Ph Lucy Williams

Style Theory: It is that time of the season again when I need some summer outfit inspiration. As each season comes around I forget what I loved to wear the year before so I find creating a visual blogpost of all the streetstyle outfits I love helps jog my memory. I find summer easier than winter, it is less trend based, fashion does not move as fast in the summer as winter fashion, so looks can be worn year and year out, you can never go wrong with a white tee, denim shorts and strappy, flat tan sandals. I can normally recreate versions of my favourite outfits with items already in my wardrobe just adding a few new pieces, normally a white top or two, a blazer and perhaps a new pair of sandals.

So here are a few looks that I love, some older, some new but they help me focus my mind on what I have already and where there are gaps, if any, in my wardrobe and whether I need to take the scissors to any more of my jeans to make them shorts (a summer hazzard!)

Ph credits, Song of Style, Emma Hill, Lucy Williams, Andicsinger, Jenny Walton, The Fashion Guitar, Audrey Lombard, Pinterest.

So my quick checklist for summer/holiday basics are:

TOPS:

White tee - Love Michael Stars
Boho/victoriana top - H&M
Breton Top - Boden
Cashmere jumper - Wyse London

BOTTOMS:

Denim Shorts - Gap
Ankle length jeans - J Brand Selena (size down)
Khaki/beige ankle length chino trousers - Gap

DRESSES:

Black summer dress - &Other Stories
Red Dress - &Other Stories/ Topshop
Patterned (spot or floral)

SHOES:
Tan, flat strappy sandals - Espadrille.co.uk
Espadrilles (really the only heels you need for holiday) - Castaner
White trainers (I still love Stan Smiths and Golden Goose) - 

JACKETS:
Biker jacket - All Saints
Denim jacket - Levis
Blazer (navy or checked) - Essential Antwerp

These are my most worn items whether on holiday or day to day summer wear, of course there are extras (I love a boilersuit) but these can be added to your wardrobe as and when you find the dream fit!

Russ and I are going away for a few days to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary so I will be writing a packing post to let you know exactly what I am taking, I am not great at packing so it takes a lot for me not to pack my whole wardrobe...

Love Fran xxx

Jess' Bedroom Transformation

Style Theory: First an admission, this was not my interior creative genius (I have very little interior flare) this room transformation was a collaboration between my sister Joanne - Morren Interior Design, and my slightly 'out there and up for anything' 11 year old daughter Jess.

Mirror - Made.com £199
Lamp - Oliver Bonas £55
Set of three Succulents (faux) - QVC £15 #gift
Cases (set of two) - QVC £45 #gift
Shelves, Prints and Frames - Ikea
Wall Lights - Industville £29
Wallpaper - Creative Lab Amsterdam

The BEFORE.....

The big, horrendous, original brown wooden cupboards had to come out, we toyed with the idea of painting them (cheaper) but they were just so overbearing in the room they had to come out to create more space and more light.

There was only one ceiling light by the window (the electrician told us it was always placed by the window for modesty reasons so would not shine behind a figure getting dressed in their bedroom - random fact) This was removed and we had spot lights put in creating a more modern and much brighter room at night.

AFTER......

Mirror - Made.com £199
Lamp - Oliver Bonas £55
Set of three Succulents (faux) - QVC £15 #gift
Cases (set of two) - QVC £45 #gift
Shelves, Prints and Frames - Ikea
Wall Lights - Industville £29
Wallpaper - Creative Lab Amsterdam
Chair - Ikea
Fitted wardrobes - Chevalier Brothers

The brown wardrobes were replaced with three wardrobes (one shelved, two hanging with shelves at the top for games etc) into shallow fitted drawers for Jess' make up /underwear /pjs etc into a desk for her to work at with a cupboard for her printer and stationery built by the Chevalier Brothers. 

The desk is her corner of the room, bright airy and surrounded by positive quotes (Jess loves a positive quote!)

Set of three Succulents (faux) - QVC £15 #gift
Cases (set of two) - QVC £45 #gift

There was an eaves cupboard that was normal size at the door but went back at an angle, I had previously used it to store all the old toys Jess didn't use anymore. The carpenter pulled out all the shelves and built a bookshelf in there to make better use of the space and is now where Jess keeps all her school and reading books

Mirror - Made.com £199
Shelves, Prints and Frames - Ikea
Wall Lights - Industville £29
Wallpaper - Creative Lab Amsterdam
Baskets - QVC Set of two £20

Duvet Covers/side table/glasses & bottle - Ikea
Lamp -Oliver Bonas £78
Cases (set of two) - QVC £45 #gift

Joanne decided that the room needed a slightly more industrial side table and wall lights to make it look like a teenagers bedroom and not super girly..

Mirror - Made.com £199
Wall Lights - Industville £29
Wallpaper - Creative Lab Amsterdam
Baskets - QVC Set of two £20

Jess is over the moon with her room, (as is Jack who tries to hang out in there as much as she will tolerate him) Hopefully it will last her quite a while, unfortunately it now means my cupboard space has decreased (those big old brown wardrobes held lots of my clothes so I have had to do a massive cull which I am rubbish at and now it is in a big black box on the landing - baby steps ;-)

Huge thanks to Joanne - Morren Interior Design for designing and sourcing everything and being super patient with me as it took me weeks to get my butt into gear to order anything, often the wrong thing, Joanne also designed and sourced everything in my kitchen,

I bought/paid for everything with the exception the QVC items which were a #gift from QVC and I am working with them so will mark this #ad. 

M&S Easy Spring Outfit....

Style Theory: Sometimes all you need for a really great, easy to wear spring/summer outfit is a beach dress, a faded denim jacket and a pair of elegant shoes...minimum fuss...my kind of outfit...

M&S Cotton Dress £25

This is such a super light dress, meant to be a beach dress but I wear it out during the day for the schoolrun/day out with the kids, paired with a denim or biker jacket and sandals, one of those super easy dresses to pull on, and one I will be definitely be shoving on over my bikini on holiday too, a real beach to bar dress..

M&S Shoes £45

Love these shoes, super retro, super stylish and look so much more expensive that their £45 price tag. They have a great height heel too so are easy to walk in.

M&S Denim Jacket £35

I love a light denim jacket for spring, it is the perfect versatile jacket, looks great with khaki trousers a breton and tan sandals as well as over dresses to dress them down for daytime, just add a pair of white trainers (I still love Stan Smiths)

M&S Bag £39.50 

A 'Loewe-esque' bag, a great size for a daytime summer bag, lots of pockets and a zip top (I am such an oldie but I do love a zip top bag security wise!)

M&S Gold plated Hoop Earrings £8

Add a pair of gold plated hoop earrings and a pair of sunglasses and you are Spring ready...

Luxe Classics with M&S - Outfit Post

Jumper - M&S £75
Jeans - M&S £25
Shoes - M&S £39.50
Biker Jacket - M&S £249

Style Theory: Sometimes simple outfits are the best, a grey cashmere sweater, jeans, Chanel-esque shoes and a biker. All pieces that make up a capsule wardrobe...