Plus 40 Fabulous - My current skincare regime

I get a lot of comments on my skin and a couple of lovely folks on Twitter last week asked me to share what I'm using on my face right now, so here we go! I'm going to concentrate on moisturisers and exfoliants and not so much on cleansers as I use a few different cleansers and my skin remains the same regardless. For me, moisturisers and exfoliants give the most bang for my buck so that's what I'm focuisng on. **Edit, as this post coincided with this month's Plus 40 Fabulous post I'm calling this mine.**

The foundation of my skincare is the Oils of Life range from the Body Shop, and you can read my full review of these products here: The Body Shop Oils of Life.

There's an essence (think of a toner but more moisturising, used in exactly the same way, after cleansing), a facial oil and a gel moisturiser. These three items keep my skin looking well-hydrated, plump and glowing. They are undoubtedly expensive (and they're usually excluded from Body Shop deals and offers) but they really do make my skin look lit from within and feeling super soft. I've had these products for 5 months and have been using them consistently for about 3 of those months (I was testing other skin care for some of that time) and I've still got about a month of usage left.

If you don't have the time for a Korean 10 step beauty routine and want great skin without investing hours every day, these Oils of Life are the products for you.

With regards to keeping spots, redness, brown marks and my ever-present milia at bay I use 2 Paula's Choice exfoliants - the skin perfecting 8% AHA gel and skin perfecting 2% BHA gel. These are chemical exfoliants as in they don't need you to rub or scrub to remove old skin, but do it with AHA/BHA chemicals. Before using these products my milia were out of control, I had frequent spots and a big blackhead problem. At this time of year I use these exfoliants before bed (as they make your skin more susceptible to sun damage - if you use them in the day time make sure to use SPF). I'm actually being a slacker with regards to skincare at the moment as I'm prioritising decluttering my home above all else, so I'm using the AHA one about once a week before bed and the same for the BHA one. You could use one every day (if your skin can tolerate daily use, some can't) for better results. The Paula's Choice website has a wealth of skincare advice - it's well worth a look! Here's how to exfoliate skin.

Pictured below are a couple of other things I'm using on my skin currently, which I'll mention briefly, but again cleansers are interchangeable as far as I'm concerned. The Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean wash off cleanser is great as it makes my skin glow. I use it on my dry face and rub it off with a slightly rough flannel (skincare goddess Caroline Hirons recommends using all cleansers on dry skin and taking them off on a clean dry flannel for the exfoliating benefits). I use the Nivea micellar water if I'm being a lazy ho and want to take my makeup off in a hurry. It isn't as good as a proper cleanse but sometimes at bedtime I really cannot be bothered.

I wanted to talk about things other than what I put on my face.

• Firstly, it's boring but I drink a lot of water. I have a bottle of water by my side at all times - by the side of the bed, on the sofa, when I'm out walking. 

• I avoid caffeine. I might have 2 diet Pepsi's a week, drinking water 75% of the time and lemonade & lime for a bit of flavour, and one cup of tea a day. 

• I don't smoke. Smoking isn't good for your skin, and neither is lots of sugar. I do have a sweet tooth but I try to deny it. I recently went from agave nectar in my tea to nothing and I survived. ;)

• Sleep! If I have a few days of poor sleep I look awful - my eye bags are dark, lined and huge and my whole face looks dry and parched. It also looks parched if I go a couple of days without doing anything to my face, which I sometimes do. I'm not perfect. After a couple of days of neglect my wrinkles are far more pronounced, but after a good moisturise it'll look much better. 

• Avoid the sun. The most damage our faces get over the years is due to exposure to the sun. Work out how you want to avoid it - high facial SPF, avoiding going out at midday, wearing a big hat or becoming a vampire. ;) 

• Get some fresh air. If I look a bit grey about the gills going out for a bracing walk in the wind/rain will soon perk my face up. If you're physically able, get a sweat on, it's the perfect antidote to dull skin. 

Thanks for reading.
L xoxo

Plus 40 Fabulous March - Achievements

I grew up very poor but was lucky enough to go to a grammar school, which at least gave me some sense of achievement at that young age. There was a mix of children from ordinary families like mine, and at the other end of the spectrum from very wealthy families who lived in the villages away from the town our school was in. Their futures may have been mapped out - 6th form education, daddy buying their first car, uni, satisfying well paid work followed by marrying a banker, popping out Olivia and Timothy, and living in a charming little pile in the countryside. There was never really any question of me staying on to 6th form education as I was desperate to get away from the stigma of being poor. I went to work. I would expect with the background I'd had that some of my teachers - maybe even some of my fellow schoolmates - may have thought I'd be knocked up by 16 and living the rest of my life in a council house amounting to not a lot.

What is my biggest achievement? I'm not dead. It's a funny thing to say, but I'm still alive. Falling down a concrete flight of stairs and sustaining back injuries (which plague me to this day) as a small child didn't kill me. Getting run over by a Ford Transit van as a teenager didn't kill me. Don't you know who I am, fool?! I rode rollercoasters 3 days later. In my early 20s in a work place accident I was impaled on a 6 inch bolt in my knee and that didn't kill me, although the pain, loss of mobility and depression nearly did. Depression hasn't killed me. Living a 'smaller' life because of Fibromyalgia and ME (and asthma, aaand hypothyroidism) although a challenge, hasn't killed me. Numerous hard times from childhood onwards haven't killed me. Letting go of many of my dreams because of my new Fibro/ME reality hasn't killed me. Having 2 ectopic pregnancies hasn't killed me, although the last one had a fucking good try.

From this, to that - 3 days in hospital on oxygen, an 8 inch scar from emergency open surgery and one fallopian tube removed

I found out James wasn't ready to lose me to another ectopic pregnancy, so he had a vasectomy and that didn't kill me either. Not being able to be a mum hasn't killed me. Personal and professional struggles haven't killed me. My health hasn't killed me (yet - winks at my haters).

The thing is, when you're young and shit happens you have no context for it. You don't know you're tough. You don't know you can get through anything, no matter how bad. That only happens when you've endured a lot. 

I FUCKING ENDURE.
I'M A FUCKING WARRIOR.
I RISE.
I AM THE FIRE.



Am I brave enough?
Am I strong enough?
To follow the desire
That burns from within
To push away my fear
To stand where I'm afraid
I am through with this
'Cause I am more than this
I promise to myself
Alone and no one else
My flame is rising higher

I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire

I've been sacrificed
My hearts been cauterized
Hanging on to hope
Shackled by the ghost
Of what I once believed
That I could never be
What's right in front of me?

I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire

I don't believe I'll fall from grace
Won't let the past decide my fate
Leave forgiveness in my wake
Take the love that I've embraced

I promise to myself, me and no one else
I am more than this
I am the fire

I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm
And I am the one I've been waited for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire
I am the fire

I LOVE that song!

My biggest achievement is I'm still here, able to give two middle fingers to life and say 'What have you got for me now, beeyatch?!' It might not seem much to some, but it's a lot to me.

Bonus mention to this blog, without which I'd have gone batshit years ago. Also maintaining good self esteem in a world desperate to eradicate fat bodies is a pretty good achievement too. ;)

The other achievers this month are:

Cathy: http://www.southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/
Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk
Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com
Lee: http://www.pinkybellesshed.co.uk/
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/
Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/
Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/
Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://www.misskittenheel.com
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading,
Leah xoxo

Plus 40 Fabulous February

This month's subject is something that makes us excited or happy. Sometimes the fatigue of ME makes me feel like I have no passions, but a good energy day reminds me that's SO untrue. I have a lot of passions.

My family

I've always been quite close to my family but since my step dad had cancer I think we've pulled together even more. I've vowed to spend one weekend a month in my hometown and I really look forward to it. I had a great time there last month. I also get to see this monkey who is the light of my life (alongside my other niece, who'll be 3 in April). She's wearing my faux fur stole as a hat. :)

James

It goes without saying that husband face is one of my joys in life, even though he's a bone idle git when it comes to housework. ;) He has a cracking sense of humour and often does silly things to make me laugh like dancing around in his pants or putting his balls on my face when I'm not expecting it. (When would you expect balls in the face?!) What a treasure! He's fab when I have a migraine or need a nap - he tucks me in on the sofa and turns the lights down. He even taps away on the pc quietly when I'm napping. Awww, I love his face.

The people's eyebrow

My friends

I have loads of good people in my life, on and offline. My 2 Rachels (Canada Rach and hometown Rach), Mookie, old school friends I'm still in touch with, and loads of other lovely people on and off my computermabob. There are too many to mention and that means I'm blessed.

My blog

Of course this is a passion or I wouldn't still be doing it. I've met so many lovely people through blogging - both readers and other bloggers - and although at times the pressure of it makes me want to rip my hair out, I honestly can't imagine a life where I don't blog.

Music

A day without music is a day wasted. I love music - it gives me oomph when I have none. I'm a rock/metal chick but I also love my female singers like Sia, Adele, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding and Lissie. The last big gig I went to was Bullet For My Valentine and it was great.

Animals

I don't have any yet but when we move we're going to rescue a couple of cats. A good walk for me is when I get to stroke cats or dogs. Anyone who knows me well knows I adore animals and children. Most of what I post on Facebook is animal videos. I'm sure people probably think I have shit all to say about myself but at least they get I really like cute critters.

TV

There's a lot of time not doing a lot (or not sleeping a lot) with chronic illness so TV is a big thing. The only soaps I watch are Eastenders and Home and Away, but I love a whole heap of shows. In the last few months I've devoured the Sopranos box set, 2 series of Broadchurch, Dark Matter (SO good!), all series of American Horror Story, Fortitude (it was brilliant!) and probably some more I've forgotten. I'm currently watching The Wire. My favourite show right now is Chicago Fire, with Chicago PD and Chicago Med coming up close. Next on the watchlist will be The X Files, Vikings when it's back, The Walking Dead, and in April, Game of Thrones.

When I feel up to it issues of equality, feminism and of course fat issues are my passions, but I need to be well to devote myself to them and that hasn't really been the case for months. Obviously the way women over 40 are seen is a passion of mine too, and I'm going to do my best to grow old disgracefully as my 2 fingers up to that notion. :)

What are your passions?

Others who may be taking part this month.

Cathy: http://www.southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/
Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk
Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com
Lee: http://www.pinkybellesshed.co.uk/
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/
Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/
Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/
Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://www.misskittenheel.com
Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading.
Leah xoxo 

Plus 40 Fabulous: childhood fashion inspo & Plus40Fab admin

Hello lovelies,

It's Plus 40 Fabulous time again and as usual I'm late to my own challenge. ;)

Lee came up with the theme this month (and we'd love theme suggestions from all other participants too). She suggested talking about some of our childhood inspirations and how they affect our clothing choices today.

Well, I've never been a subtle girl when it comes to fashion. I grew up obsessed with Marie Antoinette-era dresses and used to spend a lot of break time in my junior school library looking at fashions from the past then drawing them when I got home. A lot of my most distinct fashion inspirations are from film and TV, rather than historical eras. Beetlejuice came out when I was 13 and it was one of my favourite films as a child. It still is.

I still can't get enough of black and white stripes.

Married with Children also started when I was 13, but I'm not sure if it started airing in the UK that year. Peg Bundy was a big inspiration for me and still is today. I liked her OTT 80s style, and her big hair & tacky makeup.

Hair backcombed to all hell in homage to Peg.

Who inspires your fashion style?

If you're a participant of Plus 40 Fabulous please read on for a bit of admin at the bottom of this post.

The others (hopefully) taking part are:

Cathy: http://www.southernyacht.blogspot.co.uk/
Christy: http://www.sprintingwithscissors.blogspot.co.uk/
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk
Kate: https://wearingmywardrobein2016.wordpress.com
Kath: https://fatheffalump.wordpress.com
Kellie: http://www.bigfashionista.co.uk/
Lee: http://www.pinkybellesshed.co.uk/
Mookie: http://www.mookieslife.com/
Nikki: http://www.nattynikki.com/
Perelandra: http://www.pamperandcurves.com/
Sarah: http://www.plussizeproud.co.uk
Steph: http://www.misskittenheel.com
Vicky: http://www.therandomnessoftwee.blogspot.co.uk
Yvonne: http://woosangwashere.blogspot.com

(Kaye is taking a break).

Plus 40 Fabulous admin

Things have kinda died on their arse a bit because Mookie and I have been quite unwell, but we hope to be a lot more involved in 2016.

Mookie and I would like Plus 40 Fabulous to be a supportive community so we'd ask that every person who takes part each month comments on at least 3 posts by other members, and then you should hopefully have some comments left on your posts too.

If anybody hasn't taken part 3 months running we'll take them off the list above.

When you've written your post, you can post it on our Facebook page if you like (not essential). 

Leah xoxo

Corrie style steal with JD Williams - 4 ways to wear*

Hello lovelies,

It's the most wonderful time of the year (ding dong, ding dong) and I'm not really a Christmas party person. I'm more a Christmas meal down the pub kind of girl. When JD Williams asked me if I'd take a leaf out of a tv character's book for styling a Christmas eve outfit at the pub, the choice was easy.

Michelle from Corrie is my kinda girl when it comes to style because I love her edgy outfits. I thought the Lorraine Kelly glitter side ruched dress would be very her, which is handy as Michelle's glam style is a lot like mine. I'm wearing it in the black/bronze colourway and it looks a little red in certain lights. You can also get it in black/silver, but warm tones suit me better than cool tones.

I did have a fear that as this dress is so glitzy that it'd feel scratchy on, like lurex used to years ago, but it's a totally soft material with lots of glitter thread running through it. I love the sleeve length and the split detailing on the cuffs is a really nice feature, and useful if you move your arms around a lot - no pinched skin! I'm wearing a size 28 and it's true to size and does have stretch. It will mould itself to all your contours, and that's a very Michelle thing! If you're not at one with your body in tight fitting clothing you could wear shapewear underneath, but I'm not wearing any in these photos. It's machine washable - I really have no truck with hand washing or dry cleaning! The bust can be worn pulled down slightly to show off your cleavage (as I did) or left alone higher as a more modest v neck. I'm wearing thick tights and flats for comfort on a cold day. I can't wear high heels comfortably because of a 20 year old knee injury, and the tights are necessary to try to keep the chill out as my Fibromyalgia is really bothersome in the cold weather. I didn't style it with a coat as I wanted to show off the full splendour of the dress. The length is perfect on me, and one I feel comfortable wearing. I would absolutely wear this dress down the pub. I don't think I've ever felt overdressed, but I have felt under-dressed a lot in the past and it feels terrible so now it's my mission to glam it up as often as possible.

Still not bought your Christmas day dress? JD Williams are taking next day delivery orders up to Dec 23rd! Get in. 

Here's how I styled it, and below my shots are 3 different ways to wear it to give you some inspiration.

When I first saw this photo below my knee-jerk response was 'Ugh!' because I'm pooching out my tum. But then I thought 'So what?!' You can see the rounded fullness of my bum and boobs as well as my tum. Now I love this photo!

I'm wearing:

Dress, as linked above in the intro
Hair flower & earrings, Peacocks
180 denier tights, Big Bloomers
Gold shoes, New Look

Here are some different ways you could style this dress.

Look 1 - Xmas Rocks
Joanna Hope PU biker jacket
Sole Diva fringe ankle boots
Set of 3 animal print earrings

I would wear this outfit everywhere and anywhere. The biker and boots bring the dress down to a more casual vibe.
   

Look 2 - Girly Christmas
Faux fur stole
Sole Diva jewelled platform shoes
Sole Diva jewelled bag

This would be a great outfit if you were moving onto a club after the pub, but remember your foldable flats for when your feet have had enough.

Look 3 - Christmas Glitz
Faux fur coat
Three buckle patent boots
Coast ombre necklace

This is another cosy winter outfit, but the glitz of the necklace combined with the sparkle in the dress is just perfect.

How would you wear this dress? Would you like more suggestions of how to style things in different ways in future posts?

Thanks for reading,
Leah xoxo

*Dress provided by JD Williams. Opinions are honest and my own.

Plus 40 Fabulous - An introduction

As you'll know if you've read my blog recently, Mookie and I created Plus 40 Fabulous to claim a space within plus size blogging for those of us aged 40 and over.

This post is an introduction to our style, our feelings on being over 40, and what this means for us with regards to societal pressure.

First, a little introduction to me if you've never read my blog before. I'm Leah, I'm 41, and I live in SE England by the sea. I wasn't a confident youngster, in fact I'm pretty sure I had undiagnosed anxiety disorder my whole life (until a few years ago when I got diagnosed) as absolutely everything terrified me and I never had any faith in myself. I've been on a journey to love myself as I am and my confidence grows year on year. I'm not 100% confident yet, but I'm inching ever closer and I definitely feel the best is yet to come.

My style

Had I been asked to describe my style a few weeks ago I would've said eclectic as I wore pretty much anything/everything, but I've since realised that what truly makes me happy is alternative fashion, leaning towards the rock chick and gothic. And alternative is an attitude as much as a look. It might be a pretty dress with shit kicking boots and one of my favourite strange coloured lipsticks, or it might be all black everything.

How I feel about being over 40

I'm loving life. I've never been as happy with myself. Of course getting older brings some changes - more grey hair, the menopause and all that stuff, but I'm pretty sure I was more unhappy with myself when I was young and perky than I am now. What loss is youth when I finally feel at peace with myself? The only thing I dislike about being this age is the tiny little slights. Suddenly you find you disappear by degrees. You turn less heads (although conversely as people don't see me at all I get insulted less), people start to overlook you as they think you're past it, and your opinion suddenly counts for less. It's like death by 1000 cuts, and none of them are visible to other people. You have to live it to feel it. But that's exactly why Mookie and I started this, because I strongly believe that if you feel under-represented, you have to represent yourself. Be the change you want to see, for you and people like you. I know that women of my age have a lot of life experience, some great stories to tell and good advice to give, and like fine wines, we get better with age. I feel very much that the best is still to come for me, and I know there are a lot of other women who feel this way.

I was never a confident teen, and I was never that confident in my twenties (unless you count when I was drinking, in which case, yes!) I was just starting to like myself in my 30s, and my 40s are even better. I know who I am, I know what I want, and I know that whatever anyone else's expectations of me might be that I'll be true to me. I'm no one's puppet.

How society treats older women

I think society treats the older lady with utter disdain. You only have to look at articles in the media running Nicole Kidman or Demi Moore down for their wrinkly knees, or whatever shitty body fascination is in vogue to belittle women over 40 that week. Phrases like 'bingo wings' are created by the media to remind women that their looks are currency, and when you're low on funds, you're considered worthless. I think it's a load of old bollocks. I LOVE older women - people like Dame Judy Dench, Helen Mirren, Joan Collins, Betsey Johnson, Zandra Rhodes etc are uncompromising women who know who they are. They're beautiful at ANY age, not beautiful despite their age. (That's a back-handed compliment if I've ever heard one!) Oh, the stories those ladies could tell, I bet they're a bloody riot.

Isn't it funny how you see distinguished older men reading the news but most female newsreaders are under 40? Men are 'allowed' to go grey and become wrinkly, but women are crucified for it. The world is still a pretty misogynistic place, and you realise this by degrees as you age. I hate that women feel the need for drastic surgeries as there's so much pressure on them to look young their whole lives. Visibly ageing is a privilege only afforded to men. Youth is attractive but knowledge is power, and I'll take 41 year old me over 18 year old me any day of the week.

I think things are changing though. People are living longer for a start, which means there are going to be more older ladies than ever before. And I think a lot of women are coming around to the idea that although society has expectations of how women over 40 should dress/act/be, that it's a crock of shit and you should please yourself. After all we're here for a short time and we're a long time dead.

Think of how many 'rules' you know about older women. Let me start:

Women over 40 should cut their hair short. Why is this even a thing?!
Women over 40 shouldn't wear too much makeup. Piss off.
Women over 40 shouldn't wear short skirts. Why not? Oh no, the wrinkly knees might offend some man's eyeballs. Quelle horreur!
Women over 40 should dress conservatively. Aw, pish, as the Scottish might say.

Why do so many people invest themselves in telling (or thinking) that other people should live their lives a certain way? Join me in raising your middle fingers aloft to sexist, ageist bollocks and let's praise feisty women with plenty of life and fire in them. Only a fool underestimates the older lady. We are powerful, and we don't need anyone's approval to be our authentic, amazing, vibrant selves.

Here are my sisters from other misters rocking it at 40 plus. We're the best kind of girl gang, trust me. ;)

If you're sharing your posts on social media feel free to use the hashtag #plus40fabulous and Mookie and I will share as many as we can. You can still take part with the introductory post on social media if you don't have a blog, and remember we will be taking guest posts from people who don't have blogs, which will be shared on mine and Mookie's blogs alternately. Email for details.

Email: plus40fabulous@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Thanks for reading, and please tell me in the comments about a rad lady over 40 you know! Let's praise our elder queens. Shout out to my mum, who's my biggest role model and who has faced endless hardship with humour and strength.

Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

Leah xoxo

Plus 40 Fabulous fashion challenge starts Fri 13th

Hello loves!

You may remember I wrote recently about Plus 40 Fabulous, the movement Mookie and I started to celebrate the plus size, 40 years old and above person. We feel our age group has a wealth of life experience and a lot to give, but because society is so ageist we're also a demographic who start to find themselves passed over or ignored. Balls to that, we're fabulous so let's shout it from the rooftops!

As part of Plus 40 Fabulous, we'll be doing a monthly fashion challenge on the 2nd Friday of every month. The first one is due next Friday, 13th November.

Mookie and I thought this first post would be the perfect chance for everyone to introduce themselves to each other and our readers with respects to how we feel about being over 40, how we came to find our personal style, and how we feel that society treats women of our age. It's up to you how you contribute. You could do a collage of your favourite fashion looks, tell us a bit of your life story, or combine photos and text. There's no right or wrong way to take part, so don't sweat it.

We'll be taking suggestions from the participants for future themes for the fashion challenges and we also plan to see if we can get some brands behind us with regards to collaborations.

If you're sharing your posts on social media feel free to use the hashtag #plus40fabulous and Mookie and I will share as many as we can. You can still take part with the introductory post on social media if you don't have a blog, and remember we will be taking guest posts from people who don't have blogs, which will be shared on mine and Mookie's blogs alternately.

You can find us in these places:

Email: plus40fabulous@gmail.com
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Any questions?
Leah xoxo

Plus 40 Fabulous

Hello!

Mookie came to visit me on Monday and we got talking about the way we feel about being bloggers in our 40s. Plus size blogging is still a relatively niche interest in the blogging world (although growing by the day) and plus size bloggers over 40 are in the minority within that. There is a vibrant blogging scene in the UK and we are lucky to know other plus size 40+ bloggers who bring their fierce to the table and we want to create an alliance to enhance that. We also know there's an audience out there for plus size blog readers in this age group, who are often under-represented in an industry saturated with bloggers in their 20s and 30s. There's a wealth of accumulated experience from bloggers of a certain age, and we think that should be celebrated.

Mookie and I are women with no intention of slipping meekly into old age and beige polyester, and we want to carve a path for like minded souls. Wanting change isn't enough - sometimes you have to smash down walls with your bare fists and be the change you want to see - and this is what Mookie and I set out to do. We want to give a voice to people like us and amplify what's already there. If there's a lack of representation it's in our hands to force it. One voice gets lost in the din, but a dozen together is a thing of beauty. A hundred can change the world. Never underestimate your power. Grab that fucker and run with it!

Who it's for:
  
Everyone aged over 40 who's plus size. Yes, including men. Where ever you are in the world, make yourself known.

(If your 40th birthday is coming up within the next 6 months or so, shoot us an email and you'll go on our reserve list - or just yell 'Let me in!' when it's your 40th birthday).

We plan:

• A monthly fashion challenge on the 2nd Friday of every month where plus size bloggers who are over 40 do a themed outfit post. (Participants can contribute ideas to these posts).
• To share a selection of your posts on our social media when you use the #plus40fabulous hashtag.
• To take guest posts from non bloggers who are plus size and over 40, which will be posted alternately on my blog and Mookie's.

Get involved

If you want to join in with the fashion posts, email us at plus40fabulous@gmail.com. We need to keep all correspondence there so it's easier to organise.

Use the hashtags on your social media posts if you're 40+ and plus size (not just fashion posts).

Non bloggers - pitch ideas for guest posts if you don't have a blog at plus40fabulous@gmail.com.

Follow us 

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Feel free to spread the word! We don't want to cause offence by approaching people who may not yet be 40 (you know how we're sensitive to things like this) so by all means tell your friends.

Thanks for reading,
Leah & Mookie xoxo

(Mookie will also be writing a post with her reasons for wanting to start this community.)