strawbeary sunday

The notorious British summertime. I got a lovely strawberry print fabric lined picnic basket for my birthday a few years ago, and every time I have planned to use it, the weather has let me down. Luckily I have managed to give it 2 outings so far this year; there is something so pleasing about picnic-ing properly. As always, I see part of that as dressing appropriately. Realistically this would mean wearing something you don't mind sitting in swan shit in, or spilling houmous down, but we can't let practicality ruin all the fun, all the time. 

The bulk of my summer dresses are still locked up in my parent's garage out of reach as my mortgage application rumbles on, but I have been enjoying this striped a-line summer dress which was my mum's in the 80s/90s. The top part doesn't quite fit but I think because of the sweetheart neckline it doesn't look too bad having the top button undone. Plus the big a-line skirt is good for hiding your muffin top under. On a separate humble brag note, the blueberry muffins I made for the occasion were divine! 

Tex-mexi dress

Howdy partners!

For my sister's birthday she had a mexican fiesta. There were lethal tequila drinks, incredible edibles and a pinata (my contribution). As I love a theme dress, I finally had an opportunity to wear my cowboy-style denim shirt dress (from an East End thrift store fill-a-bag). I teamed it with the new belt I got for my birthday which was very tex-mex- cowboy buckle but made of a colourful striped material remniscient of a poncho (from Beyond Retro). I finished the outfit off with my tatty devine day of the dead necklace and silver snakeskin high heels (good old M&S), as I felt the dress needed sophisitcated shoes to contend with its voluminosity. The close-up is from a little fun shoot my friend Elle and I did in October, hence the difference in hair colour. 

show your stripes

I love striped denim. I think its because my mum used to wear quite a lot of it in the 90s and something has stuck in my mind. I've actually inherited a couple of pieces from her, a dungaree dress with a striped skirt that I intend to wear with a tight white crop top, and a long sun dress that I wore quite a lot last year but only have one weird photo of (below). I'm sure I will wear it a lot this year too, if we have the weather, so I will blog it then. 

I also like this sassy little Miss Selfridge number that I bought in a sale, I think it will have to go this year though as I'm a bit too porky for it

I love how much striped denim there is on the high street at the moment, especially the cropped jackets in Forever 21 and the shorts in Topshop. I love the striped shorts in all colours, but probs like the mint best. River Island have a cute pair too: 

appetite for reduction

this t-shirt was only £2.99 in Barnados in Woodley Precinct. My shoes were 20 times that price so it all evens out, yeah....?

yes please

House of Holland star print flares. Picture by Pamela Hanson for Glamour

snow way out

Tuesday, woke up with raging headache, thought I was going to town but the boyfriend's car was having trouble and we basically couldn't be effed. I had even battled with my leopard print beret and everything. It was a Christmas present from the bf and I love it but I struggle with accessories sometimes, I get a bit of the fear.


Cringe face but this quick snapshot gives you an idea. I like the simple denim and leopard print combo.

That night it snowed and the bf was stuck at my house until this morning. Cue many jokes about the film 'Misery', James Caan, sledge hammers etc. I don't think he had a brutally bad time though, I mean we had good food and Mario Kart and I let him wear my Alice Cooper t-shirt. Here's a selection from the first lot of snow pictures.