The Fashion Lift: #mumshoes

25% Off Boden This Weekend..The Best Bits

3.29.2015

Labels: #boden, #capsulewardrobe, #easterholidays, #fashion, #fashionblogger, #fashionmom, #fblogger, #momfashion, #momstyle, #mumblogger, #mummystyle, #mumshoes, #over40, #summerfashion

Style Theory: 25% off Boden until Monday 30th with free delivery and returns (with code EGGS) always a great time to get a few key items that will work as excellent basics for your summer wardrobe, also a few extra special accessories that will add a wow factor to an outfit.

So first the items that have caught my eye this season and ideas of how to style them...

The Chic, Useful Cardigan

Boden Favourite Cardigan £36.75 (25% off)

A versatile piece, can be thrown over a white t-shirt, denim shorts and strappy tan sandals. With a maxi dress or in the summer with white top and jeans. Here are a few ideas...

The Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere Crew Neck Navy £74.25 (25% off)

I have a navy cashmere sweater and it is one of the most luxurious, most worn items in my wardrobe. Boden cashmere is fabulously soft and machine washable. I wear mine with distressed jeans and heels (with my Boden Alice heels as they have navy in them- great for a dressed down/dressed up look) and a bright coat. I also like to wear with t-shirt underneath and denim shorts and sandals, keeps me just the right temperature on warmer UK days.

The Grey Merino Sweater

Merino Wool Sweater £17.70

Was tipped off by Natalie from GlamRosie about this jumper and what a bargain, in fact I was so excited I have just ordered myself one to fill a little gap in my wardrobe. This is again, such a useful hardworking piece in your wardrobe, from wearing it with jeans to denim skirts to full on patterned midi skirts this is a must have item.

The Breton

Long Sleeve Breton £18.75 (25% off)

I have had two of these Boden bretons for a few years, they wash well and keep their shape and colour. A wardrobe staple, can be worn year after year after year..

The Denim/Chambray Dress

April Tunic Dress £55.30

A really useful price, wear with black opaque tights and black shoes boots in the colder, spring days. In the summer pair with white/silver Superga's for a laid back, comfortable look.

The Summer Event Dress

Long Sleeve Selina Dress £104.25 (25% off)

I love the print of this dress, it reminds me a little of the D&G dress Keira Knightley wore (see below). I would add some a little colour to this with a pair of pale (or even bright) pink shoes and some matching lipstick for a fabulous wedding guest outfit.

The Killer Accessories

Alice Mid Heels £89.25 (25% Off)

The heel of the season, bright, fun chic and really wearable. I have worn mine loads, they can be matched and clashed with so many outfits. Dress them up, dress them down you will wear them non-stop.

Lille Lace-Ups £66.75

The lace up shoe is a key look for Spring Summer 15, these are stunning versions and with 25% off more affordable.

Definitely worth having a little browse if you are in summer clothes shopping mode. The Alice shoes have a couple of weeks wait for delivery but they will still be the 25% off price if bought today or tomorrow. Right I am off to order a few items..

Are you a Boden basics fan, how do you find their clothing? I have got to admit I always have to have a bit of a search through as lots of it is not my style but I do love the styles above and I always buy my kids a few items (on the 25% off days) for each season as I do find the kids clothes really last and my two wear their Boden outfits loads.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

*this was not a sponsored post I just thought the 25% off made the items I have been looking at over the last few months a little more affordable!
Streetstyle photos via Pinterest

The Luxe Look for Less...

1.15.2015

Labels: #2015fashion, #aldo, #autumnfashion, #bag, #bargainclothing, #chanel, #fashion, #fashionblog, #fashionblogger, #fashionmom, #fblogger, #green. #fashionblog, #lookoftheday, #marksandspencer, #mumshoes, #mumstyle

Style Theory: Every girl dreams of owning that Chanel bag, a Burberry trench, but unfortunately, for most of us, buying investments purchases like that is not a reality. However, all is not lost, you can still get the look for a fraction of the price on the high street..

Here are my some of my classic, high street purchases that have that designer look but without the price tag..

Trench: Topshop
Scarf: Zara
Bag: Jaeger
Scarf: Zara
Leather skirt (just seen): Zara
Boots: Aldo

Here are the best luxe looks and oh so classic items on the High Street now...

The Burberry Mac £1195

High Street Equivalent

Massimo Dutti Long Raincoat £125

OR Cheaper option..

Gap Trench £59.95

The Chanel Bag

The Chanel Bag £3075

DKNY Black Quilted bag @Harvey Nichols £190

OR more reasonable...

Asos Black quilted bag £20

The Louis Vuitton Stephen Spouse scarf..

Louis Vuitton Scarf £510

An affordable but still absolutely luxurious option..

Hush Cashmere Leopard Shawl £150

A cheaper option....

Asos Oversized Scarf £18

The Classic Louboutins

Christian Louboutin £425

For a more reasonable but equally chic look..

LK Bennett Kid Leather Point Toe Shoe £195

This is a fabulous alternative, a little lower heel therefore easier to walk in and a great price for a leather shoe...

M&S Leather Pointed Toe Stiletto £45

The Chanel Ballet Pump

Chanel Ballet Pump from £385

The gorgeous alternatives..

Russell and Bromley Ballet Pump £155

I have had these pumps for a few years and they are the shoes that just keep giving! They a classic style that does not date, look fab in the summer with dresses (this year with a denim dress) and tanned legs. I would highly recommend..

Or for a less expensive option..

Office Ballet Pumps £56

There are so many pros and cons for both the cheaper options and investment buys. There is no doubt that the investment buys are made with superior quality materials and are cut to fit beautifully therefore they really do last the test of time. They do tend to increase in price each year (the Chanel bag being an example of this) however it is the name you are paying for, the quality is good but in no way equivalent to the price tag. In my mind the middle options are always a good way to go when you really do not have cash to splurge. The fabric is normally of a good standard and it made to last.

Having said that I still have my goal set on a Chanel handbag, I have my name down on every dress agency there is for a second hand one (new is completely out if my price range) I did get the most stunning diamond ring from my Husband for my birthday that I just adore and lots of other gorgeous gifts..it turns out turning 40 is not so bad after all. Thank you all for your lovely birthday wishes xxxx

Next time translating the Spring/Summer 2015 trends....

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, I know that quite a few of you are already the proud owners of these gorgeous investment buys but now as Mums etc, where do you get your key classic buys? Until next time, Frances xxxxx

Thank you to one of my lovely Instagram followers for suggesting this post..good idea xx

Perfect Back to School Shoes..for grown ups...

9.14.2014

Labels: #aw14, #capsulewardrobe, #clarks, #fashion, #fashionblog, #fashionmom, #flatshoes, #johnlewis, #Mango, #mumshoes, #schoolrun, #schoolrunstyle

Style Theory: Shoes for autumn/winter are a major player in your capsule wardrobe. They need to be practical, comfortable and able to see you through all sorts of weather this country is likely to throw at us....the pointed loafer has come to the rescue...

This year the pointy loafer/brogue is most definitely my shoe of choice. Slightly masculine, but worn with the right outfit can look so chic. With the platforms of SS15 (see Stella McCartney below) becoming the norm next year, these pointy loafers seem positively tame and understated in comparison.

Here are some ideas of how to style the pointy loafer..

Victoria Beckham SS15

Stella McCartney SS15

This style of shoes looks gorgeous with cigarette trousers.

A flash of ankle makes these shoes more ladylike

The Celine loafers

All images above via Pinterest

The most flattering way to wear these is to keep the bottom half of your outfit slimline. They look great with ankle length skinny jeans, leather leggings or shorter skirts. It is best to bare your ankle if you can as it gives them a more feminine look. In the winter wear with 60s dresses and thick, black opaque tights.

Here are my selection of the best on the High Street:

Somerset By Alice Temperley at John Lewis £125

These are without a doubt my favourite, the black and navy colourway makes them so versatile and the buckle adds a tougher edge. I have not seen these in the flesh but hope to try on tomorrow so I will let you know what they are like via Instagram (@schoolrunmum)

Clarks Hotel Chic Shoes £65

These look fabulous on, I saw them being worn by Luisa from AStylishSomething on instagram (@astylishsomething) and they looked great and have the added bonus of being super comfy!

Topshop Fleetwood Monk Shoes £32

Again, these were worn by blogger Adrienne from Thatsmymum on instagram. They looked great and are such a great price, they are not leather but if you fancy 'dipping your toe' in the trend these are a good buy!

Mango Croc-Effect Slippers £39.99

The closest I have seen to the beautiful Celine loafers that are wayyy out of my price range. These are chic and elegant and would look stunning with black skinny ankle length trousers and a black blouse.