Black Cherry - A #PSOOTD Vintage Reproduction from Collectif

My wardrobe is filled with dresses and  cardigans from vintage repro wonders, Collectif. They without a doubt are one of my favourite brands to wear, as it's impossible to not feel fantastic in their curve loving range.

I was the lucky recipient of the stunning  Cherry Stem Print Dolores Dress as a Christmas present from the sort-of-but-not-quite-mother-in-law, and audibly gasped upon opening it. Firstly I felt so happy that she knew me so well, but I felt like a 50s screen siren twirling around in circles.

Dress: Collectif

Tights: M&S

Red Shoes: Vintage

Red Roses: Pearls & Swine

Necklace: Gift

Red Petticoat: eBay

Bracelets: Vintage

I have a few different designs in the Dolores shape, but this is definitely my favourite print. The Dolores is the perfect dress for anyone who has a large bust as the sweetheart neckline is very accommodating. The fabric also has a little stretch which is great if like myself, you're in-between sizes.

I wore this outfit to DJ in last month at Whiskey Kittens, and probably had as many compliments on the look as I did on the songs I was playing which is always nice. I just can't wait for Summer to arrive so I can wear this without a coat and cardigan at every event I go to!

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.)

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion - Plus Size Couture from Designer, Alicia Berkeley

Towards the end of last year, I had the pleasure of shooting a look book for fashion designer Alicia Berkeley. The moment I saw her designs, it was love at first sight - her level of detail from her choice of materials, print designs and finishing off techniques were utterly divine. With my studio being at home, #TeamHylda are fairly used to seeing dresses hanging in garment bags, but none had made quite an impression on them as this collection did. There was a whole lot of swooning being done over the tiny details and gorgeous cut of the dresses.

It was one of those magical shoots which started out as a business arrangement and ended with a friendship, and I was overwhelmed when Alicia made me my very own made-to-measure skirt. It was quite exciting as her focus has shifted towards the plus size end of the market, having recently dressed award winning model Sarah Hadzipasic in a couture gown for last year's British Plus Size Awards.

Skirt: Alicia Berkeley

Cardigan: H&M

Mesh Body: ASOS Curve

Necklace: Primark

Flowers: Pearls & Swine

Bracelets: Vintage

Tights: M&S

Ballet Flats: New Look

One of Alicia's other areas of expertise is colour analysing, where she reads what your palette is depending on lots of different elements. It was a lot more intricate than what I had imagined, but I was pleased to find out that I was mostly on the right path with the colours I was drawn towards. The stunning teal shade she chose for the skirt was something I wouldn't have normally picked up, and was pleasantly surprised to find how much it suited me, especially when teamed with golden yellows to really set it off. Also how cute is the clasp which fastens the skirt at the back? Along with the label, it was the perfect finishing touch!

I didn't want to add one of my black vintage bags to the look as I felt like it needed something colourful to accessorise with. So instead I used an amazing book clutch bag from Disaster Designs which was given to me as a gift from one of my lovely friends. The bag is a lovely emerald green and features a vintage inspired Garden of Eden cover. Styled as a hardback book, the strap can be removed to turn it from a shoulder bag to clutch and has lovely brushed gold corner protectors to finish it off.

This is definitely a look which I will be wearing now that we're finally starting to see signs of Spring. Bring on all the bright colours!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

I've Got The Eye Of The Tiger

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to pick up this amazing dress from Chattermonkey at a plus size clothes swap. Whilst most of the prints I wear tend to be more vintage inspired, this loud, fun tiger print screamed out to me and I was delighted when I wriggled my way into it and found that it passed the dreaded "will it fit over my boobs?" test!

I teamed it with a pair of heels which I also picked up at the clothes swap. The swaps are such a fantastic way to recycle your wardrobe and go shopping without spending a penny and I cannot recommend them enough. The next one is coming up soon in March, with full details found here!

Dress: Thrifted from Fat Positive Clothes Swap

Tights: M&S

Shoes: Thrifted from Fat Positive Clothes Swap

Necklace: Bete Noire

Bracelets: Vintage

Cross Body Bag: New Look via ASOS

The bag I'm wearing with this dress has become my go-to bag for when I want to stay hands free. It has taken me ages to find a cross body bag which fits comfortably across my chest, and is the perfect size for cramming all those handbag essentials in.  The bottom of it is wider than the top, making this pint sized purchase bigger than what it first appears. I can get my diary and large purse in there with ease, as well as chucking in my cosmetics and all the other bits and pieces I carry around with me day to day.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White -

A little before Christmas, I completely fell in love with the H&M+ pink tulle skirt which was doing the rounds amongst lots of fashion bloggers. I'd seen it on the website before, but couldn't quite work out how to wear but there was certainly lots of inspiration out there.

I'd become tempted to pick it up to wear on NYE, but was still holding back as I couldn't quite figure out how to style it on myself, Eventually it was this stunning post from Naomi at Diamonds 'n' Pearls which made me stop over-thinking things and click the purchase button as she looked a total movie star in it. I'm so glad I did, as it's a lot more versatile than I first imagined - a skirt which easily dresses up or down depending on whether it's teamed with a simple t-shirt or a statement necklace.

Mesh Bodysuit: ASOS Curve

Tulle Skirt: H&M+

Tights: M&S

Shoes: Thrifted from Clothes Swap

Flowers: Pearls & Swine

Necklace: Accessorize

My 6 year old self would be so jealous of me wearing this. It's impossible to not feel like some sort of princess / movie star / ballerina hybrid, and is possibly the most girly thing I have ever owned as an adult. I absolutely adore it - the tulle spins out perfectly like a circle skirt, and is lined underneath to ensure you won't flash passers by. It has an elasticated band on the waist so you can wear it wherever feels natural and is the perfect pastel shade as we step into Spring.

I defy anyone to not spin and jump around when wearing it. It's a skirt made for dancing if ever there was one!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Raindrops Nail Varnish from Ilamasqua

Raindrops has been on my beauty radar for what feels like forever, so when I saw it stocked in the Illamasqua sale, I just had to nab it. It's a stunning colour, very much a rainy storm cloud in a bottle and is the perfect shade as we transfer from Winter to Spring.

The colour is a sheer light grey-blue with a jelly like finish, but what really makes this colour special is the flecks of silver running throughout. It creates a tiny thunderstorm on your finger nails, and I'm not ashamed to say that I sat waving my hands in front of me to catch the soft, subtle shimmer when I first wore it.

Nail Varnish: Raindrops by Illamasqua

Star Ring: Tatty Devine

The formula for Raindrops is really great. It's a shade which can be built up depending on how sheer or solid you want the final finish. These photos show three coats over a clear base coat which provided a really dense colour which took a good three days before the tips started to chip away. I'm utterly in love with it, and can't wait to explore more of Illamasqua's more unique polishes.

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Raindrops Nail Varnish from Ilamasqua

Raindrops has been on my beauty radar for what feels like forever, so when I saw it stocked in the Illamasqua sale, I just had to nab it. It's a stunning colour, very much a rainy storm cloud in a bottle and is the perfect shade as we transfer from Winter to Spring.

The colour is a sheer light grey-blue with a jelly like finish, but what really makes this colour special is the flecks of silver running throughout. It creates a tiny thunderstorm on your finger nails, and I'm not ashamed to say that I sat waving my hands in front of me to catch the soft, subtle shimmer when I first wore it.

Nail Varnish: Raindrops by Illamasqua

Star Ring: Tatty Devine

The formula for Raindrops is really great. It's a shade which can be built up depending on how sheer or solid you want the final finish. These photos show three coats over a clear base coat which provided a really dense colour which took a good three days before the tips started to chip away. I'm utterly in love with it, and can't wait to explore more of Illamasqua's more unique polishes.

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - Raindrops Nail Varnish from Ilamasqua

Raindrops has been on my beauty radar for what feels like forever, so when I saw it stocked in the Illamasqua sale, I just had to nab it. It's a stunning colour, very much a rainy storm cloud in a bottle and is the perfect shade as we transfer from Winter to Spring.

The colour is a sheer light grey-blue with a jelly like finish, but what really makes this colour special is the flecks of silver running throughout. It creates a tiny thunderstorm on your finger nails, and I'm not ashamed to say that I sat waving my hands in front of me to catch the soft, subtle shimmer when I first wore it.

Nail Varnish: Raindrops by Illamasqua

Star Ring: Tatty Devine

The formula for Raindrops is really great. It's a shade which can be built up depending on how sheer or solid you want the final finish. These photos show three coats over a clear base coat which provided a really dense colour which took a good three days before the tips started to chip away. I'm utterly in love with it, and can't wait to explore more of Illamasqua's more unique polishes.

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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

I've Got Chills - F&F True Detachable Faux Fur Collar Leather Look Biker Jacket from F&F Clothing

With Spring apparently just around the corner, I've been keeping an eye out for a faux-leather biker jacket. I wanted something which made me feel like a 50s bad girl, and absolutely loved this sale bargain from the F&F True range at F&F Clothing.

Perhaps my favourite thing about it was the detachable collar. It's held on with a series of buttons so is very easy to remove, and helps the jacket make that difficult transition between the Winter and Spring weather.

Biker Jacket: F&F True

Dress: Collectif (coming to the blog soon)

Flowers: Pearls & Swine

Necklace: Gift

Whilst this particular jacket has now sold out, there is a similar option available from F&F True here. It's pretty much the same jacket, minus the faux fur collar. I'm a big fan of the zipped pockets, and the faux-leather feels so soft and broken in making it as comfy as it is warm to wear and move in.

I loved the traditional shape and cut of the biker jacket, and felt that the sizing was quite generous. I sized up to accommodate my large bosom thinking that the jacket would be very rigid, but could easily have shopped for my regular size.

Whilst I don't think I'll ever be as awesome as Betty Rizzo, this is certainly a jacket which will rock up a 50s style dress or skinny jeans. It's so easy to wear, and adds an effortless touch of laid back cool to whatever you choose to pair it with!

Until next time,

Diana xx

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Bloglovin and Facebook.
www.fashionlovesphotos.com

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