Rachel the Hat

Thursday, 31 July 2014

#BusinessPyjamas

As a 'style blogger' people often think it can be a glamorous life.. i am here to tell you otherwise. You see, as much as i love to get dressed up everyday what i actually love more is coming home and putting on my comfy pj's. I'm not talking pretty silky nightwear here either. I mostly like to kick back and relax in comfy things like baggy pyjama bottoms or leggings and my husbands big oversized t-shirts. Sometimes i actually match, like today, this strawberry set is like my top notch pj's haha!
My best blogging normally takes place of an evening in my pj's when the kids are safely tucked up in bed, i have a hot chocolate in hand and a good film or documentary on in the background (and normally a cat on my lap also!)

AXA have set out to ask bloggers to show them your business pyjamas for the chance to win an iPad mini!!
This is so fun! I so want to see you all in your pj's! I hope they're as bad as mine!!
All you have to do is take a pic of you working in your very best (or worst) pyjamas and write a blog post telling them what you wear for 'work'.

Post your photo on twitter using #BusinessPyjamas and let AXA know by tweeting @AXABizTeam or you can post a photo on their Facebook page

Easy peasy! And its FUN! sometimes as a blogger i forget to have fun, there's always deadlines and a crazy inbox to contend with.... but this is just for kicks (and of course a possible ipad..sweet!!) Which I for one am happy to do (but don't leave me hanging out here on my own guys.. i wanna see lots of funky pjs!)

If you post your pj's be sure to tweet me too or leave a comment down below so i can swing by and check out my fellow pj wearing buddies!

Teal dress and lemon slice clutch

Another sales purchase over here, this teal pretty cut-out waist dress is just summery perfection.
I absolutely love this teal/turquoise/aquamarine colour, its just divine and its been absolute pleasure to wear. Its been super muggy and warm here the past few days, so this dress was so light and airy that it made me feel much cooler. A little draft even gets through the waist cut out detail making me feel a little naked but safe in the knowledge that everything is covered ;)
As someone who never bares my midriff (post baby.. its a big no no for me, no amount of bio oil fixed that much stretching unfortunately.. ) this dress makes me feel a little daring and cool (temperature wise and street cool haha..who am i kidding!) with its cut out beautiful detail, its unlike any other dresses i own.

Can we just take a moment for The lemon slice clutch.. it is just divine..
So fruity and fresh its a true beaut!
I finished the look off with this neon yellow Yosa necklace just to add a fun pop and last years sales buy Next Outlet sandals.

Hubs and I did attempt a little date night last night, but we missed the cinema because
a. i read the times wrong and we were taking outfit photos before we went #blogger/real-lifefail
b. i also didn't read the listing correctly as Hercules (gotta love The Rock) was in 3D and we didn't take our glasses (and i was too stingy to buy yet another pair!)
So we sat outside a restaurant in the sun having drinks and chatting which was even nicer in my books!
Sometimes fails turn in to out nicely :)

(ahem, please excuse my really dodgy tan lines.. remember i mentioned burning? well this is the outcome.. pretty huh!)

Actual Dress(only £10): New Look

Actual Clutch(again only £10): New Look

Sandals: Old Next outlet last year

Actual Necklace:Yosa

Ever have your plans change but to end up having a better time?

I still want to see Hercules but maybe another day;)

(have you seen it, was it good, did i miss much?)

shop the look

resort wear (beach talk)

Having spent a lot of time at the beach lately, it got me thinking of what a great beach outfit would be. I've been living in shorts and vest tops but i started to wonder how i could look fabulous even when i was at the beach.
For me it's got to be something, easy to throw on, loose fitting and of course pretty!
I absolutely adore the nautical theme whether i'm water side or not, so it seems to be an apt theme to run with.
Nautical Chic sums up my thoughts on beach-side chic exactly.
Having discovered Heidi Klein's resort wear which seems to be the epitome of nautical chic, i think i have solved my beach wear problems.

The Sete Square neck dress looks perfect for throwing on and arriving at the beach look chic. With the cute sleeves its also wonderful for throwing on if like me, you may have had a little too much sun, keeping you cool and covered.
I also love the idea of a crisp white cotton shirt, classic and timeless. Also great for days out and not just for resort wear. This is most definitely an investment piece in my eyes.
Then not forgetting a great bag to throw everything in, a must have hat and slip on flip flops, as no one wants to be faffing with buckles on the beach do they.

Do you have any resort wear that you swear by for holidays/ beach days?

Do you love a sarong or are you a dress kind of girl?

I would love to know and have some inspiration from you..
We are planning another beach day this week (weather permitting..fingers crossed!!!) and i would love to look tres chic whilst i'm there. Any suggestions?

Floral Oriental Shorts and a Window Pane Blouse

Ahhhhh its so lovely to be back with an outfit post! It feels like so long since i last struck a pose hahah!
I mentioned in Fridays post that i was looking forward to ditching my practical shorts that i had been living in and donning a dress. But it appears i'm easing myself back in slowly by wearing a pair of shorts again! Pretty shorts, but shorts none the less. When lengths are this short i will take it in short form any day. When skirts and dresses are this short i just can't handle the constant fear of flashing, and i just look uncomfortable all day long. I'm the one uncomfortably tugging at the hemline constantly wondering why I wore such a ridiculously short skirt/dress. But with shorts, i am happy. I feel at peace knowing i am not going to expose thyself and shock the poor people in the near vicinity.
Plus it was super breezy today so these oriental shorts were perfect. Light, girly and flowy yet perfectly covered, even with the pesky wind! (i am totally crushing on the matching kimono blazer to these shorts too... how gorgeous would they be together as well as separately!)
I went for a little bit of pattern mixing with my new sale buy of thw window pane print blouse from River Island. This blouse should see me through to autumn and work as a great transition piece as the checked print is set to be big next season. With the colour theme being common amongst the two pieces (black &white) they seem to mix so well together, i was so pleased with the outcome that this has become top of my outfit leader board (actual thing,,haha i kid...maybe;)