Matalan Style Project

Last month I was asked to take part in Matalan's Style Project where I create a look based on their given theme and pitted against 2 other fashion/style bloggers for the public vote.

This made me super nervous, I don't label myself a style/fashion blogger so to join a challenge that included legitimate fashion bloggers filled me with a little bit of dread but still very excited to be asked to take part :)  Matalan is a firm favourite of mine, offering affordable fashion pieces as well as fabulous homeware which I have been purchasing loads of recently.

The theme was 'Girlie' and in Matalan's terms they see this as cute cuts, pastel colours with some 1950's Americana thrown in!  One thing I don't do well is girlie so this was quite the challenge.  I don't wear a lot of frilly or girly colours so it felt a little unusual to try and style myself this way and in the end I went for something very overtly girlie!

I basically channeled Lana Del Ray, Frida Kahlo and Margarita Pracatan for this particular look! I went for a very feminine pastel yellow racer back dress, bow wedges, a floral satchel and I made a floral head dress a la Frida and Lana from a variety of floral accessories.

If you like my outfit, it would be lovely for you to leave a wee comment on the Matalan Style Project page here, where you will see the 2 gorgeous looks from the other style bloggers and a very 'special' looking pic of me in my get up ;)

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Stella & Dot

Since it was my birthday, of course I had to treat myself.  This came in the form of an impulse buy at last months Girls Day Out at Glasgow's SECC.

US brand Stella & Dot had a stall at the event, showcasing their jewellery of which, I am now a massive fan.  I didn't know of Stella & Dot until the show but they sell well designed, beautiful accessories and jewellery at really reasonable prices.  Obviously a little pricier than the likes of Topshop but pricing is consistent with it's quality in my opinion.

My gift to myself was the gold renegade cluster bracelet as seen on Katy Perry ... so there you go ;)  At £45 it was pricey enough to feel like a treat but not too expensive that I couldn't justify the cost.  I adore this bracelet with it's mix of spikes and diamante and it has certainly fuelled my desire for more Stella & Dot creations.  I literally have a massive 'want' list!

Is anyone else a fan of Stella & Dot?  What do you recommend from their range? I think I am going to go for some chunky statement necklaces next :) 

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New Things!

It's really hard keeping up with blogging these days despite having lots to blog about so thought I would start off what I hope with be a roll of posts by sharing some new bits and bobs .... kind of like a haul post.  A little bit of old school blogging if you will.

Let's start off with some fabulous buys from H&M and New Look.  I spotted this gorgeous neon coral & tan clutch as soon as I walked through the doors of H&M this week and didn't think twice about picking it up and securing the purchase almost instantly.  It reminds me of all those gorgeous clutches that are snapped in the hands of the most stylish of fashion editors at LFW.  It was a real steal though at just £12.99.  The 2 metal collars are just loooove!  I have seen lots of similar ones on other blogs and had been dying to get my hands on some myself, I think they will look brilliant worn with shirts or to add a collar to t-shirts. I think they were around £6 or £7 each.  Finally the shoes are from New Look and have a gorgeous ikat pattern across the shoe and heel.  With a pretty big platform these should probably come with a healthy warning but I can't wait to wear them :)

 It was my birthday last week and lucky old me (old being the appropriate term these days) was spoiled rotten.  An odd request of mine was a Dymo label maker.  Since moving house and creating new spaces in our home like a utility room, I have been desperate to make sure we stay organised ...  so labelling is the way forward! Seriously, who knew label making could be so much fun ... this dymo is really bringing out the geek in me!

I also received lots of beautiful perfumes with the most popular in terms of compliments being Stella McCartney Lily.  This was a gift from my mother in law ... I didn't even realise Stella had a new scent out as she is usually a firm favourite of mine.  Lily is a lovely scent, stronger than the usually McCartney offerings and it really reminds me of something I used to wear years ago but I can't quite place it.  One thing is for sure everyone else seems to love it, I even got a compliment on it in Morrison's car park! :)

Obviously I couldn't exclude new things for the home since it has been my main focus of attention for so long.  I had been eyeing up this print online for a long time, debating whether to buy or not but when I found it already framed and in the bargain section of TK Maxx, I knew it was a sign ;) I have still to decide where it should live in the house though. 

I have been obsessing over Laura Olivia designs recently and I am dying to make some purchases for my new bedroom which we have now started to decorate.  Laura Olivia is quite pricey though so it might be a while before I can invest in her gorgeous, bright, feminine designs so in the meantime, my husband and I set about creating our own piece of art for the new room.  We picked up these mirrored frames for mucho cheapness at B&M bargains .... we then took a trip to B&Q where we took quite lengthy samples of wallpaper to use in the frames .... and voila, a unique and personal piece of art for the home. 

Safe to say I am now positively skint .... a spending ban may be on the cards! eek!

What have you been spending on lately?
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