Sales Talk....

Style Theory: My top sales picks for Aw15. Keeping a mix of classic adding some key trend items and some little extra special items that I cannot resist..

Boden Mia Jumper in Charcoal now £41.30

A great basic jumper with a slight 'Tibi' style neckline. This jumper will look great with a pale grey oversize wool scarf and skinny jeans and boots or pair with leather shorts, opaques and wedge loafers for a smarter look.

Boden Cordelia Heel now £41.70

These are the most stunning shoes I have tried on this year, they look amazing on and will be your Spring Summer shoe with any type of dress. As leopard is now considered a neutral these can be paired with plain colours, stripes, boyfriend jeans, culottes, the list is endless..I am definitely ordering them!

Topshop Long Sleeves Lace Top now £28

This top has a real designer look to it, wear with blue jeans and trainers for a cool going out look from the winter through to the summer. I love the high neck and the sheer arms, so flattering and chic. It has been reduced from £52, so a good buy.

Topshop Fluroescent Lace Pencil Skirt now £20

A fairly inexpensive skirt to wear with a grey T shirt and heels or grey fine knit jumper and heels to a smart event or a wedding.

Topshop Premium Fur Lined Parka now £50

This is a beautiful sumptuous parka, it looks amazing on. It would look just as good thrown over skinny jeans and trainers as it would over an evening dress for a cool look. It was £98 so again, a good discount.

Somerset by Alice Temperley Jumper £29.50

This really jumper caught my eye in John Lewis, it is soft merino wool, a slightly fitted shape and has the most beautiful gold buttons on the sleeves adding a luxurious finish. I tried on the UK 14 or 16 and I preferred it on the more generous side. It is one of those jumpers that would look good with leather skirt, opaque tights and heels and a parka thrown over. Another sweater I think I cannot live without..

Mango Flowy Shirt @HoF now £19.99

I bought this blouse for my sister for Christmas (before the sale!) and it looks gorgeous on. It can be worn buttoned up with the neck tie or unbuttoned with the necktie loose around your neck like a skinny scarf. The fabric hangs beautifully and it is one of those really useful additions to your wardrobe, in the summer it will look fab with ankle length skinny jeans and white supergas.

MiH Denim dungarees @Net a Porter now £118

I am slightly obsessed with these dungarees, they are perfect. I wore my black dungarees non stop last year and these are a step up. They are a gorgeous shape with the button detail adding interest. They have been reduced from £295 and could be worn all year through (especially in the UK where summers are really not hot!) 

Chinti and Parker top @Net a Porter now £90

This is a great winter to summer top. I adore a peplum, it covers my mum tum, gives the (much needed) illusion of a waist and flatters my hips and legs. This top would be great with skinny jeans and an oversize cardigan in the winter and in the summer with skinny pale blue ankle length jeans and trainers.

Finery Hemming Satin Trapeze Dress £45

A 'wow' dress for a small price. This dress would be perfect for any upcoming weddings/summer events or just to wear on holiday out for dinner. The shade would look fabulous against sunkissed skin and I would wear with tan or red strappy sandals. For now add a chunky grey cardigan over the top and black opaques and ankle boots for a cool look.

Topshop Festive Strappy Shoes now £12

Just because I could not resist these for £12, they are winging their way to me, I have no idea what they will be like quality-wise but I love the red velvet and cute shape and for £12?!

So there is my round up of some of the best sales pieces on the high street, I have had to soo hold back not to order them all as I really think they are key pieces and all have a place in my wardrobe but unfortunately finance do not allow it! 

My Style

I bought the skirt in the photos below from my local Topshop but it seems to be a one off as I cannot find it anywhere online. The brand is Navy but I cannot find this brand online so I think it may be super old stock dragged out for the sale or a brand only found in Oxford Street, if I find out I will let you know. Anyway, it is a fab little skirt, it has an elasticated waistband (phew) and is a flattering length. I wore it on New Years Eve with my grey Boden jumper and leopard print heels...

Skirt - Topshop (random in sale)
Jumper - Boden
Necklace - Chambers and Beau £110
Earrings - Travelling Bazaar £27
Bag - Primark £9
Shoes - Nine West (old)

I hope you all had a fab New Year and wish you and family health and happiness for 2016. Thank you for taking the time to stop off and read my blog, I appreciate it so much and do love all your comments and emails, it makes it all worth while! 

Pretty in Pink

Style Theory: The grey winter days always draw me towards a soft, pink palette, it seems to make your skin glow and will add a little, subtle touch for colour to your winter/spring and summer 2016 wardrobe. 

The SS16 catwalks were full with differing shades of pinks, from pale pink organzas to soft tulles to pleated fuschias mixed with golds (Isabel Marant) and reds (Chanel)...

Chanel, Chloe, Carolina Herrera, Tibi 

Stella McCartney, Delpozo, Erdem, Alexander McQueen 

Chanel, Isabel Marant, Gucci, Rochas 

As you can see above pink featured in so many designer's SS16 collections and it will therefore follow suit on the high street. The fashionistas on the street were quick to pick up on this colour trend wearing pink with aplomb..

So how does this translate down to the high street? The colour is coming through in knitwear, dresses and accessories. Mix with neutrals (greys, camels, denim and black) or clash up with merlot and red to create eyecatching, feminine looks...

Whistles @House of Fraser £160 

A beautiful shade of pink and a fabulous shape of sweater. Slightly expensive but it is 100% cashmere (hand wash) Wear with skinny blue jeans, white trainers and an oversize pale grey scarf for Spring perfection.

Mango @John Lewis £39.99 

Style this jumper as above or wear with a silver pleated midi skirt and merlot coloured heels for a cool look.

French Connection @John Lewis £75 

A beautiful, soft pink, I would size up on this sweater and wear with slouchy grey tracksuit pants and stan smith trainers, add a contrasting grey scarf and biker jacket for a chic, laid back look.

&Other Stories £69 

This silk shirt is a classic shape brought up to date with a neck tie. This would look stunning tucked into a pair of boyfriend jeans with black heels or wear with tailored ankle length trousers and Chanel-esque pumps.

H&M Crepe Blouse £14.99 

A budget, wardrobe basic, this crepe blouse will look great unbuttoned slightly with fine gold necklaces layered, tucked into a pair of ankle length skinny jeans.

Cos Drape Detail Top £59 

To balance out this floaty top I would pair it with skinny jeans or tailored trousers, add a pair of pointed kitten heels for added glamour.

Finery Satin Trapeze Dress £45 

This dress is gorgeous, wear it now with black opaques and black heels (it has black bonded fabric on the inside so would look fab with black accessories) wear in the summer with flat, tan, strappy sandals.

Finery Mallow Tunic Dress £49 

A stunning dress, buy now wear in the summer with strappy sandals or with white trainers.

&Other Stories Cap £35 

I am slightly obsessed with caps at the moment, this would look fab with a grey oversize coat and skinny leather leggings and trainers.

&Other Stories £12 

Love these, I will have to buy them.. gorgeous with pale pinks, greys and beiges.

Burberry Fuschia Pink Scark £335 

I know, ridiculously expensive for a scarf but this is pretty gorgeous and a nice addition to any wardrobe should you be able to afford it.

&Other Stories Cashmere Scarf £65 

Super soft and in a beautiful colour, a real luxury item, perfect for travelling (use as a pillow) indulgence at its best.

My Style

Last days of Christmas holidays, I have worn this cardigan non stop (a Christmas present from my Mum and Dad) love love it!

Cardigan - American Vintage @Quattrorish £110

Dungarees - H&M Old

Sweater - Boden

So I, for one, adore pink and will be buying a few pieces this season to add colour to my wardrobe. I will still be sizing up on all sweaters so they are slouchy and baggy and will be keeping trousers and jeans neat and skinny (although current Christmas excess weight makes this slightly tricky!)

Are you a fan of pink, will you be indulging in this colour trend this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

Boden's Amazing Mid Season Sale - Grab yourself a bargain quick...

Breton was £39.50 - now £29.70

Style Theory: The time to shop at Boden is now, with up to 40% off they have some fab pieces to add to your Autumn/Winter wardrobe, from bretons with a twist to the most beautiful pink coat I have seen in a while...go, go, go!

The perfect building blocks for your wardrobe....

Velvet Lace up Breton was £39.50 now £27.90

This is the most beautiful twist on the breton, I love the velvet lace detail. A perfect addition to jeans and trainers uniform, or dress up in the evening with boyfriend jeans and leopard print heels (love the ones below)

Supersoft jumper was £89.50 now £53.70

Because a grey jumper is such a useful piece to have in your wardrobe, pair with jeans and coloured trainers, with a pleated midi skirt and heels, or tailored trousers and heeled boots.

Abingdon Trench was £140 now £89.40

This is a good looking trench, quite Burberry-esque. A perfect shape that will not go out of fashion and can be worn year after year. Perfect for over jeans, equally as chic over an evening dress for an evening out, timeless and stylish.

Sally Coat was £130 now £97.30

If you are hankering after a pink coat this is a great one, more of a 'car coat' ie. great for Autumn and Spring but will not keep you super warm in the deepest darker winter. However, this is great for layering over a pale pink jumper or grey sweater/hoody or wear a dark red, slim, padded gilet underneath for added warmth. Pink is staying around for SS17 too so this coat is a keeper..

Hayley Shirt was £69.50 now £48.65

A beautiful colour combination, the perfect AW16 work shirt, pair with ankle length cigarette trousers and a pair of leopard print heels for work style with a fashion edge.

Button Jumper was £69.50 now £48.65

A breton jumper is again such a useful item, size up for the perfect cosy winter sweater, perfect for cold country walks then onto cosy pubs. Pair with skinny jeans and Hunter wellies for a cool look.

Lovely Jumper was £69.50 now £48.65

Slogan sweaters are easy items to wear, I would size up and wear slouchy with ankle length crop flared jeans and white stan smiths, easy and cool.

Baseball tee - was £24.50 now £19.60

Ever since my daughter was 1 and obsessed with High School Musical, yes, one and obsessed with the songs and dances from it, I have liked a baseball tee, Zac Efron looked good in his and if it is good enough for him it works for me!

Wave High Court was £100 now £87.20

These are stunning, having seen them in the flesh - Alex from The Frugality has them and they look amazing on her, so elegant. They are the perfect 'go with everything' shoes, they will be just as good for work as with boyfriend jeans for an evening out. If you are off to event they will go with any type of dress, definitely a pair of shoes worth investing in.

Abbey Bag was £150 now £95.40

Navy leather with tan details looks so expensive and great with a breton, jeans, trainers and a navy blazer - the basic combination but always a winner in my eyes.

Those are my favourite picks from the Boden sale, all basic building blocks for your Autumn/Winter wardrobe and all pretty interchangeable, just add a good pair of jeans (try H&M or Topshop) and a pair of trainers - I still love Stan Smiths or Golden Goose and you pretty much have a capsule wardrobe.

I am also going to order a few pieces for my kids, I love their tartan pull on trousers for Jack with a stripy top, and for Jess, the denim playsuit and the gold glittery trainers and stock up on pjs and slippers. I could go on forever buying the kids clothes from Boden because they really do last and wash so well, but they just grow so fast and don't get enough wear out of them I only buy them a couple of things I know they will wear non-stop.

Have you got your eye on anything in the Boden sale, does any of the above pieces appeal to you? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, happy sales shopping, until next time Fran xxxxxx