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

Simple Summer Inspiration

Style Theory: Sometimes you just need to keep the formula for summer dressing simple, unfussy and cool. Here are a few ideas for some easy and stylish summer outfits and the inspiration behind them.

Streetstyle images from Pinterest

THE SIMPLE BOHO DRESS

Throw over a bikini, wear over short denim shorts or by itself

Mango Beaded Embroidered Dress £49.99

Or:

Mango Embroidered Dress £34.99

Wear with:

Steve Madden @Dune Sandals £65

THE SIMPLE STRIPE DRESS & LIGHTWEIGHT PARKA

Year after year a classic, can be dressed up to look Riveria chic, or dressed down for beachwear, looks fab with a lightweight parka thrown over the top..

Great Plains Pocket Breton (also available in a white background) £50

Dorothy Perkins Hooded lightweight parka £45

Dune Lutney Slip ons £75

A SIMPLE CHAMBRAY SHIRT AND DISTRESSED JEANS

Another casual, easy to wear outfit, looks great with flat gold sandals during the day then put on some stappy heels and a few fine gold necklaces and you are ready for a night out.

Gap Fitted Boyfriend Oxford Shirt £29.95

Zara Ripped Boyfriend Jeans £39.99

Next Ankle Strap Sandal £28

DKNY at John Lewis £158
Love this little handbag, it had a little loop to put your hand through at the front to carry like a clutch.

SIMPLE WHITE BOHO TOP AND DENIM SHORTS 

Another summer classic look, I love a sleeve as I am now at that age when I am not too keen on showing the rather large tops of my arms, add a little embroidered bag for a pop of colour.

H&M Embroidered Tunic £29.99

Gap Boyfriend Shorts £29.95

Dune Jolene Black Sliders £49

Accessorize Portobello Slouch Bag £45

THE PERFECT WHITE SHIRT

I love the look of distressed jeans with a crisp white shirt and blazer and some animal print courts, simple but effective!

Zara Soft Blazer with Zips £69.99

Next White Shirt £22

Zara jeans as above

Aldo Sunglasses £10

Dune Alfa Court Shoes £69

My Style: Easing myself into my summer wardrobe slowly, I always find the summer transition the most difficult!

Top: H&M Exclusive Conscious Collection
Cardigan: Gant
Jeans; MiH
Slip ons: H&M

 For a weekend break by the seaside with the family, it was just amazing weather and a beautiful beach, we were walking along the beach to a seafront restaurant, heaven!

Jumper: Cos
Jeans: Oasis
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
Necklace: J Crew

How I started in the morning before changing into denim shorts and my Mango frilled sleeve top,

Breton: Petit Bateau
Jeans: Gap
Knitted Jacket Henri Lloyd
Sliders: Dune
Bag: H&M

So there is my first real dip into summer outfits, there are lots more to come... How is your transition to your summer wardrobe going are you well and truly immersed or like me wondering what you wore all last summer and where has it all been put?!

Until next time, Frances xxx

A little taste of J Crew

Last week I was delighted to attend the J Crew event, at J Crew Brompton Cross, hosted by Laura Fantacci the shopping editor of Red magazine and WIT blog. 

Me leaving J Crew....a happy shopper

It was a fabulous evening with lots of champagne flowing and a chance to look at the cream of J Crew's Spring Summer 2014 collection including the stunning range of Sophia Webster for J Crew's shoes.

What I Saw:

A rainbow array of J Crew 'Tippi' sweaters

A range of 'build your wardrobe' outfit ideas chosen by Laura Fantacci

Stunning jewellery in pastels and brights 

A fabulous array of beautiful and practical sandals

The highlight for me was the Sophia Webster collection for J Crew, so feminine yet quirky,  shoe perfection

Almost my favourites - Sophia Webster for J Crew Finn Pumps £460

My favourite shoes Sophia Webster for J Crew Riko Pumps £525 (eek!) ...adore.them. sadly none in the world in my size!

My Cinderella's ugly sister moment..my big feet were just too big!

What I Wore to the Event:

Blazer: Zara - similar here
Jeans: Gap - similar here
Breton Top: Petit Bateau £58
Shoes: H&M £39.99
(Shoes..for walking!...Russell and Bromley - similar here
Bag: H&M £19.99
Sunglasses; Marc Jacobs £125

My J Crew wishlist:

Sleeveless Drapey Top in Cove Coral £98
This would look fab dressed down with ankle skimming pale blue jeans and navy/tan strappy sandals
Or dress up for a special event with the matching skirt below

Surf Skirt in cove coral £128
This skirt is in a neoprene fabric and would look good dressed down with a grey t-shirt and strappy tan sandals, or worn for work with a navy silk puff sleeve blouse and navy heels or worn with matching top above.

Embroidered tassel top in Chambray £79.50
A great holiday staple top, wear with short denim cut offs or white skinny length jeans and flat gold sandals.

Embroidered Tunic in Chambray £118
Another classic boho top in beautiful fabric, look stunning on I have ordered this top.

Merino Tippi Sweater in Heather Dusk £69.50
A great basic will go with anything from slouchy distressed boyfriend jeans to a floral pencil skirt, a capsule wardrobe must have.

Vintage Denim jacket in Melrose wash £150
Alex from The Frugality bought this at the event and it looks fab on, would be so versatile, wear with maxis, shorts, white jeans and throw over cocktail dresses.

Vintage Straight jean in Abbot wash £128

Flower Fan Necklace £49.50

Crystal Venus Flytrap Necklace £98

Sophie Small Body Crossbag £89

I have selected the items above as I see them as capsule collection pieces that will see you through a few seasons if not more,  J Crew is on the pricey side but the styling and details just make each piece a little different and a little bit special.

It was a fab evening and a great opportunity to catch up with lovely bloggers including Keri from Chronicles of Dolliedaydream, to talk all things fashion!

I love a little trip into town for a little inspiration, are you a J Crew fan, have you bought anything from there, if money were no object my wardrobe would be full of lots of lovely items but as that is not the case a girl can dream and maybe buy one or two pieces!!

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments as always, Frances xx