So let’s talk about fashion… and more importantly, fashion blogs, shall we? I admit of late I have found myself drawn to them, seeking out inspiration for expressing my own style, seeing what kind of layouts I like, what kind of things people talk about and how they present themselves, what their clothing choices say about their personalities.

I admit I have been so fully entrenched in interior design blogs for such a long time that looking at fashion blogs was never part of my day-to-day. Suddenly here I am trying to do something with fashion on my own blog and I sort of thought, ‘what the hell am I even doing?’ (It’s possible you may be thinking the same, dear reader, which genuinely is okay – I promise we’ll figure it out together). So I thought I’d dip into another niche of blog, get to know some of the bigger, more well-known names and see if there were things I could perhaps learn or be inspired by…

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White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag. I'm talking about life as a curvy fashion blogger.

One thing became very clear very quickly. The biggest and most successful fashion bloggers out there are pretty much all white, all skinny, all roughly in their 20s. They are all incredibly beautiful as well, with professional styled shots that look more out of the pages of a fashion editorial than a blog. And I suppose you can say the same for interior design blogs – some of the biggest and well known are more magazines than they are snippets of peoples real lives so I do get it. But it also felt somewhat intimidating. Where was the diversity?

I had to dig much deeper and found a host of other another kind of fashion blogs. Plus-size bloggers are quite popular at the moment as well – women who do not give one solitary shit that they aren’t the size 0 ‘ideal’ and strut their stuff in whatever they like. A welcome relief from all the pretty perfection, absolutely, but I still felt like there should be more.

White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag and red Zara boots. I'm talking about whether you can be curvy fashion blogger.

I looked – I really did – to find bloggers like me. Women who weren’t in the prime of youth, women who weren’t plus-sized nor a size 0 either. I wear between a 10 and a 12 myself but finding successful fashion bloggers around those sizes was like the proverbial needle in a haystack. I did find some older fashion bloggers, of course, but many of them are slip thin with wonderful envy-inducing figures, all lithe yoga bodies or tall and lean runner types. The truly successful fashion bloggers who fell outside of what society or the media might consider ‘the ideal’ were out there but they were few and far between.

And so I guess I had to decide that perhaps I’m not as well-represented as I thought I’d be. Maybe it’s strange to be a short 40-something Latina and a size medium who still likes to be fashionable and fun. And maybe based on my research, I will never be quite as successful at this lark as others who fit a more narrow version of ‘ideal’. Perhaps I just need to ignore all that and carve my own path. I posted this on Instagram the other day and it seemed to resonate with enough people so perhaps it will you too.

I accepted long ago that I am not what you might consider conventionally beautiful – I’m a short curvy Latina with chunky thighs and wide hips. I’m over the age of 40 which, according to the media, I should really just crawl into a corner somewhere and die because my best days are behind me. Yes, I have wrinkles, yes, my body sags in places it used to be firm. I may not be the most fashionable, I may not be tall or thin or beautiful or have perfectly symmetrical features. But I am often reminded of the words, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’ And maybe if we all saw more women of all ages, more women who weren’t conventionally beautiful by Instagram standards who seemed to be happy in their own skin and who seemed to be pretty damn confident in their own version of beauty, then we’d all start to realise that perhaps this incredibly narrow version of what is “acceptable” is actually a crock of shit. So yeah, screw the “perfect” version of beauty. Here’s my version. It’s all I’ve got to work with and I’m tired of the media and Instagram telling me it’s not good enough. There are plenty of amazing women who are breaking the mould on Instagram and I kind of fancy joining them. How about you? What’s your version of beautiful? . . . Top: @riverisland / Jeans & Boots: @asos / Jacket: @missguided / Bag: @dorothyperkins / Sunglasses: @hm . . . #beautyatanyage #40plusstyle #iwillwearwhatilike #40plusblogger #40plusandfabulous #fashionover40 #ukblogger #over40fashionista #overforty #aw17 #aw17style #aw17fashion #stylediary #outfitoftheday #outfitideas #over40style #styledbyme #lookoftheday #fashiongram #leopardprinteverything #ootddaily #over40andfabulous #currentlywearing #ukblogger #ukbloggerstyle #lovedp

A post shared by Kimberly Duran (@swoonworthyblog) on

I was in London last week for the judging day at the Amara Interior Blog Awards. I rented a lovely little apartment for the day and evening, figuring I’d make the most of my short visit and whilst there, figured I’d do a little shoot. I’m still too awkward to go out and shoot outfits in public. You have to forgive me for that, I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point but baby steps here. I feel like I need to get comfortable in front of the camera myself before I feel comfortable in front of a camera that someone else (likely a professional who I’ve had to fork out money to hire) is holding.

Mustard peplum top with skinny jeans and black leather jacket with over the knee boots and leopard print clutch. I'm talking all about my experience running a curvy fashion blog.

And so with this big breezy flat all to myself with insane views over Tower Bridge and great lighting (unlike my own home), we have the result of my little self-photoshoot. Now, I got a top in River Island recently and simply fell in love with it. So I did what any other sane person would do when they find a top they fall in love with – I ordered it in another colour as well.

Ever feel like you struggle to relate to your favourite fashion blogs? I'm talking about my experience of being a 40 something, short, curvy fashion blogger.

Two tops that are identical with the only difference in the colour could prove challenging. Can I make them look different enough so that other people wouldn’t notice? Well, I figured I’d give it a shot.

Let's talk fashion blogs and my experience as a 40 something, short, curvy fashion blogger.

Now my normal uniform for ‘bottoms’ is skinny jeans. Well, that and yoga pants when I’m home on my own (which is pretty often, let’s be honest) and luckily this top pairs really nicely with jeans. The top itself is a bit more fitted in the body but with very on-trend puffy sleeves and a lovely long pleated bottom that flares out over the hips, it really does hide all manner of sins.

With the white top, I paired it with faded ‘fashionably ripped’ skinny jeans with my new favourites – a pair of shiny red heeled boots from Zara. They are insanely comfortable these shoes and with red being the fashion favourite of the moment, I think they’ll do me well for the coming year.

White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag. I'm talking about life as a curvy fashion blogger.

I also chose a small cream and gold cross-body bag from Mango which echoes my dream designer handbag – the Chloe Nile bag which I can’t even begin to afford – but the look is very similar and the light colour is just beautiful and surprisingly versatile. I get compliments on it every time I wear it out.

I'm asking whether you can you be a successful curvy fashion blogger when you are also a short, latina 40 something!

For the mustard yellow top, I slung on the faux leather jacket from Missguided that I purchased 2 autumns ago (this one is very similar). For faux leather, it’s still in great shape and I love the gold hardware on it. It just looks far more expensive than what I paid for it. I feel a bit like a badass in it as well which is always good for a bit of ego boost.

My black over the knee boots get a lot of wear as well with a big chunky heel which balances out my bigger legs (I look ridiculous in spindly stilettos plus I can’t walk in them) and I love this little leopard print clutch from Dorothy Perkins to finish it off.

And so that, my dears, is a little where my brain is at the moment with this whole fashion malarky. I imagine it’s like anything else. You find your feet first, you find a bit of confidence, you discover something about yourself and if you are a blogger like me, you share your findings with the world, no matter how awkward and self-aware it may be.

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So now tell me, who am I missing out on? Do you have a favourite fashion blogger? Also, what do you do when you feel under-represented in any arena? 

 


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Swoon Worthy
White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag. I'm talking about life as a curvy fashion blogger.
White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag and red Zara boots. I'm talking about whether you can be curvy fashion blogger.
Mustard peplum top with skinny jeans and black leather jacket with over the knee boots and leopard print clutch. I'm talking all about my experience running a curvy fashion blog.
Ever feel like you struggle to relate to your favourite fashion blogs? I'm talking about my experience of being a 40 something, short, curvy fashion blogger.
Let's talk fashion blogs and my experience as a 40 something, short, curvy fashion blogger.
White River Island top with bell sleeves and long peplum and Mango crossbody bag. I'm talking about life as a curvy fashion blogger.
I'm asking whether you can you be a successful curvy fashion blogger when you are also a short, latina 40 something!
Meet Kimberly
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Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
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Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🤩

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So, imagine my delight when Le Creuset got in touch to ask if I'd like to shoot their brand new colourway 🍑 Pêche 🍑 in my kitchen. I mean, there couldn't be a more perfect colour match with that juicy coral shade which if you've followed my account for any length of time, you'll know is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention that beautiful soft gold knob! 😍). The matching petite casserole dish and mugs are the perfect companions but you could easily mix and match this colourway with Le Creuset's other designs (Might I suggest the Sea Salt, a soft blue-green which would be gorgeous with Pêche). This new juicy summer shade is currently available exclusively at Le Creuset Official. I'd love to know which colourway is your favourite in the range?

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My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up 🥰

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares 😅

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!🎄💕

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me 🤗😅)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❤️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband 🥰 We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❤️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 🎄🎉

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

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Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room 🪴

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a 🔥 under my 🍑 and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week 😅 (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma 😆

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❤️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
🔥JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! 🔥

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs 🪵 for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! 🥰🍻🔥

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection 😄

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share 🥰

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites ♥️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ 🦩🍹😄

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday 😅🩷

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off 🙃🙃🙃 (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here 🥰 I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change ♥️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! 😅

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo 😄💕

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes 🥰

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! 😉🍋

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous 🥰

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies 😂🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together 🥰

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? 🤔

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen 🥰

Let me know if you like the new addition ❤️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks 🤦🏽‍♀️ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories 😄🙌🏽

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor