Review of 2014

Let's quickly skip over the fact that I've not blogged for a very long time.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas break. I've managed to gain weight, damage my liver and lose track of what day it is. I cannot wait to get stuck back into a daily routine of kids at school, me at work and my NEW HEALTHY way of living. I need to undo all that  has been done lately so be prepared to be bored of my nutribullet pictures on Insta!

What better way to slip back into blogging with some of my favourite looks throughout the year.
I cannot be bothered to do a 'oh look at what's in the sales' post - BORING! I am totally bamboozled by the sales and I've promised myself to curb all spending as I have 3 girlie holidays to go on next year and we haven't yet planned our family summer one. Needs must, the clothes shopping has to stop.

Christmas break

Time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is the last post for 2014 as I'm busy getting ready for the big day.

Thank you to all my readers & comments throughout 2014 and I look forward to bringing you more in 2015.

I'll still be active on Facebook and Instagram over the next few weeks.

Fiona
xoxo

Gemini Fashion - Blogger event

Two weeks ago Donna and I were invited by the lovely ladies from Gemini Fashion to play dress up for the day at their shop in Stratford Upon Avon. We had our hair done by the talented staff at Matthew Curtis and make up by Space NK. We were made to feel super special all day.

The theme of the day was "party". I have few occasions to get dressed up in real life so I was so excited to be wearing such amazing outfits by French Connection, Sandwich and Hobbs. Elizabeth and Holly were our stylists for the day and were absolutely spot on with the outfits they chose for us.

The first dress I tried on was from Sandwich, which is a brand I've never heard of before, but the cut and fit was perfect. Fitted but not tight due to stretchy side panels. The open neck was really flattering too.

Sandwich Dress    Sasha London Shoes    Smith & Canova Bag

Sainsbury's 25% off

I had to pop to Sainsbury's on Friday to get some bread. You know where this is going don't you?! I bought said bread and also wine as they have a great offer on right now. 25% off if you buy 6 bottles or more and this is ON TOP OF the already discounted by 50% wine I was buying.

Anyway, I took myself off to the clothes section as they have 25% off clothing this weekend. Last time I went armed with good intentions of buying I found nothing. This time I was in luck! So much to choose from.

A quick show and tell of what I tried on:

Navy and white striped tunic £12 - I loved this off the hanger but on it was just a bit 'meh'.
I didn't buy.

Clothes shopping in Stratford

On Thursday I took the car up to Stratford Upon Avon because I'd been invited by Gemini Fashion to come and try on some party clothes they have in their shop, have my hair & make up done and have some professional photographs taken. Like the keenest kid at the front of the class with 2 hands in the air I was there like a shot (actually that's a lie because the traffic on the A34/M40 was not good in rush hour).

It was my first trip to Stratford and I knew NOTHING about it apart from the obvious Shakespeare historical reference. What an amazing town! Each of the stores (lots of independents) are housed in original 800yrs+ buildings and it absolutely adds to the feel of the market town.

Gemini is a VERY LARGE shop in Stratford. I was amazed at how big it is (3 shops knocked into one huge space). It is home to over 30 fashion brands covering formal and casual wear, accessories for you and for the home.

25% off at F&F at Tesco

Earlier in the week Tesco were offering 25% off (site wide) AND there was another 25% code floating around that you could also use! So all of the below was super cheap. They still have the 25% site wide offer running.

Here's what I bought and the finer detail of did I keep or return?!


Satin swing cami - £10 (I paid £5.25 for each with the double stacking code)
I was dithering over which colour to keep but for £5 each I'll keep them all thank you!

Wax Coated Skinny Jeans

Over on the Avenue 57 Facebook discussion group we're all in need of some wax coated skinny jeans. They are the perfect piece to take you from day to night, to wear in the day with a simple casual knit and then for the evening with heels and a smarter top.

I bought some in Oasis about 14 months ago and I have to say they are THE BEST item I own. I've worn SO many times and in SO many ways. I am on the hunt for a different colour (mine are black) because I feel so good in them and my husband REALLY likes me in them :-)!

What to wear

What to wear when you have too many clothes to choose from nothing to wear? A simple t-shirt that tells the world of your #firstworld problem!

New Look £7.99

Whistle and Wolf

In January of this year I discovered a new brand - Whistle & Wolf. I was sent a skirt to style and I absolutely loved it. See here for how I wore their amazing floral skirt. I've worn it a few times since too. It's very versatile. So when they got in touch again to ask if I would like to style a dress from their range I jumped at the chance!

It took me forever to choose because there are so many really fab dresses online. I wanted one I could dress up or dress down and this one looked like the perfect one to suit my needs.

Here's how they style it

Khaki jeans

I got my first pair from Sainsbury's a few years ago. I'd seen a fantastic pair from Ralph Lauren and with a price tag of over £100 they were never going to be mine. So imagine my delight when I stumbled into Sainsbury's way back then and found these skinny cargo pants - love love love! I have worn them to almost death and now they're on their last legs (faded/worn/go baggy very quickly).

A quick search online brings back a ton of khaki jeans. I LOVE them with tan/grey/navy/any colour and they make a change from the usual skinny jeans.

Topshop - £38 (these are technically green but still, they would look great with tan)!

Jack Wills via ASOS - £49.50 (green again but you get the gist)!

New Look - £22.99

New Look again - £22.99

Oasis via John Lewis - £32

Mango via House of Fraser - £39.99

I'd team with a fluffy cream jumper (perfect one from Miss Selfridge here), denim jacket from Next, tan knee high boots from Dorothy Perkins and a good scarf from my shop!

Fan of the khaki? How do you wear yours? Hop on over to the Avenue 57 group (closed) on Facebook to show off your daily outfits.

Fiona
xoxo

Dorothy Perkins discounts

Dorothy Perkins are one of those online retailers who frequently have offers running. Today they launch their 30% off site wide offer. They are also offering FREE delivery and returns:

 Free standard delivery on orders £30 - enter code STDEL30
 Free express delivery on orders  orders of £50 or more - enter code EXDEL50

I don't normally focus on just retailer but this is a FAB offer.

My top picks are:

Tan LEATHER knee high boots - £59.50

Oversized Tartan Scarf - £10.80

Red Lace Dress - £46.80

Grey Waterfall Coat - £58.50

Checked Shirt - £18

Cream Jumper - £25.20

Stag Jumper - £25.20

Seriously don't know how I am NOT going to buy all of the above. What are your tips and tricks to NOT spend when you WANT to spend but CAN'T spend due to finances?!

Fiona
xoxo

Are you trendy?

I can honestly say, hand on heart, I am not trendy. I don't really follow trends, I just buy what I like. I wear clothes that are 15+ years old and I don't buy that often. I wish I could say I just bought lots of timeless classics that were expensive and built to last but I don't! I shop anywhere and ALWAYS as cheaply as possible. This year has been tragic for me (financially) and my wardrobe has not been filled with many new things.

I don't even think I have a 'style' - as you can see, I wear what I want, it's not 'trendy' or 'fashionable' - it's just what I like to wear! I make an effort for sure but I don't think it's overly funky/trendy/inspirational.

Do you consider yourself 'on trend'? Do you have a 'style' you stick to? Do you make an effort more times than not?

Fiona
xoxo

Tan knee high boots

This type of boot has been like rocking horse sh** in past few years but we are in luck this year! There are a few around and I cannot tell you how many times I wear mine (only started wearing them in the past few weeks and already you can see I've worn them LOTS)! I have one flat pair and one heeled pair - I love them both equally.

Where can I buy tan knee high boots today (I fancy a pair of over the knee boots):

Next - £85

Next - £48 - BARGAIN

Carvela via John Lewis - £200

J by Jasper Conran via Debenhams - £89.25

Gabor via John Lewis - £135 (LOVE the tan suede)

Dune via Debenhams - £159 My favourite yet (if I had the funds to spend right now)

I am getting desperate that the only tan knee high boots I can find are all flat/low heels .. however .. check out these beauties. Now you could argue they're more brown than tan but I'm just taking the fact I've found a tan (ish) boot with a heel!

 Dune via John Lewis - £149

House of Fraser - £149

Steve Madden via House of Fraser - £135

John Lewis - £159

Do you have tan knee high boots? Where did you get them from?

Fiona
xoxo

Poncho loving

Sainsbury's had 25% off clothing in-store last week. I skipped there the other afternoon but couldn't find anything (much)! Don't you HATE it when you are able to buy (financially) and yet you can't find things to buy. I was literally crying that nothing jumped out at me when I hit the back of my local store and here it was .. just waiting for me to pick it up. Hello, welcome and thank you to my new chunky knit poncho! Prepare to see this OFTEN.

Where else to buy a poncho then?

Wallis - £30

The White Company - £88 (was £110)

Next - £25 BARGAIN!

River Island - £35

ASOS - £69.99

Next - £35

Phase Eight (via John Lewis) - £68

Wallis (via House of Fraser) - £30

I'd love to see how you wear your poncho. Hop on over to the (closed) group on Facebook to show hundreds of other women what you wear and how you wear it.

Fiona
xoxo

I would like via House of Fraser ..

It's rare I blog daily, let alone blog TWICE a day but I cannot not show you the BARGAINS to be had via House of Fraser brand event sale.

James Lakeland Sleeveless Pleat Detail Dress - Was £69 - NOW £22.40
I have ordered this!

The Department Pinstripe Jacket - Was £100 - NOW £15
I have ordered this, too good to miss out on!

Yumi Casual Military Coat - Was £75 - NOW £30

Head Over Heels Lexie Skater Style Trainer - Was £35 - NOW £17

True Decadence Heritage Patch Jumper - Was £26 - NOW £12

I can't even spend any longer bringing you the bargains - GET ONLINE and sort by budget and size to narrow down your bargain hunting! I always sort price low to high too!

Fiona
xoxo