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Fashion Little

Dress The (little) Kids This Autumn…

Hope you have all had a cracking summer. After a little blogcation, I am champing at the bit to share my new kids clothing discoveries with you.  One gem that I have to start with are the gorgeous new brands that John Lewis are selling AS OF TODAY.

Margherita Kids designed by Ms Missoni herself, is exclusive to John Lewis for girls up to 8.  The Exclusive Brands Baby Edit  are 4 new brands –  Serendipity, Wheat and Mini La Mode for babies up to 2 and Michelle Carslund are lovely posters for a nursery.

Now, where to begin…

Margherita Kids Geisha Quilted Jacket, £43

Buy Margherita Kids Girls' Geisha Quilted Jacket, Angel Falls, 3 years Online at johnlewis.com

Margherita Kids Embroidered Bodysuit, £34

Buy Margherita Kids Girls' Embroidered Jumpsuit, Eclipse/Multi, 3 years Online at johnlewis.com

Margherita Daisy Collar Blouse, £28

Buy Margherita Kids Girls' Daisy Collar Blouse, White, 3 years Online at johnlewis.com

Wheat Natural Print Trousers, £33

Buy Wheat Baby Natural Print Trousers, Natural, 18 months Online at johnlewis.com

Wheat Baby Eila Print Dress, £34

Buy Wheat Baby Eila Print Dress, Natural, 18 months Online at johnlewis.com

 

Serendipity Llama Wool Print Jumper, Berry £56

Buy Serendipity Baby Llama Wool Print Jumper, Berry, 1 months Online at johnlewis.com

Serendipity Baby Trapper Al Paca Hat Wool Hat, Yellow £34

Buy Serendipity Baby Trapper Alpaca Wool Hat, Yellow, S Online at johnlewis.com

Mini La Mode Toy Soldier Sleepsuit, £43

Buy Mini La Mode Baby Toy Soldier Footsie Sleepsuit, White, 3 months Online at johnlewis.com

Mini La Mode Pink Sleepsuit, £43

Buy Mini La Mode Baby Velour Footsie Sleepsuit, Pink, 3 months Online at johnlewis.com

Michelle Carslund Elephant Love Poster £20

Buy Michelle Carlslund Illustration Elephant Love Poster, 30 x 40cm Online at johnlewis.com

Michelle Carslund Circus Poster £20

Buy Michelle Carlslund Illustration Circus Print Poster, 30 x 40cm Online at johnlewis.com

johnlewis.com

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Big Fashion

Best Of The Rest : The Sales

Who has time to trawl the high street to check out the sales? No, I thought not. Even if you were inclined to give it a go, the sight of rails with only size 6’s and 16’s left (lucky you if you are one of those!) is enough to make me walk back out the door as quickly as I went in. Over the last few months, I have been waiting in the wings to see if a few items on my wishlist have appeared in the summer sales. And a few have. Here they are!

Maje Sailor Style Bonded Leather Jacket WAS £479 NOW £335

Now is the perfect time to grab an authentic leather jacket. Buy it before you need it in the sale!

BALTIQUE

Isabel Marant Black Voile Top WAS £195 NOW £75

Oooh a little ruffle. The dress version is now sold out, but grab a bit of Marant with this cute top.

 

 

Toast Linen Short Sleeve Tee WAS £55 NOW £27

Hard to think this retails for £55. Phew, that’s alot for a white T Shirt. It is because they fit like a dream and YOU can get it at almost half price. Comes in lots of other jewel colours.

Linen Short Sleeve Tee

Anthropologie Maree Printed Trousers WERE £88 NOW £61

Printed trousers will see you through the summer and into Autumn. There is no hiding from them. You wouldn’t be able to hide in these anyway.

 

Mango Embroidered Panel Dress WAS £49.99 NOW £24.99

Even if this style is a la mode, at this price it doesn’t (really) matter if it only gets a couple of wears along the promenade. Holiday dresses here.  School run dress here.

Embroidered panel dress | MANGO

 

Ash Isha Black Boots From Katie & Jo WAS £203 now £53

Ok, only one size left (40 – my size) so if you are quick, you may beat me to it. (I am including you as want you to beat me to it as I already have some tassled black boots (not as nice as these though!)

Isha Boots, Black

 

 

Maje Stretch Lace Dress Was £290 NOW £145

Pretty as a picture and from one of my favourite labels Maje.

ROXO

Hush Florence Dress WAS £60 NOW £40

Perfect school holiday dress. dark enough to show the dirt and long enough not to flash!

Florence Dress

 

Puma Activewear Leggings WAS £55 NOW £41

I am yet to purchase any new activewear as I have no reason to (!) but if I was I would go electric blue with a bit of black panelling. Activewear sales have already overtaken denim in China. Will it happen here?

Soludos Smoking Slipper WAS £88 NOW £44

Tan colour & platform heel – great on the legs!

 

New Balance Red 620 Trainers WAS £70 NOW £45.50

Sporty and cool. I LOVE New Balance!

Image 1 of New Balance Red 620 Trainers

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Have you found any bargains? Tell me if I am missing any! xx

 

 

 

Big Fashion

5 Wedding Outfit Ideas

It’s that time of year. Wedding season.  I used to take them for granted and throw on anything but now I am so grateful to be invited as they are few and far between, I want to make an effort.  John Lewis has some lovely dresses, shoes and accessories to make dressing for silly season easy. Below are 5 different outfits for all manner of weddings.

Country Chic

Vixen Millinary Disc Hat £320

Upmarket colour combination. Pale blue and brown are lovely on those with ‘Spring colouring’. (Throw back tip from when I did women’s colour analysis.) Warm skin and golden hair and you wont look like mother of the bride (not that there is anything wrong with that, but there is a time and a place for everything and not looking like one when you have a 3 year old!)

Buy Vixen Millinery Mila Disc Flower and Feather Occasion Hat Online at johnlewis.com

Gina Bacconi Crochet Taupe Dress NOW £130

Slightly capped sleeve and flattering waistband.

Buy Gina Bacconi Crochet Floral Guipure Dress, Summer Taupe Online at johnlewis.com

LK Bennet Pale Blue Court £210

I know it is slightly naff these to do matchy matchy, but when it comes to a wedding, scrap that view point as it makes you look smart and like you have made an effort.  Nothing red lips won’t cure anyway.

Buy L.K. Bennett Kay Pointed Toe Court Shoes Online at johnlewis.com

Reiss Twist Clutch Bag £110

Pleasing to the eye and could double up as a fan…

Buy Reiss Twist Semi Circular Bag, Natural Online at johnlewis.com

Up Town

John Lewis Alex Shantung Red Disc Hat £60

A steal at this price and oh so glamorous.

Buy John Lewis Alex Shantung Oval Disc Occasion Hat Online at johnlewis.com

Whistles Navy Lace Dress £195

I wore a navy lace dress to the last wedding I went to and didn’t have any complaints. Universally flattering colour and these arms are perfect for those with the onset of bingo wings.

Buy Whistles Alisa Placement Lace Dress Online at johnlewis.com

KG Nude Suede Court Shoes £79

Suede Courts. Non descript, elongating and practical. Let the hat and clutch do the talking and let your feet take a step back (!)

Buy KG by Kurt Geiger Beauty Toe Point Stiletto Court Shoes Online at johnlewis.com

Lulu Guinness Perspex Clutch £225

So fun. Would you? I would if it was less spenny, but Lulu Guinness Clutch’s are such an investment piece, I think YOU should…

Buy Lulu Guinness Perspex Lips Clutch Bag, Red Online at johnlewis.com

Sunnier Climes

Snoxells Black Occasion Hat £500

Not so easy to carry in your luggage, but take a hat box and you will be sure to wow if you get it there in one piece. It’s the coming back that might be a problem… #tired #hungover

Buy Snoxells Ansel Large Fan Occasion Hat, Black Online at johnlewis.com

Ted Baker Bardot Dress £349

Ethereal and feminine. Beaut.

Buy Ted Baker Prinsie Bardot Tutu Dress, Black Online at johnlewis.com

 

Dune Block Heeled Blush Sandals £75

If you have dainty ankles (lucky you) you can pull off an ankle strap. Perfect for extra support!

Buy Dune Jaygo Block Heeled Sandals Online at johnlewis.com

Whistles Mock Croc Clutch £75

This is a timeless clutch that lets your outfit do the talking.

Buy Whistles Perry Matte Croc Leather Chain Clutch Bag, Pale Pink Online at johnlewis.com

Boho Cool

Snoxells Camilla Twisted Straw Hat £225

Original colour combincation – this takes you a step on from the usual fascinator, which unless it is something different, can’t say I am a fan of the ‘bog standard token bit of straw on your head’. (Do it or don’t do it, nothing inbetween).

Buy Snoxells Camilla Twisted Straw Occasion Hat, Ochre/Black Online at johnlewis.com

Ghost Christy Black Dress £245

This dress could be pulled out again & again for casual, smart, evening. I love it. Perfect for who are on the tallish side already and want to be further elongated.

 

Buy Ghost Christy Dress, Black Online at johnlewis.com

Mint Velvet Block Heels £129

Always struggle with what shoes to wear under long but these fit the bill. Love a stud too. Grrrr

Buy Mint Velvet Billie Studded Block Heeled Sandals, Tan Online at johnlewis.com

Dune Yellow Clutch £60

Have to throw in a pom pom somewhere in this post. A yellow one too! It can’t fail to make you smile.

Buy Dune Epommy Clutch Bag Online at johnlewis.com

City Slicker

Rebecca Couture Disc Fascinator £260

This is utterly stylish. I love it. Pin your hair away from your face & keep everything else relatively simple. You could wear this with a black bin liner and no one would even look down.

Buy Rebecca Couture Elsa Fanned Disc Fascinator, Orange/Black Online at johnlewis.com

Jigsaw Cut Out Black Dress £79

In case they do look down, wear this cut out dress. Not too tight so you can tuck into the eats without worrying about an expanding tum.

Buy Jigsaw Cut Out Beach Dress Online at johnlewis.com

Carvela Wedges £100

Move away from the courts to give your outfit even more edge. Love these.

Buy Carvela Aware Wedge Heeled Sandals, Black Online at johnlewis.com

LK Bennett Orange Clutch Bag £225

Ah a bit of burnt orange accented with leopard skin. Draw the outfit together with this super cute clutch.

Buy L.K. Bennett Lola Envelope Clutch Bag, Orange Online at johnlewis.com

Which is your favourite outfit? (Mine is City Slicker!)

johnlewis.com

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Big Fashion Products

Maternity Dressing With Topshop

Gone are the days when the only maternity clothes are a choice of either excrutiatingly expensive or buying a size (or 2) up from your normal. Topshop* have some gems this season to help you avoid wanting to hide away under a rock until little Timmy has been born and beyond. Here are some top picks that will see you through dressing your expanding bump and the obligatory wobbly tummy for a few months after!

Stripe Mesh T Shirt £20

No summer wardrobe is complete without a bit of Breton stripe. Avoid the mumsy look with this cool mesh/pom pom detail on the shoulder.

Peplum Ladder T £34

If it’s your first baby and you aren’t chasing around a muddy toddler, wear white. It may be your last chance! Love this top with slightly fluted (flattering) arms and loose over the tummy.

Stripe Pocket Shirt £30

On trend with this seasons contrasting pocket, it screams ‘I will stay cool’ both proverbially and literally. Perfect for nursing too with a cami underneat.

Denim Shirt Dress £40

Perfect in the unpredicable weather. Leggins are acceptable when you are pregnant, so if it’s a bit breezy whack some on underneath.

Grey & Black Leggings £22

A staple that will also see you into winter.

Over the bump Leigh Jeans £40

The traditional Leigh jeans are a good idea even when you aren’t pregnant so they are defintely the go to jean when you are. I personally always liked over the bump maternity jeans so you could tuck everything in and there is no chance of flashing anyone your behind when you bend (actually a good idea all the time?!)  Love the way they just graze your ankle.

Ruffled Cold Shoulder Blouse £34

Fun colour that suits blondes, brunettes and red heads alike and perfect for those that are arm shy whilst also wanting to keep it summery. The flash of shoulder is also very SS16.

Wrap Dress £46

This wrap dress also comes in green and pale blue. Although not categorised under maternity, the wrap style would make you pregnant self feel super stylish. The bonus is that it would also look great when you are back to normal (whilst also being forgiving over the any wobble!)

One Piece Halterneck £32

Hitting the beach this summer. Play it safe with a classic black halterneck one piece.

Stripe Pajama Set £28

If you are having restless nights, atleast if you wear these you know won’t be kicked out of bed for what you look like. So pretty and feminine when you need to feel it most!

Copenhagen Star Trainers £26

Apologies for harping on about them again (see previous ‘Trainer’ post, but these have been my buy of the summer (!) Comfortable and cool, they are a fab investment.

If you want to be appear less heffer and more Hefner bunny, buy a few outsize pieces to give the illusion you look smaller. (Rule of thumb though, only outsize when accessory per outfit!)

Oversize Beach Bag £45

Perfect to shove your hospital notes in, a bottle of water and can even double up as an ‘everything’ bag when the baby arrives.

Chunky Cat Eye Sunglasses £16

These will be sure to draw attention to your face rather than your body. It’s all about cats eye sunglasses this summer. Apparently.

I hope this post has given you some ideas. I know most women find pregnancy a lead, but try to enjoy it and do buy something especially for this season of your life – it really does make you feel better!!

Topshop Maternity

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*sponsored post with affiliate links

 

 

Big Fashion Spotlight

Mim Quin-Harkin : Parasol Rose, Sleepwear

One of the best things about clearing out my maternity wardrobe were binning my pitiful excuses for sleepwear that I subjected my husband to during the course of my pregnancies (and beyond).

Outsize ‘Class of ’99’ Leavers Rugby tops and extra large Abercrombie PJ bottoms to name but a few. As much as I love a bargain, you CANNOT buy cheap silk. It doesn’t exisit. It is synthetic made to look like silk. It will stick to your skin and make your hair stand on end. Trust me, I have tried. Now I am an adult I think I deserve genuine silk! So, I am so excited to have discovered Parasol Rose*.

Parasol Rose is a UK based business, started by Londoner Mim Quin-Harkin.  She wanted to create beautiful products with gorgeous design and fabric detail that are all made in the UK, to create and pass on the wealth and knowledge we have here in the UK to future generations.

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Parasol Rose uses the finest silks and french laces to create designs that capture the essence and elegance of vintage style.

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Parasol Rose offers a collection of elegant underdressing solutions, that can also be worn as outerwear, including slips, chemises, camisoles and dresses. Each piece could also be worn as underwear, to compliment an outfit or by itself as a slip dress. There is also a bespoke service so you can choose the colour, trim, style and length to make your perfect piece.

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I especially love this hot pink slip.

Grace silk chemise slip - Hot Pink

They would be a beautiful present for a bride to be or even as a Fathers Day present to yourself.  Whatever the occasion, they are timeless pieces that will continue to delight you in years to come.

 

Mim’s Favourite’s

Shop : Viola London, Connaught Street for ‘making me cool with its style and individuality.’

Restaurant : Granger & Co, Westbourne Grove ‘it is light and fresh delightful dining at any point during the day.

Hotel : Barnsley House, Gloucestershire ‘beautiful spaces and garden is spectacular’

Website : The Trainline

Holiday Destination :  ‘Ibiza for sun, fun, freedom and to feed the soul.  Cornwall and Brittany for beautiful seaside cliffs and landscapes, butter and  family.  The Alps for snow fun.  New York for energy’

Parenting Tip : Read The Twits to your children for amazing life lessons. (Mim has 3 neices and 4 Godchildren!) Mim’s favourite quote from The Twits

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’

 

parasolrose.co.uk

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*This is a sponsored post!

Big Fashion

‘Holiday’ Dresses

It’s all systems go as everyone knows they have about 7 weeks till term finishes and then we are Amelia Freer, Uber & Mr Marvel all rolled into one. One of things that has to be sorted before they break up is your summer holiday wardobe.  Namely holiday dresses.  Have you tried on dresses, or anything for that matter, with sprogs in tow? Yes, not relaxing at all.

Here are a few from the high street and I have also included a couple from my new website TLM Edit. Please be assured, I will only recommend items from this website if I truly love them. Most of my picks will continue to range from handmade to the high street and a few designer if I think it is REALLY worth it (ie. timeless)

So, admin aside – I promised you ‘Holiday Dresses’ in my recent ‘School Run’ Dresses so here they are!

Embroidered Trim Midi Dress £120

If you can avoid sticky fingers, this dress is beautiful.

 

Melissa Odabash Fruly Woven Dress £172

Easy to throw on and very feminine. Probably best at the end of the holiday when you have a bit of colour.

Emboridered Tunic Dress £130

Not only is it red, I love the low slung waistline.

Embroidered Love Dress £150

Who can’t resist a dress with the word ‘love’ in its description. So feminine.

Guess Venice Summer Dress £76

The off the shoulder trend is still in full throttle, so grab this whilst you can – it has already been reduced.

Naftul, Eyelit Trim £126

I reallyyyy want this dress.

Pale Pink Loose Fit Pocket Dress, £90

This also comes in 4 other colours, but I chose this one as it is not often you see pale pink T Shirt dresses. Great pocket detail.

 

Guess Sondra Summer Dress £76

Super cute and a flattering colour for all skin tones. Would only wear this on holiday though. (Why do we feel more daring when abroad?!)

Long Kaftan Dress £90

Perfect over shorts as per this photo or bikini on holiday. Lovely if you are on the taller side.

 

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Big Fashion

‘School Run’ Dresses

Despite the weather going two steps forward, one step back, at least it is going in an upward curve towards a consistent 20c by the end of May. I don’t know about you, but I felt completely stung in the wardrobe department during the last ‘heatwave’. The only clothes cool enough (temp wise) were maternity dresses that were still lurking around from two years ago.

Anyway, not to labour on about an unsatisfactory wardrobe or the British weather, I have done a little advance planning so I am more prepared when it is time to don less attire. These are my top ‘throw on dresses’.  They are simple and understated – easy to whack on when you are in a rush but want to stay cool.

G Star Boyfriend Denim Shirt Dress £100

Can’t go wrong with a shirt dress and in denim, it’s an even younger vibe.

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Danielle Dress £75 Hush

If you dare to wear a bit of red, keep jewellery plain and shoes flat. Voila!

Florence Dress £60 Hush

Love the electric blue.

Whistles Josi Black Dress £95

Love a little black dress in the summer and this loose fit dress from Whistles is casual and chic.

Image 1 of Whistles Josie Smock Dress

Onlymyrina Summer Dress £23

For this price you could buy the mustard and the navy. It is long enough to wear solo and just about short enough to wear over jeans if you get a bit chilly.

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Blue Summer Dress £34 Gap

Was undecided whether to put this on my upcoming ‘Holiday Dresses’ or here. So versatile – you could build sandcastles in it and hot foot it down the road to school.

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Set Summer Dress £280

The price reflects the quality, so if you were looking for something that will last a few years in a universally flattering colour, this is for you.

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Vanessa Bruno Sleeveless Ruffle Dress £210

I am very attracted to this colour. So much so, that I want this dress.  (Although to pull of the low slung waist you have to have pretty long legs.)

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Zalando Essentials £13

No, she she isn’t in scrubs (a surgeon doesn’t belt their waist!)  It also comes in five other colours. At that price, it is worth a look.

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Stay tuned for ‘Holiday Dresses’ and if you need some inspo in the slacks department, you may like this post

 

 

 

 

Fashion Little Spotlight

Taffeta Gray : Five Boys Clothing

With 5 boys between Taffeta and her friend Sophia, they were frustrated by the lack of decent, fun clothing for boys, free from ubiquitous logos and cartoon characters. They set about curating their own unique and easy-to wear collection for boys and launched Five Boys Clothing in July 2014.

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The styles range from cool to classic, appealing to sons and mothers alike, with easy fits – so boys can be boys! Their boys are now three through to 12 but they cater for boys as old as 15 as they felt that the UK high street really fails when it comes to that difficult to dress ‘tween’ age.

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Lots of cool items – below are a couple of my favorites and a chance to win a cracking pair of swimming shorts!

Green Striped Long Sleeve Tee £25

Scotch Shrunk Strummer Skinny Jeans Were £59 NOW £15

COMPETITION

If you would like to win these gorgeous Mint Green Swimming Trunks head to Five Boys Clothing Instagram and follow their very simple instructions. It will only take two seconds! Good Luck…

Love Brand Mint Candy Stripe Swim Shorts

Taffeta’s 5 Favourite’s

Shop : Cocktail (Gift Shop) on Askew Road, Shepherds Bush, London

Website : Bloom & Wild

Restaurant : Five Guys (obviously!)

Hotel : Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, West Sussex

Holiday Destination : Seaview, Isle of Wight

Parenting Tip : “The best advice I have ever been given for raising boys is that like dogs, they need to be exercised at least once a day come rain or shine and fed often to keep tantrums and sulks at bay”

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fiveboysclothing.com