As Inspired By… Sitting Pretty

Posted in Daily Outfits.

You beautiful bloggers are so utterly stylish, I could do an As Inspired By… post every day!

I’m a huge fan of Claire from Sitting Pretty. Her girly, vintage style is right up my street and her weekly outfit catch-ups are packed with pretty outfits. One in particular caught my eye – it’s Tuesday’s outfit in this lineup. And here’s my take on Claire’s preppy shorts and shirts combo…

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Primark shirt, H&M shorts, TK Maxx sandals,  thrifted bag and jacket, Topshop ring

I’m really getting into these simple, laidback outfits. These mid-length shorts are great for cooler days and the sandals and bird ring add some vintage charm.

I loved Claire’s cool white and blue pairing – perfect for sweltering summer days. What do you think? Do you favour something simple when it’s hot or do you go for all-out glamour, no matter what the weather? Let me know!

PS – I still need your photos for this week’s Wardrobe Wonderings. I need two full length (ish) photos of you rocking a dressed up AND dressed down outfit – email them to me along with a link to your blog and you’ll feature on next week’s Wardrobe Wonderings – the results post!

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Sunday Smile #12

Posted in Home, Second Hand Shopping.

It’s blustery and cool here in Leeds today – feels like autumn, my favourite season. My regular car boot jaunt was a bit of a logistical nightmare, with clothes rails taking on a life of their own and all manner of second hand goodies flying about with wild abandon. A fair few bargains came my way, naturally!

I’ve also given the flat a thorough cleaning, put fresh flowers in my new glass jug and hung my washing out to dry. It’s the little things, right? Here’s what else is making me smile today…

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A friend of ours is due to give birth to a baby boy any day now. We popped into Cath Kidston and picked up this adorable cot bumper and cushion in the sale. The vintage cowboy print is perfect for a little guy.

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How fab is this print?! Plucked from the clearance section in TK Maxx – a favourite for homeware – and hanging in our bedroom, all for just £8. 

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Now, I think I’ve mentioned by secondhand shoe frustrations before. I can never find a pair to fit my size 8 hooves. Well, years of size 4 disappointment is now forgotten – how much do these suede platform heels from Topshop rock?! They fit my feet perfectly and are surprisingly comfortable. I’d guess they cost between £70-£100 new, but I snagged them for just £6. 

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I spotted this darling lace cropped tee on a stall run by three Australians at this morning’s car boot. They had piles and piles of clothing, prompting the bargain hunters of North Leeds to drop to their knees for a good old rummage. Everything was £1, and some were coming away with armfuls. Bet the Aussies were most pleased!

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I’ve been looking for a denim jacket for ages. I found the perfect style in Primark a few months ago, but I’m really trying to curb my Primark habit so I decided to keep my eyes open on my thrifty travels instead. This Levi’s jacket is just about big enough and the Americana badges just add to its vintage appeal. 

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Definitely my favourite find of the weekend – doesn’t the print on this Topshop weekend bag look rather like an Orla Kiely design? Such a cute, 60s vibe, and perfect for adventures.


These Sunday Smiles seem to be following a pattern – clearly, shopping makes me happy! Oh well. What else is new? 🙂

What’s making you smile today? Any bargains of your own to share? Or maybe you’ve been living it up in the sunshine this weekend? Tell me everything.

PS – Don’t forget, I need your photos for this week’s Wardrobe Wonderings – email me two clear, full length photos of you dressing up AND dressing down an outfit, along with a link to your blog and you’ll feature on Wardrobe Wonderings – the results!

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Wardrobe Wonderings

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

Following on from last week’s Wardrobe Wonderings, this week we have a similarly thrifty theme. Here’s the question:


“I’m going to a wedding in a few weeks and want to buy a new dress, but I’m on a budget. Can you recommend something that’s cheap but also that I can keep wearing through the summer?”

This is something I’ve been pondering recently. I’ve got two weddings coming up (neither one my own, fact fans!) and because I so rarely get the chance to wear posh dresses, I don’t see the point spending a whole heap of cash on one.

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Thrifted Laura Lees for Topshop dress, H&M shawl, Accessorize clutch, Dune shoes, Eclectic Eccentricity bracelet, homemade corsage

For the office/shopping/a day out/etc
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Dress as before, Primark vest, cardigan, ring and wooden bangle, TK Maxx sandals, Fossil bag, vintage belt

This dress was £1.50. Seriously – £1.50! And it’s 100% silk. My magpie eye zoned in on it hanging in the back of a van and I knew it’d be perfect for a multitude of summer events. But it’s far too pretty to save for such special occasions when they come around so infrequently, so here are my tricks…

Wedding Wear:

  • A slim heel is dressier than a chunky one
  • A lightweight shawl looks chic over bare arms
  • Add a pretty corsage for a 50s feel
  • A little clutch will house all your essentials
  • Dainty jewels make a subtle statement

Office Attire:

  • Leather gladiator sandals are cute and comfy
  • A plaited belt softens a dramatic print
  • Add a vest to avoid inappropriate cleavage!
  • A cardigan is the perfect office cover-up
  • A big, slouchy bag means you can lug around all your worldly possessions

Simple, stylish and money-saving, too. Any tips of your own to add? Do you have a special occasion coming up? Will you wear your outfit for every day stuff too? Let me know!

I also need your pictures for Wardrobe Wonderings – the results. This week I need TWO clear, full length (or near enough) photos – one of you ready for your special occasion, and one of you wearing your outfit in a more casual way. Email me your photos along with the occasion you’ll be wearing your outfit to and a link to your blog and you’ll feature on next week’s post.

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Thrift Find of the Month – July

Posted in Daily Outfits, Second Hand Shopping.

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Thrifted Topshop shirt, Primark white tee and belt, H&M jeans, TK Maxx sandals, My Name Necklace necklace, Topshop ring, thrifted bag

Last month’s TFotM (like my acronym, do ya?) was a particularly perky pair of navy blue high waisted linen trews that have fast become staples in my summer wardrobe. This month’s find is another wear-it-to-death piece – a classic checked shirt.

When I’m second hand shopping, I always look out for Topshop pieces. It’s a shop I don’t frequent because I find it a) a little intimidating and b) too expensive. Picking up Topshop thrift solves both those issues, as nothing is ever more than £5 and I could never be intimidated by Judith from my local St Gemma’s Hospice. She’s a doll!

I found this cute checked number at a car boot sale for £1. It’s the kind of piece I can just throw on when inspiration alludes me – like today. Sometimes, a girl just needs to kick it in jeans and a shirt.

Any amazing finds to share, dear followers? Have you gone car boot crazy like me, or would you take your warm and cosy bed over a muddy field any (Sun) day?

PS – Yes, I know the bag TOTALLY steals the show and is technically more of a TFotM than the shirt, being so gosh darn awesome and all. But I’ve already featured it on the blog loads, so today it takes a backseat!

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Take Two

Posted in Daily Outfits.

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Primark jersey maxi dress, belt, cardigan and pumps, Super Duper Things brooch, thrifted shopper, Cherry and Joy ring, M&S watch

What’s this, I hear you cry? Another Primark maxi dress? And worn just one day after the first? Well, yes, actually. I love these jersey maxis – so easy to wear, so simple to style and super flattering on a curvy figure. Someone asked me if us bottom-heavy girls could carry off a maxi dress without adding unwanted pounds to our bums. I hope this answers that question – yes! The belt flattens my stomach and breaks up the block colour, while the cardigan adds detail to my top half to help balance things out. I’m not aiming for skinny (we all know that ain’t ever gonna happen! Can I get a ‘hell yeah’?!), but cleverly curved.

Do you have any tips for dressing your particular body shape? I tend to ignore whatever Trinny, Susannah and their ilk (although I have a special place in my heart for Gok) tell me and wear what I think suits me. I always look in a full length mirror with a critically honed eye and I’m never afraid to admit when I get it wrong. What about you? Whether slim and slender or vivacious and curvaceous, I want to know!

PS – If you’d like to ask me a question, do it here and I’ll be sure to answer!

PPS – Haven’t nominated anyone for the Cosmo Blog Awards yet? Feel free to throw your vote my way, in the fashion and style category. And please let me know if you do so I can shower you with love! 🙂

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