That festive feeling

Let's be honest. Covid is still raging and there's not much going on. I went to one event this Christmas and I was pretty nervous about it to be honest. Apart from that everything has been cancelled! So I've just been going about my business.

Still dressing up a bit, obviously!

I started wearing silk masks some time ago. I felt so bad wearing disposable ones, but I just cannot breath in fabric masks. I get anxious and start to panic because I feel like I'm being suffocated. I tried lots (have quite a few now useless fabric masks that I will donate after Christmas!). I did some research and apparently silk is a fabulous fabric to keep the nasties out. Plus it's lightweight and breathable. I love love love my silk masks. My face has been far less irritated too! If you have a small want a lightweight mask then this one is perfect (search amazon for mulberry silk masks and you'll find them, reduced to around a fiver nowadays!).

A dress from the Shein mega sale. I think it cost me around £7 and it love it with a burning passion!

Here it is in the daytime (without suitable underwear!). Stretch velvet stripes in teal.... mt absolute favourite colour! Don't believe me? Wanna see my new sheets?!

My joint christmas and birthday present to myself. 19 momme silk sheets from lilysilk. I already had the matching lilysilk pillowcases, and I just thought fuck it! I want a super king quilt and I want it to be in a silk cover. I'm about to turn 40 and comfort and pleasure is all I really want nowadays. The sheets really are sublime! Expensive, but sublime! Ps, lilysilk have a great rewards points system, so the sensible thing to do is buy your most expensive purchase first, then use the point towards the smaller things, so get the duvet in one order, then use the points to buy your pillowcases!

Anyway.... I really have digressed!

We went to see Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker. Camper than Christmas. Just an excuse for me to listen to Tchaikovsky's suite which is just my absolute favourite! So I had to get dressed up to go to the ballet, right?!

Perfect outfit I think!

Plus Shein earrings to turn that Christmas sparkle up to max!

We didn't get to go out and do anything Christmassy last year, so this one little outing felt so special! As did wondering around London a bit. I do so love this time of year, even if that days are often relentlessly grey!

We had our couples christmas before I went west the next day, and I cooked a feast, so less glamour, more modern Mrs Clause 😂

Just a quick detour..... I couldn't be without red lippy in December, but I'm still wearing a mask sporadically throughout the day and liquid lipstick is not something I can wear often because my lips despise it generally. My glossier generation G blotted lippy isn't too bad under a mask, but I just wanted bright red lips. It occurred to me that around 15 years ago I only really used to wear lip ink. Pixi used to make an incredible lip ink pen that was bright scarlett and I wore it all the time. It was very trendy back in the day so lot's of companies jumped on the bandwagon and I had lots of colours. I guess they went out of fashion so I could never replace the ones that ran out or went off, and to be fair by that point matte lipstick had hit the shelves. But bullet lipsticks are no good with a mask so I sent on a hunt for lip stain pens. Stargazer for the win! The colours don't match the ink but just assume the lippy is at least 3 shades darker than you'd imagine!

Back to the Faux Christmas!

So here is the feast! Roast duck. Shredded brussels fried in butter. Parsnips roasted in maldon salt and cracked black pepper. Carrots roasted in honey and clementine zest & juice. Red cabbage stewed with apple and cranberries (plus cinnamon and red wine vinegar!). Duck fat roast potatoes. Pigs in blankets (only bit i didn't make myself). Red wine gravy and my favourite homemade stuffing. I'm gonna tell you what's in it because I love it so much and I've been making it for so many years!

Fry some Pancetta until crispy then put it in a bowl. Use the hot fat to fry some fresh sage until crisp, then put that in the bowl too. Fry up some onion until soft and add that to the bowl too. Grate or finely chop some sharp apple and chuck that in. Salt. Fine pepper. Lots of sausage meat. And then the magical ingredient! Panettone! Blitz traditional (the one with candied fruits) Panettone in a food processor until you have breadcrumbs. Mix it all together with your hands and then pack into a lined loaf tin to bake. That way you can slice it like a meatloaf to go in sandwiches!

Then I headed to my family for Christmas and it was a big deal this year for so many reasons. My mother was ill again. My uncle (her brother) was also ill and has since passed. My Grandmother passed away and I couldn't go to her funeral or see my Dad. 2021 - and to be honest a fair bit of 2022) was a clusterfuck, so it felt very important to be with our families this year! But anyway, I managed it so here are some photos from the Parsnips Family Christmas! Pretty much everything I wore came from Shien and isn't available anymore, but I highly reccomend them just generally!

My Mum was EXTRA this year!

I think it's a tradition now and we will always spend New year's eve together playing top trumps and getting drunk, even without pandemic panic!

Already a bit jolly by this point!

I got this dress from boohoo more than a year ago (in the sales for like £25!) but they do seem to re-release it every winter. It came in Rose Gold (this one!), Gold..... more champagne really, and Black

It was messy, and funny!

Shein obscene

I can't believe I've not posted for so long! This year really has flown by. I've just been getting on with life and enjoying classic activities like meals out and trips to the cinema! Things not to be taken for granted after 2020 times. I've also been buying stuff. So much stuff that I'm also having to sell old stuff to make up for all the new stuff!

I discovered Shein. Disaster! They have too much good stuff. It's cheap, fast fashion, but I couldn't resist trying some bits and when I realised that they sold some really cool stuff I got a bit.... hooked! I feel like my mad shein obsession has finally calmed down, but I've kept some stuff that I'm genuinely in to and wanted to share. 

So.... they go to 5xl (uk26) in some pieces but generally 4xl is the biggest size. Happily the reviews are super helpful so you can normally work out what size to get. It comes from China and it's generally quite cheap, but more so because things are always on sale and there are constant discount codes floating around. Not the fanciest fabrics but not everyone can afford fancy fabrics.

I just managed to get some cute stuff that is amazingly hard to get in plus size elsewhere. Like good belts for instance, or affordable lingerie that isn't just bra and pants or a bodysuit.... i have baby dolls now and alllll sorts. I'm obsessed with thier soft lace teddies!

So anyway, here are a few things I've bought and kept. If they've sold out, I'd bet you that they have other super similar items available. I apologise in advance if you also get obsessed with Shein!

A

 

I'm not going to lie. I have no idea when I'd wear this, but I am so in love with it that I had to have it! I can't believe I own such a cool dress! Living my best Arabian nights dreams in this!

B

Fully obsessed and in love with this dress. So wearable! 

C

Nurse? School summer dress? Just feckin' excellent?! Love. It!

D

Cute isn't it?! Pretty pretty pretty! This comes in 3 colours. I went for the yellow because I don’t have many yellow dresses, but I love the blue and pink too. Very synthetic fabric that’s a tad sheer, but I care not!

E

POW! Toying with the idea of sewing up the neck a bit, just because sitting down would probably mean an insane amount of cleavage. But I like insane amounts of cleavage so…… we shall see!

F

Sometimes you want a selkie puff dress. But most of the time you can't afford over £200 for a dress you'll only wear a few times. Bam!

G

This is so wearable that I've worn it a number of times already. Comfy and so cute! This is now available in numerous colours and I’m sooooo tempted to get more. It’s very comfy and is also super flattering!

H

I'm still on that cottagecore tip! Loving the porcelain colour scheme. Anyone who knows this blog probably knows how much I love teal.

I

I love a long sleeved blouse. Planning to order some more to try as they're so handy for work! This is so soft and comfy. Worn to work and just love it!

J

I added a hook and eye at the top to close up the coat and keep my neck warm (and I changed the button because I didn't like the gold one it came with) but otherwise, this lightweight fury coat is fecking dreamy!

I have some other bits that are exceptionally special, but they’re being save for special occasions so I’m not going to show you yet! You’ll see some stuff in my festive season post after the new year, but for now, I’ll give you a little list of some of my favourite lingerie because there is soooooo much on the site that it can be overwhelming!

K

So firstly, I’m gonna mention this bra because I have some very low cut, square neck dresses that I’ve really struggled to get a bra for, and this is exactly what I was looking for. I have been looking for a true balcony bra (one where the straps are right on the sides on your boobs (which seems easy if you’re a standard size!) and finally I found one! My boobs are burgeoning out of it but that’s exactly what I needed - lift without the bra showing. Very tricky for a back my size to find straps this far round, which always makes square necks a right pain in the arse!

L

I have a few of these now. They’re the softest lace and fit like a dream. So comfy! I used to buy super soft lace knickers from m&s that are the exact same lace as these teddies. Absolutely love them!

M

I sometimes don’t want to wear underwire when at home, but I find that most bralets ride up or fold over and don’t support my tits anyway. I really like the love sets from shein. They are so comfy.

N

I just like how unusual this one is. I felt so sexy in it that I wore it the same night it arrived. It had a good effect on my significant other!

O

I have been looking for vintage style plus size lingerie for YEARS! I almost ordered some from a little emo site in America.last year, but the custom charges put me off. Then I found Shein and they have awesome vintage style undies and nighties…. Proper pinup cuteness and period drama nightdresses! I’m saving this set for Valentine’s Day, since it’s pink with hearts on. So effing cute!

P

What an absolute cracker! I’ve got the turquoises one but it’s sold out. I didn’t see this colour but I might have to have this one too. It’s so soft and pretty! Sera stretchy and would easily fit size 28 and 30!

Plus size cottagecore

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while will know that sometimes I like to be a bit whimsical. I often like clothes that remind me of flower fairies or sometimes princesses (but maybe not too Princessy!). I hadn’t heard of the term cottagecore until recently but many of my clothes fit quite nicely into the aesthetic. I had a search for plus size cottagecore and couldn’t really find any much about it. Or at least nothing that would help me shop! I figured I would put something up because I have a bit of a lady boner for it at the moment. 

Plus Knot Bust Puff Sleeve Wrinkled A-line Dress

(It is very dangerous that I've discovered Shein! This is a 5XL / UK 26 but it's generous and has a bit of stretch and elasticated waist / tie bust, so it would easily fit bigger! Comes in mustard yellow and nude pink too! So much cottagecore on Shein!)

There are a number of reasons why I think cottagecore is such a good look for plus size women. For one it’s hyper feminine and I think us fat birds are so often overlooked when it comes to pulling off super girly looks. So many of the cuts are hella fitted and flattering or hella loose fitting, so you can go full smock if you don’t feel comfortable in form sitting clothes, or you can nip everything in at the waist and get your norks out! Although many of the dresses are short, a ton of them are midi and maxi, so no worries about chub rub shorts showing out of the bottom. Oh and the sleeves! Firstly most of the dresses have sleeves which is great for those who are paranoid about their bingo wings. Additionally the sleeves tend to be big and puffy or elasticated or loose, which is heaven for me and my massive upper arms! It’s honestly my favourite trend in years, hence the whole post dedicated to it!

What initially drew my attention to this new fad was Selkie, the spectacular dreamlike, inclusive clothing shop that creates dresses you'd normally only see in movies! Probably a sexy, historical film set in Versailles and full of innocence being lost! There would be frolicking ladies picking flowers, pulling apples from trees and just generally floating around outside spaces looking like a daydream. I decided to buy a Selkie (after seeing the above shot of Tess Holliday!) because I am planning an event and I wanted something unusual and magical. I’m not going to put it on the blog because it’s a secret at the moment but I’ve got a 5XL and it’s a glorious fit…. I’d say it’s a good size 26 in UK sizing. But buying that dress reminded me of how much I love what I always called flower fairy dresses and nowadays people would call fairytale or cottagecore, also sometimes farmcore, all of which basically means floaty, floral - maybe gingham  - and super feminine clothes with a bit of a nod to vintage historical looks.

There are a few pictures on this blog of me wearing dresses where I sort of look like I’m in fancy dress and I’m not scared of people looking at me. It’s funny when I look at my wardrobe how many things I have that fit quite nicely into this particular style of dress. I have quite a few floaty, girly, over the top dresses, many of which I just wear whenever I fancy and not for special occasions. Old dresses aren’t  going to be much help to my readers because you can’t get to them anymore, so I thought I would Investigate the plus size retailers to see what they are offering and then try an absolute shit load of it on! I'll post that up when I've had time to collate everything. I have gone a bit bananas to be honest and I’m not allowed to keep too much of it, but I will certainly keep some! 

Plus Porcelain Print Shirred Skater Dress

In terms of stuff I already have that you can still get (or very similar items anyway!) I have to give Boohoo a real shout out. They have porcelains prints, big puffy sleeves, square necks and so many cottage core dresses at the moment! I loved this pink one so much that I also got the blue version. The pink is 24 and the blue (now sold out!) is a 22. They're both really generous so a size 28 could easily wear a 24 without it looking tight! this is so cute and can be worn with the sleeves off the shoulders too! I LOVE this dress. The pink one is still in stock and is only £14!

ASOS DESIGN Curve shirred waist lace insert maxi dress in black

 I got this delicious dress I got from ASOS a while back (size 26 but 24 would have been fine too!). Lots of people complained about this dress because it’s very low-cut and as you can see it doesn’t really leave much to the imagination in the old boob area! You will need a very good plunge bra or small boobs. I really wouldn’t advise to wear a top underneath this I think it really would ruin the look! So be brave or maybe try one of the other similar dresses I've found! 

 There was a white version of this as well but it’s sold out otherwise I would’ve had it too, hundred percent! I feel like absolute sex bomb and princess in this at the same time. It's so comfy, it’s so pretty, it’s so flattering, I absolutely love it with a passion. It’s only available in a couple of sizes now but interestingly both Asos and River Island have dresses that are very similar here and here that are both and are both totally awesome! It’s hard because I keep seeing them And wanting them but genuinely they are pretty much the same dress in a slightly different style so I don’t need them now. They do look like they’re not quite as low-cut though so for those of you who find this one a little bit too booby they might be perfect! If you are more pear shaped then the Shein version here would be good as reviews say the bust is a bit small.... it comes in lots of colours too!

I'll be back with some new frocks and some sent back frocks in the cottagecore family very soon! I know winter is coming but I'm going to be frolicking indoors, in floaty dresses, for as long as my boiler is working!

Asos sale.... the old stuff!

 

Elvi plus embroidered dress

It took me ages to post these items because they keep going in and out of stock, but I figured I'd put them up anyway. This Elvi dress is just so pretty! Linen-like fabric with thin lining. It has bronze glitter thread that catches the light so beautifully. I got the 26 and I 100% didn't need to size up in this, but it has a tie waist and kimono style sleeve, so it didn't matter too much!

I wore this to my first lunch with a group of friends at thier house since before covid and felt very floaty and pretty in it!

Trying to capture the fabric on the overground.....

Sort of captured it?! Almost little hearts.... it has already had two outings!

ASOS DESIGN Curve button through smock midi dress in stripe 

Cute dress. Fabric is a tad rough but I suspect it would soften after a few washes. it reminded me of the many vintage dresses I own so I decided to send it back. Sized down to a 22 and it was a lovely fit! Reccomend for anyone who doesn't have a collection of mum dresses from the 90s! Quite a stiff but not unreasonably thick textured fabric.

Fashion union jumpsuit 

Why oh why is this lined?! It makes it sort of unwearable because it would be super hot even though it is a summery style with short sleeves! Tried the 26 (which was tight due to the lining) and this one, the 28 which was good on the lining but too big on the actual jumpsuit.... the waist fell too low and my torso is LONG! Shame, could have been cute but just not quite right in a few irritating ways!

Asos Curve Smock dress

Arms are way too tight. I'm not even saying more.... size 24.