retail therapy

Most people look forward to Friday in their job, but in mine it has fast become the most chaotic day of the week. That doesn’t mean I don’t love it; I can’t imagine working anywhere else and enjoying it half as much but sometimes it leaves myself and my colleagues a little fraught. Last Friday after an especially hectic day I came home and pretty much straight away ordered this Mango dress via ASOS after seeing it on Janine in a moment of haste and “must have it”.
I can’t say it provided an instant remedy, actually buyers remorse soon kicked in as I don’t do fitted and this is so unlike anything I own, but at £11.50 I figured it worth the risk and when it arrived later in the week I was almost thankful for that stressful day for this has turned out to be one of my favourite “retail therapy” purchases.

I kept the outfit simple, wearing only boring tights and some Dune sequin flats c/o Sarenza but felt surprisingly confident thanks to the flattering panels and structured design.

Yesterday was another of those stressful Fridays but through a hospital appointment about my foot rather than work; the news wasn’t the best and the saga continues but fingers crossed they know what’s wrong now which means we are on the road to me being able to work normally and more excitingly wear heels again!

Happy Saturday to one and all,
what are you up to this weekend? I’m off to see friends tonight for a belated Christmas gathering…food, friends and alcohol is the recipe for the perfect weekend I’m sure.

xxx

Brilliance from Boux

I think one of the signs you’re growing up (for girls at least) is when you stop shopping for novelty knickers and cheap and cheerful bras, favouring instead more mature, matching pieces even if no-one but yourself is going to see it;
Admit it ladies, nothing feels better than knowing that you’re wearing really nice underwear that actually belongs together under an otherwise boring outfit…it’s like carrying around a happy little secret all day long.

This year I’ve vowed to give my smalls an overhaul and my first stop shop is Boux Avenue, you can see above my picks of the new arrivals on the website- and having recently popped in to the Bath store I can assure you they are every bit as gorgeous in real life, too.

What I really love about Boux is that they cater for all sizes; I’ve mentioned this before after attending the opening of the Bristol store. There is nothing more frustrating than falling in love with lingerie only to find your size isn’t available, ever and being restricted to maybe one or two styles from a brand. Boux cleverly alter the cut and shape of a design depending on the size meaning everything is available to everyone no matter what size you are. They also cater for all budgets too and every so often have a mega sale where you can stock up for less.
Not limited to undies you can also fulfil your nightwear, lounge wear and gift giving/beauty needs. I’m not a fan of the traditional one piece but how can I resist the one I’ve shown above? Perfect for lazy days moping around the house. Add that in to the impeccably styled stores and fun and friendly staff (gorgeous changing rooms, free measuring service…I could go on) and you can see why I love the brand so much.
Coupled up girls, start dropping hints now…MEN start taking those hints and single ladies…well, who needs an excuse to buy pretty things?

Fancy a bargain? Shop the Boux Avenue half price bra sale NOW…but leave some for me. Please.

xxx

*sponsored post, but trust me, I really really do love Boux*

cutting edge

Tights and I, we go way back…it might not be so obvious these days but my obsession still rages on so when I was contacted about tights that could be customised to suit your own personal style you can imagine my reaction…

Hosiery with LYCRA®FUSION™ fibre offers you the freedom to get creative as the technology allows you to snip, cut and customise your tights, providing you with the opportunity to develop bespoke designs that suit your individual style – with no need to worry about
snagging or laddering.

The Technology: 
Tights that run are a thing of the past. The LYCRA® FUSION™ fibre innovation is based on bi-component technology that allows the outer layer of the fibres to fuse to each other during the tights’ thermofixation process. The result is hosiery with increased durability and performance – when holes are made the knitting structure stays intact so there will be no runs along the hose. It’s this technology which lets you get creative and have the confidence that the tights won’t run as long as you stick to few simple rules.

Get Creative with Customising:
Customising your tights with the knowledge that the holes will keep their shape means that you can get creative with colours, layering, shapes and textures. The holes you cut can vary in both size and shape, so you can decide exactly how much of the material you want to show through from your tights underneath. Try experimenting with a combination of colours to match your favourite pair of heels or mix two bold shades if you really want to stand out. A lace or textured pair of tights worn under your customised LYCRA® FUSION™ fibre hosiery will achieve a unique layered affect.

Offering you the opportunity to put your own stamp on a simple wardrobe staple, tights with LYCRA® FUSION™ fibre will ensure you can express your style with individual hosiery to compliment any outfit. Every look will completely be your own.

Tights with LYCRA® FUSION™ fibre are available in the UK from the Andrea Bucci brand at ‘MyTights.com’ in an exclusive range of colour ways. Choose from Black, Grey, Purple, Brown, Navy and Burgundy, each priced at £12. ’MyTights.com’ also has a wide variety of trend driven styles you can combine them with – the options are endless!

I was sent a couple of pairs of the tights in black as well as some coloured tights to layer underneath. I decided to play it fairly safe for my first attempt and ended up with the random holes design you can see above. I teamed it with a little black dress with white tights under the custom pair for a statement look. On my feet you’ll see heels. I don’t know why I do that to myself. My foot is far from fixed and it was pretty painful to say the least…flats just didn’t feel right though!

I can’t really say enough about these tights, they are just brilliant! I’m saving my second pair to get really creative with, I’m trying to work out how to get a star type design (answers on a post card please) to layer up with something metallic…

What do you think of the idea? Brilliance or a waste? I think even if you don’t want to start cutting up your tights (which is super easy and oddly satisfying to do by the way) to have a pair of tights that won’t run if you snag them makes the £12 price tag oh so worth it (when you consider what you pay for some “normal” tights).

xxx

P.S. I should also mention there is a fantastic competition that you can enter…

Cutting Edge Style Competition

Show us your legs! To be in with a chance of winning a LYCRA®FUSION™ fibre hosiery gift box along with a £100 MyTights.com voucher, share an image of yourself wearing your customised tights via one of the options listed below. The designs will be pinned on the MyTights.com Cutting Edge Pinterest board, and the winner will be selected by our panel of Style bloggers. Closing date 31st Jan 2013

• Pinterest: Upload and pin the image of yourself using #CuttingEdge

• Post your image on: Facebook.com/MyTightsOnline

Twitter.com/MyTights #CuttingEdge

• Email your image to: competitions@mytights.com

 

banished those blues

I think bright colours are the ultimate cure for down in the dumps days and they don’t get much brighter than this gorgeous satchel from Flights of Nancy (c/o) which retails at £90. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect satchel for quite some time so I am eternally grateful to have been sent this one which ticks all my bag boxes- fun, spacious and well made.

If you feel the need for some brightness or fancy shopping the blues away the gorgeous Natalie at Flights of Nancy is offering a super generous 30% off when you use the code HAPPYNEWYEAR at the checkout…it’s valid until the end of January and if that doesn’t put a smile on your face I don’t know what will.

xxx

wild horses

Jumper c/o AX Paris, Jeans- Next via Mum’s wardrobe, Converse c/o Sarenza

After a few days back at work in smart clothes I was crying out for jeans at the weekend. It’ll be a sad day when this pair give up the ghost- they are the ultimate feel good jeans and I wish I had bought several pairs back in the day. I’m thinking of ordering a back up of this jumper so I don’t get the same “please don’t fall apart” feelings…it’s so snuggly and baggy. I want to live in it.

I hope no-one is struggling too badly with the January Blues. We joke about it a lot as a nation but it is a very real problem and I am sending a massive virtual cuddle to anybody who’s having a hard time right now.

Well, short and sweet post, there isn’t much to say so early in the week; no chance for anything to happen yet..after the madness of the last few weeks I’d be quite happy if it stayed that way if I’m honest!

How are you doing?

xxx