Is this the jazziest jumper in the world?

I have had the most awful cold recently and this is one of those outfits that I can throw on to keep me cosy and also to stop me from feeling quite so miserable. Bright colours are guaranteed mood lifters and this stripey jumper is ridiculously cheerful. I bought it from one of Tewkesbury's many charity shops and it has been the perfect way to make me feel better. 

Jumper: Canda via charity shop, top: Dorothy Perkins, jeans: Topshop, shoes: Matalan
I picked up this Dainty Doll blusher (shade 004 FYI) in my massive haul a while ago and it is a lovely  corally colour which is shot through with a slight gold shimmer. It gives a gorgeous glow to your skin and just makes you look more awake, never a bad thing in my opinion! The fact that it matches my Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain (in Rendezvous) is a bonus. I love coral and peach shades and they are perfect for springtime too...


Paired with my classic high-waisted skinny jeans from Topshop and these gold block heeled shoes, I had a pretty jazzy outfit that was smart enough for work but also ridiculously comfy...


What do you wear when you are feeling poorly? How do you brighten up your make up?

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Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell: the top...

You already know how much I love the Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell collaboration and this top may be my favourite out of all of the pieces that I bought. As with all tees from Uniqlo, it is really soft cotton and long enough that it covers the waistband of my jeans and skirts. I hate it when you have to keep pulling t-shirts down. Paired with my pastel cashmere jumper and a slick of peachy lipstick, it felt very spring-like (even if the weather wasn't playing ball!)  

Jumper: Marks & Spencer via charity shop, top: Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell, jeans: Topshop,  shoes:  Marks & Spencer, necklace: Miss Selfridge
 This lipstick is another Max Factor special and despite being called Pink Brandy, it is a gorgeous peachy colour. It brightens up your face nicely but is perfect if you like a more subtle finish. 


I have had these shoes for years and years now and they are super comfortable but they're are looking more than a little worn now! They have always been my go to shoes for when I need some leg-lengthening but I think these will have to go to the great shoe-box in the sky soon *sob* and I will have to look for some replacements. Any ideas?


Do you own a pair of shoes that you keep coming back to? Any ideas where I can get a new pair?



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Tangerine dreams...

Nobody tell Pantone but I think I may be a year behind schedule. Tangerine is definitely the colour of the year for me, not emerald! ;) I picked up this M&S jumper for a few pounds in a local charity shop after I fell in love with the tangerine shade. I love bright colours when it is grey outside!

Dress: Tu via charity shop, jumper: Marks & Spencer via charity shop, tights: Primark,  shoes: Betty London flats
This dress has been getting a lot of wear over the last couple of months and as the weather seems to just be getting colder, I have switched my sheer shirts for cosy jumpers. The combination of brown and orange feels very 1970s to me but this orange lipstain helps to make it feel more modern.  It also helped me look more awake too, never an easy task at 6.00 am!


I should have probably worn some heeled shoes with this outfit (hello stumpy legs!) but I really love these shoes. The leather is so soft and the arch support makes them so comfy, I want a pair in every colour! (I think the blue pair may be next on my list...)


What's your colour this year?
P.S. This post was done in collaboration with Spartoo
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The return of boho chic?

It's awful but as soon as it gets cold, all creativity goes out of the window as I bundle up in more and more layers. Pretty prints and coloured jeans helps to make it look like I have put some effort into this outfit but don't be fooled, this as comfy as it gets. I love the combination of camel and burgundy together and it is a nice way to slowly introduce some colour in for spring...

Coat: Dannimac via my mum, top: George at ASDA, camisole: Primark, jeans: Miss Selfridge, shoes:  Betty London  c/o Spartoo, bag: Radley London
I picked this top up for a few pounds in ASDA when I was doing my shopping and I thought it was gorgeous. I love how sheer it is and the shape feels very 'boho chic', I can't wait to wear it with my denim shorts this summer! I wasn't sure if the shape worked on me but I figure with some fitted trousers, you can get away with wearing something more oversized right?


The colour of the flowers are lovely and I know that this top will get a lot of wear as the weather warms up, I reckon they would match this skirt or these trousers perfectly! I have been wearing my hair like this a lot recently, I never used to be able to pull it off when my hair was shorter but it is the perfect way to keep my hair out of my eyes. 


I have been wearing these jeans a lot recently and paired with these shoes from Spartoo, it is the perfect colour combination!


How do you jazz up your comfy outfits? What colour combinations are you wearing for Spring? (if it ever turns up!)

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Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell: the shorts...

When I heard that Uniqlo were doing a collaboration with Celia Birtwell, I was very excited, I love Uniqlo's collaborations and I was pleased to add some of Celia's signature prints to my wardrobe. I originally planned to wear these shorts on holiday this summer but I thought that they would also work layered up with some chunky tights too. I'm never sure whether I pull off pattern mixing successfully but I figure you can't go wrong with a striped tee, right?! 

Top: Oasis, shorts: Uniqlo x Celia Birtwell, tights: Tesco, shoes: NW3 by Hobbs, necklace: New Look, bag: NW3 by Hobbs
As it is still pretty cold, I pulled out my oversized grey blazer  and my thick grey tights, to add some warmth and also to tone down the patterns. I don't think Tewkesbury is ready for this just yet...


This bag matched the red of the pattern perfectly and I think it adds a sense of fun too. It's impossible to be grumpy with such a shiny bag! Apologies for my face in this photo, it was pretty darn cold (I think you can see the goosebumps!) but I wanted to give a better idea of what the indoor version of the outfit looked like. I have been wearing my hair swept to the side quite a lot recently, I love the fact that it is now long enough for a proper ponytail!



A close up of the shoes, I actually managed to elegantly glide totter along in these for a whole morning, result! 



Have you picked up anything from the Celia Birtwell collection yet? How would you style these shorts?
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Orla Kiely inspired workwear...

I am a massive Orla Kiely fan and I fell in love with her A/W 2013 collection as soon as I saw the pictures from the show.  The weather has been freezing recently and even I, Maria "human radiator" Fallon, have needed to bundle up against the cold. This outfit was my attempt at being an Orla Kiely girl and I quite like how it turned out in the end. It's definitely not fancy but it felt slightly more pulled together than pyjamas!

Jumper: Gap, stolen from Mark, shirt: New Look, skirt: Vero Moda via ASOS, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office. 
I stole this jumper off Mark as the colour matched perfectly with the pattern on my skirt - dontcha just love it when that happens?! ;) I did feel slightly like a schoolgirl when I wore this but I think combining a jumper and checked mini-skirt will have that effect! Someone at work said that I looked like I belonged in the Mad Men office which made me feel a lot happier, I love the clothes in that show!


I don't tend to layer collared shirts or blouses very often but I love the results when I do, maybe I need to be more of a blogger cliché?! I am currently waiting for a hairdressers appointment and my hair is getting a little bit wild at the moment. Brushing it out into soft waves seems to be the only way to keep it under control!


Where do you find office-wear inspiration? How have you been staying warm at work?
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Medieval mazes and mini dresses...

One of the best things about going on holiday with other bloggers is the almost unlimited supply of outfit photographers (watch out, Mark!) My roomie Gemma was kind enough to take some photos for me when I got back from Chatsworth and I love how they turned out. It's always fun to play dress up and with a location as gorgeous as this, how could they not look great?!

Dress: ASOS, belt: Primark, tights: Tesco, shoes: Office, bag: gift from Alex
This medieval knot garden and maze provided the backdrop for the photos. I just wish I had such a beautiful location for all of my outfit posts!


Alex kindly bought us all gifts and was lucky enough to get this absolutely beautiful bag. It reminds me of a fan or an ice-cream wafer and I know it will get a lot of wear once the weather warms up (wouldn't it look amazing with this outfit?!) Thank you again Alex! ♥


 Outtake of the day: me nearly falling off the wall, elegant as ever ;) At least you can see the oversized sleeves on this dress a bit better here! I love the sleeves but at the wrong angle, they can make me look a little bulky...


Who takes your outfit photos? What would be your perfect location?

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Bloggers go to Chatsworth... (PICTURE HEAVY)

You know me, I love a good stately home and as Chatsworth was fairly close to Norbury Manor,  Bex, Lucy,  Sophie and I decided to pay a visit. I took over 500 photos but the house was quite dark inside so only a few hundred came out... It was ridiculously expensive to get in, but we spent a good four hours wandering around! 


 













 



 





♥ The side view of the house, the windows had just been re-gilted so they were very gold and shiny. I have to say, my flat now looks rather drab in comparison...
♥ Every surface was covered in some kind of decoration and this was the beautiful ceiling in the hallway.
♥ Only carved marble bannisters will do...
♥ I loved the colours in this carpet, they looked even brighter in the room! 
♥ The 'Green Satin Room' unsurprisingly had walls covered in green satin, much classier than wallpaper! 
♥ This was such a beautiful domed ceiling which had windows above it, as you can see there was a lot of art on the walls!
♥ BATH IN THE CUPBOARD KLAXON- is this the world's smallest en-suite?!
♥ This was a gorgeous collection of silver miniatures which included teeny tiny scissors, spoons and even a miniature candelabra, it looked like the supplies for a doll's palace!
♥ Just one of the (many) richly decorated bedrooms...
♥ The library was absolutely amazing, I literally steamed up my camera when I saw it due to my excitement. The fact that it had a hidden staircase just made it even more exciting, haha!
♥ I mean who wouldn't love shelves and shelves of beautiful old books?!
♥ I really love chandeliers and Chatsworth had so many beautiful ones, I just wish I had high enough ceilings to have one here at the flat. I love me a good light fitting...
♥ Playing around with the focus on my camera...
♥ Another beautiful light fitting...
♥ Another mini chandelier (told you I liked light fittings!)
♥ Chatsworth has an amazing art collection and there is currently an exhibition of William Turner's work in the house and gardens. I loved this painting, the colours were really vibrant. I also loved the Trompe L'Oeil violin too, it was so realistic! 
♥  Sculptures are one of my favourite forms of art and this sleeping lion was beautifully carved, I would have snuck him out in my pocket if only he didn't weigh about 6 tonnes!
♥ This 'veiled lady' was exquisitely carved but super creepy. Yes that is a heart she is holding in her hands...
♥  Super cool purple chairs at one of the restaurants
♥  I loved these massive canvases, each one showed slightly differently aspects of Chatsworth with brightly coloured backgrounds.
Cultivated clematis flowers in the expansive grounds
Typical fashion blogger poser- many thanks to my lungy photographer Bex!
Outtake of the day: me nearly falling into the water feature. My balance has always been atrocious!

Have you ever been to Chatsworth? Do you like visiting stately homes?
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