My M&Co S/S 15 top fashion picks

March 24, 2015April 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

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!!!

Poundland Make-Up Gallery

March 20, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Its been in the press recently that discount giant Poundland has introduced its own make-up range the ‘Make-up Gallery’. Vogue magazine gave some of the products good reviews and a few newspapers have too. I decided to pop to my local store and try and couple of bits out. I love a bargain and I’m not particularly brand loyal so I’m ready to embrace a new discount beauty range.

First of all there is A LOT to choose from. Pretty much everything that you could want cosmetics wise is there…but for £1! Lipsticks, glosses, lip liners, nail varnishes, eye shadows, liquid liners, foundations and powders…there wasn’t anything that they’d missed.

I have to admit I was pretty impressed. I decided to get a couple of nail varnishes and a couple of lipsticks for my first ‘go’ at the brand. Being 40+ the foundation, cover-up and powders I didnt try…I’ll leave that to younger bloggers with younger skin! I’ve seen mixed reviews on them and would be interested to learn any personal experiences with them – let me know.

So what does a fiver buy you? Well in Poundland 5 items 😄!!! I picked 2 lipsticks and 3 nail varnishes for my first £1 beauty experience. You wouldnt even get a Rimmel lipstick for £5, let alone, say, a MAC one!

The packaging is nicely done – black, white and simple and there’s no way anyone would think they cost a pound each. However, ultimately the proof of the pudding is in the eating, or in this case, wearing.

I picked a mid purple (10 – Purple Pop) and pinky coral (13 – Pink Pop) coloured lipstick. Both went on nicely and felt quite moisturising. For a stronger outline, I think investing in a matching lip liner might be a good idea…something for next time. The colours were strong but not too bright. Staying power was OK – on first application I applied it twice, the second after blotting and it stayed put until I ate or drank later. To be fair this product is not selling itself as ‘long lasting’ and for me it was on par with most other lipsticks I wear.

Heres the purple on –

And the coral –

The nail varnishes were available in so many various colours plus oils, fillers and top coats. I picked a flat pale pink, a glitter filled red and an iridescent blue – three different finishes. My nails are short and I’m rubbish at keeping nail varnish unchipped so these products had a big job ahead of them!

The nail varnish went on well and took two coats to get the desired level of colour. The brush covered each nail very well. Described as quick drying I’d say thats accurate. Excusing my always short nails, the blue (31 Sapphire Blue) looked like this –

Staying power wise it took a while to totally harden up but them did quite well lasting a few days before needing a touch up on the nail tips. As I said I am not good with nails – life just gets in the way. But all in all quite impressive…and very impressive when you consider the price.

Here’s the pink (8 Pink Soda) on my toes – not bad eh? Although its hard to see in a photo, it looks very pretty in real life.

And here is the dark pink glitter (36 Pink Diamond). This felt quite rough after two coats so I added a third coat of clear varnish.

Would I buy more from the range? That would definitely be a yes – next on my shopping list is some lip liners, more nail varnish and one of the liquid eye liner. Go try it – I bet you’ll be very pleasantly surprised!

To Culotte or not to Culotte

March 18, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Culottes are an odd thing – not a skirt and not a trouser. For me they remind me of being in 6th form where for the first time we didnt have to wear school uniform but as we were at a girls school we couldn’t wear trousers. Our way round it? Culottes! Every pair of Culottes in the south-east got found and bought by 16 year olds on a mission!

So are they a difficult wear? Well, to honest I’m a little undecided.

In todays outfit, I’m wearing a pair from BooHoo.com in a oversized dogtooth check print. Culottes sit quite wide and loose so a fitted and tucked in top balances out the look. They are flattering though, particularly if you are a hourglass or pear shape and this particular pair flare out really nicely with a fixed, wide waistband.

I co-ordinated it with a simple black polo neck. The print is quite overwhelming so simplicity is the way to go styling wise. Star earrings mimicking the dogtooth print and Atmosphere buckled platform flats complete the look.

All in all, I think culottes are really versatile piece of clothing to have in your wardrobe. Want to climb a wall? Go for it! Ready to dance a Can-Can? You’re set! Want to sit like a boy? Do it!

Jumper – Dorothy Perkins

Earrings – New Look

Culottes – BooHoo.com

Shoes – Primark

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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

Bonmarché Blogger Swap Challenge

March 12, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A few weeks ago I was contacted asking if I wanted to take part in a 30-plus fashion blogger challenge. I jumped at the chance (having just turned 42 I more than fitted the bill!) The idea was to team up pairs of bloggers and for them to pick an outfit for each other from the current SS15 Bonmarché range.

I was teamed with the lovely Charli, blogger of CurvyGirlThin and I got to work picking her out an outfit I hoped she’d love – Charli’s blog features clothes and lingerie reviews from a curvy girls perspective so check her blog out to see my outfit choice for her. My package duly arrived and I was thrilled with it. Charli and I must be psychic because we both picked the same hero piece – a gorgeous colbalt blue biker jacket for each other!

The outfit chosen for me was contemporary daytime look that could be dressed up for an evening – biker jacket, black slim leg jeans, a white vest and a statement necklace. You can see why I was happy! I added my own shoes – black and leopard print flats and was ready to go! The David Emanuel jacket is a real hero piece – a strong colbalt blue but not too bright and made from a soft, moleskin type fabric. I wore a UK size 10 – its a good fit and also looks great zipped up which isn’t always the case with a biker style jacket.

To make the look a bit more ‘fashion’ I rolled up the jeans slightly. For a daytime look I would throw on a leopard print scarf – this also ties together the print on my shoes and I think looks super chic. The jean length unrolled works well too (see photo) and again gives you different style choices if say, you were wearing a heeled boot.

The jeans themselves were a great fit. I wore the size 10 with a 27″ inside leg. At 5’2″ this was the perfect petite length for me and I was very impressed with the fit. I’d say the sizing is true/slightly generous and if you’re in between sizes go down a size. They were tight enough, but not skin tight and with 2% elastane had a great stretch fit. The bit I liked best about them was the way they sat on your waist – I find once you have reached an *ahem* certain age, lower rise jeans are just a nightmare for bulges and unflattering muffin tops. These jeans were very flattering and comfortable and perfect for if like me, after kids your tummy and waist isnt what it once was.

The necklace featuring the colbalt blue of the biker jacket finished the look off, however a necklace of this style isnt quite ‘me’ and I personally would probably have gone for something a bit more edgy without the ‘bling’ of diamanté or a scarf as I styled it. I do love a big statement necklace and will most likely co-ordinate this outfit with one I already have – but lets be honest, jewellery is a very personal thing! I think this particular necklace would look great worn with one of the David Emanuel dresses.

I really love this look and think it works on lots of levels. I have to say, I have been really impressed by both the quality and fit of the items and will definitely be popping in to my local store to see what other pieces I can add to my SS15 wardrobe.

Jacket – c/o David Emanuel at Bonmarché*

Vest – c/o Bonmarché*

Jeans – c/o Bonmarché*

Necklace – c/o Bonmarché*

All available here

Scarf – Primark

Shoes – Dorothy Perkins

March birthday wish list

March 10, 2015April 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

It’s my birthday month. Did I mention that? Oh I did? A lot? Yeah I do that… Heres my list of the things I am currently coveting, desperately searching for or if I’m lucky, receiving this March. Did I mention its my birthday?

As someone who has lost a lot of weight and now runs 5k 3 times a week, Karrimor clothing plays a big part in my life. This bright zip up fleece will see me through chillier runs as is a total bargain reduced to just £8.99.

I’m obsessive about my underwear matching and a pretty set always works (plus the other half appreciates it too!). Debenhams has an adorable hearts lingerie set by Floozie at £32.50 for the set which I think is super cute and feminine.

I love GIRLS (the HBO show) and this £7.99 TK Maxx Red Nose Day journal with Hannahs amazingly arrogant and hilarious quote is just fantastic. Plus you’re donating to a great charity at the same time. Actually, thinking about it, maybe I am the voice of my generation….😂

As a ‘Blue Sky Girl’ I HAD to have these Cath Kidston collaboration Gola trainers after I saw them at the Press Show. At £65.00 they are more than I would usually spend but luckily I’m getting them from my partner for my birthday present. And gosh I just adore them – expect to see them in many Instagrams. I love the entire ‘Clouds’ range and hopefully will get a few of the home bits too.

I’m a dinky 5’2″ so this £7.99 New Look Petite t-shirt makes me smile. Great to throw on with a pair of jeans and some trainers.

The Jenny Mollen book ‘I like you just the way I am’ looks so funny. She is just wonderful! Still not got it (it was on my Feb wish list LOL) and at £16.99 (thats the cover price so will be cheaper online) is money well spent IMO.

This New Look sleeveless coat is something I want so badly but is currently out of stock online. I will now start a desperate search around all the stores in the south east – you are killing me New Look! Its £39.99 if you can find it

Sia – 1000 forms of Fear CD. I’m getting this as part of my birthday present from my sister and I can’t wait. Her music is just perfection – Elastic Heart has been one of my favourite songs of 2015 so far.

This eBay cat jumper is an aquired taste but I love it. I do like a piece if clothing with a sense of humour – and it’s bargain at a tenner too. Meow!!!

I saw this Lavish Alice Cape blazer worn by another blogger and fell in love with it. A real statement piece but something I think you’d wear forever. £54.00 at ASOS and just so sophisticated.

So, birthday or no birthday, has any of that got you wanting to shop? Whats on your shopping list this March?

All images sourced via the website linked on the text.

Store Twenty One Spring star buys

March 2, 2015September 27, 2015 | blueskygirlie

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I love fashion and homewares store, Store Twenty One. A hidden gem and full of bargains, I shop there a lot and in todays blog I’m going to show you my latest purchases.

My mini haul –

In store there’s a great selection of homewares, but the range I was drawn to was the glass hurricane lamps and candleholders. A mix of smoky colours and brighter yellows and blues it really is on par with anything you’d see in a department store. With prices starting from £1.99 you can’t go wrong!

What I bought –

Grey hurricane lamp – £7.99. A fantastic chunky shape with twisted rope handle this will be great indoors or out.

‘All you need is love’ tealight holder – £1 (reduced from £1.99). So pretty when the tealight is lit, and for me, a perfect message….

Pineapple glass vase – £1.99. I love a fun, kitsch piece and this doesn’t disappoint. Will be adorable with spring flowers in co-ordinated with some other vases.

‘Be Happy’ cushion – £2 (reduced from £4). I just love this design – end of. Again its the type of thing you’d pay a lot more for in a different store. I bought two to sit on the bar stools in my kitchen.

And I think I’m going back to buy more! Watch this space…

What do you think of the SS15 range? Do you love it as much as I do?

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.

So black on black it was. Oh, and the bits of boot straps I had left over? I made a belt from them!!! Waste not, want not!!!

Jumper – New Look

Skirt – Next

Boots – Store Twenty One

Earrings – Dior

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.