Category Archives: personal style

Return of the Tights

29th November 2018

Once upon a time I was known for my love of crazy tights; back when my blog was brand new, right up until a couple of years ago my motto was “the bolder the better” and my collection branched in to triple digits territory.

So what happened? I grew up I suppose, got a full time job where neon orange legs weren’t acceptable and I became generally too conscious of what other people might be thinking of me. Just as I’ve finally started to become comfortable with who I am, and have begun to branch out a bit with my style again the folks at UK Tights got in touch and gave me free reign in adding to my collection…determined not to stick to boring 60 denier black I tried to branch out and the results are below.

Dress: Pull and Bear | Tights c/o UK Tights (Jonathan Aston) | Boots: LOTD

Dress: La Redoute (similar) | Tights c/o UK Tights (Cecilia De Rafael) | Boots: LOTD

Jumper: Next | Skirt: New Look | Tights c/o UK Tights (Cecilia De Rafael) | Boots: Very

Whilst I’m not about to jump back in to stockpiling tights in a rainbow of colours it was SO good to be back wearing what is so typically me! I was hesitant at first of drawing too much attention to my legs as I am finding myself increasingly self conscious as my weight creeps up, but with a bit of careful consideration about what to pair them with I had a great time thinking up ways to style the tights and felt brave enough to leave the house in them too (from the girl who has been living in the same pair of jeans at weekends for months on end now).

I’ll be the first to admit that I was hesitant about whether investing in tights was a great idea, I mean, can you really tell your Primark from your Pretty Polly? Well, actually, yes, you can- another addition to my quality over quantity approach- three pairs of tights that I’ll actually wear vs. 100 pairs of cheapies that will never see the light of day? That’s value for money.

Posted in brands I love, fashion, outfits, personal style, tights

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Statement Made

11th November 2018

Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows I have a magpie like obsession with jewellery and love to feature brands- especially independents who create gorgeously unique pieces, as much as I possibly can.

Today I bring you a new discovery of mine, Statement Made Jewellery, who very kindly popped a piece from their collection in to the post to me. In fact, it was the first piece of blogger related mail I have received in my new home, and this is also the first set of outfit photos I’ve taken in our new garden.

Anyway, Statement Made Jewellery specialise in handpicked pieces with a personal touch. Wanting their collections to reflect the uniqueness of their customers- helping them tell the world exactly who they are; 100% an ethos I can get behind!

Necklace c/o Statement Made Jewellery

I love this crystal ball style necklace, with it’s cute little “L” charm to boot. It’s already attracted a lot of attention, and has been getting a lot of wear in the few short weeks I’ve had it. It’s such a simple piece, and so perfectly me, below is an example of how I’ve been wearing it, and what my personal style is looking like right now.

Jumper: https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/orange-and-red-stripe-metallic-button-front-top/p/600267780?comp=Browse | Pink Cords: Primark (similar) | Boots: Miista

I feel surprisingly nervous about posting these photos, I feel like it has been so long since I last shared my personal style, and I’m very conscious of how much my body has changed in recent months, and that it still has some changing left to do. That being said, I’m also trying to ignore the gremlins that reside in my head and get back in to doing what my blog used to primarily be about- and that was documenting my outfits. Our new garden happens to have the perfect platform for taking photos which I am hoping will spur me on, and I’m starting to get back in to dressing how the real Laura always used to dress before self consciousness took over.

Apparently I’m loving a bit of pink right now, I don’t think I’ve every worn so much of one colour in a single outfit before! The jumper I picked up when New Look at 25% off knit wear, and the cords were a ridiculously low price from Primark a couple of months back. Balanced out with my two toned Miista boots which really need to get worn a lot more than they currently do, and of course, my new favourite Statement Made Accessory.

There’s so much I want on the Statement Made Jewellery website, and so many great gift ideas too! I can quite smugly say I am almost done with my Christmas shopping, but there’s always room for one or two more treats for my favourite people and I know exactly where they are coming from.
(There’s also room for one or two treats for me too, and some serious hint dropping).

I’ll leave this post here before I lose my nerve, but a big thank you to Statement Made Jewellery for the necklace- take a look at your site and let me know your favourites in the comments!

Posted in brands I love, fashion, jewellery, life stuff, personal style

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The (almost) weekly wish list

23rd September 2018

Not even a month in to my new regular feature and I failed at keeping it, well, regular. The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy, and expensive with actual adulting so I suppose composing a wish list of things wasn’t top of my priorities for once.

But fear not, for I am back. Browsing has resumed just at the time some serious no spending has been implemented, and any spending that does occur will be with discount codes aplenty such as those found at Groupon

Hello Kitty Cashmere: Chinti & Parker at Selfridges | Patterned Rug: Urban Outfitters | Classic Coat: Monki | Bee Kind Breton: Sugarhill Boutique | Rose Gold Coffee Table: Habitat | Polka Dot Culottes: Joy | Green Metallic Midi Dress: Joanie Clothing | Disney Pyjamas: TruffleShuffle.com

It’s a bit of an eclectic bunch this time, with items ranging from the “in my dreams only” (Hello Kitty Cashmere anyone?) to the far more affordable (those pyjamas!)
Party wear is starting to creep on to my radar, as are ALL of the winter coats- the second the shops start releasing the Christmas chocolates I want to wear all of the sequins and all of the cosy coats.

You’ll probably notice more and more homeware on the list as time goes on too. Bob and I have found somewhere to live, and pending references going through will be moving very soon. This weekend has been a blur of white good comparisons and browsing for all of the practical things we need- the list never seems to end! Weekly wish lists may not be happening for a few weeks as we’ll be busy with moving stuff, but I’m sure once we’re settled they will resume with a vengeance, especially with Christmas slowly but surely creeping closer and the shops filling with all manner of exciting looking things already catching my eye.

What’s caught your eye recently? And where are your must-have shops for homewares? Blankets, crockery and cushions are top of our list!

Posted in brands I love, fashion, inspiration, interiors, lifestyle, personal style, shopping, Uncategorized, wish list

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The Comfiest Comfies with Hunkemoller

17th September 2018

I’m a pyjama, or “comfies” fiend. From the second I walk in the door each night I crave getting in to them, and whilst I generally try and wait until after dinner, if I know I have an extra snuggly pair available temptation often gets the better of me.

I was recently contacted by Hunkemoller who offered me a piece of my choosing from their range of sleepwear and instantly I based out my acceptance and headed on over to the nightwear section of the site.

Lace-Up Sweatpants c/o Hunkemoller

At £22.50 these sweatpants are considerably more expensive than those which I would usually buy, but you can seriously tell the difference. In real life they are a lot more marled than they appear on the website- a delightful bonus in my book. I went for the medium size, which equates to a uk 12-14 and I almost wish I had sized up again to be honest, I like my comfies super baggy, but these are the right side of slouchy and an absolute delight to wear. I have zero complaints about the quality here, and they have washed well so far- so often I think I’ve found the perfect pyjamas only to find them toddler sized after the first wash.

Hunkemoller aren’t a brand I am overly familiar with, but one I certainly want to get to know more. As well as their nightwear you’ll also find an array of lingerie, swimwear, sportswear and more, all at pretty reasonable prices when you compare to their nearest high street rivals. I’m in desperate need of some new bras and I’m going to try their range out for size…I’ll report back in due course.

Where are your favourite “comfies” from? I’m always willing to add to my collection (and my battle to instigate PJ Friday at work continues).

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

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Hidden Fashion

11th September 2018

It feels like an absolute age since I last did an outfit post on the blog, it’s something I really want to get back to as once upon a time it was primarily what my blog was about, and I miss that. These days it’s lack of time that holds me back more than anything- house hunting and working full time mean I have very little time to grab photos, but hopefully that will change once I’ve moved, for once I even have a backlog of clothes and outfits I want to document.

Anyway, the point of that inane ramble was to really announce “TA-DA, an outfit post!”. I was recently contacted by a company called Hidden Fashion who very kindly offered to send out a couple of items. The brand are new to me, and I was impressed by how much selection they have at insanely good prices. I picked out a couple of items, one from both ends of the style spectrum and coerced Bob in to taking some photos for me over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Dress: c/o Hidden Fashion (£10!) | Shoes: Shellys London (super old)

This dress is an absolute steal at £10 – it was cheap even at it’s full price of £20! It’s a bold move away from my usual style and one I’m glad I made. I love the draped fit and cheeky split and collar details. It’s elegant whilst remaining edgy and has a touch of luxury about it thanks to the satin feel fabric. This is the perfect evening socialising dress now Autumn is creeping it’s way in, and I predict a lot of wear out of it over the coming months.

Jacket: c/o Hidden Fashion (£16) | Jeans: Waven | Trainers: Adidas at ASOS

This jacket is exactly what my casual wardrobe needed now that the heatwave has broken and there is an Autumnal nip in the air. Again it’s a crazy bargain at £16 (down from £32) and it’s quality far exceeds it’s price tag (and to be honest, expectations). This has quickly become my go-to jacket for when the skies look decidedly grey and on a cost-per-wear basis it’s essentially free already.
Have you found any hidden treasures or bargain buys lately? I’m really pleased I was introduced to Hidden Fashion and will be regularly checking the website for more pieces like these. Let me know what’s caught your eye in the comments.

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

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