My Wedding Outfit In The Sun!

The big day came and went in a flash and thank goodness the rain held off until the meal and we were all under canopies.  It was my first ever beach wedding and it was amazingly beautiful.  Being by the sea is one of my favourite things to do so to have it as the back drop whilst watching my cousin get married was a very surreal experience.  I was so pleased with my bargain £20 dress from Topshop, it was comfortable and cool to wear and my sandals were perfect - after all that indecisiveness!  I accessorised with items I already had, I love it when an outfit comes together like that.  The clutch was a gift from my Sister many Christmas's ago from Faith.  I spied it as it was all suede (which I love).  My necklace was from Matalan and as it was fairly large I kept my rings and earrings simple and just added a pearl bracelet by Thomas Sabo.

The one thing I had completely over looked was my hair - and that heat, oh that heat!  Think Monica from that episode in Friends a few hours later.  No amount of hair and sea salt spray was going to sort it so I pinned a few bits back and forgot about it.

I couldn't let this post go live without sharing a few snaps of the stunning wedding party.  I know as a Mummy we are all bias but my little angels looked so grown up and scattered those rose petals with such pride they made me a very proud Mum.  Their dresses were found in the Summer sale at Debenhams half price at £24.50 and were by John Rocha. 

(PS their Doodles did come off for the ceremony....)

The Maid of Honour looked gorgeous in her peach gown.  It looked even better in the flesh and I thought it was a designer, something from Temperley I asked?  Um no, Asos - WOW!  Great job Asos, really really well designed and made, it looked a million dollars. 

And finally, the 'piece de resistance', my beautiful cousin.  Flawless H, utterly flawless.

The necklace was hand made especially for her by a relative, how gorgeous is it cascading down her back

Back to the UK with a bang; loads of washing, work, cold weather and a toddler that is struggling with jet lag and the time adjustment.  But hell, it was worth it!

Matalan Style Project

I was contacted to take part in a style challenge for Matalan's blog.  Never one to shy away from a shopping challenge (!) I was asked to put together an entire 'Beach Holiday' outfit for £50.  Now I will hold my hands up, I'm not a Matalan shopper.  That's mainly because my nearest one is 20 miles away and I don't use the internet to shop a brand/shop unless they are known and trusted by me as otherwise it's a bit of a mine field.  Being petite, some main stream shops are a no no.  I assumed this would be the case with Matalan and was envisaging a safety pinned out fit for the photos.  How wrong was I.  A bargain £47 later (and well actually nothing as Matalan kindly donated the £50 as a thank you) I will let the pictures do the talking!

Shorts £16, top £6

If you like my outfit, please drop by this link and give me a vote.  You just need to comment in the section below for a vote to be registered. 

Beach bag £6

Havaianas £9 (real ones I promise!)

Necklace £10

A close up of the shorts, I didn't feel the first picture did them justice!

I went to a lovely wedding yesterday and as always, I was in a rush to get out and forgot to take an outfit photo!  It wasn't a new ensemble so your not really missing out.  But I will share with you a snap I took of two of my favourites things; a delicious Pina Colada and my vintage Chanel handbag, needless to say it was a fab evening!  Hope you've all enjoyed a sunny week-end!

Still not to late to try and win a scarf kindly donated by Coco Marie, worth £85.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Animal Lover

I've been wearing my animal print coat a lot this week.  I bought this from Zara a few years ago when I was in Brussels.  At the time I nearly purchased a big faux fur version from Topshop, but I was talked out of it by a friend who insisted it would only be worn for one season.  Well C, just to let you know, this one is in it's 3rd season and I still love it!  I have worn it less recently as I've been wearing my grey FCUK coat but this week fancied something with a little more 'va va voom'!  So I dressed it down with  obligatory Uggs and even had a hoody stuck out of it (hair hiding it in these pictures!).  Animal print is either a love or hate, personally, I love it (much to my husbands dislike) and I won't stop wearing it!

Does look slightly maternity like in this picture but in the flesh it doesn't!

Blimey I didn't realise my Uggs made my feet look like flippers!  Oh well, only the school run!

Here are some of my favourite animal prints that are around now.  Don't over do it with a print like this, team with a separate that is plain, or if a dress, keep jewellery simple and minimal.  Make it look too loud and people will see you before the print, that is not what you want to achieve!

French Connection £110 Monochrome trend = tick + animal = fab!

£7.99 H&M

Matalan £14 black side slimming panels

£49.99 Zara

And on my wish list this week - Zara's parka.  I'm on the look out for something a little more casual than my trench for when it warms up and I love the leather combination on the sleeve.  It makes it a little different to a plain parka.  My only reserve is that the arm's aren't real leather.  I would have to see it in the flesh to warrant spending that much on a coat with fake leather on!  For a cheaper version, Tesco have one for £28, follow this link.

Zara £99.99

Pregnant and need a Party Dress?

Well I've found this little gem for you!  Whilst scanning the Matalan website the other day for a dress featured in this post, I stumbled across this.  Now I can't see that it is actually advertised as maternity wear which is strange, but the images definitely show a bump!  I love the simple detailed embellishment on the caped sleeve and the fabric looks loose, stretchy and comfortable.  The price is amazing at £22, I never wanted to spend a lot on maternity wear as I felt cheated that it wouldn't be part of my wardrobe for long.  If you wanted to add some more sparkle, you could easily add a large bib type necklace which are available at reasonable prices from places like Primark.

Front

Side

Back

Bib style necklaces from Primark

In need of a colourful post!

Well it's been a very sleep deprived week, with a poorly 5 year old.  So with that in mind, I am going all out to bring a colourful, glam picture to you all, not only to brighten your day, but mine as well!

Introducing the lovely Lizzie (Liz to everyone else, but always my Lizzie), who is blessed in the figure department, can make a black bin liner look amazing, but also a £16 dress from Matalan.  Yes fashionista's out there who are looking at this dress and drooling over it, it is from Matalan!  The collar, bird print, colour and pleated bottom half, complete with buttons to the neck is one hell of a dress for the money.  I can't find it on the website, and had I been taller, I would have pinched this from her as she slipped into her evening outfit.  A perfect, easy dress, fit for afternoon tea at The Dorchester, for one's Hen do of course!  I'm not going to share my pose with the cars outside the hotel, as unlike my gorgeous friend, I am in desperate need of perfecting a full on pose.  We are all jealous Lizzie, you were born with it, so enjoy it!

Dress; Matalan
Shoes; Dune
Car; Ferrari, owner unknown (we would have liked to have known...)

Special thanks to Lizzie for allowing me to feature her!