Bank Holiday Treats..

8.28.2017


Style Theory: Whether it is a little bank holiday treat to celebrate an 'actual' sunny bank holiday or a softener for that Back to School intense shoe shopping experience (seriously why do I always leave it to the last minute?) or a well done you survived the school holidays, sometimes us girls just have to treat ourselves! Here are few things I have on my shopping list or have bought recently..

Starting with the top I am wearing above..
Topshop £32

I do love these Topshop tops, this one is incredibly flattering at the waist and whilst in the past I have sized up with this style this one seems to be true to size (I bought a size 10). It is quite low so I tend to wear a black sleeveless body underneath, but a black, v-neck, vest top would work just as well.
Topshop £29

Love the pale pink version too.. this one is a little shorter in the body so it is a good idea to size up and I also loosen the ruching to make it longer, add a little pale pink vest top underneath (love these M&S ones). Wear now with pale blue, ankle length jeans and tan sandals, in the winter team with dark blue jeans and stan smith trainers..add a biker jacket over the top.
Topshop £32
This green top looks great against sunkissed skin, it will add a pop of colour to any look and for the perfect dressed down going look just add boyfriend jeans, red heels and red tassel earrings. This one is true to size and like the black with roses, incredibly flattering.
Missoma £139


I just adore Missoma jewellery and this necklace is the one I have on my wish list for a while. It looks great layered up with the mini horn necklace I wear all the time (lots have people have asked me the details - it is the exact one below and I love, love it!) . These kind of necklaces sit perfectly with the v neck blouses above. 

Missoma £105
This mini fang necklace sits just at the right height on the neck and the gold never loses it's colour or shine, a beautiful piece to keep forever..
&Other Stories 
'Maximalism' is having a moment (yes, it is a word I checked!..basically the opposite to minimalism) AW17 it is all about opulence, prints and luxurious fabrics so the quickest way to tap into this fashion is to go large on cocktail rings. I adore cocktail rings and love meandering through antique fairs looking for them (I have quite a collection I haven't worn for a while but will start again now) The three above are the best high street ones I have seen for a while and will add a little drama to the most dressed down look, liven your outfit up a little and look pretty cool at the same time..
&Other Stories £17
Love the purple and clear glass stones..
&Other Stories £13
Mix gold, silver and coloured stones together, anything goes..
&Other Stories £23
Love this over the top ring..just wear them with a simple tee, jeans and sandals for a cool end of summer update..
Hush £49.50
From opulent rings to pjs..but seriously pyjamas for me are such a (practical) indulgence and these Hush Pjs are stunning. They are so comfy on, roomy and wash amazingly well, as the nights get slightly darker there is nothing more that I love than sticking on my pjs and watching the bake off ..Tuesday nights are going to be wild!!


So there is my slightly eclectic Bank Holiday buys..sometimes you just got to treat yourself! I love each piece and have already treated myself to a few!! 

I hope you have had the most fabulous bank holiday, next time I will be looking at the best 'maximalist' dresses there are some amazing ones out there at the moment, you can wear them now with trainers and in the winter with ankle boots...it's all so exciting!! I love a new season!! Thanks so much for reading until next time Fran xxx

Shine through the Seasons...in the colour to wear this Autumn

8.25.2017








images via Pinterest
Style Theory: Yellow/Mustard/Minion Yellow (yes that is an actual pantone colour!) is the colour that can instantly lift your mood, it is sunny, joyful and a little frivolous. Lots of people shy away from yellow as they feel it does not suit their skin tone or is a tricky colour to wear but there really is a shade to suit everyone. I do love a mustard yellow, I find with a hint of (fake) tan I wear this colour with ease and wearing yellow really does brighten up my day. It is a matter of trying on different shades to see which one flatters your colouring, but don't be scared of yellow it really is an easy colour to wear..

Here are my top 10 yellow high street hits available now...
Ganni £355
The dream jumper, this is slightly orange in tone but I am squeezing it under the 'yellow umbrella' It is the most beautiful, wool/mohair mix knitted jumper, a utterly luxurious but useful piece to invest in. It looks great on with jeans, skirts, over dresses, the options are endless. I have this in red and can confirm it is gorgeous on, I have a small and it is still quite oversized but I like the slouchy nature of it, I paid so much for it so I want to get as much knit as possible! 
Topshop £32
A cute top to wear now with denim shorts and tan sandals, in the winter team with ankle length jeans, red boots and a navy blazer.
Forever 21 £14
A great, inexpensive way to dip your toe in the yellow trend, this T-shirt ticks so many boxes, slogan, the colour of the season and £14!!
&Other Stories £79
My sister has this blouse and it looks absolutely beautiful on her. It is such a flattering cut and colour and looks great styled with dark red, the perfect top to take you through from summer to winter. Wear under a red coat in the winter, for a super stylish look.
&Other Stories £35
For a cool look wear this sweater with jeans, dark red gazelles and some yellow tinted sunglasses, very scandi, very AW17..
Mango £25.99
The perfect, cool sweater to throw on with jeans and trainers at the weekend or for the school run..
New Look £35
Spotted this coat on Cara Suthers and love it and for £35 it is such a good buy!
Asos £8
Wear these sunglasses with a mustard/yellow sweater to create a cool, scandi look.
Zara £25.99
Love this blouse, it looks stunning on, elegant for work but also just as lovely with jeans and trainers at the weekend.
Zara £89.99
This slouchy leather bucket bag is AW17 perfection, wear with dark reds, clash with yellows or team with navy, the idea 'throw it all in' bag.

Are you ready to take the plunge with yellow? I love the way Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director of Pantone Institute describes the Pantone colour Minion Yellow 'Pantone Minion Yellow heightens awareness and creates clarity..the colour of joy, hope and clarity' So if in doubt and needing a little but of cheering up stick on some yellow!!

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xx

Spotlight on Topshop New Season

8.22.2017



Style Theory: Maybe its the slightly chillier evenings, maybe it is the fact it is starting to get darker earlier but there is no doubting that I am starting to get excited about the new season. So many gorgeous items arriving, some perfect pieces to invest in now and wear now and that will seamlessly take you in the winter. 

Starting with a look at Topshop new season..

I love knitwear, especially worn with shorts or a skirt and white pumps in the summer, it looks elegant and keeps you cosy as the weather turns colder and looks just as good with jeans and boots in the winter..

These are the jumpers that will look amazing on and ideas how to style..
Topshop £39

Love the roll neck, puff sleeves and the vivid red colour..can be worn as below



Pair with a floral skirt and trainers...With shorts - it would look fab with denim shorts..



Simply with jeans and cool trainers..

Topshop £34

Slightly obsessed with this colour this season, it is stunning on, looks great against sunkissed skin or cheat like me with a touch of St Tropez mousse! Wear it as below..



Love mustard clashed with a pop of red, the sunglasses add a interesting twist or wear with red shoes and a slick of red lipstick.
Topshop £20




Mustard jumper, blue jeans and black black bag..simply perfect.

Topshop £46

It is all about the tie detail at the moment, these are the perfect denim update, wear now with white trainers and in the winter with black sock boots.



Summer perfection with a white tee and tan, strappy sandals..



In the winter you can make a statement in them with a cool leopard print coat and boots.

Topshop £39

This top is a fab find, it is fairly similar to the Isabel Marant top I have been desperate for all summer but it was too expensive. I have ordered this...



The Isabel Marant blouse...looks fab with pale blue jeans..

Lucy Williams

Wear the blouse with ankle length jeans, strappy sandals and a basket bag..

Topshop £34

Love, love the sleeves on this top, will look fab under black or denim dungarees now and in the winter wear with black jeans and boots.



So not exactly the same but just to illustrate how great puff sleeves look under dungarees...

Topshop £45

Backpacks will be big news this Autumn/Winter (yet again!) and you cannot go wrong with a tan leather backpack, they look chic and elegant and are practical too..


Chic, preppy and cool, a tan backpack and a stripey shirt is the ideal combinaton.
Topshop £49

There is something very Zimmerman about this top, slouchy, boho and will look great with denim shorts/jeans now and in the winter wear with leather jeans and trainers..


A few ideas for the next season but all items can be worn now,  I do love a multi season buy and at 42 I still love Topshop...are you a jumper/shorts/skirt kind of girl? Are you getting excited about the new season or have I just got to calm down and enjoy summer ;-) As always I love reading your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

*All streetstyle photos via Pinterest

Outfit Post...The Floral Skirt that looks far more Expensive than under £40

8.21.2017


Style Theory: I wrote about my obsession with the jumper, skirt and trainer look here and today I found the perfect skirt. I will wear it now with tees, sweaters and trainers or my favourite new red Zara sock boots, in the winter I will team it with dark red knee high boots and black polonecks. 

The skirt caught my eye as I was dashing into M&S today on a mission to find a prawn sandwich in between looking at bi-fold doors and portable hobs (the glamour!) I had to divert to the changing rooms to try it on and loved it on immediately, it definitely looks far more expensive than it's £39.50 price tag...
Cashmere Jumper - Scout Cashmere
Skirt - M&S 
Boots - Zara
The skirt is fab, it is described online as a midi but on me (5ft3) it is definitely more of a maxi but hangs beautifully. I bought a 10 but I think I could have sized down to an 8 as it does come up slightly on the large side and has the added bonus of an elasticated waistband.. I love the print, it looks so much better in real life than online..promise!
M&S £39.50
The skirt has a a very dark navy navy base so I will mix it with blacks and dark reds in the winter.
Topshop £18
I also bought this tee to go with the skirt, the perfect piece to dress it down,  love the idea of wearing it with red adidas gazelles... the perfect dress down look..
Asos £75
Or these darker red Gazelles..
Office £79.99
They will add the finishing touch to a dress...as seen on The Fashion Guitar below..perfection (the skirt is D&G, stunning but completely out of my price range!!..I'll take the M&S one!)
The Fashion Guitar
The skirt obsession will no doubt continue, as will my need to buy those Adidas Gazelles!! 



Are you a skirt addict, have you invested in any lately? 

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Also just to let you know I now have a new schedule for blog posts, I will publish every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, so you know when to pop back...so looking forward to my next 'school year' of blogging, I always take a little break to be with the kids over summer but by the end of August I have so many exciting new ideas building up in my head, I feel refreshed, and ready to get going with the Autumn/Winter 17 trends and great high street buys..thanks for sticking with me and reading, I appreciate it so so much, here's to a fun rest of 2017, Fran xxx