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! 

Unlike red, yellow is not a colour that I wear very often. I love it as a colour but finding a shade that flatters me is pretty tricky. I spotted this top in Warehouse a couple of months ago and I fell in love and thankfully the colour actually works on me. It is more lemon in person but it is impossible to photograph so you will just have to take my word for how nice a colour it is! Paired with my favourite skinny jeans and some shiny shoes, it was the perfect outfit for dinner and drinks.

These beautiful pleated sleeves were my favourite part of this top, aren't they fun?! They are quite long though so I wouldn't advise eating messy foods with these because they will dip into absolutely everything!

Shiny shoes will always be fun and this River Island pair are one of my favourites. Because they are flat they are super comfy and I can dance the whole night away in them. More proof that basics don't have to be boring! 

Are you a fan of yellow?

Basic is a pretty loaded term but even I have to take a break from dressing up; and when I need a break from pretty dresses, I head for simple pieces like this jazzy shirt and jeans. River Island have had some really nice casual pieces in recently and this shirt is a very welcome addition to my weekend wardrobe. I love the longer length of it and the soft cotton is thick enough to wear without a jacket which is ideal for this time of year. 

The real highlight of this outfit for me though was the shoes. I've never really worn Converse but I saw this metallic pair and fell in love. I will always love anything rose gold and these shoes are just so shiny! 😍 

I mean, how can you not have a smile on your face you are wearing these?! They are proof that basics don't have to be boring!

What are your wardrobe basics? 

After you have been blogging for a long time, it is inevitable that you will start repeating outfits or keep styling them in the same way. I absolutely love stripes and I usually end up pairing them with a swipe of red lipstick. This outfit is no different but I guess if it ain't broke...! This Warehouse denim dress is a fairly recent addition to my wardrobe and I absolutely love it. It is a completely different shape to my Hobbs denim dress (and I did size up as my usual size was sold out) but the oversized fit makes it perfect for layering up with chunky jumpers and boots. 

MAC make the best lipsticks and Lady Bug is a great everyday red, especially if you are as pale as me! The lustre finish is great and means it wears evenly which I like. I can't be dealing with topping up my lipstick every time I eat or drink something...

Mark got me this delicate silver necklace for my birthday and it is beautiful, I love anything with my initials on! 

Blogging is a funny old game, and one I didn't do much of in 2016. It was a very strange year for me and mine, we had some lovely highs (including celebrating a decade with Mark, being bridesmaid for my little sister, spending V-day with some of the best people I know, being made permanent at work, visiting Barcelona and even managing to feel more at ease with myself and my body thanks to semi-regular exercise) but I also had some really tough times, especially with my dad's accident. Luckily he is much much better now and will continue to improve but there's nothing like a big shock to push you out of your comfort zone! I'm not very good at asking for help but so many people stepped up to the plate this year so thank you, you don't realise how much it helped! Slightly maudlin but I'm hoping that 2017 will be calmer, there's plenty to look forward to but slightly less drama excitement would be nice! I have always been a great believer in the transformative power of clothes and this top was both a fun purchase and another step out of my shell. I tend to avoid drop waisted clothes but I loved the fun print and shape and couldn't bear to leave it on the shelf.

It was the perfect choice for a lunch date with Mark as it looks fancy but is actually mega comfy and easy to wear. It makes enough of a statement that I didn't have to hunt down any extra accessories which is always a win in my book!

I have worn much less foundation this year,  it's amazing how distracting a swipe of bright lipstick can be! This is my failsafe summery shade: Max Factor  in Bewitching Coral, it is one of those colours that looks good on everyone...

You can't beat a swooshy hem! 😍

I have had this bag for donkey's years but apparently I have never posted about it on the blog which is a surprise! I think I picked up on one of my charity shop trips at uni but can't be 100% sure without my handy wardrobe referencer (a.k.a my archive of outfit posts). I love the super soft suede and snazzy tassel and it is surprisingly roomy for such a small bag, I managed to fit my purse, massive keyring and all of my diabetes stuff in, not bad going at all!

A better look at that hemline and a repeat of the bottom half of this outfit... oops! I have missed sharing my outfit pictures over on the blog and whilst I'd love to promise that this is all going to change with the dawn of a new year,  realistically, I don't think I will ever get back to my old schedule of posting every other day like in the good old days! I'm hoping to spend more time reading (and commenting) on my favourite blogs this year so please do hit me up with your favourites!

I am someone who has a fair amount of clothes on rotation but there are some pieces in my wardrobe that I will probably never get rid of and this denim dress is definitely on that list! I've had it for 4 years or so already but it is such a flattering fit, that it is sure to be in my wardrobe for a long time yet. Let's face it, this outfit isn't going to win any awards or end up on a street style roundup anywhere but it was comfortable, fun and I felt cute in it, what more can you ask for?! I'm not usually one for Bardot tops (I have fairly broad shoulders that don't need emphasising) but I couldn't resist this ribbed crop top from H&M and I love it layered up with this dress. Crop tops have definitely been the surprise addition to my summer wardrobe, they are just perfect for adding layers without too much extra bulk. The time for bare legs has definitely been and gone for this year but I'm definitely going to be trying this outfit again with longer sleeves and some nude tights now that the temperature has dropped. 

I can tell that we took these photos in summer as I am covered in freckles! I have always had a bit of a confidence issue but something seems to have shifted in my mind this year. For once I wasn't bothered about not wearing foundation or going bare-legged and it is a really freeing feeling. I'm just hoping that this continues as it's nice to have that extra little spring in your step!

These shoes are another old favourite of mine, Keds are just perfect for when you have a lot of walking to do and these were my go-to pair when I was in Barcelona. They may well be the best £4 I have ever spent!

As I have got older, I have been less inclined to spend time fussing over my outfits at the weekend, Basing an outfit around my comfiest jeans mean I have more time for fun things like lie-ins or brunch instead! ;) I had never really been one for double denim but this chambray top is so comfortable, that paired with black jeans it managed to convince me. I picked it up in the sale at M&S a while back and although it's not flattering, that's OK. I felt really comfortable here, even if I'm not going to win any fashion awards!

The sleeves in this top are my favourite thing about it. I love a fluted sleeve and these certainly add a bit of interest to a plain top. This necklace is one of my recent favourites, I love the simple deco shape of it, even if it is wonky in all of these photos... I have been going make-up free as often as possible recently and not wearing anything other than mascara and lipstick has been doing my skin the world of good. I am more self-conscious about my rosy cheeks (and my embarrassing tendency to blush) but so far no one has run away screaming so I'm counting it as a success! ;)

These dalmatian print shoes have been in my wardrobe for over 4 years and they were the perfect finishing touch for this muted outfit. I will be so sad when they finally give up the ghost, they may have only cost me £12 but they are so comfortable!

Are you a fan of double denim?

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!

Teal is a colour I really love and it is moving from my soft furnishings into my wardrobe . This blazer was from Matilda (I love having a friend who is a similar size to me!) and it has quickly become a firm favourite in my wardrobe. Imagine my excitement then when I realised it matched my teal suede shoes, you really can't beat a bit of matchy-matchiness! Jeans and a stripy tee probably wasn't the most exciting way to wear this blazer (I am imagining it will look awesome with my Hawaiian print dress) but it was the perfect way to jazz up a Wednesday! I'm not quite sure what is happening with my face in this picture but I promise I was a lot more enthusiastic about this outfit than I look here...

I love the three-quarter length sleeves and the material was really comfy. Usually I end up taking off my jacket as soon as I get into the office but this lasted until after lunch- a new personal best for me! 

I washed my hair with the Umberto Giannini 'Incredible Body' range here and you can really tell, my hair was absolutely huge when I woke up! Paired with the denim shirt and peachy lipstick though, I'm not sure if I look like I have fallen through an 80s wormhole?! Please excuse my bleary eyes here, early starts will do that to a girl! 

Monki clothes are known for being rather oversized but after an unfortunate incident with a pair of trousers that wouldn't encompass my hips, I thought that I would be better off sizing up than down. This shirt however is nearly as big as my hair and I felt a bit 'schlumpy' in it if truth be told. Belting it seemed to solve the reservations I was having and I trotted off to work quite happy in the end...

Are you brave enough to wear denim on denim? How would you style this denim shirt?