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: Rehearsal Dinner

Today's post is a little outfit of the day from my rehearsal dinner. I had about 15 mins to get ready after our church rehearsal so I quickly tonged my hair with the Babyliss conical wand and refreshed my makeup using the Urban Decay Naked palette and a slick of The Body Shop gloss over MAC's Costa Chic lipstick.

 

I picked up this bright mint gradient/ dip dye maxi dress in the Ted Baker sale and think it works perfectly with my tan by James Harknett.

 The secret is out... I have a twin!

Apologies for the deer in headlights expression... but I was unashamedly nervous/ exhausted/ excited/ apprehensive/ happy!

*Christmas Giveaway!*

With just two weeks left before Christmas I thought I would do a little festive geveaway featuring some gorgeous beauty products from Boots! If you haven't seen the Boots Christmas advert yet, then you can check it out below. I really do see you guys as an extension of my friends and family so wanted to spread a little love and joy to my beautiful readers!

I will be giving away three gorgeous prizes:

• No7 The Nail Collection with four nail polishes in Devils Delight, Totally Teal, Hot to Trot and Damson Dream.

•  Ted Baker The Name on Everyone's Lips. A set of four glossy lip crayons presented in a beautiful ballet print tin from Ted Baker.

• Botanics Facial Oil plus two mini Nails Inc. polishes.

All you have to do to enter is follow this blog and leave a comment below with your choice of gift set and your e-mail address. The competition will be open for a week!


If you want to check out the selection of gifts on the Boots website you can see their recommendations here.

Good luck my lovelies and I hope you are all having a wonderful festive season! xxx

Gorgeous Ted Baker Gift!

I just spotted this beautiful Ted Baker gift set on the Boots website and had to share it with you as I think it makes such a lovely gift. Plus at a fantastic price of £22 (down from £45) it really is a savvy purchase!

The Ted Baker set includes:

• Body Wash
• Bath Foam
• Body Scrub
• Body Souffle
• Body Lotion
• Hand Cream
• Purple Vanity Case lined with ballet shoe pattern, built-in mirror and jewel fastening.

I absolutely adore this Ted Baker gift set, and am pretty tempted to pick one up for myself, if only for the gorgeous travel case! xxx

OOTD: Vivix

Last season's love of the midi dress has stayed with me this Autumn. I just love the long, lean and sophisticated silhouette that a midi paired with heels creates.

Dress and Belt: Ted Baker (£169 here). Kurt Geiger patent shoe boots (similar here).

This dress is one of my favourite recent purchases, so much so that I chose to wear it for a celebratory brunch with the in laws-to-be. The soft cowl neck draping creates some beautiful curves to an otherwise well structured dress. I also love the contrast of the angular double buckle belt against the fluid colour palette.

Are you a fan of the midi trend? What have been your favourite pieces this Autumn? 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

Umbria and Tuscany

Not too long ago I spent a magical week in the plush Italian countryside on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Having returned home to find my internet was broken (fixed today yay!) I have been looking forward to sharing these pictures with you for far too long!!!

 Swimsuit and flip-flops: Ted Baker. Sunglasses: Fiorelli.

 Dress, clutch and flip-flops: Ted Baker. Sunglasses: Prada.

Lake Trasimeno

Bikini: Reiss

Passignano sul Trasimeno pier

 The view from Castiglione del Lago

 Dress: Topshop (similar here)

 Sunflowers in Tuscany

 Montepluciano - where they filmed Twilight New Moon!

Godiolo Vineyard and wine tasting!

Photography by the pool...

 

Swimsuit: Red or Dead (here)

Penguin

Enjoying the sunset in Castel Rigone

 Beautiful Florence

 Lucky piglet Porcellino

 Out for dinner on the last night. Dress: Amaka Showroom.

A very photo heavy post, but I love looking at everyone's holiday snaps, so I do hope you enjoyed them! xxx

Work It Out: Suited

Although I am not usually the suited and booted type some days at work require a suit. Whether it is a business trip, an important meeting, or just one day you need to impress the boss a well cut suit can really give you confidence. Even if you don't work in a formal environment everyone needs a suit in their wardrobe... you never know when you will need it!

There are few places that can make a feminine, stylish suit that is fashionable. Most suits I try on make me feel far from confident as the child inside me scowls at the fact I'm wearing such 'grown up clothes', while my inner fashionista frowns at their frumpiness. Up till now I have purchased tailoring from Zara as well as a few bits from the ever conservative Austin Reed. However, I recently invested in a new suit in the Ted Baker sale and am exquisitely happy with it!

Suit: Ted Baker Prince of Wales (On sale here), Cami: Zara.

 

The jacket of this suit is cut so well that it fits snugly, but very comfortably. The lining is a gorgeous floral pattern and super silky (as shown on the back of the waistcoat below). These little details add a luxe feel while making it easy to wear with a cami or a shirt ensuring you can keep cool, even in the most stressful boardroom ;). There's nothing worse than a suit with a horrible, synthetic lining that makes you feel all flustered and hot!

 

All too often I find that I have to go up a size in jackets (I wear a 2 in TB) as they are too tight around the bust, yet too loose at the waist hiding any shape under an unflattering box cut. Ted Baker tailor their suits with the female body in mind, so that your shape is exaggerated, but modestly so. The button detailing on the skirt also adds some interest and makes it unique. This particular suit has matching trousers, which I am currently eyeing up, plus a waistcoat and a simple dress.


Do you often wear suits for work? Which are your favourite brands? Have you purchased any tailoring from Ted Baker? xxx

OOTD: Crochet

This weekend was absolutely beautiful, so the bf and I took full advantage of the stunning weather - walks around the park, frozen yoghurt, seafood and crepes in the sunshine. We couldn't ask for anything more!

Dress: Topshop (£40 here), Belt: Reiss, Bag: Mulberry, Flip Flops: Ted Baker (£35 here), Sunglasses: Fiorelli (similar £15 here).

I bought this dress a few months ago, but this weekend was the first time I have had a chance to show it off. It's such an easy shirt dress to wear and perfect for the hot weather with it's deep cut out back and floaty skirt. Though the top is pretty much see through I decided to pair it with a coral strapless bra to add a bit of colour contrast to the mint belt and handbag.

Do you have any new purchases hiding in your wardrobe waiting for the sun? What pieces will you be investing in this season? I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are surviving this incredible heat wave! xxx