25% Off Boden This Weekend..The Best Bits

Style Theory: 25% off Boden until Monday 30th with free delivery and returns (with code EGGS) always a great time to get a few key items that will work as excellent basics for your summer wardrobe, also a few extra special accessories that will add a wow factor to an outfit.

So first the items that have caught my eye this season and ideas of how to style them...

The Chic, Useful Cardigan

Boden Favourite Cardigan £36.75 (25% off)

A versatile piece, can be thrown over a white t-shirt, denim shorts and strappy tan sandals. With a maxi dress or in the summer with white top and jeans. Here are a few ideas...

The Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere Crew Neck Navy £74.25 (25% off)

I have a navy cashmere sweater and it is one of the most luxurious, most worn items in my wardrobe. Boden cashmere is fabulously soft and machine washable. I wear mine with distressed jeans and heels (with my Boden Alice heels as they have navy in them- great for a dressed down/dressed up look) and a bright coat. I also like to wear with t-shirt underneath and denim shorts and sandals, keeps me just the right temperature on warmer UK days.

The Grey Merino Sweater

Merino Wool Sweater £17.70

Was tipped off by Natalie from GlamRosie about this jumper and what a bargain, in fact I was so excited I have just ordered myself one to fill a little gap in my wardrobe. This is again, such a useful hardworking piece in your wardrobe, from wearing it with jeans to denim skirts to full on patterned midi skirts this is a must have item.

The Breton

Long Sleeve Breton £18.75 (25% off)

I have had two of these Boden bretons for a few years, they wash well and keep their shape and colour. A wardrobe staple, can be worn year after year after year..

The Denim/Chambray Dress

April Tunic Dress £55.30

A really useful price, wear with black opaque tights and black shoes boots in the colder, spring days. In the summer pair with white/silver Superga's for a laid back, comfortable look.

The Summer Event Dress

Long Sleeve Selina Dress £104.25 (25% off)

I love the print of this dress, it reminds me a little of the D&G dress Keira Knightley wore (see below). I would add some a little colour to this with a pair of pale (or even bright) pink shoes and some matching lipstick for a fabulous wedding guest outfit.

The Killer Accessories

Alice Mid Heels £89.25 (25% Off)

The heel of the season, bright, fun chic and really wearable. I have worn mine loads, they can be matched and clashed with so many outfits. Dress them up, dress them down you will wear them non-stop.

Lille Lace-Ups £66.75

The lace up shoe is a key look for Spring Summer 15, these are stunning versions and with 25% off more affordable.

Definitely worth having a little browse if you are in summer clothes shopping mode. The Alice shoes have a couple of weeks wait for delivery but they will still be the 25% off price if bought today or tomorrow. Right I am off to order a few items..

Are you a Boden basics fan, how do you find their clothing? I have got to admit I always have to have a bit of a search through as lots of it is not my style but I do love the styles above and I always buy my kids a few items (on the 25% off days) for each season as I do find the kids clothes really last and my two wear their Boden outfits loads.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

*this was not a sponsored post I just thought the 25% off made the items I have been looking at over the last few months a little more affordable!
Streetstyle photos via Pinterest

It's Going to be a Colourful Spring

Outfit Post: I love a splash of colour, especially if the colours clash. I find colour flatters and can 'lift' an outfit, as long as I can dress the look down with a pair of distressed jeans or trainers to balance the overall effect and avoid the outfit looking too shouty. My yellow Zara coat, orange H&M bag and new Boden shoes on paper shouldn't work..but I think they kind of do, especially on a beautiful Spring, sunny day...

Yellow coat - Zara 
Jeans - Gap similar here
Bag - H&M (old)
Top - Cos
Shoes - Boden £119

For the last few seasons Boden has had a stand out pair of shoes that encapsulates the mood and colours of the season. For Autumn/winter 2014 it was the beautiful encrusted, crystal flat pumps and this Spring it is these beautiful 'Alice' shoes. Mine were part of a gift from my sisters for my birthday (thanks girls xx) and I love the colourway. The shoes come in two heel heights and five different colourways, mine above and these..

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

The high heels are 8.5cms, the mid heels are a very walkable 6cms, perfect for a spring or summer wedding guest outfit. 

However, as I have only one wedding this year and any exciting events are few and far between, I have been looking for ways to dress down my shoes to make them more wearable for family lunches at the pub and evenings out at local restaurants with friends (not the schoolrun, trainers only for me chasing after the kids on their scooters acting like BMX bandits!)

 

Here are a few ideas of how I will be wearing my  Boden Alice heels..

Blouse - Zara £39.99
Dungarees - H&M £29.99
Cardigan - Boden £49
Shoes - Boden £119

Breton top - Petit Bateau £58
Blazer - Zara £49.99
Jeans - Levis 501 CT at House Of Fraser now £75
Shoes - Boden £119

Comfort with style is my fashion mantra, I would always rather be slightly dressed down as I do not work in an office everyday therefore I feel more comfortable this way. 

How about you, do embrace the opportunity to dress smartly, are you a statement shoe fan? Are you a shoe or bag person..which shoes are catching your eye this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, thanks so much for reading, until next time, Frances xxx

Check Mate

Style Theory: This Autumn/Winter checks are still going strong on the High Street, though now there is less tartan more grid-like checks. They are bold and can work both within your casual and smart wardrobe..mix them up with tailoring or jeans, both look sharp and chic.

Here are a few styling ideas:

Checks and Tassels..Shirt Dress Perfection

Bold checks look great worn together  (as last year)

Very little can beat a check shirt and skinny distressed jeans for a laidback, cool look.

I am a huge fan of oversized, trapese dresses and love them with trainers especially Stan Smiths

Mix up your checks with spots.

Swap your skinnies for the kick flare for a more flattering check trouser look

All images above via Pinterest

Now for the best on the High Street..
Warehouse are taking the lead on the high street when it comes to bold checks, this is my favourite top and on my shopping list!

Warehouse Grey Check Jumper £42

This 60s shape would look fab with black culottes and heels, or pair with black skinnies and flat, leopard print pointed shoes for a cool look.

Grey Check Dress £48

Wear now with bare legs and white trainers (see Zara leather white trainers) Wear in the winter with black opaque tights and pointed ankle boots, throw an oversize cardigan over the top for a cool, grungy look.

Window Pane Blouse £42

Keep things simple by wearing this chic blouse with a pair of black skinny jeans and pointed black court shoes, add a splash of colour and texture with a wine coloured fur clutch bag.

Culottes £42

Ignore the styling in this photo, it is not flattering. I would pair with a tailored, fitted black or white shirt, or a grey poloneck and high leopard print heels.

Pink Check Coat £95

Just adore this coat, it will look gorgeous with a grey marl T-shirt and pale blue skinny jeans and white trainers. Or clash up with a turquoise jumper to really bring out the pink.

Now onto other High Street shops..

Zara Checked Shirt Dress £35.99

An easy to wear, wool check shirt dress. Perfect for the weekends.

Zara Printed Leggings £35.99

Wear with a long tunic as styled above, a cool alternative to black skinny trousers.

Zara Black Checked Jumpsuit £59.99

This just looks fab with chunky brogues and a black coat, add a bright coat for a splash of colour.

&Other Stories Blouse £65

I always find collars like this really flattering, this blouse is super stylish, would look great tucked in boyfriend jeans with a wine coloured pair of chunky heels.

Mango Check Wool Blend Sweater £19.99

A useful layering winter item, layer over a fine grey poloneck and wear with a grey wool a-line skirt and trainers for an on trend Autumn look.

Mango Check Boxy Blouse £29.99

A great basic for your wardrobe, this blouse will look fab with jeans, love the shorts with opaque tights but at nearly 40 I think I may be pushing it!

I am most definitely buying into this trend this Autumn, it is such an easy one to wear, it makes a statement without being too loud.

Have you bought into the check trend, it is something you fancy adding to your wardrobe this year or were you fully immersed in the trend last winter?

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

Follow me on Instagram @Schoolrunmum for daily outfit posts and photos of my weekend (this weekend) away in glorious Barcelona!