Too Fantastic For Words - S/S12 Review at Emma Plus Brighton

I and Anna can count ourselves extremely lucky to be down in the south and have the fantastic Emma Plus independent plus size boutique within our reach. Located in Church Street, Brighton this shop boasts an awe inspiring stock from many European designers covering a size range from an 18 to a 34. The store owner Emma Hayes studied art and design and has now worked within the plus size sector for over 20 years. A plus size woman herself she has an exceptional understanding of what plus size women want, need and wish for with our clothing. She has a fantastic blog/forum here. The shop boasts extremely loyal customers from their testimonials who come from far and wide to avail themselves of the unique experience that is Emma Plus. We plus sized fashion fiends are gradually finding our shopping trips limited to the internet. Whilst internet shopping is a boon and can allow us to get items from the other side of the world we lose the interaction and service that stores like Emma Plus can offer from alterations to a cup of tea and a smile

Me and Anna got the train up to Brighton. It's less than an hour from London out of Victoria station. I would also suggest that as a destination for a weekend away and a shopping trip combined, Brighton is fantastic. The store is a short walk from the station (10/15 mins) or about 4 pounds by taxi. Me and Anna arrived at the shop very quickly, another handy point to note is that if you are driving the shop is smack bang next to an NCP carpark which in Brighton is amazingly good news. Emma also does a deal where if you purchase items over £100 you get 2 hours free parking - BONUS!

The day me and Anna came we were in the wonderfully capable hands of Kim as Emma and Jaq were buying for AW12 at Anna Scholz's studio. We had a complimentary coffee, a chance to sit down and catch up but we soon got round to the all important thing - THE NEW SEASONS CLOTHES !!!.

This beautiful Marina Rinaldi Sport embellished top (above) is a classic example of Emma's exceedingly clever eye when it comes to buying for the shop . It reminds me of the beauty of impressionist paintings, in a viscose mix it's breathable and it's a highly versatile piece that looks great teamed with black trousers, or would look lovely under a black skirt suit.

This stunning Anna Scholz aztec print print (below) was the next thing that caught my eye. In a delectable mix of silk and lycra this is one of those dresses that will never date. Worn casually with beaded flats and plaited hair for a day on the beach, it's easily jazzed up for the evening with glitzy earings, heels and an updo on the hair.

For my sins of which there are many I could not resist keeping the Anna Scholz dress on for longer, I then picked up an amazing Kristen Krog lace style cut through shirt that looked amazing over the top of it (below)

The next thing I wanted to try was this gorgeous tunic top from KjBrand (below). I loved this, This vivid blue based print in a viscose mix this would look gorgeous over black trousers, indigo blue jeans and would also work as a throw over a bathing suit.

Anna tried on this other gorgeous KjBrand tunic (below) With Anna's italian colouring this looked stunning. It looked amazing over her denim skirt and would look equally gorgeous providing a rainbow riot of colour against a black skirt or trousers.

Next Anna tried on this popping xxxx top.. It looked great over the denim, but would look equally gorgeous over black leggings.

Me and Anna really wish we could show you everything in stock but we can't so please go and visit for yourselves. On the 12th of May a really special event is happening Anna Scholz is visiting the store and is bringing the cream of her S/S 12 collection with her for you to purchase. This is going to be an amazing day with drinks and nibbles, prize draws and the opportunity to meet the amazing lady herself so don't miss out get yourself there !!!!__

Product Review - Oskia Skincare Micro Exfoliating Balm

When I went to the Curves in Couture show in November I received some skincare samples from a company called OSKIA. I tried them out and fell in love with them and made an order for their Micro Exfoliating Balm. I've been using it for about six months now and wanted to share it with you how great I think it is

I have ultra sensitive type one skin which is milk pale, never tans and gets very sore with harsh perfumes or chemicals. In addition to this the hormone treatment I am on for the endometriosis gives me horrid spots. I have spent so much money on exfoliating products and have frequesntly ended up binning them because instead of leaving my skin with a youthful dewy glow it looks scratched, red and irritated.

OSKIA's name is derived from the ancient Greek for ‘delivering beauty’, it's a high performance,nutritionally-designed natural skincare range that takes a nutritional and scientific approachto delaying premature ageing. The unique dual-action approach supplies the skin with essential cell nutrients - vitamins, minerals, proteins or amino acids, glucides and essential fatty acids – from both the inside and the outside to help rebuild cell health and efficiency, and harnessing the latest pioneering bio-actives to further promote a younger looking visage. All OSKIA products contain their unique patented MSM-Regen Complex™, natural collagen boosts, repairs and regenerate, these properties combine with breakthrough botanical, mineral and marine bio-actives including Ribose, Nicainamide, Galactoarabinan, Arnica and Laminaria Complex, Hyaluronic Acid, 03 Stressed yeast lysate, Immortelle Bleue, Omega 3 & 6 and powerful Swiss Apple Stem Cells; all scientifically proven to work.

The history of the brand is interesting also. I would really suggest visiting their website for the delicious skin friendly recipies by Thomasina Miers, Masterchef winner and owner of the divine Mexican restaurant Wahaca even if you don't buy anything. The company is still under a decade old and has a total bevy of awards to their name. The other thing I love in this time of outsourcing and offshoring is that the products are made in Wales. Now when my parcel arrived I fell hook line and sinker for the gorgeous packaging. It really embodies the brand. It's simple and elegant. I opened the tub the first thing that got me was the smell. No whiff of alcohol I really cannot put the scent into words but to me its just gorgeous and natural. You gently rub about a 2 pea sized amount onto your skin and there is when you feel the difference. The MSM and silica granules gently buff away dead skin cells and help unclog pores with no scratchy or rough particles. I usually do this for about 5 minutes then you rinse with warm water and it transforms into a soft milky wash that leaves your skin glowing. I usually do this once a week. It leaves my skin soft and radiant, my moisturiser sinks in brilliantly and when I put make up on it doesn't just sit on flaky areas because I don't have them.

Its £46 for 50ml you can buy it at Liberty the department store in London, or online at their website here. I know it is not cheap but the quality of their products and the results are outstanding. They do have regular money saving options, gift sets at Christmas for example. At the moment they are giving you £10 of your first order if you sign up to their news letter which is pretty cool and there are no postage fees. Let me know if you try their products and what you think of them. Tori xx