Taking Shape - How to wear

I was gifted two items from Taking shape to review. As explained the brand is a new brand from Australia taking the UK by storm. With 13 stores in the UK already with more in the pipeline Taking shape are a new fresh concept to the UK high street.

I chose these items as I felt they were more me and more adaptable to style. 





This skirt is a XL, which by the sizing guide is roughly a size 22. It's a bit bit around the waist as I size in at a size 18 (smallest part of me). I LOVE this skirt. The length, the material, the fit and everything else about it is amazing. I wore it to the press day with a grey boyfriend top and my chunky boots. It's just so easy to wear smart, casual and glam. The zipper is workable and has no material behind, so if you're feeling cheeky and want to bare some leg just undo it. I honestly can not find any fault with this item and would be happy to pay £50 for it. The attention to detail and quality is amazing.






PUNK!


This dress is supposed to be layered but me being me would honestly wear this without anything underneath. The dress sent is a size 20. The length of the thick jersey cuts halfway down the thigh and the sheer fabric sits below the knee. I styled this dress in a punky way which I think suits the dress. I simply love everything about it, same as the skirt. It's easy to wear, I love the fit, detailing and the quality. I know the styling probably doesn't suit the brand but I think it suits me to a T. 

Has anyone else purchased from Taking Shape or visited a store? I'm hoping to visit the Kingston branch soon. 

Love
Michaela
xo

IT"S CHRISTMASSSSSS or just another blogging challenge




So I've seen a lot of blogging challenges in the blogsphere. Something I've always wanted to take part in I decided to join to 'Just another blogging Challenge.'


This months challenge is Christmas ( today is only a month until XMAS. PANIC NOW!). A love hate time of year for me. Since my parents divorce, Christmas has been a dramatic/busy time of year. Ensuring both sides of the family are kept happy half the day is spent with one side and vice versa. Now I'm older I find the novelty has worn off. My parents have kind of giving up on the idea of presents and it tends to be a time of year to just drink and see friends.

When thinking of what to post I immediately got drawn to a food post, after all Christmas is the time of year to pig out from the moment you wake to the moment you pass out. It's a step away from fashion and another topic I'm pretty fond of.  Here's a few quirky recipes of things I'd like to do for Christmas. 

Santa Strawberries

(Image not my own)

Bottom Chocolate brownie 

400g caster sugar

225g butter, melted
60g cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
225g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Mix all ingredients in the order given.
  • Bake at 180 C / Gas mark 4 for 20 - 25 minutes in a rectangular 23x33cm greased baking tin.
  • Cool, and slice into equal round portions (i found using a circle metal dish easy)


The strawberries and cream

200g cream cheese
2 tsp sieved icing sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Add the cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla extract into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy.
  • Add the cream cheese mix to a piping bag with the corner snipped off.
  • To make the Santa hat details add the mixture to the top of the base of the strawberry.

(Image not my own)


I never used to love hot chocolate. Recently I've discovered a love for creamy thick hot chocolates after getting in from work in the cold. On my search for recipes I found this one  to try out. 

1.5 cups of heavy cream 
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) 
2 cups of bittersweet chocolate chips 
6 cups of milk 
1 tsp vanilla extract
  • In a large pot over low heat, combine all of the above ingredients.
  • Stir regularly for 30-40 minutes until chocolate is fully melted and incorporated with other ingredients.  


Two recipes I'm really excited to try. I think my two testers will be my lovely flatmates, as I will be spending the majority of the Christmas cheer with them until I leave London for a few days to head home. I will be sure to post pictures of how it all turns out and tastes. 

Love
Michaela
xo

Don't forget to check out the rest of the JABC crew:

Taking shape Press Day

I was invited to the Taking Shape press event by a lovely lady called Charlotte of EdenCancan. Managing to get the afternoon off work I was excited to attend afternoon tea at the Grosvenor Suite, Millennium Mayfair Hotel, London, whilst previewing the collection. 

On arrival I met the lovely Hollie B of Prettybigbutterflies and Katie of toodalookatie. We were sat down to a lovely display of china tea sets, cupcakes and chocolate lollipops. I indulged in finger sandwiches, the most amazing creme brulee I have ever ate, and stunning scones with plenty of clotted cream and jam. 


Taking Shape is new to the UK, but the brand has almost come in with a bang opening stores up and down the country. What I will say for the brand is not everything is to my taste. I think there's a certain customer base in mind for the brand and I'm not sure if I'm wholly their targeted customer. Saying that I was gifted (keep an eye out for posts) two items that I love and have styled to my liking. I also found a few items at the event that I loved and could picture styling for me. 

I was instantly drawn to the coats and knits at the event. I'm not sure if this was subconsciously due to the fact it is now FREEEEEZZZZING in the UK (brrr!) I also found the colours and prints eye catching. 



The whole event was lovely. I saw friends, made new ones and met industry professionals who I admire. The brand is making an impact in the UK and is definitely a new plus size high street store who I think will be around for a long time. 

Love 
Michaela
xo


Kate Spade Iphone 4S Phonecase

I was gifted this Kate Spade Iphone 4S case to review. Probably a step away from the usual fashion I post, I took the chance to review this designer phonecase. As soon as I opened the packaging I knew it was love at first site. Polka dots and pink are the way to Michaela’s heart.

The case comes with a plastic outer that you place around the outside of the phone. You then slip this with the phone in to the plastic decorative case.
The phone instantly feels secure, safe and stylish (sss)

Now I’m sure you may or may not know I stupidly broke my IPhone 4s screen. This was before I was sent this amazing case. I can't confirm but I'm pretty sure if this case was on my phone at the time of dropping it, my screen wouldn't have been damaged. The plastic outer you place on the outside of the phone creates a raised bit away from the screen, so when you place your phone screen side down the screen never touches the surface.
After one week, the case is still sturdy and safe. The only downside is a few scratches but there’s no severe damage. The Kate Spade logo is still fully viewable and untouched, despite me holding the phone at the bottom with warm sweaty hands.


I can't praise this case enough. I instantly fell in love with it. The compliments I get off people asking where it is from is crazy and speaks volumes. I’m a little bit gutted to have to let this case go when I upgrade to the Iphone 5 (silly Apple L ) but I will be picking up a Kate Spade case for that most definitely 




Love
Michaela
xo



Plus Confidence

An event I'm currently working on is the Definition of size exhibition fundraiser. Created by the amazing Anita Bellamy, this event isn't about the fashion etc it's merely about changing and impacting the discrimination against plus size people, men and women and how society treats us. Although I work in the plus size fashion industry and can appreciate how much it has changed there is still a negative stigma against plus size. 

I'm extremely excited to see the opening of the exhibition and to see all the hard work pay off for Anita

'We are here to promote and celebrate women and men of size We have been campaigning for for a few years now against body image discrimination and how society treats people of size. We are human and we come in all shapes and sizes and are no longer going to try and be accepted or fit in with how people feel we should look."



Tickets are just £15. Hope to see some familiar faces there 

Love
Michaela
xo




Eat Sleep Rave Repeat

Before the carnage commenced, I did look half decent haha. Plus London3 after party was probably the most important part for me to attend. A chance for all to mingle a bit more freely and relaxed ( a bit tooo relaxed in my case.) As soon as my eyes met this beauty on Asos Curve I HAD to have it. At £30 I simply added it to the basket at pressed check out. It's such a versatile piece that I know I can wear in so many different ways. 

I styled it with my new Black Heart Creatives Slut Drop necklace and simple black wedge boots.
I sized up for this dress to ensure it draped straight past my hips and was a bit longer, as the product description noted it was a regular fit. I'm so happy I did. Even though it's probably a fashion sin to wear something big and draped, it completely suits this style. 




I literally had a blast ;) with blast photography at both the day and night event. Such a fun idea ;)


Love
Michaela
xo

Anna Scholz @ Plus London3

This weekend I visited Hoxton to attend Plus London 3. After a disastrous few days (yep I jinxed it) leading up to the event, it was good to see old and new faces on the day. I was fortunately gifted for the day a dress from Anna Scholz new A/W collection. I went for a pin up/rock alternative look teaming the dress with a new pair of biker boots and styling my hair in a wavy 50's/60's bee hive. 



I felt amazing in the dress and received loads of compliments from everyone. 
I changed for the night and will be posting about my new goodies soon.

Love
Michaela
xo