I just thought I would take this opportunity to share some of my notable successes, y'know the good shiz!

OK so as you know, even though I auditioned for MCUK I didn't make it through to the top 20 finalists.  At the time I was kinda gutted...no...I was a lot gutted I won't lie!  BUT every cloud has a silver lining so to speak. This is where it all started, when I was made an Ambassador for MCUK instead.

Q: What even is an Ambassador anyways?

A: I didn't know either - don't worry, but it has proven to be so much more than I anticipated.

Q: Oh yeah?  What did you get out of it?

A: Cheeky one aren't ya conscience! I got a lot out of it thank you very much!  I got the chance to do my first catwalk at the Ms Curvaceous UK Finale. The ambassadors got to open the show!  I have had the chance to meet future applicants and talk to them about my experiences and mentor them. I went to London Fashion Weekend with MCUK and some of the finalists. It gave me a foot in the door to the industry. It allowed me to meet so many beautiful and inspiring women along the way from the ladies I auditioned with (many of which are still good friends to this day) to my fellow ambassadors; these ladies are my rocks and I simply cannot live without them. The 20 finalists are a bunch of talented young ladies, they inspire me constantly, each of them have been successful individually, it makes me so proud and I am honoured to call them friends. Meeting the budding applicants is so refreshing to see all the emerging talent, it's an exciting community to be part of right now. Not to mention all the focal people from the industry too & brand exposure.

Other notable successes;

• Modelling for some fantastic brands such as; Simply Be, Lisa Riley's "Just Be You" range for Figure 8 Clothing & Scarlett & Jo.

• Collaborating with some fantastic brands on this very blog; like +Lovedrobe Clothing, +Collectif Clothing, +boohoo.com , Curv'i'licious Clothing, Curvy Kate, Evans & more.

• Being named as a Face of Curve It 2016
• Signed as a model to Model XL
• Blogging & event photography for some fantastic events like Style XL, Model XL pageant, Curvy Con, Miss Plus Size UK, Big Beautiful Wedding Expo.
• Becoming a regular Curvy Kitten for BGP.
• Winning the Scarlett & Jo #Selfie Competition.

• My blog being nominated for "Best New Blog" at the British Plus Size Awards.
• Presenting the award for "Best Swimwear Range" to Simply Be at the British Plus Size Awards.

• Watching our brainchild; "The Rubenesque Effect" bloom.

• Being involved in many charity events for fantastic causes as Ms Surrey Curve 2015.
• Being featured on the Daily Mirror and various other websites/online mags.

• Becoming a Brand ambassador for House of Hair UK & Polly Grace Clothing

• Being interviewed for Lovedrobe's blog.

• Having the opportunity to work with some fantastic Photographers such as Petros Photography, Tendai Pottinger, Chiara Aprea & Velvet D'Amour.

• Having my blog posts published on other blogs such as Simply Be's blog; SB Edit & Style XL Online.

• Becoming involved with my sponsors Louise Bunny Hop & Styled by Susie.

• Featuring in the local press and being a guest on a local radio show.
• Being crowned Ms British Beauty Curve 2015

There are more things that I have done over the last 12 months and each one has been a fantastic achievement for me, but these for me have been my highlights.

I couldn't have done any of this without your love and support, so my thanks and gratitude goes to everyone who has been there with me for any part of this journey.  Thank you for pushing me and inspiring me to do better.

I make my pledge to give another 12 months to the cause of inspiring others to fulfil their dreams and goals.  I want to make a difference to someone, I want someone to say, "Kat, because of you...I did this..." 

That's my goal!

So here's to a fantastic year and raise a glass with me to another one ahead.

Xx

The Rubenesque Effect ladies had the pleasure of having our last shoot's outfits sponsored by 

Lil Miss Vintage

We thought we would give you a little review of the gorgeous dresses we were given...

Claire said; "I absolutely loved my dress, the fit was perfect, it pulled me in at the waist and really flared out so it gave me a really nice shape.  I love the colour; cornflour blue, my favourite and it made my eyes pop!  It's such a classic dress, polka dots are always a winner, I'm so happy with the dress and so happy I got to keep it! :)" Claire was wearing the Size 20.

Sian is wearing a cupcake print of the Swing dress. Unfortunately this print is sold out. There are similar styles available in their clearance sale in varying sizes. Check the website for availability.

Sian said; "I love a dress with a great pattern on, and I was over the moon to receive the Cupcake dress. It's bright, fun and beautiful.  It's a halter neck with a sweetheart neck line which is super flattering on a fuller busted female.  It has a think black band around the middle to emphasise a small waist, which if you wanted to nip in the waist a little more with a waist cinching belt to boot, you definitely could!  The skirt is a full circle one and looks just as amazing on it's own as it does with a petticoat underneath for more volume! I felt super girly and pretty in this gorgeous dress and oh so vintage!" Sian was wearing a size 22.

These days the media puts such pressure on us to conform to what is seen to be physically acceptable or desired.

Different strokes for different folks though...so what one person dislikes, another might crave.

Every single one of us in this world is unique and our differences make us interesting and something to be celebrated.

People deserve the right to enjoy life regardless of their weight, size, height, colour, age, sexual orientation, religion etc.

The Rubenesque Effect is a group of 8 plus size models (of which I am one.)  Together, we are striving to promote body confidence, self love and acceptance of the body you are blessed with.

This world is filled with too much hate, so we wanted to celebrate with positivity.

When we saw the Victoria Secrets shot promoting "The Perfect Body" it got us thinking that perhaps that slogan could've been more inclusive of all bodies, because what one person considers perfect may not be the same in the next person's eyes.

So...we shot this...

#everyBODYisbeautiful

Follow us on our journey...

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Up until September 2014 I had severe dental problems. Lots of missing teeth, broken teeth and decay. I was born with a calcium deficiency which meant I could eat something as soft as a banana and my teeth would break. I was suffering with a severe case of dental phobia after many dental visits ending badly, poor advice and bad experiences. I couldn't go to the dentist. I was ashamed of the way I looked and I was ridiculed for it.

I was very depressed due to my teeth and my weight which I have battled with for years. I doubled in weight throughout pregnancy going from a size 12 to a 28 in 9 months. I was a dance student but I couldn't carry on dancing due to my weight gain and baby bump and being left by my boyfriend 7 months pregnant nearly broke me. 

It had taken me 14 yrs with various different methods like exercise, weight watchers, slimming world, diet pills and referral to a dietician to bring my weight down to roughly 18 stone and a size 22. I'd had enough I sought help from my GP as I had hit rock bottom and I was on the verge of a breakdown. 

It was only when one Doc finally listened & referred me for CBT, to the bariatric team at St Georges Hospital to seek advice about potential surgical intervention & to Kings College Hospital to undergo full dental reconstruction that I started to feel the fear ease.  I was ready to take back my life.

Having my teeth done was the catalyst to regain my confidence and build myself back up again. I found my smile. I was finally happy and the positive feedback from all you bloggers and family and friends help me learn to love my body.  I started setting myself little achievable goals and I started to realise that if I conquered my biggest phobia I was capable of anything. I started moving more, I downloaded a pedometer on my phone and committed myself to taking 10,000 steps per day. I hate walking, I would take a cab from my house to my car if I could. I didn't change what I ate I still enjoyed what I love and I bloody love food and cake and doughnuts and chocolate and sweets and all things in between, I just tried to moderate it, like maybe not eating a doughnut a day plus plus a Wispa and a big dinner. I am not a big portions gal so I just needed to curb my daytime snacking at work (I still struggle with this...I reckon I always will)

I found that by me moving more alone was changing my body shape, giving me more definition in my bum and waist and seeing the progress spurred me on to try harder.

Joining LouiseBunnyHop dance & fitness class has boosted my confidence tenfold. Being in a room of real women with varying body shapes and sizes gave me more enthusiasm. I wasn't going to be picked on because of my weight or size.  I was embraced and welcomed. At first I told myself just ease yourself back in, do one class and soon enough I was doing 3 a week as I love it so much.

Since I committed to moving more I have shed just under a stone but I have dropped 2 dress sizes sitting comfortably in an 18/20.

Having a solid support network is what has got me through, I have made friends with people in similar situations at every step of the way and having people who relate and do not judge has been the most helpful tool.

It's funny that my teeth were holding me back from achieving a dream that I had had since I was young. I always wanted to Model and be a MUA and now I am doing both of these things. I have more ambition more dreams. I want to complete Bunny training an become a Louise BunnyHop instructor, I love dancing and I want people to feel how I feel when I go to her classes; empowered, confident and full of a new found lease of life.

I am loving the definition of my curves which I never have seen on me before, it's giving me more confidence to step out of my comfort zone with regards to embracing fashion.

My most important fact is that I am happy and that is making me strive to continue on this journey towards being the healthiest version of myself possible.

I love my body and that makes me want to take care of it which I had not been doing for many many years.

I hope that gives you a bit of an insight to me, if you ever want someone to talk to about your journey I'm here...I'd love to hear your stories.

Xx

Me before dental work & in the immediate weeks after surgery.


My new smile :)