Star Blouse (& #Passion4Fashion linkup)

Well I've been banging on about this star blouse for weeks now haven't I?! Its been on wish lists and star posts and in the shopping list that constantly lives in my mind (just me?).
And finally I'm giving it it's starring (heh) moment here on the blog.. hurraahh!
I say hurrahh because its honestly a stunning blouse that i thoroughly enjoy wearing.

Do you have any items that you just slip on without much thought and yet feel a million dollars ( or pounds or euros.. feel free to delete as appropriate).

This star shirt is exactly that to me. I mentioned in my star post how i've worn in for multiple occasions since i received it as it really is a versatile little number. It looks cute with boyfriend jeans and my beloved NB trainers, its great with berry tones and lovely with red. It can also be dressed up with a bit of faux leather, some heels and a blingtastic necklace for an evening out.

I paired my lovely star blouse with my river Island fluffy longline trench, that was a spur of the moment purchase a couple of months ago, but has already been worth every penny. I don't think i realised how much i would wear it when i bought it, its honestly like wrapping yourself in your duvet and leaving the house.
I just have two problems with it.
1. It malts more than the fluffiest fluffy Canine companion
and
2. No good in the rain. Unless i want my lovely fluffy woolie trench to become a ball of fizz... like my hair.

But problems aside (and avoiding all rain showers like i'm made of sugar) i do love it.

Necklace
Coated jeans: F&F (These ones are even nicer and a bargain)
Equipment Shirt
River Island Trench
Ankle boots F&F (love these)
Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mab bag

An InLinkz Link-up

The Fairisle-Scandi Style Sweater Styled 3 Ways

Its that time of the year when you walk in to a shop and you're bombarded with Christmas jumpers. Some pretty, some funny and some just plain gross.
Now i'm quite partial myself to some festive dressing, especially on Christmas Eve (me and Neo last year in Gingerbread man jumpers), but i'm not one to don a tinsel clad sweater from November.
Also i know lots of people who just don't care for festive sweaters.
So with that in mind i think the perfect way to give a little nod to the festive season couldn't be easier than with a fairisle scandi inspired knit.
There's a plethora of beautiful knits around at the moment and with a cold front imminent (according to Mr Weather man its going down to 2 degrees Celsius next wee. Not gunna lie, this sort of excites me. I'm weird i know, feel free to admit that, but i do love a good dry cold snap and piling on the winter woolies and snuggling under blankets, anything's better than this god awful rain we've been stuck with for weeks on end. Cheers for that Storm Abigail! But i digress.. as usual)
Now seems the perfect time to find a couple of options that could work well for you.
You see the thing i love about a Fairilse jumper, is its a knit for life not just for Christmas, and by that i mean, its not just a one day Christmas wonder. These beauties can be worn lots of ways and still look pretty darn good if you ask me.

This is the one i bought a few weeks ago and love

Mango Scandi Style Wool Blend Jumper

Here's a couple of ways i'm loving my Nordic knitwear styled up

First up i went straight for the casual. Nice with some relaxed jeans (love these!!), comfy ankle boots and i've layered a black  ribbed turtleneck underneath for extra warmth.

Next up adding a gilet over the sweater, some leather trousers and my beloved biker boots. I love this look. It feels like it brings some edge to the Nordic knit. Perfect for a day out Christmas shopping and a spot of lunch.

And finally, a little outfit for when its freezing outside, but you've got that pub/christmas doo to go to. this could be perfect.
A little black skirt, some heeled ankle boots and some sparkle with some statement earrings and clutch bag

Plenty of Fairisle sweaters on the market right now.
Here's a few that have caught my eye this week

From asos

L:Monki

R:Brave Soul

A little bit black and yellow with the Monki option, definitely swerving any Christmassy connotations, but could look gorgeous with some faux leather.

The Brave Soul knit is a pretty little number, love the oversized hem and patterned continued on the sleeves.

Cream

Burgundy

Going very Scandi traditional here and these look simply divine. From Swedish outdoor clothing company Fjallraven these beauties are a little pricey but think of all the winters you would get out of these. These just scream to be worn with some Sorel boots, Parka coat and a bobble hat for some pure winter delights.
Lovely right? Defintely my favourites.

Trusty F&F up next

L:Jewel Embellished Fairilse

R:Snowflake Fairilse

A little embellishment is always welcome in my eyes, this time of year just begs for a bit of sparkle.
And of course some traditional snowflakes.

George at Asda caught my eye this week too, these two beauties are delightful

L:Cream

R:Black

Love the yolk neckline and just the slightest hint of glimmer on these. Plus really on the money at just £18. Prefect for a dabble with the fairilse style.

What are your thoughts on Fairilse sweaters? Love or loathe? Do you own any and if you do how do you style yours?

Seven on Sunday 0.8

As i mentioned in Friday's post.. it has been a toughie this past week.
When things could go wrong, they did. BIG time.
But starting afresh this week with hope for a much better week (it couldn't be any worse than last week.. i hope!) and a renewed look on things. Sometimes things don't go your way, but it doesn't necessarily mean its your fault or that you should take everything to heart.
I need to remain mindful and in the moment this week,rather than attempting to think of a gajillion things, 90% of what i can't change anyway.
So yes.. onwards and upwards folks.

This week i have been loving:

0.1 This reed diffuser in Winter's Wish.. so so good! I have one on my desk so when i sit and work it smells divine. Its like the very best of winter smells. Plus Donna, the owner is a mum boss/small business owner like myself. Its wonderful to support small like minded women in business don't you think? (plus she's FAB!)

0.2 I'm on the hunt for the perfect check shirt. Last year i bought and subsequently returned 3 checked shirts. I just don't feel like me in them. I look like a lumberjack, or farmer, which is neither the look i was going for.
But i am not one to give up easily,no no, i am very much still on the look out for some perfect plaid. I'm thinking, leather trousers, check shirt, black gillet and lots of long chains as a necklace. A little bit edgy is the way that i think i'd like to try a check shirt.
In my mind its black and green checked. This one looks like it could be worth a punt. But my favourite are from here at Madewell.. theres some lovely choices and the prices seem not too bad!

0.3 Still all about the stews this week! This Slimming world Italian bean stew.. YUM

0.4 This plum lipstick has been on constant lip rotation this past week. On trend, can be layered up for darker look or blotted off for a subtler shade. Nice on the lips too, not drying or glossy.

0.5 i have been on the hunt this week for the perfect black cape/poncho!! Its all i have been looking at all week, to the point where i was going poncho crazy. I knew what i wanted but do you think i could find it? Well apparently not. I found it in white and neutral but black was non existent.. or so i had began to think. Then i found this one.. on sale.. I pick it up Wednesday. I see it with navy and leather by friday ;)

0.6 Tried this hat on and didn't buy it.. now i need to go back and get it as my head misses it so bad :(

0.7 This charm has a very special place in my heart.. Neo and i have a Gingerbread man thing going on. So have put this on my christmas list.. isn't it cute!!


All pics from my Instagram
and also Facebook if you fancy chatting over there

What have you been loving this week? I would LOVE to hear!

Rxx

Bad week, 2nd Vlog & Passion4Fashion Linkup!

Firstly I apologise for the lateness of today's link up.
Its been one of those weeks.
When things could go wrong, they have.
Ever have one of those?
I have been so stressed.
The printer broke down, my computer packed in and the only person who could fix it (hubby) was working away. Missing parcels, broken goods and generally sad times.
It rained ALL WEEK LONG, so no outfit photos were taken, much to my utter dismay.
Also as mentioned above, Salvatore's been away A LOT, so no photographer, no helping hand, no husband cuddles and words of encouragement.
Its been rough.
And on top of all that, i accidentally set some Christmas presents on fire and nearly took out the whole kitchen.
Devastated.
Disastrous week all round really.
So yes.
I am feeling a little down in the dumps.
But its Friday. I have Salvatore home for the weekend, family around me and a bottle of wine in the fridge.
I think i need to re-charge my batteries and stop putting SO much stress and pressure on myself.
Its ridiculous.

But what i have for you today is VLOG number 2!
Yes. I filmed it finally. Yes i've rambled on and on (i apologise)
The editing is non existent (hence why its 18 minutes long..Feel free to skip through)

I would love for you to have a watch and any words of encouragement would be sincerely felt today.
And if you would like to follow along and watch me, hopefully, improve my vlogging skills then i would love you to follow my channel too!

I'm also now working on the Rachel The Hat Facebook page too so would love you to come chat with me there

Vlog 2

As always guys thanks so much for you constant support, it really does mean the world to me, and becomes especially poignant when my week has been so annoyingly bad.
You guys rock!

An InLinkz Link-up