Style Theory: My top sales picks for Aw15. Keeping a mix of classic adding some key trend items and some little extra special items that I cannot resist..

Boden Mia Jumper in Charcoal now £41.30

A great basic jumper with a slight 'Tibi' style neckline. This jumper will look great with a pale grey oversize wool scarf and skinny jeans and boots or pair with leather shorts, opaques and wedge loafers for a smarter look.

Boden Cordelia Heel now £41.70

These are the most stunning shoes I have tried on this year, they look amazing on and will be your Spring Summer shoe with any type of dress. As leopard is now considered a neutral these can be paired with plain colours, stripes, boyfriend jeans, culottes, the list is endless..I am definitely ordering them!

Topshop Long Sleeves Lace Top now £28

This top has a real designer look to it, wear with blue jeans and trainers for a cool going out look from the winter through to the summer. I love the high neck and the sheer arms, so flattering and chic. It has been reduced from £52, so a good buy.

Topshop Fluroescent Lace Pencil Skirt now £20

A fairly inexpensive skirt to wear with a grey T shirt and heels or grey fine knit jumper and heels to a smart event or a wedding.

Topshop Premium Fur Lined Parka now £50

This is a beautiful sumptuous parka, it looks amazing on. It would look just as good thrown over skinny jeans and trainers as it would over an evening dress for a cool look. It was £98 so again, a good discount.

Somerset by Alice Temperley Jumper £29.50

This really jumper caught my eye in John Lewis, it is soft merino wool, a slightly fitted shape and has the most beautiful gold buttons on the sleeves adding a luxurious finish. I tried on the UK 14 or 16 and I preferred it on the more generous side. It is one of those jumpers that would look good with leather skirt, opaque tights and heels and a parka thrown over. Another sweater I think I cannot live without..

Mango Flowy Shirt @HoF now £19.99

I bought this blouse for my sister for Christmas (before the sale!) and it looks gorgeous on. It can be worn buttoned up with the neck tie or unbuttoned with the necktie loose around your neck like a skinny scarf. The fabric hangs beautifully and it is one of those really useful additions to your wardrobe, in the summer it will look fab with ankle length skinny jeans and white supergas.

MiH Denim dungarees @Net a Porter now £118

I am slightly obsessed with these dungarees, they are perfect. I wore my black dungarees non stop last year and these are a step up. They are a gorgeous shape with the button detail adding interest. They have been reduced from £295 and could be worn all year through (especially in the UK where summers are really not hot!) 

Chinti and Parker top @Net a Porter now £90

This is a great winter to summer top. I adore a peplum, it covers my mum tum, gives the (much needed) illusion of a waist and flatters my hips and legs. This top would be great with skinny jeans and an oversize cardigan in the winter and in the summer with skinny pale blue ankle length jeans and trainers.

Finery Hemming Satin Trapeze Dress £45

A 'wow' dress for a small price. This dress would be perfect for any upcoming weddings/summer events or just to wear on holiday out for dinner. The shade would look fabulous against sunkissed skin and I would wear with tan or red strappy sandals. For now add a chunky grey cardigan over the top and black opaques and ankle boots for a cool look.

Topshop Festive Strappy Shoes now £12

Just because I could not resist these for £12, they are winging their way to me, I have no idea what they will be like quality-wise but I love the red velvet and cute shape and for £12?!

So there is my round up of some of the best sales pieces on the high street, I have had to soo hold back not to order them all as I really think they are key pieces and all have a place in my wardrobe but unfortunately finance do not allow it! 

My Style

I bought the skirt in the photos below from my local Topshop but it seems to be a one off as I cannot find it anywhere online. The brand is Navy but I cannot find this brand online so I think it may be super old stock dragged out for the sale or a brand only found in Oxford Street, if I find out I will let you know. Anyway, it is a fab little skirt, it has an elasticated waistband (phew) and is a flattering length. I wore it on New Years Eve with my grey Boden jumper and leopard print heels...

Skirt - Topshop (random in sale)
Jumper - Boden
Necklace - Chambers and Beau £110 
Earrings - Travelling Bazaar £27
Bag - Primark £9
Shoes - Nine West (old)

I hope you all had a fab New Year and wish you and family health and happiness for 2016. Thank you for taking the time to stop off and read my blog, I appreciate it so much and do love all your comments and emails, it makes it all worth while! 

Have a good weekend and I'll be back next week with some gorgeous new season looks..already excited about SS16!!

Until then, Frances xxxx

Style Inspiration to keep you on track...

Style Theory: When the sales start it is tempting to buy random items of clothing just because they are half price. However, if you stay focussed and keep your style in mind for the next year ahead you can tailor your sales shopping accordingly and buy some key classic or on trend items that will 'lift' your existing wardrobe, giving you new, current look for less...

So with this in mind here are my favourite streetstyle looks I will be using as my inspiration when I hit the sales later on today.....

Cropped Flare Jean

The cropped flare is 'a thing' for 2016, expect to see a lot more of this look. I am planning to chop the bottom off my J Brand Love Story jeans for this effect..I will let you know how I get on.

Pink

Pink still has a big place in my heart and I will be searching out muted pink tones to add colour to my wardrobe. I adore the satin dress above and have my American Vintage cardigan from Quattro Rish as a starting point.

Stan Smiths

Still without doubt my most comfortable trainers ever and they make every outfit look cool..go for the 'Neo white' colour when buying them as they are slightly vintage looking.

The Classic but Modern Dress Shape

Pin from ~ The Yellow Dress Blog

I adore Anna Mason designs, she has such an eye for classic but at the same time contemporary looks. Her dresses and tops are so feminine and flattering and are made bespoke for each customer with a huge range of fabrics and colours to choose from for each design. An absolute investment piece (they are definitely not cheap but if you do want to buy a forever dress this is one for you) and if you choose the right fabric you can wear these pieces from the height of summer with strappy sandals and in the depth of winter with tan leather boots and a wool coat. 

The Gucci Mules

Mules are having a moment this year and these Gucci mules are leading the way. They look slightly weird but my love for comfort, practicality (well, kind of practical) makes these a winner for me. Love them worn dressed down with the muted colours above, so stylish, so cool, so 2016..

The Chanel Slingback

Another iconic shoe of 2015/16 no doubt the high street will be flooded with 'homages' to this design - normally Zara are quick off the mark and I will be on the lookout as I love this elegant shape and block heel but do not have the money to buy Chanel..the hunt is on. I will be wearing them with all black in the winter and pale ankle length blue jeans and frilled/pleated shirts in the summer.

Gorgeously Back to Basics..

Sometimes it is good to keep things simple, I love beautiful classic items, a soft, oversize grey scarf (love this one from Travelling Bazaar) A beautiful bag, a simple, navy cashmere jumper (&Other Stories have some gorgeous ones) Things like these additions to your wardrobe can elevate your look, making you look sophisticated without it looking fussy. 

For me my perfect wardrobe is all about balance, a few key investment pieces (bag, jumper, one piece jewellery) a few key, beautifully fitting basics (blue and black jeans, oversize scarf, camel/grey coat, cool pair of trainers) and some frivolous cheaper trend buys (colourful tops, a few pairs of crazy shoes, one slightly weird coat/jacket) et voila you have wardrobe happiness..it's easy!!

I hit the sales yesterday so will report back tomorrow on what I found, it was fairly manic so much busier than before Christmas but there were a few really fab bargains around.

Hope you are having a lovely Christmas and are managing to have a rest, ours has been fab, lots of time with the family, love spending lots of time with my sisters lots of laughter, drinking and food and more food! 

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

Christmas Sparkles..

Style Theory: At Christmas, sequins become the norm, day or night I feel slightly underdressed without a touch of sparkle. I love just one embellished item, particularly a sequin jacket, dressed down with jeans and trainers, it makes you feel festive without looking over the top..here is my Christmas sparkle look alongside a few other favourite pieces I have seen..

Sequin Jacket:Kate Moss for Topshop (old season) lots of similar styles below
Top: Zara (old season) similar here
Jeans: Topshop Baxter £40
Ballet Shoes: Russell and Bromley £155

Earrings: Claudia Bradby Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Earrings £294
Watch: Storm 

This sequin cardigan is from Kate Moss' range at Topshop a couple of years ago, it comes out every Christmas and for any special occasions as it it so easy to wear and has the added bonus of covering my untoned arms..

It is all about keeping things underneath your sequin jacket simple, it makes dressing for Christmas and New Year easy and fuss free..

Photos via Pinterest

Here are my favourite sequin jackets available on the high street now, perfect for Christmas and New Year...

Topshop Sequin Boyfriend Jacket £80

A slouchy, oversized jacket that will look cool over skinny jeans, a grey T shirt and heels. Add a skinny scarf for a Kate Moss rock chic look..

Sparkly Sequin Bomber Jacket £75

Love this bomber style sequin jacket, it is so this season. The shape of the jacket dresses down the sequins making them entirely daytime appropriate. For a chic evening look add a black velvet top, skinny jeans and heels..

Jaded @Asos Sequin Sweater £80

Fabulously cool, daytime to evening sweater. Perfect for day with boyfriend jeans and trainers, in the evening add a pair of heels for an eye-catching look.

Sequin cape Miss Selfridge @John Lewis £65

This would look fab over a grey T shirt, skinny blue jeans and trainers or ballet pumps, let the cape do all the talking!

Phase Eight @John Lewis reduced from £130 to £89

Only a uk10 and uk14 left in this style on the JL website but I just adore the shape and the satin sleeves, a truly luxe piece that can dress up any outfit in an instant.

Armani @House of Fraser reduced from £520 to £208

Hurry hurry with this one, only a couple left of this stunning Chanel-esque jacket with sparkles through it and beautiful 3.4 length sleeves. I have completely fallen for this, so chic and elegant, I would 'channel' Princess Diana with this one wearing a grey fine knit sweater underneath and a pair of skinny pale blue, ankle length jeans and chanel-esque two tone ballet shoes. So so gorgeous!

Sequin Jacket with Thermal lining Hotsquash @ House Of Fraser £89

Again a fabulous little sequin jacket that can be thrown over jeans and a T-shirt to add a touch of sparkle. This jacket a thin thermal lining that is super soft and cosy, the perfect Christmas jacket.

It is all about keeping things underneath your sequin jacket simple, it makes dressing for Christmas and New Year easy and fuss free..

I hope you are all organised for Christmas (hopefully more organised than me - lots of last minute running around!) I wanted to wish you all a fabulous Christmas, I hope you have a really wonderful, restful? (if that is at all possible at Christmas) time and send you all lots of love. Thank you all so much for your support this year, I appreciate it so much that you take time to pop over and read my blog, I love sharing ideas with you all and love all the feedback.

I will be around on Instagram with lots of festive outfits and sales ideas over Christmas, come visit me over there. In 2016 I have lots of exciting things and a big change planned for the blog, I hope you will like it!!

Wishing you all a very very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Lots and lots of Love Frances xxxxx

Ph via Pinterest

The Black Ankle Boot Edit

Style Theory: Every year the same dilemma, I look for a black ankle boot that has everything; comfortable, flattering, soft leather, the right heel height and will go with every outfit from skinny jeans to dresses and take my feet cosily through the winter months.

In short I look for the perfect ankle boot, the question is 'is it out there?!' well, you know what, this year the high street have given it their all and I am pretty sure there is the perfect ankle boot out there for you..(and me)

First a few looks that have re-kindled my love and renewed my 'need' for the elusive perfect ankle boot..

Photos via Pinterest

Now to my favourites on the high street..starting with the dream pair..

Net A Porter Acne Jensen Boots £400

These are my dream black boots but sadly wayyy out of my price range. They are the perfect height, beautiful leather and I love the shape of the toe..so  on to the more affordable high street ones.

Office Imply Point Chelsea Boots £85

Not a bad 'homage' , these boots are definitely on my 'to buy' list. They will look good with 3/4 length skinny jeans (I always chop one pair of skinny jeans short so they sit slightly above the boot..it works for warmer Autumn days..not so good for the winter, that is when I wear them with longer skinny jeans) This style of boots can also work with black opaque tights and a little swing dress.

&Other Stories' boot game is strong this season, I cannot decide which ones I want to buy, here is my edit of my favourites..

&Other Stories Low Cut Leather Boots £79

The low cut of these boots will be extremely flattering when wearing these with skirts or dresses they will elongate your legs.

&Other Stories Anaconda Boots £165

These are stunning boots, I love the snakeskin look and the pointed toe. These would be great for an additional 'going out' pair of boots, fab with black skinny jeans and a pussybow/silk blouse for a rock chic look.

&Other Stories Low Cut Boots £105

Buckle boots are on trend this winter and these ones tick the trend without looking too clumpy or masculine.

&Other Stories Lace up Boots £145

I spotted these and was immediately obsessed, they are a fab 'tribute' to the Chloe lace up boots which I adore but at a much more palatable price.

Wear the boots the Parisienne way..

The navy pea coat looks great too..another item to add to the wish list..

Geox @John Lewis £130

I have a few pairs of Geox shoes and trainers and can almost guarantee these boots will be unbelievably comfortable. They will be perfect for everyday and the pointed heel makes them look stylish and delicate, really like the buckle and zip detail too.

Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis £140

Do you see a theme here, I love a chelsea boot/pointed toe look in soft leather and this boot ticks all the boxes.

Somerset by Alice Temperley @John Lewis £150

These a little different but completely caught my eye, the mix and texture of the leather makes them look really expensive and again I really like the buckle detail.

Topshop Master Tortoiseshell Heels £85

The fashionista favourite, too high for me for all day but perfect for afternoon/evening out. They are tight on the ankle so perfect for under 3/4 length kick flare jeans..very 2015..

Sorel Major Low Boots @Travelling Bazaar £100

These are like wearing slippers, so comfortable and really flattering on your legs as they are low so sit on your ankle. I am wearing them in this photo below and I now have to invest in them, loving the leopard print detail at the back too.

They would be ideal for the schoolrun and everyday wear..they will go with all outfits..

Aigle @Travelling Bazaar £150

These are again super comfy and look delicate on. They are leather pony skin effect, so definitely not to be worn in the rain but kept for crisp, dry Autumn winter days.. I am wearing them in the photo below..

So there is my round up of the black ankle boots that have caught my eye so far this season, I will let you know which ones I buy!

My Style:

My outfits over the last few days..Sunday a day of running around after the kids, parties etc

Sweater: River Island
Jeans: Levis 501ct
Trainers: Stan Smith
Bag: M&S (old season)

Today for the schoolrun and a local meeting..

Sweater: Boden 
Coat: Zara (old Season)
Bag: Radley similar here
Jeans; Asos (old season)
Shoes; Russell & Bromley via ebayUk

Have you already bought your dream black ankle boots, would love to hear if you have found a comfortable, ideal pair, or do any of the boots above catch your eye?

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