Defeating Trolls and Effing Beauty Standards!

Well it's been another rather eventful week in the world of me and My Vintage!

As many of you already know, as part of our positivity and confidence movement, we have introduced Feel Good Fridays, where we encourage other women to wear something that they might not normally be brave enough to and to get those selfies rolling, hashtag #feelgoodfriday of course...

Last Friday, I decided upon a rather pretty Primark kimono jacket that I was gifted for Christmas but hadn't worn yet. I'd been avoiding it as it's a pale colour (that I'm not always comfortable with) and being a little bit sheer, it shows some of my upper arms, which is a huge issue for me. I put together this cute little outfit and I felt absolutely great, as well as getting SO many compliments...

I was thoroughly loving all the compliments I was getting (who wouldn't?!) and it was lovely to hear that people liked my outfit.

So there I was having a lunchtime scroll through my Instagram feed and I see this...

No, I think to myself, that must be a typo. She surely isn't being THAT rude? So I ask...

And sure enough...

So now I'm thinking - OK, not only do we have a troll in our midst, but she is now being a little confrontational! However, I tried to remain as calm and professional as possible and here was my (not at all sarcastic) retort...

And so the "conversation" continued...

Back tracking, much?! And just when you thought I couldn't get any more condescending...

Now there were MANY other comments made as my friends and followers began to get onboard and say their piece! I was happy for them to say whatever they wanted and if you do want to read everything that was said then please do hop onto my Instagram feed and have a nosey! But please note there is some very colourful language!

Needless to say, the troll retreated back into her cave without further notice and the whole episode really did give us an afternoon of laughs. But let's be serious here - does my posting of a photograph on Instagram actually give anyone the right to insult me? I think not.

If this had happened a year ago I would have laughed it off in public, got home and had a good cry, deleted the photograph from every possible location and never ever worn that outfit again. But I genuinely didn't feel any of those negative feelings. And to be honest, that gave me a real boost as I realised that I really had come so far on my journey to loving and appreciating my body and being at peace with myself. So I guess she kinda did me a favour!

The incident also drew in many comments from my friends on Facebook, which was lovely and supportive. I honestly didn't feel like I needed reassurance but it was nice to know that friends cared enough to speak up. It was on of these friends who contacted me and suggested we do a really fun tongue-in-cheek photoshoot the next day. Andy is a great amateur photographer and also someone I trust and feel comfortable with so I jumped at the chance.

The idea was just to reinforce the whole Feel It Wear It Own It philosophy and the message behind Eff Your Beauty Standards, whilst also (literally) sticking a finger to the aforementioned troll and any that may follow her!

Here are some of my favourite shots...

I think between Andy, Lucy and myself we really did get our message across and we also had an amazing laugh!

Troll defeated. Beauty standards effed! I think we reign victorious don't you?

Em
xx

My April Lust List

I love this time of the season, when Spring/Summer fashion is getting brighter and breezier by the day. I have, of course, been perusing some of my favourite online shopping destinations to bring you my April Lust List... all the goodies that I kind of need in my life this month...

From a fashion point of view I am a 5ft 10 pear shape with a wide size 8 foot. My wardrobe ranges from a UK22 - UK32 depending where I shop and what style the clothes are. I even have a rather fabulous Primark kimono jacket in an 18 what fits really well - bonkers!

My choices are tailored to my tastes and what suits me best, so if you are similar in stature, size or shape to me then I'm sure you'll be wanting some of these beauties too...

1. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Brushed Wool Cape - £70

I know it's a wool cape so you're thinking NOT for summer but LOOK AT IT! I adore this and with a light outfit underneath it's ideal for Spring. Kind of English Heritage meets NYC fashionista. Love it.

2. YOURS CLOTHING Navy And Red Floral Stripe Print Midi Dress - £35

I love the retro flavour of this cute dress. Navy and red is one of my favorite combinations too! I'd personally wear it with blue jeggings and red flats. I might have to do just that actually...

Now, you may not be surprised to learn that one of my favourite shopping destinations is actually www.myvintage.co.uk! Funny that isn't it? Well my absolute must haves this month are as follows...

3. MY VINTAGE Vintage Style Black Cherry Belt - £10

Well as soon as I put this belt on, Lucy immediately ripped it off me (no, calm down let me finish) ripped the tag off and shouted YOURS, I'll buy it for you! So from there on in, I owned it! It's such a great versatile belt that can be worn on the waist or at the empire line, and who doesn't need cherry print in their life?

4. MY VINTAGE - Black Tropical Floral Print Audrey Dress - £35

There's not a lot I can say about this dress, other than I NEED IT! The colours are sooo good on me and for someone who has a smaller top half and larger bottom half, the fit is ideal and very flattering.

5. MY VINTAGE Designer Vintage Bright Silk Moschino Scarf -£120

As we already know, I do love a scarf, and I do love my bright colours. This amazing original vintage scarf from Moschino is one of my absolute favourites and is a great way to inject some colour into your everyday wardrobe. And like any piece of original vintage, it's only ever going to increase in value. It's a winner!

6. EVANS Ivory Art Print Shirt - £35

I NEEEEED this shirt in my life. It's just the right thing to throw over black leggings and a top when I'm in a rush but still want that retro edge. I do love how Evans clothing is really shaped properly for larger proportions too, rather than a size 8 sample just being made bigger (you know what I'm talking about)

7. EVANS Scarlett and Jo Black Mesh Insert Dress - £65

This dress is just too cute and has several elements that I love. A stretchy short sleeved top with cheeky mesh insert and real 1950's flavour, plus bold jewel colours - faaaaabulous!

8. NEW LOOK Wide Fit Pink Leather Caged Shoes - £27.99

I wear flats 99% of the time. Mainly because I'm just not great in heels these days but also because when you're as tall as I am, you don't really want or need to be any taller! As much as I love my ballet pumps, sandals and Converse, I am always thrilled when I find cute new flats in a different style than I already wear. These New Look wide fit shoes are just adorable and will go with so many different outfits. They also come in white, but I think this pale pink will be much better on my pale skin and more wearable too. Need!

9. RIVER ISLAND White Slogan iPhone 5 Case - £8.00

Anyone who knows me, know that this is one of my absolute favourite things to say. And who doesn't love a hashtag? It's a dream come true in a phone case. I may have already ordered it...

10. TOPSHOP - Pineapple Straw Tote Bag - £28

Another vintage/retro icon is of course the pineapple, so this Topshop tote bag is brilliant for the beach or those days when your normal handbag just won't cut the mustard. Ewwwww, mustard and pineapple. Queasy, much?!

I hope you loved my round-up for this month my lovelies, let me know your favourites!

Em x

A very honest new direction...

So I've been staring at the UNTITLED POST on the screen for a little while now, toying with several ideas of what to blog about today. But my mind kept going off on tangents. Mainly tangents about myself to be honest. And not in a conceited way, just that recently I have been through a lot of ups and downs of the last few months and to put it simply, I kinda lost my mojo...

I'm pretty sure that most of you reading this can relate to what I'm talking about. Between hormones, work, families, finances and all the other stresses that modern life bring, it's no surprise that we have wobbles here and there. And today something just clicked and I realised that it's OK to share with you when there are wobbles and you know what? It's OK to be positive about my size too.

I'm a plus size girl, always have been and probably always will be. I've spent far too long shying away from that and sticking my head in the sand. Full length photos are almost non existent of me but that is no more! If my idol, Tess Munster, has taught me anything its that fat is no longer a bad word and you really can #effyourbeautystandards

I want to be a bit healthier, not just for physical reasons but also because I feel that better health and wellbeing will be better my mental health, which has got to be a good thing. But I am not, nor will I ever be, on a diet. Any health benefits I find along my way will also be included in the blog, as well as lots of my general anecdotes!

Now, don't get me wrong, I will still be talking about vintage, the shop, the website and of course lots of fashion, but there will be a much more personal and varied feel to my blog from here on in... And I really hope it's something you want to read :)

And to kick things off, here are some of those full length shots that I usually don't want anyone to see!

That wasn't so scary after all!

I'd love to get some feedback from you all - if you think this is a good direction for the blog or even if there are some specific topics you'd like me to talk more about then please do let me know. You can comment here or get hold of me via Facebook or Twitter and of course my email is emma@myvintage.co.uk

Thanks for reading
Em x