Big Fat Summer Challenge - Colour Blocking (or as close as it gets).

I'm using a video because I don't have a camera anymore! Boo hoo!!!!  

Hi Girls (and maybe boys) this is my first post in the Big Fat Summer Challenge hosted by Marcia. This is as close to colour blocking as my outfit will get, I am wearing white jeans from Fashion Express and a Zebra printed top with some yellow, white and black accents. I am not really big into colour blocking, as much as I love seeing the trend on other people I do not want to be the person with cobalt blue jeans and a mint shirt. It is not to say its not a great combination, but it's really not for me.

I did mention in the video that I was inspired to wear white jeans by my tow favourite bloggers Passion Jonesz and Allisa of Stylish Curves.

I'm a Liebster Award winner!

Dionne of Supersize My Fashion nominated me for the Liebster Award and I'm absolutely thrilled! Thank you Dionne.

The rules are as follows:

1. Thank the one who nominated you.

2. Write 11 things about yourself.

3. Nominate promising bloggers who have less than 200 followers and tag them in your post.

4. You have to give them 11 questions to answer.

5. You should not tag back.

Here's more about me:

1. I'm a reality show and crime channel junkie! Shows such as "Desperate Housewives of Atlanta", "Basketball wives of LA"(and more) and "How do I look". Crime channel category I love shows like "Who on earth did I marry", "On the case with Paula Zahn", "On the case with Aphrodite Jones", these are just the big ones but there's more. I can sit in front of the TV with the aim to watch one show, next thing I know its 6 hours later and the day is gone.

2. I love, love, love potatoes and cheese. For this reason the potato, cheese and mushroom casserole is one of my all time favourite meals. But it comes in a close second to good old fashioned pap and melk!Yummy!

3. I hate winter, the only thing that makes winter bearable to me has to be the winter fashions, winter coats are absolutely yummy.

4. The very best times of my life were my high school years, I had great friends, we were not pretentious, we had genuine love for each other, we had great laughs with each other and had the best times together. It is always so heart warming to me when I see the wonderful grown women my friends are today. Even though I'm no longer friends with some of them I'm inspired by the great things they are all doing with their lives.

5.  I am generally a very nice person, so it is always such a surprise to me when I come across people who seem to be arbitrarily mean, either to me or other people.

6. I am very bad at networking/ hobnobbing, I wish there was a class one could take that would teach you how to break the ice and get to know people at events. I really need to get better at it because what I've learnt since I began working is that relationships you build through networking can help your career.

7. I absolutely love cocktail dresses.

8. I tend to play down the good/nice things I have because I never want people to think I'm bragging or to think I think I'm better than them. I can here my mom tell me to never think I'm better than anyone and to equally never put anyone on a pedestal above myself.

9. I think Brandy, Kelly Price, Mary J Blidge, Jill Scott and Toni Braxton are true artists.

10. One of my biggest style icons is "Joan Clayton" the character played by Tracee Ellis Ross on Girlfriends.

11. I cannot stand Beyonce.

My answers to Dionne's questions:

1. What inspired you to start your own blog?

I was going through a fashion rut, mostly because I did not know how to dress my body. There were a lot of people who had opinions on my body, what I wore and why I wore what I wore. I came across the blogging community and thought what better way to find my fashion voice then to do it on line within a supportive,inspirational community.

2. What are your favourite places to shop?

Edgars, Fashion Express, Foschini, Woolworths.

3. What's your guilty pleasure?

Reality TV!

4. When getting dressed, is there an item you build the rest of your outfit around? If so, what is it?

My outfits are always built around the kind of bottoms I'm wearing that day.

5. What do you usually wear on your day off, around the house?

Tracksuits, old shirts and slippers.

6. Favourite thing to do in your spare time?.

Read or watch some reality.

7. Single, in love, engaged or married?

Single by choice not circumstance.

8. What's your favourite movie?

Friday, next Friday and Friday after next . You can't watch one without seeing the others.

9. Is there a saying or phrase you live by? If so, what is it?

Do the right thing.

10. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

I'd wish for my career to take the path I want it to, more money and the wisdom to know how to use it well and more love.

11. If you had the opportunity to style a celebrity (female), who would you style?

Tumi Morake, she's a South African comedienne, funny as hell, plumply lady but her stylist has dropped the ball too many times.

Bloggers I'm nominating

Zona Mpendulo of Hook and Eye
Nomali of The Weavefree zone 
Marcia of SAFatshionista
I'm just me
Lialiya of The Curvy Swagg of Lyalia
Nique of Nique in the middle

My questions for the bloggers I nominated

1. Where are you from?
2.What is your dream career and are you living it?
3.What inspired you to blog?
4. What do you aim to achieve with your blog?
5. Your favourite bloggers?
6. Who is your style icon, plus size or straight sized?
7. Are you single, married or engaged?
6. If you had the opportunity to style a celebrity (female), who would it be?
7. Where do you love to shop?
8. When getting dressed, is there an item you built the rest of your outfit around? If so, what is it?
9. How do you keep yourself "fashion inspired"?
10. What is your favourite piece in your closet?
11. What are your favourite items for this season? Summer or winter?

Big Fat Summer Challenge

Marcia over at SA Fatshionista decided to run the South African leg of the Big Fat Summer Challenge, which  from my understanding  was origionally started by Return to Sender and recently revived by Jennifer of Jasifer Lions Club during the American Summer in June/ July. I am so excited Marcia decided to run this project and I will be taking part in it, tune in from December 1st and get ready to vote for your girl (ME!).

Be on the look out for some changes I'll be making soon to the blog, I'm working on said changes when I get some down time. I'm on study leave today, getting ready for an exam I have tomorrow wish me luck!

Not enough hours in the day, not enough days in the week

I've got so much on my plate lately, I don't have enough time to blog anymore. This is is a sad state of affiars for me because blogging makes me so happy. Between a new job, school, exams and assigments, I don't know if I'm coming or going!

But on to the fashions, I've been bitten by the peplum trend, I can't get enough of it. I wore this dress early spring, but winter was still hanging around so I paired it with some tights. One thing I didn't realise about this dress is exactly how short it is once you're walking around in it, it does some serious rising up. The slit at the back is also quite risky once the dress rises up, but oh well, I've enjoyed wearing it anyway.



This dress was a great investment from Fashion Express for R 160.00. They have the best cocktail/formal dresses at the best prices.

  Oh yea, I cut my hair, dyed it blonde, made me feel so young and fresh.

Curvy South African Idols

Currently I am going crazy over Idols season 8, mostly because I haven't watched the show in close two years or so. I had gotten really bored with it at some point and I swore off of it. I am glad I got to catch this year's show though because the talent is great and it is very entertaining. I have my favorites and I definitely have a few contestants who make me wanna throw my remote at the TV every time they sing. I will not be throwing any shade on anyone in this post though, I am just going to be showing love to the curvy ladies on the show. 

This season is filled with beautiful and talented curvy women, Shekhinah, Nosipho and Tshidi. These are my top three contestants and it doesn't hurt that they have done a great job representing for the girl with curves. Even though Nosipho was voted off two weeks ago, I'm sure that the prize will go to either one of the remaining curvy ladies, the voices on these women are amazing! 

Tshidi moves effortlessly from body hugging dresses to this free flowing  pleated  dress and manages  to still love great.

Shekhinah always keeps it young and trendy.

Nosipho's hair fascinated me I'd love to do something like that but I don't have the guts  to.

Rocking those stripes and looking great in all her pear shaped glory. 

Shekhinah is a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice to match.

Tshidi in this dress makes it look like body-con skirts and dresses were made for the curvy girl.

VOLUPTUOUS VIXEN OF THE WEEK

Hello Vixens, 

I'm very glad to introduce this week's Voluptuous Vixen! Dineo Moeketsi is a South African actress, singer, dancer and television presenter who's best known for hosting Channel O magazine show O-Access. Trained at the National School of the Arts in South Africa and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, Moeketsi is definitely  a girl of many talents one of  which is her great fashion sense. This curvy vixen never disappointing in the fashion department be it on Vuzu Channel 123 where she is currently presenting or at events, she's always dressed to the nines representing well for the curvy girls everywhere. She has got a great figure, curves in the right places and an amazing style. She is has to be my biggest celebrity crush of the moment! 

SIMILAR STYLE

I was so excited to come across Vanoue's latest blog post .She wore a dress similar to mine and wore her hair like I did mine, I absolutely love her dress and I'm quite fond of her blog too, check her out if you have not done so yet. Just thought I should share our similarities in style and taste.  

DOUBLE TAKE OF THE LAST POST

I used to have such issues with my tummy, it doesn't look that bad  in this pic and I'm not spanxxing. 

It's been a crazy 2 weeks, I've had exams all over the place and I'm writing another one this coming weekend. I got really swamped with work, my phone got stolen (which carries so much of my life) and my exam stress mounted. Therefore I was not able to finish off  the Buxom Beauties Challenge. I managed to get a break this past Saturday after my exam and go out for drinks with my best friend. I wore my LBD that I featured in the last post again and I must say I just love everything about this dress. I rediscovered by waist, I feel ridiculously sexy in this dress. 

Faux fur bowling edition

I went out for dinner and bowling with a friend this past weekend. I'm glad he dragged me out of the house because I had not been out line a little over two weeks, it turned out to be just what I needed. People in my house are very over me and this little old blog of mine, no one wants to take ootd pics of me anymore therefore I have to take pics at random locations where I can sit my camera down.

Please excuse the blurry vision in the pics, like I said in earlier posts, I'm working on a new camera.

Like I said before I love faux fur!

BUXOM BEAUTIES FASHION FACE-OFF - COLOUR

Hey blogger friends!

Today is another edition of the buxom beauties fashion face-off and today's instalment had to be about colour/ colour blocking or a dash of colour. I decided to "colour block" after I saw the picture below while messing around on the net. Like I said before I do not have a lot of colourful items in my closet, so when I saw the turquoise skirt below it gave me an idea how to wear mine. I had to add my faux fur vest, it's like my go to item for the winter! I can't deal. Love it!

This is my outfitspiration

I thought the mustard, turquoise and faux fur complemented each other well as far as winter colours are concerned.

Skirt - Thrifted
Jersey - Edgars
Faux fur vest - Identity

I tried to recreate the outfit as best as I could, I'm more convinced than ever that I need colour in my life!

 Blogging is so much fun, I hope everyone that comes by here enjoys reading/ watching what I put on here. Thanks for stopping by, please come again!

 Please check out Marcia at her blog SA Fatshionista and see what she does with colour, if she doesn't update today she'll do a double take next week, she's in the middle of exams and we wish her all the best! Shou

BUXOM BEAUTIES FASHION FACE-OFF - DENIM

This week was the start of the buxom beauties face-off challenge/collaboration with Marcia over at SA Fatshionista. The challenge for this week was to show in one outfit post how you would wear denim for the winter month. I decided to go for the denim on denim ensemble, it might not be the most creative way to wear denim but I have been wanting to create an outfit like this for a while now and this was a great opportunity to do so.

Funny story about these pictures, I had to take them in the bathroom this morning because it's been raining cats and dogs since the 5am, I didn't wanna take photo's of myself in the office around everyone else because I feared that I'd look vain plus my boss is a real meanie! So, I had to take them in a hurry, I didn't like the way most of the photo's came out, the photo's that are posted were some of the best in the batch.  Anyway, please click on Marcia's blog and check out what she's done with denim for this week.

Welcome to all my new followers, I appreciate you reading and commenting. Please  come again!

Suede boots I'm wearing with the outfit

The bag I am carrying today.

BUXOM BEAUTIES FASHION FACE-OFF

Voluptuous Chronicles and fellow South African fashion blog SA Fatshionitsa  will be taking part in a fashion face off for the month of June. 

The months of winter in South Africa stretch from June - August and because of the low temperatures dressing up for winter can be a bit of a challenge. There are a lot of cute winter clothes one could wear but because of the need to cover up, you find that most people live in their winter coats or track suits and the creativity behind putting together an outfit fades.  

So, the idea behind the fashion challenge/collaboration is to find a way to make dressing up for the winter month of June fun, retaining the need to cover up and be warm, while also keeping outfits trendy and fun.

The rules of the challenge are as follows;

1. One fashion piece is chosen for each week.

2. The chosen fashion piece will be the focus of the outfit that is to be showcased that week.  

3. It is the task of the blogger to dress that fashion piece up/down as she pleases. 

4. The idea is to shop from your closet. 

5. The outfit created around this fashion piece will be uploaded on the blog every Friday. 

The fashion pieces for the 4 weeks of June are as follows:

1. Week 4th - 8th June       

      - Denim/Jeans/Denim shirt/ Denim jacket 

2. Week 11th - 15th June 

     - Winter colour blocking/ splash of colour. 

3. Week 18th - 22nd June 

     - LBD in winter.

4. Week 25th - 29th June  

     - Arm candy, jewellery/ accessories in winter. 

Be sure to check both blogs throughout the month of June, leave comments and tell us what you think. Hope you will enjoy this journey with us. 

Thanks for reading!

First colour block

I went out to go see Think Like a Man with a good friend of mine this past Friday. I really liked the movie, I had been wanting to see it since last month but I couldn't because I was studying up a storm for exams. I'm a big Kevin Hart fan and to be honest he was the main reason why I wanted to see it, I loved his performance and was also pleasently surprised by Wendy Williams's performance. Anyway, on to the fashions.

This was my first try at colour blocking and I loved the way it turned out. I just felt super sexy that night, I can never leave my red lips out of my night time outfits, I think I'm obsessed with red lips right now!

I was so excited to wear this thrifted coral/orange blazer which I bought for R 40 which in dollars is like 5 dollars I think. I wore a statement necklace which I've really enjoyed since I bought it last year, it really finishes off my outfits well.  The blazer looks red or pink in some pictures this is because the quality of my camera is quite shoddy, I'm hoping to remedy that soon.

Black skinny's - Edgars
Blue sheer shirt - Edgars
Coral blazer - Thrifted
Black clutch - Thrifted
Necklace - Woolworths 

PLUS FAB - Not just the right size

Ms. O. Tema the Founder and Creative Director of Plus-Fab rocking one of her original designs.

As promised earlier this month I managed to secure an interview with Ms. Ouma Tema the founder of Plus-fab, the newest plus size fashion line in South Africa. Enjoy! 

Model wearing dress from the Plus-fab 2012 winter collection. 

    

    One thing that struck me about you is the confidence you radiate. It’s unapologetic, honest confidence, for a big woman living in a world where big is not always considered beautiful, where did you get the boldness, to look societal standards of beauty in the face and say I am big and beautiful?

      I grew up in this body; I don’t know myself in any other body except this one. Being sad and miserable about me was not an option the better option was loving and embracing myself. By doing so, people relate with me from that loving point. 

        What was the motivation behind starting the plus-fab fashion line

      I was struggling to get clothes that spoke to a chic, sophisticated and fabulous plus size woman. Clothes I found were in the right size but never spoke to the fashionable me. I then decided to have my clothes made to my specifications for events such as parties and weddings which I had to attend. This resulted in the fuller figured women in my circle asking for my outfits (some willing to pay double the price value).Before I knew it Plus-Fab was born and you know what they say?  THE REST IS HISTORY! 

      What are you hoping the line will do for plus women and for the plus industry in South Africa as a whole?

I am hoping it will help restore Fuller figured women’s confidence. THIS IS THEIR TIME TO SHINE! Life is too short to worry about having the perfect body, self love is key.

     Where do you get the inspiration for all the gorgeous pieces in your collection? Is much of your personal style embodied in them? Do you draw inspiration from particular style icons? 

I have a lot of style icons, women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who’s style is timeless and simple. I love Marilyn Monroe who brought sex appeal to the fore without showing a lot. I consider myself to be a simple and chic kind of girl, I mostly fuse-in my flair in all my designs and always want to create outfits that are practical and classy.

     What kind of pieces could one find under the plus-fab line? Day dresses, Cocktail   dresses, shoes, bags?

I make outfits that would take you to work and cocktail events without having to drive home to change. What I love most about my designs is that one can dress them up or down, which is a bonus if you ask me. Most importantly, my clothing is created to embrace our bodies not cover them up. 

Beautiful dress from the 2012 Plus-Fab winter collection

        What were the biggest challenges you encountered when starting this line and how did you circumvent them?

I am not sure if I am at a point where I can say I have managed to circumvent the challenges that come with what I do. However, the challenges encountered thus far are having to be everything at once and still maintaining the creativity and flair regardless. 

     Where do you think the South African plus size fashion industry is at the moment? Do you think stylistically it is doing well in representing women?

SA plus size fashion is still in its early stage of development. A lot of work still needs to be done, blogs and magazines are still shy or skeptical to come out in support or in recognition of our existence. It is as if we are made a huge favor by being featured anywhere in the mainstream media *turn off*. Thanks to blogs such as Voluptuous Chronicles, your work is commendable indeed.

     What style advice do you have for plus women in order for them to best harness their strengths?

Self Love is important. When you honestly love yourself from Inside out you will treat yourself with love and that will show in how you carry yourself. You will treat your body differently (from the clothes you wear to the food you eat).I have insecurities too, however,I choose to love me for me, that translates in all I do, including how I dress.

     What advice do you have for another plus woman who may be looking to delve into fashion design?

Fashion industry like any other industry is a Business, treat the industry as such.

Being humble and honest will always attract favor from God. 

Plus-fab models rocking the high low trend. 

Plus fab can be contacted through the following avenues

Founder and creative director of Plus-Fab: Ms. Ouma Tema

E-mail: ouma@plus-fab.com

Twitter: @oumatema

Facebook page: Ouma Tema at Plus-Fab

Tel: 012 751 4037

Official website: www.plus-fab.com

Official blog: www.plusfab.blogspot.com

Lesson in fashion

I do not consider myself to be a fashion guru or a fashion icon, I started this blog as a chubby girl who was trying to find the best way to dress her awkward chubby body. In the process of blogging I have learnt so much about how to best dress my shape, I have learnt a lot about how to respect my clothes, how to buy the RIGHT SIZE and most importantly how to build wardrobe staples!

Building good quality wardrobe staples has been my mission since late last year, I realised the importance of owning these pieces when I would spend countless mornings frustrated because in my wardrobe FULL of clothes I could not find the right pieces to put an outfit together for work or play. Upon doing research about building a versatile wardrobe I realised that I did not own any key wardrobe staples.

According to my research when building essential wardrobe items, you ought to have the following issues in mind;

1. Versatility - It is important to buy an item that can work with various outfits, therefore it would be great to buy something in neutral colours. Black/white tank tops, black/white button down shirts, it is also a good idea to add grey, beige and blues.
2. Quality - It must be of good quality in this way it will wear well it is important for your go to garment to wear well.
3. It must be of a classic style, simply because you do not want a clothing item you rely on to build your wardrobe to go out of style. 
4. Quantity - I feel that it may be a good idea to own two of your favourite wardrobe essential items. This is in case of any emergencies. 

I have made a check list of items I am still working on building, because of this mission I am on I find that my closet lacks colour, most of my clothes are black, brown, white or beige, that is quite boring. So to remedy that situation the next fashion mission I am on is to add colour to my wardrobe.

My check list of fashion essentials I have to build on is as follows;

1. White and black cardigans 

Black cardigan at the office.

Black cardigan for weekend look. 

     2. Quality blue jeans 


    3. White button down shirt

One way a white shirt can be styled for office wear

Casual look for the white shirt

     4.  Black button down shirt

Business casual with the black shirt

     5.  Black blazer

I love this variation of the black blazer on the left, I also find myself in love with the blue on the right too, it has an edgy and sophisticated feel

Business casual with the black blazer

After I have purchased these items I will look into adding more colour into my wardrobe, but  that  will have to be a mission for spring and summer because recently I did some heavy duty shopping adding some winter staple pieces to my everyday wear. I will do a post on them soon enough.