Frills 'n' Spills

Honestly, it has been so long since I wore this outfit that I almost didn't post it but I loved it so much that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I posted about the navy version of this dress nearly a year ago and this post is basically another love letter to Whistles and their gorgeous occasionwear! This faux leather jacket is so easy to wear and was the perfect finishing touch for this outfit. Usually December weather would mean that such a thin layer would be impractical but the weather was so mild that this kept me plenty warm enough. I wish we had that weather now, I am currently huddled under a duvet to write this as our flat is so cold!

One of the things I love so much about Whistles is the attention they pay to detail. The black tulle on the shoulders adds an edge to the pale pink tweed and stop it from looking too precious. This velvety Max Factor eyeliner is my new favourite and makes it easy to draw a cat eye with it, even for someone as useless as me. I paired it with the Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon and the Max Factor Creme Puff blush in Seductive Pink for a fresh glowy look.

I love a nipped in waist and this shape skirt is flattering on pretty much everyone.It is a little bit short with nude tights so I went for this velvety pair instead. They aren't the cheapest opaques you will ever buy but I promise you, they are worth the investment!

These spotty shoes are from Accessorize of all places and are super fun. I love the pointed shape and the fact that they are sheer means they work as well with tights as they do with jeans. I am tempted by this pair but need to get rid of some other pairs first, my shoe storage is looking pretty full at the moment...

Which brands would you write a love letter to?

It's funny how traditions start, somehow they get established before you realise what has happened. Spending Valentine's Day with some blogging babes is definitely one of my favourites and this year we spent a lovely long weekend at the Oast House in Herefordshire to celebrate Sarah's 40th birthday. (no I can't believe it either!) Honestly, this weekend was just what I needed, life has been a little bit stressful recently so catching up with these girls over chocolate, cake and prosecco was the perfect antidote! I am officially the worst blogger ever as I didn't bring my camera so you get some phone photos instead!

It was full of charming original features, like this awesome range stove...

The house was based on the Brockhampton Estate and we decided to go exploring on Saturday. The weather was awful but hot soup helped to take the chill off...

Luckily I did manage to avoid buying any more books, I don't think my bookcase could take any more pressure!

Whenever I wear this dress, I tend to steer clear of anything too pretty and go for something a little less precious. Looking at these pictures, this outfit was clearly inspired by the 'Gucci geek', especially with the addition of this camel coat! I love the oversized, slightly androgynous shape and the longer length makes it perfect for my chilly walks to work. When I posted my Instagram picture of this outfit, people were concerned that I was out with bare arms but trust me, this was just out of shot haha!

I have been wearing this Nars lipstick a lot recently and it is such a fun colour. I was tempted to go for a more muted berry tone but the splash of pink (hopefully!) helped to stop this from looking too fusty. You can get a slightly better look at my glasses here too: I opted for a slightly less statement pair this time round and I really love the tortoiseshell frames, Marc Jacobs has done it again!  

These velvety soft tights have barely left my legs recently, they are so soft and keep me nice and toasty. They are well worth investing in if you want a luxury feel without spending a fortune. These Orla Kiely shoes are one of my favourite pairs and the chunky heel made me feel unstoppable- just what you need when your to-do list won't stop growing!

Do catwalk shows inspire your outfits?

It's strange how your wardrobe changes over the years, I used to live in cute floral dresses but have barely worn them recently. This Oasis dress has been hanging in my wardrobe for a while although I have been waiting for the colder weather to wear it as it is too short to wear without some opaques! I really like the colours and the ditsy print is super cute. I have been having a bit of a crisis of confidence recently and do worry that certain clothes can end up looking a bit 'young' on me. I tried toning down the cutesy factor with some grey tights and a swipe of red lipstick so hopefully this dress doesn't look too ridiculous!