Boots & Brogues at Amazon

I don’t know about you but Amazon isn’t the first place that comes to mind when on the hunt for a new pair of shoes. I have only recently (well, in the last twelve months) been aware that they actually have a pretty amazing shoe store selling a HUGE range of footwear from brands I love. With the new season just beginning I thought it’d be timely to show just a few of my current favourite offerings, after all I haven’t done a shoe post in what feels like forever…
Hover over the images for brand information.
I’d happily wear any of these styles but if I was forced to pick just one it would have to be these Dolcis boots as they are everything I want from an ankle boot…and only £40!
Which pair would you pick? Or take a look at the Amazon shoe store and let me know your choice below…

end

A playdate with Joy Bristol

It might have escaped your notice (I don’t know how unless this is your first time here) but I am in the midst of a re-ignite love affair with Joy at the moment, not least because of their sensational drops of Autumn/Winter clothing. Recently Joy opened the doors of a new store, near Cabot Circus in Bristol and the ever so lovely manager Emili invited me down to play dress up with some of my favourite pieces.
The store itself is a delight. I had popped in prior to this visit just to have a browse and both times the girls working there have been so sweet and helpful. Everything is laid out in a light and spacious way so you can have a proper browse and the store looks immaculate. I stupidly didn’t capture any photos of the shop floor, I was a bit too excited and distracted by everything to think of that, but there will be many a return visit so I might be able to sneak my camera in again…I HAVE to share some of the amazing home-ware with you guys, it’s amazing.
Mum came along with me last Saturday to play photographer (and calm my nerves) and we turned the day in to a proper girly shopping and gossip session, on a high after such a lovely morning. I picked out quite a lot of pieces from the latest arrivals and fell in love with each and every one of them- the quality and cut of Joy clothes is impeccable and I find the lengths of the skirts and dresses are perfect on me, despite being tall. I treated myself to a couple of bits and have plans to go back for more as soon as I have some money for clothes again.
Not everything I tried on is available online- and not everything online is in store, but I’ll pop in links to what is available on both just incase anyone feels tempted- I know I do!

These pink trousers are so far out of my comfort zone and yet I was drawn to trying them on, and I loved them! They are so comfortable and easy to wear, especially with the digital rose sweatshirt for a sporty chic kind of look. Just add converse.

I’m am oddly obsessed with mustard yellow right now so was pulled straight toward this jumper which happens to be the perfect fit (I am so going back for this). I paired it with this skirt as the colours worked beautifully together and I loved the almost sixties vibe.

This dress has already featured on a wish list and having tried it on I want it even more! It’s such a nice cut and fit, perfect to wear with some thick tights and and heeled ankle boots.

(sorry photos are the most amazing quality, I’m yet to work out all the settings etc on my camera so the lighting is a bit off!)

The co-ord set was probably my favourite outfit of the day, I can’t find it online (yes I can! top and bottom) but the pieces were around £30 each and both really versatile to wear with other things too. Another favourite was this mustard yellow swing dress which I have earmarked as my next purchase as it’s everything I want from an Autumn/Winter piece and perfect for layering up with chunky scarves and tall boots. The coat isn’t online yet but expect to see a LOT more of this as it was one of the items I purchased…love and first sight, and my fatal error was trying it on as I didn’t exactly need a new coat! C’est la vie, sometimes you have to live a little, right?

The dress in the last photos also doesn’t seem to be online at the moment, but again managed to find it’s way home with me. I’m loving swing dresses at the moment and can’t resist a collar so it was pretty much a given the second I set eyes on it.

Everything I’ve shown in this post is from Joy’s own range, Louche and if you spend over £75 (which I totally did!) you get a really nice free jumper too, winner!

A huge thank you to Emili and her awesome team for letting me come and play, it was so much fun and I’ll be back again very soon!

Which pieces have caught your eye?

end

Crazy cat lady- the home edit.

With a move to a place of my own on the horizon I’ve been browsing the internet like a woman possessed for some little bits and pieces suitable for jazzing up a rented flat. Of course I soon got distracted from my search for basic bargains, affordable things that I will be using on a daily basis…the second I clapped eyes on one cat related item I carried on with the feline theme.
1. Felix Cushion, £8.99 from Dunelm. This is one thing I probably could justify as cushions are essential for a cosy home and this one is both super pretty and affordable. Safely bookmarked for the second I put down my deposit!
2. Lara Alley Cat Plate, £19.95 from Liberty. Plates are something that everybody needs in their life, but I really don’t think I can justify almost twenty quid on one no matter how awesome it may be. Hopefully I’ll find a cheaper alternative somewhere, or these will get reduced in a sale at some point as suddenly no other plate will do.
3. Siamese Cat Salt and Pepper Set, £12 from Lisa Angel. I don’t care if the 99p shop sells perfectly adequate salt and pepper sets, these adorable pair belong in my cupboard. One for the Christmas list!
4. Cat Lamp, £79 from Maiden. Pricey yes…but living alone for the first time in my life means I might suddenly develop a fear of the dark, right? Grasping at straws to justify this one!
5. Pewter Cat Sugar Spoon, £19.50 from Not On The Highstreet. An item that I have absolutely no need for in my life as I don’t take sugar in my drinks and it’s a huge extravagance, but I have a thing for pretty spoons and this would be a super pretty decorative item…if any one sees a cheaper alternative, let me know!
What essentials do I actually NEED when I move out? Leave a comment or links below if you see any more cat themed home-wares that I can pop on my wish list.

end

south beach style

So, my holiday plans have once again gone out of the window this year (a mutual decision between Mum and I) but I’m not letting that stop me build up a collection of awesome swim-wear. This year I’ve added a Ted Baker swimsuit to my collection, a cat printed bikini and now a gorgeous blue number from South Beach. Between the break in the weather and my own chaotic schedule I’ve opted not to subject you to me wearing said swimsuit, instead I’ve popped it together with some of my personal beach essentials and added in some other products I’m seriously craving from the South Beach website.

Swimsuit c/o South Beach | Shorts: H&M | Flip-flops: Ipanema | Book: Amazon

I’ve also featured this stunning Maxi Kaftan (26.00) as I can just imagine popping this on over the outfit I’ve pictured and floating down the beach. I’d probably also wear it as a maxi kimono on a daily basis too!

I loved the retro feel and aztec print of the Nina Aztec Mesh Bikini (£25). I bought a high waisted bikini when I went away last year and I felt so much more confident with the extra coverage whilst still showing a little bit of skin. I have a bit of a thing for aztec prints at the moment it would seem as I’m also coveting these cute little embroidered shorts (£28) even though they would be shorter than hot pants on me I reckon!

As for the swimsuit I was set- I just love it. From the beautiful cornflower blue colour to the little details like the star shaped beads and gorgeous frills. It has a super low back but still feels supportive thanks to the halter neck- ok so it’s not going to be great for those with bigger boobies, but that’s not a problem I suffer with! I’m torn between taking this for a trip to the local pool to show it off or saving it for when I do get away next…which could easily be anything up to a year away!
What’s your favourite swim suit style? Anyone want to send me on holiday soon?!

end

jack wills festival wish list

It might have been a good few years since I last headed to a festival but I still get a little bit excited when the season starts and the shops become full of laid back, summer attire perfect for dancing the night away in whilst wearing flowers in your hair. It might not be the first place to spring to mind when shopping for festival gear, but during my browsing I’ve found quite a few bits from Jack Wills for a weekend in a field looking cool yet practical.
First up we have this gorgeous and perfect for summer tee which is in the sale for £26. I really love the simplicity of this of this and it will be perfect under my next pick- these dungarees which are also in the sale at £34. Denim is a real festival staple and I love that with dungarees you can rock some of your favourite bikini tops or bra-lets without feeling too exposed.

Footwear wise I think you can’t go wrong with flip-flops as, although you might get wet feet in the rain you can at least hose the mud off! I’m loving this pink pair with the addition of the ankle straps which should solve the problem of having to hop back to your tent with only one shoe (I’ve lost many a flip-flop this way!)

I think the Alverton Duffle from the latest arrivals makes for the perfect festival bag. It’s laid back and secure and keeps your hands free to hold your yummy festival food or to dance like a mad lady. This would also be a really good bag for me in general for every day use so I probably wouldn’t hesitate in investing.

Wrist bands are a real festival staple and I know many friends who wear theirs until they fall off. I think I’d want to add a bit of sparkle among the paper and plastic and Jack Wills has some gorgeous festival-esque friendship bracelets starting at £5- this one is my favourite.

Last but not least, it may be summer but you can’t guarantee the weather and night time in a field gets chilly! A hoodie is an essential for any festival go-ers bag and with several in the sale at Jack Wills, such as this pink one I have my eye on there isn’t any excuse not to be snug!

Jack Wills isn’t somewhere I’ve ever bought very much from in the past but taking a closer look recently has opened my eyes to how much they actually do. I’ll be saving up some money for the next sale and stocking up for next Summer I think! What are your festival fashion essentials?

end