BLAZER STYLE EDIT

Now the weather is finally warming up a little bit we can think about putting away our winter coats and digging out the spring cover ups. I personally couldn't live without a blazer for this transitional period, especially a good black one. Although saying that, I do also have white, pink, camel, striped etc etc...yes so maybe I've slightly over done it, but this is years worth of accumulation! The most versatile without a doubt is always the black though. This year I wanted to mix it up a little bit rather than just wearing it in the same old way. So I thought I'd share some of the looks that caught my eye over on pinterest as well as my picks from the high street. 

(image via pinterest)

I love how the blazer on the left has been styled with the belt and the contrasting lace underneath. Blazers can be quite an androgynous look so styling it with the ladylike cream lace and cinching it in at the waist gives it a sense of elegance. Another trick being used on this one is to roll the sleeves up to the same line as the belt. This cinches in your waist even more and is a trick that can be used on lots of different outfits and looks. The second look here is more casual but still has a hint of the lace. I love the colour combination and I'm thinking this would be an easy go-to outfit for busy mummy days so look out for me giving this one a go!

(image via pinterest)

These looks are a little more like what were used to but still have an effortless chic feel to them. The first is so simple and relies on good quality fabrics and fit. The blazer is a slightly over sized boyfriend fit and the jeans rolled up with simple heels shows how if you invest in good pieces, looking stylish will never be hard work. The look in the centre is a good one for right now where its maybe not all that warm but you're truly bored of your coats. The shirt and knit combo is an easy go to with jeans and converse. I would also like to see this with a striped or patterned shirt to give it a bit of interest. The final look is a perfect dressed up day outfit for drinks in town. I love the lacy cami top dressed down with plimsolls and ripped jeans. I never like to feel too dressed up so this one is definitely a little bit of me. 

(image via pinterest)

The fist look here (left) is a fab example of how to dress your blazer up for a night out. Don't worry about the top underneath and pair with a lacy bra sneaking out just a little bit. Safety pins crucial here, therefore meaning you can feel confident and sexy whilst knowing that nothing is going to fall out. I love it with the midi skirt and simple accessories. I also always try to follow the rule; boobs out legs away and vice versa so the floaty skirt paired with the sexy peek of the bra I think balances this look out perfectly. You could also swap the skirt for skinny dark jeans and let the top half do all the talking. The final look obviously includes a bit of stripe, I couldn't not mention stripes! Super hot for SS16 and a must in everyone's wardrobe for year round wear. I love the detail on the blazer in this look too though with the gold buttons and satin trim, check out my picks below for ideas on where to get yourself one just like this. 

(from left to right, top to bottom)

1. BALMAIN @ NET-A-PORTER  Double-Breasted Basketweave Cotton Blazer  £1,230.00

2. Golden Goose Deluxe Brand @ NET-A-PORTER  Wool Canvas Blazer  £465.00

3. Alexander McQueen @ NET-A-PORTER  Wool-blend Peplum Blazer  £1,445.00

4. Vero Moda  Long Sleeved Blazer  £44.00

5. New Look  Black-Peplum Blazer  £27.99

These ones are all over the pricing spectrum for you. Yes we would all love to be able to afford Balmain and Alexander McQueen but if you can't, these ones show you how to snap up the look for a fraction of the price. I love the Balmain version with the buttons and the quality would be out of this world, but at the same time the Vero Moda one is still such a good little jacket for this season. It has a slight military feel to it so I would want to pair it with stripes, denim and some chunky boots. The peplum style available from New Look for just £27.99 I think is a fab jacket and with a more lady like shape to it, will give you a some shape around your waist. I think this one would be a good one to go for to pair with heels.

1. French Connection  Rikki Crepe Blazer  £130.00

2. River Island  Black Ruched Sleeve Blazer  £55.00

3. Vila  Classic Blazer  £45.00

4. Marks & Spencers  Autograph 1 Button Tailored Blazer  £79.00

5. H&M  Long Jacket  £11.99

If you're after a cropped jacket the French Connection one here is perfect and would look great styled with high waisted trousers. The River Island jacket with its cropped sleeves would be good for layering up with knits and dresses, have a look at my post on slip dresses for more ideas on this particular style. I think the H&M jacket, which just happens to be the cheapest of all my picks is probably also the most versatile here. I would love to try this one with a lady like dress and a belt around the waist as seen above. I think you could dress this one up with heels and delicate fabrics as well as pairing it with jeans and trainers for days running around with the kids and at £11.99 you can't really say no. The M&S jacket with the single button would be the one to go for if you want to try going topless, I would try adding a statement necklace, but if you are going to do this keep everything else fuss free so you don't over complicate the look. 

Hopefully I've tempted you to run out and get yourself a blazer. Whether its a boyfriend style, cropped, peplum or military style, I promise they are perfect for every occasion and will never go out of style. 

xx

H&M PICKS

I have fallen in love with H&M's new collection and have most of it on my wishlist for next month (if I can wait even that long). It has colour, pattern, texture and is bang on trend for SS16 and not only that but the prices are pretty amazing too. I thought I would share all my favourite picks....

Kick Flare Ankle Jeans  £29.99

Short Necklace with pendant  £7.99

Wide Cotton Skirt  £29.99

Wide Cotton Blouse  £9.99

Embroidered Cotton Dress £29.99

My absolute favourite item of the new collection is the blue embroidered dress (bottom-right). The embroidery on it is amazing and I think makes it look a lot more expensive than it actually is. I did in fact manage to try it on today and have put a size 10 on hold, it comes up very big and I think an 8 would be better on me. I'll definitely be taking one of them home with me though so I'll let you know what I think. At the moment this one has been taken off the website because it sold out so quickly but try your local stores. I managed to get a look at all these pieces today and the £9.99 blouse (above-left) is such a good buy, I would wear this one under my black dungarees to keep it casual. The kick flare jeans will be perfect for summer with lace up sandals and the skirt is a really classic piece that will go with so many different things. I would stick a belt round it to dress it up with wedges and an off the shoulder top. The necklace will go with all the pieces in the collection as well as dressing up plain tops in your wardrobe. My advice would be to team it with some sandals in a similar colour, keep a look out in H&M for some lace up ones coming soon!

Lace off-the-shoulder Blouse  £29.99

Rectangular Clutch Bag  £14.99

Straw Hat  £9.99

Off-the-shoulder Blouse  £7.99

I love the black lace top (top-left), not only does it have off the shoulder detail, but the fabric is so luxe and will see you through all year round. It would be great dressed down with ripped jeans and look amazing dressed up with culottes and heels. You won't ever regret buying such a versatile piece. The blue top (above-right) is selling out fast online and in store and has been seen on bloggers everywhere. I myself tried it on today and am going back for it tomorrow. Some people have said that the fit is not great but I found it quite true to size and for £7.99 you can't really complain.I'm sure this one will be everywhere come summer so get it before it sells out! The accesories (above) I love and think they will be really useful throughout the summer. A good straw hat is a summer must have and will go with just about everything in your wardrobe. The clutch bag (above-right) has a Chloe vibe going on and is perfect sizing for a night out. I saw the black version today but for summer coming up I would be tempted to stick with the cream. 

Lace Dress  £49.99

Embroidered Blouse  £29.99

Jacquard-weave Jacket  £39.99

These items are slightly more pricey but still fab prices really when you compare to other high street stores. The jacket is a definite look-at-me item and encapsulates perfectly the entire collection. It is in a thicker weave fabric with a chic tie around the waist belt, watch out for a striped belt coming soon within this trend in the same style. The colours in the jacket I think will work well with some of the brighter pieces in the collection as well as also going perfectly with a simple white tee or a black dress. The blouse (above-right) I would style simply with a denim skirt or underneath a dungarees and I promise you will see it come back into fashion over and over again, so a great little investment buy. The black dress (above-left) is another item that will see you through the seasons and never go out of fashion. It will flatter all body types and has the sleeves on it to keep even the pickiest of ladies happy. 

Mules with a block heel  £19.99

Earrings with fringe  £7.99

Sunglasses  £6.99

I can't get over the prices on these accesories. Especially the shoes, they have similar in Zara at the moment with a higher heel but these would work for everyday wear come summer. The colour is fab, if its not quite your thing though they do also come in black. If you want a little bit of the trend but don't fancy any of the clothes on offer then try the earrings or the necklace (shown above). You cant really say no with such amazing prices, well I can't so hopefully someones with me on this. 

My advice for this week, get yourselves down to your local H&M and bag an on trend bargain! You wont regret I promise! Let me know what you think, 

xx

JUMPSUITS

This post has grown out of me taking a trip to Marks & Spencers and finding the jumpsuit of dreams. Every girl should own a comfy, durable, wear forever, jumpsuit. For those days you can't be bothered to take the time to find matching tops and bottoms, it's just such an easy throw on. The one I found in Marks & Spencers (see below) was a soft denim material and fitted me like a glove. Lets just say I have it on the top of my wishlist for pay day! But I wanted to see what else I could find on the high street for day wear, nights out and all those ones in between that we'll be forever thankful for. 

Denim Jumpsuit: Marks & Spencers  £45.00

Honeysuckle Printed Wrap Jumpsuit: Topshop  £58.00

Halterneck Jumpsuit: H&M  £39.99

Utility Boilersuit: Topshop  £55.00

Linen-Blend Jumpsuit: &Other Stories  £145.00

So (top-left) the jumpsuit that started it all off. It honestly is so soft and comfortable to wear. The only thing I would say although it doesn't put me off, is that it has a lot of buttons to be undone before a trip to the toilet. Saying that though I love a jumpsuit like this worn with a simple white t-shirt underneath it with the buttons left undone. Because of the simple denim colour of this one you could pop a stripey number under there for even more points on SS16 trend! I also really love the khaki green boilersuit style (top-right), this would be just as durable and could even be worn with some black heels for a night out with a lace cami underneath, if you wanted to add a little more interest and make it slightly more girly. The Honeysuckle print jumpsuit (bottom-left) from Topshop is gorgeous and really great quality. Right now they have another print available in this one that has just gone into sale but its selling out fast so be quick. The sports style halterneck jumpsuit (centre) is from H&M but again there is a very similar version available in Next at the moment that has just gone into sale, but I have a feeling this one will sell out fast too. The sporty style of this one looks fab with trainers and is bang on trend at the moment. To keep warm I would wear over a simple white top and chuck on a denim jacket.

Neon Rose Relaxed Cropped Jumpsuit in Patchwork: ASOS  £38.00

Halterneck Jumpsuit: Zara  £39.99

Printed Jumpsuit: Zara  £22.99

Were feeling slightly more summery with these ones from Zara and ASOS, although I would love to see all three of them layered up again too. The cropped patchwork jumpsuit (left) from ASOS would be another one perfect with a white t-shirt, I would style it with a black blazer and pointy black ankle boots for the moment. In the summer I would go with platform lace up sandals (have a look in Mango for some fab ones available now). The cropped jumpsuit from Zara (right) is a really great price at only £22.99 and could be worn over tees and shirts. The print in a darker colour means it would see you easily through all the seasons. I would style it now with a mustard roll neck and loafers or dress it down with a long sleeve t-shirt and trainers. The halterneck jumpsuit from Zara (centre) I really love. It has a cut out at the back and the print for someone who doesn't normally like girly clothes, I actually really love. If jumpsuits aren't your thing but you love this as much as I do, they also do a top in the same print. I want both for the summer with sandals in the day and mules to dress it up a bit at night. 

Belted Jumpsuit with Kimono Sleeve in Striped: ASOS  £48.00

Layered Jumpsuit: COS  £135.00

Premium Stripe Jumpsuit with Wrap: ASOS  £55.00

If you want to make a statement with your jumpsuit, this one (centre) from COS will do just that. I think this one is so clever, it will defintely have people asking where it is from but being all in black for people who dont want to scream look at me I think it is perfect. The fit would flatter most body shapes as well. Any one not sure on their thighs will be happy with the drape of fabric covering them. For anyone not sure about their stomach, the drape will distract attention away from this part of you. The culotte style is so on trend right now and everybody looks good in black. So all in all I think this one is a really great investment buy and will serve you well at Christmas with a necklace and heels as well as with a pair of bright coloured sandals for the summer. The other 2 options here are incorporating my favorite trend right now; stripes. As I've said before I cant get enough of them right now. (see older posts) These ones are both from ASOS and I think would both work with boots, heels, trainers and sandals! The vertical stripe on both of them is going to be really flattering as is the wrap style which flatters all shapes and sizes.

images via pinterest

I had a little look on pinterest to see what other people were wearing and love these. I particularly like the simplicity of the denim one (left) and think this is exactly how I'll be styling mine up. The sandals (right) are exactly what I was talking about to style with the patchwork jumpsuit (see above) and I really like how this striped one has been left really loose. It's another way to man repel but so are culottes and granny shoes so its a bit late to worry about that now. 

Hopefully I've talked you into getting yourself a jumpsuit, I promise you wont regret it, let me know what you think!

xx

  

ADDICTED TO STRIPES

I think it is safe to say I am addicted to stripes at the moment, ever since I did my first post on the trend back in January I have been drawn to them in the shops and can't seem to stop myself. I got this top (below) in Zara the other day, for no particular reason other than that it caught my eye and it just didn't seem right to leave it behind. To make myself feel better about buying it I thought I would try and style it up a few ways with items already in my wardrobe (rather than going back for the trousers I saw, also in Zara). I then realised what a versatile little number it was and wanted to share my outfit ideas with you. (Where I have used an item of my clothes no longer available online, please see similar available and use full description stated to search on specific website)

Zara Peplum Top  £22.99

Look 1.....Out Out with the girls!

Top (as before)

Shoes: Zara  (similar available - ASOS Public Desire Shane Bordeaux Ghillie Lace Up Heeled Sandal - £29.99)

Skirt: Zara  (similar available - New Look Black Leather-Look A-Line Skirt - £14.99)

Bag: Zara (similar available - Zara Contrast Mini Messenger Bag - £29.99)

Look 2.....Sunday lunch with the family

Top: (as before)

Culottes: Zara Cropped Flowing Trouser, Striped - £19.99

Shoes: Zara Flat Platform Lace-Up Shoes - £29.99

Look 3.....Shopping with friends

Top: (as before)

Trainers: Topshop (similar available - Zara  Lace-up Plimsolls  £29.99)

Trousers: Marks & Spencer  Linen Blend Striped Utility Tapered Leg Trouser - £35.00

Bag: TkMaxx (similar available - Zatchels Red Shoulder Bag - £45.00)

Look 4....Lazy Sunday

Top: (as before)

Converse: Office All Star Hi Maroon Converse - £47.99

Jeans: Marks & Spencer (similar available - Topshop MOTO Dark Blue Mom Jeans - £40.00)

Bag: Zara (similar available - Zara Cross Body Bag With Adjustable Strap - £39.99)

I hope this has given you some ideas and maybe even persuaded you to get the top yourself! Let me know what you think, 

xx

SLIP ON, SLIP DRESS

Slip dresses are back and the trend is only getting bigger and bigger after we saw them on the catwalks at Calvin Klein, Chloe and Burberry. So I wanted to show you how to mix them up a little bit for day and night looks. The key is layers, especially at this time of the year with the cold still lingering. I've styled up some of my favourite Slip dresses available now on the high street as well as including the best of the rest. 

Look 1

ATLAS Leather Fringe Boots: ASOS  £48.50

Yellow Shoulder Bag:  H&M  £29.99

MOTO Oversized Denim Jacket: Topshop  £45.00

Rollneck: Topshop  £16.00

Animal Print Slip Dress:  Topshop  £32.00

Look 1 is perfect for everyday wear and trips out at the weekend. The Animal Print on the slip dress from Topshop gives the trend an edgy feel, so with this is mind I have gone for accessories to suit this style. The boots are from ASOS and have eyelet detailing on them which is huge right now for SS16 as well as the fringe detail which is equally hot right now. With the weather as unpredictable as it can be even mid August here I would definitely recommend these boots for wear throughout the rainy days come summer. The strong pattern on the dress means the layering needs to be kept simple and a tight roll neck is perfect for this. I have gone for grey to keep the colour muted so as not to distract from the dresses pattern which is the main aspect of the look. A denim jacket is a perfect throw on when you want to keep things simple but with denim as big as it is right now you'll still be ticking all the boxes. I would roll the sleeves up a couple of times to add a little more shape. The yellow bag I think is perfect colouring for this outfit to add a little bit of fun. As we know I can't get enough of yellow at the moment (see previous blog post) and this little suede cross the body bag from H&M's premium collection is fab. 

Look 2

Adidas Superstar Burgundy:  Office  £66.99

White Roll up Tshirt:  Topshop  £12.00

Backpack:  Zara  £35.99

Flowing Trench: Zara  £59.99

Dress: Zara  £25.99

Look 2 I would wear day to day when I want to feel a little bit dressed up but still be able to complete all my mum duties! The dress from Zara is a beautiful slinky, slightly sparkly number which could also be worn with nude heels and a statement clutch for a night out. But for day time I have chosen a flowing trench coat. I think this one from Zara is beautiful and would go with so many other things. If you wanted to add a bit of shape to it, a waist belt would work perfectly. Or try doing the same thing but with a scarf tied around it instead of a belt. I've the kept the layering simple withe a bright white t-shirt, this is another staple for every wardrobe. My trick is when I find the perfect one, buy 2, because it's only a matter of time before you stain one of them! The bag I have kept simple and a similar colour to the coat but the fact that it is a backpack means it is bang on trend right now and perfect for the summer. The shoes are where I have added a bit of colour. Burgundy is one of my favourite colours for accessories. I have just got some new converses in this colour but I do love these Adidas superstars in suede too. As they are a darker colour, the trick is to balance your look. With such a heavy colour on your feet you need something going on, on top, which with this outfit is the dress and tee combo and by then adding the loose fitting jacket you are balancing the look even more. 

Look 3

Mesh Insert V Neck Cami Top:  ASOS  £18.00

Quilted Bomber Jacket:  Zara  £39.99

NINETY Strappy Sandals:  Topshop  £49.00 

Floral Camisole Dress:  Zara  £29.99

Look 3 I love for a night out to a gig or drinks in town. But you could always swap the heels for converse and wear it during the day. I think this dress is the most versatile and something that you will wear year after year. Word of warning though...it does keep selling out on Zara.com but keep looking because I've seen it come back into stock twice already. I'm after it myself so I'll let you know! The layers used with the first 2 dresses could both be worn with this dress. For a more dressed up look this time I've styled it with a strappy cami underneath. The pink picks up on the girly colours seen in the dress but to give balance and make sure it doesn't become too girly I've added a khaki bomber jacket. Another useful piece that will go with everything you own right now. To compliment the look I chose some strappy sandals in a delicate pastel pink. These ones are from Topshop and are a really good price, plus with all the straps I think they would be super comfy on a night out. I like them because as much I love pink I don't ever like to be too girly so I think these are just right and I definitely have them on my wishlist for the summer. I would also style them with ripped jeans and the cami top shown here. 

Here's a few more options of Slip dresses available on the high street;

(From left to right)

Pinstripe Slip Dress:  Topshop  £36.00

Lace Applique Dress: Mango  £35.99

Rust Brown Lace Slip Dress: River Island  £38.00

Lace Trim Dress (black): Mango  £35.99

Flowy Dress (blue): Mango £39.99

Lace Applique Dress (red): Mango  £25.99

(Images via Pinterest)

Finally I found these images on pinterest and wanted to share because I really love how they have layered with jeans and knitwear, making the slip dress even more versatile and perfect for this time of year. I also think the Zara dress I featured above would look great styled with a check shirt round the waist and chunky boots as seen here. So ladies the Slip dress doesn't have to be girly and just because its shiny, it doesn't have to be saved exclusively for nights out. Shop your wardrobe and layer up some summer pieces with winter pieces. Let me know what you think....

xx

SHOE ADDICT !!

Anyone that knows me or follows my instagram will know I am unashamedly addicted to shoes. I have far too many and yet still not enough. So as the season changes and the weather starts to warm up we'll soon be putting our boots into hibernation and getting our feet out. I'm not quite ready for sandals so I'm keeping my toes hidden for a while longer but my feet will slowly be edging out over the coming months. With this in mind I thought I'd share some of those on my wishlist as well as some fab heels I've spotted, because a girl can never have too many heels!!

(From left to right)

1. DARCI Toe Cap Espadrills  Michal Kors @ Kurt Geiger  £120.00

2. KOLA Mule Loafer  Topshop   £59.00

3. BONNIE Black/Ivory Studded Flat  Boden  £89.50

4. Slingback Leather Shoes  Zara  £59.99

5. CHESTER  Russell & Bromley  £175.00

6. KAT High Vamp Ballet Shoes  Topshop  £49.00

The Russell & Bromley Chester loafers (above) have been on my wishlist now for a couple of years. My mum has some and they are just slightly too small for me so I can almost squeeze my feet into them much to her dismay but they are so comfortable and absolute classics. If I had the money I would most definetley invest in a pair and the pair above with snakeskin, which is going no where for now, are perfect for Spring Summer 2016. I love how fun the Boden shoes (above) are too. They would give casual everyday outfits of jeans and a tee a look of high fashion and have everybody asking about them. 

1. Leather Boot-Style Sandals  Zara  £59.99

2. KNOX Silver Brogues  KG Kurt Geiger  £110.00

3. Stretch Sneakers  Zara  £29.99

4. JULIETTE Mid Heel Shoes  Topshop  £49.00

5. BLOOMSBURY Lace up Brogues  Russell & Bromley  £175.00

We all know I'm a big fan of a mid heeled shoe and the ones (above) are both equally fab. I can't get enough of leopard print at the moment so the Topshop pair are going on my wishlist. I think they would look amazing dressed up with an all black outfit with culottes and during the day styled with burnt orange and a mid wash denim. This heel is not always flattering but they aren't called man repellers for nothing. They can be flattering if they are worn with an ankle grazer jean or I personally really like them with a long culotte style trouser or jean, (Zara have some great options at the moment). The white leather pair from Zara are slightly more summery but I would be tempted for now to wear them with some gold glittery socks, layered cami dress and bomber jacket. As far as brogues go, this time of year my advice would be to invest in a white/cream pair. The Russell & Bromley pair above are a really good quality and as long as for now you avoid the puddles will come back out year after year. 

1. LEONA Printed Platforms  Topshop  £52.00

2. ROCCO Embroidered Sandal  Topshop  £56.00

3. EBONY Multi-coloured High Heel  Miss KG  £65.00

4. FLORRIE Black peep toe  Miss KG  £80.00

5. BOW Court Shoe  Topshop Unique  £115.00

As I said a girl can never have too many pairs of heels. Every outfit needs a fresh pair when it comes to nights out. This season sees heels go colourful and crazy with patterns, embroidery, stripes and bows. I really love the Topshop platforms and think I saw Pixie Geldof wearing them at the Topshop Unique fashion show AW16 recently. She styled hers with girlfriend jeans and a loose bright pink knit, because when the shoes are this loud you don't want to over do the rest of the outfit. I'm a great fan of less is more and letting one item do all the talking so I thought her look was perfect. The black peep toe shoes (above) from Kurt Geiger I really really love and think they would be another investment piece that you could bring out again and again with your LBD or simply worn with loose fit jeans and a plain blouse to give that wow aspect to the outfit. 

1. RIVET Eyelet Sandals  Topshop  £59.00

2. ALEXA Pointed Leather Courts  LK Bennett  £295.00

3. LUX-RADICAL  Topshop  £65.00

4. Contrast Platform Sandals  Zara  £39.99

5. NUTTY  KG Kurt Geiger  £110.00

If you're looking for something a little more fierce the Eyelet sandals (above) from Topshop are bang on trend for this season and this style has been seen from everyone from Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Alexander Wang. All of which have gone chunky and added eyelets and chains to black sandals for the summer. For a highstreet pair these are a good compromise with a more girly heel but still with all the intention of those seen on the catwalk. The Kurt Geiger pair also follow the trend but with the chunky heel they would be great for during the day as well as nights out. The LK Bennett pair (above) are a slightly different style but so classic yet with a modern pattern to them. I would style these with a pinstripe denim 2 piece (see previous blog on denim) to bring the whole outfit up to date. For my age I would avoid midi length dresses/skirts with this style of shoe as I think it could age me, although 'Granny chic' was all over the runways at LFW AW16 so maybe it could work!

I could have gone on forever with shoes being the shoe-a-holic that I am but I had to stop somewhere, so hopefully you've spotted something that takes your fancy! Give me a couple more months and I'll be ready to let my toes free on the world once again and we can talk sandals, until then let me know what you think...

xx