Fun Ways to Showcase Your Personal Style *

Photo by Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

Your personal style is your way of showing the world who you are. It’s the ultimate form of self expression, and when you feel like the outside reflects who you are on the inside it can really help you to feel happier in your own skin. Here are some fun ways to showcase your individual style…

Find clothing that expresses your style

One of the easiest ways to showcase your personal style is to find clothing items that make you feel like ‘you’ when you put them on. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the highstreet, check out niche or alternative shops for pieces. You could modify clothing items yourself if you’re handy with a sewing machine, or even check out charity shops for unusual vintage pieces. Do some research into different styles online and find something you like, not being afraid of course to switch things up to make it personal to you!

Try out different makeup looks

Makeup is a fantastic tool. You could add a little makeup just to accentuate your features, or you could go all out and try something bold and dramatic. What do you have to lose, if you don’t like it simply wash it off! Learn different techniques such as cut crease and smokey eyes and contouring. Experiment with different colours and generally just have fun with it. You don’t need to spend a fortune, there are plenty of great makeup brands at the drugstore– check out reviews before you buy if you’re unsure. Youtube is full of recommendations and tutorials for you to get your teeth into. 

Consider a piercing or tattoo

If you’re after something more permanent then how about a tattoo or a piercing? You’ll always want to consider this carefully, especially with tattoos as your style and tastes can change over time. However, if you have a design that you’ve wanted for years then why not take the plunge? Piercings are of course less permanent as you can take them out later on if you want to. From facial piercings to golden belly bars from your navel, even dermal implants, there’s a lot to consider. Always use a reputable tattooist and piercer, you’ll want to make sure you do your research. 

Visit the hairdresser

Finally, your hair can make such a huge impact on the way you look. Changing your hair colour can allow you to make a dramatic difference and really feel more like ‘you’. Maybe you’re a blonde but want to move over to the dark side, or perhaps you’re naturally raven haired but want to lighten it up. You might even feel like going a fun colour like pink, purple, blue or even a mixture for a trendy ‘unicorn hair’ look. 


Autumn Inspiration with PLT [ad]

It’s the middle of the hottest August bank holiday on record as I sit down to write this post, and the thought of Autumn couldn’t feel further away. Sadly though, this blast of sunshine is probably the last hurrah of Summer and it’s time for the retailers to start showing off their Autumn/Winter collections- and current sweaty status aside, I’m loving it.

PrettyLittleThing recently let me pick out some items from their collection to kick start my new season wardrobe. I’ve worked with the brand before and was super flattered to be asked back for another collaboration and I’m super happy with the pieces I picked out.

This denim utility jumpsuit* was a last minute decision when I picked out my selection. On the website it is show dressed up with some heels and great accessories, but I saw potential in it to make it more casual. I still didn’t expect to love it just as much as I do…It’s so ridiculously comfy and whilst I’m enjoying finding the perfect parter for my Puma X Hello Kitty trainers I’m safe in the knowledge I can dress this up for a drinks date too.

I automatically associate floral dresses with the Spring and Summer months but this navy floral long sleeve pleated midi dress* with it’s darker colour scheme and midi length just screamed Autumn to me. This dress is going to be my go-to for slightly smarter social occasions over the next few months- it’s a little low cut on me so I need to find a cream camisole or something to pop underneath, but I adore this and it’s swishy pleated skirt.

This is probably my favourite outfit of the three and the most typical of what I wear on a day-to-day basis out of work. It was an absolute nightmare to photograph though so you don’t get to see the full glory sadly…but you kind of get the idea!
I’ve wanted a floaty midi skirt for ages and this black leopard print* one ticked all of the right boxes. Teamed with the ultimate oversized sweater* in black and these rather gorgeous black croc zip back ankle boots* and this is my ideal Saturday pottering about town outfit.

What do you think of my picks? And what styles are you looking to sport in the coming months?

Stepping in to Autumn with Rydale*

Boots gifted by Rydale

If there is one thing that has been consistent over my years of blogging then it’s my love of ankle boots. I wear them pretty much all year round and they are often the top of my wish list despite owning numerous pairs.

I was recently very kindly gifted a new pair from Rydale (this pair to be precise), a British brand founded on the love of the great outdoors.

Dress: Monki

These boots are everything my collection has been missing; Chelsea boot style, suede, the perfect autumnal colours and hands down the comfiest pair of shoes I have owned in a long time. I’ve been sporting them recently with little floaty dresses, but as we rapidly approach the cooler months of th year I can’t wait to team them with skinny denim and chunky knits.

At £60 I think these are an absolute steal- they are so high quality you just know they’re going to last. This particular style comes in two other colour ways too, and there are plenty more beautiful boots (and a whole lot more) on the Rydale website.

This is one pair of boots that certainly were made for walking, and I can’t wait to put them through their paces.

I think I’ve forgotten how to blog.

Dress: Miss Selfridge

You may recognise this dress from a previous wish list post…and lucky me, my Mum treated me to it (FYI, it’s on sale for just £20 now!)

I knew instantly that I wanted to photograph it for the blog, getting back in to outfit photos on a regular basis is something that has been on my agenda for a long time, but quite honestly, I think I have forgotten how to do it!

Shoes c/o Pretty Little Thing

Whereas once posing for photos came pretty naturally, now I do it so infrequently that I just do not know what to do with myself and I find myself feeling incredibly self conscious even thought it’s just Bob and I (with the occasional interruption from Pablo).

Practice makes perfect though right? I really do need to make more of an effort to keep this up. There’s so many things I want to do with the blog, but it seems like I’ve lacked the get up and go to do them. I used to take such pride in keeping this place up to date and looking good, but then I fell in to the “I’m not good enough” slump and it just never happened.

I’m slowly starting to shift that attitude though, not just in terms of blogging, but in life in general. I’ve let insecurity get in my way for as long as I can remember, but finally, at the age of 32 I realise enough is enough.

That being said, if any one has any ideas for the blog, for how to pose for photos, or for how to stop giving a shit about what other people may or may not be thinking then I would be most grateful because I don’t have a whole lot of faith in my own ideas.

Currently Coveting

My life seems to be one big wish list at the moment, shopping is at an all time low as any spare money was either spent on our holiday, or is now being saved for Bob’s 30th Birthday and of course, our wedding.
I’m totally ok with this though, I’m lucky enough that I get treated to things every now and again (thanks Mum and Bob!) and I certainly don’t have an empty wardrobe, so I’m quite content with a lot of browsing and sharing my favourite finds on this little piece of the internet.

I’m not sure I can pull of yellow, but this AngelEye midi dress is stunning. I’m obsessed with browsing this site, so much gorgeousness at pretty reasonable prices, this dress is £48 and would be perfect for the new season.
Palava is a brand I found purely through social media and they have some of the most gorgeous dresses around. I instantly fell for the Beatrice walking zoo dress– I mean, how could you not?

Joy has featured on the blog many, many times before and I still absolutely love this shop, they have some of the best dresses around and most of my favourites come from there. Red is another colour I’m not sure I could pull off, but this Louche midi dress jumped out at me regardless.
I think I can probably justify the purchase of this Happy Planet Planter* from New Look as it’s only £6.99. Fake plants are essential in our house due to Pablo’s tendency to eat everything he shouldn’t and this is just adorable!
Another New Look find is this Pink Playsuit* . It might feel like Summer is almost over, but I think a pair of nude tights could see this last through September and I love this girly take on the utility trend.
I really wanted this Oasis midi dress to wear to a wedding we went to a few weeks ago. I couldn’t justify buying anything new, but I’m still obsessing over these pink polkadots!

So there we have this week’s lust-list, I always say I want to make this a regular feature again and maybe now I’m feeling a bit less jaded about my blog I actually will stick to my word. Most of my browsing this last few days has been wedding related- would anyone be interested in some wedding themed wish lists? And what’s caught your eye lately?