Body Bashing Doesn't Just Happen To You!

First of all, thank you to everyone who read, shared, liked and promoted my 'Open Letter to OK Magazine' article - over 1300 people have read my blog since yesterday - thank you so much! If you're new to The (Not So) Secret Diary Of A Wannabe Princess, then hi!

Yesterday I had quite a few messages and comments from people who agreed with me, that body bashing is not OK - although it seems that not everyone thinks and feels the same way!

After a night out last night I logged onto Facebook to see that a gentleman felt the need to body bash a beautiful group of ladies. A friend of mine manages a girl band called Concrete Rose and they excitedly posted some photos of their gig up last night on Facebook. 

Concrete Rose & Shayne Ward at their gig last night!

It is quite obvious, even at first glance that these ladies are beautiful - but it seems that not everyone agrees!

I have blocked out his name,
but the comment is still on the Facebook page ;)

I have blocked out his name,
but the comment is still on the Facebook page ;)

I think sometimes it takes something like this for me to take a step back and realise that everyone can encounter the same problems as me. It is sometimes easy to assume that the only people judged for the way they look at the people who don't meet the medias standard of beautiful - yet here you have a group of beautiful, thin, smiley, talented girls and still a man attempts to bring them down because of the way that they look.

The truth is that when it comes to body issues and body bashing - all of us suffer! There are so many people out there that want to bring others down for the way that they look - and not just if you're too fat. So many people it seems live their lives judging people for the way that they look and by the looks of it, it takes the bravery of being behind a computer screen for people to come out and say these nasty, spiteful needless things.

So, whoever you are - whatever you look like - hold your head up high and love who you are. We are all fighting the same battle when it comes to body bashing and feeling confident, so recognise your strengths and ignore those that try to bring you down.

Be-You-Tiful.

Debz xx

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Someone Tell OK Magazine That Body Bashing Is Not OK!

Dear OK Magazine.

As a BBW Blog I write about a lot of issues surrounding body image, positivity and generally learning to love yourself. Unfortunately in our already very judgemental society it is often a case of 1 step forward and 2 steps back because of publications such as yourself. I did not expect to be writing about the royal baby... but you have really made me feel like I have to!

I understand that our nation is image obsessed and that in order to sell copies of your magazine you want to report on what you think that people want to read. I even understand to an extent when you want to report about celebrities who have lost or gained weight, because that is after all what you think your readership want to read!

But OK Magazine, it is NOT OK to make a nation of new mothers feel like they are not good enough because they have not sprung back into shape. When I saw the front page of your Royal Baby special magazine I cringed a little but it didn't get my back up - maybe it should have, but maybe we are just so used to seeing magazine reporting how new mothers should be fit and back into their tightest jeans within months. I saw your magazine being reported online and simply rolled my eyes that you would release a special addition of your magazine on the day the royal baby was born, simply about how this bundle of joys mother should get back into shape straight away.

And then, this morning I woke up to social networking websites reporting on a (now deleted) tweet and I was flabbergasted that you think it is OK to send something like that - although, maybe the fact that the tweet has been deleted shows that you know that body bashing a brand new mother who gave birth just 26 hours before is not OK!

Living in this world is tough - the obsession with body image is growing and as a publication that sells thousands of copies a week you have a massive bearing on how people feel about things like this. When you send disgusting tweets like this, you send a generation of new mums into panic because they too have a body that shows the evidence of the new life they have created.

Kate took brave steps that most of us do not have to do; she walked out to hundreds of cameras wanting to broadcast her body to the world. She knew that millions (if not billions) were waiting to see what she looked like... and who wants to do that just a day after they have given birth? To send a tweet out that hints towards her looking like she has given birth to more than one person is a disgrace and I cannot understand why you haven’t already issued an apology.

I hope for every expectant mothers and every new mothers sake you see the error of your ways, apologise quickly and tell them that their miracle bodies are absolutely in their right to show the world that they gave birth to a baby and that there is no pressure for anyone to lose weight, tone up, fit back into their jeans quickly.

Take note OK Magazine, because what you did is far from OK!

Debz x

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ABC Of Summer Dresses From Excite Clothing

Thanks to the wonder of Facebook and some lovely plus size bloggers, I have recently stumbled across the Excite Clothing website. The website seems to stock a wide range of items, in a whole range of sizes so if you're looking for a new online retailer to try then I would say it is well worth checking them out! 

I have yet to order from Excite Clothing yet, you can blame my bank balance for that! However, if I were to order - here are my ABC picks of dresses for the summer.

Absolute Bargain - Printed Chiffon Dress

I really really love this particular print of the dress, but if you click the link then you will see it comes in 3 varieties, all of which are really nice. For less than £15.00 I honestly think this dress is a complete bargain. I love the fact that it would be long enough to wear as a dress, but still nice enough to be dressed with leggings or tights if you wanted to. Teamed up with some statement jewellery and a pair of pretty sandals I think it would be a lovely addition to any wardrobe. You can buy this dress here:

Best Value For Money - Metallic Skater Dress

I actually have this dress in black which I bought from eBay just before Christmas. I really like the fact that it is sparkly but not over the top. I wore it to a Christmas party and it was long enough to not need leggings or tights under it, although it would be fine with them if you preferred. The dress is usually £19.99 but is on offer at the money so you can even save yourself a pretty penny if you decide to buy it. You can buy this dress here:

Cash To Splash - Pink Pleated Sheer Panel Dress

At less than £30.00 the dress is hardly going to break the bank and it is lovely! I love the fact that it has an elasticated waist as I feel that this gives the best/most flattering fit for me. However it was the bright pink that made this dress stand out for me and I would definitely love a dress like this in my wardrobe! You can buy this dress here:

I will get around to purchasing from Excite Clothing and do a proper review, but for now these are my ABC picks of dresses for summer.

Have you bought from them before, what did you think?

Debz xx

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Loving Lovedrobe Dresses - As Easy As ABC!

Thanks to Twitter I have discovered a brand new shop that does pretty dresses up to a size 32 - YAY! Although the fact that I want pretty much every item of clothing on their website isn't quite so good - damn my inability to win the lottery!

Anyway, it has been a while since I did an ABC feature on the website, so I thought I would do it on Lovedrobe seeing as they have so many nice pieces to choose from. I have yet to buy from the site (I will!) so this is just going on look although Twitter feedback from others is good!

Seeing as we're in the midst of a heat wave that shows no sign of letting up, I thought I would do a feature on summer dresses I liked on the Lovedrobe website!

Absolute Bargain

Ladies Black/Multi Leaf Design Rouched Waist Dress

I really like the unusual pattern on this dress and I think the colours work well. At just £15 for this amazing dress it is the perfect way to be able to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe this summer. What I like most about this dress is that you will easily be able to dress it up or down for almost any occasion. I can really see it being dressed with leggings and sandals for a relaxed summer evening out or even put with linen trousers and smart shoes for a more formal event. You can buy this dress here.

Best Value For Money

Multi Colour and Width Sailor Stripe Dress

I really, really like the multi width stripes on this dress as I feel it gives the dress a nicer, friendlier tone that if all the stripes were the same size. I haven't got this dress but I have others in similar cuts and I find them really flattering and comfortable to wear. I really like the fact that it comes in at the waist and is elasticised around the bust which gives someone with a similar shape to me support and a flattering shape. You can easily dress this up with leggings and sandals and I can see it being worn with some really nice statement jewellery. You can buy this dress here :)

Cash To Splash

Koko Coral and Stone Geometric Patterned Dress

Unsurprisingly this dress caught the eye of a couple of bloggers at the recent Lovedrobe bloggers event, I really like the cut and style of this dress - especially after seeing it on the bloggers and how it fits them. It is a really flattering cost and even though it is under my cash to splash section, it is available for less than £40! You can buy this dress here!

Having reviews these dresses and spent time going over the clothes available on the Lovedrobe website (all in the name of research honestly) I really cannot wait to be able to purchase a couple of items, check out the fit & post up some proper reviews and photos for you! 

Have you tried Lovedrobe? What are your experiences?

Debz

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Where Can I Buy Confidence?

Some of you may have seen that I was quoted in The DailyTelegraphs Wonder Woman section last week...

“Debz, 30, is an internet marketer, who also runs a plus size fashion blog Wannabe Princess. She knows Miranda through Twitter (there’s definitely a scene) and loves Club Indulge, although she says her size doesn’t put her off going to mainstream nights.

“I’d go anywhere, I don’t really care, but we all come along to this together, so it’s a good opportunity to see people.” Although she admits: “If I can’t fit past someone here, I’ll tell them to move, whereas in a normal club I’d feel like I had to squeeze past or go the long way round.””

Apart from learning that I probably shouldn't talk to journalists when I am drunk, I was glad to have a link to my blog & some new visitors - Hiiii!

Anyway, I guess write-ups like this lead to 'normal' people discovering blogs and BBW websites etc. because it is something that they wouldn't usually Google to find.

I had a lovely email from a lady the day after the article and it made me realise that the blogs that we all write (And I don't mean this in a big myself up way - I mean it generically across the board) are doing some good!

" I stumbled accross your site through an article in a paper about BBW night clubs. I was so happy to see this, you look so confident and your clothes are fab.... I feel that in my life long quest to be thin I have wasted so much time on being unhappy being fat. I have so much more confidence now as I used to feel succesful when im thin and unsuccessful when im fat! I am learning to accept me as a big person, not easy though, any tips please, I love your style and confidence. xx"

I wrote back to the lovely lady (Hello if you are reading this) but it made me think, how exactly do you 'get' confidence?

This has been saved on my computer for years, I do not know the original source - sorry!

A few years back one of the biggest things for me was realising that many people suffer with the same body image issues - whether they're 'justified' or not. I started to post body positivity quotes that I liked on my Facebook and I was surprised at the number of friends that related to what I was saying. I always thought my thin, beautiful friends would never understand how I felt but actually in this image-conscious world we are all fighting the same battle.

What was also a big step for me was realising that if people wanted to pick on something about your image/look/style they will - they'll call you out for wearing glasses, or having the wrong haircut or having the wrong clothes.

This has been saved on my computer for years, I do not know the original source - sorry!

However the truth is that these people don't own me - they don't have any bearing on my life or the good memories I make with the people who do matter. Someone might make a comment in a nightclub or while I am out, but they are the ones who spend their night concentrating on others - I am usually so happy to be out with people I care about that I don't even register other people’s negativity.

I am not saying I am 100% confident - who is!! But what I am saying is that any issues I do have are just that - my own issues. I do not have to let any ill confidences I feel about my body have a negative effect on my life - or even my day. 

Whatever size clothes you wear, you deserve to be happy & have good people in your life, so never let the haters bring you down!

This has been saved on my computer for years, I do not know the original source - sorry!

I hope you're enjoying the sunshine

Debz xx

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My First Ever ASOS Curve Purchase

When I read about the ASOS Curve last week, I had to make a purchase. Having never bought from ASOS  Curve before I wasn't 100% sure what to buy - but in the end I opted for 3 new dresses... I know, surprising! haha

My bargain purchase came a few days later, all packed lovely and securely - How exciting!

A little sneak peak of what I bought! ;)

My favourite dress from the 3 I bought (I'll more than likely blog about them all at some point) was the T-Shirt Dress In Letter Print that was a bargain at £13.00 in the sale!

I decided to wear it out on Saturday night and really liked the fit. As I am quite short, it was just the right length for me to wear as a dress without leggings, exactly what I needed for the heatwave that we experienced this weekend.

I liked the lightweight material of the dress, which made it comfortable to wear all night.

I put the photos up on Facebook the next day and someone pointed out there is an unfortunate choice of words across the front, made up in the random pattern in the lettering. ASOS Curve have apologised, refunded my money and assured me that it isn't the same on every dress!

All in all, despite the word in the pattern (which once you see it, you can't help but notice it every time) I was really impressed with the dress & the service I received from ASOS and so would definitely recommend them and their clothes to anyone looking for somewhere new to shop.

Have you shopped at ASOS Curve before, what did you think?

Debz xx

ABC of Summer Clothing Choices From Yours Clothing

Well, rumours have it that we’re in for a sunny weekend – and if these rumours prove to be false then I am not going to be happy! I have a picnic to attend on Sunday, and if I can’t laze about in the sunshine sun-bathing off my inevitable hangover I won’t be happy!

Anyway, with this picnic planning my friends and I have been discussing what we’re going to wear ... I think one of my new tops from Belgium are going to finally get an outing.

I love the selection of summer clothes that Yours Clothing offer... so here is my ABC of summer clothes from Yours Clothing!

Absolute Bargain 

Butterfly print tunic with frill neckline and shirred waist - £18.00

I am a sucker for pretty patterned and this top ticks every box. I really like the cut of this top and it looks like it would be very comfortable to wear. The sleeves give a bit of cover up for anyone who is a little conscious and doesn’t want to show the tops of their arms off too much. I love the pink colour in this top and think it would look lovely teamed with some ¾ length leggings and pretty sandals of flip flops. Great for a summer evening in a pub garden or an afternoon picnicking somewhere - and under £20.00! You can buy it here.

Best Value For Money

Indigo denim short with rolled legs and gold studs - £22.00

I really like these shorts because they allow your legs to get a bit of sunshine, but you don’t have to worry too much about the fact you are wearing shorts. I have some very similar to these but if I didn’t then I would definitely be investing in a pair. For just over £20.00 these are a fantastic addition to any summer wardrobe. The great thing about denim shorts is that they can be dressed with almost anything so over the summer months you’ll be able to get loads of wear out of them – ensuring that they’re great value for money. You can buy these here.

Cash To Splash

Coral and black embellished double layer dress - £22.00

Yours Clothing always offer affordable pieces, so it is hard to find something on their website that is cash-splashing worthy. This coral and black dress caught my eye because I really liked the shade of coral in the top half of the dress. I really love dresses like this which have a different colour on each half – I think they are flattering for every shape and make everyone look great. If you have a summer party to attend then this would be great, especially because the cut allows you to easily team it up with a shrug if you’re out in the evening and start to feel the coolness of the evening air. You can buy this here.

Whatever you’re up to this summer – enjoy!

Does anyone have any exciting plans?