Lady in red...

I fully intended to do an outfit of the day post yesterday, but I spent the day in a sorry state with a fever and stomach cramps and couldn't get out of my pyjamas. I did manage to read a lot of my book, though, (Stephen King's IT), and I'm finally nearing the end. Just 120 pages or so left of the 1400 page monster. It's been a challenge, since I didn't even enjoy reading it until I passed the 1000 page mark- which is unheard of with King's novels.

I'm thankfully feeling much better today, but my spine hasn't yet recovered from the missed medication. Thankfully the sunshine and heat have put a smile on my face today, along with a couple of my purchases arriving in the post.

Like my new ASOS shirt dress...

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you've probably heard me go on and on about how much I've wanted this dress. I've been admiring it since it landed online, and finally caved this week when it went in the sale. I wasn't waiting for it to go on sale (I almost bought it the day before it did); I just postponed making a purchase while I picked up the cheaper pieces I loved first. The dress was discounted on the same day I came in to some money, so I couldn't hold back any longer.

I personally love it, but got mixed opinions from family members. My older Sister (who is staying while she's on placement) loves it; my mother says it's "too plain for me". But that's just it. I've always wanted to own a classic shirt dress, and something away from my normal printed choices.

It's the perfect length for me, and has sleeves that sit up to half way down my upper arms (they're elasticated so move with me, as you can see in these photos they've pulled up). The waist actually has some stretch to it. I love the little details that set it apart from a boring basic: the peter pan collar, and the panel that runs from collar to hem to hide the buttons. And I also adore the colour. I think red is a colour that actually suits my colouring, but for some reason, I barely own any red clothing anymore!

A peek at the buttons concealed within the fabric. They're fully functional, as well.

I paid £22.00 instead of the original £32.00.

I don't like to wear too many accessories when the weather is hot and muggy like today. I dug out my green apple necklace, and my flower ring which my Mum informed me is actually Jade. I've had it for about five years and never realised! I'd also painted my nails mint, which matched the ring, but I didn't leave them to set long enough and wrecked them using the camera. Oops.

I'll admit I got too hot, and ended up removing the tights not long after I snapped the photos.

I think this dress is very versatile, and would work nicely with a nautical theme. I've already thought of another outfit for it involving my lovely striped satchel (on the door in the photos).

Dress: ASOS

Tights: Evans

Necklace: Miss Selfridge

Ring: From a local shop

Do you own the perfect shirt dress? Do you like to wear red?

May 31 Day Blogger's Challenge: Day 2

Today's theme for the blogger's challenge is... You Have The Most...

You're probably expecting me to say dresses aren't you? Well you'd be wrong! It's actually bags.

Shoulder bags, cross-body bags, clutch bags, satchels... I love them all. I've been buying and collecting bags since I got my first month's wages ten years ago. Actually, it's almost to the day I started my first job a decade ago! I had bags before that, of course, but I never had the money for a beautiful collection of bags in my early teen years.

Here's a peek at some of my collection. I have seven alone on the back of my door, (plus some belts), more above my wardrobe, and some stored in the landing cupboard.

Brown and green satchels- both River Island

Salmon studded shoulder bag (as beneath)- Guess

Purple shoulder bag- Morgan

Rucksack- Accessorize

Black quilted shoulder bag- Miss Selfridge

Metallic quilted cross body bag- Warehouse

Purple cross body bag (partially hidden)- Accessorize

Heart shaped quilted cross body bag (partially hidden)- Topshop

Coral saddle bag- Accessorize

Cream/tan/navy striped satchel- River Island



I'm a bit of a bag snob and really particular about what I like, but have never spent an obscene amount of money on one (though I'd like to!). I mostly shop on the great British high-street, where you can find some beautiful good quality bags for really reasonable prices. I usually head to River Island (who do amazing satchels, of which I have three), and Accessorize who always stock a large, varied collection. I do shop around, though. There are so many great accessories in our high street stores.

I'm the kind of girl who swaps over her handbags all the time, depending on my outfit, needs, and mood. It helps the bags last longer if nothing else! Whenever I purchase a new bag, I usually get remarks about how many I must already have- 'haven't you got enough?' And the answer is always 'No!' In my opinion you can never ever have enough bags! Plus I usually have a good memory or story attached to each one.

Another one came in to my possession just this afternoon... Introducing this beautiful new Dorothy Perkins clutch.

It's really roomy, unlike anything I already own, and has a real retro feel to it.

I love the envelope detail, and the pop of colour.

It came from Dorothy Perkins and costs just £15. Money well spent, in my opinion. My mother joked it would go well with my pyjamas. Okay, I can rarely leave the house right now, but I see it as a good investment. I can't take much weight on my shoulders anymore, so something light-weight I can carry is perfect.

I'd love to own a Chanel, Balenciaga, Lulu Guinness, and a Jimmy Choo bag or fifteen. I'm considering saving up to treat myself to one for my thirtieth birthday in 2015 which I plan to celebrate in New York.

What do you have the most of?

Join The Navy...

What a miserable dreary Tuesday in not-so-sunny-England! I knew the sunshine was too good to last. I'm brightening my day with a new dress and a pop of colour...

I was drawn to this dress as soon as I saw it on their website. You've probably already noticed I have a love of polka-dots and prints; I think Dorothy Perkins saw me coming this season! They sure have me wrapped around their fashionable little fingers! I've become so attached to my black polka-dot shirt dress I purchased last summer, so I didn't need to think twice about snapping this little beauty up.

The dress is beautiful, but made from a very light fabric, which so far is very static. I'm hoping it'll be fine once I've washed it. Does anyone have any tips about taming static fabric? It's also snug on the waist, so if you're thinking of ordering one yourself I'd go for a size or two above your normal dress size.

Tights- Evans

Bracelet- New Look

Dress- Dorothy Perkins

Triple-Keeper Belt- Dorothy Perkins

Apple Necklace- Miss Selfridge

The colour combination is something I haven't worn together before. The belt arrived this morning, and this outfit was a spur of the moment experiment. And I'm actually really impressed with the outcome! I've always loved bright colour, and especially drawn to deliciously decadent peacock colours like teal and turquoise. There's just something about deep hues of colour that attracts me like a moth to a flame. I also really adore green, but tend to confine that more to eye make up.

I'm glad to report my replacement jumpsuit arrived this morning in great condition. Well you know what they say, 'third time's a charm.'

I'm thinking about posting a 'what's in my bag' post soon... what do you think?