Panda print...

As we still seem to be in the midst of winter (thick jumpers and boots in May, really?!) I have been reaching for cosy layers at work and this outfit has been one of my favourites. This panda print blazer doesn't get worn anywhere near enough and it was the perfect way to make plain trousers and a stripy top more interesting. It is so easy to repeat the same outfits over and over again when choosing what to wear to work so anything that shakes me out of my comfort zone is a good idea! Saying that, I have been wearing these trousers a lot recently. Slim fit trousers in interesting colours will always  have a place in my work wardrobe, they are such an easy way to introduce colour into the office without looking like an escaped clown being too garish...

Blazer: Primark, jumper:Topshop, top: Oasis, trousers: Matalan via charity shop, shoes: Dorothy Perkins,  necklace: Miss Selfridge

This jumper is another neglected favourite, it's a bit too flimsy for the depths of winter but it is ideal for the horrible weather we have been having recently. It's warm enough for the chilly mornings but the short sleeves come into their own by the afternoon. I imagine it would look fab with one of my maxi skirt too, I love  good cosy jumper! Can you tell that the heating in our building is atrocious?!

A close up of those adorable little pandas!

What do you wear when the weather is rubbish?

Denim, stripes and leopard-print...

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...

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...

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...

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...

 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...

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...

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...

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)...

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?