Styling statement trousers

April 21, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Wearing a strong pattern can be a bit of a challenge. I have a great pair of trousers from Matalan but although I love them I sometimes struggle to style them.

So how do you style a pair of very strongly patterned statement tousers?

The key is if you go patterned on the bottom keep it plain on the top. The shape of these trousers is a cigarette pant shape – slim fitting with a flat waistband. A very 1960’s inspired look.

I co-ordinated the trousers with a cobalt blue shirt and jumper combo plus nude pointy flats for a bit of glamour.

I carried on the slightly 60s vibe with full hair and blue eye make-up.

So would you go for a crazy pattern on your legs like me?

Blouse – Primark

Jumper – BHS

Trousers – Matalan

Shoes – Dorothy Perkins

H&M Conscious Collection 2015

April 18, 2015May 4, 2015 | blueskygirlie

The H&M 2015 Conscious Collection has just gone live in store and online, and oh my, its a great one! I have a few pieces from previous collections and they are all amazing quality and that bit more unusual and I always get comments when wearing them.

What is H&M’s conscious collection? Well its built on seven commitments from the company, the plan being to create a better fashion future.

The commitments are:

This year the campaign is fronted by actress Olivia Wilde and the pieces are just stunning, as well as sustainable and beneficial to the producers. H&M released the press statement below-

H&M is proud to announce that Olivia Wilde, actress and humanitarian, will be the face of H&M’s latest Conscious Exclusive campaign. Olivia, well known for her commitment to sustainability and her engagement for environmental causes will appear in the campaign wearing pieces from the collection. Conscious Exclusive will be available in around 200 H&M stores worldwide on April 16, as well as online.

I totally love this range…

My top picks:

Maxi dress £149.99

Ruffle dress £39.99

Tuxedo jacket £79.99 & trousers £59.99 Coat £59.99

T-shirt £12.99, Maxi skirt £99.99

Dress £39.99

Long ruffled dress £79.99

Leather jacket £199.99

Its all just gorgeous! Theres lots more to choose from too. All are available instore and in limited quantities on-line from H&M now.

Having just come back from Scandinavia having spent loads in H&M I think my bank balance is going to take another knocking!!! What do you think? Do you love the collection too?

All photos via hm.com

Dita Von Teese – Starlift lingerie

April 15, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A couple of days ago Dita Von Teese ran two photos one after the other on her Instagram feed showing one of her new lingerie lines.

I just love the fact there are showing the range on two different body shapes without any fuss or fanfare. Each look is slightly different but still strong, sexy and feminine and fits to the Dita Van Teese brand look.

Her lingerie is just gorgeous and is quite clearly is designed for any girl who wants it. Its not ‘plus size’, its not ‘main range’, its just the range.

I think wearing pretty/sexy/fun lingerie makes all woman feel good. It definitely works for me. We are all different shapes and sizes and 99% of us do not have model bodies – if we did we’d be all be working as models. Its lucky really, who would do all the other jobs?!?

The sets look great regardless…and thats the point. Thanks Dita x

Photos via Instagram

Meow!!!

April 14, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

Its a busyish Tuesday, I’ve got work to do, my son is still off school on his Easter break, the sun is shining and its a jeans and t-shirt kinda day for me…

I’ve teamed a boxy cat face t-shirt from TopShop with a boyfriend cut jean and a lowish heel patent studded shoe. Being a shortie I’ve rolled and sewed the jeans to just above ankle length – as they are a bargain price pair from Primark a bit of customisation can make all the difference. Plus a shorter length makes them much more flattering for the more petite girl.

Plus I’m wearing some oversized cat eye sunglasses…of course! 😻😸😻. This pair from ASOS are showstoppers. I love their 50’s vibe…

Have a great day whatever youre up to this Sunny Tuesday whether your feeling laid back like me, or dressed up to the nines…

T-shirt – TopShop

Jeans – Primark

Shoes – George at Asda

Sunglasses – ASOS

Love is in the air…well on my chest at least!

April 10, 2015August 5, 2015 | blueskygirlie

A few weeks back I blogged about how I had fallen in love with quite a few items from M&Co.’s SS15 range (see blog here). I decided to treat myself to a couple of pieces and today I’m wearing a casual look with the ‘LOVE’ jumper I just had to have!

When I saw this jumper I wanted it immediately. A grey marl knit with flecks of pink and a hot pink intarsia logo spelling “love xx” it is perfect for a easy casual outfit. I’m wearing a size 10 here and I’d say its a normal/slightly generous fit. M&Co.’s main range runs 10-20 so if you want a size 8 you need to go to the petite section.

I wore the jumper with dark indigo skinny jeans from New Look and heeled boots from Marks and Spencer. I added a pink vest from Matalan underneath for an extra pop of colour and some co-ordinating lipstick. I also added two necklaces from Claires Accessories for a pretty layered effect.

I think I’m in love with my new jumper! It is lovely quality, with a dense yet soft knit and well worth the money. Look out for the other fabulous M&Co. item I bought in a future blog coming soon.

NEWSFLASH – This is now £14 in the sale… grab it before it sells out!

Jumper – M&Co.

Vest – Matalan

Necklaces – Claires Accessories

Jeans – New Look

Boots – Marks & Spencer

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!!!

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.