Rose(gold) Tinted

Over the last couple of months three new pairs of ankle boots have somehow made it in to my posession. I say somehow, I do actually know how- of course I do but I am pretending to plead ignorance because I really had no need of even one pair, let alone three!

The rose gold pair in this post were a Christmas present and I just couldn’t resist them when I first saw them in River Island. Much like with my pewter pair I was attracted to how shiny they were. That and being a typical blogger and loving all things rose gold of course! I gave them their first outing paired with a floral dress I picked up in the M&S sale. It was so nice to mainly have money for Christmas and then to be able to indulge in some guilt free sales shopping for once, especially as my income is severely lacking whilst I am still signed off from work.

Dress: Marks and Spencer (similar) | Boots: River Island (available on ASOS)

I’ve been trying to make a bit more of an effort with how I dress lately. I spent a large part of last year living in the same pinafore dresses and black ankle boots and generally not feeling like myself. Thanks to some saving up and some sales shopping I’ve managed to make some modest additions to my wardrobe that are much more “me” and as shallow as it might sound I am feeling better for it.

This is probably the first January in a long time where I haven’t felt resigned to “January blues”. Things might not currently be how I want them- I’m not yet back at work, I’m fighting a huge mental battle with myself each and every day and it’s sometimes overwhelming just how many changes I need to make in my life. But I have hope, for the first time in a long time I have hope that things are going to change for the positive. I have goals and direction, tangible goals at that- not huge big dreams that would be near impossible to achieve.

The first step will be a second occupational health appointment this week after the first one turned out to be well, a disaster for various reasons. I’m hoping this will set the wheels in motion for getting back to work and from that the rest is bound to follow, slowly but surely. I know what I need to do and it’s just a case of working out how best to get it done now.

It’s not all sweetness and light. A year ago today I was in the midst of moving to my flat and starting what I thought would be my new forever and of course that does get me down at times but I’ve found now that I can brush it off, remind myself of the bigger picture and muddle through the days with a smile on my face for the most part.

How are you finding January so far? And on a sartorial note how would you style up the rose gold boots?

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Keeping Cosy with Bows Boutiques*

I don’t do things by halves, it appears I’ve gone from posting pretty much no outfit posts in ages to bringing you one today that has three separate looks in it. I do love dressing for winter weather though, there’s something about layering up and keeping snug that is infinitely appealing and thanks to some new arrivals in my wardrobe from Bows Boutiques I’m keeping cosy in style.

Coat c/o Bows Boutiques | Skirt: New Look | Boots: Long Tall Sally

I think this might be the warmest coat I have ever owned (and that’s saying something as I currently own a lot of coats!) It’s taken me a while to embrace parka style coats but right now I can’t get enough and this one is just perfect. It’s super padded and has lots of faux fur details to make it extra snug and the quality is amazing. I’ve been wearing this non-stop since it arrived- my other coats are starting to feel quite neglected but my loyalty currently lies with this one.

Cardigan c/o Bows Boutiques | Jumper: New Look | Skirt: New Look | Boots: George at Asda

My friends and family call me the cardigan queen as it’s very rare I’m seen without one. I’ve been a little un-inspired by the high-street’s offerings this season though, especially when it came to finding a new black cardigan. This studded cardi from Bows Boutiques ticks all of the right boxes for me- decent length, super warm, pockets and something to make it stand out in the form of the silver stud detailing. This comes in one size suitable for sizes 8-16 and it hangs like a dream, it comes in three colours (grey and khaki) and I’m tempted to buy one of each come payday.

The skirt and jumper are both fairly new acquisitions from New Look- the skirt has become yet another wardrobe essential for me- a more subtle way to embrace the velvet trend with it’s quilted texture and I really like how it looked paired with these over the knee boots that I admit I forgot I owned, oops!

Jumper c/o Bows Boutiques | Jeans: New Look (old) | Boots: New Look (now half price)

I’m not usually one to share my more casual outfits on the blog, there isn’t often anything exciting to show when I’m slobbing around in jeans and a baggy jumper but I make exception for this jumper as it dresses up my one and only pair of jeans perfectly. I’m a big fan of oversized knitwear especially when I’m struggling with my body confidence and feel the need to hide. The embroidered detail is bang on trend and the jumper itself is so soft and snuggly that I just want to live in it. Again it’s a one size fits all (8-16) piece that just hangs like a dream. It comes seven different colours and I’m starting to think that one for every day of the week might not be a bad idea. I actually really like how this outfit turned out. The pewter boots finish it off wonderfully although I am slightly resentful that they are now half price at £14.99.
This post has been my introduction to the brand Bows Boutiques and I have to say I am seriously impressed. It’s hard to know what to expect when you’ve never experienced a company before but I can hand on heart say I’ll be shopping with them from here on out. The quality far exceeds that of many a high-street shop and the prices are very reasonable (£85 for the coat, £31.99 for the cardigan and £28.99 for the jumper). Watch this space for more pieces arriving in my wardrobe very soon- well, once I’m back at work and have had a chance to recover from the expense of Christmas that is!

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P.S. sorry the photos aren’t very exciting. The one and only opportunity I got to take them and the weather decided to chuck a sudden downpour at me!

The Velvet Dress of Dreams

I could barely contain my excitement when I heard that Monki was opening it’s doors in Bristol as it’s a brand I’ve been bordering on obsessed with for a few years now. I love their easy to wear, simple aesthetic and their ever so reasonable prices. Previously I’ve used ASOS or their own website to get my fix but when I found myself in Bristol city centre just after the store opened I decided it’d be highly rude not to pay a visit.

Bolstered by the news that I can return to work in the New Year I decided that I could afford to buy myself a little something and the second I walked in to the store (which is a must visit for any fashion lover, I want it all!) and clapped sight on this dress I knew I had found my item. I’m already planning my next visit in the not too distant future- there’s a jumper dress I just can’t get out of my mind- oh Monki, what have you started?

Dress: Monki (also on ASOS in red and black) | Boots: New Look (another treat to myself, oops) | Headband: Crown and Glory

If I didn’t already have a Christmas party outfit sorted then this is 100% what I would be wearing, Christmas pudding headband and all. I love everything about this dress, from the relaxed fit and way it hangs to the keyhole neck detail…oh and that glorious colour and modest £25 price tag. Perfect with my new pewter boots which I really, really did not need but were the perfect finishing touch to just about every outfit I have planned over the festive period and beyond.

Given how limited my social life is I’m now trying to think up some ways to style this dress for day time without appearing completely OTT- I’m thinking tights and flat boots, or even over a pair of skinny jeans with trainers…if you happen to have any ideas let me know, although I’m not adverse to wearing this just for a jaunt around Tesco.

Any other Monki lovers out there? I’m hoping to go again at the end of this week having quite literally emptied out my piggy bank for the occasion. Saving that small change adds up, I’d accrued £60 since April which more than covers my jumper dress and a few other treats too…

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The Red Velvet Boots

I bought my red velvet boots long before velvet became a big thing again. It was in fact three years ago when I saw this pair by Bertie in T.K.Maxx and decided they just had to be mine. This was despite the fact I could only try one shoe on thanks to a broken foot and the struggle to get them to the checkout whilst on crutches provided amusement for many a passer by.

Still, I’m glad I bought them because I loved them then and I love them now. It’s a happy bonus that they are suddenly “on trend” leaving me feel smug that for once I was ahead of the fashion game.

Dress: Urban Outfitters | Boots: Bertie (similar here) | Cat Beret: H&M

I have a bit of a thing for hats at the moment, I don’t seem to be able to stop buying them and although bobble hats are my main object of desire when I saw this cute cat beret on the h&m website I couldn’t resist. I think the look I was going for with this outfit was a kind of sophisticated one but I don’t think I pull it off well. Instead you have your usual mish-mash of items that I pile together until I am vaguely satisfied. I like it though- the dress which I picked up really cheaply in the UO sale in the Spring is a great piece for feeling more put together whilst staying comfortable and I love the charcoal grey with the deep red of my beloved boots.

We won’t talk (much) about how long it took me to take these photos. It’s been a while since I last dusted off my tripod and camera remote and it took me a shamefully long time to remember how to operate the remote. About half an hour. Then the same again to get some photos I was vaguely happy with. It’s all trial and error though and in the end it came good and it should be easier the next time. I don’t think I’ll be taking to a public place with my set up any time soon though…Oh to have an actual photographer in my life. Someone that can make me look kinda cool and kind of edgy just by knowing how to get the right light in the right location.

Anyway, are there any items that you bought ages ago only to find they come back in to fashion again? I’ll be holding on to these boots for the next time around too.

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Pleats, please.

Anyone else loving the pleated skirts that are everywhere right now? There’s something so compelling about the combination of midi-length and perfectly aligned pleats that has captured my imagination and my current “in my dreams” shopping basket is full of skirts in every fabric from satin to jersey (and everything in between).

Skirt: ASOS | Jumper: New Look (tall) | Boots c/o Ted & Muffy

I’ve seen many of my favourite (and infinitely more stylish) bloggers rock a pleated skirt with a chunky knit so thought I’d give it a whirl myself. This jersey pleated number is by pull&bear at ASOS and was a very reasonable £15.99 although an even better deal for me as it was a gift from Mum. I loved the grey paired with the deep green of this New Look jumper- another bargain at £9.99 and in a fit of madness I ditched my usual black ankle boots for this snakeskin pair from Ted & Muffy which I adore but for some reason overlook.

This has pretty much become my go to comfort outfit at the moment. Perfect for days when it’s a) freezing cold and b) you’re really not feeling your best. It makes a slightly dressier change to slobbing about in jeans, allowing me to feel a little bit more “put together” but still providing the comfort I crave.

Have you fallen for pleated skirts? What’s your go-to comfort outfit? I really wouldn’t say no to a bit more inspiration…

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