The Woes of Smart-Casual

 Me and my buddy were talking the other day about dress code. And do you know the thing we both hated the most? No? Then i shall tell you. It's that phrase we all hear so often; Smart-Casual. This simple phrase sends my clothes styling mind into overload.. How casual is it? How Smart is it? Heels or flats? Is it dress or jeans? TELL ME MORE THAN SMART -CASUAL PLEASE!! You see, i am an obsessive over-thinker and this kind of dress code is enough to send this poor little mind in to overload. You don't want to be the person who turns up and is way smarter or god forbid more casual than anyone else. So with this little outfit i think i've finally managed the dreaded smart-casual dress code.
A Blazer always adds an air of smart business, even if it is a pretty pastel blue. The structured jacket just looks pulled together.
Jeans,  a complete fail safe for me. When in doubt wear jeans, you can't go far wrong with a great fitting pair of jeans. These girlfriend jeans are beyond amazing..(more on that in a mo)
Heels in the form of wedges; not too dressy, its like the perfect heel that was made for smart-casual events.
Then, a pretty blouse in the form of this gorgeous Apricot Clothing crochet number, their tops are so perfect for adding some pretty detailed interest to an outfit.
Finishing off with a big clutch, because clutches are always a good idea and a pretty necklace that brings it all together just nicely.
So this is my Smart-Casual look. Woes be gone! I think i've finally cracked it. Have you mastered Smart-Casual? Or do you over think it like me?

Oh and the jeans? Well move over boyfriend, i am all about the girlfriend! They are just the perfect fit. I found out last year that House of Fraser have the best range of jeans and this pair is just more proof of that. They are the Warehouse Girlfriend jeans. They have all the comfort or a boyfriend jean with the stretch and same style with the turn up, but with less material, less baggy so to speak. So if you've ever been conscious of adding extra inches when wearing baggy boyfriend jeans, girlfriends may be for you. I'm a total convert!

Warehouse Girlfriend jeans:c/o House Of Fraser

White crochet blouse:c/o Apricot Clothing

Shoes: New Look (last year)

Blazer: Miss Selfridge

Bag: F&F (last summer, but try this in orange.it would work so well)

Orange you glad Necklace(my new total fave!)

 Have you tried a girlfriend jean before?

And how would you dress Smart-Casual?

My 'Hero Item' for the wedding season with M&S

Wedding season is upon us ladies. That time of year where we fiercely scour every shop and website for the perfect occasion dress, that magical item that will make you feel a million dollars (or pounds in my case) that fits like a dream and sparkles and shines with the best of them. 

The thing with an occasion,such as a wedding in my case, is there are photos. Lots of photos. This outfit will be encapsulated in these images which will be viewed by all and put in albums for all of time. You can't turn up to something like that looking naff now can you.

So when Marks and Spencer got in touch to introduce their Ultimate Dress Guide i headed on over and took a good look at the possibilities for a summer wedding guest outfit. (well worth a look for lots of occasions, i absolutely fell in love with both the outfits for the Garden party, i may have to create a party in my pokey garden just to buy the outfits!)

This dress is actually one straight out of the guide after much deliberating and perusing their full dresses range

I absolutely fell in love with the exquisite beading and detailing, in person its super sparkley and catches the light beautifully. I have my dearest friends wedding on July 2nd, which is a traditional church and a stunning venue for the wedding breakfast. I knew i wanted my outfit to be fitting for a church ceremony (call me a snob but too much flesh out in church is just a huuugge no no to me) but yet still fun and not stuffy. For me this ticks all the right boxes. Yay! That leaves me lots of time between now and then to sort hubby out, he may not be so easy. The man hates a suit, a compromise may need to be had, or bribery, like with the kids (LOL).

Dress , Earrings & Shoes c/o Marks and Spencer

Clutch: Marc Jacobs(via TK maxx)

Do you have an occasion this year to dress up for? Have you found your 'Hero' item yet?

Just a quick proud mummy moment.. this is the child of a blogger, the boy now loves to be in the photos too haha! He's not coming to the wedding but i'm tempted to buy him a little suit anyway because that would be just plain old adorable!

An InLinkz Link-up

Lets talk about the C word

Culottes that is.

I am totally on the fence with these. Literally can not decide either way. I see them, i even pin them, but i just dont know if i can actually wear them. Well I'm sure i can wear them, i learnt how to dress myself many moons ago (i'm clever like that), but will i be able to, you know, wear them with conviction?
Jurys out.
Culottes first came in to my little world at the ripe old age of 9 as a Brownie. The yellow blouse and brown culottes will mentally scar me forever i'm sure. But i can't help but think of this poor kid in the horrendous brown itchy cullottes anytime i go near them.
But i know that worn the right way (and in the right colour.. obvs no crap-brown insight) then they can look chic and stylish. The other thing is they are perfect for Spring and possibly our British summer, for the times when you want to bear a little leg but its not that warm. Culottes could well be my answer.
So lets take a look shall we.
All these ladies look uber cool, street-styled to perfection, like they've literally just been walking around waiting to be papped all day long. Gorgeous but lets be honest, slightly unattainable for moi. However, taking what i can from these inspirational beauties, the shapes, the styles and the corresponding items, i really like what culottes bring to the party(the party being getting dressed everyday that is, woopwoop!)

What do you think?
I love that dressed with birkies and a masculine styled shirt they can look nonchalant and cool. But add heels and instant smarty pants.
I'm sticking with plain colours here, mostly monochromatic, as i just can't get my head round patterned culottes, i'm struggling with plain, full on frilly floral fancies is just too much.
So options to try?
Well..

First up we have what i would be considering myself (if i could get my head round them that is)
The Classic Black Culotte.
If in doubt with something, try it in black i say. Instant chic points without trying. Plus, ya know slimming.
Left is New Look  These look swishy and when your legs are together(that sounds weird but you know what i mean) they just look like a lovely black midi skirt. Swishy and girly culottes.
Right is F&F (and possibly worth a punt at nine whole pounds on sale!)
More structured  but still with volume.

Next up Cream or white, which would be just lovely for summer! Paired with tan or black these could look fabulous.
Left is the gorgeous cream high waisted Zara pair, love love love these. They're quite a thick material making them less floaty and more rigid, which surprisingly i like, but bummer, they are out of stock. Obviously culottes are all the rage, particularly this pair and i am late to the culotte party. Poo.
Right we have a creamy/white pair from Warehouse, love how these are styled on the site, they look office smart, great with navy.

So how about denim? Denim culottes. As above with the black culottes, if i'm ever in doubt of something or feel its too dressy for day to day life, then i usually turn to denim. Denim makes everything more casual and that can work with culottes too.
Left again are Warehouse and i am sold! Put a stripe top on anything and i would love it. Perfect weekend wears right there.
Right we have a bit of a cheat. Not quite a culottes, more of a cut off, but i fell in love with them. They're from Asos and they're High waisted, wide leged with a D-ring waist adjuster. They're different but i like them.. a lot. But i guess cut off jeans could be a whole other post.. shall ponder on  that..back to full on culottes..

Next up we have linen style culottes, something i hadn't considered until my colossal culotte research.

Left we have Asos bringing it with a khaki linen culotte, which i have to say are growing on me (its khaki, are we surprised?) and then

Navy from Zara.. not sure about these.. they are somewhat girl guide revival, but that's probably just me.

And lastly Some vertical stripes.. leg lengthening, not widening, stripes can be your best friend when worn in the right way.

Pinstripe wide leg option on the left from Asos, which i really like with the sliders. Also think some black mules could look gorgeous.

Or some navy and white stripes for a bit of a sailor/nautical vibe from zara. Not my favourites, but an option non the less.

So there we have it. Culottes.

Judging by the fact that some of my favourites have indeed sold out, i'm guessing i am pretty much late to the culotte party, but better late than never hey (even though im still yet to buy a pair, so perhaps i haven't quite made it to the party yet, i'm at the window peering in with curiosity shall we say)

Have you tried culottes yet? Do share? i'd love to see if you have or share your thoughts? 

Do you think they could be a good option for a British Summer?

An Outfit for A Champagne Afternoon Tea

 For the past week i had been scouring the internet and my local stores for something to wear for a hen doo which was a champagne afternoon tea at the Beautiful Llanerch Vineyard. The Hen is one of my dearest friends and she always always looks stunning. But what do you wear to afternoon tea? And what's worse the weather is being all kind of crazy at the moment, to trouser or to dress..that was the question.
It just so happened it turned out to be an absolute glorious sunny mild day.
So after the hairdressers i had an hour to find something at my local shops, and this beautiful River Island dress was on sale( you can keep an eye on the latest sales at River Island here which is a big help!).

I had actually swooned after this baby when it was full price. The kimono sleeves are ticking some major style boxes and also dress it down making it easy to wear in the day time. Granted i didn't realise how short it was in the changing room, but at least its slightly longer at the back, making it ok for even a tall gal like me.
I added in my new mules, again a great day shoe for when you want a heel but a skinny stiletto heel is just too dressy,  a pop of orange with my Fossil bag which was tied together nicely with this yosa necklace. After over a week of stressing about what to wear, i was actually really pleased with this last minute option.
Normally when i panic purchase it usually ends up in the never-to-be-worn-gain pile. But this time i think i did good.
Pat pat on the back for me ;)

Dress:River Island

Mules: F&F

Bag: Fossil c/o Mcarthur Glen (last spring)

Necklace: Yosa

Ps how d'you like the new hair? It's not *quite* what i was going for, but the new sunkissed look is growing on me. At this rate i'll be blonde by summer ;) haha!


Have you ever been for afternoon tea? I have to say it was wonderful, even catering for me with a gluten free tea! What would you wear to such an event?