Category Archives: personal style

A Holiday Swimwear Wish List*

12th March 2018

I’ve finally got around to booking some time off work over the next few months, and for the first time in a few years I’m in a position where I can afford to book a holiday. After an incredible but somewhat cold and rainy trip to Scotland last year I’m seriously hoping to head to sunnier climes this time around. Working out where we want to go is proving tricky for Bob and I- we’d be going in July and want somewhere with sunshine, but not too hot (Spain’s 40 degree days might be ok for me but I fear Bob would come back as a puddle). It also needs to be affordable and somewhere that doesn’t take 6+ hours to fly to- four hours is about my maximum tolerance on a plane for a week long break.

Whilst picking a destination might be difficult, thinking about a holiday wardrobe is all too easy, although not without it’s own challenges.
My body this Summer is going to be very different to how it was last Summer, and even more so than the ones before. The idea of baring skin is daunting as I’m not yet used to my changing figure and it’s certainly not as toned as I would like (there’s a whole other post coming on that one). Still, the high street seems to be awash with gorgeous high-waisted bikinis at the moment so I thought that today, with it’s grey and dismal sky, I’d pop together a wish list of some of the swim wear I could definitely envisage myself in this Summer.

From top left-
ASOS | Simply Beach | Simply Beach | ASOS | Monki | Simply Beach

It goes without saying that ASOS was my first port of call when seeking inspiration- I barely even scratched the surface of their swim wear pages before I had more than a dozen items on my wish list! I was especially taken with this white and floral printed number for lazing on a beach, as well as the much plainer block navy set for more practical purposes such as swimming or any water based activities.
It would also go without saying that I’d find something I loved from Monki- every Summer I admire their swim collections wishing I had reason to justify a purchase. This year I might be able to do just that and I feel that this ruche monochrome bikini set would be both flattering and stylish.

Branching out of my usual haunts and I stumbled across Simply Beach as well, which got me thinking back to the quality over quantity debate. I am absolutely smitten with the blue and white set by Lepel London- and whilst the set might set me back £40 one suspects it is built to last more than some of my cheaper picks on this wish list. I might be imagining it but I also imagine it to be more supportive and therefore flattering, but that could just be me trying to justify potentially spending more on a bikini than I ever have before.

So there we have it, my swim wear wish list. All I need now is for us to decide on a holiday destination, get something booked and then start shopping (and given I’ve grown out of every bikini/pair of shorts/just about everything I own) I feel I have the perfect excuse.

Where are you heading for your holidays this year? Do you have any recommendations that fit my affordable/not too far/plenty of sunshine brief?

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Posted in fashion, holiday, inspiration, personal style, recovery, shopping, swimwear

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Puma X Hello Kitty – a match made in trainer heaven

01st March 2018
I’m not the kind of person who usually goes for celebrity or designer collaborations- generally I find them over-hyped and over-priced, and I can count on one hand the number of times I have genuinely wanted to own an item. However, the second the Puma X Hello Kitty collaboration found it’s way on to my radar I knew that this time I’d have to cave in- I’ve gone from the kind of girl who only ever wore trainers for exercise (a rare event in itself) to the kind of girl who wishes they were also acceptable as work shoes, therefore creating an absolute need for new sneaks complete with cult cartoon character, naturally. As the launch date for this collection loomed I found myself juggling finances and counting down to when I could make a pair mine- and launch day itself? There was much tension, I had to wait until I got home from work to place my order, by which time most places had already sold out of the sneakers. Thankfully ASOS had my back, with a pair left in my size. A little bit pathetic to get so excited over a cartoon cat and a pair of trainers? Maybe. But every once in a while you just have to go with your childish urges and need for casual comfort.
I’m really not an impulse purchase kind of girl- especially when it comes to things I don’t really “need”. I did worry that buyers remorse would kick in when the trainers arrived, but thankfully, when the cheerful red and white box arrived with it’s contents exceeding all expectations such fears vanished.

Trainers: Puma X Hello Kitty | Denim Shirt Dress: Zara

The attention to detail on these shoes is amazing, from the printed soles to the gold tipped laces. I did wonder how versatile I’d find a pair of red suede trainers, but having tried them on with this recently acquired Zara shirt dress and a pair of black opaques I’m fairly reassured that they’ll work with many a combination. This might not be the most fashion forward or considered outfit I’ve shown on the blog but a) this post is all about them shoes and b) it’s an accurate representation of how bothered I can be most weekends…

The collection came out a couple of weeks ago now and has pretty much sold out everywhere, I did notice Office Shoes (aff link) still have a couple of sizes in stock, and places like ASOS have the sweat pants and backpack still.

Did anyone else fall hard for this collaboration? It’ll probably be another decade at least until I get caught up in such hysteria again, until then you’ll find me happily stomping around in my red suede sneakers (although there is a part of me that wants to keep them box fresh and never worn, any one else get this?)

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Posted in fashion, outfits, personal style, shoes, shopping

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The Right Stripes

21st February 2018
I’m in a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to outfit posts right now, whilst on the one hand the evenings are getting lighter and I’m getting more chance to photograph things, I’m also battling against ever decreasing body confidence and a general lack of inspiration in what to wear on weekends- or rather an overload of things I want to wear and share. Now I’m in work 9-5 the chance to wear casual clothes is becoming a rare thing, and by the time I get home I’m generally so dishevelled and worn out that all I want to sling on is jogging bottoms or pyjamas.

I did manage to squish my demons aside last weekend though and got a few snaps of a dress that made up part of a Pull & Bear order I placed back in January, and actually braving the camera wasn’t as bad as I feared. I really want to get back in to sharing more of my personal style as and when I can, it was all I blogged about when I first started but somehow I fell in to a pit of sponsored content when I wasn’t working and needed the money. Now I no longer rely on my blog for income it’s time to get back to my roots.

Pull & Bear is one of my go-to shops for affordable pieces like this dress, at £12.99 I picked up this striped dress in a floral pattern as well. It’s a bit shorter than I would have liked, definitely a no go for work, but for slightly smarter casual style it’s ideal.

I’ve been avoiding stripes lately (aforementioned body image woes to blame) but this vertical, fine striped print is actually pretty flattering and it makes a nice change to my usual print preferences. I paired the dress with my favourite ankle boots from Banana Republic, some old faithful Primark opaques and my new ruby necklace- a valentines gift from Bob and wore this for a much needed hit of retail therapy with my Mum. Retail therapy that wasn’t overly successful, but mother and daughter time is definitely priceless.

Hopefully as the weather continues to brighten, and as my inspiration and motivation starts to return I can keep up the pace of at least one outfit post a week- let me know in the comments if there are any other directions you’d like to see the blog take. I have a few ideas up my sleeve but have so far lacked time to implement them.

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Posted in brands I love, fashion, inspiration, lifestyle, outfits, personal style, shopping

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Feeling Dreamy

12th February 2018
Wow, never in the whole time I’ve been blogging have I had so little time to, well, blog. But then again, never in the whole time I’ve been blogging have I been working proper full time hours so it really shouldn’t have come as such a surprise to me.
I’m just heading in to my second week of actual full time, grown up job hours which may seem like nothing for most people, but to me, this is the first time in my life I’ve had the capacity to do it- I’m both physically and mentally well enough to handle a demanding job and I don’t have to factor in multiple weekly appointments and obligations that previously made full time impossible.I wasn’t even sure I’d have anything to post this week- taking photos and having time to sort them and write a post to go with them has been fairly low on the priority list (that and I’ve been exhausted every evening for the last seven days) but as luck would have it I found a set of photos languishing on my laptop, so ta-da…a blog post.

Top: Monki | Skirt: New Look | Boots: Wallis

I’m starting to find a routine and a bit of a work life balance now so hopefully I’ll be able to improve on my rate of blog posts in the not too distant future. I can’t wait for lighter evenings- both from a getting photos point of view and a feeling less like going straight to bed when I get home from work one.

It took my ages to get round to wearing this Monki top. It was a bit of an impulse buy and I wasn’t sure about the style once I got it home. I’m glad I didn’t return it though, now I’ve given it a chance it’s become a firm favourite and has taught me that I really ought to broaden my horizons when it comes to tops and jumpers.

Hopefully next weekend Mum and I are heading in to Bristol for a much needed catch up (I barely see her these days) and some retail therapy. I’m looking forward to a wardrobe refresh as we approach a new season, and as I can finally justify new clothes. I’m struggling to feel inspired by what I wear lately, my body confidence is through the floor, and my heart sinks every time I think of the weight I still need to gain…hopefully a good spell of girl time with Christmas money at my disposal will help give me a much needed boost on that front. As much as everything else in my life is falling in to place, my internal demons are going wild trying to drag me down and convince me I don’t deserve this. What better way to silence them than with a new set of flattering outfits? Safe in the knowledge that when I outgrow them as my recovery progresses I am now in a position financially to replace them guilt free.

Sorry for such a random assortment of a post, this is the trouble with infrequent blogging I find! Anyway, let me know what’s new with you guys in the comments? I’ll be doing my best to catch up with everyone’s blogs during my evenings this week.

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Posted in blogging, fashion, life stuff, lifestyle, outfits, personal style, shopping

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The Purrfect Jacket from Miss Patina

16th January 2018

Oh hello, long time no post- there’s a serious lack of blogging mojo around these parts at the moment, coupled with generally being busy and struck down with some crazy flu type virus- great start to 2018!

Anyway, I’m showing my face around here today as I wanted to show off one of my Christmas presents before the festive season is still vaguely in people’s minds. I’m not usually one to do a show and tell of gifts I’ve received but I do make exception for something particularly awesome, and I am pretty sure this jacket qualifies.

Jacket: Miss Patina | Dress: New Look

The second I spotted this jacket I knew I needed it. I just love the Miss Patina store, my wish list from there goes on for eternity but it’s a bit out of my price range, so when it was suggested I had this as a Christmas present from my Grandad I jumped at the chance.

I don’t really “do” jackets like this usually, I live in cardigans and coats 90% of the time, but I figured that was even more excuse to own this- a much smarter alternative to baggy knitwear now I actually venture out to the odd social occasion.

Please excuse my slightly dishevelled appearance, aforementioned busy life and current state of malaise mean keeping well presented has fallen by the wayside. Probably should make a late new years resolution to make more effort!

I hope everyone is well and keeping chipper during this gloomy first month of the year- have you been up to anything exciting? Let me know in the comments.

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Posted in brands I love, fashion, lifestyle, personal style

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