Frills 'n' Spills

Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons, I hate being too warm so anytime I can get sunshine without boiling to death is a winner in my book. April showers though can be tricky to dress for. Luckily this jazzy trench coat is the perfect final layer for drizzly days. I have been a massive Whistles fan for as long as I can remember and eBay is my best friend when it comes to finding gems to add to my wardrobe (without the premium price point!). I'm definitely not one for a minimalist capsule wardrobe (I like the range of choice!) but certain things you are likely to find in lots of people's wardrobes and trench coats are certainly one of them. No boring beige for me though, this baby is more brown sugar than blah...

The overall effect of this trench coat is pretty classic but the colour is more brown than camel which is much nicer and more flattering on my pasty pale skin tone. I really like the oversized shape and the belt is great for cinching you in too. The best part about it though? I look and feel like a private detective whenever I wear it! Which is pretty fitting really when it comes to my social media stalking skills 😏

You really can't go wrong with a red lipstick and this one by Chanel is perfect! It's the Rouge Coco in shade 440 Arthur and I really love the finish (so much so, I also bought it in Etinenne!) My hair is getting longer and longer again and although I still have a lot in my wardrobe from 2013, I'm not sure I could ever go back to super long hair! 

Bright colours have long been a staple in my wardrobe and this candy pink Whistles dress was a fun workwear addition. The shape was boxier than I would usually go for but paired with some fun shoes and a jazzy necklace, it was much more firmly in my comfort zone. I am a big fan of sleeveless dresses (I am always warm!) and I can't wait to layer this one up with some stripes and a polo neck!

I have had this necklace for nigh on 7 years (!) and although the attached leaf is long gone, it is still one of the pieces of jewellery I have on regular rotation. It is simple but so unusual, not bad for a Topshop sale bargain! My hair has got so much longer recently and I have really been enjoying brushing it out into soft waves. It does have a mind of its own so I sometimes have to use my GHDs to help tame it. I really should do more with my hair as it does hold a style when I bother but I am just too lazy, I would much rather have an extra 20 minutes in bed...

These shoes were another Topshop bargain a while back and I love them They are ridiculously comfy and make a real statement without being completely impractical. I am always a bit wary of wearing heels with higher hemlines but I think the chunky block heel and the straps helps to stop them from looking too much, what do you think?

Where do you buy your workwear?

Since starting my new job, I have had to get back into the habit of wearing smarter clothes for work. Whilst I miss my more casual workwear, it has been good to challenge myself and push out of my (very literal) comfort zone. Life's too short to wear boring clothes so I have been wearing a lot of fun printed dresses (this geometric number and this blocky beauty were particular favourites) to make it a but more interesting. I have been lucky enough to find a few dresses in my favourite charity shop to add to my collection, including this beautiful printed one from Hobbs. The shape isn't one I would usually go for but the drawstring waist was able to cinch me in and it is so light to wear, making it perfect for the summer!

I love the slash neck on this and the print is really unusual, does anyone else think it looks like rain? I have been trying to be more inventive with how I style my hair and I was pretty pleased with this sleeker look, thank goodness for my GHDs!

I wear these Whistles shoes a lot and I am cautious abut wearing them out as they are just so darned comfy! Has anyone seen any interesting black blocky heels recently? I need to find an alternative to these but ideally with a pointed toe too... let me know if you have more luck than I do!

What do you wear to work? Where do you buy interesting workwear from?

I have always been a fan of statement jackets and when I spotted this one in Seasalt, I knew I would be taking it home with me. I love the colour teal and this print is perfect for adding a bit of interest to a pretty basic outfit. Admittedly I would usually associate Seasalt with stripes or anchors than with prints like this but it was definitely a pleasant surprise! Paired with bright lipstick and glasses, it did feel like something an art teacher might wear, I just need to figure out how to layer my necklaces...

Pink lipstick is always so fun to wear and I have raved about this Bourjois velvet formula many many times. You should definitely get your hands on it if you like bright shades that last all day! Statement pieces need a blank canvas to really shine and this beige top from Gap was ideal. It is a lovely soft cotton and crucially is long enough in the body for me. I can't stand tops that are short in the torso!

Are you a fan of statement jackets? How do you jazz up your basics?

I am always nervous when I wear anything with a wrap skirt so I opted for a (very attractive) nude slip underneath to preserve my modesty and I was glad I did after some rather gale-like winds...no-one needs to see that much leg! 😮

How would you style this jumper dress?

Red dresses have long been a staple in my wardrobe and this smock number from good old M&S is a fun addition to my collection. I am not a fan of sleeves on dresses (although I've worn a few recently!) but I fell in love with the relaxed shape of this dress. Smock shapes are not the most flattering on me but they are very comfy and the gorgeous crochet detailing on the waistband meant I was sold! I wore this for a family meal a few weeks ago and it was ideal, especially for my postprandial snooze on the sofa! I may have gone a little overboard on the red front here (yes I do have red dress, nails and lipstick) but it is my favourite colour...

I love block heels and this slimline Whistles pair are so elegant. I just need to keep scouring eBay until another pair turn up in my size!

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 is a well-known fact that Whistles make some very nice clothes and I have been lucky enough to add some of their pieces to my wardrobe over the past few years, either via their sale or on eBay. (I cannot wait to wear this gorgeous teal dress next time I go out either, it is just so swooshy!) This latest addition to my wardrobe is distinctly more casual than a lot of the dresses I own but it is perfect for throwing on when you want something comfy but still smart. I wore this over a month ago (!) but I am so behind on blogging my outfits. You will have to forgive me if there are some seasonally jarring ones although I always seem to be much warmer than everyone else, especially at this time of year! Thin layers are the only way to cope with fluctuating temperatures and this corally orange cardigan is one I keep out all year round as it is just so versatile. I love orange and blue paired together and the combination never fails to put a smile on my face.

The jersey material makes this outfit pretty casual but I really liked the contrast with the smarter heels. It has a nice nipped in waist too so I felt less slumpy and more like I could take on the world buy lunchtime! If only I had an orange blazer that matched, I could take my matchy matchiness to a whole new level ;)

You know how much I love these orange heels and they are just so comfy. It's not often I will choose to wear heels for a full day at work but these are just so fun that I couldn't resist!

How do you keep your work outfits fun?

Anyone who has read this blog for more than five minutes knows that pretty dresses are my favourite thing to wear and this Whistles dress is a welcome new addition to my wardrobe. I love Whistles clothes and stalk them on eBay (obsessed, moi?!) and was super thrilled when I won this one. I told you that coral was a huge part of my wardrobe, wouldn't this look ace with nude tights and my new favourite shoes? I will take any excuse to get all dressed up and weekend errands are way more fun when you are wearing such a fun dress! It was super windy when we were taking these pictures, hence my slightly worried face, I was trying to make sure I didn't inadvertently flash my neighbours, haha!

I really love the tulip (?) print on this dress, it reminds me of Art Deco prints which are super fun. The colour combination is fairly unusual although it does make matching accessories and make-up much easier- always a win in my book! I have been trying to use less product on my hair recently and without conditioner to weigh it down, my hair is fairly unruly but it feels much better overall. 

The dress even has pockets, what more could you ask for?!

I was originally going to wear this with some nude tights but I forgot just how short the skirt was so switched to opaques instead. I love a tulip skirt shape, it is super flattering and a great way to show off your legs without being too bodycon.

The menu at Mal Brasserie is more limited than many places but I actually prefer that, there is such a thing as too much choice, especially when you are as indecisive as me! I went for the steak frites, the world's biggest crème brûlée (so good but absolutely humongous!) along with a mojito. We got a cocktail each as part of our room price (along with the best eggs Benedict) and it was the perfect way to round off the evening. 

What is the best dress in your wardrobe? 

Anyone who has ever read this blog knows that I will take any opportunity to get all dressed up and this outfit was the perfect accompaniment to our meal at Jamie's. I don't always wear all black but when the textures and fabrics are this fun, how can you resist? I felt like a million dollars in this outfit and I really wanted to celebrate that with these pictures. I mean confidence is always worth celebrating, amirite?! For full luxury vibes I paired my outfit with this gorgeous camel coat which I got off Mark for my birthday, it may be brighter but it is still chilly out there! The length of this coat can be a pretty tricky one when you are as short as I am but paired with heels or slim trousers, it works quite nicely.

Just look how jazzy that neckline is! I recently treated myself to a couple of new lipsticks and this L'Oreal Liya Pure Red is my new favourite. It is a really bright red with pinky undertones (although it's nowhere near as pink as the Julianne red!) and it was the perfect statement lip.

This Monki tulle skirt is just dreamy and although the midi length was a bit challenging to style, I really love it. Tulle anything is always a winner in my book and the length means it was perfect for swooshing round in! This skirt was also the perfect foil for my gorgeous Whistles Dana sandals, they are just a dreamy combination together! I can't wait to wear them in the summer, won't they look great with this smock dress? They are a pretty high heel but the caged element makes them slightly easier to walk in, I will just have to get in a bit of practice before I next wear them! ;)