Silver Accent

It's been  a while but as the holidays are here, I should have more time to post, so expect me to be on the blogging ball over the next couple of weeks.  Keep popping back to check for new posts or subscribe for updates direct to your Inbox.

Today's Topic: Silver Earrings

Last week I bought two pairs of earrings from ASOS. Cheap as chips.  I've loved wearing them since they arrived and have received lots of compliments. So I thought I'd share with you and also see what else is out there that won't break the bank but will give you some extra pzazz.

Let's start with some inspo pics from my Pinterest boards to show you where I'm going with this.

Outfit of the Day #2 - Grey and Khaki

Scarf, TK Maxx, Past Season
Sweater, My Wardrobe Past Season
Trousers, H&M, Past Season
Trainers, Ash Jodie Leather Quilted, Current
Bracelets, Accessorize Cosmic Cuffs, Current

 I'm squinting - the sun is definitely not in the right place, but my 8 year old was snapping again, and my 10 year old was pulling faces behind him. At least he managed to get my head and feet in this shot... we definitely need to practice some more!

Here's an example of how you can put this outfit together with picks from the High Street,

A girl with two pearl earrings

..which were almost reduced to one today as I ran (for the first time in months and months) on the treadmill. One popped off but fortunately was retrieved unharmed.

These earrings were purchased on a whim in Monsoon 10 days or so ago, and I have received sooo many compliments about them, I feel they are worthy of a post all to themselves.  So here they are in all their £6 glory. Yes just £6!

Autumn Style: Little Red Bag

I have been searching for a little red crossbody bag for a few weeks now, without success.  There seem to be lots of berry-shade bags out there (so many in fact that this one from Accessorize popped into my shopping basket the other day), but I am really after a pillar box red one, you know like this Chloe one or this one from Celine , and not having a couple of grand to spend on a small handbag I had hoped to find a budget one on the High Street.  

And then today, when I had all but given up hope, this one popped up on the TopShop website. Yay!  It's small, red, and perfectly formed with a perfect price too of just £30, plus it's 100% leather.

Autumn Style: Black Leather Biker Jacket

Back to the Autumn/Winter Wishlist folks and onto item number 2 which I have been lusting after for a few weeks now.
Whilst in Manchester last week I popped into Mango and tried this little beauty on (tricked into thinking it was on promotion at £59.99 by a cleverly placed sign) and now I want it even more!

Seeing Stars

Whilst researching for a post earlier this week I came across this cute jumper (below) with the star elbow patches. I clipped it knowing that I would want to include in a future post.  Today I came across this star clutch bag in Mango (below) which reminded me of the jumper and a new post was born... Off I went in search of all things starry...

3 Ways to Style Shorts

After having found three perfect pairs of shorts for my upcoming Summer Break, I have been gathering some inspiration (from Pinterest, Blogs, magazines and friends) on how to best to style them...


1. Smart casual Style Inspiration

3 Ways to Wear a Jumpsuit

Here are 3 ways to achieve Jumpsuit Joy!

Cold Shoulder Shorts Style

Well, I've only worn my denim shorts once so far this Summer and we're getting close to the end of June... so for this post I have been dreaming of an outfit which I can wear with my denim cut offs as soon as Summer decides to arrive and the temperature ramps up ALOT! 

This TopShop Cold Shoulder Top in black (£28) has featured in all of this week's posts because it is such a versatile piece which shows off your (ageless) shoulders and back, and skims over other imperfections such as wrinkly elbows, untoned upper arms and mummy tummy.   It just makes me feel fab when I wear it and it goes with so many different jeans (black, white or blue) and shorts. It is also available in white which will look perfect with blue denim.

Jewellery Edit: Like a Child in a Sweet Shop . ..

Remember that feeling you would get as a child when you entered a Sweet Shop? Staring up at those multi-coloured, sugary jewels encased in glass jars?  Imagining the taste of them on your tongue?  Well, I got a similar feeling when I started browsing the jewellery section of our High Street stores.  Okay, so they're not the real McCoy (no diamonds, emeralds or rubies to be found here) but they are affordable additions to our everyday wear, and can make a plain outfit into something special, adding that 'je ne sais quoi' for a small cost.

My browsing began with Accessorize where I found these beauties...

Styling a white Summer Dress

Back in March I purchased this white dress from ASOS

It's a GLAMOROUS swing crochet dress, £38 available here in a lightweight 100%

April Showers call for. ..

...the trusty trench

Well, it's good to be back with you after a short break due to technical issues... All sorted now and on with the posts.

Brrrr, away with you chilly weather and April showers!  

This is definitely the time of year that the trench coat was invented for.  Our cosy, woolly sweaters have been packed away and we resort to transitional layers topped off by a trench coat to provide a little warmth and some waterproofness.  There are so many gorgeous trench coats out there on the High Street and online; the jewel in the crown of all trenches is, in my opinion, one from the Burberry range as here, but with a price point the same as that of a small secondhand car I doubt my wardrobe will be graced with its presence in the near future or ever..Oh well, one can dream, and keep checking www.vestiairecollective.com on a regular basis to see if one is available within my budget.

In the meantime, it is  no hardship to browse (and maybe purchase) more available offerings on our High Street, in-store and on-line. Here are six that I have plucked out for you:

1. MANGO Trench £59.99

2. MARKS & SPENCER Pure Cotton Mac with Stormwear £85.00

3. RIVER ISLAND Long Sleeve Trench £85.00

4, ASOS Mac with Pleat Back £75.00

5. NEW LOOK Long Sleeve Trench £49.99

6. TOPSHOP cotton Khaki Trench Coat £79.00

The trench is such a practical garment which waits patiently in our wardrobes and lofts throughout the Winter months; once freed in the Spring, Summer and even Autumn months it reminds us how versatile and useful it really is, looking just as good with a business suit or thrown over jeans or dresses, here are a couple of ideas to get you started..

1. ASOS Classic Trench £60

2.H&M Distressed Boyfriend Jeans  £29.99

3.BODEN Long Sleeve Breton Top £21.25

4. Oasis x KEDS Leopard Skater £45

Pssst!! - there's 20% off at Oasis until midnight tonight (1st May) with code 'TREATME20' and BODEN continues to offer a 15% discount and free delivery and returns.

1. ZARA White Dress £79.99

2. M&S Pure Cotton Mac with Stormwear £85

3. MINT VELVET Ankle Boot in Smoke £149 OR similar at H&M £29.99

4. ACCESSORIZE Fringed Tote £55

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend!  Fingers crossed we can throw off our trench coats and layers and enjoy some warm sunshine.  Me, I'll be keeping my trench thrown nonchalantly over my shoulders or my arm just in case of a shower...

Sue