I really need your help!

I’m looking for a small number of ladies who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy to help me to improve my website and give me an insight into what you would like from About The Girl. 

You need to be aged 30 to 60, live in Sussex and be able to spare about 30 minutes to allow me to come and talk to you about how you like to shop online for post mastectomy wear. 

This is all part of developing a new website and making it the best for customers. I’m happy to come to you (or somewhere else if you prefer) and can do the interview daytime or evening, whatever suits you, and I’m looking to do the interviews next week.

And as a thank you for taking part, there's a £20 gift voucher if you are interviewed

If you would like to sign up, please contact me by email on amy@aboutthegirl.co.uk

We've been inspired by the Stylist Magazine's pro body response to the now banned Are you Beach Body Ready advert for Vitamin and Meal Replacement tablets.

The advert, a large picture of a bikini clad model, many people felt was standing with a judgmental look and a confrontational pose. A petition went out and a Twitter storm ensued as women across the country voiced their concerns that this advert further perpetuated the pressure on women to conform to an ideal stereotype. They said it body shamed women who did not match the athleticism and youth of the model.
This twitter storm was further exacerbated by the response from the company behind the adverts which ridiculed the quite rightly angry tweeters and belittled mental health issues.

The article from Stylist is well worth a read and can be found here http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/were-all-beach-body-ready-protein-world-feminism-body-shaming-advert-diet-free

At About the Girl we know how confidence challenging donning a bikini can be. Particularly if, like me, you've had a mastectomy. It took a long time for me to build my confidence which is why the pro body message that Stylist is sending is so important.

It would be great to be able to stride out in our bikinis and love ourselves whatever our shape. A great bikini that works is a good start, I'm wearing our Shimmer Lemon Drop bikini,  I'm channeling a "Beach Body Ready" belief in myself and learning to not care a hoot what anyone else thinks of how I look.

Flower Power: The Best Floral Accessories

Spring has sprung even if the hot weather of the past couple of weeks has sadly slipped away. Spring has always been a time for new beginnings and regrowth. Perhaps that's why florals have been a staple of our spring to summer wardrobe for years. No matter what our daily life throws at us, whether it's running around after loved ones, running board meetings, or just managing to move from the bed to the sofa, florals allude to the tender and delicate part in all of us.

Plus florals come in so many different colours and tones that they're just so versatile.  You can channel vibrant brights or girly pastels. Florals really are for everyone. That's why we love them.

Red Carpet Fashion: Work it!

Red Carpet fashion; all the glitz and glamour of A-list starlets in a way that works for you.

Sheer fabrics and plunging necklines were a hit this Red Carpet season, but for many of us bearing that much skin is a little too risque and better left to the overtly confident Hollywood veterans. That's not to say if you have had a mastectomy you've got to cover up, if you have the confidence - go for it! But you don't need to reveal all in order to make a statement. Here are a few of About the Girl's favourite 2014 Red Carpet trends and how to make them work for you...

A Roaring Statement

"This world without leopard... I mean, who would want to be here?" Diana Vreeland 

Leopard print has long been hailed an eternal symbol of femininity and uninhibited sensuality. It is often lurking at the back of AW trends, with it's classic brown tones screaming Autumn styling. However, this year Paris Fashion Week saw it take centre stage and all manner of articles, journals and fashion posts have given it a coveted spot in the AW14/15 Top Ten Trends.

There is a palette to suit all manner of outfits, from traditional rendering and gray-scale to more adventurous hues such as the alternative navy featured at Next.

From high fashion to high street there is no escaping its presence. This designer's favourite was seen in up and down the catwalks in all four fashion capitals appearing in all types of shapes and cuts from a sumptuous coat at Celine to a cute babydoll at Chloe and the print proved the perfect topping to an eclectic mix at Givenchy.

The Last Minute Swimwear Wardrobe

Judging by the weather, you may be wondering if your opportunity to buy swimwear has passed. Fear not! The swimwear season isn't over just yet; it is never too late to pick up one of About the Girl's fabulous swimsuits or bikinis to add to your wardrobe. 

Summer's best swimwear trends this year have focused around two key trends: colour blocking and 60s retro and About the Girl has a plethora of timeless pieces that are sure to frontline future seasons

Post Surgery Lingerie Can Be Lovely

Just take a look at the fabulous French designed lingerie by Amoena that's just arrived at About The Girl. We know what we want for Christmas!