The Power of Petite!

Hello friends,

This post is about body awareness, realisation, it’s about the image we have of ourselves and it’s about how clothing makes all the difference.

Here’s something I’ve learnt the last few days.

I’ve learnt my waist size: 24/25 perhaps a 26 if I get bloated? My inside leg size: 28. I’m 5ft 1.

What does that say to you? Petite, right? Well this gal has been buying non petite clothes all her life, then feeling incredibly frustrated and deflated when she can’t find anything in the shop that fits her. Apart from H&M, I got a lot of time for H&M. But whilst they fit my waist, I’m still struggling with the legs!

It’s taken me 22 years to realise the power of the petite section.

I mean how I’ve completely blanked the idea of it is mind blowingly idiotic.. since I’ve been the same height since year 9, you’d think I’d know better, but apparently not.

One thing I will say about why I avoid stuff is that I’m a cheap CHEAP girl. My idea of going shopping is seeing what’s in the Primark sale or in charity shops – and I’m running out of patience with both.

SO.. I took to eBay and Depop – GAME CHANGER. Now yes, risky because you can’t try it on, but I barely try stuff on anyway because I hate shopping it’s stressful – there’s humans involved and we all know how I feel about that.

But, I have to say, I’ve had a great and fab time so far!

My first piece that arrived was a bargain of just £4 from eBay, Topshop Petite with the labels still on – was £20 new.. me likeyyy! It’s a striped wrap top, a new style for me too!!

I have to say, this has changed me forever. I put it on and immediately got excited, not only did it fit me perfect, the quality was nice and suddenly I had a lil amount of confidence to ooze out! Something I have felt, well.. never!

This the top! Size 6 Petite from Topshop.

From the humans in my life so far, I’ve had nothing but compliments when I wore it too! So that wasn’t the worst thing in the world!

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The Shopping Experience

I recently took to Topshop after myself and Kiz got excited about the top in the picture, he decided I should go and try some jeans that will fit me well!

So we make it into Topshop. I made my way into the jeans section – immediately overwhelmed by the rows and rows of the same jeans in different colours, then a different jean with a variation of rips. OH not to mention every single pair is a different size!

But somehow I kind of liked it, it had a very unique feel to it, not like in Primark where everything is just one size.. the different waist and leg lengths made the whole thing more.. tailored.. duh!

I took in a pair of Jamie jeans – a pair of Orson? I think that was it, and a pair of Joni jeans. The Joni jeans were the ones I’d heard most people talk about – and I soon realised why!

I made my way to the changing rooms, a little anxious as anywhere but there was a group of girls gathered on the light pink cushioned bench that sat in the middle of the mirrored square room.

I pulled back the curtain and SOMEONE WAS IN THERE NAKED!!

Not really, I just wanted to wake you up a bit..

Why are changing room curtains so tall and heavy, I had to keep double checking that there were no gaps! I’m on my tippy toes trying to lug this massive bit of cloth across the doorway that protected my body from being exposed to the girls on the seats..

I can hear them giggling whilst I’m getting changed, EVERY part of me says omg they’re laughing at you (even though I knew they weren’t) but I held it together and tried on these fabulous custom fit jeans!

First the Jamie jeans – they were okay, they fit nice but they had hardly any stretch in them and they weren’t the comfiest..

Then the Orson (kind of a mom style straight leg number)- I got a waist 25 but they were massive so not sure what that was about?! So no.. not for me.

And then.. it’s was Joni’s turn..

I got nervous babes.. I’ve heard good things but they looked bloody skinny.. skinnier than I was. I knew that I didn’t look like the size 0.01 mannequin that rocked these either.

Anyway, I approached with confidence – I swear as soon as my leg started to go in they began to mould to me.. my foot went through the ankle hole (that was my worry) no problems!

And the waist?! Babes let me tell you something about these jeans.. as a size 4/6 with little curvature and no bottom, I found myself having shape.. they gave me hips – or at least brought them out a bit more!

Confidence level had risen again.. I was feeling myself for a hot minute but also sweaty because changing clothes is a workout and I was still aware I was in the middle of a shopping centre with a curtain blocking my exposure.

Long story short gals.. the hype and the admiration of the Joni jeans is one I am joining. Honestly, putting the jeans that I walked in there with, back on. Was the most hilariously disappointing experience ever!! I walked out to Kieran giggling at the material that fitted so poorly around my legs. “I need a pair of Joni jeans” I confirmed to Kieran, and got straight on eBay that night looking for a second hand pair.. (well I’m still a cheap girl, they were nice jeans but not enough for me to take out a loan)

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Thus, here I am now.. sat in my bedroom on a Sunday writing this blog post, getting a little giddy at the fact that I’ll have more petite parcels coming through the door tomorrow morning.

I’ve never gone out so much to treat myself to a new wardrobe, I’m not a girl that buys a nice new top every time she goes out – I hate spending money. So it’s big deal for me to do this and it’s well needed!

I was a massive believer in just wearing anything, it doesn’t have to be good quality and a baggy t shirt will do.

My mind is changing, your clothing is a form of self care and says a lot about you and I won’t lie.. I ogle at clothes so far from what I’d consider budget friendly (like Topshop, Next, Zara) but if you can get a bargain, or love some second hand stuff – you can have clothes that fit you properly, are good quality and perhaps restore a confidence in you that you deserve to have.

I’m not saying your whole wardrobe should be good names.. mine certainly won’t be.. and I will still run to Primark sale racks and get excited. But perhaps I’ll be more mindful about the money I spend and make sure that the clothes I buy; are worth it and make me feel good.

This was a chatty one!

Thank you for reading friends,

Kara xo

Sweet Chickpea & Tomato Curry – Easy Vegan Recipe

Hello friends, another recipe?! WHAAAAAT!

Yes, this is an impromptu post, to say the least! I’m writing this recipe as I’m eating because you need to know it and my memory is like a fish!! I went downstairs to make a simple curry dish and came back upstairs with this thing! Marvellous!

So this is a simple dish that is fairly sweet with a little cheeky kick of spice! I don’t like spicy food so I made mine quite mild, but you could easily make this one pop a bit more!

I don’t really know if it’s a curry either by curry standards, but it’s nice and that’s all I care about!

Ingredients!

• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• Half a large white onion (chopped)
• Half a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• Long Grain Rice (I didn’t measure this so for portion size I’m gonna go with ‘enough for what you need’ – wow so professional I know)
• 1 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
• Mild Curry powder 2 heaped Tsps
• Cinnamon 1/4 Tsp
• Garlic 1 Tsp
• Cumin 1 tsp
• Salt
• Oil (I used Olive Oil)
• Tomato Puree

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Method:

Set your washed rice to boil and keep it covered, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick! If you want to cheat just use microwave rice and bung it in the last few minutes!

Fry onions and peppers in oil until they start to brown

Add half a tin of washed chickpeas into the pan with a little bit of the tinned tomatoes just to start embedding flavours!

Here you are going to add your spices! Garlic (1 tsp), Cumin (1 tsp), Salt, Curry Powder (2 tsps), Cinnamon (1/4 tsp probably not even that – this is strong be careful!)

As the tomato sauce starts to get soaked into the scrummy veg, you can add the rest of the tin of tomatoes on top!

Then add a tablespoon of tomato puree into the mix!

Let it cook and simmer until the sauce evaporates and becomes thicker, here you want to do your taste tests and see if anything needs adding to the preference of your tastebuddyolas!

I took mine off the heat when the rice was done and it was perfect!

Serve up as I have and enjoy! You boshed it!

 

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There aren’t many ingredients in this one but the spices do most of the work in this one! If you wanted the recipe a bit more filling then you can add potato to the mix! If it’s too sweet, add green peppers instead of red! Play around with the spices – anything is possible!

Let me know if you make it!

Kara xo

Edgy Veggie Pasta: Easy Vegan Recipe!

Hello friends!

So recently a few have suggested that I do some more foodie posts! Thank you for the suggestions first of all! And secondly.. I’m bloody doing one! Oi oiii!

Today I’m giving a simple pasta dish that I threw together in our little kitchen! Perfect for students and lazy people aka, me.

Not really sure what to call it – but it’s a herby oil based pasta coating with scrummy veg! Simple enough isn’t it!?

I’ll call it Edgy Veggie Pasta.. genius.

This dish turned out not bad you know! It was light and subtle with pops of flavour and colour from the vibrant tomatoes and peppers! (These adjectives wowzer..)

Okay!

So I am a winger, as you know from previous posts! So bare with me!

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You Will Need (this was for 1 serving cause I’m a loner):

Fusilli Pasta

Half a Bell Pepper (yellow and red are my faves I have to say)

Plum Tomatoes – I used 4, halved

Olive Oil (drizzled to stop the pasta sticking together and to spread the herbs!)

Italian Seasoning

Garlic Powder

Chilli Flakes (optional)

Salt (pinch of it for seasoning)

Soft Cheese – (optional) I use Tesco’s own!

Parsley (not necessary just to be a posh git)

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Method:

1. Chop up the pepper and make into little bite-size chunks.

2. Slice dem tomatoes in half, no messing here – keep it simple.

This is where multitasking comes in so brace yourselves!

3. You need to boil the water (I use a kettle and cheat) then plop the pasta in!

4. You want to put the peppers under the grill first and then about 5 mins in, let the tomatoes join the grill gang. These will take as long as the pasta to begin to char!

During this time everything is cooking at once! *I know, deep breathes babes you’ve got this* It takes about 20 mins overall for everything to be ready. Keep your eye on the veg, don’t need any firefighters making their way downtown now. (Tried so hard not to type the rest of the song then)

Now.

5. Last minute job, you want to drizzle Olive Oil over your drained pasta, tip in some herby goodness (Italian Seasoning) and a tiny bit of Garlic Powder (it’s strong) put in enough to lightly coat the pasta – you don’t want it too strong this isn’t a gourmet meal, keep it subtle. Unless you want to warn off vampires.. then knock ya self out. Also, add a few Chilli Flakes if you want a kick!

6. Mix it all together ’til it’s looking mighty fine, add a few (not all) of the grilled veggies in and mix again!

7. Serve up in a dish, place the remaining veg on top!

8. Sprinkle parsley on top (the M&S vibe, you saw it coming).

9. *optional* Add a little dollop of soft cheese onto the top to add a different pop of flavour – it worked really nice with the dish and was a last minute decision! Fully recommend! It works nicely to mild out the Chilli too!

10. Get it in your belly and smile gal!

Now you have to clean the mess you made or find something to put the mountain of pasta you have left in, cause you made too much?! I see you.

Thank you for reading friends!

Let me know if you make it!

Kara xo

Vegan Lentil Bolognese (recipe)

Welcome back, friends!

I recently saw this and thought it sounded lovely! So tonight we can make it together!

Now I’m an avid ‘sprinkle of this and dash of that gal’ so we’ll see how this goes!

You will need:

2 carrots (sliced and quartered)

1 celery stick (chopped into small pieces)

6 mushrooms (sliced)

1 tin of green lentils

Parsley and mixed herbs

1 medium onion (chopped roughly)

2 garlic cloves (chopped and crushed to smithereens)

A sprinkle of nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon (optional) I’ll let you know if this was a good move was attempting to make it wintery! – update – it worked perfectly, I didn’t put too much in.

Salt

1 jar of bolognese sauce (this is cheating and I would normally make a sauce from tinned tomatoes)

Tomato puree (about a tablespoon)

Tagliatelle pasta (don’t over do it and make enough for the whole street)

Method:

Get a large pan, I used one that was too small so it took longer to cook!

Sauté onions in oil of your choice, I used olive oil.

Add the garlic, celery and mushroom til half cooked.

Add in the jar of bolognese sauce and lentils (drain and wash the lentils)

Add the carrots

Add in the tomato purée!

Here you can put in your herbs and salt

You may need to add water if the sauce is too thick else it won’t cook the carrots.

Cook on a medium to high heat, the sauce will need mixing frequently as it sticks to the bottom.

I didn’t time it I simply kept on cooking until the carrots were tender. Keep checking the carrots and when you feel like they’ll be done in about 10 mins.. start your pasta!

In a separate pot, heat water until boiling and add your tagliatelle! I used about 6 balls for 2 people.

Keep cooking and pretending your on master chef til everything is perfect!

Serve up and sprinkle some Parsley on top for that posh look and M&S vibe, I don’t mess around.

This went down so well in my with my Dad who said I should keep some for Mum to try cause she’d really like it! Now that’s a compliment!

Try this recipe next time you go shopping! It’s so wintery, hearty and warm!

Let me know if you make it and what you thought! I’ll have more scrummy food coming soon, see you then!

Kara xo