Frills 'n' Spills

It almost feels like summer has been and gone but I'm clinging onto the last of it with my long weekend to Barcelona in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait. I am only there for a few days but keen to fit in as much as possible so if you have any recommendations, please let me know! This dress is a relatively new addition to my wardrobe (yes it's another Warehouse beauty!) but it will certainly be coming with me on my hols! Paisley isn't a print I would usually go for but the colours on this one made it impossible to resist. I think it is supposed to be a midi length but thanks to my less than willowy legs, it is more like a maxi on me. At least it means I get to show off these ace shoes though... 

A better look at that gorgeous print!

I was worried about looking a bit short with this hemline but these heels gave me a much-needed height boost. They are high and I didn't dare walk to work in them, but thanks to the padding to support your foot and the super soft suede, they do keep your feet comfy.

Have you got any hints and tips for Barcelona? Are you a fan of paisley print?

The weather may be warming up slightly but I'll take any opportunity to wear this ridiculously glamourous coat! I wore this outfit for our big family meal at Dumbleton Hall and it was perfect for the (very fancy) surroundings. I love any opportunity to get all dressed up and this coat makes anything look snazzy...

When you say Laura Ashley, leopard print is not the first thing to spring to mind but this slinky shirt dress is one of the more unusual pieces in my wardrobe. I have had it for a couple of years now and even managed to take photos back in April 2014 but never posted them as I didn't like how they came out. I always tend to style it in quite a simple way, when you have a dress that is patterned, textured and almost satin-y, it doesn't need any extra embellishment! It was so windy when we took these photos that I almost blew away and revealed more than a glimpse of thigh in the process... ooer!

Are you a Laura Ashley fan?

It seems like Mark and I have had plans every weekend recently and although I love doing stuff and seeing people, there's nothing better than having nothing planned. At the end of October (some of!) my family and I went to see the Vulcan's last flight at Staverton airport  and although it's not the kind of thing I would usually go for, it was actually really fun. I wore this floral Gap dress and it was ideal for both the huge roast dinner I ate beforehand and standing in a field at the airport ;) I am a massive fan of Gap dresses and this one is another firm favourite, especially as it it has pockets, I mean, what more could you ask for?! It's not fancy, but it sure is fun...

I have been wearing my hair a little longer recently (it looks weird in hats otherwise!) and am able to do a little more styling-wise, like curling it with my GHDs. The best part is that the wave holds, even in the wind and rain! I have had my Fitbit for nearly 2 months now and and I really love it, it has definitely inspired me to move more. 

I love a swooshy skirt and this one is lovely, especially as all of that extra material helps to make your waist look smaller, just what you need after a big dinner ;) 

It is so nice to spend time with family and although I don't get to see them as much as I would like, they are pretty darned special. Now can you guess which of us are related?! 

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...

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. 

It seems like a long time since these photos were taken, it is definitely too chilly for sandals and bare legs in the mornings now! I have written a few times about buying the best you can afford and this gorgeous stripy French Connection dress may not be cheap but it wears a darn sight better than the cheaper equivalents in my wardrobe. The cotton jersey is super soft and breathable which I really love. I am always warm so anything that can help keep me cool is a winner in my book! As the main colour is navy, I was going to go down my usual route of red lipstick and accessories but even I like mixing it up occasionally! ;) I used to be really self-conscious about my legs as I am covered in old scars and bruises. I'm sure to anyone else they are practically invisible but it has taken me a while to become more confident in going out without nude tights. Isn't it strange what people worry about?

I always think that this park near our house feels like Narnia (I blame the lamppost!) We are really lucky to have plenty of green spaces in Cheltenham and I do feel very lucky that this is all on my doorstep. I really need to get out and explore the town more though so if anyone has any recommendations, please let me know! 

I thought I would give you all a break from being all dressed up by sharing one of my favourite casual outfits that I have worn recently.  This oversized jumper is one of my favourites and although it has only ever made it to the blog once before, I wear it a lot. I find this time of year really difficult to dress for as it is cold when I leave in the morning but I am boiling by the time I get home- I don't know how anyone manages! Luckily this outfit comprises of lots of thin layers which are surprisingly versatile as well as being ridiculously comfy. I mean, you're only about one step away from pyjamas which can only be a good thing, amirite?!

I have only had this leopard print tea dress for a couple of months but it has already crept to the top of my 'must wear' pile as it is just so easy to wear! It reminds me a lot of this blue leopard print dress (what do you mean you don't own several variations of brightly coloured leopard print?!) but this is definitely the more wearable version. I have worn this dress to work, dinner and drinks and birthday parties- it's very versatile thanks to its jersey material and has become one of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe as a result! Paired with my faux leather jacket, I felt very cool here, I love an outfit that fills you with confidence and this made me feel super sassy, never a bad thing in my opinion! ;) Who knew that I would become such a leopard print fan?! Certainly not me all those years ago! Apologies for the slight blurriness in some of these photos, it was so windy when we took these photos that they have ended up looking like I am moving at great speed, haha!

You can see how long my fringe has got again here! I am definitely going to grow it out next time I get my hair cut, I just hope my hairdresser can work her usual miracles with it! You can see how bright this print is too- you can't beat electric blue for cheering you up! I have been wearing liquid eyeliner more and more recently as it helps to define my oh so tired eyes and make me look more awake- I have been super busy recently so I need all the help I can get make-up wise!

I was originally going to wear this dress with my trusty black opaques but I actually prefer it with nude tights- it feels much easier and breezier and paired with these leg lengthening shoes I was skipping through the day. Seriously if you can, buy yourself a pair, they are so comfy and go with everything in my wardrobe!

As you may have seen, I had my hair cut recently and decided to get a fringe cut in. I had been umming and aahing about it for ages and I finally decided to trust my hairdresser and just go with whatever she came up with. I figured it's only hair and if I hated it, it would grow back right? Recently all I want to wear are jumper dresses and this Cadbury purple one is one of my current favourites!  I wouldn't really classify this as a particularly exciting outfit but this blog is all about the highs and lows of my life and wardrobe so I wanted to share it anyway. This dress was originally from Sainsbury's (supermarkets have some seriously nice clothes in at the moment) but I got it from Matilda- I love having a friend who is the same size as me! It is probably long enough to wear with tights but it was a fairly chilly day so I thought leggings were the better option... 

Which straighteners would you recommend?

This tan cloche hat is a long-term resident of my wardrobe and although it doesn't get worn very often, it sometimes adds the perfect finishing touch to an outfit. Cold weather often leads to pretty dull outfits from me (just check my Instagram for proof!) but although this one is pretty simple, I think it is just interesting enough. I didn't realise that a couple of the pieces from this outfit were c/o until I uploaded these pictures, I guess it proves that I don't just wear things that I am sent in the photos and then never again, this coat and these shoes are an integral part of my wardrobe. I look slightly sheepish in these photos, thanks to lots of nosy neighbours and keen dog-walkers, it is difficult to keep a straight face when you are hissing 'hurry upppp!' at Mark, haha! The 1920s and 1930s are not usually decades I am inspired by but I have been watching a lot of Poirot recently and they sure knew how to wear a hat... ;)

Since cutting my hair, there have been a few things that I have had more trouble wearing and this hat is one of them. When my hair was longer, the hat gave just a hint of 1920s style but it looked a bit costume-y when I was trying it on with various dresses from my wardrobe so I decided to go with a more modern outfit instead. Paired with MAC Vegas Volt, my favourite new peachy coral lipstick (it even suits my pasty pale skin!) it felt more modern than musty. This lovely necklace was a surprise gift from my lovely friend Jules a while ago and it is one of my favourites. The knot is simple but adds a bit of interest to plain tops and you know I can't resist a tassel! 

These shoes are also a few years old now, I originally wore them back in March 2012 and they get pulled out when I am looking for a little bit of height and a more interesting colour than nude to wear. These Jamie jeans have been neglected in favour of my ASOS and Warehouse jeans recently but they are ideal for if you want to flash a bit of ankle or show off your shoes which you have to when they are this jazzy!

Are you a hat wearer? 

You know I can't resist a natty bow and this cinches my waist in nicely. I'm not usually a fan of sleeves on dresses but these ones balance out the lower neckline and mean that I don't have to cover up with a cardigan- always a good call when I am layering up in winter! Any dress with pockets gets a thumbs up from me and these drapey pockets are ace.

When Clarks got in touch about working with them recently, I was absolutely over the moon, they are a long term favourite of mine and I was so chuffed to be asked. I was sent a voucher to use instore and after a lot of umming and aahing, I picked these beautiful pointed flats. I love the snakeskin printed leather and slight metallic sheen - they are some good looking shoes! The leather hasn't softened yet so they're not the most comfortable but I know from experience that given time, they will be like heaven for my feet!