Style Theory: January is a lonnng month so what better way to make it a little better than a little payday treat. Here is a few items I have my eye on that will brighten up this rainy January and February..

Cici Clothing Top £52

This is top of my list and a top I will most definitely be treating myself to this. I love the peplum detail, the clash of the red and pink and the cute buttons on the collar. It is cotton polyester mix and hand wash (eek) but it feels super comfy on and hides a tummy perfectly. The top is also available at Topshop Oxford Street but unfortunately not online from Topshop just Cici Clothing (link above)

Cos - Knitted Top with Contrast Skirt £59

Another peplum top, this time it is a black knit with a cool skirt detail. This sweater looks fab with skinny ankle length jeans (either black or blue) and heeled boots or trainers. It is a beautiful twist on a plain black crewneck and just a little more stylish.

Self Portrait - Off the Shoulder top £170

A slightly more 'spendy' option, I have been stalking this top for a while and it has just come back into stock, no doubt will sell out again soon. It sits beautifully off the shoulders and is a truly decadent top made with lace and crepe de chine ( it will hang beautifully on) It would look amazing with black cropped kick flare jeans and heels for a stunning 'night out' look.

Self Portrait @Net a Porter £170

Another top I have had my eye on for a while, this is a beautiful lace top, a step above my other tops, beautifully finished around the neck with gorgeous details like the buttons on the cuffs. It looks beautiful on and will see you through the year, wear now with a chunky cardigan and jeans, in the summer wear with denim shorts and flat tan sandals.

Topshop Victoriana Lace Top £45

A slightly more affordable version of the top above, it looks gorgeous 'in real life' quite vintage looking and would be the perfect addition to a Spring wardrobe.

Baukjen - Bartley Leather Skirt £164 

I have this skirt and absolutely adore it, it is made of the softest leather I have ever felt, it is a great length (sits on my knees) and can be so easily dressed up with a blouse, opaques and heels or dressed down with trainers and a grey t shirt. I love mixing it with different tones of pinks for a cool spring look as I did for a meeting below..

Ph via Noholita

Since I saw this photo on Noholita's instagram I have been looking for a pair of grey trousers. I spotted the trousers below in Topshop but did not have a chance to try them on, I have ordered them so will let you know if they are slouchy enough to create the look above. If not, I tried on the Mango trousers below and they look pretty good so I will order these as well and compare the two..

Topshop - Mensey Trouser £40

Mango Pleat Trouser £49.99

Nike Cortez @Office £61.99

My current trainer obsession, cool, practical and very Spring 2016..

Asos Dolly Bow Trainers £25

A cheaper version of the Ports 1961 trainers below (they are super cool but at £300+ a huge investment for what is, essentially, a fashion look) 

Ports 1961

Now for the slightly random...

Mini Pyramid Terrarium @Urban Outfitters £25

I adore these terrariums, they look cool on a shelf/bedside table and the copper adds cool colour to your room. You plant hardy plants in them (cactus etc) so they are completely low maintenance and look fab, a little mini garden at your fingertips (they make a great present)

Lime and Bay candle The White Company £20

This smells utterly gorgeous, it will being a beautiful candle light and fragrance to your home through these cold, dark months..

Liz Earle Skincare Essentials Kit @John Lewis £45

If you are like me, your skin looks pretty dull at this time of year. I am pretty late to jump on the Liz Earle bandwagon but I cannot believe it took me so long. I was bought this Liz Earle set by a lovely friend for my birthday and I adore it. It makes my skin feel clean, refreshed and rejuvinated. It smells amazing, very natural and is super light on my skin. I am a Liz Earle convert..

So a little random list of things that I would love and have also brightened up my January (my birthday in the middle is a big bonus) Have you treated yourself to anything this January, have you got anything on your January payday treat list?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx

Winter Berries

Style Theory: Berry, Wine, Burgundy, the beautiful rich, deep, red colour is AW14 must have. Whether worn as a coat, cosy jumper or shoes, this warm hue will add a touch of winter decadence to any outfit.

Berry trainers look fab with a camel coat

Clash berry with pink for a cool look.

Toughen up your berry coloured coat by layering up over a biker jacket

Just adore everything about this outfit

Berry is a truly versatile colour, it looks fabulous with camel, navy, khaki and of course black. However, if you are feeling a little bolder wear with pink (my favourite combination) or orange for a statement look.

Here are a selection of some stunning Berry items available on the high street now:

Warehouse Winter Coat £95

This is a beautiful coat on, looks great without the (detachable) fur collar also. I tried this on yesterday, not a great photo but this may give you an idea of how it looks.

It is a lovely shape and looks cute on. I would take off the fur and wear with a huge navy tartan scarf as in the Pinterest photo above..this one from Ebay is perfect..

Ebay £18.20

I have never bought from this seller on Ebay so just double check feedback before buying!

A sweater is a great way to add a contemporary colour to an outfit. These sweaters are cosy and would look fab with skinny jeans (love this colour with khaki jeans)

Baukjen Roll Neck Jumper £129

Gap Merino Sweater £39.95

Most people have a pair of jeans at home in this berry colour from a few years ago. Why not pull them out and update your look by wearing them with a pink jumper, a khaki parka and a pair of Stan Smith trainers, these colours look great mixed up and make a cool style statement. If you do not have them already try these from Topshop..

Topshop Leigh Jeans £38

Here is what I teamed my jeans with last week..

Sweater: River Island
Jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Stan Smith

Or wear with a berry T-shirt for a coordinated look..

Topshop Zip Back Tee £18

Zara Faux Leather Pleated Skirt £39.99

Pair this skirt with the Gap merino sweater above and a pair of pointed snakeskin flat pumps.

Next Strap Detail Point Heels £35

Super elegant shoes, would add a beautiful touch of colour to a black jumpsuit or dress.

I have featured this bag before and I do love it, it ticks the trend perfectly. I would team with a camel coat.

Aldo Bag £50

This is such a warm, comforting colour and definitely will be featured again and again in my A/W14 wardrobe.

My Style 

This was an outfit from from last year but the colours still work this year.. 

Coat: M&S
Gilet: Primark
Sweater: zara
Jeans: 7ForAll Mankind
Trainers: Adidas Superstars

For a night out with my fab university friends. The first outing for my black M&S culottes, they are so amazingly comfortable and easy to wear, I am a huge culotte convert! We realised it was 20 years since we started university together (argghhhh!!) 

Sweater: Cos
Culottes: M&S
Jacket: Asos
Bag: Topshop
Scarf: Becksondergaard
Trainers: Adidas StanSmith

 For a day out and about shopping..

Sweater: Whistles
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
Bag: M&S
Coat: M&S

There concludes my round out of my fave berry items and a few of my outfits from the last week! Will you be indulging in the Berry trend, do you have lots of items accumulated from the last couple of years that you can wear this year?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xxx