8/29/2014

Fat Bottomed Girls They'll Be Riding Today - Cycling, Being Happy And Stopping The Apologies

Yesterday I did something which even a month ago I wouldn't have thought possible. I cycled 20k - almost 12 and a half miles or a half a marathon depending which way you want to look at it. It was completed on my exercise bike in one go at a fairly vigorous pace and felt like a massive war cry to the latest range of box ticking health professionals I've had to endure looking down their nose at me.

I started running back in January after signing up to do a 5K with one of my friends. It was something which I knew wouldn't come easily to me, but felt that starting slowly and building up my endurance would be the best way forward. I'm not a natural athlete but I am fairly fit with low cholesterol and good blood pressure and have had a decent vegetarian diet since I was 12. However I've spent more than half my life being blighted with what I now know to be PCOS and glucose intolerance which has allowed my weight to slowly creep up over the years to where I'm now struggling to keep myself between a UK size 18 - 22.

Jogging leggings and trainers from F&F. Full details here.
Over the last few years, I've learnt to accept and actually quite like my body. My diet isn't perfect - I enjoy the odd slice of pizza and cake, but like most people, for the most part keep everything in moderation. However I spent most of my adult life making apologies for how my size makes other people feel and felt guilty for making strangers feel uncomfortable. I felt self conscious eating in public. I felt judged when shopping in a supermarket. I even felt worried if the coffee shop queue was taking too long as it meant being stood next to the cake counter. I'd worry about the horror which my coffee shop companions were feeling as I imagined them imagining me contemplating which tasty calorie laden treat to gorge myself upon.

Never did I think I'd find myself in a situation where I was running in public with my k-cup boobs and wobbly bits flapping away in spandex, but felt I owed it to myself to the be the healthiest and best that I could be, no matter what size my clothing label said. So I did. I put the effort in. I ran in rain, hail and blistering heat. I ran over grass, I ran over hills, I sometimes ran to the point where I was moments away from throwing up (although I wouldn't recommend that last one).

A few months in, I was continuing to push on but was surprised to find myself still struggling with shorter distances when in theory, the 5k training I was following was complete. It didn't make sense until I had some blood tests confirm dangerously low levels of iron and vitamins b and d. My GP couldn't understand how I was still standing let along keeping up with the exercise, but sheer determination was pushing me on. Sometimes that isn't enough though, and I knew I needed to reign things in, even if just for a little while.

During this running break, I met with a PCOS specialist who I'd been seeing for the best part of a year. She was someone who had very little interest in me as a patient because she clearly didn't believe a word of what I was saying and took great pleasure in exclaiming that I hadn't lost any weight in the past year - "not even a single kilo gram!" She then proceeded to tell me that my only hope was weight loss surgery. Yep. The only thing for an active and healthy person to do is take on an expensive, dangerous and debilitating surgery so they can in their eyes "look normal". I was horrified and angry at this treatment and immediately argued that this wasn't acceptable.

I'm lucky that I have a GP who is on my side because I can see how people could easily get bullied into going down routes they don't wish to. I asked her what benefit weight loss surgery would be for someone who doesn't over eat and her response was "it's your last resort." I was too furious to argue, but would love to have questioned her over what it was my last resort from. My low cholesterol? My healthy heart rate? Or is it that my chubby arms and tummy are so revolting to her that I'm best swept away to be put under the knife, stat?

Sequin Dress from Yours Clothing. Full details here.
Coming away from the appointment, I was struck by the realisation that I've finally accepted who I am. Even a few years ago, I probably would have caved in and agreed that surgery was something I should consider whereas now, I don't feel the need to conform to someone elses idea of what normal and healthy is.

Since I've been struggling to run, I instead purchased a second hand exercise bike and in three weeks have gone from a puffed out 5k to a sweat drenched 20k and I feel proud. Slaving away to exercise is no longer about getting down to a goal weight or dream size. It's about continuing to be healthy and happy and wearing whatever the hell I want, vbl and all.

Of course I have days where I feel frumpy, but then show me a person who doesn't have an off-day. I'm hoping to have my iron and vitamin levels sorted soon and would love to be running again by the Autumn. But that's because I miss being on Hampstead Heath more than anything to do with a training program.

My vbl outside doesn't mean that I'm falling apart inside and if strangers want to make assumptions, that's their problem. If you're going to sit across from me on a bus and judge me, chances are you're probably not the sort of person I want to hang out with anyway.

Medical professionals are important, but they are not always right. I'm lucky that my GP is great, but I've learned to not be afraid of pushing for alternative solutions, and certainly it's good to ask as many questions as you can. But above all, don't let yourself be body shamed or bullied. You wouldn't accept it anywhere else in your life, and your health - both mental and physical - are of the utmost important.

I am fat, healthy and happy. Am I perfect? Of course not. But I've learned to have fun as me rather than punishing myself in an attempt to be someone else.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/27/2014

She's My Cherry Pie - Cherry Prints on Black with Collectif and ASOS Curve.

I seem to be amassing a small collection of Collectif cardigans and I absolutely love their vintage inspired decals embroidered onto them. When I saw this black cherry covered number, I just couldn't resist as it goes with so many of my dresses. However I wanted to work it into a more simple day to day look too, but just needed to find the right pieces to create an outfit.

Step forward the best skirt I've ever brought. This simple, high waisted Skater Skirt with Pockets from ASOS Curve is one of the most versatile and comfy items in my wardrobe. The pockets are perfect for keeping hold of memory cards and batteries whilst shooting and the classic shape goes with almost everything.

Flowers: Roses from Pearls & Swine
Necklace: Custom PhotoGeek necklace from Tatty Devine
Art Deco Ring: Tatty Devine
Moonstone Ring: Vintage

The skirt is a soft jersey fabric which when teamed with leggings is the closest you'll get to being in your pyjamas whilst working!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/24/2014

Grey Skies Are Gonna Clear Up - Grey Floral Summer Dress from George.

There's nothing quite like a lovely, simple Summer dress and I adored the sweet pink print set against the grey of this cute number from George at Asda. I've only recently discovered how wonderful they are for basic wardrobe staples and picked this dress up in the sale whilst browsing.

Dress: George
Belt: ASOS Curve
Necklace: Pip Jolley
Leggings: F&F
Shoes: New Look
Bracelet: Vintage.

The dress had it's first outing when Howard and I visited Hyde Park for their British Summertime show to see Neil Young and The National. It was incredibly humid with a promise of rain so I teamed the dress with my favourite wellies from Jileon and an old F&F cardigan along with F&F True leggings. I finished the outfit off with another belt from ASOS Curve, my Whiskey Kittens necklace from Bete Noire and the perfect gig sized bag from Primark. Sadly in this photo I'm squinting straight into the sun and am thinking much more about eating my ice-cream than posing!

Howard, AKA Lord Dicely watching The National at BST Hyde Park.


Even though we're running into Autumn, I'm still buying up Summer dresses in the sales when I see something I like. They're perfect for wearing with chunky cardigans and woolly tights for a grungy layered look when you're not quite sure what the weather's doing! Add some battered lace-up boots for some Daria-chic and you are all the better for stomping in those huge piles of crunchy leaves which we'll be seeing very soon!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/22/2014

Push The Button - ASOS Curve Green Skater Dress With Gold Buttons

That one time we had a Summer (hey, remember that?), I found myself in need of some everyday dresses which I could stay cooler in whilst shooting. The ASOS Curve Green Skater Dress With Gold Buttons was exactly what I had been after, so when I saw it in the sale I just had to get it.

ASOS Curve Green Skater Dress With Gold Buttons.

I completely fell in love with the dress the second I tried it on. Whilst it's not in my usual vintage / repro style, the dress is soft, comfy and has two large pockets perfect for holding spare memory cards and flash guns. It's one of those dresses which is easily teamed with basics such as leggings and ballet flats and one which I know come Autumn, I'll be able to grunge up with boyfriend cardigans and smoky eyes. It has a slight dropped waist and is generously sized. I was worried that my normal size wouldn't accommodate my k-cup bust due to the buttons, but if anything I probably could have sized down.

Dress: ASOS Curve.
Leggings: F&F.
Necklace: Bete Noire.
Hat: Thrifted.

This has become my go-to dress when shooting on location as it's easy to move in and the pockets are deep and functional. Plus green is such a good colour, and one which I really need more of in my wardrobe!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/20/2014

MakeUp Revolution - Budget Beauty With Long Lasting Results.

A little while ago I was pointed in the direction of the new budget beauty brand, MakeUp Revolution. The brand offers a purse friendly range of cosmetics which mimic the bold colour palettes of the likes of Illamasqua, but with prices cheaper than a coffee shop latte.

With prices from just £1, it seemed a little too good to be true. However the incredible range of shades (including their limited edition Vamp Collection lipsticks) had me intrigued so I decided to place a small order to see how well they worked.

MakeUp Revolution Powder Blush in Wow. £1.
The first item I tried was the Powder Blush in Wow. At just £1 I wasn't expecting much from it so was pleasantly surprised with the pigment heavy rosy pink shade - perfect for my pale skin! The packaging looks like exactly what you'd expect from a £1 blush. It comes supplied in a no-frills plastic case, but one which does the job at holding the product in place. Despite being dropped, it managed to keep the blusher cake in one piece. As for the blusher itself, it's part way between a satin and matte finish. It feels very lightweight on the skin, and the pigment heavy powder can be built up into a strong wash of colour and blended out with ease. It needs to be set over powder for longer staying powder, and found that even on the hottest of days, it lasted a good five hours - not bad for £1!

MakeUp Revolution Vamp Collection Lipstick in 100% Vamp. £1.
The other product I couldn't resist was their 100% Vamp lipstick from their limited edition Vamp Collection. The colour was a stunning dark berry-black which when applied to the lips left a gorgeous semi-matte finish. They work far better than their £1 price tag would have you believe, but it is best to apply over lip liner and then blot with powder for a much longer staying power. 100% Vamp is packed with lots of pigment and can be built up from a sheer wash to a dense bold statement lip. Like the blush, the price is reflected in the packaging but who cares when you have such a great product for such a small price. That said, if you're planning on carrying the lipstick in your bag, I'd put some masking tape over the lid to stop it from falling off.

I really was left completely surprised by the quality of the products, and already have my eyes on their palettes for a cheeky second order. If you want to have a look at their huge range of shades, you can visit their website here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/19/2014

Get Karried Away - Karri Your Essentials In Your Phone's Back Pocket.


Working freelance means I don't ever leave the house without my diary or my business cards. You never know when or where you'll find your next new client so I always try to be prepared. I am a lady who loves her bags though, and as such, I'm forever moving stuff from one to the other. Sometimes things get missed and whilst no one cares about a pack of gum or that Twix you'd been saving, it can be very annoying having to scribble your number down on a bit of paper because your cards are stashed elsewhere.
With that incredibly 21st century problem in mind, Karri have come up with a fool proof solution - a pocket pouch designed to stick to the one thing we all always carry with us - our mobile phones!

Made from Spandex, it has adhesive back which simply presses onto your phone (or other chosen item) and stretches to accommodate items such as ear-bud headphones, keys, work passes, oyster cards, bank cards and more.

Karri Classic in Black - £6.99.
Because I'd decided I wanted one for the front of my diary, I choose the Karri Classic in black to match the cover.
The spandex magic allows me to squeeze in six cards which are in a handy position to give out when talking and taking notes. It looks smart and professional and means that I will have a selection of cards on me almost all of the time. They're not just useful for carrying cards in though - they serve as a great ear-bud tidier for headphones and are perfect for ensuring your Oyster and bank cards are with you at all times.

To find out more information, visit the Karri website at www.getkarri.com where you can find the handy adhesive pocket available in a whole range of colours.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/08/2014

All Summer Long - A Short Blog Holiday Hiatus.

Hello darlings,

I'm going to be out of London for the next week, and sadly haven't been able to write and queue up lots of posts as I'd initially hoped to. I've been chasing editing deadlines like an Olympic editing machine for the past week and between meetings and the odd cheeky gig just haven't had a spare second.

I should be back towards the end of next week and have lots of exciting beauty and fashion finds which I can't wait to share with you.

Make up from Make Up Revolution.

Make Up from Besame Cosmetics via VHL Emporium.
Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back with lots of new posts soon. I'm sure I'll still be very active on Instagram and Twitter if you want to stay in touch there.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/06/2014

Shake A Leg - Plus Size Tights From UK Tights.

Finding the perfect pair of tights which don't slowly shuffle downwards is a never ending quest, but UK Tights have made the task a whole lot easier!

With more than 26,000 designs in their hosiery arsenal, they have waged war on ill fitting sag with a plus size section filled to the brim with fun, patterned and classic designs.


Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights in white.

Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights in black.
One of my favourite designs came from Pamela Mann. These heart seam tights are a wonderfully fun take on a traditional style and are available in size bands ranging from a UK 8 to a UK 32. The white option in particular is perfect for a bridal look but both colour ways have so much usage potential and are super cute!

Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights 3PP in gazelle.

Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights 3PP in gazelle.
It's not just patterned tights on UK Tights though - they also have a great range of everyday offerings such as the Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights which come in a pack of three.

Golden Lady Curvy 20 Denier Tights in black.
Another example of the perfect everyday selection is the Golden Lady Curvy 20 Denier Tights. Durable, stretchy and designed for a fuller figure, these tights have been specifically made to be the perfect everyday option.

Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.

Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.
Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.

The final pair which I completely fell in love with was the Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights. They completely spoke to my vintage sensibilities with their red seam and cuban heel.It's impossible to wear these and not feel like an utter femme fatal and the simple contrast of black with a red seam ensures they go with every little black dress you own.

You can view the whole range of plus size tights and more by visiting the UK Tights website here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

8/04/2014

It's All Over Now Baby Blue - The Classic or Contemporary Campaign featuring A Lace Prom Dress by J D Williams.

I have always had a particular love of fashion from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Even with a shortage of material, post-war ladies managed to find a way to create slick, tailored shapes in contrast to the frou-frou circle skirts of the 50s when fabric became more plentiful.

8/01/2014

Go Baby Go - Pushing Forward With Protein from Go Nutrition.


For anyone who's been reading my blog for the last year, you'll know that I've been following a running schedule and had a bit of a fitness overhaul. This has completely fallen by the wayside over the last month or so, partly due to the hot weather, partly due to feeling under it. With iron and vitamin D choosing to run away no matter how much spinach, sunshine and green stuff I consume, I've had to find other ways to to give my body a bit of a boost.

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