MEXICO PHOTO DIARY

As some people already know i recently went on a trip to Cancun, Mexico with my mum for a week! It was so beautiful and relaxing in the most beautiful location. Our room was gorgeous with our own little swimming pool all to ourselves, but as you can see from the photos i spent the majority of my time at the beach (and the beach bar). I made a little video of the trip to test out my new camera so give it a watch and let me know what you think! Hope you enjoy this post and i'll see you in the next one

Em x

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kQFO1VUB4&t=2s

2016, THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE

2016 was hands down the craziest, most stressful yet most rewarding year of my entire life. I was lucky enough to experience some amazing opportunities and grow mentally as a person. Here are a few key moments:

University

This year at University was the hardest yet, finishing up my second year in my course Fashion Promotion with Styling and entering my third and final year was daunting. The late nights, tears and copious amounts of times in the library really show my struggle. I produced some work i was extremely happy and proud to show off and collaborated with some great creatives. I grew wiser and more creative in my craft and met more and more people who inspired me and shared my mindset towards being creative. At one point in October i was working on 5 separate things, 3 photoshoots, my dissertation and a fashion show which i was privileged enough to be made head stylist for, along with other endeavours. This hard work and commitment has only made me stronger so in the end i am thankful for thinking i almost couldn't do it, because i proved myself so wrong. 

Career

2016 was the year my career in fashion really started. I was lucky enough to do 2 internships in London at Harpers Bazaar and Lulu Guinness. Although terrifying this was such an insightful experience in the industry that i want to work in. Although i have loved fashion and clothing my whole life i have never really understood fully how certain parts of the industry run as i had never had an actual job in fashion. Working in the fashion cupboard at Harpers i got to handle the most phenomenal clothing. Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana and insane amounts of Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks and Louboutins to name a few. Seeing brand new things that weren't even in shops yet and the most shiny, glittering jewellery was the most exciting thing for the stylist in me. Seeing the shoots i assisted in the magazine a month later made me have a little fangirl moment, seeing how it all works from shoot to print was an invaluable experience.Then at Lulu Guinness i got to experience the PR side of the industry seeing how brands get their products out in the press and create an online presence through social media which was a lot different but just as insightful and fun. Through this process i got to try two different things out and really decipher what path i want to go down once i graduate. I advise anybody who wants to get their foot in the door in the fashion industry to do internships, they are the most valuable thing to a young creative and you learn an insane amount. 

A fine jewellery shoot i assisted for in my time at Harpers Bazaar (each piece of jewellery came with a guard that stayed for the entire shoot, i was shocked too)

Independence

As i mentioned i moved to London for two and a half months to do my internships. This meant leaving home and living somewhere else for the first time in my life. All through university i have lived at home as i felt i wasn't ready to move away when the time came for applying(this worked out for the best, UCLAN is a bomb university). Leaving home in the North-West and moving down to the busiest city in England was daunting to say the least. Obviously i was excited but at the same time so so scared about living on my own and being a 'real adult'. I felt like how i did when i was applying to university all over again, scared and unprepared, as the time for moving away approached i realised one very important thing. If you wait until you're ready to do these big life changing things you'll be waiting forever, you're never really ready for change, you just have to do it.

Family & Friendships

A few significant things happened in my life in 2016 regarding my family. Grief can be a difficult emotion to process when you're not used to the feeling. When you're surrounded by the people you love it becomes a lot easier and you share that pain between you all. 2016 made me really think about blessings as opposed to hardships, celebrating life over mourning it. I also met so many people who i will consider life-long friends this year, the people you surround yourself with definitely lift you higher and push you towards your goals if you find the right ones. 

Self Love

I have struggled with my own feelings towards my weight and how i look for many years. People sometimes fail to realise this as i come across, and for the most part i am, a very confident person. Being plus size comes with some criticisms and judgement by people, feeling like everybody is staring at you just ain't cool. This year i let go of most of those feelings and lived my life with no apologies or concerns about how i look. Don't get me wrong, i still want to become healthier, hit the gym and loose some weight but i became more accepting of who i am right now. I carry myself with a good ora and happiness in myself which brings good vibes towards me too. 


2016 was a year of learning and a la Kylie Jenner 'realising things'. Mainly that it's ok to be yourself, having a healthy mind and positive outlook is key and pushing yourself towards your goals always pays off. I hope 2017 brings more life, more blessings and more opportunities, hope you enjoyed this post and i'll see you in the next one.

Em x

3 Ways To Wear -The Puffa

Ever since i bought this Zara puffer jacket in London i knew it would be a staple piece in my wardrobe this Autumn/Winter, the jacket is so versatile and goes with pretty much anything so here are 3 ways i style it! 

The Mom Jeans

Asos Mom Jeans

Asos Turtle Neck

Next Belt 

Primark Wide Fit Boots (similar here)

Zara Puffa

The Sporty Jumpsuit

Asos Jumpsuit

Adidas 80's Metal Toe Superstars

The Statement Sweatshirt

Missguided Satin Cap

Asos Mens Orange Sweatshirt

Asos Peg Trousers

Vans Old Skool

Side Note : I bought this jacket in a size XL which on Zara's website translates as a size 14/16. I am in no way a size 14 or 16 in fact I range from a size 18 to 22 which for so long i was ashamed to admit to people, which in itself is stupid as it's just a number and doesn't determine who I am as a person. I just think it's important to address the issue of sizing and just because we are assigned to a number when shopping it in no way determines our actual size, we are all shaped so differently shouldn't have to stick to a size rigidly.

For example, Zara only carry clothes size 6-16 so in theory nothing in there should fit me right? Wrong. I have some amazing clothes from Zara but if I never step foot in the place due to the mindset of thinking nothing would fit me I would be completely wrong. Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying go in and try on the tightest pair of jeans you can find thinking they might fit.(I know damn well my thighs ain't ever going to get into those) 

I choose shirts, t-shirts, outerwear & knitwear too. As chiché as it sounds size is just a number and shouldn't ever stop you from wearing what you want and expressing yourself through fashion. (The same goes for boys clothes, just because its in the menswear section doesn't mean you can't style it out!)

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what you think and I'll be back soon with another outfit.

Em x

4 trends to wear this autumn/winter no matter what your size

                 Valentino, Vetements, Gucci, Fendi

As the winter months roll around it can become hard not to get into a routine of throwing on jeans and a huge jumper on a freezing weekday morning, but I'm here to show you how to easily and affordably incorporate 4 major autumn/winter 16 trends into your wardrobe no matter what size you are. 

VELVET

navy slip dress / green cami / red puffa jacket / black shirt dress / cream two piece / beige duster

grey joggers / orange slip dress / pink ruffle top / brown wrap top / mauve wrap dress / grey mesh stripe top

Valentino, Rochas & Preen all debuted rich and luxurious deeply coloured velvet pieces during the A/W 16 shows and made everybody remember why velvet is so fundamental in a winter wardrobe. Velvet is a trend that comes back again & again every autumn/winter but this season it's all about coloured velvet. Emerald greens, rich gold's and beautiful baby pink's can be dressed up and down depending on occasion in the form of a boot, dress or jacket. It works with pretty much anything instantly adding that touch of glamour. My favourite way to wear is a velvet cami or slip dress layered over turtle neck to stay warm yet look chic. 

THE HOODIE

green hoodie / white lace up hoodie / goals hoodie / dusty pink hoodie / stussy hoodie / white granted hoodie

camo hoodie / mauve hoodie / black hoodie / black fishnet hoodie / nude hoodie / all over mesh hoodie

Designers such as Vetements, Fenty x Puma & Alexander Wang put sportswear and 'the hoodie' back on the map this season. From slogan's to elongated sleeves they all have one thing in common which is the oversized fit. Streetwear brands like Stussy have been selling their signature logo on hoodies for years and are hugely popular within the skateboarding scene and underground streetwear scene. A common misconception plus sized women have is that wearing something oversized will make you look bigger, I understand the fear but it couldn't be more wrong. Once a signature hoodie is dressed up with a pair of skinny jeans or tight fitting pants, a denim jacket and a pair of trainers the oversized fit will not only keep you warm but instantly turn the outfit super on trend. 

RUFFLES

blue ruffle dress / black tiered ruffle top / red cut out ruffle top / black ruffle ankle jeans / cream ruffle knit jumper / black ruffle arm top

pink ruffle top / denim cold shoulder ruffle top / blue off shoulder ruffle top / white ruffle shirt / black mesh ruffle top / pink satin ruffle dress

Ruffles were huge on Gucci's catwalk this season on jumper sleeves and scrunchy knitted capes. Ruffles instantly bring glamour and elegance to any outfit and are a great way to incorporate shape and dimension into your outfit. There are many different sizes and cuts of ruffle to choose from depending on your taste but my personal favourites are those that show off a little bit of decolletage or arm, these pieces are even more feminine with the ruffles draping down the body and definitely bring a sexy touch to the trend without showing off too much skin. 

STATEMENT FUR

grey fur jacket / leopard print fur jacket / chevron fur jacket / khaki fur jacket / burnt orange fur jacket / pink & grey fur jacket

green fur jacket / patchwork fur jacket / cream yeti fur jacket / beige fur jacket

Statement furs were seen on catwalks such as Fendi & Rodarte in an array of different patterns, colours and prints. Taking away the concept of the boring fur jackets and playing with different textures and colours to be the centre-point of an outfit. Although buying a winter coat can sometimes break the bank the statement fur is something that will always make an outfit amazing and be a real focal point on top of an all black ensemble. The fur jacket will never go out of style and will always be a practical yet fashionable winter staple in your wardrobe.  

I hope you liked my little insight into a few autumn/winter trends and I'll be coming back soon with an outfit post on how I'll be wearing them this season. Thank's for reading and I hope you enjoyed!

Em x