Passion 4 Fashion Linkup

I like to take inspiration from pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I can be out shopping and see someone in a cute outfit and make a mental note of it, it can be a magazine or a fellow blogger, and sometimes its tv. I have major netflix marathons, what can i say i like a little tv action on in the background whilst i work, and a little late to the party i have been watching Gossip Girl (currently on series 4 and completely addicted by the way..) and the outfits...oh the outfits! But unfortunately my life doesn't call for many outings in glam gowns and to be dripping in jewels, more's a pity, haha, but sometimes its taking inspiration and making it work for you and your life. Serena and Vanessa, on separate occasions, wore a gorgeous neon lime colour that just looked so striking. I was instantly drawn to the bright summery colour and decided on a contrast with the black. 

The shoes have been on my want list since the #100daysnospend started back in January, proving that both patience and the law of attraction works. Want something bad enough and it will become yours. 

House of Fraser kindly let me choose a pair of shoes and i was spoilt for choice with their amazing ladies shoe selection, all my favourite brands in one place... thats my idea of mecca;) So i went for the pair i had lusted after for so so long. The two part shoe is hot hot hot this season, whether that be in flat form or heels. And these are ticking all the right boxes for me!

Michael Kors Bag: via Jon Ian of Cowbridge

Shoes:c/o House Of Fraser

Jeans: F&F

Biker: New Look

Cami top: River Island

Earrings: Yosa

Do you own any two part shoes? Flat or feels?

An InLinkz Link-up

The Great Trainer Debate

the Great Trainer Debate by rachel-the-hat featuring converse trainers

Trainers (or sneakers if you're from across the pond) have fast become the fashionables favourite choice of footwear, swapping heels for comfort and pairing them with everything from girly dresses to boyfriend jeans.

As an avid shoe lover i have to admit it has taken me a long time to actually liking the thought of a pair of trainers in my shoe arsenal, i spent most of my teenage years in trainers(lots of the above

infact!)and the thought of returning back to trainers felt like i was somehow shunning my beautiful shoes and returning to the practicality of my youth! But when you see trainers been rocked and looking awesome everywhere i started to think, maybe there is something in this for me? As you all know i am a mum who often spends weekends and summers in big parks and play gyms and generally non-heel pleasing places. I hate to admit it but i have spent many a morning wondering what shoes to wear trying to stay stylish and myself and also practical for that hike with the kids and the dog, often opting for a not -very-comfy, blister inducing ballet pump. Well not anymore. With the inspiration from some of my favourite bloggers and pintrest i have now decided that maybe a great trainer could be the answer to all my weekend dilemmas. 

And once i started looking, well,  i literally couldn't decide which would be best to go for.  The choices are vast and great. But i've narrowed down a few of my favourites . here goes

Adidas Stan Smith
£64.99

very  popular with the fashionable, the Stan Smith offers a comfy white trainer with a pop of green. Classic trainer orginating from the 70's making it great for rocking a bit of that 70's trend.

New Balance Trainer
 £64.99

Going for a more classic trainer shape, NB look like they could be slippers they're so comfy looking.  You could quite easily break out in to a jog in these and be in the perfect shoe, although jogging isn't really at the top of my must-dos (except for when Cassy, our dog, makes a run for it across the field to go play with another dog/person/random object, which literally leaves me dapping it full pelt across the field after her every time.. entertaining for anyone watching i assure you, as i scream her name and she blatantly just ignores me... the little madam!)

Adidas Gazelle

£66.99

I owned a pair of gazelle's back in the 90's when i was a teen rocking frayed jeans down at the skate park. I still really love these, they definitely have a masculine air to them.. i actually think Neo would rock these.

White Converse All Star 

£44.99

The classic Chucks, i have a pair in red that are really really well worn. I have been fancing upgrading my oldies to a new crisp white pair. Worn with ripped jeans a white tee and a black blazer they can look chic, or with cut offs and a summer vest top for perfect weekend wears. Converse will forever be a favourite in my household, with both my son and step daughter wearing theirs regularly.

Adidas

 Superstar Black & White

Superstar in mono

Pharrell Super colour

And lastly the Superstar or what we used to call them; The Shell Toe. I wore these back when i was 15/16 which in my mind feels like only a few months ago (crazy time, where have you gone?!)

I remember loving them back then and nagging my mum constantly for a pair. I first had them in white with red stripes and then for my second pair i had baby blue stripes.

I have to say 15 years on i still think the shell toe Superstars are my favourites. The black and white are totally rocking my world and now i can't help but think how perfect they will be for all the dog walking/child-friendly days out. 

Pharrell recently launched a whole super colour rainbow shoe theme too, so they now come in practically every colour imaginable. But for me? I think it's the classic black and white. And i think i may have found what i have been looking for.

Here's a few of my fave bloggers that i'm inspired by:

My BBFF (blogging bestie friend forever) Catherine  styling up her chucks with a vintage skirt; genius right?

Francis showing us how Stan Smiths can look tres chic

Kat knocking it out the park with all white cracked leather Stan Smiths and a breton top...love!

Jane   showing us that trainers are not just for with trousers, they also look UH-MAZING with dresses.

So there we have it i am totally converted. 
And i *think* i may have to invest in the Superstars.

What are your thoughts on trainers? Are you a fan?

Navy trench, With a Black Jumpsuit and Pops of Yellow

The jumpsuit was something i shied away from for a long time, but once i embraced the glorified onesie trend i couldn't help but love it. As always it's just about finding out what works for you. This is my second jumpsuit, my first being a utility Mango jumpsuit that carries a more casual air (which i must dig out come to think of it, it could be perfect for spring)  and now this new F&F one, which i absolutely love. The wrap detail, the D-ring belt and the exposed zip all add to this little gems qualities and it was on sale..need i say more.  Even though this jumpsuit is a little dressier with its V neckline i wanted to bring it in to more of a casual day wear . To counter the dressy i added in my navy long-line trench and some gorgeous lace up navy flats that i have been living in of late.  

Black and navy teamed together can be just so good, breaking the old rules of the two should never meet. Breaking the rules can be fun; dressy items for day wear, colours that used to be separated now coming together, living on the wild side over here folks ;)

The #100daysnospend is officially over (roll out the flags woohhooo) and this past weekend has seen me lucky enough to do a little shopping.. Oh yes , it has been delightful. more on that later in the week.

Yellow Bucket Bag: Zara

Shoes: Boden

Trench: Dorothy Perkins

Jumpsuit (soldout)
similar in navy which i also love: F&F

Sunnies: Primark

Necklace: Yosa

Do you own a jumpsuit? 

How do you wear yours? Casual, dressy, or both?

And if you don't own one, would you consider the jumpsuit trend?

Saturday Shopping: Discovering an Italian Brand; VentiFive

During the winter i was doing a bit of research into some leather trousers and browsing the good ol' world wide web for inspiration when i stumbled upon and Italian brand. A brand that seemed to provide what looked like designer goods that were catwalk worthy for some of the best Italian fashion houses. That company is VentiFive. 

At first i was attracted to their Italian crafted leather trousers that looked perfect, but then i started to delve a little further. Their coats and bags look like they should be in a showroom with the triple figure price tag. But nope, everything comes in way less than 100euro (and with the exchange rate in our favour right now, it would be rude not to, right?) 

There are few things that get me excited but the Luciana Bag actually made me squeal a little bit. I mean does this or does this not look tremendously like a famous gorgeous bag that is over £900 right now? *ahem Chloe*

So i started to look in to the company a little further. I always love to read the "about" section for a new to me company. 

VentiFive are the manufacturers and have produced garments for major brands, accumulating decades of experience in the world of clothing. They design, develop and manufacture in Italy and offer exclusively through the web avoiding all the intermediate steps of the commercial chains and at a very advantageous price.

Well I am sold... and now i'm passing this nugget of information on to you my friends.. because that's what friends do right;)

You're welcome!

Gorgeous isn't it? And also needs to be on my arm this summer!!!

 Here's a few of my absolute favourites for Spring that i'm currently adding to my online basket of goodness

 Milena Shirt 

Emma Top

This floral print is Spring perfection. Love the idea of the pussybow blouse with some white jeans and tan accessories.

Mini Trench Lavinia

Jessica Trench in Yellow

 The second thing to catch my eye was the excellent coats and jacket selection.. We all know how much i love a nice coat and a trench coat is something that should be in every womans wardrobe.
I love the update of a classic piece with the beautiful yellow colour. Yellow is one of the key colours for s/s 15 and the Jessica trench ticks all the right boxes. How perfect would it look with a navy and white breton top? ugh..made for each other, right?

 Samanta Peplum top

Scuba material, pretty in colour perfect in  design. The Samanta top stole my blush loving heart when i saw the deep v back. I love attention to detail and that back has me sold. Plus peplum in scuba is something i think i need to try.

So VentiFive, i think i love you, Cin Cin Bella Cin Cin!

Now what will you be buying? (Its the bag isn't it?)