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.