OOTD: Workwear

With the heatwave we have been experiencing in London appropriate workwear has been tricky. I commute by tube each day so I am very sympathetic with most Londoners sweltering underground. However, at times like these the temperature in the office is arctic as the aircon desperately tries to overcompensate and ensure that the guys in their 3 piece suits are catered for. I therefore wanted to share some outfits from the last week of how I dress for work and try to remain professional (and not look like I'm off to the beach), but still comfortable.

The first dress I have been loving is a sale purchase from Ted Baker. It's very comfortable and though it has a lining the fabric is pretty stretchy so it never feels tight. The pattern is very Summery, but the demure length still makes it office appropriate.

Dress on sale from Ted Baker here

This outfit is super comfortable and easy to wear. The floaty fabric is cool, but the length of the skirt makes it work appropriate and traditional.

Top and Skirt from French Connection on sale here

 

The last outfit is a super comfortable dress from Reiss. It's light, but not at all see through. It moulds effortlessly to your shape and the side detail is very flattering skimming the contours of your body. It's not too short or too low for the office, but is not at all restrictive.



Dress on sale from Reiss here

 

I love Summer and the hot weather so I always try to make the most of it while it lasts... even if it is just in short lunch hour stints while I am stuck in the office, or walking between meetings. :)

OOTD: Reiss

With the lovely weather we have been having in London on Friday I finally felt brave enough to hang up my Winter coat and take my new jacket (originally puchased in the Christmas sales) out of hibernation!

I love the light grey colour as my recent grey obsession continues. It's fitted really well, which makes it perfect for work, but it's thick enough to protect you from the City wind (and if you have stood next to the Walkie Talky building  you will know what I mean)!

The Porter fitted coat is currently on sale in Reiss for £95 here.

OOTD: LK Bennett Cranley

This little spotty number from LK Bennett is one of my absolute favourites for that illusive day to night transition, especially as it can be worn in two ways! During the day it can be teamed with a fitted jacket and worn with the straight neckline at the front, while in the evening I usually reverse it with the v-neck and draping at the front to create more shape (as in the photos).

 

 Dress: LK Bennett (on sale for £60 here), Shoes: Kurt Geiger (on sale for £35 here).

What are your favourite pieces to take you from day to night? xxx

OOTD: Under the Sea

Oh I do love the Zara sale! A few weeks ago I picked up another of their amazing tulip dresses, this time in the fish print. The aqueous theme somehow seemed appropriate with the sudden downpours of rain as evidenced below...

Dress: Zara (on sale for £17.99), Clutch (shown below): Ted Baker, Shoes: Melissa (£85 here)

 

I may be a little too old to wear jelly shoes, but these were love at first step. Aesthetically they are not my favourite wedges, but they are oh so comfortable as they literally mould to your feet while supporting and cushioning.

Have you ever tried any of Melissa's designs? What do you think of jelly shoes? xxx

Work It Out: Printed Pretty Pleats

Uh oh! I promise this will be the last post featuring a Reiss sale piece, but you all know I can't control myself when it comes to a bargain. So when I saw this Nico pretty midi skirt down from £125 to £37 I couldn't resist. It's 100% silk... it's pleated... it has a graphic mint print and sexy side splits. Need I say more?

Cami: Zara, Jumper: Mango, Skirt: Reiss (here), Shoes: Gucci.

Have you picked up any special pieces in the recent sales? xxx

Work It Out: Blue Leopard

Another day, another purchase in the Reiss sale - this time a pair of royal blue cigarette pants.

 Shirt: Zara, Trousers: Reiss, Shoes: Gucci

The shape of this trouser is a little awkward to wear, but a good pair of heels generally helps. I love the high waisted fit and the vibrant, yet classic deep blue!

OOTD: Signa Pleats

Ah Reiss! You never fail to tempt me with your sales! This season Reiss don't have as many work  dresses as I would have liked in their amazing sale... it just feels like I have seen it all before. However, some of their separates are absolutely gorgeous. I picked up this dramatic, pleated skirt one lunchtime and I think it is a great find, especially for under £50! I love the detailing Reiss always put into their clothes. Ultimately among all the shops on the high street I think they verge the closest to designer, but fortunately without the associated price tag.

Leather Jacket: All Saint's (£350 here), Camisole: Zara, Skirt: Reiss (on sale for £48 here), Shoes: Zara, Bag: Mulberry Cookie, Sunglasses: Prada.

You may be weary of pleated skirts, but this one really is rather special. The colour is deep and sumptuous (not comparable to the nudes, pale pinks and minks or even neons on the high street). The skirt is double layered to provide coverage and weight. Plus while the front panel is plain, the slit underneath is at the front taking away all the bulk that many maxis add and really streamlining it as you walk. I also love the corset style pewter buttons and the mini welt pockets on the back. Once again this keeps it trim at the waist and is so much more flattering than having folds of fabric on your hips!

It looks pretty good warn backwards too! 

I had seen this skirt on the Reiss website before, but completely overlooked it as I am not a fan of the styling (skirt worn a size too big with grey jumper?). If you have a chance I highly recommend that you check the Reiss sale out, they have some great quality, effortlessly stylish pieces that would slot in to any wardrobe! xxx

Work It Out: Ribbon Knit

I usually steer away from horizonal stripes, but I just couldn't resist this dress in the French Connection sale. The material is so comfortable, and even though it is tight fitting and pretty 'slinky' being rayon it has a lot of stretch. The ombre style with contrasting panels becoming darker towards the bottom is also surprisingly flattering and works well to smooth curves.

 Dress: French Connection (On sale for £57.50 here), Shoes: Kurt Geiger.

The modest length of this dress makes it easy workwear, while the form fitting style can also translate to post work drinks. This is the perfect piece to take you from day to night!

Have you picked up anything from the FCUK sale this season? Are you a fan of horizontal stripes? xxx

New Shoes!?

Even though I am currently trying to control my spending (trying being the operative word) I can never let a Kurt Geiger sale pass me by without at least one iddy biddy purchase. After my friend made me count the number of shoes I own that I have either never worn, or only worn once, my shopping guilt has trippled, but when I saw these beauties I decided that it would be a credit card kind of day. Ooops!

These are the Kurt Geiger Assemble stilettos (now £85 down from £120 here). I love the high, elegant heel, the bow detail and the deep cut.

My justification was that they are perfect for work and go with all my little office ensembles... but unfortunately I am now staring in lust at the glittery white and blue versions too. I need professional help!!

Am I alone in my shoe obsession? Have you got your eye on anything in the Kurt Geiger sale this season? Do you know a shoe addiction when you see one? xxx

Neal's Yard Paraben Amnesty

Designer Cosmetics Sale!!

Browsing through BrandAlley's website I was very excited to see that they are having an amazing sale on a whole host of designer makeup brands. It's not often that amazing brands such as MAC, YSL, Bobbi Brown, Dior, OPI and Essie go on sale, so it's definitely worth checking out!

Since Brand Alley is a member's site you may need an invite to join, but anyone is welcome to e-mail me (filthygorgeousmakeup@gmail.com) and I'll be sure to send you an invite to login with.

Here are my favourites...

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish- £15.50 (RRP £18.50)

 

MAC Pink Pet Me Mineralize Blush - £15.50 (RRP £18)

YSL Rouge Volupte Duo - £33.50 (RRP £42)

 OPI Set Of Four Pirates of the Caribbean Pleasure - £21(RRP £42)

YSL Faux Cils Mascara - £18.50 (RRP £23)

Will you be picking anything up in the Brandalley sales? Hurry.. they are selling fast! xxx

Cosmetofruit Total Body Booster

Whilst browsing the SpaceNK website today I came across this little beauty - the Cosmetofruit Total Body Booster, which is now available half price in the sale (£25 here)!

This amazing elixir was actually sent to me a little while ago and I have been meaning to tell you all about it for quite some time!

The Total Bosy Booster is a delicious (it really is!) nutritional concentrate that helps to detoxify and revitalise your body. With its free radical fighters it also helps to prevent ageing and boost skin health, as well as reduce the appearance of cellulite and recover skin tone and firmness.

The elixir contains a host of active ingredients including spiruline seaweed, which helps to provide elasticity and tone to the skin and has antioxidant and antiradical properties that are effective against oxidative stress and green coffee extract, which helps reduce water retention and lipid accumulation to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

The elixir comes with a nifty little spoon that makes it easy to measure out your daily dose (4ml). I found that the 100ml bottle lasted about a month and it actually became a supplement I enjoyed taking every day. You can take it alone as a 'shot' or even dissolve it in water, but the pomegranate/ berry flavour is quite tasty so I was happy to take it alone. Although I didn't see the most dramatic effects straight away I did see an improvement in the general appearance of my skin after just one month. I am definitely going to be picking up another in the sale... though I am also really tempted to try their Luxurious Hair and Nails elixir (£25 here)!

Have you tried the Cosmetofruit Total Body Booster or any of their other elixirs? Are you tempted to pick this up in the sale? What are your thoughts/ experiences with health supplements? xxx

Work It Out: Seamed

It's been a while since I have done a Work it Out post! With the dark mornings my snooze button has been getting quite the workout, but many of you have commented that you have missed them so I have tried to make a little more effort!

 

Magenta midi pencil dress with seamed detail - ASOS (now on sale for £27), Patent belt - Ted Baker, Blazer - Zara.

This dress is very form fitting, yet comfortable. I love the bright colour and seamed detailing around the bust, which echos the underwear as outerwear trend, but in a subtle, conservative way. I decided to team it with a structured, black tuxedo style blazer to toughen it up with a little masculine tailoring.

Are you wearing midi dresses this season? Are you a fan of 'work it out' posts? What kind of fashion posts are you most interested in seeing? xxx