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

Living in the 80’s?

I’ve blogged before how in the last few years I have learnt to embrace vintage clothes and now love the fact you can end up with something totally unique and different from what others are wearing. I have a lot of different vintage pieces now that I really do treasure.

Today I chose to a wear a great 1980’s vintage dress. These sort of ‘RaRa’ dresses always have a double or triple frill of skirt levels and this dress is particularly nicely done. The print is great too – browns, blacks, reds and purples and not garish like some vintage prints. However, when I got it was a little more 80’s looking than I liked so I have altered it slightly – I have rolled and sewed the sleeves so they are not so bat-winged and cut down the neckline so it is a little more flattering. This is key with a vintage piece – if you need to tweak it then do – make it work for you, now!

IMG_0575
As its still chilly here in the UK, I co-ordinated it with a Wallis fitted roll neck jumper, a thick three buckle belt from ASOS, opaque tights and Topshop knee length leather boots. I find dresses like this look so much better with a belt and I do love a cinched in waist!

IMG_0332

IMG_0387

IMG_0574
My hair and make-up was simple. I gently straightened my hair and used Max Factor concealer and powder, a L’oreal brown eyeshadow, Rimmel mascara and a neutral Dior lipstick.

IMG_0600
I think 1980’s fashion still has life in it, don’t you?

Dress – Vintage branded Claudia Fashion
Jumper – Wallis
Belt – ASOS
Boots – Topshop

Do you wear vintage?

Do you wear vintage? I do. Sort of. Let me explain…

I never used to. I found the sizing always came up small (thats true) and I was worried I’d look like a granny. However, when I started working at various fashion head offices I hated the fact that sometimes you would come in and three other people would be wearing the same top as you. Fashion nightmare!

So I started buying vintage. A necklace here, a top there and a collection started to form. Since I’ve been working with and writing for Kate Beavis Vintage (formally Your Vintage Life) my love of vintage has increased even more and I’ve become more adventurous with my mixing of vintage and modern. In todays blog I style up an 80’s blouse I found in a local charity shop for just £1!!!

I spied this Jacques Vert 1980’s blouse and saw its potential. With its high collar, blouson sleeves and gathered in pleated waist its unusual yet not 80’s crazy!

2015/01/img_8336.jpg

2015/01/img_8337.jpg
I paired it with ultra dark skinny jeans and heeled black boots. I wore my hair up to show off the collar and accessories with gold Origami bird earrings.

2015/01/img_8478.jpg

2015/01/img_8433.jpg

2015/01/img_8469.jpg
As an extra touch I added my new Accessorize clock bag I got for Christmas.

2015/01/img_8480.jpg

2015/01/img_8477.jpg
It might not be to everyones taste but I know I’m going to look unique! I love its style.

Blouse – Vintage Jacques Vert
Jeans – New Look
Earrings – New Look
Bag – Accessorize
Boots – Next

My skirt is better than your skirt…(sort of!)

Ok, its probably not – but let me start by saying I am in love with this skirt. Properly. Yes its a bit weird but I’m ok with it. Fashion is a love affair after all!!!

I bought this Kew skirt a few years back but have never been small enough to fit into it. But this year with my metamorphosis into a runner and some dieting, my body has slimmed down and finally I can get myself into a size 10 fixed waist…yay!!!

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/2bb/78483336/files/2014/12/img_6461.jpg
Its a little tricky to wear for a petite girl so I co-ordinated it with a fitted white shirt, navy fitted jumper and Forever21 necklace. Its a heavyweight check with fringed hem in an A-line maxi shape.

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/2bb/78483336/files/2014/12/img_6460-0.jpg

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/2bb/78483336/files/2014/12/img_6259.jpg

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/2bb/78483336/files/2014/12/img_6312.jpg

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/2bb/78483336/files/2014/12/img_6333.jpg
Its a perfect choice for Winter and I think I’m going to wear it quite a bit till Spring.

Shirt – Matalan
Jumper- BHS
Skirt – Kew (now part of Jigsaw)
Necklace – Forever21

A bit of Magic & Sparkle

I was in London a few weeks ago and popped into the huge Marble Arch M&S store for a browse and to check out the Christmas windows (old window dressing habits die hard). Out of all the areas Limited Collection is my favourite brand and the area I buy most from. At 41 I guess I’m technically a bit old for it – but I don’t care about that – I’m a firm believer in that age is just a number and I’m going to be a fashionable pensioner!!! Topshop better be really for me in 2040ish !!!!

The one item that stood out in Limited Collection to me was a white t-shirt with black print and diamanté embellishment that said ‘make your own magic’. I loved the words and at £19.50 it was a great price too. I went for the size 10 – its a slightly loose fit so if you want very fitted go a size smaller.
IMG_4161.PNG
For todays look I teamed it with skinny Jeans, metallic pointed shoes & a long M&S waterfall cardigan as I am always cold and its winter! I also bought some lovely earrings from Forever 21 while in London for only £3.50. They are diamanté with a curved pearl drop…I love them!

I love this t-shirt and think it will work well for casual and formal wear. While in Limited Collection I also bought a patent look PVC mini skirt to wear with it tucked in. Will feature that look nearer Christmas.

I think this top is going to become a favourite with me…
IMG_3683.JPG
IMG_3629.JPG
IMG_3659.JPG

IMG_3630.JPG

IMG_3704-0.JPG

IMG_3635.JPG

T-shirt – Limited Collection at Marks & Spencer
Jeans – Dorothy Perkins
Cardigan – Marks & Spencer
Shoes – Primark
Earrings – Forever 21

Playsuit fun

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!

blueskygirlie in Primark playsuit via always a blue sky girl blog

blueskygirlie in Primark playsuit via always a blue sky girl blog

blueskygirlie in Primark playsuit via always a blue sky girl blog

I wore next leather ankle boots to keep the look cool rather than too dressy as I was wearing this mainly in the daytime.

blueskygirlie in Next ankle boots via always a blue sky girl blog

For my hair and make up I kept it simple with a few flicks in my straightened hair and grey eye shadow and neutral lipstick.

blueskygirlie in Primark playsuit via always a blue sky girl blog

Playsuit: Primark

Boots: Next

Belt: Vintage