Frills 'n' Spills

I always love the Topshop sale and the reduced prices give me a chance to try things` that are more trend-led without breaking the bank. Ever since the 'Angelina leg incident' of 2012, splits in dresses and skirts have been a bit of a 'thing' and although this dress is so out of character for me, I can't help but love it. I would never normally go for a midi length but the flash of thigh (ooer) definitely helps to make it more wearable and I quite like how cool it makes me feel when paired with my boots. I feel like my style has been in flux recently (I never thought I would be buying such jazzy leggings for example!) and since clearing out my wardrobe, I have definitely been more experimental with my clothes. Who knows what I will be wearing next week?!

 The shape of the dress itself is quite classic and reminds me of a 1940s tea dress (I think it's the sleeves that do it) although I doubt there would have been quite as much cleavage on show 70 odd years ago, I couldn't believe just how boobalicious this dress was! ;)

 The print and bright colours were what originally drew me to the dress and they helped to make an unfamiliar shape and style more comfortable for me. I just noticed that my belt is wonky in this photo and it is driving me mad, I only wish I realised before Mark took these photos!

Flashing a bit of leg and showing off my favourite ankle boots in the world, I am seriously worried that these will wear out soon and so far Betty London shoes haven't been added back onto the Spartoo website (although they do have them on their Belgian site) Is it too excessive to ship them from overseas?! 

Have you bought any out-of-character clothes recently?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

To make me feel less like a sack of potatoes, I added a belt but as soon as I got home, I got rid of it. When you are ill, nobody got time for that ;) 

In keeping with the 90s vibe, I pulled out my leopard print loafers. I haven't worn them for a while but they are really comfy and are perfect for jazzing up an otherwise plain outfit. I really like how they look with rich jewel tones so hopefully they will be getting a lot more wear over the next couple of months... 

This red blazer is another wardrobe staple of mine and the cropped length was perfect for pairing with the rather granny-like trousers (crepe fabric is back IN, kids...) The leopard print belt helps to break up the outfit a bit and also draws attention to my waist, which miraculously these trousers made look tiny - never a bad thing...

The fit is slightly strange on these (I think I could have probably downsized on them) and I'm not entirely convinced that they are flattering  I need to get these shortened or wear heels with them but I just feel so much cooler with flats on (and they are way more comfortable for a day full of meetings!)

How would you 'de-frump' these trousers?

There's nothing more annoying than your hair getting in your eyes as you are trying to work and whilst I love me a good topknot (#bloggercliche) it can look a bit strange at work! Recently I have been swooshing it back (technical term) and just pinning it into place with kirby grips. I love victory rolls but I can never really manage them, I think I need to trawl YouTube for some tips! My preferred red daytime lipstick is a Mac one which I got from the Cosmetics Company at Swindon designer outlet but I have never seen any lipsticks with red tubes before or since, any ideas if they are from a special collection? 

Recently I have really loved French Connection (a shop I only ever look at when stuff is on sale!) and when I saw this skirt, I fell in love. Believe it or not, I don't actually have a black knee length skirt and it is such a wardrobe staple. I can't wait to layer this up with jumpers and ankle boots! I have barely taken these shoes off recently, they fit my foot like a glove and they are so comfortable! Now Betty London just need to do them in every colour...

You know how much I love this bright yellow bag and the bright colour paired with the basket weave makes it feel like a picnic basket too (in the best possible way) 

Do you own a dress that you keep coming back to?

Now I know some of you will be rolling your eyes at a bit of a cliche post but as it has been over 3 years since I have last done a 'what's in my bag' post, I think I am entitled to show off my new Fiorelli handbag without too much grumbling right?! ;) Usually you would find all of the stuff seen below... and a layer of receipts and debris filling up my bag but as this is a new handbag, it hasn't had chance to get completely full yet. Just give me a week...  ;) The colour of this was what first drew me to it, and the basket weave makes it feel very summery too. The fact that it is HUGE, is a massive bonus. I can fit everything but the kitchen sink in here...

Sunshine yellow handbag from Fiorelli c/o Spartoo

Like many other people, I carry round a lot of stuff. After the usual purse, phone, keys I have whichever book I am reading at the moment (P.S. I just finished The Cuckoo's Calling and it is really good!), my diabetes stuff with my beloved Frodo key ring, Sudoku book for doing on my daily commute and toiletries. I love the fact that the compressed deodorants are teeny but with the same amount of product, deodorant/bodyspray is a necessity in this hot weather!

My purse is a lovely red leather Radley with a really cute dog in a boat, the perfect summer activity,  The latest Radley dog to win my affections is this "Catch of the Day" as it has the Radley dog and a puffin, two of my favourite things... There was a really nice blue purse with them on but it has now disappeared from Radley's website - if anyone comes across it, get in touch! The brown pouch holds all of my diabetes stuff, after nearly 16 years I have managed to really pare down the amount of medical stuff I cart round with me (not that you would know if from the size of my bag!)

What's in your handbag?

 Finally I have managed to get some pictures with my new hair for an outfit post! My wardrobe has been struggling recently with the heat but luckily I have just enough summer dresses to keep me clothed. This dress is one of those that I have been trying to get rid of for years but never quite managed. I love the print and the length of it is perfect but it sometimes looks a bit frumpy, I think it's the empire line? Usually a belt would solve this problem but the waist is far too high and it just looks weird with one, maybe a jazzy necklace would help instead?

A better  look at my new haircut! The style itself isn't that different but the hairdresser took about 3 or 4 inches off the end. It was quite a shock when I saw all the hair on the floor! So far I have been letting it dry naturally and brushing it out - I'm preferring soft waves to crazy curls right now!

The empire line also bunches really weirdly on the chest- I'm not having much luck with dresses and their bodices recently! The pattern on this reminds me of an Orla Kiely print; leaves and a muted colour palette are right up her street!

How would you de-frump an empire line?

Pale gold nail varnish is my go to colour for the summer, it's one of those colours that looks good however tanned (or pasty!) you are. This is 'Angel Nails' by Max Factor , a colour I like so much I have re-bought it at least 4 times... 

I had been wanting to buy these sandals for months but every time I tried, they went out of stock which really isn't surprising. They look super sleek and are really comfy now I have broken them in. The first time I wore them I got a huge blister on the bottom of my foot but luckily that has disappeared now!

 I bought this stripy top from H&M a few months ago and it has been a much needed addition to my work wardrobe. I love the longer length and  the fact that it is sleeveless and as I already had the white version, I knew that it would get a lot of wear as the weather warmed up... Paired with this draped cardigan from Dorothy Perkins, it is the perfect top for work!

 You all know how much I love Clarks shoes and despite my best efforts, the lure of these navy suede beauties left me powerless to resist . I didn't quite make it through the whole day with them but I think this is mainly due to the fact I haven't worn heels in ages,rather than the shoes being uncomfortable.  I will just have to break them in slowly I think...

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

A slick of eyeliner and a mini beehive worked perfectly with the high neckline. I have been having a bit of trouble with my skin recently but it seems to have cleared up. It's amazing how much it can dent your confidence when your skin is less than perfect so I am glad it is looking fresher. The last thing I want to be doing is wearing a full face of make-up in the warmer weather!

My Office loafers are probably the most worn shoes in my wardrobe and it is starting to show. The inside is completely ruined so I have been looking for a pair of patent flats to replace them. You know how much I love my leopard print French Sole flats and when I saw this patent pair I thought they would make a worthy replacement. They don't fit as well as my other French Sole pair but I'm hoping that the leather will soften as I wear them.

Do you have any tips for keeping your skin clear?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

Now it is getting sunnier, I am embracing lighter make-up and softer hairstyles. My macadamia hair oil is nearly finished now as I have been using it nearly every day. I just wish I could find something to make my hair grow down rather than out, it has been this length forever now!

I really shouldn't like peplums, I certainly don't need inches adding to my hips but there is something about them that I just love. This top may be my favourite one yet, even my beloved tweed peplum top can't compete!

More leopard print love! These shoes have rather fallen out of favour recently but they are perfect for jazzing up plain trousers and I can see them getting a lot more ear as the weather warms up- ponyskin's no good when it's raining!

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo

Stripes are perfect for pattern mixing and a spot of leopard-print jazzed up this outfit no end! Paired with my 'go to' hairstyle and some burgundy nail varnish, it made me feel like I had made some effort at least...

I have been obsessed with leopard print recently and these beautiful shoes are from French Sole, a brand I have been desperate to try for years.  People have raved about the fit but I thought they were just a glorified pair of ballet pumps, and not worth spending the money on. How wrong I was! They fit perfectly and unlike a lot of ballet pumps, they don't gape at the sides. I survived a whole weekend traipsing around London in them, no mean feat, I think you will agree!