aka the adventures of blueskygirlie: I'm a part-time marketing consultant/social media content creator, a part-time style blogger and a full-time fashion obsessive! I am also a seller of fabulous vintage treasures via Etsy, a mum to a blended family & here to help to prove you can be over 40 & still look great! I dropped 5 dress sizes between my 30's and my 40's and now run 5k 3 times a week. I changed my life and this blog helps me to share what I'm discovering along the way…
Face mug and coaster £2.00 each – TigerAh, Tiger stores have done it again. A bloggers favourite, this range of cute illustrated face designs comes on mugs, coasters, cushions and vases…and I’m a sucker for a great bit of modern illustration.
The mug is European style with no handle so can easily be used as a storage pot or plant pot too. And the coaster is large and could be used as a pot stand, tray or just as a decorative ornament. The other design is in green but I stayed with my favourite colour palette of a flash of orange with white and black. She’s also super cute though, don’t you think? I can’t believe these are retailing at only £2.00 each! Do you love them as much as I do?
I think its fair to say I’m quite a bohemian at heart. Style wise I love a maxi dress or skirt or hippy style kimono. I’m always on the look out for great boho style pieces for my wardrobe but you tend to find they are mainly summer pieces.
When I saw this dress in H&M last week I grabbed it off the rail so quickly I almost gave myself whiplash! I don’t buy a lot of clothes but this sort of dress is a dream daytime dress for me.
The dress itself is a great A/W piece made from a silky yet thick material which hangs beautifully. Being only 5’2″ I knew the dress would be too long and as soon as I got it home I altered it taking 3″ off the bottom. I’m used to shortening things now when there’s not a petite section and a dress like this is pretty easy to do.
I added a thick belt for a more structured look, as being petite I often get a bit swamped by blouson styles but the dress has an elasticated waistband so can easy be worn without. It is available in sizes UK 6-16 and comes up true to size/slightly generous. I am wearing a UK size 10 here although as I mentioned it is shorted by 3″.
Little details such as bell sleeves and a tasselled tie to the collar really makes this dress looks much more expensive than it really was…
…Oh yes, did I mention it is instore at only £14.99!!! What an absolute bargain!Lace up boots keep the look relaxed yet still within a bohemian vibe although I kept the hem length to just above the floor so you can hardly see them.I kept my hair long and added some extra curls to the ends, make-up was a neutral daytime look with just a bit of mascara, brown eyeshadow and wine coloured lip gloss to complete the look. My autumn flower power inspired look was complete!
Dress – H&M
Belt – Vintage
Boots – New Look
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Do you love vintage jewellery and accessories? I do, and you’ll often see me wearing items in outfit posts and on my Instagram. Often its hard to find pieces – they are getting rarer and rarer, and more and more collectable. I have just added some fantastic items to my Etsy vintage shop this week!
Here’s a selection of whats currently on offer – I have pieces from the 1950’s right through to the 1980’s. They make a great present too if you’re looking of a gift thats a bit different.
For a Mad Men style look these vintage brooches are just perfect… diamante cameo style brooch – £10.00diamante bow design brooch – £10.00set of 2 leaf brooches – £12.50
Love modernist style? Then this signed 1960’s Pewter pendant by Norwegian designer Eivind Hillest could be for you… Eivind Hillest pewter pendant – £30.00
Or how about a fabulous 1960’s beaded necklace? I adore the colour of this one… 3 stranded beaded necklace – £10.00
Love the quirky style of the 1980’s? This necklace would look fantastic with its pop of bright colour…disc bead necklace – £8.50
For a bit of fun, retro earrings are perfect…and you don’t even need pierced ears! diamante and glass bead earrings – £10.00cascade earrings – £7.50
Don’t forget how well bracelets add interest to an outfit too…delicate enameled bracelet – £10.00flower & glass bead bracelet – £10.00
Can’t resist a handbag? Be unique and pick a vintage one… 60’s sequin disc evening bag – £12.5080’s real leather clutch bag – £15.0080’s Suzy Smith evening bag – £15.0060’s box coin purse – £7.50
Find the full range of all my vintage items and more details on all the items seen on todays blog in my Etsy shop ‘Always a Blue Sky Girl’ here.
YD at Primark glitter skate shoes – £1 (from £6.00)
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a bit of sparkle and I also love a bargain…well in these shoes I have both!
Part of the kids range at Primark, these beauties are currently in the sale along with a pink version. They go up to a size 6 (EUR 39) too. Mermaid shoes? Definitely a must have for me!
What bargains have you bought lately that you’ve just loved?
In todays blog I show you my forth and final ‘uniform’ to make dressing easy this autumn…
Todays uniform – dress, tights and boots
What you need in your wardrobe –
Winter dress (or add a polo neck under a shift dress)
Opaque tights
Ankle boots
This is really the easiest combination of all the autumn uniforms…just pick a winter dress you love and add thick tights and boots! I’ve gone for this one from Primark – I really love how easy it is to wear – its made from a stretchy material and has white collar and cuff detail. For sizing I have gone for a 12 (its available in sizes 8-20) and costs £14.00.
The dress itself is red and navy and works well with black accessories although you could easily use navy tights or if you want a quirky look, red boots would look amazing!
Keep the look dressy with ankle boots instead of knee length boots. Make sure you show off those legs! If the weather is cold, layer a slim fitting t-shirt (or thermal top if you feel the cold like I do!) underneath or add a light-weight cardigan. My tights are also Primark – 100 denier and cost £2.50 a pack. They are fantastic quality and I’d definitely recommend them. They are quite big though – I bought the size small and could still pull them up to bust level!
As it’s daytime, neutral make up and wavy hair complete the look. I created volume in my hair using some Batiste dry shampoo which I find is perfect for encouraging beachy waves and a full look without having to wash your hair every day.
I think I’ve found my new favourite dress and its a bargain one!
Find my blogs on creating uniforms 1, 2 and 3 here, here and here. I hope you’ve enjoyed my blogs on creating easy to put together outfits this Autumn and have mixed up a few ideas into your own outfits. PS THEY WORK FOR WINTER TOO!!!
Yep, its the beginning of the week again, the weekend has flown by and here we are at Monday morning! Here is todays quote or thought that has inspired me and I hope it inspires you too. Have a great week!
Are you a parent? Its hard isnt it? As parents we are often toughest on ourselves and this week I am making a conscious effort to stop obsessing on all the things I think I should or could be doing better as a perfect ‘super mum’. Instead I’m going to celebrate the tons of stuff that I am doing and do everyday.
What words have inspired you recently? I would love to know.
I love New Look and popped in the other day…and left with a carrier bag full of bargains! Want to see what I bought?
Camel boxy jumper – £7.99This jumper has been used in a lot of New Looks adverts as its at such a good price. I wanted a simple jumper in this seasons big colour, camel, and this one was perfect and a total bargain. Its nice a roomy and a size small will easily fit anyone 8-12. It is also available in sizes medium and large.
915 glitter Mary-Jane block heel shoes – £6 (from £19.99)Ok, they’re not the Boden ones but if you have feet size 6 (EUR 39) or smaller then the 915 teen range has some amazing fashion shoes. I will team these with opaque tights and party dresses this winter for a festive fun look.
915 metallic silver brogues – £6 (from £19.99)How nice are these? A perfect way to jazz up an outfit of jumper and skinny jeans this winter. Again smaller feet = fab bargain shoes! Hoorah!
Leopard print skinny scarf – £1 (from £4.99)I am going to use this as a pussy-bow for blouses and fitted jumpers.
Orange slice novelty bag – £3.50 (from £12.99)I loved this in the spring when it came out but couldn’t justify buying another novelty bag (I have a few!) but at 70% off? It would of been rude not to!
I love a bit of New Look! What have you bought lately – I would love to know…
Ah, Tiger stores have done it again. A bloggers favourite, this range of cute illustrated face designs comes on mugs, coasters, cushions and vases…and I’m a sucker for a great bit of modern illustration.
And the coaster is large and could be used as a pot stand, tray or just as a decorative ornament. 
The other design is in green but I stayed with my favourite colour palette of a flash of orange with white and black. She’s also super cute though, don’t you think? I can’t believe these are retailing at only £2.00 each! 
Do you love them as much as I do?
always a blue sky girl 