Frills 'n' Spills

Little white dresses are always my go to in the summer; sunshine just calls for something light and breezy and this pretty broderie anglaise dress from Warehouse fitted the bill perfectly! I love the oversized sleeves (re-reading Anne of Green Gables has definitely reignited my appreciation for puffed sleeves!) and it is so light to wear. Paired with my beloved coral shoes and bag, it's perfect for these last few sunny days before we slip fully into Autumn!

I don't look very impressed but I promise I wasn't feeling as miserable as I look here! Someone needs to tell my face to cheer up! 😂 This Max Factor lipstick (Bewitching Coral) is one of my favourites and the bright pinky-coral matched my shoes and bag perfectly, I love it when a plan comes together...

I have been trying to use more of my accessories recently and this teeny bag is more practical than you might first think. I can't carry the kitchen sink around like I usually would but actually that's no bad thing, I always lug far too much stuff around with me!

I did worry that this dress was a little bit short as I have been conscious of wearing clothes that are too young for me but I'm hoping I can get away with mini hemlines for a little while longer yet?! 

What are your summer staples?

P.S. Did you know that there is a whole series of books about Anne Shirley? I didn't realise until recently but I did enjoy reading more about Anne growing up!

If there's one thing you can count on, it's the fact that summer will be a bit of a washout. Now I prefer gloomier weather as I am always too warm but I know that I am in the minority here! 😉 Maxi skirts will always be my summer clothing of choice and this floral skirt from Topshop is a fun addition to my wardrobe. I thought pairing it with a cropped jumper would be conceding to Autumn too early so I opted for this orange silk blouse instead. I don't want to wish my life away but I can't wait for the cooler months and I imagine this skirt will get a lot of wear layered up with some cosy tights and boots!

I wasn't sure what to do with the extra length of the blouse but I think knotting it like this looks pretty neat. Fifth Avenue is the latest addition to my Essie collection and it is a lovely coral red. I'm not very good at painting my own nails but I did feel pretty darned glam in this shade! 💅

The slits in this skirt come up pretty high (I had to resist the urge to pull an Angelina Jolie!) but these chunky block heels (hopefully!) helped to tone down the revealing nature. I may try it with a cream top and trainers next, how lush would these be?! 

How would you tone this skirt down? Are you counting down to Autumn like me?

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!

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 told you that I have been obsessed with River Island recently, their more casual clothes are lovely, reasonably priced (especially if you can nab them in the sale!) and the perfect additions to my wardrobe. This jacket is one of my favourite things that I have bought recently, it is ridiculously soft and comfy and perfect for jazzing up a plain top and jeans.I don't tend to wear many plain tops but when a print is this cute, I will dig one out of my wardrobe! I wore this outfit to dinner and it was perfect for the three courses that I chowed down, you can't beat a loose top for ultimate dinner party comfort ;) 

I find it difficult to find jeans that fit but think I have finally found the perfect pair in (guess where) River Island! The Amelie jeans in the short length fit like a dream and couldn't be comfier. Again, I like them so much that I have them in black too! These coral shoes are a long-time favourite of mine and add an element of fun to an otherwise plain outfit. 

Do you buy things in multiples like me?

Initially I wasn't going to blog about this outfit, it wasn't worn for anything special, I haven't done anything new with my hair or make-up here and realistically, it's not really all that flattering. I think many people fall into the trap of always trying to 'dress your body shape' and whilst I love a fitted waist and full skirt as much as the next gal, sometimes I just want to wear a particular combination that isn't 'flattering'. Of course, what is flattering depends on your point of view, but for me, being happy in both my skin and clothes is way more important than whether I am 'showing off my best bits'. Even if you have a very clearly defined style, there's always going to be times when you try something new and this outfit is certainly doing that for me. I have been on the hunt for an Autumnal maxi for a while now but nothing has been quite right so far. Rather than just sulk, I thought I would try adding a cropped jumper to make this (very summery) maxi dress more weather appropriate. I have only just realised that both my jumper and dress are both from Mango, what can I say, they were clearly onto a good thing! ;)

I was worried that I would be a bit chilly in this as it is made of quite a thin jersey material but I needn't have worried as I was just right thanks to the jumper. Despite being 5' 5", when I bought this dress, there was over a foot of unnecessary material at the bottom of the skirt. Luckily Mark's mum is an adept seamstress and she adjusted it so the length sits right on me. I now I am very lucky to have someone who can do this for me but it is amazing how much difference one simple (ish) adjustment can make!

Any tips on where to get a wintry maxi dress? Do you dress to flatter your body shape?

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! 

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!

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! 

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?

Workwear can be hard to track down but once you know what suits you, it makes the whole process much easier. For me, sleeveless dresses will always be a core component of my work wardrobe, especially if they are as fun as this ladybird dress! I spotted it during my latest visit to Sainsbury's (always a dangerous idea!) and I fell in love. The dress is a gorgeous thick jersey material and is super flattering thanks to the gathered waist - I love a dress that skims over my tummy! I think you can see how much I love this outfit from these pictures; I felt pulled together but not dull, something that can be difficult when it comes to dressing up for work. I know people can be snobby about supermarket stuff but I have found some of my favourite clothes during my weekly grocery shop!

I treated myself to Nars Dragon Girl when I had an ASOS discount recently and I am in love. I really love the formula of the lipstick and the colour is great, although it is a lot pinker than I was expecting from the tube. I wanted to wear my MAC Lady Bug lipstick (which would have been some impressive matching!) but sadly I couldn't find it in my stash :( Although I'm not a fan of creepy crawlies in real life, these ladybugs sure make a pretty print!

I was tempted to go the whole hog and wear my red shoes but they were the wrong shade of red (!) so I opted for this nude pair instead. I am on the hunt for some nude shoes to replace my beloved ASDA pair so if you see any, please shout!

Where do you buy fun workwear?

It seems like a long time ago now but I had a couple of days off a few weeks ago which coincided with the nice weather we were having. I have to say, there's nothing better than being a lady of leisure, especially in the week. It always feels like you are bunking off when you are wandering around a blissfully empty town haha! This dress was a bargain £5 in the Warehouse sale last year and I have been wanting to wear it for ages- thank goodness the weather played ball! You know how much I love maxis and this one is lovely. It is made from a lovely heavy jersey material and drapes really nicely. Cobalt blue is one of my favourite colours and is one of those that looks good on everyone as it is just so cheery! I felt really glamourous in this outfit and although I was just doing my shopping (Tesco has never looked so glam!) there's something about getting dressed up that puts a real spring in your step! 

I really love this bracelet and it was perfect for tying together the outfit without looking like I was wearing a costume. I don't usually wear gold jewellery (unless it is pale gold in colour) as it can look odd on me but I think the warmness of it here makes the whole outfit feel more summery

I did feel a little (read very) silly posing like this but I felt super slinky in the dress and I wanted my Angelina moment! ;) I rediscovered these wedges in the bottom of my wardrobe last year and they were the perfect match for this outfit. The wedge is comfy enough to wear all day (assuming that the straps don't rub your feet, sob!) and they added some much needed height. I'm not very tall so maxis are pretty long on me so I do need a helping hand sometimes, haha!

What is your most glamourous outfit?

Long time readers will know just how little I enjoy summer. I am always warm and comfort can be hard to find when the temperature keeps rising but this cute seersucker striped dress is one of my favourite things to wear in the heat. I would usually wear heels with this but for some reason I woke up wanting to dig out my Keds. Don't ask me why, I guess style inspiration comes from some very odd places and I must have seen something, somewhere to trigger this, maybe the tennis?! I look slightly crumpled here but this outfit put a real spring in my step- and not just because of the bouncy soles!;)

I didn't realise how crumpled this dress was until I saw these pictures, oops! I guess it just adds to the casual vibe I was aiming for, let's just pretend it was deliberate rather than me just being a slob, haha!

What's your failsafe summer outfit?