Maxi Cardigans and the classics

My Mango dressing gown  coatigan arrived and it is deevine! Its so warm, perfect for this time of year, accept when its raining, which of course it did as soon as I'd donned the beauty. Typical law of sod when you really want to wear your new coatigan.
What I loved about it instantly was how thick it is and the ever so slight wide bell sleeves.
It was between this cardigan  and this one i'm wearing when i was shopping for a long cardigan, but the latter won out due to its thickness, and the little detailing it has with the sleeves and it has a very slight embossing/quilted effect. Also its really thick and cosy (and dressing-gown esque and i mean that in the best possible way)
Being black it will obviously go with quite a lot, but I knew immediately i would add in the classics: breton top, leopard print scarf and a pop of red for its maiden journey, which incidentally didn't last as long as I envisaged due to the most ridiculous downpour... Coatigans/woollen outerwear and the UK are sooo not a great combo, but alas i do it anyway as I will not be dictated to by a weather system.. I'm a rebel like that;)

So i feel like we've broken the back of January haven't we? Just past half way and careering quickly into the next month.
January has been a funny old month for me so far, and not funny haha either. Its been filled with what I can only describe as tension or bad feeling.. which is rather crap if I'm honest.
We recently had a run of crappy things happening, car problems, vans breaking down and a burglaries (work van). Its been a tough start to the year I'm not gunna lie. But i guess these things are sent to test us. It does make you think though doesn't it.. Why do bad things happen to good people. I'm assuming I'm a good person, I mean I swear like a trooper but heck I'm solid bloody gold i swear ;)
Maybe we're getting all the crappy stuff out of the way now to hopefully have a smooth run for the rest.
In the mean time you'll find me internet shopping my troubles away and blowing the budget way,way, wayyy in to oblivion. I can't help it, I'm an emotional shopper!

Cardigan
Boots (now on sale too!)
Breton top- mine is old and in need of an upgrade.. loving this one)
Bag
Coated Jeans

How's your January been so far? Good I hope, I would love to hear some good news!

Seven on Sunday 0.14

This week saw me sat at my desk busily working away for the majority. I've enjoyed it actually and got lots done which always feels rather rewarding. 

Here's to another productive week..

0.1 I mentioned last week that I am looking at some investment jeans, some that will stay with me and I will love for a long time to come. A lovely reader suggested Paige Denim, which lead me to Trilogy who have the most amazing designer selection... I'm currently sat perusing  the styles and trying to devise a plan of attack on my jeans of prey;)

0.2 Slogans, slogans, slogans.. I love a good message on a sweater. I was after a navy sweater for everyday-wear and got to looking at these gorgeous ones, I've gone for the Oui sweater(page 2) bought with a rather delightful voucher. Shall keep you posted on how nice it is.

0.3 Another jumper/sweater I'm obsessed with is this one.. I literally visit it online everyday. Its been so cold lately here in Wales that I think I've noticed a gap in my wardrobe of lovely thick knitwear. It would be lovely with my navy peacoat and some relaxed jeans i reckon.

0.4 I've been obsessed with finding a gorgeous pair of Leopard print loafer style shoes after falling in love with these Penelope Loafers ( alas they don't ship these particular shoes to the UK, boohooohooo :( If you're in the US i implore, someone buy them.. they are simply divine, and then tell me how amazing they are!) So yes, looking for an alternative. This is the closest, nicest I could find.. quite nice right?

0.5 Catherine's brilliantly written post on change

0.6 I linked to it in  my home decor post this week, but i honestly can't get this sofa outta my mind. Its not very often you find a nice sofa that can fit lots of bums on, which is vital with this family! Plus stain guard.. need i say more.

0.7 I'm on the hunt for a new mascara, i love my lancome but am thinking of trying this new one.. Or do you have any great mascara revelations? Do share! I like thickening and length and always lots of volume!

What have you loved this week?

Tan boots & #Passion4Fashion Linkup

 I had wanted some tan boots for some time. After gazing into my wardrobe and mentally putting outfit options together, I knew that getting a pair would open up a lot more options with things I currently own.

Adding in pieces that work with multiple other items in my possession is now my shopping mantra.

I also knew I didn't want another pair of ankle boots, I already have a lovely light camel pair that do the trick, no I knew it was a high leg lovely warm tan colour i needed.
So I looked and looked and looked, but nada.

About a week before Christmas I saw these in store and thought they looked gorgeous.
Soft suede, block heel and perfect colour.
Hello you beautiful boot!
Of course they didn't have my size.
But a little bit of on-line perusing, sending links to the husband and dropping major hints (to which he replied "Another pair of boots.. really, REALLY?" Pfft
And these beauties were waiting for me under the tree come Christmas.
I love them.
I donned them on boxing day with a different outfit and paraded around all day in my beautiful new boots.

I've been wearing a lot of navy and black of late, so the tan feels like a welcome change to my monochromatic phase. Plus they also go so well with the aforementioned as well as a plethora of other colours. Tan is one of those fabulous neutrals that can transform a look so well. This is just a simple sweater and jeans look for a casual day but i love how the boots up the ante slightly.
The brown faux leather jacket is a piece i bought about 2 years ago (i think), but rarely gets worn. Not any more brown jacket, your new friends the Tan boots have breathed a new lease of life in to you.. You can thank them later.

Outfit Details:
Boots
Jacket New Look but really old, Try this one
Asos Skinny Jeans (High Waisted Rivington)
Scarf New look But LOVE this one
Carvela Bag
Cream knit from Matalan, Nice alternative

I thought it may be useful to include my make up used where possible, as its something i often get asked, so where I can I will :) Hope it helps!

Makeup:
Red Nails with Topcoat
Lipstick
Foundation
The only eyeliner i have ever been able to do!
My absolute favourite Mascara

Have you bought or received anything that's breathed new life in to your existing wardrobe of late?

An InLinkz Link-up

Living Room decorating with my Top Tips

Lounge by rachel-the-hat 

As part of My plans for 2016 my main living room is top of my agenda.

I am here ALL DAY LONG, looking around at these four walls and thinking about how i can get this teeny tiny house to work for me as an office, family home and just a generally enjoyable place to chill.

The sofa, as I've mentioned, is the tippy top of my agenda. Scatter cushion backed sofas, let me warn you, are a holy hellish nightmare. If you have kids, do not buy a scatter back cushion sofa. The cushions will inevitably live more on your floor than anywhere else, and you will spend 80% of your day picking them up and putting them back to where they are supposed to be.

They also go really flat and floppy and just always look messy. 

It was the first proper adult sofa purchase I had ever made so I'm marking it down to a life lesson.

From that at least I know what I want.

And I think I've found the perfect sofa! The sofa that dreams are made of..

The Heart of the Living Room

Finding a sofa that will comfortably seat at least 5 people, a dog and add in more possible guests, is a hard sofa to find. 

I checked the usual haunts for a sofa, but they all seemed way to small and cursed with the scatter cushion backing *shudder*.

So whilst looking through new to me websites I found Oldrids & Downtown and this beauty above.

Ugh.. its so perfect I want to cry.

Tip One: Shop for furniture with a knowledge of what you need rather than buying what looks pretty.

Go in to it with your sensible head on and don't be seduced by the colourful scatter cushions that look great on show.

I now know I need a large corner sofa, a complete secured cushioned backing and stain resistant fabric. Don't fall in to the trap of buying what you lust over what will work for you and your situation.

Lighting

My living room has a dark side, not in a Yoda v's Darth type way but in a lightning needs sorting type way. 

Spot lights would work best for creating a zone filled with consistent light throughout. Then a key piece as centre stage and also lamps.. Lamps are so great for adding decorative focal points as well as extra light to dull areas.

Tip two: Check you can get suitable light-bulbs easily for your fixtures. I once bought a lamp that was notoriously hard to find light-bulbs for, meaning it usually didn't get changed once it had gone. I  now get all mine at Bulbs2go which is so much easier than standing in the supermarket wondering which bulb you were meant to get, only to be faced with a dozen different types (then committing to one, buying it, getting home and it being the wrong one.. argh.. anyone else do that?) 

Workspace

If you work from home, like me, or even just at your computer a lot, like us bloggers are, creating a workplace environment that is enjoyable to be in is conducive to getting your work done well.

I spend A LOT of hours at my desk which is in our living room. It works well  for me as when the family are home as I'm not segregated from them (although sometimes lord knows I wish I was somewhat separated) and it means I can keep an eye on everything and still reply to emails and get stuff done.

I'm currently working hard on making my space a positive happy place for me to be in. The more positive the space the happier I work.

I found a desk and side tables at Aram that are absolute investment pieces. These will stand the test of time and really make a statement in my living room as well as being practical.

Tip Three: Invest in yourself. Buy a good desk that you love and want to sit at, making your space a positive happy work environment will make for positive happy work.

Also if its in your living room, like me it also helps to be easy on the eye.

Soft Furnishings

I love me some good cushions and throws. I could shop for them all day long, much to my husbands dismay as i will often return from a shopping trip with new cushions (they're my Achilles heel). They really do make a difference in a room.

My colour preference at the moment is a soft duck egg blue with cream. I'm kind of thinking chic meets countryside style (that's a thing right?).

Tip Four: Stick to a colour scheme that you love, that you can add too and easily interchange furnishings. An estate agent tip would be can you imagine that room at Christmas? Can you imagine it cosy in winter and cool in summer? If you can say yes, then you know you are on to a year round beautiful room that you will love.

Are you decorating or adding anything to your home this year? I would love to know if you have any tips or recommendations?