Aussie Curves: Bling

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Top: Dream Diva

Skirt: Gorman (Remixed)

Shoes: Melissa

I don’t have a lot of “bling” in my fashion repertoire, so I found myself struggling a bit with this week’s “Aussie Curves” challenge (that’s probably why they call it a “Challenge”, right?).

It’s kind of weird, because I tend to gravitate, magpie-like, towards sparkly things in the shops. Sequins, rhinestones, glittery shoes; I see them on the racks and find myself lurching towards them with grabby hands.

But I rarely buy.

Bags I have too many of already, so it’s usually easy to talk myself of of buying another unnecessary handbag, clutch or purse. Sparkly shoes are WITHOUT FAIL the stiffest, least comfortable shoes in the entire shop. The jewellery I often buy…. then don’t wear. Because I have yet to master the art of casual bling.

And the clothes…. This is my biggest downfall.

Whenever I see sequinned skirts/tops/dresses in the shops I’m compelled to try them on (as long at the sequins are on the back as well. Pet hate: plain backs on sequinned fronts).

Sequinned clothing looks all wrong on me though. My body is made up of round shapes. My breasts, the curve of my belly, the roundness of my thighs and my hips… in all-over sequins I look like a conglomeration of mirrorballs.

I don’t know why this is. I’ve seen other plus-size girls ROCK the all-over sequin look, which is why – in my head – I think I can pull it off. But so far, no joy.

In the meanwhile I’m happy to channel my inner bling-addict with this great tee-shirt from Dream Diva.

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 It’s comfy to wear, a nice slouchy shape in a gorgeously soft jersey, and the sequin heart on the front is just the right amount of sparkly without being OTT. I still light up the inside of the car like a mirrorball on sunny days, but at least I don’t feel like I should be revolving over a dance floor.

I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it works with the indie au-naturel look of my raw silk Gorman dress-cum-skirt – I would have thought them completely disparate items, but they play nicely together. The slouchy tee kind of diminishes the prissiness of the skirt, and the skirt makes the tee seem more retro and classic.

I also have some very, very discreet sparkle in my shoes:

P1020686Remember what I said about sparkly shoes being the least comfortable in the shop? The same doesn’t apply to Melissa shoes. I actually prefer these to my sparkly pink Melissa shoes because the glitter is incorporated into the shoes, rather than glued to the outside. It means it’s smoother around the edges, and I don’t leave a small trail or glitter wherever I go. I like the spectator style of the black contrast panels, and the little bow is a bonus.

Sadly I DO find that these Melissa’s – unlike other pairs in my collection – do make my feet a bit sweaty. They came from the Melissa shop, so they’re definitely authentic, but maybe something about the glittery PVC is different to the usual “jelly”.

To see the other entries in this week’s Aussie Curve challenge click through the link below, and make sure you check out Natalie from XL as Life. Her sequin peplum dress had me clicking straight through to Asos where – boohoo – it’s out of stock in my size.

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Aussie Curves: Polkadots

Dress: Vintage via Miss Modular Vintage

Belt: free with Bettie Page Clothing dress

Shoes: Melissa

Oh my god, you guys. I’m completely blown away with your generosity. In less than 24 hours Frocks And Frou Frou has received more than 500 votes putting me in the top ten, and giving me chance at making it to the shortlist who will go on to the judging panel.

Two weeks of voting to go, so I’m going to keep the voting button on the front page – hope that’s OK!

navabi Curvy Blog Award 2012

Meanwhile, in all the excitement I realised that I’ve almost missed the deadline on this weeks Aussie Curves challenge, Polkadots!

I’ve got a surplus of polkadots in my wardrobe, so it wasn’t hard to rustle up a dotty outfit for today.

I wore my vintage thrifted minnie-mouse dress that I bought from Etsy shop Miss Modular Vintage. I bought this dress way back in 2009, and it’s still getting a good work out. It’s pretty nasty staticky fabric, but that’s easily solved with a good squirt of Statique. After a brief flirtation of wearing it with yellow accessories I’ve got back to my usual red. The better to match my frou frou:

Shoes: Melissa

Red Melissa shoes, still as comfortable as ever but starting to look a smidge scuffed at the toe. Apparently I can give give them a big of a scrub with warm soapy water and a cloth, so I might give that a try.

Bracelet: melt’m Design Studio

I got to see my little sister this week, when she surprised me with an off-chemo-week visit from Canberra. I’m pleased to see that like Fiona and I she’s still wearing her bridesmaid bracelet. They were chosen to signify a Chinese legend that links people to each other with an invisible red thread. I like to imagine that we’re lending Mae our strength on the tough days through our invisible red threads, and the bracelet reminds me of that.

Apple Pin: Bowel Cancer Australia

And I’m wearing my apple pin, of course.

Check out the other entrants in this week’s Aussie Curves Challenge by clicking the link below. I particularly love Ezmae’s amazing bright yellow dress, and I’m seriously lusting after Alison’s retro-inspired number from Stop Staring. Want to play along? Next week we’re doing pastels!

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