OOTD // I do like to be beside the seaside

Dress: River Island 2012, similar here // Sandals: Primark // Bag: Anya Hindmarch // Sunglasses: Rayban

Last weekend I went to stay with my brother and his family and with a daytrip to the seaside on the cards I knew that my London print dress was the perfect thing to wear. I also had an opportunity to use my new Anya Hindmarch beach bag and pop on my bargain sandals from Primark which I'd managed to pick up for £3!

I picked up this dress last year to wear at my families Jubilee celebrations and it's still going strong this Summer. I like that its something different from typical florals - what do you think?

OOTD: Family Day

Dress: Gap sold out online similar here // Wedges 2012 season similar here // Floral Garland Primark similar here

My parents arranged a family gathering yesterday to take advantage of the sunshine and I decided that a day in the garden needed a dress that was comfortable enough to take the heat yet pretty enough for the occasion. I spent Friday lunchtime stalking my usual haunts in the City and finally ended up in the branch of Gap next door to my office and found just what I was looking for, this blue little number.

At £24.95 it was a great price, a fabulous colour (they have them in grey and orange too) and had some room once I'd indulged in the feast my mum was laying on. Unfortunately it seems I'm not the only one who liked this dress as it has sold out online but I'm sure you'll be able to find some in store.

I'm suffering from festival envy at the moment hence the floral garland in my hair. I actually got up at 830am so I was in my local Primark on opening Saturday morning to buy this. I'd seen it a few weeks ago and loved it but didn't think I'd have any reason to wear it so popped back on the shelf then hadn't stopped thinking about it since - and if you can't wear flowers in the garden then when can you?

The shoes I had completely forgot I owned having had them hiding at the back of my wardrobe. I picked these up last Summer, again another item I'd seen in the shops, deciding against because they were quite expensive. When I was still thinking about them wistfully weeks later I decided to treat myself and was rewarded by them appearing in the sale and half price - sometimes it pays to wait.

I hope you're all having great weekends in the sun with your friends and families too, I'd love to hear what you got up to.

OOTD: Social Media Junkie

Jumper: Pretty Little Things // Jeans: Warehouse // Shoes: Converse // Sunglasses: Rayban

This is it people, your last chance to find a new home for your blog reading lists and my vote goes to Bloglovin which you can read more about here and if my jumper isn't too bossy you can

Like me here and here
Tweet me here
Poke Pin Me here
Share & Follow me here

BEDM: Dream Job

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Whilst I won't go so far to say that I am employed in my dream job it is one I'm very happy with. I always say that if I have to work for a living this is pretty good. I've been with my company for nearly 7 years and my current role was built around my skills and the need of the department - pretty flattering!

My day job affords me the time and money to enjoy many luxuries in life - such as the Clarins shopping spree I've just been on and the dinner I'm off to with a friend this evening. I also get to wear my nice collection of dresses (can you believe this one was just £25!). It is a nice position to be in that beside the usual, urgh is it Monday again, I do work in a place I enjoy and even if I won the lottery I think I'd still want to work here on a part time/flexible basis as I have some great friends and we've had some even better nights out together.

More importantly having a settled day job means I can enjoy the pleasure of blogging (I'm writing this post at my desk now!). In my younger years I always wanted to be a journalist/writer (stay tuned for a forthcoming BEDM post about why that didn't happen) and blogging allows me to enjoy the pleasure I find in writing and who knows - maybe I will write that book one day.

OOTD: Converse Casual

Jacket: River Island, T-shirt: Dorothy Perkins (sold out; similar here), Jeans: Warehouse, Converse: Office

When a friend invited me round for dinner one night last week I decided it was the perfect opportunity to test run my new Converse boots brought last weekend. I was pleasantly surprised with how I looked and more importantly felt in the ensemble. Jackets make casual outfits more "me" as I like something with structure but I quite enjoyed bouncing around in my flat footwear and feeling more relaxed. This is certainly a look that will make life easier for popping round to my parents on a weekend or visiting my brother and running around with my niece and nephew.

OOTD Road Trip

Jacket: H&M, Vest: Next, Necklace: Topshop; similar here, Clutch Bag: ASOS, Sunglasses: Rayban 

Yesterday my friend and I had to take an impromptu road trip which was the perfect opportunity to test drive my latest purchase from Next. I went for a stroll through my local high street at the weekend and even with limited shopping opportunities managed to find something to spend my pennies on!

This vest was only £8 and perfect twinned with my trusty H&M blazer and Topshop necklace (whch cost more than twice the price of the vest!). As I would be sitting in car for most of the day I decided to dig out a clutch to use that has been hidden away in the back of my wardrobe for far too long.

OOTD: Office Chic

(Dress: Next, : Jacket: Miss Selfridge)

I have worn this outfit to work on two occasions so far and both times received numerous compliments, particularly on the jacket which dresses up a classic black dress from Next nicely. With our less than pleasant weather lately the jacket provided some warmth against air conditioning and as we move into the warmer weather of Spring I can forgo a coat. Of course add a splash of red from my nails and bag and I have an ensemble that works fashionably and professional for a day in the office.  

 

OOTD - Ode to Margaret Thatcher

(Blazer: H&M, Necklace: Topshop, Jumper: Ted Baker, Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: Prada, Jeans: Warehouse)

It wasn't a conscious decision to channel Margaret Thatcher for a shopping trip to Westfield Stratford City at the weekend but I certainly think she would approve of my blue blazer! I rarely buy clothing from H&M as I am not a fan of shopping in their stores but am often drawn online and decided to take the leap and place an order. I was dubious to the quality of a blazer for £24.99 but pleasantly surprised. A lightweight jersey it was ideal for the warmer weather at the weekend whilst there was still a breeze in the air. Always cold and not a fan of the cardigan I find a blazer suits me much better and is a great throw on with jeans and all variety of tops. I definitely think I'll be added other colours from this range to my wardrobe. 

The necklace was added to my outfit immediately as soon as I'd handed over payment in store and of course the splash of red from my newly purchased Prada bag meant that both political parties were represented!

Do pop back for a visit tomorrow and you can see what else was purchased on my shopping trip.