Top and Tail – 12th June

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

“Vintage separates to dress up a pair of boyfriend jeans for #dressupjune”

Todays top look

 

Jacket – Vintage 1980’s Windsmoor

T-shirt – South at very.co.uk

Jeans – Primark

Necklace – River Island

Todays tail look 

 

Jeans – Primark

Shoes – 915 at New Look

Dress up June

This June my friend and colleague, Kate Beavis from Kate Beavis Vintage (formally Your Vintage Life) and the Vintage Wedding Fair encouraged people to dig out their dressier items (vintage or not) and dress up for June.  She had discovered a ton of vintage clothes she’d had stored away and was determined to make good use of them from now on. 

I love dressing up so joining in was a no-brainer for me! This was one of my outfit choices…

dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky Girl 

The dress is a textured, fitted print dress from Dorothy Perkins.  For sizing I am wearing a 10 but DP dresses are all available in size 8-22. This dress has a nice stretch to it so is tight on the top and flares out prom skirt style at the waist creating a very feminine shape.dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky Girl  
Accessories were a gold structured necklace and simple gold toe quilted pumps in a nude colour. When wearing a pattern I think its important to not add too much extra pattern or colour as it can look busy.
dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky Girl  
dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky GirlAs the weathers still a bit temperamental in the UK I added a white cropped denim jacket bought from M&Co. last summer for going out. Again, for sizing its a size 10 but M&Co. jackets are available in sizes 10-20.dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky Girl  

dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky GirlMy hair was just tied up into a loose bun and I was make-up free. Hey, I work from home – I dont wear make-up every day!dress up june photo bt blueskygirlie via Always a Blue Sky GirlThis month tag your looks using the hashtag #dressupjune and search the hashtag via Instagram and Twitter to get inspiration on other peoples outfits.  I’ll be adding more ‘outfit of the day’s as the month goes on.  Have fun with it and remember a beautiful dress (or blouse, or jacket, or necklace) is for life, not just for Christmas!!!

Jacket – M&Co.

Dress – Dorothy Perkins

Necklace – Store Twenty One

Shoes – Peacocks

Vintage Uniqueness

The other day I bought a fantastic water inspired print skirt amongst a few other vintage items.  It was so unique and although longer than I normally wear has a great prom style flare to it from the waist.  As ever with vintage its a pretty small fit – this was sized as a 12 but only just fits me.  Thats a real tip with vintage – ignore the size in it and just try it on.  vintage  summer outfit via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog 

I teamed it with a vintage St Michael knitted turtle neck top (remember when M&S clothing was called that?), a white beaded bracelet and white pumps for a fresh summery look. 

vintage  summer outfit via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

vintage  summer outfit via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog  vintage  summer outfit via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog 

The delicate print to this skirt is just lovely and very unique. I love how the pattern graduates down to the hemline. The wide waistband is flattering, as are the box pleats on the front.  vintage  summer outfit via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog 

Vintage is still doing it for me…how about you?  Get into those charity and vintage shops now and have a rummage!  Remember – ignore the size in the item, check for any wear or stains and alter it if you need to. Plus at the same time you are helping the enviroment, looking unique AND saving lots of money – this gorgeous skirt only cost me £2! 

vintage outfit via Always a blue sky girl blog Have a great day dressing up in the sunshine.

Top – vintage

Skirt – vintage

Bracelet – Accessorize

Shoes – Primark

  

M&Co. Blogger Style Challenge: Beach Break

M&Co. have just launched their new summer catalogue and I’m already starting to plan my summer wardrobe.  As you might remember I’m a big fan of M&Co. and blogged my top buys for spring 2015 here and now I’m ready to do the same for summer! I’ve already been through the new catalogue and created a wish list of summer buys for myself…

Untitled

…so when M&Co asked me to pick my favourite items from the new range and create a great fashion look for under £100 for either a beach or city break I was super excited. I do love a city break but with the sun shining and the heat rising, I’m dreaming of lazy beach days and hot summer nights. So here is my ultimate look for feeling stylish, cool and fashionable this summer during a beach break…

Petite floral print multi-way maxi dress – £29

Why it HAS to be in my suitcase this summer: I’m 5’2″ and adore wearing dresses so finding a dress in the right proportions is very important to me.  I love the flattering shape of this petite range dress, plus the removable multi-way straps makes it really versatile. Straps marks? Not for me this year!  The bold print is fun and summery but not too busy if you’re curvy like me.  A dress you will wear again and again.

M&Co petite maxi dress via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

buy it here

Trilby straw hat – £10

Why it HAS to be in my suitcase this summer: A sun hat is an essential for keeping cool in the midday sun (and avoiding sunstroke etc) and a trilby shape is fashionable with that edge of cool.  Styling wise a hat adds an edge to any outfit and this one could be worn with jeans and a t-shirt as much as it can a dress.

M&Co straw trilby hat via Always a Blue Sky Girl blogbuy it here

Set of four bangles – £8

Why it HAS to be in my suitcase this summer: Adding a small amount of jewellery can make all the difference when you are styling an outfit.  Bangles are great in summer, you can wear as many as you want and gold works perfectly with a tan.

M&Co bangles via Always a Blue Sky Girl blogbuy it here

Gold oversized sunglasses – £14

Why it HAS to be in my suitcase this summer: Oversized sunglasses just ooze glamour and the gold again accentuates a tan and look great with anything. Plus if you don’t want to wear make-up every day they can hide weary looking eyes from the night before!

M&Co oversized sunglasses via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

buy it here

Leopard Print Halterneck High Waist Bikini Set – £28

Why it HAS to be in my suitcase this summer:  Firstly a beach holiday is not a beach holiday without some glamorous swimwear!  Many of us can feel a bit insecure in swimwear so a great fitting suit will make you feel your very best. This 1950’s inspired one is underwired giving great support with a retro halterneck tie fastening and the high waisted bikini briefs with side ruching are so flattering particularly if you are like me and like to cover your tummy. Glamorous, flattering and will contour my curves – I call that perfect!

M&Co leopard high waist bikini via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

buy it here

And this is everything together…what do you think?  I love a relaxed yet stylish summer look and I think this is a perfect beach holiday choice for me.  And to top it off, it all came in at just £89 leaving me enough money left over for some suncream too!  See you by the pool….

outfit build M&Co.jpg 1

What’s your beach holiday essentials?  Find the rest of the range at www.mandco.com or pop into a store near you.

Aye Aye Captain!

Its all feeling a bit nautical today!  I’ve teamed a vintage striped top with M&S sailor style wide legged trousers and navy boat shoes for a fresh summery look.

Tucking a top into fitted trousers accentuates any curves (and my tummy definitely curves!) but today I’m embracing that!  Yes my tummy is on show but the buttons on the hips draws the eye to the edge of your silhouette rather than the centre and the wide trouser leg balance it out.  Also – thank God for M&S’s short lengths – I didnt have to alter these trousers for once!

#ootd nautical striped vintage and m&s look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog
I have added two button brooches I bought from eBay to the vintage top make it even more unique.  This 80’s tee is a great jersey piece with panels of stripes rather than a continuous block which is more flattering. #ootd nautical striped vintage and m&s look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog
#ootd nautical striped vintage and m&s look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog  #ootd nautical striped vintage and m&s look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog
Navy leather flats from Matalan finish the look. A pair of navy shoes is definitely worth having as works great with jeans too.#ootd nautical striped vintage and m&s look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog
When I go out later all I’ll need to do is throw on a denim jacket and I’m good to go.  Smart, fun, easy to wear and perfect for a Friday casual day if you dont want to wear jeans.

Top – vintage

Brooches – eBay

Trousers – Marks & Spencer

Shoes – Matalan