Sales Talk....

Style Theory: My top sales picks for Aw15. Keeping a mix of classic adding some key trend items and some little extra special items that I cannot resist..

Boden Mia Jumper in Charcoal now £41.30

A great basic jumper with a slight 'Tibi' style neckline. This jumper will look great with a pale grey oversize wool scarf and skinny jeans and boots or pair with leather shorts, opaques and wedge loafers for a smarter look.

Boden Cordelia Heel now £41.70

These are the most stunning shoes I have tried on this year, they look amazing on and will be your Spring Summer shoe with any type of dress. As leopard is now considered a neutral these can be paired with plain colours, stripes, boyfriend jeans, culottes, the list is endless..I am definitely ordering them!

Topshop Long Sleeves Lace Top now £28

This top has a real designer look to it, wear with blue jeans and trainers for a cool going out look from the winter through to the summer. I love the high neck and the sheer arms, so flattering and chic. It has been reduced from £52, so a good buy.

Topshop Fluroescent Lace Pencil Skirt now £20

A fairly inexpensive skirt to wear with a grey T shirt and heels or grey fine knit jumper and heels to a smart event or a wedding.

Topshop Premium Fur Lined Parka now £50

This is a beautiful sumptuous parka, it looks amazing on. It would look just as good thrown over skinny jeans and trainers as it would over an evening dress for a cool look. It was £98 so again, a good discount.

Somerset by Alice Temperley Jumper £29.50

This really jumper caught my eye in John Lewis, it is soft merino wool, a slightly fitted shape and has the most beautiful gold buttons on the sleeves adding a luxurious finish. I tried on the UK 14 or 16 and I preferred it on the more generous side. It is one of those jumpers that would look good with leather skirt, opaque tights and heels and a parka thrown over. Another sweater I think I cannot live without..

Mango Flowy Shirt @HoF now £19.99

I bought this blouse for my sister for Christmas (before the sale!) and it looks gorgeous on. It can be worn buttoned up with the neck tie or unbuttoned with the necktie loose around your neck like a skinny scarf. The fabric hangs beautifully and it is one of those really useful additions to your wardrobe, in the summer it will look fab with ankle length skinny jeans and white supergas.

MiH Denim dungarees @Net a Porter now £118

I am slightly obsessed with these dungarees, they are perfect. I wore my black dungarees non stop last year and these are a step up. They are a gorgeous shape with the button detail adding interest. They have been reduced from £295 and could be worn all year through (especially in the UK where summers are really not hot!) 

Chinti and Parker top @Net a Porter now £90

This is a great winter to summer top. I adore a peplum, it covers my mum tum, gives the (much needed) illusion of a waist and flatters my hips and legs. This top would be great with skinny jeans and an oversize cardigan in the winter and in the summer with skinny pale blue ankle length jeans and trainers.

Finery Hemming Satin Trapeze Dress £45

A 'wow' dress for a small price. This dress would be perfect for any upcoming weddings/summer events or just to wear on holiday out for dinner. The shade would look fabulous against sunkissed skin and I would wear with tan or red strappy sandals. For now add a chunky grey cardigan over the top and black opaques and ankle boots for a cool look.

Topshop Festive Strappy Shoes now £12

Just because I could not resist these for £12, they are winging their way to me, I have no idea what they will be like quality-wise but I love the red velvet and cute shape and for £12?!

So there is my round up of some of the best sales pieces on the high street, I have had to soo hold back not to order them all as I really think they are key pieces and all have a place in my wardrobe but unfortunately finance do not allow it! 

My Style

I bought the skirt in the photos below from my local Topshop but it seems to be a one off as I cannot find it anywhere online. The brand is Navy but I cannot find this brand online so I think it may be super old stock dragged out for the sale or a brand only found in Oxford Street, if I find out I will let you know. Anyway, it is a fab little skirt, it has an elasticated waistband (phew) and is a flattering length. I wore it on New Years Eve with my grey Boden jumper and leopard print heels...

Skirt - Topshop (random in sale)
Jumper - Boden
Necklace - Chambers and Beau £110 
Earrings - Travelling Bazaar £27
Bag - Primark £9
Shoes - Nine West (old)

I hope you all had a fab New Year and wish you and family health and happiness for 2016. Thank you for taking the time to stop off and read my blog, I appreciate it so much and do love all your comments and emails, it makes it all worth while! 

Have a good weekend and I'll be back next week with some gorgeous new season looks..already excited about SS16!!

Until then, Frances xxxx

Dreaming of Summer.....

ph Las Calles de Barcelona

Style Theory: The days are getting longer, the sun has shown it's face after months of hiding away behind heavy, grey clouds and now my attentions are turning towards summer and beachy holidays. I long to lay on the beach - ok in reality, chase kids/ build sandcastles/ remove unwanted sand from their feet/be made to jump (not a nice sight) over every wave that hits the beach - in order to do this with some sort of confidence I love a beautiful bikini or swimsuit. I normally start looking about now, that initial trying on session is horrendous but makes me realise that in less than 3 months I will be faced with the reality of strutting my stuff down to the sea edge in a bikini. To soften the blow of an unworked out, rather out of shape Mum of two in stepped Coco Bay Beachwear, the answer to my swimwear worries....

Coco Bay - Seafolly Miami Stripe Neon Bikini Top from £53 Bottoms from £38
Coco Bay - Seafolly Soundwave Drummer Kaftan £53
Coco Bay - Bulaggi Pineapple Beach Bag £40
Coco Bay - Hipanema Amor Bracelet £70

I have long been a fan of Seafolly swimwear it is cut beautifully and is incredibly flattering, it is also substantial enough to withstand toddlers tugging on it and stays up whilst grappling with them in the sea! Although it is slightly more expensive than some other high street own brands, they really do last, the colour does not fade and I have had mine for quite a few years. When the bikini above arrived I let out a little gasp of delight (genuinely) the colour is stunning, like a tropical sunset and the cut perfect for me.

I wanted an easy cover up to throw over me with ease so when a child declares they need the toilet I am there in a flash and thank goodness not walking up to the cafes in my bikini. I love the bright edges of the throw and the white base, it will look fab with cut off denim shorts and tan strappy sandals for long lazy lunches. I also always need a huge beach bag that can carry at least two towels and as much other stuff I can pack in it (spades, buckets, beach hats, extra kids clothes....) this Bulaggi Pineapple bag is perfect.

Coco Bay - Seafolly Miami Stripe Neon Bikini Top from £53 Bottoms from £38
Coco Bay - Seafolly Soundwave Drummer Kaftan £53
Coco Bay - Bulaggi Pineapple Beach Bag £40
Coco Bay - Hipanema Amor Bracelet £70

There were so many beautiful bikinis and swimsuits to choose from on the Coco Bay Beachwear website I was spoilt for choice. Here are a selection of my favourites and they also have D/DD/E/F Cup swimwear in beautiful styles and colours..

Seafolly Miami Neon Melon Bikini - Tops from £53 Bottoms from £38Seafolly Miami Neon Melon Swimsuit £94

These neon colours are so flattering against any colour of skin, they take the edge away from a paler skin like mine and make it look a little less bright white. The bikini tops and swimsuit come with a detachable strap so you secure when diving in the waves...

Banana Moon Victoriane Bikini (left) - Top: £38 Bottoms: £38

Banana Moon is another favourite swimwear brand, I used to buy it from a little shop on the seafront in Spain now you can buy and try before you go on holiday. The boho pattern of this bikini is perfect for this years boho trend. The swimsuit is ruched in all the right places for a flattering effect and I always find navy a softer, kinder, more flattering colour against the skin.

Here are my are selection of my favourite pieces of swimwear for D-F cup on Coco Bay..

Top Left Seafolly Soundwave Bikini top from £58 Bottoms from £39
Bottom Left Seafolly Goddess Lapis Bikini top from £21 Bottoms from £27
Swimsuit Baku St Martins £99

Beautifully flattering and gorgeous colours, with lots of options to mix and match different shaped tops with different bottoms to ensure you buy the right bikini for your shape.

Coco Bay also has a fab range of beach clothing (love the boho top) and bags and accessories, well worth a cyber visit!

Do you buy your swimwear early or do you wait until the last minute, are you like me and need a short sharp shock of seeing yourself in a bikini to get moving? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances 

My Made in Chelsea

Style Theory: My favourite little area of London, shops, cafés, bars, restaurants galore and never too busy. 

Sloane Square

Years ago I used to work in Chelsea and love popping back for a wander when I have a chance. When my sister came over for the weekend we decided to hit Chelsea rather than tackle Oxford Street as it is a little quieter.

First stop The Botanist for coffee and warm scones...much needed energy for shopping..

The Botanist

Then a stroll up Kings Road

A gorgeous food market in the Duke of York Square, then a meander along to have lunch siting outside  The Builders Arms

The Builders Arms

Then onto The Phene to meet up with old friends for drinks....heaven

The Phene Garden

My Style:

A last minute change of outfit as the day started off stormy so my dress and heeled sandals were replaced by my trusty breton and jeans..

Top: Petit Bateau

Jacket: Zara

Jeans: Gap similar here

Trainers: John Lewis Collection similar here

Bag: H&M

I bought: hoping to wear this to watch the tennis at Wimbledon in a couple of weeks (weather permitting) with my heeled tan sandals or Stan Smith trainers:

Cos Melange Jumper - now £29

Cos Skirt with Draped Pockets now £41

I tried on and loved....

Cos Sleeveless Dress £115

but unfortuately am lacking occasions when I can wear this!

It was lovely spending the day with my little sister, Mum and some lovely friends. Thank you Las Calles De Barcelona for all the images..xx

Where is your favourite place in London, do you know any hidden gems, cafes restaurants, bars..I need to be recommended more!

I would love to hear all your comments and ideas, thank you for reading, Frances xxx

My Style - The Preppy Look

Style Theory: The Preppy look, timeless and sophisticated but with a 2014 twist. Think blazers, cricket jumpers brought up to date with distressed jeans and heels.

I have been a fan of the Preppy look for years, dipping in and out of it throughout the year. It is a style that makes me feel a little more 'put together', smarter than my usual casual, schoolrun uniform. When Henri Lloyd, the original British sailing brand, sent me this gorgeous Caralyn Knit Blazer and Beverley Cable V-neck cricket style jumper I was sold. My love for all things Preppy was re-ignited but to make it 2014 I paired it with my distressed 7 for all Mankind jeans and tan sandals.

I have had a small obsession with cricket jumpers since Kate Moss wore one in early 2012 and after buying a few over the last few years this Henri Lloyd is my favourite more affordable than the Rag and Bone cricket 'Talia' jumper and it fits beautifully.

The Details:

Jumper: c/o Henri Lloyd Cable V Neck Knit £75

Knitted Blazer: c/o Caralyn Knit Blazer £95

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind similar here (my jeans are naturally distressed due to wear!)

Sandals: H&M £39.99

The knit blazer has been so useful, it is a fabulous for layering underneath heavier jackets or a trench on colder days or by to smarten up a pair of jeans.

Trench: H&M similar here
Blazer: c/o Henri Loyd Caralyn Knit Blazer £95
Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Oasis £40
Shoes: Zara similar here

Appropriate for the schoolrun and trotting up Kings Road, I do love a touch of the preppy look and think I will be indulging in it for the next few years to come, that mixed in with a bit of boho this summer!

Are you a fan of the preppy look, what are your 'must haves' you bring out year after year?

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

Next Bomber Jacket - 6 Ways - 6 Bloggers

Style Theory: The Bomber Jacket, the outerwear shape this Spring and Summer. It is cool, laidback and edgy, either in florals, silk, denim or jersey, the bomber is a versatile jacket that can be dressed up or down. It is fabulous for flinging on for the schoolrun, can be layered on top of a biker or denim jacket or in the summer can be worn over dresses to add an urban edge.

The Challenge: Next sent 6 Mum Fashion Bloggers a jersey bomber jacket to style their way and this is how we styled them:

1 - What Lizzie Loves
2 - Avenue 57
3 - Me (obvs!)
4 - SchoolGateStyle
5 - Poppy's Style
6 - My Fashionable 40s

We could choose either red or grey and as you can see all had a different take on the bomber, showing that it looks just as great with heels as it does with trainers...

I chose the red jacket, the fabric is a mid weight, quilted jersey so it really lends itself to layering, I wore my denim jacket and a grey sweater underneath, and paired it with black ankle length jeans and my trusty Adidas Superstar trainers. This is my comfort zone, I had a busy day of running around after the kids, parties, swimming etc so practicality reigned supreme as usual.

Bomber Jacket: c/o Next 
Denim Jacket: Warehouse similar here
Sweater: Zara similar here
Jeans: Oasis
Trainers: Adidas
Sunglasses: RayBans Wayfarers

It is a great alternative to the traditional cardigan, the red is a beautiful vibrant shade so looks good paired with greys, denims and black.

I was a little slow off the mark with the bomber jacket trend but I am now a convert and do tend to wear them instead of my usual cardigans/coats.

Next Quilted Bomber Jacket £38 

Next Quilted Bomber Jacket £38

Are you a fan of the bomber jacket, did you jump on board the trend a bit quicker than my slightly late arrival?! Or do you prefer a more tailored look?

1 - What Lizzie Loves

2 - Avenue 57

4 - SchoolGateStyle

5 - Poppy's Style

6 - My Fashionable 40s

Click on the links under the photo of the other Mum fashion bloggers to see the details of their styling and other fashion ideas.

I would love hear your comments as always, till next time, Frances x