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

My Citybreak to Barcelona...

Style Theory: A SRS weekend break to Barcelona...here is the weekend in photos...

Travelling Style:

Blazer: Zara Similar here
Jeans: Gap similar here
Top: Mango similar here
Trainers: Stan Smith
Scarf: Becksondergaard similar here
Ring: Accessorize

For drinks and supper on Friday night:

Josephine Restaurant - laid back, intimate ambience

What I wore:

Dress:Marks and Spencer similar here
Leather Biker Jacket : Asos similar here
Bag: H&M similar here
Sandals: H&M

Saturday started early with a gorgeous walk up Tibidabo, the most stunning view at the top:

Breakfast on my sister's city terrace then a walk to the beach for lunch, drinks and coffee...

Salt Bar at the W Hotel 

I wore my H&M conscious collection top, See by Chloe culottes and gold sandals for a day of walking in the glorious sunshine..

And of course shopping...mainly in Zara as it is a little cheaper in Spain..

Zara Jumpsuit £59.99

Zara Oversize (huge!!) sweater £35.99

Sunday we headed up to a cool little vintage market in Sant Cugat ( on the outskirts of Barcelona) for a wander and a little jewellery shopping..

Blouse: Warehouse
Jeans: As before
Trainers: As before

My Sisters (although missing one sis!) 

Lunch and then jump on a flight home. As always Barcelona was glorious, sunny, warm and such a beautiful city. It always amazes me how easy and quick it is to get there from London and how many cool and vibrant bars, cafes and restaurants it has. Of course it has my sisters there so has an extra special place in my heart...

For an excellent, detailed city guide check out LasCallesdeBarcelona

What is your favourite city to visit? Are you a fan of Barcelona, where do you like to visit when you there? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances x

Check Mate

Style Theory: This Autumn/Winter checks are still going strong on the High Street, though now there is less tartan more grid-like checks. They are bold and can work both within your casual and smart wardrobe..mix them up with tailoring or jeans, both look sharp and chic.

Here are a few styling ideas:

Checks and Tassels..Shirt Dress Perfection

Bold checks look great worn together  (as last year)

Very little can beat a check shirt and skinny distressed jeans for a laidback, cool look.

I am a huge fan of oversized, trapese dresses and love them with trainers especially Stan Smiths

Mix up your checks with spots.

Swap your skinnies for the kick flare for a more flattering check trouser look

All images above via Pinterest

Now for the best on the High Street..
Warehouse are taking the lead on the high street when it comes to bold checks, this is my favourite top and on my shopping list!

Warehouse Grey Check Jumper £42

This 60s shape would look fab with black culottes and heels, or pair with black skinnies and flat, leopard print pointed shoes for a cool look.

Grey Check Dress £48

Wear now with bare legs and white trainers (see Zara leather white trainers) Wear in the winter with black opaque tights and pointed ankle boots, throw an oversize cardigan over the top for a cool, grungy look.

Window Pane Blouse £42

Keep things simple by wearing this chic blouse with a pair of black skinny jeans and pointed black court shoes, add a splash of colour and texture with a wine coloured fur clutch bag.

Culottes £42

Ignore the styling in this photo, it is not flattering. I would pair with a tailored, fitted black or white shirt, or a grey poloneck and high leopard print heels.

Pink Check Coat £95

Just adore this coat, it will look gorgeous with a grey marl T-shirt and pale blue skinny jeans and white trainers. Or clash up with a turquoise jumper to really bring out the pink.

Now onto other High Street shops..

Zara Checked Shirt Dress £35.99

An easy to wear, wool check shirt dress. Perfect for the weekends.

Zara Printed Leggings £35.99

Wear with a long tunic as styled above, a cool alternative to black skinny trousers.

Zara Black Checked Jumpsuit £59.99

This just looks fab with chunky brogues and a black coat, add a bright coat for a splash of colour.

&Other Stories Blouse £65

I always find collars like this really flattering, this blouse is super stylish, would look great tucked in boyfriend jeans with a wine coloured pair of chunky heels.

Mango Check Wool Blend Sweater £19.99

A useful layering winter item, layer over a fine grey poloneck and wear with a grey wool a-line skirt and trainers for an on trend Autumn look.

Mango Check Boxy Blouse £29.99

A great basic for your wardrobe, this blouse will look fab with jeans, love the shorts with opaque tights but at nearly 40 I think I may be pushing it!

I am most definitely buying into this trend this Autumn, it is such an easy one to wear, it makes a statement without being too loud.

Have you bought into the check trend, it is something you fancy adding to your wardrobe this year or were you fully immersed in the trend last winter?

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

Follow me on Instagram @Schoolrunmum for daily outfit posts and photos of my weekend (this weekend) away in glorious Barcelona!