Showing posts with label the blogosphere. Show all posts

Rusty...

Sometimes it feels like I have been blogging for years, days become weeks and sometimes inspiration is sadly lacking. As a blogger, there are hundreds of photos stored on a hard-drive, just waiting to be made into posts, some don't make the cut, due to a bad angle or less than flattering pose and others probably should  have been consigned to the recycling bin on your desktop. It is interesting how blogs offer a slice of your everyday life up for perusal and yet we insist on everything being 'just so' rather than showing what you actually wear or do on a daily basis. This outfit is one of those that I wore on an ordinary day at work and although it isn't particularly fashion forward, I really like it. It is funny how our wardrobe reflects how we see ourselves and actually sometimes, what you wear doesn't have to be 'an outfit', it can just be a nice dress... 

I guess what I am trying to say is that recently I have been more introverted and my clothes choices are reflecting that ;)

Dress: Gap (via Matilda), blazer: Clothing at Tesco, necklace: Topshop, shoes: c/o Spartoo
This dress came from the wardrobe of my friend Matilda and the length and colours meant that it was love at first sight. I  think I suit Autumnal colours and I love all the different colours in the pattern and the gorgeous scalloped layers of the skirt.


I even managed to match my lipstick! I am wearing the Max Factor lipstain in the corally orange shade which adds a lovely bright colour to lips, topped with my beloved Ballistic lippie!


Rather boringly I went for grey accessories and the length of this blazer was lovely with the knee-length of the dress. This Topshop necklace was also a nice lengthening device, something I am always keen to do with my (rather stumpy) frame!

Owl-bert the door stop is looking pretty sad at the moment!
I love these heels and I am wearing them with yet another Autumnal outfit here! They really are the perfect height to wear all day and the grippy sole meant that I didn't fall flat on my face- perfect for when you are trying to stay incognito!  

How long have you been blogging? What do you do to stay inspired?
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Leopard print loafers...

 It has been a while since I last wore this dress, it is too nice to wear for everyday really but I wore it out for a meal with my best friend and her fiancé (I still haven't got used to saying that!) to celebrate my recent promotion. You may have seen my excitement over on Twitter last Monday and honestly I am beyond pleased, I have only been at my job for 5 months so to have that kind of recognition is a really big deal for me, especially as I worry so much! I am now a marketing executive (!!) and one step closer to ruling the world...

Dress: Motel, necklace: Accessorize,  flat shoes: Clarks c/o Spartoo
 I love this dress as it is so low maintenance and requires very little embellishment, the gorgeous jewel colour speaks for itself, but this brown stone necklace helped to pick up the colour of the shoes...

I LOVE the waistline detail on this dress!
And what beautiful shoes they are! I think every blogger and their dog has these leopard print loafers but after I unwrapped them, I could definitely see why. They are ridiculously comfy and look way more expensive than the price suggests, especially when you know that they are designed to last. Recently I have found that my feet simply cannot cope with ill-fitting shoes and I'm glad that brands like Clarks are making more fashionable footwear than I remember from school! 

Please ignore my legs, my mosquito bites from holiday still haven't healed, stupid diabetes!
For someone who first wore leopard print just over a year ago, I am amassing quite a collection,  I was always put off by the potential tackiness of leopard print but I guess never say never!

What have you been celebrating recently? Are you a fan of leopard print?

P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo
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A few sneak peeks of the flat...

As you may know, I have recently moved house and started a new job, both of which I am loving! I am still waiting for the internet to be installed so here's some gratuitous house pictures instead of my usual posts...




The view is absolutely gorgeous and I love the fact that we have cows so close!


Living room...

Dining room...


Kitchen...

Mark looking rather ridiculous!

Our lovely Juliet balcony...


The sun setting over that gorgeous view..

Hopefully I should be able to share some proper pictures of the house once the internet is connected, I can't wait to get back to blogging properly!
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I love Inslee sketches...

One of the best things about being a blogger is finding new blogs to read and thanks to Sherin I have a new favourite: Inslee Sketches. This insanely talented illustrator has some gorgeous work and I sat and read her blog back to the beginning as I was absolutely in love with her sketches and illustrations. 

This is what I thought I looked like in my yellow dress! 

Outfit inspiration...

This picture is making me want to go back to Italy!

Another gorgeous brunette is some lovely bright colours!


She sells sea shells...
Inspiration for how to wear my new maxi skirt I think! 

Gorgeous landscapes...
The ever gorgeous Leighton Meester!


I could have featured every single one of her beautiful illustrations but I narrowed it down to a few favourites, I clearly like illustrations of pretty girls in dresses!  I have taken all these images from the Inslee blog which you should really check out!

Do you like fashion illustrations? Have you discovered any new blogs recently?

P.S. I thought that this would be some light relief from my (rather heavy) post on Friday, thank you for all your lovely comments, they really made me think! 
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Narcissism and blogging...

I should warn you now, before you start that this will be a wordy and somewhat confused post as I try and make sense of a question that has been buzzing around my head for weeks: Does blogging make you more narcissistic? I touched on this when I wrote my post asking 'Why do you blog?' but it is something that has been bugging me for a while now...

Surely, the immediate answer would be yes. You take photos of yourself, what you wear, where you go and post them on the internet (only after choosing the best ones of course) where strangers comment how great you look/how fun it was when you did X, Y, Z. Isn't this the height of narcissism? 



nar·cis·sism/ˈnärsəˌsizÉ™m/

Noun:
  1. Excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appearance.
  2. Extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one's own talents and a craving for admiration.


I know that some people will only ever post flattering photos of themselves and to some extent, I am the same. There's a reason why certain posts or outfits don't make it to the blog! I think we all know, once something is out there on the internet, there is no way of deleting  it permanently and who wants to be reminded of when they looked like this? *shudder* 


Yes, I clearly am Superman.
Saying that though, I try and include regular outtakes because, as anyone who knows me in real life will testify, I am clumsy and I do look like an enthusiastic sheep most of the time! The reason why the blog is called Frills 'n' Spills is because it is about the ups and downs of  life and fashion (as trite as that sounds!) those times when you spill something down your favourite top or get it really wrong when styling something. 


I lost the shorts but kept the polo neck...
Since  I started blogging I have been more creative and inspired with how I dress and although I still like the approval of nice comments on an outfit post, if  I like it, I will wear it (see polo-neck) Some people will never get why I blog, or think it is self obsessed but I prefer to think of it as self-confidence rather than narcissism that allows me to try new things and feel good in what I am wearing. The wonderful Bangs wrote a post on confidence vs ego and I really think that sums it up. As long as you aren't bragging in people's faces about your blog then it's fine. This blog is hard work and I don't even do it for a living, I applaud anyone who can do that as it is even more tough. 




Surely, in times where infighting and body hatred  seems to be the norm [MJ's post about the use of 'real women' is fantastic] blogs should be celebrated. I read blogs to be inspired, it might not all be attainable inspiration but my favourite blogs are those who are more than just a pretty face. They give me the inspiration to try leather trousers or orange flares and I keep this blog as an honest record of my life. I include the ups and downs and I plan to look back at it and have a good laugh when I am older.  I have made many friends through blogging and they have been there for the good times and the bad and I can't really ask for much more than that!


Yes, I just used a literal picture of me walking along a path. So sue me. 
I used to be scared of everything and everyone and I always felt like I wasn't good enough. Now I know that that just isn't true. I am more than good enough in all parts of my life and although things may not always go to plan, I am getting there and this blog will document my journey...


Do you think blogging is narcissistic? Why do you blog? 
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THAT Heidi dress...

Super flattering cut? Check. Swooshy skirt? Check. Gorgeous jewel colour? Check. It was inevitable that I was going to buy this dress as soon as I saw it come into the infamous Motel sale. I first wore it on New Years Day as it was comfy yet still looked like I had made an effort and I pulled it out for seeing the other of my best friends for lunch today. I love it when you find something in the sale that becomes a go-to item... talk about smug! 

Coat: Dannimac, dress: Heidi dress by Motel, faux fur stole: H&M, tights: Boots, shoes: Office
 I love the contrast of a neutral like camel with the zingy jewel colour of the dress and I think it really helped to emphasise the colour on an otherwise dull day... I love how Harriet styled this dress too, the colour of the tights really adds an extra dimension to the dress.

Faux fur to wrap up against the chill! I know every blogger and their dog has this stole but it feels so luxe and really helps to add a touch of glamour to an outfit...

I think the shape of this dress is super flattering on my figure and it is nice to have something that is comfortable, too. I love the fact that Motel have the same shape dress in different prints and colours, it makes choosing a dress much easier as you know that a particular style will suit you!
  

I love the little block heel on these shoes, I am all for anything that makes my legs look longer without being uncomfortable...


As Mark was snapping away to get these pictures, a little old man asked if we wanted a picture together which actually turned out quite well :) 

 Do you have any Motel dresses? What is your go to outfit?
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Renaissance...

As you may have noticed,things have been a-changing around here recently. The lovely Ashleigh did me a fab new blog design (you could win a redesign for your blog here!) and helped to make it look much sleeker and I love the new duck egg blue background. I got the biggest surprise the other day though when Mark surprised me with this gorgeous illustration from Sarah. I have always loved her drawings and this was the best email to open in the morning! I am super pleased with how the revamp worked out and I can't wait to see what this year brings blogwise, it feels like my little blog has been reborn and I am massively inspired at the moment!

What are your blogging hopes for this year? Do you like the revamp?
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Food, glorious food...

The Cosy Club in Bath wins the award for the most eclectic mix of decor I have ever seen...
Fringed lampshades...
Antler chandeliers...


Old portraits... 
Monogrammed napkins...

  



Checking out Chiquitos...


  
Why did the Mexican push his wife off a cliff?


Sombreros a go-go!
Margarita sorbet...
CHURROS!
My first ever praline mocha... I know Claire and Jazmine are very proud! ;) 
Starting the year as I mean to go on, good food, fab company and plenty of coffee... The Cosy Club in Bath, Chiquitos, Starbucks and Caffe Nero played host for ringing in 2012. For me, January is not about slimming down or starting a diet but making exciting plans to fill up your diary. I plan on meeting up with many more amazing bloggers and spending time with old friends...

What are your plans for the new year? Have you eaten anywhere new recently?
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