Uniqlo/Marimekko collaboration

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 | blueskygirlie

Sometimes theres just a coming together of two favourite brands that you cannot ignore. This happened recently when Uniqlo announced that their next designer collaboration would be with Finnish design house Marimekko.

For those not familiar with Finnish design house Marimekko, their style is bright, fun and vibrant and having started in the 1950’s has a very retro feel. They create fashion and homewares and their fabrics are often used within interior and retail design projects.

The collaboration itself is a range of 6 different prints repeated into dresses, tops, trousers, bags and shoes with all the price points sitting within Uniqlo’s affordable set pricing structure.

After visiting the store and trying on a few pieces (being a Japanese brand I find Uniqlo clothing can come up a little on the small side) I settled on two t-shirts and a dress. I could of bought lot more but was strict on myself as my wardrobe is already bulging at the seams.

This is what I bought…

Dress – £19.90

The print itself is named Polle (Horse) and is based on an image the Marimekko design team took of what they describe as the “round hoof prints left by a plump small pony.” so I’m already in love this print! This is a comfortable slightly A-line fit, t-shirt dress and I went for a small which would fit a 10-12 fine. Its sizes run XS – L, is 100% cotton and costs just £19.90. Oh and did I mention it has pockets!!!

T-shirt – £12.90

A boxy shape, I went for a size medium for a slightly roomy fit. It has all its print to the front, is available in sizes XXS – XL, is 100% cotton and costs just £12.90. The Pompula (pompom) pattern depicts flowerpots. According to Marimekko, its been used as flowers are a warm way to remember friends, family and loved ones on different occasions.

T-shirt – £12.90

Again a boxy shape, I went for a size medium for a slightly roomy fit. It is white with just the print on an oversized chest patch pocket featuring that aforementioned plump pony print! It is available in sizes XXS – XL, is 100% cotton and costs just £12.90. Perfect with jeans and trainers I loved the cute simplicity of this tee.

All the items are all beautifully made and fantastic quality for the price. Sizing can be a little confusing and I’d recommend a try on session but as ever Uniqlo has come up trumps. It even comes in its own lovely paper carrier bag…

The range is available now in selected Uniqlo stores now and online here.

Palm Power

June 8, 2017June 8, 2017 | blueskygirlie

As it is now summer (hoorah!) its time to embrace all those colours and prints you wouldn’t normally wear any other time of the year. There’s something about a tropical print that always feels really summery and I am quite the slave to the palm print in both fashion and home.

So when this little gem caught my eye in the TU clothing department in Sainburys for just £20 I thought it was a really wearable summer staple and snapped one up.

It is described as a jumpsuit but I would describe it more as a culotte dress. I’m 5’2″ and its length sits like a midi dress on me. It is a fitted shape with square neckline and short sleeves and zips up the back and for those who hate summer and the nightmare that is thigh rub this is the perfect solution! Overall the shape is very retro and flattering and the wide cullottes balance out the fitted top perfectly.

I co-ordinated my new buy with some amazing OTT palm leaf acrylic earrings I got from New Look many years ago because, well, I love a Palm! I always wear these earrings in the summer and they have been a great buy.The tie waist adds an extra flattering element meaning you can pull the waist in if you wanted a looser fit (I chose to wear mine quite fitted) and the fabric has some stretch to it as well as being a vibrant mix of greens, black and beige highlights. I feel really great wearing this, have so far worn it to the office and can’t wait to wear it on holiday too.

Its available in store now but will sell out fast so grab one while you can!

Culotte Jumpsuit / TU at Sainsburys
Sandals / Primark (past season)
Earrings / New Look (past season)

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

Birthday Buys: BooHoo jersey draped dress

March 16, 2016March 24, 2016 | blueskygirlie

March is my birthday month and I usually spend it shopping!

Ah, if only! However I do get to choose a few bits as presents plus spend any birthday money on some treats for myself and over the next few weeks I will share some my the choices I’ve made this year…dont tell anyone but I turned 43 🙈.

I picked this dress (the Carolina) as a dress I could wear to the office and also dress up for an evening look. The chesnut colour is really nice – a burnt orange/reddish brown and it is made from a mid weight jersey. For sizing I went for a UK12 so it wasnt too tight as the jersey is quite unforgiving to lumps and bumps.

The main design feature that made me choose it is the unusual handkerchief design skirt. The tight, high-necked top half is perfectly balanced by the flowing skirt and the tie belt cinches your waist in nicely – perfect for a curvy petite girl like me! I wore it here with knee length boots and statement earrings both from Primark and pulled my hair back,finishing it with a plait.

It does have a couple of downsides – as I mentioned the jersey is quite unforgiving so lacy underwear is out – a t-shirt bra worked fine though. I love the high neck but being jersey once you’ve pulled it over your head (the dress has no zips or fastenings) it stretches a little and isn’t as snug around my neck as I’d like. This is easily fixed though with a tiny safety pin in the back of the collar pulling it taught.

I’ve already worn this dress both to work and for a night out and it’s got lots of compliments. For just £10 (its been reduced from £15) its an absolute bargain! Find it on the BooHoo website here and its also available in black or khaki.

Look out for my next ‘Birthday Buys’ blog coming soon!

Dress – BooHoo.com
Earrings – Primark
Boots – Primark

Autumn Uniform

November 11, 2015November 17, 2015 | blueskygirlie

In todays blog I show you my forth and final ‘uniform’ to make dressing easy this autumn…

Todays uniform – dress, tights and boots

What you need in your wardrobe –

Winter dress (or add a polo neck under a shift dress)
Opaque tights
Ankle boots

This is really the easiest combination of all the autumn uniforms…just pick a winter dress you love and add thick tights and boots! I’ve gone for this one from Primark – I really love how easy it is to wear – its made from a stretchy material and has white collar and cuff detail. For sizing I have gone for a 12 (its available in sizes 8-20) and costs £14.00.
The dress itself is red and navy and works well with black accessories although you could easily use navy tights or if you want a quirky look, red boots would look amazing!
Keep the look dressy with ankle boots instead of knee length boots. Make sure you show off those legs! If the weather is cold, layer a slim fitting t-shirt (or thermal top if you feel the cold like I do!) underneath or add a light-weight cardigan. My tights are also Primark – 100 denier and cost £2.50 a pack. They are fantastic quality and I’d definitely recommend them. They are quite big though – I bought the size small and could still pull them up to bust level!

As it’s daytime, neutral make up and wavy hair complete the look. I created volume in my hair using some Batiste dry shampoo which I find is perfect for encouraging beachy waves and a full look without having to wash your hair every day.

I think I’ve found my new favourite dress and its a bargain one!

Find my blogs on creating uniforms 1, 2 and 3 here, here and here. I hope you’ve enjoyed my blogs on creating easy to put together outfits this Autumn and have mixed up a few ideas into your own outfits. PS THEY WORK FOR WINTER TOO!!!

Dress : Primark
Tights : Primark
Boots : Marks & Spencer

M&Co. multiway maxi dress

July 17, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A little while ago I entered the M&Co. summer blogging competition on holiday style (read it here) and came runner up. As a prize I was asked to pick one of items I blogged for a gift and I chose the Petite multiway maxi dress.
I thought it was a very wearable dress for summer – today I style it up for wearing on holiday and give my review on it. So the details – this dress is part of the M&Co. Petite range and is currently in the summer sale reduced to £16 from £29. It is available in sizes 8-18. Its made from a lightweight, silky material with smocked elasticated waist and slightly blouson top which has a tightly elasticated top seam.

The dress has multiway straps (a bit like a bra) which means you can wear it with straps, strapless, as a halterneck or crossed over. The straps themselves were a little fiddly at first and hard to get into place but once set worked well (although I found the end hooks came out of the dress a couple of times which was a little annoying). However a bit like a multiway bra, practise made perfect and I soon got them how I wanted them!
I ended up with a size 12 after the 10 was too small across the bust and had to be returned. My advice is to go a size bigger than your normal size in M&Co. (which is usually quite generous) if you’re buying from the Petite range and are quite curvy. At 5’2″, the length was just skimming the floor with flat sandals on, which is how I like a maxi dress – this range is for 5’3″ or below and I’d say just right length wise.

I teamed it with my cropped white denim jacket bought from M&Co. last season and Accessorize camera novelty bag. A perfect look for a bit of holiday sightseeing maybe?
Pinned back wavy hair, red lipstick and my favourite lucky sixpence coin necklace (£1.50 from Primark!) completed the look. All in all, I found this a versatile dress and liked it particularly as the strapless version – after all who wants strap marks as part of your holiday tan!!!

Are you going away soon? Do you plan your outfits beforehand? Let me know what your summer holiday styling looks like.

Maxi dress – M&Co. Petite*
Denim jacket – M&Co.
Necklace – Primark
Bag – Accessorize
Sandals – New Look

Dress up June

June 11, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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…

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.
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.

As 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.

My 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!This 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

Christmas Day outfit

December 26, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

As you may or may not know I have a blended family. What that means is my partner and I both share access of our children with ex-partners. This means sometimes we have lots of kids, sometimes just one, and every so often, none!
This Christmas day all our kids were with their respective parents so we decided to book Christmas dinner in a hotel, like grown ups. Grown ups who don’t like to cook all day or do washing up!!!

That meant dressing up…and do I love to dress up! I planned my outfit quite a bit in advance and picked a leather dress from http://www.very.co.uk. It took a bit of dieting and a lot of running but I squeezed into it. Tight fitting clothes are something I would never of considered when I was bigger but now I love to flaunt my curves.

With my love of Kardashian style coming out again, I added black tights and leather heeled ankle boots, plus an oversized metallic clutch bag and ring for a bit of sparkle.

We had a great time!!! Leather works great for a special occasion, is sexy, but as it has no give in it, you cant eat too much!!! But did I feel great wearing it? Definitely,and ultimately thats all that matters.

Dress – Love Label @ Very.co.uk
Boots – Marks and Spencer
Bag – Primark
Ring – New Look

Its all white

November 28, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A little while back I blogged about a Primark haul I had done and bought, amongst other things, a white space age style dress I loved but wasn’t quite sure how I’d wear it for winter. Well today I wore it!

With it being cold outside, I wore the dress with Topshop knee boots, thick black tights and a black rib Dorothy Perkins roll-neck jumper underneath. To carry the monochrome look through I added a black statement bib necklace I got a few years ago from House of Fraser which I love. Overall the whole look is quite space age!

With its quite structured shaped and jetted waist and a-line skirt the cut is really flattering. The quilted fabric is cosy too.

When I went out I wore a black leather jacket and black oversized knitted hat with the outfit and I must admit, I loved the look! I thought white might be difficult in winter but it really isn’t!
Would you wear white in winter? Let me know.

Dress – Primark
Jumper – Dorothy Perkins
Necklace – House of Fraser
Boots – Topshop