Orange is the new black

Last year I saw this coat in magazines and on bloggers and fell in love…I missed out on buying it but bought it this year via eBay…hoorah!

My boyfriend looked at this coat and as politely as he could said…”Please dont wear that when youre out with me.”

OK, so its not to everyones taste (my boyfriend included) but it definitely makes a statement!  Worn with a simple outfit of black polo neck and skinny jeans this coat looks so striking…and I love it! 


My shoes are from New Look and I have hardly taken them off since I bought them! They are so comfortable and perfect for Autumn dressing. They cost £19.99 and I think they are a great AW16 wardrobe addition.

I love the Autumn when it’s chilly but the sun still shines, and this coat makes me feel sunny whatever the weather.


So statement coats, love or hate?  And more importantly, how much clothing do you have in your wardrobe that your other half hates?!?

Coat – Per Una at Marks & Spencer (last season)
Jumper – Marks & Spencer
Jeans – New Look
Shoes – New Look

Studio Collection by Next

Do you shop at Next? I have to be honest I don’t that much for clothing, but I have always liked their home and kids departments and often pop in for a quick browse. A few days ago a couple of images of their new home range came my way and I was bowled over.  I love a bit of retro style and love the colour orange and their new Studio range seems to mix these two things with a great modern vibe (another thing I love – my home has to still feel contemporary).

Described as “well designed contemporary furniture, textiles and accessories in a contemporary colour scheme to create clear zones in modern open plan living” it looks great and today I share some of my favourite pieces.  The full range is available online at Next here.

This has to be my favourite look of the collection – It feels modern yet at the same time a homage to the much coveted Mad Men style. The pops of bright orange and green work beautifully with the simple Logan sideboard (£325). The pair of prints by illustrator Budi Kwan (£40) are definitely a statement piece and I just love the orange leather chairs (£135 a pair) and that cast iron candleholder (£22) is a design that could be in your home forever.
Ooh, there’s those chairs again!  The Logan round table (£175) is a great design  – I love the look of dark walnut veneer against the black metal legs and again orange looks fabulous against it – that orange fruit bowl (£8) is almost too cool to use for fruit.

For modular choices the design of this Logan coffee table (£150) and stool set and the extending shelves (£275) are a brilliant way to define your different living zones as well as maximise your space.  The upholstered cube stools that store underneath the table are £50 each and available in 3 colours so can be mix and matched and once extended the shelves can be used as a fantastic room divider.

I do love great lighting – when I was training as a window stylist at Harrods, one of the first lessons I was taught is light is the best prop you ever have.  I can’t lie – that orange Orbit shade (£30) has made me swoon as well as the Good Vibes light box (£30) – groovy man… 

If you love Orla Kiely but can’t justify the price tag, some parts of the collection are definitely reminiscent of some of her prints (but lets remember she is only referencing retro 1960’s patterns and designs anyway). This Retro Geo wallpaper (£15 a roll) for example would work great on a feature wall.

img_3205A stylish desk can be hard to find and this one (£250) could also be used as a dressing table in a bedroom…oh and there’s one of those cute stools again…in my favourite colour no less!

img_3471And talking of dressing tables, the retro style can continue in the bedroom too! This ‘Me & You’ reversible cushion (£8) is super cute, don’t you think? Especially against the geometric duvet cover. Best of all you’d never have to fight for your side of the bed again!I’d love to know if you love this range as much as I do!  Its all available online and instore now – I think I feel a shopping trip coming on…  

all photos – Next.co.uk

The thing I fell in love with this week

Primark Home ‘hello’ metal sign : £2.00  

This is from their retro college range which I’ve loved since I saw some via the press show images…   source

I love a flash of orange and this super sweet sign was impossible to resist!  It is now part of my kitchen décor, greeting guests as they walk in…

Look out for my blog next Saturday on what else I’ve fallen in love with.

Black, White & Orange 

Todays outfit is a simple piece of styling – a monochrome print with a bright statement necklace. This piece of styling works with any black and white pattern and any colour of statement necklace.  Simple!

The dress is a cotton shift dress from ASOS (last season) and I have added one of my favourite J Crew inspired bubble necklaces.  I just love these necklaces – see my blog on them here.  On my feet are just a simple pair of plimsol style pumps – comfortable shoes for busy days are a must for me.

I love the ‘pop’ of the necklace against the dress and find this style, with its longish short sleeves is a very wearable day dress.  I love orange as an accent colour so love the boldness of this necklace.   
    #ootd ASOS dress bubble necklace look via always a Blue Sky Girl blog 
 

Simple styling maybe, but very effective I think!  Now off to do my day of running around fitting in kids, chores, work and anything else that crops up.

Dress – ASOS

Necklace – eBay

Shoes – Primark

My M&Co S/S 15 top fashion picks

Do you shop at M&Co.?  I popped into my local store the other day and was so impressed with the new seasons stock that I saw.  Anyone who thinks this store is ‘not for them’ is missing out on some amazing fashion.  If you havent heard of M&Co. they used to be called Mackays many moons ago, sell womens, mens and kidswear, are online, have an in store catalogue and loyalty card and have over 300 stores in the UK. 



Priced at a mid market price level ( think Marks & Spencer ish), the clothes are all great quality, generously cut and, as I’ve discovered this season, totally on trend. The colour and print in store was amazing – zingy yellows with navy blue, fun orange with monochrome, stunning prints and great cute knitwear.  

There was a lot to love but let me show you the ten items I fell in love with on my visit…

1) Nauctical print tea dress – £39



2) Yellow ankle grazer trousers – £29



3) & 4) Tropical print pompom kimono – £32 & double layer orange vest top – £20



5) ‘Love’ jumper – £29 (currently £20.30)



6) Floral print clutch bag – £29



7) Navy and white striped blouse – £29



8) Yellow jacqurad coat – £59



9) Sling back pointed shoes – £28



10) Rainbow print blouse – £29



What do you think?  Some pretty amazing items right? Check out the full range online here or pop into a store – let me know what pieces you love.  I think all of these would be great additions for SS15 to any fashion lovers wardrobe. 

PS Being a loyalty card holder I was just sent this, so I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some of the above used in outfit posts very soon!!!