Greetings from Palau

Sorry for not posting; I’ve been sipping cocktails and scuba diving in paradise.

Full holiday posts coming soon; pictures, stories and memories when I get a stable Internet connection.

Jetsetting

Tomorrow I will be flying to Cairns to take an International flight to Palau, in Micronesia. For those who don’t know where that is, you could google it, or you could just close your eyes and think about blue water, white beaches….. I’m going scuba diving and taking a group of clients with me. It was a last minute decision (my father has had some things to do at work that can’t wait the week) so, on Friday afternoon I was signing papers, insurance forms and on the phone changing ticket names.

I am taking my iPad with me, along with my Olympus point-and-shoot camera, which I can plug into the iPad, so I’ll be trying my best to get some good pictures and capture my adventures for you!

I’m not sure of Internet access, so I cant be sure if I will be able to update daily, etc. But if I can, you’ll find blog posts here and I’ll try and update my Twitter too!

If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is by email. Send me emails to caitlinbradley@live.com.au

Can’t wait to share my adventures with you all!

Polly Dolly: LBD

Ahhh, the little black dress. A woman’s go to frock when unsure of the event, or feeling particularly bloated. Black is slimming, it’s sexy and it can be dressed in a variety of different ways. Dress up or down, add heels for night time glam or hit the flats and a denim jacket for quick dressing and casual cool. Danimezza’s Polly Challenge this week was to show how you’d dress up Polly in her LBD. I had a lot of fun with this, and went for total frocktastic black on black, and splurged the Polly AMEX in the process!

Little Black Dress – Polly Dolly by ClosetConfessions featuring leather jacketsSheer is hot right now, and this little black dress ticks alot of different trend boxes. The hem lace flirts at a sexy (almost) knee level and joins with a sheer panel of lace and legs. It cuts up pretty high on the thigh, but my Polly is sexy and fierce. She doesn’t need tights to cover her pins! I love the high neck, it’s girly and elegant but has a very gothic quality, which inspired my hard thread choices. An 80s influenced leather jacket with a broad collar and a tight fit waist gives an impact, and reflects the density of a pair of strappy wedges. Be brave and team them with a pair of black fold down socks, to give a more relaxed that totally fierce look. Cinch with a belt, over the waist of the jacket if you’re brave and then give a feminine necklace a punch of curiosity with bugs, skulls and giant watches in hues of gold and bronze to add interest. Sling this wonderful masterpiece of a bag over your shoulder, slip on some shades and keep makeup dramatic; nude lips and dark, smokey lashes. Don’t forget the lashes. Big, thick and beautiful. Now you’re ready to kick arse.

You can check out other Polly Dolly entries on Danimezza’s website. Browse through all the weeks and make some yourself! Pollyvore is a free website that allows you to unleash your creativity. Create an account and share your ideas and style with your friends. If you have a Pollyvore account, please share it in the comments below! I’d love to see what inspires you!

Outfit of the day: ASOS Dress

I received my fourth ASOS.com purchase the mid last week, and was surprised at the quality of my product. A soft, slivery cotton dress in a small black and cream floral print, with flattering seams, a decorative cut-out on the back and a long, sweeping skirt in a ‘mullet’ style, starting short at the front and sweeping low to my ankles at the back. It has wonderful skirt, floaty sleeves and is so smooth and comfortable to wear. When you walk, the skirt sort of dances behind you. It really is one of my new favorite dresses.

Dress: ASOS Curve
Cardigan: Millers
Belt: Dream Diva
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Zu Shoes

I wasn’t planning on going to university yesterday, so I decided that when I was physically dragged from bed by my father, that I was going to channel a ‘I don’t care’ rock-esque vibe. I tried a smokey eye-shadow, no eyeliner and thick lashes, thanks to Bad Girl Lash. I rarely never wear lipstick, but I teamed my look of MAC Spice it up! I only wished MAC lipsticks lasted all day. I put on a MAC lipstick, have a drink, and all my lipstick is on the straw. It’s a shame because I haven’t found another lipstick in that colour that feels the same!

The one thing I don’t like about dark lipsticks is that they make my lips looks smaller than they already are! Oh, and sorry about the grumpy look! I was tired and people were looking at the on the train!

Here’s a paparazzi shot my friend Laura took of the back of my outfit. I’ve lifted the skirt slightly in the pictures, but when it’s still, it hits the back of my ankles. It’d be fabulous with a pair of heels, but I can’t wear heels for walking all over university! That’s just impossible for a girl my size.

On a side note, I didn’t have any pictures of my outfit for Thursday night, because it didn’t make sense (zebra print cardigan and checkered Vans…) but Laura and I headed to Fringe Bar on Oxford Street for a quick bite to eat and a beverage after our Teaching lecture. Here are a few snaps.

Fringe Bar is a really hip venue for a Thursday night. It’s filled with an array of people, from uni students, to men in suits after work, to couples, young people…it’s all very eclectic but I just love the vibe. It’s relaxed enough that you can sit in a pair of shorts under a velvet curtain, but ritzy enough that you could get away in wearing an evening dress and eat a chicken parmigana. The bathrooms have pink boudoir chairs for you to wait for your friends, and the bar has chandeliers for lighting. I love it. And, they make a mean cocktail.

I don’t drink very often, but this white rum, pineapple (and something else) was amazing. It was warm and delicious, but was cold and filled with ice. I drank it sip by sip because I knew I’d just scull it! Yum!

I hope to get some more pictures of this dress. It’s my new favourite.
Cait xx

Site Report: No Exceptions Clothing

This is the first of many reviews, reports, previews (or whatever you want to call them). The idea is that you might find a new brand, new style or new source for your fashion fixes, and it’ll stop you searching for hours to find the perfect plus size website. These sites will be from all over the internet, and in a variety of styles, budgets and worldwide locations. I hope that these will give you an insight into checking out these websites, and what you can get from their webpages.
You’ll be able to get an update every week, so make sure you check back and comment! I’d love to know what you think, and I hope that you understand that these reviews are not paid for or sponsored by the companies, but rather my impressions and and opinions of the products the sell and the services they provide.

With a cosplay event looming in June, my worst fears were realised when searching Ebay. No one sells a lolita dress in anything above a size 14, and if they do, it costs hundreds of dollars. Why would I spend that kind of money on something flimsy and badly made if I’m going to wear it once? I was upset at the idea I’d have to not attend the Supanova event at Homebush Bay Olympic Park in just general attire. Last year I attended with a friend from University, and as one of the only people not remotely dressed in costume, I decided I needed to dress the part.

I first heard about No Exceptions clothing through a review hosted on XLasLife, a fantastic blog hosted by Natalie, a girl who I have alot of time for. There she was, rocking a fantastic leopard print skirt, and with pure interest, I took a browse at their site. Check out the review post here: http://extralargeaslife.com/?p=2500

Archaize Polka-Dot Dress $49.00
Red Vintage Pencil Dress $39.00
Victorian Punk Corset Satin Jacet $59.00
Gothic long fishtail skirt $49.00
Organza petticoat $29.00
Gothic Lace corset velvet jacket $49.00
Belted ruffled dress $39.00

The first impression of this website was that is was tidy, smartly designed and easy to find things. The shopping cart was divided into sections; tops, outerwear, skirts etc and I found that really great. Nothing worse than finding it impossible to get a pair of trousers and have to search through the skirts first. The second you’ll notice is that it’s an alternative brand. I’m talking lace and corsets, gothic inspired plus size wear. And this is great for girls who want something alittle different, but don’t fear, you’ll still find yourself some great statement pieces. The store isn’t packed full of items. You’ll find that most of the categories are actually empty, such as intimates and the pants section only has one pair of trousers. Most items are also on sale, which I don’t mind!

Another great thing about this site is that you can easy navigate the FAQs, their shipping information and everything else you need to know from any screen. These are located up the top under the logo, so you don’t have to go searching for the answers!

Shipping, Payment and stock availability

When I was looking on the site, my first questions was, as a small company, do you always stock the right size for me? I easily found my answer. If stock is available, it’ll be with you in days. If it isn’t. expect to wait between 1-3 weeks for it to arrive. I guess as a small brand it is hard to hold that kind of stock in a variety of plus sizes. I really wish that you could know if these were in stock, as in a small comment or box when you are on the items page, because I’d want to know if I had to wait for my item.

Shipping is available Australia wide, and according to the website the shipping is free with Australia Post Registered Parcels. If you live in Melbourne, you’re in luck! You can have the item personally courier delivered to you for free also! Lucky you!

Payment is by credit card or bank deposit only at this stage, which I would have preferd a PayPal option, but we can’t all have everything!

Favourite items

I really this frilly top is fabulous. It’s far from bland, it’s villan, sexual and alittle fetish all in one. You could wear this with a grey pencil skirt, sheet tights, pumps and bold red lips for work, and you could even dress it for a night out with dark denim and heels. The leopard skirt is a great trend piece for the Winter. Leopard is coming back, and Natalie tells me that this skirt is both comfortable and warm. It’s also a fantastic price, so it’s on my wish list! This extravagant jacket is on my list because this is something I would wear now, even though I’m past my gothic ways! It’s fantastic! I’s wear it with denim and heavy boots and a messy head of hair for post-apocolypic grunge.

Outcome
I’m currently waiting for my email to be answered about the availability of the belted and glorious sleeved dress and petticoat. I’m hoping to wear this to Supanova with frilly white socks, leather Harvard flats, a big bow in my hair and messy curls. I’ll be going as a kind-of lolita! I’m hoping that my size is in stock and that I won’t have to wait. I need it as soon as possible so that my grandma can make my bloomers!!! I’m tossing up wearing cat ears too! Neko or not? ha ha

I hope that that this post gave those who love alternative fashion a new place to shop No Exceptions is an Australian based website, so you’re not communicating with another country, it’s in the country!

Got a favourite item from No Exceptions? Post a comment bel0w and let me know! Or do you have something from No Exceptions? Show me a picture or share your experiences in the comments below!

Check out No Exceptions here

Flirty Floral Fun – Polly Dolly Challenge

Polyvore is a website that lets you unleash your inner magazine editor, creating sets that fill your designer brain with ideas and letting those ideas ooze out from your mouse into a set of pretty images. The brain child behind the Polly Dolly challenge is Danimezza, who each week let’s us know a style inspiration and asks you to run wild with your interpretation of the trend. I love this challenge, because it really lets me run wild with an unlimited wardrobe. You’re pretty much a fashion stylist, and that is total fun. This week the trend was how to wear florals, and from my experiance, the only way is the intense, full on way. I’m talking a floral dress, and an outfit that can be classy or edgy.

For my inspiration this week I wanted to create a multi use outfiit. Something that could go from posh tea party, to wedding, to dinner party, to work place. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Floral Print by ClosetConfessions

I love this fabulous floral print dress. I thought it was a fun Summer print that could be taken into Autumn with a pair of sheer tights and a pair of ankle booties, but I’m hanging onto the comfortably warm days, so this outfit is Summer inspired. For a wedding or garden party, team the look with a gorgeous pair of aqua peep toe heels which almost match the blue in the dress print. I’m loving these retro shades, keeping your pretty peepers safe in the sun. While this dress has a fitted waist, add a woven leather belt on the waist for garden party chic, or keep your torso simple  for a feminine wedding look. When it’s time to hit the streets and party or to trott off the your swish office job, clip on this funky bakelight necklace, and add a killer skull your your fist to keep yourself elegantly tough. This structured and cropped blazer sits at just the right hight to not interfere in the flirt of your skirt, and doesn’t looks Christmas next to a hot red bag, big enough to hide all your lipgloss and a spair pair of flats for a big night out.

Favourite item: River Island Yellow/Green Blazer £35.00. Loving the groovy colour of the blazer. I would wear this with dark denim, floral, over a white tunic….such a statement piece. Loving the cropped torso and mid arm sleeve. Fabulous.

Check out the rest of the entries at Danimezza’s blog, and enter your own floral creation there also! Link here if you have made one too. I’d love to see how you’d wear floral.

Sunday drinks

Last night my parents, my uncle Ken and our good family friend Andrew went to catch up and dissect the week at the local pub. It was raining and miserable outside, so the pub was full of people and the bistro was full of screaming kids. It was so loud in there, that after one drink we left. Instead, we headed to a local restaurant for pasta and then headed home to watch TV and get an early night. We were all tired after partying at home on Saturday night (totally wish I got pics!).
Here’s a crap look at what I wore. I was so cold! I didn’t care what I wore to be honest!!

No makeup. Hair messy. Totally exhausted!

Hoodie from Green Day concert
Shirt from K-Mart
Scarf from Cotton On

Can food shopping be fun?

Following my OOTD post for Saturday, and voting (seriously the wind was so cold!) mum and I went to Coles to grab food for the BBQ dinner arranged for my father’s side of the family.
While I forgot to take a picture of what I was wearing at the BBQ, I did manage to snap some random pictures in the supermarket that I’m sure you’re dying to see.

Lamb is HOW much?! Serious rip off.

Mum also got in on the paparazzi action; although she got embarrassed and refused to take more that two pictures. Party pooper.

“Hmm…which one?”

“I choose Betty Crocker for all my baking needs!”

And, she wouldn’t let me buy it! Shame on you mum! Shame on you!

Dorothy Perkins

Yesterday I received an email from Dorothy Perkins about a quick weekend sale. It believe it has ended (was ment to end Sunday midnight) and it allowed customers as extra 10% off sale purchases. Naturally I had a look. I don’t have anything from Dorothy Perkins, but I love how gorgeous their designs are. Some of them remind me of tea party dresses and clothes you’d wear while sipping cocktails in your Cape Cod house.
I’ve had my eye on this cape/jacket for awhile, but I never thought I’d actually buy it. For 20 pound, from 65 pound, I thought I’d give it a shot!

It’ll be here in about a week! Quick postage, although compared to ASOS, I had to pay for my shipping. When my cape arrives I’ll share some pictures. Dorothy Perkins cater for sizes up to UK 22, which is around an AUS 20. You check out their sweet designs at www.dorothyperkins.co.uk

OOTD – Voting Attire

When the wind picks up and it’s time to venture outside, what do you wear?
On Saturday I had to vote for a State election, and while the idea was gloomy, I decided to dress more appropriate to a summer garden party, opting for bright prints and colour! I felt fun and free in this, and I just love this cardigan. I got it from Katies last year and it’s been sitting in a drawer for ages. I finally took the tags off and took it for a test drive. Love! It’s warm and fits really well. On the plus, it cost $15.00 and the colour is devine.

Loving wearing small scarves at the moment. This pretty thing was a purchase from a vintage fair I went to a few years ago. I have a habit of buying scarves. They’re so smooth to wear, nice and low profile and keep your neck warm without bulk during autumn.

Cardigan: Katies
Dress: Big W
Leggings: Bloch
Flats: Target
Sunglasses: Paddys Markets