OOTD: Striped maxi dress





Outfit
White and red striped maxi dress: ASOS (similar)
Pink sunglasses: Phase Eight* (similar)
Black sandals: Birkenstocks via ASOS
Red canvas backpack: Fjallraven Kanken via ASOS

I was debating whether I should post this outfit given how sweaty and flustered I felt that day. But looking back, they're not actually that bad and this was one of my favourite dresses of the summer. Although look at the frizz in that hair! Not very seasonal but that's what you get when you're not a consistent blogger anymore... I don't think I've ever experience heat like I did this day and if I'm honest, it's put me off forever from visiting hot countries in the future. It was absolutely relentless and sightseeing was a little dramatic in 36 degree heat. But we soldiered on through and managed to enjoy Krakow. Just.

This was an ASOS sale buy in spring and proved to be a very savvy buy. The thin material is breathable, the two slits up the side help to keep your legs free and the little poms poms around the waist keep it interesting. Paired with my favourite backpack that's seen better days and my trusty Birkenstocks that never leave my feet on holiday, it was a great outfit to try and keep me cool. RIP these Birkenstocks though as they well and truly gave up in Poland and never made it home. Next I want a classy silver pair. Oh and a patent black pair please.


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OOTD: floral heels





Outfit:
Black cold shoulder ruffle dress: ASOS (similar)
Black and white pattern clutch: Primark (similar)
Floral embroidered heels: LOTD.com*

So here we are, in October again. I have to admit this really is my favourite time of year as clichรฉ as it may sound. I'm not one for the heat and winter brings with it too much rain for my liking. But this season the weather is still pleasant, fresh with a slight bite in the air. It's warm enough to only have to wear a thin mac and the skies are still blue.

LOTD.com got in touch to see if I wanted to update my wardrobe and among the things they kindly gifted were these pretty heeled sandals. I love the detailing on the heels and they really help to jazz up a simple outfit. One of my favourite things about the colder weather is dipping back into my winter wardrobe. I last wore this dress to a wedding in Glasgow over the festive period last year and am glad to be giving it another outing.

This week is going to be taken pretty easy. I'm finally off to my friend's new baby tonight who has to be the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen. As someone who is a self-confessed baby hater (slightly OTT), I never thought I would be this excited over a newborn. But I suppose it's different one they're one of your squad. I can't wait to give her a big cuddle and teach her lots of bad habits. I'll also be helping Hannah celebrate her birthday with the rest of the crew. An evening of giggles and good food is just what is needed after feeling a bit under the weather.


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OOTD: Blue cotton sun dress






Outfit:
Blue cotton midi dress: H&M (similar)
Light wash denim jacket: Primark (similar)
Gold boyfriend watch: Marc Jacobs (similar)

While we were travelling around Poland last month we decided to schedule in a beach trip. Somehow we managed to choose a day that was the chillest out of the whole two weeks but that just meant it felt like going to the beach at home! Sopot is around a 20 minute train journey from Gdansk, making it the perfect day trip if you find yourself in the city. I've got a post coming up soon so I won't say much more about the town. But it's definitely worth a visit, if only for ice cream from Flamingo & Co. That stuff is absolutely heavenly and I still dream about it now. Believe it or not, Poland is the best for ice cream. No joke.

I've been trying to wear more stuff in my wardrobe because I can barely afford to buy my weekly bus ticket, let alone treat myself to new clothes. Have you got your violins out yet? Owning a house is tough on my finances. I have no idea how I forgot about this dress and sadly this is the only time I've worn it this year. If that isn't the sign of a true shopaholic then I don't know what is... Hopefully an Indian summer is on its way and I'll get a few more wears out of this before the year is up.


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OOTD: Summer florals






Outfit:
Orange and navy floral maxi dress: Zara (similar)
Navy pillbox hat: Coast (similar)
Nude chunky heeled sandals: New Look (similar)

The day before I flew off to Poland I was invited to spend the day at Ascot with Appetiser. So my mum and I put on our fanciest glad rags and caught the train to Surrey. The races are our thing but we tend to go to Newmarket as it's easier to get too. Appetiser kindly put us up in their box with an incredible spread and unlimited fizz. It was great to watch the races from high up and we both has a whale of a time! Thanks so much for the invite guys.

I decided to pump for my trusty maxi Zara dress. It's my dress I always turn too when I have no idea on what to wear and it always delivers. The elasticated waist is great for a foodie day and the long length means it doesn't matter if you forget to shave your legs... Paired with my trusty nude sandals and a bargain fascinator from Coast I got in the sale, it was the ideal outfit for a rainy summer day.


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Why gingham is my favourite summer trend





Outfit:
Red and white gingham midi dress: New Look
Nude espadrille wedges: H&M (similar)
Poppy red Lily bag: Mulberry

Despite looking like a tablecloth, Gingham is one of those trends that I come back to summer upon summer. Just looking at the print evokes memories of balmy long summer nights, endless BBQs with friends and trips away to foreign countries. It's seems so timeless and classic, one that will always be around until the end of time. I spotted this red gingham during an unusual browse on New Look late at night - usually I'm an ASOS girl through and though - and it reminded me of a blue dress I had from Topshop many moons ago that I had to reluctantly throw away after it became a little worse for wear. I have every faith that this dress will become just as hardworking and one I will turn to time and time again now that summer has finally reared it's head.

So here we are at Saturday again! Today I have a friend popping round for a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and my favourite bread from a local bakery. This afternoon it's a free for all at a BBQ hosted by my best friend. One of the reasons why I'm so excited to finally move into my own house is because it's less than a five minute walk from BFF. Not that that was the reasoning behind the purchasing... Tomorrow sees a mid morning brunch at Bills before popping to the house to do some work and splashing out on some paint in B&Q. A pretty chilled weekend is just what the doctor ordered...

How is your weekend looking?


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Is the Bardot neckline the trend of Summer 2017?







Outfit:
Red jersey bardot midi dress: ASOS (similar)
Double strap black sliders: Birkenstock
Pink sunglasses: Phase Eight* (similar)
Gold oversized watch: Marc Jacobs (similar)

I don't know about you but I've fallen hook, line and sinker for a bardot neck line. Every month when I treat myself to something on payday, nine times out of ten it's a bardot style. It's not hard as it seems to be absolutely everywhere. I find the style so easy to wear and it just helps to give a top or dress a little sass. It's transferable to the weekend, work, evening and holiday - as demonstrated here!

This weekend has been jam-packed. Last night I finally tried out Junkyard Golf for a friend's 30th birthday. Spilt up into teams, we whizzed around the crazy golf course in Truman's Brewery before grabbing a few drinks at a pub nearby. It was exactly what was needed after all the election anxiety - my head is struggling to comprehend just what is going on at the minute. It seems like madness! Tonight I'm off out in Essex for a evening with my family, drinking gin and throwing some embarrassing shapes. As it's World Gin day, it would be a crime not to right? Tomorrow I'm going round the house and try and be a bit more helpful than I have been recently before cooking a lush dish of Thai-inspired meatballs and catching up on Broken. Oh Sean Bean, I love you so.

I think I'll need another weekend to recover!

Have a scroll through some similar dresses below.


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How to style a tiered midi skirt





Outfit:
Black roll neck body: ASOS (similar)
Black and white patterned tiered midi skirt: ASOS
Black midi heel shoes: Primark (similar)
Poppy red Lily bag: Mulberry
Faux leather jacket: New Look (similar)
Red liquid lipstick: Kat Von D

I wore this over the weekend for a little mother/daughter date to London. We had such a lovely day catching An American in Paris in the West End (highly recommend it!), buying ridiculous yet fully essential things for my garden to make it look pretty for an upcoming BBQ and stuffing our faces in Bills with ribs and chicken burgers. It turned out to be such a beautiful day and it finally felt like spring. Looking out the window I had high hopes for the weather so I decided to wear my favourite skirt again. It makes me feel like the red lady dress emoji which is never a bad thing right?

This weekend looks to be just as fun as I'm on my way to the French Riviera for a weekend with my favourite internet friends. We've got the perfect guide in the form of Elodie showing us all around her hometown. I can't wait for a weekend of good food, great company and warm sunshine. It's been a long four months since I've been on a plane so I'm so excited to be exploring another part of the world.


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The £13 Primark embroidery shirt everyone needs







Outfit:
Khaki floral embroidery shirt: Primark (similar)
Ripped hem skinny jeans: New Look (similar)
Grey tailored coat: New Look (similar)
Croc print black skater shoes: Vans via TK Maxx (similar)
Red canvas backpack: Fjallraven Kanken via Asos

Back to my weekend uniform! I can't quite believe it but the last few weeks I've swapped my handbag for this backpack that I usually just keep for when I travel. I've been suffering with sore shoulders and back so thought I'd try and distribute the weight a bit by using a backpack. Turns out I'm getting sensible in my old age! I'm now a convert, my shoulders feel so much better and I can carry so much more stuff. As I'm no longer having to carry a handbag and tote bag to work, I look less like a cart horse... It doesn't seem like much of a hardship when the backpack looks like this to be honest. One step closer to achieving the Scandi coolness...

This week again looks set to be a busy week. I've got a few events I want to attend, a few drinks with friends and a dinner out. No doubt I'll be moaning by Wednesday just how tired I am but what's the point in working in London if you're not going to embrace it eh? God job this weekend was a lazy one...


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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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A Essex based lifestyle blogger who lives a champagne life on a lemonade purse!

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sophie.warner89@yahoo.co.uk.

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