WIN Tickets to Plus North!
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As many of you may know, in February this year was the most fabulous plus size fashion event known as Plus London Two. Simply Be were very proud to be one of the sponsors of the event – and also to go along and meet lots of wonderful bloggers and fashion fans too!
Some of the northern bloggers decided there should be a plus size fashion event oop north and so… Plus North was born!
Plus North takes place on Saturday 7th July, 1-6pm at Aspire in Leeds. Tickets are only £5 – available from the Plus North website.
What can I expect at Plus North?
- Catwalk fashion show of Simply Be clothing and Simply Yours lingerie starring lots of lovely bloggers
- Drinks and canapes
- Free massages and manicures
- Lots of stands featuring fabulous fashion, jewellery and cosmetics
- Some truly amazing people to meet and get chatting with
It’s going to be fun fun fun! So come come come! 
SIMPLY BE ARE GIVING AWAY 5 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO PLUS NORTH!
If you fancy winning yourself a pair of tickets to this amazing event all you have to do is…
…leave us a comment below!
We’ll pick 5 commenters at random to win a pair of tickets each. Deadline is midnight Monday 14th May.
Good luck!
Suitcase Must-Haves for a Holiday Wardrobe that Works!
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Whether you’re the kind of person that starts putting things in a suitcase weeks in advance, or you’re a last minute pressure-packing of a gal, there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and then realising that, somehow, you still have nothing to wear! Nothing goes together – disaster!
The secret to a suitcase that works is to think about how things can be combined – and then dressed up or down for different occasions.
Here are our key holiday picks to help form the backbone of your holiday wardrobe…
Day to Night Maxi Dress / Jumpsuit
Find a maxi dress that suits your style and with the right accessories you’ll be able to wear it both day and night. This cotton maxi dress will keep you lovely and cool. Likewise a jumpsuit is perfect for casually mooching down to the beach but will also look sensational with heels and lots of jewellery for evening dinner and drinks.
Versatile bottoms
Denim and white linen goes with just about everything so they make for great mix and match day time pieces. For alternatives that will take you through to evening, try palazzo pants or a maxi skirt.
Multipack tops
Find a top style you like and choose a pack with a few colour options. Black and white is always a safe bet but think about what colours will complement they other things you’re taking.
Cover ups/ layers
Whether you simply like a little more coverage or you just want to be prepared for a change in weather, it’s always a good idea to take some layers with you. Even in hot countries evenings can get chilly. Leggings will come in very handy for laying under skirts and dresses if the sun’s not quite what you were hoping for.
Take these basics and add a few of your favourite fashion pieces plus some fabulous accessories and you’ll be pretty much there when it comes to creating a holiday wardrobe that works for you.
Discover our Brand New Maternity Collection
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We’re pleased to unveil our gorgeous new maternity range at Simply Be! Available in sizes 14-32.
We’ve lots of fashionable styles, from skinny jeans to palazzo pants and maxi dresses, meaning you can look pretty all through your pregnancy – without ever having to compromise your style.
As well as being on-trend, our maternity collection comes with lots of clever design details, to keep you completely comfy. Take a look at our Maternity clothing guide see all the features that mean you’ll be both looking and feeling good.
If you don’t know where to start when it comes to maternity clothing, our maternity starter pack is a very good place to, well – start! It includes leggings, a cami and an over bump band that you can use to customise your existing clothes or wear all together. You’ll get so much use out of it!
What’s your trouser style? We’ve got them all!
And of course we’ve some gorgeous dresses and tops for the summer:
Shop our complete plus size maternity clothing range>>
Thoughtful ideas for Mother’s Day
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Mums. Where would we be without them?
Mother’s Day is on the 18th March – that’s a week on Sunday – are you organised yet?
If not, have a look at some of the great gifts you can order at the click of a mouse.
We’ve got something to suit everyone!
Fashionable Mum
Girly Mum
Foodie Mum
Check out the full range of gifts at our sister site The Brilliant Gift Shop – you can shop with your Simply Be account!
Happy Valentine’s Day from Simply Be & Simply Yours!
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Happy Valentine’s Day! To celebrate, it’s free delivery all day today, with lots of love from Simply Be and the Simply Be underwear brand, Simply Yours!
*Free standard delivery worth £2.99 only. Discount will be deducted at the checkout. Expires midnight 14th February 2012.
Whether you’re free and single or happily paired up, we think that the 14th February should be about celebrating the most important person in the world – you! Women are often guilty of putting everybody else first, 365 days a year, so today why not show yourself a little love?
It’s the perfect day to indulge your girly side!
Hearts and flowers not your thing? Don’t let that get in the way of your day of indulgence!
Your Perfect Christmas Weekend Wardrobe
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It’s not just your Christmas party that requires a fabulous outfit – Christmas weekend means spending lots of time with family and friends – some of whom you only see once in a blue moon, so we all want to look our best. Then of course there are all the photo opportunities. And let’s not forget that any occasion is lots more fun when you look and feel fabulous!
Christmas is a very busy time, so the last thing you want to be worrying about is what you look like. Get your Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day outfits all planned out and then you can just relax – as much as you can!
Here are our suggestions – but of course everybody does everything differently over the festive period, so adapt these outfits to suit Christmas your way.
Christmas Eve
Many people like to get together or go out for drinks on Christmas Eve, so this glam look is just the thing. You can’t get more Christmassy than festive red while the leather-look trousers add a daring dose of rock’n'roll – but you could always swap these for plain leggings or tights.
Christmas Day
The day itself is usually a time for family get-togethers so choose an outfit that will keep everybody happy. This chic blouse from our Lauren’s Way collection gives a bold colour pop that’s perfect for Christmas Day whilst palazzo pants are both comfy and on trend. Add a touch of sparkle with a hair accessory plus some fab shoes. If you’re doing the cooking or lots of running around after people then simply switch the heels for some fab flats. Effortless!
Boxing Day
Whether you’re out for some fresh air to walk off a bit of that Christmas pud or simply snuggling and snoozing, a soft knitted jumper dress and thick tights will keep you warm and cosy. Shearling lined boots and bag add to the cosy feel and a scarf will add extra warmth. Royal purple is just the colour to keep that festive feeling going.
The Simply Be Gift-Buying Guide
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Whether Christmas shopping is something you love or loathe we could all do with a bit of inspiration to help us along!
If you’re stuck for what to buy that certain someone, here are some of our easy ideas – you can buy them all online with your Simply Be account!
The Gorgeous Girly
For girlies that love to look glam, how about some Lauren’s Way tanning products? Then she can get that immaculate TOWIE finish without having to step near a sunbed!
The Awkward Man
We all know at least one of them don’t we? Whether it’s a dad, brother, uncle or your other half, the fellas can be tricky to find great gifts for. Choices may seem more limited when buying for the boys as they can have quite rigid tastes – so why not get them something you know they’ll love but make it extra special by getting it personalised?
The Lovely Lady
Mums, aunties and grans – they all deserve a bit of treating don’t they? A fluffy fleece gown and some cosy slipper booties are the clothing equivalent of a hug… and we all love hugs, don’t we?
Tiny Tots
Our friends at The Brilliant Gift Shop have got so many ideas for toddlers that you will have no problem finding something wonderful. Something from the Learning & Development range will set them on their way to becoming a brain surgeon whilst still being lots of fun!
Tricky Teens
Teenagers can be notoriously hard to please. Channel their creative energy by getting them started on guitar, or tick off two of their favourite foodstuffs in one by treating them to a chocolate pizza!
The One Who Has it All
What do you buy the person who has everything? Give them an experience they’ll never forget! Our experience days range from sports car track says to a studo recording session. They’ll have the memories forever.
Take a look at the complete gift collection at The Brilliant Gift Shop - and remember, you can use your Simply Be account to shop!
Christmas Shopping – A Survival Guide
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Christmas shopping can be so much fun when it’s successful. But it can be a major stress if you just can’t find that perfect gift.
Here are our tips to keep on top of it all so that there are no last minute Christmas Eve capers!
Shop online
Once upon a time we had no choice but to battle the hectic high street to get our Christmas shopping done – but now it can be done from the comfort of your own home. Get that laptop out and get searching – the sooner the better! Remember, you can use your Simply Be account to shop at The Brilliant Gift Shop and at Feel Good Essentials. We’ve extended our returns period too, so if you order between now and Christmas you have until January 14th to return something if it’s not quite perfect. If you need some inspiration, The Brilliant Gift Shop has a handy gift finder:
To surprise or not to surprise
Obviously it’s much easier to buy someone a present if they’ve asked for something really specific. But there is a lot to be said for a surprise gift that lights up their faces – as long as you get it right. Compromise and get what they asked for but get them a little inexpensive extra as well – the best of both worlds.
Build up a box of goodies
It can be tricky to find that one big gift for someone that costs the right amount and ticks all the boxes. Instead, you could build up a box or a hamper of all their favourite things. Whether it’s gourmet gifts for a foodie family member or beauty essentials for a glam girl friend, it’s so much less stressful to pick up lots of little things over time. You could even wrap each item individually if you want to add to the excitement.
Get DIY
We all know Christmas can be an expensive time so if you’re crafty or into cooking, why not have a go at making your own gifts? From homemade jam, chutney, cupcakes and cookies to cushions, jewellery and scrapbooks there are endless ideas that are both thoughtful and inexpensive. And fun to make too!
Be prepared
There is nothing worse than being given a gift and realising you haven’t bought the giver one back! Buy a couple of generic gifts (chocs or toiletries are great) and wrap them up, unlabelled, so that you have something ready to go if you receive something unexpectedly.
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!
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)