Uniform Restrictions!

This previous week we have had some of the best weather so far this year. Clear blue skis, warm glittering sun and a gentle summers breeze.  The birds sang in full, the butterflies danced, and swarms of people headed to their local parks and beaches to bask in what could be our one-week of summer! Carrying their portable BBQ’s, guitars and picnic baskets full of delicious summer supplies, people headed out to enjoy the sun and showcase their lovely summer clothes. Woman were wearing brightly coloured, sleeveless airy dresses, long floaty maxi dresses and open toe sandals perfect for when the weather is as glorious as it is now. I however missed the sun; I spent my entire weekend stuck in work, in a room with no air conditioning and the smallest windows known to man! However the worst is yet to come…. I had to wear the dreaded work uniform! Feared by many… heavy black trousers, black (covered toe) shoes and a long sleeved black top! Not ideal! After sweating it out all day in my restrictive, unpractical work uniform, I was inspired to write a little post for those of you that do have the choice to wear what they want (within reason) when at work. So if you are in fact one of the lucky ones, who is not restricted by a work uniform then Style My Way is the website for you. It has a fantastic array of stunning summer dresses that are perfect for work. They are figure-flattering pieces, affordable and also incredibly versatile dresses, that translate into looks that will work within and outside of the office.

I have perused the website and selected 3 of my favourite dresses that are simply stunning, timeless and well crafted:

Black Trench Dress.

 This stunning black trench dress is incredibly versatile as in can be worn in both the summer and winter, and for different occasions. The cotton material of this dress is light and the button detail down the front allows the neckline to open to your own discretion, making this a perfect summer dress. I would wear this dress to the office with a simple court shoe. After work I would add a gladiator sandal some necklace and bangle accessories. If you were to add tights to this dress, remove the waist tie and replace it with a brown leather belt and add a high brown brogue, you would transform the look and make it more suitable for winter. This dress is a wardrobe staple and at just $39.95, it’s a staple that will not break the bank!

 Black Belted Dress

I think this dress is simply darling; again it is another versatile piece from Style My Way. The simple yet incredibly effective neckline gives this outfit the look of real elegance. Falling just below the knee, this is a dress that would be suitable for business meetings, however the suitable frill at the bottom of the dress, and with the right accessories, could translate the dress to an evening outfit. The spandex within the dress will flatter your figure and pull you in, in all the right places and at $59.95 it’s a steal.

 

The Black Audrey Dress

This stunning dress, with floral design is another show stopping piece at just $59.95. A perfect, figure flattering dress and one for so many different occasions. With a fitted black blazer and simple court shoe this would be ideal for a business presentations. However the outfit could translate to an evening look by simply removing the blazer, adding a clash colour evening shoe, and a clutch bag to finish the look. This stunning dress could also be worn at a wedding, with a simple white fascinator and shawl.

 

Happy shopping

 

Charging Tomatoes

I walk around the shops, look out the window, and dream of joining in on the summer fun I see people having. However, I can’t… why… I have NO MONEY! None… not a bean, I am stony broke (until the 28^th may that is).

Now dont get me wrong, I do appreciate that the best things in life are indeed free. I love walking Rufus, my dog, around the park on a beautiful, crisp summer morning… costs nothing, feels great. Spending time with my family….  absolutely free and it truly makes me feel warm inside. I walk around museums, feed the ducks, people watch, rearrange my house, customize my clothes…all these things I love to do and all of them are free as charged. However the big problem here is that I love to spend money! I love to shop; I love to stroll around vintage markets knowing that if I wanted something, I could buy it. I like being on the high street and if I see something a friend may like…I purchase it for them! I love going to see all my friends, which usually involves an expensive trip to London. I love an evening out on the town, filled with cocktails, dancing and usually a new dress! I don’t however, enjoy going to Tesco, walking past the fantastic vintage shop at the bottom of my road, and only being able to afford eggs, milk and bread! Ration food… that has to last me one week. The up side to all this… I may loose some weight, the down side to all this…this SUCKS!

So if like me you are charging tomato’s onto your account and haven’t bought a new outfit for months, then fear not, I may have a solution, one that will help you get through the dark days until pay day.

It’s is time to bring in the big guns…accessories!! When your money is low and funds are dry, yet you still have engagements you have to attend, meals out, a friends party that you agreed to, when you indeed had money! There is only thing to do, wear an old, tired outfit, one you’ve worn a thousand times…however, by adding fantastic, affordable accessorises you can give an old faithful a new twist!

So I have scoured many a website in an attempt to find accessories under £30.00, that hopefully wont dent my bank balance too much but still make me feel like I have bought something new and fabulous to wear before a big night out. I found three fantastic essentials along with many more at Moonspark. I also discovered you can claim an extra 10% off selected items simply by typing “SUMMER” into the discount tab at the checkout.

The Moc Croc Bow Clutch by Claudia Canova, £29.99, would turn a simple outfit into a showstopper. I have a below the knee, tight, vest dress from Topshop boutique that I bought last year. I would spruce this outfit up by wearing a high shoe boot and the Moc croc Bow Clutch of an evening. For the day, I’d use the multi purpose detail of the clutch to the max by unfolding it and using the handle detail, with a flat brogue to finish the look.

The Quilted Patent Heart Shape Chain Bag with Long Chain is simply darling, the best accessory to brighten up any old wardrobe find! I love clash colours, so I would wear this as an addition to any outfit. However I think it would lends itself to a LBD and some clash colour high shoes! With its handle zip with top fastening and internal pockets means this bag is perfect for the daytime to.

My personal favorite is the Multicolour Stretch Waist Belt; this could make any old outfit look brand new. It will synch you in, in all the right places and at £8.99 it’s a complete steal and a must for anyone who can’t afford to buy a new outfit!

 

A Wonderland of 'pick me ups'

“I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is - Who in the world am I?

- Alice, Alice in Wonderland.

I feel incredibly pondering of late almost transitional, personally, professionally and fashionably. I echo regret defectiveness, and decisiveness. I am maybe a wee bit lost, slightly misunderstood, and forever busy. So busy that I skip over the chance, that one has, to enjoy the things they have achieved and therefore, I feel like I haven’t achieved enough.

I think Alice, or should I say Lewis Carroll, summed it up quiet perfectly, if we don’t feel ourselves all the time, then who in fact are we? Are we the person we thought we were, even when were not ourselves, or are we only that person when we are feeling at our best? Confused…me too!

 I always find, when I go thorough ‘stages’ like this, it often reflects on my clothes and personal style. I will play it safe when picking an outfit, I will choose the drabber option that lingers in the depths of my closet, ill add less accessories then normal, study shop dummy’s as appose to doing my own styling and visit more commercial stores instead of my usual vintage haunts. However this all changed when visiting home this last weekend.

I am currently in the process of filming a feature film called “Reuniting the Rubin’s”, in which I play a newsreader. The costume department had called me and asked, if I had any clothes suitable for my part, and if so, for me to bring them along (credit crunch effecting everyone!). So I headed home to see if I had anything remotely business like?

Reminiscent of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, I entered my old bedroom room and saw the big grand wooden wardrobe standing before me, once the home to my ever-growing vintage clothes collection, it now seemed lonely, empty and vacant… or so I thought! I opened the grand wooden doors, stepped inside and found a magical world I thought I’d forgotten. Not quite Narnia, but close enough. Just as much to explore, lots of fun to be had and an array of interesting colours and textures to grab hold of. This was the moment, last week, when visiting my mum’s, that I discovered a ridiculous amount of clothes, that I used to wear, and had left at home when moving out! This is so unlike me as I am normally such a hoarder, yet this was stuff, that at the time, I’d looked at and felt wasn’t good enough to accompany me on my journey far and wide. I found long floaty skirts I’d disregarded, vintage blazers, and the most beautiful 1960’s suede skirt previously belonging to my mother that a few years ago I had just brushed aside! I felt the adrenalin hit my blood stream as I grappled within the wardrobe pulling out skirt after jacket after dress! I must have been mad to of left this stuff behind! And it was at this exact moment that my reflect-ful pondering stage leave me…. and hopefully for good I inspired again, all in a matter of moments!

 So if like me you too are feeling a little distant from your usual self may I suggest, you pack a weekend bag, head home and raid you old wardrobe and god knows of the treasures you may have left behind!

 I will be styling my newfound floatly skirts with Looking Glass’s fantastic wardrobe staples.

 The Nancy top at just £22.00, it is an essential to any wardrobe as it is such a versatile piece. Perfect tucked into knee length floaty skirts and accessorized with a thick brown belt and flat pumps           

 The Joanie top £30.00, again another wardrobe essential perfect for teaming with summer skirts or pedal pushers. The summer garden print and chiffon frill bring complete femininity to this look

 The Grace vests £22.00 each, will match fantastically with my salvaged wardrobe goodies, coming in Light Lilac, Aqua and Navy, with the velvet ribbon and lace panel adding a perfect amount of detail.

Click on each to be taking to the page!

Love Sian x

Summer Loving

As the summer evenings draw closer so does the call for an entire new summer wardrobe!

Well look no further! Moonspark have an eye-catching array of fantastic dresses, skirts and accessories, all reasonably priced, to make you sizzle all summer long, whether you are headed to an exotic escape, or just residing at home.

 This eye catching People’s Market Zebra Print Ruffle Dress £52.99, is a must have for any one who’s wanting to make a statement. With ruffles to the front and straps, and the silky waist sash makes this dress perfect for cocktail hour home, or abroad.

 For an evening out, (on home soil) I would team this printed ruffle mini dress, with black, high heel, ankle boots and the stunning black Mischa Barton ‘Coco’ Snake Skin Cutch, £29.99. I’d also replace the waist sash with the black Max C Circular Deco Waist Belt, £12.99, for that extra hit of glamour.

If you are headed abroad this summer, I would simply replace the black boots with flat black gladiator sandals.

All items and more fabulous additions are available at Moonspark, or simply click on the item and you will be taken straight to the page.

And get an extra 10% off selected items simply by typing 'SUMMER' in to the discount tab at the checkout!

10% off Summer Essentials at Moonspark

If your summer diary is looking anything like mine then i feel sorry for you, because your going to be busy busy busy!!! This summer, so far, I am attending numerous weddings, music festivals, birthday parties, the Edinburgh fringe festival, hen weekends, graduations, gallery openings and somewhere in between all that, I attempting to cram in a summer holiday! I have been panicking at the prospect of just how busy I am going to be, and how, in gods name, am I to find a different outfit or each event without completely breaking the bank. However my panic quickly dissolved, when I began working for a fantastic website called Moonspark.

Moonspark stocks a range of independent designers such as Lipsy, People's Market, Sugarhill, Max C, Full Circle and many more. Not only do they have an array of dresses, coats, bags, belts, skirts and tops to choose from, the clothes and accessories on the website are also incredibly reasonably priced! Ranging from £12 - £100.

So if you are looking for a perfect summer dress, for all the different social events you have in your diary this summer, then look no further the Moonspark. Plus you can claim and extra 10% off the clothes pictured and other designs on the wedsite by typing 'SUMMMER' into the discount tab at the checkout.

The Races

A day at the races is a glamorous affair, one that dates back centuries. Ladies where expected to dress for occasion, long dresses, hats and gloves were a must. However that all changed, when in 1965 Jean Shrimpton attended the races in a white shift mini dress, no hat or gloves and caused outrage and envy all over the world, yet she changed the face of fashion, at the races, forever.

Hats and fascinators have, however, made a come back. The dresses we see at the races today are less formal and more audacious, striking and glamorous then ever before.

 With the Chester Races fast approaching the moonspark website has some fantastic, show stopping outfits perfect for any day at the races!

 The Full Circle silk halter neck dress £114.99 will give you high impact glamour on race day. Its zesty lemon colour is a perfect choice, and the backless halter neck detail enables this dress to translate through to the evening. Made from Luxe silk the boned shaped cups will offer you comfort and support.

 The Lipsy Tulip tea dress a complete steel at £49.99 and perfect if you legs are your best assets. The puff sleeves and tulip print make this dress an instant showstopper and the exposed zip back feature is a quirky detail. Accessorise this look with statement heels, a hat or fascinator and the Mischa Barton ‘Ophelia’ patent clutch £39.99 in black.

 Or why not go all out the race season and re-create retro 50’s glamour this with this Sugerhill boutique floral prom dress £49.99. The fitted rushed body will synch you in, in all the right places and the elasticated back detail will offer you comfort. The two-tier dress gives this outfit a real flirty feel and once the races are over, would be perfect for a summer garden party. Accessorise this outfit with lashings of confidence and lashings of red lipstick.

For more race day must haves visit the Moonspark website. Or click on the dress names to be taken straight to the page.

Plus get a further 10% off at Moonspark simply by typing "summer" into the discount tab on the checkout!