Autumnal Florals ( & #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Oh Autumn, you are magnificent. The palette of dreams and the feeling of change in the air is something i will never grow tired of and is the reason why Autumn is my favourite season. The fact that the fashion for autumn is always magnificent may also have something to do with it too, as i am a girl who lives for beautiful boots, gorgeous chunky knitwear and captivating coats.

I've teamed up with Great Plains this week and chosen my favourite items for autumn.

Florals for Autumn

I think I am a girl who actually prefers a dark floral palette than summery toned florals. For me they are intrinsically more wearable, a little less pretty-pretty and more approachable and re-mixable.

This gorgeous floral print ruffle skirt is autumn personified. The dark colours contrast beautifully with the frilly cut of the skirt making this such a wonderful item to dress up or down and has the girly cut mixed perfectly with the navy and copper print. Because there are a number of colours in this skirt, all based on a neutral background of navy, it means there are many different remixing options to be worn with it.

I love the idea of mixing in some greys or creams for the top half or also adding in some burgundy, whether that be with a coat or some boots. All of those colours will just make this skirt sing!

Knitwear

Is there anything more wonderful than an autumnal coloured jumper/sweater?!
I have to say i am a knitwear floozy and flirt with different jumpers regularly, but this rusty orange jumper with swing sleeves has barely left my back since it arrives. Some days i've even been getting home and changing out of that days outfit, opting for comfort indoors of course, and popping on some comfy leggings and this gorgeously comfy mohair jumper.
Be sure to check out the great selection of ladies jumpers Great Plains has, because if this beauty is anything to go by, then they're fabulous i can assure you.
As well as working seamlessly with the skirt (and my indoor leggings for loungin' around!) this jumper works perfectly with jeans and also culottes. I plan on wearing it with my navy culottes and baker boy hat really soon.

 Finishing Touches

I added some black in to the mix with my boots and jacket, as i love navy and contrasting black at the moment. 

The biker jacket always lends a touch of toughness to a girly look. which for me, is the ideal balance of feminine and masculine in an outfit.

One of my favourite styles right now is knee high boots and midi skirts. It's a revival of that 70's look that never goes out of fashion and, I find, makes wearing skirts extremely practical and easy(no legs on show, no worries about tights, legs covered from the cold.. the practicalities go on).

The navy bag and bobble earrings finish the look and bring in all the colours from throughout the outfit.

My favourite Autumnal outfit so far this season, and i can't wait to wear each piece separately too.
What are you favourite items to wear in autumn?

 Shop The Look:
Jumper
Skirt
Boots: super old so i've been eyeing up those linked as a replacement
Biker: Try this
Navy Bag: Laura Ashley

 *In collaboration with the wonderful brand Great Plains who i throughly enjoy working with and showcasing their gorgeous pieces to you.

An InLinkz Link-up

Dressing for Christmas Day

Do you dress up on Christmas day? I know this question completely divides; some are all about the comfort, opting for Pj's or a onesie all day and stretchy waistbands are key. Then there are the Christmas jumper wearers and then finally, there are those who choose to dress up, sparkles, fancy pieces and prettiness. 

I am the latter. 

I love dressing up on Christmas day, we always have in fact. My mum, sister and I would always wear something fancy, usually one of our Christmas presents, and use the day to go all out, 'Cos when else can you walk around your house in your fanciest finery (but still potentially with slippers!)

What camp do you fall in?

I've started to plan my Christmas day outfit. We have my in-laws coming to stay which is always lovely as Christmas is all about family. We may go out or we may stay in, I'm not sure yet, but either way I'm using this jolly holiday to wear something pretty fabulous..

Shall we take a look at some of my favourite options so far?

DRESSES are usually what i go for on Christmas day. Love a good dress. This sparkly Dolly Sequin Dress is perfection. I think this would be so wonderful for Christmas and New Year. The flattering cut means it skims beautifully (which lets face it, hiding a multitude of sins is very advantageous with all the feasting!) and the sleeves allow some coverage and doesn't leave you feeling bare.

I think this is my most favourite dress I've seen this festive season. Elegant, detailed and flattering, what a wonderful outfit to wear for the festivities.

I actually really like the idea of a JUMPSUIT for Christmas for practicality reasons. I don't know what it's like in your house, but its usually quite a busy day with the kids in ours. Whether that be taking them out for a quick spin on that new bike that Santa left, or rolling on the floor building lego pieces and playing pie face. It can be quite demanding as a mum. I love the freeing feeling a jumpsuit brings that you just don't get from a dress. Dashing around the house becomes easy in a jumpsuit as you feel less restricted. But, a jumpsuit still holds that dressed up feeling. 

I adore the luxe feeling of the Velvet Moon Jumpsuit, and is bang on trend for both the culotte cut and the velvet fabric. 

The Tuxedo Junction Jumpsuit is a neo-classical piece. A modern item that will work for SO many events, I would lay money on this being an absolute work horse of a piece in your wardrobe. The tailoring is just divine with its cuffed hem and key hole split to the chest. How simple yet beautiful.

TOP and SKIRT options are of course the most versatile. Take a Sparkly Top and a Leather Skirt and you have instant glamour. change the top for a knitted sweater and you have cosy chic. Change the shirt for jeans or trousers and you have smart-casual. Easily done, you could in-fact change through the day.

Start the day in the skirt with a chunky cosy knit for when jack frosts nipping away, then as the day warms up, change to the sparkly top for a special Christmas lunch, and after the feast of the year change the skirt to relaxed black trousers . Beyonce and your multiple outfit changes, eat your heart out.

Choices choices. But all fabulous choices to have.

I've collaborated with the wonderful Great Plains for these Christmas day outfit options and I absolutely love every one. I actually think I'm personally leaning towards the Jumpsuit idea, dressed up with some jewellery, a faux fur coat and some heels

Which one is your favourite here?

And what will you be wearing this Christmas?

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Look Book With Great Plains (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

When each new season rolls around there's a few brands I look forward to seeing what they have to offer.

Great Plains is always one of the first I head to.

Each season I invest in a couple of pieces from their range as they are always:

a. Excellent quality

b. Super versatile pieces

and

c. A little different to what's on the high street.

I mean take the tomato poppy red blouse below, its colour is so vibrant and the fabric feels luxurious, I haven't seen anything else like it around.

So when the lovely folks at Great Plains let me have free reign with this seasons fabulous new pieces, well i was like a kid in a toy shop... My reply? Just gimme all the goodies please.

After much perusing for a long long time i knew what i would love to style up for a look book in my own way. The Summer dresses are a must, do take a look. 

Here's what i went for:

Look One...

The tomato red blouse i mentioned above was one of the first things that caught my eye, you'd have to be colour blind for it it not to. Truth is, in real life it's even more beautiful and vibrant than any photos we captured could portray. The fabric is a dreamy soft floaty-but-not-too-floaty fabric. It skims and doesn't cling, yet doesn't add pounds by hanging like a tent either. 

The subtle v neck collar is super flattering and makes it easy to wear for office smart with a skirt or casual weekend wear. Like i said super versatile.

I paired it down with the navy trousers which are the most comfy forgiving trousers i have ever worn. Think as comfy as joggers and you won't be far wrong.

All finished off with a classic trench. I love this look for the age old conundrum of Smart-Casual.. I think this could work perfectly. Need it a little smarter, just change the trainers to shoes.

Details:
Grenadine Red Top
Marsie Navy Trousers
Adidas Stan Smiths
H&M Trench
Yosa Necklace


Look Two...

Summer weekend ready, the stripe tunic is perfect weekend wear. Beware it is a loose (ish) knit and unlined, I paired mine with a light petty coat and it was absolutely perfect. Alternatively it would work so well layered over a vest top, white skinny jeans and some tan wedges, which just screams holidays to me.
(Also it runs large, if you want to feel good about yourself, this tunic is definitely your new best friend)
The denim jacket was just begging to be paired with it. They just seem like the ultimate combination for a casual happy weekend.

 Details:
Waffle On Dress
Stan Smiths
New Look Denim Jacket
Yosa Clutch & Bag


Look Three..

And another favourite piece. This beautiful china blue dress. I love it. Like looovvee it.
At 5ft 6 its a comfortable yet not frumpy knee length and absolutely dreamy to wear. I would dress this up with mules or tan wedges in summer, and then also out in the day with tan sandals. The possibilities are quite simple and easy with the dress because its just so damn good.  It has a tie waist for definition and also pockets.. A girls best friend is a dress with pockets :D

 Details:
Petra Dress
F&F Boots
Mango Jacket
Yosa Bag


A big thanks to Great Plains for loaning these wonderful clothes and allowing me to play dress up. It really has been so fun and i now have a shopping list as long as my arm!

Which is your favourite piece?
How would you style it?

An InLinkz Link-up

The Hunt for the Perfect Red Dress

For years I have had a vision in my mind, the setting is sunny, the breeze warm, I am wearing big shades and the most amazing red dress. Whimsical yes, because the stark contrast of real life is that I'm usually toting around a bag full of crap and trying not to loose 3 children and a dog that runs circles round me (literally). 

But in my head, chic, classy and head turning (the dress that is).

There's something so enchanting about a red dress. The vast array of shades of red means there is a red dress for all; blonde, brunette or red head, it's worth finding one that works for you as it really will be worth its weight in (red)gold.

So here was my first stop trying on the one that caught my eye. It skimmed, it was light, it was lovely. I didn't buy it however, i wanted to see what else was out there on the red dress front. So I went fourth and started to see what else was on the market, obviously we have day dresses, gorgeous Party Dresses and so fourth, but I am shopping with a very open mind.

Belted Dress

This is the one I tried on, there is something a little vintage esque about it, maybe it's because I have just had a massive Mad Men marathon (Umm where have I been, that show is freakin' amazing!), and now I have a huge Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) girl crush and this dress totally reminds me of the one she wears.

Cross Back Dress

Beautiful summer dress, midi cut, flared skirt, and cross straps.. I die.

Drop shoulder D-ring belted Dress

This is the red dress that caught my eye originally, but wasn't in store. As much as I love the cross strap back dresses, I just feel cost per wear (which we all know I live to get my monies worth) I could potentially wear this one a lot more. I'm thinking easy tan sandals come summer, then in winter with a turtle neck underneath, black tights and black knee high boots, finished off with a biker jacket possibly.. But options and potential are definitely greater with this one.

Shopbop offerings next

On the left we have a brand Black Halo (cool name isn't it?!) and it's the Klara Dress, they actually have quite a few nice red dresses too. 

Then on the right Jill Jill Stuart Cocktail Dress with a gorgeous sweetheart neckline. That's a knock out dress. If I had a wedding to attend, that may well have been the dress I would choose. So so pretty

A little bit of Asos next

Love both of these cuts.
We have a Kimono Style Dress from Closet on the left, which is certainly a cut that isn't disappearing any time soon, plus a style that can be uber flattering for creating that hourglass shape beautifully.
On the right Paisie offer the tie waist detail that is popping up everywhere still. I really, really like this option, its a little bit different, plus the waist detailing can be amazing at hiding a food baby ;)

A beauty from Great Plains

Love this for a summer dress. Perfect with flat sandals or ballet pumps for day, then wedges or even some black fierce heels and a black clutch to add in an edgy option.

Finishing with Whistles

Cross Back Dress

This looks a bit clingy for my personal taste, sucking it in all day long is just something I'm too lazy to do. Usually Whistles fabric is very flattering, so depending on the fit, it could have potential. Cross back again which must be very in this summer. Still a lovely shade and style with the fit and flare.

So there are my top picks for red dresses right now, I have to say I am smitten with the Warehouse and both Asos dresses. This spring it is definitely something I shall conquer!

Do you own the perfect red dress? If not would you consider one?