Outfit Post- MyStyle of Monochrome

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend, the weather yet again has been a mix of cloud, sun and rain but I haven't been up to much as I've had a stomach bug that's kept me low for a couple of days now.

This outfit is from last week and combines a couple of favourite items of mine- a new tee gifted from my son from one of his press day jaunts. It's by Edwin Jeans and I featured it on Livetolovedenim.com last week as well as writing about the history of the brand too. I'm wearing my faux leather style ruched leggings which are another favourite but something I've had for a few years now and rediscovered lately at the bottom of the wardrobe, nestling amongst unworn winter tights. They are ultra comfy and an ideal piece to team with a long line jacket which is how I've styled this outfit:

I've started wearing jewellery again, for some unknown reason I haven't been bothering but now maybe because Spring is here I think I'm trying to make more of an effort:

On my hand I'm wearing my gorgeous Hashtag ring by Wendy Brandes and some neon stacking rings from Primark. On my wrist I'm mixing my metals by wearing a silver bangle that was gifted to me last year by Ernest Jones and my Vivienne Westwood bracelet from the lovely Pearl over at Fashion Pearls of Wisdom which she sent to me a couple of years ago:

Clotheswise this is me channelling a  monochrome look, with a touch of neon thrown in-I'm loving my neon hoop earrings so much too, these were also from Primark a couple of weeks ago and I've also been wearing a neon diamante stud in my 2nd hole in my left ear- I've not worn an earring in this hole for at least ten years and it went in so easily!!

I'm linking this post to the lovely Patti's Visible Monday post on NotDeadYetStyle . I hope you all have a great week ahead-because I haven't felt well I've not been reading a lot of blogs so I'm hoping to catch up during the week, see you all soon!

Outfit Post: Herringbone Tweed, Street Style

For a long while now I have been searching for a vintage herringbone coat-for me they are a perfect trans-seasonal coat which can take you from Winter to Spring without looking like you're obviously wearing your winter coat. This is Anja Rubik wearing her herringbone coat that she has teamed with denim and black opaque tights, a really chic look for any season (except Summer!!)

Here is herringbone tweed again and a perfect street style look that is so casual chic for daytime. The cut and length of this coat is perfect for warding off that unpredictable weather that Spring brings:

I finally found one a couple of months ago-it is pure wool herringbone tweed, so similar to Harris Tweed and super lightweight and warm too. Being a vintage piece means I will be wearing it with denim and black to give it a modern feel:

Being midi length it will be an ideal coat to take me from Autumn to Winter too and I'm also wearing my ruched faux leather leggings that I've had for ages and have now started wearing again. The coat was from my local Sue Ryder charity shop for only £7.99, such a bargain for a coat and a 100% wool one at that:

The style and colour of this coat is a warmer alternative to a trench and I'm now hoping to track down a shorter version in grey or black as a possible extra for my winter wardrobe:

Vintage coats are a must have for my wardrobe-not only are they better made, the quality and wool content is so much higher than modern high street alternatives and you also have something that is unique to you.

Do you have vintage coats in your wardrobe and what styles are they?

Boot Sale Saturday

Hi everyone!! Today's post is about the boot sale that we went to on Saturday, which is currently held at Chigwell Rise in Essex.

Hubby was doing one with a selection of vintage items, antiques and general household items that we no longer wanted and I decided to come along to be an early bird to catch some goodies.

This was the view from our window queuing to get in at 5 am on Saturday morning, so cold yet so lovely to see the mist and dawn rising over the fields so early:

Once he had paid the pitch money to get in (£12) he started to set up while I decided to wander around and wait for for people to start setting up and selling. As you can tell from the frost, it was freezing cold and I was glad I had my layers of a tee, sweatshirt, scarf, gloves and parka on, with my hood glued to my head for the first couple of hours!! First tip of the day, make sure you wear layers- as the morning proceeds, you will start to lose them but they will be well needed the earlier you start.

I haven't been to a boot sale so early for years, it was glorious to see the dawn rise and take pictures of the red sky beckoning a new day ahead:

Another tip is to make sure you take a fair amount of change and some carrier bags with you- sellers won't be too happy to be greeted with a £10 or £20 note at 6:30 in the morning and having your own bags will save time to dash on to the next eagerly sought after bargain too!

So by about 6:45 a lot of stalls were set up and buyers were descending on sellers like their lives depended on it-what a frenzy!! I didn't know whether to elbow my way in or wait my turn, I think you have to do a mix of both to get those all important first bargains!!

The boot sale is held in two adjoining fields so it was good to cross over every so often to catch new sellers setting up. Another tip-if it is very early don't always buy on the first price that a seller says (unless your heart is set on the item of course) as in a couple of hours they may well be welcome to a bit of haggling.

I was fortunate to bag some lovely pieces but another tip is just because items are cheap does not necessarily mean they should be bought for the sake of it-in the heat of the moment it is tempting to buy up everything you see because of the low prices but you do still need to be selective about the labels and items you choose. If you do see something that you are in two minds over, then do buy it-going back for it means it won't be there later!!

Don't be afraid to haggle either- if you're reasonable in the offers you make and are polite and friendly it's odds on you will get that item for cheaper but if not, at least you asked! Also don't be put off by something if it is a bit dirty or has some loose stitching-this is an ideal way to haggle and it's not hard to do some cleaning or repair on something when you get home.

 By mid morning the layers of scarves, hats and gloves can easily be replaced with those well needed sunglasses from SmartBuyGlassesUK and an open jacket-it's amazing what a difference a few hours makes!! As you can see the sunshine there was positively glorious by midday, even if parts of the field were still waterlogged-another tip, make sure you wear your walking boots or wellies if the weather has been previously rainy, the fields can still be squelchy and muddy even if the skies are blue!

We packed up shortly after midday and headed to our local supermarket to stock up on some fresh crusty rolls, sausages and pure orange juice for a home made brunch for when we got home. Boot sales can be expensive for eating out and you don't always get quality food for the money, so we just had cups of tea and some fresh donuts there and ate later. If you are doing a boot sale then it's a good idea to bring a thermos flask of tea or coffee and some home made sandwiches to keep you going, plus plenty of change and carrier bags too.

You can google to find local boot sales near to you and I would certainly recommend them whether you are a seller or a buyer-getting there early regardless will inevitably set you up for a good day and if you can be back home again for around 1 pm to enjoy your afternoon, what's not to love?!!

Have a great week-I'll definitely be checking out a couple more booty's by the time the week is out-have you any plans to visit a boot sale this season?

Pops of Neon- Outfit Post

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend, the weather here in the UK has been really great- I even managed to have a lie in my hammock on Saturday afternoon, I really think Spring has arrived-hurray!!

Yesterday I also reorganised my wardrobe so all of my summer clothes were easily accessible. Summer skirts, blouses and tees are all now at hand to start wearing and with this in mind I decided to wear something that included neon in my outfit.

Whilst on twitter last week I saw a Marie Clare feature on Primark's Spring/Summer 2013 range and on browsing, I saw an amazing scarf that I had to go and check out. Unfortunately the said scarf was not in my local branch but I still managed to get hold of a different one (scarf addict that I am) in cream and black. I also decided to check out the costume jewellery and nabbed a few pieces too-notably neon which for me is the ideal way to dip into this trend for the Summer season.

So my Sunday outfit of choice was this old favourite blouse which is by Topshop and was a boot sale find a couple of summers ago for just £2. Im wearing it with my Japanese Michiko Koshino boyfriend style jeans and my hot pink studded flats:

I'm also wearing my new Primark yellow neon hoop earrings:

Here is a close up of the top-it's a real favourite find with a lot going on. Embroidered neon stars, skulls, birds and floral and leafy swirls:

A close up of my hot pink neon suede style studded flats which are really comfortable and a perfect weekend shoe:

For such a small area of blouse, there is a lot of detail going on in such a variety of neon and cobwebby stitched detailing:

Here is a close up to show my neon earrings- I really love neon but now I'm older a touch of it works better for me rather than investing in a particular item of clothing for this trend. Saying that, if I found the right item I would get a bag or footwear in neon yellow-it goes so well with white and denim for trendy Summer styling:

I am linking this outfit post to the lovely Patti of NotDeadYetStyle for Visible Monday.

Will you be wearing neon this season-maybe you already have an item of clothing or accessory in this trend or are you too awaiting to find the right piece for you?

River Island Biker Jacket and Jeans

Hi everyone! The week has been a real mix weather wise, we've had glorious sun, downpours, gales and clouds so for the moment bare legs and no jackets are still off the agenda for the moment!

I decided to wear my newish River Island biker jacket which was a half price bargain in the mid season sales, reduced to £35. Its a perfect trans-seasonal jacket as the body is Melton wool and quite lightweight too providing just the right amount of coverage and warmth for an unpredictable British Spring day:

I also chose this style for the black pleather sleeves so it could work as an evening jacket when the nights are cooler too and still look smart:

I'm wearing my Topshop skinny flares which I thrifted a couple of years ago from the Sue Ryder charity shop, a recently thrifted Zara Mans chambray pinstripe slim fit shirt (also from Sue Ryder) and my Peacocks sandals that I've had for quite a few summers now:

This outfit I've just realised is all original high street- no vintage or designer in sight!!

Wishing you all a really good weekend-I am hoping to get to a couple of boot sales, replenish supplies for my ebay selling and if the weather's good I'll definitely be in my hammock in the garden with a magazine in one hand and a nice cool drink in the other-fingers crossed!!