Valentines Day Lingerie Review - Very.co.uk

The awesome, misery-free but still slightly miserable lover in me did enjoy a lovely, relaxed weekend with my dude. We exchanged gifts on Friday night, had a lovely meal, chilled out and watched some quite violent films. On Valentines Day we had the longest lie-in of my entire life and pretty much spent the rest of the day talking, eating and just enjoying eachothers company. We did have a fancy meal planned and I had bought some 'special' items for when we got home, but once we were all settled I kind of didn't fancy it. 

So, the special items I purchased were nothing too exciting I'm afraid just some lingerie to spice things up. I honestly didn't mean to use the phrase 'spice things up' I feel like I've just aged myself by about 30 years. 

Anywhoo back to the lingerie. I love looking nice not just for my boyf but for myself, mostly for myself. I think it's really important to dress to impress yourself. If like me you are your harshest critic then impressing and feeling good about yourself is most definitely the way forward. I think that's what looks sexiest on a person. I'm a girl with more to love (another phrase used by the over 50's) so when choosing underwear it's important that I'm feeling myself (no pun intended) before boyfy feels me (pun intended). I mean what's the point in feeling unhappy with how you look especially when dressing for sexy-fun times? I have set rules when buying 'fun times' underwear:

1. Always take in more than one size to try - There is no shame whatsoever in having to size up. 

2. Once you get the item on, if you are smiling, buy it!

3. Once you get the item on, if you can't stop dancing and singing songs relating to body parts such as Rack City or Anaconda, buy it!

4. If you can do the truffle shuffle and still feel amazing, buy it!

5. Never compare yourself to anyone. You are you and whatever you are wearing is meant to look the way it does on you. The girl from instagram you've seen wearing it is also very beautiful but she isn't a spokeswoman for the brand nor is she a guideline for how the item should look. Set your own beauty standards and live by them. 

6. Try something different, you'll be surprised how much you'll learn by stepping outside your comfort zone.

7. Add heels, red lips and big hair - ALWAYS.

8. If you want to spend the night alone looking at yourself, you've won! This isn't vain nor is it arrogant, this is self-love and this isn't a sin. Preach!

I'd ordered my items from Very because I'd been so busy with work I pretty much left it until the last minute and needed to order from somewhere with next day delivery. Sometimes being blessed enough to have huge cans can feel like you've not been blessed at all especially when it comes to buying underwear. I have a smaller waist/back size in comparison to my jug size so it can be a nightmare, although not as bad as it used to be. Not at all like the time when I was 15, outgrew wearing Mum's bra's and had to move on to my Nans because nowhere at all stocked my size! I am also used to paying for the quality of really good, well fitting underwear. 

Of the three items purchased I was most impressed with the Plunged Lace body by Sorbet. It was really flattering especially in the bum area. I couldn't stop singing Anaconda when I had this one on. It has quite a low, scooped back with adjustable straps so it really did flatter and not flatten. The front is plunged with a little ribbon to keep it together, which my boobs almost Hulk-smashed out of but it does give a really nice cleavage. I went a size smaller for this and it was perfect. It looks lovely with sheer hold-ups, red lips and big Hollywood curls.

My least favourite also by Sorbet was a Lace basque. I ordered my actual size as it's cupped and works on actual bra size, but considering the cup size was quite big the body part was terribly small. The material felt cheap and the thong that came with it... I have no words. It looked like something you'd see on the floor in Piccadilly on a Sunday morning. Hardly Agent Provocateur  but then again I hadn't really splashed out. I think it could have worked had it have been a little truer to size or even if there was the option to go bigger. I'd probably try this style again as it's great if you want to show off your boobs, legs and bum and cover up around the midriff.

Boyfy's favourite was the Anne Summers fringed black dress named Valerie, same name as my Mum which is quite disturbing. This was a lovely fit, flattering and displayed enough in the right places which is always a good thing. The only thing I didn't like about this was it didn't really look right with hold-ups, which I LOVE but it did get the seal of approval from the mister and I did feel lovely wearing it. This appeals to my more gothic side so I'd have had my hair in a sleek, bone straight pony with deep purple lips and the highest heels known to man.

Well I guess two out of three aint bad and I definitely can't fault Very who delivered on time as usual, always on call for the busy, the forgetful and the indesicive.

Hope you lovers had a lovely Valentines Day.

Love Beanie x x

OOTD - On Wednesdays we wear Pink.

So, this is a quick post on one of my favourite outfits I wore last week and you guessed it, it was PINK! In true spirit I joined the boys and girls of the world celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Mean Girls albeit a little late but I still took part.

If my friends are reading this (which they should be!) they are probably sat wondering how I came to a decision on which of my many pink items of clothing I would wear. My answer to them, it was simple (ish). As it was mid-week and my outfit had to be office-friendly. It would need to be quite smart, but I wanted to keep the fun and playful-ness of my personality whilst throwing in a huge salute to the bitchiness of the film itself and to the personalities of its many loved characters.

I was going to go for bright-pink and mo-hair, however for me that, like totally screams CLUELESS! So I opted for softer colours. I bought a brand new dusky pink jumper from Primark. I do love this jumper however I bought it a little too big so it’s a little saggy now around the bottom. I can still wear it but it doesn’t look as good with a shirt underneath anymore because it doesn’t hold tight in the right places. For the price of the jumper I’m not going to grumble, the material quality is lovely and I absolutely love the style. The short sleeves are the cutest and the detail around the neckline is glam-o-rous!

In complete homage to Regina, Kady, Gretchen and Karen I doubled up by wearing my lovely pink heart shirt from New Look underneath. I wouldn’t usually wear pink on pink but because of the elbow-length sleeves on my jumper my arms were on show and broke up the colours. They didn’t clash and the outfit didn’t seem too bubblegum, Barbie-girl. Also, by doubling up there was no way on this earth I would be told I couldn’t sit with anybody that day.

Rather than wear prissy, pink courts and light blue jeggings I opted for black leggings and black cut-out boots just to throw the outfit off a little. You could say the bottom half of my outfit (bag included) was very much inspired by Janis. A little edgy and a little rebellious.   

In true bitch-style I went for a powerful red lipstick and thick, dark brows. I thought seen as how I’d pretty much incorporated my favourite aspects from the film into my outfit, the bitchiness I’d depict via my make up. Keeping the eyes nude, primed only with my Kiko eye primer, my Lady Danger painted lips popped with power. My hair tied back in a super-preppy high-school plait, I was most definitely ready to enjoy my day the mean girls way.

Springing into step - Another Mini Haul

Hi everyone! Hope you've all had a blast of a bank holiday. Aren't we lucky to be having these short working weeks and long weekends recently? And the weather has been a darling to us.  I think you'll all be very proud to know that I have finally stepped up my game and I'm working hard to add some lovely Spring pastels and prints into my daily style. Like I said it's not like I don't love these colours or suit them, brights, pastels, pinks and shimmers are my favourite colours of all. I've just found it harder this time to find items that suit me. 

I took a trip to the Trafford Centre after work with one of my favourite girls. I absolutely loathe the place and it really didn't help that NOTHING at all stood out. As a curvier girl I didn't even attempt to grace the oh so bright and beautiful dreamland that was Forever 21. I know I should check it out for myself but really I haven't heard the greatest of reviews from my fellow plus sizers so thought I'd push on to the bigger (no pun intended) and not necessarily better, but definitely 'chubb-friendly' stores. 

The following day I took a trip into Manchester (Arndale) which is perfect for me. I know it like the back of my hand so I automatically know which stores cater for me and which stores do not.

I managed to bag myself a pastel pink shirt with tiny white hearts on, perfect for the girlie girl in me. Actually this shirt caught my eye as I was leaving the store so obviously I believe it was fate plus it was the last one and in my size, how could I possibly deny myself?

The bag! I had it all planned out, this month I was going to buy myself a Michael Kors bag but somehow over time I'd fallen out of love with it don't shed a tear for me yet because I found a bag I love AND I ended up saving myself £250! I used it all weekend and use it everyday for work. I love the size of this bag and the fact it sits really well on my shoulder. Even though this bag has such a short strap, which I assumed I'd only be able to carry by hand. Also you know how when you fill a bag and it tends to hurt your shoulder, I filled this yesterday for work and didn't even realise how heavy it really was, I didn't get that uncomfortable feeling I'm used to. I'm actually thinking the broadness of the strap is the reason for this. All in all I love this bag, I made a saving and I'll probably end up going back to get the tan colour which is equally as nice.

Finally, my pumps. I really do love these little babies and after the horrendous rain we've been having I had to say goodbye to two pairs of pumps last week. I very rarely buy pumps or flat shoes for that matter as they aren't my 'go-to' shoe. I would love to blow a mini-fortune on a pair but I just don't see the point at the moment. I really only wear them for work so places like Primark, Peacocks and New Look are perfect for me. 

I really like this look it's great for sunny weekend days out and really has done fabulously catapulting me into a mini pastel heaven.

Shirt £17.99, New Look

Bag   £10, Primark

Pump £10 Primark

Purse  £13 River Island

Heart Earrings  £1 Primark

Rings  £3 each River Island

'S' Necklace  ASOS

Happy Tuesday - ASOS Haul

Well it's Tuesday (although I have been asking if it's Wednesday all day) and what better way to celebrate than coming home to a large package from one of my favourite online retailers ASOS! I completely forgot about making this order, seen as how work has turned my brain into a huge pile of mush. I can't believe I finally ordered a pair of Jellies! I saw these a few weeks back and added them to my saved items, I hadn't been checking my account as much as usual so when I went back to have a look at what I could treat myself to, I spotted they had gone down in the sale so I ordered these and some toe rings...a must have with all of the gorgeous 'Barely's' out this season. I managed to nab a further 10% off at the checkout, good times.

My initial reaction taking the lid off the box wasn't 'I love them!' I was actually pretty disappointed because they looked really clumsy sat there in the box and they don't have that typical 'jelly' kind of feel to them, they feel quite matte like a proper leather shoe. I tried them on with black leggings and wasn't too keen. So then I tried them on with light blue jeggings and a beige cami top and I really liked them. Once they are on your feet and worn with the right outfit (mainly the right pants) they look really, quite nice. Still a bit long-looking from the outside but cute non-the-less. I'm not sure I'd have paid full price for them after seeing them in reality and probably would have sent them back if I did, but for sale price I definitely can't grumble and will be packing them for my trip down south next weekend. I had tonnes of these sandals when I was little and LOVED them, I'm definitely going to be recreating some of my outfits from the 90's as I reckon they'd look cute with denim shorts and skaters! I recommend buying these sandals if you are looking for cute, comfort. 

Sandals £22.50 - ASOS