£20 Primark shop

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 | blueskygirlie

So, I’ve been trying to ‘buy less and buy better’ as my wardrobe was bulging at the seams with lots of ‘bargains’ that really weren’t that great. This has meant an end to big Primark hauls and the beginning of more careful shopping…

…well kind of! The other day I allowed myself a visit with the rule I could spend just £20 and anything I bought needed to fit into my AW16 wardrobe.

So what did I get with my £20? Well a pretty wonderful mix of things if I do say so myself! Take a look…

Pattern shirt – £7.00

A shirt covered in pineapples, ladybirds, stars, butterlies, hearts, cacti, eyes and much more you say? How could I say no! This is an amazing price and they also do a cute dark blue stars version. I sized up for a looser fit and it looks great with a pair of skinnies.

Brogues – £5 (was £12)

A classic brogue will never go out of style and this shoe is perfect for Autumn. I loved the no laces (I hate messy styling) and the studs add a cool edge. Plus they are super comfortable.

Leopard print blouse – £3 (was £8)

I love a bit of leopard print and this top is effortlessly stylish. Easy to throw on, with a slightly dipped hem back and the exposed zip at the back adds that bit of luxe detailing.

Gold flats – £3 (were £8)

Party season is nearly upon us and I am not a heels lover. I looked at these when they were full price and passed but for the price of a glossy magazine? I just had to!

Sunglasses – £1/pair (were £3/pair)

Ok I know summer is over but you can never have too many sunglasses. As well as a couple of designer pairs (which I keep for years) I like to have a few cheap and cheerful pairs that I can leave in the car or my handbag and dont have to worry if they get broken/lost.

So thats my mini haul! I think I stayed within my rules and have already worn the shirt and brogues loads, so for me its £20 well spent.

All available now in store at Primark

Meeting La Redoute

August 22, 2016August 30, 2016 | blueskygirlie

So I have fallen in love….

La Redoute is a French mail order company with a catalogue (an actual printed one you can flick through!) and a huge online shop selling womens, mens, kidswear and home. It is super stylish as you would expect from the French but also very reasonably priced! I placed my first order this month from their Summer sale and I have become utterly obsessed.

Have a look at my first 5 buys…

1 – ‘Soft Grey’ gingham ruffle shirt

Fitted with a western vibe, I am sold on this cute top. Perfect with skinny jeans and a ‘yee-ha’ attitude…

2 – ‘Mademoiselle M’ lace blouse

Very feminine with lovely lace detailing this top looks so much more expensive than it was…for modesty you do need a cami underneath though!

3 – ‘Soft Grey’ tie waist midi skirt

I’d been looking for a midi denim skirt for a while and this was perfect…and I do love a skirt or dress with pockets!

4 – Soft Grey’ high neck blouse

Inspired by blogger Erica Davis from the un-edited (again) I had to order this. Come Autumn I will be wearing this with EVERYTHING in fact I am already!

5 – ‘Soft Grey’ embroidered peasant top

Want a throw on summer top? This is perfect…and the embroidery and detailing are top notch…

And best of all, all these items were less than £15 each!

Other things I loved – you can order everything ‘click and collect’ to your local Hermes parcelshop so delivery is free and returns are free too. This is great when you’re still getting used to the sizing and want to order 2 sizes to compare. They have lots of customer promo code offers for full priced items – usually 20/25% but sometimes have a 40% off code so keep your eyes peeled – its worth signing up to their newsletter to keep in the loop. I have only bought in the sale but can’t wait for the new season offers.

Their home range is AMAZING! So far I’ve bought the most stunning rug. I blogged about it here and am coveting quite a few other pieces for when we decorate our lounge. The quality and design is some of the best I’ve seen in a non-premium range.

Things I didn’t love – I think you could say that La Redoute customer service is hit and miss. I had a parcel go missing (which finally got found), email confirmations werent always sent and delivery can take 7-10 days. However it is worth putting up with the less than slick operation as the clothes are wonderful quality and feel so different from the usual High St offering.

I’ve just placed another large order so look out for more items coming soon…

All items via LaRedoute.co.uk

How many is too many?

August 6, 2016November 14, 2016 | blueskygirlie

My name is Sarah and I have a problem… with buying sunglasses.

Like most of you, sunglasses are a staple of my wardrobe throughout the summer and I can’t go anywhere without some. I love the fact they add an extra element to an outfit and if needed, hide a multitude of sins. No make up on? Eye bags? No problem!

I choose different shapes for different dressing styles and always keep spare pair in both my handbag and car glove-box.

An oversized cats-eye looks stylish and makes your face look slimmer…Sunglasses / New Look

A decorated frame can make a simple outfit look dressed up…Or go or all and clash your patterns!!!Both Sunglasses / Primark

A formal style can be mixed with a casual outfit to dress it up a little…Sunglasses / Kookai

A statement pair will get peoples attention and scream ‘fashion’…Sunglasses / Primark

A classic colour such as tortoise shell will see you through summer after summer…Sunglasses / TopShop

And black just goes with everything…!Sunglasses / Store TwentyOne

Even my 10 year old cant resist…Sunglasses / Primark Kids

At last count I had 14 pairs and I can honestly say I dont regret a pair of them! From £150 RayBans to £1 Primark sale buys, sunglasses really are THE summer accessory essential – throw them in your bag or suitcase this summer and they will make any outfit look better…

So whats your favourite pair? And do you make sure you have a matching pair for every outfit too?

I’d love to know…

The Hungarian H&M Holiday dress™

July 21, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Every so often I get obsessed with finding a piece of high street fashion I have seen in a magazine or on Instagram. You know that feeling when you just have to have something?

I first saw this dress on one of those big wall posters in H&M. Did they have it in stock? Well as it was only £14.99 it had sold out…typical. I trawled Bluewater then central London trying to track it down. I found a couple of UK 16’s and 18’s but this dress is huge (for reference I am wearing a UK8 and probably could of fitted in the 6 if I could of found it and I am definitely not that size!)

Finally when we were away on holiday in Budapest I sweet-talked my boyfriend into letting me go into the H&M there and I found it – so forever it will be called the Hungarian H&M Holiday dress™.

This dress ticks a lot of boxes trend-wise for summer 2016. Off the shoulder? ☑️ Peasant style? ☑️ ☑️ Strong, hot colour? Oh yes ☑️☑️☑️

Now I am a bit of a customiser when it comes to fashion and as I’ve mentioned this dress is very voluminous – great if youre a 6ft waif model but not so good if youre a 5’2″ curvy 40 something. The dress had tasselled ties on the sleeves which I removed and replaced with elastic and then created a tasselled rope belt which I fixed to the dress. This belt pulls the dress in at the waist, still keeping with its Boho feel but creating a more flattering fit for me and my body type. The lesson here? If something doesnt quite suit you then make it suit you!

I accessoried this look with my new rose gold sunglasses from New Look (which I’ve hardly taken off since I bought them), some gold palm leaf earrings and espadrille floral print sandals from Primark. Oh, and just as a finishing touch I painted my toenails the same reddy/orange as my dress. Good styling is often all in the details – you dont have to spend a lot…in total this outfit cost me under £40.

So what have we learned from todays blog? If you fall in love with something find it by any means necessary even if you have to go to a foreign country and then change any parts you don’t totally like to make it look even better!

Nothing too major then..well, when you love something, you love it!

Dress – H&M
Sunglasses – New Look
Earrings – New Look
Sandals – Primark

Primark mini haul

June 23, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Whenever I’m in central London I always try and pop into one of the flagship Primark stores. They hold the most stock and give you the best chance of finding that item you saw on Instagram (but probably not).

My store of choice is the Tottenham Court Road branch – its less busy than Marble Arch with all those tourists trying to claim their VAT back and although smaller I think holds a better range (or maybe just the VM is better!). I didnt buy a lot this time as I’m trying to edit my overflowing wardrobe but the 3 things I’ve got to show you I think are Summer must haves!

Cotton embroidered Kaftan jacket – £16.00

I saw this in the window and my eyes popped out on stalks like a cartoon character! I’d been trying to justify the £50 Zara version (and couldnt) and this is so similar. I went for a size small as its open fronted with loose sleeves and its is perfect as a summer cover up either over swimwear on the beach or with a white vest, skinny jeans and sandals for a cute daytime look.

Khaki slim leg joggers – £8.00

All the bloggers keep telling me khaki is the new denim and I didnt have anything khaki! These trousers are flattering with an elasticated tie detail waist and slim leg although I found the calf area a little tight so went for a size 12.

Two tone esperadrille pumps – £8.00

When you want Chanel but can only afford Primark… Seriously though, these are a great summer shoe when you dont want to wear sandals and are a casual shoe that still looks stylish.

I also bought black leggings, white t-shirts and some sunglasses cases – you gotta have fresh wardrobe staples each year! But my favourite of the three has to be the shoes…when Primark gets it right, it gets it right! Yes the stores are busy, yes the queues are long but a flagship store is an Aladdins Cave of bargain fashion delights!

All available in store now.

Making the 80’s modern again…

June 16, 2016June 17, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Todays look is based around a vintage buy I fell in love with recently (although my boyfriend did say I reminded him of a member of Duran Duran in it – in a good way allegedly – but we’ll gloss over that) that I just had to wear asap. It cost me just £5.00 in a charity shop and I loved its unique look but also its totally bargain price!

This kind of shirt is perfect when you just want a comfy yet stylish outfit…and you might not be feeling as body confident as you could be (I do suffer from this) – but hey, comfort is always good – no fixed waistbands here! The shirt itself is quite bold but with plain leggings or skinny jeans doesn’t look over the top. A pair of heels dresses it up slightly although flats would work just as well for a more laid back look.

The shirt itself is a voluminous 80’s/early 90’s number and I co-ordinated it with some wet look leggings, block heel sandals and a cheeky novelty clutch bag.

The sandals are a Very.co.uk purchase and have been so useful. They are dressy but comfortable and look great with everything. The bag is from Accessorize and was one of those ‘I have to have it’ purchases. I love a novelty bag and this one makes me happy everytime I use it.

They key to an oversized shirt like this is balance. If its loose on top go tight on the bottom that way you look in proportion and if you’re petite like me, youre not swamped by the volume of the item. Leggings and skinny jeans work perfectly with a look like this.

The shirt came with shoulder pads which I removed. As ever my vision is a modern version of vintage, and a few changes can make a vintage item feel modern. If youre more of a fashion fan than a vintage belle, most vintage items can be improved with a nip or a tuck.

And finally back to those sandals – the gold block heels are EVERYTHING! Plus some matching red/orange nail varnish on my toes carried that bright print through to my feet!

This bold bargain has already become one of my favourite items I own and I literally can’t wait to wear it again.

Shirt – vintage
Wet look leggings – eBay
Sandals – shoebox at Very.co.uk
Bag – Accessorize

MY VERY.CO.UK SALE HAUL

May 31, 2016May 31, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Regular readers to this blog will know I’m quite a fan of Very. I have been a customer for a long time now and as well as loving the ranges I also like, as a online catalogue, you can have an interest free account and pay your balance in 3 parts using their ‘take 3’ option. This can be quite useful to spread the cost of things across 3 paydays or split a bigger purchase such as a leather jacket into more bitesize pieces. And then theres the sales…

Have a look at what I bought recently –

Definitions asymetric tunic – £9.75 (from £25) – the coral colour sold me on this top and its such an easy summer wear with leggings and sandals.

Vila suedette and stripe breton top – £16 (from £22) – I loved the updating of the classic breton with the suedette top and it works perfectly with the South boyfriend jeans – £15 (from £32) – distressed jeans look great in the summer rolled up with sandals and the dark wash on this pair is just perfect and looks really premium.

Shoe box lace up flats – £10 (from £20) – I’ve been seeing lace-up flats on fashion bloggers everywhere and at this price I couldnt resist!

River Island bib collar – £6 (from £16) – OK, OK its clear I love a collar! I find them so versatile and love the look they create without ruining the line of your clothes.

South skinny cropped jeans £11 each (from £20) – not the most exciting items in the world, but these will become a wardrobe staple and with their tight capri leg and high waist suit my figure perfectly.

All items available at Very.co.uk now while stocks last. New customers can open a Very credit account and get £30 off your first £60 spend using code FDNWW.

Any colour you want as long as its black…

May 11, 2016 | blueskygirlie

So what do you wear when you cant be bothered to style?

Black. No brainer.

Of course when I say ‘no styling’ I of course mean minimum styling, as if you love fashion like me, you’ll find it hard not to try and make every outfit, even lazy day ones, a bit more stylish!

All black is super easy to work with though and I like to make it a bit more intetesting by adding different textures and a stand out accessory such as a necklace or as I have done in todays outfit, some statement earrings. After a few hot days its now pouring with rain so the summer dresses have been put on hold for now…

I recently bought myself a few new black jumpers as they are do easy to just throw on. This one is from H&M and is currently in the sale reduced from £19.99 to just £7. It has a turtle neck and is made from a textured knit that is ever so slightly see through. It is cut to be oversized so I went for the smallest size (XS/extra small) and it is still quite roomy on my size 10/12 frame.

I co-ordinated it with a pair of wet look leggings which I wear quite a lot especially as an alternative to skinny jeans. They are super comfy too! The shiny look adds an extra element that plain black would not of, plus they make you feel kinda sexy…
As I mentioned the only real accessorising to this outfit was a pair of statement earrings, plus my trusty black leather Converse. When I bought them I was a bit worried they might not get worn as much as my other 1000 pairs of Converse (a slight exaggeration but not much) but they are the perfect shoe for when you want a more dressy trainer. I just love them.

So there you have it. Lazy day styling!

Jumper – H&M
Earrings – Dorothy Perkins
Wet look leggings – eBay
Trainers – Converse

Secretary Chic

April 27, 2016 | blueskygirlie

“Here is your coffee Mr Smith, would you like me to finish that filing?”

OK, the traditional secretary doesnt exist anymore but the prim yet sexy look still can. I’m a great fan of the TV show Mad Men and this look as a Joan vibe to it (without the amazing bosom sadly!). Its a cute, preppy look thats often replicated by Kate Spade or J Crew too, favourites of mine and is perfect for a day in the office.

This is one of those looks that has been pulled together from existing pieces and doesnt require a shopping trip (hoorah says my bank manager!). Its really just based around a great vintage skirt I got for £3 in a charity shop – these type of skirts are easily found and look rubbish on the hanger – the type of skirt your Nana would of worn, but styled right look great.

I love the removable white bow I got from River Island after Christmas taking a plain white shirt from Matalan and making it both feminine and smart. A preppy slipover jumper and ankle boots keep the look from looking too vintage (which I hate)…