Pretty and practical...

This post contains some boots that were sent for review

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. 

Jacket:New Look, dress: Oasis, tights: Tesco, boots: Clarks c/o Brantano
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?!


What's your best bargain? How do you stay dry in the winter?
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P.S. I was sent these boots to review but if I didn't love them, I wouldn't feature them on the blog.

When I fell in love with Barcelona... (PICTURE HEAVY)


A couple of weeks ago, my friend Meera and I went to Barcelona for a long weekend and I absolutely loved it. It was such a great city and all I wish is that I could have had more time to spend there! I loved the hop on hop off bus, very touristy but it meant that we saw more of the city than we could have covered on foot. I took over a thousand photos (!) and I'm sharing some of my favourites here...

Casual summer stripes...

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...

Top: H&M, skirt: River Island, shoes: Matalan, necklace: Warehouse
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!


Are you a fan of crop tops? What do you wear to stay cool during the summer?