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

Do you Have a Defined Style? ( & #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

When collating and working with a capsule wardrobe it really makes you take a long hard look at your own personal style.
The easiest way to make a capsule work for you is to have a clear cut style that works across all of your pieces, therefore making it easier to remix and create new outfits and to also wear them.
I have to say this may be one of the things I strugle with most.

For a long time I have been searching for my defined style and if i indeed actually had one.

If you look back through my archives of 5 and a bit years you will see my style has changed tremendously over this time (and lucky me i have documented proof too, ha! Oh lord... all those coloured tights, It was like a  rainbow threw up on me!)

When you look at some of the highest followed Instagram accounts, they have a uniform, a defined style, each photographic square flows perfectly continuously in to the next.

I think i still struggle with this.

Every time i've ever defined my style it as inevitably changed again.
Since hitting 30 I can say i have seen a definite change and somewhat of a consistency in style, but i do still like a bit of variation... Perhaps I'm just a bit fickle. Or maybe a change is as good as a rest?

Right now I swing between "preppy" (stripe tops, oxford shirts, stan smiths and trench coats) and "boho" (flares, floaty tops and a bit of floral).

Preppy-Boho

My capsule is working for me right now, and i don't appear to have a problem with having a slightly bi-polar sense of style. Or maybe I'm just not quite ready to quit one or the other right now.
But I do wonder if I will ever truly have a defined, definite style.

Do you?
Do you have a defined style?

 As for this outfit, well I really wanted some of this pretty blush pink colour in my capsule. It's everywhere right now, and I am smitten with it. Its a great almost-neutral as it goes well with lots of colours (:think grey, dark jeans, black and even burgundy or forest green/khaki!). I also loved its interesting little twists on a plain sweater. The split flared sleeves, the split to the sides and the rib knit, that makes it thin but cosy. I think this could also make a great layering piece too!

I had wanted to pair this with some grey jeans, but having tried 5 pairs these past few weeks and NONE of them being at all right, I returned each pair and have continued my search. Previously I would have settled for a sub-par pair just to have them in my wardrobe, but i have learnt my lesson as I would previously have worn them once and consigned them to the ebay/charity pile.
The capsule has brought patience and pickiness (in a good way), I now longer settle for pieces that are just ok, or will do. I want each piece to be fantastic and exactly what I need. that way I know I will be happy to wear it time upon time.
So the trusty flares came out and did the trick just nicely.
I added in my new favourite accessory: The cord tie choker..
I actually love this little thing, although I do wonder if I can pull it off?
My 13 year old step daughter keeps borrowing it, which does make me wonder if i should relent and give it to her, lol!

Outfit details
River Island Flared jeans (2 years old) But these are the best on the market
H&M sweater
Boots
Bag is old but This one is divine!

I just wanted to mention.. I am starting to use the Rachel The Hat Facebook Page more and would love you to come "like" it.
Be sure to comment on something so I can come over and "like" your page too so we can be
FB buddies!

Every Friday  I shall be posting on my Facebook page my favourite look of one link-up lady form Passion 4 Fashion,
 So be sure to follow to see if you're featured!

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?

Spring-Summer Bag Edit

With the  Spring season literally upon us, I know, I know it doesn't quite feel like it is upon us what with this delightful weather gracing us, but my mind is for all intensive purposes in the floral's and pretties zone. I'm done with dark and dank and layer upon layer of fabric. I'm craving splashes of bright colour and pretty prints and a touch of fun that only comes with sunshine (winter = no fun).

I find with simplifying my wardrobe the best way to inject some oomph is via the accessories. Fun, easy and can be as cheap or expensive as you can afford.

It's a lovely easy way to update any outfit and bring it up to date. Plus accessories shopping is the best.

Bags don't judge if you've gained a few pounds and they fit regardless.. thank god for lovely bags I say, as this body is faaarr from bikini ready. And when I say far I `actually mean never. Never ever ready.

With an update in mind (that's especially not bikini shaped, no surey bob) I got to thinking and a looking as to what kind of bags I would like in my life this spring and summer, the practical, the fun and everything in-between. I set off to my usual stamping ground of Lyst for some inspo and ideas. Great place to read up the bag edits and to see what's 'in' for the season.

So after much (way too much) research, here we have my Spring Summer Bag Edit.

Starting with the crossbody

My favourite type of bag, as it enables the all important hands free when out and about. 

Crossbody bags are vast and varied. you can have slouchy or structured, neutral or pop of colour.

For me this season is all about the pop of colour with my crossbody.

I absolutely love with all my bag loving hear this Rebecca Minkoff Mini Sofia tassel bag. 

Tan neutrality which is perfect for summer, but with the added magic of the tassels for that little fiesta of colour... Isn't it divine?

 I will also be constantly using my Red DKNY mini bag which I love for adding a pop of my favourite colour. People will often think that red is a winter colour (or save it for festivities such as Christmas or valentines) but it's such a great trans-seasonal colour, it works well all year round. 

If you don't fancy red, orange is a great alternative, I have a beautiful bright orange Fossil bag I pull out each Spring and love, pair it with khaki, denim, all the neutrals, and pretty much anything. It just works.

And finally the trusty black crossbody. When all else fails you, a classy chic little black number will never fail you and of course you'll get years of wear with it. My absolute favourites are by Marc Jacobs  and Kate Spade, soft leather, unstructured and a little slouchy.. Lovely!

Next up we have the Large Bag

Here we're talking holdall's for weekends, tote bags, backpacks and shoppers, general carry everything bar the kitchen sink around with you, type bags.

I've said it before and I still am yet to invest, but this year I will be sporting the backpack. Yes I am returning to my youth with sneakers and now the backpack. Full on Dora the explorer style (to the point where all I can hear in my head is that irritating song "Backpack Backpack" a la Dora) But yes for practical reasons, summer holidays etc, I am investing in the backpack. Wet wipes, snacks, random lego can all be chucked in and my hands can still be free to grab small children and assist where needed. Why have I not thought of this sooner (and previously rammed way too much stuff in to an inappropriate cross-body bag)? 

Again my preference is the Rebecca Minkoff Black Julian (Rebecca Minkoff is KILLING it on the bag front!) which is the beauty above. Julian, you shall be mine!!

Other bags for the season include a pretty blush tote that would be a lovely addition, the idea of blush as a summer neutral is such a great update, Kurt Geiger has some pastel pretties that really just scream Summer at the top of their pretty little voices.

Lastly the all important 

Clutch Bag

Now, if I were to live off beans for the foreseeable and I possibly wanted my husband to get really really mad at me, I would go for the beautiful Floral Alexander McQueen De Manta clutch, slightly pricey for a clutch that you may drag out a couple of times a month, but wow... What a piece right?

Its like a piece of art.

On the more purse (or clutch ..snort..) friendly price range, a little jute number is summer personified, add some embroidery and a tassel and you have beach to bar perfection. Mango Clutches are wonderful for this and they have a vast array or colours ans styles that I hope to bag (ha, I just can't help it) for myself this summer.

House Of Fraser also have an array of lovely clutches too.

So there we have my weapons of choice for the summer.

I shall be investing over the next few weeks!

What bags will you be buying this summer?

Spring Wardrobe Update

Well, it's literally just started sleeting outside as I type this. Spring where the heck are you? I got woken up by a crazy storm last night and then attacked my golf-ball sized hail stones on the school run.
Spring has not sprung here I can tell you that.
But I for one am done with winter, come the end of February I am ready to shed the thermals and start looking towards lighter layers, weather permitting or not, sometimes you just gotta do what you want. Granted no bare legs just yet, but adapting some Spring pieces and adding them in now sounds like a plan to wet the spring-wear appetite.
So transitional pieces it is then.
I'm kind of in love with all the pieces I've chosen below for the simple fact of wear-ability.
If I were to finally take the plunge and commit to a capsule wardrobe (and I am so so tempted, but i keep nancying out like a big scaredy cat) this would be a large portion of the capsule.
Style is most definitely simplifying for me, but I am actually the happiest I've been in years.
Simple to me means great pieces, just less of them.

(side note: Hells bells, I thought my house was just going to blow away.. A huge gust and those blasted golf ball size hail stones attacking my window.. evil, evil weather!!)

With Shopbop's Super Spring Sale now seems as good a time as any to treat myself to some much yearned after spring wear.

Clothing:

The throw-on Khaki Jacket ,
Beautifully cut Ankle Grazer Jeans(Loving the brand Frame),
The Wear everywhere Dress,
The perfect Kahki chino's,
The obligatory stripe top,
Dress up or down black skirt,
and the handy slogan swetashirt

Shoes:

Bright red pumps for fun kicks,

Sandals in-case it gets warm enough

And a block heel for smart-casual

Bags:

Keeping it simple with a much lusted after, rather trendy Backpack

and a classic leopard print clutch for a smarter look.

I love , love ,love all these pieces. The reason they're all from Shopbop (apart from that I love that store, I swear their deliveries from America arrive faster than some of my British orders, it never fails to happily surprise me when the UPS man knocks my door a mere 2 days after ordering, its like magic!), is because their sale works on the more you spend the more you save. Plus with a good pound to dollar rate, it can be save save ;)

Spring Sale details here

Is there anything you like up there for Spring? And have you started your Spring shopping yet?

Making Plans..

I'm gonna start by saying i am pretty rubbish at sticking to 'resolutions', and i use air quotes because i think  it is slightly clichéd and often useless to start something on a set Date that is the general consensus time to start.
Will power was never my strong point, but as i get older i do feel my will power growing stronger (i'm making it sound like a super power here, just call Me WillPowerWoman) and making plans and sticking to them is more obtainable.
Its worth noting here, from personal experience i have most definitely found that you can only achieve goals when you are ready.
January 1st will make no difference to you if mentally you are not ready to do something.
Three years ago i knew i wanted to loose weight, only to start a crash diet on jan 1st with a super health kick and detox, only to epicly fail by Jan 6th..which is a total bummer mentally.
I don't give out much advice on here, but the one thing i would say is:
Start when you are ready.
Not Jan 1st, not when someone tells you, but when you are mentally in that place.
I started Slimming world in April 2013 just because i finally felt like i could commit. It was like a switch flicked in my head and i was ready. And with that i stuck to my healthy lifestyle and lost a total of 3 stone (of which I've piled back on about 10 lbs this winter..my boyfriend jeans are now skinny jeans god damn it!)
SO with that in mind, these aren't your typical new years resolutions but things i will be aiming to achieve this year, as and when i am ready.

Life

Weight

Photos from both my lightest and heaviest (ohmagod) stages

As i mentioned above, i lost a total of 3 stone on Slimming World. It worked for me better than any crash course diet. Its a healthy eating lifestyle that is forever. And with that in mind i'm putting myself back on it. Its so easy to fall back in to bad habits (fajitas and nachos are my weakness.. in-fact all Mexican food, i think i was Mexican in a previous life, just pass me my  sombrero)
I truly believe everything is in moderation, so I'm not going to completely cut myself of from that delirious spicy cuisine, but i am going to eat a better diet with treats saved for one day a week.
I need to loose about 7 lbs to get back to my happy weight. And with a little more activity in my life i will hopefully attain this, which leads me to:

Exercise

Ugh.. is it wrong that this is something i totally dread? Like the thought of physical activity makes me shudder to my core. This is something i need to seriously work on. And i know a complete mental shift on this is not going to be easy..I need to find an exercise i enjoy, that will keep me wanting to do it, something I'm yet to discover.  If you have any exercise suggestions for a complete couch potato i would love to hear.

Savings

This  is something Salvatore and i started doing last year, but alas Christmas, children's birthdays and car problems pretty much ate in to what we had saved.
It is imperative this year that we save, save, save. I won't go in to too many details, but if you've been with me here for a long time (3+ years) you will know the ordeal we went through when we lost everything and said goodbye to our business. It was hellish, awful and the worst time ever. We've come so far but there's still a long road ahead of us. Saving £££ is part of our long road.

Home

Negating from the savings, because y'know, needs must, I have a couple of plans for this home of ours this year. My son and step son share a bedroom, its small, and post-christmas i couldn't even see the floor for a carpet of toys. It was ridiculous. So binbags in hand Salv and i took to tackling the monstosity that was their bedroom. A full day later and about 20 bags for charity, they now have a new room complete with Marvel wallpaper, wall mounted TV with gaming area and all they need now is some funky new beds. My boys are so lovely, they don't ask for anything and i would give them the world if i could, so to do this for them in the not so distant future would be a real happy moment.


And for me? A new sofa.. I hate my sofa with a passion (i know strong words for a sofa, but honestly the thing is the bane of my life with its stupid scatter cushions and annoyingly rough texture!) I would love to replace this old thing with something that comfortably seats the whole family for our film nights.

This looks perfect for our large family, comfy, cosy and functional. With there being so many of us here sometimes (we're a big happy 'Blended' family) its imperative we have an accommodating sofa. I'm working on Salvatore, at the moment he's not convinced (see the savings point.. god damn it!)

Personal

I've been harbouring some inner dreams for years. One is Yosa which i am trying my very best to make a success and I have some new ideas and plans for Yosa in 2016, which I'm sure I'll share with you lovely lot at some point (probably when i know what it is exactly myself.. needless to say, I'm not quite there yet)
But there is another ambition i have been dreaming of for years.
I would love to improve my writing skills. This blog has always been a release, but sometimes talking of just my outfit gives me complete writers block.
I was an A* English student, and whilst i was absolute rubbish at maths (still am.. that's what calculators are for!) English writing was always my forte. My grammer and punctuation is somewhat to be desired, but 2016 is the year I'm putting it out there.
I would love to do a creative writing course and improve my skills. The dream, one day, to write a book... Its scary to even type and makes me feel more than a little vulnerable. Why? Because i hate failing. And to admit something out loud is a little daunting and holds be accountable somewhat.
I'm hoping to elaborate on this over the coming weeks, but yep. ..
Its out there now. I want to write... what i'll be writing who knows, but its a skill set that i feel will be invaluable to me.

Blog

SO blogging for 4 and a half years.. is just CRAY CRAY.. How did that happen? I am still loving it, infact i probably love it more now than when i first started. I've found my own natural rhythm and don't stress (too much) if i don't get things out on the exact schedule. A lot of you have been with me for some time, and i know you will forgive me and bear with me when needs must, so a huge thank you for sticking around.
This year i don't have huge plans.. i would love to grow my readership of course, but i would also like to get to know you more. I want to be more social, which is something I've lacked over the past year. I want to start joining in more on twitter conversations, i most definitely want to start replying to all comments (shall be working on that one asap) and visiting blogs more.
#Passion4Fashion will continue to run every Friday and I'm super happy with the new Blog look.
Post wise i am aiming for my twice weekly outfit posts, monthly Insta-outfits and then some shopping posts in-between, things I've spotted, trends i like/ things i don't like. I want to start creating more fashion posts that aren't based around outfit photos.

Style

Looking back through the ol' archives to dig out pics for this post i couldn't help but notice the style change of the past 4 years. I have made some MAJOR changes to my style.
There's a pattern. Each year i am simplifying more and more. And this year will be the same. I'm drawn to a very simple colour palette of black, white, navy, grey and khaki. I love the odd dash of cobalt blue and a pop of red. But generally the aforementioned are where I'm at.
I'm excited to see if this year takes me to even simpler outfits. I'm really tempted to do give the whole capsule-36 items- thing a go, but alas, one thing i know about myself is that i am fickle. Mrs Fickle infact, and if i changed my mind i know i would be disappointed in myself.
But simpler, yes.
Currently i only want to add black and white(and cream) things to my wardrobe.
Its a great way of making me stop and think before i buy anything and limiting my options is a good thing for the gimme-all-the-stuff side of my brain.
I'm looking at different textures and remix-ability for wardrobe staples. And of course i still have a ton of colourful pieces already that i can add in when needs be.
I'm actually giving myself a strict budget of £50.00 a month to shop with, kinda like pocket money. If i want something that is more, then i will have to save for it. There's already two things on my list which are both way over my budget, but yes.. so far so good (she says and its only the 4th Jan.. ask me again next week)


And thats it. World changing things they are not, but for me they are life changing to some degree of another. I hope you will keep me accountable and i'm excited to get started  on my plans.

What are your plans for 2016? I'd love to have a chat about this in the comments!