Spots and Dots and the Beauty of Autumn

I apologise now for how many photos i used in this post, but when autumn is in full swing and the light is golden and the leaves are making a beautiful rust carpet, well i just couldn't resist.
Soon it will turn to sludge and the trees will be completely bare and barren. But for now i'm lapping up every second of this glorious season.

I've been on a mission to add more tops, that aren't stripes, in to my wardrobe.  Pieces that are a bit more interesting and instantly bring a bit of jazz to plain old jeans. I'm pretty sure i filled my quota with this outfit.. more details below

Spotty Blouse

Whilst virtually meandering around the White Stuff site i quickly saw how many fantastic tops, tee's and tunics they do.

This Collarless Blyth top really caught my eye for a few reasons. I loved that it wasn't striped for a starters (as much as love me some stripes i really don't need any more!) and the sporadic dotty print was different and pretty.

The neutral background and the colours chosen for the dots makes this top really easy to remix with lots of other colours, and therefore a big thumbs up from me. I do love a remixable item. I think this would look great tucked in to a denim a line skirt or a little faux leather black skirt and thick tights and boots and finsihed with a big chunky burgundy cardigan.. lush.

The relaxed vibe was also another pull for me. I like that it can be worn tucked in as a front tuck at the waist or worn loose and flowing (needless to say food babies can be well hid underneath making this even more of a winner in my food loving heart!)

I had mulitple comments that day when i went out for lunch wearing it. Its eye catching and just a really great top (sizes are selling out fast so snap one up if you are keen)

Coat

I nearly sold this coat two weeks ago. I just wasn't reaching for it as much as my other beloved coats.

You know me, i'm more of a primary colours and bolds type of gal, so this blush/salmon pink was a bit out of my comfort zone, and yet i did really like it (i paid £79 for it earlier this year and i know i loved it when i bought it). When the White Stuff top arrived i pulled the coat out and they just worked really well together and suddenly i was super glad i hadn't sold it on 😀

I'm still trying to find other ways to wear it, but for now its staying in my coat armoury.

Boots

The boots were the second thing i received from White Stuff. Did you know they did fabulous footwear?? (I didn't!)

If you're in the market for a great all rounder boot, you know the type that goes with everything day to day and are comfortable too, then these are the boots for you.

I trotted around in the Burgundy Sky Block heel boots  from 8 am last Friday, and it was a day with plenty of trotting too. I walked to lunch around Penarth town and then back again, also the school run and to the bank and shops. So yes. Lots of walking (I'm talking well over 10,000 steps on the old fitbit) and all in these boots.

Comfy and stylish, good heeled boots are always worth every penny in my books and these will definitely be my go to over the next few months. Plus the colour is excellent for going with any colour you're wearing,

 Finishing Touches

I finished the look by going the navy route with indigo skinny jeans, my navy baker boy hat and navy Laura Ashley bag (which is currently on sale for a tiny price of £28!.. i got asked last week if it was a Mulberry as apparently it looks just like the new range!) 

And finally a gorgeous simple gold necklace from Stacks And Stones. This is the mini lightning bolts  and its a perfect fitting necklace that sits at the base of the neck. I've had so many compliments on this, ideal for a stocking filler as they come with lovely packaging too (and shes a bad ass mum boss too!)

Have you bought any funky tops lately?

Autumn Essentials

I love autumn. 

Yep I am that clichéd blogger (don't we all just seem to love autumn/fall? Yay team bloggers!). 

But I honestly do, I love layers, knitwear, chunky boots, cold clear mornings and watching the countryside change colour, dark nights with mugs of hot drinks and cosy rich stews.

So without coming across all Maria and the Von Trap children, these are a few of my favourite things.. 

The Autumn Edition

1. Beautiful thick cosy socks. 

As soon as the warmer spring months roll around I pretty much go without socks, so for about 6 months of the year, I am indeed sock-less. So when the colder months come, there is nothing lovelier than donning a pair of thick knit, cosy, soft socks.

I recently added these BEAUTIFUL Free People socks on to my Shopbop order that I was placing, and I can not for my toes to bask in their snuggliness. They are honestly, the nicest socks I think I've ever purchased.

2.Candles. 

I actually use candles all year round.. But my absolute favourite scents come back on the scene in autumn. The berries, the cinnamon and the spiced apple are my idea of scented heaven (like this cheap and cheerful one). I have them all over the house so the scent permeates throughout. There's just something so satisfying, so relaxing about a dark room with candles flickering, it's one of my favourite ways to un-wind.

3. Lip scrubs. 

Because I am out walking quite a bit, I inevitably end up with chapped lips through autumn and winter due to cold temperatures and whipping winds. One of the only things that assists me with this is a great lip scrub. I've been using the Blissworld   Fabulips Sugar Lip scrub and it is heavenly. It exfoliates without being abrasive and allows lipstick application to go on smoothly, which with the deep berry tones that come with autumn, its essential to get it right.

Which leads me nicely on to..

4. Lipbalms.

Something I couldn't be without all year round, but i always make sure I have extra at hand during the colder months. I'm currently using the Pacifica Vegan tinted lipbalm  for that hint of colour as well as conditioning. 

5. Tea

I am an avid coffee drinker, either with soya milk or black.. I love it. But I can't drink it past 6pm or I'm wired and laying awake till stupid  o'clock and sleep just won't come. So I am trying some new tea's.. My friend recently recommended these Twinnings Cherry Bakewell flavour green teas, so these i shall try.

6. Foundation

Through summer I use a tinted moisturiser, but come winter my skin always needs that little bit of extra help and I inevitably up the coverage. I've recently picked up this Barry M Matt foundation and I really like it. It has just a small price tag of £5.99 but the coverage is great and the colour suits my skin perfectly. It sinks in to the skin really well and blends with a beauty blender wonderfully. For such a cheap foundation I really can't fault it!

7. Hand Cream

I'm acutely aware that I am getting proper old lady hands. I'm so clumsy and always cooking and doing dishes and so my hands take a bit of a beating. I'm forcing myself to make a new habit this season and start moisturising regularly. Sounds silly, but I think it would really help these well worn fingers out if i gave a little bit back to them. I'm using a lot of the Marks & Spencers own ranges as they are cruelty free and often vegan/vegetarian!

8. Burgundy Nails

Oh yes.. Berry, burgundy, wine... these are all the colours I want on my nails right now and for the foreseeable. I steer clear of them during Summer months and then thoroughly look forward to wearing them again. I'm looking at the Barry M in Chilli as my first of the season

What are your Autumn essentials.. pres tell, is there anything i should add on this season?