January Pay Day Treats

Style Theory: January is a lonnng month so what better way to make it a little better than a little payday treat. Here is a few items I have my eye on that will brighten up this rainy January and February..

Cici Clothing Top £52

This is top of my list and a top I will most definitely be treating myself to this. I love the peplum detail, the clash of the red and pink and the cute buttons on the collar. It is cotton polyester mix and hand wash (eek) but it feels super comfy on and hides a tummy perfectly. The top is also available at Topshop Oxford Street but unfortunately not online from Topshop just Cici Clothing (link above)

Cos - Knitted Top with Contrast Skirt £59

Another peplum top, this time it is a black knit with a cool skirt detail. This sweater looks fab with skinny ankle length jeans (either black or blue) and heeled boots or trainers. It is a beautiful twist on a plain black crewneck and just a little more stylish.

Self Portrait - Off the Shoulder top £170

A slightly more 'spendy' option, I have been stalking this top for a while and it has just come back into stock, no doubt will sell out again soon. It sits beautifully off the shoulders and is a truly decadent top made with lace and crepe de chine ( it will hang beautifully on) It would look amazing with black cropped kick flare jeans and heels for a stunning 'night out' look.

Self Portrait @Net a Porter £170

Another top I have had my eye on for a while, this is a beautiful lace top, a step above my other tops, beautifully finished around the neck with gorgeous details like the buttons on the cuffs. It looks beautiful on and will see you through the year, wear now with a chunky cardigan and jeans, in the summer wear with denim shorts and flat tan sandals.

Topshop Victoriana Lace Top £45

A slightly more affordable version of the top above, it looks gorgeous 'in real life' quite vintage looking and would be the perfect addition to a Spring wardrobe.

Baukjen - Bartley Leather Skirt £164 

I have this skirt and absolutely adore it, it is made of the softest leather I have ever felt, it is a great length (sits on my knees) and can be so easily dressed up with a blouse, opaques and heels or dressed down with trainers and a grey t shirt. I love mixing it with different tones of pinks for a cool spring look as I did for a meeting below..

Ph via Noholita

Since I saw this photo on Noholita's instagram I have been looking for a pair of grey trousers. I spotted the trousers below in Topshop but did not have a chance to try them on, I have ordered them so will let you know if they are slouchy enough to create the look above. If not, I tried on the Mango trousers below and they look pretty good so I will order these as well and compare the two..

Topshop - Mensey Trouser £40

Mango Pleat Trouser £49.99

Nike Cortez @Office £61.99

My current trainer obsession, cool, practical and very Spring 2016..

Asos Dolly Bow Trainers £25

A cheaper version of the Ports 1961 trainers below (they are super cool but at £300+ a huge investment for what is, essentially, a fashion look) 

Ports 1961

Now for the slightly random...

Mini Pyramid Terrarium @Urban Outfitters £25

I adore these terrariums, they look cool on a shelf/bedside table and the copper adds cool colour to your room. You plant hardy plants in them (cactus etc) so they are completely low maintenance and look fab, a little mini garden at your fingertips (they make a great present)

Lime and Bay candle The White Company £20

This smells utterly gorgeous, it will being a beautiful candle light and fragrance to your home through these cold, dark months..

Liz Earle Skincare Essentials Kit @John Lewis £45

If you are like me, your skin looks pretty dull at this time of year. I am pretty late to jump on the Liz Earle bandwagon but I cannot believe it took me so long. I was bought this Liz Earle set by a lovely friend for my birthday and I adore it. It makes my skin feel clean, refreshed and rejuvinated. It smells amazing, very natural and is super light on my skin. I am a Liz Earle convert..

So a little random list of things that I would love and have also brightened up my January (my birthday in the middle is a big bonus) Have you treated yourself to anything this January, have you got anything on your January payday treat list?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx

Winter Sparkle

Style Theory: We all need a little sparkle in our lives right? It is never too early to add an item of sparkly clothing to your wardrobe...

It is easy to make it daytime acceptable. Just wear one glitter item, I am thinking this season a jumper or a vest top, and dress down with jeans, trainers (or wellies!) and wear a parka over the top so just a little sparkle is showing. I wore my new Primark black and silver jumper with my dungarees, completely dressed down and during the daytime I still managed to get a little sparkle in my life..

Jumper: Primark £9 (avail in store)
Dungarees: H& M similar here
Converse: House of Fraser now £35.99
Bag: &Other Stories similar here

The Primark sweater is available in store (also in a gold colour) and was £9 or £10, my local store had lots so it worth checking if you fancy a little sparkle!

There are some gorgeous sparkly tops available on the high street, here is my edit of the best:

The Dream Top...

Bella Freud in Selfridges £270

The dream sweater from Bella Freud, blue merino wool with metallic yarn, sparkly and extra special, the kind of Christmas jumper I would be more than happy to wear. Also comes in black... 

Travelling Bazaar £179

Travelling Bazaar £179

This Munthe sweater from Travelling Bazaar has a stunning, super glittery (sparklier in real life) panel of sparkle across the middle. The beige has silver, the pink has gold, it is a super soft sweater mohair and wool mix, not itchy at all. Wear with wellies or with heels this sweater would be a hard worker in your wardrobe!

&Other Stories £65

Another gorgeous sweater with a nod to metallics, merino wool, supersoft and at a more affordable price than the Bella Freud sweater, this is on my wish list. I love the skirt too which will available soon..the outfit above is a really cool Christmas look, add black opaques and little shoe boots.

&Other Stories £45

This sweater looks really luxe, I would size up to wear it slouchy. 

H&M Poloneck £29.99

Love the gold colour with blue denim, wear underneath a denim pinafore dress with opaque tights and trainers for a relaxed look. *one to try on just to check it is not itchy..

H&M £24.99

Love the shade of red of this jumper, it looks a fine knit so would not be itchy. I would size up on this sweater and wear slouchy with black ankle length jeans and a pair of heels for a night out. Or for daytime with a pair of blue boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers.

H&M £49.99

Slightly 'out there' but I adore this jacket. Again I would size up, wear slouchy, completely dress down to make it daytime ready, wear a white/grey/black t-shirt underneath, a pair of loose boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers. Or wear with a tee, a pair of black skinny jeans and black converse.

Topshop £20

This top speaks for itself, wear it instead of a grey Tee to add a little sparkle.

Topshop £36

Love this top, the shape is gorgeous, a real swing top, balance the volume by wearing skinny jeans and a pair of heeled ankle boots.

Zara £17.99

This has a subtle gold thread through the fabric for a gold sheen. Love the sleeves on this top, this would look great under dungarees or a pair of leather shorts, thick tights and a pair of trainers.

I am well and truly onboard with a bit of Autumn sparkle, I think I may 'need' the &otherstories sweater and the H&M zip top, love the sporty vibe.

Are you a fan of shimmer and sparkle or do indulge at Christmas or avoid completely?! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Spotlight on...Cos

Style Theory: Cos Stores, the older, more grown up sister of H&M is a Swedish master of modern, simple shapes, innovative fabrics and unexpected design details. It is the kind of shop at first glance can look quite 'samey' but delve deeper and you will be seduced by the flattering dresses, gorgeous tops and beautifully cut skirts. 

Cos states it is 'Modern, Functional, Considered design' It is perfect for women who like to show they have a shape without wearing something that is too clingy (ie. me) After two babies my figure is full of lumps and bumps and I find Cos pieces skim over these due to the way the garments are cut and also the fabrics that are used; heavy cottons and thick linens to cover any tummy bumps, a twist towards the base of a shirt, razor pleats started just at the most flattering point, all these details are cleverly thought out by the designers and technicians to create pretty fabulous items. Cos is one of these stores you have to (if you can) go in sans les enfants and when you have a time to try, try, try lots of different pieces until you find the right ones for you.

I had a little trying on session today and these are my favourite items..

The Comfortable Holiday Dress

Contrast Panel Dress £55

A flattering, T-shirt dress, the poplin contrast fabric around the bottom of the dress is thick and pulls the jersey fabric out,away from any lumps and bumps on your body resulting in a super comfortable, easy wear dress. Perfect for holiday, wear with strappy tan sandals.

The Tailored Dress

Pleated Poplin Dress £69

The knife pleats on this dress make it pretty and flattering, amp up this dress with contrast sandals (orange or turquoise or the sandals below..)

Metallic Sandals £135

The Statement Coat

Gathered Detail Coat £135

A real statement piece, this coat would be fabulous for a wedding. It would look great worn as a dress with heels and you could also dress it down with distressed jeans and heels and a denim shirt..I love this coat!

The White Top with a Twist

Top with Folded Sides £45

My sister has this top and it looks beautiful on, from the front it looks like a basic white (non clingy) top from the back it has a slight cape like appearance, very cool..

The Wedding Guest Outfit

Stretchy Rib Top £59

Technical Mesh Skirt £79

This would, again, make a fabulous wedding guest outfit or I am thinking of buying this to wear for my daughter's Holy Communion in May and a wedding in June. The skirt is a mesh-type, slightly padded fabric so again it does not cling, I really like it's futuristic look. (looked good with my Boden Alice heels)

The Statement Skirt

Textured A -Line Skirt £79

Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with this barbie pink skirt, cut to skim the hips, would look perfect with a navy t-shirt and a pair of navy/pink heels, I like the clash with the yellow coat. 

I could go on forever, it is fair to say I am a Cos fan. The prices are a little on the more expensive side so I treat myself to one or two pieces a season then buy a couple more pieces in the sale (you have to look out for it as things sell out quick but it is normally really good 40% - 50% off)

Are you a Cos do you like minimal shapes with a twist or does this collection look too shapeless to you? Have you bought items from Cos before, have they lasted the test of time? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

All Shades of Sunshine...

Style Theory: Yellow in it's mustard hue is spreading its' sunshine rays through the High Street stores this season. From a clearer lighter yellow through to a dark mustard the colour has seeped into the Autumn Winter colour boards and is now finding a way into our wardrobes....

Yellow and mustard, sometimes thought of slightly scary colours people shy away from as they are not initially easy to style, but there is no need to be scared of them, here are a few ideas to show how these notoriously difficult colours can work beautifully:

Wear with an all navy outfit underneath.

Supersize your mustard jumper for a cool slouchy look

Add a touch of sunshine brightness to your outfit with yellow accessories

A mustard printed scarf looks fab with a camel or pale grey coat.

Go for the easy option and wear with black 

For brighter Autumn days mix with a beige jumper/dress to lighten up the look

A biker jacket always toughens up a soft colour giving your outfit an edge.

Mustard looks great as part of a print.

All images above via Pinterest

Mustard is a tricky colour to wear, especially for people with my pale colouring but there are a few little tricks around it:

The first and probably the most obvious, if you have colouring like me avoid wearing it against your face, pick up the colour in a skirt or as a detail on shoes or accessories.

Second, wear the trend in your accessories, a mustard bag, a yellow scarf or gloves - a little 'nod' to the trend will bring your outfit up to date without drowning you in it.

Thirdly style with navy or grey. A beautiful pale mustard scarf looks amazing over a pale grey coat, or a mustard skirt with a navy blouse and brown 70s boots..A/W14 heaven..

Avoid tight yellow/mustard jeans or trousers unless you are model proportions they are not the most flattering on your legs.

Here are my favourite yellow items on the high street now:

Cos Wool Bomber Jacket £150

The bomber jacket shape is still going strong and this wool jacket in a mustard shade brings it into A/W14. Wear with navy tailored trousers, a fine navy polo neck and some elegant heeled strappy court shoes

Zara Mohair Coat with Pockets £109

A cool slouchy coat, would look great layered over a denim or biker jacket with blue skinny jeans and navy Celine-esque loafers see a gorgeous pair of Next loafers here.

Zara Jacket £69.99

This showerproof jacket in perfect for a stylish schoolrun, wear with a breton top, skinny jeans and a pair of white trainers for a cool look.

Jigsaw Cashmere Jumper £98

Asos Mustard Fine Jumper £30

Zara Jacquard Sweater £45.99

Wear this sweater now with a pair of distressed pale blue boyfriend jeans and tan heeled sandals for a cool end of summer look.

Cos A-Line Crepe Dress  £69

A classic dress in an on trend colour, wear with navy pointed flats and a navy coat for a chic look.

Cos Wool Mohair Skirt £89

I love this Cos skirt, it really looks gorgeous on, I would wear with a navy fine blouse and heeled 70s style tan knee high boots for a cool 70s vibe.

Zara Checked Shawl £19.99

Cos Double Woven Scarf £39

Add a punch of colour to a pale grey or navy jacket with this scarf.

Cos Printed Wool Scarf £45

This scarf is a beautiful way to wear mustard subtly.

H&M Bag £12.99

So will you be stepping into the Autumn/Winter in mellow yellow? I think I will, I just adore the Cos skirt, a definite addition to my A/W wardrobe.

MY STYLE:

Back to the schoolrun so all fairly casual, jeans as usual being the easiest thing to pull on in the morning...

Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Top: Jigsaw
Cardigan: Topshop
Trainers: Adidas StanSmith
Bag: Spain

Jeans: H&M
T'Shirt: Gap
Denim Shirt: Gap
Bag: TK Maxx
Sandals: H&M

How are you finding the start of the school year, are you getting into the swing of the schoolrun, back to work, back to juggling life?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, till next time, Frances x