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

Pearly Queen

February 16, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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!

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.

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

I LOVE Bubble Necklaces

February 12, 2015July 4, 2017 | blueskygirlie

Last year I saw a lot of amazing fashion images on Pinterest featuring a gorgeous cascading necklace in a range of colours. I fell in love with it immediately but as is often the case with Pinterest shots, I had no idea where to buy it.

image via Pinterest

After a bit of detective work I found out it was a J Crew bubble necklace available on their US website for $150. So plus shipping we were talking a lot of money – far too much in my opinion for a necklace.

image via Pinterest

Now I’m not one to be defeated easily and started to look online for something similar. After a few searches via eBay I was amazed to find pretty much exactly the same necklace in a range of gorgeous colours.

This necklace is not identical of course. I’m not after a fake, just something similar. The stones in the cheaper version are perfectly round rather than faceted, the gold chain isn’t 18ct gold plated and of course its not the same quality. So far I’ve bought three – a black one and versions in green and orange, two of my favourite accent colours. I was really impressed with the quality and paid around £5 each on eBay. Bargain!!! Find similar here.

I just adore them! For me they are the perfect statement necklace. Here is me being arty via Instagram wearing them…

Now I just need to decide which colour to buy next…

Living in the 80’s?

February 10, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’ve blogged before how in the last few years I have learnt to embrace vintage clothes and now love the fact you can end up with something totally unique and different from what others are wearing. I have a lot of different vintage pieces now that I really do treasure.

Today I chose to a wear a great 1980’s vintage dress. These sort of ‘RaRa’ dresses always have a double or triple frill of skirt levels and this dress is particularly nicely done. The print is great too – browns, blacks, reds and purples and not garish like some vintage prints. However, when I got it was a little more 80’s looking than I liked so I have altered it slightly – I have rolled and sewed the sleeves so they are not so bat-winged and cut down the neckline so it is a little more flattering. This is key with a vintage piece – if you need to tweak it then do – make it work for you, now!

As its still chilly here in the UK, I co-ordinated it with a Wallis fitted roll neck jumper, a thick three buckle belt from ASOS, opaque tights and Topshop knee length leather boots. I find dresses like this look so much better with a belt and I do love a cinched in waist!

My hair and make-up was simple. I gently straightened my hair and used Max Factor concealer and powder, a L’oreal brown eyeshadow, Rimmel mascara and a neutral Dior lipstick.

I think 1980’s fashion still has life in it, don’t you?

Dress – Vintage branded Claudia Fashion
Jumper – Wallis
Belt – ASOS
Boots – Topshop

Valentines Day Wish List

February 6, 2015March 9, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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.

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.

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!

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Buttoned Up

January 29, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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.

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!

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.

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

January 26, 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

Gilet – Sheinside

Polo neck – Select

Necklace – Primark

Todays tail look

Skirt – Primark

Boots – Store21

Top & Tail – Jan 7th 2015

January 7, 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 – H&M

Blouse – Definitions at Very.co.uk

Earrings – New Look

Todays tail look

Jeans – Dorothy Perkins

Shoes – Lilly & Fearn at Dorothy Perkins

Leopard print Loving…

December 2, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

It’s got cold. Bitterly cold. And I really feel the cold! Thankfully I love coats…I have quite a few and view them as much part of my outfit as any other bit of it. You wouldn’t wear the same shoes every day, so why would you wear the same coat?

Last year I managed to buy the most amazing vintage faux leopard coat from a charity shop for the princely sum of just £5. Its a 1950’s coat I’d guess, probably hand-made as it has no makers labels and has an adorable peter pan collar, wide sleeves and a slight swing shape.

So with the wintery weather almost ever present, the coat is out again. I wore it the other day dressed all in black so it stood out. I styled it with knee boots and a black knitted beret style hat. I felt super cosy and also quite fabulous! Meow!!!

I think this coat, although it’s practically a pensioner in age, will be used for many years to come and I’m thrilled to be giving it a second lease of life!