Aussie Curves ~ Denim

June 22, 2014 By curvysam 7 Comments

As a born and bred Melbourner I really miss wearing my jeans so now that its ‘winter’ in Far North Queensland its finally chilly enough to wear jeans now and then. {yay}

This week I caught up with one of my best friends at the Gold Coast. It just worked out well that both of us could travel half way across Aus and have some fun at the theme parks. A well needed distraction for both of us.

Now I’m no ‘fashionista’, I just post what I wear on a day to day basis and sometimes it fits into the Aussie Curves theme.

Spending a day at a theme park is exhausting so I wore my fav Torrid Stiletto jeans, Crossroads lace tee + tank matched with my Autograph jacket. Enough layers for the morning chill and comfy Havaianas.

I didn’t manage to get a photo of the Crossroads lace top so here’s how it looks on the beautiful model. {And ladies, it’s on sale for $10! click here}

WHERE ITS ALL FROM

Lace Insert Top ~ Crossroads (on sale for $10!!!)
Jacket ~ Autograph Fashion
Jeans ~ Torrid
Shoes ~ Havaianas

Here’s a couple more recent denim outfits.

Looking to add some Denim to your wardrobe but don’t know where to look?
Click the image below

Plus Size Lingerie Perfect For Valentines Day

January 20, 2014 By curvysam 6 Comments

Dare to bare this Valentines Day with these smoking outfits

Let’s be honest ~ it can be quite a frustrating process shopping for sexy plus size lingerie in Australia {other than bras and underwear}.

If I had a dollar for every time I walked out of major retail stores like Bra’s & Things or even Myer many years ago, feeling disappointed that there was NOTHING over a size 16 I would be super rich.
Or if it did fit my body size there was no cramming my big boobies in the tiny cups. Gah! Nightmare!!!!

And you know what. It makes you feel like crap not being able to buy any lingerie at major shopping centres. I made the choice a couple of years ago to stop bothering to look in certain stores.

In my hunt for sexy outfits I found a couple of retail stores and many online shops that specialise in plus size lingerie. The good news is that more and more retail stores are popping up every day. {And well done to Target who have recently started stocking a small number or plus size babydolls. Some examples below}

There ARE options out there for us curvy gals. You just need to know where to look and over the last couple of years I’ve been telling anyone and everyone who asks where I get all my goodies from.

Step out of your comfort zone this Valentines Day. There’s no reason that you shouldn’t feel comfortable

Feeling sexy is mostly a state of mind anyway – and once you see how sexy you can be, you’ll feel better about sex and better about yourself.The perfect pieces to heat up your night. Or day 😉

If you like what you see below, click the image and it will take you directly to the website

Dolly Conch Shell Chemsie – $39
The Dolly chemise has a fitted full cup bra, which is lightly padded for greater comfort and style. The body is made from a super soft mesh. Who says full figures shouldn’t be flirty and sexy!
From: Target (AUS)

Style D9342X – Sizes 16 to 26 – $95.85
NEW Stretch spandex mesh and microfiber underwire babydoll with lightly padded demi cups, adjustable shoulder straps, contrasting lace overlay, hem detailing, flyaway back with hook & eye closure and comes with a matching lace bow
From: Cuddles & Curves

Style D6218X – Sizes 16 to 26 – $79.00
NEW Gorgeous, floaty and feminine pleated chiffon babydoll with layered cups, pleated chiffon skirt, cute bow trim and comes with a matching thong.
From: Cuddles & Curves (AUS)

J’ADORE OVERLAY CHEMISE
From: Hips & Curves (USA)

MON CHERI MESH CHEMISE
From: Hips & Curves (USA)

Embroidered Mesh & Satin Chemise – $52
Celebrate a romantic occasion in this absolutely sexy pink and red chemise. The sensual lingerie piece has sheer embroidered mesh cups and shimmery satin body. Back sash tie. Includes matching G-string
From: Torrid (USA)

Curvy Kate – Ritzy Babydoll shouts sassy, seductive and stylish. With a pin stripe overlay, top cup embroidery and diamante drop pendant is gorgeous. Full underwire cup.
From: Heavenly Curves (AUS)

Lace Overlay Corset – $65
A gorgeous way to display your sexy curves, this feminine satin corset wows with lace overlay for eye-popping contrast. Lined underwire cups offer great support and a plunging silhouette to flaunt what you’ve got. Fitted with flexible boning to smooth your sides and torso and a breathable sheer back
From: Lane Bryant

Lace Fuchsia Bustier – $110
Fully boned satin bustier with lace over satin padded cups, lace wrap around panels, center front busk closure and center back ribbon lace up. Features gathered lace along top edge, removable gathered satin garters, bows and straps.
From Lisa’s Lacies (AUS) Retail store and online

What’s your favourite retail or online store to purchase lingerie from? Do you like any of the above?

Aussie Curves ~ Pink + a fresh start

October 13, 2013 By curvysam 16 Comments

This weeks Aussie Curves theme is pink.

Growing up I hated wearing pink but the colour has slowly creeped {overtaken} my wardrobe. Sometimes it’s nice to feel girly and a pop of pink always brings out the creamyness of my skin tone. Some of you may know from all of my tropical photos across social media, that I live on an island in the Whitsundays and have done for over 1.5years now. I keep the location private although the images are quite iconic for those who are familiar with the region.

Many ask, how did you get to live in such a beautiful place? Without going into the mushy detail, I had a huge life change when I lived in Melbourne, a heartbreaking one. It was time to start putting myself first and to not accept anything less but the best for myself.

On the top of my priorities was to:
– Walk on a beach every day
– Be less than 10 minutes from work and to not have to commute 3hrs a day like I was doing in Melbourne
– To not have to cook/clean or look after anyone but myself
– Spend more time doing the things I liked doing
– Live in a cigarette free environment and away from the stench and mess of the butts
– To live somewhere that had decent aircon/heating with no lawns to mow
– Heal, from the hurt, from the disappointment, to grow as a person and to forgive and forget
– Re learn how to sail, snorkel with whales and to sleep under the stars on Whitehaven beach
– Increase my fitness
– Cut my long hair off {I waited a whole year just to make sure it was what I wanted}

So I moved to a tropical island to continue my career in the events industry.

I achieved all of the above and am a better person for having the courage to start a new life. It was tough, there were many tears but looking back it’s all been worth it and I have no regrets.

I’ve always been super happy and pride myself on making the best out of every situation but those who knew me understood that my soul couldn’t take any more and needed to be free. Real friends will be there for you as will your family. They will call, they will visit, they will support, they will care.

I’ll always joke about my #fivestarliving {yes Danimezza that is just for you} but I hope my social media posts inspire you to want the best for yourself and for you to know you deserve the best not matter how dire a situation may seem. And if my random photos on Instagram {#CurvySam) of animals doing silly things put a smile on your face then that makes me super happy too. Being positive will always be better for you than being a negative nelly!

Phew…so that was only meant to be one paragraph. It’s not something I have talked about at all outside of my close circle of friends/family.

So back to the pink theme.

My good friend Kayla took the outfit photos for me whilst we were walking to the pool bar for lunch {the perfect way to spend an afternoon on a day off work on a tropical island}. Thanks Kayla!

Just before we arrived I realised I was wearing pink ~ perfect for the Aussie Curves post this week. It’s starting to heat up in the Whitsundays {hence the fluffy hair from the humidity}, so it’s important to dress in light material. There’s a strict dress code for staff dining in resort facilities so I wore a cotton cardigan to cover up my dress straps. Ohhhh one thing too.. I’m not a fan of ironing…wrinkles are totally fashionable in my book.

DRESS ~ Lane Bryant
CARDIGAN ~ Target
SHOES ~ Designer Shoe Warehouse
SUNGLASSES ~ Cotton On
NECKLACE ~ Colette
RING ~ Torrid

Top 10 tips for dressing when you have a large bust

September 6, 2013 By curvysam 13 Comments

Whilst having a large bust is desirable, in reality it can be quite frustrating. There’s a fine line between showing a bit of cleavage and letting it all hang out.

People are always surprised when I reveal that I’m a 16FF. Depending on the occasion sometimes I dress to minimise and sometimes {at parties etc} it’s all about flaunting what you’ve got… let’s just go with the term ‘enhancing the assets’ as my mum would say.

If you have your own set of big ta ta’s, jugs, boobs, tits, fun bags or whatever you call them here’s my top 10 tips for dressing when you have a large bust

1. Wear a good bra

You can’t build an awesome castle without a good foundation. Same goes with bras. Not only will you feel more comfortable and supported – your clothes will look better. The higher and firmer they sit, the more your waist will be accentuated. Make sure you wear a bra that supports you in all the right places and more importantly go get fitted. Even if the lingerie store doesn’t stock your sizes they can still measure you.
{blog post to come soon for where to buy bras above a DD cup in Australia and online}

2. Embrace the wrap

If you have a larger bust, then you should own wrap dresses and tops. Wraps separate the bust and enhance your waist.

3. Avoid high necklines that aren’t accessorised

Wearing high necklines can create a uni boob. A large space with a big hump can accentuate the size and make your bust look lower than it really is. If you do wear a high neckline, reduce the bulk by wearing a necklace, fitted jacket or belt. This will elongate your body.

curvysam, danimezza, large bust, fashion, plus size, asos, emobdy denim, curves, large, dress,

Black body con dress on left is from www.embodydenim.com.au

4. Select the right accessories

Put those small, dainty, tight necklaces away and opt for more of a statement piece for the ultimate wow factor.

Image credit www.insideoutstyleblog.com

5. Choose the right neckline

Whether it’s a peplum top, dress or even a t-shirt, aim for a scoop or V neck as they give the appearance of smaller bust and are flattering to the bust area.

17 sundays, plus, fashion, big bust, curvysam, v neck, scoop neck, neckline, big bust, boobs, fat

For some great fashion made specifically for plus size women check out Australian brand www.17sundays.com

6. Invest in a fitted blazer

Blazer/jackets are a must have for every wardrobe. They nip in at the waist giving the right balance to waist and hips creating a streamlined appearance. Be mindful of the button placement on jackets {see image below of my button nipples – giggle} and overall I looked wider due to the double breasted buttons.

igigi, city chic, torrid, curvy sam, fashion, plus size, danimezza, katies, style, curves

My black and white blazer is from Torrid & Dani’s denim jacket is from City Chic + Igigi dress

7. Keep the baggy clothes for bedtime

Baggy tops swamp your figure and can make you appear large than you are. {in saying that if you layer with a cardigan and a belt it could totally work}

8. Create a focal point

Big boobs are a focal point in themselves. Add some shoulder detail, wear a wide collar or statement necklace.

Left to right
#CurvySam wearing SWAK www.swakdesigns.com
#JessicaKane wearing Torrid www.torrid.com
#CurvySam wearing Lucabella www.lucabella.co.nz

9. Belt up

A pretty belt like this one is a major multitasker: It dresses up your look in seconds, gives you a sexy hourglass shape and will earn you the evening’s best-dressed title.

plus fashion, SWAK, Torrid, belts, large belts, curvy, larger, fashion, size 18

Sarah on the left is wearing a SWAK ‘Sara’ short sleeved dress with the Elle buckle belt
CurvySam is wearing a SWAK ‘Juilet’ dress with the Dakota woven belt
www.swakdesigns.com

10. Distract from your bust with print

The right print will help to accentuate your curves, elongate your body, and even have a slimming effect. By pairing the right print with an excellent fit, your bust will not be the feature of your outfit.

From left to right
#CurvySam wearing City Chic
#Mariedenee from www.thecurvyfashionista.com wearing a Rainbow Chiffon dress from LA Based plus size boutique, Chic and Curvy Boutique
#Curvysam wearing Embody Denim’s ‘Tinseltown Digi Print Dress’
#CurvySam wearing Harlows ‘Digital love wrap front dress’
Olivia from #waituntilsunset wearing City Chic
Kelly from www.masquemag.com rocking a dress from Rue 107

The above 10 tips are my opinion and I’m a big believer in breaking the rules when it comes to fashion. At the end of the day you should look and feel your best, wear your outfit with confidence and hold your bust high 🙂

What do you wear to either highlight or downplay your bust?

Aussie Curves ~ Vulnerable Side

September 1, 2013 By curvysam 32 Comments

This weeks #aussiecurves theme is “VULNERABLE SIDE” which is open to each individuals perception as to what it means to them.

I’ve been sitting staring at the same screen thinking about what to write. Everyone else has opened up big time discussing what they feel vulnerable about.

The fact is that we all have things we love and dislike about our bodies and looks. I’m a big believer in focusing on what works and what I love rather than thinking about how my bust is too big, my nose is tiny or that I hold most of my weight in my stomach area.

In 2012 I attended NYC Full Figure Fashion Week. This event is packed to the brim with international fashionistas many of them pushing the boundaries of fashion, some dressed so they got noticed and some because…well they can pull it off. And if there’s anywhere you can be fashionable it’s NYC.

I’m a conservative matchy matchy kinda gal {totally fine with showing some cleavage and leg though}. After working in the corporate world for almost 10 years I wear clothes that suit my body, are flattering to both my shape and my skin tone. So even though I felt like I dressed well when I attended FFFWeek 2012 I decided that if I attended in 2013 as a plus size model and new blogger, it was time to step out of my comfort zones a bit more.

CurvySam’s vulnerable side = BODYCON DRESS

I have never worn a thin fitted dress that shows every lump and bump. I’d been browsing on ASOS and came across a stunning floral print bodycon and I decided then and there I was going to buy it and wear it to the final fashion show at NYC Full Figure Fashion Week 2013.

I was so excited to open the package. My first ever order from ASOS Curve.
And…it didn’t fit me. I ordered a size 18 and I could barely get it past my butt. With less than 24 hours to my flight I just had to deal with it. No time to exchange.

I stood in front of my best friend and my mum and they both said no way, it wasn’t flattering. I felt vulnerable, you could see all my lumps and bumps.

Even though I am confident with my looks and do some work as a plus size model. There is a line…and this for me was crossing out of my safe zone. BIG TIME.

But I packed it and took it to NYC with me. Just in case wearing shapewear underneath would make a difference.

When the big night came I did my hair and my makeup, put my shapewear on and wiggled into the dress. I only had 45mins to get showered and ready so there wasn’t too much time to fuss.

I looked in the mirror, the lumps and bumps were still there but a bit smoother.
I had a backup dress just in case I chickened out wearing the bodycon.

My roomie and good friend Jessica Kane loved the dress. She took some photos with her SLR to show me different angles. With time running out I decided to take the risk of wearing it. Silently freaking out and feeling self conscious.

In the cab on the way there I decided that no matter how uncomfortable and vulnerable I felt, the second I stepped out of the taxi and walked on that red carpet I was going to rock it.
Belly bulge, arms and all!

These photos were taken on my iphone. There are decent photos on other peoples camera’s but this is all I had handy.

I still to this day haven’t posted any photos on social media of me wearing this dress. So here goes!

The pre departure selfies {I’m not normally one of those girls who takes vain mirror selfies all the time but I wanted to see a side view}

The arrival photos {iphone and only had two seconds to take them. Will hopefully be able to see the profesh shots soon}

The networking photos

Clockwise from left, fashion designer Shanda Freeman, Blogger Ty Alexander from Gorgeousingrey.com, CurvySam, Plus model Alex LaRosa

Aussie plus size model Robyn Lawley one the award for ‘Model of the Year’. Congrats Robyn! {Thanks so much to Olivia from WaitUntilTheSunset for taking this photo of Robyn and I and emailing it to me}

After such a fun night a group of us headed out to dinner to celebrate the end of NYC Full Figure Fashion Week 2013.
{@jessica_kane, @littlelimedress, @itsmekellieb, @gabifresh, @thelizblack, @masquemag, @curvysam, @manfattan}

Outfit Details

~ Bodycon Dress In Mirror Floral Print from ASOS Curve
~ Black heels from Calvin Klein
~ Pink Belt from Lane Bryant
~ Bracelet from Torrid (borrowed from Jessica Kane)
~ Pink lipstick from Sportsgirl
~ Eyelash extensions by Miss Eyelash

NYC Full Figure Fashion Week 2013 – Getting There

July 15, 2013 By curvysam Leave a Comment

Pre NYC Full Figure Fashion week was pretty hectic, but in a good way. Fittings, catch ups in Melbounre and I had my 10year high school reunion the night before. Lets just say I partied a little too hard and wasn’t feeling that fresh getting onto the plane. But hey you only live once right? It wasn’t as if I was going to a fashion show and needed to look my best…..

This is my second year at Full Figure Fashion Week NYC, an event where the plus size community gathers for networking, fun and of course plus size fashion!

Harvest and Ainsley from Hope and Harvest popped past for a first and final fitting. Talk about dedication!

I’d packed everything neatly the night before so all I had to do was get dressed and head out the door. There’s nothing like the feeling of getting into a taxi at 5am, driving through the deserted streets knowing that you are about to go somewhere fabulous and exciting. I packed quite lightly as I knew I would be coming home with lots of extra goodies. And just in case my luggage didn’t make it to NYC, I had a spare set of clothes in my hand luggage.

It’s a long 14 hours to fly to LA and another 5 hours to NYC so all up it’s a LOOONNGGG trip. I always fly Qantas when I travel overseas, just a personal choice and they have the best selection of movies!

The time went pretty quickly and before I knew it I’d landed in NYC and was on my way to the hotel. Last year I sleepily (to the enjoyment of everyone else in line) almost got into the drivers seat of the taxi so when I arrived this year I made sure I went to the correct side of the car.

The host hotel for Full Figure Fashion Week is the Affinia Manhattan. I’ve worked in the hotel industry for many years and I really can’t fault the Affinia. Staff are wonderful, room service is quick, facilities are modern and the location is fabulous. Steps away from the subway, three blocks from Times Square and more importantly its right near Macys.

Here’s a panorama photo of my room. The bathroom is behind me and the doorway you can see in the right corner is a kitchen. Very handy!

Rather than go straight to sleep I caught up with Aussie bloggers Danimezza and Ashley Rose and went exploring to get some dinner and check out Kmart (via a quick stopoff at Macy’s). The Kmart near the Affinia is four levels! And filled with plenty of random items such as bacon tape and hair mayo…weird!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next couple of posts about my travels and NYC FFFWeek 2013

CurvySam x