My Favourite New Collections

Hello!

So my little corner of the internet was quiet this weekend, mostly due to being busy and also really tired after 4 days spent dog sitting at a colleague's house and then being ill with a breathing problem, but I am back in full force this week. 

Whilst in bed in the evenings, I have been trolling the internets and come across a couple of new plus size collections (not necessarily new designers) that I am totally lusting over and I thought I would share a couple of each of my favourite pieces with you.

First up is CandyStrike who have just released a collection called Teenage Jezebel featuring all the teenage misfits from John Waters' films like Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray and Wanda Woodward too! If I could I would have it all, but to date I have ordered these two shirts and will be featuring them on the blog as soon as  they arrive - I can't wait! (If you don't know about CandyStrike, go find out more quick, not only was it started by a plus size blogger but the clothes are out of this world!)

Beat It Creep Tee

Juvenile Deliquents Tee

Next is Youtheary Khmer, and their pieces are so on trend and in such vibrant colours. Here are my two absolute favourite items.

 YK Ribbon Skirt

YK Lace Crop Top

Next up is Zelie For She, who do amazing pastels and crazy prints with the cutest crop tops and matching skirts - I really can't wait to see how this collection evolves.

"Blush" Crop Top

Pretty in Pink TuTu

Are there any new collections you've been eyeing up? Share with me, I'm on the lookout for fun new things!!

xxToodalooKatie

A Style Tip Pour Vous!

Bonjour mesdemoiselles!

So today, I received an email from the lovely people at La Redoute asking me to enter a competition to win one of two spots to be a brand ambassador for a year, including a trip to Paris. So many things excited me about this competition, obviously a trip to visit Paris, back to where my life adventure and true plus size fashion and blogger journey began almost 5 years ago would be amazing. I lived and worked in Paris for just over a year, perfecting my French accent, learning about/eating cheese and wine, and of course with an office overlooking Dior and less than a block separating me from Chanel, I immersed myself in fashion. I met a fabulous group of plus size French bloggers and dipped my toes into the plus size fashion industry, including a dabble in fit modeling. Back then, it felt like France was pushing the boundaries of plus size fashion and I would love to see today just how much it has changed.

Part of my entry is to share a style tip with you and I am going to share the one that I live by and I feel sometimes is crucial to finding fashion when you are plus size: Challenge Yourself, Take The Risk. The nice thing about this is that everyone's idea of a fashion risk is different, but when you try something on, or wear an outfit that is outside of your comfort zone or different from your norm, and then discover how confident you feel or how wonderful it looks, there is no better feeling. 

I started with tighter shirts, then moved on to mini skirts, bare arms and today crop tops, all things, that 5 years ago would have been too scary for me.

I love fashion because it decorates the beautiful bodies we live in and being plus sized can sometimes be a challenge but if you embrace it and take it on, it can be the most amazing adventure. 

Thank you La Redoute for the invitation to enter this competition, I would love nothing more than to be an ambassador for the first plus size brand that I was introduced to when I arrived as a plus size girl in France almost 5 years ago.

Merci!

xxToodalooKatie

Blogger Charity Challenge - Hannah is Shaving Her Head for Hartlepool Families First!

Good morning gorgeous people of the world!

So today I am posting as part of a blog challenge that Hannah from www.fabulouslyfatfashion.com set up to raise money for a charity called  Hartlepool Families First. Hannah will be shaving her head for this cause and has asked other bloggers to post a look with their favourite hair accessories or do's in support and to ask for yours.  This is what Hannah has shared:

"I have decided that I want to shave my hair off for charity because honestly, I'm not fit enough to run a marathon, I'm too chicken to do a boxing day dip and I'm too lazy to do a sponsored clean!

I currently work for Cleveland College Of Art & Design as Students' Union President and we have been working with the lovely people over at Hartlepool Families First since September on bits and pieces, but now I want to do something really big and really help an amazing charity out who do so much for the local community. I wish I could explain to you all the amazing work that HFF do, but honestly they do so much I'd be writing forever! However here are a few of the amazing things they do. 

They empower the deaf community by putting on health related and social activities. They offer a health bus service to monitor peoples lives and help them to not develop long term conditions. They have a special needs home support scheme to support parents/carers and even offer specialist and stimulating toys and play equipment. They offer one to one support for young adults and children with behavioural issues and additional needs such as autism. There are so many other amazing things that they do, but I would be listing them all day!

So with that in mind, I'm going to cut off my precious hair! Those who know me know how vain I am (not a day goes by without a selfie) and so this is going to be a huge step for me, which is why I'm asking for your support to raise as much money as I possibly can for such a brilliant charity! 

To donate, visit http://www.justgiving.com/hannahboalor text HCUT88 £ (then any amount from 1-10) to 70070!

Thank you,"

Here I am wearing my newest headband from Forever21 and I am hoping that if you can spare a little this weekend, you can text the number above or donate online and support Hannah in this amazing thing she is doing. Congrats and Good Luck Hannah!

XX ToodalooKatie

Weekly Outfits Wish List - Pastels!

Good morning!

It's that time again -my weekly outfit wishlists! This week I want things from Boohoo's new plus collection, Matalan and Simply Be! I am so obsessed with pastel colours, in case that isn't obvious by my outfit choices and am so happy to see so many lovely Spring colours.

BooHoo Plus
Boohoo Plus is the answer to all my tshirt dress dreams, and while I wait for the tie-dye jeans to pop up on the website I desperately want this entire outfit.

Dress

Jacket

Tights

Shoes

Matalan
Although I have been eyeing up a pink pleather biker jacket from SimplyBe, my budget is tight at the moment and this light one is super cute and more on budget. I also cannot get enough of this gingham skirt.

Tshirt

Skirt

Jacket

Shoes

New Look
I love that acid wash is back in, and I would pair it with lace and pastels.

Shorts
Cardigan
Top
Shoes

Do you have pastel picks for this week?
xxToodalooKatie

My Marisota VIP Experience

Hello lovelies!

So last Saturday I had the opportunity to go to the Marisota pop up shop in central London thanks to a little competition over on Vicky's blog The Curved Opinion. The pop up shop was there to showcase tons of pieces from the Marisota collections. I have shopped at Marisota before but hadn't regularly because I really had it in my head that it wasn't exactly for me. Let me tell you, I was really wrong. I tried on pieces, with some help from the lovely Marisota staff and PR people and Mark Heyes too, that I never would have picked up on my own. I was so pleased with how lovely they looked on, how nice the fabrics were and how friendly the cuts were to both my figure and all the other women trying things on.

Here is my before underwear shot - no fancy pants or anything, just good old little me surrounded by 1 million dresses - now if only they were all mine.

This dress on the hanger really looked what I thought was to mature for me, but once on, I felt sophisticated and chic, and I am also totally in love with the pointy heels which I have never tried on before.

I've included a few shots of other cute shoes and a clutch that I adore too here.

The Print Kaftan Maxi dress does nothing for me in the catalogue/web photo but I absolutely am in love with it on and for us shorter girls, it won't drag on the ground! 

The red polka dot dress, although cute in photos actually doesn't fit me that well. The straps are very wide across and it has generous darts in the bust, so would be best for bigger busted and wider shoulders. It is a thick cotton fabric too, with a sturdy construction so not a flimsy jersey. (It's not online just yet.)

My favourite piece in this first outfit are the Tribal Print Jacquard trousers - they really fit well and were so comfortable. They looked great with flats and heels too - bonus!

Next up, the Monochrome Bird Print Jersey Swing Dress, which again looks so unexciting online but is an absolute dream in person. The fabric is so soft and flowey and falls off the bust so nicely. I love that I could wear it with leggings or tights and it just looks so cute.

My most favourite piece that I tried on was the Mark Heyes Chanel style Boucle tweed biker jacket. I first saw this on the amazing Rosie from A Rose Like This and I have been in love with it ever since. Now that I have tried it on I love it even more and here I am wearing it with a cute lacy nautical style striped top and black jeans, and my favourite pointy Catwalk heels again. 

I'm so pleased that I was able to go to the pop up shop because I tried on so many styles of dresses and trousers that I would never dream of trying on, but I feel like I want to expand my wardrobe in different ways now.

How exciting! Thanks again Marisota!

xxToodalooKatie

ToodalooKatie's Blog Birthday - Day 7 - Yours Clothing Review 2/2

Good morning everyone!

I am back today with my second review for Yours Clothing. I am so terrible for remembering to wear a coat, because as soon as the weather gets just warm enough for a sweater I decide that I need nothing else, which means I end up frozen outside in the evening. I am putting a stop to this, and that is why I chose the Khaki Cotton Parka with Hood and PU sleeves.

Parka - Yours Clothing
Jeans - Fashion World
Flats - Primark

I love that it has the pleather sleeves and drawstring at the waist and for those who like practical, the pockets have plenty of room for your wallet and phone etc. It also has a hood which, in this unpredictable weather is key. I get really warm, but find this just light enough to shelter me from the wind/ rain etc. without me burning up in the tube. It is true to size, if not a tiny bit big but perfect to wear over top of a cardi without feeling bunched up.

Thank you so much Yours Clothing for sending me this lovely coat!

Bring on SPRING!

XXToodalooKatie

Happy Birthday Blog - A little thank you

Good morning lovelies!

So yesterday was officially this blog's 4th birthday and I want to take a quick second to thank everyone who has been a part of it and tell you what it means to me.

From day 1, when I was a 20 year old living in a teeny tiny room in Halifax, Canada, preparing for a big move to France to now, so much has changed. I have gone from blogging to learn how to love myself into now doing it to show others how to do the same. My fashion comfort zone has widened so much and helped me go from wanting to look quietly alternative to taking big risks and now to just wearing whatever I like. I worry so much less about fitting in and spend my time enjoying life and feeling fashionable.

My first official OOTD back in 2010

I can only be grateful for all that this little blog has afforded me since I left Canada all that time ago. When I arrived in France I knew 1 person but through my blog, I connected with several French bloggers who today are still my friends. My time in France would have been lonely without all those amazing girls who took me in and let me join their family, even with my Canadian French accent. 

When I came to London, I reconnected with people who I had met whilst visiting for blogger events the year before and they are still close to me now. My best friends in London are ones that I made through the plus size fashion and blogging community and I am so happy and lucky to know them all. You simply cannot put a price on what it is to belong to a community and to feel welcome somewhere, especially when you are far from home.

Today

I want to send a big thanks to everyone who has read and followed me during this time, it wouldn't be the same without you. I will continue to keep posting my mug every couple of days in hopes that I can entertain  you with my style choices and as always love to hear all your thoughts.

I have a couple more special posts to go up during this week of celebration and of course the winner for the Junarose competition below will be chosen tomorrow night. Exciting!

Thank again and Happy Birthday Blog!

XXToodalooKatie

ToodalooKatie's Blog Birthday - Day 5 - Yours Clothing Review 1/2

Hello my lovelies!

So in continuing with my blog's birthday celebrations, Yours Clothing offered me 2 items to review and today I will be reviewing the first. I chose the Black and White Aztec Print Cuffed Hem Harem Trousers because I have been eyeing this trend from afar, seeing it look amazing on people like Gabifresh and Felicity from Garnerstyle who are more pear shaped than me. I decided to throw caution to the wind and give them a try... and I really love them.

I paired them with a black Primark cardigan and tank top and a homemade necklace given to me by my best friend back home in Toronto. My feet are living in my favourite black and white Velcro converse for a comfortable sporty chic look.

I think I will get plenty of wear out of these come summer time, because the elasticated cuff means you can have them up at knee length when it's nice out.

Have you tried the Harem style yet? 

Tell me about it!

ps. Thank you to my lovely friend Tara for taking a mini afternoon break to take photos of me :)

Stay Tuned for part 2 of my Yours Clothing review, coming up soon!

XXToodalooKatie

Toodaloo Katie's Big Blog Birthday - Day 3 - Win Again!

Hello! 

So it's time for another giveaway and this one is for those of you that love Junarose!

I really love what Junarose do and I especially love checking in to see what their lovely Brand Ambassadors, Mrs Bebe and Hanna wear each month.

Junarose have very kindly offered you the chance to win the outfit below in a size 44 (UK16-18). I'm sorry I couldn't have this in any size, so this giveaway will be for those who wear this size.
See the contest below and get involved to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway This giveaway ends on Friday night at midnight and the winner announced on Saturday!

Thank you again to Junarose for celebrating with me, and of course to all of you for reading and coming back for more!

xxToodalooKatie

Birthday Celebrations - Day 2 - A Fashion World Review

Hello friends!

So in continuing with my blog's birthday celebrations, Fashion World offered me an outfit to review. When I was choosing what I wanted, I decided I would choose from the Claire Richards collection as I fell totally in love with it at the Fashion World tea party event. For the first nice day of Spring/ Summer I took out my new skinny jeans and lacy top for a walk in the sun.

This lacy top is perfect for in between weather as it lets the sun in on your skin but you aren't bare, the back is also a lovely soft material.  The skinny jeans are the best I have had in years and I really mean that. They are a thick stretch denim, with a high waist. I have rolled them up here to get a bit of sun on my ankles. They stay up and don't sag at the knees and are true to size. If you are on the hunt for a pair of jeans that don't feel like jeggings and won't wear through in a day this is them.

I wore my Juju Jelly Sandals from Asos on my feet, and put all my stuff in my Claire Richards purse that was gifted to me at the tea party and protected my eyes with my CRAP sunglasses. I also wore a little fox pendant necklace that was given to me by lovely fiancé last year. 

Thank you Fashion World for giving me this lovely outfit to celebrate my blog's 4th birthday! 

Be sure to check back as there are plenty more exciting things coming up on the blog!

XXToodalooKatie

Toodaloo Katie's Big Blog Birthday - Day 1 - Win!

Good morning my lovelies!

I am so excited that my blog is turning 4 on March 19th and so today marks the beginning of several special reviews, and giveaways until the big day. I would love it if you could all get involved and celebrate with me.

Today, the lovely people at Bonmarche have given you the opportunity to win a £50 voucher to spend with them. In order to be entered to win, first comment on this post telling me what you would love to buy if you won, and then enter using the rest of the options below. This contest ends on March 19th!

If I had £50 to spend at Bonmarche I would buy one of these two favourites of mine:

David Emanuel Spot Peplum Dress

Polka Dot Printed Fully Lined Belted Mac

a Rafflecopter giveaway xxToodalooKatie

OOTD - Denim, Docs and Velvet (and a super exciting announcement!)

Hello lovelies!

Today's OOTD is all about making an excuse to wear my Asos velvet leggings and Doc Martins more often. It's a super comfortable outfit and makes me feel pretty cool, so there is that. Now take a look at these photos and go to the end of the post to see my big announcement!

Denim Shirt - Old Navy USA (Last year)

Dress - Charity Shop - no brand

Velvet leggings - Asos

Dr. Martens - Dr Martens Shop London (Originals)

Laces - Found on my travels

Ok and now my big announcement! On March 19th, my little old blog turns 4 years old! Imagine that! To celebrate, I am doing special reviews a a few big giveaways starting Friday morning (that's this Friday, March 14th).  If you want to be in for a chance to win something lovely from brands that I love then you should definitely watch this space.

You can follow me in all of these places:

Bloglovin

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

I would love it for all of you to celebrate this exciting milestone with me! 

See you soon!

XXToodalooKatie

Weekly Outfit Wishlist

Morning lovelies!

So I have had my eye on quite a few items this week that I love from new collections and all sorts. Here is this week's Outfit wishlists.

FashionWorld.co.uk

Dungarees 

Tshirt 

Sneakers

SimplyBe.co.uk

Dress

Sandals

Bag

George at Asda

Skirt

Top

Sandals

I hope that one day soon all of these lovely outfits end up in my closet :)

What are you lusting after?

XXToodalooKatie

Blog Challenge: Furs, Florals, Lace and Leather

Morning everyone and happy Sunday!

I decided, that since I have never participated in a blog challenge that I should start one on my own. I have recently realised that my closet has a lot of texture in it, unlike only a year or so ago, so I made this challenge all about just that. The challenge was to have 2 looks, one dressed up and one dressed down showing off your best Furs, Florals, Lace and/ or Leather. 

Here is mine!

Look 1: Dressed Up

Leather/Pleather - Skirt - SimplyBe via Betty Pamper

Fur - Cardi - Torrid (2 years ago)

Lace - Bra - Debenhams

Pleather - Mary Janes - Asos

Dressed Down:

For the dressed down look I put on my H&M trousers with leather pockets and a cami top with floral print from Torrid (old collection), I also switched my shoes up to my Primark black pleather flats.

It would appear that I own no feathers at all - and that's what I am off to correct on this beautiful Sunday! 

Check out all the other lovely bloggers who participated here:

Steph - http://www.seeingspots.co.uk/

Anne-Lise – http://muki7x7.blogspot.co.uk

Sam - http://fattyboomtatty.blogspot.co.uk

Hollie - http://prettybigbutterflies.com

Claire - http://amonkeyfatshionista.co.uk

Nikki- http://www.nattynikki.com

Amanda - http://cruellamcg.wordpress.com

Sara - http://confusedbrit.wordpress.com

xxToodalooKatie

OOTD - Lovely in Leopard

Hello again!

I thought I would put up a quick post of what I wore to the FashionWorld event that I just posted about below. It was a hula themed cocktail party so I decided to wear another dress that I picked up at the Fat Positive Clothing Swap. 

This dress, believe it or not, is Atmosphere brand from Primark via the swap. It fits like a dream, and has a built in pettycoat for added pufiness. I'm pretty sure this is from ages ago, because I  have never seen something similar at Primark recently.

Dress - Primark

Cardigan - Primark

Flats - Primark

Necklace - Moomoonz

XXToodalooKatie

Fashion World Event - Liz McClarnon Collection

Hello!

So yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a Fashion World event for Liz McClarnon's new swim collection. (For my international readers, Liz MacClarnon was part of the music group Atomic Kitten back in the day). The event was held at Mahiki bar near Picadilly circus which is a pretty neat little place, complete with tiki themed everything.

The swimsuits all have a very pinup style theme to them and this is my favourite, because I love flamingos so much. After seeing the range in person though, I am so gutted that the top just will not work for a larger bust. It only has a shelf bra, which just does not do the trick for a bigger bust like mine - an under wire is mandatory for me in a bikini style top. The bottoms, however are gorgeous and adjust up and down for comfort and style. 

The evening was lovely, including hula dancers, flower garlands and music and over all really fun!

It was really nice to see all these fabulous ladies below and great to catch up over Hawaiian themed cocktails and nibbles.

Thanks to Fashion World for having me!

Have any of you tried this range? I'm sensing this is the year for my first fatkini... stay tuned.

XXToodalooKatie