FASHION | Boux Avenue - Gift Buying Guide For Men

Boux Avenue has released this great lingerie buying guide for men! I don't know about you but I often dread to think what my OH has purchased me for Christmas (this year I think I am getting a skateboard - I do kind of want it, but only so we can go out together more often on them).

In our romcom delusions we often imaging that our spouse will treat us to some beautiful lingerie that will make us feel really confident and sexy. In reality if this was to happen it quickly becomes apparent that our idea of sexy silk and delicate lace is not the same as his idea of hideous stripper wear! Even without images of red PVC there is always the dilemma of size and comfort! You may not be a thong girl, but he might want you to be! Not to mention cup sizes are complicated enough for women, without men trying to work it out!

This guide will help even the most hopeless man buy you a suitable gift just by answering the questions in the infographic. Not to mention that there is free delivery on all orders over £50! If the thought of your partner buying you underwear makes you nervous, you could always suggest he buys you a gift card, there are three different designs and range and start at a balance of £10.

Mens Buying Guide

FASHION | Curvy Kate Third Birthday Blogger Event

I was lucky enough to be invited to Curvy Kate's Third Birthday and I had a fantastic time. When we got there we heard some great stuff about the brand, including how it came about and also how they work with De Monteforte University, who have a design a Curvy Kate module! It was really interesting to hear how Curvy Kate has evolved but has kept very much a family business. It's great to hear that everyone has input into designing the bras and the relationship between the models and the girls at Curvy Kate is amazing.

The second I walked in to the room I felt comfortable with everyone and as if I already knew a lot of them (even the bloggers). We got to meet a few of the Curvy Kate models who gave us a sneak peek of some of the Autumn Winter range which I might add is lovely, there are some really lovely pieces that I can't wait to buy!

After having a look at the range (and a few glasses of bubbles) we started playing pass the parcel so that we could all get to know each other! It was hilarious! We then got fitted! I went there wearing the 36E I got from Boux Avenue, that I blogged about a here. Although I loved the bra and said it fitted at the time, having worn it for a bit longer I realised that the cup was too small and I was bulging round my armpits, the bra did however support me better around the band than my old ones. Curvy Kate fitted me at a 34G and even replaced the Princess Bra that I reviewed here. The new fit is amazing. 

I get to choose one of the bras from the collection to review, it's a tough decision but I'll let you know once I get it!

Love Lilla x

FASHION | Curvy Kate Pink 'Princess' balcony bra - Review

Pink 'Princess' Balcony Bra*

After my post where I complained about how difficult it was to buy DD+ bras I got in contact with Curvy Kate about getting a sample, so that I could see how well there bras fitted and they very kindly said I could choose a set and they would send it out.

Literally the next day it arrived! I choose the Pink 'Princess' Balcony Bra* and matching undies. I decided to get the 36E and the bra fitted perfectly. What I love about this bra is that it is so comfortable and it also separates my boobs so they don't feel so big and bulky, who know it might even mean that I can wear a shirt without it gaping.

I decided to go for this set because I usually buy very 'sensible' bras and wanted to feel a bit sexy. When I was bigger as I felt  really unattractive in my underwear so wanted to draw as little attention to my body - that is however not to say that I don't think larger women can't be sexy Georgia Horne and Mia Tyler are two very sexual curvy ladies. I just personally felt unhappy at my old side despite my O/H loving me regardless.

Anyway thank you so much Curvy Kate for sending me this set to try and making me feel sexy :) I will definitely be buying Curvy Kate in the future.

                                                                   Love Lilla xx

FASHION | @BouxAvenue Bra - Fit Review

As I mentioned in my previous bra post I ordered some bras in the Boux Avenue sale. I ordered two Bridgette embroidered unpadded balconette bras as I had to finally admit that none of my bras fitted me anymore. All my other bras were a 40E and they just offered no support and basically made me look larger than I am and were awful. This need is what provoked me to go into town and resulted in my first ever bra post. 

First things first, I decided that I would work out my bra size myself. I originally used the stupid +4/5 method, which I will tell you now is NOT ACCURATE. I then tried the more accurate way that I got from one of my favorite bra blogs and came back with a 36E.

I was still skeptical about this size - partly because I couldn't believe my band had gone down so much in such a small time. But when I got my sports bra at She Active the amazing sales assistant, Robyn, confirmed I was indeed a 36E. So my bra search started and again the really helpful lady at La Senza measured me as a 36E before confirming nothing in the shop would fit me. So I decided to order some from Boux Avenue. 

I ordered the bras in a 36E ready to have to send them back and get another size, but they were true to size! We missed the delivery in the morning as we were both at work, my O/H called to rearrange and the courier dropped them round an hour later! The bras were packed beautifully in a lovely box (shown above) and scattered with petals, which I loved!

The bra itself is really comfortable and the fit is perfect, the band is firm around my chest/back, the wires at the front are flat against my chest, I have no quadraboob and the cups aren't too big! I would definitely buy more from them again. With a bit of luck they will open a store in Brighton too!

The only problem I had with my order is one of the bras was damaged when I received it, so I've had to send it back. This was very easy to do and Boux Avenue offer free returns, lets hope they have it in stock.

Love Lilla xx