#EMBRACINGME With Curvissa & Their New Plus Size Summer Collection!

On chilly days in early spring, I often catch myself daydreaming of two of the things I’m most passionate about in life; number one, holidays in hot, sunny climates and two, the clothes that I’d wear there.  Nothing makes me smile more than exploring somewhere new in the sunshine!

Fashion and vacays go hand in hand like bikinis and swimming pools, so when I heard that not only had Curvissa launched their happiest summer collection yet but that they were also running a competition for one of their one lucky fashionistas to win £1000 of TUI holiday vouchers, I knew I had to tell you all about it!

Curvissa’s new #EMBRACINGME competition invites entrants to celebrate what they’re most proud of about themselves.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Perhaps you’ve got the promotion you’ve worked so hard for or maybe you’re an awesome mam who can juggle packed lunches, after school clubs and homework with your eyes shut.  Maybe you’re loving the hobby you never thought you’d try out, have a fantastic talent or that you’ve passed a test you’ve been studying for.

You could be loving your curves in the new outfit you’ve built the confidence to wear or you could have raised money for a charitable cause.  It could be anything in your life, as long as it fills you with confidence and leaves you bursting with pride!

WHAT AM I MOST PROUD OF?

Well, you’re reading it; my blog.

By #EMBRACINGME, I am able to inspire others to embrace themselves too!

Many years ago now, I realised that I had lived much of my life feeling like a second class citizen because of my weight.  Rather than genuinely loving myself for who I am, I inwardly judged myself and focused on my insecurities relating to my clothing size, weight and my body shape.  My life was flying by so quickly but rather than truly living it, I was spending my years putting on a massive front, trying to deflect attention away from my tummy and doing my best to avoid jibes from others around me.

Being bullied as a child can do that to you and going into adulthood I’d often find myself apologising, excusing or justifying myself when really it wasn’t necessary.  Childhood can be cruel but you cant spend the rest of your life thinking that everyone will judge you or pick on you because of your size.  I was fed up of being held back by what I perceived was the opinion of others, when really, the only opinion that mattered was my own.

I decided that I had two choices; to live the rest of my life in a shell or to embrace who I am, stand up and be counted.  I chose the latter.

I quit with the negative self talk, embraced who I am and learned to love every inch of myself from the inside out.  When I stopped caring about what others thought about me and focused my mindset on caring for myself, my life really began.  Truly understanding that I have just as much right to love the skin that I’m in as anyone else does really changed my life for the better.  I love my body now and through my blog, I’m inspiring others to love theirs too.

My content has very much grown with me over the years and if you’ve been reading or following me on Instagram for a long time then I’m sure you’ll have seen some of that journey towards body confidence and loving myself, exactly as I am in this moment.  I’m happier than I’ve ever been and its always amazing to me when people who follow me can see that and acknowledge it.  Sure its amazing to work with so many incredible brands and inspiring people but what fills me with the most pride is to hear from those who have joined me on my journey and how my blog or social media have helped them in some way.

This year, I started posting bikini and underwear photos and I struggle to put into words how incredible it feels to have women message me to say they’ve bought their first bikini because they were inspired by my Instagram.

I love sharing snaps from my travels and when women message me to ask questions about travelling as a plus size person, I always take the time to be as helpful in my reply as I can because I know how it feels to lie awake at night sick at the thought of something that should be so exciting, just because of my size.  Over the years, women have messaged me with images from their holiday and told me about how my reply to them really helped them to feel so much more at ease and confident about going on holiday.  One lady was even dreading going on her honeymoon before we chatted and that’s when I really understood the importance of sharing my story online.  Regardless of whether or not you’re a blogger, I think as women we should be collectively supporting and inspiring one another.

We’re all on this planet to live girls and thats exactly what we should do!

By #embracingme, I have been able to live a life that’s happier and more fulfilled than I ever could when I didn’t love myself.  I’m so passionate about sharing that incredible feeling and I’m really proud that my blog can help others to embrace who they are too.  

The thought of other women going on holiday this year and feeling awesome in their swimwear around the pool, inspired in some way by my content, is best feeling in the world.

I love how fashion because of how it makes me feel.  The right outfit can have a significant impact on your mood, confidence and how you go about your day.  I’m a big believer in being the best version of yourself and choosing clothes that not only enable you to feel confident and put together but comfortable and relaxed too.  The outfit that I’m wearing from the new summer collection at Curvissa is a great example of that.

The Sheego Printed Floral Trousers together with the Sheego Frill Hem Long Top coordinate with each other so well thanks to the dark blue colour that runs through both of them.  The floral trousers are made from a stretchy jersey material with an elasticated waistband which makes them incredibly comfortable  to move about in while the slim fit style ensures that they create a great shape and silhouette.  The longline top is equally as comfortable to wear and just as stylish as the trousers with the little design features like the detail on the short sleeves and the frilled hem.  Together, they make the perfect spring summer outfit whether you’re having fun at a fair, going for coffee with friends or shopping in a village at home or on holiday.

Perhaps one of the women reading my blog will have a helping hand towards their summer holiday this year if they were to enter and win Curvissa’s competition!

HOW TO ENTER

If you want to be in with a chance of winning £1000 of TUI holiday vouchers, all your have to do is to tell Curvissa what you are proud of and how you are #embracingme.

Enter on the Curvissa Facebook Page using the form or post about what you’re embracing or post on your own Instagram or Twitter account and include @Curvissa and the competition hashtags #EMBRACINGME and #FEELGOOD within the caption.

The competition runs until 30th June 2018 and full terms and conditions can be found on the Curvissa competition page.

Throughout the competition, Curvissa are also going to be selecting some of their favourite entries to go into a gallery on their website to showcase all of the amazing women who are embracing themselves!

SHOP MY CURVISSA OUTFIT

SHEEGO PRINTED FLORAL TROUSERS // SHEEGO FRILLED HEM LONG TOP

How are you #EMBRACINGME? Don’t forget to enter the Curvissa competition on social media!

*This post has been sponsored by Curvissa. All opinions are my own.