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

Bye Bye June

Hello summer?
My blog seems to be turning into some running commentary on the weather but I guess that will tell you two things about me:

1. Clothes have to be functional: I have to feel comfortable, not too hot or too cold. 
My footwear has to work with the weather, i.e. no silly little shoes in the rain.

2. Despite the above, I like to have a bit of fun with my outfits.

It's just sometimes 1. makes 2. quite hard. And sometimes I feel like I'm flicking back and forth between warm and cold day outfits.

A bit of foliage for a change! (You know I do florals all the time, right?) Absolutely love the colour of this skirt, though the length is still tricky for me to negotiate. The top is a cropped blouse and just about long enough on the front to kind of tuck it in. 
Layering due to the rather autumnal temperatures. 

Top: Zara 

Skirt: Warehouse 

Trainers: Kurt Geiger

This dress is quickly turning into a favourite for those days that are too cold for a "proper" summer outfit... 

Dress: Zara 

Boots: Marks and Spencer 

Necklace: Accessorize - I think...

It's almost July and I'm back in opaques. Sigh. But these florals always cheer me up! Dress: Boden 

Boots: Zara

This outfit does so *not* look summery - but I did throw some token florals in! The top is actually cropped but a tad too long to leave it untucked. I think I'll have it shorted by a couple of cms, so it's naturally going to sit where it is in this outfit... 

Top: Warehouse 

Skirt: Reiss 

Boots: Zara 

Necklace: Marni for H&M

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

Two of The Same

My usual looking back at last week with one outfit that was a forgotten leftover thrown in - and then as I was pasting that one in I realised that I am now wearing the same skirt in different prints but with the same jacket in the last two pictures. Not 100% on the darkness of that last outfit but I can't wait to pair that navy print with something bright and summery!

When you buy the same dress as your colleague, who is a part time model - and there's no way you want to stand next to her wearing the same! How do you avoid that? You wait until she's on holiday. ;)

Dress: Zara

Boots: Marks and Spencer

Necklace: Accessorize

You've probably seen this outfit on me before, so I thought I'd show you the bag that I am currently using: my Mulberry Small Bayswater Buckle. 

Denim shirt: La Redoute 

Skirt & necklace: Zara 

Boots: Office 

Belt: Reiss 

Bag: Mulberry 

Team away day yesterday with a foodie walking tour or the Northern Quarter - so comfy footwear was mandatory. 

Seriously, we were even told in an email! ;) 

T-shirt: &Other Stories 

Jeans: Next 

Jacket: Zara 

Trainers: Converse

And here those two outfits with the same skirt - Boden's Richmond pencil skirt:

A leftover pic from before last week's holiday. I thought this would be the last of the opaque tights but 

I'm not convinced by the temperatures to give them up yet. 

Top: Karen Millen Skirt: Boden 

Jacket: Warehouse 

Boots: Zara

...and here is that skirt in a different outfit. Though I don't really like how dark all of this is. Feels too wintry... 

Top: Hallhuber 

Skirt: Boden 

Jacket: Warehouse 

Necklace: ??? 

Boots: ZARA

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

New Outfit Combos

Short work week as I was out of the office on Thursday and then we went into the glorious Easter weekend. A few new combos, though you may well have seen individual items. My favourite outfit is definitely the first one, I think I will give that another go, maybe with a different necklace? But then again, how could I not love the last one, with little M being so cute about it?

  I (almost literally) dreamt this one up when drifting off to sleep the night before. 

Seemed a bit random in the morning but I didn't have time to change anything... 

Top: Miss Selfridge 

Skirt: Rumour London at Wolf & Badger 

Boots: Zara 

Necklace: Freedom at Topshop

What that picture doesn't show you: one of the boots kept sliding down and made my outfit look a tad lopsided. #outfitfail 

Waistcoat: Warehouse 

Skirt: All Saints 

Boots: Miss Selfridge 

Necklace: Stella & Dot

It usually into sparkly appliqué tops, kind of ordered this on a whim in the Next sale and was almost going to return it. Then little M saw it and loved it. Asked me the next morning to wear it: "Mama, i want you to look beautiful." Ah, how could I not keep it? 

Jeans & jumper: Next 

Boots: Marks and Spencer

Hunted Down Dress

Only three outfits from last week, as I was at home for a couple of days with a poorly little M and therefore didn't wear anything interesting enough for the blog. The 'outfit story' of last week has to be my hunt for dress number 1 - only took me about 2 years to find it!

Does the print seem familiar? That's because I also have the a skirt in it. Both from Boden, SS14, I think. Didn't buy them back then and regretted ever since - and then found both brand new on eBay! Do you have some major "why didn't I buy this?!" regrets? #firstworldproblems
Dress: Boden
Boots: Zara

Don't you just love dresses that you just put on and go? This slouchy number has gathered sleeves and pockets - both which you can't see very well in the pictures. Dress: Next Boots: Marks and Spencer Necklace: can't remember.. 

For those of you who think I'm always so put together: the weird pose hides a massive hole in my tights, which I sported for pretty much all day. Tip: don't pull that bit of loose thread in your tights just as you get to the office.
Blouse: Warehouse
Skirt: Topshop

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

Slouchy Boot Week

Bit of a bumper week, with five (!) outfits posted. And I managed to hit my weekly objective of using an item that hasn't been worn for ages: the overknee boots. So five outfits and four pairs of boots - makes a change...

I've had these boots in my wardrobe for years and I rather like them. I think suede and slouchy is the way to go if you want to do thigh high boots in a classy way. Only problem is that one of them keeps slouching down - and the other one doesn't. Ah well, can't have everything... 
Top: Hallhuber 
Skirt: AllSaints
Jacket: Warehouse
Boots: somewhere in the back of my wardrobe... no idea where I bought them originally...

This dark green plain dress with pleather trim and pockets (I love pockets in a dress, don't you just love pockets?!) makes this necklace really stand out. There actually used to be a chain strand on the necklace, which i had to chop off as it got hopelessly tangled up. 
Dress: Mexx 
Necklace: ZARA

Love this slouchy Whistles dress. It's only thin t-shirt material so I always layer over opaques and black long sleeve top. The Vivienne Westwood inspired boots work really well with it, I think.
Dress: Whistles
Cardigan: H&M
Boots: Marks and Spencer
Necklace: ZARA

I'm so totally behind posting these! Normally not a fan of pleather (bit of a leather snob) but this one feels lovely - and it's animal cruelty free. Thought it might be a bit too much with the necklace but I must have had the most compliments that day I ever had on any outfit - and all from girls (which are the best kind of compliments if you like clothes). 
Dress: ZARA 
Top worn underneath: Next 
Boots: Zara 
Necklace: Stella & Dot

A few things about this dress:
1. It's at least 6 years old.
2. It's from Jesire, a high street label that went bust in around 2011. Kate Middleton was seen wearing a few of their pieces soon after and there were speculations that it could be saved but it then just disappeared.
3. The print totally makes it. They had a simple grey one as well and when I tried that on it looked so "bla".
4. One of its nicest features is hidden: two long "scarves"/ kind of tie shaped thingies hanging down the back. I tried to capture them a few times but just can't.
5. I think this was the first dress/skirt with pockets I ever bought - and I was hooked.
So there, 5 things before 9 you really didn't need to know...
Dress: Jesire
Necklace: ZARA

Breaking the Pattern

So I've kind of found my comfort zone with knee length skirts and tops. Mix it up with a print, maybe even clash it with another one. Add flats and a necklace: done! And then I come across something that kind of doesn't fit that pattern. This green Warehouse skirt is probably a tad too long on me (not hard, as I'm only 5'1" tall) - especially as I no longer wear heels and can't rely on them to give me those extra inches. I'm cheating a bit on the pic below as I'm a little bit on my tippy toes but I still think it works! Oh: and I'm pattern-free for a change!

What do you do if you have a midi skirt that you don't wear often enough because you find the length really challenging? You buy another one and try harder.  (Sorry, couldn't resist the colour. Silly, really...)

Top: Topshop

Skirt: Warehouse

Shoes: Zara

Necklace: Stella & Dot

So I said before how a new season always seems to surprise me as I suddenly have to figure out my new uniform. I just can't do with deciding for ages what to wear in the morning and need to be able to throw things together quickly. Well, the colder mornings are here now and I remembered that I have a denim shirt - that goes with *everything*! Sorted! 
Denim Shirt: LaRedoute
Skirt: Boden
Shoes & necklace: Zara

This dress must be one of the most easy to wear pieces I have in my wardrobe. Goes with lots of shoes and boots, add a necklace - finished. That's how I like getting dressed: no faffing about!

Tunic Dress: Boden
Boots: Marks & Spencer
Necklace: Stella & Dot

Short sleeves?! Might be the last of the summer outfits. (OK, so I cheated and wore a cardigan over it for most of the day...)
T-shirt: &OtherStories
Skirt: Boden
Shoes: Zara 
Necklace: Warehouse

Oh, and just in case you think I wore that skirt twice last week: I think it was a leftover from the week before then.

Thanks to Independent Fashion Bloggers who selected my post as one of their top 20 in their Links a la Mode - below the other winners!

Links à la Mode, October 20th

• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: What’s in My September 2016 Secret Garden Glossybox
• Chiconomical: Quirk Pop
• Couture Crush: Couture Crushin: Wild Mantle Hooded Scarves
• Cover Mum: Embroidered Jeans
• Crisscross Style Boss: Fall Shoe Trends to Try
• Elements of Ellis: Tiger Denim Jacket
• Everest Says: How to Take Your Own OOTD Pictures
• Everyday Starlet: The Best Drugstore Mascaras | Try On & Review
• Goldwill Digger: Denim on Denim
• Have Clothes, Will Travel: Seasonally Confused
• Layers of Chic: The Secret to Dressing Like a Boss Lady
• Les Assorties: Fashion Tech Insights: Tagwalk
• Living After Midnight: Leather & Florals
• Middle of Somewhere: The Weekly Style Edit Link Up: Bomber Jackets
• One Awesome Momma: Flowing into Fall
• Style Pith: NSAD Preparation: The Work That Goes Into Grooming For Women
• The House Blend: Punk Rock Presence
• This Season’s Gold: Giving Back // Fall Fashion for Philanthropy
• What 2 Wear Where: Hilary’s Thigh High Boots
• Wish and Wear: Breaking the Pattern