Cath Kidston + Gola = Trainer Perfection

March 14, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

This Spring, iconic British retailer Cath Kidston launched a collaboration with retro British sports brand Gola creating a range of fun trainers, in the classic Gola ‘Harrier’ style re-imagined in four gorgeous Cath Kidston prints. Four different versions were created – something for every girls taste, even if (like me) they weren’t a dedicated Cath Kidston shopper before.

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There are four statement prints to choose from – ‘Mini Clouds’ which brings a quirky, dreamy, retro style, ‘Mini Patchwork’ – this is a cute, fun, vintage look and finally ‘Paradise Fields’ giving a fresh, feminine, floral look in indigo or chalk colour ways.

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I think the Gola design merges beautifully with the Cath Kidston print and red embroidered logo. Originally launched in the sixties, the Gola ‘Harrier’ design remains a firm favourite within the range to this day. The result is a super comfy trainer due to its wide fit, suede trims and soft textile lining but also something that looks that bit different.

If you’re a fan of Cath Kidston you can buy matching pieces to complete your look. There is so much to choose from. I can feel my bank account diminishing as we speak! Come on, who could resist a pair of matching cute socks for only £6.00? Or a matching bag? Or even a full print dress, scarf or skirt? Be brave – Spring is a time to embrace brighter colours and great prints.

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As it was my birthday recently I asked for a pair of the cloud design trainers for my birthday present. I had seen them in the press and instantly fallen in love with them. The design is one of my favourite motifs – I just love the image of blue skies and clouds. It makes me feel happy but I also love the idea of blue sky thinking – to be the most creative you can be and to not be held back by current thinking. I want to be that type of person. My blog is called ‘Always a Blue Sky Girl’, my business is called Blue Sky Visual Merchandising and BlueSkyGirlie is my Instagram/Twitter name. Yep, its definitely a thing for me!

At £65.00 they are not cheap, but well worth the investment in my opinion. The quality is fantastic, the fit is great and I just can’t stop looking at my feet and smiling!!! You get an extra pair of grey laces but I opted for the bright yellow ones that were already laced into them – the extra pop of bright yellow alongside the yellow Gola stripes really adds to the quirky look.

What a way to make a statement with your feet! I’m currently wearing mine with skinny jeans, cotton tees, blazers and slouchy jumpers. I think they’d also look cute with a dress for a fun look. Whatever way you want to wear them let the shoes do the talking.

The range will be sold exclusively through Cath Kidston online and its stores and concessions in the UK and worldwide. I guarantee these are going to sell fast and you’ll see them on the feet of celebrities and top fashion bloggers.

All I have to do is work out which pair I want next…

International Womens Day

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015 | blueskygirlie

So today, 8th March 2015 is International Womens Day. A day to celebrate being female – to be proud to be a woman, a feminist, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a lover and a friend.

To remember the women who came before us and fought for us and our rights. And the women who taught us, nurtured us and loved us. The ones who continue to inspire us to be better human beings whether we are male or female.

Do we need days like today? I’ll be honest, part of me finds it slightly patronising – the fact there is a yearly ‘day’ separates us and thats part of the issue. I doubt there would be much noise about an International Mens Day. But ultimately days like this are about empowerment, knowledge and creating change and that can’t be a bad thing. Lets remember, women are still oppressed throughout the world, earn less than men and are subject to physical and sexual violence. There is still sexism in many workplaces and as women we are still judged mainly on our appearance.

Feminism has become a dirty word recently but ultimately it is all about equality for all – not that men are bad or women are better (or vice versa). The below quote sums it up for me –

So for me, today is being proud of being a woman, supporting other women and continuing to fight for equality where there is none. To feel lucky I was bought up by a strong, intelligent woman, who in turn had a strong woman as her mother. To feel lucky I grew up believing I could be anything I wanted to be. And to be proud of the woman I am now – I revel in my femininity, love to dress up and be pretty. I embrace my sexual power and use to it my advantage. Does that make me a weak woman? No – its who I am and I am proud of that! I am also strong, articulate, confident and full of opinions!!!

But for me –

Lets make every day our day – only we can seize the many different opportunities that present themselves and that takes bravery. We are women – hear us roar!!!

Sarah xx

All images sourced via http://www.Instagram.com

Black on black

February 28, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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…

February 23, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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.

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

Primark January sale buys

February 4, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Dreaming of being Kim…

December 27, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Todays outfit is one that is body con without being too figure hugging. I’ve been loving Kim Kardashians looks lately and tried to embrace a similar look today.
As a small, curvy girl, fitted works well for me and makes me feel very sexy! The pencil skirt from Peacocks has a high waist and is a roomy size 10 giving a very flattering look! I used to love Peacocks a few years ago (the Pearl Lowe range for example) but have found lately their range is not fashionable and aimed at quite a frumpy customer so just stick to them for staples. I do love their roomy sizes though!
The top is from a local boutique and very different with its orangey floral pattern and PVC and pearl decorated high collar. It’s also got a clever strip of black on the inside of the sleeves and all the back. You just wouldn’t get that sort of detailing on a high street piece.

As we are going out visiting, I tucked in a fitted top with pearl detail high neck into a pencil skirt and heeled boots. I love this top as its really unusual and has a structured shape while still being sexy.

So here I go out for the day, channelling Kim Kardashian’s sexy style – well a girl can dream!

Top – Local boutique
Skirt – Peacocks
Boots – Marks & Spencer

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

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2014 | blueskygirlie

Merry Christmas to you all and heres to 2015!!! May it be happy, healthy and full of fun…

Oh and stylish…so stylish!!! xxx

My skirt is better than your skirt…(sort of!)

December 21, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Ok, its probably not – but let me start by saying I am in love with this skirt. Properly. Yes its a bit weird but I’m ok with it. Fashion is a love affair after all!!!

I bought this Kew skirt a few years back but have never been small enough to fit into it. But this year with my metamorphosis into a runner and some dieting, my body has slimmed down and finally I can get myself into a size 10 fixed waist…yay!!!

Its a little tricky to wear for a petite girl so I co-ordinated it with a fitted white shirt, navy fitted jumper and Forever21 necklace. Its a heavyweight check with fringed hem in an A-line maxi shape.