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!

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!

90's Revival: Dungarees

My most recent favourite purchase is something I've not possessed since I was 8 years old (1993). The 90's have had a recent facelift and we've had bands reform, celebrity presenters resurface and designers introduce scrunchies, bombers and platforms galore!
A pair of good dungarees are definitely a 2016 wardrobe staple. Dress up with heels or down with slip on trainers, this versatile item is one of the seasons must haves.

Materials, colours and styles are, of course, each to their own. Dresses, trousers or shorts, all are widely acceptable. My personal favourites are these Black Denim Ankle Grazers (£27.99 New Look).

Many high street stores have plenty to choose from:

From left to right:

Holly Roll up Hem £25.00 Boohoo

White Denim £48.00 River Island

MOTO Long Denim Dungarees £49.00 Topshop

Black Denim Ankle Grazer £27.99 New Look

Happy Shopping!

Glamping....or not so much!

This weekend, my fabulous family and I went to Scarborough. We've spent the past two nights in a caravan! We stayed at Cayton Bay and I can't recommend it enough! The kids loved it, the hubby loved it and so did I! (Can I also just add that the sun was only to be seen on our route home.)

We visited the John Bull Factory, cycled to the beach (during the only two dry hours), 'Star Treking' in the Bay View Show Bar and went to the Sea Life Centre (previous home to Paul the 'World Cup' Octopus). 

Once again, I under packed! I do it every time we go away as a family. The girls have everything for every possible weather outcome. My husband (I also pack most of his stuff too!) had 2 coats and 6 pairs of underpants (we only went for 2 nights). But me, I never think of myself when it comes to packing. I never put enough thought into what I take. 

I don't have a 'camping' style wardrobe. The only item I have that fits the necessary criteria is my Purple Hunters. I have maxi's, shirts, peep toes and flip flops. I needed a hoody. I needed a raincoat. I needed jeans other than skinny! I think I've given into the fact that these things must be added to my wardrobe. It won't be the last time we 'Glamp', given the amount of fun we had, so these staples will be added to my collection. 

Raincoat - www.newlook.com

Hoody - www.hollisterco.com

Jeans - www.riverisland.com

Trend: Tribal

One of the main S/S trends this year is Tribal. Think African colours, oranges, khakis, bright pops of red and yellow. Also animal print and Aztec patterns. I've put together some key pieces from River Island and Topshop, the strongest in this trend on the high street, or so I think. All items can be dressed up or down.

1.Bright Tribal Dress £28 2.Aztec Print Tapered Trousers £28 3.Khaki Vest with Embellishment £20

4.Tribal Mini £34 5.Tan Sandal with Metal Plate £30 6.Tan Wedge with Ankle strap £50 

7.Black Tribal Maxi £35 8.Blue Tribal Shorts £20

( 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 at www.topshop.com and 2 and 4 at www.riverisland.com)

Monochrome

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of a couple of hours at the White Rose Centre in Leeds. With only one child in tow in a pushchair to help with the bags :) I set off with the intention of buying bottoms to accompany a shirt I already own. I left £££'s later with a whole new outfit for myself plus a dress for next week and an outfit for each child! Regardless to say, my husband had the dreaded frown on my return.
Most of my purchases, even the children's, were made at River Island. Can i just say, I HEART River Island! Their monochrome trend with pops of red and cobalt is to die for. Personally cobalt blue is my favourite colour for clothing. It's my go to colour when all else fails me. I have various staples in my wardrobe in this colour, skater skirt, sleeveless shirt, I could go on. I will be mixing my blues in with the monochrome items.
My choice yesterday was cigarette pants in a black and white small polka dot fabric, which I paired with a black leather look cropped tee with chiffon back. I wore my favourite pointed stiletto shoe boots, I was good to go.
Everyone has black and white in their wardrobe, but its the fabrics and patterns and how you mix it up the makes an outfit. And of course the look and feel of confidence in whatever you're wearing.