What to Pack for Northern Norway & The Arctic Circle

Visiting the Arctic Circle, whether in Norway or another country, is a magical once in a lifetime experience, but preparing for your trip is a level of overwhelm that I've not experienced since moving house. For someone that resides in a fairly temperate climate all year round, the concept of battling -30ºC doesn't even begin to compute. I found myself in this exact position at the end of November. Having fallen down a rabbit hole of frantic Googling, asked many people more knowledgable than myself for advice and with the benefit of hindsight after living with my mistakes, I'm fairly confident that I can offer you a foolproof guide to getting ready for your trip to the Arctic Circle.

Plus Size Party Look Book

Hey Owlets,

It’s getting towards that time of year where party invites are starting to mount up in my email so I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my favourite go-to outfits to give you some style inspiration for any Christmas events you may have. I went through a phase a few years ago where I’d just started to get invited to press events, so every time I got an invite I bought a new dress. However since then my wardrobe has started overflowing with formalwear, so I’ve been making sure I wear what I already own instead of buying new, and some clear favourites have emerged. 

How to Shop more Sustainably in 2021

*This article contains sponsored content*

Hey Owlets,

Being in lockdown throughout 2020 gave us chance to see the negative effects of the things we do every day without thinking. Having had chance to step back and watch the world heal for a while, you may be wondering how you can continue to make your own positive impact on the world by way of making small, affordable and easy swaps in your day to day life. You don't have to buy Hybrid & Electric Vehicles to live a more sustainable life - small changes are just as important as big lifestyle swaps.

One of the biggest sources of pollution and waste comes from the fashion industry. It’s estimated that by 2050 the fashion industry will use up to a quarter of the world’s carbon budget, making it the most polluting industry after oil. When you buy from a big fast fashion brand you might be getting a brand new wardrobe without taking a big chunk out of your bank balance but the reality is that there’s no such thing as a free lunch and the benefit to your wallet and the brand’s profits has to come from somewhere. The cost is usually mistreating workers, unfair pay and questionable environmental practices. So, if you’re wondering how you can shop more sustainably this year, here’s a few suggestions.

A Rule-Breaking Summer Lookbook

Hey Owlets,

Summer is just around the corner which means it’s nearly time to dust off those floaty dresses, mini skirts and jumpsuits. It’s the season that most people look forward to all year round, but if you’re not so confident, or worried about being plus size during the season of revealing clothes, it can feel like a nightmare. It’s totally understandable that it might feel easier to suffer through the heat in jeans, but you are worth so much more than that. Just in case you are struggling to decide what to wear, here’s some inspiration that breaks all the ridiculous “rules” about plus size clothes.

Airport Shopping with World Duty Free

*contains sponsored content*

Hey Owlets,

If you've been reading The Owlet for a while you'll know that I REALLY like shopping - I'm one of those people for who "retail therapy" is a real thing, and the only thing that improves it is getting a bargain. Since I started travelling I've managed to save a lot of money by waiting until I'm in Duty Free to top up on my favourite things.

How to Decode the Dress Code

Why I'm Proud to Be Plus Size - #IWD18

Hey Owlets,

Happy International Women's Day! 

I wanted to do something confidence related today to celebrate and I've been wanting to write this post for a while so it was perfect timing.

The world is so full of ignorant people. Overflowing with small-minded haters passing judgement on situations that they know nothing about. I know there are many things in the firing line but one of those that I constantly come across is the attitude towards plus size girls. The idea that once you’re past a size 16 you’re just a blob of fat who’s opinions are invalid (not my words - this is a quote from a “fan”. I won’t give them the satisfaction of being named). But I’d like to tell you something. 

I’m proud to be plus size.

Fix Your Skin in 7 Days with 7 Products

Hello my lovelies,

I hope you're doing well! 

This week I'm once again impersonating a beauty blogger as I come back at you with a highly requested post. By the time you read this, I will have already graduated but as I'm writing, it's six days until my graduation ceremony. I'm usually super lazy with skincare - I just about cleanse and tone my face before falling asleep, face masks are a rarity and I only moisturise before doing my makeup because it applies better that way. However, this week is different because I REALLY don't want to be spotty for graduation. I've found and spoken about a couple of hero products before, but I put them all together this week and wow, what a difference.

If we're looking at this in terms of days 1-7, then using the Lush Mask of Magnaminty would be what I do on day one. I'll make sure my skin is clean and dry before applying the mask to any problem areas (basically all over my cheeks and chin). I warn you now, use this SPARINGLY. The mask smells and feels amazing - it's got peppermint in so it's really cooling, and is grainy so works wonders on any unwanted skin texture. However, if you don't put on a really thin layer then it takes forever to dry and cracks and falls off as it dries so you don't get the full effect. When it's dry, wet your face and massage your skin before washing the mask off  with warm water to be left with super smooth skin. I use this once a week as my skin's sort of "reset" - I feel like doing this gets rid of anything left behind over the past 7 days.

5 Ways To Hack Your Hair

*contains gifted products

Hey Owlets,

I will never understand how bloggers turn up to events looking like they’ve had an entire backstage team hiding in their bathroom. I, if you couldn’t tell, am not one of those bloggers. I bought my first curling iron the night before the Blog Awards because my hair stylist bailed on me, and I think it took me about three hours to get ready (I already had my makeup done so that was just my hair!). I’m getting better now but I thought it might be nice to share some hair hacks that I’ve found since I’ve started paying more attention to it.

February Fashion Favourites

Hey Owlets,

So in case you haven't already noticed (seriously, how have you not?),  I've been absolutely loving talking about plus size fashion recently. Over the last few months I've started to write about what I really enjoy and I love hearing that I've inspired other curvy girls to be confident too. However, there's been a distinct lack of outfit posts on my Instagram recently, and that's entirely because I've gotten obsessed with a few pieces that I've worn almost every day.

Dress For Who You Are

Morning my loves,

I've got a bit of morning motivation for you today, and it's something that has taken me a long time to learn but not too long to master. 

I think, when you're a more curvy girl, there's a temptation to be a little "aspirational" when shopping,  especially if you're close to the boarder like me. If you're a size 18, there's always the temptation to think "I can fit in normal clothes", "I can shop in places like Primark" or things like that, but by trying to fit in to "normal" clothes you're actually doing yourself a dis service.