Fashion Archives - Page 11 of 11

Prom Outfit Ideas 2015

27/04/2015 by Louise 25 Comments

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and I’m sure that many of you will be starting to think about what you’re going to wear to Prom. Today I thought I’d put together 5 outfit ideas that I would love to wear if I were lucky enough to be heading to an event like that this year. As always, I hope you guys will like them!

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The first outfit I’ve put together I definitely think screams ‘glamorous event’. It consists of a sequinned rose gold maxi dress with a zig zag pattern from Quiz, which has flattering V-neck and open back for added glam! I then paired it with some super stylish nude heels from Office, with a single strap at the toe and an ankle buckle fastening.

I felt that this look needed minimal accessories, so I chose a matching rose gold envelope clutch from Next and a gorgeous rose gold plated Riva Diamond Hoop Ring from Monica Vinader. I think they compliment the dress beautifully.

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Next up, I found this gorgeous cream and black embellished dress from Little Mistress. I just love the bustier detail on it. I would pair this with some black strappy heels that I have in my collection. They’re from New Look and are the most comfortable pair of shoes I’ve ever owned, despite having a 4 inch heel! The first time I ever wore them I was on my feet for a good 3-4 hours and I didn’t complain once … Nathan was really impressed.

Again, I don’t think this dress needs too many accessories to go with it, but I’d add this glittery box clutch from ASOS to jazz it up a little more, and a gold captured heart ring from Pandora.

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Black cocktail dresses are perfect for prom as they can make you look instantly slimmer and give you a major confidence boost. This one shoulder chiffon cocktail dress from Cheap DressUK really caught my eye because as well as being absolutely stunning, it is also made-to-order, so you can be sure that it’s a perfect fit! I think a simple, yet elegant pair of strappy sandals like these ones from Office would compliment it wonderfully.

With a dress like this I think it’s alright to go a little more OTT with accessories, so I chose a black clutch bag from Kurt Geiger, which has a ‘dazzle’ effect on the closure, a pair of stunning Riva Diamond Hoop Earrings from Monica Vinader and a statement knot cuff from Jaeger, which is actually made from polished brass!

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If you’re after a more affordable outfit for prom than the ones I’ve put together above, I would look no further than high street stores Quiz and New Look. Blue cocktail dresses uk are a great alternative to black, and one that I am loving right now is this little aqua number! It is made from a beautiful mesh fabric, and features a ruffled skirt design. The bodice has an intricate sequin embellishment over the mesh to give it a burst of glamour… this dress is bound to be an eye catcher!

I think that silver goes really well with aqua, so I would add a pair of sparkly court shoes with a cut out detail on them and a silver Czech Diamante Stretch Bracelet, then mix up the colour just a little by carrying a cream pearl flower box clutch.

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And last but certainly not least, I went for a maxi panel dress by Wal G. It is actually a mini dress, with long panels down each side so it looks more like a maxi. It’s a very simple, yet clever idea, and it looks really glam! If I was wearing this to an event I would definitely wear a nice pair of nude platform shoes with it, like these ones from boohoo.

To accessorize this dress I went for an elegant looking satin clutch bag from Quiz, a stack of beautiful entwining silver rings and a pair of statement stud earrings with blue crystals, both of which were from Pandora.

And there you have it, 5 outfit ideas that are perfect for prom this year. I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.

Are any of you guys off to prom this year?
Why not let me know in the comments section below?

Thanks for reading.

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*Post contains paid links

Tween Outfit of the Day – Crazy for Coral

20/04/2015 by Louise 32 Comments

Recently my tween daughter Stacey has been lucky enough to fill her wardrobe full of nice, new Summer clothes, so we thought we would create some ‘Tween Outfit of the Day’ posts so she can show you what she’s been rocking!

We’re starting today with a colour that both myself and Stacey are a little crazy for at the moment (if you read my post on Festival Outfit Ideas last week then you’ll probably have realised this already) … coral.

Coral Tops
Layering has been a big thing for years now, and it never seems to go out of fashion. I love that these two Summer tops that my mum bought Stacey for Easter this year are perfect for layering, and look great both together, and with other items of clothing from her wardrobe.

The knitted top that Stacey is wearing is absolutely stunning. It’s a lovely, bright coral shade, but it has tiny flecks of white running through it as well. It has short sleeves and is a cropped style, which is why Stacey likes to wear it over the top of a long vest.

The vest top that Stacey is wearing underneath is just a basic, solid colour one that is slightly longer than the ones she usually wears. I want to get her a similar one in white as well, as I think the knitted top would look fab over a contrasting colour.

Both pieces are from the Young Dimension range at Primark.

Coral Top – Primark – £5.00
Coral Vest – Primark – £1.50

Denim Shorts
Stacey’s shorts are actually a pair that my mum bought her for Easter last year. They’re from H&M and are a light denim blue with a worn detail on the front. They have an adjustable elasticated waist and sewn-in turn-ups at the hems. Stacey absolutely loves them and wore them loads last Summer, as well as almost every single day the sun has shone this year!

Denim Shorts – H&M (last years style) – similar here – £12.99

Bronze Sandals
Another item that Stacey decided to dig out from last year are these stunning bronze sandals from one of our favourite footwear retailers, Shoe Zone. They’re really pretty and have a butterfly and flower detailing down the front of each one. As you can see from the picture, Stacey has worn these to death, as she says they’re the most comfortable pair of sandals she’s ever owned! I’m gutted that they don’t do them in the next size up for her, otherwise I would have replaced them straight away. Ah well, never mind. We’ll hopefully find another pair just as pretty soon.

Bronze Sandals – Shoe Zone – £9.99

Pandora Ring
To finish the look, Stacey decided to wear her most treasured possession – her Pandora Princess Tiara Ring. It’s made from sterling silver with a tiara and cubic zirconia set within it. She absolutely loves it because she pooled together the money she got for her birthday and Christmas and bought it herself. I think it makes it extra special, and I plan to buy her a smaller Pandora ring for her next birthday so she can wear it underneath. But shh, don’t tell anyone!

Princess Tiara Ring – Pandora – £40.00

And there you have it – the first of Stacey’s Summer outfits. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and I’ll be back with another tween fashion post soon!!

Do any of you guys have a tween daughter?
What would they think of Stacey’s coral combo?

Thanks for reading.

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*Unless otherwise stated, all items were purchased by me

Festival Outfit Ideas 2015

13/04/2015 by Louise 37 Comments

Festival season is fast approaching, and if you’ve got Austin City Limits tickets or similar, you may be starting to think about what you’re going to wear. As I love to play dress-up, I thought I’d put together 5 outfit ideas that I would most definitely wear if I were lucky enough to be heading to a festival this year. I hope you like them!

Playsuit | Wedges | Bag | Hair Garland

The first outfit I’ve put together is quite girly and glamorous, and definitely not one to opt for if you know for sure the weather at your chosen festival is going to be mighty horrible! It consists of a cute cream floral print playsuit with a zip back, paired with a stunning pair of cork wedges with a difference … they are covered with lace!

For accessories I felt that less was most definitely more, and thought that a simple cross body bag in a coral shade would compliment it perfectly, and a pearl flower hair garland would give it that whole 1970’s feel that you would expect to see at a festival.

The second outfit I’ve chosen to include in this post is actually one that I’d picked up for my annual holiday to Great Yarmouth this year, but realised would be perfect for festival wear! It consists of a gorgeous coral coloured kimono with a daisy detail all over it and fairly long tassels along the hem, thrown over the top of a plain white vest top and blue denim shorts with a crochet trim.

To finish off the look, I went for a pair of light brown biker boots with studded straps, a stone and pale pink cross body bag and my favourite long necklace, which is designed to look like a vanity mirror.

Maxi | Sandals | Bag | Hair Garland

Maxi dresses are perfect for the festival season, as they originated in the 1970’s. I love this floral one from ASOS, and would team it with a pair of black leather toe post sandals and tasseled skull studded cross body bag. To finish off the look, I think a coral coloured flower hair garland would compliment it perfectly. A simple, yet effective outfit.

Kimono | Vest | Jeans | Wellies | Bag

Since I love kimono’s, I couldn’t resist adding another one into the mix of outfit ideas I came up with today. This one is a black lace fringe one, and it’s from one of my favourite high street clothing retailers, Quiz. I think this one would look fabulous thrown over the top of a plain black vest and worn with a pair of crisp, white ripped skinny jeans!

While looking for some new boots in Topshop last week, I came across this gorgeous pair of black ankle wellies. These would go perfectly with the rest of the outfit as they just look like a regular pair of on-trend boots, and not like wellies at all! And last but not least, I think a black pin studded cross body bag would finish the whole outfit off just brilliantly.

Crop Top | Dungarees | Jellies | Rucksack | Bracelet
And last but not least we have something a lot less girly than all of my other choices! This final outfit is made up of a cute cropped tee with the words ‘Good Vibes’ (which for some reason made me think of the Beach Boys singing ‘Good Vibrations’ at Glastonbury … has that ever happened?!) Over the top of this I would wear a pair of light blue acid wash dungarees, most likely with one of the straps left undone.

As jelly sandals are back in fashion again this year I think these would go perfectly with this outfit, and I would finish it off with a kaleidoscope print rucksack and a gorgeous yellow leather bracelet from Trollbeads. I love it!

And there you have it, 5 outfit ideas that I would most definitely wear this festival season. I’d love to know what you think of them.

Are any of you guys heading to a festival this year?
If so, let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading.

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Shoe Shopping Tips for Beginners

06/04/2015 by Louise 8 Comments

Shoe shopping is one of my favourite things to do, but I have to admit that over the years I’ve made many mistakes when trying to find the perfect pair of shoes. It’s safe to say that there’s a stack of shoe boxes hidden at the very back of my wardrobe, each one containing a pair of shoes that I regret buying because they turned out to be either too high, really uncomfortable or practically impossible to find an outfit to wear with!

In this post I’m going to be sharing my top tips for finding the perfect pair of shoes on your next shopping trip, and I hope it will stop you guys from making the same silly mistakes that I have …

Choose the right size
One of the most common mistakes I’ve made when shoe shopping in the past is buying them in the wrong size. That sounds ridiculous, I know, but sizes can vary from shop to shop. These days I always start by trying on the size that I usually am, and then ask to try on half a size up or down depending on whether they feel a little too big or small. Sometimes I find that the design of the shoe causes an issue with sizing, and other times it’s that the brand in general runs bigger or smaller than average. Places like Clarks also offer a foot measuring service, so you get the correct size in their shoes every time, and these days their styles are very on trend!

Ensure the shoes support your feet
When shopping for everyday shoes, check that the fabric or structure around your heel and lower ankle is rigid and offers some support to your foot. This will support your ankle and help avoid any serious problems in the future. It can also help to improve your posture – something I find really important due to having Scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. You don’t really need to worry about this sort of support for occasion shoes though, as you won’t be wearing them for long periods of time.

Only shop for shoes in the afternoon
It’s a well known fact that feet tend to swell as the day goes on, so the best time to go shoe shopping is in the afternoon. This will give you a better chance of finding a pair of shoes that fit you well and will be comfortable enough to wear on a daily basis.

Pop a pair of socks in your bag
If you’re shoe shopping for something that you intend to wear socks or tights with, but you’re not wearing any that day, make sure you pop a pair in your bag to use during your trying on session. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve not done this and then ended up finding that the shoes or boots I’ve picked up have ended up not fitting properly once I’ve got them home.

Walk around the shop in them
Remember when your parents took you shoe shopping as a child and the shop assistant would make you walk around the shop a couple of times? Well, there was a reason for this! Having a walk around in a pair of shoes for a couple of minutes can really help you decide just how comfortable they are. If you can’t walk well in them in the shop then you won’t be able to walk well in them once you get them home. Trust me on this one guys, I would be rich if I’d had a pound for every time I’ve said “They’ll be fine once I get them home” and they haven’t been!

And last but not least, don’t buy if they’re too high
I think most people I know have been guilty of doing this at some point in their lives. They see a pair of unbelievably gorgeous shoes that they just have to have in their collection and, despite having an exceptionally high heel that they just know they won’t be able to walk in, they’ve bought them anyway! I was once told that a good way to test whether or not you’ll be able to walk in a pair of high shoes is to try them on, and then try to balance on your tiptoes. If your heels lift off the back of the shoes, they are fine. If your heels don’t move, then they are most definitely too high for you and no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to walk properly in them. I’ve given this a try with several pairs of shoes that I can and can’t walk in from my own collection and I can tell you honestly that this trick does work!

I hope you find this guide useful if you’re planning on going shoe shopping this year. And I’ll be back with another ‘for beginners’ post soon.

Do you have any other shoe shopping tips you would add to my list?
Why not leave me a comment and let me know?

Thanks for reading.

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Be on trend this Spring with Cheans – Exclusive to Jacamo.co.uk

01/04/2015 by Louise 20 Comments

I don’t know about you guys, but I often find that men’s fashion can be a bit, well, boring. I don’t mean that to sound rude, but it seems that women’s fashion evolves a lot faster. There are new trends available to us most seasons, whereas the menswear sections seem to stock the same old things year in, year out.

This year though, the lovely people over at Jacamo have created something new for the guys that I think is going to be a big hit. And that something is cheans …

Cheans, which are a clever invention of chinos on the front and jeans at the back, are set to take the world by storm this year, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of the toughness of denim on the derriere and the softness of chinos around the family jewels means your man will always be comfortable when wearing these bad boys, and they’re super versatile as they’re smart enough to wear to the office, but they’re also casual enough to wear to pop down the pub afterwards!

Nathan was kindly sent a pair of cheans to try out, and he absolutely loves them. He reckons they’re more comfortable than any of the other pairs of jeans or trousers he has in his wardrobe and he’s been loving the attention that they’ve been bringing him at the office! His only concern has been that Jacamo currently only stock these in one colour : tobacco/stonewash. Hopefully they will expand their colour range soon.

I asked Jacamo’s head buyer how cheans came about and he told me that their product technicians developed them in answer to customer demand. Apparently men don’t want to mess about with too many items in their wardrobe, and their customers fed back to them that what they really wanted was versatility. This was when cheans were thought up. The idea behind them was that by facing in different directions, you can make cheans work whatever the occasion.

Cheans are currently available in 11 different sizes and are machine washable.

Overall we think they’re a fab new invention and I seriously hope that something like this appears on the female market very soon!

Cheans – 50% chinos, 50% jeans – £25.00 ||exclusive to Jacamo.co.uk||

What do you think of cheans – love the idea or hate it?
Let me know in the comments section below!

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*UPDATE : Please note that this was an April Fools post in collaboration with Jacamo.co.uk

The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2015

30/03/2015 by Louise 20 Comments

On Saturday night the young stars of Hollywood hit the orange carpet for the 28th annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Today I thought I’d share some of the looks from the night with you guys and let you know what I thought of each outfit. So, let’s get going …

Iggy Azalea
Australian songwriter, rapper and model, Iggy Azalea dressed up a simple white crop top by pairing it with a super on trend jewel-toned, floor length skirt.

The Beckham Boys
The Beckham Boys (from l-r : Romeo, Cruz and Brooklyn) turned up at the awards without mum and dad, and how amazing do they look?! These three are most definitely the most polished boys in Hollywood. I also love that they always dress in similar outfits to my son Oscar!

Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting
The Wedding Ringer actress rocked 2 trends in 1 with her outfit at the awards : Monochrome and print clash. The look really suited her and I absolutely love the polka-dot skirt!

Fifth Harmony
The girls from Fifth Harmony all looked glam at the awards on Saturday. From left to right – Ally Brooke wore a pair of white short shorts and crop top, and added some colour with an oversized blazer. Normani Kordei wore a shimmering playsuit that I would just love to own. Lauren Jauregui went for a more risque look and paired a leather mini skirt with a precariously designed top. In this shot I think it looks really nice, but I’ve seen others where it looks a little too oversized for her. Dinah Jane Hansen was the only member of the band to opt for trousers, but she looks just as hot as the other girls. I love the way she’s paired them with a sexy sheer top! And last but certainly not least Camila Cabello wore a simple yet stunning jeweled bodycon dress. Just gorgeous!

Jennifer Hudson
2004 American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson looked sleek and sophisticated in a curve-hugging black jumpsuit on the orange carpet.

Sarah Hyland
Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland looked effortlessly elegant in all white, pairing a feminine full skirt with a basic white tee. This is one of my favourite looks from this years orange carpet, and most definitely one I’d love to recreate over the summer months.

Nick Jonas & Olivia Culpo
This years host, Nick Jonas, pulled off the smart-casual look perfectly with a combination of shirt, chino’s and denim jacket, and girlfriend Olivia Culpo showed off her perfect pins in a white mini dress with long sleeves and gorgeous metallic detailing.

Tia Mowry
Actress Tia Mowry, best known for her role as Tia in 90’s teen sitcom Sister, Sister, looked fabulous on the orange carpet in a playful, multicoloured, asymmetrical dress. Can you believe this woman is 36? I’m sure she looks younger every time I see her!

Cody Simpson
Australian pop singer Cody Simpson seemed to be trying to ‘dress down’ in jeans and a t-shirt, paired with a gorgeous leather jacket and what looks like every accessory he’s ever owned!

Ariel Winter
Actress Ariel Winter wore a gorgeous multicoloured floral dress that fitted in perfectly with the night’s fun and youthful vibe.

Caspar Smart
Actor Caspar Smart certainly lived up to his surname at the awards, opting for a light coloured suit over a patterned t-shirt and accessorized to a T. I love how effortlessly stylish he looked.

Frankie Grande
Actor Frankie Grande dressed in a tight white suit and bright orange shirt for the awards. I don’t know if it’s just me who feels this way or not, but I feel that this look is a little too ‘Backstreet’s Back’ and would have been better left in the late 90’s!

What was your favourite look from the 2015 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards?
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Inspiration for your Post Valentine’s Day Lingerie Shopping

23/03/2015 by Louise 4 Comments

The sexiest day on the calendar has been and gone, but need the fun stop there? Romance shouldn’t be confined to ‘special occasions’ or prepackaged, commercialised days. Perhaps, like me, you’re looking for a little extra inspiration to make the Post Valentine’s lull go off with ‘a bang’ again, so to speak!

And, if you’re anything like me – by that I mean you’re also a fussy underwear shopper – you might find looking for those extra special lingerie items a little frustrating. This year, due to various factors, I’ve been undertaking more of my personal shopping online. It’s not something I’ve done much of in the past, mainly because I really like to see and try on items before purchasing them. But with time constraints, the lack of decent clothing retailers in my area and the sheer variety of goods you can obtain from all over the world via the net, I thought it was about time I took the plunge.

I’ve been searching for something a little more luxurious than my normal bra and pants sets, and in my quest I’ve stumbled upon quite a few items I liked, from a wide range of retailers, all of whom trade and ship both nationally and internationally. Check out my suggestions below; perhaps some of them will appeal to you too, or at least provide you with a little extra inspiration on your next shopping trip.

Essential Reds
It wouldn’t be a post about sexy undergarments without some vibrant red lingerie. How about this delicate, semi-sheer, lace cup Heidi Klum Intimates Collection Bra which oozes elegance and style. Or, for those looking for a more classic corset style item, take a look at the collections fiery red Committed Love Corset, detailed with sheer mesh lace and detachable suspenders; both of which are perfectly designed for a bit of sexy-time fun.

Give the Perfect Present
For something a little more playful, how about this quirky Ariana Chiffon Bra and Brief Set. It combines style with a raunchy design, and will no doubt have you making an unforgettable statement wearing it. If you like this ‘unwrappable gift’ concept, then you may also enjoy the collections flirtatious All Wrapped Up Body Bow, which will certainly get your partner more excited than any Christmas day morning!

Fuller Figures Needn’t Miss Out
For those blessed with a fuller figure, it can be even more frustrating trying to find items that combine the necessary support with a touch of glamour. This versatile, fuchsia Fauve Aurelia Padded Half Cup Bra, available in sizes DD-GG, combines both delicate net fabric and a cute, multi-coloured, romantic floral embroidered design. Or, for a more classic, sultry style, this Super Boost Black Lace Balcony Bra by Gossard has a feminine lace design and a flattering centre-front shape to enhance your cleavage and give you that extra oomph!

Naughty but Nice
This Nasty Gal Intimates Bustier Bra seamlessly fuses those bang on-trend gorgeous nude tones with an intricate black-lace embellishment to make an exquisitely sultry statement. It is simple yet elegant, and can be teamed with this Lace Is More Thong to complete the look.

Old Faithful
Ann Summers always offer an array of lingerie for a variety of occasions. How about this burlesque inspired Georgette Babydoll, which is currently in the sale and still available in all sizes. The maroon satin, long-line bra comes detailed with straps, lace placement, sequins and detachable suspenders. It’s adaptable and can be combined with this Georgette Tie Side Thong.

Expensive Tastes
And finally, for those with slightly more expensive tastes, I absolutely adore this oyster Luna Short Slip by Agent Provocateur. It’s clingy silk fabric and French trim lace detail, make it a perfect luxury item to add to your lingerie collection. It’s available in a range of colours and can be accessorised with these fabulous Elice Boudoir Mules.

So there you have it, my ideas for some post Valentine’s Day online lingerie shopping inspiration. All garments come in a range of sizes and many of these may be available in a high street store near you. But don’t worry if they’re not, all of the featured sites offer a variety of delivery options, provide you with currency converters and size guides, all of which help to make the online shopping experience that little bit easier.

What do you think of the lingerie mentioned?
As always, I’d love to hear from you.

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Get the look for less | Fleur De Force’s Very Exclusive Outfit

16/03/2015 by Louise 26 Comments

In a few short weeks my brother will be turning 50, and to celebrate the whole family is off out to a restaurant for a meal. Now, I’m the first to admit that I almost always wear the same style of dress every time we head out somewhere nice, so this time I really want to shake things up a bit and try wearing something new.

I recently came across this video on YouTube where UK vlogging sensation Fleur DeForce showcased some absolutely gorgeous outfits from the new Very Exclusive website, and one of them really caught my eye! The outfit consisted of an off white sleeveless top with a sheer panel, leather leggings, black open toe shoes, a black blazer and a gorgeous red clutch bag. Super sophisticated and perfect for a night out with the family. The only downside to it was that the entire outfit was made up of designer pieces. And being a mum of two I certainly can’t afford to treat myself to an outfit that costs more than a months worth of my wages. It was then that i decided to see if I could source myself a similar outfit from the high street, and today I’m sharing the results of that search with you all…

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Fleur chose a gorgeous off white sleeveless top from Joseph. It has a really low V neck that is concealed with a sheer panel, and she teamed it with the most gorgeous looking pair of leather leggings I’ve ever seen in my life! They actually have two different textures to them and I’m sure if you’ve watched the video you’ll agree that they look stunning on. For footwear Fleur chose some open toe shoes in black suede from Lucy Choi and her clutch bag is from Karen Millen. Last but not least she popped on a black blazer with ruched sleeves from Elizabeth & James. I just love how classy this look is and it’s most definitely something I think I could pull off myself.

Total cost of outfit : £1,419

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When looking for items for my high street alternative, it soon became apparent that the sheer panel top from Joseph is really one of a kind. I couldn’t find anything like it anywhere. In the end I stumbled across this gorgeous white top from Forever 21, which features sheer panels at the shoulders and back. I have loads of other items in my wardrobe that would go with this so I didn’t hesitate to add it to my basket and check out! The leggings I went for are a textured, leather look pair from one of my favourite high street stores, Topshop. The closest match I could find to the Lucy Choi shoes were a pair of strappy black ones from New Look. They’re not suede unfortunately but I really love them and still think they’d look lovely with this outfit. I also had problems finding a nice red clutch bag that wasn’t patent, so I opted for one from Next in a coral colour that is made from a super soft fabric and has a gorgeous little star on the envelope part of it. And finally I found this gorgeous 3/4 sleeved blazer from Quiz.

Total cost of outfit : £103.48, making a difference of £1,315.52! Can you believe it?!I’m already saving up to treat myself to everything from the high street alternative, and (with the exception of the red Karen Millen clutch) I think I prefer the look of the cheaper items if I’m honest. I hope you guys enjoyed this post and I’ll be back with another ‘Get the look for less’ soon.

Why not leave me a comment below and let me know which version of this outfit you prefer:
the designer or the high street?

Thank you for reading!

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*Top image is a screen shot from the video I linked to

Shoe Zone Boys Skull n Cross Bones Wellington Boots Review

09/03/2015 by Louise 24 Comments

At the weekend Nathan and I decided to take the kids to White Post Farm for the day. And with Oscar now able to walk around on his own, I thought it was about time I treated him to his first pair of wellies!

As I have no idea how much wear Oscar is going to get out of a pair of wellies at this age I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on some for him, so I took him to Shoe Zone, one of my all time favourite shoe stores, where I knew I’d be able to get him exactly what I wanted, without breaking the bank.

As soon as we entered the children’s section of our local store I caught sight of this gorgeous pair of black and grey wellington boots with a Skull n Cross Bones design all over them. My first thought was that they looked lovely and boyish but without being too ‘grown up’ for a one year old.

The boots have a synthetic upper and textile lining and I was pleased to see that they have a really low heel. When Stacey (my eldest) was a toddler, I struggled to get her a pair of wellies with a low heel, and I’d been worried that we would have the same issue this time round.

The wellies are really eye-catching, and the moment I picked them up Oscar wanted to have a look at them too. I always take that as a good sign with him as he has a couple of pairs of shoes in his collection that he will ask to wear, and a couple of pairs that he just will not leave on for more than 5 minutes at a time!

These particular wellies have a clear grip sole and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they’re really sturdy. Since picking them up, Oscar has worn them quite a few times and he always seems to be able to stand and walk in them quite comfortably.

As you can see, the wellies look really good on, and Oscar loves them. He asks to wear them most days – even when it’s not the weather for them! They’re really good quality for the price (just £4.99) and I’ve found that they wipe clean quickly and easily due to the materials that they are made from. They really are a bargain.

I’m so glad we picked up this pair of wellies for Oscar. I would highly recommend them and am already thinking of buying another pair in the next size up ready for when his feet grow!! I also want to mention that if you buy from Shoe Zone online, you can get free delivery on your order and free 12 month returns if you’re not entirely satisfied with your purchase as well. I think this shows fantastic customer service and I wish that more online companies would follow suit. Well done Shoe Zone!

Shoe Zone Boys Skull n Cross Bones Wellies – £4.99 ||link||

Have you ever bought any shoes or boots from Shoe Zone before?
Why not let me know what you think of the ones we chose for Oscar in the comments section below?

Until next time, take care.

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*Product purchased with my own money

Lily Charmed Silver Sweet Heart Charm Necklace Review

02/03/2015 by Louise 34 Comments

It’s no secret that I like pretty things. My jewellery boxes are full to the brim with necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m always happy to receive more.

I recently got my hands on a brand new piece of jewellery from Lily Charmed, one of my favourite online jewellery retailers, and today I thought I’d do a little review and tell you all about them.

Lily Charmed was launched in 2011 by cousins Marcus Pearce and Lucy Lee, and named after Marcus’ daughter Lily. Their aim was to create a desirable collection of charm jewellery that could be worn and loved every day, with each piece being hand finished, and packaged in a gift box tied with ribbon.

Nowadays they add ‘sentiment cards’ to frame their necklaces and bracelets, meaning that when you purchase one as a gift, you can add a special message for your loved one as well – making it extra special!

I’ve been fan of Lily Charmed for a good few years now, and have quite a few of their pieces in my collection. The latest addition to it is this gorgeous silver sweet heart charm necklace.

The necklace itself is sterling silver, and has a polished finish. I think it looks absolutely stunning! The length of the chain is 40cm-45cm and you can easily adjust it to suit. You can also pay a little extra if you prefer a longer chain (61cm) but I personally think the standard size is perfect.

The heart charm looks beautiful on its own, but I love the fact that mine has two additional charms on it with the initials ‘S’ and ‘O’. These stand for Stacey and Oscar, who are my two beautiful children.

I’m a big fan of cluster necklaces so the way you can make a Lily Charmed chain your own really appeals to me. It’s really simple to get started. All you need to do is head over to their ‘design your own page’, and then follow the instructions on screen. It will guide you through the entire process, from choosing your chain or bracelet, to adding the charms and even writing a special message. It couldn’t be easier!

I couldn’t get a great photo of me wearing mine as I’m rubbish at taking selfies, but I think you can get a picture of how it looks when on. My friends and family keep saying how lovely it is and asking where it’s from!

Lily Charmed necklaces are really affordable, yet look a lot more expensive than they actually are! They make great gifts for things such as Mother’s Day (which is on March 15th this year), Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Birthday’s. I also think they’re great to buy as a cheeky little gift to yourself!

As well as sterling silver pieces, Lily Charmed also offer a range of 9 carat gold jewellery. Their online store seems to grow on a daily basis and the choices available are just amazing! They have a wide range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings and some of the designs are also available as a set.

Overall I think the quality of Lily Charmed jewellery is fantastic and I will most definitely continue to purchase items from them this year. Great job Marcus and Lucy … keep up the good work!

Lily Charmed Silver Sweet Heart Charm Necklace – £30 ||link||
Additional Letter Charms – £10 each

Have you ever tried any jewellery from Lily Charmed before?
I’d love to know what you think of my Silver Sweet Heart Charm Necklace!

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*Product kindly sent for review consideration