Plus Size Style and Fashion Blog
What a year the past two weeks have been, right? Between the US doing god-knows-what, the UK messing up Brexit and Covid responses… Well, it’s all a bit difficult right now. So I’m going to start the third week of 2021 with a repost from last year. Today’s post is yet another self care list, but one that I think is important as we navigate difficult months. So, here’s some ideas for looking after yourself in lockdown 3.
Continue Reading…We’re midway through a pandemic and it seems that a historical revolution is currently happening at the same time. I’m having a hard time being eloquent with my heartbreak and anger over the climax of years of racial hate. For me – a white, cis, straight-passing white woman – it’s frankly impossible to say anything of real use. But also, planning regular blog posts feels almost insensitive. So I decided to do what I do best — using my platform and my Small Business Spotlight to share some Black-Owned Vintage Businesses that you can support at this time.
It’s a small thing, and I will not have an extensive list thanks to my own shortcomings. So please do let me know of any great black-owned businesses you know of that I can help feature!
I know, it’s back to the grind for the beginning of the week. But hey — it’s not all doom and gloom surely? Let me know how your Monday is going in the comments. For me, I’m at work, doing my admin and getting through an entire box of man size tissues. But as it is Monday, I’ve got some of my outfits from last week to show you — and it’s a real mix of plus size style this week!
Hair Flowers; Lady Luck’s Boutique
Dress; Lindy Bop
(was gifted it as a sample, not sure it ever went into production!
Shoes; Swedish Hasbeens
First of all, wearing last week’s poodle for the last time today, as my scalp was getting itchy and I was desperate to wash this mop! I loved you, poodle, but my psoriasis did not after four days.
Necklace; Handmade
Top; Primark
Skirt; Handmade
Shoes; Everything 5 Pounds
My body happened to give up on me midway through Tuesday (The Boyfriend™’s birthday, annoyingly) and gave me some annoying cold/sinus infection thing. This is me very much trying to look human, but honestly I gave up on work after a few hours. My face really says it all, to be honest with you. Straight to bed that night!
Top; Primark
Skirt; Collectif
Shoes; Everything 5 Pounds
Sadly the early night did not help, as you can see. If you ever wanted more realism in your bloggers, here it is. Yes, I’m literally blowing my nose on toilet roll and making a face. Yes, I still had to go to work, and so yes, I did take my outfit photo. Funnily enough, I actually took this as a joke, but out of the three shots I took; this was the only one that wasn’t blurry. The camera has spoken, friends — it wants me to show you this real glamorous side of me!
Dress; Retro Peaches
Bra/Harness; Playful Promises
Shoes; Yours Clothing
Bag; Vendula London
And finally, back to being overdressed! I’ve still got my stinking cold, and I spent Saturday in pyjamas because of it. However, today was the opening day of London Edge, and I wanted to dress up for it. This dress is honestly the most beautiful and comfortable thing I own!
What are you wearing on the daily? Links/photos in the comments please! And if you happen to have some good home remedies for shifting a cold / sinus infection, you know what to do!
So I’ve had another little hiatus on blogging and social media. To be honest with you, life has just been really hard. Actually, I’ve been struggling for a little while now. I work 50+ hours a week in two jobs, one of which I’m managing two central London stores, social media and visual merchandising. My social life is non-existent, I feel like I’m a bad girlfriend, and basically; Life. Is. Hard.
Everyone deals with stress, it’s kinda just a part of life, right? But sometimes when you have depression and anxiety, stress is magnified and becomes frankly debilitating. Since life has been difficult, and I’ve barely been able to function on a day-to-day basis, honestly. My exhaustion is reaching to such a level that I’m now in all-over pain daily. I had bouts of pain before, but it’s now a daily occurrence which makes getting out of bed difficult.
Not only am I having issues with lateness at work and in general life (I’ll be late to my own funeral), but I’m really not looking after myself. Where I live is incredibly hostile, to the point that leaving my room causes me to have panic attacks. So I’m spending less time cooking than usual, and eating like crap. That doesn’t help the body issues I’ve been dealing with recently, and certainly doesn’t help my day-to-day pain.
What I did was to straight up carry on, honestly. And it burnt me out completely. I got sick, I got sad and I didn’t help myself. But from now on, there’s 5 steps I’m taking to reduce stress and rebalance my life.
When you’re ridiculously busy, this is the most important thing to consider. What matters most to me right now? Is it work? Family? Yourself? Friends?
These things change and are flexible — sometimes work needs more attention now to make your life outside of it easier. Sometimes family needs to be prioritised. And sometimes you just need to have a lie in, a long bath and take some time for yourself.
No one is keeping score on what you’re doing other than you. And you know what, you don’t have to do that thing right now.
There’s a lot to be said for procrastination. Sometimes you’re just putting it off because you know you can’t finish it to your best ability. And as long as you Not Doing That Thing is not going to impact others horrifically or put you in a worse place, then Don’t Do That Thing.
This works alongside prioritising, and if it’s not important it can wait, I promise.
Are you feeling too overwhelmed? No way of compartmentalising? Take a damn break. Take that holiday time to do you-stuff, say no to that event you’re too tired to enjoy, need to sleep for an entire day and be unproductive? Do it. You can do anything, not everything.
The most important thing is to look after yourself. Even if there’s other priorities for you, make sure you’re looked after.
Eat a proper meal, you know, one with vegetables and actual nutrition. Take a long shower. Dye your hair. Get your nails done. Take a walk. See a friend. There’s so many ways to be kind to yourself, find what makes you happy, no matter how big or small.
Whether it’s your doctor, your therapist, your mum or a friend — talking to people does help. They don’t need to give you life advise, they don’t need to tell you what to do, they can simply listen and say; “Hey that really sucks, I’m sorry you’re going through this”.
Now, it’s probably not going to instantly make your life the greatest, don’t get me wrong. It’s definitely not a quick fix — but it does help, I promise. I’m taking these steps daily in order to help myself out, and day-by-day things are getting easier.
I hope this helps and you’re all doing okay, friends.
God knows what has happened to summer in this country! But after a disappointing August it looks like its over and autumn is in. So I thought I’d say goodbye to my favourite season in style. You may have seen this Lindy Bop Tiki print dress on my Instagram before, but it needed a last hoorah in a post!
I’ve reviewed a few Lindy Bop styles before, and you know now how much I love their novelty prints! But this? THIS IS THE ONE. It’s the Delta dress in Teal Tiki Print and it’s got to be my favourite! I’ll be honest when I say that the ‘Delta’ style of theirs is not the best shape for me, but the colours! The print! The fabric! It’s wonderful.
I took the 22 in this dress, which is generally my size in Lindy Bop styles. The bodice of this does come up a bit big, and there’s definitely stretch in it. If you’re bigger busted, go for your usual size. If you’re smaller busted, go a size down. As you can see above, because of my bust I’ve got some epic gaping in the bodice.
The Delta style has a waist panel, unlike most of the dress styles Lindy Bop have to offer. This is great news for those of you that have a longer waist! Unfortunately for me, I’ve got the smallest waist in the world, so it looks a little off. But does that really stop me from loving this dress? NOPE.
It features a neckline with a little notch and a V-shaped back, which is so sweet on this dress. Both necklines sit so well, the front is the perfect high neckline that keeps you covered without being too stuffy.
And the fabric for this dress is amazing, too. I wish you guys could feel it through the screen – 97% cotton makes this so soft! And for £36, I really don’t know why you haven’t jumped over and bought it, seriously.
Now. Let’s talk print. Want Moai heads? Tiki girls dancing? Hibiscus flowers and palm trees? Maybe also a few mountains? Because this print has it all on a lovely teal background! I don’t own much tiki-styled items, and initially the pale background was off-putting for me. I’ve mentioned elsewhere on my blog that pale colours don’t always suit my skin tone, but the bright colours in the print balance it out well.
The only sad thing about this dress? It came out so late in summer! Photographing this one was so not easy – it was taken in between showers of rain right at the end of the day. I need some good tips for winter photography!
Hair Flowers; Lady Luck’s Boutique
Necklace; Vintage | Brooch; Luxulite
Bolero; Collectif
Dress; C/O Lindy Bop (Disclaimer)
Bag; Banned
Shoes; Miss L Fire
Well HI THERE GUYS!
Fancy meeting you here on this shiny new site! This is the new home of the Blog Formerly Known As Bourbon And Bras, MelodyMae.co.uk!
I’m so excited to launch this new chapter of the blog, and I really hope you’ll stick around to see what happens.
In the mean time, you can reach me on these here social media profiles;
I’d love to hear from you, let me know all about yourselves in the comments, what you do, where you are – and please leave your blog links for me to have a gander!
Speak to you soon dolls xx
