Post-Christmas Asos Haul

There's no point in pretending that I can resist a sale, so I ordered a couple of mega-batches of Asos Curve stuff to try. I'm still not back to normal yet and I look and feel mega rough, but I took as many snaps as I could muster so you could see the clothes on!

Sale

Send-backs

 I've wanted to try this dress for ages, but I didn't like it in real life. Funnily enough it looks okay in this snap, but in real life there is just too much fabric for my liking - the drape layer is a thick fabric and there's two layers of it as it folds over itself making it very bulky. I know it would annoy me and my front would be hot but my back would be cold! Oh yes, and it's much redder online than in real life. Size 24 was a bit tight on the bust, but otherwise a decent fit.

 This dress is cute - Size 24 and quite generous on the top, just above the knee, nice pattern, but I'm just not sold on scuba!

 Again, not feeling the scuba (which everything seems to be made out of at the moment? Must be cheap?!) but I love the print on this dress. Sadly I don't like the shape and it's quite a generous 24, particularly on the belly and hips, which is unusual for asos!

Frigging love this dress! Unfortunately this size 24 is SO TIGHT on my boobs - the buttons (which are sewn in - they can't be unbuttoned!) were seriously straining to keep me in! I think I'll happily get this in a 26 if I can because I'd wear this loads in summer, it's so quaint!

 This dress is a ridiculous shape - the bust is seriously odd.... sort of wide but totally flat. No no no. such a shame because the coral coloured lace is a bit like crochet and it's lovely! XL by the way, which feels like a 24-26 to me.

 This size 24 dress is PAINFUL to wear - not designed for anyone with big boobs or a long body. I know a couple of people who would look great in this dress, but it doesn't work for me at all! If you have a big lower body and smaller upper body then this might be your dream dress - the print is lovely and the fabric is double layered and has a stretch cotton feel, but is textured in pleats that are sort of waffle-like!

 

I wanted some plazzo pants that I could sit on the beach in, and I thought these size 24 New look ones were perfect.....

 Sadly they're so static that I have to return them. Shame, they were ideal! Quite fitted on the top but loose in the leg and a good length, just shit fabric!

Keepers

 This is a good summer holiday dress. I like the tartan & floral mix and how lightweight the dress is - It'll take up no room at all in my suitcase! I like the asymmetrical layer over the front, it's unusual! Size 24 is a good fit that doesn't squish my boobs!

 So Normally I detest cold shoulders, but I like this dress as a holiday dress - a beach dress. Again, super light weight and flowing. This is the size 24, and although I could have worn at least two sizes smaller on the body without it loosing it's bagginess, the bottom of the sleeves are firm and buttoned and would have been too small for me, so I think if you have big arms like me, go for your normal size to be safe!

I've been looking at over the top dresses to wear for my birthday, so I was WELL CHUFFED with this sexy dress! Only £20, great length, hugs my body but doesn't slip into all my nooks and crannies (ie - between my upper and lower belly!). Size 24 is great - I could have gone a size down on the body, but the split would have been a bit tight if I had! This is stretchy, soft and totally delicious. Buy it immediately and you will feel like a total sex-bomb!

I kept these cute flats. I got a size 8, which fit great for my size 7 wide feet - I have to wear gel strips on the ankles, but that is pretty much the case with all of my shoes!

 I'm wearing these joggers right now! New Look inspire for £8.50. Size 24, perfect shape for me....

 .... generous on the waist and bum areas! Good length and a nice thin (but not see-through) fabric. The waistband is elasticated but the actual trousers are not stretchy. They do loosen up during wear though, so they're not totally rigid!

 I couldn't resist this jumpsuit - perfect for bumming around in! I love the crochet detail on the front!

Size 24, super stretchy (you pull the whole thing over your bum to get in and out of it!) and it's just what I wanted. Can't argue for only £11. There's no way in hell I'd have paid £38 for it, but £11 is just fine!

Mulling it over......

 I had to try these midi dresses - so good for work. This one is nice and stretchy with a waffle finish. I'm wearing the size 24 and the only thing I'd say is that I wish the waist was a bit lower, but I do have a long torso so I often have this issue!

 I love this colour, and it's so comfortable that I just have to keep it. I might add a belt, but I'm more excited about adding a big old statement necklace. I need to try this on when I don't feel so shite, then I'll decide if it's worth £45!

 This is pretty much the same dress, just way less comfy because it's a stiff fabric! It's got a lovely sheen and the print is delicious!

 I do love this so I might have to keep it... it's tight on the arms, but I think it might loosen up a bit with wear as it's stretch cotton. Is it worth £60 though? Mulling!

I kept one more thing, above is a sneak-peak, but I'll do a proper outfit post for this one as it is definitely a keeper - I'm wearing it tomorrow night for our friends new years eve bash!

Wardrobe Weekly - A very snotty christmas

This Christmas has been a bit of a wash-out really - I'm happy I got to have my fake Christmas with the other half before I was stuck down by the worst head-cold I've had in years! To think I thought I would be okay after having the flu jab.... this isn't quite flu, but my god it's nasty! Anyway, before the snot came...........

Tuesday

 This is the outfit I wore home, consisting of the dress and boots that my boyfriend gave me for Christmas!

 You may remember that I tried this dress a while back but sent it back because I wasn't allowed to keep loads of my order (sometimes I do think about money and space issues.... sometimes!) but I regretted sending it back because it's so damn cute!

 I knew I wanted the boots because I already have some of these in tan! It was pretty mild at the start of the week so I packed layers!

 Dress 24 - Asos curve (now only £19 typically!)

Boots 7EEE Extra Curvy plus width - Simply Be

Leggings 20 - Very / South

Cardi 24 - George Graduate collection

Earrings - Top Shop / Central Saint Martins

Wednesday - Christmas Eve

 Okay, starting to feel ill now!

 The full awfulness hadn't struck me yet so I got up and got dressed in my planned outfit and tried to get on with the day.

 Basically me, my mum, my sister and my nephew were all ill, and Christmas eve was pretty low key. My sisters bedroom mirrors are ace for pics huh?!

Dress 24 - Deth ditto for Evans

leggings 20 - South / Very

Boots - as above

Earrings - Primark

Thursday - Christmas Day

Totally ill now and feeling both snotty and tired - I can see where one of my eyes was all watery.... that's why one side is curled and the other has gone all straight! BLURGH!

 So my plan was to wear my lovely green velvet dress on Christmas day and a nice prom-style one on boxing day (when my gran was coming round!) but I felt like death so I wore sparkly joggers and a Christmas t-shirt. Thank god I packed them 'cause it was like wearing pyjamas all day.

 Totally see-through, but stretchy and glittery so I didn't actually care!

 I'd developed a couple of teenager style spots overnight, but this is just before my face dissolved into a snotty, red-raw, nose-blowing, chapped lipped, crusty nightmare!

 Gingerbread man earrings. Made a bit of effort!

 Earrings, socks and t-shirt (20) - Primark

Trousers 22 - Dorothy Perkins

 My nephew completely knackered my sister out this Christmas, but if he felt as bad as I currently do then I'm not surprised he cried the whole time. I almost did the same by the weekend!

I got a massive wok and a big flan dish thingy, but  here is the rest of my Christmas gift mountain - I'm such a lucky girl!

 My dad got me, my sis and my mum one of these light-up mirrors with tweezers. I think he's been watching QVC or something. It's handy, but amusing..... I think he wants us to sort out our facial hair!

 My sister bought me this awesome LYDC mini-stachel. Errrrr.... holographic much?! Totally ace.

 It's even more vivid in real life (if you can imagine such a thing!) and I'm well chuffed with it!

 It's a good size for me because it should hold about the same amount as my mini-rucksack. I'm trying not to take big bags out and about with me because it hurts my back, so this is ideal!

 You can get this bag here, but they have other holographic bags too, so check out the whole website!

Friday - Boxing day

 I chose to wear this for lunch with my gran rather than the prom dress because this is more comfortable. Still felt like death warmed-up!

Dress 24 - JD Williams

Jacket 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - Simply be

Saturday - Christmas come-down

 Roughest day so far! Also really cold so thank god I bought my big jumper with me!

 Jumper 20, boots & necklace - Primark

Jeans 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Sunday - Show me the way to go home!

Bless my Mum and Dad, they took such good care of me while I was home, and they really made the best of a Christmas that was put on hold by snot(!). I loved seeing my family and hanging out with my sister, but I couldn't wait to get home to my own bed. I've been in bed for most of today, and every-time I get up to do something and then get back in, I revel in how cosy and comfy it is.... there's nothing like snuggling into your own bed when your ill, and having a partner who tells you you're beautiful even when you look like you've just been dug up helps immensely too! I'll be back soon with a post about my asos curve sale-hauls, but right now I'm getting the hell back into bed and hoping that this bastard cold has loosened it's grip on my sinuses before New Years Eve!

Jumper, jeans & boots - same as above

Earrings - Forever 21

Wardrobe Weekly Pre-Christmas Edition

The last Monday before holiday

 I LOVE THIS DRESS!

It's so comfy and lovely and I look forward to wearing it every Christmas!

 We had our annual department bonding session and went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in the Natural History Museum. It was amazing, I recommend it very very highly. SO beautiful!

 One of my favorite buildings in London.

 Ahhhhh carousel!

 Ice rink Christmas tree!

Dress 20 - Primark (old old old!)

Leggings 20 - Primark

Boots - Asos

The last Tuesday before holiday

 This is another one of those dresses that I didn't realise how much I love until putting it on this month. Oddly it's also from Lovedrobe!

 The colour is just beautiful, a sort of pale mint green.

 The crochet bodice is what I love. I think they had this style in black and blue too, if you see one on ebay then snap it up because it's ace - size up at least once though!

 Dress 26 - Lovedrobe

Cardi 18 - Dorothy Perkins

Leggings 22 - Very / South

Boots - Simply Be

The last Wednesday before holiday

Daytime!

 Ahhhhh the last day at work until January 5th! So so SOOOO very good! Over 2 weeks with no commute!

 So this was a two outfit day. We went to Meat Liquor for lunch so I wasn't going to wear my party dress during the day (I always spill in Meat Liquor - it's so fecking dark in there that I can barely see my food let alone get it in my mouth!) so here is OOTD-1.

We had cocktails! Henrietta Fizz is the best one. We tried the XXXmas burger and XXXmas dog. The dog was okay but the burger was yummy - like the best Christmas left-over bap ever!

 T-shirt & Cardi 20 - Primark

Trousers 22 - Dorothy Perkins

Boots - New Look

Evening!

 I finally have this dress! It seemed like a good choice for my works Christmas Party!

 It quickly got silly....

 Then I started dancing.....

 Look how jealous my boyfriend is of my moves.

 I always run towards the camera like a maniac. I don't know why!

 I had to include Sam because I loved her outfit. Her dress is from YMC (she LOVES ymc), and I wish I could get this kind of dress in plus size!

She is so damn HOT!

Dress 26 - Lovedrobe via Simply Be

Bracelet, tights, clutch - Primark

Shoes - Ecco

Thursday FIRST DAY OF HOLIDAY

Wrapping Christmas presents and watching Christmas films was my main job today!

I bummed around in one of my new Primark jumpers! 

 Well warm and snuggly!

 I made my first ever spinach and feta pie!

It came out rather well considering I made up the recipe and have never cooked filo pastry before!

 Jumper 20 - Primark
Jeans 22 - Dorothy Perkins
Trainers - Nike

Friday

 

I'm afraid that there are no outfit pics from now on because I've been busy making a stupid amount of Christmas food! This is our faux Christmas Eve meal - Devilled eggs, black forest ham & cream cheese canapés, cheese and pickle sausage rolls and maple pecan salad. All of this is so easy.... 

• Devilled eggs are just boiled eggs - take out the (fully cooked) yolks and mash them up with mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, English mustard, pinch of salt and a touch of agave syrup (or a tiny bit of something sweet for balance, pich of sugar would be fine!) then put the mixture back in the the eggs.
• Sausage rolls are just pre-rolled puff pastry (unfurled and cut down the middle length-ways) filled with a mixture of good quality sausage-meat - I buy Sainsburys taste the difference myself - which has been mixed up with a generous grating of cheddar cheese and a generous tablespoon of Branston pickle! I spread it out thinly in a (surprise surprise!) sausage shape down each half of the pastry then you can wrap the pastry round the meat to make two massive long sausage rolls. Chop them up into sensible sizes then bake them at 180 for about 20-25 minutes. So good. SO much better than bought sausage rolls and totally mouth watering when they're still warm from the oven!
• The Salad is from the Nigella Christmas Kitchen book but I can't find it online so I'll just put it up here... well easy! Bit of Garlic oil in a frying pan, cook up some pancetta, add in some pecan nuts when it's started to crisp, then splash in some maple syrup and let it coat everything. Take the pan off the heat and leave it for a minute or two then put in a dash of vinegar - cider / white wine / sherry vinegar is best but whatever you've got I reckon! *If you put the vinegar in when the pans still very hot it will evaporate and trust me, vinegar fumes will choke you, so let it cool just for a minute or two!* Stir it all into a big bowl of spinach just before you serve it. Best salad ever!

Top shop are refunding me for the necklace that arrived in pieces so I decided to try to make something out of the remnants - It's not long like the original, but wearable I think!

Saturday

Today was the big faux day! I defrosted our little Turkey in it's brine bath overnight and then opened presents with my boyfriend before making Christmas dinner!

 I got some Simply Be leather knee-high boots, the Asos Dress I once sent back and then regretted sending back (you'll see both of these as an outfit post soon!) and these earrings that have pretty much been on my personal wishlist for two years! They're estrogen molecules, so very very cool. I also want one of her chocolate molecule necklaces!

I made stock with the turkey giblets (simple - fry the giblets in butter for a few minutes, add an onion, some celery, some carrots and a bay leaf then add water and leave to simmer for a few hours..... or you could just use a stock cube!). P's anything that goes in the oven gets it's own foil tray so we don't have to wash up too much on our holiday!

So there we have the feast!

• Turkey
• Cranberry sauce
• Bread Sauce
• Pigs in Blankets - good quality chipolatas wrapped in smoked streaky bacon!
• Devils on horseback - Prunes soaked in sherry, stuffed with stilton and wrapped in pancetta or bacon! baked for about 25 minutes with the pigs in blankets, both of which are so good dipped in the bread sauce that I kept eating them while cooking everything else!
• Stuffing - Small Pantone blitzed into breadcrumbs (I use the sort that has fruit in it and you can get a small one for £1 in Lidl!), 1 onion, 1 stick of celery and 1 eating apple finely chopped (I do it in my food processor), mixed with good quality sausage meat and some pancetta & chestnuts that have been fried off in some butter. I've tried many home-made stuffings and this is by far my favourite!
• Red Cabbage - chopped red cabbage, one apple (cubed) and one sliced onion. Splash of water, generous glug of balsamic vinegar and a spoon of sugar - in a pan with the lid on, cook low for 1-2 hours, mixing occasionally!
• King Edward potatoes, parsnips and carrots all par-boiled then roasted in goose fat.
• Brussel Sprouts - halved and boiled for about 4-5 minutes so still crisp.
• Gravy - Turkey juices mixed with flour / tomato puree / dark soy sauce / allspice / redcurrent jelly / mustard, splash of port and the turkey stock I made in the morning.

Blimy, I'll need to eat nothing but fruit and veg in January to recover from this, but it's so worth it!

My next post will be my family Christmas, in which I will be doing no cooking, but I will have to get properly dressed for!
xx