To Culotte or not to Culotte

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

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

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

Valentines Day Wish List

Valentines day is a week today and amongst the adverts for diamond rings and expensive perfume, its got me dreaming of pretty things I would love to own.

Now, let me start by saying I’m not a huge fan of Valentines day! For me its a marketing ploy, pure and simple, and I don’t like to be told when and what to buy my loved ones.

but…

I also love stuff. Beautiful stuff. Random stuff. Sometimes expensive stuff. So, if I was to pick 10 things right now I’d love, this is it, Valentines Day or not. Oh, and just to add my birthday is very soon too 😉. 

 1. When I saw the MAC Rocky Horror make up range I shivered in an-tic-i-pation (see what I did there?). I adore the film, its songs, its message and its styling. A perfect collaboration – lipsticks are £17.

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2. Tatty Devine jewellery is unique, stylish and well made. Would I go for a name necklace and channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw? For someone like me that loves anything sparkly, their £60 Magpie necklace ticks all the boxes.

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3. What can I say about the House of Holland Mr Men collaboration? Lets just say this jumper would look fab on me! I love fashion with a sense of humour – yours for £200 and theres a Mr Messy version too!

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4. What a statement piece a Anya Hindmarch bag with the cartoon themed leather stickers attached would be. Stickers start from £35 and you can attach them to any leather bag, wallet or case.

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5. Oh gosh, just yes… Primark poporn pyjamas – £10 (sadly not online – find in-store). I’m a bit obsessed with eating popcorn and like films, so…

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6. Rory Dobner designs are probably one of the best designer ranges I’ve seen recently after discovering them in Liberty. His cat designs are the sort of thing I cant resist and some pieces will definitely be mine in 2015. Prices start from £13.50.

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7. I love a non fiction book, particularly by female writers. The Jenny Mollen book ‘I like you just the way I am’ looks so funny. She is just wonderful! £16.99 (thats the cover price so will be cheaper online) well spent IMO.

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8. I’ve been coveting a pair of thigh high boots for a while and these H&M versions look great. The heel isn’t too high and at £39.99 they are a great price too.

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9. Etsy panda knickers – OK, not cheap at £27.61 but super cute. And panda is my nickname…

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10. I think this Not on the High St train ticket artwork is just so sweet. Personalised art with your names and date you met for just £16. Add the frame of your choice and you’ve got something you’ll treasure forever reminding you of fun days out.

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Well, thats 10 things that are all very me! I hope you like my wish list and may the 14th be filled with love of all kinds for you.
Love, Sarah 💋💋💋

Find links to all items online via prices in text.

Primark January sale buys

The other day we had to pop into Primark to buy a couple of bits for our sons and a few other bits. Being a lover of Primark I couldnt leave without quickly rushing through womenswear and grabbing a few sale bargains. What do you think of what I got?

Green batwing top £5 (from £10)

I love green and think the classic shape of this top will look great with skinny jeans, a statement necklace and heels. The zip detail on the back is also a nice touch.

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NASA t-shirt £2 (from £6)
I’m a bit of a geek and love space and sci-fi stuff. Now I can pretend I attended space camp back in the 80’s – best of all its a really loose fit so the size 8 fitted!

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Print and lace top £2 (from £5)
I bought this top first of all with the idea to maybe wear in bed with black leggings but its actually too pretty for that. Its very fine, lightweight jersey so I’m waiting for Spring to warm things up until I wear it.

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Clutch bag £2 (from £4)
I love pop art and basically can’t resist anything comicbooky like this. At £2 it would of been rude not to! I think its a really fun addition to my novelty bag collection.

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Sequin shorts £3 (from £6)
These are from YD the kids area! The size 12-13yrs would easily fit if you are a size 10-12 and the length isn’t too short either (although to be fair I’m 5’2″). I’m going to wear these with opaque tights and a top for nights out, in place of my usual play suits.

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A whole bag full for £14!!! What have you bought recently from Primark?

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