Cath Kidston - York Store

I adore Cath Kidston; the pretty florals, country comforts and vintage inspirations.  When I think I have the brand pinned, a new design breathes a new fresh take on the shabby chic, vintage look, proving it's not about chintz and granny decor.

As much as I've loved Cath Kidston, I've never been into one of the stores.  Buying online and through the catalogues is simple as, but I've often wondered the physical experience, seeing the product ranges for real and being able to touch the pieces.  So, I decided to call into the York store on Stonegate to get a proper feel of this quintessential British brand...

The store looked tiny but like many of York's city centre shopfronts, was deceptively roomy and full of inspiring visuals.  Farmhouse style kitchen chairs and wellington boots lined the way in, with display boxes full of bags in all shapes and sizes.  From there, an archway led you into the main shop floor; the points of sale to the left with trinkets and small goods in every available crevice to tantalise your curiosity.

A large, centrally placed table boasted festively designed kitchen and dining paraphernalia; tea towels, cake tins and paper napkins in holly print and and an adorable frolicking deer design.  I was in actual awe of this pint sized rudolph because it reminded me instantly of old fashioned cards and Christmas ornaments my Grandparents used to decorate their home with.

Copyright Cath Kidston

I found a beautifully soft and chunky jumper with the very same little deer design knitted into it's thick yarn.  It was so cute and looked like the kind of jumper you could snuggle into when it's pinching cold outside and you're all enveloped warm and cosy within this comfy jumper.  Sadly it was the only jumper left in the store and it was a small.  :-(  A large would be the perfect size to throw on and chill out in.

Everything in the shop was there to be adored, picked up and to take inspiration from.  In one corner, a faux set up of a laundry room caught my attention.  An apron adorned mannequin ironed Cath Kidston fabrics on a board of complimenting floral bouquets.

Even the changing rooms were clearly Cath Kidston!

The 'bedroom' was my favourite set up in the store.  A beautiful white glossed wooden bed with Cath Kidston fabric panels was dressed in a swathe of country chic patterns.  Floral and striped pillows lay upon eiderdowns and blankets; blues, pinks and crisp whites offering a clean, feminine country boudoir.  This is everything my own bedroom aspires to be.

I could have jumped right into that bed, there and then, it was so beautifully inviting!  To the left was an open shelved area where I discovered what must be the best blanket ever to have been knitted.  This super snuggly Fair Isle lambswool blanket.  I was in love!

So, there'll be a certain deer jumper and Fair Isle blanket on my wish list this coming Christmas...

Do you like the Cath Kidston style?  What would be your favourite piece from the shop this season?  Or do you prefer a different theme for your house?

Becky x

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Interview - Celebrity Stylist Sophie Stevens

At the beginning of October, Wonderbra launched their Decoder app - the tool to help you select the right bra for your outfit - and everyone's been talking about.  Now Wonderbra's Haul of Fame campaign has shown you just how versatile Wonderbras are and how there's more than one type of bra you could benefit from keeping in your lingerie drawer.

A topic I touched on earlier here, the trends you wear and how you dress yourself makes a huge bearing on how polished your finished style will look.  We all know that an invisible bra line under a t-shirt is the smoothest look and we can probably agree that white straps glaring out from beneath a little black dress would be the biggest disaster of a date night!  Once we're done stressing over our lingerie we have the body confidence hurdle because we're not sure what makes our lumps and bumps look good.

I've been lucky to snaffle the chance of interviewing stylist to the stars, Sophie Stevens.  Sophie's been in the spotlight working on top photo shoots and with A List celebrities, including the one and only Kylie Minogue, for over 15 years, so she has the credentials to enlighten us with all the answers to our fashion dilemmas.  

Sophie Stevens
Image - Wonderbra

This is the exclusive Becky's Boudoir interview with Sophie Stevens - you won't find this goss' anywhere else!



On Sophie Stevens...

• BB: Today you're a successful, influential fashion stylist. What was your 'big break'?

SS: I was very lucky with getting into the industry. I did a work placement at a magazine as part of my degree and they got me back to cover peoples holiday and fashion trips etc. The fashion Editor there gave me a great reference and recommended me to another Fashion Ed that was looking for a fashion assistant and voilà, I landed my first job!

BB: Fantastic!  Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time.

Q: What has been your worst personal fashion disaster you'd rather forget?

SS: Well as a stylist, I shouldn’t really have any! But I did own a pair of navy knee length boots once that first time out got soaked in the rain and turned my legs blue! It wouldn’t have been such a disaster if I hadn’t been going on a date that night and planned to wear a short dress and bare legs! I had to go out in my lunch break and buy a whole new outfit otherwise I would have looked like an actual smurf!

BB: Oh no! Just as well your stylist instinct switched on to save any embarrassment!

Smurfette!

Q: You style all kinds of people in the media. Without name dropping, can you recall your most challenging client?

SS: Its normally the agents that are trickier then the celebs to be honest, giving you false sizes or saying the celeb is happy to wear short dresses only to find out on the shoot that they are in fact two sizes bigger and hate their legs! I was once told that a certain celeb believed she was a size 8 when in fact she was a size 12 and I was to get in size 12 garments and cut out all the labels and replace them with size 8 ones! I thought she was joking, but no, she was being serious!

BB: Woah, when you think you've heard it all!   I guess that's the crazy world of celebrity.

Sophie on Fashion...

Q: Dressing to flatter a curvy figure can be tricky. Which fail-safe wardrobe staples would you recommend?

SS: A good selection of key dresses. I think wrap dresses look great on curvy girls especially if you have amazing boobs, as the neckline is really flattering. Block body con also looks great on curvy figures and panel dresses that extenuate the boob and bum area and minimize the waist can look incredible.

BB: Great, I love wrap dresses!  I would never have considered a block colour body con dress before.  Now's my time to go for it and show off my curves in a confident new way.

Cross Over Jersey Dress
Image - Pepperberry

Q: Which fashion trend is the best investment this Winter?

SS: Leather is huge this season and is always a great investment. Stick to classic black or directional oxblood, but investing in classic leather pieces now, when there is such an amazing selection out there will mean you can wear them year after year, and although more expensive initially, they can make even the cheapest of other garments look more expensive when you mix them together.

BB: Ah, so time to bring out the trusty leather jacket! I imagine Oxblood would be a fantastic colour for Autumn.

Belvedere Leather Jacket
All Saints

Q: I have big boobs and often struggle with tops and coats fitting well. What do you suggest I do to shop safe?

SS: I would always suggest taking a few different bras out with you when shopping for tops so whatever the style of top you’re buying; you will have the right bra to try on to make sure it fits properly. Often its not the top that is ill fitting, but your bra, so make sure you get measured and fitted regularly as this can make a huge difference to how your clothes will look. Coat wise, wrap styles that tie at the waist are great for curvy girls as they give you the flexibility to skim over your boobs, make your waist look tiny and then flare out over your hips.

BB: I wholeheartedly agree that properly fitted bras are crucial for making any outfit look great.  It sounds like I invested in the right coat for my figure, flaring out from the hip really is the most flattering silhouette.

Fit and Flare Belted Coat
Asos

Q: Ugg boots. Yay or nay?

SS: There’s no denying Ugs are super comfy and warm, I do have a pair, as do many stylists I know, but mine are strictly for wearing at home, or when I go home to the country for winter walks. They are a definite no no when on a date though! Men hate them! Lets, face it, sexy, they are not!

BB: Phew! I would hate to put my Bearpaws to the back of the wardrobe any time soon.  But yeah... they are far from anything sexy!

Bearpaw Boots

Sophie on the Industry...

Q: I'm a pin-up and lingerie model. What tips would you give an aspiring model for achieving photo shoot success?

SS: Know your body; be aware of how it looks from different angles and practice in the mirror. You need to be able to move and walk in heels that often may not fit, or are really uncomfortable, so practice! Always turn up to shoots on time or early if possible. Ask to see tears for the feel of the shoot and be clear of what the client wants from you. Make sure you arrive on set with clean hair, nails and make sure your body is well prepped. Good models always turn up to my shoots with a selection of underwear with them, so different coloured thongs, different styles of bras, so whatever I put them in, they have something that fits perfectly for them. Really good girls also bring extensions in their exact hair colour too, so, should we need it, we have an exact match and gives the hair stylist a lot more scope and makes our job a lot easier.

BB: Great advice there for anyone looking to get ahead in their modelling career.  Where fashion shoots are concerned, taking your own lingerie is worth remembering.  I would have to say, heels have always been my downfall.

Q: Thanks to shows such as Mad Men and campaigns for more curvy women in the media, what do you foresee for the future on the catwalk?

SS: I think size will always be an issue on the catwalk. And things often change in waves. From the healthy curvy 90’s Supermodels to the waif trend that thankfully disappeared as quickly as it arrived. I think people know that clothes actually look better when you have curves, and men certainly love girls to have boobs and a bum and the models I prefer to book always have great curves. Designers and catwalk models are a different breed however. These girls are super tall and lean, so not your average girl at all, but I think as long as there is a balance, and magazines, movies and pop stars represent a broader spectrum of sizes, fashion will be represented properly. Girls are very savvy these days and know that catwalk models probably represent 1% of the world in terms of women’s figures, and that a healthy and curvy shape is what actually makes a woman a woman.

BB: Personally, I feel designers should fit for a figure as women by nature have curves.  It's encouraging to see so many brands catching on with the use of curvier women.

On the Catwalk at Mark Fast

And Sophie on Wonderbra...

Q: Which is your favourite go-to Wonderbra?

SS: Tricky as I wear different Wonderbra's depending on what I’m wearing, so the tee shirt bra is for my everyday tee’s, vests and shirts. It’s seamless and smooth so perfect for everyday sexiness. The Ultimate plunge I keep for my more daring necklines, cut outs and halter neck styles. The full effect bra, gives me up to an extra two cup sizes when I want that extra boost and to show my cleavage off to the max in any low cut va va voom styles, and probably my fave is the ultimate strapless bra for my one shoulder and strapless numbers as well as for wearing under any sheer lace and chiffon pieces as this bra is good enough to show off on its own!

BB: Great choices! I think you can't beat a good plunge! 

Sophie Stevens
Image - Wonderbra

Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with us, Sophie!  We wish you continued success in the fashion world.  :-)

Becky x

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Wonderbra Haul of Fame Campaign - Part 4

The final installment of my Wonderbra Haul of Fame campaign sadly ends here.  Not just because this is my last outfit to show you just how many different types of outfits can be worn with Wonderbra's huge range of problem solvers.  The fourth and final bra to show you stops at a D cup and me being in the G+ range, wouldn't be able to stuff myself into!  I have gone all out and can present you with the outfit I would wear with this bra, but as you'll find this bra in particular is something pretty special, it's probably just as well it doesn't cater any higher.

So, this is my final outfit -

This is one of the most amazing dresses I own and one I think my boobs have pretty much outgrown.  It's by designer Kate Fearnley, and not only is made from the most gorgeous materials and crafted into the most amazing girly shape but this dress shows serious cleavage!  Let's say I wore this for a forthcoming Christmas party.  A showstopping dress needs a pretty awesome bra.

The only bra fit for the job of giving you the best cleavage EVER has to be the Wonderbra Full Effect Bra.  All I need say is it increases your bust by two sizes-worth.  (Oh, and the design is pretty gorgeous too.)  Big boobs officially start here!

Full Effect Bra
Image - Wonderbra

For your chance to win a jaw-dropping £1000 shopping spree and personal fashion advice from style queen Sophie Stevens herself, check out the Haul of Fame competition here.


Becky x

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Wonderbra Haul of Fame Campaign - Part 3

Wonderbra's new Decoder app is set to solve all your potential bra fails.  By showcasing outfit examples, the app allows anyone to figure out what style of bra is best to wear under what.  Dodgy straps flashing out of your bandeau top can be a fashion faux-pas of the past!

Wonderbra asked me to put together some outfits of my own to demonstrate my own way of selecting the right bra for the job.  In Part 1 and Part 2 of my four post special this week I dressed up two of Wonderbra's fantastic bras; the T-Shirt Bra and the Ultimate Strapless Bra which are both available right up to a G cup.  Sadly the other two bras I was supposed to create looks for don't cater for my size so I've not been able to try them out.  I have, however, still put together an outfit I would wear with the bra, should it become available to me to wear.

 So, this is my translation of wearing the next bra -

I feel most comfortable wearing outfits that show off my curvy figure to it's best.  Another casual look, this is my bubble hem light denim dress by Next.  I've worn it here with a skinny floral print belt and I'd wear a chunky pair of wedge heels with this.  The button fastening gives me the option to flash a bit of cleavage, perfect for wearing beneath...

...The Ultimate Plunge Bra!  This bra (available up to a DD cup) is the most advanced plunge bra I've ever seen, so much so, the centre gore is barely visible!

Ultimate Plunge Bra
Image Wonderbra

This would be the perfect option for the most dropped neckline you dare to wear.  You know those deep plunging dresses seen on the red carpet?  This is the bra they wish they'd worn on the night!  I, on the other hand, don't get to strut my stuff down a scarlet carpet so I chose my outfit to reflect a more typical look of my mine.

Don't forget the Haul of Fame competition is still running, for your chance to win the prize of a lifetime - £1000 shopping spree with style advice from Sophie Stevens!

In Part 4 I'll show you the biggest cleavage enhancing bra yet...

Becky x

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Bra Review - Freya Patsy

Thanks to Lingerie Heaven, this week I received Freya's new AW12 Patsy balcony bra in the black and gold colourway.  Last season saw the first Patsy when it was released in the lime green and as much as I was really attracted to the design I didn't get around to trying the bra out.  So I'm extremely thankful and excited to have this opportunity to see Patsy for real!

Front of Patsy

Back of Patsy

I tried Patsy on literally the moment after it arrived.  Before even putting the bra on I could tell it was a beauty; a polka dot pretty fit for a 50s pin up.  Although wholly mesh fabricated, it's not totally sheer, and really rather a demure, classy yet modern design.  If you're soft for vintage inspired looks Patsy will  be right up your street.  The gold spots and detailing works well against the black base.  I love the centre bows!

I know I've been lacking in the video production department, to be honest I'm not the most verbally eloquent of people and find it much easier speaking by the written word, but I was so keen to share my thoughts on this one and felt the best way of conveying such would be by recording it.  Hopefully you'll get what I'm trying to address and see that I'm just a mad bra obsessive with some helpful bits of info.  Let me know what you think of the vid!

Anyway, I was sent the 28GG which is pretty much my 'usual' bra size if ever I had just one.  I was pleased to find that the band fitted perfectly, it felt firm but not too tight.  The cups felt comfortable.  If Patsy made an H cup I may have tried it to see if it gave me slightly more room as especially on one side there was a slight bulging.  It didn't come to anything during the day's wear though so I'm not hugely concerned about it.   Often I find under wires dig in under my arms but I didn't particularly experience any discomfort during the day wearing the bra.  I would rather the centre gore fitted either a bit higher but preferably lower like a plunge as my boobs don't allow much space for the middle of a bra.  A major downer which limits what styles I can wear.

Now, the straps on this one are possibly their downfall.  I do prefer, on the whole, straps that are fully adjustable and stretchy all around but these are the first straps I've seen with so much stretch.  They are super stretchy and I can pull them away from my shoulders a mile off, and that's with the adjustment already made.  I didn't want to adjust the straps too much for fear of subjecting my shoulders to angry red marks, or worse, snapping the straps!  So with the adjusters almost to the tops of my shoulders, I felt the support was fairly okay but still allowed an immense amount of bounce.  Not very good for the ample bosom.

The second issue, admittedly not as crucial to the bra's support design but still possibly bothersome, is that the shape isn't exactly rounded but gives a fairly pointed silhouette.  I much prefer a round curvature of my bust line as opposed to triangles, but I guess considering the retro look of Patsy, it shouldn't be surprising that the pointy effect is also very 50s!

I'm not planning on running a half marathon (unless you include whipping round the shopping centre before the parking meter runs out, in which case I should probably opt for the Freya Active), and I can most likely live with a less than round boob shape.  If it's all about aesthetics - and this bra most certainly is a cute little minx - and good band support, then Patsy with her golden glints is sure to pick you up this Autumn.

Freya Patsy is available to buy right now in the plunge and half cup at Lingerie Heaven for only £26.50.

I would love to know what you think of Patsy and her fit.  Have you tried it yourself or been tempted by other gorgeous Autumn bras?

Becky x

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