Frocks & Frou Frou

Blouse: Liz Jordan @ Noni B

Top: Target

Jeans: Embody Denim

Shoes: Poetic License

Oh dear, I've been absent for days, and I've returned with an outfit that I'm not actually that sold on, but I didn't want to make you wait any longer.

I actually have a really cute new dress that I bought last week, and I wore the heck out of it over the weekend, but every time I thought about going outside to take my wardrobe shot the heavens opened, and it rained and rained and rained.

So instead here we are, Monday morning and an early start and I was lying in my warm bed mentally trying to put an outfit together so that I could spend as little time as possible naked.

The problem with dressing in the dark is that on paper an outfit might sound fine, but in reality the different components don't actually pull together that well. 

This morning's outfit is case-in-point.

In retrospect (and if I'd given myself more time to get out the door this morning) I'd have exchanged the jeans for a pair in darker denim that were narrower in the leg so that I could balance out the volume of the knitted top. Probably I'd have swapped the heels for flats or boots, and I may have rethought the combination of polkadot shirt and top as well because the blousy sleeves on the shirt kind of dwarf my upper half. 

Oh well, you can't win 'em all.

Top: Liz Jordan

Cardigan: Target

Jeans: Embody Denim

Shoes: Chie Mihara

Result=Not Good, but never mind. I'll try and catch the sun tomorrow!

Top: Victoria's Secret

Jeans: Embody Denim

Belt: Fiorelli

Shoes: Zu

You know, I've only every ordered from Victoria's Secret once, which is silly considering how much wear I've got out of this one blouse since I bought it way back in 2008.

I think I was a bit disappointed when it first arrived, because encompassing my f-cups it didn't look anything like the image on the website.

But then I should probably accept that the models on the Victoria's Secret website are Victoria's Secret models, and I need to try to blank the fact that they've all got gazelle-like proportions and concentrate on what the clothes might look like with a few more curves inside them.

Because this blouse looks great. It doesn't look like it does on Miranda Kerr, but it's still pretty darn hot, and who's to say that something else might not be equally successful?

Shirt: Events

Cardigan: 8Inkerman, remixed

Jeans: Embody Denim

Shoes: Zu

Belt: Fiorelli

and my carefully chosen outfit of the day looking like this:

I've been invited to be a brand ambassador for my favourite denim line, Embody Denim

I know you've all heard me rave about Embody before, I bought my first pair of jeans from them years ago before I started Frocks And Frou Frou, and have been a devotee ever since.

Embody was started by plus-size model Natalie Wakeling who was - and I'm sure all of us can attest to having similar experiences - completely and utterly fed up with not being able to find good quality stylish jeans cut for curvier figures. No elastic waistbands, no stonewash, no pretendy denim, or truckloads of spandex. Just good quality materials and workmanship, classic, contemporary styles and a fit that flatters.

I've got other pairs of jeans in my wardrobe, but none are as favoured or long-lasting as my Embodies.

Here's some examples of the styles that I have in my collection:

Bella: Great wide-leg jeans in a strong indigo blue - nice wide waistband, and very suitable for generous thighs and for whittling a waist.

Fever: Good basic bootleg, no fuss no bother - slightly higher waistband, again, really good for generous thighs, and folks who like a bit more support around the old mid-section.

Bebe: My hot jeans. These are quite low-waisted bootcuts, and have the most gorgeous wash and my favourite flap pockets at the back.

My new Tempt Narrows, now that my old ones have finally had the thighs worn out of them. They're my favourite pair of narrow-leg jeans, and make my butt look great. They're tight in the thigh, but not uncomfortably so, and somehow, magically, manage to avoid muffin-topping me :)

So, that's my collection - like what you see? Well, you're in luck, because for one week Natalie's offered Frocks And Frou Frou readers the opportunity to save 25% off everything at Embody. Just email her on natalie@embodydenim.com.au with your desired style & size with the word "Frocks" in the subject line, and she'll send you a discounted invoice! Do it!

T-shirt: Giordano

Cardigan: 8Inkerman

Jeans: Embody

Shoes: Claude d'alban

Yay! Last day of Frugal February!

I hope everyone's had a delightful weekend - I didn't stagger home until well past 3am this morning as last night The Sophisticate and I went to see The Room which I can categorically say is the best worst film ever made. Seriously, it's so bad it made my brain hurt.

Top: McQueen @ Queen Clothing

Jeans: Embody Denim

Shoes: Rocket Dog

Now, I think it's pretty much established that I love my frocks and skirts, but after 38 days of them I'm just delighted to be back in jeans!

I'm back in Melbourne with my Mum having a bit of a break. It's nice to be on holidays, but to also be in my own hometown (I'm usually still in Canberra at this time of year). There's a list of things as long as my arm that I want to do, but somehow it's been difficult to build up the motivation and today we managed... breakfast.

Actually, it's not entirely our fault. I discovered today - to my great surprise - that the 6th of January seems to be the magic Back-To-Work day for Melburnians. This is both good news and bad news, because on the one hand it's annoying to front up somewhere and find it closed, but on the other hand it's quite, well, relaxing.

Jacket: Veronika Maine

Shirt: Events

Jeans: Embody Denim

Shoes: Zu

Belt: Fiorelli

Bangle: Philippa

Well, thank God for that - my Hairy Godmother's back from her jetsetting travels, which means that my fringe is back!

Ever since seeing NinaRibena from Tango & James at the Handmade Market wearing an outstanding apple green jacket I've been secretly pining for one myself.

I spotted this one at Veronika Maine; a label I've always loved, but whose clothes are not cut to encompass the more generously endowed among us. Fortunately this jacket can be worn open.