This week I’m inspired by Wearing it Today. This lovely lady is Contributing Fashion Editor for one of my favourite magazines, Red. My trusty August edition tells me her name is Laura – huge apologies if I’m wrong!

Laura’s style is gorgeously grown up and fabulously chic. I love her simple separates, dressed up with statement shoes and eye-catching accessories. This outfit caught my eye – so laidback but still luxurious. Here’s my take on it…

Zara trousers, H&M tee, Primark cardi and belt, New Look sandals, Fossil bag, Zara Taylor necklace, Me and Zena ring

Haha! The last picture makes me laugh so much. I had the giggles!

Anyway. These Zara trousers were such a good buy – they go with anything and are so easy to wear. I paired them with a simple grey tee, leather accessories and my gorgeous vintage purse necklace from Zara Taylor. I do wish my labels were as impressive as Laura’s, but this high street version will have to do. Saying that, I am hideously envious of these Chanel shoes. Lucky lady.

Who or what is inspiring your style today? A fellow blogger, celebrity, cultural muse or dear friend? Or maybe you are the source of inspiration? Anyone paid you a compliment today? Asked you where your shoes were from, or how you got your hair to look so great? Share, please!

Primark maxi dress and belt, thrifted jacket and bag, New Look sandals, Eclectic Eccentricity necklaces

First up, a huge, HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on yesterday’s post. It was so encouraging to hear your personal experiences with blogger jealousy, and even better to know so many of you are ready to leave the figures behind in favour of just enjoying it. Bravo to us – we can do it!

As well as jealousy, yesterday’s post touched on stress. Stress is something that affects me quite badly – I have a terribly short temper, I’m quick to fly off the handle and I cry easily. I blame my creative (read – dramatic) temperament! For the last year-and-a-bit, I’ve struggled with an 80 mile commute to and from a pressurised job which has left me sapped of energy and lacking in enthusiasm for anything.

So, I’m very pleased to officially announce I have a shiny new job, a mere 5 miles from my house! Hooray!

I’m going to be Online Communities Manager at a youth research agency in Leeds and I’m super excited. My start date is 16th August and I’m already planning my first day outfit (well, what did you expect?!). I’m hoping my new job will mark the start of a change for me and the Mr – new careers, new house, maybe even a holiday or two!

Are you making any big changes to your life? Are you venturing into the unknown, taking a different path or trying something new? Or is it the little things that make the difference? Let me know.

Topshop skirt, leggings and pumps, Max C top, Primark cardigan and ring, Eclectic Eccentricity bracelet

In the early days, we’d go to at least two gigs a week. A big group of us would travel by any means necessary, rocking up at random pubs with guitars slung over our shoulders. We’d commandeer a corner, drink beer, eat crisps and take photos. We were the inner circle, we got shout outs during sets and we knew all the words. We were at college or uni with no jobs to worry about, blasting Brand New from our cars and eating McDonald’s. As cliché as it sounds, it was a golden age.

My ‘girlfriend of the band’ uniform was always the same – skinny jeans, vintage band tees, Converse boots, stacks of bangles and plenty of black eyeliner. Last night, as I looked around at young girls wearing Urban Outfitters and channelling Alexa Chung, it got me thinking about how much has changed in the relatively short time the band has been… well, disbanded.

Last night’s gig was their first in over a year, and before that they were playing one offs as favours for friends. I wore a cute skirt, cream suede pumps and carried my bag at all times. I drank Diet Coke, sat on a proper chair rather than perching on the bar, and left at 10.30pm. And if I’m really honest, I didn’t mind. I am older now. Touring the country isn’t part of life any more. It was brilliant fun to catch up with friends and enjoy live music from the sidelines. I still got that feeling of immense pride when the Mr picked up his sticks and went crazy. But I was more than happy to jump in my car afterwards, drive home and put on my PJs.

Is there anything you do differently now to when you were younger? Has your style matured, your attitude towards things changed, the way you interact with people developed? Or are you still exactly the same person, just a few years older? I’d love to know.