10 questions you ask yourself when you’re 40+ & wearing vintage.

April 3, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve blogged a bit about my journey to embrace vintage (see here), but still have the odd wobble. Once you are of an *ahem* certain age (OK, I’m 42), some fashion choices can get mixed up with just looking odd or people ‘not getting it’ and sometimes you find yourself standing in front of the mirror and asking some bizarre questions!

1) The item looked ‘hipster’ in the vintage store but does it look more ‘crazy cat lady’ on me? featuring a 1980’s original sweatshirt

2) Will people get this necklace is a in joke for my love of Instagram and not just a random strange charm? featuring a vintage brass camera necklace

3) Can an original Ra-Ra dress work when its not 1985? I did dream of being in Bucks Fizz… featuring a batwing 1980s ra-ra dress

4) Being a hippy is still cool, especially in the summer, right? featuring a 1970s mint cheesecloth skirt

5) Is a patterned silk scarf too ‘air hostess’ tied at your neck – it is such a gorgeous print though…? featuring a 1960s psychedelic print scarf

6) Is this batwing blouse more ‘Stand and Deliver’ than ‘Stand up and be counted’? featuring a 1980s Alexon high necked batwing blouse

7) Did I buy the dress because I like it, or because the label made me feel nostalgic? featuring a 1970s C&A fit and flare dress

8) Does that original Disneyland vest now making me look like I’m auditioning for an middle-aged version of the Mickey Mouse Club? And is 90’s fashion even vintage, I wore it the first time around?!? featuring a 1990’s Disneyland souvenir vest

9) Does having a coat with a OTT stand-up collar make you look like a super villian? featuring a vintage Cacharel tweed coat (thanks mum!)

And finally…

10) Is it ok you have no money but the contents of your jewellery drawers (yes, a mere jewellery box is too small) are worth thousands? featuring many years worth of vintage jewellery buys

All items pictured are various vintage pieces I have picked upon my travels…

So do you embrace vintage like me regardless of your age?

All photos are via my Instagram, follow me for more here

Lets hear it for coral!

April 1, 2015August 12, 2015 | blueskygirlie

The sun is shining and *sings* I’m feeling gooood!!! One of the best things for me as the weather warms up is the opportunity to wear more colour. I love bright colours and always feel confident and happy wearing them.

Todays outfit is all about the colour coral. Coral is a great colour to wear for Spring and Summer as it is bright but not over-powering, is super cute and feminine and is flattering to most skin tones. And here I am wearing a shirt, jumper & skirt combo embracing the hue.

I love a full skirt and this one with pockets from my favourite haunt Primark, is just perfect – and it’s so flattering. You put it on and feel like you should be in an episode of Mad Men, all cinched waist and shwoosy hemline. Plus it only cost me £5.00 in the sale!

I love to use a white shirt as a layering piece and think it adds a great preppy edge to what could be a ‘too pretty’ outfit. Make-up wise I wore the coral lipstick I got recently from Poundlands Make-Up Gallery (blogged here). I’m definitely loving their bright lipstick colours and its adds that extra pop of colour!

And finally, gold pointed flats from Matalan complete the look. Metallics are perfect with bright colour as wearing a dark shoe just looks odd. I’m not one for high heels so a pretty, pointed flat gives me a feminine look without the discomfort (pain is not good when you’ve got a school run to do!)

This is one of my favourite outfits I’ve styled so far this year and it got a lot of great feedback via Instagram (follow my feed here). So, what do you think about coral – hot or not? You know where I stand.

Shirt – Matalan

Jumper – Per Una @ M&S

Skirt – Primark

Shoes – Matalan

Top & Tail – 30th March 2015

March 30, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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

“Channelling Wednesday Addams on a Monday”

Todays top look

Jumper with lace collar – Primark

Todays tail look

Faux leather skirt – Very.co.uk

200d tights – Matalan

Starstruck

March 27, 2015September 27, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Simple styling 101: Take one statement shirt (think bright prints or a strong pattern), mix in some plain jeans/shoes and finally add a vintage accessory to make your look unique. Voila, your look is complete!

Todays look is based around a fabulous star print H&M chiffon shirt. I love statement shirts as they are so easy to wear, practical and flattering. I do love this shirt…

I added a great 1980’s bow collar I own and cute flat shoes with gold toes. Adding the collar is a great way to make the blouse unique – you could make one yourself from ribbon or a scarf. I saw a stylist using a satin dressing gown belt to do the same a little while back.

Make-up wise I went for dark eyes and neutral but glossy lips. Winged eyeliner works great with the black jeans and shoes creating a great daytime ‘made-up’ look thats strong but not too OTT.

This look can be replicated again and again using shirts of different patterns and colours. Easy outfit building and no-one will ever twig youre basically wearing the same outfit again and again! We’ll just keep it our little secret…😉

Blouse – Divided @ H&M

Jeans – c/o Bonmarché*

Bow collar – vintage

Shoes – Store Twenty One

My M&Co S/S 15 top fashion picks

March 24, 2015April 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Do you shop at M&Co.? I popped into my local store the other day and was so impressed with the new seasons stock that I saw. Anyone who thinks this store is ‘not for them’ is missing out on some amazing fashion. If you havent heard of M&Co. they used to be called Mackays many moons ago, sell womens, mens and kidswear, are online, have an in store catalogue and loyalty card and have over 300 stores in the UK.

Priced at a mid market price level ( think Marks & Spencer ish), the clothes are all great quality, generously cut and, as I’ve discovered this season, totally on trend. The colour and print in store was amazing – zingy yellows with navy blue, fun orange with monochrome, stunning prints and great cute knitwear.

There was a lot to love but let me show you the ten items I fell in love with on my visit…

1) Nauctical print tea dress – £39

2) Yellow ankle grazer trousers – £29

3) & 4) Tropical print pompom kimono – £32 & double layer orange vest top – £20

5) ‘Love’ jumper – £29 (currently £20.30)

6) Floral print clutch bag – £29

7) Navy and white striped blouse – £29

8) Yellow jacqurad coat – £59

9) Sling back pointed shoes – £28

10) Rainbow print blouse – £29

What do you think? Some pretty amazing items right? Check out the full range online here or pop into a store – let me know what pieces you love. I think all of these would be great additions for SS15 to any fashion lovers wardrobe.

PS Being a loyalty card holder I was just sent this, so I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some of the above used in outfit posts very soon!!!

To Culotte or not to Culotte

March 18, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Culottes are an odd thing – not a skirt and not a trouser. For me they remind me of being in 6th form where for the first time we didnt have to wear school uniform but as we were at a girls school we couldn’t wear trousers. Our way round it? Culottes! Every pair of Culottes in the south-east got found and bought by 16 year olds on a mission!

So are they a difficult wear? Well, to honest I’m a little undecided.

In todays outfit, I’m wearing a pair from BooHoo.com in a oversized dogtooth check print. Culottes sit quite wide and loose so a fitted and tucked in top balances out the look. They are flattering though, particularly if you are a hourglass or pear shape and this particular pair flare out really nicely with a fixed, wide waistband.

I co-ordinated it with a simple black polo neck. The print is quite overwhelming so simplicity is the way to go styling wise. Star earrings mimicking the dogtooth print and Atmosphere buckled platform flats complete the look.

All in all, I think culottes are really versatile piece of clothing to have in your wardrobe. Want to climb a wall? Go for it! Ready to dance a Can-Can? You’re set! Want to sit like a boy? Do it!

Jumper – Dorothy Perkins

Earrings – New Look

Culottes – BooHoo.com

Shoes – Primark

Cath Kidston + Gola = Trainer Perfection

March 14, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

This Spring, iconic British retailer Cath Kidston launched a collaboration with retro British sports brand Gola creating a range of fun trainers, in the classic Gola ‘Harrier’ style re-imagined in four gorgeous Cath Kidston prints. Four different versions were created – something for every girls taste, even if (like me) they weren’t a dedicated Cath Kidston shopper before.

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There are four statement prints to choose from – ‘Mini Clouds’ which brings a quirky, dreamy, retro style, ‘Mini Patchwork’ – this is a cute, fun, vintage look and finally ‘Paradise Fields’ giving a fresh, feminine, floral look in indigo or chalk colour ways.

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I think the Gola design merges beautifully with the Cath Kidston print and red embroidered logo. Originally launched in the sixties, the Gola ‘Harrier’ design remains a firm favourite within the range to this day. The result is a super comfy trainer due to its wide fit, suede trims and soft textile lining but also something that looks that bit different.

If you’re a fan of Cath Kidston you can buy matching pieces to complete your look. There is so much to choose from. I can feel my bank account diminishing as we speak! Come on, who could resist a pair of matching cute socks for only £6.00? Or a matching bag? Or even a full print dress, scarf or skirt? Be brave – Spring is a time to embrace brighter colours and great prints.

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As it was my birthday recently I asked for a pair of the cloud design trainers for my birthday present. I had seen them in the press and instantly fallen in love with them. The design is one of my favourite motifs – I just love the image of blue skies and clouds. It makes me feel happy but I also love the idea of blue sky thinking – to be the most creative you can be and to not be held back by current thinking. I want to be that type of person. My blog is called ‘Always a Blue Sky Girl’, my business is called Blue Sky Visual Merchandising and BlueSkyGirlie is my Instagram/Twitter name. Yep, its definitely a thing for me!

At £65.00 they are not cheap, but well worth the investment in my opinion. The quality is fantastic, the fit is great and I just can’t stop looking at my feet and smiling!!! You get an extra pair of grey laces but I opted for the bright yellow ones that were already laced into them – the extra pop of bright yellow alongside the yellow Gola stripes really adds to the quirky look.

What a way to make a statement with your feet! I’m currently wearing mine with skinny jeans, cotton tees, blazers and slouchy jumpers. I think they’d also look cute with a dress for a fun look. Whatever way you want to wear them let the shoes do the talking.

The range will be sold exclusively through Cath Kidston online and its stores and concessions in the UK and worldwide. I guarantee these are going to sell fast and you’ll see them on the feet of celebrities and top fashion bloggers.

All I have to do is work out which pair I want next…

Bonmarché Blogger Swap Challenge

March 12, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A few weeks ago I was contacted asking if I wanted to take part in a 30-plus fashion blogger challenge. I jumped at the chance (having just turned 42 I more than fitted the bill!) The idea was to team up pairs of bloggers and for them to pick an outfit for each other from the current SS15 Bonmarché range.

I was teamed with the lovely Charli, blogger of CurvyGirlThin and I got to work picking her out an outfit I hoped she’d love – Charli’s blog features clothes and lingerie reviews from a curvy girls perspective so check her blog out to see my outfit choice for her. My package duly arrived and I was thrilled with it. Charli and I must be psychic because we both picked the same hero piece – a gorgeous colbalt blue biker jacket for each other!

The outfit chosen for me was contemporary daytime look that could be dressed up for an evening – biker jacket, black slim leg jeans, a white vest and a statement necklace. You can see why I was happy! I added my own shoes – black and leopard print flats and was ready to go! The David Emanuel jacket is a real hero piece – a strong colbalt blue but not too bright and made from a soft, moleskin type fabric. I wore a UK size 10 – its a good fit and also looks great zipped up which isn’t always the case with a biker style jacket.

To make the look a bit more ‘fashion’ I rolled up the jeans slightly. For a daytime look I would throw on a leopard print scarf – this also ties together the print on my shoes and I think looks super chic. The jean length unrolled works well too (see photo) and again gives you different style choices if say, you were wearing a heeled boot.

The jeans themselves were a great fit. I wore the size 10 with a 27″ inside leg. At 5’2″ this was the perfect petite length for me and I was very impressed with the fit. I’d say the sizing is true/slightly generous and if you’re in between sizes go down a size. They were tight enough, but not skin tight and with 2% elastane had a great stretch fit. The bit I liked best about them was the way they sat on your waist – I find once you have reached an *ahem* certain age, lower rise jeans are just a nightmare for bulges and unflattering muffin tops. These jeans were very flattering and comfortable and perfect for if like me, after kids your tummy and waist isnt what it once was.

The necklace featuring the colbalt blue of the biker jacket finished the look off, however a necklace of this style isnt quite ‘me’ and I personally would probably have gone for something a bit more edgy without the ‘bling’ of diamanté or a scarf as I styled it. I do love a big statement necklace and will most likely co-ordinate this outfit with one I already have – but lets be honest, jewellery is a very personal thing! I think this particular necklace would look great worn with one of the David Emanuel dresses.

I really love this look and think it works on lots of levels. I have to say, I have been really impressed by both the quality and fit of the items and will definitely be popping in to my local store to see what other pieces I can add to my SS15 wardrobe.

Jacket – c/o David Emanuel at Bonmarché*

Vest – c/o Bonmarché*

Jeans – c/o Bonmarché*

Necklace – c/o Bonmarché*

All available here

Scarf – Primark

Shoes – Dorothy Perkins

March birthday wish list

March 10, 2015April 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

It’s my birthday month. Did I mention that? Oh I did? A lot? Yeah I do that… Heres my list of the things I am currently coveting, desperately searching for or if I’m lucky, receiving this March. Did I mention its my birthday?

As someone who has lost a lot of weight and now runs 5k 3 times a week, Karrimor clothing plays a big part in my life. This bright zip up fleece will see me through chillier runs as is a total bargain reduced to just £8.99.

I’m obsessive about my underwear matching and a pretty set always works (plus the other half appreciates it too!). Debenhams has an adorable hearts lingerie set by Floozie at £32.50 for the set which I think is super cute and feminine.

I love GIRLS (the HBO show) and this £7.99 TK Maxx Red Nose Day journal with Hannahs amazingly arrogant and hilarious quote is just fantastic. Plus you’re donating to a great charity at the same time. Actually, thinking about it, maybe I am the voice of my generation….😂

As a ‘Blue Sky Girl’ I HAD to have these Cath Kidston collaboration Gola trainers after I saw them at the Press Show. At £65.00 they are more than I would usually spend but luckily I’m getting them from my partner for my birthday present. And gosh I just adore them – expect to see them in many Instagrams. I love the entire ‘Clouds’ range and hopefully will get a few of the home bits too.

I’m a dinky 5’2″ so this £7.99 New Look Petite t-shirt makes me smile. Great to throw on with a pair of jeans and some trainers.

The Jenny Mollen book ‘I like you just the way I am’ looks so funny. She is just wonderful! Still not got it (it was on my Feb wish list LOL) and at £16.99 (thats the cover price so will be cheaper online) is money well spent IMO.

This New Look sleeveless coat is something I want so badly but is currently out of stock online. I will now start a desperate search around all the stores in the south east – you are killing me New Look! Its £39.99 if you can find it

Sia – 1000 forms of Fear CD. I’m getting this as part of my birthday present from my sister and I can’t wait. Her music is just perfection – Elastic Heart has been one of my favourite songs of 2015 so far.

This eBay cat jumper is an aquired taste but I love it. I do like a piece if clothing with a sense of humour – and it’s bargain at a tenner too. Meow!!!

I saw this Lavish Alice Cape blazer worn by another blogger and fell in love with it. A real statement piece but something I think you’d wear forever. £54.00 at ASOS and just so sophisticated.