Outfit: Long tunic over culottes
Tunic: Boohoo (similar)
Wedges: ASOS (similar)
Can you believe this tunic is Boohoo? I've been after a long-length one for a while but struggled to find on that fits the bill - until I found this one. The top of the slit sits just on the hip so you can see whatever's on underneath and the sleeves make it perfect for chillier evenings. I've been playing with lengths and wearing it over culottes to create an asymmetrical silhouette and a contrast in colours. Boohoo, you done good.
Lust of the week: Whistles Sekka Stripe Print Dress
Whistles is one of my favourite brands. Year after year, its collections are always completely on point, putting its own spin on current trends so that its pieces become classics rather than something never to be worn again once the season ends. This dress is just one of my favourites from Whistles' SS15 offering - the print, floaty asymmetric hem and waist tie make this a really interesting dress, while still managing to remain simple and minimalist.
Outfit: Maison Scotch Tunic and Jeans
Hat: H&M (similar)
Top: Maison Scotch c/o Very Exclusive via Fashionchick
Jeans: Topshop
Flats: ASOS
Return of the hat. Seriously, can't stop wearing this thing, it's an absolute godsend for bad hair days!
Print isn't something I wear that often (unless it's in stripe form), tending to go for something plainer and cleaner but I think I'm a convert with this paisley print tunic from Maison Scotch. A really light fabric, it isn't too in-your-face and is something that screams summer; I can see it being one of those pieces perfect for throwing on over your bikini after a day at the beach and heading for a cocktail.
Outfit: Kimono top and flares
Flares: ASOS
Heels: ASOS (similar)
I don't know about you but I am loving the kimono tops that are springing up on the high street (H&M has a great selection). I picked this one up last week and I really like the pyjama-y feel to it. At the moment I'm wearing it with my ASOS kick flares because I like the silhouette it creates, and come summer I'll be wearing it over a pair of white culottes or wide leg trousers for an oversized look.
Lust of the week: Anthropologie Linen.Do Sol Mules
Ahh Anthropologie. My love for that store is normally reserved for their homewares selection; when I lived in London I would spend hours in the Regent Street store pondering over which mug or candle to get, and invariably coming out with a whole bunch because I've been unable to choose. I tended to bypass the clothing, footwear and accessories, too drawn in was I by the colourful cushions and bowls.
A quick perusal on the Anthropologie site though and I realise how wrong I was to dismiss the rest of its offering (although maybe it's a good thing, considering my shopping habit). It's absolutely perfect for summer - think simple, boho pieces. I am in love with these mules; the chunky heel means they'll be comfy enough for all-day barbecues and beer gardens, or for walking cobbled streets on holiday. Plus, they'd add a nice bit of colour (but not too much) to a simple white dress. Perfection.
Outfit: 70s wide leg trousers and floppy hat
Top: COS
Trousers: c/o Boohoo via Fashionchick
Shoes: & Other Stories
This is my first look in collaboration with Fashionchick, as part of their new blogger network. These trousers from Boohoo are incredible; really lightweight, a fab colour and they're a great piece for working the 70s trend (this camel floppy hat just adds to that whole vibe). Plus, they're a steal at £25. They're super long for my 5'4 frame though, so my new platforms from & Other Stories came in handy! Absolutely loving this COS top too; it's my new basic-with-a-twist that I've been wearing with everything.
Outfit: Midi dress and oversized hat
Hat: H&M
Dress: ASOS
Watch: c/o Links of London
Flats: ASOS
Now the weather's getting ever so slightly warmer, I'm fully ditching my winter uniform of tights and boots and working on my winter-to-spring transitional wardrobe. This dress (a petite exclusive at ASOS - big love to them for creating great pieces for us shorties) is fast becoming a staple for me - I've been dressing it up and down, and it also works as a tunic over trousers. For this look I've stuck to all black, with my huge hat and watch adding some interesting style details.
In other news, last weekend I headed back to London (despite moving away I must have been back at least four times...can't go too long without being in the city!) for the launch party of Fashionchick's blogger network. A night with a lovely bunch of bloggers, great food and way too much prosecco - it was the perfect evening. There'll be some exciting things coming up with Fashionchick so stay tuned!
Lust of the Week: Mango Boho Smock Dress
I'm currently looking out of the window at a very, wet and windy North West (the geographical location, not celeb baby). Very depressing indeed - I'm over winter and I need out. Most of my spare time now is spent perusing holiday destinations and flights, dreaming of a warmer and sunnier clime. That's all followed closely with online window shopping, bookmarking and saving bits and bobs to create the perfect holiday wardrobe. This dress from Mango has recently become top of that list; I love the colours and the just-throw-it-on ease, and it will be the perfect piece to take me from beach to bar - my kind of holiday.
Outfit: Zara knitted midi dress
Duster Coat: Boohoo
Dress: Zara
Flats: Zara
Bag: Zara
This is quite possibly my favourite dress at the moment; so comfy and easy to throw on, plus it's knitted to it provides a bit of extra warmth in this transitional period. This is the last outfit from my Rome trip (see my travel post here) - probably a good thing seeing as every time I do one of these posts I just want to go straight back! I paired the dress with my classic black duster (find similar here and here) and the comfiest velvet slippers for a bit of colour.
Outfit: Trench Coat and Culottes
Top: Zara
Culottes: Monki
Flats: Zara
This kind of look is pretty much a staple for me at this time of year; culottes and a lightweight coat or jacket make the perfect winter-to-spring transitional outfit. This is another outfit I wore in Rome a few weeks ago (see my travel post here) and it ended up being the perfect thing to wear for walking around the city.
Lust of the week: Missguided Side Split Top
Ever since the Olsens sent models down the runway in long, side split tunics in their SS15 show for The Row, I have been obsessed with the things. This white one from Missguided has a slightly more accessible price point of £25 and works just as well. I'd wear it over culottes or wide leg trousers for the perfect spring/summer look. ASOS has a great offering too - find similar ones here, here and here.
Travel: A few days in Rome
A few weeks ago I hopped on a plane to Rome for a few days of eating, drinking and exploring the city. I visited Rome for the first time about four years ago and did most of the toursity bits then, so this trip was more about discovering local neighbourhoods and soaking up the culture. We still took a trip to the Roman Forum though, mainly because it's so steeped in history and full of hidden gems that we couldn't resist.
We stayed in an airbnb apartment in Trastevere - a neighbourhood that sits on the edge of the river. Traditionally a working class area, it's so different to the rest of Rome with its grand buildings and wide sweeping streets; think narrow, (very uneven) cobbled streets and lots of old buildings in all shades of terracotta. It was great to see this side to Rome though - it wasn't like anything I saw last time and I got more of a sense of 'normal' Roman life.
Full of bars (one of my favourite activities during our stay was sitting outside with a cold glass of prosecco and accompanying aperitivo - a small plate of canape-like nibbles) and incredible restaurants, Trastevere is the place a lot of Romans go to eat. Simple, traditional Italian food rules here - no pomp or anything over the top - just great food like Nonna used to make. We ate in the area every night because there was just so much on offer and it meant only having to walk a few minutes back to the apartment. All of the meals I ate were incredible but the best one was probably at Osteria Ponte Sisto - a local restaurant complete with red checked tablecloths, homemade food, great service and an impeccable wine list. I went for ravioli with a nutmeg, cream and pancetta sauce and hand down, it was the best ravioli I've ever eaten - and I like to think of myself as a bit of a pasta connoisseur.
Travelling with men and only taking hand luggage meant I didn't do too much shopping. Of course, Rome houses all the great Italian (and international) designers in the streets off the Piazza di Spagna but for something more budget-friendly, the streets around Campo de' Fiori have great little independent boutiques. Via della Lungaretta in Trastevere does too (I'm still dreaming of the handmade, soft leather lace up pumps I spotted in one of the shops), plus some lovely little cafes for a spot of lunch or coffee.
All in all, a wonderful trip. Rome has become one of my favourite cities and I feel like there is still so much to explore. Until next time...