Coral Flamingos

Sometimes I love to return to past outfits and wear them exactly the way I did before. Sometimes it's nice to be able to recreate outfits I love, instead of constantly looking for new ways to wear them. Why fix something that ain't broke?

Today's outfit is one I've recreated a few times since I first wore it and gave it its blog debut in 2012. Wait a minute- has it really been two years since this outfit post?! Woah! It was the first or one of the very first times I showed my face on the blog, and I was absolutely terrified! I've no idea where those two years have gone, but I still love the dress and outfit I am about to show you!

Two years ago, I bought this flamingo print dress in two colours from Dorothy Perkins because I fell head over heels in love with the print; I'm a sucker for flamingo prints, and I just couldn't resist them. The other dress is exactly the same style, except it's cream with a navy flamingo print.

To this day, I still think they were both great purchases, even though the cut is a bit weird. The waist is too high up and as a result, it's a little odd-fitting around the boobs. (Yet still baggy, as usual). I wasn't the only person who found the fit to be less than perfect and I can only conclude that a mistake was made in production. If the waist was an inch or two further down it would be better but it never bothered me enough to return the dresses. I love(d) them too much. 

That said, I definitely don't wear these dresses as often as I should and need to make an effort to wear them more often. I tend to save this one for beautiful hot summer days, because it's so summery!

This dress is pale blue with a pattern of bold coral flamingos all over it, and the swishiest circle skirt. I always have to play with it whenever I wear it! The five year old in me just longs to twirl! I like to dress it with coral and turquoise pieces, and always seem to gravitate to my coral Lovedrobe shrug, a turquoise patent belt from Dorothy Perkins, and a very old pair of coral peep toe sandals from Evans. I like the way they all look together. I'd usually wear it with my flamingo locket which has a pearl chain, but it's needs repairing, and I have an old turquoise bangle that goes perfectly with it. This time, I decided to mix it up just a little and added my seaside themed charm bracelet from Abilu Creations, a lilac macaron ring from And Mary, and my coral saddle bag from Accessorize. I'm sorry to tell you everything I'm wearing is old. 

I've probably had these sandals for at least eight years, if not a decade. They're still in pristine condition because I've not given them regular wear, but I still love 'em all these years later. 

Here's a closer look at the pattern, and my coral shrug. The flamingo print is one of the best flamingo prints I've ever seen; I think it's absolutely perfect. The shrug is a little baggy, but it's got the cutest scalloped edging and the colour is so summery.

I bought this charm bracelet in Camden Lock Market several years ago, from an independent brand called Abilu Creations. I have a few of their unique accessories, which are all made by hand using cute and quirky charms (many of which are vintage), and are finished with their signature guitar plectrum. This particular bracelet is sea side themed, and there are some great charms on it including a lighthouse, starfish, fish, and shells. I assume they still have a stall just outside the indoor Lock Market in Camden (which is just over the canal), but it's been a few years since my last visit there. They also have a website now, which is well worth a browse! 

My macaron ring is by a brand called And Mary, which I bought off ASOS last year. It's on an adjustable band, and isn't it just the cutest ring you've ever seen?!

My coral saddle bag is by Accessorize, and is another purchase from 2012. I love to wear it with my favourite summer outfits, because it's so bright and cheerful.

Outfit Details

Dress-Dorothy Perkins // Shrug- Lovedrobe (similar) (similar)  // Shoes-Evans // 

Bag-Accessorize (similar) (similar) // Ring-And Mary (similar) // 

Bracelet-Abilu Creations (similar) // Belt-Dorothy Perkins

I will never be one of those people who wears everything just once before moving on to the next one. I love to wear my favourite pieces over and over again until they fall apart, and always shop with the intention of getting lots of wear out of my purchases. I can't afford to buy a new outfit for every day of the year, and to be honest, even if I could, I doubt I'd want to. I enjoy revisiting old favourites from the collections I've built up over the years and some of them, like this ensemble, have the power to make me feel happy time and time again. And that to me is a sure sign of a great outfit!

Do you wear some of your outfits again and again, or do you prefer to move on and never look back?

Stripes, Dots, and Bunting OOTD

Hello lovelies,

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll probably be aware that two things feature prominently in my wardrobe and style: dresses and prints. (The third is colour). I have dresses in all kinds of prints: polka dots, flamingos, birds, cats, daschunds, foxes, bird cages, florals, fish... the list goes on, but until this summer I didn't have any stripes in my dress collection.

"... but, you're fat! You shouldn't wear stripes- EVER! They'll make you look BIGGER! Only skinny girls should wear stripes. Wear this black sack, instead." Says Society.

This is the message which I've heard ten thousand times since my childhood, from media, and from my peers; something which I'm sure most of you have been subjected to on numerous occasions, too... but have I ever listened to that 'rule'? Like hell, have I! It's a ridiculous rule. And anyway, rules are made for breaking!

I've worn striped items often in the past, and own my fair share of striped tops and cardigans at present. My body shape hasn't once grown miraculously before my eyes because it was clothed in stripes... and neither will yours. I never avoid wearing stripes, I enjoy wearing them. And I actually made it my mission to buy a striped navy and white dress this summer that I could wear for a nautical look with red, white, and anchors. I managed to find one, but it's taken me until now to share it. My bad.

Well, I never did manage to find a red cardigan to create the look I'd first envisioned, nor have I added lashings of white or anchors, but I am wearing a striped dress. And a double dose of stripes. And breaking another style rule by clashing patterns. Oh, and there's bunting!

I bought the dress from Dorothy Perkins back in May or June, and I've taken outfit shots of it twice before but I was never happy with the photos. These aren't great, either, but you get the idea. The dress is a lovely thick cotton, with a fitted but stretchy waist, a v-neck, and thick shoulder straps. The stripes are horizontal from the waist up, and in chevrons below it.  While I sized up so it wouldn't be figure-hugging, I don't think this dress makes me look wider at all (if anything it makes me feel smaller). Even with a loose cardi hiding my shape.

Lacking a red cardigan in my wardrobe, I thought I'd try the cardigan my sister gave me for my birthday with the dress instead, clashing the stripes with more stripes and polka dots. It's a little big on me unbuttoned, and I wish it was a little more fitted, but I like how the two pieces look together. 

The cardigan is by Per Una at Marks and Spencers, and it was on my wishlist for quite some time as it was quite pricey for a cardigan at £35. Although, now I own it, I think it was priced fairly as the quality of it is fantastic. It's the softest piece of knitwear I've probably ever owned, and it's so thick and warm. It's like wearing a giant hug. The best part of all about this dress is that it's embroidered with bunting! Bunting, of all things! It's very me, and I can't wait to wear it again, now that we're heading in to cooler weather.

I originally tried this outfit with a blue manicure, which I loved.

I dug out a couple of my most nautical inspired accessories; an anchor ASOS ring, and a seaside themed charm bracelet by Abilu Creations. It was bought from their stall in the Camden Lock Market a few years ago, and is one of a few pieces of their gorgeous eclectic jewellery I own. I tend to buy something from them each time I visit Camden, (they have a website now which often tempts me), because I just love their funky, fun accessories. The jewellery is all made by hand by a small independent business, who use a lot of vintage charms and signature guitar plectrums to create unique one-off pieces, and you can check their eclectic designs out here.

I then completely mismatched my accessories by wearing this beaded parrot Accessorize necklace. It's a few years old now, but I still love wearing it during the summer months.

Outfit Details

Dress-Dorothy Perkins // Cardigan-Per Una for Marks and Spencers (similar) // Leggings-Evans // Ring-ASOS // Necklace-Accessorize // Bracelet-Abilu Creations (similar)

I kept my make up simple with black eyeliner and one of my new red Inglot lipsticks that arrived earlier this week. I'll be reviewing them soon, but I'll tell you now- they're amazing!

What are your thoughts on wearing stripes?

Polka Dots and Flamingos

I go through phases of wearing a particular piece of clothing on a regular basis, and at the moment that's my blue AX Paris polka dot dress. I love everything about it; the shape, the fit, the colour, the length, and the design. It has everything I love in a dress, and I feel great when I'm wearing it- so it's pretty much perfect.

On Tuesday, the sun was shining for the first time in what felt like a fortnight, and it was reasonably mild outside. I managed a short intermission from confinement which resulted in a purchase of some banana scented Body Shop conditioner that smells amazing! I wore the dress with black leggings and a cardigan, but when I returned home (to my Sister's), the house was so warm I spent the rest of the day with my legs out.

I wore the dress with my cream flamingo print cardigan which I bought from George at Asda last Summer, but hadn't worn. I think I purchased it when the weather was much too hot for long sleeved knitwear, and late in the season when the design had started to look out of place. It still had the tags on and everything when I packed it to take to my sister's. It cost me just £15, and for the price it's a pretty decent cardigan. It's quite thick and warm, and the coral flamingo print is lovely.

I accessorised with my Abilu Creations charm necklace which I bought in Camden several years ago, and clipped my new Fossil View Master charm on to it, which I think goes so well with the other charms. The Abilu charms are red, pink, and silver and include flowers, strawberries, leaves, a guitar, shoes, a key, a poodle... and lots of other quirky little things. Their jewellery is all handmade, and many contain vintage charms, and I love 'em. They used to only be accessible for me on trips in to London, but they now have a website, so you can find them online here.

And I finished with a couple of faux pearl Matalan bracelets, and my rose Cath Kidston bracelet which I'm kinda obsessed with.

Outfit Details

Dress-AX Paris // Cardigan-George at Asda // Necklace-Abilu Creations // View Master Charm-Fossil // Pearl bracelets (part of a set)-Matalan // Rose bracelet-Cath Kidston //

I was hoping to be able to bring you more outfit posts whilst I've been staying with my sister, but unfortunately, I had surgery on one of my big toes on Wednesday, and the recovery is going to be a little tougher than I was anticipating. The hospital appointment was tough on my back, and I'm advised to keep off my feet with my foot elevated as much as possible over the next week, which means bed rest for me. The pain is pretty much making me immobile, anyway, but I've got a big stack of magazines to read, and lots of ideas planned for the blog to keep me occupied!

I'm not allowed to get my foot wet, but if I manage to wash my hair (somehow), I'll at least attempt to dress and shoot a few photos, but we'll see.

I hope you all have a great weekend. What have you all got planned?

Join the Navy, Join the Dots

I was very rudely awakened yesterday morning to the naughty gale force wind pixies ripping my bedroom window open as far as it would go. They've been causing havoc for about four days now- crazy!

 After I'd played a game of tug of war with the elements, successfully prevented myself from flying off to Oz, shut the window and composed myself, I realised what a lovely day it was. The sky was bright blue and flawless, and there was so much sunlight flooding through the windows. Afters weeks of snow and rain, grey skies, and murky winter daylight, it was a pleasant surprise, and it instantly put me in a good mood.

I got out of the PJs for the first time since the weekend, dressed up, played with a little eye make up, blasted out some Panic! at the Disco, and felt a little like me again. Why am I telling you this? Well, because it actually resulted in an outfit post!

I wanted to wear my new burgundy tights which I bought from ASOS last week, and in the back of my mind I thought they might work with my navy polka dot AX Paris dress. I hadn't worn the dress since last summer, (I don't know why), and I was pleasantly surprised with how well they worked together. I built this look with red, white, and blue pieces as a winter take on the classic nautical look. I really like it.

I love this dress. Some of you might remember it from last summer, and perhaps the yellow variation that also appeared in my outfit posts from time to time. The polka dot print is perfect, the dress is super soft, lined, and brilliant quality. It's fitted on the waist, and has a fabulous full skirt which I love to swish and twirl in. There's little more that I ask for in a dress. Well, perhaps some sleeves, but we can't have everything.

The tights are a gorgeous rich burgundy and 80 denier, so they're generously thick. I had never bought tights from ASOS Curve before, and wasn't quite sure what size to go for. I compared the waist sizes with other brands I knew fit me, and they appeared to be 20cm smaller to the waist than ones I usually buy. I was certain this couldn't be right, so took a chance, but ordered the largest size... three-four sizes larger than I usually wear...

Well, when I tried them on I found that the fit was almost perfect. They'd be better if they were a little bit longer, but apart from that they're a great fitting pair of tights. I'm impressed with the quality and love the deep colour. Obviously tights are stretchy, but I'd still advise sizing up if you buy a pair.

These tights were just £6.00 and can be found here.

(Apologies for the sight of my bandaged toe through the tights).

As I was indoors with the heating on, I just popped a navy cropped cardigan over the top to keep things simple.

As for accessories, I wore my AbiLu charm necklace which I bought in Camden Lock Market a few years ago. It's a handmade piece with quirky little charms on it which is finished with one of their signature guitar plectrums. You can find similar designs here.

I also pinned this little cherry brooch on to my cardigan, which my Mum made for me by hand. Isn't it lovely? I then popped a pair of cherry earrings in my ears to bring the accessories together.

I was going to show you my gold and lime green eye make up, but unfortunately I have a very obvious spot on my nose which has turned my nose red and swollen. I think I could audition for a job as Rudolph and win since it's so red. Not a good look! Maybe next time.

Outfit Details

Dress: AX Paris

Tights: ASOS Curve

Cardigan: New Look

Brooch: Hand made by my Mum.

Necklace (similar): AbiLu Creations

Earrings: River Island

So overall I really enjoyed wearing this outfit. I'm sure this won't be the last time I dress it all together. Actually, I'm certain.

How would you wear burgundy tights?

Would you wear burgundy with navy and polka dots? 

I'll be back with another post tomorrow... until then...

One step forward, two steps back...

Hey guys,

I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I'm sorry for the lack of posts here recently. My back pain has taken another turn for the worse and has been keeping me hostage in my pyjamas all week.

I began my first session of hydrotherapy yesterday (on three hours sleep). I'll admit I'd been a little nervous at the thought of being dressed in just a swimsuit in public as it'd been five years since I'd last been swimming, but I really needn't of worried. It was a small group and everybody was absorbed with their own pain. A conversation with the other lady patient in the pool did briefly have me questioning my appearance and self-worth when she confided that she had been 'large, even larger than you'. Larger than me? Was that meant to be a compliment, or was she confirming that all people see when they look at me is a large girl? I don't even think she meant to be nasty (and she was roughly my size!), but it did take me aback that she felt comfortable talking to somebody like that. She also implied pain levels were down to weight, not the fact she'd been in a motorbike accident or anything... I just kept quiet and bit my tongue, and put my energy in to the stretches.

Although the hydrotherapy experience wasn't as bad as I was expecting, the aftermath was a whole lot worse. I arrived home in a bit of a state, and attempted to put a post together before crawling in to bed, but I didn't have the energy. I ended up falling asleep while catching up on my Tumblr dash at 1am- the first time I've fallen asleep before dawn all year! I slept on and off for thirteen hours with the added comfort of a new memory foam mattress topper- (makes such a difference I swear!) but today I'm still feeling a bit delicate.

 As for outfits? I  haven't really got anything new to share with you exactly, but this is the first time I've worn these pieces together. It was the outfit I changed in to once home from hydrotherapy.

This fish print dress from AX Paris is one of my favourite dresses. It's just so unusual! It has capped sleeves, goes in at the waist, and then exaggerates the hip area with lots of draped material and big slouched pockets over the hips and upper thighs. Normally I'm not a fan of garments that add bulk, but as the shape is in proportion I like how it looks on my figure. I sized up for comfort, but I really needn't of. The pattern looks like little fish crackers, and being a fish enthusiast I couldn't resist! I also have the dress in yellow with a bird print.  (Please excuse my uneven face- it's a combination of freckles and a dislike to pool chemicals!)

You've seen me wearing the dress before, but this time I dressed it with a navy cardigan and purple leggings (although I wasn't happy with my legs in the photos so I cropped them out). I also have a navy bow bag on my shoulder in the top pic.

Just keep swimming...

I would wear the dress with my lovely blue shoulder-bag if I was out and about for the day, as I think the soft faux leather and colour work nicely with the fabric of the dress. I bought this bag from Accessorize a year or two ago and used to use it for work quite a lot.

It has a dark floral lining.

I dug out one of my Abilu Creations charm bracelets which I bought from the stall in Camden a few years back, but she also has a website now. The jewellery is all handmade and designed to have a vintage rock feel. Many of the charms used in her designs are also vintage, which I'm sure I was told the little Pepsi can charm is, and each piece is finished with a signature guitar plectrum. I was won over by the quirky, retro look the moment I laid eyes on the stall. I bought this bracelet along with a necklace on my first visit, and a seaside themed bracelet on another shopping trip. I specifically chose this bracelet as I loved the pepsi can!

Along with the bracelet, I accessorized with my owl brooch (I love owls!), my anchor ring, and my little purple rose earrings. A random mix, but I liked it! I've had the brooch and earrings for a couple of years now.



 I was also wearing these two nail colours (red on the fingers, purple on the toes), which I picked up on the ASOS website for just £2.00 each on the weekend. The bright red Barry M nail polish is my all time favourite, and I just had to order a new bottle when I realised how gloopy the one I owned had become. I've been wearing this colour regularly all through my twenties and I love the colour more and more as time goes on. It's become my signature nail colour. I haven't used Rimmel nail polish since my teens, but I was impressed by how well it managed. It went on easily, dried smoothly, and only took two coats to get an even colour- not bad for a couple of hundred pennies!

Dress: AX Paris

Cardigan: New Look

Leggings: New Look

Bag: Accessorize

Bracelet: Abilu Creations

Brooch: Accessorize

Earrings: 99% sure they're Accessorize

Nail Polish: Barry M and Rimmel via ASOS

I promise to try harder to post regularly again. I really will.  I have actually been around catching up on other blogs and working on improving my own. It's still a work in progress, but hopefully when I'm done Polka Spots and Freckle Dots will be nicer to look at, more organised, and easier to navigate. Let me know what you think so far, and if there's anything you'd like to see more of from me here in the future. I do have a few ideas for future posts, but I'm open to opinions and suggestions!

Night guys,