Category Archives: life

The Pink Coat of Joy

12th November 2014
Another reason why I have been super excited about the recent colder weather is that it’s FINALLY time to bring out the winter coat I bought from Joy right back at the start of September. I can’t help but feel instantly cheered when I pop it on, the bright pink colour and super snug collar put a smile on my face.
At £125 this is hands down the most money I have ever spent on a coat and I felt very grown up in making such an investment. I know, pink isn’t the same as a classic camel or basic black but it’s subtle enough to remain classy and the faux fur collar brings a touch of glamour. I just know I’ll be wearing this for years to come, and given the price of some of the coats I’ve coveted lately (like this one) it really isn’t all that expensive.
Joy left me spoilt for choice when it came to coats and I tried on several of their fabulous styles in a whole rainbow of colours but in the end it was this one that stole the show- I’ve been coveting a pink coat for years now, way before they became the “in thing” and this one does the job perfectly.
Have you seen any “must-have” coats yet this year? What’s the most you’ve ever spent on one?

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More Black & More Bright

07th November 2014
Can you tell that teaming black with a super bright colour is one of my current favourite combinations? I also seem to be having a moment for lurid green/yellow shades as I couldn’t resist this jumper in Primark, especially at just £10. I bought several of their fluffy jumpers last year and they wear and wash so well that I couldn’t pass by another addition to the collection.

Jumper: Primark | Jeans c/o Celeb Look | Boots: I still can’t remember!

I’ve been after a pair of black jeans for ages, I have my ripped ones from TTYA x Long Tall Sally but I was also really craving something more solid. For £18.99 this pair from Celeb Look are excellent value- as is everything on their site. I love the textured knees and zipper details, they add a little extra edge to a wardrobe staple. My only gripe is they come up a little small, I’m sort of inbetween sizes and I probably should have gone for the larger option for a little extra comfort, still they are really comfortable and well made so I can live with a little less circulation!
It’s been yet another mad week here in my little part of the world, between now and Christmas I don’t expect much in the way of rest and relaxation- I’m just glad that because of the way Christmas falls this year I get four days off rather than two- bring on the pudding coma!
I hope everyone has had a great week, did you go see any fireworks? Or perhaps you’re off to a display this weekend? I love wrapping up snug and waving sparklers around like a lunatic. It’s also the perfect chance to get a final fix of barbecued food before next Summer- bring on the bangers!

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In the Morning Light

05th November 2014

Last week gave us one of those rare mornings, where thanks to the change in the clocks the garden was bathed in golden sunshine at just 7:15 in the morning. Never one to waste an opportunity (and running early for work for once in my life) I set up my tripod and grabbed some photos of a dress I’ve been itching to share.

Clearly I hadn’t had quite enough coffee yet as upon reviewing the photos I was a little disappointed that things had come out a little blurry and I’d failed to get the settings quite right, live and learn eh?

Dress: Marks and Spencer | Boots: New Look | Bracelet: New Look

I first saw this dress in a preview e-mail of the A/W collection from M&S and fell in love with it, everything from the dusky blue colour to the delicately embellish collar screamed “buy me”. A trip in to town a few weeks later saw me fall further in love as the dress looked even more perfect in real life. I didn’t buy it that day though, for whatever reason and buyers remorse kicked in. A couple of weeks later I was back in town and saw the dress again, this time in the sale reduced from £35 to £22…looks like shopping karma strikes again! It might look super simple, and really it is, but this is such a lovely dress for this time of year and the collar means accessories can be kept to a minimum. I’m a big fan of a pretty collar and they don’t come much prettier than this!

I wasn’t really sure what shoes to pair with the colour of the dress if I’m honest, black seemed to harsh and my grey Zara ankle boots didn’t really work either. In the end I settled for these brown boots from New Look which I just can’t bring myself to get rid of, they are so very comfortable even if they aren’t the most attractive shoe in the world. The outfit still didn’t feel quite right though so if you have any shoe suggestions then do send them my way!

It’s bonfire night tonight and I am so tired after an event last night and an early start at work that any plans to go for a walk to watch other people’s displays have long since vanished- last year resulted in Ben and I playing with sparklers in the park, this year will be more of a cup of tea and glance out of the window type affair! I’m not massive fan of fireworks anyway, unless they are part of an organised display. I live in a really residential area where people insist on setting off industrial sized rockets- Mae is a cowering wreck for the days leading up to and days after the 5th of November and that makes me all kind of mad.

Are you off to any displays over the next few days? I can’t wait to see some photos…

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Black ‘n Bright

03rd November 2014
I promised an outfit post featuring my brand new boots from the DUO event and here it is. They arrived almost two weeks ago now, so in true Laura style I am behind with my blogging but that gives more weight behind the declaration that these boots are awesome! The perfect fit and oh so comfortable they have barely left my feet. Even better is the fact they are water resistant, keeping my feet snug and dry on the increasingly damp walks to work.

Jumper: H&M | Skirt: Marks and Spencer | Boots c/o Duo

The Somerset boots just so happen to be the perfect partner to this skirt from M&S, a bargain at £25 (yeah, I was amazed by the price too!). I was drawn to the bright yellow/green colour which no longer seems to be available online and there is something quite 1960s about it. This has made a welcome addition to my work wear, and judging by the reaction of my colleagues it’s various colours might become our office uniform. I kept the top half of my outfit simple with a slouchy cropped knit from H&M, another bargain at £7.99 although I am on the lookout for a fine knitted polo neck to complete the retro vibes.
I can’t believe we’re now in to November, there is no denying the fact that Christmas is looming and things are going to be getting a lot colder…

what have you been adding to your work wardrobe lately? I also picked up a gorgeous dress in M&S the other week, one that I had been eyeing for a little while and I then found in the sale…watch out for that featuring on the blog soon. I can’t believe I so often overlook good old marks and sparks, they have some brilliant pieces at the moment, not least this epic Christmas jumper!

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Your Dreamcatcher

27th October 2014

As I spend part of my working week at home with my laptop and the cat for company I like to keep my wardrobe stocked with some comfortable staples- as I don’t have to make an effort when nobody else is going to see me I love popping on some ripped jeans and a slouchy vest and huddling up with a steaming mug of tea as I attempt to be productive.

I’d seen Your Dreamcatcher pop up on a number of my favourite blogs and loved the laid back loungewear they produce. I was therefore over the moon when they contacted me and asked if I’d like to pick a piece- I wasted no time in selecting the white fitted vest to add to my collection.

Top c/o Your Dreamcatcher | Jeans: Bershka | Boots: New Look

This is oh so typical of what I wear on my afternoons at home, I tend to get hot when in the house, largely due to the vast quantity of tea and coffee I consume in effort to stop myself from taking a three hour power nap. I went for a size up from usual on the vest, on advice of the brand for a slightly less fitted look as I’m not a fan of feeling restricted and this is probably one of the nicest fitting vests I have come across.

Next on my wish list from Your Dreamcatcher is a pair of their jogging bottoms to complete the relaxed effect, and at £27.99 they are pretty affordable. The vest is available for £12.99 which I think is excellent value for something that is such a nice fit and is also brilliant quality. There’s some really pretty jewellery available on the website as well, featuring what else but dreamcatchers; they would make for the perfect little Christmas present, for a friend or (more likely) for yourself!

What do you wear when you’re chilling out?

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