Frills 'n' Spills

This coat is a different shape to the ones I would normally pick out but I actually love the more masculine look of it as it helps to toughen up my girlier outfits and adds a much needed dose of cool. The fact it is a gorgeous dark navy wool also helps, this is sure to be a classic in anyone's wardrobe!

Just look at that smug grin! I had said to Mark that I was looking for a navy jumper just the day before and I found this in the Warehouse sale for just £12. It is a lovely slim cotton knit and has really cool semi-sheer sleeves too which make it much more interesting. I know I will be getting a lot of wear out of it this Autumn/Winter!

I know I have been raving about these skinny jeans but they are just so darned good! The cuffed hems were slightly annoying but they do mean that I can show off my snazzy shoes nicely ;) These sandals are the best thing I have bought in a long time and seem to match everything in my (ever-growing) wardrobe, I will definitely be buying a spare pair for when these wear out...

That week after I get my hair cut is my favourite time of the month. It manages to hold a style but still looks a little bit lived in - the holy grail of hair! I know I have said this a million and one times but cutting my hair off was the best thing I ever did and I couldn't be happier with my bob. It is the perfect cut for the summer, too; no more getting a hot neck! Ever since I bought Ruby Woo on holiday, I have rediscovered my love for red lipstick and this Max Factor Colour Elixir lippie is one of my favourites and works equally well for day or night...

Semi-sheer dresses are my favourite when it is warm. You get the coverage of a maxi dress (no need to shave your legs, hoorah!) but you can still see that you have a figure underneath all that fabric ;) I'm wearing my red shoes here but I have worn this dress with everything from my sandals to my trainers, it's nothing if not versatile!

Have you succumbed to the lure of Brit Stitch yet?

What are your favourite bad jokes?

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?

This bag matched the red of the pattern perfectly and I think it adds a sense of fun too. It's impossible to be grumpy with such a shiny bag! Apologies for my face in this photo, it was pretty darn cold (I think you can see the goosebumps!) but I wanted to give a better idea of what the indoor version of the outfit looked like. I have been wearing my hair swept to the side quite a lot recently, I love the fact that it is now long enough for a proper ponytail!

Have you picked up anything from the Celia Birtwell collection yet? How would you style these shorts?

One of the best things about going on holiday with other bloggers is the almost unlimited supply of outfit photographers (watch out, Mark!) My roomie Gemma was kind enough to take some photos for me when I got back from Chatsworth and I love how they turned out. It's always fun to play dress up and with a location as gorgeous as this, how could they not look great?!

Dress: ASOS, belt: Primark, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office, bag: gift from Alex

Alex kindly bought us all gifts and was lucky enough to get this absolutely beautiful bag. It reminds me of a fan or an ice-cream wafer and I know it will get a lot of wear once the weather warms up (wouldn't it look amazing with this outfit?!) Thank you again Alex! ♥

 Outtake of the day: me nearly falling off the wall, elegant as ever ;) At least you can see the oversized sleeves on this dress a bit better here! I love the sleeves but at the wrong angle, they can make me look a little bulky...

Who takes your outfit photos? What would be your perfect location?

This dress is so comfy and I find lace dresses so easy to wear.  I just wish I had it in some other colours, it would make getting dressed in the morning much easier! Since having my hair cut, it is much easier to style and I am even able to brush it (something that usually leaves me looking like an electrocuted sheep!)

This necklace is a new addition to my wardrobe and I love the fact that it is black on one side and cream on the other- double the necklace for half the money, definitely one of my best recent sales buys...

The highlight of the outfit is definitely this beautiful bag, though. Clarks do more than just beautiful shoes yet until recently I had never bothered to look at the bags.  If you are anything like me, you end up filling whatever size bag you use, so having a more compact bag stops me from lugging around too much stuff.  Although it doesn't look particularly roomy, I was able to fit all of my worldly possessions in it and it is the perfect bag for a trip around town!

I am always looking for more dresses like this for work, the shape and sleeves are perfect for a temperature variable office. I love the one that Ellie wore here, does anyone have any recommendations as to where I can something similar up? 

I desperately need to get my hair cut again but I cannot be bothered to make an appointment. This twisted knot/bun has been keeping out of my (cat) eyes and is a nice way of keeping the curls off my face...

What do you think of leopard print?