Rachel the Hat

Friday, 25 July 2014

(loving) Life Lately (& Passion4Fashion LinkUp)

life lately has been busy. Excellent, but busy.
All i seem to say here is how busy i am, but i guess that's just real life. With the kids in full swing for their summer break i am spending as much time in the beautiful sun with them. Taking them out to some of my favourite places, places that i grew up and had many lovely summers as a child. Its been so lovely re-visiting these places and taking the children their to experience fun times there too. I hope over this summer to build some glorious family memories, just like the ones i have with my family when i little.
So what does that mean exactly? Well i have nothing today. No outfit photos, no crisp beautiful photos and outfits to show, nope not a thing. To be honest I have been happily living in shorts, vests and sandals mucking around playing with the kids at the beach, or having impromptu water fights. Its been lovely. I am looking forward to acting like somewhat of a lady again and getting back in a pretty dress and heels some time soon, but for now it's been a great break.
Here's a few pics from the past couple of days.
Beach day one:
Barry Island Beach

#ootd consisted of tropical shorts and neon orange vest top.. later that day it also consisted of unexpected sunburn... #beachfail

Day Two:
Trip to The Knap lake and pebbly beach

#ootd again shorts(got these comfy linen black ones in the sale and they are so so lovely on!) and a tribal vest. I did accesorize today with a spike necklace, my trusty aviators and tan and gold gladiator style sandals, but still, basic and simple.

I talk about my kiddoes on here so often its lovely to share these photos of our week so far.

Thank you for letting me share with you ladies.

I hope you've been having a wonderful summer so far! Have you done anything wonderful? Do share with me in the comments, as i could do with some more ideas of things to do .. there's still 5 weeks left of the holidays haha!

Ps back with an outfit post sunday...pinky promise!! ;)

XOX

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!

{By the way, we would love for you to help us spread the word! }

Sales, sales, sales: My top buys

It's already that time of year when the the shops are gearing up for the next seasons lines and the mega sales are in full swing. Being a rather cheap shopper this pleases me immensely. I'm not one for scouring through racks and racks of clothes, but in the comfort of my own home, sat with my tablet or laptop, i will often peruse the sales sections and find some bargains.
This year here in the UK it appears we are actually having a summer! (the shock!) Which leaves me completely unprepared for such weather. I never buy many summer clothes knowing i don't get much chance to wear them with our normal crazy weather patterns. But this year it appears we are actually having a true summer season, which in my eyes permits me to shop a little for the correct clothing (right?)
The sales are perfectly timed for this and some bargains are out there to be had.

So here are my top sales buys i am either eyeing myself or may have already purchased!
(the co -ords below were £8 and £3! it felt rude not too ;)

Dorothy perkins sales buys by rachel-the-hat featuring strappy sandals

Left to right

Pink Midi Skirt & Teal Heels

Leafy Maxi and Tan sandals

Orange Maxi and Blue wedges

Cami top dress & navy pumps

Co -ords top & Skirt & Black caged shoes

I am having a thing for maxi dresses at the moment, i just love how comfy and relaxed they can be but also how easy they are to dress up and appear smart for an occasion! I am loving the orange maxi, but having similar in black, green and blue i have thought maybe i should get some wear out of those first. But how gorgeous is that colour?! Paired with the blue slingback wedges you have an outfit smart enough for any summer doo , but pair it down with the sandals or pumps and you have a perfect sunday casual outfit.
The co-ords as i mentioned above are so dirt cheap i just couldn't refuse. £11 for the both means i can try the co-ords without shelling out too much money on a trend i'm not sure will suit me.

New look sales by rachel-the-hat featuring a blue blazer

Dr Pepper Vest top, Denim Mid Shorts & Leopard embellished sandals
Stripe midi cover up and Aztec wedges
Floral Maxi & Gold embellished sandal
Floral blazer, Coral Shorts and colour block heels

Being the summer holidays here which means lots of parks, beaches and fun play stuff, i've been needing some casual outfits for running about in for my mum duties. Dr pepper is my most favourite drink (how awesome is Dr Pepper Zero!!) so i totally love this vest top, and the shorts look perfect for park days.
The cover up is something i've purchased, at £4.00 i thought it was worth a shot. Its called a cover up for beach wear but its actually a really lovely dress and for 4 quid its really lovely.
Then another maxi, strapless this time! and a beautiful blazer and shorts combo.

River Island by rachel-the-hat featuring a pink dress

Cold Shoulder dress, Blue rimmed Sunglasses & Pink Bag
Shirt, Shorts, Shoes
Playsuit & Hat
Waterfall striped Jacket & Eva Jeans

Ahhh River Island, you have been a constant source of great clothes for me this year. And your sales never fail me. I have wanted another cold shoulder dress since my first one which i totally fell in love with. I have just ordered this tropical summery one for £12! The pony hair pink bag and sunglassesd would look so good with it!
The check blouse is set to still be a very key print this autumn so a great transition piece. Add in teh shorts and shoes and you've got some great pattern mixing!
The playsuit is a new one for me, having tried a jumpsuit not long ago and loved it, i have decided to give the short option a go too,
And finally.
The waterfall jacket is £10!! a tenner people.. that is amazing! Not great for hot days but imagine it for autumn.. so so good.
Plus my favourite cut of jeans, the girlfriend Eva jeans in distressed black are on sales also. awesome!

So there we have it folks, my sales picks/buys!

Have you bagged yourself anything amazing in the sales? Do share!

Blue Grecian style maxi dress

I had a really long lovely chat i wanted to have with you all about the beauty of this dress, but after having maaajjor blogger upload issues all freakin' day{edit: i wrote tthis last night and then still gave up and have come back this morning}, i'm kind of exhausted... thanks blogger, I needed that stress like a whole in the head i tell ya.

Now i have that off my chest i will briefly just tell you that this is my new maxi dress love. I picked up this cobalt maxi dress from Dorothy Perkins in the sale and i just bloody well love it. Its tshirt material so super comfy, but the neckline and the cut of the sleeves reminds me of the beautiful Grecian gowns. Because of that Grecian style i think it just adds such an elegant touch to such a simple dress. I've been pairing it with white and tan for a smart summer look but as its is such a great blank canvas i am excited to remix this baby up!

When the dress first arrived late one Wednesday afternoon i tried it on and immediately fell in love. It was a really warm afternoon and i was going out to the school to see my beautiful step-daughter in her leavers assembly. So there i was stood outside loads of parents at the school waiting, pleased as punch with my dapper new dress feeling rather Grecian and suave, when a gentleman behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said "'Scuse me love, you've still got the label on your dress"

Ooooppps!!

The excitement obviously overcame me and i completely forgot all about he stupid tag. Needless to say i know longer felt Grecian and suave.. #fail!

I quickly ripped the tag off and replied "its new, can you tell *cue over eager false laugh*"

Couple of other things i just wanted show my love for; my new white quilted jacket, it's just so pretty!! I haven't captured it in all its glory here ( i shall try better next time, pinky promise!) But it feels so beautiful on and is such a nice change from my denim jacket.

And lastly my new Coin & Pearl necklace.. i just LOVE this necklace, bang on trend, not heavy, beautiful and pretty much just perfect in my eyes. I have wanted a coin necklace for some time, this one is the new apple of my necklace loving eye.