Everyone wants a Stud!

This summer, I want to turn your attention to the Stud! Not the hot guy on your train journey to work every day or the dude who passes you as you get your morning coffee, the fashion stud!
I love a stud, a detailed skull here and there, the odd pearl hiding on that favourite striped shirt. The intricate detail on an item of clothing or accessory is what makes it stand out. They give it an edge, they give you an edge. They can turn clothes into an outfit. A simple tee into a statement piece. The high street this year is full of fabulous pieces that can do exactly that and many at a bargain price. Below are a few pieces spotted on our sensational high street this week:

Black Pearl detail Sandals - Next £22

Grey Pearl Diamante Vest - New Look £17.99

(Ps. This image does not do this gorgeous top justice!)

Black Studded Bumbag - River Island £24.00

Happy Shopping!

Wedding Season

Where is this year going? It's May already!

However, on a more positive note, it's wedding season!Forget the bride, she got her frock sorted long ago, it's your turn! Depending on the venue, guests and your part in the wedding, your outfit could be one of many choices. Here are just a few options to suit a variety of figures and tastes...

Fancy getting your pins out?

This flirty floral number has a tapered hem (shorter at the front than the back) this helps to elongate the leg and make them look longer! The embroidered detail is unbelievably pretty making this dress perfect for a wedding. The bag and clutch are very understated and so the attention is on the beautiful dress.
(The dress can also be worn with flats for a more casual look and the shoes and bag are very interchangeable with various spring/summer outfits, which reduces price per wear and that's always a bonus!)

Beautifully Busty?

For ladies who are top heavy, this dress is perfect to open the chest, exaggerate the waist and stay charmingly classy. The belt shapes the figure and allows your curves to flow with the dress. The beaded clutch and cut-out mules have all the detail you need to complete the outfit. (The clutch is very much a statement piece and will also be a talking point for further outfits. The shoes are also perfect with skinnies, mini's or maxi's.)

Sweet Petite?

You may look at this option and think it's too boring and plain for a wedding, however for someone who is petite, the impact this look would give is quite the opposite. Colour blocking (i.e solid colours both top and bottom) is an easy way of creating the illusion of height. This outfit just does that. The halter neck and off shoulder bares enough skin to be elegant and not trashy. The simplicity of this outfit means you can be adventurous in your choice of accessories. The choice of shoes shown, with fruit sequin detail, is so on trend this season. Any bright bag or shoe is an option for this jumpsuit.

Gift Guide for Mother's Day

Like many of you, I am amazed by Mother's. How they manage to do what they do. Keeping all those balls in the air plus looking fabulous and smiling all the time. They are the glue that holds a family together, who else knows what cereal you love or what days you need your P.E kit. They stay strong for you when you're at your lowest and only sob in silence, keeping their 'Mum armour' on.
Personally, my Mum is the strongest woman I know. She won't know that because she's still keeping her Girl Guide Motto, 'To think of others before herself and does a good turn every day.' Not bad words to live by when you think about it.
I won't be able to spend the day with my Mum this year but I have sent her a card and dodgy present that I'm hoping will bring a smile to her face. FaceTime will have to do until she's home for a human hug.
I am all in favour of a hug but I reckon most Mum's will appreciate a little something else on Mother's day. I've pulled together a short list of gift ideas that won't break the bank, (let's face it, we love our Mum's but we all haven't got Donald Trumps bank balance!):

Gold Chain Detail Across Body Bag - £14 Next

Duvet Day Slogan Pyjamas - £12.80 F&F Tesco

Clinique Crayola Chubby Stick - £17.50 Boots

Black Lily Scented Boxed Glass Candle - £6 Matalan

30 minute Colour Consultation at the Spot on Shopper - £20

High Street Hero Handbag

The place that is personal to every woman in the world. The place no gentleman dares enter.  The sometimes bottomless pit that even we are shocked by its contents. There are many variations of the handbag. We call them many things, but essentially we have a day bag or in my case, 'a Mum bag', 'a going out bag' and probably 'a work bag'. The 'Mum bag' contains sticky things, wrappers, toys from £1 machines that come in a plastic ball and a packet of those wax crayons that contain a red, blue, yellow and green that you get in a pub with free colouring sheets. This is the least of the glamourous bags, I'm sure goes without saying. The 'work bag' is slightly more sophisticated. Small make up bag containing concealer, lippy and Vaseline for those dauntingly air conditioned offices. Probably a pen, possibly even a notepad, a small piece of fruit, bruised of course and a wandering hair bobble. The 'going out bag', the one I want to champion today is the most glittering of all, in the collection of bags. Its sometimes forgotten when buying an outfit, you always think you have one in your wardrobe that will suit, plus another £20-£30 on a bag would in fact get you more in a way of cocktails than in actual wardrobe snaps. I'm totally guilty of this. Surely you cant get to 30-something without having a medley of suitable going out bags. However, my recent wandering fashion eye has spotted that the high street is teasing me with a new type of going out bag that I really need to add to my collection. Call it what you will, Camera bag, Boxy bag, Shoulder bag, they are all of similar small size, but large enough for essentials, phone, purse, lippy, eye liner. The ones that have caught my eye are below, now its the choice of which one will I use the most!
At £20 and less, I'm sure I can stretch to that and once used more than once, the cost per wear makes it totally deductible! Treat yourself girls and spare the liver that extra Cosmo!

Top left: Black Velvet Mini Cross Body Bag - River Island £18

Top right: Tan Cross Body Small Bag - Mango £17.99

Bottom Left: Shell Pink Metal Chain Shoulder Box Bag - New Look £12.99

Bottom Right: Navy Badged Camera Bag - Next £20

All these bags come in a variation of colours - check websites for options.

Remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile!