Zelie For She

Another week, a new venture!

Hello loves, I hope those of you who experience the 4 seasons are enjoying the start of Autumn. During my stay in Australia, it was one of my favourite times of the year! The orange-red foliage, cosy sweaters and boots! Its a few months to monsoon season here, lol I feel like I am always boring you with the weather forecast!! Needless to say, I will not be wearing a sweater anytime soon.

I decided to take advantage of the end of Summer sales happening and shop at a plus size store I have always coveted. I hadn’t much luck with Zelie For She for a while because their clothing gets sold out so quickly (not surprised!) Not to mention you have to take into account the time it takes to ship clothing here, it can take a while to arrive and sometimes I do not have the luxury of time when planning for blog posts.

So I was overjoyed when I finally managed to snag an outfit from the store! If its a new store I am shopping from, I normally  only purchase one item for the first time just to figure out sizing etc. Now that that’s been done, I look forward to my next shopping jaunt there!

The Pineapple Express Set in 2X (similar version Here)

The top is a long shirt that I tied a knot to shorten because it looked better with the palazzo pants that way. If you’re of my *ahem* stature at 5 ft 2, altering the pants is definitely wise. You can mix and match this up for sure, a basic crop top with the pants, jeans, denim shorts with the shirt. Aside from a few adjustments, the fit was great and I love how the prints pop!

 

Zelie For She has the most stunning maxi dresses, stylish pantsuit sets and midi dresses and that could just be my personal take, but you should go check the store out for yourself. I am so relieved that they ship to my region because there are few plus size brands I covet that sadly do not extend their shipping to Asia.

Little Details

 

Processed with MOLDIV

Processed with MOLDIV

 

I had a lot of fun creating this shimmery blue eyeshadow, with some highlighter at the forehead and cheekbones, light brown glossy lipstick. I will definitely come up with a post soon featuring my little nest of makeup that I use for the blog.

I will end my post here with a reminder from me to take a leap of faith and be pleasantly surprised. This look was not like any I had ever tried and I loved taking the risk! Chat Soon 🙂

xx Aarti 

Curvy Girl Lingerie

*NSFW – lingerie images* 

Here I am a month later, having taken a short blogging break to restore myself. I hope you have been well, please fill me in with what you have been up to and how life has been treating you!

This year has seen me indulge in plenty of gorgeous two piece swimsuits. Swimsuits make me feel like a sexy water siren. I decided to take that sexiness factor one step further with my friend Chrystal Bougon’s online store, Curvy Girl Lingerie. Yes – LINGERIE – you read that right.

I never saw myself as someone who was sexy. I knew I was not one of those girls who would turn heads or have people enchanted by my aesthetic appearance. I was pretty sure I was always meant to look plain or dull. My opinions did change once Curves Become Her took flight and I learnt something so very important – if I love how I look, what people think of me is not my concern. Each fashion post consists of wearing something I adore and it broadens my horizons that much more. Which is why you enjoy my work, because you can see I clearly am feeling a look or writing from the heart.

Lingerie though, now that was a challenge even for me. I am not as chesty as my other plus size sisters and I have trouble shopping for bras, which has made my selection of undergarment quite boring, quite unlike my style. It has become a utilitarian garment sadly. As for sultry boudoir lingerie, I had never owned any! If bra and panty shopping was such a challenge how was I going to even consider that option?

I was surprised and honoured when Chrystal reached out – She had mused to herself after checking out a swimsuit post of mine ‘If she looks that good in swimwear DAMN she’ll look good in our lingerie’

So I took my pick and waited with baited breath for the goodies to arrive, oh my goodness I was such a cartoon when they finally got here! I tried them on and my face turned red, I was so shy I asked myself “Will you be able to do this Aarti?”

After some encouragement from the hubster, I decided to have a proper look at myself in the mirror. DAMN, Chrystal was right! I was still so very bashful though..so for the next few weeks, it became a routine – I would put them on, take selfies and appraise them..shake my head and try, try again. Until I decided tonight, September 13th would be the night! You shall forever be the date I finally let my fear of wearing lingerie dissipate. What was the worst that was going to happen? trolls? pervs? Those folks I shrug at. The important thing is I took on this challenge to expand my body beautiful point of view and I succeeded. I think 🙂

Monologue over, time for some photographs!

 Pic 1 – The Lorinda in size 2X

Pic 2 – The Chantel in size 1X/2X (similar item here)

The Lorinda teal lace teddy in size 2X

A very comfortable one piece that can be worn beneath a dress or top, it has such pretty lace details at the centre, the back and the hem. It is so stunning in teal.

 

Makeup was bathed in hues of bronze and rouge for this look.

The Chantel hook-corset styled set in size 1X/2X

This fiery two piece set does not have a lace back that needs to be tied like a regular corset, it has hooks to close it at the back instead. The bra has lining just like the Lorinda so it does have support. Another gorgeous lacy number that can be worn beneath clothing, as a top for clubbing that could be paired with a leather skirt and a sheer cover up or shirt if you’d like. I had to get red lingerie, red always looks good on me 🙂

Makeup was an earthy brown for this look and I accessorised with a diamante choker.

And now, for the piece de resistance! You didn’t think I was done did you?

The Katia chemise with thong set in size 2X

Because, black lingerie is always a good choice.

The details on this chemise set are perfection!

Here is the description of this beauty from the store:

“The Katia” is a sexy black chemise features sheer cups with strappy detailing, adjustable lace shoulder straps, a black satin bow accent, a sheer lace underbust band, side and back cut-outs, a hook and eye back closure, a solid front panel with a netted trim, sheer gathered side panels, a scalloped lace hem, a keyhole back opening, adjustable garters, and a matching panty.

That is a whole lot of sexy! All it was missing was thigh highs, but I was so daunted by the prospect of wearing sexy lingerie so it did not even occur to me until much later! I still think it looks fine as hell. My head was not purposefully chopped off, the hubster was trying to get the details of the outfit..well that was his excuse. This photo shoot was a visual joy for him haha! To be fair he loves any outfit I pick but this was an extra delight for him.

Makeup for this look was set in shades of nude and accessorised with this black choker from Lovisa. Oh you know, the only place I ever seem to buy accessories! What can I say, I am a creature of habit in some senses 😛

Curvy Girl Lingerie caters to us plus size femme fatales from a size 1X to a size 6X, so there is plenty of lingerie to covet for us! This haul was so enlightening because it challenged my personal notion of being sexy. I did not feel sexy in anything I wore for a very long time and this made me face that inner critic head on with defiance. Like you always hear me say, this is still an ongoing journey for me. What I know for sure now is that since I have popped my lingerie cherry, there is no looking back. I am going to indulge in these pretty outfits from time to time because why the hell not? We always deserve to feel good in our skin, this is the thought process that keeps me revved for more possibilities and fashion discoveries.

Since I basked in these gorgeous Curvy Girl Lingerie, here are a few shots of me in my regular lingerie. Another step into the right direction of feeling body beautiful 🙂

 

     I leave you now, face still flushed after uploading these images. But I feel at peace with myself. Onwards! Chat Soon xx Aarti Olivia Dubey | Curves Become Her    

The Luminary White Bikini

I know, I know I was supposed to get a write-up done last week but I was low on spoons and decided to resume it this week or next. In the meantime, here is my Last bikini shoot for 2016! I am happy with the swimsuit stash I have and it is time to gradually ease into the next season. I have saved the best for last! Its simple, classy and it makes me feel like a plus size bond girl haha!

MAYDAY MAYDAY! FAT GIRL IN A WHITE SWIMSUIT!!! Feelin Herself and like a plus size Ursula Andress!

Since I have broken pretty much all rules in my previously bashful fashion rulebook –

I Had to finish off with a bang.

Swim Sexy The Luminary White Bikini in size 18, Swimsuits For All 

Body Chain, Ready to Stare 

Faux septum ring, Lovisa 

Sunglasses, a convenience store in Phuket (yeap)

Luminary IS the right description for this swimsuit. It is light to wear, soft to touch, beautiful to behold against my tanned skin, sophisticated and it is Swim proof – it passed my lap test. While I love all kinds of swimwear, I am partial to the ones I can actually swim in since this is what swimsuits were essentially they were made for. Feel free to disagree, my opinion is not written in stone!

As always, this water baby was in her element once her toes dipped into the soothing waters. How gorgeous is that body chain by the way? My friend Ratna of the blog Sapphire Splendour gave this to me and I am SO happy because I think body chains are so sexy. The South Asians have been wearing body chains or some derivative of it for eons, so having my own is pretty cool.

 

Little Details

As is obvious from these images, the bikini top has a cute wrap twist and the bottom has ruching at the sides which adds to, as RuPaul says it Eleganza Extravaganza! (I have been on a roll with the show for the past few weeks catching up on missed seasons)

I kept makeup very light, with concealer for the dark eye circles and a nude lipstick from Lakme (Indian makeup brand).

Here’s some extra piccies that are my favourite shots from this evening: 

 

Pic 1 – Before the swimsuit shoot, in my comfy Forever 21 Plus striped pants

Pic 2 – During the shoot, basking in beautiful crystalline waters

Pic 3 – After the shoot, washing my makeup off (somewhat) and ready to chill in the jacuzzi for a spell.

Aaaaaand Its done! Dunzo! Finit! Khattam! Habis! The swimsuit shoots this year have set a high bar for 2017 and I look forward to doing this next year. For now, Its time to fashion it up with some Autumn trends Minus the clothes meant for sweater weather because, I reside on an island close to the equator so… not unless I travel to places with cooler climate but I have no such plans as yet. Oh yes I am thinking about Paris. and Madrid. and New Zealand, but its all tentative for now.

Until my next post – I wish you love and power xx

 

SWAK Designs:Crystal Halter Dress

Hey fam!

A feverish old me is reporting in the midst of dinner and copious amount of water consumption. But blogging beckons, and I love blogging so here I am. I hope you’re in much better health than I am this weekend!

This is the second outfit from my mini-haul from SWAK Designs, and just like the previous look it isn’t something You will typically see me wear and its a print I have always  wanted to try!

THE LOOK

Crystal Halter Dress, SWAK Designs in size 1X

statement necklace, Lovisa 

As a lover of all things prints, I’d never worn a houndstooth print before. Its a much coveted print for me and I was wondering when the right outfit would come along. Jumped at the chance to nab this wrap dress.

Wrap dresses are a personal favourite. I have a number of sleeved wrap dresses that I wear for casual nights out, really simple and without prints, very comfortable. I don’t wear halter neck tops or dresses much though, I think I’m still self-conscious about how I look in them. But then I thought to myself, really Aarti? you wear swimsuits and bandeau tops. This is just an old insecurity talking. So I made that leap, and I am glad I did.

LITTLE DETAILS

Since this dress seems a lot like a classy evening number, I glitzed and glamoured it up with some silver eyeshadow and a silver necklace.

For some reason I felt a glossy purple lipstick would complement the look, I’m still discovering makeup so I could be wrong but ah well!

The ruching on this skirt is so pretty! Its a nice touch.

Thats me for now, I will be putting up a post in a day or two to elaborate on the blog carnival (see previous post) I was a part of. For now, I send you my love and remind you that style can be had at any size. So no matter your age, size, height – have fun with fashion! xx

maxi season

Heya

Sharing the latest fashion post I’ve done as contributor on blog Already Pretty. 

It’s about a dress style that seems to inhabit my wardrobe a lot more of late – the maxi dress. 

  
 

  
Maxi dress in the shade of Rust – Forever 21 Plus

Choker necklace – Lovisa 

Metal cuff bangle – Diva

What I love about the maxi skirt/dress since trying them 2 years ago is that they are surprisingly comfortable and hot climate-friendly (the latter is So important because of where I reside). As someone of a shorter stature, I was hesitant to try on a much longer skirt thinking that it would make me appear shorter but that myth is So Untrue. If anything it lends an air of chic. 

   

I seem to veer towards outfits in bold colours instead of prints this season and you’ll see that preference in the fashion posts to come. I love All colours but there does seem to be an affinity for deeper hues at the moment. This shade of orange is not a common outfit colour for me and I really, really like how it sets off the natural tan of my skin. Which is why I decided to go semi-formal with the accessories, to lend a Roman/Grecian style with this ensemble. 

   
 

I was having a really god awful migraine and it took every ounce of my will to prep my hair and makeup, so it was left relatively simple but still done decently..phew! The unpredictable weather changes here are seriously messing with my allergies. 

I have a few body positive posts coming up – 2 Unconditional Body Beautiful posts, 1 Curves Around the World post. But I will pepper in a fashion post in between 🙂 

What’s your dress style for this season? Are there particular prints that catch your eye right now that you’d like to try? 

I know it’s been a while and I thank you for being patient! I hope you’ve been well, sending you lots and lots of love. 

Remember: Be Kind to yourself. Speak kindly about your body. 

xxxo Aarti Olivia