Living in the 80’s?

February 10, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve blogged before how in the last few years I have learnt to embrace vintage clothes and now love the fact you can end up with something totally unique and different from what others are wearing. I have a lot of different vintage pieces now that I really do treasure.

Today I chose to a wear a great 1980’s vintage dress. These sort of ‘RaRa’ dresses always have a double or triple frill of skirt levels and this dress is particularly nicely done. The print is great too – browns, blacks, reds and purples and not garish like some vintage prints. However, when I got it was a little more 80’s looking than I liked so I have altered it slightly – I have rolled and sewed the sleeves so they are not so bat-winged and cut down the neckline so it is a little more flattering. This is key with a vintage piece – if you need to tweak it then do – make it work for you, now!

As its still chilly here in the UK, I co-ordinated it with a Wallis fitted roll neck jumper, a thick three buckle belt from ASOS, opaque tights and Topshop knee length leather boots. I find dresses like this look so much better with a belt and I do love a cinched in waist!

My hair and make-up was simple. I gently straightened my hair and used Max Factor concealer and powder, a L’oreal brown eyeshadow, Rimmel mascara and a neutral Dior lipstick.

I think 1980’s fashion still has life in it, don’t you?

Dress – Vintage branded Claudia Fashion
Jumper – Wallis
Belt – ASOS
Boots – Topshop

Valentines Day Wish List

February 6, 2015March 9, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Valentines day is a week today and amongst the adverts for diamond rings and expensive perfume, its got me dreaming of pretty things I would love to own.

Now, let me start by saying I’m not a huge fan of Valentines day! For me its a marketing ploy, pure and simple, and I don’t like to be told when and what to buy my loved ones.

but…

I also love stuff. Beautiful stuff. Random stuff. Sometimes expensive stuff. So, if I was to pick 10 things right now I’d love, this is it, Valentines Day or not. Oh, and just to add my birthday is very soon too 😉.

1. When I saw the MAC Rocky Horror make up range I shivered in an-tic-i-pation (see what I did there?). I adore the film, its songs, its message and its styling. A perfect collaboration – lipsticks are £17.

2. Tatty Devine jewellery is unique, stylish and well made. Would I go for a name necklace and channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw? For someone like me that loves anything sparkly, their £60 Magpie necklace ticks all the boxes.

3. What can I say about the House of Holland Mr Men collaboration? Lets just say this jumper would look fab on me! I love fashion with a sense of humour – yours for £200 and theres a Mr Messy version too!

4. What a statement piece a Anya Hindmarch bag with the cartoon themed leather stickers attached would be. Stickers start from £35 and you can attach them to any leather bag, wallet or case.

5. Oh gosh, just yes… Primark poporn pyjamas – £10 (sadly not online – find in-store). I’m a bit obsessed with eating popcorn and like films, so…

6. Rory Dobner designs are probably one of the best designer ranges I’ve seen recently after discovering them in Liberty. His cat designs are the sort of thing I cant resist and some pieces will definitely be mine in 2015. Prices start from £13.50.

7. I love a non fiction book, particularly by female writers. The Jenny Mollen book ‘I like you just the way I am’ looks so funny. She is just wonderful! £16.99 (thats the cover price so will be cheaper online) well spent IMO.

8. I’ve been coveting a pair of thigh high boots for a while and these H&M versions look great. The heel isn’t too high and at £39.99 they are a great price too.

9. Etsy panda knickers – OK, not cheap at £27.61 but super cute. And panda is my nickname…

10. I think this Not on the High St train ticket artwork is just so sweet. Personalised art with your names and date you met for just £16. Add the frame of your choice and you’ve got something you’ll treasure forever reminding you of fun days out.

Well, thats 10 things that are all very me! I hope you like my wish list and may the 14th be filled with love of all kinds for you.
Love, Sarah 💋💋💋

Find links to all items online via prices in text.

Primark January sale buys

February 4, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

The other day we had to pop into Primark to buy a couple of bits for our sons and a few other bits. Being a lover of Primark I couldnt leave without quickly rushing through womenswear and grabbing a few sale bargains. What do you think of what I got?

Green batwing top £5 (from £10)

I love green and think the classic shape of this top will look great with skinny jeans, a statement necklace and heels. The zip detail on the back is also a nice touch.

NASA t-shirt £2 (from £6)
I’m a bit of a geek and love space and sci-fi stuff. Now I can pretend I attended space camp back in the 80’s – best of all its a really loose fit so the size 8 fitted!

Print and lace top £2 (from £5)
I bought this top first of all with the idea to maybe wear in bed with black leggings but its actually too pretty for that. Its very fine, lightweight jersey so I’m waiting for Spring to warm things up until I wear it.

Clutch bag £2 (from £4)
I love pop art and basically can’t resist anything comicbooky like this. At £2 it would of been rude not to! I think its a really fun addition to my novelty bag collection.

Sequin shorts £3 (from £6)
These are from YD the kids area! The size 12-13yrs would easily fit if you are a size 10-12 and the length isn’t too short either (although to be fair I’m 5’2″). I’m going to wear these with opaque tights and a top for nights out, in place of my usual play suits.

A whole bag full for £14!!! What have you bought recently from Primark?

Buttoned Up

January 29, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Today’s outfit its based on a quirky look using stripes and an oversized button brooch. I have recently been watching American Horror Story: Freakshow and the costume design is AMAZING! Something about the stripes inspired me today (I have also bought a ringmaster style frock coat but more on that in future blogs!!!). Its 1950’s mixed with circus theming mixed with fashion must haves styling is on-point! Trust me.

I teamed a black and white striped shirt with navy blue fitted jumper, my trusty Bailey skinny jeans and black buckled boots. I added an oversized button brooch and my look was complete!

I got the brooch from Etsy ( with a couple of others) and love its cute, retro look. Teamed with the navy jumper it forms a rather nice, complete look – like its part of the jumper.

A simple everyday look thats a little bit different – thats why I love fashion styling.

Shirt – New Look
Jumper – BHS
Brooch – Etsy
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins
Boots – Dorothy Perkins

Top & Tail – 26th Jan 2015

January 26, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Todays mini blog capturing my head and feet look via Instagram photos. Follow my daily Instagram’s here.

Todays top look

Gilet – Sheinside

Polo neck – Select

Necklace – Primark

Todays tail look

Skirt – Primark

Boots – Store21

Blanket Love

January 20, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Gosh its cold! Today it was -3 during the school run here in Kent and the look I needed was ‘wrapped up warm…very warm’. Lets be honest – the colder it is, the less likely we all are to be dressing for fashion – its all about comfort and keeping warm.

I’d asked for this New Look blanket wrap for Christmas. Its big and soft and the tonal colours work really well with most other colours.

At £19.99 I thought it was a great price and I can pretend I’m wearing Burberry! Burberrys personalised blankets wraps have been everywhere since AW14 and are pretty stunning…

Being small I find its a bit swamping unless I wear it with a belt although it works well as a looser style cape. Skinny jeans (or leggings) are a must too to keep the silhouette simple.

Underneath, I wore a slim fitting padded coat I have from Next as the key to this look is not looking too bulky. The blanket wrap will be a great transitional piece when it gets warmer but for now a coat underneath is definitely necessary.

On my feet were my cosy Kensington Uggs. I often talk about utilising kids clothes if you can and these are the kids versions. The size 5’s are exactly the same, much cheaper and the only difference is they have a zip in the inside, which I actually like better!

So how do you wrap up in the cold weather?

Wrap – New Look
Jacket – Next
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins
Boots – Ugg Australia

Green sparkle

January 16, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A little way back I bought a great green sequin jumper from Primark (see it in my Primark Haul blog). I love green. I don’t know why – I’ve got green eyes and am a Pisces so I don’t know thats got anything to do with it!

Todays outfit is a simple one for everyday wear – jumper, jeans and boots. Simple. Its great to dress up but everyday cant be a catwalk!
I really like the sparkle in this jumper – at £10 its a bargain and a slightly loose fit so I went for a size 10. The black jeggings from Dorothy Perkins are great – lots of Lycra and you get them in a short length. Again I am wearing a 10.

I don’t wear tons of make up but wore green eyeshadow and a touch of lipgloss. The necklace is vintage but adds a bit to interest without being too blingy. For layering I have added a black long sleeve tee underneath with the edges showing. Again, simple styling for everyday wear.

What do you wear for everyday?
Jumper – Primark
Jeggings – Dorothy Perkins
Necklace – Vintage
Boots – Topshop

Do you wear vintage?

January 12, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Do you wear vintage? I do. Sort of. Let me explain…

I never used to. I found the sizing always came up small (thats true) and I was worried I’d look like a granny. However, when I started working at various fashion head offices I hated the fact that sometimes you would come in and three other people would be wearing the same top as you. Fashion nightmare!

So I started buying vintage. A necklace here, a top there and a collection started to form. Since I’ve been working with and writing for Kate Beavis Vintage (formally Your Vintage Life) my love of vintage has increased even more and I’ve become more adventurous with my mixing of vintage and modern. In todays blog I style up an 80’s blouse I found in a local charity shop for just £1!!!

I spied this Jacques Vert 1980’s blouse and saw its potential. With its high collar, blouson sleeves and gathered in pleated waist its unusual yet not 80’s crazy!

I paired it with ultra dark skinny jeans and heeled black boots. I wore my hair up to show off the collar and accessories with gold Origami bird earrings.