Lunar

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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House of Florrie

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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Fashion your Fringe with New Look

My love of new season fashion doesn’t limit itself to just the clothes, oh no. With a plethora of stunning shoes and accessories hitting the high street I’m in accessory heaven so it was with great pleasure that I teamed up with New Look to bring you today’s post.
They sent me over a fringed detail bag from their new collection, fringing was huge news for the Spring/Summer season and doesn’t look set to be going anywhere as we move in to Autumn/Winter so I thought it was about time I get it a go. I’ve not really entered in to the realm of dangling detail before now, I suppose I thought it was limited in it’s versatility and wouldn’t go with an awful lot but I was willing to be proved wrong which is just as well as I’m really in love with my brown patchwork fringed bag.
The first look I went for was a sort of late-summer festival vibe featuring this gorgeously ethereal dress from Valour & Valkyrie and my trusty Primark sandals. This bag would be the perfect festival companion as it holds SO MUCH STUFF- I’m the kind of girl who carries her whole life around with her so a roomy bag is a must! It also goes across the body which is great when you want to keep your hands free for beer/dancing.
I then thought I’d pop together a typical weekend look, honestly I’m living in this kind of thing when I’m not photographing stuff for the blog. The suede mini skirt is going to be a staple for the cooler months and a simple cream top and denim shirt keep things low-key. I really like how the varying shades of brown in the bag complement this outfit and it’s ideal for some Saturday shopping therapy whilst the football is on (because yes, I am once again a football widow).
Last but not least is a transitional outfit for the move from Summer dresses to Winter layers. I picked up this dress in Joy last year and I’m pleased to see it fits in well with the trends a year on too. I loved the combination of mustard yellow and the brown tones of the bag but couldn’t resist adding a bit more colour with my velvet Bertie boots- I remember the look of bemusement on the woman’s face when I hobbled up to the checkout on crutches to buy these babies!
So what have I learnt? Mostly that fringe details are surprisingly versatile and this is my must-have accessory for the coming months. I’ve also learnt that I am still as clumsy as ever and keeping getting my tassels stuck in doors. Some things never change!

How would you style up this bag?

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New Season at Long Tall Sally

Continuing with my theme of waxing lyrical about all things Autumn here’s another post about new collections hitting the (virtual) high street. A long time favourite on the blog, Long Tall Sally can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to creating high fashion pieces for those of us who are taller than average and don’t fancy flashing our arses to everyone and anyone. I was recently given a peek at their latest look book as well as being allowed to pick out an outfit to style up on the blog, I decided to go for something I could wear for work this time, previously opting for more casual pieces and I couldn’t be happier with my new office attire.

Skirt- here | Blousehere | Boots- here all c/o Long Tall Sally

Now I’m not usually a blouse or fitted skirt kind of girl but there was something about these pieces and they way they were styled in the look book that drew me to them. For the first time in my life I’ve copied an outfit exactly, right down to the boots and whilst I might not pull it off with the panache of a Long Tall Sally model I’m still really happy with how everything fits and looks.

I’ve popped a selection of other favourite pieces below, just three to give you tall girls a taster of what’s in store for us this season. Check out the Autumn collection on the website for more inspiration and let me know your favourite piece in the comments.

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Beating the post-holiday blues

Who doesn’t love going on holiday? I’m so excited for mine which is now only 8 days away (and counting!) and I just can’t wait to be on a beach, or by the sea doing nothing for 7 glorious days- and that includes blogging! The downside to going away is coming home again, especially later in the year when you’re pretty much guaranteed grey skies and a distinct chill in the air. It’s not much fun at all. Clearly the people at Jet2holidays were reading my mind as they sent over a parcel designed to help beat those pesky post-holiday blues.
This was such a thoughtful package containing moisturiser to soothe sun-frazzled skin and fake tan to keep the glow going. Sweets are always welcome in my life and these will be perfect to munch on as I upload photographs and catch up on my no doubt heaving inbox. I’ll also be treating myself to dinner at Pizza Express with the help of this voucher, ideal for catching up with my best friend over pizza and wine…

There are other ways to beat the post-holiday blues too though, things I’ve tried and succeeded with in the past include:

1. Bring back souvenirs– the tackier the better! I get so much enjoyment from the random things I’ve bought back from my travels and I make it my mission to find the cheesiest thing I can whenever I go away!

2. Create a memory jar- ages ago I picked up a huge glass jar in the sale somewhere. Anytime I go somewhere that I want to remember I pop in little items to trigger my happy memories- a train ticket, a napkin from an amazing restaurant or a business card from a hotel. I once even bought back a napkin dispenser from a cafe in Spain, that doesn’t fit in the jar but it does bring back some very happy memories!

3. Make a photo collage- as well as uploading photos to social media and my blog I tend to pick out some favourites and get them printed (you can find plenty of free print offers if you search online) and either scrapbook them mixed in with things like tickets and random finds or decorate a wall in my room with them.

4. Bring back tasty treats! I love discovering new foods/snacks when I’m away and I’m guaranteed to bring back quite a selection on my return. I keep these for day where I’m feeling a little blue before digging in and enjoying whilst browsing my photos or planning my next trip.

5. Get some sleep- I always come back from a holiday exhausted. This time I’m straight back to work pretty much the day after we land but I’ll be making sure I get in some early nights to keep myself in mentally tip-top condition. There’s nothing like exhaustion to make me grumpy.

What are some of your post-holiday blues recovery tips? I’d love to know them.

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