M&Co. rainbow print blouse

April 23, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve been blogging about my favourite pieces from the M&Co. summer 2015 range and today is the turn of their rainbow print blouse priced at £29.

I LOVE this top! The print is perfect, it has a cute slip underneath and is light and floaty. It is cut to be slightly longer at the back and has button details at the sleeves. I am wearing a size 10 and I’d say its average sizing.

I’ve made a slight change to the fit of this blouse as it had a small stitch at the bust line holding the front more tightly together. Being a bit busty, this wasnt flattering on me so I undid it so the top wraps accross my front (and ample bosom) freely.

I am wearing it with a simple gold necklace, skinny jeans and yellow wedge shoes. Perfect for the sunny, yet not hot yet weather. I just know this blouse is going to become one of my favourites, after all who doesnt love a rainbow?

Blouse – M&Co.

Necklace – Primark

Jeans – Dorothy Perkins

Shoes – Store TwentyOne

Find my other M&Co blogs here and here.

Styling statement trousers

April 21, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Wearing a strong pattern can be a bit of a challenge. I have a great pair of trousers from Matalan but although I love them I sometimes struggle to style them.

So how do you style a pair of very strongly patterned statement tousers?

The key is if you go patterned on the bottom keep it plain on the top. The shape of these trousers is a cigarette pant shape – slim fitting with a flat waistband. A very 1960’s inspired look.

I co-ordinated the trousers with a cobalt blue shirt and jumper combo plus nude pointy flats for a bit of glamour.

I carried on the slightly 60s vibe with full hair and blue eye make-up.

So would you go for a crazy pattern on your legs like me?

Blouse – Primark

Jumper – BHS

Trousers – Matalan

Shoes – Dorothy Perkins

Meow!!!

April 14, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Its a busyish Tuesday, I’ve got work to do, my son is still off school on his Easter break, the sun is shining and its a jeans and t-shirt kinda day for me…

I’ve teamed a boxy cat face t-shirt from TopShop with a boyfriend cut jean and a lowish heel patent studded shoe. Being a shortie I’ve rolled and sewed the jeans to just above ankle length – as they are a bargain price pair from Primark a bit of customisation can make all the difference. Plus a shorter length makes them much more flattering for the more petite girl.

Plus I’m wearing some oversized cat eye sunglasses…of course! 😻😸😻. This pair from ASOS are showstoppers. I love their 50’s vibe…

Have a great day whatever youre up to this Sunny Tuesday whether your feeling laid back like me, or dressed up to the nines…

T-shirt – TopShop

Jeans – Primark

Shoes – George at Asda

Sunglasses – ASOS

Love is in the air…well on my chest at least!

April 10, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A few weeks back I blogged about how I had fallen in love with quite a few items from M&Co.’s SS15 range (see blog here). I decided to treat myself to a couple of pieces and today I’m wearing a casual look with the ‘LOVE’ jumper I just had to have!

When I saw this jumper I wanted it immediately. A grey marl knit with flecks of pink and a hot pink intarsia logo spelling “love xx” it is perfect for a easy casual outfit. I’m wearing a size 10 here and I’d say its a normal/slightly generous fit. M&Co.’s main range runs 10-20 so if you want a size 8 you need to go to the petite section.

I wore the jumper with dark indigo skinny jeans from New Look and heeled boots from Marks and Spencer. I added a pink vest from Matalan underneath for an extra pop of colour and some co-ordinating lipstick. I also added two necklaces from Claires Accessories for a pretty layered effect.

I think I’m in love with my new jumper! It is lovely quality, with a dense yet soft knit and well worth the money. Look out for the other fabulous M&Co. item I bought in a future blog coming soon.

NEWSFLASH – This is now £14 in the sale… grab it before it sells out!

Jumper – M&Co.

Vest – Matalan

Necklaces – Claires Accessories

Jeans – New Look

Boots – Marks & Spencer

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

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…