How to wear a pleated midi skirt

Outfit:
Black jersey roll neck: Topshop (similar)
Pink pleated midi skirt: H&M (similar)
Tailored grey coat: New Look (similar)
Black mid heel courts: Primark (similar)

I'm so pleased to be dipping into my spring/summer wardrobe again! I feel like I dress so much better in the warmer weather. All midi skirts and dresses galore. It's so much easier to throw something on and look presentable. I love jeans but I struggle to pull of the effortless LA chic and look more like lazy Essex girl who woke up too later and had to get ready in a rush. This hot pink pleated midi skirt was a bargain many moons ago from H&M for about £8, it comes out year after year and never gets old! It reminds me that I need to add a few more pleated skirts to my wardrobe... Paired with a simple roll neck tee and a tailored coat, the whole outfit looks smart and presentable when you haven't really made that much effort at all.

I'm on countdown to the Easter weekend - gotta love those four day weeks. I'm going out for a few drinks for  tonight for Kim's birthday and have a date with Gemma to see Don Juan in Soho tomorrow. The rest of the weekend will be spent watching my boyfriend showing off his handiwork in the house and getting in his way, providing bacon rolls from Dorringtons. Renovating a house isn't my strong point - I'm much better when there's plaster on the walls as seeing just a shell sends my blood pressure through the roof...

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OOTD: Smart casual

Outfit:
Burgundy silky blazer: Topshop (similar)
Black tunic: ASOS (similar)
Black skinny jeans: New Look
Grey suede court shoes: H&M (similar)

So we've now hit Autumn eh? How the hell has that rolled around - wasn't it Christmas like a few weeks ago?! Gone are the bare legs and sleeveless dresses. I always find this time of year so difficult to dress for. I don't want to get into wearing tights too early yet I don't want to freeze to death either as the temperature has definitely been dropping. So skinny jeans and a blazer will be my go-to outfit to suck it up! Despite my boyfriend commenting I looked liked a middle aged woman off to a christening, I actually really liked this outfit. I felt well put together and maybe a little bit trendy too. It's been a while since I've felt like that!

This weekend will be consisting of a monster viewing of houses - it's finally time to take the plunge and become an adult. I've got a night out in north London tonight for a friends birthday with tomorrow consisting of being lazy and attempting something from my old friend Mary Berry. Who said I don't live a rock and roll lifestyle?!

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OOTD: Bardot style black jumpsuit

Outfit:
Bardot style black jumpsuit: Topshop (similar)
Red rucksack: Fjallraven Kanken via ASOS
Black double strap Birkenstocks: ASOS
Yellow and navy canvas watch: Timex* (similar)

Look at that backdrop? Sure beats my Essex hometown! During our time in Budapest we did a hell of a lot of walking. This meant a comfy outfit, even more comfortable shoes and a suitable bag to keep lots of water, sun cream and maps in. The end result was this! I splashed out on a Kanken rucksack when I came home from my trip to Copenhagen in a desperate attempt to inject some of that Scandi cool into my life. It was a lifesaver. Usually I take a canvas tote bag on my travels. But carrying a rucksack was a revelation and one I'm going to continue doing. I loved the handles for when we had to squeeze in tight spaces and the straps on the back to help keep my hands free. Definitely worth the money! I'm sporting a snazzy little stripy Birkenstock tan line on my feet so looks like I shall be wearing these shoes to death now I'm back home!

I'm going to share my thoughts on Budapest over the next few posts alongside the gorgeous hotel we stayed in and the best places to eat. I had a fantastic time in the city after initially feeling disappointed when I first arrived. It's definitely a grower and one I'm glad I've finally ticked off my list after lusting after the Hungarian capital for years.

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OOTD: Yellow floral dress

Outfit:
Yellow floral midi dress: ASOS
Gold leather loafers: Topshop (similar)
Black cross body bag: Next (similar)

Throwing it back to the heatwave we had a few weeks ago, feels like a distant memory now eh? Look at that bright sunshine! I treated myself to this dress when I clocked it had gone in the sale. I'd had it in my saved items for quite a while and needed £20 off to finally take the plunge. The shopping gods were clearly shining down on me.

I'm on countdown now to my holiday on Monday. I feel like I've been waiting forever and it's finally here. We're going to be travelling around Eastern Europe for two weeks visiting Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. I never got the chance to have a gap yah so looking forward to having a mini travelling break. I think I'm looking forward to Budapest the most as it's been on my bucket list for years. We've been lucky enough to be out there on the first day of Sziget music festival so will be seeing Rihanna - hopefully she puts on a good show. If anyone has any suggestions for things to do in the cities, I'm all ears!

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OOTD: blue chevron shirt

Outfit:
Blue chevron shirt: Boohoo* (similar)
Beige midi trench coat: ASOS
Distressed blue denim jeans: F&F (similar)
Gold pointed leather loafers: Topshop
Poppy red Lily bag: Mulberry

This is a weekend staple for me. My shirt collection is slightly getting out of control. It's a simple, comfortable outfit that's perfect for mooching around town and meeting friends. The holes in these jeans are getting bigger and bigger but that's exactly how I like them. I'm dreading the day they fall apart on me. I wore this for Hello Kitty afternoon tea with my favourite blogger pals but more on that gem later on in the week. These gold leather loafers are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. They were an absolute pain to break in and I think my feet weeped for about five days. But once that was over, they fit like a glove so it's worth taking on the pain for a while. Something to bear in mind if you feel like taking the plunge!

Today I am off to Copenhagen for three days and am so excited to finally visit Scandinavia. I booked the trip for my boyfriend's birthday so looking forward to eating out way around the city and coming back 10 stone heavier. We're going to try and take it easy to make sure we come back relaxed. Which means no ridiculously early alarms and lots of lounging around the apartment eating Danish pastries. Most of the trip is planed around food stops but we do have a few must-visits on our list. See you on the flip side guys!

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OOTD: Black and white gingham skirt

Outfit:
Light wash denim jacket: Primark (similar)
Black sleeveless roll next body: ASOS
Black and white gingham midi skirt: Topshop (similar)
Black and navy quilted pointed pumps: Primark (similar)
Poppy red Lily: Mulberry

The sun finally arrived last weekend eh? After snow, hail and rain over the last few weeks, I didn't think the sun was going to put its hat on at all this year. In celebration of the warm weather I decided to get my pasty pins out for the first time this year. Those lucky people of Walthamstow. This is one of my fail safe summer outfit. A light cotton midi skirt, body and denim jacket. Job done. It's so easy to pop on and keeps me nice and cool. This denim jacket will be worn to death over the common months. Fingers crossed this nice weather to continue although I have heard some nasty rumours of thunderstorms. Sort it out Mother Nature!

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OOTD: Palm print shirt

Outfit:

Black coat with a fur collar: Zara (similar)

Green palm print shirt: Topshop

Ankle grazer skinny jeans: F&F (Similar)

Burgundy leather ankle boots: Next (similar)

Poppy red Lily: Mulberry

Since getting back from Cologne last weekend it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. For some reason everything has seem to come at once and it's been manic. I feel like I haven't stopped. I think the earliest I got home last week was just before nine pm. But amongst the frantic running around, there was some amazing news thrown in there. From the 1st April I am no longer freelancing but a full time employee. I'll be a member of the Homes & Property team at the Evening Standard, somewhere I've been freelancing since November last year. It's made me week that it's finally official. I genuinely enjoy going into work every day and am so pleased that I can carry on! Obviously lots of celebrating was done with a cider, ramen and fried chicken. As all good things should be celebrated!

After being on a saving mission for February, come March payday I went a little crazy and treated myself to a few things. Two things being these skinny jeans and this palm print shirt. I just felt like I needed a complete refresh and more casual clothes in my wardrobe. You can never have too many pairs of jeans right? Of all places, Tesco do the jeans that fit me to a tee. They're high waisted, don't sag and don't cost the earth. Perfect right?

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OOTD: Orange floral dress

Outfit:
Orange floral maxi dress: Zara (similar)
Nude patent court shoes: Topshop
Nude patent clutch bag: Accessorize (similar)

I snapped this on my phone and loved the outfit so much that I thought it had to be shared! It feels like a throw back to 2010 posting phone outfit photos! Last week I fell head first into Zara and came out the proud owner of three new dresses. I blame the sudden recklessness on having my first wage packet for six weeks. It does strange things for this girl. This maxi dress was brought completely on a whim on the way to the till but it's my favourite of the bunch. I love the seventies vibe, the gorgeous orange tones and the floaty sheer sleeves. It makes me feel sassy which is exactly what every dress should do.

But I'm in the market for some new nude shoes. I seem to be wearing these ones to death. On my list  - perhaps as an early Christmas present - are these stunning Lady Dragons from Spartoo to add to my collection. I've been dying to treat myself to a new pair - there's just something about those shoes that draw me in. Give me the encouragement I need please.  I wouldn't say no to these ones found here either....

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OOTD: Pink floral dress

Outfit:

Pink floral midi dress: Topshop (similar)
Quilted faux leather jacket: Zara (similar)
Suede and leather heeled ankle boots: Ravel via TK Maxx (similar)
Black leather Bayswater: Mulberry

I've been trying very hard to keep this dress off my body lately. Pub with friends? Out comes the dress. Trip into London? Out comes the dress. Going to see a Whitney Houston tribute night like tonight? Out comes the dress. So really a dress for everything. That's the excuse I told myself when I treated myself to it. You can always find an excuse whilst shopping.

Looks like it's tights and ankle boots weather for another 6 months. And scarves. And gloves. And thick coats. Can you tell I'm not excited at the prospect?! But it does mean a little bit of shopping to update my wardrobe. Now that is something that excites me.

Thanks to the ever so lovely Sarah for snapping these pictures.

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OOTD: Snakeskin shoes

Outfit:
Cream camisole: Topshop
Black smart culottes: Topshop (similar)
Snakeskin courts: Carvela (similar)

As much as I like lairy, bright colours and imposing, patterned clothes, sometimes I just want to wear something a little more classic. Which usually means monochrome. You can't get more classic than monochrome eh? Thanks to my unstable income, I'm having to root around in my messy wardrobe to work with what I have. I stumbled across these culottes that hadn't been given much love recently and stalked Pinterest for some inspiration. Previously I'd paired them with a warm polo jumper and a sparkly green crop top but this has to be my favourite combination. A combination I reckon I'll be wearing time and time again.

This weekend will be spent within the bosom of my family. My uncle is getting married today so no doubt I will be feeling a little delicate tomorrow. My cousins always seem to bring out the worst hangovers. In the world. But it'll be worth the headache, sore feet and empty purse. You just can't beat a family get together eh?!

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