could.
This pink skull bag is one of my best Charity shop finds. £1.75

The most obvious challenge I faced when I started exploring the world of charity shop and vintage clothing was my dress size. As a plus size 18-20 I was already familiar with a high street that rarely if ever stocked much that would fit over my head so I was fairly sceptical when I first set off on my chazza quest.

This black pinafore was on my "want list" and although it was originally faded a quick wash with some Dylon and a customised patch and it felt like new and has been worn to death.

I'm not going to tell you that every charity shop I entered was bursting with clothes in my size, it really varied. Some of the bigger more switched on charity stores like Oxfam are amazing (the Brighton one is just ridiculous) whilst some would contain a few bobbly Primark jumpers. As with all second hand clothing hauls you just have to dig deep to find treasure.

This entire outfit was from a local Help the Aged store.

I quickly realised I needed a strategy when shopping in thrift stores. Working with my existing wardrobe I created a list on my phone which reminded me what I was after. A camouflage jacket, a denim mini skirt, a good quality long sleeved black top. Becoming more focused meant I made fewer mistakes and also gave me room to root out some real gems.

This F & F dress was one of my first pre loved buys of 2016 and remains a real favourite.

 Whats really interesting when you start clothes shopping in this way is how patient you become. I still devour fashion blogs and magazines and try and incorporate current trends into my wardrobe each season but its in a much less frenetic way. I know that it might take me three months to find a black and white striped Breton tee-shirt to indulge my Justine from Elastica fantasy or that a soft non wool non bobbly cardigan in moss green might elude me for a while, but oh when those items land at your feet (and in some charity shops they quite literally might be in a crumpled pile on the floor) how victorious you feel.

This tee-shirt may have belonged to Marcel Marceau

Embracing "Slow fashion" has taken me back to my late teens/early twenties where lack of funds, lack of online and lack of sizes meant that each item in my wardrobe was quite important. I can still remember each and every item of clothing I owned at university and how precious they were, how they helped me shape my outward identity. I hadn't realised that there was actually something rather nice about having a smaller but more well loved closet. I had swallowed the lie that "more was better" but as I discovered this year for me at least that isn't the case.

This dress was faded and unloved but still a great shape- a quick redye and it was as new-something I wouldn't have dreamt of doing a year ago.
Buying less clothing also reinvigorated my old love of customising and personalising clothes. This year has seen me screen print jackets, dye dresses, sew on patches and actually repair and mend items. Its easy to feel that buying lots of clothes is what makes you stand out and be individual but yet again, in a surprising turn of events I found this to be untrue.
This jacket was screen printed with a hand drawn design my Nicky to breathe new life into it-having totally fallen out of love with it, it then became the main thing I wore last summer.
I look back to 18 months ago when my clothes rail groaned under the weight of items worn maybe once or twice and feel slightly stunned at how causally I tossed things aside. On a psychological level I think the sheer amount of clothes I owned often left me feeling a bit empty, slightly joyless. Sure everything was "nice" but rather like a small child on Christmas day ripping open a present only to shout "next",  the fact that something new would be replacing my latest acquisition in mere weeks made it impossible for me to really fall in love with anything. 
Now when I spy a dress featuring a beautiful embroidered collar or a Punky Green and black jumper I get an immense feeling of happiness. A genuine ripple of excitement that deliveries from Asos never created.

Proving that in charity shops you really do need to rifle-this camouflage jacket was hanging with the men's jackets-it fits perfectly and was exactly what I was after.

 But what about fashion? Did all this searching for items, reworking existing clothes rather than buying what I really wanted new affect my style mojo? Well at first it did sure. It took a while for me to find my fashion feet.

Is there anything cuter than a striped jumper? Another Oxfam find worn with a cord M & S skirt via ebay

 I would sometimes see an item of clothing and covet it so much and know realistically that it was unlikely I would find something similar  and it would slightly bum me out. I felt like my decision to stop inhaling new clothes like Michelle Pfeiffer snorting coke in Scarface must mean my days as a fashion blogger were over. How could I possibly be relevant if I was no longer working with brands, no longer being sent samples, no longer attending previews of new collections.
I feel like an ice cream in this dress-only £4 from a Hospice shop


Slowly though I realised that if you replace the word fashion to style you give yourself permission to slow the hell down a bit. To see your wardrobe as an ongoing project. Full of cherished items which with the addition of some accessories or one or two new additions grows only more wonderful.

This pink dress by Oxfam is so pretty-I feel quite ethereal in it
 I also love that I now own some outfits that are totally unique to me. A 1980s blue dress with Russian inspired ribbon detailing, a Kate Bushesque pink frock which may or may not have been a nightie but with the addition of  a belt is just boho perfection. Clothes that feel unique and special.


If this dress could talk-I'm sure it seen some stuff

I really feel like I have found the right balance now when it comes to fashion. I still want to evolve my looks with the seasons but I'm happy that I do this in a slower more considered way.

Pastel Goth Realness provided by a jumble sale skirt and braces

I understand that  some readers of my blog may miss being able to go and buy similar items but, there are plenty of amazing bloggers out there who provide great fashion content fresh from the catwalks. Instead I hope to offer ideas and inspiration and  show that you don't always need lots of money or access to the latest trends to put together some great looks.
Here is to another year of slow fashion. 


   

Brand New "Dead Curvy" Design  over at  Nicky Rockets


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

Friday, 23 December 2016

LoveLily Fragrance By Accessorize


I always like to change my perfume to match the seasons and as the winter solstice passes and cosy nights beckon I've been hankering over a strong floral scent. Light enough to wear in the day but with a little added drama that warms to the skin under my layers of jumpers.


LoveLily by Accessorize fits the bill perfectly. Featuring notes of raspberry, orange, jasmine and vanilla its sweet without being cloying, floral but sliced through with citrus. It is simply gorgeous and I've received so many compliments since I've started wearing it.


The glass bottle incorporates a really beautiful floral cap and looks so pretty on my dressing table. 



At £19.99 this is a great idea for a last minute gift and best news of all-its cruelty free. yes you can smell delicious knowing you are only making the world a nicer place. Perfect!

*I never lie to you dear readers-I was gifted this item for review but my opinions are my own-it really does smell gorgeous.


I am filming daily vlogs until Christmas so do hop on over and have a watch.





   

Brand New "Dead Curvy" Design  over at  Nicky Rockets


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


Thursday, 22 December 2016

Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas

My outfit posts have been fewer during 2016-this has been a conscious decision and I like to think what I have lacked in quantity I have made up for in quality. 
Regardless I'm extremely happy to be bringing you this outfit as my last plus size fashion post of the year.



I was invited to a Christmas event by the team at Very and as well as enjoying some wonderful treats  including NYX make overs, fizz and goody bags also got a chance to indulge my love of all things sparkly as they were showing their party dress collection





Afterwards I was asked which piece had particularly caught my eye and it was this sparkly bomber jacket that was top of my want list.


I feel I have done party dresses to death so the idea of having just one "Christmas Party"  item that I could throw over a pair of jeans and a simple long sleeved top was very appealing.




This bomber only goes up to a size 18 but is very generous so would work up to a size 22 I think as it has stretch in it. Its surprisingly comfortable too as its lined inside (meaning no scratchy irritation, so common when wearing heavily sequined clothes)



I've teamed this with some black stretch jeans by Yours and my Hi tops.I didn't brush my hair this morning and both Nicky and Baba loved it so I have left it in a candy floss birds nest.



Shop The Post




Whatever you wear this Christmas have a great holiday. I am filming daily vlogs until Christmas so do hop on over and have a watch.





   

Brand New "Dead Curvy" Design  over at  Nicky Rockets


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


Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Christmas Gifts For Under £20

Its the big Christmas gift rush this week and  time to start having a look at whats out there to put under your tree.
Before you dash off to the usual big high street stores take a look at some of these beautiful gifts which are all made by independent UK brands.None of them are more than £20 aand some of them are less than £2.
 If you want to stop the shopping landscape becoming a homogenized beige mass the one thing you can do is vote with your wallet and buy from local shops or independent retailers.



Here is my pick of some fab gifts that would be well received on Christmas morning and will help an indie brand owner continue to live their dream into 2017.

Corkcicle Tumbler




If like me you  take a hot drink on your commute you might like the Corkcicle  Tumbler It’s cup holder friendly making it ideal for road trips and keeps your beverage cold for up to 9 hours and cools for 2 times longer than a plastic tumbler. This eye catching cup will also keep your hot drinks warm for up to 3, great if you often forget your tea!



Strange Brew  Soap Co
If you are looking for cruelty free bath bombs, bubble bars and soaps check out the Strange Brew Soap Co The packaging and themes are rather Gothic and fragrances simply awesome. 



My favorites are the "bah Humbug" bath bubbler which smells of "mince pies and mean spirits" (it really does smell like mince pies)




 I also love the "Arsenic and old lace" soap which is scented with freal rose petals and earl grey tea and The Nevermore black bathbomb which is scented with Absinthe.

Being A Dog



Imagine yourself in the mind of your dog. How would you view the world, other dogs and other animals? How would you see yourself? What would make you happy, excited, fearful or angry? if you need a gift for a doggy mad freind or relative  then the book "Being A Dog" by Karen Wild is perfect.
More than just a dog psychology book, this includes the latest scientific research accompanied by enlightening illustrations that give a unique insight into what it's like being a dog from the dog's perspective. We have loved using this book to work out whats going on with Mister Truffles.

Vegan Festive Lipbalm Giftset By Fairypants

If you are looking for a vegan secret Santa gift this festive Lipbalm kit by Fairypants is perfect. The balms are scented with gingerbread, candycane and Irish cream. Perfect for keeping your lips super soft for any mistletoe action you are planning on this year.

Lifes Big Canvas Badges

For stocking fillers that are cute, witty and thought provoking, hop on over to Life's Big Canvas These are only £1.50 each and will be a delight for all the riot Grrls in your life!

Personalised Bottle Opener The Good Little Gift Shop

Getting an everyday item personalised is a lovely way to ensure your Christmas gift is useful as well as thoughtful. These personalised bottle openers are only a tenner and a fab way to let the beer belly in your life know you love them.

Unique Christmas cards Phil In the Box

If you after a personalised Christmas card then check out the amazing Phil In the Box by simply sending a head shot of whoever the card is for,they can feature in a Harry Potter themed card, a walking dead zombie Apocalypse or any other art, cinema or cultural reference you can think of. Phil created this amazing card featuring Baba as Hermione from Harry Potter and we absolutely love it!

Handmade Wreathes by Floral Frippery


If you are after a themed creative Christmas wreath which you will be able to use for years to come then head on over to Floral Frippery 

The wonderful owner Mary can create any style, design or colour you would like and her wreaths are so reasonable starting at £15. Mine arrived in the post and looks amazing on my front door.

Nicky Rockets


I hope you will indulge a little shameless self promotion. Over at Nicky Rockets we have tons of Christmas gift ideas. Everything from hats, prints to tee-shirts. Nothing costs more than £20 and its all made by us in the UK. Sizes Small to 5XL in everything!

Whatever you buy or receive this Christmas have a great holiday. I also filmed a video on my Youtube channel of this gift hail so if there is anything you would liek to hear more about or see more closely hop on over and have a watch.




   

Brand New "Dead Curvy" Design  over at  Nicky Rockets


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


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