Frills 'n' Spills

It's been a while since I posted about wearing a crop top but since February, I have been introducing more and more of them into my wardrobe. They are the ideal match to my high-waisted skirts and surprisingly comfortable if you can find a good one. I am a fan of H&M's selection, mainly because they have them in a comfortable stretchy jersey material- I may be feeling more confident but I still need some wiggle room! This River Island skirt could have been made for me, I love the bright red colour and it is so comfy to wear, even when the weather is roasting! The adjustable waist is also a real bonus, there's nothing worse than feeling trapped in your clothes when it is boiling. I am someone who always burns in the sun (I even managed to burn through factor 50 after 20 minutes in the park the other week!) so you will usually find me lurking in the shade during the summer... if you see me outside at all! This lack of time spent in the sun does mean that my skin can be almost translucent but I'm hoping to be rewarded with fewer wrinkles in the future...

You know that I am a stripes fiend so it was inevitable that I would end up adding this top to my collection. The soft ribbed cotton is ridiculously soft and comfy and was the perfect backdrop to this delicate gold necklace. I bought it a while back in the Warehouse sale but the chain was ridiculously short so I used the broken chain from an old necklace to lengthen it slightly. It may not be the prettiest solution but it works!

A better look at this dainty bracelet. I originally bought it for a friend's birthday present but it was too nice to give away so I bought her something else instead!

Maxis are perfect for the summer, they're covered up but keep you cool and they are super fun for swooshing around in. Shoes in the summer are always a bit of an odd one for me, I can't deal with stuff between my toes so I always opt for single strap sandals. This pair are getting a little bit shabby now but they are so comfy that I can't bear to throw them away. Here's hoping Matalan bring out a similar pair next year!

I even dug out some eyeshadow to wear with this outfit. I have a gorgeous eyeshadow compact with gold and olive shades in that were ideal for a daytime appropriate smoky eye. Another outing for this lovely neutral lip stain too, I promise I don't always wear bright colours! ;) This necklace is slightly lower than I would usually go for but it helps to break up the print a little and makes me feel sassy rather than schlumpy under so much material...

I love the waist tie that came with this too, I am never happy unless I can nip in my waist with a belt, I am worse than Gok Wan! I'm wearing Essie Russian Roulette again here, I seem to just switch between that and Essie's Spin the Bottle at the moment, I'm going to have to branch out soon...

Are you a fan of palm prints? How do you turn your brain off and unwind?

Now that summer is finally here to stay (fingers crossed!) I have been making the most of the sunshine and trying to wear my gorgeous new maxi dress as much as possible. This fiery orange beauty was a sneaky purchase from Monki last payday and I couldn't be happier with it. I ummed and aahed for ages between the dress and the skirt version in this print but I'm glad I went for the dress- much less faff when getting dressed in the morning as I don't have to find a top too ;)

I love how bright the colours are and the pixelly print is much more interesting than one of my many floral maxi dresses. It is definitely eye-catching and matched this skinny orange belt perfectly! (I love it when that happens!) 

Are you too mini for a maxi dress? Are any of your shoes irreplaceable?

...or what to wear out when the weather is rubbish! I never know what to wear when I go to the pub- I am always torn between going for extreme comfort (jeans and a jumper) and wanting to get slightly dressed up. Finding a balance can be tricky, especially if you have to spend any time outside, before or afterwards. I decided that my new lace skirt from Monki (yes Monki again!) would be the perfect way to glam up a plain top and add a bit of interest to a more practical outfit. This leather biker jacket has long been a favourite of mine and the cropped length works well with longer skirt lengths (and particularly well with black semi sheer maxi skirts it seems!)  ;) I think I was trying to pop my collar up here but I'm really not sure!

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

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... 

Another day, another maxi skirt. I am slowly building up quite a collection of these little beauties and this is probably one of my favourites. I picked it up in the M&S sale (at the same time as these shoes) and have been waiting for an opportunity to wear it... It reminds me of a cross between this midi skirt and the pleated maxi skirt from Hobbs that was so popular, not bad for £12! I think Inslee must have been inspired by my outfit too, she posted this a couple of days after I wore this! 

I think this may be the most luxurious of all the maxi skirts I own and I can't wait to pair it with dusky pinks and floral prints in spring!

Do you like pleated maxi skirts? How do you make fashion practical?