1980s style leopard print...

Yes, the leopard print curse strikes again! I found this gorgeous leopard print dress on the sale rail in my local Tesco (always a lethal place to look!) and I fell in love. The combination of batwing sleeves and the print felt very 1980s to me and the fact that it was a mere £6 (!) sealed the deal; it has to be one of the most flattering dresses in my work wardrobe. I think you can see how happy I was here and I felt really sassy in this outfit. The dress is made out of a really thick jersey that is super flattering and also meant that I didn't need a cardigan or jacket which is always a winner in my book. There's nothing worse than having to carry a jacket around, especially when you don't need it after first thing in the morning. Batwing sleeves can be a real pain to wear and that much material can be overwhelming but they are super fun and I really love them... I am always super impressed with Tesco, some of my favourite ever dresses have come from there!

Dress: Tesco, shoes: c/o George at ASDA
I straightened my hair because it was absolutely huge when I woke up and a sleeker look meant that it wasn't competing with the print on my dress. I don't tend to go for nude toned lipsticks but this rosy brown colour was the perfect shade to make me feel pulled together without needing much effort. 


I love a nipped in waist and this D-ring belt helps to define mine. I bought Essie Ballet Slippers in a duo set with Spin the Bottle a while ago and although it is pretty pale on me, with a few coats it makes my nails look super sophisticated. 


I was originally going to wear my beloved rose gold heels with this dress but they made it look a bit too 'done' for a Friday at work. I went for this chunkier heel instead which gave me the height without feeling too dressed up.


Are you a fan of supermarket clothing? Which clothes put a spring in your step?
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Summery sandals...

Summer workwear can be such a minefield, even in a casual office like mine, I dread to think what I would be like in a more formal business environment! My fail-safe is to go for a sleeveless dress but sometimes you want something a little more fun, and that's where separates come in. Now I admit, I will always prefer a dress (they are just so easy!) but I will always have space for a cute skirt and top combo in my wardrobe... Apologies for the weird lighting in these photos, they looked great on the camera but look really lacklustre here. It's a shame because I really love this outfit, I felt fun but still professional which is all you can ask for really! This cardigan is one of the nicest things in my wardrobe and it is perfect for this time of year as it is the perfect inbetween-y layer: thin but not too warm, thanks Matilda! ;)

Cardigan: Gap via Matilda, top: H&M, skirt: Sainsbury's, shoes: c/o George at ASDA
This white draped top is another old favourite of mine and is the first thing I pull out when the weather heats up. The drapery makes it much more interesting than a basic white tee but it is still plain enough to wear with more statement pieces. As the outfit was pretty neutral, I decided to add a bit of colour with a bright lipstick and Max Factor Bewitching Coral matched my cardi perfectly!


This skirt was a bargain in the Sainsbury's sale at the beginning of last summer and although it has never featured on the blog before, I actually wear it a lot in the summer. The length is great (and long enough to have bare legs with!) and the fit is super flattering- I mean who doesn't love an elasticated waist?! The print is really unusual but I really love it as there are lots of colours in it that I can pick out. I originally added this necklace but it looked too bulky and this one would have been perfect, but I couldn't find it... I really need to sort out my jewellery box!

Can you believe that it was warm enough for bare legs in April?!
These gorgeous sandals were another of my ASDA picks and they are so ridiculously comfy- I didn't even have to go through the horrible ritual of breaking them in! They really remind me of these Matalan sandals which I absolutely love and so far, they have been the perfect accompaniment to all of my swooshy dresses and skirts. They aren't leather but they don't look cheap or plasticky thanks to a fairly simple design and some judicious design touches, like the textured front strap and chunky gold buckle. I am gushing but it is simply because I love these sandals so much!


What do you wear to work in the summer?
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Making courgetti with my Hemsley & Hemsley spiralizer...

This post contains a spiralizer that was sent for review

As you know, I have been trying to eat more healthily recently and when Legal & General challenged me to get more fruit and veg into my life, I was sold. Whilst I will never look as glam in the kitchen as the Hemsley girls, their spiralizer makes it super easy to make courgetti and the like- and yes, that may be the most pretentious sentence I have ever written! ;) I was advised to switch to a low carb diet by my diabetes team a little while ago so anything that can fill me up without using all of my 30g meal allowance is a winner with me. I rustled this up for a quick lunch for me and Mark at the weekend and I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was and how easy it was to make...


Lemon yellow maxi skirt....

It has been a while (nearly three years in fact!) since I last wore this skirt but the sunny weather a few weeks ago was the perfect opportunity to dig it out again. Yellow can be a bit of a difficult colour to wear but paired with white, it is much more wearable and this felt like a really fun and cheery outfit that really put a spring in my step. There's nothing like swooshing around in a maxi skirt to put a smile on your face! The skirt itself is pretty sheer, despite being lined, so I pulled out my trusty lace-trimmed cycle shorts to make it decent. I'm not sure quite why it is quite so see through but I thought I would rather be safe than sorry. The H&M shorts are notoriously hard to get hold of but I managed to find some in my local store so stocked up. I just wish I could get hold of a black pair too!


Cardigan: Tesco, top: Gap, necklace: New Look, skirt: New Look, sandals: Matalan
I'm not quite sure what happened with the lighting in these photos but I promise my make-up was the right shade in person! I have been mixing my Nars Orgasm illuminator with my beloved Dr Jart BB cream for a natural glowy finish recently and I really like it paired with a peachy lipstick (my favourite is the Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy, it is such a gorgeous shade and so easy to build up.


I love cropped cardis like this as they nip me in nicely at the waist and stop me from looking too shapeless. This thin cotton one is ideal for me as I can wear it over a vest top without feeling too warm- always a problem when you radiate heat! This necklace is one of my favourites and has the perfect colours to match my nails and make-up which is always a bonus!


These sandals were one of the best things I bought last year and they were the first shoes I thought of to pair with this outfit. This is a long skirt so the block heel added some much needed height and they were simple enough to not distract from the rest of the outfit. The nail polish I am wearing is the Max Factor mini nail varnish in Diva Coral and it is the perfect summery shade- you all know how much I love coral! ;)
 

How would you style this maxi skirt?
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Pretty polkadots...

There are a few brands I really, really love and Joules is definitely up there on the list! I spotted (har har!) this beautiful Amelie polka dot dress  on Sarah a while ago and it was not long before I added it to my wardrobe. 1950s style dresses will always be my favourite shape to wear and I love how this one nips you in at the waist, the swooshy skirt is amazing and the pinky coral is super cheery too: this dress is definitely Maria approved! ;) I wore this out for a date night with Mark a few weeks ago but I will be definitely be wearing it all through the summer once the weather warms up again, it is far too pretty to 'save for best'! I was a little bit chilly in these photos but I haven't got a cardigan that matches. I am now on the hunt for a pale pink one, let me know if you have any recommendations, I'm not sure where to start looking for one...

Dress: Joules, shoes: New Look
This Max Factor lipstick in Bewitching Coral is one of my favourites and it matches the dress perfectly. The best part is, it is so bright that you don't need much other make-up so it is perfect if you are feeling lazy! ;) My hair is much longer than this now but I think I am going to have it cut back to near this length next time I get it cut as it is starting to lose its shape a little bit. I think this is about my perfect length so expect to see it looking shorter again soon...


These shoes from New Look are probably one of the cheapest pairs in my wardrobe but they are definitely one of the most versatile pairs in my wardrobe. They are super comfy and the nude shade matches my pasty pale legs perfectly! I love them so much that I have even bought a backup pair for when these ones completely fall apart- it must be love!


Are you a Joules fan? What do you wear for date night?
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The seaside dress...

This post contains items that were sent for review

I promised you that I would be sharing my George picks and I am so excited to be sharing this outfit with you. Certain things really put a spring in your step and this seaside dress is my new favourite thing in my wardrobe. Paired with my cat-eye sunglasses, I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday when I was swooshing around in the park in this- what more could you ask for from a dress?! I just need Gregory Peck to whisk me around on a Vespa now! (swoon). 1950s style dresses are always flattering on me and this one fits me like a glove. It feels like a grown-up version of the infamous Venice dress that I loved all the way back at uni and I couldn't be happier with it. Mark and I have been exploring Cheltenham more recently and this wisteria-filled park was a nice change in backdrop- definitely expect to see it on the blog again soon!

Dress: c/o George at ASDA, shoes: c/o George at ASDA, tights: Tesco, sunglasses: Accessorize
You can see how happy I am with this dress with the cheesy grin I have here! I kept my make-up pretty simple, mixing my Nars Orgasm illuminator with my beloved Dr Jart BB cream for a natural glowy finish. Lipstick-wise I paired Allure with Max Factor Xperience Sheer Gloss Balm in shade 02 for the perfect peachy shade. 


I know I will get a lot of wear from this dress in the summer and I can't wait to pair it with my bright yellow bag and sandals or this navy pair, the beauty of a busy pattern like this means that there are plenty of colours that you can pick out! I was originally going to go for a classic red nail varnish but I decided to wear Essie 'Spin the Bottle' on my nails instead which is definitely my perfect nude shade!


You know I can't resist a full skirt and this one is deliciously swooshy. The extra material could be a little overwhelming but the nipped in waist stops me from drowning in fabric. A midi length like this would be better with heels but I actually love it with flats, not least because I could run around without any problems.


Are you a fan of fifties frocks?
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P.S. I was sent these items to review but if I didn't love this dress, I wouldn't feature it!

Tile prints and tan wedges...

Yes, it's another 1970s inspired outfit! I rediscovered this top when I was having a clear out recently and I have basically ended up recreating the same outfit but with a more summer-y spin. I guess my taste hasn't changed as much as I thought in the past year, despite plenty of new additions (ahem) the vast majority of my wardrobe is pretty constant and I will always have room for a cute printed top! This outfit is nothing particularly ground-breaking but I felt absolutely unstoppable when I wore it, possibly because I have found a pair of jeans that fit me perfectly! I discovered them when I went to the Gap outlet recently and although I was initially dubious about trying on jeggings, the material is actually sturdier than a lot of jeans I own and they fit like a dream. I couldn't find them online but this pair look very similar and it is worth looking for them if you are in a Gap store any time soon...

Top: Primark via charity shop, camisole: Tesco, jeggings (!): Gap outlet, wedges: Clarks
MAC Vegas Volt is one of my favourite lipstick colours and some bright coral make-up helped the brown tones from felling too dull or dated. My hair was annoying me on this day and it is annoying me again now when I'm looking at these photos haha! My fringe has grown so much in just a few weeks, I'm so glad it's not at this annoying length any more, it was getting very frustrating...


A better look at that awesome print which reminds me of a teeny tiny tiled floor! This gold cuff is one of my favourite pieces of jewellery and I always feel pretty cool when I wear it-perhaps its Wonder Woman vibes were what gave me that extra sass in my step?!
Bracelet: Accessorize
I bought these Clarks Orleans Jazz tan wedges when I met up with Hattie at the end of last year and have been saving them for the first glimpse of sunshine. They are pretty high but the wedge heel means that they are comfortable enough to wear all day, assuming that you don't trip over any uneven floorboards at work (ahem). Clarks make some really beautiful shoes and I am definitely one of their biggest fans!


Would you ever try *gasp* jeggings?
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Styling the Three Islands cocktail ring by Astrid & Miyu...

This post contains an item that was sent for review

There are many perks to being a blogger but trying out different brands is definitely up there. Jewel Street got in touch a little while ago to see if I wanted to pick out something from one of the 250 jewellery designers they have on their site and I leapt at the chance. I chose this beautiful cocktail ring from Astrid & Miyu and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I have been trying to incorporate more jewellery into my outfits and this ring is perfect for adding some sparkle! The ring looks pretty bling-y on the site but it is a lot more delicate in person and I love the different coloured jewels, especially paired with the rose gold! Yes, I am gushing but it is just so SHINY! ;) The best part though? It is completely adjustable so it even fits my sausage-y fingers!

Three Islands cocktail ring by Astrid & Miyu c/o Jewel Street 
It is pretty obvious that a piece of jewellery this snazzy would work all dressed up but I wanted to test the theory that it would work just as well with a more casual outfit and I was pleased to say that I was right. This outfit is classic Maria, stripes and a red skirt are slap bang in the middle of my comfort zone and they were the perfect understated backdrop for the ring. It was super bright when we were taking these photos, hence me lurking around in the shade, there's a reason why I have to wear Factor 50! ;) Although it was sunny, it was also super windy, meaning that I I had a bit of a Marilyn moment with my skirt which was embarrassing to say the least! I paired my windswept 'do with my favourite red lippie-Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick Ruby Tuesday of course which made me feel pulled together, even if I was more than a little flustered at this point!

Top: H&M, skirt: Warehouse, shoes: Marks & Spencer
A close up of the ring 'in action', you can see the size of it a bit better here too. Normally I find rings a bit clunky when I am actually doing stuff but I forgot that I even had this on which is a good sign in my book. I won't be wearing it every day but will be pulling it out anytime I need a little extra sparkle in my step...


This skirt was one that I picked up in the Warehouse sale and it is one of the favourite things in my wardrobe. The high waist is uber flattering and is the skirt falls at the perfect length for me. I love a swooshy skirt and this one is super fun to wear. These shoes were the only choice to go with this outfit- the rose gold heel matched the ring perfectly!


Have you ever tried Jewel Street? Who are your favourite jewellery designers?
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P.S. Jewel Street sent me this ring to review but if I didn't love it, I wouldn't feature it!

How I wore the Whistles Noel dress...

Originally Mark and I had planned to head to the Turf Tavern for dinner when we were in Oxford (another great recommendation from Kat) but by the time it got to dinner we couldn't be bothered to leave the hotel again (yes, we are super lazy!) and so we decided to try the brasserie downstairs instead. You know I will take any excuse to get all dressed up and this Whistles dress is one of my favourites (so much so that I actually have it in another colour too!) Despite wearing it quite a lot, I have never managed to get any pictures so this is its first outing on the blog. Unfortunately these photos came out a little bit bright but hopefully you can see how pretty the dress is and how chuffed I look to be wearing it, haha! It is that wonderful combination of dressy and amazingly comfy- there's nothing worse than feeling constricted in an outfit. 

Dress: Whistles, tights: Tesco, shoes: c/o George at ASDA

One of my favourite things about it is the gorgeous navy jacquard print and the contrast with the sheer black panels on the shoulders. Little details like this make a big difference and navy and black are a long term love of mine. I paired this outfit with a navy smokey eye and my favourite nude lipstick: Barely Peach, Julianne's nude from L'Oreal. I did originally plan to straighten my hair but I actually like it wavy, it looks much less 'done'...


I was originally going to wear this with some nude tights but I forgot just how short the skirt was so switched to opaques instead. I love a tulip skirt shape, it is super flattering and a great way to show off your legs without being too bodycon.


The menu at Mal Brasserie is more limited than many places but I actually prefer that, there is such a thing as too much choice, especially when you are as indecisive as me! I went for the steak frites, the world's biggest crème brûlée (so good but absolutely humongous!) along with a mojito. We got a cocktail each as part of our room price (along with the best eggs Benedict) and it was the perfect way to round off the evening. 


What is the best dress in your wardrobe? 
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Staying at Malmaison Oxford and exploring the city (PICTURE HEAVY)....

As you may have seen from my million Instagram pictures (#sorrynotsorry) Mark and I spent a lovely day and night in Oxford for our anniversary and we had an amazing time. We managed to get a good deal at Malmaison Oxford (yes that is a converted prison) and it was the perfect base for exploring Oxford as it is right in the centre of town. I have been wanting to stay here ever since Sophie raved about it and I was so thrilled that we were able to book it for our anniversary. Usually we stay in Travelodges when we go away so it was nice to experience a 'proper' boutique hotel- I just couldn't believe how fancy it all was! We haven't got a big holiday booked for this year but we are keen to see as much of the UK as we can so expect to see lots of little day trips like this one...


The exterior was amazing, so imposing and absolutely beautiful, especially in the sunshine, I imagine it would have looked slightly less welcoming if you were being imprisoned here, I couldn't believe that the prison only closed in 1996!


I loved that the original fronts of the cell blocks were still in place although I wasn't a fan of that narrow walkway crossing the hall. Me and heights are not a good combination!


We stayed in the beautiful room 210 in C-Wing and I couldn't have been happier. The room had quite a rustic feel with the exposed brick and the tartan accents. It could have ended up looking awful but I actually loved it, it must be my Scottish heritage ;) 


This was what we could see from our window, how ace is that view?!


I absolutely loved the bathroom, it was absolutely stunning although I have never stayed anywhere with so many mirrors- we had about 6 in our room which made it lovely and light but it was very disconcerting to keep catching glimpses of yourself, haha!


Being soppy with a smiley selfie with Mark. I can't believe that we have been together for so long, nine years seems to have passed by in a flash and I couldn't be happier :D Ok soppiness over for another year ;)


Radcliffe Camera- I am always amazed at how crowded a spot this is in, it always looks much roomier on the TV! We were planning on going to The Vaults and Garden Cafe for lunch (as recommended by Kat) but it was absolutely jam-packed so we sadly had to try somehwere else. 


Hattie recommended Turl Street Kitchen to us for lunch and it was absolutely lovely. 


I had a flat white and this smoked mackerel and potato salad and was just sad that I didn't have a larger portion as it was absolutely delicious. 


The super cute Bridge of Sighs...


Mark and I spent a few hours in the Ashmolean Museum and took so many photos! The Greek and Roman stuff was my favourite and the classicists among you may recognise a few pieces!


I also really loved the Japanese and Chinese stuff- the Tapestry of the Battle of the Animals was amazing, I love the look on that leopard's face. It's as if he is saying 'I have made a terrible mistake' haha

This had to be one of my favourite sections though, everything was so SHINY! The picture in the centre made me laugh so much, the way it took makes me look like I am wearing a giant shiny crown-  I just wish I had cause for a gilt owl and diadem!  


A beautiful ivy covered building, I just wish I could remember where this was- we did a lot of walking and took a lot of photos... 


Mark looking a little bit sheepish outside Oriel College- his grandpa went here so we wanted to take some photos but they were doing a lot of building work and it was a bit awkward taking them with the workmen, haha! 

Have you been to Oxford? 
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