Breezy Summer Dress (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

We have had the most glorious week of sunshine and a 30 degree heat-wave here in Wales and it has been divine. 

I have to say though, when this weather arrives my fashion senses go on strike. Its too hot to accessorise, and i totally go in for the 'as little clothing as possible without getting arrested for indecent exposure' look. So its simple light dresses all round for me and this 100% cotton dress from one of my favourite companies Seasalt Cornwall was just the ticket.

Light easy and breezy, the perfect warm weather companion. I'm looking forward to taking this on holiday with me in August as i feel it could be perfect family holiday attire, in the sense of it works for a number of holiday occasions, day-wear, cover up for a beach day, sight seeing and a casual evening meal. That is definitely a good all rounder of a dress don't you think? 

Catherine also very skillfully mixed this dress with jeans and a white tee layered underneath which looked divine, so I shall be taking inspiration from the fabulous Catherine and try dabbling with layers too (its just calling out for a denim jacket to be its buddy isn't it?!).

The espadrilles have to be at least 5 years old (but quite possibly 7 years... i cant remember!) and i found them in my attic when i was switching over my summer clothes, they had gotten lost along the bottom of some piles (of crap) and haven't seen the light of day for a couple of years, but i am so pleased to have found them as they've barely left my feet. 

It's fait to say espadrilles never ever go out of Summer fashion and are definitely a shoes style that you will pull out year upon year. These are sublimely comfy and the neutrality of the navy makes them go with pretty much everything.

Ive put a few Espadrille options down below for you to peruse as i really think its the shoe for every women!

Outfit Details
Navy Espadrilles, these are the closest
Seasalt Dress
Yellow Bag

Espadrille Options

An InLinkz Link-up

Body Positivity With Vicki Honest Mum

Today I have the absolute pleasure of bringing you Part 2 of the #BodyPositivity series with with one of my most favourite people in the blogasphere.
Vicki really needs no introduction as a Body Positivity influencer herself she isn't shy of taking to Instagram, talking openly and honestly and making every woman feel good about themselves.

Two years ago she almost broke the internet with her Bikini clad posts with a beautiful honesty of her post baby body which caused the most fabulous ripple effect where so many women posted bikini clad photos revealing glorious bodies all shapes and sizes, stretch marks and 6 packs, it was truly inspirational.
#ProudInMyBikini is still ongoing with women celebrating who they are and how they look!

Today Vicki talks to us about techniques in accepting our 'flaws'...

Accepting My Flaws by Vicki of Honest Mum.

It's taken 36 LOONG years but I've finally accepted my flaws. Scrap that. I hate the term 'flaws'- I've finally accepted my nuances!
I think age and experience (overcoming adversity as we all do in some form or another, the older we get, and dealing with the general ups and downs life throws our way) makes us realise what really matters. Sounds cheesy but it's true. Having babies in particular forced me to reassess and refocus.
Dealing with a traumatic birth felt like existing in slow-mo. As if my life had hit pause, somehow. There was no choice but to rebuild from there. It didn't matter what came before it: a close family, an MA, my identity wrapped up in being a filmmaker...I had to seek help and start over. Setting up my blog, Honest Mum, along with the support of family, friends and a super therapist, helped me do just that. Slowly, I rediscovered myself and became strong again. Part of that journey has been accepting myself: body and mind.
Over the last year I've come across several experts stating that when you write down your flaws, the things people could fling at you to cause pain and you approach them head-on, you feel liberated and stronger than before.
It's rather like facing your fears in order to thrive.
So, I thought I'd do just that in this guest post for my friend, Rachel. Inspirational, kind, smart, a real go-getter, there's no where else I'd like to share a post on embracing my 'nuances' than right here.
Let's go!

1. Mum tum. I've accepted that this tiger striped, jelly-like tum my kids like to knead as if it were dough (thanks kids) won't ever disappear. It's diminished a little due to recent weight loss, but in all honestly, could do with a tummy tuck to resemble its pre-kid state (which took 300 sit ups a day by the way so that's never going to happen now). I'm definitely not vain nor brave enough for an opp though, so self-acceptance and a bit of Spanx here and there on shoots is where it's at for me.#mumtumforevs.
2. My arms. I've always had a thing about my arms. I was a naturally skinny child until puppy fat hit then I had two 'FULL' years we'll call them, until a growth spurt in height stretched me out. I've yoyo-ed in weight thanks to PCOS since my teens, and recently a stone after taking intolerance tests and upping my exercise. My arms though, will never be slim jims and whilst I cringe and crop them out of photos for the most part (close ups rock, right?), I've accepted these are my arms and they make me strong enabling me to write (my greatest love) so deserve a high five (you can totally high-five yourself by the way). 
3. My boobs. I know lots of women complain of wanting bigger boobs but I'd love a smaller pair if I could. I dream of wearing backless tops or going bra-less as Rachael does, but that's just not a possibility for me. The jugs have truly taken some punches, literally and metaphorically (toddlers anyone?) and after breastfeeding both of my kids, it's safe to say they benefit from a supportive bra, but they're mine and they helped nourish my boys and deserve some respect. 
4. Lips. I wish my lips were fuller and whilst my husband bangs on at me that, 'they're not thin and perfect' in his words, they're far from Angelina's plump pout. I used to spend years, literally years as a tween, pouting in a mirror, to try and boost them up. Who knows if it helped. I discovered lip liners and gloss which helped and now I do the best I can with what I've got. 
5. Chubby thumbs. This is a funny one and even made two specialists laugh as they stated they probably didn't grow enough in the womb- and whilst you'd never notice they're any smaller than my other fingers, I've been conscious of them since I was a kid! They've never made a nail shot on Insta  for example but maybe now, they should. 

So there you have it, my top 5 flaws...there are many more of course but in the interest of following my own advice and choosing to be kind to myself, I'll leave that list right here.
Perfection doesn't exist but it can often feel it does, online. It's natural to want to share our 'best takes' and hide our short comings (and that includes short thumbs) on the world wide web, but it's vital to be honest, for ourselves and others too. I want my sons to grow up feeling positive about who they are and what they look like. The wonderful things that make them, them.
I'm teaching my boys not to place value on aesthetics but to put personality, good health, wisdom and generosity first.
To do that though I must lead by example.
And so must you.


Thanks Rachel for the space to share.
Vicki x
Http://www.honestmum.com

You can read Part 1 of the #BodyPositivity series here about my personal journey so far

Slogan Tshirt: A Trend for All!

I am having a proper thing for slogan tee's at the moment. They're just super easy; chuck them on with anything and have an instant interesting outfit. They really do go with anything too, from jeans, culottes or tailored trousers, and shorts to maxi, midi, and mini skirts, even layered under some dresses can look pretty quirky and cool. I have a couple  The one above is a current staple, but i'm looking to add a couple more in for summer as they really are the epitome of easy dressing.

I feel like they can be quite an individual piece too, in the sense of we only choose ones that we like the slogan of. I think i've mentioned slogan tees before and some mentioned they weren't for them, however if you get the slogan right i think it can work for any age, shape or size and for many an outfit. 

So, thoughts on slogan tee's would you give one a try with the right slogan and with the right accompanying pieces?

Here's a few i've found that I personally love and would happily wear each one.

Topshop Sick yellow

Starting with my favourite, which may turn in to a payday treat as i love it so so much. The colour yellow is sublime and i like ot think it will work now with some denim skirts or cut offs and converse and then in autumn with a black biker jacket, ripped jeans and some leopard print. See, this could be a real flexible little tshirt friend!

Brunch Club

Another i really would like right now.. Hvae i mentioned i cook the most amazing vegan GF brunch.. yep its offically the best thing i make at the moment, so i feel this tshirt fits well with my food loving soul. Outfit wise is a no brainer with lots of options, from jeans and tee's to skirts and sandals. 

This could get a lot of wear easily.

Femme forever

Lots of feminist slogans on the rounds at the moment, which i really like. I am all for embracing our feminine super powers and supporting one another as you all well know.  So i have this tee, as you can see above, and its so soft and comfy. Wear with skirts, shorts, jeans.. basically whatever as its such a neutral piece!

new look red aloha

Aloha pop of red.. love a pop of read and with the light wash denim and sliders it looks super summery!

New Look Femme

More super female t-shirts and in neutrals from New Look, each with small price tags

new look white girls do it

 Skater style with new brand MaxLami. These would look very very cool with some cut offs and a pair of vans.

Pimkie

 This one again i adore, the vibrant blue is such a great, different shade that just screams summer. Also a complete bargain at £4.99

Topshop Lucky Motif

I actually love this whole outfit, banana trousers and all, but more specifically the LUCKY tshirt is so so pretty and if you're not keen on some slogans, this could be a great place to start... Who doesn't want to feel a little extra lucky each day?

Give Me A Break

Stylish black and red here which makes a nice change to the lighter coloured tshirts. This again could work through to autumn with the right pairings, and add some red tassel earrings and you are very much winning at life.

Finishing with two H&M beauties.. the bananas slogan tee is just rather sweet, and lets face it we could all do with going a bit bananas now and again. And who said t-shirts aren't inspirational.. like a cat poster.. 'Hang in There', this red and white number is actually very very true and something we need reminding of sometimes, and you now can by just looking down and reading your own tee.. genius.

Slogan tshirts.. oh how i love you. Sadly i actually want them all. But alas i must, must must control these urges and limit myself..

So which should i go for? Which would you buy? And are you enjoying this easy to wear trend?

Moonlighting at Laura Ashley, Come Join Me!

Good Morning you gorgeous bunch, i just wanted to pop and invite you over to the Laura Ashley blog where they very kindly let me guest post for them on the best Garden Party attire ( Spoiler.. it may be this dress 😁). But it feels an absolute privilege to be able to be posting for such a wonderful brand. They are also some of the nicest photos i've possibly ever taken in my blogging history.

So do come have a nosey and a read ,
full post here:

http://www.lauraashley.com/blog/in-the-wardrobe/dressing-for-a-garden-party/

Happy Monday to you all, wishing you the most wonderful week!

xxx