H&M Conscious Collection 2015

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

   IMG_8695-0

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

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!!!

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…

topshop tee and boyfriend jeans look via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

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. 

topshop tee and boyfriend jeans look via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

 

topshop tee and boyfriend jeans look via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

Plus I’m wearing some oversized cat eye sunglasses…of course! 😻😸😻.  This pair from ASOS are showstoppers.  I love their 50’s vibe…topshop tee and boyfriend jeans ASOS sunglasses look via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

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!

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 home style: The flat 2013

Back in 2013 my flat was featured in the book ‘Style Your Modern Vintage Home’ by Kate Beavis which I was also the stylist on.  It is a fantastic book featuring peoples vintage inspired homes from the 1920’s look through to the 1980’s/90’s look and also includes advice on collecting vintage plus lots of styling tips in how to display your finds.  

I thought today I would share it with you to give you a taste of my personal home and interiors style…

All images courtesy of Simon Whitmore via F&W Media International Ltd.

I love to mix vintage and modern together so my home fitted the books brief perfectly.  As an ex window dresser and now stylist and style blogger how things look are so important to me. Am I fussy?  Maybe!  

I also wanted to show what could be done in a rented flat as so often interior books and magazines only show the most amazing, huge older houses – totally unrealistic for the majority of us.  Real life can still look fabulous. So take a look at the flat I lived in then…

The lounge – a fun mix of pop art, flashes of red and orange and retro 60’s styling.   

Table – original 1960’s Arkana, Artwork – John Lewis, M&S, Sofa – Harveys, Cushions – Matalan, Primark, Lamp – M&S, China Cats – Villeroy & Boch, Rug – vintage.

The kitchen/diner – a rented flats modern kitchen styled to feel different & quirky with a dining area designed to maximise a small space.

   

Table & chairs – original 1960’s Arkana, Artwork – vintage 1980’s, John Lewis, Fridge – Smeg, Glassware – vintage 1960’s, Kettle & Toaster – Breville, Clock – M&S, Accessories – Alessi, Matalan, Vintage

The hall – Fun vibes with a practical need.

Side table – original 1960’s Arkana, Lamp – Dwell, Clock – vintage 1990’s Swatch, Chair (just seen) – original 1960’s Arkana, Trimphone telephone & telephone book – vintage 1970’s

And finally some of the styling details – 

        

It was a great exerience having my home, as it looked in that moment in time, immortalised in a book! 

I have since moved to a new house that needs work, so look out for blog posts showing my home styling there. A bigger space will be much more fun and now thst we are not renting anymore, we can change what we want!

‘Style your Vintage Modern Home’ by Kate Beavis is available from Amazon – here 

All images courtesy of Simon Whitmore via F&W Media International Ltd.

Lets hear it for coral!

The sun is shining and *sings* I’m feeling gooood!!! One of the best things for me as the weather warms up is the opportunity to wear more colour.  I love bright colours and always feel confident and happy wearing them.    

Todays outfit is all about the colour coral.  Coral is a great colour to wear for Spring and Summer as it is bright but not over-powering, is super cute and feminine and is flattering to most skin tones.  And here I am wearing a shirt, jumper & skirt combo embracing the hue.

coral preppy spring primark & per una look 1 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

I love a full skirt and this one with pockets from my favourite haunt Primark, is just perfect – and it’s so flattering.  You put it on and feel like you should be in an episode of Mad Men, all cinched waist and shwoosy hemline.  Plus it only cost me £5.00 in the sale! coral preppy spring primark & per una look 2 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

coral preppy spring primark & per una look 3 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

coral preppy spring primark & per una look 4 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

I love to use a white shirt as a layering piece and think it adds a great preppy edge to what could be a ‘too pretty’ outfit.  Make-up wise I wore the coral lipstick I got recently from Poundlands Make-Up Gallery (blogged here). I’m definitely loving their bright lipstick colours and its adds that extra pop of colour!coral preppy spring primark & per una look 5 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

And finally, gold pointed flats from Matalan complete the look.   Metallics are perfect with bright colour as wearing a dark shoe just looks odd.  I’m not one for high heels so a pretty, pointed flat gives me a feminine look without the discomfort (pain is not good when you’ve got a school run to do!)coral preppy spring Matalan gold shoes look 6 via Always a Blue Sky Girl blog

This is one of my favourite outfits I’ve styled so far this year and it got a lot of great feedback via Instagram (follow my feed here). So, what do you think about coral – hot or not?    You know where I stand.

Shirt – Matalan

Jumper – Per Una @ M&S

Skirt – Primark

Shoes – Matalan

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!!!  

  

Cath Kidston + Gola = Trainer Perfection

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.


source

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.  


source

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. 


source

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

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