Gossard Glossies - The Big Cup Come Back

Bra giants Gossard recently relaunched their 90s popular Glossies bra range but with a more modern and sophisticated attitude to bring them into the 21st century some sixteen years later.

Having hit the headlines in 1996 with their controversial ad when Sophie Anderton was the face of the brand's sexy sheer bra, writhing alluringly amidst long grasses wearing nothing but a Glossies bra and brief, the new collection brazenly declared 'Who said a woman can't get pleasure from something soft'.  A provocative string of campaigns that saw the 90s Gossard brand achieve huge attention and publicity.

Nowadays Gossard seem to have mellowed and matured.  She's still a sexy brand but now she doesn't put out so easily.  Being a fond buyer of Gossard myself back when I fit into their sizes, I'm happy to see how Gossard have developed with their beautiful lingerie and stunning product shots of the Gossard models.  I love pink, I love shabby chic and this image of the new Glossies totally rocks my boat.

The Glossies range was brought out to meet the needs of the DD-G cups, and features light, sheer fabric just perfect for turning up the heat this summer.  I've heard from some fellow big bra wearers that the thin straps on the Glossies is a concern, but I've not been able to judge this for myself.

At the moment during this warm weather my favourite easy to wear bra is my Panache Tango plunge bra and Glossies could be a sure rival if you love the style as much as I do.

In an article recently on the Daily Mail website it stated that the Autumn Winter Glossies collection will go right up to a GG cup although I've not seen this anywhere else, and not managed to get clarification from Gossard.  I'm hoping it isn't just a typo (it may possibly be a mistake saying D-GG as opposed to DD-G), because if true, Gossard will have finally teetered over the G+ margin, meaning fabulous news for those of us who wear above a G cup like me and crave a little more passion in the lingerie drawer.

Something I noticed through reading the Daily Mail article was that there's still confusion when to use the term 'plus size'.  Many people are muddling the fact that if you have bigger boobs, you're fuller figured, as opposed to the correct term fuller busted.  Big bra sizes are being labeled as plus size or fuller figured when these are usually terms to describe dress size.  The correlation of the increase of the average bra size to a 36D is the justification for the plus size label but it means it's incorrectly classifying smaller back wearers with big boobs.

When I was looking at lingerie affiliate schemes, I found in Bravissimo's terms that they do not like to be pigeon holed as a brand exclusively for plus size women.  In their words 'Bravissimo should not be associated with (adult content sites or) sites for plus size women'.

Bravissimo's Affiliate Terms

Bravissimo cater for people with larger cup sizes and to educate people about the fact that smaller dress sized girls can still very much be the bearers of big boobs too, they don't want to be solely associated with plus sized women.  So this is kinda the point that I feel people tend to get wrong and where Bravissimo do recognise that being busty is the issue being addressed, not whether you're a plus sized woman.

Becky x

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What Makes Me, Me

Earlier this week Freya Lingerie announced that I was in the final for their Blog Star 2 competition - which is fantastic!  As blogging and lingerie combined make a very happy Becky, I've been asking everyone I know to kindly vote for me.  I know there are never enough hours in the day so I truly appreciate every one who takes the time out to vote for me.

When Freya asked me to write a little bit about myself, it got me thinking about what makes me, me.  Who I am as a person.  If you didn't know me personally, or even if you do, what would be an interesting (or not so) fact to know about me?  So, I thought I'd have a bit of time out of the usual posting and have a go at compiling a totally pointless list that defines me.

• Guinea pigs are my life.  And I ran a guinea pig website for a decade.
• I listen to classical music.
• I'm left handed.
• I once peed myself in class at school.  Really, really peed.  And denied it.
• I'm addicted to lip balm.  
• I have tiny toes (and nicknamed baby feet)
• I'm 30 but feel 15.
• I have fibromyalgia. 
• My name is Rebecca but my family never call me it.
• I'm a crap cook but bake through rose tinted glasses.

• I was assaulted when I was 16 and agoraphobic for about 5 years.
• I've never been abroad.
• I LOVE Katy Perry.
• I have a drivers license but not driven for two years.
• I love the sound of swifts in summer.
• I've never smoked and hate it.
• I have a rabbit in PDSA's fit club.

• I like to sing when no one's listening.
• I'm a complainer.  It started with a raw bag of chips.
• I was in a reality TV series.
• I'm a Yorkshire lass.
• I want a big vintage rocking horse. 
• I've been engaged for 13 years... and still waiting for the wedding.
• I hate the tv soaps.
• I had a shop called Bits 'n' Bobs.  I was 8.  And sold to my own family and friends.
• I'm a Christian.
• I was formerly trained to play guitar.  I'm crap.

• I cross stitch and make cards.
• I've been on the radio.  With a guinea pig.
• I love lingerie!

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RANT: What Not To Do On A Photo Shoot

Today I wanted to talk about what not to do on a photo shoot.  The answer's simple.  Don't cancel it!

In the time I've been modelling I've never in my life had a photo shoot cancelled when I'm stood on set of the location.  Well, everything happens for a first time and that decided to be today.

I had a photographer contact me after seeing my online portfolio on a subscription web site, interested in booking me for a shoot.  I tend to do most of my bookings online and use online profiles for displaying my stats and any other information I wish to add along side my photos.  In my profile description I say about who I am, where I'm from, what kind of work I do, that sort of thing.  Adding a bit about my fibromyalgia helps people understand my abilities and limits and on each of my modelling accounts I always have the addition that I bring Sean as chaperone with me.  If someone doesn't like chaperones, then they know where they sit with me and that's their right to decide.  If you don't like them, there's no point approaching me.  No one's time is wasted.  But I always have brought a chaperone and always will.

After much discussion with this photographer in question, a shoot date materialised and over the weekend it was agreed that today (Wednesday) would be the day.

The shoot was booked for 4pm this afternoon at Swinton Park hotel near Masham, North Yorkshire.  With my wardrobe extensively prepared, off we drove to the destination.  As I always do, I sent a text to the photographer just letting them know we were on our way.  It seemed odd to me that I didn't get a reply for quite a while later and approaching the hotel I text again saying we'd arrived.  Parking up I wasn't sure where abouts the photographer was and so waited in the car park, looking around for someone who looked like they were waiting.  No one appeared which didn't sit well with me.  After a third message he'd replied: "on my way".  We waited some more, and then finally a man with a camera over his shoulder began to walk over.

Usually there's a bit of banter when you acquaint yourselves with each other but it didn't feel right.  There was no interest when Sean said we used to live only two miles away from the hotel, and it all felt a bit strained.  Then the photographer said 'so, what's happening then?' and proceeded to say that he apparently didn't know that there would be someone with me and said how uncomfortable it made him feel.  He said it would feel like someone looking over his shoulder.  I realised it was getting a bit ridiculous when he made it clear it was more that he had a problem with men.  It was seemingly okay that if I had a woman with me (or in his words, a make up artist because 'they're women'!) then there wouldn't have been a problem.

What I couldn't understand, and still can't, is the explanation for his change of mind when I'd made it all perfectly clear before hand.  There was no change of plan, I didn't spring anything on him at the last minute.  I turned up for the shoot and was being faced with what was effectively a cancellation.  A termination of contract.

The photographer then decided to admit that he hadn't read my profile until this morning.  Even then, could he not have emailed to say he wanted to cancel instead of have me travel all the way to the shoot and waste petrol on top of my lost earnings?

But this isn't an argument about chaperones.  There will always be those who don't like them and the rest who don't have a problem.  This is about absolute poor attention on his part.  It baffles me how he finds it acceptable not to read people's profiles when they contain important information - including my blatant reminder that I bring a chaperone!  And surely he must have been daydreaming whilst reading my emails.  How was it fair on me that because of his incompetence and ignorance that I lose out?

Not only was his ignorance seriously frustrating me but he had the gall to say I wasn't 'respecting him' and that he 'calls the shots'.  And turning away and walking off like a child mid conversation is simply idiotic, rude and an utter joke!  Unprofessional doesn't even cut it.

To say I'm miffed doesn't even begin to describe it either.  Where is my cover for costs and time when I have done everything to be completely honest and open?  The photographer said I wasn't willing to compromise.  His idea of compromising consisted of him getting his own way, expecting Sean to leave the room, therefore eliminating my right of a chaperone.  Like heck am I going to agree with that!

The state of play?  I'm out of pocket for petrol, a wasted day that could otherwise have been booked and paying, and pay for the day's work.  When I have been all of transparent, he should respect that he owes me remuneration.

Becky x

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Freya Blog Star - I'm in the Final!

Eeek!  Yesterday I received the exciting news that I've been selected as a finalist for the competition, Blog Star 2, by big bra brand Freya.  I'm in the running with three other lovely ladies to win the place in Freya's blog team on the website.  It's such an incredible opportunity, and being a lingerie addict and huge fan of Freya I would be so proud to win and would relish the job to bits.  To win though, I need your votes and I appreciate every single vote you give me.  :-)  Vote Me!

The finalists!

The competition was open to everyone, and to enter you had to pick your favourite collection from Freya's Autumn Winter 2012 catalogue and say why you love it and where you think the inspiration for the range came from depicting it as a mood board.

For my entry I chose the deliciously dark Marina, with her rich colourway of deep blues and purples.

Freya 'Marina'  AW12 Collection

Having researched quite a bit I noticed Marina is inspired by opulent jewels and the dazzling colours that hit the catwalks recently; emerald green coats and gowns of sapphire blue and amethyst.

This was my entry:

My 'Marina' Mood board

If you can please, please please vote for me, it would mean the world to me.  Every single vote counts and being a passionate lingerie blogger, I would love to write for Freya on the Fitting Talk blog.  :-D

Becky x

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Glamorous Countryside Fashion - New Photos!

I was so pleased to wake up to the sun shining today because it meant brilliant weather for an outdoor summery shoot.  Yes, you heard right, after all the heavy rain and Autumnal like weather here in the UK, the sun finally realised it should be shining in July.  Blink and you'll miss it though, which is why when the weather's great you seize it with both hands.  My marvellously photographically talented - and very convenient - Other Half, Sean J Connolly Photography, agreed a shoot was a great idea so that's exactly what we did today.

Living in the heart of the countryside there are ample interesting locations to strike a pose and shoot and so we headed literally a mile up the road from our house to a wheat field and got right into it.

I wanted to wear my peacock feather inspired maxi dress because it's vibrancy was a colourful splash set against the cool tones of the crops.  There was a frisky breeze in the air which created a swath of movement through my dress and played with my tousled hair.

I love shoots out in the open and the feeling of being so close with nature.  The sun was warm and dazzling while the light wind felt refreshing with every twisting blow.  It felt amazing against my skin.

We jumped in the car and headed back past our house up to the next hamlet where the sister church to the church opposite our house resides.  It's such a pretty and unspoiled beauty spot, with a little bridge over a trickling, glistening brook that winds its way through a field of grazing cows.  We spend a little time down by the river where two riders on horses came along and trotted down into the sparkling waters.  I was wishing they'd ask if I wanted a photo with one of the gorgeous horses, or better still, sit on one!  Needless to say the horses were taken back up into the field and away and Sean and I decided to move on.

Having a wander through the graveyard (I have my clothes on again, by the way!  lol) we came across some wonderful old doorways round the back of the church.  They were both aging wooden doors, painted white with cobwebs and blown leaves tucked into its corners.  I loved the larger door with it's imposing black wrought iron hinges and details and thought how pretty the shabby, humble doorways looked.

I love my peacock dress, it's such a light and airy fabric and gorgeous to wear in the warm weather.  I wish it was bigger in the bust though and I find I wish that a lot with clothing these days.  Fashionable dresses on the high street don't really cater for the larger bust.  Does anyone know of a trendy brand that sells fashionable clothing like this dress?

For those who are interested in the make up side, my brilliant, highly pigmented pearlescent green eye shadow is from the amazing MUA range at Superdrug and is a bargain price of only £1!  As much as I live for a bargain, I'm a stickler for quality too, and I adore and totally recommend MUA's eye shadows.

Becky x

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Start at the Foundation - Make up and Lingerie

Foundation is at the heart of every good make up bag.  We strive for the best shade match and perfect coverage to smooth and correct our skin so we can then build up on with whatever look we want to achieve for the day.  Sultry vamp or English rose, once we've applied the best foundation the make up world is our oyster.

Cute Cath Kidston Cosmetic Bag

In recent years the beauty industry has let us in on its little secrets, such as the use of a skin primer which is applied right before you glide on any foundation.  The reason for this is because the better we correct our skin and prepare it for it's base (much like painting a wall over a primed surface), the better our foundation will perform and look.

The very same principle applies to our clothing too.  Putting together a fabulous outfit is nothing if the foundation of the clothing is not right.  Wear the right underwear for your clothing, and your outfit will look priceless (even if it only came from Primark.)  Wear the wrong underwear and an expensive outfit will look horrendous.

So looking at the foundation of your make up or clothing, think 'unobtrusive, corrective and complimentary.'

Lingerie

Basic colours are your best bet if you don't want bra show-through.  A bra in a colour similar to your skin tone most achieves the 'barely there' look.  Nudes, honeys, caramels and chocolates are good base colours.  White and black bras are also handy, depending on the colour of your top.  Again, choose knickers in skin colour and the colour won't show through clothing.

Freya's Smooth Cup Deco Bra

A smooth line bra with limited fancy detail and stitching is necessary for a streamlined silhouette beneath a close fitting top.  Avoid bright colours and lace if you don't want to draw attention to your bra.  Seamfree knickers, thongs and high waist briefs avoid the dreaded VPL.

Ultimo's Multiway Bra

Wearing a backless dress?  A plunging neckline top?  A daring strapless?  Bras come in a variety of wearability options.  A basic strapped bra does the job for most sleeved items of clothing, even vest tops and choose a push up style for the perfect cleavage boost.  Where the straps and back of a bra will show, a multiway or bra with removable straps provide flexibility and freedom with choosing how to wear your bra according to the needs of your wardrobe.

Make Up 

The basic primers are going to be translucent gels or creams that will provide a smooth surface for your colour foundation to be applied.  They want to be non sticky and non greasy.

L'oreal Paris' Studio Secrets Primer

Problem skin can be corrected by way of coloured creams; purple for sluggish skin, green for flushed skin.  Combination and oily skin benefit from mattifying benefits with oil free and non clogging ingredients.  For dry areas, moisturising and skin quenching properties can help soothe and calm your face so your foundation will apply more evenly.

One of Boots No7's Colour Calming Primers

Once you've prepped the skin, a good foundation that matches both your skin type and colour is imperative.  It's also handy to know your skin tone.  Cool skin types suit pink under tone foundations, where as warm skin tones better suit yellow under toned foundations. 

So make up and clothing, although different mediums, still follow the same rules.  An excellent foundation makes a more glowing and confident YOU!

Do you abide by a fail-safe regime for perfect foundation?  Have a favourite primer or perfect shirt bra?

Becky x

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Lingerie & Stockings Shoot

Occasionally photographers ask if I can shoot from home.  It's a fairly common practice for stock photography shoots or portfolio work.  It also saves on costs for studio rental and some times a real home can look more 3D compared to a fake set.  I quite like modelling in my own home too because I have everything I need where I know where it is and it's much easier in that respect.

I recently worked with a photographer called Kevin who wanted some images of a boudoir setting incorporating feminine dresses and stockings.  I'm quite a fan of stockings and hold ups and always relish the chance to 'do boudoir' so it was a brilliant chance to work on some more unique poses and angles.

So the order of the day involved a gorgeous frilly pink Lipsy dress (which I only wore once before for a wedding) and added a dazzling purple Gossard bra and knicker set paired with a suspender belt and cream lace top stockings.  Usually I'm either in fashion/bridal clothing or lingerie so it was quite a cheeky bit of fun working the saucy boudoir woman look.

Would you believe the sun was actually shining that day.  (To say I'm fed up with this dismal and wet weather is an understatement).  It was such a laugh too since there were tractors to-ing and fro-ing between nearby fields and a big country Hall that's just yards from our house.  I was more aware of farmhands getting a look and risking crashing the tractor so I had to be quick between shots!

For another look I changed into another full Gossard set, this time in vibrant red, and I wore a pair of natural stockings and a cute little floral dress.  I wanted to be slightly pin up but not overly so, so a little hip, tip toes and sneaky look, I went for a more sultry provocative pose.

A bit of a girly shabby chic look for this with one of my favourite bedspreads, with me wearing the purple set I had underneath the pink dress.

I do like these pictures but I think personally I prefer me smiling in photos!  A cheeky look is also fun to do, and something I've mastered since I was a naughty little girl, the one who pulled Little Miss Sunshine off my slippers, a piece of my boisterous history my Mum likes to remind me of :-D

Talking of me as a little 'un, I think this must have been a sign of what was to come, or rather, my first foray into bearing my flesh.  LOL!

Becky x

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Panache Tango - The Enigma Solved!

Last month I wrote about my recent misfortune getting Panache's best selling bra, the Tango, to fit me.  I'd tried a few different sizes and styles in the Tango and the Tango Classic, yet not managed to settle on the right size.  (Read about it here.)  I thought Tango had beaten me, but the friendly folk over at Panache came to my aid to help me finally get to the bottom of the sizing saga.

Having tried a variety of 28GG, 28H, 30GG and 30Hs in the different Tango ranges, I figured there could be one extra size to try, or rather two sizes, in two different styles.  It sounds complicated, but I can assure you I've solved it and you CAN wear the Tango like me!

Tango Plunge Bra 

Tango in the original leaf embroidery pattern is a very rigid mesh like fabric with no give in the cups.  No 28 back which I tried was happy.  The 28GG was too tight and small, the 28H wouldn't fasten but was good in the cups.  Heeding this I decided to go for the 30GG.  It's a perfect fit!!  

Wearing 30GG

Perfect fit of the 30G

You wouldn't believe how ecstatic I was when I realised it fastened and fit perfectly in the cups.  This is groundbreaking stuff for me.  I've been wanting this bra for absolutely ages and I can breathe a sigh of relief in telling you that if you usually go for 28 backs, then a 30 just may be the answer for you.  Remember to go down in the cup if you increase the back.

Tango Classic Plunge Bra

Now the Tango Classic is in essence the same bra as the leaf designed Tango but its fabric is more substantial with a glossy sheen and picot edging to the cups.  It doesn't have the almost sheer material with leaf stitching so is a smoother bra to wear under clothing.  The fabric isn't what I'd call stretchy but is very much more pliable and fluid in texture, which basically means there's a whole lot more give in how it's going to fit.

I'd previously tried 30 backs in this bra solely based on my experience with the leaf Tango in 28, so this time I thought I'd bite the bullet and go with the 28.  As this is going down to the smaller back I increased to an H cup.  The fit?  Spot on, again!

Wearing the Tango Classic 28H

Perfect fit of the Tango Classic 28H

I'm amazed that this size fit despite me thinking it should do because I'd been so dubious of the 28s full stop but I'm pleased I went with my gut.  The 28H in the Classic is my perfect fit.

So, if you're wanting to find your best size for the Tango, it's simple.  Go with your regular size for the Classic, and for the leaf Tango, increase your normal back to the next size and go down in the cup.

I'm so thankful for Panache helping me solve my Tango dilemma and now I've figured the differences out, I hope this helps you find your perfect size too (because I know how badly you've wanted it to fit too).  Happy Tangoing!

Becky x

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My DIY Boudoir Chair Project

I love the shabby chic vintage look with its soft whites and pastel colours, it can look very cosy and welcoming when partnered with pretty accessories and floral patterns.  I'm updating our bedroom to eventually be the theme I'm aspiring to which in turn will provide the perfect feminine boudoir for any home based shoots that I do.

Earlier this week I won an auction on ebay for a rickety old wooden chair which I ended up winning for a bargain 99p!  Some people may have overlooked the chair because of it's sad and abused state but I saw the potential in that it's a fabulous solid wood piece of furniture and I was keen to set about refurbishing it.  I've never done anything like this before (I'm more of a cross stitcher or card maker) so I was also keen to prove to myself I can be DIY handy too!

The chair in its original state

The chair's initial condition was heavily used and dated with it's varnished appearance.  To get the chair back down to a blank canvas, safety specs in position, I sanded down every inch to remove the varnish and give a good surface to paint.  It took a little effort doing this but was imperative to do the job effectively.

The first coat of paint

I decided I wanted to paint the chair white and opted for a satin finish which would have a glossy sheen to a degree without being too shiny.  The paint was a one coat gloss but I found I needed to paint the chair fully with three separate coats, allowing to dry in between each coat.  I made a point of painting in the afternoon so I could fully open the window for circulation of fresh air.  Whilst I was painting I had Wimbledon on the tv.  My other half pointed out that Katherine Jenkins was watching the tennis match and me being a fan of hers, quickly moved on my floor protection of newspapers and sent my mug of coffee flying all over the carpet.  I never was much of a multi tasker.  :-P

Today my chair is finally finished!  For a finishing touch I added a floral button padded cushion which I secured to the back section of the chair.  I love the end result and it sits with pride of place in the bedroom.

My finished chair

Have you taken on any home projects of your own?  Or have you been inspired having seen something on tv or in magazines?  If I can do it, I bet you can too!

Becky x

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