Primark dress, belt, cardigan and hat, New Look shoes, Fossil bag, Eclectic Eccentricity necklace, Funk Rock necklace, M&S watch
Bella Donna
Posted in Daily Outfits.
Sunday Smile #11
Posted in Home, Second Hand Shopping.
It’s been busy over here at Little Bird HQ – so busy, in fact, that I’ve missed Sunday Smiles for a few weeks. Bad Jen! But before you shake your fists in anger at my ineptitude, take a look at what’s making me smile today…
After Ayden’s post about strawberries a few weeks ago, I’ve been desperate to get to a Pick Your Own farm. We spotted one last week on our way to Saltaire so that’s on my ‘things to do in summer’ list. I couldn’t wait for strawberries though, so these are supermarket-bought.
I picked up these amazing rose print curtains from yesterday’s car boot for £2. They’re gorgeously light and airy but unfortunately, all our windows have blinds! I couldn’t resist them though, so I’m storing them away for our move to a bigger house.
I was devastated when a Boots employee told me they’d discontinued their Original Beauty Formula range (shallow? Moi?!) as the Damask Rose Skin Tonic worked wonders. Luckily I have a guy on the inside (my best friend, who works at Boots head office) who picked up the last two bottles in the staff shop for me. The Neal’s Yard moisturiser was free with Red magazine and has quickly become part of my daily skincare routine.
When I read this post on Pink Bow, one of my favourite blogs, I bookmarked it immediately. I’m building up a rather nice collection of vintage silk scarves, and they look simply fabulous popping out of this Chanel bag. The hook is also inspired by Pink Bow (well, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!) and was from BHS.
The Pimm’s and lemonade need no introduction – my ultimate summer drink, poured from a jug with all the trimmings. I bought the orchid from Sainsbury’s last summer for just £5. It started flowering again a few weeks ago and is now the most beautiful thing in the house (apart from the Mr, I should point out).
Speaking of the Mr, this is what’s making him smile. Yesterday we popped to our local music shop to buy guitar strings and picks and came home with an electric drumkit. The Mr has been positively depressed since he left his music room (complete with proper drum kit) at his parents’ house. Our spare room already houses his electric piano, numerous guitars, amps and a fine collection of harmonicas, but there was just enough room to squeeze the drums in. I haven’t seen him since we arrived home yesterday (only a slight exaggeration)!
So there we go, friends – lots of things to smile about this week, and I’m hoping even more to smile about next week. Will keep you in the loop. Anything making you smile today? Do tell.
As Inspired By… Wish Wish Wish
Posted in Daily Outfits.
One of my favourite blogs is Wish Wish Wish. I love Carrie’s girly vintage get-up – her photos are always poised to perfection and her posts are interesting and insightful. So when I saw her rocking one of my ultimate fashion faux pas, I was intrigued. A size 12 gal in *whisper* baggy jeans? Merde!
But of course, she looked fabulous. And I was inspired. If Carrie could pull it off, so could I! I took myself off to purchase said items of questionable flattery, and went about creating an outfit. At first glance, I decided they would become house jeans, never to be worn outside the confines of my flat. The walls would protect me from the jeers and laughter that was bound to follow a walk down the street in these babies. But I persevered, and eventually settled on this…
Primark jeans, thrifted shirt and bag, TK Maxx sandals, Funk Rock necklace, vintage belt
Okay, so I’m not entirely convinced I don’t look like MC Hammer in a Levi’s store. I’m wary of the sheer volume of fabric around my hips which, let’s be honest, need no help in that department. But I like it because it’s something a little different, and if you read Tuesday’s post you’ll know I’m all about trying new things. What do you think? Yay or nay? Should I keep on with the more ‘directional’ stuff or go back to what I know – florals and flats? Do tell.
Blogs are a constant source of inspiration for me, so I plan to turn this into a regular feature. Let me know which blogs inspire you and hey, you could even nominate your favourite in the Cosmo Blog Awards! If that favourite was me I’d be ever-so grateful, but it’s your vote, so use it wisely.
PS – There’s only a day and a bit left for you to buy one, get one free over at Max C… Read the deets here!
Wardrobe Wonderings – the results
Posted in Fashion.
Last week’s Wardrobe Wonderings was all about thrifty threads, money-saving style and purse-friendly pieces. I asked you to show me your cheapest. chicest looks for the results post, and boy oh boy – you guys rocked it! Let’s take a look…
Lou from Crafty and Quirky
Lou looks gorgeously sophisticated in ocean shades. Love the draping detail! Outfit total – £30
Vicky from Lady Bug Says
Vicky’s breezy summer style is perfect for keeping cool in the heat. Outfit total – £16
Sarah from Sunshine and Spare Change
Clare from Rainbows and Fairy Dust
Clare’s laidback get-up is stunning. Love the rolled up jeans and Chucks! Outfit total – £18.99
Sarah from Glad Rags
Sarah’s cute floral dress is actually a skirt. Amazing what a few safety pins and a length of lace can do! Outfit total – £18
Chloe from Butterfly Cupcakes and Daffodils
Alex from Odd Socks and Pretty Frocks
Loving Alex’s summer chic style – she made the headscarf out of the ribbon from a Lush giftset! Outfit total – £5.20
Em from Passion for Fashion
Em’s girly fare is my kinda thing – such a pretty print. Outfit total – £15.50
Jazmine from Jazzabelle’s Diary
Jazmine’s bag is a Jaeger Alberta, with an RRP of £350. She won it in a competition – lucky, lucky lady! Outfit total – £12
Sarah from We Shop Therefore We Are
The lace detail on Sarah’s cute black dress really makes it unique. And it was 50% off! Outfit total – £42
Such fabulous outfits, and all for less than £50! Well done girls, you really surpassed yourselves this time. Don’t you think they look great, dear readers?
Another Wardrobe Wonderings done and dusted – hope you’re still liking this feature. If you’re in a fashion flap and need a style solution, ask me a question and I’ll pick one to answer in full on the blog next week. I do answer them all though!
PS – All Little Bird readers can buy one, get one free at Max C London – take a look here for the details.
Something a bit different, with a little help from my friends…
Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.
Shop Pulse have long been friends of mine. Last week they launched their shiny new website and they were featured in the Online Fashion 100 – naturally I was (and still am) delighted for Alice and everyone at Shop Pulse. I truly think they’ve created something special, engaging and useful, which is no mean feat!
There’s one feature on the Shop Pulse website that’s got fashion bloggers excited – The Shop Pulse Personal Stylist. Now, I know you’ve probably read about this service a few times already, but it really deserves the praise its getting. And I want to show you just how useful the advice is!
I asked:
“I like to think of myself as pretty stylish, but the summer months throw me a little. I’m much more comfortable in winter, and my summer style seems to consist of sundress and sandals, sundress and sandals… repeat ad nauseum! What could you recommend to take my summer wardrobe from dull to directional?”
Nathalie and Laura replied the very next day, and here’s their advice:
Tailored shorts, chunky shoes and delicious details! Quite a way away from my usual sunshine fare, but a challenge I was willing to try! I didn’t want to spend lots of pennies either – let’s have a look…
H&M shorts and tee, Primark belt, TK Maxx sandals, Funk Rock necklace, thrifted bag
Success! I love, love, love this outfit. I picked up the tailored safari shorts in H&M for just £7, along with the oversized cotton tee which was £5.99. I bought the sandals (most comfortable heels ever) with my TK Maxx gift card and the necklace was sent to me by the lovely people at Funk Rock. But the bag… aaaah, the bag steals the show. I nabbed this beauty at the car boot on Sunday for just £1. I’ve used it non-stop since then and every time I open it I feel like I should be whipping out a gingham cloth, some cucumber sandwiches and a flask of Pimms!
Before my session with the Shop Pulse stylists, I would’ve added something floral, girly or pretty to this outfit. I’m usually quite wary of anything that could be classed as ‘androgynous’, ‘masculine’ or (god forbid) ‘plain’. But this simplistic safari style just shouts sophistication without any fuss or flap.
I wore this outfit to work and so many of my lovely colleagues commented on it. It went down a storm and I know I’ll recycle this look and a multitude of variations of it all summer long!
So what do you think? A successful leap away from sundresses and sandals? And have you used the The Shop Pulse Personal Stylist yet? If not, I completely recommend it – it’s totally free and utterly fabulous!
PS – Today’s the last day to get your photos in for this week’s Wardrobe Wonderings – the results post. Email me your money-saving style and let me know how much you spent on your outfit, along with a link to your blog.
