Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants; Meet Dannielle

#mbbc
Next up in the "Meet the Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants" series I bring you Miss West Midlands Curve; Dannielle
Name: Dannielle Brickley
Age: 25
Which area are you representing? West Midlands


Single/Taken? Happily taken.

What made you want to enter MBBC? I entered Miss Plus Size UK last year, fell in love
with the feeling of loving myself, and got pageant fever! I looked into a couple of
pageants and competitions, and this just felt like the right fit for me out of all the ones I
found.

Is MBBC your first pageant experience? No, I was a finalist in Miss Plus Size UK last year and it was an incredible experience that left me wanting to enter more.

Describe your character in 5 words: Hyperactive, understanding, open­-minded, sarcastic & confident.

You can earn extra points from making public appearances, have you made any so far? Do you have any in the pipeline? I haven't yet, but it's something I'm looking into.



What does winning the crown mean to you? The pageant experience itself means the
world to me. I love getting to meet so many amazing, like­minded women and I've found
myself really growing into a person I love. Winning the crown would just make an already
amazing experience even better, I'd be honoured and super elated to be crowned queen! I
spent so much time feeling down on myself, having zero confidence and at times wishing I
was someone else.  I'd love to be able to spread the message to other women that they are
enough, and winning the crown would give me a platform to do that from, it would honestly
mean the world to me.

Do you have any hidden talents? If I have they're hidden to me too!

Who are your sponsors? I don't have any sponsors as of yet.



If successful you would become one of our Sister Queens, what qualities can you bring to our family? An always open ear, ever growing confidence, and an appreciation for all different types of people. The MBBC queens are the sort of women I would have loved to have seen more of when I was younger, real role models, and I'd love to be a part of that.

What inspires you most about the MBBC Queens? The different stories and experiences that brought them to enter MBBC. I'm always inspired by the stories of strong women.

How have you found the experience so far? It's super exciting! I feel honoured to be part of a group of such beautiful women, it's empowering.

Are you looking forward to the 5th Year Anniversary show, have you started shopping yet?
I haven't started shopping yet, but my first shopping trip is happening very soon. I'm crazy
excited!



What message do you have for women who are thinking of entering in the future? I spent so long looking at pageants like this, and making excuses not to enter because I never felt like I was good enough. But you are good enough. If this is something you want, then you should go for it. I'm so out of my comfort zone doing this, but I love it. I've found a whole new side of myself through doing pageants, and it's a side that I'm really proud of. I've gained confidence, I'm making memories, and I honestly wish I'd gone for it sooner. If you're looking at MBBC and thinking about applying, then do it! I really don't think you'll regret it, I know I don't.
I wish you the very best of luck Dannielle
xXx

You can connect with Dannielle and be kept up to date with her journey;

Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants; Meet Velma

#mbbc
Next up in the "Meet the Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants" series I bring you Miss North London Curve 2016; Velma

Name: Velma Brown
Age:29
Which area are you representing? North London


Single/Taken? Taken

What made you want to enter MBBC? For confidence to make something of myself.  To be a part
of a community that understands how I feel  and to meet people who what to inspire others.

Is MBBC your first pageant experience? Yes

Describe your character in 5 words - A Mother, beautiful, hard working, positive and bold.


You can earn extra points from making public appearances, have you made any so far? No not yet.

Do you have any in the pipeline? No

What does winning the crown mean to you?  To me winning is not everything because I think I have
already won as since I find out I am a finalist I have gained so much confidence,  I even got a job
and it's something I did not have the confidence to do. Winning the crown would be the
biggest achievement of all apart from my babies.  I am super blessed to even be a part of MBBC.



Do you have any hidden talents? I can dance, and I am really good a doing hairstyles.

Who are your sponsors? My family

If successful you would become one of our Sister Queens, what qualities can you bring to our
family?  My "can-do" attitude, I don't know really I just want to help others feel good about themselves the way I felt when I discovered the plus movement.

What inspires you most about the MBBC Queens? That they are all plus size woman all beautiful and confident very caring ladies.



How have you found the experience so far? Amazing

Are you looking forward to the 5th year anniversary show, have you started shopping? Oh yes for sure,  I can't stop shopping before I used to buy clothing that was 4 sizes too small for me because I kept thinking I am going to fit in them one day. Now I buy my actual size and that is  because of MBBC.

What message do you have for women who are thinking of entering in the future?  Go for it.  It's
the best thing I ever did.  Society can make you feel like you have no need to live but since I
discovered the plus size community I no longer have the need to hate myself.  So many times I
attempted to take my own life at the age of 14, 23 and selfishly age 28.  Even though I had my
kids I felt worthless and fat. I felt like I was not a good mum; all I would do is sleep eat sleep eat.
Come to think of it I first discovered plus size modelling because of Kat Henry on Twitter then I
Googled Ms Curvaceous and it all started from there.  Now every day I Google plus size fashion model  anything to do with plus size I just wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself and start loving me.
If I can help one person get rid of bad thoughts I have achieved something.  Be bold be
beautiful because it is what it is.  We are beautiful just as any other women in the world.


I wish you the very best of luck Velma
xXx

You can connect with Velma and be kept up to date with her journey;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annmarie.brown2/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bf9b9b934ec247b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/munchy45/

'Aint no party like a #113Party

#113
Last Friday gave us bloggers/models a chance to shake a leg or two.

The clothing brand +OneOneThree hosted their very own #113Swim launch party to showcase their new swimwear line.

The venue was uber cool; a oasis style loft apartment.  Pieces of the range dangled teasingly above us to look at but not touch!  (Such a shame - I wanted to try it all on!!)  I would love to comment more on the range, but other than a view from afar that was the extent of our interaction with it.  The team wore some of the range too so we got a sneak peak at some of the new #SS16 line too.


So if we're not here to sample the range what exactly are we here for? Well, we came to PARTY!

OneOneThree laid out the food and kept the cocktails flowing all night long, add to that bangin' tune selections from Mysterious Vybez.  They also had a photo booth - like we need any excuses to take photos!

It was cool to spend the night partying with these blogger babes, don't they look amazing!

Left to Right - Kat (me) Top - Michaela, Bottom - Nancy, Top - Lucie, Bottom - Lottie

Photobooth fun with Lauren, Felicity, Lottie & Lucie

Top - Bloggers; Lauren, Chloe, Lucie, Michaela, Lottie, Nancy & Chanelle  Bottom - Felicity, Lottie & Lucie & Bottom right - OneOneThree Ladies

You can check out my full album of photos here

It was a fantastic evening of celebration of hard work from the team and I had an awesome night!

Can't wait for until the range is launched so I can sample it for myself!

Thanks for having me xx







Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants; Meet Cara

#mbbc

Next up in the "Meet the Miss British Beauty Curve 2016 Contestants" series we have returning contender, Miss Essex Curve 2016; Cara

Name: Cara 

Age: 22
Which area are you representing? Essex 


Single/Taken? Single :)


What made you want to enter MBBC? To gain more experience and confidence and to meet new people,also to show that everyone is beautiful.



Is MBBC your first pageant experience? No I was lucky enough to be part of MBBC 2015 and loved it.



Describe your character in 5 words: Caring, Determined, Considerate, Happy and Quiet but that will soon change ;)



You can earn extra points from making public appearances, have you made any so far?  Do you have any in the pipeline? I have a couple of appearances that I'm going to do such the Regent's Park Run with all the other lovely ladies.



What does winning the crown mean to you? It would be amazing, and show how far I've come and build my confidence  but if I didn't win it's still an amazing experience.



Do you have any hidden talents? Erm I can bake and do some make up like the basics haven't learned how to contour yet though.



Who are your sponsors? I'm currently trying to talk to someone about sponsoring me. 



If successful you would become one of our Sister Queens, what qualities can you bring to our family? That I am kind, and would care about all the ladies, I would also be there if they ever needed anything.



What inspires you most about the MBBC Queens? That they are so confident and that they show other women body confidence.



How have you found the experience so far? It's been amazing I'm so glad I applied again, it's lovely talking to all the other girls and seeing them soon.



Are you looking forward to the 5th year anniversary event? Have you started shopping? Definitely :D it's going to be such a great time. I've got a dress but that's about it at the moment.



What message do you have for women who are thinking of entering in the future? 
Do it even if you have little confidence go for it, you will be amazed how one evening can change your life and you meet so many beautiful ladies who turn out to be really good friends and so supportive of each other.




I wish you the very best of luck Cara.
xXx

You can connect with Cara and be kept up to date with her journey;

Modelled by Role Models with Panache

#empowerment
If you were asked to nominate a female role model who inspires you, who would you choose?

Would you think immediately of a family member, friend, colleague or would a celebrity spring to mind?

For me, I find it very difficult to pick just one person.  This is simply because throughout my life I have been surrounded by many extra-ordinary women, who have inspired me in many ways.

As it is International Women's Day today, I offer a small ode the two most important women in my life...

My Mother is my rock. She is a kind, generous and strong woman. She has been through so much in her life and even when we feared she may not survive she has proven us all wrong.  I will eternally be grateful for the values she taught me as a child and the unconditional love she continues to show me.

My daughter is my world.  She is wise before her years, growing into a beautiful woman.  I am so proud of her achievements and abilities.  She has a heart of pure gold and a fantastic sense of humour.

I have teamed up with Panache to tell you about their campaign; 
"Modelled by Role Models"

It was this very quote that made me want to shout from the roof tops...YES! Finally - a chance for everyday people to be recognised for their extra-ordinary traits.

So here is your chance to tell the world who YOU consider to be your hero, who has inspired you to be a better version of yourself. Who inspires you daily.  Who do you look up to and admire?

It can be any female person, someone you know or someone you admire from afar.

The campaign launched today and the closing date for nominations is April 3rd.  

All you have to do is click HERE to nominate your chosen role model, you will be asked to provide a picture of your chosen person and write a short paragraph on why you're nominating them. 

Panache will then short-list 15 nominees as finalists.  The public will join a Panache judging panel to find the final 6 role models. Winners will be asked to take part in the ‘Modelled By Role Models’ photo shoot which will feature on the Panache's website & various other outlets.
 

The winner of Modelled by Role Models 2016 will receive:
  •         A year’s supply of Panache lingerie (total 12 sets)
  •         A starring role in the Modelled by Role Models photo shoot in London, including two tickets to a West End show, and travel and accommodation for two people
  •         A set of prints of the best images taken at the photo shoot

This is a fantastic opportunity to pay it forward. Let's take a minute to commend the positive role models around us and empower other women to do the same.


xXx

Nominate Me for a British Plus Size Award 2016

#best plus size social media
After being nominated for "Best New Blog" at last year's awards, I have truly got the bug and I am asking you kind folk to nominate me (please note if I'm successfully shortlisted, you will then have to vote for me as a second stage too)



The category that I would like to be nominated for this year is..

 "BEST PLUS SIZE SOCIAL MEDIA"

Just click the link below and type in the following name to the relevant box;

 "@kat_v_henry"

http://www.britishplussizeawards.co.uk/nominate-for-2016/

Social media to me is my forte. It's the area in which I excel at.  Of all the things that I'm doing on this roller coaster of a journey, social media is the thing that I put my heart and soul into. Networking and spreading an utterly positive message across all of my social media platforms gives me so much pride.   I believe that social media when used correctly can be a powerful tool to inspire and elevate people all over the world. I want people to look at my content and feel empowered. I strive to show myself in an honest light. You will see real life Kat in all her imperfect glory as well as glam Kat which I love to show is not the only side of me. I am not afraid of being unapologetically myself, showing people that you do not need to conform to societies standards to be happy, healthy or successful.

I want my social media to make a difference in your life, even if it just makes you smile for a second.

You will find only positive vibes & love on my platforms.

------ xXx -------

 Of course there are a tonne of other categories to nominate also so please use this chance to nominate your favourite blogger, model, brand, plus size event etc. If you love em...nominate them!!

Simple as!

Xx

#SBxLFW - Social Media Takeover for Simply Be at London Fashion Week

@kat_v_henry

Check out the fantastic array of beautiful creativity and individuality that I saw today; the final day of London Fashion Week;

#StreetStyle from #SBxLFW - my Social Media Takeover for Simply Be Fashion at London Fashion Week (#LFW)

Posted by Katherine Henry on Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Here's a look at what I wore...



Today was so much fun.  I got the chance to speak to a lot of people, it was fantastic to hear what inspired people's looks and why they were coming to #LFW.  Unfortunately Freemason's Hall was closed so I only got to see the happenings at Brewer St Car Park, but I was not missing out. There were so many gorgeous trends on display, that I was simply spoilt for choice.

I got the chance to try out Periscope. If you didn't catch the live streams don't worry you can check them all out below;

Periscope <LIVE> Sneak Peek at Simply Be's flagship Oxford St Store

Periscope <LIVE> with @SisimissVIP from SisiTV with @Kat_V_Henry & @simplybeuk for #LFW #SBxLFW

Periscope <LIVE>  with Recklezz & Soleaux with @kat_v_henry & @Simplybeuk for #LFW #SBxLFW

Thank you +Simply Be for having me...
Let's do it again sometime ;)