Making the 80’s modern again…

June 16, 2016June 17, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Todays look is based around a vintage buy I fell in love with recently (although my boyfriend did say I reminded him of a member of Duran Duran in it – in a good way allegedly – but we’ll gloss over that) that I just had to wear asap. It cost me just £5.00 in a charity shop and I loved its unique look but also its totally bargain price!

This kind of shirt is perfect when you just want a comfy yet stylish outfit…and you might not be feeling as body confident as you could be (I do suffer from this) – but hey, comfort is always good – no fixed waistbands here! The shirt itself is quite bold but with plain leggings or skinny jeans doesn’t look over the top. A pair of heels dresses it up slightly although flats would work just as well for a more laid back look.

The shirt itself is a voluminous 80’s/early 90’s number and I co-ordinated it with some wet look leggings, block heel sandals and a cheeky novelty clutch bag.

The sandals are a Very.co.uk purchase and have been so useful. They are dressy but comfortable and look great with everything. The bag is from Accessorize and was one of those ‘I have to have it’ purchases. I love a novelty bag and this one makes me happy everytime I use it.

They key to an oversized shirt like this is balance. If its loose on top go tight on the bottom that way you look in proportion and if you’re petite like me, youre not swamped by the volume of the item. Leggings and skinny jeans work perfectly with a look like this.

The shirt came with shoulder pads which I removed. As ever my vision is a modern version of vintage, and a few changes can make a vintage item feel modern. If youre more of a fashion fan than a vintage belle, most vintage items can be improved with a nip or a tuck.

And finally back to those sandals – the gold block heels are EVERYTHING! Plus some matching red/orange nail varnish on my toes carried that bright print through to my feet!

This bold bargain has already become one of my favourite items I own and I literally can’t wait to wear it again.

Shirt – vintage
Wet look leggings – eBay
Sandals – shoebox at Very.co.uk
Bag – Accessorize

MY VERY.CO.UK SALE HAUL

May 31, 2016May 31, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Regular readers to this blog will know I’m quite a fan of Very. I have been a customer for a long time now and as well as loving the ranges I also like, as a online catalogue, you can have an interest free account and pay your balance in 3 parts using their ‘take 3’ option. This can be quite useful to spread the cost of things across 3 paydays or split a bigger purchase such as a leather jacket into more bitesize pieces. And then theres the sales…

Have a look at what I bought recently –

Definitions asymetric tunic – £9.75 (from £25) – the coral colour sold me on this top and its such an easy summer wear with leggings and sandals.

Vila suedette and stripe breton top – £16 (from £22) – I loved the updating of the classic breton with the suedette top and it works perfectly with the South boyfriend jeans – £15 (from £32) – distressed jeans look great in the summer rolled up with sandals and the dark wash on this pair is just perfect and looks really premium.

Shoe box lace up flats – £10 (from £20) – I’ve been seeing lace-up flats on fashion bloggers everywhere and at this price I couldnt resist!

River Island bib collar – £6 (from £16) – OK, OK its clear I love a collar! I find them so versatile and love the look they create without ruining the line of your clothes.

South skinny cropped jeans £11 each (from £20) – not the most exciting items in the world, but these will become a wardrobe staple and with their tight capri leg and high waist suit my figure perfectly.

All items available at Very.co.uk now while stocks last. New customers can open a Very credit account and get £30 off your first £60 spend using code FDNWW.

Swarovski activity tracker jewellery

May 18, 2016 | blueskygirlie

So, I don’t wear an activity tracker when lots of people do. You know why?

Well its simple – they look awful. I dont care how beneficial they can be I can’t wear an ugly bit of plastic/rubber round my wrist all day, every day. I know I’m fussy but I plan my outfits with precision…and a FitBit (or similar) just doesnt work for me style-wise.

Then I saw this advert…

Erm…hello!

This is what the website says –

“Swarovski and Misfit joined forces to bring the most advanced tracking technology into beautiful Swarovski jewelry. The Swarovski Activity Crystal is designed to be always on — it has a six-month battery life and is water resistant. And it is designed to help you look great throughout your day, whether playing sports or celebrating a special occasion.”

This is how it works…

OK, thats made me fall in love a bit, it looks great but lets be honest Miranda Kerr could make anything look amazing…

Choice wise the look is luxe and sparkly. You can get different options with studded and diamante straps, a leather watch style strap, matching bracelets and bangles and even a pendant necklace!

Find the full range here.

But the real question is does it work well as an activity tracker or is it all style over substance?

You don’t need to charge it just relace the battery every 6 months or so. You can improve and track your fitness via the app where you can view your activity or sleep history by day, week or month with graphics to show number of steps, calories burned, distance travelled etc and how many points you earned towards your goal. For sleep tracking, you can see how much sleep you’ve had and how much of that was deep sleep. There’s also the usual notifications for personal bests and the option to connect your account to Facebook.

Plus its not just an activity tracker – the Swarovski Activity Crystal pairs with the app to become a smart button that can interact with connected devices. You can take a picture or selfie or control your music…now this function I really like!

Whether you think the options are gorgeous or garish, one thing’s for sure – this is a blueprint for invisible wearable tech that fits into our stylish, fashionable lives. The future is now!

The tracker is available in stores and online starting at £129 with extra straps available at £59.

It is designed to be compatable with iPhone 4s/5/5c/5s/6/6 Plus, iPod Touch 5, iPad 3/4/Air/mini, Samsung Galaxy S 4/5/6, Samsung Note 3, Google Nexus 4/5/6 and Android 4.3 BLE devices and above.

All images via Swarovski.com

Any colour you want as long as its black…

May 11, 2016 | blueskygirlie

So what do you wear when you cant be bothered to style?

Black. No brainer.

Of course when I say ‘no styling’ I of course mean minimum styling, as if you love fashion like me, you’ll find it hard not to try and make every outfit, even lazy day ones, a bit more stylish!

All black is super easy to work with though and I like to make it a bit more intetesting by adding different textures and a stand out accessory such as a necklace or as I have done in todays outfit, some statement earrings. After a few hot days its now pouring with rain so the summer dresses have been put on hold for now…

I recently bought myself a few new black jumpers as they are do easy to just throw on. This one is from H&M and is currently in the sale reduced from £19.99 to just £7. It has a turtle neck and is made from a textured knit that is ever so slightly see through. It is cut to be oversized so I went for the smallest size (XS/extra small) and it is still quite roomy on my size 10/12 frame.

I co-ordinated it with a pair of wet look leggings which I wear quite a lot especially as an alternative to skinny jeans. They are super comfy too! The shiny look adds an extra element that plain black would not of, plus they make you feel kinda sexy…
As I mentioned the only real accessorising to this outfit was a pair of statement earrings, plus my trusty black leather Converse. When I bought them I was a bit worried they might not get worn as much as my other 1000 pairs of Converse (a slight exaggeration but not much) but they are the perfect shoe for when you want a more dressy trainer. I just love them.

So there you have it. Lazy day styling!

Jumper – H&M
Earrings – Dorothy Perkins
Wet look leggings – eBay
Trainers – Converse

My vintage buy of the week

May 7, 2016May 20, 2016 | blueskygirlie

Welcome to a new semi regular blog! As you may know I run a business on Etsy selling vintage items and often end up keeping things I fall in love with.

In these blogs I will share what I’ve bought and why (hopefully) it was a good buy!

Todays item is a dress I just fell in love with the minute I saw it. Made in the Netherlands in the late 1970’s/early 80s it is by the brand Suku San and is in a bold colbalt blue polyester crepe. At the same time I also picked up an unusual twisted vintage belt so the outfit is full on vintage which is unusual for me.

What I loved the most though was the draped front and split sleeves. Its so stylish and feels great on, plus the whole outfit cost me less than £5! Comfort and style…hoorah!

What do you think? Its definitely going to be one of my favourite dresses in my wardrobe.

Dress & Belt – Tomorrows People charity shop

(Tomorrows People is a charity in Kent that helps unemployed people get work experience and become confident to find a permanent job)

What bargains have you found recently in the world of charity and vintage shops? I would love to know…

To shop my Etsy Shop click here

To shop my eBay shop (where vintage clothing ends up) shop here

To follow my Instagram (where most of my buys get shared first) follow me here

Look out more more vintage buys in coming weeks…

Secretary Chic

April 27, 2016 | blueskygirlie

“Here is your coffee Mr Smith, would you like me to finish that filing?”

OK, the traditional secretary doesnt exist anymore but the prim yet sexy look still can. I’m a great fan of the TV show Mad Men and this look as a Joan vibe to it (without the amazing bosom sadly!). Its a cute, preppy look thats often replicated by Kate Spade or J Crew too, favourites of mine and is perfect for a day in the office.

This is one of those looks that has been pulled together from existing pieces and doesnt require a shopping trip (hoorah says my bank manager!). Its really just based around a great vintage skirt I got for £3 in a charity shop – these type of skirts are easily found and look rubbish on the hanger – the type of skirt your Nana would of worn, but styled right look great.

I love the removable white bow I got from River Island after Christmas taking a plain white shirt from Matalan and making it both feminine and smart. A preppy slipover jumper and ankle boots keep the look from looking too vintage (which I hate)…

So next time you walk past a charity shop filled with 1960’s polyester skirts maybe its worth a second look, what do you think?

Bow – River Island
Blouse – Matalan
Jumper – Benetton
Skirt – Vintage
Shoes – New Look

InstaNatural Argan Oil Beauty Review

April 22, 2016 | blueskygirlie

I have been using a new organic range as part of my beauty routine for a while now. I have reviewed quite a few of InstaNaturals products now (find the blogs here and here) and I have now tried out some of their Argan Oil products.
As a 43 year old who wants to look 33 (!) I do make sure I follow a good beauty regime and InstaNatural say their products are great if you have sensitive skin as the entire product line is made without alcohols, parabens and sulfates that can be irritating to the skin and none of the products are tested on animals. In todays blog I share my thoughts on 3 of their Argan Oil based products…InstaNatural Organic Argan Oil Multipurpose mosturiser for hair, face, skin & nails – £16.95/120ml

Details: 100% pure and Eco certified Moroccan Argan Oil.

I have been using Argan oil for a while now and really like its simplicity and multi usefulness…well I did until I realised the cheaper ‘Argan’ oil I was using had 9 other non natural (ie chemical) ingredients in it! This oil from InstaNatural is 100% pure, in a large size (which lasts ages) and is in a nice glass bottle with a pump. It feels great and worked wonders taming my thick curly hair particularly before blow drying. Use it sparingly as (maybe because its so pure) a little goes a long way and needs to be able soak in…otherwise it will make hair greasy. InstaNatural say it is therapeutic for every skin condition and also great for Acne, dry scalps, split ends, frizzy hair, stretch marks, nail cuticles & more! I used it on dryer areas of my skin too – knees, elbows etc and it softened them nicely as well as creating a nice ‘glow’ of my skin, great if you’re going out and showing a bit more skin than normal. With this being 100% organic/ natural there is no perfume to it, in fact it smells as you’d expect – slightly oily, but I’d much rather that than use all the chemicals I was inadvertently using before.

Argan Oil Leave in hair treatment – £11.95/120ml

Details: 100% Pure & Organic Argan Oil, Coconut Oil & Carrot Seed Oil.

Having quite thick wavy long hair, Argan oil is something I do often use in my hair to try to tame the frizz. Used sparingly this treatment by InstaNatural can be really beneficial for dry hair, or dry/split ends in particular. However if you use too much your hair will end up greasy – it took me a while to get the amount right as you don’t need more than two pumps of product to make your hair feel soft and shiny. If your hair gets tangled easily after washing I’d recommend this too.

This is an easy to apply lightweight oil which comes in a large pump action glass bottle and is filled with ingredients such as grapeseed oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and shea butter and has a mild scent. Overall I liked its effects and would recommend as a twice weekly treatment rather than daily to create shiny, frizz free, nourished hair.

InstaNatural Superior Hydration Argan Oil Hair Mask – £14.94/240ml

Details: Organic Argan Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin B5 & Green Tea.

This is a deep conditioning hair mask in a large tub with a screw on lid. The conditioner is thick but easy to apply from the tub – I worked it through my long hair paying particular attention to the ends as these are quite dry and left it on for about 10-15 minutes. The product has a lovely sweet smell to it, and it rinsed out well and did not leave my hair feeling greasy at all. Afterwards my hair was left feeling very soft and smooth. The hair mask has ingredients such as Argan Oil, Japanese Green Tea, Amino Acid Complex, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil and Vitamin B5 and is totally organic like all InstaNatural products.

Overall I liked its effects and would recommend as a weekly treatment to create shiny, frizz free, nourished hair particularly if you blow dry or straighten your hair a lot. Its gorgeous aroma lasts and was remarked upon very positively by my partner which was nice too!

The range is sold exclusively in the UK via Amazon.co.uk – find the full range here. All prices correct on Amazon at time of posting.

All products – InstaNatural via Amazon*

Still sweet on Suede…

April 13, 2016 | blueskygirlie

I do like wearing real suede and leather. Wearing them always creates a luxe look that you just cant get any other way – however this makes the items expensive.

I wasn’t planning on buying a suede skirt but it just happened…it was a bargain in the Debenhams sale for 70% off and I couldnt say no!

The skirt is from the Red Herring range and I’m wearing a UK12. To be honest it was the only one left so I didnt get a choice. Size wise its a little loose around the waist but pretty fitted on the hips so I’d say its true to size.

With a skirt like this I find it best to make it the focus of the outfit. I’ve done this by co-ordinating it with just black…this also makes it a more flattering look as the bulky suede plus the buttons is not the most disguising for my rounded tum! An M&Co fitted roll neck jumper, plus black tights and boots create a slightly retro, 1960’s look I think looks pretty stylish.

As I was at work that day, my hair and make up was a messy (ish) bun and relatively neutral make-up with just a splash of bright colour on my lips.I like a bun for days when I haven’t washed my hair or can’t be bothered to straighten it (hey, I am a working mum with a business on the side!) and use a bun donut underneath to create a more striking look. These can be picked up really cheaply in Wilkinsons or Boots and make a real difference. Just pull your hair into a ponytail, add the donut and then use hair-pins to fix your hair around it.

This classic suede skirt is going to become a wardrobe staple I can tell…

Jumper – M&Co.

Earings – New Look

Skirt – Red Herring @ Debenhams

Boots – Store TwentyOne

Alice in Wonderland at the British Library

April 5, 2016April 5, 2016 | blueskygirlie

One of my favourite books in the world is Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll. In fact not just the book – I love the ideas, the illustrations, the history and the endless versions of it that have been created. When I heard the British Library were having an exhibition dedicated to it I just had to go.

From the British Library website:
“Happy Birthday Alice! To celebrate 150 years of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this exhibition explores how Alice has captured our imaginations for so many years. Although the story has been adapted, appropriated, re-imagined and re-illustrated since its conception, we are still enchanted by Carroll’s original, much loved story, which continues to inspire new generations of writers and illustrators.

Come and see Lewis Carroll’s original manuscript with hand-drawn illustrations, alongside stunning editions by Mervyn Peake, Ralph Steadman, Leonard Weisgard, Arthur Rackham, Salvador Dali and others.
Discover how Lewis Carroll’s story has been re-imagined, re-interpreted and re-illustrated over the last 150 years with newly commissioned articles, a selection of manuscripts, reviews and literature relating to Alice in Wonderland”.

You start by taking a journey through a pop up of mirrors and maze walls all peppered with Alice in Wonderland quotes and various illustration from books across the 150 years of its publication.

You then enter the exhibition itself which showcases everything from the first edition, details and photos of the original Alice; Alice Liddell, examples of all the different illustrations that have been done over the last 100+ years, plus original art, vintage toys and of course, the ‘Disneyfied’ Alice and her merchandise.

My favourite thing had to be the original diary and then handmade book (complete with hand drawn illustrations) by Charles Dodgson (the real name of Lewis Carroll) that he made Alice as a present after that afternoon of storytelling…for a fan like me it was just breaktaking to see it.

Plus there’s a fab pop up Alice in Wonderland shop with lots of fabulous quirky items.

Its definitely worth a visit whether you are a fan or not and its wonderful that it is free for the nation to enjoy. Thank goodness for the patrons of the arts whose donations make this sort of thing possible.

The exhibition is in the library foyer, is free to get in to and runs until 17th April.

The British Library is at 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB – nearest Tube Kings Cross/St Pancras.