Cat out of Hell

It’s been at least a couple of weeks since I last featured cat themed clothing on the blog- I can’t have my reputation as a cat lady slip so I thought I’d better rectify things sooner rather than later with today’s post…

Dress: River Island via ASOS | Blouse: Monki via ASOS | Boots: Miista

I can’t even remember the last time I wore this blouse, I was drawn in by the cat print (of course!) forgetting that I really am not a shirt or blouse kind of girl! Still, I can’t bring myself to get rid of it so decided that I’d best make an effort to get a few wears out if it at least- I’m having a major declutter of my life at the moment and anything un-worn for more than 3 months is heading to e-bay or the charity shops/clothes bank. Half of my battle with blouses is knowing HOW to wear them, they remind me so much of school uniform that I have some kind of mental block. I think I did ok with this leather look pinafore though, and my beloved (bargain) Miista boots that are quite possibly my favourite shoes ever.

My hairs looking a bit out of control in these photos, it’s got so long all of a sudden and I’m at a real loss as to what to do with it. I can’t afford to go and get it cut and coloured at the moment, and even if I could I don’t want to just go for the same old thing. Leave me some suggestions below, perhaps I’ll sell enough of my unworn items to splash out and go wild on a brand new ‘do!

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Dressing up Mum with Bonmarche

When I started my blog all the way back in 2009 (oh how old that makes me feel!) it was a mainly solo affair- it was months before I let on to my family and friends what I was doing, and longer still before anyone else knew. These days I have a more “all hands on deck” approach and rope in helpers wherever possible. I have Ben doing the design and maintenance side of things (plus the odd photoshoot) and then I have Mum doing almost every set of photos and helping me sort out photographing and organising other posts too.

It’s nice to be able to reward these people who give up their time to help me, so when Bonmarche got in touch asking if I’d like to pick out a piece from their new Citrus Bloom by David Emanuel collection for my Mum I jumped at the chance (casually mentioning to her a day or so later that she’d need to be photographed and appear on the internet!)

Dress c/o Bonmarche | Tights: Marks and Spencer | Boots: Wallis

I’ll admit that I had Bonmarche down as an older person’s shop before I worked with them on the blog a year or so ago and took a fresh look. Granted some of the pieces are still aimed at a more mature audience but there are some items that are just perfect for people like my Mum- who want to dress nicely without looking either too young or too frumpy. This dress is really lovely, it’s a great quality fabric that clings in a really flattering way. The print is gorgeous and it’s quickly become a staple for a day at work. At £30 it’s a brilliant buy as it’s clearly going to last for quite some time, and I am sure there will be the odd occasion when this makes it’s way in to my wardrobe for a quick work-wear solution.
I know Mum was more than a bit reluctant to appear on the blog but I think she looks great- it was really comical watching her pose for the camera though, she’s obviously spent too long photographing me as at times it was like looking in a mirror!
Do you have anyone else get involved in your blog or is it still a bit of a secret? What do you think of how Mum styled the dress?

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(Insta)Life Re-cap

So after an unplanned blog hiatus thanks to hosting issues and Ben’s skill and persistence when it comes to all things computer I’m finally back with a post (and seemingly missing a few, plus comments, but hey, I’m back!). I have tonnes of content to put together and share over the next week or so but I thought I’d launch right in with an Instagram recap of the first month of 2015- where has time gone?
Want to see more of what I get up to? You can follow me on Instagram here: make sure you leave your links below, I love a good stalk browse!

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Cold Snap

Last week, whilst people up North were frolicking in snow and ice we down near Bristol were left with a mere sprinkle of the white stuff, frolicking in sleet and freezing winds instead. In our wisdom Mum and I decided to pop down to a lake near where we live, mostly so that I could practice some driving manoeuvres in the car park but also as a change of location for blog pictures. I used to spend a lot of time down at the lake, Dad and my Granddad were big fans of taking my brother and I down to let off steam on a Sunday. These days I tend to (shamefully) forget about it, but I have a return trip planned- this time armed with bread to feed the hoards of hungry ducks!

Coat: Zara (last year) | Jumper: H&M | Jeans: Bershka | Boots: Zara

Such chilly weather calls for layers of basics to keep in some heat. I had tried in vain not to give in and to carry on wearing my skirts, dresses and tights but in the end jeans and this cosy new jumper from H&M won. I had it in my head that I hated roll neck jumpers, something about feeling constricted but this one doesn’t make me feel like that at all and is super cosy to boot! At £5 in the H&M sale I wish there had been more colours available. Once I’ve recovered from the shock of spending my savings on a MacBook air (very much needed as my old laptop was taking twenty minutes to load a page) I might seek out a few more bargain knits just in case more freezing conditions threaten.
Do you have any local beauty spots like this? I think I’m going to try and get more photos amongst the ducks and geese as the weather improves- wading through mud isn’t very glamorous but it does make a change from the back garden!

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Sheer

It’s been a while since I roped Ben in to taking photos for the blog, mostly because I am too lazy to drag my camera in to Bristol when I go to spend the weekends with him. Feeling a little more motivated the weekend before last (spurred on by my rambling post the other day) we had a mini photo-shoot by the studio he rents to teach guitar and do web design work from.

Top: Primark | Skirt c/o Clothing at Tesco (last year) | Boots c/o Daniel Footwear (last year but available still) | Necklace c/o Jon Richard

I picked up this top in Primark a few weeks ago and this was the first time I had even tried it on. It wasn’t until I uploaded these photos that I realised quite how sheer it was, perhaps it’s less so in real life as nobody reacted like I was exposing myself but either way I think it looks kind of cool (and to be honest, you can’t expect too much from a top that cost a fiver!). I’m still not over my love of tartan and I’m really enjoying this outfit as a whole- the gold details make me look quite put together for once in my life!
I’m not usually one for wearing big, chunky necklaces but this one calls out to me from my collection every so often. It’s made me realise I should probably make an effort more often when it comes to accessorising an outfit- I am forever fawning over jewellery, scarves and bags that other bloggers are wearing without ever thinking to capture my own…oops! Perhaps I can add that to my “non-resolution” list. I’m loving all things tartan at the moment (as ever) and I think this wrap would make the perfect accessory for the colder days we’ve had lately.
After my fit of insecurity about my blog the other day I’ve realised the only way I can feel better about it is to make some changes. I’m feeling quite motivated at the moment so hopefully I can get things to a stage where I feel more content with my content…who knows, whatever will be will be and as long as I’m having fun I’m trying not to care!
What did you get up to this weekend? My beloved Grandad turned 80 on Saturday and we had a family tea-party at my parents’ (he flat out refused a big celebration!). Sunday Ben and I had a little dinner date after I’d taken my camera for a stroll around Bristol in hopes of getting some inspiration for a future blog post…

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