100th Post - Appreciation and Thanks

Hi everybody!

Image from google

I hope you're all doing well today and making the most of your Monday. So today's post is my 100th post on this blog! It seems to have gone by so quickly and I've had the best time so far writing posts and putting out content for you guys. When I decided to shift the purpose of this blog up a little I knew I would be keeping up the lifestyle aspects and some other aspects of the blog previously but it would be more heavily intertwined with raising awareness for POMC as you all know. Since that shift the reception of this blog, the support I've received from all of my amazing readers has been amazing and I've been able to make some lovely new friends from all around the world!!
I was terrified of the reception I would get by telling my story but I knew how important it would be for all of the other people out there who are either struggling with their weight, long-term condition of genetic obesity conditions, and I am astounded everyday of love love and support given, I've been able to help many people, my email has been relatively non stop since last year! Please keep them coming if you have any questions or want more information please ask, as I always say every little helps in the way of raising awareness for so many misunderstood, heavily stigmatised and awful genetic obesity disorders. 
I thought I thought I would share with you some of the amazing things I have had the opportunity to get involved in thanks to this blog and so many supportive people around the world!

My Invisible Disabilities and Disorders
Community as UoS!

• Took part in an interview with a journalist from the University of Sunderland - nothing came of said interview which was hurtful but still it was a great experience to take part in that I am glad I agreed to.
• Met with the, then, president of the Student's Union to help set pans into motion of a day of rooting awareness for genetic obesity conditions as the University of Sunderland. 
• Got to talk with numerous people from around the world about their experiences of living with and parenting one with a genetic obesity condition. 
• Conversed with numerous people working for awareness organisations and pharmaceutical companies aiming to develop treatments and awareness for genetic obesity conditions!
• Set up a community (a mini society) at the University of Sunderland for individuals living with invisible disabilities while studying at University of Sunderland, at the beginning of the next academic year we will be discussing some changes that we wish to make at the University.
• Become a health champion at a local wellbeing centre, helping to improve the lives of people around me, currently trained  in promoting Emotional Resilience!

Thank you all!

All of the amazing stuff I've been able to do is because of the confidence that my readers give me to keep promoting for these horrible conditions, conditions that impact families, friends, colleagues and most importantly the individual diagnosed with it. If at least 1  of my, almost, 10,000 readers has taken something from my blog then I am doing something right! Thank you so much for being there for me, continuously reading my blog, giving me motivation and support and I can only say that I am SO excited to continue this blogging journey with you as there are lots of exciting things going on at the moment that I will HAVE to tell you all about at some point ;) 

Lovs of love,

Katherine xx

Plus Size Fashion - Where to go?

Hello there!

I've been thinking a lot lately about clothes and my style in general as I've been fancying a bit of a change up, usually I just wear whatever is comfortable or whatever matches my mood and looks smart but I've always favoured the vintage type style and this, in turn, got me thinking about plus size fashion of all types and where us larger ladies can go without burning a huge hole in our designer purses (I WISH). Often plus size fashion can be very expensive, but you usually do get what you pay for so in this post I'll be writing about where you can go for plus size fashion, some places are more affordable than others and I will be including some underwear shops because I know all too well, the struggle to find large bras that don't make me look 70 years old. Let's get down to business then!

Simply Be - Simply Be is a high street plus size fashion shop, it's both online and there are stores around the UK that stocks fashion from sizes 10-36, so there really is something for everyone. The clothes from Simply Be are very good quality and I fin that they are durable and can last quite a long time. They stock everything from everyday casual dresses, wedding dresses, tops, knitwear, swimwear, footwear and lingerie. There is literally something from everyone, I personally like the vintage 50s type style and they have Joe Browns dresses and such in that suit me down to the ground. There are more modern and "trendy" styles of clothing there also which will suit toddy's fashionistas. The only issue with Simply Be is that this shop is significantly overpriced, one top could cost up to £40 which I think is way over what should be charged but if you have the money to spare I definitely recommend Simply Be. 

Yours Clothing - Yours Clothing is very much a similar type of shop to Simply Be, however this is my favourite go-to place for clothes at the moment, mainly because it stocks sizes 14-36 and it's much cheaper than Simply Be. Yours has a range of clothing, footwear, swimwear and lingerie perfect for the larger sizes, however I must admit that the lingerie isn't exactly varied in sizes when it comes to bras and such. Yours stocks more mature types of clothing, meaning there aren't as many modern type tends found here, their party/occasion wear is great and when it gets to summer they have a great selection of maxi/beach dresses and good prices. I find their clothes are very good quality and regardless of style preferences, I'm positive any larger (and not so larger lady) can take a look at Yours and find something they love. 

Pink Clove - Pink Clove is a pretty new discovery of mine, I do like their clothes very much as they're versatile and a lot of the fashion they stock can be worn as daytime and nighttime wear with a little mix and match. I love their lounge-y look tunics in Turquoise and Pink, I mentioned them in a previous post. They stock sizes 16-32 and their prices are fab too, I've been known to spend £30 there and get over 5 pieces of clothing which is pretty damned good for any shop if I may say so! Pink Clove is definitely worth a look, particularly their casual and occasion wear. 

ASOS Curve - A lot of my larger sized friends have always wanted to wear clothes like those ASOS models, that's when I told them about ASOS curve. This is one of my absolute favourites because it has such modern, trendy high street type fashions as well as some gorgeous pieces for going out in in sizes 8-30 so literally almost all sizes can get fabulous clothes! i recently spent nearly £100 in ASOS Curve because I love it so much! They are always up to date on the latest trends and styles. ASOS curve literally suits everyone and I'd highly recommend checking it out!

Ample Bosom - Now for those of you who have issues finding bras to fit I find that Ample Bosom is a gem of a find, the bras aren't the most attractive in the sense of patterns or prettiness. Ample Bosoms main aim is to provide bras that are comfortable, supportive, and look like proper bras, none of this frills and bright patterns. They are mainly aimed at mature women roundabout 30s and upwards but if you're struggling so much to find a bra I doubt that's a major issue. The prices are pretty steep but reasonable for the quality of bra you're getting. They stock lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and other such pieces in sizes 28A-50N (back and cup sizes), if you're looking for somewhere you can find a strong and comfy bra Ample Bosom is the place to go.
I hope you've all enjoyed this post and found it useful. Comment some of your favourite places to shop, plus size or not. NOTE: All of the above images are pieces of clothing taken from each website, not my images. 


Love Katherine. X

Plus Size "High Street" Fashion Wishlist

Hi All!

I'm a plus size lady and I'm pretty damned sure I rock it! However, recently I've been looking at my wardrobe with a rather forlorn expression on my face, I think I'm due a wardrobe spring clean and a shopping spree to follow it up. Now, because I'm a plus size lady I tend to find the type of clothes I like usually aren't in my size and if they are they're definitely not in my price range, I usually stick to online shopping these days because I'm often pushed to find a date to go out shopping,  but I absolutely love actually going into shops and trying the clothes on. I often stick to sites such as Simply Be, ASOS Curve&Plus Size section, Yours Clothing, Debenhams and so on so I've made myself a little wishlist of all the things I'd like to see in my wardrobe in the next few weeks from some of the above websites. I think it's important to note that when it comes to Simply Be it's extremely overpriced in my opinion, there's just no need to pay £40 or near enough for a t-shirt so that site won't be a big player in this wishlist. Let's get this thing started then.

The first item on my wish list is the Black and Pink Check Skirt Jersey Skater Dress from Yours Clothing. I absolutely love the skater dress style and I'm wanting to get more skater dresses for spring and summer. I find that on the curvier shape skater dresses sit really well on the majority of body types so it will flatter and look great on anybody. Tartan is one of my favourite fashion trends and although red tartan is best for my look pink tartan is so cute and perfect for any time of the year. I personally would style this dress with a wrap type cardigan, some chancy jewellery or long necklace, opaque tights and my chancy heeled boots. 

Second on my wish list is the Ridley Super Soft Skinny Jeans from ASOS Curve. You don't have to be stick thin to wear skinny jeans, in fact I prefer the look of skinny jeans on a plus size woman but that's my opinion. Anyway, I love skinny jeans and I find as a general jean style they're very versatile and can be styles with anything. These jeans are just the right waist height and I don't like jeans that rest on the hip or too hight on the waist, super soft jeans tend to be much easier to put on and take off, nobody wants to get stuck getting their jeans on or off and doing the "jeans too tight" routine by lying on the bed or jumping up and down. Personally I'd style these jeans with my converse and a longline T-shirt and leather jacket. I'm more for comfort than looking glam. 

Thirdly, I would absolutely love to get my hands on this little number. The Bonnie A-line Tunic in teal from Pink Clove is absolutely lovely and just the type of thing i love because I like clothes that you can slouch about in all day or go outing an look really gorgeous. Knowing me I'd wear this to college with leggings and boots and my jacket, the style is really flattering for curvy figure and it comes in loads of colours, for me though teal is too pretty to resist. The style of this dress is really similar to the skater dress above and it can be styled plain as it's pictured, or you could embellish it with a belt, jewellery cardigans or whatever you like. 

Finally on my wish list is one of my all time favourite designers from Simply Be, Joe Browns 50's style garden dress is the cutest dress I've ver seen and I think I might actually order this dress once I've posted this. I love this style of dress because it's so feminine and honestly I believe that anybody can look beautiful in this style dress. I love roses and red is a favourite colour of mine so obviously I'm totally in love with this dress and this with some cute ballet flats of chancy kitten heels with subtle jewellery would look gorgeous! 

I hope everyone has enjoyed reading my high-street fashion wish list! Let me know what your favourite style is or what you're really fancying seeing in your wardrobe!


Love Katherine. X