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

H&M Conscious Collection 2015

April 18, 2015May 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

The H&M 2015 Conscious Collection has just gone live in store and online, and oh my, its a great one! I have a few pieces from previous collections and they are all amazing quality and that bit more unusual and I always get comments when wearing them.

What is H&M’s conscious collection? Well its built on seven commitments from the company, the plan being to create a better fashion future.

The commitments are:

This year the campaign is fronted by actress Olivia Wilde and the pieces are just stunning, as well as sustainable and beneficial to the producers. H&M released the press statement below-

H&M is proud to announce that Olivia Wilde, actress and humanitarian, will be the face of H&M’s latest Conscious Exclusive campaign. Olivia, well known for her commitment to sustainability and her engagement for environmental causes will appear in the campaign wearing pieces from the collection. Conscious Exclusive will be available in around 200 H&M stores worldwide on April 16, as well as online.

I totally love this range…

My top picks:

Maxi dress £149.99

Ruffle dress £39.99

Tuxedo jacket £79.99 & trousers £59.99 Coat £59.99

T-shirt £12.99, Maxi skirt £99.99

Dress £39.99

Long ruffled dress £79.99

Leather jacket £199.99

Its all just gorgeous! Theres lots more to choose from too. All are available instore and in limited quantities on-line from H&M now.

Having just come back from Scandinavia having spent loads in H&M I think my bank balance is going to take another knocking!!! What do you think? Do you love the collection too?

All photos via hm.com

Dita Von Teese – Starlift lingerie

April 15, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A couple of days ago Dita Von Teese ran two photos one after the other on her Instagram feed showing one of her new lingerie lines.

I just love the fact there are showing the range on two different body shapes without any fuss or fanfare. Each look is slightly different but still strong, sexy and feminine and fits to the Dita Van Teese brand look.

Her lingerie is just gorgeous and is quite clearly is designed for any girl who wants it. Its not ‘plus size’, its not ‘main range’, its just the range.

I think wearing pretty/sexy/fun lingerie makes all woman feel good. It definitely works for me. We are all different shapes and sizes and 99% of us do not have model bodies – if we did we’d be all be working as models. Its lucky really, who would do all the other jobs?!?

The sets look great regardless…and thats the point. Thanks Dita x

Photos via Instagram

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

My home style: The flat 2013

April 7, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Back in 2013 my flat was featured in the book ‘Style Your Modern Vintage Home’ by Kate Beavis which I was also the stylist on. It is a fantastic book featuring peoples vintage inspired homes from the 1920’s look through to the 1980’s/90’s look and also includes advice on collecting vintage plus lots of styling tips in how to display your finds.

I thought today I would share it with you to give you a taste of my personal home and interiors style…

All images courtesy of Simon Whitmore via F&W Media International Ltd.

I love to mix vintage and modern together so my home fitted the books brief perfectly. As an ex window dresser and now stylist and style blogger how things look are so important to me. Am I fussy? Maybe!

I also wanted to show what could be done in a rented flat as so often interior books and magazines only show the most amazing, huge older houses – totally unrealistic for the majority of us. Real life can still look fabulous. So take a look at the flat I lived in then…

The lounge – a fun mix of pop art, flashes of red and orange and retro 60’s styling.

Table – original 1960’s Arkana, Artwork – John Lewis, M&S, Sofa – Harveys, Cushions – Matalan, Primark, Lamp – M&S, China Cats – Villeroy & Boch, Rug – vintage.

The kitchen/diner – a rented flats modern kitchen styled to feel different & quirky with a dining area designed to maximise a small space.

Table & chairs – original 1960’s Arkana, Artwork – vintage 1980’s, John Lewis, Fridge – Smeg, Glassware – vintage 1960’s, Kettle & Toaster – Breville, Clock – M&S, Accessories – Alessi, Matalan, Vintage

The hall – Fun vibes with a practical need.

Side table – original 1960’s Arkana, Lamp – Dwell, Clock – vintage 1990’s Swatch, Chair (just seen) – original 1960’s Arkana, Trimphone telephone & telephone book – vintage 1970’s

And finally some of the styling details –

It was a great exerience having my home, as it looked in that moment in time, immortalised in a book!

I have since moved to a new house that needs work, so look out for blog posts showing my home styling there. A bigger space will be much more fun and now thst we are not renting anymore, we can change what we want!

‘Style your Vintage Modern Home’ by Kate Beavis is available from Amazon – here

All images courtesy of Simon Whitmore via F&W Media International Ltd.

10 questions you ask yourself when you’re 40+ & wearing vintage.

April 3, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve blogged a bit about my journey to embrace vintage (see here), but still have the odd wobble. Once you are of an *ahem* certain age (OK, I’m 42), some fashion choices can get mixed up with just looking odd or people ‘not getting it’ and sometimes you find yourself standing in front of the mirror and asking some bizarre questions!

1) The item looked ‘hipster’ in the vintage store but does it look more ‘crazy cat lady’ on me? featuring a 1980’s original sweatshirt

2) Will people get this necklace is a in joke for my love of Instagram and not just a random strange charm? featuring a vintage brass camera necklace

3) Can an original Ra-Ra dress work when its not 1985? I did dream of being in Bucks Fizz… featuring a batwing 1980s ra-ra dress

4) Being a hippy is still cool, especially in the summer, right? featuring a 1970s mint cheesecloth skirt

5) Is a patterned silk scarf too ‘air hostess’ tied at your neck – it is such a gorgeous print though…? featuring a 1960s psychedelic print scarf

6) Is this batwing blouse more ‘Stand and Deliver’ than ‘Stand up and be counted’? featuring a 1980s Alexon high necked batwing blouse

7) Did I buy the dress because I like it, or because the label made me feel nostalgic? featuring a 1970s C&A fit and flare dress

8) Does that original Disneyland vest now making me look like I’m auditioning for an middle-aged version of the Mickey Mouse Club? And is 90’s fashion even vintage, I wore it the first time around?!? featuring a 1990’s Disneyland souvenir vest

9) Does having a coat with a OTT stand-up collar make you look like a super villian? featuring a vintage Cacharel tweed coat (thanks mum!)

And finally…

10) Is it ok you have no money but the contents of your jewellery drawers (yes, a mere jewellery box is too small) are worth thousands? featuring many years worth of vintage jewellery buys

All items pictured are various vintage pieces I have picked upon my travels…

So do you embrace vintage like me regardless of your age?

All photos are via my Instagram, follow me for more here

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