MelodyMae.co.uk » Rubylea

Well hello and happy new year, friends!

It’s now 2019, and we’re well into being bombarded with the usual bullshit. I don’t know about you, but I get bored of seeing adverts for gyms and diet groups every January. And the phrase “New Year, New Me” just makes me roll my eyes. Although the start of a new year is often a good push to start new and better habits, the expectation is always tough. So before I get into some plus size style today, I want to take a second to say some things;

Everything that you are right now is great. You don’t need to lose weight. You don’t need to be organised. And you certainly don’t need to be rising to expectations that anyone other than you choose. Resolutions are bullshit, as we are all so often forced to set unobtainable goals. The last few years I’ve opted out of “Resolutions” in order to not set myself up for failure. I hope you guys will, too!

New Years Resolutions? No Thanks.

I’ve set no goals for my year. I have things that will be happening in 2019, of course. In the summer I’ll be moving in with my boyfriend, and I’ll possibly work on a different career path. Hell, I’m brushing up on my Japanese, too. But none of this I’m sticking under the “resolutions” tab, because I’m not going to pressure myself into constantly feeling like I’m not achieving enough.

I took a bit of a break from social media as well as blogging over the Christmas/New Year break, which this ties in with. As everyone was telling the world the great things they want to do with their year, I wanted to distance myself enough to not compare myself to others. I mentioned in an Instagram post about how the end of year always makes me feel like I’m not doing enough to be more like my peers. And that little break really helped me out with feeling better about who I am and what I’m doing.

So what was that about plus size style?

Okay, okay, there’s one thing I want to do more these days. I’ve found myself in a bit of a rut with my everyday style, so on my days off I’m trying to dress up a bit more. And since my boyfriend got a shiny new camera for Christmas, I also want to document more everyday outfits. Instead of just showing off sponsored items, you know.

So in that spirit, I dressed up my favourite everyday skirt with a new-to-me cardigan for Sunday lunch. Sadly, Earl Haig Hall which featured in an old blog post closed this past Sunday, so we said farewell with a roast dinner and some pints.

In my last post I mentioned Rubylea turbans, and this time I’m showing off my custom-made Carmen turban. I’m going to say right off the bat that this turban is a lifesaver at the moment! Recently, I’ve been fading my hair colour out to get a refresh and root lift, and my poor hair is going blonde in places! So I’ve been spending a lot of time hiding it in hats and turbans.

What I love about this particular turban is how the Carmen has so much volume. It’s amazing that something so simple can make such a statement! Even though my hair is unset and faded to peach, I still look super fancy.

My Carmen turban was lovingly custom made by Rubylea to compliment my hair, as this style usually cascades over the right side of the face, rather than the left. At first I wasn’t sure it would make a difference, but believe me when I say it does! Having it on the opposite side of your hair parting means it leaves way for lovely side swoops like this one. Although it also works amazingly if you go for a 60s-style fringe set close to your face.

If you part your hair to left like me, simply send her a message to get your custom turban! They’re SO worth it. I’m constantly wearing mine, and you’ll probably see more of it before winter is through!

I feel like this has been a ranty sort of start to the year, but at the same time – I think as I get closer to 30, I’ve lost a lot of the fucks I used to have to give. The only thing I can say that comes close to resolutions for me is that I just want to work hard, play hard, and fight for my happiness over others more this year. I’m kicking arse and taking names at the moment!

So guys. Tell me in the comments not only how you feel about this banging turban, but your thoughts on new years resolutions. Do you subscribe to the idea? Or is it balls to it all? I’d love to know.

Turban; C/O Rubylea Shop
Cardigan; Old Banned Apparel
Skirt; Handmade
Bag; Old Vendula London

Reading other blogs, I’m so glad I’m not the only one unprepared for Christmas!

Honestly, every post I’ve read this week starts with “Can you believe Christmas is next week?” I’m adding to that, because where the hell did the year go? So I donned my festive greens, including this gorgeous Rubylea turban to try and feel that Christmassy feeling!

So in an effort to make myself feel a bit more festive, I dragged my boyfriend to a few Christmas markets around London last week. Now I say dragged, because he really wasn’t having any of it. Turns out that although he has Santa’s beard, he doesn’t quite have Santa’s spirit. But it actually helped me feel a bit Christmassy for the first time this year!

Now. I’ve spoken about Rubylea before. I’ve featured the turbans in my Wednesday Wishlists a few times. And I’m so superbly lucky to have been offered two, and I’ve barely taken them off since they arrived!

I was offered the Rosie style turban in luscious green velvet, plus the Carmen style in black velvet. But guys, it’s Christmas, my hair is red, so we’re going to talk about the green Rosie style Rubylea turban today!

I started wearing turbans this autumn for the first time ever. I always thought it was a style that didn’t quite gel with my style, since they lend themselves to more 40s styling than I usually go for. Oh boy, was I wrong! When I first started wearing them, I used a sheer scarf to wear as a bad hair cover.

Since Rubylea is a milliner, her turbans come in head sizes, which is a novelty I have yet to see on other turban-makers, and one I really like. I’m wearing an S which fits a head size of 55-57cm. Does that mean that much to me personally? Not particularly. However, for others — like a friend of mine who happens to have a giant head — that makes it much more accessible.

But what I will say is that this fits like a dream. It’s a full turban in a stretch velvet, so you always get a great fit, regardless if you’re wearing it as part of a hairstyle, or as a hair cover. The hair cover is my go-to, because I’ve been pretty lazy with my hair recently, and it makes me look great every time!

Rubylea turbans are handmade, too, which means that she is happy to accommodate custom orders, and next year I’ll show you my custom Carmen style turban!

And because it’s Christmas, I had to accessorise with my Vendula London Toy Shop Pouch bag! They’re still available, too!

Merry Christmas, guys!

I’m taking a break from blogger over the festive period, so I hope you all have an amazing Christmas, and a safe and happy New Year. I’ll see you guys in 2019 for more style fun!