The May Blues....

5.31.2018

Linen Shirt - M&S £27.50
Jeans - M&S £35
Shoes - M&S £25
Bag - M&S (in store)
Earrings - M&S  (in store but love these ones)
Style Theory: Linen shirts and jeans, easy, grown up style that looks chic and laid back....
Linen Shirt - M&S £27.50
Jeans - M&S £35
Shoes - M&S £25
Bag - M&S (in store)
Earrings - M&S  (in store but love these ones)
M&S £27.50
This Marks and Spencer shirt is beautifully cut in a lightweight linen. It is a flattering, pale blue colour (I bought the chambray colour), the collar sits perfectly when both buttoned up and down. I sized down to a size 8, it is baggy enough for a slouchy look but easily tucks into my jeans without looking bulky. For £27.50 it is such a good summer buy, wear now with jeans or wear on holiday over a bikini to the beach..

M&S £35
The jeans are fab on..I went into M&S and tried on nearly every pair of jeans to find the perfect, flattering pair. These are M&S collection jeans with a mid rise which holds my tummy in and are a great height to tuck a top into. I sized down (to a UK8 regular), I am not going to lie I did squeeze myself into them a little and am now wondering if I would have just been better going for my normal size, so if you do get a chance try on both your normal size and a size down to see which are the best fit. They stop at the right place on my ankle and are great with both trainers and heels. They are pretty distressed but work really well with a smarter top and heels for a dressed up/dressed down look..
Linen Shirt - M&S £27.50
Jeans - M&S £35
Shoes - M&S £25
Bag - M&S (in store)
Earrings - M&S  (in store but love these ones)

All photos by MorrenInteriorDesign at LouiseGraceInteriors
M&S £25
The shoes are super comfy, they are wide fit although they are fine for my not so wide feet! Love them dressing up the ripped jeans and they will look great with dresses too.

This is an easy back from holiday outfit that would look equally good in daytime as for an evening out....

A big thank you to Claire owner of Louisa Grace Interiors for letting us take these snaps in her Interiors barns. Louisa Grace is haven for the most beautiful rustic, vintage furniture, I was mooching around there looking for a huge vintage mirror for my extension (with the help of MorrenInteriorDesign). They have the most fabulous vintage wardrobes, reclaimed shutters, lighting, it is a haven of treasures from all over Europe. Claire is going to source me a vintage mirror which I am super excited about, my extension is so nearly finished and a big mirror will add light to my back wall...

*This was written in collaboration with M&S, all clothing choices, styling and words are my own.

The Packing Post...

5.22.2018

Mark Warner Lakitira Resort
Style Theory: Tomorrow we are off on holiday to the Mark Warner Lakitira Beach Resort in Kos. We are incredibly excited as we have never been on a Mark Warner holiday nor any sporty or resort holiday before (we always go to Javea in Spain, self catering, easy jet flight and an apartment) I was over the moon when Mark Warner asked me to be one of their ambassadors this year and visit one of their resorts with the family for a week.

So the big question, what to pack?!! we will be doing sporty stuff, but also having down time and going for dinner in the evening. Packing sends me into a spin so hopefully this blog post will help me as much as you!...

Lets start with my packing rules:

  • Stick to a colour theme, try to stick to three colours if possible, this year I am packing black, red and white (with a sneaky splash of pink in there!) Denim and khaki are a neutral in my eyes so do not count!
  • Pack in outfits, make sure you know everything you pack has something you can wear it with and you can mix and match a few tops with the same denim shorts etc.
  • Look at last years holidays photos, look at what you wore, pull out and wear your favourite things from last year again, look at the kind of outfits you wore (I live in denim shorts) the chances are you will want to wear the same or similar this year.
  • Pack at least 3 pieces of swimwear, I always like to include one black bikini/swimsuit for a 'safety day' when I am not feeling super vibrant!
  • Go light on shoes especially heels, as soon as you get in the heat heels lose their appeal and comfort is always a good option
  • If packing heels go for wedge espadrilles, they are easy to walk in over all terrain.
  • Pack one stand out dress that you feel super special in, wear with flat tan sandals even if it for a picnic on the beach
  • Remember beach towels
  • Lay out all your items in outfits, then decide what you will really wear.
  • I always do at least one cull taking out all the things I think I would like to wear but in reality will not.
  • Write a list, cross off as things are packed - basic but so useful

Here are some of things I will be packing...

T-shirts and vest tops...
Topshop £25
Hush £35
Maison Labiche - reduced to £49.50
And an extra special pretty top to wear in the evening with shorts...

Luxe Option....
Isabel Marant Etoile £255
This top looks amazing on but is super expensive (I bought it with saved up vouchers from my birthday and Christmas - a big treat but I think I will wear it so much for years - and the vouchers taken the edge off!)

Less option..
Zara £25.99
Lovely cotton top but much more reasonable, this is quite short so wear with high waisted denim shorts.

Denim Shorts..
I live in denim shorts in the summer..love these ones..
Asos £50
I always size up on shorts to make sure they are a fairly relaxed fit and not clingy.
Hush £45
Longer length shorts, great for going out in the evening with flat tan sandals - take your normal size in this style.

Or cut an old nice fitting pair of jeans to knee length to make them city short style and great for day to evening - I cut my old Levis 501s and they are super comfy and useful!

Swimwear..
Boden £25

Boden £25
This bikini is genuinely fab on, I have it and was pleasantly surprised by the cut, it is so so flattering on, the colours are bright and vibrant against the skin..love it!
Boden £65
Boden cuts are good on swimsuits as well, worth trying, I love a black swimsuit for those days when you are feeling like you just want to blend in.

Beach Dresses..
Topshop £28
Perfect for throwing over your swimsuit and taking you from beach to bar...

Linen Shirt.. great to wear with denim shorts and tan sandals for  a trip to the market..
Marks and Spencer £27.50
This looks fab on, I sized down a size, the collar sits beautifully on my neck and it will look fab with shorts and supergas or sandals.

The Stand Out Dress..
Ganni £240
I know slightly over the top for a sporty beachy holiday but we are going to head into the town one evening so I will wear this with flat tan sandals..
Free People £88
I have bought this dress too, it is fab on although super low (I safety pin it up) but great with flat shoes..
Ghost @QVC £74
The ultimate slip dress, takes my back to my holidays in the 90s and without a doubt, Ghosts dresses are cut so amazingly well, they skim over lumps and bumps and hang beautifully.
Espadrille.co.uk £78
Still my favourite sandals from last year, they are comfortable and I wear them for everything from the beach to going out in the evening..
QVC Slydes £22
These are frivolous but insanely comfortable and will look cool with my tees and shorts for mooching over to lunch!
Castaner at MyFashionTribu £100
I have been stalking these Castaner espadrilles for a while, they look amazing on, the platform gives me some much needed height and the two tone front means they go with everything but do not look too dressed up..

A quick round up of what I am packing, along with a fair amount of athleisure wear and a couple of extra beach dresses and of course some books in the hope I finally get to read them!. 

We are so so incredibly excited a huge thank you to Mark Warner for asking us to be ambassadors this year (can hardly believe it) I will be keeping my Instagram updated with outfits and activities. See you next week, thanks so much for reading Fran xx

*This blog post was written in collaboration with Mark Warner but all selections etc are my own. 

Bringing the Inside Outside....

5.16.2018


Style Theory: The sun is shining (kind of)..so it's time to get outside and soak up some much needed vitamin D. If you have been reading my blog and following my instagram for a while you would have been through the good times and the bad times with our extension we started last June and finished on Christmas Eve. We took the plunge and redesigned our patio too (previously had a horrendous lean-to with steps coming down with a big, plonky shed) we chose cream, porcelain tiles for our patio, and were looking for some new furniture to furnish it so we could finally (after living in our house for 10 years) sit outside in the garden...

Step forward QVC and Amanda Holden's gorgeous BundleBerry range, I absolutely love it. It is cool, quirky with industrial vibes but works perfectly in our traditional, small back garden..



The chairs are so comfy, they are made of woven plastic, the seat gives a little when I sit in it almost like a cushion cradling and supporting my back..it is just one of those super comfy chairs, the sun, a glass of wine and a good book equals my happy time....


The planters - so many of you spotted them in the back of some of my outfit photos and Instagram stories...how gorgeous are they? They are such a cool addition to my patio and keep slugs etc at bay... 
Planters - QVC BundleBerry now £19.92 - for two (pots and flowers Homebase)
My sister @Morreninteriordesign - the brains behind this styling (and most of my interior choices) found these lovely pale terracotta pots and daisy plants in Homebase to pop in the planters, we had initially considered putting succulents in them but I think the pretty daisy plants soften the planters. The planters are such a good price under £20 for two, definitely worth a purchase...
Outdoor/Indoor Rug - QVC BundleBerry £45-£66 (depending on size)
Planters - QVC BundleBerry now £19.92 - for two (pots and flowers Homebase)
The BundleBerry rug can be used both indoors and outdoors, it is waterproof, fade resistant and reversible. It looks so striking on a patio and I have used it inside too, it can withstand some hard wearing from kids and pets. The black striped baskets are great to store magazines etc in..

Now all we need is that warm sunny weather back (I think it is coming back at the weekend) so we can enjoy this little Miami-like set up in the back garden (of our slightly basic three bed semi detached house in the 'burbs ;-) ...Come back sun!!

This blog post was written in collaboration with QVC, all thoughts, opinions, product selection and styling are my own.

What I am Buying for my Holiday

5.14.2018

Photo credit Lucy Williams 
Style Theory: We are off on holiday in a week and a half, I am so excited as I am so looking forward to it, desperate for some time away and possibly to read the five books I have piled up on my bedside table! I have started looking at what I have in my wardrobe and I could do with a few new things to mix my summer wardrobe up a little..so as I have loads in my online shopping baskets I thought I would share them with you...
Topshop £16
These Topshop scallop vest tops are such a good buy this summer, perfect with denim shorts and flat tan sandals or wear with printed skirts, they come in all colours I have this pink and also the white and black on my list.
Topshop £29
I just love a fresh, white, bright lace blouse on holiday, I will wear it to dress up a pair of denim shorts for a super comfy evening look.
Monsoon £59
I have bought this top that is so beautiful on, the frill sleeves are super flattering.
Zara £25.99
My sister was wearing this top this weekend and it looked gorgeous on her, the softest pale lilac pink, boho vibes, great with denim (do you get the theme here?!) and tan sandals...
Rixo £265
Every year I love buying a show stopper dress that is super special and that I can wear again and again. This year I am loving this Rixo one above, I love the mandarin collar, the wrap, the colours..the price however, I am not so mad on!
Ganni £240
Another dream but expensive dress, I saw this on Sinead McKeefry's Instagram (super cool stylist to Fearne Cotton and Claudia Winkleman - who was wearing this to the Baftas) it's gorge - I have ordered, will let you know what it is like on.
Free People £88
I bought this dress in black after seeing it on KarenBritChick - it is fab on, it is super low at the front so I wear a vest top underneath and creases loads but is one of those chic, easy wear dresses. It is make of a heavy cotton fabric so hangs beautifully. I love this pale pink colour.
Topshop £28
I tried on this a little while ago in black it has sold out online in the black but the red is fab for holiday too. Such a good beach dress and it one of those perfect go for a drink after the beach dress and stay out all night!
Lolly's Laundry @Born at Dawn £74.95
I have these trousers they look pretty cool on (see below on Anna Mavridis) I will wear them on my hols with a black camisole top and black wedge espadrilles.
Anna Mavridis


Espadrille.co.uk - £78
I lived in these sandals last year, easy to slip on and off and look as good going down to the beach with a pair of shorts and tee as paired with a dress for dinner.

So there is a quick taster of what is in my shopping bags, or has been bought for my impending holiday - it is all looking along the theme of pink, leopard and denim with a hefty dose of tan leather accessories thrown in...

I will let you know what I pack and how everything looks on, thanks for reading, until next time Fran x