London Fashion Weekend 2015

September 29, 2015September 29, 2015 | blueskygirlie

At the weekend I was lucky enough to go to this years London Fashion Weekend having won a pair of silver tickets from Very Exclusive.

So what is London Fashion Weekend? Following London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend is a fashionista extravaganza taking place straight afterwards, letting everyone experience the fabulous world of fashion. The Saatchi Gallery is transformed into an exclusive fashion experience, brimming with designer catwalk shows, pop-up shops, hair and beauty areas and days of educational panels and talks.

The beautiful location of the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea had been cleared of art and filled with lots of rooms of pop up shops plus a huge catwalk area on the top floor. The sun was shining and it was teeming with bloggers, fashion lovers and creatives.

I wore a simple, yet (hopefully you’ll think) stylish outfit of a black jersey roll neck from Select and a Primark pleated animal print maxi skirt with leather heeled boots from Next. Instead of a necklace I tied a chiffon scarf around my neck to create a pussy bow effect and added a fab studded belt I have from Warehouse which always creates the most flattering silhouette for me. All high street clothing too!

I took one of my favourite people in the world, my friend Ciara, who also loves fashion. Once there we were booked in to see the AW15 trend show by Very Exclusive which showcased key looks for the season in 4 fashion stories. It was hosted by fashion write & stylist Angela Scanlon and really filled me with inspiration.

Here are a few of my favourite looks…

A Modish colour pop dress with a retro vibe:

A stunning red statement coat:

A laid back Boho smock dress:

Luxe trousers with a berry leather biker jacket:

And the finale… My only real critism of the show was the models were so thin and there was no mix of age. In all this talk about plus size and more ‘normal’ models there wasnt a girl over a size 6/8 and no girls over about 21/22 years old… There were quite a few young girls there with their parents and you have to question what message it sent – I’m a size 10/12 and watching them made me feel enormous!We then went around the venue looking at all the different brands most of which had special offers and discounts of between 20-70% off.

Heres my top 5 favourites…

Wolf & Moon jewellery: The Cambridge Satchel Co.’s collaboration with Vivienne Westwood:Wooden Prada sunglasses: In fact I fell in love with a lot of sunglasses! These are Prada and Mui Mui respectively and its clear that theres definitely going to be a lot of fun OTT oversized styles coming out next season. Frends ‘Taylor’ headphones in rose gold coloured metal & white leather: Helene Berman London coats:

It was great fun and I’m looking forward to reading the official magazine and deciding what pieces I cant live without for AW15!

Whether it’s shopping for your new season wardrobe or experiencing the atmosphere and drama of the catwalk or a VIP experience like no other – London Fashion Weekend is a great event. To be the first to find out when tickets go on sale for the February 2016 event, sign up to their newsletter here.

Whats your Autumn Uniform?

September 23, 2015October 13, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Autumn is here and its time to put away the pretty dresses, sandals and cute vests. So, what to wear now? Well I personally think autumn is the easiest season to dress for with 4 ‘uniforms’ that will get you dressed in no time. In todays blog I show one version how…

Todays uniform – 1) a roll neck, short skirt, tights and boots

What you need in your wardrobe –

Roll neck jumper
Short skirt
Opaque tights
Ankle boots

This look is a really simple look to put together. Choose a slim fitting roll neck jumper and tuck it into a short flared skirt. If you’d rather go longer with your skirt pick an A-line knee skirt which works just as well.

Add black opaque tights (I favour a 100 denier tight in the winter) and black ankle boots.

Keep it simple with no accessories and for the most flattering look keep your jumper and skirt tonal – i.e. both shades of brown as I have done here. If you fancy wearing a pattern wear it on your bottom half and keep your roll neck a plain coordinating colour.

And thats autumn uniform number 1!

Look out for my blog next week on creating another easy to put together outfit this autumn.

Jumper : Primark

Skirt : Papaya at Matalan

Tights : Matalan

Boots : Dorothy Perkins

The thing I fell in love with this week

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Hello Fashion Monthly : £1.00

Hello Fashion Monthly launched almost a year ago and since then has become my go-to magazine for fashion inspiration. Surprisingly, not many people I know seem to read it as its often overshadowed by the many other fashion magazines that are out each month.It has a great balance of high fashion and high street fashion, as well as smaller sections on beauty, lifestyle and weddings. The interviews are insightful and intelligent and are often with women in the fashion industry who have something important to say.

And it only costs £1! Every month! What a bargain! Hello Fashion Monthly magazine is available at larger newsagents and supermarkets – Octobers issue is out now.

Keep on Jumpin’

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Ah the jumpsuit…

You will of noticed I have quite a few of them (find some previous outfit posts here and here). They are very easy to wear and flattering and don’t take a lot of styling – less is definitely more in the case of a jumpsuit.

Todays (well tonights) look is for a date night with my lovely fiance. We try and make sure we always make time for each other and a romantic meal out is perfect for that – with 4 kids between us and busy lives its key really!

I am wearing a gorgeous sleeveless navy cotton jumpsuit from Next Petite. It buttons up to the neck like a shirt and looks so elegant. The wide leg shape balances the fitted top and it has pockets, something I just love styling wise. For sizing I am wearing a UK 10 (it has an elasticated waist) but I did have to shorten it! Yes, I am so short, a petite item was too long!!! If youre below 5’3″ I’d imagine you’d have to so the same – I shortened it by about 2″ which on the plus side, means I can wear flats with it too.

A studded skinny belt and earrings from Forever21 with with gold details accessorise the look. The belt cinches in the elasticated waist and draws your eye to the most narrow part of the body.

And on my feet, my new Primark sandals – the pop of cerise against the navy works perfectly and livens up this dark outfit.

As its a date I wore more make-up than I usually do and styled my hair into a messy bun.

Base – Max Faxtor foundation/pan stick in beige, Soap & Glory ‘Love at First Blush’ Eyes- BarryM dazzle dust in 103 and Rimmel Exaggerate liquid liner/Lift Me Up mascara
Lips – Make Up Gallery lipstick Purple Pop (find my review on their make up range here).

I loved this look and felt fabulous in it. It is dressy but doesnt look like its trying too hard! Do you enjoy a date night with your other half? What do you wear to make it feel special?

Jumpsuit – Next Petite

Earrings – Forever21

Belt – Vintage

Sandals – Primark

On Wednesdays we wear pink!

September 2, 2015September 2, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Ok, Mean Girls is a fantastic movie but as you become more *ahem* mature, how easy is it to wear pink?

I would say that I’m not a particularly ‘girlie’ girl but I do like wearing a bit of pink in moderation. Lets be honest, it is the most feminine colour and its always nice as a woman to feel pretty – that doesnt stop when you’re over 40. Actually, the need to feel pretty is probably even stronger (thanks magazine photoshopping/the worlds love of youth/women becoming invisible after a certain age etc) One of the ways I ‘do’ pink is by wearing the colour in a less girlie way such as the pink jeans I have on today.

I have styled these pink jeans from F&F at Tesco with a cute cropped boxy top from Primark and some pretty flats from New Looks teen range 915. These rolled up jeans are so versatile and easy to wear and for sizing I am wearing a 12 but they are available in sizes 8-20. Being petite I have just rolled them up at bit more than they were when I bought them.

The cropped top is pretty with its print but not overpowering but I have kept jewellery to a minimum with just a couple of bracelets and a simple chain necklace.

A skinny white belt and white caged shoes complete the look and keep this pink look from feeling too Barbie.
So, what do you think – love it or hate it? Whatever your age and regardless of what day of the week it is – are you ready to wear pink?

Top – Primark

Necklace – Primark

Jeans – F&F

Belt – Primark

Bracelets – Dorothy Perkins

Shoes – 915 at New Look

Chasing Waterfalls

August 28, 2015September 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Black and white – simple, flattering and VERY easy to wear.
Waterfall jackets – simple, flattering and VERY easy to wear.
Hmmm, hang on, I’m starting to see a pattern here.

I’d been looking for a lightweight duster coat/longline jacket for a while and after a bit of shopping around I went for this great waterfall jacket from M&Co. Its a fantastic piece, well made, stylish and do easy to wear. Best of all its in the summer sale!

For sizing I am wearing a size 10 but it is available in sizes 8-20. With no fastenings its a free fit but is structured on the shoulders so go for your usual size. It flows beautifully and has sleeves you can roll up to 3/4 length and large patch pockets.
For a simple, chic look I’ve styled it today with a striped breton tee, wet look leggings and black wedge sandals. Its super flattering and looks as good with jeans or a dress…I really love it.

Oh and I accessorised with a cute vintage necklace…

Currently in the sale for £24 reduced from £35, find it instore now and grab yourself a bargain! Its a piece you’ll wear again and again and always feel great in! I’m loving wearing mine and it will be great transitional piece too as we go into Autumn.

Waterfall jackets are the perfect shape for all body types. My advice is get one in your wardrobe ASAP.

Jacket – M&Co
Necklace – vintage
T-shirt – Papaya at Matalan
Leggings – eBay
Sandals – New Look

Shoe shopping

August 12, 2015 | blueskygirlie

So, I’ve been doing a bit of shoe shopping…in fact I’ve bough six pairs this month! However being the bargain hunter I am they’ve all been in the summer sales in total I’ve only spent about £50. Cost per wear thats a bargain!!!

Want to know what I’ve bought and where?

Primark sandals – pink/navy £3 (was £6), aqua £3 (was £8), white platforms £5 (was £10). All instore at Primark. You can never have too many sandals and I love them to match my outfits.

F&F girls patent t-bar shoes (available in sizes 1-6) £5.50 (from £15). Available instore at Tescos or online here. Super cute and will be great for Autumn too to wear with opaque tights and dresses.

Baby pink Vans – £36 (from £60) these were from Littlewoods Direct and are now very low on stock but can be found at many Vans stockists. These are my first ever pair of Vans! Very comfortable and they are definitely drawing me away from my huge collection of Converse!

Peacocks red flats – £4 (from £10). I’ve been looking for some red shoes for a while and these cuties will look great with denim and for £4? I couldn’t say no!

Do you love a bit of shoe shopping too? Its even better if they are a bargain! Happy shopping in the summer sales!

Head in the clouds…

August 5, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

It all started with some tea towels…

I picked out a set of Cath Kidston ‘clouds’ print tea towels for mothers day this year. I adore a blue sky/white cloud motif in general and I just loved them. My business is Blue Sky Visual, my blog is called Always a blue sky girl, my Instagram/Twitter/ Pinterest name is BlueSkyGirlie. Why? Because ‘blue sky thinking’ people always strive for the most creative and ambitious solution and see everything from a highly creative perspective and I would like to think thats the kind of creative person I am! And if not, thats what I aspire to be.

Then I saw the trainers…

A collaboration between Gola and Cath Kidston that were just my style. I bought them with my birthday money and have worn them so much. Just looking down at your feet makes you feel happy and I blogged about them here.

I loved wearing them to Copenhagen on our last trip…seemed something so right about cloud prints and being up in the sky in a plane…and by then I’d bought a zip up purse too.

I decided with the Cath Kidson summer sale on another item had to be mine. I wanted a bag – nothing too formal or big, just something that would be great for shopping and wearing with jeans etc.

I went for something a bit different and tweaked it to what I needed…maybe I used some of that blue sky thinking!?! This is officially a craft bag (I guess for knitting/ sewing stuff etc) and was reduced from £35 to just £15. Its a soft fabric bag with large pockets on both sides and a tie to the top. To make it a bit more robust and tote-like I carefully opened up the small part of the inside lining and cut a hard base out of cardboad, inserted it in and re-sewed the lining. I’m thrilled with the outcome!

And here it is with its new friends! I do like a bit of co-ordination…

Find the bag online here or check out your nearest Cath Kidston store. Do you love the range as much as I do? Don’t tell my boyfriend, but I’m debating getting the lamp next…

Featured Friday Bloggers: A Blue Sky Girlie

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 | blueskygirlie

This week I am thrilled to be featured as M&Co.s blogger of the week. Find my interview with them here…

http://blog.mandco.com/2015/07/24/featured-friday-bloggers-a-blue-sky-girlie/

This week’s Featured Friday blogger is Sarah from Always a Blue Sky Girl. We’ve spotted Sarah styling some of our pieces fabulously on her social channels and though it was time to find out a bit more…

Introduce us to your blog Sarah…