Mainly Monochromes

I didn't manage to to do my outfit roundup (or bag post) last week due to various work things, namely working late and a Christmas work do - the latter being the more enjoyable one of the two. Anyway, so here is the week before last, which was all about monochrome and a couple of pics from last week.

So let's start with the monochromes:

The challenge for this week? Monochrome! Maybe that explains the grumpy face - I'm starting to miss my colourful patterns! (Don't judge me if i break at some point during the week!)

Dress: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Boots: something Italian that I bought in Germany...

What is she doing?! I dunno, but I'm gonna stand just like her! Monochrome look number 2, with and without jacket. And I snuck a pattern mix in!

Blouse: Miss Selfridge

Skirt: Reiss

Jacket: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Awkward pose alert! Monochrome week continues with separates - and another print. :)

Top, skirt & boots: Zara

Jacket: Warehouse

And now on to last week's "randoms"...

 The skirt is the fashionably raggedy star in this. A reference to a Dickensian street scene was made, and I then thought of the bit in Pygmalion, where she sells flowers. "Wouldn't it be loverley..."

Top & skirt: Zara

Jacket: Warehouse

Boots: Office

No outfit challenge planned but we're continuing the Victoriana theme (though one of my colleagues referenced Adam Ant yesterday). The locket is actually genuinely Victorian. It was a present from Mr G and holds a picture of little M. :) 

Blouse and jacket: Warehouse 

Skirt: Topshop 

Boots: no idea... 

Locket: proper old

4 Print Dresses

As I've been relying so heavily on the 'printed skirt and a top combo', I decided to set a few challenges and theme my weeks. 

Last week was 'printed dress week'. 

The first two I reached for are firm favourites but I hadn't worn dress number one for quite a while.

Dress number three has never been worn, though I've had it in my wardrobe for a couple of months.

And dress four was *that* close to being chucked/donated but has now clawed its way back into my list of go-tos!

Oh, and I just noticed: all items from Boden, Zara and Topshop. Time to branch out?

Not worn this dress in aaages! Alas, I had forgotten it was the "team away day", which included bowling. Thanks to its stretchiness the dress played ball - though I was utterly useless. I might have even ended up with the lowest score in the team. Will be tallying up later! 

Dress: Boden 

Boots: Zara

PS: I had the second lowest score. Saved by somebody with a distinctly Disney-themed name.

Old dress, new boots! 

Dress: Boden 

Boots: Zara

New pinstripes! This dress has some seriously flattering rouching going on that magically gives me the hint of a waist! 

Dress & boots: Zara

Last of my week of printed dresses - this was actually intentionally to get me think about what I have in my wardrobe! I was almost going to chuck this one, as it's a bit snuck and wrinkles easily but had 4 people compliment on it. Can't be that bad. :) 

Dress: Topshop 

Necklace & boots:Zara

Next week's post: No prints - at all! Eeek!

Goodbye Summer

The weather is changing and I am moving away from 'summer' and into 'transitional': more layers, more knit. Soon enough I will have to try and remember what I wore last year - especially when the sheer tights go away!

Fluffy jumper weather is here! Blues and greens always work and this necklace kind of does the work for me. 

It was a bit too wet for converse, otherwise I'd have thrown in my blue hi-tops for an additional blue hue.

Jumper: Primark 

Skirt: Warehouse 

Trainers: Kurt Geiger 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Can you call it a clash even if it kind of goes? Because I think that describes these patterns out together... (Because I was a complete numpty and went over on my ankle again, I wanted to wear something to hide my bandage, thus a bit casual for a weekday.) 

Jumper & jeans: Zara 

Trainers: Converse

A couple of days behind as I was off and then working from home for little M's start into school life. 😂 If I was drinking, I'd say "hand me the wine." Anyway... Summer seems to be on it's way out and every outfit in sheer tights may well be the last one before the opaques have to come out. I thought we were promised an Indian summer??? 

Dress: Zara

Boots: Marks and Spencer 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Feeling pretty meh about this outfit as it's just too autumnal. I'm not ready for summer to be over! 

Top, skirt & necklace: 

Topshop 

Cardigan: Boden 

Boots: Marks and Spencer

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

Something Old and Something Blue

Pathetically this is a couple of week's worth as I am behind. Pretty much as summery as we got in the past few months. I expect it's downhill from here - at least temperature wise...

Continuing the blue outfit theme. Looking at the calendar we ought to get ready to say goodbye to summer but I feel like it's not even been here. Let's make the most of it! 

Top: From an independent store (label says Golden Linen)

Skirt & cardigan: Boden 

Trainers: Converse

I was only off for one week and yet on Monday I stood in front of my wardrobe having no clue what to wear... 

T-shirt: Warehouse 

Cardigan: Boden 

Skirt: Miss Selfridge 

Trainers: Converse

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Natural tones on a warm-ish day...

Top: Zara 

Skirt: Boden 

Trainers: Converse

One to catch up on from my holiday week, hence the lack of decent mirror. It was my goddaughter's first day at school and in Germany that means church, then presentation at the school and then a family lunch. A warm and sunny day - with a heavy thunderstorm after lunch. 

Top: Golden Linen

Skirt and shoes: Boden

Another one from my holiday. Catching up with a casual outfit... these Converse "Chucks" are probably about 26 years old. They've been worn to death but I love them! I think the quality was way better back then, new ones seem to fall apart much quicker... 

Top: Topshop 

Jeans: Next 

Trainers: Converse

Clash or Match?

Print, print and more print this week: two outfits of uni-coloured tops with print skirts and two where I'm matching different prints on top and bottom. I always think the uni t-shirt is a bit of a cop out and love it when clashing prints works - but it doesn't always...

Looking at the weather today, yesterday may well have been the last day of summer... I'm glad I wore something light and bright! 

T-shirt: H & M 

Skirt and cardigan: Boden 

Shoes: Zara

  Give me summer... on a skirt! You can't gimmick better than hydrangeas - I just love them! T-shirt: Warehouse 

Cardigan and skirt: Boden 

Trainers: Converse 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Yep, I still post outfits every now and then... (You're forgiven if you thought I'd moved onto flowers.) one of my favourite Boden prints! 

T-shirt: Warehouse 

Skirt and cardigan: Boden 

Necklace: Topshop 

Shoes: Dune Shoes 

Not sure about this one - maybe I just crave pretty colour too much at the moment to compensate for the lack of summer... The short must have been in my wardrobe for at least a decade, probably more like 15 years - and I've never worn it. I decided it now either works or has to go. It's still not off the hook - either way. Lol. 

Shirt: Miss Sixty 

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger 

Trainers: Converse

Slipping in and out of Summer

Summer doesn't quite seem to know whether it's here or not, so I feel like I'm still in transitional outfits...

Retro print and golden flecks. And a smile?! That's me laughing because I heard little M shout at Siri downstairs: "Habbikids tibi" = hobbykids tv. Took him a few attempts but it did work in the end!

Jumper: Topshop

Skirt: Boden

Trainers: Converse

love that pattern but I think it's definitely one to go with black and uni items only. Can't see it working with stripes or florals... Can you think of anything else? Top & skirt: Warehouse Trainers: Kurt Geiger

Casual with stripes... 

Jumper: Zara 

Top worn underneath: Topshop 

Jeans: Next 

Trainers: Converse

Is that an Autumn Outfit?!

Looking back at last week, you could be forgiven for thinking one of those outfits slipped in there by accident: that Zara chequered skirt with black tights looks like something I'd be wearing in October, whilst the other three outfit can pass for summer. Nope. It really was cold enough for opaques. Well, at least for this continental softie...

  It was so warm yesterday - well, outside the office, at least! They predicted rain ☔️ though, so I didn't go full on summer footwear. In the end it stayed dry after all... This skirt always reminds me of Maria Katrantzou designs (am pretty sure that's intentional) and it always cheers me up! 

T-shirt & necklace: Warehouse 

Skirt: Miss Selfridge 

Trainers: Converse

What's with the grumpy face?! Seriously: this one was the best out of a very grumpy bunch! I like mixing patterns but don't have a pairing for each printed item I own. Usually end up just picking out a colour in the pattern and adding a top/bottom of that colour. Or I just clash it all and pretend I don't care. ;) 

T-shirt: & Other Stories 

Skirt: Boden 

Trainers: Converse 

Necklace: Topshop I think...

Right, so it's warm(ish) when I have to run for the train in the evening, hence t-shirt. But it isn't in the morning. And the office air on is blowing. And it's raining (on and off) - hence the boots. *sigh* Well, at least it's a new outfit combo! 

T-shirt: Warehouse 

Cardigan: Boden 

Skirt, boots & necklace: ZARA 

Tights: should be packed away in a drawer somewhere in JULY!

Yes, you might have seen this one before. But I've thrown in a bonus bag this time! ;) Sweatshirt & skirt: ZARA 

Trainers: Converse 

Bag: Mulberry

Slow Start to Summer

Can you believe it's the summer solstice today?! This year just has been flying by! And besides that, it feels like summer is only just starting. 

Last week we had a couple of days, which I would actually describe as t-shirt weather! Let's see how long it lasts...

It felt like summer yesterday. Time for a proper summer outfit with some florals. And a zesty bag! I am also still trying to decide which one(s) is going to go, so am determined to test drive loads of them and make a decision! 

Top: & Other Stories 

Skirt: Boden 

Shoes: Zara 

Necklace: Topshop 

Bag: Mulberry

It was warmer than I expected it to be yesterday. This outfit always cheers me up because I love greens and blues together! :) 

T-shirt: Topshop 

Skirt: Boden 

Trainers: Converse 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

It still felt like jumper weather yesterday - and opaques. So I added a bit of colour! 

Jumper & boots: Zara 

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger 

Necklace: Oliver Bonas

I was running so late yesterday morning, that I didn't even have time to add a necklace to this outfit (which is becoming a bit of a staple combo). 

I didn't want to cheat in the evening when I took the pic and just add one... 

Shirt: La Redoute 

Skirt and boots: Zara

Belt: Reiss

My Victoria Beckham Spoils

Kicking off this week's roundup with a new dress, that I rather like. I managed to get hold of one of those coveted "Victoria Beckham for Target" pieces. You might recall that I have a bit of a thing for well done designer/high street colabs, and I think this one was a rather good one. I think this dress was around £40 and it's really lovely quality and an item you could easily wear at a wedding or fancy spring event. As I don't have any such events to attend, it will get worn, whenever I feel like it! There is a rather funny thing about the dress though... just see the second pic below...

I wasn't 100% sure about this necklace with the dress first but I actually like it now. Stops it from being too 'pretty pretty'.

Dress: Victoria Beckham for Target

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Warehouse

And what's the funny thing about this dress?  It strangely kinda matches my Nanette Lepore phone cover. Both lace patterns. Both mint/green. Both with nude/metallic underlay.  "When you accidentally dress like your phone."

When you put something on in the morning and feel a bit 'meh' about it. Then you come into work and have at least two people gushing about it and telling you, you look fab (and they want your outfit) - all completely unprompted, just to note! Not so bad after all. :) #iworkwiththenicestpeople #sometimesweallneedapickmeup

Dress: All Saints

Leggings: Topshop

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Oliver Bonas

Old outfit, new hair colour. Still getting used to this pinkish blonde...

Top: Boden

Skirt: Warehouse

Boots: Zara

Trying to cheat a waist with a cropped top and full skirt. Think that top needs to be a smidge shorter...

Top: Miss Selfridge

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Sainsbury's

Casual Friday outfit with a pair of jeans that's a bit 'out there'. 

I was aware of the Beetlejuice reference but didn't expect the circus performer comments - lol. 

Sweatshirt & jeans: Zara 

Trainers: Converse

Stripes and Florals

Two outfits and one arrival of a Boden order - and a whole lotta florals!

I love it when matching/clashing prints work - and I think it does in those two stripy skirt/floral top outfits! Do you like mixing prints?

Not from last week but a leftover from quite a few weeks ago (just found it when tidying my pictures over the weekend). Trying a bit of that pattern clashing thing.

Top: Topshop

Skirt: Reiss

Boots: Zara

Trying that patter mixing thing again. With stripes and florals - again.

Top: Miss Selfridge

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger

Boots: Zara

Boden sale order arrived - whoop! What do you think of my new pencil skirts? I know I'll wear them both to death! :)

Something Green and Something New

This week you're not just getting all my outfits from last week but also a sneaky peek at my Victoria Beckham X Target purchase before I actually wear it out.

So what do you think of my VB dresses? I do love the mint one - and the quality is amazing for £40! The dress on the right is actually a girls' dress in size XL. I probably wouldn't put it with black tights but, regardless of that, I am not so sure about it. It's just a bit of a funny shape on me...

Trying to coax out spring with some greenery. Remember that Chanel inspired black and white skirt I have and never wore until recently? Well, this is the same one in green. [incidentally "das gleiche in grün" is a German saying but let's not get sidetracked.] I've been waiting to pair it with something and found a plain top just too boring, so I tried this new sweatshirt. Too green? Kinda like it...
Top: Next
Skirt: River Island
Boots: Zara

More florals for spring, though the colours have a distinct autumnal feel - as does the weather at times. The skirt and top are a fairly recent Topshop sale purchase, both were a bit of a bargain - though I'm not that sure about the top...
Top & skirt: Topshop
Cardigan: Boden
Boots: Marks and Spencer

Boden prints: when they're good, they're really good! Still love this dress, which combines flattering shape and striking print to something just that extra bit special.
Dress: Boden
Boots: Zara

You know when something seems like a good idea in your head? Like that outfit you think you're gonna pull out of the wardrobe and you mentally put together as you're waking up. Then the shirt is suddenly a bit too short as a dress, so you add leggings. And, for some reason, a belt. And you're suddenly in territory you didn't really want to be. Especially if 2 of our colleagues wear denim dresses the same day and look fab in them. 😂 #outfitfail 
Shirt: Sainsbury's 
Leggings: Topshop 
Boots: Office
Belt: Reiss 
Necklace: Stella & Dot