Frills 'n' Spills

Can you tell I have been watching a lot of New Girl recently?! Zooey Deschanel is definitely one of those Marmite people but I do love her and her wardrobe in New Girl is absolutely divine (she is definitely up there with Blair Waldorf for style inspiration!)  Jess is a big fan of cute dresses in bright colours and I knew this satiny style prom dress would be perfect for layering up. There's also nothing better than bright colours when it is gloomy outside, they put such a spring (har har) in your step! I think am going to have to replace this stripey top soon as I wear it so often but the Breton stripes and slouchy fit seem to be the perfect match for most of my wardrobe (and this dress is no exception) ... 

Which characters' wardrobe inspire you? Are there any beauty trends that you are late to the party on?

I won this beautiful Madam Rage dress off the lovely Alex at Christmas and I hadn't had a chance to wear it so it was well overdue an outing! I love lace dresses and the champagne overlay of this one is absolutely gorgeous. The black layer underneath ensures that it is ridiculously easy to wear, too. The dress was sleeveless but it was far too cold to take my wool cardigan off - sorry folks! I swapped the thin black belt it came with for a length of black ribbon as I it was slightly wider and I can get pretty fussy about my belts! 

I paired the dress with some of the best opaque tights that I have found - Tesco's 40 deniers are cosy but not so thick that you overheat when you go inside (yes I'm looking at you Primark 230 denier!) and fit really nicely. They are the one pair I am not having to constantly hoick up, which is always a bonus! Paired with some matte black heels, I got legs that looked much longer than usual! 

Now I know 'kitten heels' are dreadfully uncool so if I call them midi heels instead, will I get the approval of the 'fash pack'?! I picked these up just after Christmas in the M&S sale and I absolutely love them. Red patent shoes will always meet with my approval and the bow on the front is just a bonus! 

 Trying to decide what to have off the menu- I tend to go for either the Welsh rarebit or the smoked mackerel pate as they are delicious and perfect for lunchtime.

I really like the decor too, the chairs are comfy and paintings from local artists adorn the walls

Mark looking rather excited...

Mark went for the chicken and bacon sandwich with barbecue sauce which came with a lovely side salad and the best coleslaw known to mankind!

In the end I went for the mackerel and horseradish pate which is served with massive doorsteps of granary bread. Heaven on a plate! 

 We also decided to go for another wander down by the river as it was such a nice day, despite being a little chilly (jeesh I sound like my parents!) Luckily my parka-esque coat proved perfect for keeping out the chills even though it's only being a thin layer. It really is the perfect coat for when you need to warm up quickly!

This isn't the best photo in the world but it gives you a slightly better look at my jumper. I got given it by my friend Matilda as she didn't wear it any more, and despite my (well documented) love for stripes, I haven't really worn it. Luckily it was the ideal jumper for a slouchy Sunday and perfect for hiding my food baby, what more could you ask for?! Expect to see a lot more of this jumper though, I have some red skirts/trousers that would look awesome with it...

Have you ever visited the Jelly Roll Cafe? Which independent shops/ cafes can you recommend?

This year, I am trying to make good on my resolution to visit more places in the UK and I already have some exciting trips planned! I will be staying at the gorgeous Norbury Manor with some blogging pals, I have a spa and shopping weekend in Bath to look forward to, with my two best girlfriends, and I'll be flying up to Edinburgh to spend a few days with another two best friends. And just when I've got my breath back from all that excitement, Mark and I are road-tripping down to Cornwall for your summer holiday. Phew, it sounds like a lot when it is written down like that!

Now obviously I am so organised that every day is planned out to the minute... Yeah, that's a lie. I have never been to any of these places and I'm going to need some help with day trip suggestions. So, in an attempt to be more organised - another resolution for this year - I am asking you, nice and early on,  for suggestions of places to go, books to read, music to listen to on my hols.

What are your suggestions? Where are you visiting this year?

I spotted this top in the British Heart Foundation charity shop, the last time I was in Tewkesbury and the mix of teeny tiny roses and polka dots, sold it to me immediately! It can be so difficult to find tops that are work appropriate and warm enough to wear in a chilly office so the long sleeves were also a real bonus. Plus who can resist a cute bow neckline detail?! * The lovely Ballistic lipstick is also making a reappearance here as I have been wearing that shade to death recently....

A closer look at the print and my beloved 'M' ring (which has barely left my hand!). I wouldn't usually pair two such bold colours together but the trousers picked up the colour of the flowers so I felt it was tonal enough to work, what do you think? 

I was hoping that by casually tucking in my top and adding some mid heeled shoes, I would somehow lengthen my legs to model-esque proportions, which didn't quite happen, but I do love these shoes for giving me that bit of extra height that is necessary, for me to pull off coloured trousers. The last time I wore these trousers, I went for a (slightly) more subtle pair of shoes but this black pair are becoming a firm favourite for when I want to add a little elegance to my outfit. There's something about that pointed toe which makes me feel like I mean business! ;)

Do you work in a conservative office? Would you wear such bold colours together?

* not me, that's for sure!

This dress is so comfy and I find lace dresses so easy to wear.  I just wish I had it in some other colours, it would make getting dressed in the morning much easier! Since having my hair cut, it is much easier to style and I am even able to brush it (something that usually leaves me looking like an electrocuted sheep!)

This necklace is a new addition to my wardrobe and I love the fact that it is black on one side and cream on the other- double the necklace for half the money, definitely one of my best recent sales buys...

The highlight of the outfit is definitely this beautiful bag, though. Clarks do more than just beautiful shoes yet until recently I had never bothered to look at the bags.  If you are anything like me, you end up filling whatever size bag you use, so having a more compact bag stops me from lugging around too much stuff.  Although it doesn't look particularly roomy, I was able to fit all of my worldly possessions in it and it is the perfect bag for a trip around town!

Since having my hair cut it has been so much easier to style and I love being able to get so much volume at my roots- I definitely want to try a faux quiff soon...

You know how much I love bouclé  and tweed and this top is a gorgeous mint green threaded through with black. I love the little cap sleeves and the material is so soft, paired with my velvet skinny jeans, this was definitely one of the most comfortable outfits I have worn to work!

I have to admit, I am still not entirely convinced by the extra material in the hem of this top but hopefully a slight optical illusion with my favourite heels helped to distract the eye ;)

Have you embraced the peplum yet? What is your guilty trend secret?

 As it is still freezing outside I have been layering it up with my sheer shirts and I think the combination of the gorgeous gold/brown tweed with the cream shirt is fab as the gold buttons co-ordinate perfectly- you know how much I love being matchy matchy! ;) I had to feature my new favourite ring too- I never had anything personalised when I was younger so whenever I see anything with my name or initials on, I snap it up immediately!

These shoes are the latest addition to my wardrobe from Spartoo and like my other Betty London flats, they are ridiculously comfy.I also love the little bow on them, I think all the best shoes have bows on them!  

Running parallel to the high street in Tewkesbury you can walk along by the river and it really is beautiful, especially on a sunny day. Unfortunately it is flooded at the moment as the river has burst its banks again, but luckily the path was high enough for us not to get our feet wet! 

 The mill has been derelict since its closure in 2006 and I have never been inside but there are some stunning images of the inside here and here.