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It's no secret that I love a floral print - long term readers of this blog will no doubt have seen me wearing them time and again over the years. Often seen as more of a spring or summer thing, I have always been more than happy to wear florals all year round, so I'm thrilled that this autumn/winter season, autumnal florals are officially a Trend.
I've seen a lot of my favourite youtubers and bloggers talking about the craze for Dark Florals that's taking this season by storm, and I have been quite literally drooling at all the stunning prints that fall into that category that are currently gracing the high street. There are, however, plenty of "Light Florals" with a decidedly autumnal vibe too - including this fabulous H&M dress which I've been loving as a transitional piece this past few weeks.
A ridiculously affordable £17.99, I can safely say that I have already had my money's worth from this dress and no doubt will get plenty more when I take it away on holiday with me next month. It's an elegant, flattering cut, super easy to wear and I honestly can't get enough of the print. It reminds me of a 1970s wallpaper, in the best possible way. The fabric is light as a feather, meaning that I've been able to enjoy it during the warmer weather with a pair of sandals and a straw bag, but thanks to the lovely autumnal print, it's going to work just as well layered up with jackets, tights and boots too.
Just as well, as I don't want to stop wearing it any time soon!
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Kate x
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The days when I travelled to an office every day for work are a distant memory now, my place of business having been home-based for a number of years. However, I can well remember the eternal struggle of maintaining a decent workwear wardrobe.
The office I worked in wasn't a power suit and stilettos kind of place, but looking smart and put together was important. I also needed to concentrate on documents while sat at my computer for long periods of time, and as we all know, that's difficult to do if you're not comfortable. I was constantly on the lookout for pieces that would tick both boxes, and I also wanted them to be affordable. After all, no one wants to spend their entire pay check on clothes to wear to the office!
If I was still in that job, I can say without a doubt that I would be racing to buy up these H&M paper bag trousers in every colour available (they come in black and beige as well as this checked version). As office wear goes, in my opinion, these are about as perfect as it gets. With a tie belt to cinch in and accentuate the decorative, pleated high waist detail, and a tapered to the ankle cut, they are a really nice looking piece. Effortlessly chic when paired with a fitted turtle neck and loafers, you could easily up the smart factor by styling them with a crisp white shirt and a pair of kitten heels for an important meeting.
Are they comfortable? 100% yes. The soft fabric and loose fitting style means you can sit down at your desk and focus without being constantly distracted by restrictive clothing. You might as well be wearing pyjamas.
And finally, the price. At an incredibly reasonable £19.99, the question is, can you afford not to buy them?!
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What's your typical office attire?
Kate x
Just as I start to give up on summer it seems there might be a new spell of clement weather around the corner! Even so, the shops are starting to gear up for the new season, and I thought a little mooch around H&M might be in order. I picked up a few interesting and super affordable pieces to style up and show you, all with the transition of summer into autumn in mind. Hope you enjoy the haul (you can watch here on YouTube if you prefer) and do let me know if you're starting to think about new season clothes yet!
What was your favourite look?
Kate x
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I'd like to introduce you to my latest obsession - the peasant blouse. A piece of clothing with which you can make a real style statement, yet appear totally relaxed at the same time. I ask you, what's not to love about that?! Tuck it into mom jeans and add flat sandals for everyday chic, or pair with an A-line skirt and sky high wedges for a smart-casual night out look. Going on holiday? The peasant blouse also makes a beautiful beach cover up. Throw it on over your bikini and add distressed denim shorts when it's time to head back into town.
My blouse is from H&M and currently on sale, but just in case you feel like browsing a few others, I've listed some of my favourites below. Enjoy!
White Peasant Blouses
Patterned Peasant Blouses
Is there a peasant blouse in your wardrobe? If so, I'd love to know your favourite way to style it!
Kate x
Having drooled over a fair number of other people's H&M hauls in recent weeks, it seemed only fair that I did one of my own! It has always been a favourite retailer of mine, and just lately the store seems to be full to bursting with gorgeous spring/summer pieces. I hope you like what I picked! As always, you can watch the video here on the blog, or head over to watch it on YouTube if you prefer. If you want to check out any of the items for yourself, you'll find the links over on YouTube too.
Are you a fan of H&M, and have you shopped there recently?
Kate x
I finally got around to filming a haul! There are a few things here that I've bought with holidays in mind, and others that should see plenty of wear throughout the UK summer too. I've also filmed this video in a different location from the other sit-down videos I've done so far. I think the light is much better here, plus it's easier for me to set up and film in this room. On the other hand, there is a slight echo, and as I have already received some criticism for my sound quality in the non-echoey room, this might be somewhat irritating, in which case I apologise! Do let me know what you think. If the echo is a problem then I will see if there is something I can do about it.
I hope you enjoy the haul. Let me know what your favourite piece is and what you've been buying/looking for so far this summer. And if you like the video, I would love it if you subscribed to my channel for more.
Till the next time!
Kate x
Recently, I wrote a post about AW17's Red to Toe trend. I loved putting it together, and you guys seemed to enjoy it, so I thought I'd add a second to the series. This time, I just had to go for the "Dazzle" trend. I'm not afraid to admit that I enjoy a bit of bling, so I'm thrilled that all things metallic and sparkly are so hot right now! I've had a good old browse through some of my favourite high street stores, and put together some pieces I love to help you get the look without breaking the bank. Hope you enjoy!
Dresses
Is it too early to start talking about Christmas Party Season? Because it's hard not to think about it while looking at these beauties! The dazzle trend is all about embracing full on glitz and a return to dressing up, and what better way to do that than by wearing all over sequins on your next night out? I love the idea of the H&M dress with opaque black tights and sky high heels, but I think my favourite of the four is the Miss Selfridge dress. I love the soft fabric and the way it drapes, and I imagine it would look wonderful catching the light as you move. You wouldn't need much to go with it, either, just a simple pair of heels.
Tops
There's something wonderfully eighties about this Boohoo body, don't you think?! I think it would look amazing with a black pencil skirt, or perhaps some wide leg trousers. The Miss Selfridge top is really versatile and I love its subtle sheen - it's definitely a more toned down take on the trend, although you could also dress it up beautifully with an embellished mini skirt. The River Island top is pretty daring, and I for one would want something super high-waisted to pair it with, but I love the feminine shape of it.
Skirts and Trousers
Miss Selfridge really are nailing this trend! This stunning sequinned skirt is available in three different colourways and guaranteed to turn heads wherever you wear it. But if there's one thing I love more than the skirt, it's those gold cigarette pants. So elegant! For something a little more low key, the glittery River Island jeans are perfect, while the pleated skirt from Boohoo would make a great wardrobe staple. Pair it with a turtle neck and boots for the daytime and a silky vest top and strappy sandals at night.
Accessories
Sparkly accessories are always a good idea in my book! These River Island shoes would look amazing with an all black outfit, while the necklace would look just as good over a high necked blouse as it does with a plunging neckline. I loved the pretty Zara hairband so much that I just had to include it, even though I never seem to be able to make things like this work for me. The earrings, on the other hand, I would definitely wear - I am such a fan of the statement earring trend!
Will you be embracing the bling this season? And which is your favourite piece from my picks?
Kate x
All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links.
I'll be really honest - I had some grand plans a few weeks ago that have kind of run out of steam now. Despite my dismay at the end of summer (did we even have a summer?!) I was also pretty excited by all the new season goodies arriving in the shops, and I decided to create a little blog series. My plan was that each post would focus on a different AW17 trend, and for each trend I would pull together some pieces currently available from a few of my favourite high street stores - a "get the look for less" type of deal.
But then, you know, life happened. Work got hectic. There was a family reunion, and a blogging event in London (a lovely breakfast at the Ivy Chelsea Garden with a skincare brand - definitely not complaining about that one!) And before I knew it, it was getting into the end of September and I hadn't even looked at my blog, never mind found time to start a new series. How does this even happen? And can we have an extra day in the week please? Or possibly two?
Anyway, I thought I would put together at least one post on one of this season's most eye catching trends - Red to Toe. And perhaps, if time allows, I might squeeze in another one or two. Preferably before next summer's trends start hitting the shops. (Insert "monkey with head in hands" emoji here.)
When it comes to fashion, red is a colour that seems to divide opinion. Some people love its warmth and vibrancy, others find it too loud and overbearing. I personally have always enjoyed wearing red, but I must admit that dressing head to toe in it feels a bit much, and while it looks great in editorials, I'm not sure it's something I want to replicate in real life! Nevertheless, the AW17 shows were full of these "red to toe" looks, in every shade from pillar box to burgundy, and the high street has certainly picked up on this, offering plenty of their own versions of this trend. Here are a few that have caught my eye.
Full On Red
For the seriously fashion forward. And brave.
For the seriously fashion forward. And brave.
1. River Island and 2. Zara - Suiting is another huge trend this season, so wearing a full on red suit is definitely one way to score extra fashion points, if you are brave enough! River Island have opted for softer tailoring here, while Zara have gone for a slightly more muted burgundy shade. As much as I think this look is stunning when done well and a real attention grabber, it's just not something I'd ever have cause to wear. If you work in a smart office though, I say why not?! This surely has to be the ultimate in power dressing.
3. H&M - This is a more casual take on the full on red trend, and I love the juxtaposition of textures - the soft mohair of the jumper against the silky skirt. The model is even rocking red lips and nails too because, hello, RED TO TOE. I love everything here, and would wear it all, but would I wear it all together? Hm. I'm undecided.
4. H&M - Now this get up I would absolutely wear. Yes, even the boots, which surprises me because I am really not a fan of the kitten heel. However, paired with this dress, they just seem to work, and there's also something about the amount of leg on show that makes this outfit more wearable than the previous three. It's still all over red, and it still makes an impact, but in a softer way. This is one head to toe red look I could genuinely see myself wearing for events, dinners etc.
Break It Up
These looks still kind of qualify as full on red, but don't punch you in the face with it quite as hard, if you know what I mean.
1. River Island - Confession - I think these boots are fabulous. I mean, pillar box red thigh high boots should be so wrong, but I absolutely love the statement these make. I also think they would probably be pretty hard to pull off in real life, but on the other hand, the introduction of the the black jumper dress tones them down and makes the red a lot more wearable. Basically, I am just dreaming about being polished enough to wear these boots without attracting the wrong kind of attention.
2. Zara - Isn't it amazing what a bit of print can do? For me, this is totally wearable, and the matching coat and boots pull the look together and elevate what could otherwise be a fairly ordinary printed dress.
3. Zara - Print works its magic again. For anyone who finds block colour red unflattering against their skin tone, something like this could be a great way to work the trend, as it's so much softer and more forgiving.
4. River Island - Now here is a way to work the red suit that I could actually see working for me. There's a little bit of skin on show, and that paired with the black top and animal print shoes really helps to break up the vast expanse of red. I like the relaxed cut of the jacket and on trend frill details on the trousers too.
5. River Island - Realistically it's probably already too cold to wear this in the UK. However, I love how effortless it is. White, denim and red is definitely a winning combination.
4. River Island - Now here is a way to work the red suit that I could actually see working for me. There's a little bit of skin on show, and that paired with the black top and animal print shoes really helps to break up the vast expanse of red. I like the relaxed cut of the jacket and on trend frill details on the trousers too.
5. River Island - Realistically it's probably already too cold to wear this in the UK. However, I love how effortless it is. White, denim and red is definitely a winning combination.
Wear One Piece
Still too much red? It can also work beautifully as a single, statement piece.
1. H&M - I love the fluted sleeves and subtle frills on this pretty blouse. Perfect for pepping up a pair of jeans.
2. River Island - Automatically, I would think of putting jeans with this t-shirt and blazer combo, but the red trousers instantly add a more on trend twist to the outfit. A nice casual way to work the red look.
3. Topshop and 4. River Island - Here's two ways to rock a red skirt. The Topshop look is more laid-back and features an oh so trendy asymmetrical hem. The River Island version - my favourite - is all slinky and evening appropriate. Lovely for date night!
5. River Island - It seems there is no getting away from kitten heels this season, and I must admit, I love the way this red pair gives the monochrome outfit a bit of wow factor. If I still had an office job, I would definitely be wearing something like this for autumn and winter.
2. River Island - Automatically, I would think of putting jeans with this t-shirt and blazer combo, but the red trousers instantly add a more on trend twist to the outfit. A nice casual way to work the red look.
3. Topshop and 4. River Island - Here's two ways to rock a red skirt. The Topshop look is more laid-back and features an oh so trendy asymmetrical hem. The River Island version - my favourite - is all slinky and evening appropriate. Lovely for date night!
5. River Island - It seems there is no getting away from kitten heels this season, and I must admit, I love the way this red pair gives the monochrome outfit a bit of wow factor. If I still had an office job, I would definitely be wearing something like this for autumn and winter.
Accessorize
When in doubt, add a red accessory to a neutral outfit as a nod to the trend.
1. Topshop and 5. Topshop - Red shoes and boots are everywhere at the moment. If you only want one pop of red in an outfit, footwear is definitely the most on trend way to do it. I personally love the idea of some red ankle boots to put a spin on my usual jeans, jumper and jacket combo.
2. Zara and 4. Topshop - A red handbag always makes a neutral outfit pop. This Zara version is more pink than red so I suppose I'm cheating a little bit with this one, but I love how cute it is, not to mention the Chloe vibes it has going on. The Topshop bag is gorgeous too and probably more useful!
3. Zara - Statement earrings are another big trend right now. I love the ones with all the fringing. These from Zara are absolutely stunning, especially paired with the clashing eye makeup. In theory, I love the idea of these for an evening out worn with a simple black dress. In reality, though, they are probably bigger than my head, but perhaps I will look for a toned down version!
What are your thoughts on AW17's red to toe trend? Will you be rocking a full on red suit this season, adding a splash here and there, or avoiding it altogether? I would love to know!
Kate x
Some links may be affiliate links. All opinions, as always, are my own.
How was August for you? Mine has been pretty good, if quite chaotic, with a big family get-together bang in the middle of it. We had a lot of people staying with us, and were hoping for some good weather so that everyone could sit and eat out in the garden. It rained. Typical! Even so, it was lovely to see everyone and the rubbish weather didn't seem to matter in the end.
As always I have a random collection of things I've been loving throughout the month to share with you, so let's get started.
1. Rimmel Kate Super Gel Nail Polish in Gilty Pleasure - Confession - I bought this over a year ago, put it away, and completely forgot about it until recently. I've seen a few people wearing this kind of shade and I'd actually been contemplating going out and buying something similar, so it's a good thing I had a clear out of my nail polishes and found it again. It's the loveliest pale gold metallic polish - the kind of shade you can wear all year round and with every outfit you own. I usually change up my polish every time I do my nails, but for the last few weeks I keep going back to this as I've been enjoying wearing it so much. I don't find that it lasts much more than a couple of days before chipping, even with a top coat, but that just seems to be the way it is with me and nail polish, so it doesn't bother me too much!
2. H&M Wraparound blouse - Annoyingly, this exact blouse doesn't seem to be available any more, but this one and this one are both very similar. I have been loving it for quite a bit longer than just the month of August, but for some reason haven't featured it on the blog before now. For me, it's a much more wearable take on those incredibly popular striped, wraparound blouses with the enormous sleeves that almost seem to fall off the shoulder. Those are beautiful, and I can understand why my Instagram feed has been peppered with them throughout the summer, but if you're petite like me you will understand that the struggle is real when it comes to actually wearing something like that on a day to day basis. Constantly having to tug at and readjust your clothing just isn't cute. This one, however, is so easy to wear and looks just as pretty.
3. H&M Sunglasses - Well, now I'm going to be even more annoying, because not only are these no longer available on the website, I can't find anything remotely similar either. You may, however, still be able to find them in an H&M store. I really love the 70s vibe of these, as well as the dainty gold frames which are ideal for my ridiculously small head. H&M sunglasses are so affordable, and these make a nice change from my usual aviator style. They go with everything, but seem to work best with flowing dresses and big hair.
4. 3ina Shiny Lipstick in 200 - There's just something about bright, glossy lips in the summer that I really love, and this pretty lipstick from 3ina ticks all the right boxes. Somewhere in between a hot pink and a light berry in colour, it's one of those products that makes you look like you've made an effort with your makeup even when you're hardly wearing anything else. It's pigmented enough to pack a punch but not so much that it's difficult to apply, and it's become a bit of a go to for me throughout August. All you need is a bit of foundation, some sunglasses and this lipstick, and you'll look polished to perfection!
5. L'Oreal Paradise Mascara - If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen me talking about this product on my Stories. I wasn't really in need of a new mascara, but I was totally seduced by the hype and the pretty packaging, and I'm so glad I was! The length this gives your lashes is sensational, and it's pretty good on volume and separation too. I have seen mixed reviews on it, and I should probably mention that the formula is a tad on the wet side, which I think is why some people don't get on with it. However, apart from the occasional tiny dot of product ending up on my eyelid on first application, which is easy enough to wipe away, I haven't had a problem with it. If you crave length from your mascara then I highly recommend checking this out. It also contains castor seed oil to nourish and condition the lashes.
What have your favourites been this month?
Kate x
Sometimes an item of clothing just ticks all the boxes. For instance, this pretty summery top, which is a recent addition to my wardrobe. The vibrant pillar box red colour seems to be very fashionable right now, while the ruffle and cold shoulder details are still definitely in vogue - something I'm very pleased about as I'm a big fan of both!
This top is more than just fashionable though. For a start, it's incredibly easy to wear. The way it's cut at the top means you can show off your shoulders without having to worry about a strapless bra, as there's enough fabric there to feel confident that you aren't going to get any pesky straps peeking out. Speaking of the fabric, it's cool and cottony, and best of all, this top goes with absolutely everything. I've tucked it into a floaty skirt here, but it hangs really nicely when left loose too, and looks great worn this way with jeans for a more casual look. I also think it would work really well on the beach with denim shorts and flip flops, yet equally, I can see it tucked into tailored trousers and teamed with sky high heels for a formal event. It really is a great little multi-tasker.
Did I also mention that it's super affordable? At just £10.98 you'd recoup your cost per wear in no time!
It was a sunny day when we took these pictures, so I decided to pair the top with this H&M skirt. The detail on it is really beautiful - it has a very fine blue stripe with gorgeous broderie anglaise at the bottom, not to mention a concealed zip with button fastening - It definitely feels a lot fancier than your average H&M skirt. To complete the look, I opted for espadrille wedges (just for a change!) and my TK Maxx basket bag. Then we went down to the lake, and as you'll probably be able to tell from these photos, there was a gale force wind blowing. Ah, the good old British summer, eh?!
How would you style this top?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Summer fashion is so much fun, isn't it? Pretty, feminine prints, delicate fabrics and the chance to show off a little (fake) tanned skin... but if you're anything like me, things can start to feel decidedly chilly when the UK weather disappoints. Which is often.
When you live in a country where you just can't guarantee warm weather in the summer, you have to get a little bit creative, because no one wants to a.) freeze to death or b.) cover up our pretty summer clothes with last winter's ratty old cardigan. So, if I want to wear a flimsy summer dress and the weather isn't cooperating, I'll opt for a midi or maxi length. Just having that little bit of extra fabric between my bare legs and the elements can make a big difference, and when you add a jacket into the mix, you should be well protected against all but the most miserable of British summer days. I've always loved the contrast of a biker jacket over a feminine dress, but if I really want to stick with the summery vibes, I'll go for a bleached denim one. In fact, even when I'm on holiday somewhere hot, I'll still throw a denim jacket over a floral maxi if a breeze picks up after the sun goes down. I have one a lot like this which has served me well over many years. I nearly always opt for a cropped style because I'm petite and I like that it shows my waist, but the oversized ones are pretty cool too.
Another staple you can always fall back on no matter what the time of year is a good old pair of jeans, and the ones you wear in summer don't have to be the same as your favourite winter pairs. White denim will always look summery and fresh, but this season I've really been enjoying this mid blue pair from H&M. Turned up at the ankle, they're perfect for showing off pretty summer sandals and shoes - I've opted for espadrilles again here - I'm obsessed! As well as being an absolute steal at £19.99, they're also made of really soft, comfortable denim and aren't too thick, so you won't suddenly start boiling to death if the sun does decide to make an appearance. Jeans go with everything like nothing else, so they're brilliant for pairing with just about every style of summer top you can think of. And, because you're covered up on your bottom half, you're not going to freeze. Pairing this lovely Shein blouse with jeans made me feel more comfortable in it even when the weather wasn't so great. (It looks bright in these pictures, but there was a cool breeze blowing that day!) By adding the red clutch to accentuate the detail on the blouse, as well as my new gold-toned sunglasses, I still felt summer appropriate.
Blouse* - Shein, Jeans, Espadrilles, Sunglasses - H&M, Bag - Zara
Conversely, if it's a pretty skirt you're desperate to show off, you can easily flip things around by adding some extra warmth on your top half. A-line skirts with beautiful prints or detail can look stunning teamed with a plain blouse and tailored blazer. I personally love white blazers in the summer, and have one a lot like this which I will wear over just about everything from evening dresses to jeans and a t-shirt. It's a great way to look smart and keep warm without looking as though you're ready for Christmas.
How do you like to cover up on chilly summer days?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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