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

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

Top & Tail – 30th March 2015

March 30, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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

“Channelling Wednesday Addams on a Monday”

Todays top look

Jumper with lace collar – Primark

Todays tail look

Faux leather skirt – Very.co.uk

200d tights – Matalan

Starstruck

March 27, 2015September 27, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Simple styling 101: Take one statement shirt (think bright prints or a strong pattern), mix in some plain jeans/shoes and finally add a vintage accessory to make your look unique. Voila, your look is complete!

Todays look is based around a fabulous star print H&M chiffon shirt. I love statement shirts as they are so easy to wear, practical and flattering. I do love this shirt…

I added a great 1980’s bow collar I own and cute flat shoes with gold toes. Adding the collar is a great way to make the blouse unique – you could make one yourself from ribbon or a scarf. I saw a stylist using a satin dressing gown belt to do the same a little while back.

Make-up wise I went for dark eyes and neutral but glossy lips. Winged eyeliner works great with the black jeans and shoes creating a great daytime ‘made-up’ look thats strong but not too OTT.

This look can be replicated again and again using shirts of different patterns and colours. Easy outfit building and no-one will ever twig youre basically wearing the same outfit again and again! We’ll just keep it our little secret…😉

Blouse – Divided @ H&M

Jeans – c/o Bonmarché*

Bow collar – vintage

Shoes – Store Twenty One

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.

source

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.

source

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.

source

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…

Lulu Guinness for Red Nose Day 2015

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I love Lulu Guinness and when I heard she was designing a set of 3 limited edition tote bags for Red Nose day I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.

Available from Sainsburys, over the last few years it has been a great way to get a designer print bag and donate to a great charity at the same time. Lulu designed the set in 2013, and Giles Deacon designed them for Sports Relief last year as seen below. Did you get one? They sold out very quickly…

source

This year the three bags really sum up the Lulu Guinness look -

source

I went for the striped kisses version – I do love a cute lip print! The bags are a great size, well made with an interior pocket and hard base. Perfect for heavier items if you were food shopping or just as a throwover your shoulder fashion tote bag.

The bags cost £5 from Sainburys stores with at least £1.50 of that going to Comic Relief. A great bag and a donation to charity. Seems like a no-brainer to me!

Pop instore and grab yours now! They are already selling on eBay for lots more!!!

Red Nose Day is on Friday 15th March. Find more information on how you can participate here.

Top & Tail – 4th March 2015

March 4, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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

Todays top look

Coat – ASOS

Jumper – New Look

Blouse – TK Maxx

Todays tail look

Coat – ASOS

Jeans – Primark

Boots – Stylistpick.co.uk

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.