Lulu Guinness for Red Nose Day 2015

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I love Lulu Guinness and when I heard she was designing a set of 3 limited edition tote bags for Red Nose day I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.

Available from Sainsburys, over the last few years it has been a great way to get a designer print bag and donate to a great charity at the same time. Lulu designed the set in 2013, and Giles Deacon designed them for Sports Relief last year as seen below. Did you get one? They sold out very quickly…

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This year the three bags really sum up the Lulu Guinness look -

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I went for the striped kisses version – I do love a cute lip print! The bags are a great size, well made with an interior pocket and hard base. Perfect for heavier items if you were food shopping or just as a throwover your shoulder fashion tote bag.

The bags cost £5 from Sainburys stores with at least £1.50 of that going to Comic Relief. A great bag and a donation to charity. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

Pop instore and grab yours now! They are already selling on eBay for lots more!!!

Red Nose Day is on Friday 15th March. Find more information on how you can participate here.

Top & Tail – 4th March 2015

March 4, 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

Coat – ASOS

Jumper – New Look

Blouse – TK Maxx

Todays tail look

Coat – ASOS

Jeans – Primark

Boots – Stylistpick.co.uk

Black on black

February 28, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Black is an easy choice, lets be honest. Its slimming, you dont need to worry about co-ordination and it looks smart.

About a week ago I got an amazing bargain in Store Twenty One – a pair of black faux suede over the knee boots for just £1! However, as ever I was a bit fussy and didn’t like them totally. They had long straps that wrapped the whole way up the leg which looked a bit ‘Robin Hood’ for my liking. So, with a bit of Blue Sky Girl™ customisation the straps soon had gone, the loops were all trimmed off and I had a bargain pair of boots I loved!

I wanted this look to really be about the boots so I kept things simple and wore thick black tights (of course) with a short fitted formal skirt and black ribbed jumper with an oversized polo neckline.

I kept my accessories simple and as I had my hair up and wore a pair of favourite Dior earrings in the shape of a zip. If youre not wearing many accessories you can pick one hero piece that will stand out.

So black on black it was. Oh, and the bits of boot straps I had left over? I made a belt from them!!! Waste not, want not!!!

Jumper – New Look

Skirt – Next

Boots – Store Twenty One

Earrings – Dior

Pulling myself back together…

February 23, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve been ill. For two days I’ve felt terrible and then today a miracle – I woke up and I was well again! Now, Liz Taylor famously said “pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together” and thats what I was going to do…

For me fashion isn’t just about looking good on the outside, its about feeling good on the inside too. If you wear something you love you feel better, more confident and happier – end of. I personally need fashion to feel the full version of ‘me’.

So today I decided to dress myself to feel great and went for a silver foil print tulip skirt and statement long pearl necklace worn with a simple black polo neck and boots. I hadn’t worn make up for a few days so just doing my usual routine (I don’t wear a lot of make-up) made me feel so much better. Its interesting how a few little touches can make all the difference. The reflective silver in the skirt and the beauty of the Chanel inspired pearl and flower necklace all seem to lift my mood and I feel so much better.

I think Liz would approve!
What do you do to feel great? Does fashion have the same effect on you? I couldn’t live with it and its effects.

Jumper – M&Co
Skirt – Be Beau @ Matalan
Necklace – Dorothy Perkins
Boots – Store 21

Pearly Queen

February 16, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Todays outfit is a Primark double whammy. I’m wearing the green batwing top I got a month or so back in the Primark sale (see my sale haul blog here) with my new chunky pearl necklace I got last week.
The necklace has been a long time coming! I saw it last year in the press and then never saw it again. Zara had a very similar one which I adored but couldn’t justify the money and then last week in Lakeside, for just £3, there it was! My hunt was finally over!

I added Dorothy Perkins washed black petite skinny jeans and Dorothy Perkins buckle boots. The jeans are another new purchase. I’ve been trying really hard to lose my final bit of weight (I’ve lost nearly 7 stone in total) and needed a some size 10 jeans as my 12 are getting a bit baggy. I wanted tight…but in a good way! With a boxy shape top you needed a slim silhouette on your legs for balance.
I also added a green eyeshadow to my normal make-up.

I’m not going to fall out of love with green anytime soon and as for pearls – they go with anything, look great and have a classic style to them that just can’t be beaten. The perfect stylists accessory.

Top – Primark
Necklace – Primark
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins Petite
Boots – Dorothy Perkins

I LOVE Bubble Necklaces

February 12, 2015July 4, 2017 | blueskygirlie

Last year I saw a lot of amazing fashion images on Pinterest featuring a gorgeous cascading necklace in a range of colours. I fell in love with it immediately but as is often the case with Pinterest shots, I had no idea where to buy it.

image via Pinterest

After a bit of detective work I found out it was a J Crew bubble necklace available on their US website for $150. So plus shipping we were talking a lot of money – far too much in my opinion for a necklace.

image via Pinterest

Now I’m not one to be defeated easily and started to look online for something similar. After a few searches via eBay I was amazed to find pretty much exactly the same necklace in a range of gorgeous colours.

This necklace is not identical of course. I’m not after a fake, just something similar. The stones in the cheaper version are perfectly round rather than faceted, the gold chain isn’t 18ct gold plated and of course its not the same quality. So far I’ve bought three – a black one and versions in green and orange, two of my favourite accent colours. I was really impressed with the quality and paid around £5 each on eBay. Bargain!!! Find similar here.

I just adore them! For me they are the perfect statement necklace. Here is me being arty via Instagram wearing them…

Now I just need to decide which colour to buy next…

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.