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 Smoothie Bra Review

curvy kate smoothie bra*

OK, so I am a sucker for Curvy Kate Bras! Firstly, they are beautiful and secondly I find they are a really good shape and very supportive. I wrote a blog post a while ago when Curvy Kate released the press release about the smoothie bra and when they came into stock I was so privileged to get sent out a sample (in black) as I have had my eye on it ever since they showed it to me at the blogger party they had earlier on this year!

It is a moulded cup, which is something I am not very used too, mainly because they don't often make moulded cups in a GG! However, now that I have tried it I am practically living in it and will definitely be buying it in the other available colours - a beautiful raspberry and a nude/blush colour.

I'm usually a 34G-GG in Curvy Kate bras depending on the style, but the smoothie came up a bit big on the band so I wear a 32GG. The bra is a great every day bra and subtly leopard print detailing is lovely. The bra starts at a 28" band.

Love Lilla xx

FASHION | @BouxAvenue Brodie Embroidered Bra

Brodie embroidered full support plunge bra*

Ever since I got my bra fitted at the Curvy Kate Blogger Event I have been desperate to re populate my bra collection, so when Boux Avenue offered me a bra set of my choice from their website I was not going to say no! 

I previously reviewed a Boux Avenue bra I bought from them which I found so supportive compared to the 38Fs I'd been wearing, but in reality the bra was too small in the cup and too big in the brand ( I have since bought the correct size as I loved the fit.)

As I'd been fitted as a 34GG in the Curvy Kate Entice, which I know comes up small, so browsed the 34G bras on the website. Even though I knew that Boux Avenue did DD+ bras, I was surprised at how many of there bras come in a 34G, but I was disappointed to see that none of their swimwear went past a FF. 

I eventually chose the Brodie, one reason I chose it was because I needed a white bra, and, I'm not a big padded bra wearer. I also like the embroidery detail.

It arrived very quickly and as before came in the lovely Boux Avenue box covered in rose petals ( which smell soo good). I tried the bra on but the cup was slightly too big so I sent it back for the 34FF ( the exchange was simple and very quick). The 34FF was a perfect fit. I also like the shape it gives my chest, it's very natural and the support is great.

The additional plus is that now that I know that I am a 34FF, I now fit into their DD plus Swimwear range. Every time I have used Boux Avenue the customer service has been really good, the delivery quick and the quality of the bras is really good, especially for the prices, I will definitely continue to buy bras from them and probably a load of swimwear for my holiday in October.

Love Lilla xx

FASHION | Curvy Kate Entice Bra Review

When I was at the Curvy Kate Blogger event I fell in love with this Entice set*. I never wear a padded bra because I usually want to minimize the size of my chest, but every now and then a girl needs something that makes here feel sexy.

At the moment with my weight loss I've got a limited amount of bras and clothes that fit me and to constantly replace my wardrobe is just not financially possible. This has left me feeling a bit down about my appearance, firstly the clothes I have are limited, because some have just got too big to wear and those that are wearable aren't necessarily the most flattering things.

Getting this Entice set, even though Joe is the only person who is going to see it, is going to give me some hidden confidence. I decided to get it with the matching thong, to make me feel even sexier, i'm usually a brief or shorts girl. Having tried the set on the bra fits perfectly, I instantly felt amazing! I got the 34 GG ( the same as I got for the replacement princess) because I think this one comes up a bit smaller than the others.

Also I just saw that you get £7 off a £30 spend at Brastop http://useth.at/bx7a  today (9/08/2012) with the code GAMES

Love Lilla xx

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 | @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

LIFESTLYE | Discrimination Of The Breast Kind

Despite having a relatively large chest since my early teens, it was only a year or so ago that I started wearing properly fitting bras. After spending years squeezing my E/F cups into ill-fitting Marks and Spencer's bras, and listening to their awful fitting advice (I was once told I had an A cup), I finally learnt how bras should support me and will never turn back.

Not only does a well fitting bra support your breast better, but it also can change your shape, make you look slimmer and be more comfortable.

My problem however is the amount of places that actually stock DD+ bras. Yes there are loads of retailers online but do I really need to go to each suppliers website individually to buy Bras (Freya, Curvy Kate etc)? Also I'd like to know for sure that the bras are going to fit me when they arrive.

1. Yes Marks and Spencers stock them, but I feel reluctant to purchase bras from a company who can't even fit their models properly for their marketing and advertising campaigns let alone advise women on what bra size they should wear. This is actually a real sore point for me as Marks and Spencer's are a British institution know for their quality service, yet they are consistently failing to fit women correctly.

2. My lovely O/H bought me some bras in LaSenza for Christmas (40E), I went there this weekend to get refitted (as I've lost weight) only to find out that since they went into administration and reopened, they have changes suppliers and now only go up to DD. I'm very disappointed with La Senza, stocking larger bras at affordable prices made them my go to shop, but alas no more.

3. Bravissimo, are fantastic, they have a great range of DD+ bras and swimwear. The only issue for me is the price, even in the sale a bra will cost over £20. Obviously it is important to invest in decent bras, but I don't have the money to buy a good collection at £30-£40 each, especially while I'm losing weight.

4. Debenhams is a safe place to shop for Bras, they have a large range of brands, the problem is that my local store does not generally hold a large amount of DD+ bras.

5. It was pointed out to me that I had forgotten Ann Summers. My personal opinion of Ann Summers is that it's bras are cheap and nasty looking. In my experience, their bras are quite ill fitting, even when fitted correctly I find that the underwiring digs in. Thats not to say that everybody will have the same problem.

I have ordered some bras in the sale from Boux Avenue who are reasonably priced and do a large range of DD+ sizes. Fingers crossed they fit well.

If you would like to get some good advice on bra fittings and DD+ ranges or clothes for a fuller figure, I definitely recommend reading Georgia Horne's Blog.

LIFESTYLE | She Active - Gait Testing

I am writing this post with utter elation! It's Satuday as I write this, although I'm not posting this until Monday, I just couldn't wait to get typing!

If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know that at the beginning of the year I started running to aid my weight loss (35lbs off so far). Having been obese for the majority of my life, I've never been much of a sports person, in fact I hated it, but now I feel rubbish if I don't exercise regularly! I look forward to working out nowadays, it's no longer a chore, but time for me to take care of myself and clear my head.

After a recent run my trainers fell apart, literally, the sole fell off. So obviously it was time to buy some new trainers. Since I'm running regularly I thought it was time for me to invest in some proper running trainers. Running trainers are important if you are a regular runner as they can help reduce injury. My running partner recently invested in some running shoes and went to She Active where she was Gait tested to find what she needed from her trainers. She had such a great experience that I though that I would give it ago.

Gait testing is used to decided what sort of support or cushioning you need from your trainers depending on your feet and ankles and how you walk or run.

Going to She Active I was a bit apprehensive, I've never been very confident in sports shops but I felt as this is the slimmest I have been in about 15 years it was about time I needed to get over it! I went to the shop in Brighton and was helped out by the supervisor, Robyn, the second I started talking to her any worries I had quickly faded.

Not only was she lovely and friendly, she was very knowledgable about what she was doing, and unlike most shop assistants I've dealt with explained everything she was doing and why various different trainers would suit me or not. Robyn also explained to me the different types of trainers I would need to run off road, and advised me to use other trainers in the gym so that my running trainers would last longer.

Once Robyn had determined that I was a pronator, she showed me a selection of trainers that were suitable for me. I tried them on and she looked at how they supported me while I walked and then ran on the tread mill.

My other concern was that all the trainers would be ugly, but they have a range of trainers in very feminine colours and styles. I ended up getting the Nike Zoom Structure + 15s (pictured above). I immediately felt comfortable in these trainers and when I had to put my Converse back on I really noticed the difference in support.

As She Active has a sale on at the moment I thought I'd have a look at the other stuff in the shop (they sell Stella McCartney's Adidas range). I thought it was about time I invested in a new sports bra as my one is starting to feel loose because of my weight loss. Robyn again was really knowledgable about all the bras, she asked me what I'd wear it for, and when I replied running and going to the gym she pointed out all the ones that would support me best. What I was also very surprised/happy about was that they had a large range of DD+ bras, which is a miracle! I mean La Senza no longer stock my size and they are a bloomin' bra shop! What then impressed me even more is that Robyn started to explain to me how the bra should fit correctly and even checked it over when I tried it on to ensure I had the right one (Obviously she asked me first, I'm not shy, but I know some people are).

The thing about She Active is that it is a shop that is specifically designed for women. What I mean is every tiny detail is created with its customers in mind, they have a full range of sizes (not just in bras but in sportswear), they have trainers made specifically for women, there are designer brands, they have pink clothes, girly accessories, and even the bag that they put your purchases in make you feel like you have been to a high end boutique and not a sports shop.

To be honest I can't praise them enough, and I just wish that every shop I went to gave me the same experience.