My blog is 5 years old

I can't quite believe it - but my little blog is now 5 years old! And what better way to celebrate than by buying a ridiculously over sized balloon from Amazon and prancing around the garden (btw - buying a balloon when it's windy outside... not a great idea)

What started as a hobby all those years ago has now become such a huge part of my life.

It all started with me googling ways to remove gel nail varnish (a long and disastrous story for another day). I stumbled across so many blogs with hints and tips and consequently spent a lovely evening falling into a rabbit hole of blogs, twitter and instagram.

One though really caught my eye, Leah wrote about plus size fashion amongst other things and wow! Being plus size myself, it was amazing to see such a confident blogger wearing exactly what she liked and looking great. So for the next 6 months or so I stalked her blog and found as many other plus size bloggers as I could to follow.

In the back of my head, I kept thinking, I'd like to write about that, I could talk about this. So one day I just did. I'm sure like most bloggers, my early posts and photos were, shall we say, interesting? But you know what, I've kept them all live because at the time I loved them. And all of those early wonky photo blog posts help make the blog I have today.

And so, because there's nothing I like better than a list, here's the top 5 highlights of my blog.

Number 1 - Remember I mentioned Leah and other plus size bloggers? Meeting them in real life, becoming friends with them and working together makes this whole blogging thing real and worthwhile.

Number 2 - walking the catwalk at Style XL in 2015. This was such a scary and exciting day but so glad I did it, even if I did have a severe case of resting bitch face in most of the photos (tbh, I was concentrating on not falling off the stage).

Number 3 - sharing opportunities with family and friends. One highlight that comes to mind is being able to take my other half on a day out on the Watercress Line last year. A day riding steam trains? He was in his element.

Number 4 - confidence. Not just with going to events (years of working in the Civil Service and endless meetings and conferences helped sort that) but confidence with clothes and personal style. Generally just being me - a plus size, 50+ person finding her own style.

Number 5 - numbers. This seems an odd one. I know in the grand scheme of things, I'm a very little fish in a very big pond. But seeing viewing numbers and interactions rise over the years makes me think that maybe, just maybe, I'm doing ok.

To everybody that has read my ramblings online - a very big thank you. Here's to the next 5 years!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

StyleXL 2015 - and new adventures

Hello there,

This time last weekend I was at StyleXL in Birmingham having an amazing weekend. The only problem is, it feels like a lifetime ago already. It's taken me a week to find the time and the words to describe the weekend. So here goes - there's lots of pictures and lots of words and thoughts.

I'd been to StyleXL last year in Leicester and was struck by how much fun it was. And the models! People just like you and me looking beautiful and being confident. When I saw this years event being advertised and the call for models, I'd thought I'd give it a go, never expecting anything to come of it. Famous last words - I had an email from the lovely Leah Shafik saying I'd been chosen - cue months of excitement and nerves.

About a couple of months beforehand, we all started finding out who we were modelling for. I was lucky enough to be picked for Topsy Curvy, Clarieabella's Closet and A Rose Like This Designs.

Up and early on the Saturday morning, I managed to do a few practice walks down the catwalk and get a few pics in before everyone arrived

Topsy Curvy

This was the first outfit I was given to wear on the day. I knew I was going to be wearing their aztec playsuit. I have to admit here, I did panic. Me and jumpsuits have never got on. Short legs, wide thighs and being smaller on top than the bottom hasn't normally resulted in success! But after some reassuring emails and the promise of a few different sizes being available on the day, I felt much calmer. And you know what? I needn't have worried. It fitted just perfectly and I felt amazing. Thank you Topsy Curvy !!

Photos: Topsy Curvy, Deb Judic & Alfie Brownson-Smith

A Rose Like This Designs

Rosie Astbury was showcasing her amazing graduate collection. I knew swimwear/beachwear was possible so was intrigued to see what I'd be wearing on the day. I think, if you had told me before that I'd be wearing a crop top and short skirt, I'd have squeaked and ran for the hills. But with one catwalk under my belt, I was ready for anything! In one outfit, I faced two of my greatest fears - thank you Rosie xx

Photo: Alfie Brownson-Smith

Photos: Jen Robinson

I'm gutted I missed out this group shot with the lovely Rosie! Myself and a couple of others were at this point rushing to get changed ready for the next catwalk.

Claireabella's Closet

I was dying to see what I was wearing for Claireabella. I love so much on her website. There just might have been a loud whoop when I saw this:

Tartan...Voodoo Vixen....all in one package!!! And to top it off, a dress with pockets. Heaven.

This dress was definitely something I would buy for myself. In fact I may do just that...I couldn't stop swishing around with my hands in the pockets.

After (reluctantly) changing back, I finally had a chance to slow down, get a drink and start chatting properly to people and watch the remaining catwalks

The Lady Voloptuous models

Bloggers photo and obligatory jazz hands

I'd love to show you lots of pictures from Saturday evening, but I didn't take any. I just wanted to relax and enjoy the entertainment. The evening catwalks were amazing so I'm a little bit sorry now I didn't take any.

Sunday was a much calmer affair. Jewellery making, an intro talk on You Tube and an inspirational talk from the beautiful Daisy was just what was needed after a hectic day.

Photo: Kat Henry

So that was my weekend. Leah Shafik asked me if I would it again. In a heartbeat was my answer. I'm short and way older (at 46) than the 'normal' idea of a plus-size model. But I loved every moment. I don't know if I'll ever get another chance to do something like this again so I'm glad I grabbed this opportunity with both hands (even if I was ever so slightly terrified). I've met some great people and got so much inspiration. 

Thank you and a big hello to everyone I met for the first time, all those I met again and all those I missed. Thank you to Leah Shafik for organising such a beautiful and inclusive event. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I've tried to credit everyone who took the photos in this post. If I've missed anyone or got anything wrong - let me know!

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx

(the playsuit came home with me - I loved it so much I had to buy it)

Style XL

Hello everyone,

Last week I heard from the lovely Leah at Just Me Leah that I won tickets for Style XL in a competition on her blog.

Style XL is the first Midlands Plus Sized fashion event and for me it was my first ever event where I'd have to chance to meet and chat with other bloggers. I heard on Thursday that I had won the tickets so luckily I didn't have too long to think - otherwise I might have had kittens about something so new!

So Saturday morning I ambled up to Leicester. Luckily it was an area I knew fairly well from childhood and only took me me about 2.5 hours each way (I'm a driving freak who loves to drive!).

I decided to wear this dress and my favourite 'Cathy' necklace which you might have seen on my Outfit August post for days 2 & 3.

Just as I arrived, the heavens opened! So after lurking in the car and waiting for a dry spell, I made the dash to the venue complete with my Mickey Mouse umbrella (classy...).

There I was greeted by another lovely Leah - Leah Shafik who instantly made me feel very welcome with a beautiful smile.

Now at this point I have to admit to being useless at taking photos! I went with all good intentions, then promptly got distracted and forgot - bad me! I also forgot a lot of peoples names, so if I spoke to you, please say hello. There was lots of familiar faces there fom all the blogs I follow so hopefully at future events, I'll get to speak to more of you. I also kept forgetting that I had my 'Cathy' necklace on so I often looked confused when people I didn't know called me by my name - it didn't take much to confuse me :-)

The models looked amazing and it was so good to see the clothes in person and how they looked. How some of them walked in heels is beyond me and it was great to see people's confidence grow everytime they went on stage.

The ladies from all the suppliers were lovely. I could have bankrupted myself at the Chunky Cat Cuddler stand, but I resisted. I think I'll be visiting their website very soon though! I did purchase a beautiful kimono from the Apples & Pears stand which has been put away for my holiday next month - if I can wait that long to wear it!

I was very excited to hear from the ladies at Simply Be that a new store would be opening soon just 30 mins away from me! That really did bring a big smile to my face :-)

I was a tired bunny at the end of the day! A very big thank you to both Leahs for allowing me the opportunity and for organising such a great event and making me feel so welcome.

The next event won't seem so scary now!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx