Style Theory: Every couple of months or so in a season I need to refocus on the season's essentials, I get easily distracted by sparkles and sequins but always need to bring myself back to the the building blocks of my wardrobe and the looks I love.

Pinterest always re-focuses me and here are the looks I adore and inspire me for AW15...it is all looking pretty monochrome with a touch of animal print and metallics. This year I am loving huge woollen grey scarves to add a luxurious touch, black skinny jeans and oversize knitwear...

All images above via Pinterest

The Parisian fashion bloggers and Instagrammers are leading the fashion looks at the moment, I adore the simple, minimal look, each item bought with huge consideration, with cut and quality of fabric being paramount. Basically, they dress opposite to me I love the thrill of the quick hit of throwaway fashion but I am trying to re-train my fashion habits to buy less and invest in some key timeless pieces! I have failed miserably today I have just bought the top below all the above rules at the window...but there is always tomorrow....and the top is soo pretty and sparkly!!

Asos Ultimate Sequin Top £60

I think this top will look great with my distressed boyfriend 501ct's and trainers, or with my jeans and Topshop Mary Jane black heels for an evening out. Not tres Parisian chic..but it is kind of monochrome?!

Are you are fast fashion fan or do you invest in beautiful items, or do you get the best of both and mix it up a little?

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

The Perfect Black Ankle Boot

Style Theory: The criteria for the perfect black ankle boot..comfortable, flattering, buckles (very AW15) pointed toe, short ankle height and soft leather. I have found them from non-other than Clarks

Boots -  Clarks Stanhope V&A boots £125
Dress - Asos (old season)
Bag - H&M similar here

The boots are from the Clarks V&A collection, Clarks collaborated with the Victoria and Albert museum to create a cool and slightly more edgier range of shoes. They looked to different periods in history for inspiration, these boots hail from the 80s, the Goth era to be specific. Clarks have smartened the goth look to create a pair of boots that are sharp, chic and completely on trend. The buckles toughen up the look without looking too heavy.

Halloween Outfit
Jacket: H&M old season
Blouse: Zara
Jeans: Topshop
Boots: Clarks Stanhope £125

Made in soft leather these boots are the perfect height to be worn with dresses and skirts, or with skinny jeans/ leather leggings. I have chopped my black jeans up to just above my ankle so the boots sit below..fine for mild weather and the boots keep my feet warm. As I find with most of Clarks shoes, they are undeniably comfortable with a very small heel, the perfect schoolrun to evening out boots. The leather looks mottled online in real life it is far less so (actually the photo online put me off a little I am glad I ordered them anyway!) They are exactly what I was looking for and the fact that they are super comfy, complete with ' cushion plus' technology makes me even happier!

Here are a few ideas of how I will be styling them...

images via Pinterest

They will be so useful throughout the autumn/winter and spring, they look fab with bare legs so if I try not to eat too many selection boxes over Christmas I may try the bare leg look in the Spring.....

Have you found your perfect winter boots, how are you wearing yours this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

*I was gifted the boots but under no obligation to blog about them - these exceeded my expectations.

Winter Sparkle

Style Theory: We all need a little sparkle in our lives right? It is never too early to add an item of sparkly clothing to your wardrobe...

It is easy to make it daytime acceptable. Just wear one glitter item, I am thinking this season a jumper or a vest top, and dress down with jeans, trainers (or wellies!) and wear a parka over the top so just a little sparkle is showing. I wore my new Primark black and silver jumper with my dungarees, completely dressed down and during the daytime I still managed to get a little sparkle in my life..

Jumper: Primark £9 (avail in store)
Dungarees: H& M similar here
Converse: House of Fraser now £35.99
Bag: &Other Stories similar here

The Primark sweater is available in store (also in a gold colour) and was £9 or £10, my local store had lots so it worth checking if you fancy a little sparkle!

There are some gorgeous sparkly tops available on the high street, here is my edit of the best:

The Dream Top...

Bella Freud in Selfridges £270

The dream sweater from Bella Freud, blue merino wool with metallic yarn, sparkly and extra special, the kind of Christmas jumper I would be more than happy to wear. Also comes in black... 

Travelling Bazaar £179

Travelling Bazaar £179

This Munthe sweater from Travelling Bazaar has a stunning, super glittery (sparklier in real life) panel of sparkle across the middle. The beige has silver, the pink has gold, it is a super soft sweater mohair and wool mix, not itchy at all. Wear with wellies or with heels this sweater would be a hard worker in your wardrobe!

&Other Stories £65

Another gorgeous sweater with a nod to metallics, merino wool, supersoft and at a more affordable price than the Bella Freud sweater, this is on my wish list. I love the skirt too which will available soon..the outfit above is a really cool Christmas look, add black opaques and little shoe boots.

&Other Stories £45

This sweater looks really luxe, I would size up to wear it slouchy. 

H&M Poloneck £29.99

Love the gold colour with blue denim, wear underneath a denim pinafore dress with opaque tights and trainers for a relaxed look. *one to try on just to check it is not itchy..

H&M £24.99

Love the shade of red of this jumper, it looks a fine knit so would not be itchy. I would size up on this sweater and wear slouchy with black ankle length jeans and a pair of heels for a night out. Or for daytime with a pair of blue boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers.

H&M £49.99

Slightly 'out there' but I adore this jacket. Again I would size up, wear slouchy, completely dress down to make it daytime ready, wear a white/grey/black t-shirt underneath, a pair of loose boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers. Or wear with a tee, a pair of black skinny jeans and black converse.

Topshop £20

This top speaks for itself, wear it instead of a grey Tee to add a little sparkle.

Topshop £36

Love this top, the shape is gorgeous, a real swing top, balance the volume by wearing skinny jeans and a pair of heeled ankle boots.

Zara £17.99

This has a subtle gold thread through the fabric for a gold sheen. Love the sleeves on this top, this would look great under dungarees or a pair of leather shorts, thick tights and a pair of trainers.

I am well and truly onboard with a bit of Autumn sparkle, I think I may 'need' the &otherstories sweater and the H&M zip top, love the sporty vibe.

Are you a fan of shimmer and sparkle or do indulge at Christmas or avoid completely?! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Mini-Me's with River Island

Style Theory: Sometimes your little ones like to look a little cool, slightly edgy but you still want the clothes to be a good quality, durable and cut well. Step forward River Island mini...utterly cute,  trendy and ideal for disco/party outfits. 

For little ones all the key trends seen in adult fashion are filtered down, diluted a little to make them child friendly and can be mixed and matched with more traditional items in your child's wardrobe. The range is reasonably priced (think H&M kids pricing) but just slightly more cutting edge.

The good news is River Island kids have 20% off today - enter the code KIDSMINI20 

Here is my edit of super cute mini outfits, I still lean towards slightly classic in my selection but I think the outfits below are a happy compromise, cool but not too 'grown up'...

For the boys....

T-Shirt - £8

Jeans - £10

Beanie Hat - £5

Check Shirt - £12

Hoody - £14

Loafers - £25

Trainers - £14

For the Girls....

Blouse - £12

Denim Shirt - £12

Skinny jeans - £10

Socks - £4

Boots - £20

Pom Pom hats - cream £6 Pink £6

Heart Glasses - £5

My 8 year old daughter has just breezed past the computer and announced she loves the whole outfit (I think she may be a little too big) but she said it was 'epic' ..!

Today is the ideal time to buy a few little pieces for the little wardrobes, the 20% off makes such a difference and they will last them the whole winter and spring and these items are good layering items and could be worn in the summer too,  I'm off to do a little kids shopping at RI (my kids have grown out of all of there winter clothes grrrrr!) 

What do you think of this range, did you know RI also had kids clothing range? I found it last summer and my little boy loved the items I bought him.

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

*this was not a sponsored post I just thought the clothes above were cute and it is sometimes nice to have a fresh approach to kids clothes..