Category Archives: life

Frozen in Time

28th November 2014
I told you I was feeling festive this year, two posts in one week featuring Christmas themed clothing has to be a record for me (especially as we’re yet to reach December!). This post is bought to you in collaboration with Lush T-Shirts, my main blog advertiser because I just couldn’t not share with you the brilliant range of festive tees they have just released- a great alternative to the knitted jumper and perfect for a bit of tongue in cheek fun!

Coat: ASOS (similar) | Tee c/o Lush T-Shirts | Skirt: Primark | Boots: Zara

I love how the colours of this outfit come together to show off the snowman’s frosty face! I bought the jacket around three years ago in the ASOS sale and it really doesn’t get enough love. Luckily faux fur is big news again this winter so it might see the light of day more than once or twice. I very nearly put the skirt away for the Winter as it seemed more of a Summer thing, but looking at this ensemble I’m glad I kept it out and I’m sure I can find some suitable tights to make it a little warmer.
As one of the days my workplace is doing Christmas Jumper Day falls on a day I’m doing a clinic I think I’ll be sporting this tee under my tunic (which just so happens to be an icy blue). I think the whole festive collection of tees is really good fun and at £14.99 a pretty affordable alternative to a chunky knit. I’m trying to convince Ben he really needs to own one, however he doesn’t share in my Christmas spirit and I fear this is the only slogan he’s likely to wear! Which design would you pick?

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Posted in christmas, life, outfits

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Best of British (part two)

26th November 2014
Welcome to the second of my posts featuring fabulous tights from the Marks and Spencer Best of British collection. Of the two pairs I was sent I think this pair is my favourite; they are a bit bolder and more in your face, whilst still remaining office appropriate (although just in case it wasn’t obvious, the outfit in this post wasn’t worn to work!)

Top: New Look | Dress: River Island | Tights c/o Marks and Spencer | Boots c/o Duo Boots

I can’t remember the last time anyone saw my hair tied up, to say it was a bad hair day would be putting it lightly, but it did make for a bit of a change even if I did feel super scruffy.

I really liked this outfit, I’ll probably be wearing it quite a lot over the coming months, with a jacket or cardigan as an extra layer as it was more than a teensy bit chilly in the garden when we took these photos. I was so tempted to start scooping up the leaves and throw them around, but a quick think about where Mae does her business put paid to that idea.

I really need some more of these M&S tights in my life, they are the nicest quality and perfect to jazz up my work wardrobe. At under £10 a pair I think they are pretty good value, especially as I’ve worn both designs a few times now and I’m yet to put a hole in them- that’s a true sign of a decent pair of tights if ever there was one.
Only a few more days left of November, I’m feeling super excited for Christmas this year due to not being incapacitated, but it does seem to be sneaking up faster than I thought!
How would you style these tights? How are your Christmas preparations coming along?

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits, tights

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Portable Perfume with Travalo

22nd November 2014
I used to collect perfume samples, no matter what the fragrance was like. I always like to keep a perfume in my handbag to freshen up my scent during the day yet have never been inclined to lug around the full bottle of whatever I’m currently using (my bag is full enough thanks!). I’m totally late to the game on this one but I was recently sent a few of these little gems from Travalo and I can’t believe they’ve been missing from my life for so long!
The little spray bottles are a no spills way to carry around your perfume without exposing it to air (and lessening the quality). At £12.49 I think they are brilliant value as they hold 65 sprays of perfume each and can be used time and time again. They come in a veritable rainbow of colours so there is one to suit everybody and thanks to being glass free they are airline friendly too!
Filling the Travalo is super simple, you literally take the cap off of the perfume you want to use, pop the bottom of the tube on to the plastic connector and pump! I was amazed at how easy it was to do, with no mess or faffing around. Originally I had visions of having to carefully pour perfume in to the container- and anyone who knows me can only image where that would leave me!
I’ve been carrying my Travalo around in my little pouch from Its Not Me Its You so I can freshen up over the course of the day. I’m currently carrying around Optimistic by Paul Smith but once I’ve used that up I think I’ll switch to Prada Candy- my all time favourite scent! Mum and Best Friend have each been given one of these little gadgets too, I was so impressed with mine that I just had to share. In the name of giving an honest review I was trying to find a flaw, or downside to make it seem a little more neutral, but right now I just can’t!
What’s your signature daily scent?

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Posted in life, review

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Best of British (part one)

21st November 2014
It’s been a long time since I had a new addition to my tights collection that wasn’t plain black or nude. Tights used to be “my thing” but ever since I started working pretty much full time there has been less and less place for my crazy colours in my wardrobe during the week and at weekends I tend to find myself slobbing out in jeans and a jumper. Still, when Marks and Spencer offered to send me a couple of pairs from their “Best of British” collection (which celebrates British Design with some cracking pieces) I could hardly say no- the tights queen still resides in me somewhere!

Coat: Joy | Dress: A-Wear | Tights c/o Marks and Spencer | Boots c/o Duo | Necklace c/o Modern Vintage Style | Bag: Mulberry

I’ve not really managed to capture the pattern on the tights here but they are a truly gorgeous grey and black houndstooth which just so happen to be perfect for work. I paired them with this simple skater dress that I picked up a couple of years ago for just £5. I wish now I’d bought a couple as it just gets better with age, it has the perfect flattering fit and is the softest jersey I’ve ever worn. My trusty Duo boots finished the office attire, I’ve been living in this ever since they arrived and I get compliments all the time.
No outfit would be complete at the moment without my pink coat, it’s the redeeming feature of the colder weather and attracts a lot of attention. I’m hopeless at capturing what handbag I’m using on a daily basis but as I was out and about on a little (Christmas) shopping trip with my best friend and my Mum it seemed rude not to pop my Mulberry in to the pictures. I was so worried I would be too scared to use such an expensive bag, but actually I use it most days as it’s the perfect size for carrying around all my rubbish; on a cost-per-wear basis it’ll soon be practically free!
Lately I’ve been wearing this gorgeous necklace from Modern Vintage Style with everything. I love the unusual Smokey Quartz and the way it catches the light. The website is a fairly new find for me and I love everything they have on sale. With a gorgeous mix of vintage and handmade pieces there is something for everyone. My magpie eye has homed in on several more stunners to add to my collection.
This has turned in to quite a lengthy post as for once I have a lot to say about what I am wearing. I have another pair of these tights to style and feature in an up-coming post which I can’t wait to show you…dear tights, I’m sorry I neglected you for so long!

Posted in accessories, brands I love, jewellery, life, life stuff, M&S, outfits, shoes, tights

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The Brighter Side

17th November 2014
Sometimes it’s easy to fall in to a rut when it comes to winter dressing, gravitating toward a palette of black, grey and navy just because the sun isn’t shining as much. I know this is something I am very guilty of- last winter I actually made monochrome my “thing” and as much as I do love it this year I want to make more of a conscious effort to embrace bold and bright colours; if nothing else it’s bound to help keep S.A.D. at bay and brighten up those shorter days.
I can’t for the life of me remember where this dress is from. Mum passed it on to me, brand new with tags after it had sat in her wardrobe unloved for a while and I’ve binned the tag and the dress is in the wash…Where it’s from isn’t important though, it’s such a HAPPY dress, the bright colours make me feel instantly cheerful and I do love a simple shape like this.

The photos were taken near Ben’s studio in Stokes Croft, our usual weekend daytime haunt, or base for further potterings around the city. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- this is such a vibrant area full of personality, the perfect place to wear such a busy dress.

The boots came via Shoe Zone last year and have lasted well, they are looking a little worse for wear here though thanks to them getting a thick coating of mud at a fireworks display the night before and a hasty sponge clean! I’m always amazed that I overlooked Shoe Zone for so long, they once again have some really gorgeous boots in stock at super bargain prices- don’t be put off by the cheap price though, I’m yet to have a problem with the quality of a pair from here…

Which clothing ruts are you looking to break out of? No doubt I’ll be back in monochrome before long, old habits die hard and all that…

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Posted in life, life stuff, outfits

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