Style Trunk

A couple of months ago I shared a few images from our new home (see that post here) and we've since added a few bits to make it a bit more homely. First up, I ordered another mustard Trio cushion from made.com to dress the sofa up a bit more and add some colour to the otherwise-neutral room. 

I also picked up a white side table from Habitat and topped it with a small plant - mainly to fill that extra space between our sofa and chair, plus it comes in handy for cups of tea. Finally, our new Laura Ashley rug (very kindly sent to us by the team) completely lifts the living room, adding another dimension to it and a warmth that it was lacking - plus its colour fits in perfectly.  

Dress: Zara

Cami: Topshop (similar)

Shoes: Topshop

I wore this backless dress on the blog a few weeks ago (see post here) and am still completely in love with it - but open back doesn't exactly make it office-friendly. Not wanting to confine it to my rail, I wore it to work last week, this time adding in a light blue cami underneath. The contrasting colour meant the detail of the back could still be shown in all its glory, plus it added a whole new dimension to the dress - without looking inappropriate. 

Sunglasses: ASOS

Blazer: PrettyLittleThing

Top: COS

Culottes: Zara (similar)

Shoes: Zara 

This is a look I wore to the office last week when I was trying to dress for that tricky in-between season we call April. Relaxed tailoring is one of my go-to looks for work; it's smart but not overly so and comfy enough for a long day of meetings and sitting at my desk (especially with these glorified slipper shoes). 

Sunglasses: ASOS

Dress (worn as top): c/o PrettyLittleThing

Jacket: c/o SheIn

Jeans: ASOS

Flats: ASOS (similar)

I love that feeling when the sun comes out and you can fully ditch the winter coats for something a lot more lightweight. This faux suede jacket is one such piece (find similar here and here); warm enough for that early spring weather, it's still really light and easy - plus it adds a little something extra to my usual uniform of all-black . 

Dress: & Other Stories

Trousers: Zara (similar)

Shoes: Zara 

Last weekend I headed into Manchester for some much-needed retail therapy - and an even more needed hair cut. In stepped Red Angel Hair on King Street; a relatively new salon that's opened up in the city centre following the success of its Altrincham counterpart. I'm always a bit apprehensive about going to a new hairdressers, worried that they'll convince me to step away from my usual and I'll end up with a very unforgiving bob (and not the cool kind). 

Suffice to say I needn't have worried as the team - and salon - were completely lovely, delivering what I'd asked for whilst giving me some worthwhile advice on looking after me hair. It was a freshen up, rather than a radical style change but I'm really happy with how it looks, and how thick and healthy it feels - and It's definitely a place I'll return to. 

Sweatshirt: Topshop

Jeans: Weekday

Shoes: Zara

Sunglasses: ASOS 

There's nothing easier (or comfier) than throwing on a sweatshirt, your favourite pair of jeans and opinion-dividing slipper shoes. This chevron print sweat from Topshop is perfect for this time of year, when it's still too cold for a t-shirt or light top, but too warm for a full-on knit. I love how the contrast of the black turns it from basic into stylish, while the slouchy loose-fitting shape makes it the ultimate choice for those casual, effortless kind of days. 

Scarf: Hermes

Blazer: c/o PrettyLittleThing

Top: T by Alexander Wang

Jeans: Weekday (similar)

Shoes: Zara (similar) 

Sometimes I overlook those classic pieces or outfit combinations, but revisiting them makes me fall in love once again - and reminds me why they're classics. The black blazer, for example, which I've been throwing on a lot lately - having not really worn a blazer since 2012. Or the timeless Hermes silk scarf which will stay in my wardrobe for a lifetime, worn as a neckerchief to give it a contemporary twist.