Frills 'n' Spills

This post contains jeans that were sent for review

When House of Fraser got in touch to see if I was interested in styling some of their jeans, I jumped at the chance. I have been looking for a replacement pair for these leather look trousers for a while so thought I would take a risk on these coated Biba jeans for a similar look. Imagine my surprise when they arrived and looked more like a pair of sexy waterproof trousers than waxed jeans! Once I had got over the shock, I tried them on and they actually fit really well, something I was worried about as Biba usually runs pretty small for me. Paired with a swooshy tunic top, I was sold and I wore them out for dinner and drinks with Mark. 'Date night' is one of those things that can feel a bit contrived (especially when you live together!) but it's nice to have an excuse to get all dressed up and trying good food and drink is a great way to spend time together. I always hate the idea of going out but we always have a lot of fun when we force ourselves to get out of the house, I just need to tear myself away from Netflix for more than five minutes...

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! ;)

Last weekend, Mark and I hopped into the car to head up to Chester to see one of my closest friends get married. I first met Ian on my internship four years ago and we have been friends ever since. I had never been to Chester before, despite my Grandad being a huge fan (it is where he went to college) and although we didn't get to see much time in the city itself, we will definitely be making a return visit. We stayed at a Travelodge the night before so we had plenty of time to get ready and these photos were taken in the car park- just be glad we managed to keep the Little Chef out of shot! The wedding itself was lovely and the reception was at Highfield Hall, a beautiful manor house in North Wales. Weddings can be tricky things to dress for and I wanted something a little different to the dresses that I wore to my cousin's and my best friend's wedding so I dug out my trusty 'prom dress' instead. I felt really comfortable in this dress and I think that shows in the pictures. There's nothing better than an outfit that make you feel like you can take on the world and this is certainly mine!

I bought this clutch bag in a moment of minor panic last week but I couldn't have been more thrilled when it arrived. The colour is ace, it matches my shoes perfectly and best of all, it is absolutely massive! It also makes me feel pretty cool so it definitely gets bonus points for that! Orange is one of my favourite colours and it made this dress seem more Autumn appropriate...

I couldn't write this post without giving a shoutout to these wonderful shoes. They are so comfy and the colour makes them super fun to wear. I just wish Clarks did them in ever colour!

A couple of weekends ago my grandparents threw a mini party (read cake and ice-cream) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their engagement. You know I take any excuse to dress up and this burgundy dress was ideal for the chilly weather. Burgundy is one of my favourite colours to wear and it feels really decadent (especially when paired with faux fur and gold accessories) It was massively windy when Mark was taking this pictures so they look pretty silly but they were also quite fun, it's impossible to take yourself too seriously when the wind is threatening to blow you over! 

Although the dress is mainly black, I wanted to try something slightly more interesting with it than my trusty black opaques and as the weather was so nice I plumped for some nude tights and my favourite pair of heels. Thank goodness for mild winters eh?! I was a very lucky girl this Christmas and Mark bought me the black patent versions too as I love these shoes so much!

You can tell how mild the weather has been, I was chilly when I took my cardigan off to take these pictures but nowhere near cold, I couldn't believe it! I know some people aren't fans of sleeveless dresses but I love them and I'm sure you could layer a thin top or long sleeved body underneath if you are self conscious... Prom dresses are universally flattering and this one has gone straight to the top of my list of favourite party frocks! I was going to wear this dress on New Year's Eve but I decided to go for my perfect party dress instead as this was still in the wash - the glamourous truth behind fashion blogging eh?! ;)

When the lovely folks at Voucher Codes got in touch to ask me to style one dress, three ways (to prove that you don't have to spend a fortune on all of those Christmas party outfits), I leapt at the chance. This year will be the first time I haven't been living at home and as Mark and I will be spending our first Christmas together in addition to one with each of our families, I need a hard-working dress! I chose this red lace beauty from Miss Selfridge, I love a red party dress - much more interesting than an LBD and perfectly festive too. 

Look # 1: A classic Christmas party look - perfect for meeting up with friends and dancing your socks Christmas stockings off...

Since buying the new Kate Moss lipstick, I having been loving richer berry shades and this Revlon Matte is that perfect shade of 'just finished a bottle a glass of red wine'.

Getting hold of this dress was darn near impossible,I first saw it at the New Look press day almost a year ago and fell in love but despite stalking the New Look website fr months I couldn't find it. I knew they had put it into production because it was featured in nearly every magazine I read and I WANTED IT. Luckily, Mark managed to get hold of it and I very happily unwrapped it on Christmas Day! 

The fitted shape ensure that this is extremely flattering, especially on a curvier figure...

I really loved this dress but I don't know if I have made it look too formal, would it look better a bit more scruffed up? If I was less precious about it?

How would you style this? How do you solve the problem of  making backless dresses wearable?

 

P.S. I received a comment which informed me that Oriental is in fact a racist term which I was TOTALLY unaware of when I wrote this so I have changed the title of the post. I am utterly mortified that I could have offended anyone and I apologise if I did.