Frills 'n' Spills: midi

Showing posts with label midi. Show all posts

Grey and pink...

Long time, no speak! It feels strange to be back here writing when it has been so long since I last posted (and even longer since I was posting regularly!) but I guess that's what happens when life gets in the way! We took these photos a long time ago but as I style this dress the exact same way every time I wear this dress, I figured it was still worth sharing! I never used to be one for either midi lengths or trainers but this dress was my first step into a whole world of comfort. I love pale pink and grey together and the grey sweatshirt element of this makes it super easy to wear and cosy to boot!

Dress: Topshop, shoes: Converse

I have spent a lot of time (and money) trying to find a skincare regime that works for me and Caudalie seems to be the holy grail! I don't know what magical ingredient it is in their products that suits my skin but it has made me a lot happier overall, even without make-up. All I am wearing here is a swipe of Glossier's Boy Brow (another favourite of mine) and some tinted lipbalm, younger Maria could have never...

I do love a dramatic ribbon!

I spotted these rose gold Converse in the Office sale a few years back and immediately fell in love. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I like shiny things so it was inevitable that they were coming home with me. They made trainers feel much more accessible to me and for that I will be eternally grateful! They are also proof that basics don't have to be boring!

How do you jazz up your basics? Which colour combinations so you always come back to?

The Dahlia dress...

Longtime readers will know how much I love Seasalt, I discovered the brand when my friend Matilda donated a lovely stripy jumper to me and have managed to add quite a few pieces to my wardrobe since. I spotted this gorgeous coral tea dress in the sale and fell in love. I really love the colour and texture and it feels really elegant, something that can be lacking in my wardrobe of bright colours and bold prints! Paired with my brushed out bob, this felt quite 1930s, an era I seem to be drawing more and more inspiration from recently! Midis have always been a tricky length on me but I have quite a few in my wardrobe now, maybe I need to accept that I am actually a fan...

Dress: Seasalt, shoes: Marks & Spencer

I have never been very good at liquid eyeliner but I fancied a feline flick so had to rummage through my make-up ~~bag~~ trolley. I got this Eyeko skinny liquid eyeliner free with a magazine a while back and it is pretty good although I still haven't managed to master the nib properly yet. This lipstick is the amazing Bewitching Coral by Max Factor and it matched the dress perfectly. I really love the cute collar on this dress, it makes it feel much smarter and I'm looking forward to layering it up with some cosy jumpers come Autumn...

A better look at that nipped in waist and gorgeous textured cotton!

You know how much I love a swooshy skirt and this one has a lot of material. The fact it has pockets just makes it even better in my opinion! I just wish I had some daintier shoes to pair with it although I suppose it does stop it feeling too costume-y.

Are you a fan of 1930s style dresses?

Simplicity...

It seems that I can't get enough of Oasis midi dresses at the moment! This black one is slightly plainer than this jazzy printed one but has been a key part of my wardrobe recently. I was looking for a casual LBD that I could replace this ASOS number with and picked this one up when it finally went into the sale. I really like the simplicity of the black against my ~~pasty~~ pale skin and red lipstick, it looks striking without requiring much effort (always a win in my book!) ;) Confidence is a funny thing and although mine comes and goes in waves, I think you can see how happy I look here. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone a lot recently and it has definitely made me braver, here's hoping that continues!

Dress: Oasis, shoes: Marks and Spencer outlet

I always feel most like myself when I am wearing red lipstick and MAC Lady Danger is my favourite at the moment. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted but it matches my shoes so well that I couldn't resist, haha! The neckline on this was pretty revealing so I dug out my bandeau top again. I would have preferred a lace trimmed cami but haven't been able to find any pretty ones, does anyone have any recommendations?

These orange-y red suede shoes were a bargain from when we visited the M&S outlet at Gloucester Quays back in April and I really love them. Block heeled shoes are my favourite and the studded heel sets them apart from the other pairs in my wardrobe. I think this is supposed to hit just below the knee but thanks to my less than lanky legs, it is nearly a maxi on me. I suppose it just means that I will be cosier when I start layering it up for Autumn!

Any ideas on where I can find a pretty lace cami?

Zigzag...

Summer seems like a long time ago now but bright colours are in constant rotation in my wardrobe, however gloomy the skies are outside. This midi dress was a total impulse buy; a fitted jersey midi dress is so far out of my comfort zone that it is laughable but the jazzy pattern really drew me to it. The print is full of my favourite colours and I have all kinds of plans for what to pair with it. I mean wouldn't this teal blazer look ace?! I was initially very self-conscious when I went out in this but actually once I got used to wearing something so bodycon, I felt pretty darned cool. I am breathing in massively here but I think the addition of the print helps, it seems to distract the eye from paying too much attention to any lumps and bumps you would rather have ignored!

Dress: Oasis, camisole: H&M, shoes: Clarks

I really love the crochet collar detail on the top of this dress but the bodice is so low cut that I had to add a bandeau top underneath to preserve my modesty. I guess a sliver of skin helps to stop it looking too frumpy so I can't complain too much! This Bewitching Coral Max Factor lipstick is one of my favourite lippies and it matched really well- I love it when a plan comes together!

I mean would you expect me to be wearing any other shoes with this outfit?! It seems like I have barely taken this coral pair off recently but they are just so cheery and I want to make the most of wearing them before the rain stops me wearing all of my lovely suede shoes!

Which clothes would you never wear? Any tips on introducing midis into my wardrobe?

The seaside dress...

This post contains items that were sent for review

I promised you that I would be sharing my George picks and I am so excited to be sharing this outfit with you. Certain things really put a spring in your step and this seaside dress is my new favourite thing in my wardrobe. Paired with my cat-eye sunglasses, I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday when I was swooshing around in the park in this- what more could you ask for from a dress?! I just need Gregory Peck to whisk me around on a Vespa now! (swoon). 1950s style dresses are always flattering on me and this one fits me like a glove. It feels like a grown-up version of the infamous Venice dress that I loved all the way back at uni and I couldn't be happier with it. Mark and I have been exploring Cheltenham more recently and this wisteria-filled park was a nice change in backdrop- definitely expect to see it on the blog again soon!

Dress: c/o George at ASDA, shoes: c/o George at ASDA, tights: Tesco, sunglasses: Accessorize

You can see how happy I am with this dress with the cheesy grin I have here! I kept my make-up pretty simple, mixing my Nars Orgasm illuminator with my beloved Dr Jart BB cream for a natural glowy finish. Lipstick-wise I paired Allure with Max Factor Xperience Sheer Gloss Balm in shade 02 for the perfect peachy shade.

I know I will get a lot of wear from this dress in the summer and I can't wait to pair it with my bright yellow bag and sandals or this navy pair, the beauty of a busy pattern like this means that there are plenty of colours that you can pick out! I was originally going to go for a classic red nail varnish but I decided to wear Essie 'Spin the Bottle' on my nails instead which is definitely my perfect nude shade!

You know I can't resist a full skirt and this one is deliciously swooshy. The extra material could be a little overwhelming but the nipped in waist stops me from drowning in fabric. A midi length like this would be better with heels but I actually love it with flats, not least because I could run around without any problems.

Are you a fan of fifties frocks?

P.S. I was sent these items to review but if I didn't love this dress, I wouldn't feature it!

Tulle-tastic...

I am a firm believer in not saving things for best, I love getting all dressed up and the thought of only wearing certain items of clothing on special occasions makes me feel really quite sad. Who knows what may happen to you in the future? Preachy as it sounds, my motto is to try and live each day to its fullest and any excuse to wear this skirt is alright with me! ;) What I love about this skirt is that you can wear it all dressed up or dressed down for a more casual look like this one. The weather has been so weird around here, it has been absolutely boiling (can you believe it has been warm enough for bare legs in April?!) but I'm glad we get occasional bursts of rain too, I know it's controversial but I'm really not a fan of summer!

Jacket: c/o George at ASDA, top: NW3 by Hobbs, skirt: Monki, shoes: Marks & Spencer

This gorgeous owl top is a long-term resident of my wardrobe and I absolutely love it, it is just so darned comfy. I do like wearing it with bright colours too but it just works so well with black! I have been trying to use less heat on my hair and embrace a more natural look hence the slightly unruly curls here!

I really need to work out how to iron this skirt, it looks so awful all creased up like this! (oops!) I should probably wear this with slightly higher heels but I just can't be dealing with that for a busy day at work and I love how much more relaxed it is with these divine shoes. I have recently ordered a very similar coral pair of shoes from Clarks and I cannot wait to try them with this skirt!

How would you style a tulle skirt?

An elegant Easter outfit...

This gorgeous white dress was another one from the wardrobe of the lovely Alice and it is absolutely beautiful. I have been waiting to wear it as it is definitely an 'occasion' dress and although I imagine it would be lovely for a christening, no-one I know has had a baby so the big Easter meal with my family was the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl. I will take any excuse to get all dressed up and I know that this dress will become a staple for family occasions where I need to look sophisticated. I felt really elegant in this outfit and had a massive grin on my face all day- it's amazing what a gorgeous dress can do for your confidence and mood! I was originally going to curl my hair but I actually think that the straighter hair helps it look a little more modern, especially paired with a pinned back fringe. I went for my favourite red lipstick, Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday to jazz it up and it did the job nicely!

Dress: Marks & Spencer c/o Alice, shoes: Marks & Spencer

You can see just how gorgeous the heavy crochet lace is here and the black grosgrain ribbon too. I was a little bit nervous about how fitted this dress was but I think it looks OK, what do you think? I know I keep raving about Essie 'Aperitif' but it is just such a good classic red! I need to get some more Essie polishes- which shades should I try next?

This skirt is a little bit longer than I would usually feel comfortable in but I think that is what makes it look pulled together- maybe I just need to rethink what hemlines I can actually pull off? Paired with the comfiest mid heeled shoes I own, I think this almost-midi-length looks pretty darned good!

Which Essie shade should I try next? Do you get all dressed up for Easter?

Copper and burgundy...

I know it's a total blogger cliché but I love this time of year. The horrible heat of summer is gone (can you tell I'm not a fan?!) and I love that I can wear cute jumpers and Autumnal tones again. I spotted this jumper when I was doing my shopping in Sainsbury's a couple weeks ago and promptly placed into into my basket; there was no way I was leaving without this baby! Unfortunately I am having to take my photos early in the morning before I leave so the light is a bit weird in them all :( any tips for evening the light out? It's such a shame as I loved this outfit, especially the dark lipstick. It is another supermarket bargain- who knew Tesco had so many gorgeous lip shades?

Jumper: Sainsbury's, skirt: Miss Selfridge, shoes: George at ASDA

Aren't these little guys just the cutest?! I love their little faces and the burgundy makes the whole look much sleeker. Not bad considering I am basically wearing a cartoon jumper! I got lots of compliments on this outfit and no-one could believe that it was from Sainsbury's. I am a massive fan of supermarket clothing and all of them have come on leaps and bounds in recent years. It's not often that I can leave them empty-handed, put it that way! ;)

If you are a long-time reader, you may remember this coppery midi skirt which I bought back in 2011 (!) as it has popped up a few times on the blog over the years. I just can't believe how different I look here and here, it's amazing what a difference a few years can make to your style!

Any tips for taking blog photos in the winter?

1930s inspired...

Yes, it's another little red dress! It's been a while since I have worn a 1930s inspired silhouette on the blog but since having my hair cut, I seem to be more drawn to different shapes and styles than I used to be. I picked up this dress for about £15 in the Monsoon sale a little while ago and I really love it. It's not really an everyday dress but it's perfect for things like family meals where you want to be fairly dressed up but still be able to slob on the sofa with your food baby afterwards ;) I look very windswept in all of these photos, one of the perils of the great outdoors I suppose! It was a very bright day when we took these pictures so I look slightly washed out which is a real shame as I really loved twirling around in this dress- as you can see!

Dress: Monsoon, shoes:Marks and Spencer

I have just noticed the hanger tag hanging out of my sleeve in these pictures and it is driving me mad- I wish I could go back and tuck it in! MAC Lady Bug is my new favourite daytime red lipstick and it is lovely, I just wish the colour lasted a little bit longer on my lips. It disappears quite quickly after eating or drinking as it is the lustre finish so is lovely and creamy but wears off quite quickly. I cannot be faffed with reapplying lipstick throughout the day so I need something a little more hard-wearing! Lipcote may solve this problem but I find it very drying, any tips for prolonging the life of my lipstick are appreciated...

I wasn't 100% convinced that the length of this skirt was flattering on me but with the right shoes, I think I can get away with it?! We did get some funny looks when taking these photos, I guess I do look a bit incongruous standing next to a field all dressed up! But hey, if it's good enough for Jane Austen's heroines to swoosh around the countryside, it's good enough for me...

Any tips on prolonging the life of my lipstick? Which eras are you inspired by?

Gingham and stripes...

Who would have thought that 12 years (!) after I left primary school I would be looking back to my uniform for style inspiration?! I spotted this beautiful dress when I was on holiday in Cornwall a couple of weeks ago in the window at Seasalt (a brand I am loving recently!) and I fell in love. I love gingham and midi dresses are all I want to wear in the summer. There's nothing better than lots of material to swoosh around in and to help me keep cool! I also like the fact that they are more work appropriate than a lot of my summer clothes, I never know what to wear to work when it's warm!

Dress: Seasalt, shoes: Dorothy Perkins, bag: Laura Ashley

An inadvertently pose-y photo of me and my sunglasses! It was super sunny so I did end up getting a bit burnt (despite wearing Factor 50!)- you just can't win with pale skin! I like the wind machine hair too, I knew there was an upside to gale force winds... ;)

I am a big fan of Seasalt clothing, their generous sizing gets a double thumbs up from me and I like the relaxed nautical feel of all their pieces. I have always found casual difficult to pull off (see this 2011 post for proof!) but I think I am starting to get the hang of it, what do you think?

Are you a fan of Seasalt? How do you 'do' casual?

Digital print maxi dress...

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 ;)

Dress: Monki, belt: Primark, shoes: Nine West

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!)

This is actually supposed to be a midi dress but as I am sadly lacking in willowy long legs, it is more like a maxi on me. I actually prefer it this length though, no stepping on the bottom of your dress and accidentally garroting yourself (ahem) and short enough to show off your shoes! As you can see, the lining for the skirt only reaches mid thigh but luckily it isn't too sheer without it ;)

These gorgeous tan peeptoe shoes are a summer staple and get pulled out every year, I don;t know what I am going to do when they finally give up the ghost! I have been scouring eBay but haven't had any luck so far...

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

Paint the town red...

...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!

Black lace skirt, red top, leather jacket, black tights and boots 1

Leather jacket: New Look, top: Matalan, skirt: Monki, tights: Tesco, boots: c/o Spartoo, awkward pose: model's own

This top is the red version of the one I wore in this outfit which I bought as I loved the white one so much. It's impossible to get a flattering photo of but I love how it drapes and the looser sleeves are perfect for going between the blustery outdoors and the stifling heat of the pub.

Black lace skirt, red top, black tights and boots 2

The lace detail of this skirt (I love the fact it is called Doris!) is stunning and although the length is nearing maxi rather than midi on me (I fell foul of model leg length delusions again!) I think the sheer overlay is more flattering way to wear longer lengths, for people like me who have stumpy rather than willowy legs with a midi length. I love the fact that the lace also seems quite versatile, I think it looks fairly elegant here but I imagine it would look equally fab, all grunged up...

Also, scalloped hems ROCK...

This red lipstick is an old favourite- seen first in this blogpost from May 2010 (!) and it is quite a bright blue-red which gives you the perfect scarlet pout. My vow to wear more of my lipsticks is definitely working! These photos were taken the day before I finally got my hair cut and I think you can tell it needs cutting here- it got so long and wispy. Luckily the 'swoosh it and pin it' method helps to disguise its less than pristine style...

What do you wear to the pub? How do you disguise a bad hair day?

Frills 'n' Spills

Grey and pink...

The Dahlia dress...

Simplicity...

Zigzag...

The seaside dress...

Tulle-tastic...

An elegant Easter outfit...

Copper and burgundy...

1930s inspired...

Gingham and stripes...

Digital print maxi dress...

Paint the town red...

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