A chat about Blogging these days and an outfit i just really liked

I wasn't planning on posting these images as a blog post, they were merely taken for an insta pic, which i try to do daily.
I didn't deem them good enough for the blog, the lighting is dark, the poses are all a bit samey and it just didn't seem like the type of photo i would publish here.
But then i got to thinking. I really like this outfit so why not.

Here's the thing: There's something quick and easy and an element of instant gratification with instagram, likes come within moments, comments are easy to give and reply and then we all move on to the next photo. The easy access on our phone means we can pick it up and put it down, whether that be a quick moment on the toilet (yup guilty) or a waiting for the bus, its easy. And in a world where we are all a million miles an hour we often convenience is key.

Six and half years ago when i first started blogging i would blog an outfit 3 times a week, hardly ever missing an outfit day.
But with time i have posted less outfits here, content has changed and i have sometimes stepped back a bit choosing to micro-blog on Instagram over sharing here at the blog.
There's been talk on the social channels at the moment that perhaps blogs are slowing down and dying a little. But i don't think that's the case entirely. I think there will always be room for blogs as there is still for newspapers, magazines, books and informative websites.

I guess the daily chat on Instagram appeals to me, its easy to quickly explain about your boiler breaking (yup that was me) or that you fell over on some leaves (also me), but by the time i sit down to write a blog the moment has mostly passed and i've probably forgotten it as life just moves on so quickly.

So what am i trying to say here?
Um i'm not really sure. I'm not quitting blogging that's for sure, but just perhaps i'm going to make a conscious effort to show more outfits, whether the photos are perfect or not and maybe try a little harder for some banter and chat, as that is what brought me to blogging in the first place.

On to the outfit!
This dress is such a simple piece but i've worn it twice in the past 5 days. It's comfy, it has pockets and makes me feel nice when i wear it.
It was a bargainous £20.00 from H&M and comes in a number of colour ways i'm tempted to get it in the red and black as well as this green as its just so easy to wear.. and did i mention it has pockets?

I teamed it with my super old biker boots, my trusty biker jacket and my new Baker Boy hat, which is a trend i am sure pleased to see has returned. I love a hat (obvs) but the baker boy is possibly my favourite type of hat. Its easy on the old nonce and it keeps your face dry and hair out of the way when we have inclement weather (which is often shall we say).
The Baker Boy hat is £15 from Topshop and is generous (good for my large head), im super tempted to get it in the rust red colour as i really love it that much!

Simple outfit, but super happy. I love that i feel tidy in this but also comfy to sit at my desk all day, or even get the hoover out. Its an all rounder of a dress that i can see me wanting to reach for time and time again. I like the idea of wearing it layered with some faux leather trousers and a turtle neck underneath. But if i'm honest, i really just like it just like this :)

So tell me ladies, how do you feel about blogging these days? Do you still  love to read them/ write them or are you leaning more to social media such as Instagram?

Much Love

Bright Red Jumpsuit & A Hit of Gingham (& #Passion4Fashion)

 You know when you see an item and you just think "Yes! That item has my name written all over it!" Well that totally happened with this jumpsuit and i picked it up then put it back down.
Of course i couldn't stop thinking about it then and so when the weather forecast wasn't great for an event i had planned on wearing a summer dress to, well i decided to go back and buy it.
Lady luck was on my side as there was a very depleted rack of jumpsuits and just one size 10 left.
For a £22.99 jumpsuit the fabric falls beautifully, skimming and not clinging and doesn't crease too easily.
The colour is definitely siren red and i would say you won't exactly blend in to the crowd in it, but hey, you only live once eh? Why not be loud and proud is my motto.
I like that you could really dress this up with some heels and a statement necklace or like here, dressed down but smart with some little gingham sandals.
I love how the pattern breaks up the mass of red and adds a quirky bit of interest to the outfit.
I wore this last week to a fantastic meet up in Bristol where i was asked to give a small talk about my blogging career.
It was a huge privilege and i enjoyed every second of it and i would say red is most definitely a confidence booster. I felt comfy and great in this jumpsuit.
This will also work incredibly well come Christmas (sorry.. yes i did just go there), pair with some gold accessories, a fancy clutch and a black high heels and you are looking very merry and bright indeed.
For now i'm looking forward to wearing it again this summer with some tan sandals, a cream cardigan and a tan cross-body bag to make it more casual again.
But yes, needless to say I absolutely love it and i'm happy to have it in my arsenal of clothes and highly recommend this little red number to anyone after a versatile yet bold piece.

Jumpsuit Options

{The first Warehouse one is my favourite!}

Outfit Details:

Jumpsuit or this

Gingham Sandals or here

DKNY bag

An InLinkz Link-up

Khaki Jumpsuits: Worth the purchase

 I first delved in to the jumpsuit trend about 2 years ago, and  its been an on/off relationship since. I think the key is in finding a great jumpsuit is:
a. Comfy
b. Fits well
c. Doesn't ride up (constant wedgie inducing)
d. a great colour that will remix well

So i have dabbled with a few over the past couple of years, and finally i have found one that i absolutely adore and ticks all of the above boxes for me.
Meet my new khaki jumpsuit!
Khaki Utility Jumpsuit from Tu at Sainsbury's

I think, as i mentioned last week, the jumpsuit is perfect in-between weather attire. We are still not blessed with sunshine in the UK, so the jumpsuit allows a spring feeling, but still covered and not freezing.

Outfit details:
Jumpsuit
Mules: Options: Oasis Mules or Gap Mules,
Leopard clutch
Red Tassel earrings


I've scoured tinternet for some similar and great looking khaki jumpsuit options for you and these are all looking pretty great!

First up, along the same vein as mine above, the utility style

La Redoute

Mango

Some cropped leg options next

 Topshop

Gap (love this one!)

Sleeves or not sleeves

Oxygen

Warehouse

And a little more structured

River Island

Winser

So there we have the very handy khaki jumpsuit, what d'you think? Worth a purchase?

Bardot Top & Coral Jeans (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Sometimes i find an outfit or a piece that i put on and it instantly feels fun. In a world that's gone to pot quite frankly, its nice to feel a little fun now and again, and taking it from the simple pleasures in life, like this outfit, is no bad thing in my books.

This fun, flirty and fluted bardot top is from Bows Boutiques and i absolutely adore it on. The soft fabric makes it light and airy, but the cut and fit made me feel fabulous. The swing of the sleeves the, cut across the shoulders and the draping to the front quickly made this my new favourite top to wear. And yes it does ping off the shoulders sometimes, but not horrendously so, you'll be pleased to know. It was actually far more comfy to wear than i thought it would be, with its thick sturdy elasticated top it made the fabric sit nicely across the shoulders.

For a cool spring day I paired it with these coral jeans that i have had for an actual age, but still love them. I went through a coloured jeans thing a few years ago, collecting them in as many colours as i could get my grubby little mitts on, but then i grew out of that fickle phase and passed all of the jeans, bar these, on to charity.
These i take out year on year and still really love to wear. They aren't really my usual colour scheme, i'm more of  a red than a coral kind of girl, but there's something endearing about them that just makes me keep them and keep reaching for them.

The simple 3 piece outfit (4 if you count the clutch bag) was finished with my creamy-nude wedges, the neutral shoe of choice that will simply work hard for you all summer long. They're almond toe and wedge heel make them really comfy and i absolutely love the weaved detailing on the heel.
Royal Fashionista Princess Kate has a very similar pair that she seems to wear very often, and i can totally see why, they just go so, so well with just about everything! Demure and classy. Me likey!

Shoes: Lotus Shoes
Jeans: Great Plains about 2 years ago: These are great or Try these
Bardot Top: thanks to Bows Boutiques
Gold Clutch: Marc Jacobs but super old

An InLinkz Link-up

Autumn capsule inspiration: Colour Board

When I start to look at my next seasonal wardrobe I always start with a colour scheme. Usually this will be one or two particular colours and then it will be what blends and works well with those colours.

These are the filler pieces that will fit around my great key items and basics, and add that fantastic flourish.

This season for me I think will be about Blush and Bordeaux, or pink and burgundy if you prefer.
These two colours are fantastic with each other as well as navy, black cream and khaki.

The first thing that gave me inspiration was actually this beauty: the style, the colours and the detail all made me swoon. Esprit seem to have some rather wonderful pieces that fit nicely with my whole seasonal colour palette

It was then that I looked back through my summer capsule and realised I'd really quite like to continue down the bohemian style road i've been walking of late. It's easy, it's relaxed and really suits my way of life.

There's no point filling my capsule with trousers and office attire when i sit at home infront of my laptop most days.
Making it work for you is absolutely key

Undoubtedly the capsule will still hold some standard stripes and blue jeans as these are inevitable go-to's of mine, and a sort of mum-uniform quite often. But for the days when I want to be styled, I'm thinking of the above pieces.

Shall we take a closer look?

Find these Here & Here

The Blush sweater was another major pull for me on the colour scheme, paired with an ever present (in the winter that is) khaki parker. Casual yet put together. 

Flares and Tee

The flares are back big time for me. I love how flattering they are on us ladies curves! Have you tried any flares? I highly recommend. The tee falls beautifully in to my colour scheme also, and a bargain. Shall make a great layering piece too.

Boots & Corduroy Skirt

For me a pair of mid-low heeled ankle boots are absolutely imperative. I live in them. I like a pair i can shop, school run and look smart in. These from New Look really look the part.

The corduroy skirt is for me a casual take o the black faux leather a-line skirt.. now this could be just me, but sometimes in my small little town in the sticks, wearing a faux leather skirt in the light of day looks a tad over dressed. Never one to be terribly deterred by standing out at such, but also choosing to be comfortable is important to me. This a-line skirt I think fits perfectly in to my day-wear category without being to out there for the small town folk that see me tottering about, doing my shopping.

People Tree Dress

Esprit Dress

Add in a couple of eye catching yet, re-mixable dresses and you've got the basis of a great capsule working out for you.

I love the simplicity of both these pieces and how the will work with a Parker or a biker jacket, which makes them perfect capsule dresses.

With my colour scheme down, I just have a few key pieces to tie down and I will be bringing the key pieces instalment to the blog very soon.

So, colour scheme.. what do you think?

If you were to pick yours what would it be?