Purple Rain - #psootd with H&M, Primark & ASOS Curve

The second I saw this H&M hat, it was love at first sight. However with it being the tail end of Summer, it seemed an utterly frivolous purchase so remained in the shop,despite my heart pangs. On my journey home, despite sweltering in the late Summer's surprise heatwave I found myself regretting the decision and vowed to return the next day to be reunited with my new purple dreamboat.

Sadly the road to true love was paved with great difficulties, and despite running around all three H&M stores at the corners of Oxford Circus and Regent Street, it seemed like everyone had fallen for the hat's wide brim charm. I went home with a heavy sigh, penning missed connection notes I could send on to Metro in my head.

Like so many modern love stories, it was the internet which finally brought us together. Something just clicked - along with my debit card - and thanks to the H&M website, the hat was soon winging it's way into my arms. Now I just need the Autumn chill to stay put long enough that I can take my hat out for a romantic hot chocolate, possibly even with my boyfriend. Then this sartorial love story can very much have it's happy ever after. Until I fall in love with a boater hat next Spring...

Hat: Wool Hat from H&M

Cardigan: Primark

Dress: Primark

Boots: Daxon

Belt: ASOS Curve

Tights: ASOS Curve

Necklace: Blowing Bubbles from Sugar And Vice

Bracelets: Vintage

Moonstone Ring: Vintage

Although I wish the dress was a little longer, I absolutely love this outfit. Even though it feels like I'm wearing too many different burgundy variants, it somehow pulled together with a little Autumnal cheek. I'm currently obsessed with this shade (it happens every Autumn) so am now on the look out for a bright nail polish in a similar colour.

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.)

Paint A Pretty Picture - Business Cards And Canvas Prints from Printed.Com

After looking for a new business card supplier, I recently placed my very first order with printing company printed.com. I was intrigued after noticing they had a large range of services tailored specifically for photographers, so really wanted to find out more about them and what they offered.

Whether you're looking for wedding stationary, strut cards, business brochures or even just some Instagram prints, printed seem to have it covered. Their photographic tailored range alone covers everything from giclée fine art prints to stickers so are perfect for covering all of your branding needs.

I ordered two different products from them - business cards and a canvas print. The order was easy to do as I just uploaded my own artwork, and there were plenty of choices available from the finish, size and even if you wanted them laminated or not. I choose a standard double sided card which cost under £12 for 100 cards, and they were even sent in a durable plastic box which is perfect for safe storage. The colours were true to my original file and the quality was spot on. For full size business cards at a budget price, you'd struggle to get better quality elsewhere.

The other product I picked up from them was a canvas print. I decided to not get a stretched canvas as too much of the photograph would have been lost to the bleed at the edge, so instead got the canvas print which I intend to mount and frame myself.

I choose a black and white image as I wanted to check for two things. I used to work in a photographic lab when I was much, much younger and the biggest issue with printing black and white is that you can sometimes get a colour shift which will result in a magenta or green tint. Adding canvas to the mix just makes it even more difficult as those suckers absorb ink like crazy, so sometimes subtle gradients can get lost and result in giant black splodges. I am happy to report that the product I was sent suffered from neither affliction, and was an exact replica of the file with perfect contrast and no loss of quality from the ink sinking in.

In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with both products, and will certainly be using them again to print any exhibition or large scale work in the future.

To see their whole range of products, you can visit their website here.

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.)

We're Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday - F&F True Disco Ball Plus Size Dress

When I first set eyes on this sparkle laden dress from F&F True, it was love at first sight. The shape, the fabric and the shimmer produced cartoon like heart eyes and I could barely wait to squeeze myself into it!

As a lovely surprise from the F&F team, the dress arrived just before my birthday and knew in a heart beat that it was the perfect dress to wear out for a day of fun. Even though the weather in London yesterday was nothing but rain, I brought a little shimmer to the streets whilst doing my best happy disco ball impression!

F&F True Disco Ball Plus Size Dress (£28)

Dress: F&F True Disco Ball Plus Size Dress *

Tights: Marks and Spencer

Flowers: Pearls & Swine

Necklace: Tatty Devine

Shoes: Thrifted

The dress is an absolute dream to wear. It's cut with a scoop neck and a v-neck back whilst the elasticated waistband creates a lovely silhouette. Available up to a UK size 28, it's designed to sit about the knee and is lined ensuring no static cling.

F&F True Animal Print Faux Fur Plus Size Coat (£39)

To complete the party look, I teamed it with their fantastic animal print faux fur coat which is the softest, warmest faux fur I've ever come across. If I could, I think I'd pretty much sleep in it as it's like being wrapped up in a snugly, giant blanket. Even at the incredibly low price point, the coat is fully lined and cut in a classic shape with concealed press stud fastenings and pockets to stuff cold hands into.

This is the perfect pairing for all the impending Christmas and New Year festivities, and with some cute shoes and a flick of red lipstick, you're good to go!

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.)

Vintage Queen - Beautiful Fabrics For Perfect Home Furnishings at Hillarys

Image / Patterns (c) Hillarys.

I've been a bit of a vintage magpie for as long as I can remember, and whether true vintage or vintage repro, I just can't resist a fabulous print. That's why my heart was a flutter over the new range of kitsch styles from Hillarys with all manner of vintage styles waiting to be made into made to measure curtains and blinds.

Image / Patterns (c) Hillarys.

Whether you're looking for bold florals or subtle swirls, Hillarys have the perfect vintage inspired fabric to finish off your interiors.

Image / Patterns (c) Hillarys.

This sweet boat print is my absolute favourite, and I would love to wear this on a dress as well as having curtains made. It's so delightfully kitsch! Sadly I can't wear it as a dress or a skirt, but the prints can be made into a range of made to measure roller blinds, curtains and more.

You can view all the fabrics on the Hillarys website, and with more than 40s years experience they will be able to bring your vintage inspired room to life.

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.)

Under Pressure

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of beautiful dresses and swishy veils as I've photographed several lookbooks from different bridal and evening wear clients. This is probably my favourite time of year for shooting product shots as it tends to be where I get lots of big gowns to photograph. It's hard work as you tend to have a steamer going at all times, but the images are always worth the effort in the end.

Sadly I can't share any of the photos yet, but will certainly blog about them once they've been released to the public. One of the designers in particular has started to design for the plus size market, and her prints and tailoring are utterly divine. I spent some time with her earlier this week for a dress fitting, and you have no idea how excited I am to see the final product. I can't wait to share it with you and tell you all about her!

In the mean time, work has taken over my life a little at the moment which is why things are a little slow in blog world. That said, I am going to make it my mission to shoot some outfit posts over the weekend as I have a huge pile of dresses and cosmetics which I can't wait to talk about!

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.)