F&F Playsuit - How I wear it ...

When F&F (Tesco) got in touch asking if I'd like to take part in their "How you wear it" blogger challenge I jumped at the chance. The brief was shorts or midi skirts with a print. I skipped off to the website to choose my item but suddenly realised that what was on offer was not for this 40 year mum of 2. No-one needs to see me in hot pants and the midi skirt does nothing for me. So I asked to bend the rules slightly and opt for a playsuit instead. These are PERFECT for the summer. If you are a busy mum like I am and you're forever on the go then I like the comfort of a playsuit (think bending over in short skirt - this problem is vanished when you're wearing a playsuit).

This is what I chose - South Beach Tie Dye Playsuit £22

Here's how I wore it

Mango - SMOKING HOT!

As you may or may not know I am on a spending ban for 6 months. I can be gifted items and I can be bought things (thanks Mum) but I will not buy myself anything from the money I have in my bank. I'm saving :-) I am kind of regretting the whole '6' month thing but I guess it's a really good challenge to set. Some people run marathon's - I simply do not buy!!

HOWEVER ... last week I was browsing online (as you do when you're on a spending ban) and noticed that Mango have changed their website - you should check it out. I defy you to walk away without drooling! The clothes/styling/looks are amazing. I bring to you a few of my 'NEED THIS' looks below. I would buy all of these in a heartbeat if I could - totally my style.

Black Ponte Skirt - £29.99

Floral Dress - £34.99

White Linen Blazer - £59.99

White Sweatshirt - £26.99

White Penny Loafers - £79.99

Red Chiffon Dress - £44.99

Scarf Print Skirt - £29.99

White Dress - £44.99

Oversized White Shirt - £29.99

Did you notice they'd changed their website? Are you a fan? What's your favourite item?

Fiona

xoxo

What to wear every day

I am far more casual when the children are off school and my only destination is the home office or the park.

I struggle to be all styled and ready for the day when I am surrounded by 5-10 year olds. I look after my friends 2 children and in return she looks after mine a few days a week during the holidays. This is so we can both continue to work on our part time day jobs without horrendous childcare fees/club prices. So far so good, the Easter hols has worked out well.

Here is a round up of what I've been wearing over the past week/10 days.

Here are a few of my favourite looks

And here I am today - totally dress down Friday today (in the office away from annoying children) - HOORAH!

Do you make an effort EVERY DAY? 

Fiona
xoxo

How to style the Next bomber jacket

Yesterday we (that's myself and 5 other gorgeous 40+ fashion bloggers) bought you 1 jacket in two colours and styled in 6 different ways on 6 women.

Today I have styled the Next bomber jacket in a few different ways. I have to say I could probably add another 15 looks but time is short today as I have my children and 2 others to watch and they're screaming at me to go to the park.

Which is your favourite? I'm finding it hard to call because I think it actually goes with EVERYTHING!

First up, stealing the layering look that Frances used for our styling shoot - LOVE LOVE LOVE IT even if I do say so myself!

This was so easy to put together and wear and I cannot wait to wear this combo for real.
Necklace - Avenue 57
Skirt - Avenue 57 (last year)
Shoes - Converse

Close up of the layers

This worked better than I thought it was going to - the dress (AX Paris) is very easy to wear and with trainers and the jacket it makes it nice and casual

Necklace - Matalan (last year)
Dress - Ax Paris
Shoes - Converse

One of my default comfy looks, sloppy jeans, stripy tshirt and trainers
Tshirt - Gap (years ago)
Jeans - Zara (at least 10 years ago)!
Shoes - Converse

This is a bit FULL ON but I really like it! I am 'in your face' red and confident here (well confident in the confines of my bedroom)! Not sure I have real confidence to wear this out. The dress is short, the legs are white and the heels are high!

Dress - Dorothy Perkins
Shoes - Nine West

I forgot just how much I loved this Me+Em dress (they have it in black for this year). I was inspired by Michelle to wear the bomber jacket with a maxi dress.

Dress - Me+Em
Necklace - Avenue 57 (on Facebook)
Shoes - Kurt Geiger via TK Maxx

The necklace works really well, I was surprised as I don't usually do long chain necklaces like this. You can buy from here - £12

This is my least favourite. I love the dress (again Me+Em) but I don't like it with the trainers. If I wasn't so lazy I might have grabbed some other heels but it was the last change of the morning and I had 4 children screaming 'when is it lunch time'?

Love the turquoise necklace, again it's an Avenue 57 special and it's really versatile - I love it! You can buy from here for £15.

Totally not me on the hanger but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. A jumpsuit from my shop, a necklace from the shop and the jacket from Next. It felt like I had my pj's on and I kind of liked it!

So do you believe me when I say this really is one of the most versatile jackets you would ever own! I didn't even start with the normal jeans, coloured jeans, patterned jeans ... I need a lie down.

Which is your favourite look?

Fiona
xoxo

Next Bomber Jacket – 6 Ways – 6 Bloggers

When asked to be part of a style challenge I'm always the first to say YES! I absolutely LOVE seeing other women wear similar (if not exactly the same) items. We are all individuals and it stands out when put side by side.

I was joined by

Avril - School Gate Style

Joanna - Poppy's Style

Michelle - My Fashionable 40s

Frances - School Run Style

Lizzy - What Lizzy Loves

We were gifted a casual quilted bomber jacket by Next (thank you). It is currently available online and comes in either grey or red. I chose the grey as I knew I'd be able to do a lot more with this colour other than red. 

Here we are side by side - I think it's brilliant to show off the versatility of the jacket on 6 very different shaped/styled women.

Here we are again mixed up a bit more.

Here I am and the final for a close up (eek)!

Later this week I will show you the jacket worn by myself in as many different ways as I can muster. I KNOW it will go with so much of what I own already and I look forward to wearing it again soon (today it's a parka and hood day as it's raining hard).

Do you own a good jacket for Spring? What style? 

Fiona

xoxo

Where to buy funky belts

I love belts, I think they totally make an outfit (same as necklace and a scarf). I always wear one (trousers fall down if I don't).

I currently own vibrant green, red, tan and a black studded one. What I don't have and do need (sadly on ban though, hopefully my Mum might read this and buy me one??!!) is a yellow, blue and animal print. The latter I am after a lot.

Here's my pick of the best funky belts online today

Gardeur Leopard Print Belt £50

Mint Velvet £45

Mango Gold and Black £29.99

Jigsaw £49 (via John Lewis)

Boden Skinny Belt - £39 Comes in a variety of gorgeous colours

Emilio Pucci via TK Maxx £49

MY FAVOURITE - ASOS Faux Pony Belt £25

Do you wear belts? What style?

Today I went for a walk in the woods with friends and stopped off at pub for lunch afterwards. 3 adults, 2 dogs and 5 kids - was a lovely morning.

Out in a bit for a night out with friends. I think it's called a drinks party but that makes me sound so old!

Have a good weekend

Fiona
xoxo

Joe Browns - a review

Who am I to turn down a free item of clothing to review? When Joe Browns got in touch to ask if I would like to select an item of their clothing from their S/S 14 range I said yes (of course)!  I had heard of Joe Browns but had never bought from them. I wanted to pick an item of clothing I would wear again and again and one that could be dressed up or down. I have to have items like this in my wardrobe as I like to play around with one item in many different ways.

At first I struggled to find something to choose. Not because there isn't a lot on the site but I wanted a dress and the first few I looked at were too short in length. The great thing about Joe Browns is they give you lots of information prior to buying so you know when you do buy you're well equipped to make the right decision.

I chose this dress 'Garden Party Dress' - £34.95 (shown here by the model on their site)

And here I am showing off in it this morning, trying different shoes/colours/bag etc - it's a VERY WELL MADE dress, the attention to detail is gorgeous, the liitle pockets and badge detail etc. MY ONLY gripe is the oversized cowl neck - I bent down to do something and it flapped back in my face! I had to then re-arrange it. I wish I could chop it off if I'm honest because this dress with a simple round neck would be (for me) the PERFECT dress. I've asked a seamstress about modifying it for me but sadly the droppy neck is attached at the shoulders. That said, it does add a nice look to the front and if you don't bend down you'll be fine! The colour is as fresh as Spring and watch this space for me wearing it lots more times over the months ahead!

Pictures please!

Shoe selfie ... The dress has lots of pretty colours that suits a LOT of different colored shoes, of which I have plenty!

But first, let me take a selfie (can't stop singing that song #chainsmokers #selfie)

I managed to ask the husband this morning to quickly take some photos - he did ok don't you think?

Casual with trainers

Dressed up with heels and an oversized green clutch

Have you bought from Joe Browns before? What do you think of my dress? Which shoes are best?
Trainers? Orange? Blue? White? Raspberry? Green? ( I could have done red or nude too)!

Fiona
xoxo

A challenge for me

Today I have decided to give myself a challenge. I am currently in the middle of a personal financial crises don't be so dramatic Fiona and as such the ability to spend money on clothes is ZILCH/NOTHING/NADA/NOT A PENNY.

I have a lot of clothes already, I believe it would equate to 3 triple wardrobes if I put it all together (it's currently in about 4 wardrobes all over the house). Therefore, I am going to make what I already own WORK for me. It will force me to wear things I've forgotten about, saving for best and make me think more about what I do have, not what I do not have.

Today is the first day and already indecision's are afoot - scarf or necklace?

Could you NOT buy anything for a long period of time? I am going to aim for (don't hold me to it!) 6 months - EEK and YIKES! Instead, I will show you how to get the most from your wardrobe on a daily basis covering all occassions.

Fiona
xoxo