Clutch Control

Hey fellow fashion lovers, holy smoke it's freeeeezing now isn't it, shock to the system from our Indian summer/mild autumn days to foggy, frosty mornings...

I took slightly drastic action to the locks last night and chopped myself in a fringe, Bangs if you like, Jeeze I hate that word ha! A quick Google of DIY fringes and voila.......

I'm one day in and it's already driving me mad as I'm so used to having my hair pulled off my face, in a crazy messy top knot normally! Time will tell if it stays or not.....

However, back to the clutches...

Over the last year I've accumulated a bit of a collection of Whistles clutches....

I do love a clutch for a night out but a huge trend right now is the across the body bag.....All the above clutches are actually sold as make-up bags and retail around £35, the slightly bigger bags that come with a chain are more than double that....

So...a cheap and easy way to transform your 'make up bag' into a trendy bag is to purchase a handbag chain with clips either end (ebay: around £4) and clip I've end onto the zip and the other pushed into the gap on the other side, hey presto......

Thanks for reading, have a fab week 💜

Totes Trainers

Have always loved dressing outfits down with trainers and it's always kinda been on trend but this year it's really taken off..

My staple sneakers have been white Converse but seeing my children running around in them for the last few years I think this lady's for turning....

My recent choice is the Nike Free Run 5. Keeping it simple with black, although navy or grey would also work. A great look with leather trousers or skinny jeans, using a bright handbag/clutch as your pop of colour. Not a huge fan of teaming trainers with skirts/dresses but this is a huge trend at the moment.

Adidas Sam Smiths have made a big comeback this year with Isabel Marant using them in her Winter '14 collection..

Havea great week folks, thanks for reading 💜

Laid-back Luxe

This season's sharpest trend, relaxed tailoring, sees a feminine take on masculine designs. 

 

Dressing down smarter outfits by replacing heels with trainers or brogues is bang on trend for autumn/winter 14. 

 

Trousers: Zara

Camisole: Zara

Jacket: Whistles

My favourite find recently has been these boots from Office....a definate nod to the uber cool Chloe Suzanna boots but at a fraction of the price....

 

Have a great week lovelies 💜

Camel Classic

This is a lovely double-breasted coat from River Island. Comes up quite big, a size 8 is still quite roomy, although probably a plus really as a jumper can fit nicely underneath without feeling too restrictive. It's got fab deep pockets, always handy for that essential handkerchief or to keep the Vogue Menthols and lighter to hand, erm, not really, ahem... It's super cosy, I wore it into London the other day with just a camisole vest and leather trousers under for a shopping trip and must say I carried it most of the time as i was rather toasty! 

At £110 it's not cheap but it's a classic and versatile. Can be worn draped over the shoulders for a dressier look or with sleeves pushed up for a more casual style. Teamed with trainers or pumps it's a great daytime look 💜

 

Jeans: Next

Shoes: Boden 

Marvellous Midi 💜

Hey fellow fashion lovers. Hope you're enjoying the bright chilly autumnal weather, it's my favourite time of year, love getting wrapped up, something really chic about a gorgeous scarf wrapped around the neck and sunglasses donned! My 3yr olds are truly confused by the dark bedtimes and just as dark wake-ups, doesn't take much mind bless them 💕

So I've been snooping on the Next website recently....dangerously deceptive with their 'buy now pay later' account and the 24hr delivery service, sometimes you just NEED that dreamy item on your doorstep ASAP! Came across this gorgeous faux leather midi skirt in oxblood (also comes in blk) a snip at £38. It's buttery soft and hangs beautifully, almost fish-tail like. Love to team oxblood with a pop of colour, orange works really well as does bright pink, even if it's just in the form of a skinny belt or clutch, brightening up an autumn/winter outfit. 

Thanks for reading, would love to hear your thoughts/ideas too! 

Have a great week 💜

 

Sandals: Next

Zara cosies

❤️ a chunky, oversized knit for autumn. A great alternative to a coat and if layered up can be just as warm albeit not waterproof ☔️! If you're lucky enough to have luscious long locks then it's a fab look to leave hair tucked in then pulled up slightly, effortless chic. I, on the other hand, pile my hair into a messy top knot which also works great. For a contrast of textures team with leather trousers/leggings and bright nails/lips for a pop of colour.....

Culottes: Zara 

Thigh high boots: Next 

Shoes: Office

Heel Heaven 💜

So it's my birthday coming up and have passed up these beauties as yet another 'early birthday present!' My lovely husband has given up on my obsessive on-line buying...

Love these shoes so much I figured they warrant a post all of their own.... They're £65 from Office and come in a glossy black finish or snake effect but I much prefer the former, gives them a sassy, sexy edge. The heel is 11cm so very high but totally walkable and actually rather comfortable! So versatile can be worn with midi skirts, dresses, leather trousers, tailored trousers or my favourite dark blue skinny jeans for a mid-week night out with girlfriends.....

Goodbye summer '14

Thinking summer had gone mid-August it returned in spectacular fashion to the point of still being in shorts  (Zara) in October! 

I do however believe it has now gone and I'm quite looking forward to getting cosied up in a mix and match of different textures this a/w. I spent most of last autumn in faux fur gilets and I'm most definitely bringing 'em back out this year. On colder days I pop a leather biker under which gives a fab contrast of textures. 

Teaming with leather legs and Converse keeps it dressed down and easy daywear. 

Blk gilet: Miss.Selfridge 

Pink gilet: Zara 

Stripe top:Zara 

So after a summer of brogues, Birkenstocks and blazers I'm looking forward to an Autumn of relaxed tailoring, leather midi-skirts and long boots......💜

Knit wit

This Zara knitted coat/cardigan is another perfect autumn outerwear piece. Beautiful mint colour which works perfectly with black leather trousers/leggings or dark denim skinny jeans. In the winter could be layered with a black biker to keep super cosy 💜

It's a wrap

Spotted this gorgeous scarf/cape on the Zara website whilst I was supposed to be looking for hat/scarf for the twins....oops

It's perfect for the autumnal weather when it's too mild for a coat and too chilly to wear nothing. Can be worn several ways, as a regular scarf wrapped around the neck (it's huge so gives a real luxurious, cosy look), draped over the shoulders or as a cape. It's super warm but light enough to take off and chuck through the handles of your handbag if need be. Beautiful colours which injects a boost of colour for a black obsessive like me....and it doesn't moult which is a huge bonus! I just adore this, it's practical, chic and bang on trend....

London Fashion Week.....

If the budget doesn't allow for the above....Zara's version is a snip at £25!

Leather : Pleather

I've been a slave to leather leggings for probably the last 5 years! Brilliant alternative to skinny jeans for a night out, with heels or smart/casual with pumps for daytime. I think leather works best teamed with a softer fabric, linen T, cashmere sweater or cool cotton shirt. As far as trousers/leggings go I'm a pleather gal. There's a massive difference in price obviously but my main reason for advocating pleather on the legs is finding that genuine leather trousers sag at the knees and derrière after a few wears and therefore requires specialist dry cleaning to perk them up which is really pricey and not always successful (having had a dry cleaning disaster with my one and only pair of leather trousers...) Pleather wins hands down, they can be popped in the wash and spring back to life beautifully fresh for their next outing! 

Biker trousers: Zara

Leggings: Asos

Blazer: Next

Leather jackets on the other hand I feel need to be the real deal! You don't get the snug fit and natural vintage crinkle with pleather as it tends to be more shiny, flat and stiff. Depends on the style of jacket you want but if like me your favourite is biker then invest in the genuine stuff, it'll last you a lifetime (that's what I tell the husband anyway...!) 💜

Jacket: Whistles

Sunglasses: Rayban 

Marks and Sparks ✨

I've always been a massive fan of Marks and Spencer's for their food but have never really rated their clothing range (erm, apart from my smalls) until now.....

Discovered these gorgeous Chelsea boots on-line as I was browsing for my sons' birthday cake! Glossy finish, stylish, comfortable boot perfect for the autumn 💜

Chelsea boots: Marks and Spencer (also  

                         available in blk)

Jeans: Topshop (self-ripped)

Cami: Zara

Bag: Mulberry (Mitzy)