Polka Spots and Freckle Dots

Monday, 29 February 2016

What I Wore | Red And Green Should Never Be Seen

I've finally managed to take some photos of myself wearing my green polka dot Lola dress from Dolly and Dotty, and, as promised, I've recreated the outfit I wore on Christmas Day (minus a couple of festive accessories) for it's outfit debut.

I might look ridiculous dressed in red and green in February, but I like this outfit, so what the hell. We can always pretend it's an early St. Patrick's Day ensemble! (Even if I do look like a Christmas elf...)

Before we start, I'm sorry for the quality of today's photos; I took these on a rainy day, and my camera apparently didn't want to focus properly. Still, I figure they're better than nothing, though, right (?) since outfits are so scarce here these days! I hope you don't mind too much.

I bought the dress back in December, just after I discovered rockabilly brand Dolly and Dotty for the first time. I don't know how I'd never heard of them before (where have I been??), but I instantly fell head over heels in love with this dress and had to get it to wear on Christmas Day. It was not only my idea of the perfect Christmas dress, but the perfect green polka dot dress, too, which is something I'd been hunting for for years. (Green's my favourite colour, and you guys know how much I love polka dots, but good green polka dot dresses aren't as easy to find). I didn't need any more persuading, but the fact that the dress was only £14.99 on sale just sweetened the deal, and I snapped one up straight away.

It turned out to be even more perfect in the flesh- great-quality medium-weight cotton, very well made, beautiful colour, gorgeous design... practically perfect in every way, apart for one little detail- the sizing. My usual size swamped me, so I had to exchange it for a size smaller, but I'm happy to say that one fits me like a glove. So, size down with the Lola dresses, if you can (they come in UK sizes 6-24); the cut is very generous, and the fabric has some stretch, even at the waist (which is fitted). I should add it also has a zip to the back, but I can still get the dress over my head without unzipping it.

The colour is much darker and bolder than my photos show, more like a dark apple green. For some reason my camera won't capture the colour properly indoors or outdoors, but the colour in the stock photos is pretty spot on. If green isn't your thing, the Lola dress also comes in sixteen other colours, so there's an entire rainbow of Lola dresses to choose from! I love this dress so much I'm hoping to collect a few more of the colours over time, especially the teal, brown, yellow, and red. At just £27.99 each, a little collection of Lola's will hardly break the bank, so I think I can justify it! They even come with two free fabric belts (one matching, one plain) that actually fit, and a Dolly and Dotty red canvas bag. which is such a cute touch, and a bargain for the price. The dresses cost a little less than similar ones from Lindy Bop, and a lot less than those from Lady Vintage, but the quality is just as good!

I've worn this dress a couple of times now, and I absolutely adore it. I only wish I'd found it sooner. It got it's first wear on Christmas Day as I'd planned, which I wore with all of the pieces I'm wearing in today's photos- red cropped cardigan, red belt, toadstool brooch, rose bracelet, and ruby red slippers- but in addition, at Christmas, I accessorised it with a bauble-shaped clutch bag, cherry earrings, and a ring or two as well. I thought that was a bit OTT for a dreary February morning, so I kept things a lot simpler- although looking at these photos, I think the outfit could've done with a necklace to break the fabric up a little.

What I Wore

Dress- Dolly and Dotty // Belt- Dolly and Dotty (came with the dress) // Cardigan- M&CO

Shoes- Evans // Bracelet- Cath Kidston // Brooch- Cath Kidston

It was a really fun outfit to wear, even if I looked ridiculous wearing these colours together at this time of year. I don't care; life's too short to live in black and white. You can be sure that I'll be wearing this dress with lots of other colour-combos as we go in to Spring and Summer. Who knows what colour palette I'll go for next!

I have a feeling this won't be the last dress I buy from Dolly and Dotty or the last you'll hear about them from me!

Have you treated yourself to anything from Dolly and Dotty lately?

Sunday Favourites #175

It's that time of the week again...

Bonjour / hey!

I love these colourful fruit-themed prints by Christopher Dina.

Amazing colourful make up from Karla Powell.

Amanda's yellow gingham dress is perfect. I need some yellow gingham in my life.

Nicolette Mason's capsule collection for Addition Elle is absolutely stunning.

You are better than unicorns and sparkles combined.

I'm unlikely to ever win any of these 19 small awards anyone with anxiety deserves to receive. If I ever return a phone call, or don't over-think something for decades, I might just die of shock! Haha!

This leap year cake from Lovely Indeed looks so good I want to make one, too.

These drawings are masterpieces.

Juniper the fox is adorable. Why can't I have one?? (Apart from the fact it's illegal to keep foxes as pets in England).

This wrinkly bulldog puppy is so cute!

This illustration made me chuckle.

I love these sweet illustrated prints by Kathryn Selbert, especially the hedgehog / hot cross buns design. How cute?

Louise's Lovely Links

♥ Jes wrote a brilliant, informative post on why we love to mock, laugh at, and hate on fat bodies.

♥ Vicky wrote a fantastic piece about being stereotyped as the funny fat friend.

♥ Jemma wrote a thought-provoking post on the power of blogging and social media. I also loved her post about making your blog photos stand out.

♥ I loved reading about Kaylah's trip to the long neglected Mount Moriah Cemetery. Her photos are beautiful.

♥ Char's collection of poodle-themed shoes is amazing.

♥ Mandy shared her 30 prop ideas for blog photos.

♥ Natalie wrote a really interesting post on how to make your own eco-friendly cloth sanitary pads. (Sorry if that's TMI, guys!)

♥ Gemma's flamingo-heeled shoes are the thing of dreams.

If you'd like to see more of the images that inspire me each week, why not give me a follow on Pinterest and Tumblr?

Thanks for reading! Have a good one.

Wednesday Wish List

I must be eagerly looking forward to Summer because this week's wish list is mostly made up of bright colours, summery prints, gingham, fruit designs, flamingos, and the most adorable picnic-themed brooches. I have to say, it's so good to see so many bright and cheerful pieces beginning to flood the shops and websites after six months of Winter fashion and the same rich, dark colours. Don't get me wrong- I love jewel colours and cosy knits, but you just can't beat Summer brights and Summer fashion!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15

16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 // 28

What's on your wish list this week?

Which of these do you like best?

If you'd like to see more of the pieces that have caught my eye lately, check out my style wish list boards on Pinterest.

My Mystical Wonderland Adult Colouring Book Review

It's no secret that I love to de-stress with a good adult colouring book. I've talked about my love for the pastime several times over the last year or so, and have reviewed a few of the colouring-books I've enjoyed, too. I still enjoy colouring-in regularly, so naturally, when Plexus got in touch and invited me to review a new adult colouring book called 'My Mystical Wonderland', I jumped at the chance.

My Mystical Wonderland* is a beautifully illustrated colouring book, filled with 101 magical pictures that are just screaming to be brought to life with colour. The illustrations follow a mystical, fairytale theme with page after page of magical unicorns, fire-breathing dragons, painted peacocks, and noble stags. There are even more pages of flowers and trees, toadstools and feathers, and all kinds of wonderful animals, which together create a mystical fairytale world in black and white. My favourite of the illustrations has to be the lion with bows and flowers decorating his fabulous flowing mane; I couldn't stop myself from getting to work on him almost straight-away!

The pictures follow the same style as the other book in the series, My Magical Oasis (reviewed here), which are outlined in black ink in a variety of thicknesses. Some of the illustrations are made up of intricate detail, and others have a lot of blank space that can be block-coloured or elaborated on with your own detail, often with a few words on the page to encourage your creativity. I think the variety helps to keep the book fresh and interesting, while providing something for every taste, and ability. It doesn't matter whether you're new to colouring-in or an old pro; whether you like simple designs or those with a lot of detail; this book has something for everybody.

Each illustration is printed back to back on good-quality, reasonably thick white paper, although the paper isn't quite thick enough to stop ink bleeding through to the other side. If you have your heart set on colouring two pictures back to back, I'd advise you use colouring pencils instead of felt tip pens. I personally love using Crayola colouring pencils because the colours are so bold, and I personally think they give the best results.

I've been busy colouring away in my copy over the last couple of weeks, and I've enjoyed every minute of it; it's such a fun colouring book to kick back with. I find colouring-in really relaxing, so I like to put my feet up, pop on a movie or some music, and colour away to my heart's content to unwind and de-stress. I find it amazing how quickly colouring-in can take away all of my worries and stress; one minute I can be so stressed and upset that I'm on the verge of a panic attack, the next, after a little colouring, I'll be calm, content, and chilled again. I personally think it's an effective form of therapy for my mental health (I suffer from depression and anxiety), and also a great distraction from the constant sting of chronic pain. and all the other mental and physical woes that come with it. It helps to have a distraction and something to channel my energy in to. (Of course, colouring is not a substitute for professional medical care and treatment, but it can definitely supplement it).

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to relax and channel your creativity, I'd recommend you get yourself a copy of My Mystical Wonderland* and a pack of colouring pencils pronto. It's a fantastic adult colouring book, and with 101 beautiful pictures to colour in, it will provide you with entertainment and enjoyment for many months to come. If you love fantasy, animals, and nature, this is the colouring book for you.

My Mystical Wonderland is available to buy from all good book shops. Find it on Amazon and Waterstones here.

Have you got yourself a copy of My Mystical Wonderland yet? Do you enjoy colouring-in in your spare time?

Colouring book reviews you might also like

My Magical Oasis

Millie Marotta's Animal Kingdom

Zen Colouring Winter Wonderland

*This colouring book was gifted to me by Plexus in exchange for a review. As always, all words, opinions, and photos are my own.

Sunday Favourites #174

It's that time of the week again...

Pineapple shoes!

I love these simple flamingo printables.

Amazing rainbow hair.

These David Meowie nail decals are awesome. Nat, they made me think of you!

These illustrations from 'Skinny Andy' are adorable.

Rosie the kitten was found on the brink of death at just three weeks old and was nursed back to health by Lilo the husky and her two husky pals. Now over six months later, the four animals are inseparable, and obviously, that's the cutest thing ever!