Frills 'n' Spills

Sometimes it feels like I have been blogging for years, days become weeks and sometimes inspiration is sadly lacking. As a blogger, there are hundreds of photos stored on a hard-drive, just waiting to be made into posts, some don't make the cut, due to a bad angle or less than flattering pose and others probably should  have been consigned to the recycling bin on your desktop. It is interesting how blogs offer a slice of your everyday life up for perusal and yet we insist on everything being 'just so' rather than showing what you actually wear or do on a daily basis. This outfit is one of those that I wore on an ordinary day at work and although it isn't particularly fashion forward, I really like it. It is funny how our wardrobe reflects how we see ourselves and actually sometimes, what you wear doesn't have to be 'an outfit', it can just be a nice dress... 

I guess what I am trying to say is that recently I have been more introverted and my clothes choices are reflecting that ;)

Another day, another lace dress- I already have several lace dresses (including one in white and one in cream) but when I saw this beauty from Monki, I fell in love. I love the high neckline and the longer sleeves are perfect for the colder weather too, especially when paired with my trusty leather jacket...

As you may have heard, the weather and flooding has been absolutely terrible the past week and living in Tewkesbury has meant that we are a hub of the bad weather. The thing is, when it is cold and grey outside, all you want to do is cosy up under the duvet in your PJs but this outfit is a suitable, (people friendly) alternative...

Apologies for the close up of my face but it gives a slightly better look at the heart print and the lovely Ballistic lipstick that has been my go to recently, along with my new foundation: Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 foundation- a ridiculous name but a fantastic foundation. I love nearly all Max Factor foundations and the fact that they are pale enough for my ghostly face too (I wear Light Ivory for reference!)

Mini hearts knitted into the jumper are just the perfect finishing touch- definitely my favourite jumper (sorry fisherman's knit!)

What do you wear on a cosy Sunday? Any brands you rave about?

When the lovely folks at Voucher Codes got in touch to ask me to style one dress, three ways (to prove that you don't have to spend a fortune on all of those Christmas party outfits), I leapt at the chance. This year will be the first time I haven't been living at home and as Mark and I will be spending our first Christmas together in addition to one with each of our families, I need a hard-working dress! I chose this red lace beauty from Miss Selfridge, I love a red party dress - much more interesting than an LBD and perfectly festive too. 

Look # 1: A classic Christmas party look - perfect for meeting up with friends and dancing your socks Christmas stockings off...

For me, shorts are one of life's under-appreciated treasures. They are way more practical than a skirt but much more fun than a pair of trousers and finding a pair that were work appropriate has been on my mental shopping list for a long time now.  This navy pair were from my beloved NW3 by Hobbs and the length is perfect although I wish they sat higher on the waist as they just fall down on me. For work, I paired them with a plain blouse and simple accessories for a professional but relaxed look but I think these will also look awesome with my chunky knit tights and a jumper or two...

When I was younger I had a real sweet tooth and liked nothing more than baking (and eating!) sweet cakes and treats although I usually prefer something more savoury these salty peanut butter cookies are the perfect mix of sweet and salty.  This recipe is a slightly adapted version of one from my beloved Cookiepedia- Americans sure know their cookies!

Recently as it has got colder, I have found myself reaching for my beloved skinny jeans and I have been trying to find different coats to pair them with so that people don't realise that I am essentially wearing the same outfit ;) This coat was my vintage bargain buy from when Danni and I went to Vintage at Goodwood with Aussie and it has never really had much airtime on here despite me wearing it a lot. I love the fuchsia pink colour and the fact it is 100% wool definitely helps!

This little beauty is the latest addition to my (ever growing) owl collection and was a wonderful birthday gift from my friend Matilda as part of an owl themed birthday present- isn't he gorgeous?! I just love his little pearl body and the length of the necklace is perfect...

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

Every year certain colours come back around and burgundy/oxblood/berry/bordeaux,whatever you want to call it, is one that you can guarantee everyone will be wearing, come the winter months .  I must hold my hands up, I am a big fan of the colour and I seem to have acquired more than a few items in this gorgeous berry shade over the years...

I promised you a review of my (other) new glasses so here you go, these beauties from Gok Wan have become my 'everyday' specs as they are more subtle than my other pair and the slight Miss Moneypenny look to them works better in the office I feel ;) I'm still not used to my face with spectacles (any tips on how to get used to them would be much appreciated!) but Mark thinks they make me look older, what do you guys think?

Here is your first look too at my gorgeous new handbag! Part birthday present and part reward to myself for my promotion, this baby is a 100% leather bag from Radley in a (you guessed it!) lovely shade of burgundy that is the perfect size for an everyday handbag.

The focus of the outfit for me though was this gorgeous pair of patent Mary Janes (a bargain at Swindon designer outlet a few weeks ago) They are the kind of shoes that make you do a jig of happiness whenever you catch a glimpse of them. They are surprisingly comfortable considering the height and even I managed a whole day in them- total success!

Even my drink matched! My first black forest hot chocolate of the year went down a treat before I headed to Zizzi's, talk about an indulgent afternoon!

So as you may have heard, a little indie film was released recently called Skyfall. Directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and everyone's favourite, Judi Dench, for me it was something I was desperate to see and Ladbrokes (click here to visit their site) very kindly sent me vouchers for both the cinema and for Zizzi- the perfect recipe for a night out. I won't post any spoilers here but I will say that Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace felt like 'pre-Bond' to me whereas Daniel (my beloved) was more classic Bond with this film... I will never be a film critic but it is good, definitely go and see it (I have seen it twice already!!) (Even as a long term Adele hater, I didn't even mind her singing the theme song!)