Hope and Harvest

Welcome to a new direction in dressing for the woman with killer curves. The journey has begun.....HOPE & HARVEST

Taken from the online bio - 'HOPE & HARVEST brings an innovative and fresh approach to the Plus Size Fashion Industry. A Young and Modern label offering directional designs inspired by todays' top fashion trends for beautiful women in sizes 14 to 26. Designed for modern urban living, HOPE & HARVEST are dedicated to the use of exceptional fabrics and quality.

H & H encapsulates the spirit of current fashion and makes it accessible to all women regardless of shape or size. We at HOPE & HARVEST are excited to create and offer a label for curvy women without boundaries or limitations'


As you can see I am modeling for the Spring/Summer 2011 look book so I can not only show you these amazing garments but give my opinion on the fit of each garment. Here is my are my favorites, check out the collection online now for prices and colours.

Day Night Dress - Simple Sleek and just the right amount of colour added on the sleeves, this also comes in black/grey.




Silk Touch Anorak - So soft, so pretty, the ties at the waist make an amazing shape. The details on this garment are perfect. This comes in black, coral and cream and pink



Rock and Roll! The Snake Cardigan, grey singlet and vegas black leggings - I usually dislike leggings as pants but with long enough tops it works. Also match this with the other skirts in the collection.



The Lala Dress - I am completely 100% head over heels for this dress, from the super soft cotton fabric, to the hood and the draping. Adding the Feather Shoulder Caps (separate purchase) makes it look even more brilliant.






A simple black tee with the onyx skirt - high waisted to define curves.



The Wrap Dress - I've been wanting a maxi with long sleeves for so long now. This is perfect and on olive - so stunning! Also in black.

It has been torture holding on to these images but now I am so happy to share. So go and check out the whole range on their website HOPE & HARVEST and make sure you like the official page on Facebook.

Thank you also to an amazing team on this shoot also - Hope and Harvest themselves! Photographer's -Kirra Jayde & Caitlin Jane McColl Photography, MUA - Brooke Hartmann and hairstylist - Sidd Sanity.

What she wore - Petals and Pleather

I'm not really a summer girl.

I have fair freckled Irish skin so I never tan, always burn and continue to get more spots. But I do love a light weight little dress and this summer I'm looking for more colours, soft prints and simple accessories to match.

I came across this dress while looking at the US H&M online store and got so grumpy when i found out they do not post internationally. Lucky for me my best friend was in the states at the time and was kind enough to pick this up for me on one of her shopping trips. Gotta love international jet setting best buds!

This dress is perfect for the heat we have had this week. Its a very light weight fabric - jersey mostly with viscose in the same print for the ruffles. Its slightly see through though and a little short so I would advise anyone to wear a black slip underneath. I've also worn this as a long top over black skinny jeans. The dress is tagged as a size L so I'm not sure what size it would be online. I'm usually a 12-14US.

The boots were a bad idea though, far too warm for boots no matter how much they work.

H&M Floral Dress - $14.99 (US only)
Boots and Belt - Target
Bangles & Ring - Diva




The sleeves just flow beautifully down arm and the ruffle continues down the dress.

Shock horror! I'm actually smiling for the camera this is rare believe me!

Images taken again by my resident blog photographer Michael Alesich of Lucky and Rice.

Military Inspiration

If there is one thing I love in fashion at the moment it has to be military inspired styling. The colours and the details pull me in and I have a huge obsession with buttons and epaulets.

But for this style pick shapes that are tailored well and flattering either a full skirted dress or a fitted wiggle skirt.

Living Dead Souls Army Green Dress from Too Fast - $69.00USD

I don't think I can explain how much this dress needs to be mine this summer. The neckline alone has sold me!

Military Scoop Neck Jumper - £28.00

If you have a plain pencil skirt of a summer a-line skirt pair it with a simple jumper like this from ASOS. Add some themed accessories like these mock medals bellow from Mod Cloth.

Medal of Honor in Sparrow - $16.99USD
Brave Hear Pin - $13.99USD

Eshakti Button Shawl Collar Dress - $69.95USD

Eshakti also have a make to measure service and you are able to adjust the length or the dress, sleeves etc.

ASOS Military Detail Cardigan - £28.00

Pinup Couture Military Secretary Dress - $96USD

This dress has the same style neckline as the Doris Top i wore in my previous post - it is perfect for a plus figure and looks amazing on killer curves.

Who wears short, shorts?

I wear short shorts! I'm sorry but I had to do it, what else would have worked with such a post?

I've been looking at shorts for 2 summers now and I've always been hesitant about actually wearing them. Its the usual girly image battle will my legs be ok, will my butt look good, will small children run in fear?

Well this year I'm biting the bullet and I would like to introduce you to my first pair of shorts!

As soon as I saw these Black High Waisted Shorts - $69.65 (only indigo can be found as well online) at City Chic and I knew that they needed to be mine. As soon as I slipped them on I discovered they are pretty much perfect for my shape, I'm wearing a size 14.

Now I know that as a plus size woman the concept of shorts is rather daunting. I read so many women on facebook saying that these were too small that they would never wear them as they hated their legs. Well I don't love my legs either ladies, I have all the lumps and bumps everyone one else has and yes cellulite.

So my advice for wearing shorts is :

• Wear them with killer heels - They elongate your legs and shorts need this.
• Don't wear them with flats if you are not 100% comfortable with your legs.
• If you feel the need to cover up a little more add Opaque stockings or Fishnets
• Find a pair that are a comfortable length for you.
  

Now onto the rest of my outfit! This is my favorite top at the moment (size XL), I only got it last month now I want a version in white and in red! The Doris Top -$52.00 from Pinup Girl Clothing is perfection in top form. I might buy a size smaller in the other colours as this is really roomy. I also picked up these vintage inspired sunglasses to finish off the look from the same site for $18.00. They are sold out online but there are many cute pairs in the Sunglasses section

These shots were taken by my lovely friend Michael Alesich from Lucky and Rice. He is a brilliant photographer and I'm so happy he is able to help me out by showing off the garments!

I was also mentioned in City Chic's blog, so please go read it if you have not already written by the wonderful Danimezza!

Christina Hendricks GQ Russia November 2010

How amazing is Christina Hendricks in GQ Russia - original article here.

She is an amazing real shaped woman and my style idol, I love every single image I see of her. This editorial show just how much vintage style fitted clothing works on women with curves to kill!

Hungry Designs - Sweet Treats

A few months back I stumbled across the delicious creations from Hungry Designs.

These hand made accessories are cute, playful, well made and really adorable. From delicious cakes and sweets to brooches of vintage camera's and stunning characters. This shop has unique creations with great detail.

My stand out favorite has to be the Polaroid Camera Brooch and the pink cupcake earrings.

So if you are looking for a unique gift or something wacky to wear go forth and see all the creations on Hungry Designs online shop.

Update

I've had some computer issues recently but now I'm back in full swing.

I will be updating a lot over the next week and I will have a few more 'what she wore' posts I promos. My little digital camera is no longer going to cut it so from now on I will be working with some of my lovely friends to do more in depth photo shoots to show the outfits. This way the images will be clear and not DIY!

Next week I will brave shorts - yes shorts!! Some cute dresses and more!

xxxx

Jungle Fever

Its getting warm enough (well most days it is) to really start getting into summer styles and at the moment I'm really loving the jungle inspired styling that is popping up everywhere.

From new style safari suits to leopard print and tribal patterns this look is wild and I'm thinking about adding a few items to my wardrobe, can I pull it off?

This summer I have made a promise to myself - experiment with more prints and more colour lets see if i stick to it.

Safari Jacket $89.95 and Cargo Shorts $69.95 from City Chic

Pair this with the Green Military Tie Blouse from ASOS £28.00



Then to finish off the look either a statement shoe in Leopard - Foxy by Jeffery Campbell $139.95USD



or the Freida Wedge by Toni Bianco $179.95AU

Mix the classic black evening dress with a little bit of leopard if you are not game enough to wear the first look. Wear plain black pumps with this simple design.

ASOS Leopard Print Jersey Batwing Dress - £32.00

Leopard your style then what about this forest print from Diane Von Furstenberg the queen of wrap dresses!

Jeanne Wrap Dress in Brambles Forest - $325.00USD



with Steve Maden Fiesstaa Platform Sandals - £32.00