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

40's Fashion for Women

Not 40s' as in this (although that's a mighty fine looking tailored coat)

But fashion as in these lovely ladies who post frequently on the Avenue 57 outfit sharing website.  I am inspired daily by their looks. Not ALL women are 40, some are approaching but I think what the below shows, we are getting more stylish the older we get - HOORAH TO THAT!

Dorset Fashionista

BazinC

Mrs W

Is That Really From There

Fashion 40ish

Mrs Sludge

When was the last time you popped over to Avenue 57 for a bit of daily inspiration?

Fiona
xoxo

I really want some Adidas trainers but ....

Back in the days of the naughty 90's I sported a pair of Adidas trainers - I LOVED THEM!  I bought them from Debenhams, they were men's and I can't find them now to buy again (urm that's because 15 years have gone by Fiona). They were kind of a bit like the Stan Smith, a bit like the Gazelle and a bit like the Samba - but they weren't any of these! They were white leather with navy blue stripes and I wore them to death for over 10 years!

And now I want some more but I'm not sure I want Stan Smith's or Gazelle's or the Samba. I kind of want one of each and all elements of each of them rolled into one WHICH IS WHAT I HAD WAY BACK THEN!

Inspired originally by Frances over at School Run Style

And then over on Pinterest

Here is my shortlist

Honey Stripe Low Shoe £47 - this is the closest in style to my originals that I can find. I'm REALLY tempted.

Adidas Stan Smith Original - £67

Decisions decisions - these or those above?

What trainers do you have? I can't quite get into the proper full on training shoe that looks like I should be at the gym or running like these (which I just love for the colour)

Nike Free 3.0 V5 (via ASOS) - £90

Fiona

xoxo

A simple skirt

I love skirts but not just any kind of skirt! I can't wear pencil skirts, I've tried and failed and each one I have bought in the past has ended up in the charity shop bin.

Here is some inspiration from Pinterest

Here is a collection of how I wear my 2 favourite skirts. Floral one is from Whistle & Wolf and the black one is Matalan.

Here I am today in my favourite New Look one. I was inspired by this look yesterday on Avenue 57.

Other skirts that I am lusting after:

River Island - £25

Topshop - £28

River Island - £25

ASOS - £14

New Look - £14.99

Do you like? Do you own? Show me!

Fiona
xoxo

So behind the times - Harem Pants

I know harem pants have been around for a long time and I have avoided them like the plague because they are 'not me' but I'm starting to wonder what is 'me' these days. There are days I don't want to wear jeans, I don't want to wear leggings and a dress some days just doesn't cut it for comfort. I want a pair of trousers/pants I can just sling on and somehow make them look like I'm not wearing my pyjama's.

Joanna from Poppy's Style looks GREAT in hers. I know hers is a jump suit and I will be blogging about those next week.

As always, Pinterest is GREAT for inspiration. The women below look amazing and I am truly inspired to dip my toe into this super casual comfortable item of clothing.

River Island - £30

Hush - £45

ASOS - £16

New Look - £14.99

Next - £20

Marks & Spencer - £18

I think the Hush ones are my favourite but not at £45. Will go and try on some more reasonably priced ones in Next.

Here I am today - 

Have a goo weekend and hope you have some exciting plans. We're off out tomorrow night for a grown up night out and sleepover - whoop!

Fiona
xoxo