Bonmarché Blogger Swap Challenge

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

Top & Tail – 4th March 2015

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

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…

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.

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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

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!

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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.

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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

Living in the 80’s?

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!

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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!

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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.

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I think 1980’s fashion still has life in it, don’t you?

Dress – Vintage branded Claudia Fashion
Jumper – Wallis
Belt – ASOS
Boots – Topshop

Buttoned Up

Today’s outfit its based on a quirky look using stripes and an oversized button brooch. I have recently been watching American Horror Story: Freakshow and the costume design is AMAZING! Something about the stripes inspired me today (I have also bought a ringmaster style frock coat but more on that in future blogs!!!). Its 1950’s mixed with circus theming mixed with fashion must haves styling is on-point! Trust me.

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I teamed a black and white striped shirt with navy blue fitted jumper, my trusty Bailey skinny jeans and black buckled boots. I added an oversized button brooch and my look was complete!

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I got the brooch from Etsy ( with a couple of others) and love its cute, retro look. Teamed with the navy jumper it forms a rather nice, complete look – like its part of the jumper.

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A simple everyday look thats a little bit different – thats why I love fashion styling.

Shirt – New Look
Jumper – BHS
Brooch – Etsy
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins
Boots – Dorothy Perkins

Top & Tail – 26th Jan 2015

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

Todays top look

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Gilet – Sheinside 

Polo neck – Select 

Necklace – Primark 

 
Todays tail look 

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Skirt – Primark 

Boots – Store21

Blanket Love

Gosh its cold! Today it was -3 during the school run here in Kent and the look I needed was ‘wrapped up warm…very warm’. Lets be honest – the colder it is, the less likely we all are to be dressing for fashion – its all about comfort and keeping warm.

I’d asked for this New Look blanket wrap for Christmas. Its big and soft and the tonal colours work really well with most other colours.

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At £19.99 I thought it was a great price and I can pretend I’m wearing Burberry! Burberrys personalised blankets wraps have been everywhere since AW14 and are pretty stunning…

Being small I find its a bit swamping unless I wear it with a belt although it works well as a looser style cape. Skinny jeans (or leggings) are a must too to keep the silhouette simple.
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Underneath, I wore a slim fitting padded coat I have from Next as the key to this look is not looking too bulky. The blanket wrap will be a great transitional piece when it gets warmer but for now a coat underneath is definitely necessary.

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On my feet were my cosy Kensington Uggs. I often talk about utilising kids clothes if you can and these are the kids versions. The size 5’s are exactly the same, much cheaper and the only difference is they have a zip in the inside, which I actually like better!

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So how do you wrap up in the cold weather?

Wrap – New Look
Jacket – Next
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins
Boots – Ugg Australia