July Favourites

August 4, 2017August 5, 2017 | blueskygirlie

July has now come to an end…want to know what I fell in love with, bought and found so far this summer?

Of course you do!!!

Jumpsuits
I have worn a lot of jumpsuits so far this summer. Being 5’2″ I often have to have them shortened but its definitely worth it. I find them really flattering for my curvy figure and like dresses they are simple – they are all you need for a complete outfit.

Tassel earrings
Tassel earrings have been everywhere this summer and they are a great statement piece. I have bought them from all kinds of places the cheapest being shipped from China via ebay for less than £2.50. My favourites have to be the now iconic H&M ones – I have them in a few colours and they make any outfit feel special. They are just £8.99 a pair so if you see them in store grab a pair!

Coconut hair products
I love the smell & taste of coconut and have fallen in love with these hair products. The Inecto Naturals range is a low price but extremely good organic coconut oil based range and if you have hair that needs taming it is AMAZING! I also struggle with shampoos making my thick, wavy hair fluffy and unmanageable but since moving on to a low shampoo (find the review here) have found my hair much better. The new Garnier Ultimate Blends are silicon and paraben free and although don’t foam up as much as some shampoos (don’t be fooled, the foaming does little to actually clean your hair) have made my hair feel soft, managable and smelling great. They will now be a regulars on my bathroom shelf.

Basket bags
Summer means the beach and hopefully a holiday and I always find I start to use different bags day to day once the sun comes out as well as packing one for my holiday. These type of bags make you feel so summery, don’t cost that much and I managed to buy 3 this month!

HEMA
HEMA is a company I have only just discovered. Originally from the Netherlands, its a Tiger/Ikea/Paperchase hybrid and as well as all the cute homewares, stationery and food it has a really amazing make-up range! I bought a fab orange/red lipstick and lipliner for under £6 for the 2 and I havent stopped wearing them! The beauty range is huge, is great quality and very well priced. Currently mainly located in London main train stations go check them out if you’re travelling anywhere.

Primark £4 cross-over sandal
Sometimes you find something simple yet stylish that you just love. My advice? If it comes in other colours buy them…you’ll regret it later if you dont. These sandals by Primark have been a fabulous find for this summer and now I have them in 4 colours – and at just £4 a pair you can afford to buy multiple pairs.

Pineapples
OK its bordering on an obsession, but theres just something about a pineapple design that makes me so happy. I love to eat them, look at them, wear them and have them around me! The homewates were bargains from Asda and Aldi, the necklace was from Peacocks and the shirt was from one of my favourite stores, Zara.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
This stuff is the bomb! You can cleanse your face plus remove any make-up (inc eye make-up) and it softens your skin too. Micellar water is made up of micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules) suspended in soft water. The idea is that micelles are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are able to draw out impurities without drying out the skin, therefore, it can be used as a facial wash, makeup remover and moisturiser all in one. It looks like water but when you put it on your finger and feel, it has a different texture than water – I just love it!

Slogans
I do love a cheeky slogan and couldn’t resist this sun hat from Tu at Sainsburys and these adorable pumps from H&M. Both were under £10 too…

I’m off on my holidays now and I’m sure you’ll see a few of these pieces popping up in my Instagram photos. Finding things you love brings you joy…simple as!

Enjoy the rest of the summer xx

Palm Power

June 8, 2017June 8, 2017 | blueskygirlie

As it is now summer (hoorah!) its time to embrace all those colours and prints you wouldn’t normally wear any other time of the year. There’s something about a tropical print that always feels really summery and I am quite the slave to the palm print in both fashion and home.

So when this little gem caught my eye in the TU clothing department in Sainburys for just £20 I thought it was a really wearable summer staple and snapped one up.

It is described as a jumpsuit but I would describe it more as a culotte dress. I’m 5’2″ and its length sits like a midi dress on me. It is a fitted shape with square neckline and short sleeves and zips up the back and for those who hate summer and the nightmare that is thigh rub this is the perfect solution! Overall the shape is very retro and flattering and the wide cullottes balance out the fitted top perfectly.

I co-ordinated my new buy with some amazing OTT palm leaf acrylic earrings I got from New Look many years ago because, well, I love a Palm! I always wear these earrings in the summer and they have been a great buy.The tie waist adds an extra flattering element meaning you can pull the waist in if you wanted a looser fit (I chose to wear mine quite fitted) and the fabric has some stretch to it as well as being a vibrant mix of greens, black and beige highlights. I feel really great wearing this, have so far worn it to the office and can’t wait to wear it on holiday too.

Its available in store now but will sell out fast so grab one while you can!

Culotte Jumpsuit / TU at Sainsburys
Sandals / Primark (past season)
Earrings / New Look (past season)

Keep on Jumpin’

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Ah the jumpsuit…

You will of noticed I have quite a few of them (find some previous outfit posts here and here). They are very easy to wear and flattering and don’t take a lot of styling – less is definitely more in the case of a jumpsuit.

Todays (well tonights) look is for a date night with my lovely fiance. We try and make sure we always make time for each other and a romantic meal out is perfect for that – with 4 kids between us and busy lives its key really!

I am wearing a gorgeous sleeveless navy cotton jumpsuit from Next Petite. It buttons up to the neck like a shirt and looks so elegant. The wide leg shape balances the fitted top and it has pockets, something I just love styling wise. For sizing I am wearing a UK 10 (it has an elasticated waist) but I did have to shorten it! Yes, I am so short, a petite item was too long!!! If youre below 5’3″ I’d imagine you’d have to so the same – I shortened it by about 2″ which on the plus side, means I can wear flats with it too.

A studded skinny belt and earrings from Forever21 with with gold details accessorise the look. The belt cinches in the elasticated waist and draws your eye to the most narrow part of the body.

And on my feet, my new Primark sandals – the pop of cerise against the navy works perfectly and livens up this dark outfit.

As its a date I wore more make-up than I usually do and styled my hair into a messy bun.

Base – Max Faxtor foundation/pan stick in beige, Soap & Glory ‘Love at First Blush’ Eyes- BarryM dazzle dust in 103 and Rimmel Exaggerate liquid liner/Lift Me Up mascara
Lips – Make Up Gallery lipstick Purple Pop (find my review on their make up range here).

I loved this look and felt fabulous in it. It is dressy but doesnt look like its trying too hard! Do you enjoy a date night with your other half? What do you wear to make it feel special?

Jumpsuit – Next Petite

Earrings – Forever21

Belt – Vintage

Sandals – Primark

Totally Tropical Taste

July 7, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

I’m partial to a jumpsuit. I blogged about styling a more formal one here recently and have quite a few in my wardrobe.

Today I’m wearing a rather bold one from Primark. This is the kind of piece you can only get away with on a sunny day. But hey, its summer and its fantastic to be able to wear bright colours and bold prints.

For sizing I’m wearing a 10 but like most Primark clothes they are available in size 6-20. The print is strong but the background of navy blue keeps it from looking too bright.

I’ve teamed it with a vintage green leather belt and wedge sandals for a bit of height. I find a jumpsuit or playsuit always looks better when worn with a heel, even a low one. (I hate high heels!)


As ever this jumpsuit was far too long on me so I have shortened it and added another press stud to the cross over front where it gaped on my shorter frame. Ah the joys of being 5’2″!!!

As an extra bit of co-ordination I’ve added these palm leaf earrings from Primark. They are available instore now reduced to just 50p and perfect for hot summer days!

All I need now is a Pina Colada and a hammock and I’ll be sorted! Are you embracing jumpsuits this summer?

Jumpsuit – Primark

Earrings – Primark

Belt – vintage

Sandals – New Look

Coat of Dreams

May 19, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

The other day I bought probably one of my most favourite things ever from Primark. A baby blue and grey bonded trench coat made from a scuba type material. It is just perfect and I adore it!

I am wearing it today with a very simple outfit as when something is this nice you want it to stand out. Simple grey t-shirt, skinny blue jeans and grey pumps – all from Primark too! Elegant yet still fashionable – perfect for a 42 year old that still wants to embrace the wonder that is fashion. For sizing I am wearing a size 10 (EUR 36/38).

Little details like the roll up sleeves make it great for warmer months – lets be honest, in the UK you still need a light coat most days. The scuba material is soft and light and definitely can be worn most of the year. It has a double breasted press stud fastening and traditional trench coat styling of epaulettes, rain guard and gun flap.

Oversized vintage sunglasses and wavy hair add to the slightly retro look….

These skater style shoes are only £4 in store now at Primark which is amazing value. You’ve got to love a bit of extra co-ordination, it can make all the difference. If you’re quick you may find the coat as well, although I found it in the sale section.

So it appears Joseph wasn’t the only person with a dream coat! Thanks Primark for dressing me beautifully today – I seriously never want to take this coat off.

Coat – Primark

T-shirt – Primark

Jeans – Primark

Shoes – Primark

Sunglasses – vintage

Jumpsuit Joy

April 30, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

You’ve got to love a jumpsuit. Its the easiest thing to wear (well, apart from if youre rushing to the loo!).

A patterned version can be slightly unflattering if you are curvy so I pick ones that pull in at the waist or wear a belt with them.

I also like this one as its buttoned up so you can wear it shirt-like or undone with a vest or t-shirt underneath as I have today.

I am wearing a Primark ‘pyjama’ style jumpsuit in size 12. I have had to shorten it (being 5’2″ is such fun) but apart from that it is as bought. Underneath I have a white t-shirt and have co-ordinated it with white shoes. If it was evening, heels would look great but this is a working/running around after kids day!

You’ll probably see me in quite a few jumpsuits over the summer so keep an eye on my blog. Do you love romping around in them too?

Jumpsuit – Primark

T-shirt – South at Very.co.uk

Shoes – 915 at New Look

Playsuit fun

November 9, 2014August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Yesterday I went to Bluewater shopping centre for a bit of quality time with my boyfriend. We went shopping, had a Nandos and then a date night at the cinema…it was perfect

Of course I had to look the part so I went for a Primark playsuit, black tights and Next ankle boots. I am a petite 5’2″ and since losing a lot of weight, find playsuits really work for my frame. I love this one as even though it has quite a busy print with its black collar and a black belt I added, it looks really smart. Its has an elasticated waist so doesn’t swamp me and I also love anything with pockets too!