WEDDING FEVER 

Last weekend we went to the absolutely fabulous wedding of 2 of our most favourite people. The sun was shining, I was in tears (happy tears of course), the whole day was amazing and it was topped off by me and my friends dancing like no one was watching, the only way to dance in my opinion! I had searched high and low for a dress for the occasion because I wanted to wear something to grab attention but at the same time take nothing away from the bride and her bridal party. I knew the colour scheme was peach so stayed away from this and didn't want anything too floral or pretty as I had an idea this would be the theme of the wedding . I was very happy with my outfit on the day and got lots of comments and compliments on it so thought I would share the details,  as well as my pick of similar pieces available on the high street. 

My dress was a bright purple maxi dress with multi-coloured detailing on it. It is very low cut on the front so was stuck in place with a little tape. It has a waist belt that I tied around the back but to be honest it is long enough to give you the option of tying it around the front with a bow as well. It has 4 splits, 2 on each side at the front and back which go up just past the knee. These splits give the dress a real girly, elegant feel as you walk and it swishes between your legs. It has an underskirt which goes down to the top of the splits and means you don't have to worry about it being see through as it is a very light weight, breathable fabric which was fab for me in the heat. The sleeves were the only draw back for me as when I first put it on they were a little tight but as I wore it throughout the day I think it stretched slightly and was more comfortable. I love love love this dress and think it perfectly balances the bright and bold pattern with girly features in the cut of the dress and the fabric. It comes up quite small, so I sized up one size with the arms obviousy still being a little tight. 

Faux Feather Twisted Fascinator  Marks & Spencer  £25.00

Nostalgia Slits Dress in Jardin Print  &Other Stories  £79.00

Suede Handbag  eBay  £14.99

May Black Faux Suede Heeled Sandal  Pretty Little Thing  £25.00

My full outfit was made up of accessories I found both online and in store. The shoes I found on Pretty Little Thing and was really pleasantly surprised with them. I hadn't ordered from there before but they came next day and were really comfortable and came up true to size. My fascinator was from M&S and comes in a variety of other colours if black isn't your thing. I sometimes find hats and fascinators can be over priced but I thought this was a reasonable price for something I could easily wear again and it was really comfortable to wear. I went for black because I'm personally not a fan of navy which is the coloring in the dress, I felt going for black made sure the outfit stayed really smart. My clutch bag was a bargain find from an eBay shop that I was also really pleased with. It's real suede, perfect size for all your bits, came with a shoulder strap and wrist strap and was exactly the pop  of colour that the dress needed.  

If you love the print of this dress as much as I do but aren't a fan of a maxi dress then how about trying one of these options (below), both from & Other Stories and varying in price. I think the shorter options would be perfect for day time bbqs, nights out and holidays in the sun. 

1. A-Line Halter Dress in Jardin Print  &Other Stories  £55.00

2. Ditzy Frill Dress  &Other Stories  £165.00

If you have any occasions coming up this summer and do feel like going for a maxi dress here is my pick of the high street

1. Frill Tea Maxi Dress in Floral Print  ASOS  £65.00

2. Pleated Maxi Dress with Drape Back Cape Sleeve  ASOS WEDDING  £85.00

3. Ruffle Came Maxi Dress in Yellow and Black Floral  ASOS  £75.00

ASOS really is the one stop shop for wedding outfitts at the moment. If you don't have the time to be looking all over the place for dresses and accessories then this is your answer. I love the floral options above and you could pick out the colours in each with your accessories. I really like the dress in the centre here with the drape back and cape sleeve detailing. You could go bright red with your fascinator and shoes and I would stay nude with a clutch bag. All of these dresses as well as mine will also work the following summer on holiday with a straw bag and sandals. 

1. V-Back Maxi Dress Cherry Blossom Print  &Other Stories  £65.00

2. Long Shiny Dress  Zara  £49.99

If like me you don't want to go too flowery and girly than how about one of these dresses. Perfect for dressing up and will certainly grab peoples attention. I would stay simple with your accessories with the gold Zara dress and after your event it could be worn with a t-shirt and trainers for an ultra glam casual look. 

Hopefully I've inspired you to step out of the box and out of your comfort zone for any upcoming events or occasions this summer. Most importantly feel comfortable and confident and always, dance like no ones watching!

xx

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC - RED EDIT 22.07.16

This week I went a little crazy in H&M and discovered red is my new favourite colour. I also got bitten again by the gingham bug and finally succumbed to those Chloe 'Jamie' dupes in mango which are now a ridiculous £12.99!! Take a look below for all the details....

Gingham Trousers  Primark  £9.00

Anyone who follows me on Instagram will know I have a thing about gingham at the moment and these trousers were less than a tenner so thought it would be rude not to give them a go. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried them on as they are a perfect fit and have a slight stretch in them, so perfect for running around after a toddler. They come up quite big so I sized down one size as I wanted them to be a snug fit. I'm planning on wearing them with a black vest top and my new Mango shoes (see below). You could also pair them with some colour but I would keep it simple on top to let the trousers do the talking. 

Strap Cord Sandals  Mango  £12.99 (was £35.99)

If like me you follow countless amounts of Fashion Bloggers and Fashionistas on Instagram then you can't have missed these beauties. They also came in a nude colour which to be honest have been more popular with people but that's exactly why they sold out first. I kept changing my mind on whether I needed another pair of lace up shoes and have had them sitting in my basket since they were full price. But when they went down to just £12.99 I could no longer resist. The Chloe 'Jamie' pair are slightly more pricey than this yet look so similar in style. I tried the nude pair on in store when they were full price so know they come up perfect with sizing and are really comfortable and wearable even with the small heel. The good thing about the heel means they can be worn day or night so I'm sure I'll get a lot of wear out of them.  I just have to wait for them to arrive now (waits patiently by the front door).

Red Top  H&M  £7.99

So onto the red edit! H&M have launched a new collection and it is all about red and navy with some chic patterns thrown in. It is so affordable and has so many different textiles and cuts available, I couldn't get just one piece. The red top (above) is super flattering and has a crinkle/pleated affect to it which means it is great for keeping you cool on hot days. I went for my usual size but beware the neck on it has no stretch in it so its not easy to pull on and off in a hurry. I initially picked it up because I was looking for a top to go with my new trousers (below). It looked perfect paired with them for a fresh take on the sports trend currently taking over, so watch out for that happening soon on my instagram. I'll also be wearing the top with denim cut offs and black accessories and maybe even dressing it up for a night out. Not bad for less than a tenner! 

Trousers  H&M  £14.99

I have been after a pair of sports luxe trousers for a while now but all have been quite expensive and to be honest none particularly took my fancy. But these H&M ones are fab, easy to wear and comfortable in a thin material perfect which is for summer. They have a small zip on the outer edge of each leg, very nineties I think you'll agree! They also come up true to size and on me are a perfect length (I think I'm around 5'5). I'll be wearing them with my new red top and maybe my new Mango shoes (see above) as well as with a white tee and trainers. 

Red Dress  H&M  £12.99

This dress was the reason I took a trip into town and it didn't disappoint. Off-the-Shoulder detailing, peplum sleeves, boho vibes, it had my name written all over it. You can wear it with or without the shoulder straps and has a lovely flare to it with the peplum at the bottom. I have seen it styled with espadrilles and loved it but you could always slip on your sliders for an easy day look. Because of the nature of it, it comes up quite big so I sized down but it depends really on how loose you want it to be. 

Metallic Sandals  H&M  £15.00 (was £25.99)

As I was standing at the till with my red haul I spotted these sandals and have been after a pair of metallic sandals all summer. They had no price on them so told myself if they are less than a tenner get them....£15.00. Clearly I am weak willed and have no self control as they came home with me. The deciding factor was that they could be worn with all the items I was already buying. They fitted really well and came up true to size, I'm just going to focus on the fact that I saved £10.00 on them! 

Stay tuned to my instagram for all these pieces making an appearance but until then have a fantastic weekend and enjoy the sun while we have it!

xx

SUMMER WHITES


Summer has finally revisited us in England this week and it came back with a vengeance. We have been enjoying temperatures in the high twenties and everyone is fully in summer wardrobe mode, hooray!!! A fail safe way to dress for this kind of heat is white, whether its head to toe or just a touch of it, white is one way to really make the most of all this sun. I've had a look at what's available on the high street and wanted to share with you my pick of all the freshest pieces for every occasion, body shape and budget. Let me know what you think....

1. Openwork Panel Dress  Mango  £59.99

2. Cotton Dress  H&M  £49.99

3. Ruffle Cutwork Cami Dress  Warehouse  £45.00

1. Lace Insert High Neck Blouse  ASOS  £36.00

2. Lace Top  Mango  £35.99

3. Cold Shoulder Cami Top with Lace Trim in Satin Finish  ASOS  £25.00

4. Lace Up Swing Top  Topshop  £28.00

I love these girly options and they are all perfect for dressing up or down. I would go for tan sandals or espadrilles with the dresses or for a casual daytime look a fresh pair of white trainers would also work. The tops would look fab with ripped denim and I would say the lighter you go with your wash the more casual your look is going to be. 

Lace Bomber  Mango  £49.99

This bomber from Mango is perfect for chucking on if the weather does change its mind and will see you right through until the beginning of Autumn. I love it styled here with a fresh white top and a mid-wash denim but you could also try adding some colour or a floral dress underneath. 

1. Embroidered Organza Playsuit  H&M  £29.99

2. Aniya Dress  Chi-Chi London  £64.99

3. Lace Floral Cut-Out Dress  Glamorous @ Topshop  £49.00

If it's an occasion outfit you're after then these pretty lace options are perfect. Maybe avoid your best friends wedding in one of these but for a day at the races or a Christening, white is a fab choice. I have to admit I am quite clumsy so I do have to be careful when I wear white but never let this stop you. Clothes are for wearing, not just to be looked at. Any mums will know a tub of vanish is always your best friend so if you do have any spills, no problem. 

My favourite here is the playsuit from H&M, I have seen it in store a couple of times and for under £30.00 I think it is fab. The quality is really good and it has a slight sheen to it which makes it perfect for dressing up with some silver heels and a metallic clutch bag. 

1. White Ruffle Trim V-Neckline Top  New Look  £15.99

2. Blouse with Draped Layers  COS  £55.00

3. Knot Back Top  Zara  £15.99

4. Peplum Cotton Top  COS  £45.00

5. Top with Frill Shoulder Detail  ASOS WHITE  £45.00

Off-The-Shoulder Dress with Bow  Zara  £25.99

White doesn't have to be girly and lacey, these options give a clean look and can still be dressed smart or casual. For days as hot as this week the Knot back top from Zara and a pair of denim culottes would be perfect for an evening at the pub. Or for an easy day top try the New Look top at just £15.99 is an absolute steal. You could pair this with ripped denim and espadrilles or go for black trousers and heeled mules for an evening look. I also think this dress from Zara is a steal and love the bow detailing which I think makes it look much more expensive than it is. 

1. Leather Western Tip Waist and Hip Belt  ASOS  £16.00

2. Stud Cross Body Bag  Mango  £14.39 (was £35.99)

3. Leather Mule Shoes  Zara  £59.99

4. White Print Bandana Neckerchief  Missguided  £4.00

If you still don't trust yourself with all white then why not try adding a little bit of summer to your outfit with your accessories. These pieces don't have to be confined to summer and will go with so many things you already have in your wardrobe. The shoes are a fashionistas must have for this season and look like they have come straight off the catwalk. I love the bandana and might have to add this to my collection. The belt is also a fresh way to update any look and would look fab dressed up with a festival vibe. 

(images via pinterest)

Don't let the summer get away without stepping out in white this year, and I hope you're all having as much fun in the sun as we are!

xx

GINGHAM FOR SS16

Love it or hate it, gingham is everywhere right now. I don't know how I held back on the trend for so long to be honest, especially as now I have dived in I have gone in at the deep end. All of a sudden I can't get enough of it and love how versatile it is to dress up or down. I've trawled the high street in search of all the best bits on offer and wanted to share with you how I've been styling my new bits up and where I get my inspiration. 

(from left to right-top to bottom)

1. Pleated Culottes in Gingham Check  ASOS  £10.50 (was £15.00)
2. Check Cottom Shirt / Shorts  Mango  £14.99 (was £29.99) / £12.99 (was £25.99)
3. Structured Midi Dress in Gingham Print  ASOS  £45.00
4. Patchwork Check Print Scarf  Zara  £7.99 (was £17.99)

I have the shorts and shirt set shown here from Mango and it has not dissapointed. I have found the shorts so comfortable to wear and the lightweight fabric is perfect for the muggy conditions we have been enduring recently. I bought the items with the idea of wearing them together but because of bad weather I've only managaed them so far as separates, take a look below at how I have been styling them up. I love the scarf from Zara and it's a real bargain in the sale at the moment too. I would chuck it on with a basic white tee and jeans and it would see you through all seasons so for only £7.99 you can't really go wrong. I do love the ASOS dress as well and would love to see this with fresh trainers and a denim jacket. The cut on this dress would flatter most body shapes and the length I think would suit all ages. 

So here is how I have been wearing my shirt and shorts so far. I'm not going to lie the shirt came straight out the packaging and went on that day (thank goodness for early deliveries). I wore it with my choker from ASOS, Topshop dark wash Jamie jeans and my Mango sliders (see previous post). The shorts I decided to pair with my lace up blouse (see previous post), and went with my Mango sliders again. I love how comfortable this look was and easy to wear but still giving the appearance that I made an effort. All hail loose fit clothing, a mummies best friend!

1. Check Shirt Dress  Mango  £17.99 (was £35.99)

2. Check Trousers  Mango  £17.99 (was £35.99)

3. Gingham Jacket  See by Chloe @ ASOS  £180.00 (was £480.00)

4. Jemima Ballet Tie Leg Espadrilles  ASOS  £12.00

5. Pure Cotton Gingham Checked Camisole Top  Marks & Spencer  £16.00 (was £25.00)

The shoes here from ASOS I have on my wishlist and will probably be coming my way before the end of the week. They are a great way to inject a bit of the gingham trend into other outfits and update key pieces in your wardrobe, the lace up detailing is also bang on trend for SS16. I can't not talk about the See by Chloe jacket available at ASOS. I still can't believe the price and think this would become a favourite when the weather begins to change. The detailing on the cuffs I love and the length would flatter all body shapes especially if worn with culottes or wide leg cropped trousers. 

1. Black Gingham Check Bardot Neck Shirt  Influence @ New Look  £17.99

2. Check Pattern Blouse  Mango  £14.99  (was £29.99)

3. Gingham Sleeveless Top / Crop Trousers  Dorothy Perkins  £25.00 / £22.50

4. White Gingham Tipped Sundress  Dorothy Perkins  £15.00 (was £20.00)

5. Gingham Check Shirt  ASOS  £25.00

I love the simplicity of the blouse from Mango and it has a slightly smarter feel to it than the button up shirts on offer. I spotted this one on the fab @amothersedit who has been styling it up recently with a casual vibe, going for trainers and denim cut offs. Co-ords are huge right now and this one from Dorothy Perkins would be so versatile and could be worn in so many ways. Seperately I would style the trousers with a white tee and black choker and go for a denim skirt with the top. 

1. Classic Short Sleeve Shirtdress in Gingham  J.Crew  £118.00

2. Gingham Off The Shoulder Dress  Warehouse  £49.00

3. Gingham Wrap Skirt  Warehouse  £39.00

4. Ruffled Dress in Gingham  J.Crew  £69.50

5. Gingham Floral Midi Dress Off the Shoulder Neckline  Horrockses @ ASOS £125.00

If you're after the trend for a summer event then look no further than the midi dress here from ASOS. It has 1950's written all over it and this is exactly where the gingham trend feels most at home. Take inspiration from Grace Kelly and Liz Taylor and go all out glamour with this one. The red floral pattern that has been used means you can go for bright red lipstick, my suggestion - MAC Ruby Woo, and wear with round-toe heels. If you like to stand out then this is a must for anything you have coming up over the summer.

1. Gingham Blouse  Zara  £25.99  

2. Gingham Bonded Mini Skirt  Topshop  £15.00 (was £35.00)

3. Check Print Dress  Zara  £12.99 (was £25.99)

4. Gingham Cigarette Trousers  Topshop  £39.00

5. Pure Cotton Gingham Checked Shirt  Marks & Spencer  £18.00 (was £29.50)

The cigarette trousers here I love, these ones are Topshop but I have seen this style and pattern all over the high street recently. Marks and Spencers had a fab pair in their Archive by Alexa collection which look like they are sold out now online but it's always worth checking in store. I would keep the rest of the outfit simple with these and go for a black vest top and pumps to let the trousers do all the talking and keep it ladylike with more of that 1950's feel. I love the bib detailing on the shirt from Marks and Spencers, be quick on this one though as it's selling out fast at this price. The Zara dress is another piece I have been wearing and is again so comfortable. I wanted something I could chuck on, on busy days when I don't have time for seperates (mummy life) and this dress is just perfect for such days. Plus it is a loose fit and a good length which is always good when you're running around after a toddler. It came up true to size on me and I went for Small, have a look below at how I styled it up.

For more inspiration on how to style gingham take a look below and see how it's being done street style....

(images via pinterest)

I love the layering of the dress with a white tee and this could be done with so many of my high street picks above. The midi skirt seen above from warehouse would also look fab dressed up as seen here with a straw hat and sandals. But for that effortlessly chic look why not stay basic and go with trusty denim cut offs and smart accessories. There is something out there for every shape, size and budget so don't let gingham pass you by. I've stuck with monochrome because it's my personal favourite for the trend but if you fancy something a little more colourful the same rules still apply.

xx