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

The Best Cold Weather Boots...the Edit

Style Theory: Sometimes you need a really practical but comfortable pair of boots, whether they are for a skiing holiday, weekends in the countryside, walking the dogs or just running the kids up to school and avoiding soggy feet. This year there are plenty to choose from and I am loving these Ikkii Boots for a fun twist on a sheepskin boot..

Boots - c/o Ikkii (available at Avenue 32 £245)

Jumper - Boden (soldout) similar here 

Faux Fur Jacket - Topshop (old season) similar here

Leggings - Twist and Tango now £45

Bag - Say What You C £55

Ikkii boots are super comfy, utterly luxurious, made of suede and leather with your entire foot inside encased in soft sheepskin (always size up if you are a half size as they do come up a little small) They are like walking on puffs of air and would be perfect for a skiing holiday as they have rubber soles with grips, a cool apres ski look. 

If you are after waterproof boots Sorel are fab, they are comfy, do not let a drop of water in and look pretty cool..here are the styles I have..

Sorel Glacy Shortie Boot - £110

These boots are incredibly comfortable and my most worn boots so far this winter. They make the schoolrun a breeze as I can take on mud, puddles and scooters into the back of my ankles with ease. They are great for weekend walks and are so warm, sometimes too warm (which is no bad thing in my book)

Sorel - Cate The Great Wedge Boot - £170

These Sorel 'Cate The Great' boots, they are waterproof but have a wedge heel to make them a little more glam. Great with leather leggings or dresses..

Ilse Jacobsen Rain boots £80

These Ilse Jacobsen boots look fab on, slightly DM-ish and pretty cool. They are made of super soft natural rubber and do not have a heel so they are light. They have a cotton/viscose mix inner so keep your feel warmer than unlined wellies but I would still wear with extra thick socks to keep your feet warm in the really cold weather.

Here are a few other snowboots that will keep your feet toasty and dry in this crazy wet weather..

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Some years I get it wrong with footwear, last year I spent the winter in white trainers and soggy socks, this year I am ready for all types of weather..

Have you invested in snow boots this year, which ones have you gone for? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments..until next time Frances xxx

There's a new trainer in town...

Style Theory: In my mind there is no better trend than the trainer trend. It is possibly the most practical and comfortable trend in years (closely followed by the UGG boot trend from the 00s - I know you either loved or hated them but there was no doubt they were the ultimate in comfort) The humble trainer still reigns supreme, I have been wearing my Stan Smiths non stop for the last few years, I have dabbled in Adidas Superstars, indulged in Golden Goose and now I have a new obsession..... the Nike Cortez.

Images above via Pinterest & Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

Completely old school, I had a pair of Nike Cortez at university and, of course, Tom Hanks sported them as Forest Gump in 1994! (mmm I am really selling them to you?!) but...they are the trainers for Spring 2016 and do look pretty cool on.....

They will look fab with crop kick flares, boyfriend jeans or with a denim skirt or dress. The gold cortez would be perfect to wear to work (even just to look slightly edgy on a daily commute then change in to heels at work) 

I am slightly obsessed with both the white and the gold colourways below but I think the white may just have the edge for casual-wear, thinking forward to summer, with little summer dresses, or denim shorts. They look cool and fresh and I for one will be jumping on the bandwagon for this trend..

Nike Cotez @Office £61.99

Nike Classic Cortez Bronze @Office £71.99

Now looking at the bronze I think I like these equally as much. Anyway, suffice to say this style of trainer is gorgeous and will be the most fabulous addition to a Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Are you a trainer wearer, which styles are your favourites? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments until next time, Frances xxxx

Spotlight on River Island..with 25% off

Style Theory: River Island can be slightly intimidating to walk into as the clothing is targeted at the teens/twenty to early 30 year olds. But if you look past this, it has some real gems for us more 'mature' ladies. Gorgeous, intricately made lace tops, fab handbags and perfect denim pieces. I now always pop into River Island when I am in town for a browse and always see (and normally buy) a piece I love...

This week there is 25% off River Island with Grazia (online code GRAZIAJAN16, in store you have take actual voucher in Grazia magazine) so it is the best time to have a browse and see of anything catches your eye...

I have selected my favourite pieces from their SS16 collection, a winter-ish look, a Spring look and a summer beach look...

1. Gloves - £25
2. Black Victoriana top - £35
3. Dungarees - £48
4. Tan Faux Suede Bag - £20
5. Leopard Print shoes - £45
6. Cream Victoriana Top - £35
7. Raw hem jeans - £42
8. Pink Cat Eye Sunglasses - £16
9. Gold Beachbag - £30
10. Orange tie up espadrilles - £24
11. Red Stripe Shirt - £28
12. Swimsuit - £28
13. Tassel Sandals - £20

**All prices above before the 25% discount

I adore the River Island victoriana tops, I have a black one from River Island I bought last year..See photo below and I am going to buy the cream one above it looks great on, I tried it on in store the other day.. 

RI - Similar Black Victoriana Top here

RI - Cream Victoriana Blouse £35
Topshop - Black Baxter Jeans £40
Golden Goose Net a Porter - Trainers from £240

River Island bags (the gucci 'homage' bag above is great) and swimwear are fab, definitely worth a look. I love the swimsuit above, it has a designer-esque look and the back of it is gorgeous - it looks like a bikini from behind. Think I may 'need' the pom pom gloves too, they are so cute and perfect for now. River Island also have some great denim pieces, I always find the fit and stretch good, the dungarees are such an easy item to wear and the jeans above are ideal for the Spring, a great colour and cool, frayed hem..perfect.

There are so many lovely items, you just have to have a little time to have a search through, River Island's website is fab but I really like popping in and having a little try on...
Also if you fancy letting an expert do the hard work for you and are planning a trip to Oxford Street, arrange a complimentary appointment at the River Island style Studios (the River Island nearest Marble Arch) They have a great, really lovely stylist team there who will help you find a look that is very you!

Do you ever shop at River island, are there any pieces that have caught your eye? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

**This is not a sponsored post..I am a bit of a fan of RI at the mo and will be using the 25% offer!!

Outfit Post: In the Navy...

Style Theory: Navy...understated, flattering on the skin, slightly Parisian in nature and all round easy colour to wear. It is the antithesis of streetstyle, it whispers rather than shouts, it is effortless and doesn't take an awful lot of styling to look good...

images via Pinterest

For driving around to meetings miles away I needed to feel comfortable but slightly business-like so I reached for a navy ensemble, practical, warm  and understated...

Jumper - Banana Republic £55

Name necklace - AnnaLou of London £58

Jeans - J Brand @Revolve £153.83* check shipping as I have a feeling these are US but do ship to UK

Coat - Maje £239.50

Boots - Topshop £79

Bag - Radley (old season) similar here

Hat - Anthropologie (sold out)

My J Brand jeans are my new, favourite smart/casual items of clothing, they are expensive but so far, so worth it. They fit like a glove, have perfect stretch, do not dig into my tummy (no undoing my jean button when I drive then forget to do it back up when I dash out for petrol!) They are definitely better with heels and the Topshop sock boots are the perfect partnering. 

I saw this jumper on Michelle from MyFashionable40s and had to buy one too (she has great style), it is from Banana Republic and is gorgeous, I love the ruffle detail and the fact it is just so wearable. Similar to my Cos jumper I have worn non-stop for the last year. It smartens up jeans but will also look great with my distressed boyfriend jeans and leopard print heels for an evening out.

My name necklace is a must incase anyone forgot my name (I like to make things easy for people) and my Maje coat, another huge investment (still sitting on credit card eek I will pay it off at some point!) but it is one of those coats that looks understated but classy.

So when in doubt reach for navy...it can make you look sophisticated and chic with minimal effort.

Are you a fan of Navy, is it the colour that dominates your wardrobe? I am planning a work wear blog - a caspule collection that will see your through this tricky winter/spring time..will be live soon. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx

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Happy Sweaters...

Style Theory: Slogan sweaters make me happy. I am a huge fan of the more subtle slogan sweater, a hint, a word, irrelevant/relevant it doesn't really matter, they are fun and they are perfect for slinging on at the weekend with a pair of jeans and trainers or putting on for the schoolrun. They look cool and make a statement without saying a word.

In saying that, this sweater caught my eye when I saw it on Boden's website, it is not necessarily cool but I just love it...

Boden Slogan Sweater - £59.50 

Not exactly rock 'n roll, but so cute. I love the gold glittery 'Tea' (I am a sucker for a touch of glitter) and the sweater is seriously just my cup of tea! I sized up two sizes, this is a size UK14 I am normally a UK10, I probably could have gone just one size up but I do like them super slouchy so I am happy with this size.

Here are a selection of my favourite slogan sweatshirts to brighten up January...

Starting with the ultimate in slogan sweaters..Bella Freud

Bella Freud 1970 @ Net a Porter -  £280

Bella Freud Ginsberg is God @Net A Porter £270

Bella Freud Star Studded Jumper now £170

These sweaters are iconic worn by Kate Moss, they look so cool in the winter with black skinny jeans and boots or a leather/suede skirt and opaque tights. In the summer over denim shorts or a floral skirt a la Alexa Chung. They do come up slightly on the small side so if you are investing size up. I am saving up for one of these, they are on my wish list!

photos via Pinterest

I love Zoe Karssen too, her sweaters always have a cool edge..

Zoe Karssen @Very reduced from £140 to £70

On me this would be a pretty ironic statement as I am sooo not rock and roll..but worth it for the conversation.. Again I would size up in Zoe Karssen, I have one of her sweaters from a few seasons ago and bought the small but could have really done with the Medium as it is a little snug.

Zoe Karssen @Very Exclusive £100

Cute, understated, cool..

Whistles 'Bonjour' sweater £75

Simple and chic..

Whistles Le Marais £75

This is my favourite part of part of Paris so maybe kind of stating the obvious?! But it is a gorgeous sweater, neat and grown up, it would look fab with tailored, ankle length, black trousers and trainers or with black leather shorts and opaque tights. In the summer pair with pale blue skinny ankle length jeans and white supergas for a simple stylish look.

Topshop NYPD hoodie by Tee and Cakes £35

I saw this in store yesterday and love it. Buy big and wear under a bomber jacket with skinny jeans and trainers for a comfy and cool 90s look. Or sling over your gym gear..either way this hoodie will look fab.

Mango 1976 - £29.99

A good choice for the ladies turning 40 this year, a cool birthday present perhaps?

BDG Fairfax Sweatshirt Urban Outfitters £42

Love this pale blue, will look gorgeous in the summer with sunkissed skin and shorts. For now wrap a mid grey oversize scarf around the neck and wear with blue jeans and adidas superstar trainers.

Hush Sweater £50

Loving the look of this sweatshirt, Hush SS16 range has just launched and this is my favourite piece.

Sista sweatshirt - Selfish Mother £45

Selfish Mother have the most fabulous range of sweaters from 'Mother' to 'Sista' to 'Human' and the best thing is £15 from the sale of every sweater goes towards Women for Women International - an amazing charity that helps women in 8 war torn countries to rebuild their lives. They are, also fab sweaters really warm, thick and look great on (again size up, sloppy is good!)

So as you can probably tell I do prefer the more subtle slogans, I don't like them to be too 'in your face' or obvious. They are the most useful sweaters, clash them up with midi skirts, pair them down with jeans, any which way goes!!

Do you have any slogan sweaters, if so which are your favourite, are you a loud and proud slogan wearing or do you prefer subtlety? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx