Fashion: "Fat Day" dresses

I don't know about you but there are days where I wake up and feel hot, bloated and just plain old FAT!

On these days it's hard to find outfits which look good and feel good. 

Getting ready in the morning becomes such a chore, there are clothes and accessories everywhere, I don't want anything tight or too close to my skin and there is always that point where I just want to stay naked and not go anywhere! 

Obviously, this isn't always an option, especially when you have a full-time job/career.

So! We get up and find a 'Fat Day Dress' and get moving. 

I have at least 5 of these and they're perfect for the office, lunch with the girls or cinema with him lol

My Top Fat Day Tips

1) Breathe-It's not that bad, you will feel better soon. 

2) Wear something loose/breathable and accessories- accessories do not discriminate!

3) Wear something that makes you feel good- Whatever you decide on make sure it feels good and that you're comfortable.

Here are 5 'Fat Day dresses' online!

Forever 21 T-Shirt Dress £13.00

Asos Smock Dress £45.00

Forever 21 Denim Shirt Dress £23.00

WareHouse Tiered smock dress £59.00

Pull & Bear Ombre Dress £25.99

Obviously, all these dresses can be worn on a 'Normal' day but they're great for fat days as they're loose, lightweight and easily hide a bloated tummy...Buffet anyone?

lol I'm joking of course....You can also add bold prints and cover ups to help you feel better.

Happy Fat Day x

@MsShayDivine

Fashion: 50+Party LookBook

Over the past few months I've been approached by a few women in their late 40's to 60's curious about how to put an outfit together for a special occasion from the high street.

What all of these women had in common was, they all still like the stores they shopped at in their late 20's & 30's, but are now afraid to look like mutton dressed as lamb or road kill...

The most common stores mentioned were....

• Top Shop
• River Island
• New Look
• Miss Selfridge
• Dorothy Perkins
• Warehouse
• H&M

All these stores are typically aimed at those under 30, so it's easy to feel that once you pass 30/40/50/60 the fashion is no longer designed for you. NOT TRUE!

Personally, I don't believe after or before a certain age you need to start shopping in certain stores. I believe it's more about how you wear your pieces, rather than where they're from.

Although the aforementioned stores are great, there are also some other stores which typically design for a wider age range...

• Wallis
• French Connection
• Next 
• Oasis
• Karen Millen
• Coast
• Monsoon
• 
  

This gave me the inspiration to create this lookbook. 

I started with a silver pleated two tone midi skirt and added a white sleeveless blouse. 

To accessorise the look, I added a navy clutch bag, navy pointed heels, a long silver necklace and medium size rhinestone hoops.

To add a hint more colour, I added deep purple lipstick and nail polish which helps to bring all the colours in the look together and add another layer to the style. 

For the hair, depending on the length and style, I would go for tapered curls, an loose pin up or a classic bob.

Lookbook colours

And there you have it...a fun, elegant party look which I think a woman over or under 50 could wear and feel fabulous!

@MsShayDivine

Food: Other Grain Pasta

I love pasta so much that recently one of my good friends and I started a tradition "cinema and pasta night" on a once a month basis.

We love the same movies and are both pasta lovers so it just made sense...Good movie, then good food!

#Simple!

As much as I love white pasta or durum wheat flour pasta, it does not love me!

Those of you who can wolf this stuff down without bloating, I envy you!

If you're like me and white pasta leaves you feeling bloated, there are a few alternative you could try out that taste pretty good.

Check these out!

Spinach & Spelt Tagliatelle (My Favourite)

Red Lentil Pasta

Spelt Spaghetti

Black Bean Spaghetti

All these can be found in your local supermarket, health food store or online.

Enjoy x

@MsShayDivine

TV: Food Knowledge And Investigation

We all love a bit of TV but it can be quite mind numbing at times,  so when I am not watching movies (or HollyOaks #Guiltypleasure) I love to watch documentaries and factual food TV shows.

Recently, with all the health fads and products on the market it is nice to have some science behind the multiple claims for our diet, health and fitness.There are two shows on the BBC & Channel 4 which aim to do so and I think they're great!

Food Unwrapped & Food Detectives

I enjoy both these shows as they dig deep into some of the foods, fads, supplements and diet claims we seem to lap up.

The shows makes you think twice about what you put in your body and how amazing our bodies already are, while testing and researching all things food, drink, vitamins and minerals.

If you get a chance, check them out!

Very Interesting :-)

@MsShayDivine

Events: Brandy Norwood Live @Indigo O2 London, UK

  

From the 1^st time I heard “I wanna be down” back in 1994 (Age 11) I was hooked on the effortless, unmistakable sound and classic style that is Brandy Norwood. #HUGEFAN!

When a good friend invited me to go see her live in concert…I lost my mind and screamed YaaaaSSSSS!!!!, on a packed train to work. Needless to say London commuters were not amused, I didn’t care and did a little happy dance!

 

After what seemed like weeks of anticipation, we finally arrived at the O2 arena and the excitement was contagious!

We queued for a while and this was a rare instance where I really didn’t mind queuing….I was about to see one of my all-time favorite artists (and people) LIVE IN CONCERT!

After a few supporting acts and a R&B throwback session from the Dj’s (#insane), the show started with Brandy in full statuesque performance mode while the musicians started the show!

Brandy looked stunning, sexy yet classy, sporting the classic Brandy braids and that winning smile!

She sang her first word, that was it for me. I got goosebumps and instantly started screaming and dancing…it was officially over, I was stupid gone!

The whole Indigo O2 arena erupted in excitement! Everyone was up out of their seats and fully hyped!

The vibe was electrifying and I was in awe of how humble and beautiful Brandy seems, not only as an artists but as a person.

We were transported through time with classics from all 6 of Brandy’s legendary albums.

      

Brandy was absolutely incredible!!! Poised, funny, personable and vocally ON POINT!

Towards the end of the show Brandy did an amazing Whitney Huston tribute, sporting the classic 80's Whitney Huston bow. 



This was when I got emotional and felt a lump in my throat as I sang along to Whitney's classic hit 'Shoop'
Miss her, rest in perfect peace beautiful :-(

I have so much love & respect for Brandy as a woman, artists and mother, always have!

This performance has to be the best I have seen in a really long time.

I now can’t speak but I really do not care…I will never forget this experience.

Seeing one of my adolescent she-roes in concert has to be one of the best experiences of my life….

Absolutely incredible, so happy!

@MsShayDivine