Belter

It seems like Gok Wan’s fashion solution to everything is ‘put a belt on it’. Now for the most part I am not mad on Gok and part of it is that I feel he relies on belts a little too much as being key to every outfit and shape, but with some things in my closet a belt is exactly what is needed.

They can instantly transform a dress that doesn’t do much for your waistline or in something patterned they break it up a bit, making the busy-ness a bit easier on the eye.

I have a ‘strictly for purpose’ plain black belt, which has reached a stage where it should really be replaced, to wear with jeans and trousers and a number of ‘fashion belts’. As pictured, one of these was removed from a pair of vintage trousers that I got in a family haul and the other has been featured previously as being a TJ Maxx, or TK Maxx, depending upon which side of the pond you are on, find. I have a few others that get used for nipping in various dresses – and I think pretty much all of these are from H&M (like the bow belt above). I also tend to use scarves or long chains as belts.

  

Dream belts...my mom has an amazing vintage brown leather belt from the 70s...you know the ones with a painted scene carved in that includes rainbows and snow-topped mountains...I keep contemplating stealing it. And I have also been keeping my eye out on Ebay for a reversible Hermes belt, preferably in turquoise and black or chocolate brown with a silver H buckle. I think both of these will remain a dream for a good while longer.

Autumnal Tones

I have recently renewed my love affair with thrift shops. I’ve always popped in and out, but as bridesmaidly duties approach and an ever shrinking bank account, it was time to start making a bit of time to hunt down a pair of silver shoes on the cheap.

Of course on my first outing to the thrift shops, I did not find silver shoes, but I did find these amazing Bally heels for 8 yos, hardly worn and in my size. Last night was the perfect night out for them and I decided to go for variety of autumnal tones...maroon dress from H&M, navy blue tights and vintage forest green leather cluth.

Oh and I found the perfect Buffalo silver satin shoes for less than a fiver, also hardly worn on my next outing...wonder what I’ll find next?

Bead it!

I have been a bad blogger lately. Not sure if it’s a bit of writer’s block or if I’ve been occupied with so many other things that I just don’t have the energy for writing. I have a feeling the blogging may be a bit intermittent until the end of October, so please be patient with me!

I like to refer to these beads as my flapper beads. My lovely friend Jan purchased them for me many moons ago in H&M after I nearly swiped some vintage glass beads of the same colour that she possessed. I have searched for a vintage glass version, but they’re a bit pricey for my purse strings these days. I love beads in their many forms, especially long beads because they can have a bit of swing and you can play with them when you’re bored.

I hadn’t worn these in quite a while, but have a feeling they will be in rotation quite a bit this autumn/winter. I’m looking forward to deep jewel tones and bought myself a little rust coloured dress at H&M on Sunday. I look forward to pairing it with these beads, a number of other necklaces, scarves, a top underneath, a cardigan on top, various tights, brown shoes, black shoes...I was going to try and hold off wearing it until September, but have a feeling it will make its first appearance this week...

Holidaysical

My own personal portmanteau for that post-holiday feeling – in my case I am easily distracted, and want to spend as much time outside wearing sandals, dresses and sunglasses, while reading books and making general merriment. In fact, I am writing this blog, while sitting in Belgrave Square soaking up the sun in a dress purchased for, but not worn on vacation.

I am lucky enough to have a travel gang known as the Sardines, our first trip was to Sardinia hence the name. On this holiday we went to the Costa Blanca for just under a week – cheap and cheerful. We rented a flat in El Campello, a town about halfway between Alicante and Benidorm, and lay on the beach, hit Aqualandia, witnessed Benidorm and checked out Alicante town.

I wanted to wear colour on this holiday. I feel like I have been stuck in dark clothes for a while and it was time to throw some sunshine into the wardrobe. The day before departure, and conveniently enough the day after pay day, I went on a mini-spree to H&M and picked up three brightly coloured dresses for €60. These are my two favourite outfits from the holiday.

Benidorm Brights:

Dress – H&M - €15

Sunglasses – Vintage Polaroid from this Etsy Seller

Bangle – H&M (US) - $5

Sandals – Birkenstocks - €95

Alicante Awesome:

Dress – H&M - €30

Belt – Lauren by Ralph Lauren purchase in TJ Maxx - $20

Sunglasses – Chanel – Way too much, but have had them for 5 years.

Sandals – as before

Bag – Vintage and gifted

Bracelet – Coral – Gifted