The Christmas Tag

The lovely Bex from Eclectic Bex tagged me to do the Christmas Tag; so here it is....

1. What are your favourite Christmas Movies?

Hmm this is already a toughie for the first question! There's many films I really love at Christmas, I've pretty much seen every movie they have on the Christmas 24 channel too. But I'd probably say I really love Jack Frost. It was very much a love or hate film.. But everytime I see it, it makes little old me cry...

2: Do you open your Christmas presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

My family open our presents on Christmas morning, but we also have table presents. We don't do crackers in our house, so we do a £5 table gift instead of the cracker, something someone may like or a little joke present. Its just a sweet little tradition we've had for quite a few years.

3: Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

As sad as it sounds, I don't have a favourite. I've always enjoyed Christmas, I've never really ever had a bad Christmas, but I don't have one memory that stands out overall. (Oh god how sad and boring do I sound!)

4: Favourite festive food?

Oh golly I do love a mince pie - but not the traditional ones. I really like the Cranberry ones I make, I think I might have to put the recipe on here one day, cause they are so delicious, and are a little healthier too!

5: Favourite Christmas Gift?

Oh golly another tough question. Again I don't really have a favourite but if I had to pick it would be between the handmade bunting my Aunt made for me a few years back, my Pearl Coat I got as an early Christmas gift this year as I needed a new coat and my sewing machine last year. I can never pick one, but I'm always very grateful for what I receive from anyone, big or small.

6: Favourite Christmas scent?

Cinnamon, Gingerbread and Mulled Wine.

7: Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
My mum always cooks a special Christmas Ham that we have, and I normally watch all three Robbie the Reindeer short movies along with a Bailey's Hot Chocolate.

8: What tops your tree?

We have 2 trees in our house, one in my bedroom, just of decorations I've liked or gotten over the years and downstairs we have the main tree which is always decorated in luxurious gold... both both tree's a topped with a Star.

This year we also have a third tree - our Gatsby Tree. We've gone for a roaring 20's theme this year, introducing some blacks. Plus I just love Gatsby and the Gatsby inspired decorations in my nearby garden centre. This is topped by a Masquerade Mask.

9: As a child what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I don't think I ever had one which was so wildly extravagant - I was a very basic child. Jesus I never realised how boring I can be ha! Unless my parents can think of any...

*Toodles off to ask mother*... "

10: What is the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part of Christmas for me, is seeing how happy it makes Children, The way their faces light up, seeing the lights and seeing Father Christmas. Its the happiness of the Children that makes me so happy and cheerful at this time of year. Children make Christmas for me.

I tag anyone who reads this to do this tag.. but I shall definitely say that my lovely fellow bloggers Stephanie Maverick should do this tag & so should Hayley from Lady Haze of Vintage! 

Love

Emma Victoria

xoxoxox

(P.S I also just want to say a huge thank you for getting my little 'baby' blog to 40,000 views! Guess it isn't really a baby blog anymore!)

OOTW; A Vintage Christmas

Today I have a classically elegant outfit for you, perfect for the chillier days which we are in now...
I don't sport trousers much, but I seriously can't get enough of my Swing Trousers from Collectif. I've been moving a little away from the 50's over the last few weeks, I still pretty much live that era, but I've been dabbling further back into the 40's, 30's and even more so the 20's (I've watched Gatsby far too many times in recent weeks).

So I just wanted a simple look, swing trousers, jumper, coat, something I'm probably going to wear to Winter Wonderland this weekend. I've just been enjoying playing around with different era's lately. Something I may do more often.

Red & White Nordic Jumper, Next - Around £25
(Bought as a Gift to me)
New Look Black Cinch Belt - £5
Frankie Swing Trousers, Collectif - £45

Red Chiffon Head Scarf, eBay - £4

Ankle Boots, Next - £36

1930's Pearl Coat, Collectif - £185

This outfit is mainly based around the crossover of the 1930's to the 1940's. Although this coat is just so darlingly versatile, it could even pass for the 20's. I just love crossing era's over. This outfit is just a simple throw together of several things. Underneath I just have a vest, usual underwear and a pair of tights  and fluffy socks to keep me cosy warm.

My make-up is just the usual thin winged liner with beautiful round lips. I made my cupids bow really prominent and went above my natural line for a more dramatic look. I used the MUA Luxe lip lacquer in colour 'Reckless'. I've also just been putting my fringe into a mini pomp lately as I'm indecisive as to what to do with it... Keep it or grow it out?

For my eye's I just went for a faint look of the green on the inner lid blended with white eyeshadow and glittery red eyeshadow on the outer lid for that extra little Christmasy look. I also managed to get a super thin wing for my liner by using the Bourjois Clubbing Liner in Ultra Black - perfect if you want a subtle wing without being too obvious.

See you Saturday - where I'm doing the Christmas Tag! I was tagged by the lovely Eclectic Bex - make sure you go give this girl's blog a look, fab little lady!

Bex's Blog 

Love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

Simply Be SS15 Preview Event!

So on Wednesday I went to my first ever bloggers event, all thanks to Simply Be! I also did a mini vlog of my night too (check it out here)

I had such a fantastic night with some lovely ladies, meeting lots of lovely new ladies and bloggers and meeting bloggers who inspired me to start blogging! (I did fan girl a little inside if I'm going to be honest) I had such a lovely night and spent it with the lovely Hayley too from Lady Haze of Vintage! I also met the lovely Mookie from Mookie's Life and she's also so super lovely (we even bagged a cute selfie!!)

So here comes all the pictures....!

My fellow Vintage lover Hayley from the Lady Haze of Vintage and moi!

Bright Pink Pleated Midi Skirt - a must have!!

My absolute favourite Bikini!

Beautiful Wrap Dress

The gorgeous Mookie & Moi!

Hayley & Myself having some lovely wine!

Hayley, Mookie and I - Selfie Time!

I got to London about half an hour earlier then what I expected, due to my later train being cancelled (it does pay to be early sometimes!) and I got to Oxford Circus about 4ish where I met the lovely Becky from doesmyblogmakemelookfat and a few other lovely ladies too! We went to the Simply Be shop on Oxford Street and had a look round (found a few pieces I wouldn't mind getting once I get my first pay from my new job!) and then I went to pick the lovely Hayley from the tube station before we all headed up and over to the Sanderson Hotel where the event was being held!

There were so many beautiful ladies as well as lots of beautiful pieces for the next collection - I'm even very tempted to get a bikini for the first time in ever as I completely fell in love with the pink bikini on show and the black and white polka dot bikini!!

I also saw this gorgeous jersey wrap dress, that will be warm if a little chilly but also cool enough to wear on a really hot day!


I overall cannot wait for next year for Summer and Spring, but I also want to say a huge thank you to Simply Be for this amazing opportunity!!

Love 

Emma Victoria

xoxoxo

Review; Collectif Pearl Coat (Beige)

Happy Saturday! Sorry today's post isn't up at the usual time, but I've been so wrapped up into my reading, that last night I forgot to write this post up (and while I write this I'm actually watching the rugby)!!

Anyway, today I thought I'd show, and review my absolutely stunning new coat! I'm in complete awe and love with this coat - I waited a year to purchase it, and its everything I expected and more.

So lets begin with the actual aesthetic looks to the coat.
The Pearl Coat has a 1930's style with stunning pleats on the waist, bust and back of the coat to give volume and to shape. The coat has a small hourglass cut to the waist, which is also supported with the flare of the skirt on the coat too. (Perfect for those ladies who want to flatter their figure, or to acheieve a little hourglass figure while wearing a coat). The collar, cuffs and trim of the coat are all in a faux fox fur which is so super soft you never want to take the coat of at all! I also saw a post on Tumblr where the Pearl Coat looks identical to the one in the picture (link here).

The coat itself, is very heavy, but at the same time its very cosy and warm. I genuinely can't wait to have snow again in the UK, just so I have even more excuse to wear the coat!
I bought this coat in a size 20, and its definitely true to size, I'm in between sizes in Collectif varying from a size 18 -22, but I'm predominantly a 20. The coat has a good little bit of stretch to it, not loads but enough to fit over my rather voluptuous lady lumps. The buttons are mighty sturdy too, as well as positively cute. What I love even more with the faux fur neck collar, is that you can have it loose like I am wearing in the images, or you can fasten it up so its more tighter around your neck for more warmth; there is 3 hook and eye fasteners on the fur collar, and is a really lovely option to have, depending on what the weather may be.

The coat also has really good pockets - I'm very fussy when it comes to coats with pockets. My last coat had poor excuses for pockets and I couldn't even put my phone in them without it falling out - however the pockets on the pearl can probably hold a compact mirror, lipstick and my iPhone 4s quite happily - which is perfect if you are just quickly dashing out and don't need nor want to take a handbag! (Also perfect to pop your hands in if you gloves aren't keeping your hands toasty!)

My favourite part of testing anything that has a flowy skirt to it, is the twirl test! I didn't expect this coat to be too twirly considering how heavy it is, but I was pleasantly surprised! If you are walking down the street the skirt actually swings as you go, making you look like you've stepped out of the 1930's glamour scene (no complaints here!), but if you really want to get some va va voom, then just spin in a circle (I do it a lot, way too much some times!) and then you can really get some volume under the skirt - definitely a happy girl here! No worries if it's windy though as the coat will definitely hold down so you won't have to worry about having any Marilyn Monroe moments!

11/10

So overall I think this whole coat is phenomenal - its just perfect and is classically elegant.  I even think giving it an 11 out of 10 is still not justifying how amazing this coat is, in design and quality. You can either dress it up or dress it down! I'd pair this coat with my Patsy Herringbone skirt, black tights, black pumps, a cute top and cardigan/bolero with this coat for a cute winter outfit!
The price of £185 may be a little steep for those on a budget, but I promise that it is definitely worth its price tag!

You can buy your's here:
Green - http://www.collectif.co.uk/plain-pearl-coat-p-vaw140611-c-green.html
Beige - https://www.collectif.co.uk/plain-pearl-coat-p-aw130609-c-beige.html 

Love 

Emma Victoria

xoxox

(P.S If you want to see my twirling around in the coat then check out my Mini Review on YouTube!)

OOTW: Oh My God Olivie!

Since probably about 2 years ago I've been pining over the Olivie, the reason I never bought it earlier was because A) I couldn't decide on which colour to buy first B) It wasn't available in my size. But I finally caved and bought the pink one seeing as I don't own many pink dresses!

Pink Parasol, Bow and Crossbones - £6

Hell Bunny Pink Olivie Dress, Rockabilly Pinup - £31.88

Hell Bunny White 25" Petticoat, Amazon - £34.99

Pink Paisley Bandana, Amazon - £2

T-Bar Heels, eBay - £15

I did my signature eyeliner, and I had white and pale pink eyeshadow blended out along with my neon pink Barry M lipstick!

I put my hair in a half up half down do. The up being a simple 60's bouffant along with my pink bandanna and the rest of my hair in its natural condition.

Recently I've been super in love with my parasol! I've always wanted one and I finally purchased this gorgeous one from Bow and Crossbones!!

Another technique I'm in love with is doing up the halter neck in a different way from normal, and its so cute! (And it makes me boobs look FAB!

Lots of love my gumdrops!

Emma Victoria

xoxoxox

Body Confidence Week!

Well, this week has been Body Confidence Week and what better way to promote this then showing you my figure. I was originally going to do this post at the beginning of the week, but honestly, I didn't have the guts. It was only when my friend and photographer Eddie said to me "Its Body Confidence Week for Christ sake Emma!" until then I didn't realise how stupid I really was being.
I have also faced a fear by taking this picture - I haven't worn a swimsuit in 2, nearly 3 years because they are so figure hugging, and I was always worried I would be judged - so here goes...

I use to be super self-conscious and always wore frumpy clothes cause I hated my figure and here I am now facing my fear of wearing a swimsuit and posing in front of a camera. 

I Hate: 
My thighs
My tummy
My Butt
My Boobs
My Back
My Neck

But I'm beautiful. It shouldn't matter what anyone says about my figure, or my boobs or my butt, or what size jeans I take. Nothing else matters. You can be a size 6 and be beautiful and curvy, you can be a size 26 and you will still be beautiful and curvy! Beautiful is not and never will be defined as a number.

Never let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain size to be considered beautiful or perfect - a) beauty isn't a number b) there is no such thing as perfect in society; perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

So what's your biggest body fear? Why don't you face it? Why should it matter what anyone else thinks? 

Have you ever compared your figure to someone else's and wish you had there's instead of your own? WHY?! Okay, I admit, I have done this many times in my life, and sometimes I do wish I could trade my "well-known" and curvaceous boobs and booty for something a little smaller - but they are part of me and what people recognise me as. I'm learning to love my body, yeah it's not easy and you can't just change your outlook of yourself as quick as a flash, but you can start by making small changes.

Here's a task if you struggle with seeing yourself as beautiful. Everyday look in the mirror - and you MUST pick one good thing about yourself, whether its your eyes, your hair, anything and then write it down, fold it up and put it in a box. In one month, open this box up and look at all the things you have written down. Or even better, get your friends to write things down into a box anonymously and read all the beautiful aspects about yourself!

You are beautiful no matter what anyone says or thinks - if I can bare myself to you, then you can do it for yourself!

Lots of love

Emma Victoria

xoxox

P.S - Make sure you like my Facebook page and follow my blog. I will be having a 50 follower giveaway and I need 13 more followers (on GFC) to launch this giveaway!

P.P.S - Only just noticed the cuts on my legs in the second picture - but hey, proves no one is perfect!