Easily Suede with TTYA x Long Tall Sally

21st September 2015
It’s been almost a whole year now since Long Tall Sally launched their first collection in collaboration with TTYA (that’s Taller Than Your Average for those who didn’t know) and I’ve been lucky enough to work with the brands for each new drop. Excitingly their new Autumn/Winter arrivals hit the virtual shelves today and although I feel like I say this every time I blog about them, this really is their best collection to date.

Jumper & Skirt: c/o TTYA x Long Tall Sally new collection | Fringed Boots: Quiz

The new collection has a heavy Seventies influence which suits me down to the ground. I’ve had my eye on a suede mini skirt since long before the Summer and this one is an absolute beauty. At £85 it’s an investment piece for sure but one that I will never not love and the toned down rust colour is a year upon year staple. Likewise with the black polo neck jumper (£50) which is so soft I assumed it was cashmere. this is another one of those pieces that will never ever date and I’m delighted to finally own such a wardrobe basic in a length that suits my taller body perfectly.

Tall ladies, you really must check out the collection if you’re after some serious style this season that won’t leave you flashing your knickers to the world (it happens to me far too often, true story). There’s a stunning suede shift dress and some seriously snazzy chevron prints just landed…you can check it out here!

This outfit was also the perfect excuse to pop on my new ankle boots from Quiz which work wonderfully with this outfit. I recently won a styling competition with Quiz and the second I saw these fringed boots on the site I knew they were mine…did I need ANOTHER pair of ankle boots? Well, no, not really but they do work exceptionally well with this look.

Anyway, back to the brand of the moment…Long Tall Sally just get better and better in my eyes. Over the last few years they’ve become more fashion focused and my go-to place for investment pieces. If I’m going to splurge above Primark prices on clothes I want something that is designed to fit right as well as look good! Have you bought from the TTYA collaborations yet? I dare you to resist this one…

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Posted in brands I love, outfits, shoes, shopping

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World’s Biggest Coffee Morning with M&S and Macmillan

18th September 2015
This year M&S and cancer charity Macmillan have joined forces to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. For those who don’t know this is Macmillan’s biggest annual fundraising event and the idea is for people all over the UK to host their own coffee morning and donations on the day are made to the charity. As someone who has experienced the effects of cancer in both a personal and professional capacity this is a cause I’ve always been able to get behind and I was over the moon when M&S sent out a box containing some of the limited edition goods they’ve created to celebrate this very special event, this year taking place on Friday 25th September.
From the M&S press release: M&S stores nationwide, including M&S Cribbs Causeway, will be hosting coffee mornings on Friday 25th September in aid of Macmillan’s flagship event and shoppers are invited to join in the fun and enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake in aid of the charity.

This is the sixth year that M&S has supported World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and during this time the retailer has raised over £4 million for Macmillan. From 1st September M&S customers have been able to enjoy a host of tasty treats on sale in M&S Foodhalls with 10 percent of each sale going to Macmillan. Products include a delicious Macmillan Victoria Sandwich, M&S’ famous Colin the Caterpillar Cake and a limited edition World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 25th Anniversary Biscuit Tin. All M&S Cafés will also be donating 5p from every cup of coffee and slice of cake sold during September to Macmillan.

An array of gorgeous limited edition home products, including a bone china mug, tea towels and an apron are also available in selected M&S homeware departments with 10 percent of each sale again going to Macmillan. M&S Foodhalls and Cafés are also selling two bespoke Coffee Morning badges designed by renowned British designer Sophie Conran, for a suggested donation of £2, each featuring a coffee morning recipe from Sophie herself.

The mug and tea towel are a lovely way to give to a good cause and a really pretty addition to your home. The chocolate fudge cake is a delicious treat, and how can one feel guilty about eating and enjoying cake when you’re doing it for a good cause?

Are you planning to get involved this year?

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Introducing Gray & Willow at House of Fraser

17th September 2015
I love it when a new brand bursts on to the scene, my bank account less so as it starts quaking in it’s metaphorical boots. I’ve recently been introduced to Gray & Willow who have launched exclusively at House of Fraser for AW15 with a collection full of relaxed, Scandinavian style for women and for home.
A bit more grown up than my usual taste in clothes perhaps but something about this brand has captured my heart. I often feel like now I’m approaching 30 I ought to tone down my wardrobe and stick to more neutral, streamlined items and when pieces like this exist it becomes a much more tempting idea.

I especially love the cocoon coat and the leather skirt both of which are perfect investment pieces and made for teaming up with the oh-so-soft looking knitwear available.

I’m really excited to see more from Gray & Willow, if this debut collection is anything to go by then we are in for treat upon treat in seasons to come.

Have you discovered any exciting new brands lately?

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Lunar

16th September 2015

Now it’s the middle of September I feel like it’s finally acceptable to swap sandals and bare toes for tights and ankle boots and I couldn’t be happier! As most people probably know by now I’m an ankle boot obsessive so when Lunar Shoes got in touch asking if I wanted to pick a pair I really didn’t need to think twice (although it did prompt yet another shoe-drobe cull).

Lunar shoes is new to me but I’m glad we’ve finally met. With everything from ankle boots to elegant heels there is something for everyone and it’s very reasonable on the price front too, I really rate the quality of the shoes- I’ve paid far more for lesser quality boots in the past

Dress: New Look | Boots c/o Lunar Shoes (this pair) | Bracelet and rings c/o Orelia/E-tail PR | Necklace c/o Sushilla Jewellery

I was also lucky enough to receive a selection of new pieces from Orelia recently, a brand I HAVE met before and waxed lyrical about. I’m in love with these delicate rings and knot bangle and although I failed to capture a picture I’m also sporting the super sweet earrings as well.

This outfit is 100% typical of what I’ve been wearing lately. I’m really in to jewellery again after a while spent neglecting my jewellery and I’m still braving the sleeveless dresses as much as I possibly can- I refuse to get my warmer clothes out until after my holiday. Ankle boots however, well, any excuse to pop a pair on really- I wonder how much of my luggage allowance these would use up?

What is your wardrobe weakness? I’d say over half of my not exactly small shoe collection is made up of ankle boots in varying shades of black and dark brown!

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Posted in jewellery, life, outfits, shoes

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House of Florrie

15th September 2015
Attention to detail makes all the difference to me. It can be the deciding factor between whether I love a brand or simply like it. I was recently introduced to a new British watch brand, House of Florrie who’s attention to detail goes above and beyond- from the watch itself to the packaging it arrives in, they’ve got it spot on and I’m in watch heaven.
As part of their introduction House of Florrie very kindly asked if I would like to pick a watch to style up and of course I said yes! (post on that to come) Given that I’m pretty behind in my blogging at the moment I also wanted to do a post just focusing on the watch and brand itself. I let them surprise me because frankly, I am hopeless at making a decision and I was blown away to receive one of the Eleanor watches* complete with interchangeable strap*

Aren’t these the prettiest timepieces you ever did see? The printed leather straps are just stunning and I struggle to choose which one to wear on a daily basis (and I’m yet to find a way to incorporate both at once! The watch face itself is also a treat on the eyes with it’s beautiful rose gold casing and delicate details.

I think we should also take a moment to appreciate the packaging. If the embossed boxes and printed tissue paper weren’t enough then finding these pretty little lollipops nestled inside was the icing on the cake. This is a brand who care about what they do and want to tell the world. If I wasn’t lucky enough to already own a watch I’d be popping one of these at the top of my Christmas list. As it is there may be another strap or two sneaking it’s way on there.

If prints aren’t your thing then there are a few other styles to capture your heart. I think the Pearl Expander is a lovely way to wear metal.

If you can’t quite tell from the way I’ve waxed lyrical about House of Florrie it’s a LOVE from me. I love the brand’s ethos of bringing back British craftsmanship and the fact you can really see the passion that has gone in to producing these pieces.

I’d love to know what you think and which watch has taken your fancy.

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