The PERFECT party dress - Evans black velvet layer dress from House of Fraser

I can't wait to tell you all about this most perfect velvet party dress from House of Fraser. It's from Evans and it's perfect for so many reasons! Read on to find out why.

Things I've learned about driving in my own lane

[Free image via Pixabay]

I've avoided wordy posts for several weeks as I'm still painfully aware of my propensity to do great harm with the words I choose in haste. After that post of almost two months ago I've done a lot of soul searching and I've made some changes. The honest truth is anyone can bang out careless words in 5 minutes, but well considered ones take time, and I'm not great at that. Mea culpa. Some of these changes have been internal - examining why I lash out when frustrated instead of dealing with my emotions for instance, and I've also made changes to the way I interact with other bloggers. I wasn't happy when I wrote that post - quite clearly - and the way I consume all things blog-related needed to change.

If the barn door's a rockin' don't come a knockin'

I was at lovely Sharnfold Farm again a few weeks ago to show my mum and step dad the lovely animals there, and I spied this lovely old barn door which I thought would be a great backdrop for photos.

Christmas gifts from Jacamo for the men in your life (SP)

In case you haven't heard of Jacamo, they're a sister company (or should that be a brother company?) to Simply Be and they do a whole range of clothes for the large man, as well as shoes, accessories, gifts, electricals and more. They stock clothes up to 5X, which is a 64/66 inch chest to cater to the cuddliest of fellas, and you can expect major name brands like Joe Browns, Puma, Adidas, Lonsdale, Timberland, Wrangler and more. With Christmas being just around the corner, here are some gifts I'd like to pick up for the men in my life. And that checked shirt? It's totally for me, but it's our secret, OK? Although it may be a men's clothes shop, I wear lots of clothes meant for men. Clothes are just clothes, so wear what you want. With the weather being on the chilly side in the UK at the moment, the snuggly Men's Hoodies are well worth a look.

Wide calf boots for plus size legs from Wide Calf Boots Store

I have very wide calves and haven't been able to wear knee high boots for many years. When I found out the Wide Calf Boot Store have boots to fit my legs I was thrilled. I chose this style as they look a bit like biker boots, a style I love.

Plus size checked shirt - lumberjack chic

A few weeks ago on Instagram someone I follow put up a photo of them wearing mustard and a red checked shirt and it inspired me so much I bought a red checked shirt so I could recreate it. I've loved checked shirts since the early 90s, when I fell in love with Pearl Jam and the whole grunge scene and I basically wanted to be Eddie Vedder. 😉 (How cool is it that Blogger now has emoticons in the post editor?)

Elvi Dip Hem Leather Look Midi Skirt

I wore this Elvi Dip Hem Leather Look Midi Skirt to Sharnfold Farm near Eastbourne the day before Halloween and I wanted to do a witchy look to celebrate the occasion. 

11 things you don't have to do to be a good blogger

I've been blogging for over 5 years and in that time I've probably seen at least 1000 advice posts about what to do to be a great blogger, and I'm here to be the antithesis of all that advice.

Dorothy Perkins Curve Ochre Ruffle Neck Tie Top

Hiya! Today I'm wearing the Dorothy Perkins Curve ochre ruffle neck tie top and it's so Autumn/Winter appropriate. I love mustard at this time of year.

Pink Clove Plus Zara Velvet Star Shift Dress

Hiya lovelies! Today I'm talking about this Pink Clove velvet dress which is gorgeous, but as you can see it's too short for me to wear out as a dress. I'm really bummed as I LOVE the dress, but the length is not good. The velvet is so on trend and the glitter stars are so Christmassy. It could have been SO perfect. *does a little cry*

Lovedrobe grey cold shoulder shift dress

Hiya lovelies! I hope you all had a lovely Halloween? I had a very quiet one at home with James but I really enjoyed seeing lots of photos of people on social media dressed up for Halloween, and their kids and pets. It was lovely! Today I'm reviewing the Lovedrobe grey cold shoulder plus size shift dress and it is a beaut!

I absolutely love the dove grey colour and the crepe fabric of this dress.