Frills 'n' Spills

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery right? Because when I saw the beautiful Nicole Ocran in these jazzy flared trousers, I couldn't help but copy her. If you're not already following her, you should be, she has an awesome eye for an outfit and is as lovely as she is stylish. Yes, I may have a slight crush! I was a little unsure of how to style these trousers but decided to embrace the 1970s vibes and incorporate these earthy tones to match. This top is actually a dress I have had since 2011 (!) and it matched perfectly. It's always fun to dig back into your own archive and I still have all but the coat and scarf from that outfit post. I'm not sure whether that's impressive or tragic but let's go with the former! It's not often this happens but this trouser/shoe combo has made me look relatively tall which is always a win in my book!

I can't resist a good lipstick and this is Nars Giusti satin lip pencil, it's a gorgeous rosy brown and  the perfect 'your lips but better shade' if you are pale like me. I really rate their lipsticks and this has been on repeat for when I just want to look slightly more polished. Over the last year I have also become obsessed with earrings. I have never had my ears pierced (and I probably never will!) so I have been enjoying clip on styles from people like the lovely Julia de Klerk or adapting non-clip on styles with some clip backs and superglue. That way, I still get a jazzy fix without having to resort to anything more permanent.

A slightly better look at the shoes. I usually would avoid slingbacks (I have weirdly narrow ankles!) but they are the perfect summer-y shoe and as they are leather, they should last for a long time. I love a block heel all year round so these are a nice way to 

Who is your style crush? How would you style these trousers?

I got this amazing Nars gift set for Christmas and I absolutely love the different red shades in it. It includes the (limited edition) velvet lipliner in Misdemeanor, a lipstick in Flamenco and the velvet matte lip pencil in Mysterious Red and I couldn't be happier with the selection. I am a big fan of red lipstick and these Nars shades apply like a dream. I was looking particularly pasty pale here so the lipstick looks particularly bold. My hair has grown a lot since we took these pictures but I can't decide how long to let it go as I like how it looks here!

A better look at that awesome floral print... I know florals are hardly groundbreaking but these botanical ones are at least more interesting than your usual.

Help a gal out, how long should I keep my hair?!

There are a few decades that I never thought that I would look to for fashion inspiration and I would have said that the 1970s were up there on that list but looking back, I have more than a few pieces that are looking bang on trend at the moment! Ideally these would have been flared jeans rather than skinnies but I sadly got rid of my bargain Boden flares in one of my clearouts so these skinny jeans will just have to do! I seem to gravitate to this faux fur gilet every Friday, it is just so darned cosy and perfect for making even the most casual outfit look dressed up. With my fringe, I felt very 1970s groupie but that's no bad thing right?!

My fringe has got so long recently and I have to admit, although I really love it, I don't think I will get it cut back in next time I go to the hairdressers. I think a side fringe is more my style, I miss my forehead! ;) This Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in Pink Pong 06 is one of my favourite lipsticks and is a gorgeous hot pink shade that lifts this outfit perfectly.

I stupidly wore (small) heels when I was in London this week and my poor feet were ripped to shreds so I have been wearing these ridiculously comfy Betty London flats whilst they heal up. Usually ballet flats gape around your feet but this pair fit my feet like a glove and I just wish they came in more colours as they are definitely the comfiest shoes in my wardrobe!

Being a blogger can be a funny old hobby- you spend hours taking and editing photos to go in a blog post, agonizing over the words to write with the images (or is that just me?!) whilst trying to keep up with emails, social media updates and comments… all in the few hours you have free in a week. Clearly, something has to give. Recently I have been feeling so out of the loop with blogging, I have barely been posting, thanks to another bout of flu and it all starts to feel a little overwhelming when you start trying to cross things off your ever-growing to-do list (don’t even get me started on sponsored/collaborative posts!) Instead of stressing out about this, I have been trying to remind myself why I blog (this post may be from 2011 but I think it is just as relevant today!) and trying to get back to basics and doing what I love the most; sharing the outfits that I love with all of you wonderful people who read my little blog! 

This top was a charity shop bargain from Primark which I really love, the print reminds me of terracotta tiles and the colours are deliciously seventies - what more could you ask for in a top?! My beloved mustard cardigan provides the perfect layer to protect against the creeping Autumnal chill. I am really looking forward to wearing cosy knits and ankle boots again but the colder weather has been a bit of a shock in the mornings, I need to get used to it again!

Nobody tell Pantone but I think I may be a year behind schedule. Tangerine is definitely the colour of the year for me, not emerald! ;) I picked up this M&S jumper for a few pounds in a local charity shop after I fell in love with the tangerine shade. I love bright colours when it is grey outside!

This dress has been getting a lot of wear over the last couple of months and as the weather seems to just be getting colder, I have switched my sheer shirts for cosy jumpers. The combination of brown and orange feels very 1970s to me but this orange lipstain helps to make it feel more modern.  It also helped me look more awake too, never an easy task at 6.00 am!

This top is the last of my pieces from the Uniqlo x Orla Kiely collection (I promise I will stop banging on about it soon!) I initially ordered this one but that was in the parcel that went walkabouts and they only had XS left when I went to reorder it :( Apologies for the annoying strand of hair in this first photograph, I didn't realise that it had fallen out of my plait until I looked at the photographs! I loved the printed top and the camel coat but I did feel like I was dressed like a mum from the 1970s... 

After all of my gushing about this collaboration, it's hardly surprising that I bought a few pieces, although I love my dress and my top (post still to come!) I think this scarf may be my favourite. I love the mix of colours and of course, the classic Orla Kiely print- definitely a wardrobe classic. As with all my new purchases, I wanted to wear it STRAIGHT AWAY and so it was duly worn the next day to work with my favourite rusty orange top...

How would you define your style? Any tips to stop it tipping into fancy dress territory?