Meet Linda (& Passion For Fashion Link Up!)

Today i have the absolute pleasure of making an introduction to you.
Meet the lovely Linda of A Labour of Life

(I'm in the bold and Lindas replies are in normal type)

So Linda when did you start blogging?

Officially August 20, 2013 just a newbie ( although I created my blog account in 2008 and did one diet post,  not meant to write about diets I guess)

What was your reason for starting your blog?

I was filling up instagram with outfit and shoe posts and thought some friends and family were getting feed up, and then I stumbled across a lifestyle blog written by a university Chum and thought, this may be the better way to go, although sadly I have resumed filling up my instagram feed with OOTD's

For those of us who haven't yet visited your lovely blog, tell us a bit about your corner of the web.

I am a Life and Style blogger because Lifestyle doesn't quite fit nor does fashion.  I love to write about all aspects of my life including crafts, food and travel. I have a large focus on what I am wearing and all my posts usually include an outfit but I rarely ever just post an outfit without a story.  I like to think my blog is your place to go to see how life is elsewhere. 

So if i were to travel across the pond to come visit what would we most likely do? 

We would have a shoe and hat Modelling Marathon, and then we would sit around and chat about Travel and clothes and blogs and families. 

Amazing.. next plane please;)

What are you most favourite blogs to read? 

Living in Yellow, Two Thirds Hazel, Not dressed as Lamb, Walking in Memphis in High Heels, Freckled Fox, Venus Trapped in Mars, Rachel the Hat,  just to name a few.

Where do you find inspiration? 

All around me, in blogs, in TV, in magazines,

Your favourite place in all the world? 

In the summer,  My Backyard, I love my yard and in the winter anywhere warm, Mexico, the Caribbean. but I do love the Mayan Riviera too

.

Lovely isn't she.. be sure to swing by her wonderful life and style blog here and say hi!

 

Ladies Day & Hats

It's that time of year again where Ladies day at the races are happening. I've mentioned previously my love for Ladies Day at the races, what with the hats and  the perfect reason to get all dressed up. But did you know there's actually Ladies Day Etiquette? With ladies day possibly dating back as far as 1711 with Queen Anne, i think its very important to keep up the show old chap! 

Things like, don't bare all, don't wear a white long dress and don't overdo it on the champers are all just so historically you can't help but love it. I think a bit of tradition in an ever advancing and changing world is good and also, did i mention such great fun!

Not many times in life do you get to go by the rule of thumb; the bigger the hat the better, but with Ladies day, bring on the hats! Oh yes, hats, fascinator's or any fabulous head-wear goes at this event.

And here's what i would wear:

ladies day by rachel-the-hat featuring high heel shoes

Coast pink dress, $250 / Coast high heel shoes, $92 / Coast snake chain necklace, $58 / Satin mix trench coat | Luxury Women's outerwear | Karen Millen, $460 / Cutwork metallic clutch | Luxury Women's OccasionWear | Karen Millen, $185 / All Accessories | Yellows STRUCTURED BOW HAT | Coast Stores Limited, $75


I am loving the contrast between the yellow and the coraly-pink. It's a fun and funky combo. And the fascinator.. aggh... does it get any better? A huge yellow bow! Uh-maze-ing!!
Add to that a beautiful satin Trench coat for the unpredictable British weather and some statement jewels and i would be hot to trot, going the comfy and classy route rather than the the Valleys cast last year..ahem... say no more.

What would you wear to rub shoulders with celebs at Ladies Day?
Would you dare to wear a REALLY big hat?


*collaborative post but all hat views are obviously very much my own ;-)

Burgundy & Mint (Debbie's Duck Dress)

Continuing on with the #frockswapuk, after i sent Erica's goodies on to Donna i received Debbie's array of goodies plus Erica's George goodies which actually made for a great outfit all together!
 I took Debbie's duck dress with Erica's George mint fluffy cropped jumper and this is what i got...

Debbie handmade this dress with her totally awesome dress making skills, she is one talented lady i tell you. The fit was comfy and the length perfect, i actually wore this a couple of weeks ago and just felt great all day. I was Sunday comfy yet looking as if some effort had at least been made. 

It seems i'm doing this formula with cropped fluffy sweaters layered over the top of dresses a lot lately. But, now we're officially on Summer time here in the UK, maybe its time to put away the knitwear? Or maybe not.. i mean i am in the UK after all, winter could still continue knowing our climate, but with fluffy cropped sweaters i have to admit, i don't mind all that much at all!

 Dress: Debbie's

Cropped sweater: (erica's choice) c/o George at Asda

Shoes: Matalan

Hat: New Look

Bag: Modcloth

Here's how Debbie and Erica have styled it so far, and on to Donna it shall go!

Relaxed Trousers

 Sometimes I try a new-to-me trend and in the mirror i think yeh this is great, i love this new{insert item here}, i can totally work this new trend. Then I get outfit photos back and i have the reaction of.."eeek, i did not realise i looked like that"
Case in point; the new relaxed trouser, or the fancy-jogger if you will. I had seen these on many, they looked like a nice alternative to my trusty jeans and once i tried them on well, heck they sure were comfy. But honestly? Maybe i'm a bit too hippy (in the bodily sense not the free-spirited traveller sense) to pull these off. My legs are..well, shapely, shall we say, I have hips (and an arse and big ol' thighs whilst we're talking about it) Maybe, just maybe these suit ladies with pin straight legs more? Lesson learned, yes. HOWEVER, they sure are comfy!! I mean they are literally like pyjama bottoms for day-wear, i felt smug thinking i could wear these oh-so comfortable bad boys and actually claim it to be fashion dharling. But unfortunately these hips don't lie, so as much as it might be fashionable, maybe i should stick to pyjama-like-bottoms for bed time only.

Maybe i shall try a different approach to these, any suggestions?

In good news, i got these nude shoes and laser cut bag from the new Spring line at Lotus Shoes. The reason it is good news? Well duh, bags and shoes never make you look hippy and they always make you feel good.Win win! Plus nude pumps= instant leg lengthening! I can not wait to wear them with a pretty chiffon skirt come the warmer weather. Have you checked out Lotus' new spring line? I could see me in this pair  of Naturalizer sandals all summer long!

So ladies, share with me, have you ever tried a trend that just hasn't been right on you? Or do you win every time?

Ps ladies have you entered the £200 of Hush clothes giveaway yet?
Be sure to head on over and enter HERE!!

Fashion is for everyone. 

Whether you're single in the city or a stay at home mum from the country...

we all have a passion for fashion!

Every Friday Lena & I will be co-hosting a fashion free-for-all linkup!

Anything fashion goes!

Link up your outfit posts, a fashion recap, a fashion wishlist, get your kids or hubby in on the fun... if you've got a passion for fashion, this is the place to be!

Celebrate your style with us every Friday!

We'll be pinning our favourite looks to our Passion for Fashion boards on Pinterest!

You can find the board HERE 

Follow both hosts Lena and  Me so we can come visit you!

If you could link back to us via text link or button and help spread the 

Passion For Fashion word.

Then go visit, blog hop, follow and comment on all the fabulous ladies you are meeting!

{this linkup is very NEW we would love for you to help us spread the word! }

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