Frills 'n' Spills

Denim, stripes and leopard-print...

2013-05-20T08:00:00.000+01:00

You know how much I love striped tops and this one is a recent addition to my wardrobe from good old H&M. I love the three-quarter length sleeves and paired with my favourite denim dress, it was the perfect outfit for a lazy weekend spent watching films and eating a roast beef dinner...At weekends, if I get dressed at all, I like to be in something that is super comfy, there's nothing worse than being too dressed up!

Dress: NW3 by Hobbs, top: H&M, belt: New Look, shoes: French Sole flat shoes

Stripes are perfect for pattern mixing and a spot of leopard-print jazzed up this outfit no end! Paired with my 'go to' hairstyle and some burgundy nail varnish, it made me feel like I had made some effort at least...

I have been obsessed with leopard print recently and these beautiful shoes are from French Sole, a brand I have been desperate to try for years. People have raved about the fit but I thought they were just a glorified pair of ballet pumps, and not worth spending the money on. How wrong I was! They fit perfectly and unlike a lot of ballet pumps, they don't gape at the sides. I survived a whole weekend traipsing around London in them, no mean feat, I think you will agree!

What do you wear at the weekend? Have you ever tried French Sole shoes?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

Oversized stripes...

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

I think it's a bit of a blogger cliché but my wardrobe is full of striped tops. This Mango jumper was a bit of an impulse buy but I couldn't resist adding another striped jumper to my collection. It is surprisingly warm and perfect for the office, especially when paired with my snazzy blue blazer! I have been wearing a lot of monochrome outfits recently and it feels weird not wearing any colour so this blazer is ideal for brightening them up...

Blazer: c/o Matalan, jumper: Mango, jeans: Topshop, top: c/o Matalan, necklace: New Look, shoes: c/o Matalan

I really love this jumper but I'm never sure how to style it. The oversized fit isn't that flattering on me and I'm not sure what to pair it with to stop me looking so square. I wore it here with a loose t-shirt but maybe I need a more fitted top? It reminds me of this outfit in a lot of ways, maybe I just need to dig out more skinny trousers?

This necklace is the perfect finishing touch and I have been wearing it a lot recently. I really like the length and think I need to invest in some more statement necklaces, they are perfect for pairing with stripes!

I have had these Topshop jeans for a year or so now but they have really stretched after a few washes too many and I am on the lookout for a new pair. I have heard some good things about the Joni jeans but does anyone have any other recommendations for high-waisted jeans?

How would you style this oversized jumper?

Film noir inspired...

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000+01:00

These photos have been sitting on my computer for a while now, I took them way back in March but I have been a bit unsure about using them which is strange.I loved the outfit and I quite like how the photos came out but the photos are a bit 'posier' than I am used to and it felt slightly like a costume rather than an outfit. I had been looking for a proper mac/raincoat for a while now and I picked up this Paul Costelloe number up in a charity shop for a few pounds. It is very light but keeps out even the sharpest of showers and although I think I need to get it tailored and perhaps shortened (there is a lot of material here!) I really love this coat. The oversized lapels and collar make me feel like I could be a film noir detective- those guys knew how to work a trench coat!

Coat: Paul Costelloe via charity shop, dress: Sugarhill Boutique, shoes: Marks & Spencer, goofy pose: model's own

Paired with a rather cute tea dress and some rather vampy heels, I felt like a proper femme fatale! I love Sugarhill Boutique dresses (Sarah has an enviable amount which I am very jealous of!) but had always put off buying them as I wasn't sure how they would fit. I spotted this one reduced on Amazon and decided that it would be the perfect opportunity to try out the brand. One thing I would say is that this is pretty short, you can see from the photo how much leg is on show and when I wore it to work with some flat shoes, I felt a bit exposed. This is definitely one for the weekend when you aren't going to be constantly trying to pull it down all day! This jazzy red clutch doesn't get many outings but I have been trying to use it a bit more when I go out as it is pretty roomy. I bought it on a college trip when Sophie and I bunked off from the British Museum for an hour or so to hit up Oxford Street, smuggling it back on the coach was pretty funny!

Belt: Primark, bag: Dorothy Perkins

Brushed out curls, cat-eye glasses and a slick of red lipstick topped off the 1940s look. I love the print on this dress too, the little rocking horses are adorable!

I fell in love with these shoes as soon as I laid eyes on them back in the January sales and I knew they would be the perfect finishing touch to this outfit, I just need to find a way to make them stay on my feet. I seem to just fall forward in them which is bad news for someone with such atrocious balance as I have!

What weird style inspirations have you had recently?

Styling a maxi skirt for work...

2013-05-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

I have said many times before that I am so grateful that I have a fairly casual dress code at work and there's not much that I can't wear (flesh flashing aside obviously!) As I leave so early in the morning, it can be difficult to judge what to wear for the day ahead as 5.30 am doesn't give you much to go on. Luckily a maxi skirt works whatever the weather, especially if it is in a slightly heavier material like this one. This beautiful maxi skirt doesn't get worn as often as I would like, because it really is voluminous but my trusty stripy top came out (it really works with maxi skirts!) and I think I managed to pull it off. What do you think? Apologies for my face in all of these pictures, I look super grumpy here for some reason!

Jacket: New Look, top: Oasis, skirt: Marks & Spencer, necklace: Miss Selfridge, shoes: Office, grumpy face: model's own.

To this day, this leather jacket is still one of my favourite ever purchases. I love the shape and fit of it and as it is leather, I just know it will stay a main part of my wardrobe for a long time. The fact I feel super cool when I'm wearing it also helps ;)

Simple accessories in neutral tones are essential when making a maxi skirt work-appropriate. Work (however relaxed it is) is not the time for wacky shoes or make-up!

How would you style a maxi skirt for work ?

Dressing like Druscilla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer...

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000+01:00

Anyone reading my Twitter feed over the past few months will have seen that Mark and I have been watching our way through Buffy (we're only 12 or so years behind!) and I absolutely love it! We're now watching season 6 but I was definitely inspired by Druscilla's wardrobe when I was putting this outfit together!

Coat: Topshop, dress: Monki, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office, bag: c/o Accessories direct

I love how Victorian this dress is and I love the contrast of the black accessories too, it looks so dramatic. Now my hair is a bit longer (I have been trying to grow it for about 12 years) I have been trying out different ways to have my hair and this style with the top part pinned back and the curls loose is my new favourite. I hate it when my hair goes in my eyes so this is perfect!

I love a full skirt and this is so swooshy! See what I mean about it looking more dramatic against the black too? These shoes are my absolute favourite heels, I love the chunky heel and the Mary Jane style is one of the only styles I can walk in.

Who is your style inspired by? Are you a Buffy fan? ;)

Marvellous mustard...

2013-05-02T17:47:00.001+01:00

I really love this outfit, my friend Matilda gave me this cardigan a while ago and I was never sure what to pair it with as it is such a bright mustard colour. My love affair with mustard has been slowly growing since January last year but I'm still not convinced that the colour suits me, what do you think? I try not to wear jeans more than once a week to work because it feels kind of lazy for me and also because I have so many clothes, I want to wear them all as much as possible! This is such a typical Friday outfit though, the vagaries of public transport and the weather call for some clever layering and this is pretty cosy with the cardigan.

Cardigan: Gap via Matilda, top: Vero Moda via charity shop, jeans: Topshop, shoes: Betty London ankle boots c/o Spartoo

A close up of that gorgeous print and a necklace I have had longer than I care to remember. I constantly switch between short and long necklaces but I think long ones will always be my favourite, even if they do bash annoyingly on my desk at work!

This shape of blouse is not something I would ever normally choose but I loved the print when I saw it in the charity shop and it is perfect for making my jeans look a bit smarter for the office. I felt quite 70s inspired in this outfit, I think it's the mustard paired with the floaty blouse and the suede boots. Apologies for my facial expressions here, I'm not quite sure what was going on with them! I have still been brushing my curls out into waves but I'm not sure if it makes this look more modern or more retro, what do you think?

The most lovely pair of boots, paired with some turn-ups equals casual perfection!

What colours do you find difficult to wear? Any tips for other colours to pair with mustard?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

A Street shopping spree...

2013-04-29T08:00:00.000+01:00

I spent a good portion of last weekend wandering around the many shops at Clarks Village in Street, Somerset. I was quite restrained (for me) and limited myself to this dress and pair of shoes and a super jazzy pair of trousers for the summer. Unfortunately the mornings are still a bit gloomy here so my coat was still necessary but I'm so glad that I am able to take photos outside again. I think every fashion blogger hates the impracticality of winter!

Coat: Dannimac from my mum, dress: Whistles, shoes: Clarks, bag: Miss Selfridge

Whistles is one of those shops that I had resigned myself to gazing wistfully out for at least 10 more years before being able to buy anything. I always love their clothes and when I saw this dress on the reduced rail I snapped it up. It was originally £110 (!) but the label said £30 and I finally bought it for £15 and I couldn't be happier. My love of white dresses (especially if they are broderie anglaise!) is well documented and this is a worthy addition to my collection. I love the sleeves and the length is perfect for work, I imagine this will be getting a lot of wear this summer...

A close up of that gorgeous cut-work! I have had this bag for quite a while now and it matches perfectly with my beautiful new shoes from my beloved Clarks.

I have been looking for a pair of pink flats ever since I bought these pink heels for my graduation. I love the colour but heels are completely impractical for everyday wear so I have been looking for the perfect pair of flats ever since... These are a beautiful soft suede with a teeny block heel and so far are ridiculously comfy, here's hoping they don't need much more breaking in! I was so excited when I saw them and I was so happy to finally add them to my wardrobe.

Which brands can you only dream of buying from?

Embracing the humble ankle sock...

2013-04-24T18:02:00.000+01:00

Another day, another outfit featuring my cream dress and camel coat! This dress is my go to outfit whenever I'm not sure what to wear as it is such a versatile colour and I really love the shape of the dress. I'm so glad that the weather is starting to improve too, I am desperately in need of some sunshine and my pretty summer dresses are just dying to be worn. It may not be summertime yet but with (nearly) bare legs, a girl can dream, right?!

Coat: Dannimac via mum, dress: Forever 21, belt: George at ASDA, ankle socks: Primark, shoes: Betty London ankle boots c/o Spartoo

Apologies for my over excited ~~moon~~ face here, the sunshine was obviously far too exciting! This floral belt doesn't get worn as often as I'd like but it was perfect for adding a bit of a pattern to an otherwise plain outfit. I have been painting my nails a lot more recently and this Nails Inc 'Tate' nail polish is my favourite red colour. I love the fact it isn't too bright too, I think the darker red looks really dramatic against my skin and I love it for adding a bit of an edge (this is as edgy as it gets chez Fallon!)

Saying that though, I have finally embraced the ankle sock/dress/ankle boots combination after many a failed attempt to pull it off. This was mainly for practicality's sake (there is nothing worse than shredding your feet when trying to break in your new shoes) but actually I liked how it turned out. I did feel like an oversized five year old for a while but I like to think I actually looked pretty darn cool in the end. I have been lusting over these beautiful boots for ages and I couldn't be happier. As with all Betty London shoes, they are ridiculously comfy and so well priced too, I think I may have a slight problem....

What do you think, have I managed to pull off ankle socks?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

A weekend in Portishead... (PICTURE HEAVY)...

2013-04-22T17:49:00.000+01:00

All I seem to be doing recently is travelling! This weekend, Mark, Sophie and I took a trip down to Portishead as our friends have just bought a house (!) there and they invited us down to see it. I had never been before so wasn't sure what to expect but it was lovely, very expensive looking but friendly too. Whilst we were down there, we also spent a day at the spa followed with some shopping at Street , definitely a girls' weekend cliche! The spa we went to was fab, and my neck and back massage was just what I needed to relax, after a stressful few weeks...

Portishead Marina- can I have a billionaire husband and a yacht please?!

Lovely coloured flats at the water's edge.

This was a some kind of animal made out of old oil and gas drums who I fell in love with, isn't he the cutest?!

I had unfortunately dressed for sunnier climes so I had to bundle up in a scarf and gloves on top of my blazer. I found out that it gets pretty windy along the waterfront!

The rocks were a lot of fun for clambering all over, however old you get I don't think you ever grow out of this!

Brightly coloured sculptures- Mark and I liked their weird faces....

I think this was some kind of lighthouse which looked amazing. Imagine the view you would get from up there! These stone pillars were a bit strange, we decided in the end that they were markers for lost ships. Anyone care to put me right?

After a brisk walk we popped into Chandos Deli for a quick drink where I had the world's yummiest berry smoothie. The decor was quite minimalist but these flowers added a splash of colour to each table.

These brightly coloured oranges looked amazing in the sunshine but the smell made me all nostalgic for Italy!

More lovely apartments (can you tell I'm jealous yet?!)

We saw lots of sculptures as we were walking around the marina but this one was definitely my favourite. These 3 matchsticks were huge and I did have trouble getting them into a photo but my contortions were worth it! I love how the metal is carved to look like wood and they looked so realistic, I almost expected smoke to come off them!

Have you ever been to Portishead? How do you relax?

A trip to the National Gallery, Scotland... (PICTURE HEAVY)...

2013-04-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

As you know, I took far too many photos when I visited Edinburgh and here's the second lot of photos. Jules, Ian and I decided to visit the National Gallery which was a real highlight of my trip.West Register House on Market Street looked lovely in the light. It took me forever to work out which building this was, lots of Google Street View stalking was needed ;)

Princes Street Gardens- apparently this is an ice-rink in the winter which I imagine looks beautiful.

The highlight of the day had to be this guy who I mentioned in my last post. This guy was the most hilarious bagpiper ever. He refused to play until someone gave him some money and then stopped after about 10 seconds, I don't think he was very keen on actually bagpiping!

I was so excited to visit the Scottish National Gallery - I love visiting art galleries but living where I do, I don't get to do it very often so this was a lovely afternoon out.

The floor was absolutely gorgeous and I love how the pattern had faded from all the feet trampling over it...

When I walked in and saw 'The Kiss' by Rodin, it was just the icing on the cake. This is one of my favourite sculptures and it is even better in the flesh. Apologies for the gazillion photos but I was practically jumping for joy at this point!

SWOON

Can you believe that this is CARVED OUT OF MARBLE?! Insane.

I love me a good sculpture and these two were so elegant. I love the flow of the drapery!

I love the light in this painting: La Via Appia by Brasscasat. I had never heard of the artist before but I fell in love with it as soon as I set eyes on it.

Poplars on the Epte by Monet. I love the fact that Monet bought the trees at auction so he could continue to paint them!

Before the Peformance by Degas. I was surprised by how dark the colours in this were, I always assumed that Degas' pieces were a lot lighter.

The colours that Gauguin uses are even more stunning in the flesh. The Three Tahitians is so vibrant but I have to say, IO prefer the softer colours of the Impressionists like Monet...

Orchard In Blossom (Plum Trees) by Vincent Van Gogh was also beautiful and very fitting for Spring as all the trees are blooming here at the moment.

More Monet- this time it's Haystacks and a gorgeous sunrise...

I didn't realise that Degas also did sculptures, this is called The Tub and is described as "a personal exploration of a self-absorbed figure in a private act of mundane intimacy". I just thought it would make a cute paperweight! ;)

I wish I could stand on one leg! This Grande Arabesque was another favourite from Degas, she just looks so elegant!

Isn't Lady Agnew of Lochnaw such a babe?! I loved her dress and her pose is so challenging, I think I'm in love!

Do you like visiting art galleries? Which artists are your favourites?

Edinburgh, I love you... (PICTURE HEAVY)

2013-04-16T08:00:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the delay since my last post, I spent the weekend staying with two of my best friends up in Edinburgh. I haven't been to Edinburgh since I was about ten so I couldn't remember much of it but as soon as I landed, I felt like I had come home. I will definitely be visiting again sooner rather than later. The weather was gorgeous (apart from Sunday morning) and I took so many photos that I will have to split them into two posts, you still have the National Gallery and the world's most hilarious bagpiper to come!

Is there anything nicer than being greeted with tea, snacks, a stack of magazines and a gorgeous bedroom to sleep in? I think not!

Fettes really is the most beautiful school, it looked like a gothic Disneyland!

I mean check out those pillars! ;)

After a wander through Inverleith Park- filled with smiley faces and frolicking dogs, it was starting to feel like we were in a movie. The setting was stunning and I love the fact that you can see all the way down into Edinburgh town too...

Banks of daffodils are guaranteed to brighten up your day.

I had never heard of Stockbridge before but it was recently voted the coolet place to live inScotland which I can well believe. With 13 charity shops and plenty of cute delis and cafes, it was a fashion blogger's dream...

Peter's Yard was our choice for lunch- these cakes sounded amazing but I was just about able to resist their charms...

Mainly because of this amazing 'winter slaw'- who knew cabbage could be so delicious?!

This was the most amazing veggie pizza- I love anything with artichoke hearts on and this sourdough pizza was delicious.

Plus, anything with parma ham on is bound to be a winner in my book!

I wish I could have taken this giant brie home with me but it was already a struggle to get everything back on the plane. Which stupid person decided to take hand luggage only?

Cobbled streets look beautiful but can be hellish on your feet!

I think Fredericks may be my new favourite tea shop, it was beautifully decorated and so relaxed. I love places where they aren't constantly trying to rush you out of the door! Definitely another stop on the fashion blogger tour too ;)

Plus, they didn't get too annoyed when we were spelling out Edinburgh in sugar sachets- definitely a win in my book!

A nice glass of wine (or two) ...

Delicious homemade fajitas, BGT and A Knight's Tale were the perfect combination for an amazing Saturday night. The best kind of friends are the ones who you can kick back in your pyjamas and watch rubbish TV with, amirite?

This was what I expected Edinburgh to look like everyday...

...but actually I couldn't get over how good the weather was, it made a beautiful city look even more gorgeous!

Have you ever visited Edinburgh?

Is this the jazziest jumper in the world?

2013-04-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

I have had the most awful cold recently and this is one of those outfits that I can throw on to keep me cosy and also to stop me from feeling quite so miserable. Bright colours are guaranteed mood lifters and this stripey jumper is ridiculously cheerful. I bought it from one of Tewkesbury's many charity shops and it has been the perfect way to make me feel better.

Jumper: Canda via charity shop, top: Dorothy Perkins, jeans: Topshop, shoes: Matalan

I picked up this Dainty Doll blusher (shade 004 FYI) in my massive haul a while ago and it is a lovely corally colour which is shot through with a slight gold shimmer. It gives a gorgeous glow to your skin and just makes you look more awake, never a bad thing in my opinion! The fact that it matches my Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain (in Rendezvous) is a bonus. I love coral and peach shades and they are perfect for springtime too...

Paired with my classic high-waisted skinny jeans from Topshop and these gold block heeled shoes, I had a pretty jazzy outfit that was smart enough for work but also ridiculously comfy...

What do you wear when you are feeling poorly? How do you brighten up your make up?

Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell: the top...

2013-04-08T08:00:00.000+01:00

You already know how much I love the Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell collaboration and this top may be my favourite out of all of the pieces that I bought. As with all tees from Uniqlo, it is really soft cotton and long enough that it covers the waistband of my jeans and skirts. I hate it when you have to keep pulling t-shirts down. Paired with my pastel cashmere jumper and a slick of peachy lipstick, it felt very spring-like (even if the weather wasn't playing ball!)

Jumper: Marks & Spencer via charity shop, top: Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell, jeans: Topshop, shoes: Marks & Spencer, necklace: Miss Selfridge

This lipstick is another Max Factor special and despite being called Pink Brandy, it is a gorgeous peachy colour. It brightens up your face nicely but is perfect if you like a more subtle finish.

I have had these shoes for years and years now and they are super comfortable but they're are looking more than a little worn now! They have always been my go to shoes for when I need some leg-lengthening but I think these will have to go to the great shoe-box in the sky soon *sob* and I will have to look for some replacements. Any ideas?

Do you own a pair of shoes that you keep coming back to? Any ideas where I can get a new pair?

Tangerine dreams...

2013-04-04T08:00:00.000+01:00

Nobody tell Pantone but I think I may be a year behind schedule. Tangerine is definitely the colour of the year for me, not emerald! ;) I picked up this M&S jumper for a few pounds in a local charity shop after I fell in love with the tangerine shade. I love bright colours when it is grey outside!

Dress: Tu via charity shop, jumper: Marks & Spencer via charity shop, tights: Primark, shoes: Betty London flats

This dress has been getting a lot of wear over the last couple of months and as the weather seems to just be getting colder, I have switched my sheer shirts for cosy jumpers. The combination of brown and orange feels very 1970s to me but this orange lipstain helps to make it feel more modern. It also helped me look more awake too, never an easy task at 6.00 am!

I should have probably worn some heeled shoes with this outfit (hello stumpy legs!) but I really love these shoes. The leather is so soft and the arch support makes them so comfy, I want a pair in every colour! (I think the blue pair may be next on my list...)

What's your colour this year?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

The return of boho chic?

2013-04-02T08:00:00.000+01:00

It's awful but as soon as it gets cold, all creativity goes out of the window as I bundle up in more and more layers. Pretty prints and coloured jeans helps to make it look like I have put some effort into this outfit but don't be fooled, this as comfy as it gets. I love the combination of camel and burgundy together and it is a nice way to slowly introduce some colour in for spring...

Coat: Dannimac via my mum, top: George at ASDA, camisole: Primark, jeans: Miss Selfridge, shoes: Betty London c/o Spartoo, bag: Radley London

I picked this top up for a few pounds in ASDA when I was doing my shopping and I thought it was gorgeous. I love how sheer it is and the shape feels very 'boho chic', I can't wait to wear it with my denim shorts this summer! I wasn't sure if the shape worked on me but I figure with some fitted trousers, you can get away with wearing something more oversized right?

The colour of the flowers are lovely and I know that this top will get a lot of wear as the weather warms up, I reckon they would match this skirt or these trousers perfectly! I have been wearing my hair like this a lot recently, I never used to be able to pull it off when my hair was shorter but it is the perfect way to keep my hair out of my eyes.

I have been wearing these jeans a lot recently and paired with these shoes from Spartoo, it is the perfect colour combination!

How do you jazz up your comfy outfits? What colour combinations are you wearing for Spring? (if it ever turns up!)

Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell: the shorts...

2013-03-30T09:00:00.000Z

When I heard that Uniqlo were doing a collaboration with Celia Birtwell, I was very excited, I love Uniqlo's collaborations and I was pleased to add some of Celia's signature prints to my wardrobe. I originally planned to wear these shorts on holiday this summer but I thought that they would also work layered up with some chunky tights too. I'm never sure whether I pull off pattern mixing successfully but I figure you can't go wrong with a striped tee, right?!

Top: Oasis, shorts: Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell, tights: Tesco, shoes: NW3 by Hobbs, necklace: New Look, bag: NW3 by Hobbs

As it is still pretty cold, I pulled out my oversized grey blazer and my thick grey tights, to add some warmth and also to tone down the patterns. I don't think Tewkesbury is ready for this just yet...

This bag matched the red of the pattern perfectly and I think it adds a sense of fun too. It's impossible to be grumpy with such a shiny bag! Apologies for my face in this photo, it was pretty darn cold (I think you can see the goosebumps!) but I wanted to give a better idea of what the indoor version of the outfit looked like. I have been wearing my hair swept to the side quite a lot recently, I love the fact that it is now long enough for a proper ponytail!

A close up of the shoes, I actually managed to ~~elegantly glide~~ totter along in these for a whole morning, result!

Have you picked up anything from the Celia Birtwell collection yet? How would you style these shorts?

Orla Kiely inspired workwear...

2013-03-28T08:00:00.000Z

I am a massive Orla Kiely fan and I fell in love with her A/W 2013 collection as soon as I saw the pictures from the show. The weather has been freezing recently and even I, Maria "human radiator" Fallon, have needed to bundle up against the cold. This outfit was my attempt at being an Orla Kiely girl and I quite like how it turned out in the end. It's definitely not fancy but it felt slightly more pulled together than pyjamas!

Jumper: Gap, stolen from Mark, shirt: New Look, skirt: Vero Moda via ASOS, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office.

I stole this jumper off Mark as the colour matched perfectly with the pattern on my skirt - dontcha just love it when that happens?! ;) I did feel slightly like a schoolgirl when I wore this but I think combining a jumper and checked mini-skirt will have that effect! Someone at work said that I looked like I belonged in the Mad Men office which made me feel a lot happier, I love the clothes in that show!

I don't tend to layer collared shirts or blouses very often but I love the results when I do, maybe I need to be more of a blogger cliché?! I am currently waiting for a hairdressers appointment and my hair is getting a little bit wild at the moment. Brushing it out into soft waves seems to be the only way to keep it under control!

Where do you find office-wear inspiration? How have you been staying warm at work?

Medieval mazes and mini dresses...

2013-03-25T08:00:00.000Z

One of the best things about going on holiday with other bloggers is the almost unlimited supply of outfit photographers (watch out, Mark!) My roomie Gemma was kind enough to take some photos for me when I got back from Chatsworth and I love how they turned out. It's always fun to play dress up and with a location as gorgeous as this, how could they not look great?!

Dress: ASOS, belt: Primark, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office, bag: gift from Alex

This medieval knot garden and maze provided the backdrop for the photos. I just wish I had such a beautiful location for all of my outfit posts!

Alex kindly bought us all gifts and was lucky enough to get this absolutely beautiful bag. It reminds me of a fan or an ice-cream wafer and I know it will get a lot of wear once the weather warms up (wouldn't it look amazing with this outfit?!) Thank you again Alex! ♥

Outtake of the day: me nearly falling off the wall, elegant as ever ;) At least you can see the oversized sleeves on this dress a bit better here! I love the sleeves but at the wrong angle, they can make me look a little bulky...

Who takes your outfit photos? What would be your perfect location?

Bloggers go to Chatsworth... (PICTURE HEAVY)

2013-03-23T18:06:00.000Z

You know me, I love a good stately home and as Chatsworth was fairly close to Norbury Manor, Bex, Lucy, Sophie and I decided to pay a visit. I took over 500 photos but the house was quite dark inside so only a few ~~hundred~~ came out... It was ridiculously expensive to get in, but we spent a good four hours wandering around!

♥ The side view of the house, the windows had just been re-gilted so they were very gold and shiny. I have to say, my flat now looks rather drab in comparison...

♥ Every surface was covered in some kind of decoration and this was the beautiful ceiling in the hallway.

♥ Only carved marble bannisters will do...

♥ I loved the colours in this carpet, they looked even brighter in the room!

♥ The 'Green Satin Room' unsurprisingly had walls covered in green satin, much classier than wallpaper!

♥ This was such a beautiful domed ceiling which had windows above it, as you can see there was a lot of art on the walls!

♥ BATH IN THE CUPBOARD KLAXON- is this the world's smallest en-suite?!

♥ This was a gorgeous collection of silver miniatures which included teeny tiny scissors, spoons and even a miniature candelabra, it looked like the supplies for a doll's palace!

♥ Just one of the (many) richly decorated bedrooms...

♥ The library was absolutely amazing, I literally steamed up my camera when I saw it due to my excitement. The fact that it had a hidden staircase just made it even more exciting, haha!

♥ I mean who wouldn't love shelves and shelves of beautiful old books?!

♥ I really love chandeliers and Chatsworth had so many beautiful ones, I just wish I had high enough ceilings to have one here at the flat. I love me a good light fitting...

♥ Playing around with the focus on my camera...

♥ Another beautiful light fitting...

♥ Another mini chandelier (told you I liked light fittings!)

♥ Chatsworth has an amazing art collection and there is currently an exhibition of William Turner's work in the house and gardens. I loved this painting, the colours were really vibrant. I also loved the Trompe L'Oeil violin too, it was so realistic!

♥ Sculptures are one of my favourite forms of art and this sleeping lion was beautifully carved, I would have snuck him out in my pocket if only he didn't weigh about 6 tonnes!

♥ This 'veiled lady' was exquisitely carved but super creepy. Yes that is a heart she is holding in her hands...

♥ Super cool purple chairs at one of the restaurants

♥ I loved these massive canvases, each one showed slightly differently aspects of Chatsworth with brightly coloured backgrounds.

Cultivated clematis flowers in the expansive grounds

Typical fashion blogger poser- many thanks to my lungy photographer Bex!

Outtake of the day: me nearly falling into the water feature. My balance has always been atrocious!

Have you ever been to Chatsworth? Do you like visiting stately homes?

Twelve bloggers, one manor house and LOTS of cake... (PICTURE HEAVY)

2013-03-20T08:00:00.000Z

This weekend I went away to Norbury Manor with some of my blogger friends and spent a lovely couple of days eating far too much cake, playing board games and going on long walks around stately homes, what more could you ask for?! There is always a risk when going on holiday with 12 people in one place together but Alex organised a really wonderful holiday with some of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. Many thanks to Alex, Chloe (especially for her amazing food organisation skillz!) Sarah, Alice, Sophie, Sarah, Char, Bex, Lucy, Rosie and my roomie Gemma for a really fab time! I only wish I could go away with these girls every weekend!

♥ The manor itself! Our little old holiday cottage (!) was absolutely divine and I would love to have spent much longer there, it was lovely just to disappear off the grid for a while, even if the lack of phone signal took some getting used to! (Image is taken from the National Trust website.)

♥ We were greeted by a gorgeous bunch of flowers when we arrived which smelt heavenly.

♥ I can't even begin to describe just how much cake I ate over the weekend, you know it's bad when you wake up on your first day back at work craving a slice of Victoria sponge for breakfast...

♥ The door out to the garden/grounds...

♥ The medieval knot garden outside the back door...

♥ The rather imposing gates...

♥ The window seats (!) in mine and Gem's room

♥ A real wood fire kept us nice and snug

♥ Rosie's dog Bodhi was absolutely lovely and I think everyone lost their heart to this little cutie!

♥ I love a bit of Articulate!

♥ ROLL TOP BATH KLAXON. I was absolutely in love with this bathroom and one day I will have my own manor house to live in...

♥ The walls were decorated with old paintings and gilt framed mirrors...

♥ My bed was ridiculously comfy and I really loved our room. It was done up in a gorgeous teal blue shade with no chintz in sight...

♥ CHANDELIER KLAXON. One day I will have one of these too...

♥ Each of the windows had little stained glass panels on showing various scenes which I imagine the original owners would have actually been doing. I like this guy's hairdo!

♥ The beautiful wood panelling and one of the many cupboards in the building...

♥ Me and Alex hanging out of the bedroom window, I would like to point out that she was fully clothed in this picture! ;)

♥ Our first meal in the house- Alex was kind enough to get us all a present- pictures to come soon!

♥ Love these girls, go #TeamNorbury!

Have you ever been on a blogger's holiday? Where do you think we should go next?

Burgundy jeans and a striped tee...

2013-03-15T08:00:00.000Z

I have always found that clothes are the best indicator of my mood, whether that is bright and exuberant or more restrained. So much of our confidence is tied up with how we look and blogging has made me a much more confident person (just look how far I have come since one of my first outfit posts!) but recently I have been feeling all kinds of rubbish. I realise that most people won't want to know about my self esteem issues but I have always been honest about the lows on this blog as unfortunately life isn't always sunshine and flowers! Since starting my job last April, I have put on a lot of weight and much to my dismay, some clothes are now off limits as they are too small. As a result of this, I have been quite self conscious of my problem areas (hello hips and torso!) and so have been looking for ways to disguise them. I am working to lose my weight gain, replacing crisps and cake with salads and more exercise *sob* but as anyone who has lost weight knows, it can be a slow process! Despite all of the above (!) I really love this outfit and am looking forward to recreating it when I want some cosy layers...

TL;DR- I put on weight which is bad because I can't fit into some of my clothes and my self esteem suffered as a result...

Top: Laura Ashley c/o Matilda, t-shirt (underneath): Mango, jeans: Miss Selfridge, boots: c/o Spartoo

I think this striped tee/jumper is supposed to end on your hips but as I am not particularly tall, it has ended up looking more like a tunic on me! I really loved pairing the navy top with my burgundy jeans and these jeans felt a lot more dressy than my usual dark denim. I imagine the top would work with some jazzy shorts in the summer too, watch this space...

I also love the fact that the jumper is a nice thin layer so you don't end up looking too bulky when you are all wrapped up to go outside or cause you to boil alive when you reach work and find that someone has turned the heating up too far. I would usually avoid such a boxy shape but I think with skinny jeans it works quite nicely...

This nail varnish is part of the rather wonderful Nails Inc set that I picked up in TK Maxx recently (along with this Rouge Noir inspired shade) and is a gorgeous pinky burgundy colour. It is the little details that make all the difference and I always feel much more pulled together when I paint my nails. I have also been trying to appreciate the little things in life; there's nothing nicer than scented candles or fresh flowers!

How do you stay upbeat? What makes you feel more confident?

The perfect pair of knee high boots...

2013-03-12T08:00:00.000Z

There are certain items of clothing that you can expect to find in everyone's wardrobe and a floral dress ranks high on the list. This H! by Henry Holland one has long been a favourite of mine since I bought it a couple of years ago. I have worn it so many different ways and although I loved the clashing prints in this outfit, this may be my new favourite way to wear it. The weather has been so rubbish lately that layers are necessary and I did top this outfit off with this coat, never say I'm not inventive! ;)

Dress: H! by Henry Holland, body: Wolford, tights: Tesco, socks: Primark, belt: Primark, shoes: Betty London boots

I bought this Wolford body off Stanwells Rerun about a year ago after Laura recommended it and it is the perfect thin layer for under more summery dresses and tops. It is pretty sheer so you couldn't wear it by itself but it has proven invaluable all winter. This belt is also an old favourite, I used to wear wide belts all the time when I first started blogging but it has been ages since I pulled it out of the drawer....

Speaking of layers, these Primark socks were only £1 and they have served the dual purpose of keeping my toes warm and also to help me break in my new boots. The worst part of new shoes is always the breaking them in but these have been pain free so far!

It's the little details that make all the difference and the gold zip and buckle on these boots jazz up the plain black leather, I think I have found the perfect pair of knee high leather boots! Another wardrobe classic ticked off the list...

What are your wardrobe classics?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

Peach parfait...

2013-03-09T14:04:00.004Z

Just as I thought we were finally moving into Spring time, back came the rain. It has been utterly miserable here for the past few days and so I have been looking for some brighter pieces to wear. I wore this outfit a few weeks ago in similar weather and the coral skirt was the perfect antidote to add some cheer to the gloomy days. This Warehouse skirt was an absolute bargain in the Christmas sales - for just £5 I got the perfect A-line skirt in one of my favourite colours. Thank you shopping gods! (I also bought this dress at the same time, it was definitely a good day to go shopping!) Warehouse is one of those brands where I love their clothes but I find them just that little bit too expensive to shop at, unless there is a sale. I absolutely love every Warehouse thing I own (this shirt and top get a lot of wear) but I have never bought anything full price from them...

Cardigan: BHS via Mark's mum, top: New Look, necklace: Dorothy Perkins via charity shop, skirt: Warehouse at Debenhams, tights:Tesco, shoes: Office.

The material feels like a mixture of crepe paper (remember those art lessons at school?!) and thick coated cotton, which means it keeps its shape nicely. I also love the high waist as it holds in my food baby nicely ;) If we ever get some proper sunshine this year, I plan to wear it with my oversized denim shirt and some tan sandals...

Recently I have been brushing out my curls into soft waves, which I have never been able to do before (thanks frizzy hair!) I really love it, it looks quite retro to me but that could be due to the glasses! I'm wearing the infamous Revlon lipbutter in 'Peach Parfait' here and my lucky necklace which matched the skit perfectly. I knew hoarding would come in handy at some point ;)

Which shops do you only ever buy from in the sales? Are you a hoarder?

One in every colour...

2013-03-06T08:00:00.000Z

I asked for more sunshine in my last post and it looks like my wish has been granted! This dress is such an easy breezy thing to wear and although this colour scheme is more autumnal, I think the ankle boots and nude tights make it suitably springlike. It was pretty windy as you can see from the photos and I ended up looking rather windswept, I was barely able to stand upright in this photo!

Dress: Gap c/o Matilda, jacket: H&M, belt: Primark, shoes: Betty London ankle boots c/o Spartoo

This belt is one I have had for years and years, it is even older than this blog! I only ever wear it when I need to be cinched in as it is so rigid and wide. There is just no breathing room with it on- who needs a corset?!

The eagle eyed amongst you may recognise these boots, I love my black ankle boots so much that I bought them in brown too. I wear a lot of tan accessories in the spring and summer and I think these boots will be getting a lot of wear over the next few months! The suede is super soft (no breaking in needed!) and they end at a relatively flattering point on my leg, making them super versatile to wear...

Have you ever bought the same shoes in another colour?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

Duck egg blue and daffodils...

2013-03-03T11:09:00.001Z

Yesterday it was my mum and my grandma's birthday and we celebrated with a mahoosive family meal where I may have eaten my body weight in prawn toast... I got this dress last weekend in the Monsoon sale and I thought it would be perfect to wear to the meal. Monsoon do detailed elegant dresses perfectly and this is no exception (the fact it was £18 in the sale is just the icing on the cake!) I love the duck egg colour and the length makes me feel very elegant, never a bad thing when you are as clumsy as I am! For some reason, this shape and style makes me think of the 1930s, especially paired with these shoes, but I don't know if this is right or if I have been watching too many Hollywood movies?!

Dress: Monsoon, shoes: Dorothy Perkins, fluffy hair: model's own

As part of their presents, Mark and I decided to get some gorgeous fresh flowers and I couldn't resist posing with them. I love fresh flowers and I wish I had the budget to have them dotted around the house all the time. This will definitely be one of the first things I do if I ever win the lottery as I think they are just so bright and cheerful, especially daffodils!

Unusually for me, I went for a slightly edgier colour with my nail varnish. You are most likely to see me wearing classic reds or pinks on my nails but this Chelsea, 'Rouge Noir' inspired shade, from Nails Inc is a deep blackcurrant purple that adds a nice contrast to an otherwise twee coloured dress. The clutch I am using is my Monki wash-bag (as seen here) as the colour went almost perfectly...

A close up of that gorgeous collar detail and my make-up. I went for a soft peachy look as the dress called for something quite delicate and spring-like. I have also found my perfect peachy coloured lipstick too, Max Factor strike again with the Max Factor Colour Elixir lipstick in 'Pink Brandy' and I am in love, I really can't see me wearing anything else for the foreseeable future!

All in all, a very spring-like outfit, let's just hope we get some warmer weather now!

What are you hoping to wear this Spring? How would you spend a lottery win?