Paisley Smock Dress

 With the #100dayshoppingban still in full swing it has really made me turn to my wardrobe and wear what i already have. Take this Asos Paisley Dress. I've had this dress since last October and i know that thanks to the power of blogging (eh perk of diarising everything you buy/wear hey), you see i bought it with this dress i wore in that outfit post. I immediately loved the red one but was a little unsure of the paisley. Its very loud, and i think i was a bit self conscious of that (which is bizarre seeing as i used to dress like a rainbow had just spewed me up!) But in the wardrobe it hung and i did like it but never enough to put on. Fast forward to yesterday where we are having some first glimpses of Spring, the skies are blue and the weather is mild, and suddenly i just felt like wearing it.
And you know what , i freaking loved it!

The dress is made of that stretchy comfy fabric and is a swing dress so no clingy-ness which was perfect for all the pancakes i consumed (oh my god i can't stop, even today i have had 2 more!! someone please call a pancake intervention before i put 2 stone back on!).

Now i kind of want to wear it again and again, so thanks #100dayshoppingban for making me shop my own wardrobe. i own some nice stuff...who knew!! 

So, 'fess up, have you ever bought something and not worn it for a realllly long time?

And an even more important question, pancakes, favourite topping? 

I can't decide if im a nuttela girl or a lemon and sugar, so i've been eating multiples of both to try and decide. I'll let you know the outcome on that one...

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Win: Ladies Day at the Races Tickets!

Ladies Day at the Races by rachel-the-hat featuring a zipper dress

Growing up i saw a lot horse racing, you see, it's my dad's thing. He loves the horses. I never used to pay much attention to the actual horses and their jockeys, but one thing that did pique my attention was Ladies day at the events like at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Seeing the colours, the ladies out in their finest threads and the hats! Oh my the hats.. I mean does it get any better, an event that encourages ladies wear fabulous hats?!!
I haven't been to the races for years, but i can remember the atmosphere like it was yesterday, the excitement trilling through the air was tangible. So much fun!  As a grown up (and i use that term very loosely when referring to myself) i think i would love it even more. Especially the dressing up part.. Can you imagine!!
Well imagine no more! The great people at Ladbrokes are giving Bloggers the chance to win a pair of tickets to Cheltenham Ladies Day.
You could be rubbing shoulders with the finest clad ladies, have a chance to enter the Fashion Zone (where there's a MASSIVE prize for best dressed!) and feel the excitement of being at race day!
If you are a UK blogger, all you have to do is put together your best Ladies Day outfit like i have here above and enter here!
Get your friends and family to vote for your look and tweet with the #cheltfashion and you could be going!
I've just entered mine, so if you care to vote please that would be lovely. Let me know if you enter too and i shall be sure to cast a vote your way!
Best Of Luck Ladies!!!

M&S Spring Edit: Coat Remix

This is the last instalment of my Marks and Spencer S/S 14 edit with the pieces i chose. I've been really loving casual outfits on the weekends lately. Some cute boyfriend jeans and a white tee has been a favourite of mine for years. By just adding some statement shoes and a pop with a colourful bag, it takes it from 'I've just rolled out of bed' to 'This outfit is chic and comfy' Even if you have just rolled out of bed and thrown on the jeans from the floor where you left them the night before ;)

Add a hat to cover bed head and you are good to go my friend.

Simplicity in an outfit is sometimes so enjoyable,don't you think?

The coat, shoes and bag have been on constant rotation with me lately, and i can see that continuing for many months to come, seeing me right through the Spring months.

Have you picked up any Spring pieces that you can't stop wearing?

It's been such a lovely weekend off from work for me and lots of chilling and sleeping (rarity I tell you!) I've been catching up on magazine reading, my kindle has a queue of new books for me to read and just generally having a relaxing time before we start the week again and Neo goes back to school.

Right now i'm about to go chow down to some veggie chilli and nachos and maybe a glass or two of vino.

Weekend, its been lovely, please come back again soon?

Cocoon Coat: c/o Marks And Spencer

Tee: Primark

Hat: Matalan

Jeans: Next

Shoes:c/o Marks and Spencer 

Bag: c/o Marks and Spencer

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The Start of Something New: Frock Swap

Today marks the day of something pretty fun!

After much discussion on twitter and then many, many emails back and fourth, Erica, Debbie, Donna and myself are starting on a fun little adventure of frock swapping! Much like the lovely American girls who are Flock Together, we are commencing on a swapping journey together.

I can not tell you how excited i am to be doing this.

With the #100dayshoppingban still in action (46 days to go..and counting!!) this is a wonderful way to add an injection of new-to-me goodies without parting with any cash. Perfect huh?!

Once we had established our schedule and got everything in place (thanks Erica) we all had to choose 2 pieces from our own wardrobe that we find difficult to style or we have run out of steam with. You know, those difficult ones which gaze longingly at you from the rail just begging to be worn? Well they are being given a new lease of life.

Here is what i have sent on to my first recipient Donna

 This dress i posted last summer and i professed undying love to it (as i always do, have you noticed,lol!) But you know what, for the past 7 months it's just been hanging in my wardobe looking all sad and unworn. Why? I don't really know, i just don't seem to grab it..ever. Its real comfy and has a beautiful print, but yeh, worn once...shameful.

Secondly

From a more recent post this stripey dress. I have had this dress years and years, but its had so little wear it. Lately i tried it again, but i gotta say, its still not an item i would grab again anytime soon. So on his merry little way it shall go to see if the girls can find better ways to style it/ make it look good!

I really hope you guys will follow along with us and watch out for our first styling of each others pieces! I am SO excited!! Bring on the new-to-me clothes!!