Forevermissvanity - A UK Lifestyle Blogger : fashion

How to feel confident wearing prints

The older I've become, the more I've started finding my ground when it comes to my personal style and what suits my body. When I was younger I was quite self-conscious about my body and what I wore and I used to wrap myself up in all black in order to not draw attention to myself. I think there is a pivotal point in every young woman's life where you suddenly decide not to give a damn about what everyone else thinks about you and although it took me awhile, I think I've finally reached that point. Over the last twelve months, I have really experimented with my wardrobe and tried clothes that I never thought would suit me. I have developed my own individual style comprising of daring vintage pieces with modern, elegant twists. I used to be someone who used to shy away from colour, now I can't get enough of it and when it comes to prints, the more vibrant the better.

Inspired by new vintage Liberty of London skirt that I found in Oxfam for only £10, I have decided to put together a little guide on how to feel confident wearing printed clothing. Prints are often associated with garish 80s designs or bohemian hippies, but these days that is far from the case and out there in a vintage or high street store, there's a print to suit everybody. Autumn is my favourite time for prints as they often replicate the tangerine orange and fiery colours seen in the weather as the leaves begin to fall onto the ground. The patterns are usually a lot more subtle and the colours are often darker, which is great for those looking to test the waters and wear prints for the first time.

Select key pieces
My first piece of advice for anyone looking to wear prints is to select key pieces from your wardrobe and unless you're really confident, refrain from wearing all over patterns. Skirts and blazers are a fantastic start for anyone looking to wear prints and they can be worn up with a simple cami top or blouse to tone down the outfit.

Opt for subtle patterns
Floral and Aztec patterns are great for beginners and they come in a variety of colours, all year round. Opt for subtle, classic designs that will stand the test of time and can be worn all year through.

Muted colours
If you are just starting out wearing prints, chose muted colours such as deep reds, dark green or black and whites. The more confident you become wearing these, the more experimental you can be later on.

Accessorise
Adding accessories will draw some of the attention away from the prints if you are feeling self-conscious. Wrist jewellery will draw your attention to your arms or a striking necklace with a basic blouse will draw attention away from patterned trousers, skirts or blazers.

Sometimes it is worth paying more
Sometimes it is worth paying a little bit more for a piece of clothing if it is patterned because the more time that is invested in your item of clothing, the more attention to detail there will be in the design. This is important when it comes patterns as the more expensive the item is, the easier they are able to add finer details that really enhance a piece of clothing compared to going for a larger, generic pattern. If you are worried about investing money into clothing that you are unsure you will wear, you can always look through charity shops and try to find similar items for more purse friendly price.

How do you feel about wearing prints?

The transitional period between the summer and autumn months can be a somewhat awkward time for fashion as the weather is so interchangeable and it's hard to prepare for the day ahead. You need to dress warmly for if the weather is cooler, but still, need to factor in that there might be some humidity in the air. Today I've decided to put together just a few of my top tips on how to smoothly transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn and look stylish and elegant whatever the weather.

Invest in floral dresses

Floral dresses are great for the in-between stages of summer and autumn as they are comfortable, light and airy and can be worn with bare legs for when the weather is warm and with thick, chunky tights for those cooler days. There are so many floral dresses on the market with a large variety of prints that are perfect for your wardrobe all year round. I love this Warehouse painted Meadow dress because it features lots of yellow and pink tones making it a great piece of the summer, but the base is a beautiful autumnal khaki colour.

Add a pop of colour

To stay vibrant in the summer, but also brighten up your autumn wardrobe consider investing in bright, colourful clothing with autumnal reds, oranges and yellow tones that depict the colours of fall - crisp yellow and orange leaves and roaring amber fires. This feminine Victorian Tie top yet again from Warehouse would be a great asset to your autumnal wardrobe.

Grab a pair of staple skinny jeans

Skinny jeans look great all year round as they accentuate your curves and look great with almost anything you pair with them, from a pair of cosy winter to boots to sandals during the summer. Dark blue denim jeans are great for the transitional period betweens summer and autumn because they are not as harsh as black skinny jeans on your skin tone and will make you look warmer even if the weather isn't at its best.

Boots are your best friend

Ankle boots are great all year round and right now there's so many to choose from. Look for a pair of statement ankle boots that would look great with a skater style dress for summer, but also look great teamed up with a pair of your favourite jeans. My favourite ankle boots at the moment are these Tiger Black suede boots from Kurt Gieger.

Accessorise your outfits

Finally, one of the easiest ways to adapt your wardrobe from summer to autumn is to invest in more autumnal accessories such as warming gold jewellery and handbags in burgundy, navy, khaki and coffee or hazel colours. This Michael Kors Sloan leather handbag would be a great addition to anyone's summer to autumn wardrobe.

Have you started buying your autumn clothes?

*collaborative post

We live in a society where people love labels and adore designer clothing, yet not everyone can afford such extravagance. Spending £1000 on a coat or handbag may seem very little to some, but for others it is their entire wage and spending that level of money is unachievable. If like me you have a penchant for finer clothing, but cannot justify loosening the purse strings, there's one way you can get designer clothing for a fraction of the price - invest in vintage. Vintage clothing is often depicted as dusty moth-bitten secondhand rags that no-one wants, but if you know where to shop, this isn't the case at all. A lot of my own vintage clothing collection receives more attention than anything I have bought on the high-street and that is because I invest in quality, timeless pieces that blend in seamlessly into modern fashion. Amongst my collection are a few vintage designer clothing pieces that I have picked up for less money than a t-shirt in Topshop.

Investing in vintage designer can be a tricky game as you need to know where to look and exactly what you are looking for. There are many levels of vintage designers - a lot of it can be out of the average persons price pocket, but some brands such as Valentino, Moschino, Burberry can be picked up for less than £100. If looking for vintage designer clothing is something you want to try, here's a few of my tips.

Research brands

First and foremost, if you are looking to build a classic vintage collection spend a few hours researching brands. Not all designer brands go under the same name as they are now, for example, Burberry used to be Burberry's until it dropped the 'S' in the late 90s and although it is not designer a popular M&S clothing line used to be called St Michael until it changed in the early noughties.

Check the labels for authenticity

Secondly, it is always worth remembering that just because some clothing is old, it doesn't mean that it hasn't been faked. Fakes have been around for decades and although it is rare, you can sometimes stumble across a vintage fake - especially in more premium designer brands such as Chanel. Always check the labels of the clothing to see if they are accurate and have a look to see if they have a serial number. One of my favourite vintage resources is the Vintage Fashion Guild. The Vintage Fashion Guild is full of vintage enthusiasts and collectors who have put together a wide range of resources that can help you date particular products and tell if they are authentic. You can also take part in the forum if you have further questions.

Ask questions

When it comes to actually buying the clothing, always ask questions to see how much the seller knows about the product. Questions you should ask are 'where did you buy it from?' and 'do you have any proof of its authenticity?'

Buy from reputable sources

When buying vintage designer clothing, always look for reputable sources. If purchasing on eBay, always look at their rating and the products they have sold previously - sometimes you will get genuine vintage dealers who know a lot about what they are selling, but in other cases you can sometimes come across people who have acquired a product they know nothing about. When buying on eBay ensure their description has plenty of information and analyse the photographs carefully. If you would prefer to buy from trustworthy sources check out the Vestiaire Collective and Farfetch.

Keep an eye out in charity shops

Finally, keep an eye out in charity shops. Oxfam have a great vintage section online and in store and all the products are authenticated before they go on sale - I picked up the beautiful Aquascutum blazer in the main image of this blog post for £15 from my local Oxfam. Similar vintage Aquascutum jackets on eBay go for triple that price and a modern day Aquascutum coat can cost £300 upwards.

Have you bought any vintage designer pieces?

Shoes can very easily make or break an outfit and they are often an overlooked part of most peoples wardrobes, including mine. I have always been a shoe lover, but my love affair with my footwear came to a sudden halt when the arthritis in my feet worsened and I could no longer wear many of my beautiful, expensive stiletto heels. Over the past few years the buzz of shopping for shoes has disappeared and I have been living in the same three pairs (mainly ankle boots) that I alternate for different occasions. A few weeks ago, EGO shoes contacted me to see if I would like to review a few pairs of their shoes and I leaped at the chance knowing that this may be the perfect opportunity to finally get me out of my style rut.

EGO shoes are an online brand that specialise in providing affordable trend-led footwear. Their website hosts hundreds of stylish designs suitable for every occasion from classy stilettos to daring mules, perspex heels for those who want replicate last years hottest trend to a variety of boots including floral ankle booties and thigh highs.

The first pair of shoes I chose were the black faux suede over the knee boots as I have lots of dresses that they would suit perfectly, including my favourite boho style French Connection in the top image. These boots are incredibly comfortable and I'm really impressed how wide fitting they are. The second pair of shoes I picked were the Ria Red floral embroidered flat mule which I equally love - they have the most beautiful oriental style design and they look great with jeans and the final shoes I picked were the Amina perspex heel in faux suede. I picked the Amina perspex shoes due to their wider heel as I thought they would be the most comfortable for my arthritis. I wore those shoes nearly everyday while I was away last week and my feet didn't even ache and they look incredibly stylish. I can't get over how great they look with all my different outfits and I know that they will become my go-to heels for nights out in the future.

Overall I'm really impressed with all my new shoes - they look great and what's even more impressive is that each pair are under £40. I will definitely be ordering from EGO again in the future and I'm finally glad to be feeling more confident about footwear collection again.

Have you bought anything from EGO before?

My favourite memories growing up were raiding my grandmas wardrobe. She had impeccable fashion taste and dressed everyday as though she was going to the theatre. She rarely left the house without her faux fur jacket and pearl earrings and her dresses always looked tailored. As a child, I would spend hours looking through the rails and donning myself with all her costume jewellery. It was those precious memories combined with my parents listening to non-stop 60s music that made me fall in love with vintage clothing. I love how clothes were much more vibrant fifty years ago, they had a lot of personality and these days these outfits hold memories that we can only dream about it.

I own quite a few pieces of vintage clothing, but it's not that obvious that I do. I style them very well so that they look rather modern and can still fit in with today's trends. I'm also very selective about the items I do buy as I'm working on building a capsule wardrobe that can stand the test of time and not get outdated really quickly. There's nothing worse than sending a piece of vintage clothing back to the depths of the wardrobe - these clothes should be celebrated. If you have pondered over buying vintage and have no idea where to start, I thought I would put together my own little guide below on how to incorporate vintage clothing into your wardrobe without looking drab and dowdy.

Less is more

When it comes to vintage clothing, less is definitely more. Purchase clothes that give a nod to the past without being blatantly obvious. There's a lot of trends that have developed from previous fashion lines, but there's also one or two fashion faux pas that could do with being stuck in the past. If you're just starting out with vintage, don't leap straight into the shoulder pads and frills.

Opt for timeless pieces

These days we live in such a throwaway culture where clothes are readily available on the high street and can easily be replaced once we get bored. In the past clothes were made to last as people didn't have as much disposable income, therefore many of the designs are rather classic and timeless. To keep your wardrobe stylish, but not have it bursting at the seams, invest in key pieces from the decades that you know fashion will always copy. For example, the 80s peplum which keeps coming back into fashion and the 40s utility dress which is always popular in the autumn months.

Mix old with new

If you're not quite ready to leap straight into another decade, try mixing vintage pieces with brand new pieces from the high street. Consider buying vintage jackets that would look good with jeans and some ankle boots or adopt for a patterned shirt that can be tucked into a high waisted skirt.

Style with designer accessorises

To add a bit more luxe to your new outfit, style your vintage finds with designer accessorises. If I'm wearing vintage I always accessorise with a statement watch, handbag or necklace and if you're feeling brave, try adding some statement earrings. Websites such as Xupes specialise in preloved designer items, you can purse anything from pre owned Rolex to second hand vintage watches. They also sell a large variety of pre loved handbags and jewellery.

Do you own any vintage clothing?

Last night I was kindly invited to spend the evening having afternoon tea with one of the UK's leading outdoor and luxury clothing companies, Country Attire to celebrate their 10th birthday.

Local to Manchester, Country Attire has built up a loyal customer base across the world. Beginning in 2006, Country Attire was the progression of an already established equestrian brand owned by entrepreneur Jenny Parker. Together with her husband Richard, the Parkers built Country Attire from their own kitchen fulfilling orders with established British brands such as Barbour and Hunter, of which they still stock today. Ten years on, Country Attire are now a much loved British brand themselves and currently stock their own label as well as luxury designer brands such as Ted Baker, Hugo Boss, Vivienne Westwood, Joules and Canada Goose. Staying true to it's origins, the brand still resides in Manchester.

During the evening we were able to preview the Country Attire A/W collection and then afterwards sit down and chat about the collection over afternoon tea. Their autumn showcase consists of lots of big brand outdoor names such as Barbour and Joules, mixed with luxury items from the likes of Ted Baker and Vivienne Westwood. There were many items that stood out to me last night and it really showed how versatile Country Attire are as a retailer, providing an eclectic mix of some of the best British brands that appeals to a wide range of customers. My favourite items from the evening had to be the wonderfully bright yellow Joules jacket which to me makes me think of autumnal walks on the British seaside, the burgundy Vivienne Westwood Angle-mania handbag and the Melissa Vivienne Westwood ballet flats.

After we browsed the collection, we all sat down for a traditional afternoon tea at the Proper Tea tearooms where the event was held. Proper tea is a tearoom opposite Manchester Cathedral which offers a traditional afternoon tea, cakes and drinks all with a modern twist. The cafe works with artisan producers and local farmers and also uses fresh herbs and honey grown in the neighbouring cathedral grounds. The vegetarian Proper Tea afternoon tea is composed of a variety cheese and hummus finger sandwiches, a collection of fancy cakes and one giant heart shaped scone that even the Queen of Hearts would be proud of. I dined with several friends who all had different dietary requesters - kosher, gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian and all of them were catered for and the staff went above and beyond to ensure all their guests had a wonderful time.

The evening was wonderful, the food was great and Country Attire's autumn collection had me falling head over heels for everything. Happy Birthday Country Attire and here's to another 10 years of Britishness!

Have you shopped at Country Attire before?

Maxi dresses are the must-have piece of clothing during the summer and this year there are plenty of styles out there to get you feeling body confident and ready for your holiday. Whether you're taking a mini break or sailing off on cruise, a maxi dress should be one of the first things you consider packing alongside your passport. They are breathable - making them great for hotter climates, maxi dresses can be dressed up or down for any occasion saving you space in your suitcase, they are easy to slip on and off at the beach and last, but definitely not least, maxi dresses are an affordable way to look elegant. Here's a few of my favourite maxi dresses from House of Fraser.

1. Biba Printed Jersey Maxi Dress was £89.00 now £62.30

This Biba printed jersey maxi dress features a strikingly bold tropical print with a seductive neck tie and low scoop back. It can be worn dressed up with heels at a fancy restaurant or with flats at the hotel bar overlooking pool.

2. Mela Loves London Aztec Print Maxi Dress was £25.00 now £12.

This Mela Loves London dress is an absolute steal at £12 and features adjustable straps and an elasticated back. If you're looking for a casual maxi that still delivers in style, this is the dress for you.

3. Eliza J Halter Neck Maxi Dress was £140.00 now £95.00

If you're looking for something a little bit special that stands out from the crowd, look no further than this Eliza J Halter neck maxi. The print on this particular dress makes me think of the 1960s pop art with the cream and red colour combination and the variations of polka dots.

4. Wallis Petite Paisley Metallic Maxi Dress was £48.00 now £30.00

This Wallis paisley metallic dress almost looks oriental with it's carefully woven fabric detailing and the contrasting red and cream colour scheme. This slimline dress would look great worn with a pair of tan sandals.

Have you purchased a maxi dress this summer?

Finding a decent size clutch that not only has a lot of space, but also looks stylish can be very hard to come by and if you're packing hand luggage for a quick weekend away, size is everything. I admit, I'm one of those people that tends to hoard items in their handbags - the last time I cleaned one of my handbags out I found three full sized perfume bottles and 10 lipsticks, so tiny clutch bags and I don't get along. When it comes to clutch bags, I need something that will fit more than a just a credit card.

Fibre and Hide is a UK based design studio founded by award winning textile designer Geri Copsey. Each item is delicately woven by Geri in her Yorkshire-based studio using yarns which are dyed in the UK and spun from natural fibres for a more sustainable, economical product. The studio specialises in designer clutches and purses and I was kindly asked a few weeks ago if I would like one. As I love championing British products and local designers, I was eager to try one of Geri's designs and from the moment it arrived, neatly wrapped in the Fibre and Hide luxury handmade packaging, it was love at first sight.

The clutch I received was the large Leyburn hand woven clutch bag with leather back which retails at £130.00. The moss green, cream and navy geometric fabric has been handcrafted with perfection to give a versatile and timeless design, perfect for any occasion from leaving the office to after work events. The Leyburn clutch has an ample amount of space perfect for housing all your night essentials such as makeup, a decent sized purse, a phone and even a small bottle of perfume. The streamline envelope style of this particular clutch makes it perfect for taking away on holiday as it takes up very little room in your suitcase. Overall, it's a perfect all rounder and a great accessory for all year through. As someone who isn't usually a fan of clutch bags, this one may have converted me.

Do you often struggle to find a decent size clutch bag?

I love summer, the weather is warm, (most of the time) the fashion is better and everyone looks chic in their oversized sunnies. I also love the colours that the season brings from the baby blue hues of the sunshine skies to the baby pink cherry blossom sprouting in the trees. If you're skin tone suits lighter, brighter colours like myself, summer is the best time of year to dress up and invest in a new wardrobe.

Most of my clothes shopping takes place in the summer as I'm a big fan of pastel colours, white lace and wearing cropped leather jackets. As I like to travel a lot too, I find that summer is a better time of year to buy clothes that are European city break friendly.

It has been awhile since I've done a 'Sunday Style' post, mainly due to the bad weather in England and secondly because my confidence took a temporary dip after gaining a few pounds from ill health. It's hard when you have a chronic illness to look in a mirror some days and see the 'ghost of your former self' never mind look into the lens of a camera, but after buying some clothes which have given me a confidence boost and the sunshine being out, I decided to embrace the weather and take a few snaps.

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you will know that I have been wanting this little faux leather jacket from Zara for quite some time now. I initially had a few reservations as one size was too small, but the next size up was a little bit big and I was worried it wouldn't look quite right, but after a week or two of making my mind up, I finally purchased it. This little jacket from Zara is a great investment piece and a wonderful new addition to my wardrobe. Leather jackets are incredibly versatile and will go with almost everything from skater dresses to midis, jeans and t-shirts to even a pair of leather look skinnies in the winter. If you have always wanted a leather jacket, but have felt they look a little bit too masculine for your figure, this particular jacket available in blue, pink and yellow is a great way of adding a splash of feminine colour into your wardrobe and it's lighter on the complexation than the standard black leather jacket. I have teamed this up with a dress I bought from New Look approximately three years ago for a summery, feminine yet cool look.

Since the weather has been incredibly nice, I've finished off this outfit with my new Marc by Marc Jacobs* sunglasses from the Sunglasses Shop. I love owning a pair of good quality frames and these oversized cat eye style sunnies really suit my face shape as well as protecting my eyes with the UV400 lenses. UV 400 lenses offers one of the highest levels of protection from sunglasses, preventing eye exposure to UVA and UVB radiation and protecting your eyes against light rays as small as 400 nanometers. Good quality sunglasses can be quite expensive, but these Marc by Marc Jacobs frames are only £99 from the Sunglasses Shop and that is £10 cheaper than elsewhere on the market. So if you have a penchant for designer frames and getting a bargain, the Sunglasses Shop is a good place to look.

What summer fashion have you been investing in?

Last week I headed over to Manchester for the evening to catch up with some friends and to attend the MyBag SS16 collection preview held at Artisan. MyBag is an online fashion retailer, launched in 2010, that specialises in designer luxury handbags and accessorises. Their stockists include Karl Lagerfeld, The Cambridge Satchel Company, Lulu Guinness, Aspinal of London, Ted Baker and many of the big names, all of which are at competitive prices. As a 'handbag girl' myself and someone who is currently on the market for some new arm candy, I couldn't wait to check it out.

The first bags to grab my attention as I walked into the room were these Grafea bags in an array of bright colours. I'm not usually a rucksack type of girl, but these made me reconsider. I love how feminine they are as rucksacks are usually quite bulky and manly and the colours just scream spring/summer and festival season.

Next to catch a glimpse of my eye was this Karl Lagerfeld cream Karl & Choupette shopper. I love how spacious this bag is and the quirky design. It is perfect for those looking who follow the stories of Karl and Choupette and want a bit of Karl Lagerfeld in their lives without investing big bucks in Chanel.

Lulu Guinness have always been one of my favourite brands and I was really happy to see a few of their items on display. Although I'm not too sure whether the lipstick bag is that practical, it definitely put a smile on my face and is a perfect little accessory for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd on a night out. My favourite Lulu Guinness piece of the evening was the Amy Cross Body Bag in Light Magenta. It's just the perfect size for an evening or afternoon with the girls and the pastel pink adds a pop of colour to any outfit without being too bold and in your face.

One thing I didn't realise before the MyBag event was that MyBag also sell jewellery and watches, in particular Olivia Burton, which as you may know is one of my favourite watch makers. They only have a handful on their website right now so I'm hoping they do get a few more in the future.

Finally, the bag that stole my heart, the Aspinal of London Mayfair Croc bag. I adore everything about this bag from it's compact size, yet really spacious inside, the beautiful vintage design and the cute little clasp on the front. This handbag is versatile, it's an investment piece due to it's timeless design and you cannot deny how cute it looks. If only someone would lend me £595...

Have you shopped at MyBag before?

Have you ever looked into your wardrobe and felt like you were getting too old to wear something? This has been happening to me every other day as of late because in a few short weeks I will be turning 25. I have realised that my personal style has changed tremendously over the past few months. I find myself nearly every week going through my wardrobe and muttering the words 'too short' or 'what the hell was I thinking?' I never used to be a jeans and blouse person, but somehow without even thinking too much about it, my sense of style is now merging into an older, more mature style and I'm actually preferring it.

Long gone are the days where I would wear six inch heels I could barely walk in, wear dresses that probably my dad wouldn't approve of and where I would go out on Saturday night without a jacket. These days it is all about comfy layers, a good pair of flattering jeans and heeled, sensible booties or court shoes if I need to dress up. I have transitioned from 'just got out of university girl' to 'young professional' and I think I'm looking better for it.

My current style staples are a pair of figure hugging jeans, a smart versatile blouse that can be dressed up or down and a neutral coloured jacket or bright blazer depending on the occasion. I'm also quite partial to a leather jacket if I feel like 'rocking' things up a bit. Before my 'style reinvention' I used to be a shoe girl, but I'm all about handbags now. My closet is bursting with handbags in different styles and colours, some high-street, some designer and somehow I cannot stop buying more. I feel like a good handbag completes my outfit. My current favourite is this Carvela bag from the House of Fraser Sale at Love The Sales. I have teamed this handbag up with my lovely new Zara stripped blouse and jeans and this old blazer that I found at the back of my wardrobe.

Although no-one really looks forward to ageing, I am quite looking forward to my 25th birthday in a few weeks as I feel that I've finally reached my style maturity and I'm looking forward to experimenting with fashion a little bit more and straying away from the clothes a younger me would have once chosen. I feel more confident with the way I look now than I did at 21 and I'm ready for what the future will bring. Am I sad about turning 25? No, bring it on.

As a blogger sometimes you are asked to do some pretty fun things that you would have never seen yourself doing prior to unleashing your thoughts on the world wide web and one of those things for me was modelling. As someone who is a curvy 5ft 2 shy twenty-something year old, I'm not the sort of person who automatically screams model, but I'm all for trying new things and last week I was invited by the clothing company Joe Browns to have some shots taken in their new spring/summer collection.

Joe Brown's is an online clothing company that specialises in quality unique clothing different to the high street and their influences are taken from all over the world. Their clothing is bright, bold and colourful and in some cases, a little bit retro-inspired - all things I personally love. Their S/S16 ladies collection is very bright and floral and there's so much to choose from meaning that everyone of different shape, size and age is well catered for, including little miss 5ft2, big hips over here.

For our little blogger photoshoot, the lovely Kellie (Big Fashionista) and I were taken to Tropical World, Leeds and both of us had a few photographs taken against the beautiful tropical plants and wildlife. As you can tell in the image above, both of us had such a fun time and the dresses we choose to model were so comfortable that we could just be ourselves and have a laugh.

My favourite dress of the day was the Summer Day Dress seen in the photo above. It is a lightweight printed dress with a petticoat lining and features an elasticated waistline. This dress is just the perfect length for my height and really flatters my curves. The floral design draws attention away the bits that make me feel self conscious and the elasticated waistline helped demonstrate my smaller waist. At £24.95 it's really affordable and the dress itself has a very versatile design with florals being in style most months. The light pink and baby blue hues are perfect for the spring and summer months, while the dark navy base colour helps tone down the dress for autumn and winter.

As someone who had never previously heard of Joe Brown's before this shoot, I have to say that they have really impressed me with the quality and I'm now a Joe Brown's convert. My only discrepancy would be that sizes can vary so you need to watch out when ordering online, but that is the same for many high street stores - after all, we're not all the same shape and size and to be honest, it would be boring if we were.

Thank you Joe Brown's for such a fun day, I know where I'm getting my holiday wardrobe.

Have you shopped at Joe Brown's before?

This Pandora bracelet is one of my most cherished items and every charm represents something that has been of great importance to me. My husband bought me my first Pandora bracelet on our second Christmas together and filled it with charms that represented my personality.It was one of the most thoughtful Christmas gifts I had ever received and I couldn't wait to fill it. Unfortunately a few months later my Pandora bracelet was stolen from me on a trip to London and I was left heartbroken. For awhile I contemplated not buying another, but part of me always wanted another bracelet to store all my memories. I then bought this second bracelet a year after and have started filling it up bit by bit when something memorable happened in my life. My father bought my mum a charm bracelet when they started dating and both of them filled the bracelet with charms from the places they had visited together. I wanted to do the same with this one. I used to love playing with my mum's charm bracelet when I was younger and we would often sit down at her dressing table discussing each individual charm and where she bought it. I was fascinated by all the stories and couldn't wait to one day start my own 'memory bracelet' - well that's what I called them when I was little.

My Pandora bracelet currently has eight charms. The first charm I bought for this one was the Frog Prince as I had a strange obsession with frogs when I was younger and I bought two boxing days ago. This was quickly followed by the house charm to represent when my husband and I first moved in together and then proceeded by the 'Easter Bunny' when we bought our first pet. I then bought the irish clover as my husband is Irish and I was in dire need of luck for my driving test and when I passed my driving test, I bought the London Taxi Cab. At the time this charm was the closest to a car charm I could find. When my husband and I got married last year we both went to buy the husband and wife charm and when I went to Thailand earlier this year, I bought the Asian elephant as soon as I returned to the UK. My most recent charm is the bicycle to remind me of the lovely city break I recently took to Amsterdam.

Charm bracelets make excellent Christmas presents and they are a gift that keeps on giving as they can be added to at any time by both the owner and friends or family. As the Pandora shops tend to be really busy at this time of year, it is sometimes easier to look at different official outlets online to purchase these charms. Always remember to look for trusted retailers as there are so many fake outlets on the internet. One place that I've bought my Pandora Charms in the past is the House of Fraser Jewellery* section. They stock a large variety of the Pandora charms, bracelets and rings and as most people wouldn't think to shop Pandora at House of Fraser, you're more than likely to grab the charm you want before it sells out.

Above are a few examples of charms from the House of Fraser website that are currently on my wish list. I really need to add some colour to my charm bracelet and both of these teal blue charms would look lovely. As I've recently developed a love of travelling, I would really like a passport charm and a globe to add to my collection and two weeks ago I surprisingly won a trip to Germany next year so I cannot wait to add a new country to my existing Pandora travel collection.

Do you own a Pandora Bracelet?

British weather is always difficult to dress for and during the winter, it is worse than ever. One minute it is sunny, the next it rains and then comes a burst of blustery wind that makes your hair look like a birds nest and leaves your clothes feeling soggy and damp. Not only is difficult to find clothes to wear, it can also be quite costly topping up your wardrobe every time the weather decides to change.

Boohoo recently got in touch and asked me if I would like to take part in their 'Boohoo Winter Warmer challenge.' The challenge was to pick an outfit from the website for less than £40 that can keep you warm during the winter. I admit I spend a lot of money on clothes and when I first saw the amount, I did not think £40 would stretch very far, but when I browsed the website I was shocked to discover so many really nice items and many of them were under £25.

The one item that really stood out to me was the khaki Shawl collar belted duster coat that I'm wearing in the above image. I've always wanted a duster coat, but I've been worried that they wouldn't suit me. As this one was only £20 I thought I would give it a go and see how many times I would wear it. Since it arrived, I've barely been out of it. The coat is really thin fabric, but great for layering in winter weather and the colour is bang on trend this autumn with military style currently being one of the trends to watch. I teamed this jacket with a pair of ripped knee jeggings that were only £8 and fit perfectly and an autumnal coloured split hem jumper that was only £10, bringing the entire outfit price to £38.

Boohoo have really impressed me with their new autumn range and I will definitely be placing another order soon. I've found that the quality of clothing exceeded my expectations and I was shocked by how many items I could get for my money. If you're looking for a new winter wardrobe on a budget, Boohoo is the place to go.

Have you bought anything from Boohoo recently?

This weekend like many others around the world, I'm a Rugby widow. Yes, you heard that right. My husband has been watching the Rugby all weekend and I'm here on my lonesome, own-some blogging. Do I mind? Of course I don't. In fact, I love seeing my husband so passionate about something like I'm passionate about blogging and writing. I'm a firm believer of spending time apart from from your partner and developing your own interests. It gives my husband and I something to talk about and makes us miss each other more when we are apart. I like the fact that I can run upstairs and blog and he's happy to catch up on a few of his TV shows that I have very little interest in, then after a long hard day we snuggle up on the sofa and chat about what we both missed. I admit, I'm a solitary creature and if I don't get my one hour of alone time a day, I tend to go a bit crazy. That's why I love blogging. It allows me to relax, switch my mind off all life's little stresses and I can dream about other things and write about what I love.

What I'm currently loving is this new jacket I picked up from River Island yesterday, seriously i'm in love. I actually went into River Island to pick up a cape coat that I ordered online and it didn't quite fit, so in the end I swapped it for this little beauty. I love Khaki greens and fur collars in the autumn, it reminds me of all the seasonal colours seen around us. During my little shopping trip yesterday...well I say little, but it was quite a lot. I had just been paid and went a little crazy. I picked up two beautiful bras from Ann Summers - 2 for £30 and a gorgeous pair of boots from Office. They are online exclusive and can be ordered from the store, but someone had returned these yesterday because they didn't fit and these fit me perfectly, I'm pretty sure it was fate.

Have you done anything fun this weekend?

When it comes to shopping for clothes, I much prefer autumn and winter fashion compared to summer trends. I love all the textured clothing that comes out in the autumn, the fussy jumpers, velvet crushed dresses and fur collared coats. The high street at the moment is my type of heaven., there are lots of beautiful beige, maroon and navy colours and I'm a sucker for anything leather. The dress above is one of my recent purchases from Zara and I'm in love with. The fabric is really soft, the pattern is so 70s, it fits really well and I love the big sleeves. It's the sort of dress that can be worn on most occasions and something I'm looking forward to wearing on winter date nights with my husband.

When I was shopping in York last week, I saw so many things I wanted to buy. Above is just a few of the items currently on my wish list. Firstly I'm loving this Lipsy Fur Collar Camel Jacket. The camel colour seems to suit my complexion really well and I love anything with a fur trim. Also when I was looking in my local House of Fraser yesterday, I fell in love with this Kiko Stitch dress from French Connection. I'd love to team this outfit up with this beautiful Charlotte Tilbury Matt Revolution lipstick in Glastonberry and I've started liking dark shaders of lip colour now it is nearly autumn and finally I can see this Bardot Heeled Booties from Topshop going with pretty much everything this season.

What is on your autumn/winter wish list?

This morning I woke up to the bright sunshine beaming through my window and it instantly put me in a good mood. There's nothing better than knowing you won't be rained on if you leave the house and seeing the world all bright and shiny. I drove to the shops with my car windows down and my favourite summer music on the radio. It is days like this that I'm going to miss once the autumn weather truly sets in.

Whilst the weather was bright and sunny today, I was finally able to get an outfit post done. Yesterday I spent the day with my beautiful blogging wife Lizi shopping in York and I picked up this gorgeous black and white striped shirt from Zara. It is loose fit with roll up sleeves and it fits me perfectly, I couldn't be happier. I teamed this new shirt up with this gorgeous Borden Navy leather shopper bag from Yoshi* and these heeled boots from Daniel Footwear*.

Have you bought anything nice lately?

It feels like two minutes ago since I last did my Sunday Style post. These last few weeks have been going so fast, I don't know whether it's just my busy timetable or whether everyone else feels the same. This week has been pretty fun week and you know what they say, 'time flies when you're having fun'. My friend Lizi and I went to review a new bar in Leeds called Slate NQ on Wednesday, on Friday night I went out for my husbands birthday and yesterday I got my hair done. Unfortunately today has been spent curled up on the sofa having a bad 'RA' day. My wrists feel achy from some DIY work my husband and I have been working on and my energy levels keep dipping everyday. I've been put on some stronger tablets by my Rheumy so I'm so hoping that this fatigue and pain is only temporary. After all, I have a busy few weeks coming up including a trip to Ireland.

Today I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe that I can't stop wearing recently and items that I'm looking forward to taking on the city breaks I have booked for the near future. The dress I'm wearing is from Zara and I bought this about a month ago when I was internet shopping from my hospital bed! I bought this in the Zara sale for £12.99 and at the time I thought this was such a steal. The colour is vibrant and the dress is a classic shift dress that can easily dressed up or down and suits almost any occasion. The colour red is great for adding a splash of colour into your wardrobe in both Summer and Autumn and I can see myself wearing this regularly over the next few months. My favourite way to wear this at the moment is with my cropped leather jacket.

If you follow my blog quite regularly, you will have noticed that my hair looks considerably longer in these photographs and that is thanks to my new hair extensions from Lush Hair Extensions*. These particular hair extensions are the 18" clip in full head human hair extensions. I'm not usually one for wearing hair extensions but when I have a special occasion coming up or a particularly glam event in my calendar I love wearing them. My hair is rather fine and often lacks volume so I'm always looking for ways to make my hair look really bouncy. These hair extensions are one of the best sets I have owned. They look incredibly natural, clip in really easy and match the colour of my hair perfectly. They also feel really soft, glossy and of high quality compared to some hair extensions I have bought in the past.

The next item I cannot stop wearing is my new piece of arm candy, this beautiful wooden Jord watch* I was sent all the way from America. This watch is called the Fieldcrest Natural Green timepiece and features Citizen Miyota Quartz Movement, scratch resistant material and is also designed to be splash proof. It's the first time I've ever come across a wooden watch before and this is absolutely beautiful, you cannot help but admire the intricate carving of all the wrist strap and timepiece and I love the natural design. The watch is approximately £88 when converter from American dollars and shipping is available worldwide.

Last but definitely not least is this fantastic Ted Baker Jackie Jewel stackable ring £22.50 (originally £45.00) from the House of Fraser sale. I love the bright colour of the gems and the mix of rose gold and silver rings.

What have you been buying lately?

Wooden Watches by JORD

It has been awhile since I did one of my 'Sunday thoughts' posts and today, I thought it was about time I touched base with all my lovely readers. These last few months have been a little bit of whirlwind if I'm honest and getting back on my feet since my operation was a lot harder than expected. I still having a lot of tests to rule out what is actually wrong with me, but my life feels finally back on track. I'm enjoying sinking my teeth into blogging and work, I drove on the motorway for the first time yesterday as I bought my car just before I got ill and I have barely been able to use it and I've been invited to quite a few blogging events again that has enabled me to see all my old blogging friends. Right now the only way is up and life is finally heading in the right direction. For once I'm looking forward to what the future may bring.

Current feeling...

Today I'm feeling content. Yesterday I spent an amazing day in Manchester with my other half sampling Alchemist cocktails and having a yummy afternoon tea courtesy of Hotel Gotham. We ended the evening by visiting Thaikun a restaurant that I have been longing to visit. Today my parents came over and my father spent the day with my husband building a new rabbit hutch for my little fluff ball. We are looking at getting her a companion in a few weeks time and I cannot wait.

Currently listening to...

Cilla Black. I have such fond memories of spending Saturday night with my grandma (who sadly passed away when I was really young) watching Blind Date and my parents brought me up listening to her music. Since she passed away I've been listening to a lot of her music and falling in love with all the tracks again.

Currently wearing...

My new Ted Baker dress and Calvin Klein sunglasses. I have wanted this Ted Baker dress in the above image for so long. I remember walking into the store and it was pretty much love at first sight. I love the 1950s and this dress had such a retro vibe and when I tried it on, it fitted me perfectly. The only issue was that I couldn't afford the £169 original price tag. I waited weeks and checked every the website everyday to see if it had gone on sale. Eventually I found it on the Selfridges website last week for a much more affordable £90 and I bought it straight away. I've been teaming this dress up with my new Calvin Klein sunglasses from the Discounted Sunglasses*. Discounted sunglasses sell quite a lot of big name brands at discounted prices and if you're going on holiday, they are the perfect place to stock up on designer names and they have free delivery. I chose this red sunglasses as they looked a little bit quirky and the rounded style really suits my face shape. I love the gold detailing on the side of these glasses and they fit perfectly.

Currently looking forward to...

I have quite a few weeks away booked over the next few weeks and I'm really excited. I will be visiting Helmsley on the 23rd August, a Spa on Bank Holiday weekend, Ireland at the beginning of September and I've booked Amsterdam for October.

What's on your mind this Sunday?

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