Statement Jackets - such a must have!

The 'Statement Jacket', that fashion piece that can transform an outfit and change it's tone entirely....I love them.  Wear a beautiful dress and you can look fabulous, team it with a denim jacket plus a pair of Converse to give you edgy and street.  The next time you want to wear something more stylish to a weekday lunch date, just try it.  Another pairing I love is my work blazer....err hang on...work blazer? Yes I confess, I'm totally addicted to bodycon dresses....they can kinda look a little racy for work but team one with a blazer and hey 'I'm Miss Ward. How can I help you?'

Blazers don't have to look corporate: Take the same jacket out on one of those cool damp city shopping days when you're wearing jeans; so versatile.

Tired of wearing black? Faux leather doesn't have to be chic biker either. Think colours. Think neon brights :)

This gorgeous orange version came from Pull and Bear.

In fact, what I love about my jackets is their ability to be a cardigan substitute, coat, fashion accessory and utter complement to what might otherwise be a naff outfit choice.  Take a romper for instance: I just love the way that styling it with a faux leather jacket takes off any unwanted throwback to childhood.  Romper on it's own; little girl: Romper with jacket; all grown up! If in the end you're still not sure what to wear you can always slip on.....yes you've got it....

Huggs,

Jane xx

Fancy a Romp?

OMG it's warm again, the Summer is finally here and you might get to leave those tights off for once! A girl gets kinda restless this time of year and longs for something different. I’ve been spending the Winter rocking black tights, shorts & block heeled ankle boots. It’s a look I love but the rising mercury makes me want to leave that behind and reach for something sassy and cool.

Enter the Romper (or Playsuit as we prefer to call it over here in the UK). Dare you wear one? Not sure? For some of us, the last time we wore Rompers was when we were little girls. They had handy poppers underneath for when Mummy needed to change you LOL.

For those of you old enough to remember you might also clock that like most things fashion wise they’re a vintage idea recycled. Do you remember these?

Kinda cute and carefree or at least that’s what the fashion plate wanted you to think. I have to confess, my last foray into playsuits was in a period of my life obsessed with vintage clothing. I bought a retro inspired one from VOH. Somewhat like the one below. (Vivien of Holloway online http://www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/trousers-c14/playsuits-c44 or from their store in Holloway (£59.00))

These days however when you think of playsuits, something more like Rita Ora’s gorgeous red snakeskin number springs to mind. Doesn’t she just totally rock on the cover of ‘I will never let you down'?

But what about the rest of us? Take a look out there and Playsuits are everywhere. From pretty florals to bright summer neon prints and denim, Playsuits are everywhere, with a variety of necklines and fits from boho to chic. As for me I fell for this totes adorbs AX Paris one in the label lounge section of Liverpool ONE's New Look store.

Okay I know that there's a price to pay and I don't mean the tag lol. Going to the loo means getting undressed...err....totally: Once my boyfriend closes the back zipper on this one and fastens the hook and eye at the top I'm utterly captive and can't even go to the loo without his help! If you're going to a Festival and have to face portaloos or worse you might want to choose a front zipper or something else. Even so I still love the playsuit.

So what is so special? I totally adore them when summer comes because you can get away with a hemline way shorter than any dress or skirt in your closet. You can bend over or sit down without showing all you've got and there's nothing that says summer street style more than a playsuit.

If you want to buy it AX Paris number also comes in a gorgeous neon pink print as well....should I have bought two?

http://www.axparis.com/categories/Jumpsuits-and-Playsuits/

Currently a steal at £25 online or 10% off with an introductory first offer discount, what are you waiting for?

Jane xx

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Bare Essentials

It's coffee break - what can I write about?

'BARE ESSENTIALS'...who's idea was a title like that?  Let's be brutally honest here.  I'm the kind of girl who goes away for an overnight break and a evening out with at least five complete multi-co-rdinating outfits in her carry on as well as a fully stocked make up case, an extra pair of shoes dangling from her hand (just in case) and her shoulder bag topped up with spare perfume and a touch up kit. My version of 'bare essentials' is actually rather a lot.  This blog is not going to be about minimalism (unless you count lack of money!) but about just a few of the addictions that drive my life; those TOTALLY essential ones!

So let me see now; new blog, new blank pages, new start, just like the first day at school and college! Do you remember those nervous days when you had to be there extra early before everybody paired up with friends and decided where to sit? That all important day when friendships get made and set up for the year; when they decide who’s in and who isn’t. That’s all very well but OMG what am I going to wear?

When I started working (I work in a College!) I suddenly realised that it didn’t get any better.  True we were all a little older but now we have more money and that ups the stakes.  I’m an Additional Learning Needs Assistant on a paltry income and at times I struggle to keep up with fashion trends because of a HUGE lack of money! You too? Yeah, being a fashionista on a budget sucks.  So you became a Recessionista; that girl incessantly trawling the stores for bargain items that allow you to copy Kim Kardashian’s look or dress like Rita Ora. One thing this blog will do is to flag up how to get that look without taking out a small mortgage and where to find those coveted coupon codes that give you that much needed 25% discount of that ‘must have’ investment item! For me, sourcing great looks on a calorie controlled budget has become an essential addiction in itself.

So what else do I plan to write about?  Pretty much whatever else turns this girl on and gets her juices flowing; coffee and chocolate (particularly when consumed in coffee shops), gorgeous food, iconic interior design, wedding style, music (all on a budget), my boyfriend, making love, sex and relationships, keeping fit….don’t expect focus on one thing lol.  Focus is for those hard line, high flying bloggers with a gazillion plus page views and a trailing cloud of fragrant, gorgeously dressed and admiring followers: That’s SO not me.  I’m dizzy, multitasking, chaotic, random and sometimes naughty girl.  Welcome to my Happy World! If you care to follow me I’d be more than pleased to have you with me and tofollow you back.

Hugs,

Jane xx