Top: Embody Denim
Trousers: Queen Clothing
Shoes: Wittner
I was very lucky recently to get to try a number of the new items from Embody Denim.
Embody would have to be the best premium denim brand for plus-size women, and I’ve owned any number of their excellent jeans, but I’ve never tried anything else in their range.
Recently they branched out and now have several essentials (including a killer LBD) in the Embody Clothing range.
Today’s trans-seasonal polkadot blouse – the “Thrill Me” blouse is one of the new items, and it’s turning into a great go-to item for me with Melbourne’s weather fluctuating from hot to cold every five minutes.
The three-quarter length cuffed sleeves, and ruffled front add a bit of drama and elegance, and the polkadots keep it fun. I’m wearing it today with my high-waisted trousers from Queen clothing – breaking my own rule of “volume-down-below-equals-fitted-up-top”. Surprisingly I don’t feel swamped in fabric, and I think its probably because the “Thrill Me” blouse is really nicely fitted to the body – skimming curves without clinging.
Natalie Wakeling – the excellent individual behind Embody – is also offering Frocks and Frou Frou readers a 25% discount on all Embody Denim & Embody Clothing ranges (woo!). All you have to do is email her at sales@embodydenim.com.au, and she’ll send you the code!
Meanwhile, you’re probably all wondering what on earth is up with the title of today’s post.
The Sophisticate is at the tail end of a big project at work at the moment, which means I’ve had a bit of time at home alone, and have spent it experimenting in the kitchen. By far my most successful endeavour so far were the little Iced-Vovo inspired tartlets that I made on Sunday.
The recipe is as below:
Pastry: (You can use a pre-made shortcrust pastry, or you can make your own) Ingredients: 125g butter / 1/2 cup sugar / 1 egg / 1 cup plain flour / 1 cup SR flour
Tartlets: Ingredients: Biscuit pastry / Raspberry Jam.
Marshmallow: Ingredients: 3/4 cup of caster sugar / 1/4 cup cold water / 2 tsp powdered gelatine / 1/4 cup hot water / 1 tsp vanilla / a few drops of pink food colouring / desiccated coconut
1. To make the pastry cream butter & sugar until white & fluffy. Beat in egg then stir in mixed flours. Knead lightly, then wrap in plastic and chill until firm enough to roll
2. To make the tartlets roll out the pastry thinly & line shallow tartlet tins. Prick bases & put 1 tsp of jam into each. Chill for 20 min then bake in a preheated moderate oven (around 180 degrees celsius) for 15 minutes
3. While the tartlets are cooling make the marshmallow: Place sugar & cold water in a bowl & beat with an electric mixer for 3-4 minutes. Dissolve gelatine in hot water, then add to sugar mixture. Beat until thick & white, then add vanilla & food colouring.
4. Spoon the marshmallow over the top of the cooled tartlets, then sprinkle with a little bit of desiccated coconut.
5. Enjoy!
Apparently they taste like riding a unicorn. Or eating a unicorn… it wasn’t clear in the message I got from The Sophisticate’s workmates. But I think they liked ’em.
I think those pants look fantastic on you. I found Queen clothing recently thanks to you, and now have them on my favourites. However I would be absolutely overwhelmed in that much material, so am very envious on how well you wear them. Also going to try your tarts – I’ve tried to make marshmallow before with varying success, so am keen to try this recipe. Cheers
Thanks Kerrie! I normally don’t wear wide-legs pants (because I’m quite short & tend to look as wide as I am tall) but these seem to be the exception that proves the rule!
You look fab-u-lous in those pants.
Also, I want an iced vo-vo tart! 🙂
They’re pretty good! I had to send mot of them to work with The Sophisticate because I didn’t seem to be able to stop eating them!
Oh. My. God! Those Iced Vovo Tartlets look AMAZING!
Also, love a good polka dot shirt & trousers… perfect for the weather at the moment also.
x
Thanks Mel, it definitely is, isn’t it? I am looking forward to stockings and boots and hats weather though.
Lilli, there’s so much to love about this post! The denim pants, the beautiful polka dot blouse, and those tartlets! They look delicious! I wish I had the patience to make them! 🙂
Thanks Bella! Normally I would scoff the tartlets just with the jam, but I had so much spare time I thought I’d go the whole hog!
Oh my how glorious are you in that outfit! Love the pants. You have such a fantastic 40’s vibe going on. The tartlettes look delicious. Can not wait to make these with some homemade berry jam.
Oh yum, home-made jam! I always like to make home-made strawberry, but fresh raspberries are SO expensive I usually just buy pre-made jam. At farmers markets when I can, which is KIND of home-made, I guess!
Lilli-
LOVE the pants. Can you please convert for me-what US size is an XXL to an Aussie? I want those pants! I am anywhere from an 16 to a 24 depending on the pants! Do those have any stretch? GORG!!!
Thanks
Tami
Hi Tami,
I’m wearing the XL, which has a measurement of waist: 35.5″ & hips: 46.5″. My meausurements are: waist: 36″ & hips: 46″. The trousers are snug, but not uncomfortably so. There’s a leeetle stretch in the fabric at the hips, but none at all at the waistband.
Hope this helps!
It does-and I’ve already emailed the company for some information and tossed your name in the hat as having advertised for them. Hope they contact you to model some more goodies!
The first ever post I read of yours was when you were wearing these (or similar to them) trousers, I love them! The blouse is lovely too. I got one similar from domino dollhouse but its too short for my long body/big boobs combo. Shame.
Fave outfit ever! Va va voom gorgeous! Love the polka dot shirt… May have to look at buying something! Thanks!
Thanks for the update on Embody branching out. I have their Bella Denium Flare Jeans and am excited about their new tops. With regards to sizing, have you bought your standard size or have you had to adjust i.e. are they large fitting? I am usually a 14 on top and am unsure if this is the size to go for.
Hi Paulette,
I’d say size down. I’m wearing this in the 14, and I’m usually a 16 or even an 18 up top. There’s not stretch, so keep that in mind 🙂
I do like a good tart! (And your outfit is ace as well!)
Love, love, love that blouse. I’ve been looking for a nice polkadot plus size blouse for a while, since my last one ‘expired’. How is the Embody sizing?? Does it have any stretch at all? You do look great in those plants – I am a shorty too and avoid high waists and wide legs like the plague, but they look great! And I’m pinching the recipe too, my littlest one turns 1 next week and they are just PERFECT for a little girl’s birthday party!
Hi Megan,
No stretch at all, which is quite good, actually! The fit’s so good, it doesn’t really need it. I have a 42″ bust, and I’m wearing the 14. Hope this helps!
Thanks Lilli – just realised I wrote ‘plants’ – ooops. While I am sure you wear plants all the time, of course I meant pants!
Hi there 🙂 I’ve given you a One Lovely Blog award on BeeLovesBeauty.com
http://beelovesbeauty.com/2012/04/19/one-lovely-blog-award/
Thanks for excellent blogging 🙂
Bee
Aw, thanks Bee!
I made those tarts yesterday and they are amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
My pleasure! I’m glad they worked out 🙂
Hi Lilli,
I know this is reasonably old but I am going to make your little tarts finally and just wondered how many your recipe makes?
Thanks a bunch xx
Ooh, gosh I don’t know. At least 20 little tartlets from memory.
Just wondering how long the Iced Vo Vo’s will keep?
They look amazing.