Halloween Is Coming...Make Sure You're Ready!

Who doesn't love Halloween? OK, some people. But I do, a lot. I would wear this stuff every,single, day. And I do to be honest, so I've rounded up a few of my faves to show you. I do sometimes find it hard to find great novelty seasonal wear in my size but the fashion industry is nailing it at the moment. What else have you seen that you love? Comment and let me know or tag me on Instagram (@victoryrollsandmixingbowls). All of the links are in the titles.

1. Boohoo Plus Emma 'Bite Me' Bodycon dress £12.00

If you want to salute Halloween without drawing too much attention to yourself (although, hello? You want people to be looking at this dress!) then this dress might be a good option. It's fairly plain but you'll look killer in it, black is always a winner in my book and I often wish I could tell those around me to 'bite me', so it's win-win right?

2. Boohoo Plus Tia Skeleton Hand Halloween Tee £10.00

Another beaut from Boohoo,  they do subtle Halloween really well at the moment, although to be fair I would use these both all year round. This one is probably more office friendly and you could wear it out for the evening as well. Again it's not too full on, some of you may prefer something a bit more out there but I love how this one is a bit more casual, it has a bit ole scooped neck which means you could probably team it with a nice little choker for some 90s vibes, I like it how they've styled it with some wet look/leather trousers I would probably do the same if I were you!

3. Asos Curve Halloween Tights £8.00 a pair

Tights that fit my thighs, hurrah! I know, I know, it can be a pain to find cute novelty tights to go over majestic thighs such as mine, but these go up to size 24-26 so I'm fairly sure even I could even I could wiggle into these fairly happily. I love them all but I think the bats are my favourite, and for only £8.00 a pair it would be rude to not try them all...especially now as I signed up to free next day delivery...whoops... 

4. Club L Plus Cape Velvet Midi Dress £34.00

Oh. My. God. Look at this little beauty, this appeals to all my witchy traits. While it may not be covered in baths, spiders or skulls, I think I'm in love and would totally rock this for Halloween. I have a bolero in a similar fabric and I'd love some more green velvet pieces. It's looks so luxurious and is a pretty good deal at £34.00. It's also not just limited to Halloween...with the other festive season just around the corner this could be your go-to dress for many a occasion. 

5. River Island Plus Black Choker £8.00

Now earlier I talked about chokers, I really love this one in the new RI Plus range. It's pretty simple in case you don't want to feel restricted and it's only £8.00. I really like the diamante circle in the middle for a little bit of sparkle. This is a great starter choker before you try out maybe a full one or maybe even a spike one. Ah, I do miss the 90s.

6. Hell Bunny Harlow 50s Dress £49.99

Now this print is one of my favourites out there at the moment, I have it in the skirt version and I love the dress! Just look at the print, it fulfills all of your Halloween dreams with pumpkins, bats, spiderwebs and ghosts. I got lots of compliments on the skirt and I intend to wear it all year round, no shame, no shame at all. They also do it in a top too... 

7. Voodoo Vixen Katnis Dress £66.99

Right, this is another one of my own purchases, it's been about at least a year but I bloody love it. It makes me feel a million quid when I step out in this dress. It's lovely and heavy too and...it has pockets!!! It is a bit pricier than the others but the proof is in the quality. The scalloped neck is to die for and let's not even get started on the colour and the cat print. I recommend you get this as soon as you can. Now.

8. Interrobangart Pumpkin Circle Skirt £50.00

If you really want to rebel against the subtle then this baby is for you, being a bit sucker for skirts I couldn't resist adding this one. I've bought from this lovely before and her skirts are great so go and have a look. I love this one, just look at the huge pumpkin face, it's great! She's designed the fabric herself and you can contact her about altering sizes as they're made to order. 

Images taken from Boohoo, Asos, River Island, Hell Bunny, Voodoo Vixen, Interrobangart.

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Boohoo Plus - Eliza Peplum Skirt Review

Boohoo is a brand I've not considered before, not for any real reason other than sizing. I did know they did a plus size range but I never really checked it now, now I regret everything.

Payday came and I thought I'd have a little trawl through, I was looking for something particular so this made it a little easier. We were celebrating Roald Dahl's 100th birthday soon after and I wanted to go at the Grand High Witch, of course, because it appeals to my dark little heart. So I wanted a witchy pinup skirt.

 And Boohoo Plus delivered! I spotted this gorgeous little number, the black pencil Eliza skirt with a peplum waist made from scuba fabric which was nice and stretchy. There was an exposed silver zip at the back, I love exposed zips so I knew this would be a winner. What I struggle with when it comes to pencil skirts is that they can be baggy at the bottom, I often take mine in so I really get that hour glass shape. This one was perfect, tight with lots of movement and the peplum was dramatic and I felt really confident in it. I can be a bit aware of my stomach so I often wear tops over my pencil skirts, this is the first one I wore the top underneath and I bloody loved it. Best of all? It was on £12....£12!

I decided to give the skirt a test run at the weekend, I had intended to go without tights but my chub rub shorts were visible through and under the skirt so I put on the old faithful black tights.  I teamed the skirt with a black strap top from Primark, I live and die in these and have about ten. They're lycra ones and I feel like they hold me in a bit and I've had them for years without them falling apart. This is pretty unexpected considering they only cost £3 each. 

Then I added one of my favourite cardis from Collectif in a cherry print, you can't get this style any more but all their cardi's are fab so I suggest you check them out. I have it in this style and a dark green velvet one too which will be great for winter. 

I felt killer in this outfit, I can't wait for summer to go away now so I can rock it a bit more often, I'm not also on the hunt for some more peplum's! 

 

Oh and I also thought I'd play with my hair (excuse the offensive bobby pin).

Until next time. 

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#MySwimBody in Spain, Plus Size Bikinis and ASOS Curve Purchases

So for the last couple of years I've seen so many posts about bikinis, plus size bikinis and body positivity and it's really been having an effect on my own opinions about my body and how I dress. I never thought I would wear skirts or dresses or anything that showed off my body, so I didn't. Things are very different now though. 

I have an endless supply of dresses and skirts, a lot of this is down to discovering the pinup and vintage scene on social media, believing I was the only one who was interested in this, how wrong was I! I bought my first houndstooth penchil skirt and that was it, I was hooked. 

I've only recently gotten back into swimming after for some reason thinking I obviously couldn't be seen in a swimming costume in public. Once I got over this ridiculous notion I loved swimming again! So much so that when myself and the bearded wonder went on holiday recently I really wanted to find something I felt confident in to wear by the pool, and what I really wanted was a bikini. I know, a bikini, who would have thought that I would actually choose to wear one - for the first time in my life would you believe? Another scary thought was getting out my thunder thighs but you know what? I think the only person actually concerned with them was me.

For advice I trawled posts on Instagram by those who rock bikinis better than anyone else I know and have taught me so much about body positivity, check out @fullerfigurefullerbust and @curvywordy they're both great as they post loads of swimwear posts and link to all their purchases so it's easy to get inspired and see things you can afford that you would actually feel amazing in. 

  

 I basically emptied Asos for all of their Asos Curve swimwear items, I got a bit click happy and as we booked a last minute holiday wanted to get something sorted ASAP. The only problem I found was that as it was the height of summer a lot of the top sizes were sold out but there was a lot of choice for the bottoms. 

After a lot of exchanges and research I found a top I fell IN LOVE with. The Monif C bikini,  It has a fringed top which added a little extra detail and coverage and the fit was brilliant! It was at the higher end of my choices at £56 for the top but I wore it all the time and felt brilliant. Money well spent, no question.  

The bottoms I got were plain black and only cost £14, I did get a nice patterned pair as well but I didn't get a snap of them and they're no longer on their site unfortunately. I only wore them once and they showed quite a lot of cheek and I prefer a bit more coverage however they were still super supportive so was still a win. 

I can't say I've ever felt more comfortable in a swim suit let alone could I ever imagine I'd feel this great in a two-piece. I think I wore it every single day at some point and had no worried about jumping in the pool for a swim with the other guests. I'm also a bit dark and I loved how when I got in the pool all the fringing floated and I felt like Ursula or some form of evil squid. WIN.

The hat from the first image is also an Asos purchase, it's in the sale too now for £14!

 

I'm already thinking about outfits for next summer. 

(The first image has a different top shown)

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Pinup Picnic In The Park - I Mean Bar!

It's that time again, has it really been a whole year since the last one? Last year the wonderful ladies known as The British Belles hosted a wonderful picnic in Hyde Park where I met lots of wonderful ladies. This year we were set to attend the same, however. RAIN. Of course, bloody rain. Luckily one of the Belle's, Amber managed to get us all into a fabulous tiki bar instead to save our pincurls, hurrah!

Last time was a bit nerve-racking, I hadn't actually met any of this lovely bunch in person. We had only ever stalked each others social media accounts and shared a love of all things vintage and rockabilly. This year however I was looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new lovelies I've been interacting with since last year.  I even had a train buddy! I met Carrie-Ann at a previous Most Marvelous meet up and she is now my vintage partner in crime, I've decided. I may even be helping her plan some meet-ups which will be exciting.

Carrie-Ann, Kariss and I

 

A few of us met at King's Cross to then go on and find the bar together. We got a bit of attention when in a group and was lovely to have a quick catch up before we set off.

What I wore: Hair flowers from Claire's accessories, top from Hell Bunny, mermaid Lucy cardi from Collectif, flamingo bag from Retro Vixens and the skirt I made myself under my little label Vintage Valentina. 

 

When we got to Chancery Lane tube station, the closest to the bar there were hoards of pinups on each side all whooping and waving to each other, it was great!  So we all marched on together getting more and more confused looks as we went, confused and happy looks may I add. Generally speaking a heard of pinups always raises a smile of confusion. 

After a couple of wrong turns and the power of Google Maps we found our way to the bar and started on the cocktails! The club in question is Kanaloa, full of tiki heads, tropical flowers and good vibes. It was nothing but wonderful to have so many like-minded gals (and some guys) in the same place. Loaded up with some gorgeous tiki cocktails we spent the afternoon chatting about hair, vintage clothing, hair colour, Poundland pins and sewing, all fangirling over each other all excited to meet each other for the first time. 

Nicola from Nickabockaglory and I

 

There were so many familiar faces and so many that I didn't get to say hello to. Normally the idea of being in a room with hundreds of people you'd never met you may end up feeling a bit sick with fear. Not here though, we all basically ran at each other like life-long friends. It's hard to explain but you meet up with these guys and you feel like you've found your people. No better feeling!

The lighting was a bit dark inside so many of us ventured out at various points to take some better photos. One of the best things about this meet-up may I add is that no one judges you for all the selfies, make up and hair close ups, we all even encourage them. 

I especially loved seeing Kayla, miss her face lots so was lovely to catch up and take some silly selfies.

All too soon the day was over and we had to head home.  Excited about future meets and finding the new stunners I met online on the train ride home Carrie-Ann and I chatted all the way home, I cannot wait for our next adventure!

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Marverlette Meet-Up St.Neots Edition

 

Who are the marvellettes? I hear you ask. They just happen to be a big, wonderful group of people, lovers of the 1940s/1950s who organise lots of local meets for like-minded lovelies. 

I've not long been part of this specific group but after seeing lots of pictures online I wanted to take part too. The group is HUGE, which is wonderful. It's full of advice, love for others and hilarity, what more could you want? Everyone shares beautiful images of vintage finds, their hair styles, little tips here and there and to be honest it's just bloody nice to be part of something so positive. 

As there are so many of us, we've got local admins who organise meets, you can of course go to any that you want but it's nice to know you can find out about the most local ones too. Our admin is a stunning little lady called Carrie-Ann. A day had been chosen and a few options suggested. We settled on meeting up in St Neots town center and booking a table at Betty Bumbles Vintage Tea Rooms for cocktails, cake and vintage shopping, perfection.

Me and Carrie-Ann

 All dressed up in my tropical Lindy Bop dress, Collectif cardi and Retro Vixens flamingo bag, me and Elvis (the Figaro) headed off - late, of course! Because that's who I am now.  Luckily I was only about ten minutes late and I remembered my way around the town enough to make it in time. A lady I've been following for a while because she also owns a Figaro (the lovely Satah) was going so I stalked her car and parked nearby.

I was a tad nervous as I hadn't actually met and of these ladies before but you walk into the tea rooms, see a big table full of vintage gals and you instantly feel at home, I'd found my people.  

Sitting down I noticed everyone had done their cocktail order so it would have been rude to not indulge...margarita time! Then the afternoon tea arrived, three tiers packed with perfectly cut finger sandwhiches, mountain-sized scones, vintage teacups full of clotted cream and slabs of stunning cakes, Tunnouck Teacakes and Caramel Log's with some grapes and strawberries for good measure.

We managed to work our way all up to the cakes, which had to be take home for dessert. It was a stunning location which had a 1940s bar (Bertie's Bar) which opened in the evening. Hopefully we'll have another meet up there!

Now full of cake it was time of some selfies and group shots before trawling through the town's charity shops. We drew a lot of attention wandering through the town and we all had lots of nice compliments which was lovely. We all had different kinds of vintage looks and all mixed it up, yet we all fit #girlgang.

The charity shops were brilliant and most of us managed to pick up bargains. I always find myself drawn to the homeware. Cats seem to be a big thing in charity shop and for Lucy, it seemed the scarier the better. A particularly terrifying cat trinket found a home with her. It will not continue to haunt and scare her household for many years to come. I found mine in Oxfam, I got this stunning red vanity case for £6.99 and a beautiful little white shell dish for £2.99 which just fuels my mermaid obsession (forgot to get a picture though). 

Soon our parking was running out so we started to chat about the Pinup Picnic In The Park hosted by the Britsh Belles this saturday in Hyde Park. I cannot wait to see some of my vintage lovelies there and meeting new faces (and some I have lovingly stalked online). Anyone else going? 

Here's to the next meet!

(images stolen from Carrie-Ann)

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Chi Chi London Beatrice Curve Dress Review

 

For the longest time I've been wanting to get my hand on a Chi Chi London dress. To be honest I've had no occasion to wear one until now. Me and the bearded wonder have a wedding to attend in a few weeks and I've not really thought about what I'm going to wear as I have so many dresses, and if I'm really honest I ordered this on a whim just to see how it looked but thought I'd have to return it as I have no where to wear it to... that is of course, until I tried it on.

The Beatrice dress from the Curve range comes in sizes 18-26 (mines a 20) but you can get the exact same dress in smaller sizes too. It comes in at £57.99 which I thought was really reasonable for an occasion dress. When it arrived I was instantly pleased with how heavy it seemed without actually being heavy, does that make any sense? It felt like a quality product. 

What I really love is that it's a Bardot neckline which I'm really into at the moment, a bit of off the shoulder action is perfect for summer. I have worn it with a little cardi here but you really don't need to. It's a really pretty floral fabric, not my usual style at all actually, where's the black?? But I love how girly it is, I really felt like I was ready to attend a summer wedding and it hit me that it would be perfect for the one we're going to that's coming up. Once I had that in my mind, the selfie stick came out. 

While it seems like a heavy fabric it's actually just fairly stiff so it has a lot of structure and keeps you in whilst really showing off your waist without making you want to die. You can still breathe too which is a huge plus. Because the fabric is stiffer the pleated skirt part of the dress really sticks out and has as much volume as my hair after leaving my victory rolls in overnight saturated in hair spray.

Look how much it sticks out! I'm not even wearing a petticoat! I do feel like my back fat is eating at the waist band a little but a little shapewear should smooth that out nicely. I have to say, I am a little bit in love with this dress, I really don't think I can face sending it back and I think I will just have to find a place for it in my ever shrinking wardrobe. Shame. NOT! Welcome my friend.

This is not a sponsored post, I just bloody love this dress! I think if you sign up to their newsletter you'll get 10% off too!

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Preparing For Summer With Evans! - Review

Summer is finally on the horizon, the sun's been out so I'm finally looking to ditch the black tights and bring some colour back.

 

I've been eyeing up Callie Thorpe's Instagram and just LOVED the Collection Khaki Zip Front Cami Top she's been showing off recently from Evans. I really struggle to find tops I like so I was a bit hesitant but dropped it in my online basket anyway. For £15.00 I thought it was a bargain.

(Image from Callie Thorpe's Instagram)

When I was on the site I also couldn't help but notice this Blue Floral Print Prom Dress, for £60.00 for a dress I thought it was pretty reasonable so... that went into the basket too. 

The khaki top I got in a 20 and I think it's because I'm used to having to size-up from other stores because of the boobs, I could easily have gotten this in an 18, however it did still fit well I just prefer a more snug fit. I sometimes feel like tops that aren't fitted all the way down can make me feel bigger and they can stick out, this fabric fell really nicely and nice and loose for summer without making me feel like Homer Simpson in his moo-moo (and the zip is a fabulous details also) thumbs up!

I was really excited about trying on the dress, I was MORE excited about the fact it was scuba fabric and didn't need a zip so it could be pulled straight over my head and boobs with ease. The fabric also didn't lose any colour when stretched like some scuba fabrics can that make you look like your wearing an ill-fitting product. The fabric didn't change at all which was lovely and I felt like a normal human being in a cute dress. This was a size 20 and it was a perfect fit and length.

The colours are beautiful and it's a heavy fabric so it falls nicely but you don't feel too hot in it so will be great over summer. 

I've taken a close up of the pattern to really show it off. 

Next I'm looking for some cropped patterned trousers which I've always been scared of! Suggestions?

Product images from Evans

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