One of the pieces I'm always reaching for with the temperamental UK weather is a jumper dress. I find it's the perfect thing to wear in Spring, when it's certainly not hot, but a coat might be a little much (well, maybe not if the recent snow we've had rears it's head again!) I feel my best in a dress and tights as it tends to flatter parts of me I like the most and cover up areas I might like to hide a little more, but lots of dresses are more fitting for sunnier climes, that's where my fave staple jumper dress comes in.
It's a classic piece I'll wear throughout most seasons - Spring, Autumn and Winter. Paired with simple or statement jewellery it can be dressed up or dress down to fit the occasion. If I'm heading out for cocktails, but wanting to combine comfort with style, I'll wear a jumper dress with statement earrings, belted at the waist with tights and heeled boots. If I'm spending a day out and about with friends, I'll go for simple jewellery, a belt, tights and flat boots. Oooor on the complete other end of the spectrum, it's perfect to just throw on for a day working from home, comfy and you feel a little better than working in tight jeans or slouchy PJ's! This is the *So Lost Sweater Dress from TOBI, an LA based clothing company with free worldwide shipping! They kindly got in touch recently and sent over a few pieces - this dress and beautiful star necklace being two of them. I browsed the site for hours, it's full of affordable clothing and there's a style for everyone.
What I'm Wearing ::
+++ the beaut mug is from Anthropologie!
*These items were kindly sent to me, but all my honest own opinions.
Post a Comment
This week, I turned t w e n t y - t h r e e.
HB to me!
Twenty-two was fun! I had some great time with friends and family, progressed in the 'job world', gaining more experience and getting some jobs under my belt. But, if I am completely honest, I feel like I should of achieved more in that year. I don't like to have regrets, so I don't regret anything I did or didn't do, but I do like to learn from my mistakes and move forward.
I'm in a tricky part of life, post uni but not quite fully into adult life - still living at home, not earning enough to move out. Don't get me wrong, I love living with my mum but ultimately, my goal is to get a job and to earn enough to move out, like most people my age. This year I became self-employed, but that is HARD, seriously hard, which I most definitely underestimated. I'll most likely have some big decisions to make and paths to chose and I want twenty-three to be a year of progress and good choices.
Here's some thing I've learnt in my year of being twenty-two. Things I want to work on next year, reminders of what cherish and some general life advice about drinking too many margaritas...
Nothing is permanent
Things come to an end, both good and bad, which is always worth remembering. But I also need to remind myself that I have the ability to put a stop to things that aren't making me happy and that I am allowed to put myself first sometimes.
If I don't do it, no one else will do it for me
No one else will make that important phone call for me. No one else will apply for that job for me. I put 'scary tasks' off for as long as possible, which means they niggle at my brain for weeks on end. I'm well aware no one else is going to do it, so what am I waiting for?
Weekends are Weekends
I feel a real guilt when I switch off at the weekends, but working for myself it's very important I do. I'm not working full-time so I also feel the guilt that I shouldn't be relaxing because I haven't worked a full week. This year has to be about focused weeks and fun weekends!
You should always listen to your Mum
When your mum tells you to wear a coat, wear a coat! When you don't tell your mum you're getting two piercings in your ear, but know she'd tell you not to, TELL HER and listen to her. Otherwise put up with ongoing ear piercing infections for a month, cry a lot, take a trip to minor injuries and eventually have to take one out anyway. (Oops. Soz Mumma)
The value of friendship
I've always loved my girlfriends and they have always been such supportive, fun and all round babes. But this year, my friends smushed (is that a word?) together - my childhood friend, my school friend, my sister from another Mr and I are one solid girl group and I can't even explain to you the happy feels it gives me. It can be hard having separate groups of friends - you want to be with all of them all the time - so when you smush them together and it works it is the best! My other bestie Luce also moved back from Manchester and it's so good to have her closer to home! Win win for friendships!
I have no idea what I'm doing, but I don't think anyone else does either.
Reassure me on this one, does anyone actually know how to adult? Like, taxes what? Contracts, business, budgeting, making big decisions, anyone have a clue? With age comes experience, so I'm going with that and suppose I will learn as I go on!
Other peoples opinions don't matter
This, of course, is within reason. The opinions of your nearest and dearest are important to consider as they're likely to have your best interests at heart. But the opinion of random school friends your haven't seen for four years or Facebook friend you haven't spoken to for eight years not so much. I worry about the tiniest things, down to things as small as posting a photo 'ah, what if they think I've got a big ego?' 'is it vain to post a selfie?' 'what if I'm posting too much and it's annoying?' Ridiculous. If something is making you happy no one should have a problem with it.
If they do, well... bye felicia.
Put the phone down
A serious wake up call to iPhone addiction was downloading the app 'Moment'. It tracks the time you spend on your phone every day and what apps you're spending the most time on, it then gives you a daily report with a summary. It is absolutely shocking! I have to put my phone down and care less about what is happening online. It's there now and it will still be there in an hour.
Tidy Room. Tidy Mind.
Not exactly a news flash here, but the importance of a tidy desk space/office/room is insane! I can't focus properly unless everything's tidy, so it's the absolute worst for procrastination.
Most Importantly...
A night of drinking Margaritas will be full of salsa dancing, hilarious boomerangs and cry laughing, but will leave you feeling like you have ERODED YOUR INSIDES AWAY AND HAVE NO TEETH LEFT the next morning. You'll text the girls and all agree to not drink them again for a while. Next month another Girl's Night rolls around and you'll hear the call of the marg and you'll make the same mistakes again.
So, here's to twenty-three!
A year of caring less, working more and having fun.
And as my birthday card from my Mumma so aptly said...
'A wise woman once said 'fuck this shit', and she lived happily ever after...'
Our last night in Marbella was spent exploring the beautiful Old Town, wandering cobbled streets, sipping rosé and eating gelato in Orange Square and taking in the most breathtaking views of the Santiago Chapel.
Sun-kissed with my soul sister, we had the most wonderful last night and spent a moment capturing the beautiful light during golden hour. These are some of my favourite photos I've ever featured in a blog post, so a huge thank you to Charlie for capturing them with me. I'm not going to ramble on (for once!) and I'll let the photos do the talking. If you're heading to Marbella for your holiday, I'd absolutely recommend a trip to Orange Square.
What I'm Wearing ::
Black Spaghetti Strap Top - Matalan (Similar)
Black Bag - Primark
Black Heels - Primark
Sunglasses - Spanish Market
With my holiday being just a month away I thought I'd pop into Primark to pick up some Spring/Summer pieces! I'll definitely be popping back very soon to get some even more summery pieces - I need new swimwear and maybe some beachwear too.
Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any of my Spring/Summer content that's coming up in the next few months.
Whats your favourite item in my haul?
I picked up this leather look skirt from H&M about three years ago, I wore it a few times and then it sat gathering dust in my wardrobe, with me rarely feeling like I was confident enough to pull it off.
With the pinch of the purse strings in January, I haven't really had the funds to update my wardrobe with new pieces so I've tried to re-work some of the items that have gone a little unnoticed, but I've not got rid of just incase I want to wear them 'one day' (I'm sure we've all done that one). Starting with this skirt.
I spent last sunny Sunday wandering around Spitalfields market, all wrapped warm with this outfit under my coat and oversized scarf. Despite it being a rather casual day, I felt like I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and pair the skirt with something I wouldn't usually think to wear it with.
I went for this black and white 60's style jumper, black boots with a rose gold heel and silver hoop earrings, I felt cool, sophisticated without feeling over-dressed. I'd recently picked up the jumper, a steal at £10 from Primark, thick black and white stripes, wide sleeves and a high neck, it just felt like the perfect casual jumper to pair the skirt with.
I feel so happy I decided to bite the bullet and wear this skirt, it's making its way to be a firm favourite in my wardrobe and I'm thinking of so many different ways I can style it, to dress it up or down. It's definitely made me think about ways I can style up the items that are longing for a bit of loving in my wardrobe!
- what I'm wearing -
Leather Skirt - H&M (Similar)
B&W Jumper - Primark
Black Boots - Primark
Have you got items you could save from the depths of your wardrobe?!
Every year, I hunt for the perfect Christmas dress and every year it usually comes in the form of a super soft velvet number. This year ASOS gave me the goods in the form of this gorgeous Royal Blue Velvet Skater Dress. It's the dreaaaam and an absolute steal too.
---
I wanted to shoot this outfit in one of my favourite places in London, especially at Christmas time, Covent Garden. If you haven't there to see their incredible christmas decorations, you need to visit soon, pick up a flaky pastry and a hot chocolate from Aubaine or some delicious macaroons from Ladurée and enjoy the boutique shops, festive stalls and christmassy vibes.
Huge baubles, giant mistletoe and Ginormous disco balls galore, it's so beautiful and impossibly not to feel festive!
---
---
I feel amazing in this dress, it's flattering and perfect for Christmas. I usually pair it with a skinny belt to cinch it in at my waist, black tights and a pair of heeled boots - a festive red lip goes perfectly too! It's super affordable at only £25, so it's a huge bargain too.
It's still available on ASOS, you can get your hands on it here. (I'm also SO tempted by this gorgeous Oxblood one too)
---
It's getting so close to Christmas, what do you like to wear on Christmas Day?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)