Grown Up Dressing..

3.29.2018


Style Theory: I used to work in an office so I used to dress smart, sometimes I really miss dressing 'grown up'. I spend most of my days in jumpers, jeans and trainers so for this month's collaboration with M&S I went for a smart look, still super comfortable but dressing like a grown up was fun....


Jumper - M&S Cashmere £75
Skirt - M&S £39.50
Shoes - M&S £49.50
Sunglasses - M&S £15
Bag - M&S in store
Jacket - M&S reduced in store
This is the best tux jacket I have seen in ages, I spotted it on a recent shoot I was on, Emma Thatcher from A Style Album was wearing it looked fab. It looked so much more expensive than it's (now) £29. I did mention the jacket on my Instastories this week and I am afraid it sold out immediately, I bought this jacket in store, so it is well worth trawling the sales rails for. It is a tux style jacket, I sized down to a size UK 6, I tried on a UK 8 and to be honest there isn't much in it so if you see one that is one or two sizes smaller then it worth a go at trying it on as the jacket does come up big.

This Marks and Spencer black cashmere crew neck jumper is possibly my most worn jumper this year. It is super soft, easy to care for (I wash it in the handwash cycle of my machine in a net bag and it always washes really well) I have a few M&S cashmere jumpers and would really recommend them, they keep their shape, wear well and are great luxurious, capsule pieces in my wardrobe. 
Jumper - M&S Cashmere £75
Skirt - M&S £39.50
Shoes - M&S £49.50
Sunglasses - M&S £15
Bag - M&S in store
Jacket - M&S reduced in store
The tropical print skirt caught my eye as I walked through M&S, I am a huge fan of a ruffle and a flower print, the skirt has an elasticated waist so it is incredibly comfortable. The hem dips at the back to create a flattering silhouette, it is true to size or if you are on the smaller side of your normal size size down.

Every season M&S nail the shoes and these mustard suede ones are beautiful, they are comfortable and flattering (the heel is a great walking height) I love the bow detail at the side, it adds a design twist. The colour is subtle so elongates legs, they come in black too but for summer these mustard ones are perfect!

A few other items that I have my eye on in M&S at the moment:
M&S Pure Cashmere Jumper £75
A grey cashmere jumper is the perfect item for a Spring and Summer wardrobe, it looks great with maxi skirts, or jeans and white trainers.Love a pinafore jumpsuit, so comfy and chic.
M&S Cashmere Jumper £75
A pale blue jumper looks fab with light blue ankle length jeans and white superga trainers, a really fresh spring look, size up for a slouchy fit.
M&S Culotte Pinafore Jumpsuit £49.50
A jumpsuit is such a comfortable alternative to a dress, love the frill detail and colour. I would add turquoise earrings to clash it up and wear nothing underneath and a black tux jacket over the top.
M&S Colour Block jumper £39.50
I used to have a sleeveless jumper similar to this years ago with a big bow on the shoulder and I loved it. I would size up a little with this one I think it would look good on the slouchier side.
M&S Weave Shoes £39.50
It's all about the weave shoe this Spring/summer (I remember having weave shoes when I was 11, I loved them with all my heart they were my first slip on shoes!) These are chic, keep things simple with a pair of pale blue boyfriend jeans and a white tee.

And sometimes I just like to wear trainers with my skirts, this skirt looks as good dressed up as dressed down..
Jumper - M&S Cashmere £75
Skirt - M&S £39.50

Photos Victoria Metaxas
For me it is all about balance a dressed up dressed down look is my comfort zone for now...just bring me a little sun and maybe I can be pushed out of it a little!!

Thanks so much for reading, have a wonderful Easter and a fab break, Love Fran xx

This blog post was written in collaboration with Marks and Spencer, all thoughts, opinions, styling and photography is my own.

Shopping With Fran - My Edit of my Favourite Items on the High Street now....

3.28.2018

&Other Stories £59

Style Theory: Every week I scour the high street for the best buys, looking at the best cuts, fabrics and fit. I try on all the items to see if they come up big or small, sizing can be so different on the high street especially in H&M and Zara, so this should give you a guide on what size to order and how each item fits.

I am 5ft 3 and a basic size UK 10 both top and bottom. These are the items that really caught my eye this week...

&Other Stories £59
This blouse is such a beautiful colour, it is super flattering against skin and would look fab on a night out with jeans and heels or can equally be worn dressed down with jeans and trainers (I really like it with my grey trainers) It is quite stiff fabric but can be tucked into jeans easily and it is pretty see through, I would wear a nude vest top underneath. I found it came up a little big so sized down one size.

Zara £49.99
Zara £49.99
These throw over, kimono style jackets are so useful for the Spring and summer to wear over tees or camisole tops with jeans or shorts.  They immediately dress up a look, making it look stylish. This Zara kimono is a beautiful deep green colour with delicate embroidery on it. I am wearing a size small, if you like a slouchy look go for your normal size, for a neater look size down.
Zara £69.99
Jumper M&S Cashmere £75
Zara £69.99
This skirt looks very designeresque (for a non-designer price!) It has lurex threaded through so will shimmer and shine in the sun. I really liked it with my trainers or just add a white tee and flat tan sandals for a glam but laid back summer look. It came up a little small across the (high) waist so I sized up to a medium.
Top - Zara £25.99
Trousers - £25.99
Zara £25.99
The blouse is such a useful top for the spring and summer. I love a white broderie top, I wear them non stop, with jeans and denim shorts, linen or khaki trousers. This top is true to size I am wearing a size small.

The khaki trousers are a summer classic with a twist, they have ties around the ankle to pull them in and make them a peg leg shape. They come up a little big, but I do quite like them slouchy so stuck with my normal size.
Top - Zara £25.99
Jeans - Old Topshop
Trainers - Golden Goose
Zara £25.99
I have a thing for white tops! This is another beautiful one with super puffy sleeves, I sized up to a medium as I found it came up a little small.
Zara £29.99
Zara £29.99
If you are lucky enough to be jetting off to the sun this Easter this dress is fab to throw over a swimsuit or bikini, the perfect beach to bar dress. It comes up true to size, I am wearing a small above.
Blouse - & Other Stories 
This blouse is beautiful on, it is the softest fabric, that hangs beautifully on. It has sold out online but is still in store, a pretty Liberty style print.
Blouse - &Other Stories £69
The most beautiful apple green colour, this blouse is slightly oversized so size down from your normal size. It would make a fabulous work blouse with navy trousers and heels.
Hoody - H&M £34.99
Skirt - H&M £39.99
I do love a hoody and a skirt combo, it is the perfect dressed up/dressed down look. This hoody comes up big so size down and the skirt I would say is true to size, the material is quite thin but it does hang well.

I hope these Shopping with Fran blog posts helps a little when it comes to fit and finding a few gems on the high street. Hopefully this rain will stop soon so we can start wearing some Spring outfits! Thanks so much for reading, until next time Fran xx

Special Memories with Links of London

3.07.2018


Bracelet - Links of London Narrative Yellow Gold Bracelet
Ring - Links of London Timeless 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Signet Ring
Style Theory: Memories are pretty special, that perfume your Mum always wore when you were little, the colour of a favourite dress, a piece of jewellery that was just 'her' these things can take you back to years gone by, back to those feelings of being looked after. For me it takes me back to a bright yellow, 70s kitchen, sunshine seemed to always be pouring through the windows, my Mum setting up 'shops' for me and my sisters to play, a pile of singles stacked up and dropping in turn on the record player...Stevie Wonder, Abba singing away in the background and lots of laughter. Friends popping in, always lots of kids - my parents have always had and still have an open door..'come in and have a cup of tea, stay for dinner, have a glass of wine'.... these memories are so powerful and mean so much to me.




For our little family we have our precious memories, I remember when I was pregnant with Jess, dancing around our (damp) flat in Wimbledon to Elton John's Tiny Dancer, I played it on a loop, I was convinced that this crazily active baby inside my tummy was a girl (she was!) I was blissfully naive, not knowing what was down the road, anticipation, excitement..the unknown. It was a crazy first 6 months with Jess, I could never predicted the super highs and the lows (thank goodness more highs than lows), I still call her my Tiny Dancer 10 years on...this beautiful Links of London Narrative bracelet is a wonderful memory of that time, I love it, it is engraved with 'Love your Tiny Dancer',the bracelet is delicate, strong and super luminous just like Jess. It is 18ct gold vermeil and sits perfectly on my wrist. A real Mother's Day treat, Links of London will engrave any jewellery (in the 'Engrave' category for free with a special message)
Bracelet - Links of London Narrative Yellow Gold Bracelet
Ring - Links of London Timeless 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Signet Ring
Blouse - H&M 
Jeans - H&M (in store)
Shoes - Dorothy Perkins (old season) Love these
On to the second person that came into our lives with a huge big, fat ,bump (I was massive - Jack was 9lbs) he is my little rock, strong, sensitive, cool, aware with a wicked sense of humour. Nothing can reflect his secure demeanour better than a signet ring, engraved simply with JB - he is a dude and every time I look at this Timeless 18kt Rosr Gold Vermeil ring I will be reminded of him. 


It is so lovely to be given something to keep for Mother's Day, for the last few years my kids (via Russ) have bought me a little piece of jewellery with a special message on it, last year it was a ring with 'Love' on it, I wear it every day never taking it off, it is my most special piece of jewellery as it is from my little J's. I have added these two pieces of jewellery to my 'wear forever pieces'...the sign they are pretty special.
Bracelet - Links of London Narrative Yellow Gold Bracelet
Ring - Links of London Timeless 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil Signet Ring
So heres to all the Mums, the Grandmas, the Aunties, the Stepmums, the nearly Mums, I hope you all get a little rest this Sunday and spoilt, a cup of tea in bed and a sit down, you deserve it....

My Lovely Mum xx

This blogpost was written in collaboration with Links of London, all opinions, styling and selections are my own.

Talking Dungarees and Denim Jackets

3.01.2018

Style Theory: Two pieces of denim I love are a good pair of dungarees and this year, thanks to the big 90s revival, I am loving the denim trucker jacket, it will play a major part in all my Spring/summer outfits this year.

So let's start with the Levis Trucker Jacket, when House of Fraser asked me to select a couple of pieces of denim to style I made a beeline for the denim jacket. I wore one all through my university years under my puffer coat (it was the 90s- all looking very familiar this year) with black jeans, chunky black boots and a crop top (oh those were the days). Fast forward 24 years to 2018 - a lot more wrinkles and lbs - I will be wearing this jacket with floral maxi dresses and chunky trainers this spring and in the summer throwing it over shorter summer dresses and flat tan sandals. It is the piece of denim you need in your wardrobe this year along with a great pair of ankle length jeans.




The colour of this jacket is great, a beautiful light denim and the fit is flattering, I am wearing a size small I would say it is pretty true to size.

The Dungarees..


Dungarees, I live in them, they are almost like a comfort blanket for me, extremely comfortable, practical (toilet trips an exception) and look just as good dressed down as dressed up.



These Fat Face dungarees are the height of comfort, made of super soft denim and look as good dressed up with heels as with a breton and trainers. They will take you from winter to summer and I know there are lots of people with reservations about them but honestly, I just completely love dungarees, they are soo comfortable!

A few other denim pieces I have eye on from House of Fraser..
Levis Sherpa Trucker Jacket at House of Fraser £99
A warmer version of the denim jacket, again a 90s classic, this will look fab over dresses or just simply with black or white jeans, a tee and trainers.
Levis 501 skinny at House of Fraser £85
Love a pair of Levis jeans..the original and the best.
Tommy Hilfiger Denim Dress at House of Fraser £80
The neck on this dress is beautiful, a denim dress is so useful, just throw on in the summer with tan sandals and you have a ready made outfit.
Seven For All Mankind at House of Fraser £190
These are 'slim illusion' jeans -that name immediately sells them to me- they stop at the ankle and are a beautiful colour wash.
Oui at House of Fraser £119
This is a great twist on the denim shirt, the frill high neck and cuffs are gorgeous details..

So many gorgeous pieces, I cannot wait until the weather gets better so I can wear my denim jacket over my dresses and not freeze!! Are you a denim jacket/dungaree fan, did you wear them in the 80s as always I love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran x

This blog post was written in collaboration with House of Fraser, all thoughts, opinions and styling are my own.