How to Simply Be happy!
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If you’ve got up on the wrong side of the bed (happens to us all!) sometimes it feels like you’ll never shake off those dark clouds. However, there are lots of things you can do to lift your mood. At Simply Be we want you to feel good as well as look good – so here are our top tips to Simply Be happy!
Uplifting scents
Fragrance has great power to affect your emotions. Something zingy and citrussy will clear your head and brighten your mood. Try an invigorating shower first thing with something warming like this Burt’s Bees body wash with citrus and ginger. Alternatively, simply add a spritz of a favourite perfume that you save for special occasions. It will make you think of happy times!
Colour therapy
Even if you’re the kind of person that lives in black, adding just a small splash of colour to your outfit can make a big difference. You may feel like hiding away but if you wear something eye-catching you’ll find that you’ll suddenly start getting lots of compliments – and you can’t beat that for a mood-booster! We dare anyone not to feel good in this gorgeous Joe Browns top. If you like to wear makeup, try a slick of bright lippy too.
You should cocoa
Eating healthily will make you feel good so make sure you get plenty of fresh fruit, juice or smoothies for a vitamin burst and plenty of water to keep headaches at bay. Having said that, it’s a scientific fact that eating chocolate releases endorphins in the brain that make you feel good so if you’re in need of a pick me up it’s the perfect treat! Go for a high cocoa content for even more of a hit and to avoid a sugar crash later on.
Talk the talk
If there’s a reason you’re feeling down rather than it just being ‘one of those days’ then you’ll feel much better for getting it off your chest. Get on the phone to a good friend or family member or invite them over, and tell them you’re in need of a rant or some advice. They’ll definitely understand, and no doubt you’ll do the same for them one day – if you haven’t already!
Sleep on it
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s kip. Get an early night and the next morning you may find that your mind has worked everything out overnight! Don’t be tempted to take an alcoholic drink to help you sleep; it may knock you out at first but after that it will have a negative effect on your quality of sleep. Try a relaxing bath, a milky (non-caffeinated) drink or a soothing essential oil on your pillow or in an oil burner.
Here’s to happy days!
Cool looks for hot days!
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Well this sunshine is a bit of a turn up for the books isn’t it?! Just when you least expect it – a real scorcher of a summer’s day!
When days like this come along, you need to be sure your wardrobe is ready, so you can get out there and make the most of it. When the temperatures soar, you need an outfit to keep you nice and cool so that you can look your best. Look our for breathable natural fibres like cotton and linen to keep you coolest.
Maxi dresses are a godsend on days like this. This cute crinkle fabric maxi is made of floaty cotton voile that will keep you lovely and cool, whilst the shirring and back ties mean it will still show off your shape beautifully:
Many ladies prefer to wear trousers on hot days – stops your legs from sticking together! You can’t get cooler than a linen and cotton blend, like these wide leg summer trousers. Team with a cool cotton tunic top:
If you can’t find a spot in the shade then make your own shade with a 70′s style floppy hat and sunglasses:
Feet can swell in the heat so wide fitting sandals will give your feet lots of room to breathe! We love the ‘less is more’ style of these toe posts:
Enjoy the snshine – and don’t forget the sun cream! 
Shorts Story
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Have you embraced summer’s high waisted shorts? Like the jumpsuit trend, it might be a look that you’re not sure about at first, but again like the jumpsuit, you’ll find that once you’ve tried it there’s no going back!
Because of the high waist they’re perfect for working curves, and many ladies find them more comfortable than skirts or dresses. If you’re packing for your holidays they’re a key component of your mix and match wardrobe, and can even be dressed up with heels for an evening out.
If you prefer a style that finishes a little lower on the leg then crop trousers make a great alternative. Crop harem pants or super-cute bow trim capri pants will ensure you stay in style:
Simply pack a selection of pretty print tops and some sandals and you’ll have dozens of outfits to choose from!
What would you wear with your shorts?
The Styles of Summer at Simply Be
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Fashion never stands still – and neither do our fashion buyers! That’s why fresh in this week at Simply Be we’ve got the hottest fashion finds of the summer. With these pieces in your wardrobe you’ll be able to tick off every trend – and look fabulous of course.
Pineapple Tunic Dress
Juicy fruit prints were all over the spring/summer catwalks, so grab this cute little jersey dress while you can. The ruched sleeve detail and elasticated waist make for such a flattering shape.
Printed Palazzo Pants
The print palazzo pant has got to be the key trend item for summer and is set to stay still big for autumn/winter. Style up this new wardrobe staple with a simple white tee and floppy 70′s hat for a look that’s so now. The fluid fabric and super wide leg shape is ever so flattering while the ditsy print is cute but not too busy. What’s not to love?
Colour Block Stripe Top
Stripes and colour blocking are not to be missed this season, so we designed this bold top to tick off both the trends in a figure-friendly shape. We’ve kept the stripe to the hem for a flattering effect whilst the shoulder bow adds a feminine touch. Keep it summery by teaming with white jeans and bold accessories.
Chinos
Chino-style trousers are hot to trot this season for a smart casual and super sexy look. Wear with heels to lengthen those legs and team with a simple jersey top or a white tucked in shirt to show off your shape.
Gypsy Dress
The gypsy dress is a key shape for your summer wardrobe and such an easy style to slip on. In soft chambray denim with blouson three-quarter sleeves it’s about as comfy to wear as a dress can be. The versatile neckline can be worn on and off the shoulders. Accessorise with a waist belt and wedges.
Gingham Dress
Got to have gingham! This classic red and white check piece with apron detailing fits the American Girl theme perfectly; a little bit cowgirl, a little bit barn dance, but a whole lot stylish! And thanks to the back shirring, elasticated waist, adjustable straps and self-fabric belt, it’s going to fit those curves beautifully too!
Toni Jones picks her fashion favourites from Simply Be!
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We got together recently with the fabulous Toni Jones, Fashion Editor of the Sun’s Buzz magazine.
She picked out all her favourites from the Simply Be SS11 collection – as modelled by the gorgeous Naomi Ishimada!
Here are some of her top picks!
Angel Ribbons Print Tunic and Camisole
Shop all Toni’s favourites at Simply Be >
Vogue Italia Plus Size Edition Round Up!
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock you can’t have failed to notice the impact of Vogue Italia’s curvy cover edition recently, starring Robyn Lawley, Tara Lynn, and none-other than our very own Simply Be model, the gorgeous Candice Huffine!
Here’s Candice, who’s represented by Ford Models, talking about the shoot:
The cover and the accompanying photo shoot has taken the fashion world, and the plus size world by storm. The headline ‘Belle Vere’ means ‘truly beautiful women’, and, well, we couldn’t agree more! Healthy looking role models for women everywhere.
The shoot has stirred up lots of different opinions, which is always a good thing!
Many people are saying (as Candice says herself in the video) “what was the hold up?”. Why has it taken so long to get curvy women onto the front of Vogue when it’s been so incredibly well received? Verena from Styleite discusses how much more relatable Candice is:
“…there’s something relatable about seeing a model with a body that more closely resembles the one we wake up with every morning. And if she can be considered beautiful according to fashion and magazines and all those so-called arbiters of taste, then maybe the rest of us can too.”
Lauren at Chicology is disappointed by the issue. Admitting that it’s a step in the right direction, she’s unhappy by the way that creating a dedicated plus size issue sets apart plus size models/people as different, a novelty rather than the norm, and argues that ideally all sizes of models would be integrated in a single magazine issue.
“I know I should be happy to see these women confidently posed on a major cover, but perhaps dedicating an entire issue to the matter is a slightly off-putting move by Sozzani, as it only draws attention to the fact that they’re different.”
Kerry at StyleCaster picks up on Vogue editor Sozzani’s controversy-courting approach by referring to these models, rather than any others, as ‘truly beautiful women’. Whilst approving of the curvy shoot in general, she queries the very sexy approach taken by photographer Steven Meisel and the association of the fuller figure with sex appeal (in contrast to high fashion, it might be implied).
‘…the overt sexy factor was upped for the editorial images by Steven Meisel, but I think the message – and the girls – do convey true beauty (bootie in the air not withstanding).’
One thing that’s not up for debate though, is how good the women look, and that we’d all like to see more of the same please!
And if Candice goes off to become the next Crystal Renn, don’t forget that you saw her at Simply Be first
View the full shoot here. (NB contains some nudity – NSFW)
Lovely Lingerie for a Summer’s Day!
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Ah don’t you love it when you can start wearing your summer wardrobe! All those light, bright colours and strapless or strappy tops!
But there’s no point having a gorgeous summery outfit that’s let down by the wrong underwear – a greying bra strap on show just won’t do! Wearing the right bra is key to getting the most out of your summer look.
Here are our top tips to help you get it right.
The invisi-bra
White is a really big trend this summer, but one of the main mistakes people make is to wear a white bra beneath a white top. This will actually show up quite clearly because white + white = extra white. If you want your bra to blend in then what you really need is a skintone bra, like this one:
Multiway Magic
For halterneck or asymmetric strap tops and dresses you need a bra that can adapt to suit. This is where the multiway bra comes in!
Strapless wonder
For more delicate halternecks or strapless tops it’s got to be a strapless bra. Don’t be tempted to just take down the shoulder straps of your normal bra and tuck them in! Not only will you get lumps where you tuck the straps in but you simply won’t get the right shape and support. This strapless bra gives comfortable support up to an H cup:
