Simple tee, statement accessories

In the colder months, my vast collection of floral print dresses goes into hibernation to be replaced by black skinny jeans, simple tops and statement accessories. Now this is what I'm talking about:


Clockwise from left: Cos purse - 20 Euros, Topshop Boutique cat tee - £28, Monki leather-look purse - 8 Euros, Whistles triangle ring - £12, Topshop metallic brogues - £32, Tatty Devine fine cat ring - £120

Thrift finds - Whistles' winter florals

I just can't get away from Whistles at the moment - not that I want to if bargains like this keep finding their way into my wardrobe. I snapped up this yellow and pink rose print pleated dress in Hove's Oxfam for just £14.99, and plan to dress it down with thick black tights, block heel ankle boots or flats, such as these mustard loafers (£4.99 from British Heart Foundation), and a slouchy cardigan.


The Postal Service and British Sea Power CDs were £1.99 each from Oxfam, Western Road, one of the best local charity shops reasonably for priced alternative music - IMHO...

Silent Sundays: Camel cape

Camel cape mac - Elizabeth Lau via Oxfam
Black long-sleeved top - Peacocks
Leopard print trousers - Whistles
Cowboy boots - vintage via charity shop
Harrods bag - vintage via charity shop
Skull & crossbones heart pendant - Mawi via Cocosa

Whistles' fan girl / trouser trial

So, this is becoming a bit of a Whistles' fan girl blog, but I CAN'T STOP GOING IN THERE - I may have a problem - BUT THERE'S 70% OFF!

Today's obsession - leopard print riding trousers, now just £35. At the risk of sounding like a typical girl in January, my legs are my least favourite part of my body, so trousers are difficult. But as one of my New Year's Resolutions is to be braver with my outfits, I'm trying to work them into my wardrobe. A woman can't live in dresses and black jeans - particularly a woman who works in fashion.

While the print may be taking on too much too soon, I've been adequately inspired by the polka dot jeans rocked by Jen from A Little Bird Told Me and Laetitia of Mademoiselle Robot, both a similar size to myself, to give these a go.

Is this crazy talk?

January sales

So many great bargains to be had this year. While the Topshop sale was a disappointment, my new favourite brand Monki offered up some sleek and simple Scandinavian beauties at Primark prices. I even snapped up a Monki dress in my local charity shop for under a fiver!

Elsewhere, I unashamedly indulged in dresses, picking up a very cute book print sheer shirt dress with bow tie detail from the Urban Outfitters online sale, a great all year round midi dress, slashed from £175 to £50, and chunky cats eye shades for £20 in Whistles, as well as that Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress - just £10.

What did you pick up in the sales?



Red poncho, striped boxy top and black mini skirt - both Monki



Whistles tiger feather midi dress and Pearl Lowe for Peacocks bow dress

Think pink - outfit inspiration

Since its re-brand, Whistles has become one of my favourite high-end, high-street stores. Simple, contemporary items in every-day styles have been brought to fashion life with bold colour pops and spring/summer's Jackie O style pink waffle pieces were some of the most wearable of the season's ice cream trend.


Thanks to a bit of sun-damage, the skirt came home with me for £25, but sadly the slouchy jumper remained out of my price range, so I took an inspiration photo and vowed to keep an eye out for a similar gem.

Once again it was a charity shop to the rescue, as I snapped up this pink Topshop lattice jumper for just £4 in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, when visiting my granddad.


Patience is not only a virtue, it also pays off...