An Autumn Struggle! Wide Calf Boots With Wide Calf Boot Store.

An Autumn Struggle! Wide Calf Boots With Wide Calf Boot Store.

With autumn the need for putting on boots becomes inevitable as it gets cooler and you don't want to have cold toes! But for some of us it's not as easy as just going to the shop and buying a new pair of boots. I'm talking of people that has bigger calves than most. I remember when I was younger, how much I envied people's boots cause they looked so stylish and elegant. I didn't own a pair of boots until I was in my 30's because of this as I couldn't find wide fitting boots in Norway. I tried on a few pairs of wide fitting calf boots when I visited London, but despite the boots claiming to be for chunkier calves they still didn't fit. I have quite toned legs for a fatty, but I have lots of muscles in my calves and they make it difficult to find something that fits. 

When I was contacted by a company called Etrias where they asked if I wanted to review some boots from their online store, Wide Calf Boot Store, the size issue was my first thought. In the email from them, they told me that they had wider calf boots, but still so I had to take a look at their website to see if they did wide enough ones for me. They do wide calf boots, extra wide calf boots and also cater for slim calf as well which I think is very good. I saw that they had boots from JJ Footwear which I had tried products from before, and knew fitted well. They also had boots from a company that also specialises in footwear for wider calves, Jilsen. I have heard so much nice about boots from them so I was very excited to try some myself. 

I looked at all the measurements, and used the measurement calculator  on the Etrias website very carefully and found that with my 19.5 inch calves would need a pair of boots in size 6.5 XXL. I looked at all the different boots I could chose from, but the first ones I saw was actually the ones I ended up choosing. 

These stunning Jaden* boots in the colour Chestnut. 


Aren't they gorgeous? I loved them as soon as I saw them, but I looked through the rest of all the stunning boots that are on the website. They have such a great range of high quality boots in all kind of designs and colours. You're bound to find some that fits your style and your price range.



I love the gorgeous detail on the outside of the boot with the gold coloured fake zip and the button. The colour is beautiful and I adore the darker shaded toe.


Jacket from New Look (sold out)
Top from Dorothy Perkins (here)
Skirt from New Look (sold out)
Tights from Primark
Boots from Wide Calf Boots Store (here)*



These calf fitting is spot on and the zip went up with no problem. As you can see in the photo, I've even got a bit of room to spare which will be great for colder weather and wearing jeans or leggings inside them. 



When I put the boots on they felt a bit tight over the foot. This is something I think is quite common with leather boots. They need to be worn in before they get really comfortable. I will use some thick socks in them and wear them around the house to walk them in. I've had leather shoes before that has been tight on my foot to begin with, for so to become the most comfortable shoes there is.


The heel is very sturdy and practical. This boot is stylish and elegant and I can see myself wearing it with lots of different outfits.




Every year when the summer is over, I'm sad to say goodbye to cute ballerina shoes and sandals, but as soon as I get a pair of boots on, I remember how much fun it is to wear more clothes in the cooler seasons. And when you can find such sexy and beautiful boots like these it just make my autumn wardrobe that much easier to put together.

What are your experiences with wider calves and boots? Tell me in the comment section as I would love to hear about it.



* gifted item, but all views are my own.

My Holiday Outfits, Or The Lack Of Them!

My Holiday Outfits, Or The Lack Of Them!



Whilst on my travels in Spain the last 10 weeks I've only worn a fragment of all the clothes I brought with me. Since we were driving down there I had the chance to bring so much more than I would normally do on a weeks or two weeks holiday so I brought no less than 25 dresses with me. In addition to this several pair of shorts, t-shirts, tops, skirts, shoes, necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses, hair flowers and so on, so needless to say I haven't been lacking things to wear. I have also been shopping a little bit while out here so all in all I have got so much clothes, shoes and accessories to bring back to UK. It's quite crazy really considering we have had washing machine in all the places we have stayed in.

In this blogpost I thought I would show you some of the outfits I've worn whilst I've been away. Although I must admit that most of my time was spent in swimwear and beach cover ups like these so nothing too exciting to show off.






But when we went out exploring around Spain or doing something special I actually made a bit of an effort and put something nice on.  I've noticed I've been wearing different kind of styles throughout the last few weeks. All from edgy to super feminine.  I should have thought before I left that it would be way too hot to use all my pin up style dresses. They have too thick fabric to wear so I've opted for lighter maxi dresses or shorter summer dresses. I'm getting more and more in love with wearing shorts as well, so they have been firm favourite. Note to myself is to get more shorts for my next holiday!!! I have also bought quite a lot of different sunglasses as you can see!!!

Well I will let the photos do the rest of the talking and please let me know what outfit you liked the most.

Not bad sunglasses for one euro!!!


Old dress from Topsy Curvy


My favourite Scarlett&Jo dress which is great for sightseeing.


Lady V London and Vixen Curves for a birthday party


Lindy Bop and Dorothy Perkins makes a nice combination for a cooler night. 

Lady V London lovely design

Found this skirt in C&A for 3 euros so teamed it with a simple t-shirt from New Look

New Look t-shirt, ASOS shorts, Modcloth Sunglasses and Evans shoes


Lovely maxi dress that I bought at C&A. I'm going to do a review of this dress in  a later post. 

Love this outfit. Skirt from Everything 5 Pounds, top and shoes from Primark and my lovely sloth necklace I got from Leah for my birthday 

When it's too warm to wear anything you chose cool cotton. Old top from New Look and skirt is a very old dress from Zizzi

Cow t-shirt I bought in Guadalest cause I love cows of course!!! 



Lovely velour from Pink Clove

Going back to my late teens/early 20s in this 90s edgy and bold look 

Cute style from Cow Cow



An Old Favourite From Taking Shape

Back to the 90s again!!! 

This dress was the first thing I ever reviewed as a blogger and I still love it so much. One of my very favourites!!!





I guess you can say I have worn my usual style, which a colourful mix of retro and new things. When people ask me to describe my style I can't as I haven't got a particular one. I wear what I like and therefore creating my very own Mookie style. 


What outfit did you like the best? 



How To Save Money At Christmas

How To Save Money At Christmas



Save Money On Christmas But Never Lose The Sparkle


When the idea of Christmas is in the air, it is normal for many people to feel a major financial crunch when they start to think about the different gifts that they need to get for friends and family members. The recent economy has left a great deal of people with a lot less money to spend on gifts than what they are used to having on hand.


The fact of the matter is that you do not have to worry. There are a lot of options available to you other than going to the mall and spending far too much money. At the same time, Christmas is a time where you can reflect on the birth of Jesus, spend a lot of quality time with your friends and family, and also appreciate everything that you have in your life.


However, this is not to say that the exchanging of gifts should not be a part of your holiday events. Christmas shopping is fun and the gifts can be a nice way to show others how much you care or that you enjoy sharing in a friendship. These are some festive and creative ways that you can save some money this Christmas season without losing sparkle or straining your budget.


Send Cards Instead Of Gifts


A nice Christmas card can show someone that you are thinking of them, offering a meaning that is more than just a commercial gift. You can save even more money if you are able to purchase your cards in bulk. Be sure to include a handwritten note that will personalize your card.


Make A List


When it is time to go shopping, have a list handy of everything that you need to buy to help prevent impulse purchases. Stay on top of the money that you can afford to spend and then stick to it. Establishing a budget ahead of time will help you to save a good bit of money this Christmas.


Do A Secret Santa Exchange


Instead of purchasing gifts for all of your family and friends, you can draw one person's name and be their Secret Santa. Putting a dollar limit on just ho much to spend on one person will save you over buying for several.


Save Money On Wrapping Paper


Buy your wrapping paper at local discount stores. You can also save up gift bags throughout the year and you will not need quite as much paper to wrap with. Wrapping paper will also go on clearance just after Christmas, which is the time to stock up about a year in advance so that you can save money.


Shopping Online


Many stores extend sales and promotions for online stores. Compare pricing and look for promotional codes online to help you save even more. You will also save on gas when you do not have to drive to all of the stores.


Tip: Do you like filling Christmas stockings? Try getting free samples they are a great way to fill them up with small little perfume samples, make up samples.


Plan Your Online Purchases In Advance


A lot of online stores will offer buyers free shipping when they reach a specific dollar amount. Plan out your purchases in advance so that you can order your items together and save by receiving reduced or free shipping. Shipping the items directly to the recipient will also help so that you do not have to pay to re-ship them after they arrive. Many online companies will give gift options that allow you to choose gift wrapping, a tag and even a receipt.


Offer Homemade Gifts


A smart way for you to save money this holiday season is by creating gifts that are homemade. Think about sending baked goods or crafting items instead of buying items in a store. Homemade items will offer a sentimental touch that you are simply not able to find in the department stores. Look for interesting homemade gift ideas online and then plan ahead so that you can have a good amount of time to create the gifts.


The Gift Of Service


You can create redeemable coupons that will be good for a variety of services, such as serving breakfast in bed, a home cooked meal, a back rub, free car wash, doing the dishes, mowing the grass, or tackling errands. There are endless possibilities that you can choose from and a lot of people will appreciate the help over a store-bought item.


Focus On The Celebration


Talk with your friends about spending time with one another instead of exchanging gifts. There are sometimes that people will feel obligated to give gifts over and over each year. Tell people you would rather spend time with them instead of a present.


Share Holiday Meal Costs

If you are hosting a holiday party or meal, never be shy about telling people to bring certain items. Allow others to bring food items so that everyone is able to share in the celebration. Make the focus about spending time with loved ones instead of trying to make everything perfect, which could lead to the best Christmas you have ever had.




Smoking? Have You Ever Thought About Stopping?

Smoking? Have You Ever Thought About Stopping?

Growing up I was surrounded by people that was smoking. A lot of my friends, my boyfriends, family friends and my mum were all smoking and I never thought anything of it when I was younger. It was "normal" that my mum smoked. My dad had been smoking when he was very young, but had stopped long before I was born. As a teenager I tried smoking, but since I had asthma it made me feel really sick. So I never started smoking. As a grew up and got older I started to worry more and more about my mother especially as she was smoking a lot. I asked her if she had ever thought about stop smoking and she said that she had, but she found it so difficult. I guess it is the same with all addictions, you have to be motivated to stop. You have to go inside yourself and find the will and strength to quit. You have to do it for your sake, or for your future. I would be happy if you took time to read this as my mother died of a big heart attack at the age of 65 partly due to excessive smoking.

Five Reasons Why Your Skin Wants You To Quit Smoking


Amongst anti-smoking activists the month of the October is known as Stoptober month, a month where we are all tasked with the collective task of encouraging the people around us who smoke to quit. As a site that’s concerned with everything beauty-related, we thought it would be good to take part in encouraging smokers to quit by reminding them of the sort of damage cigarettes can do to their skin – sorry, but if we don’t, who will.


In conjunction with The British Skin Foundation, I have gathered the top five reasons why you should give up smoking if you are really want to have healthy skin.


1. Smoking ages the skin


According to Dr Anjali Mahto, British Skin Foundation representative and a consultant dermatologist, our skin, much like any other organ in our body, is susceptible to damage caused by cigarette smoking. If, as a smoker, you want to prevent pre-existing skin conditions from getting worse and wish to age gracefully, then it is about time you started considering stopping – and if you aren’t a smoker, then it’s advisable that you don’t pick up the habit.


The British Skin Foundation further adds that smoking speeds up the skin’s ageing process as it reduces oxygen levels in the blood and promotes the production of an enzyme known as matrix metalloproteinase-1 – two things that considerably degrade elastin collagen. People who smoke develop wrinkles around their mouth, also known as smoker’s lines, and crow’s feet – things that have repeatedly been proven since the first studies were conducted in the 70’s. In some studies, it’s been seen that women are more likely to be affected by smoking than males.


2. Smoking slows wound healing


According to Dr Mahto, smoking also affects our body’s healing process. As such, the healing of a wound after surgery or trauma can take longer than it should in smokers. At the same time, there’s a high risk of failure of skin grafts and wound infection in people who smoke. The habit can also lead to the development of leg ulcers that never heal. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in a cigarette causes vasoconstriction, which in turn affects oxygen supply to the skin, slowing down the production of new collagen.


3. Smoking can cause skin cancer


Compared to a non-smoker, a cigarette smoker has twice the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma or SCC – a type of cancer that affects the skin. At the same time, a smoker is also at a higher risk of contracting oral cancer – about 75% of all reported cases occur in smokers.


4. Smoking leaves you susceptible to skin disorders


Dr Mahto further explains that some skin disorders like dicoid lupus erythematosus, hidradenitis suppurativa, and psoriasis amongst others, are more likely to happen in smokers than in non-smokers. Exposure to smoke from tobacco leaves increases the likelihood of developing psoriasis. Sadly, smokers that already have psoriasis have lower chances of improving compared to non-smokers. However, the good thing is that if a psoriasis patient quits smoking, then they are more likely to notice positive effects on their condition.


5. Cigarette smoking can cause smoker’s acne


According to the British Skin Foundation, smoking not only causes the skin to age prematurely, but it could also leave smokers, especially female smokers, at risk of developing smoker’s acne. British Journal of Dermatology researchers have noted that this type of acne is characterised by large blackheads and blocked pores; however, the spots themselves are less inflamed compared to regular acne.

To quit smoking is a huge achievement, an achievement that most people should aim for, as it is one of the biggest killers in the UK, there are ways to get help to quit, and at the moment they are running Stoptober which is aimed to help people to quit, there are also other options too like using an e cig, or using nicotine patches.

I wish you a good Stopober and if you have successful or unsuccessful stories of quitting smoking, please feel free to drop them in the comments below.


Luxurious Plus Size Womenswear With David Nieper

Luxurious Plus Size Womenswear With David Nieper

It seems like the plus size market is booming lately with new additions of brands that either extend their range or a new plus size shops appear. Nothing makes me more happy. One of these is a company called David Nieper. It's a new name to me, so I took a look at their website. Their sizing seems good and most of their stuff goes up to a size 28. I haven't tried any of their clothes yet, but I'm keen to try some. On their website it says that they are using the best fabrics and that their garments are made in UK which is always a plus with me.
Since I'm a self acclaimed professional online shopper I couldn't help to look through their collections and look for things that I might invest in. Cause their clothes are a bit pricier, but for a great quality jacket, silk lingerie or knitted jumper that can wear season after season without going off trend, then I don't mind paying a bit extra.

When I look for classic pieces of clothing I tend to look for black, grey, navy or red as these are my staple colours that I return to all the time. Especially in autumn/winter clothes. 


My favourite colour combination is red and black so this jacket caught my eye straight away. I really like the pattern, the unusual collar and the hip length design is nice as well. This kind of jacket would be a great transitional item in autumn and with a polo jumper it would be great in the winter as well.  


Or how about this amazing silk t-shirt? It's so versatile and would be a go to item with a simple pair of jeans, for work with a nice blazer and skirt or with a pair of shorts on holiday. Since silk is a natural fabric it's so great even in really warm conditions. And the colour is just so elegant and goes with most things. 


Or what about a luxurious long silk nightdress? You would feel a million dollars if you wore this to bed. And who doesn't like the cooling feel of silk against their skin? The design is stunning and the colour is beautiful. 

David Nieper can offer more than just coats and silk. They have a good range of travel clothes, travel accessories and even post surgical bras and other lingerie. All in great fabrics and designs.

I've completely fallen in love with a few things on their website and will be wishing for something for Christmas as I would love to add some pieces into my staple wardrobe. 

Do you save up to buy luxurious pieces or are you more of a fast fashion kind of person? 





Luxurious Velvet With Pink Clove

Luxurious Velvet With Pink Clove

Autumn is definitely coming and my 10 week long travel is coming to an end. What an amazing experience it has been and the memories both Mike and I are left with are all so great.
But before we are heading back to everyday life we are going to Norway for a week and I will need warmer clothes out there than I've needed in Spain.
One of the things I've been looking forward to with coming back to UK is to wear warmer clothes as it's a lot of fun mixing up textures, layering and wearing boots and darker colours.

When I was asked by Pink Clove if I wanted to review one of their new items I chose to go for an item that is very much combining two trends that are very strong at the moment. Velvet and cold shoulder. This beautiful Bright red Chrissy velvet dress with cold shoulders *is such a statement piece for the colder months, either on its own or teamed with a leather jacket. A perfect dress for a that special party where you want to be sexy and still be elegant. Velvet brings me straight back to my youth in the 90s where I was very much embracing this style with my favourite item of clothing being which was a blue tight fitting velvet dress, not unlike the one I'm wearing here. Fashion trends come and go, and I have to admit that velvet is definitely one my favourite trends as I love this luxurious fabric so much.



I'm wearing a size 26 in this dress as this body-con style is very figure hugging and I like a bit of extra room in body-con dresses. I love the length of this dress as it reaches me just below my knees. I would say that 26 in this dress is a teeny bit on the tight side of the scale, especially over the tummy. It's not uncomfortable and it flows nicely over my bumps, but if you're between sizes I would size up if I was you. 

 Beautiful dress for a party or Christmas. Or whenever you just want to feel a bit more glam!



I love mixing textures, so I chose to wear my patent wedges as a nice edgy contrast to the femininity and fluidity of the velvet dress. I think that works so well and looks really cool and sexy. Velvet is a material that screams for attention on its own, so I've chosen to keep the accessories at a minimum. I chose a red necklace with gold accents as red and gold is stunning together.  



  I love the long sleeves and the cold shoulder detail adds even more sexiness to the dress. The neckline is gorgeous as I like my dresses and clothes to be a bit more booby. It feels better when the girls aren't squashed up to your neck! 



I have several pieces of velvet in my wardrobe that I will be using a lot in the winter. Taking these photo in over 30 degrees heat in Spain proved difficult as I was so hot. I was very happy that the photos turned out so we as they did cause I was thinking I looked like a hot mess.

Would you wear velvet? How would you style it?




*this product was gifted to me, but all views are my own.