No Prints Allowed

Apologies for the rather dark pics I improved on my video quality but I'm still on my iPhone 6, which isn't great in low light. It is winter, after all.

Anyway, this week's challenge was to still abstain from print separates, so no trusty Boden pencil skirts or Zara tops. Instead it's all about block colours - ok, including black, so uni coloured separates.

New week, new challenge. Last week was all about the print dress, so I thought I'd try a week without (!) any prints at all. Yikes! 

Top: Primark 

Skirt and boots: Zara

I'm continuing my "separates without print" challenge by adding texture again: crushed velvet in the skirt and a shiny mock-croc belt. Probably slightly over-coordinated for me with matching(ish) bag, shoes and belt! (The belt is probably over a decade old and from Jesire.)

Top: Karen Millen

Skirt: Zara

Jacket: Warehouse

Belt: Jesire

Boots: Office

Bag: VVA

Separates without print - the challenge continues! Textures help massively though and pairing pleather with this woven fabric gives a bit of interest. :)

Top: Mango

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Accessorize

Another day of "no print separates". The fact that I was running late meant no time to find a necklace. I actually liked this outfit but it does look awfully plain and dark here...

Jumper and boots: Zara

Skirt: Mango

Yesterday's casual Friday outfit. Still no print separates but I added some texture again, this time with this Zara jacket.

Top: Warehouse

Jeans: Paige

Jacket: Zara

Boots: Hallhuber

Old Jacket, New Favourite

Outfit roundup a on Tuesday?! Due to a couple of busy weeks and then having been on holiday, I'm totally behind. My week in Germany involved a lot of lounging around and little sartorial action, so below the outfits from a couple of weeks ago. If I can find the time tomorrow, I'll get us up to date.

A couple of future faves: My old, yet newly discovered tweed jacket is finally being worn - and I really love it. (Do you do that? Discover items in your wardrobe that you almost discarded and fall in love with them?) Oh, and something actually new: that cosy Tesco jumper is going to get some repeat wears this winter!

I thought this outfit might be a pattern too far but I think it actually worked - and I really enjoyed wearing it! The jacket must be about 15 years old and almost every year I've held it up and thought "need to get rid of this, I never wear it" - and then hung it straight back into my wardrobe. It's a tricky one, as it's quite warm but not warm enough for proper outer wear (plus, it has elbow length sleeves and is cropped). But I thought I'd start wearing it kind of like a cardigan or blazer and voilà, it's now officially a keeper! 
Blouse & boots: Zara 
Skirt: Boden 
Jacket: River Island

I normally don't do outerwear shots. 
1. I do my ootd pic when I get home in the evening, after I dropped bag and coat downstairs and before I get changed into something that doesn't mind if I crawl around the floor building lego. 
2. I usually wear the same coat all season: a warm one in winter, a thinner one when it's warmer. Both hooded and waterproof, as I commute by train and walk bits in between. I also can't be bothered carrying an umbrella. (God knows why I have a wardrobe full of coats...) This was a day though when it was cold with no chance of rain so I dug out my classic grey coat - and I thought I'd share this. :) 
Jumper: Tesco 
Jeans: Next 
Trainers & coat: Zara 
Scarf: C&A

This is what happens when I take my 'outfit of the day' photo after coming home (no way would I have time to do this in the morning!). Little M will insist in being in a couple of pics and then we have to pose so that he "wears" my clothes. I have reams of those pics. 
Rubbish quality - but I can't quite get myself to delete them. 
Jumper: Zara 
Skirt: Mango 
Trainers: Kurt Geiger

At the weekend you'll usually find me in jeans, mainly because I will either be cleaning/tidying/pottering or climbing around hills/playgrounds/rocks. On Saturday I dragged Mr G and little M to Cheshire Oaks and (also due to the wet weather: nothing worse than jeans soaking up rain water) ended up in a dress. :) 

By the way: check out here what Mulberry had in stock! 

Dress & cardigan: Boden 

Boots: Hallhuber 

Necklace: Topshop

Dressing with Opposites

It feels like the last days of a summer that has barely been. With the sky grey and drizzly at times, I am sticking to boots or Converse. Incidentally: I think they work rather well with pencil skirts that would otherwise sometimes look a bit twee and plain. What do you think?

Back to outfits after the long weekend... did you have a good one? I think I've worn this skirt through all seasons now and it remains a firm favourite. Are you sick of seeing it yet? 

T-shirt: Warehouse 

Skirt & cardigan: Boden 

Trainers: Converse

Channeling something akin to Maid Marian: green, floaty... buckles...?

Dress: Mango

Boots: Marks and Spencer

Necklace: Accessorize

For some reason I completely forgot what I usually wear with this skirt right after I put it on. Usually I check back at my instagram but I don't have time so I spotted something grey and something pink for the top an threw it on...

Top: Topshop

Cardigan: Mango

Skirt: Boden

Trainers: Converse

A bit too casual for a non-Friday but I sprained my ankle and needed something to hide the bandage. These jeans were a steal at the Harvey Nicks sale - though I'm not sure if ever pay the RRP for them...

Top: Boden

Jacket: Zara

Jeans: Paige

Trainers: Converse

Boden Wins Again

Honestly two of my favourite outfits; both with the same Boden skirt - but in different prints. The animal print skirt paired with the knotty hem top does that 'fitted waist + wide top = magic a waist' thing so well. The navy & white print skirt just goes so nicely with the navy & white Breton top. And I'm lucky enough to have some necklaces in my wardrobe that just work.

Feels like... autumn?! Dark tights and long sleeves. Sigh. Well, we had a maximum of 16 degrees C yesterday. 

I do love this to though, with its knotty hem...

Top: Mango

Skirt: Boden

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Warehouse

I love my new top from Boden: the navy perfectly matches the hue in this skirt (also Boden) and the sleeves add a bit of pizzazz. 

Top & skirt: Boden 

Trainers: Converse 

Necklace: Zara

You know that I kinda like hydrangeas, right? ;) Still in love with this print, which is why I have it twice. Struggling to put a necklace with it. I don't do bracelets (annoy me when typing) and usually forget about earrings but maybe I should try harder when wearing this dress? What would you add? 

Dress: Boden

Boots: Zara

You know what I'm like with statement necklaces, right? Well, I'm talking to a colleague about an incident management exercise (admittedly, not one of the most exciting subjects) and she suddenly blurts out "does this necklace not get in the way?" I guess it kind of does. Especially when you're wearing a fitted coat. But obviously very handy as a distractor. Note to self: wear when having to present something I have no clue about!

Dress & top worn underneath: H&M

Necklace: Marni for H&M

Shoes: Zara

Transitional Spring Dresses

Last week felt rather autumnal and I quickly moved from sheer tights into opaques. Less separates than usual with 3 dresses in there and a bit of a mixed bag. My favourite is definitely that green Mango dress - though my clumsiness does not always work with the fluted sleeves...

Channeling my inner Robin Hood - or would that be Maid Marian...? (The colour of this dress is such a gorgeous green, unfortunately it's completely washed out on the detail pic.) Dress: Mango 

Boots: Marks and Spencer 

Necklace: Olia Jewellery

It doesn't feel like June, does it? Rainy and windy and chilly. A sweater dress for a bit of warmth and comfort. In June. *sigh* 

Dress: Next 

Boots: Marks and Spencer 

Necklace: I think it's from Accessorize

Just a hint of red ;) I've had this Boden dress for years and the silk fabric has a few creases that simply won't come out but I love the pattern and thought it's time it got an outing! Dress: Boden 

Boots: Zara 

Necklace: Sainsbury's

Where's the summer?! Ok, I'd settle for spring. But this windy and rainy weather has more of October than June?! Back in my opaques for a bit of warmth, I'm attempting to cheer this outfit from autumn into spring... 

Top: Hallhuber 

Cardigan and skirt: Boden 

Boots: Zara 

Necklace: Aarikka

Cold Spring

Colder weather meant back to warmer pieces, though I kept it looking and feeling transitional - maybe with the exception of the Topshop skirt outfit. Oh, and a new item: the sweatshirt in the last outfit is actually teen size. Totally in love with it and will see what else it goes with!

Don't like that pic but it was the best out of a bad bunch. And I did want to show you my lovely pop of colour necklace...
Top: Mango
Skirt: Boden
Boots: Zara
Necklace: Warehouse

It's still freezing (especially in the morning) and yesterday it was chucking it down but I'm continuing with the spring theme! I don't wear this dress often enough, very simply because it is done up on the side with tiny pearl buttons. Need help with that and it takes ages, so this is an outfit that requires planning and assistance. #firstworldproblems
Dress: (Hoss) Intropia
Top worn underneath: Topshop
Cardigan: H&M
Boots: M&S
Belt: Mulberry

Spring seems to be taking a break - so my spring wardrobe is too: back in opaques...
Top: Zara
Skirt & jacket: Topshop
Necklace: Stella & Dot

Semi-spring outfit - just add a fluffy jumper for warmth (and yes: back in the opaques). 
Top: Primark 
Skirt: Boden 
Necklace: Marni @ H&M

This is my 'casual Friday' outfit from last week. After long rejecting the notion of buying 'jeans with holes' I love those now. Unfortunately I also ripped one of the artfully worn down sections, so that there is now in fact a hole. #yournotgoingoutlikethat
Sweatshirt: Zara
Jeans: Next
Boots: no idea...

Come on Spring!

Spring is definitely in the air - and I feel like wearing colour! It also means my black boots will slowly get relegated and I can dig out other footwear. And then I will have to remember or figure out Spring/Summer outfits. Can't wait for it to be Spring every year - and then it still comes as a surprise!

I love this skirt (yes, it's new and current and available here) and paired with the belt it's the perfect "I have a waist!" cheat!

Top: Karen Millen

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger

Boots: Office

Belt: Reiss

Necklace: Aarikka

How lovely is this necklace?!

Worth adding: As I usually commute into work via train and (living in Manchester) a exposed to a fair bit of rain/wind/cold weather, I don't tend to coordinate my coat with the rest of my outfit. I usually wear whatever the weather demands, something functional, with a hood and warm lining at this time of year.

As I was driving in that day, I indulged and wore a jacket that has been hanging in my wardrobe for years and big scarf.

Some groundbreaking florals for spring. And a bit of a story: I believe it was in SS14 when Boden brought out their best prints in years. Beautiful florals. I ordered way too many items because I couldn't decide - and was then pretty ruthless when they arrived, only keeping a couple. This skirt went back. I've been hankering after it for a while and just managed to find it on eBay (of course). Happy me. Have you ever done that?

Shirt: Laredoute

Skirt: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Had completely forgotten little M was supposed to wear something green today. #mumfail Not sure my own green dress from yesterday makes up for it? And yes: I'm wearing the necklace wonky and only just realised this when assembling the pics. *sigh*

Dress: Mango

Boots: Marks and Spencer

Necklace: Accessorize

It's getting milder, the sun is peeping out every now and again - spring is definitely around the corner. (Oh, and did I mention hayfever?) Time for a bit more colour. It's not even a conscious decision, it just kind of happens. Do you find that you're automatically picking more colourful clothes when winter starts to go? 

Top & skirt: Warehouse 

Trainers: Kurt Geiger 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Monochrome Week

Last week was my first week back in work after Christmas and then being off sick for a couple of weeks. After those two weeks in pyjamas, getting dressed in an office-appropriate outfit seemed like a real challenge. I defaulted to monochrome - maybe we'll throw in some more cheerful shades next week!

I adore this top and the fairly high-waisted skirt makes me think I can get away with wearing a crop.

Top: Mango

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Accessorize

This dress is sleeveless but I never really wear anything sleeveless in the winter. Works really well with a black jersey top underneath though - 

and a cardigan on top because, you know, winter...

Dress: Oliver Bonas 

Cardigan: Boden 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

The necklace is probably a bit summery for this dress but I fancied something a bit pastel...

Dress: Jesire

Necklace: Stella & Dot

This dress has a distinct retro feel and I love the shape of the sleeves - though it's kind of hard to see on the picture...

Dress: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Skirt Combos

After last week's bumper post with five outfits, only a couple of them for this week - but I do rather like these two: one that's a bit of a throw-the-rulebook-out-the-window and one that's new. :)

I still totally love the colour of this skirt. 

I still find the length challenging. (Well, it's not like I've suddenly grown a couple of inches.) 

But I also think "screw it, stop trying the pretty and just go for clash" - and I had lots of ppl comment on the trainers! 

Top & skirt: Warehouse

Trainers: Kurt Geiger 

Absolutely love this new top from Mango; it has such an effortless and even slightly ethereal quality to it. 

(At least until I dangle the sleeves in my food. *sigh*) 

Top: Mango 

Skirt: Warehouse 

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Accessorize

Outfits for the Last Week of February

To be honest, I only really like one of these: Outfit 2. The skirt is so much nicer with something tucked in than with a big, bulky jumper on top...

Jumper: LaRedoute

Skirt: Boden

Necklace: Accessorize

Denim Shirt: LaRedoute

Skirt: Topshop

Necklace: Zara

Top & Skirt: Boden

Cardigan: Mango

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Top & Blazer: Zara

Jeans: Cheap Monday

Necklace: Topshop

Another week in August...

I promise, I'll stop complaining about the weather soon but: another August picture with a scarf. That's. Just. Wrong.

Top: Boden

Skirt: Warehouse

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Next

Dress: Primark

Cardigan: Boden

Shoes: Zara

Bag: Mulberry

Top: Mango

Jeans: H&M

Trainers: Converse

Scarf: no idea 

Top & Skirt: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Outfit Roundup - Still Waiting for Summer

I am desperately holding on to the idea of summer - even if that means throwing a cashmere cardigan over my summer dress or wearing a scarf all day...

 Dress & Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Jumper: Boden

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Clarks

Scarf: C&A (Germany)

Top: Mango

Jean & Scarf: H&M

Trainers: Converse

More Outfits - Sporty and Girly

I shall try and do a weekly post of this, so should you be interested, do pop by every Wednesday when you can see (some of) my last week's outfits. If you want to be really up to date (not that my clothes are) follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, where I tend to post what I wear on the day.  

 Top: Warehouse

Leather Skirt: Mango

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Accessorize

 Top & Skirt: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Matalan

 Dress & Shoes: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Necklace: Topshop

 Dress: Zara

Cardigan: Boden

Leather Jacket: Topshop

Trainers: Converse

Top: Topshop

Cardigan: Mango

Skirt: Next

Shoes: Zara

Necklace: Topshop