Frills 'n' Spills

A little while ago we had an 'incident' with our washing machine which resulted in a lot of tears, swearing and some clothes turning completely the wrong colour. This top went a horrible blotchy pink colour but luckily my mother-in-law managed to rescue it so it's now back in rotation in my wardrobe. The jazzy print can be a bit OTT so I paired it with this khaki miniskirt in an attempt to tone it down a little bit. I'm not 100% sure that I can quite pull off a skirt like this (at least not without some very thick tights) but I guess you never know until you try!

A better look at the gold detailing... I don't tend to buy much from Primark anymore but they do have some great pieces in there. It's definitely worth having a look if you want to try something out without spending a fortune. Khaki is a bit more interesting than denim but is just as wearable and it looks great with blush pink which is definitely my favourite colour at the moment!

I am a massive fan of New Look's shoes and this nude block heel pair were a great addition to my wardrobe. The pink shade matches my pasty pale skin which helps to make my legs look longer.I love heels but find them quite difficult to walk in, so block heels are the perfect compromise!

Are you a fan of khaki? How do you style bright patterns?

I am someone who has a fair amount of clothes on rotation but there are some pieces in my wardrobe that I will probably never get rid of and this denim dress is definitely on that list! I've had it for 4 years or so already but it is such a flattering fit, that it is sure to be in my wardrobe for a long time yet. Let's face it, this outfit isn't going to win any awards or end up on a street style roundup anywhere but it was comfortable, fun and I felt cute in it, what more can you ask for?! I'm not usually one for Bardot tops (I have fairly broad shoulders that don't need emphasising) but I couldn't resist this ribbed crop top from H&M and I love it layered up with this dress. Crop tops have definitely been the surprise addition to my summer wardrobe, they are just perfect for adding layers without too much extra bulk. The time for bare legs has definitely been and gone for this year but I'm definitely going to be trying this outfit again with longer sleeves and some nude tights now that the temperature has dropped. 

I can tell that we took these photos in summer as I am covered in freckles! I have always had a bit of a confidence issue but something seems to have shifted in my mind this year. For once I wasn't bothered about not wearing foundation or going bare-legged and it is a really freeing feeling. I'm just hoping that this continues as it's nice to have that extra little spring in your step!

These shoes are another old favourite of mine, Keds are just perfect for when you have a lot of walking to do and these were my go-to pair when I was in Barcelona. They may well be the best £4 I have ever spent!

I know it is a bit of a blogger cliché but I am so glad that Autumn is nearly here! I am definitely not built for sunnier climes (the heat in Barcelona nearly finished me off!) so the falling temperatures are very welcome here in Cheltenham, I'm not a massive fan of the darker mornings but the addition of boots and jumpers back into my wardrobe almost makes up for it! ;) When Brantano got in touch to offer me a pair of boots to review, picking this Clarks pair was a real no-brainer. I love Clarks shoes, there's nothing worse than having wet and cold feet and I knew that these boots would be a practical choice for my walks to work during the winter. Obviously they look great with jeans but I was really pleased how they turned out with this cute floral dress too. I can often err towards the girly in my outfits so adding a slight edge with the jacket and the boots was a nice change of pace. 

I have had this jacket since my first year of uni- a whole 8 years (sob!) but as far as I can see, it only appeared on the blog around 2011! It was such a bargain too, I can't believe that I only paid £20 for a real leather jacket! This glossy lipstick is a fairly new addition to my ever-growing collection. Revlon make some great chubby lip pencils and this one in Provocateur is great for adding a swipe of colour. 

These boots remind me of a more polished version of my Dr Martens and are equally fun for stomping around in.  A word of warning: they come up a lot smaller than Clarks shoes usually do, I normally fit into a 7 without any problems but the 8 in these just about fits. I know that the leather will give slightly but it is definitely worth sizing up in these, especially if you are pairing them with some chunky socks! I always worry about making my legs look short with calf length boots but hopefully the addition of black tights helps to negate the effect?!

It's been a while since I posted about wearing a crop top but since February, I have been introducing more and more of them into my wardrobe. They are the ideal match to my high-waisted skirts and surprisingly comfortable if you can find a good one. I am a fan of H&M's selection, mainly because they have them in a comfortable stretchy jersey material- I may be feeling more confident but I still need some wiggle room! This River Island skirt could have been made for me, I love the bright red colour and it is so comfy to wear, even when the weather is roasting! The adjustable waist is also a real bonus, there's nothing worse than feeling trapped in your clothes when it is boiling. I am someone who always burns in the sun (I even managed to burn through factor 50 after 20 minutes in the park the other week!) so you will usually find me lurking in the shade during the summer... if you see me outside at all! This lack of time spent in the sun does mean that my skin can be almost translucent but I'm hoping to be rewarded with fewer wrinkles in the future...

You know that I am a stripes fiend so it was inevitable that I would end up adding this top to my collection. The soft ribbed cotton is ridiculously soft and comfy and was the perfect backdrop to this delicate gold necklace. I bought it a while back in the Warehouse sale but the chain was ridiculously short so I used the broken chain from an old necklace to lengthen it slightly. It may not be the prettiest solution but it works!

A better look at this dainty bracelet. I originally bought it for a friend's birthday present but it was too nice to give away so I bought her something else instead!

Maxis are perfect for the summer, they're covered up but keep you cool and they are super fun for swooshing around in. Shoes in the summer are always a bit of an odd one for me, I can't deal with stuff between my toes so I always opt for single strap sandals. This pair are getting a little bit shabby now but they are so comfy that I can't bear to throw them away. Here's hoping Matalan bring out a similar pair next year!

It almost feels like summer has been and gone but I'm clinging onto the last of it with my long weekend to Barcelona in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait. I am only there for a few days but keen to fit in as much as possible so if you have any recommendations, please let me know! This dress is a relatively new addition to my wardrobe (yes it's another Warehouse beauty!) but it will certainly be coming with me on my hols! Paisley isn't a print I would usually go for but the colours on this one made it impossible to resist. I think it is supposed to be a midi length but thanks to my less than willowy legs, it is more like a maxi on me. At least it means I get to show off these ace shoes though... 

A better look at that gorgeous print!

I was worried about looking a bit short with this hemline but these heels gave me a much-needed height boost. They are high and I didn't dare walk to work in them, but thanks to the padding to support your foot and the super soft suede, they do keep your feet comfy.

Have you got any hints and tips for Barcelona? Are you a fan of paisley print?

It's been a while since I last featured these jazzy trousers on the blog but I do wear them fairly often and always seem to choose the same colours when I pull them out of the wardrobe. You can't help but enjoy an outfit as exuberant as this, there's just something so wonderfully cheery about navy and coral together! I wore this outfit for running around town doing errands and it couldn't have been more perfect- these trousers are so comfortable but are a jazzy enough print to fool people into thinking that you have made an effort, win win!

This bag may not be practical but it sure is fun!

It seems like I have spent my entire blogging life searching for the perfect pair of nude shoes and this pair comes pretty darned close. I love the scalloped edge and the soft leather makes them super comfortable to wear too. It's difficult to see here but they match my pasty pale skin perfectly!

I told you that I have been obsessed with River Island recently, their more casual clothes are lovely, reasonably priced (especially if you can nab them in the sale!) and the perfect additions to my wardrobe. This jacket is one of my favourite things that I have bought recently, it is ridiculously soft and comfy and perfect for jazzing up a plain top and jeans.I don't tend to wear many plain tops but when a print is this cute, I will dig one out of my wardrobe! I wore this outfit to dinner and it was perfect for the three courses that I chowed down, you can't beat a loose top for ultimate dinner party comfort ;) 

I find it difficult to find jeans that fit but think I have finally found the perfect pair in (guess where) River Island! The Amelie jeans in the short length fit like a dream and couldn't be comfier. Again, I like them so much that I have them in black too! These coral shoes are a long-time favourite of mine and add an element of fun to an otherwise plain outfit. 

Do you buy things in multiples like me?

I love maxi dresses and Monki make some brilliant ones. I have had this dress for a couple of years but for some reason, I've never blogged about it! It is a little fancy for everyday wear but ideal for when you want to be comfy, but still look like you have made an effort- like date night or new year's eve! The dress is light as a feather and the pleats give the skirt a satisfying swoosh as you walk. It definitely has a Greek goddess vibe to it so gold accessories were a pretty easy choice. 

My hair is finally getting long enough to do more with and I have always been a fan of a twisted and pinned style. There's no particular method to this but it keeps my hair off my neck and it looks like I have bothered to make an effort, win win!

You know how much I love a swooshy skirt and this dress definitely ticks that box. Unlike my parrot print maxi, it isn't lined all the way down but it actually makes it much comfier to wear as it is a lot lighter. I should have worn more interesting shoes (wouldn't these wedges look ace?!) but comfort won out this time!

What do you wear on date night?

My sister is getting married in mid-August  (not long to go now!) and we spent this weekend up in Manchester to celebrate her hen do. We spent the majority of the day at the RHS flower show at Tatton Park, followed by dinner at The Old Sessions House then drinks at The Alchemist in Spinningfields. It was a really nice day, even if I did get sunburnt and drink too many cocktails! I only had my phone so please excuse the lo-fi pictures, I was going old school!

Café Smithy was my first stop, you can't beat a flat white and Eggs Benedict to get your day started off on the right foot!

As you would expect, the gardens were filled with hundreds of beautiful flowers.

I did not expect to see so much veg there though, these award-winning onions were seriously impressive!

I love how many different types of squash there were too! 

I have never seen a horned melon before but I have to confess that I am intrigued!

If only you could get these beautiful beans at my local Tesco!

I'm not sure what this was but it looks pretty primeval...

I would have stolen this if I could have fitted it into my handbag!

My mum spent a lot of time trying to work out how we can recreate this beautiful arch/table combo for the wedding in a couple of weeks...

They had sheds made up to different themes, I loved this little library one...

The millennial shed was super cool, the idea was that a shed is all any of us will be able to afford to live in with rising rents and house prices!

'The Seed Bouquet' was inspired by the flowers in a traditional wedding bouquet. I love how bright and cheery the flowers are against the dark grey.

The bride-to-be in the wedding shed!

The inside out shed wa probably my favourite though: tools on the outside, plants inside!

I have no idea what these were but they look pretty darned cool...

Gigantic lilies...

We had to stop for a glass of Prosecco (or two) to cool down...

This had to be the best part of the day for me- we made mini willow baskets with the Woodland Skills Centre and it was so much fun!

How cute is this?! I was told I had 'good weaving technique' and I couldn't have been prouder, I was such a teacher's pet! I am seriously considering doing a course to make a stool or something for my birthday though, how cool would that be?!

I can't believe we have had the hen do already, now just to countdown to the wedding in a couple of weeks!