Dec 24, 2014

Easy Festive Dressing #2

Happy Christmas Eve! I hope you’re all suitably drunk – whether on booze or food – and cuddled up somewhere warm.

This is my second Easy Festive Dressing post and to be honest with you, this series is basically a tribute to jeans and oversized jumpers. Because who doesn’t love a bit of denim and a chunky knit, amirite?

Jumper, Zara | Jeans, Topshop ‘Jamie’ | Flats, Boden | Bag, Michael Kors | Necklace, Topshop

I bought this jumper a few weeks ago and have worn it so much. In the run-up to Christmas there are so many ‘smart-casual’ events – meals with family, trips to the theatre, drinks at the pub – that don’t require the full shebang but where your everyday clothes feel too ordinary. This jumper has a chiffon layer underneath for a layered effect and is covered in teeny sequins – a fast-track to festive fashion.

Teamed with my trusty Jamies – the most comfortable of all Topshop denim, imho – and even trustier Boden flats, this has been my go-to outfit for Christmas outings. I’ve dressed it up a little more with heels and a clutch bag for the evening, and worn it with ankle boots and a navy peacoat on colder days.

I hope you all have a bloody lovely day tomorrow – I’ll be back on Boxing Day (weather and drunkenness permitting) with another Easy Festive Outfit. Merry Christmas! x

Easy Festive Dressing #1

Posted in Daily Outfits, Fashion.

I always think dressing for Christmas is a tricky one. For most people, Christmas Day involves slobbing about at home, watching telly, drinking booze, and eating. Lots of eating. Which is obviously quite uncomfortable when you’re wearing your best sequin pencil skirt and 4 inch heels.

We’ve always ‘dressed up’ for Christmas but after last year – when I wore a bodycon dress with control tights and paid the price in stomach cramps – I decided to look for something a little more relaxed.

Jumper, Hobbs | Trousers, Zara | Flats, Boden | Necklace, Cos

So, all this week I’ll be featuring outfits that allow for a casual, comfortable Christmas without sacrificing that bit of sparkle. My first is ridiculously simple – an oversized chunky knit, the world’s most comfortable tailored trousers and some serious (yet flat!) party shoes. I recommend you all go out and buy these trousers IMMEDIATELY as they’re just brilliant – an elasticated waist (no button to dig in after all that turkey), loose, tapered fit and seamed front make them ideal for smartening up without feeling restricted.

What do you wear on Christmas Day?

Christmas Shopping

Posted in Fashion.

When I was 17, I went to work at Levi’s in the McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet. Every Saturday and Sunday, I drove my bashed-up Mini Metro (in white, just to add to its cool factor) to the shopping centre just off the A19/A64 (holler at me, North Yorkshire folk) and spent 8 hours altering jeans, dancing to Ocean Colour Scene and getting told off for talking on the shop floor. When the centre closed and we’d cashed up, we’d go out to The Gallery in York and I’d link arms with my boss to get in without being IDed. MEMORIES.

I am going somewhere with this – I worked at York Designer Outlet for most of my late teens and into my early twenties. I met my long-time bestie there, and I had an absolute ball with other people who worked all over the centre – the bus home to Selby was always packed with friends (many of whom I gave lifts when I finally got that Mini Metro). I have a real soft spot for the shopping centre, so when they contacted me asking if I’d like to try my hand at their Christmas Gifting Challenge, I was genuinely intrigued to see how the place had changed… and if I’d recognise anyone.

The Christmas Gifting Challenge was simple – I was given £250 to shop for a range of presents suitable for different loved ones. On my list was my Dad, my Dad-in-Law, my Mum-in-Law, my brother and my sister. The last time I visited York Designer Outlet was a long time ago, so I was a bit wary that I wouldn’t find everything I was looking for – particularly for my super-stylish siblings, as outlet centres have a reputation for being full of last season stuff no one wants. But, I relish a shopping challenge and pride myself on my excellent ability to buy thoughtful gifts for all ages, so Rob and I set off on a sunny Wednesday to hit the shops.

Clearly we had a whale of a time!

The centre has changed massively since I worked there – there’s a Michael Kors, for starters. And there’s a Hobbs, an LK Bennet, a Le Creuset shop and a Yankee Candle shop. It’s basically a bloggers’ paradise!

Rob and I spent an enjoyable few hours wandering around and slowly crossing people off our list, until there was no one else to buy for but ourselves. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever done Christmas shopping in bulk – I tend to buy in bits and pieces over a few weeks, and inevitably I spend way too much. The outlet prices meant we could buy one or two key presents for each person – something we know they’ll love and use for a long time. Much better than novelty slippers, amirite?

My worries about everything being ‘last season tat’ were unfounded, too – there was absolutely loads of lovely stuff, and I could’ve spent all day shopping for myself… especially in Michael Kors. Those bags, man…

After our busy day of shopping, Rob and I headed home and nestled our bags under the tree ready for wrapping. It feels so great to have Christmas taken care of – huge thanks to York Designer Outlet for making things so easy this year!

I won’t reveal what we got for the people on our list, as they all read this blog… but I’m pretty sure we smashed the Christmas Gifting Challenge. I’ll report back on December 26th!

I was provided with gift cards to purchase items from York Designer Outlet during my trip.

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like…

Posted in Competition, Daily Outfits.

Yesterday Rob and I went shopping for our Christmas tree. YAY CHRISTMAS!

We didn’t have a real tree last year – long-time readers might remember we’d just moved into our house and with boxes everywhere and two unsettled cats, I couldn’t face daily pine needle hoovering as well. I bought a very lovely paper tree from John Lewis, but it just wasn’t the same. So hooray for real Christmas trees and the constant hoovering/daily bauble collection due to naughty cats/fear of electrocution when you water it with the lights on that comes with them!

For our Christmas tree outing, I went full festive and wore my Christmas jumper for the first time this year. Rob wore a matching one but did not allow me to capture the moment in all its seasonal glory, sadly.

We didn’t have to go far for our tree – a 30 second walk from our house is a beautiful shop called The Fruit Stall, which sells fruit, veg, flowers, herbs and – at the moment – amazing, locally-sourced Christmas trees. Rob heaved our chosen one onto his shoulders, I got a cinnamon hot chocolate from the cafe (I wasn’t much help, tbh) and we wandered home singing carols. It was quite insufferably jolly, actually.

I wrapped up way too warmly, but when you’re picking out a Christmas tree you might as well go the whole hog, amirite? My fave thing about Saturday’s outfit is this brilliant bobble hat sent to me by the aptly-named Bobbl – the ‘bobbls’ are INTERCHANGEABLE, guys. Why hasn’t anyone done this before? I think it’s a fab idea and I love my navy version with a natural bobbl for subtly stylish days and a bright orange one for LOOK AT ME days.

I’ve got a Bobbl hat and two bobbls to give away to one of you, too – take a look at my Twitter for your chance to win. Merry Christmas!

Knitwear Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas

Posted in Daily Outfits.

If there’s one thing I know – besides every Friends quote ever and all the words to In The End by Linkin Park – it’s knitwear. Knitwear is my fave. Wrap me up in a chunky knit and some cashmere gloves and I’ll get on just fine.

So obviously, when the lovely people at Wool Overs – a site dedicated entirely to knitwear – asked if I’d like to try a few pieces, I was ~~beside myself with happiness~~ quite pleased.

After my giddiness subsided, I picked out three jumpers from the extensive range and waited not-very-patiently for them to arrive. When they did – what a day! I pulled those jumpers from their packaging and rolled around in their knitty loveliness for a while. Well no, I didn’t because that would be weird. What I did do was go home immediately and try them all on.

I love my three picks, but my current fave is this Aran Polo Neck. I’m SO into polo necks at the moment, and this one is perfectly chunky, in a soft dove grey with an oversized fit for excellent slouch.

Jumper, c/o WoolOvers | Skirt, Warehouse | Coat, French Connection | Flats, Boden | Bag, c/o Brit-Stitch

I’ve become quite obsessed with what clothing is made from – probably a sign of my advanced years. Once you start checking labels, it’s quite shocking how poor quality things are and just how much we’re willing to pay for a polyester/acrylic/nylon mix jumper. I try to buy pure wool where I can so loved the ‘Shop By Fabric’ section on the WoolOvers site, which allows you to filter by ‘British Wool’, ‘Cashmere/Merino’, ‘Cotton/Cashmere’, ‘Silk/Cotton’ and ‘Pure Lambswool’. No acrylic fibres here, ta.

I wore my new love interest with a leather skirt, my favourite throw-over-anything grey coat and The World’s Best Flats Ever Ever (TM). Easy winter dressing for chilly days!