It's taken years (12 in fact) of living in the sticks (ok - slightly stretching it there.. I also call it the burbs which is also apparently frowned upon - I think the correct term is Home Counties but it does have a very stickish feel to it, just saying...) to finally have the beginnings of a High Street I am actually looking forward to shopping in, thanks to... drum roll... 

A NEW WHISTLES. 

This seriously is the stuff of dreams.  I'm not going to be remotely disparaging about any of the other stores we have on our High Street here as I do genuinely love our community, cafes, quirky small shops - it was just voted by the Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in the UK so clearly something is very right about.  But I'm not going to lie - one shop opening can make it a WHOLE lot more exciting. 

Whistles asked me if I would like to go and have a look at their new store (I was already going to be going anyway and taking snacks) so here are my current favourite picks. 

Expect to now see me now featuring Whistles a LOT more as the regular trips to WHSmiths, the book shops (how can you say no to that when I child asks you to go and buy books!) and Paperchase have become significantly more appealing.  And will become much more frequent "come and find me in Whistles, kids"...

First up - I've got to talk jeans.  

I have had these recommended to me and, confession time, I've nodded and said good idea and ignored them.  RUDE.  Seriously how rude, but more importantly, how STUPID?  These. Are.  Amazing.  I sized up as I did want them to sit slightly longer on me and they are high waist, which I know works for some people, but as I'm 5ft10 and not short of body, they sit just below my waist (clear as mud?).  I'm in the 29 - I'm usually a 28 in jeans.

Black High Waist Barrel Leg Jeans £95




This is the blue I tried on.  It's a mid wash, it's absolutely perfect for the Summer but also works with darker colours.  A straight, non frayed hem which is lovely as my others are all frayed.  

Denim Mid Wash High Waisted Barrel Jeans £95






They also do the same style in a leopard.  Oh HELLO.

Leopard Print High Waist Barrel Jeans £95




And then to add something that should be so easy to find, but isn't.  A Tee.  This is perfection in a tee, I promise.  And I don't usually do a higher neck but there is something about the cut of this that makes it elegant rather than odd looking.  Not to mention the fabric.  Silky and fluid - not a crispy cotton that is strangely boxlike and has a whiff of the "do I look like Spongebobs" about it.  I sized down to a Small as I didn't want it oversized and I do think their tops are quite generous. 

Grey Marl Francais Logo Tee £49 

And then the top that I'm wearing above - the black linen one.

Black Frill Linen Top £59


Onto skirts.  Now I should pre-empt this by saying, I am tall and I do like my skirts long.  Clearly, not everyone is and so skirts are made the perfect length for the majority of the people and not me. 

But that doesn't stop me seeing the potential... 

Like with this one. Oh the colour, the style, the easy to dress up and down. 

Blue/Multi Lunar Spot Wrap Dress £109


But maybe - this one is actually more wearable all year round.  Ideal with chunky knitwear and boots in the Winter - perfect with a tee and flip flops in the Summer. 

Animal Print Midi Skirt £119




Or you could buy the matching top and pair it together as a dress.  The top, of course, works perfectly on it's own with jeans, black trousers or skirts - white jeans.  The world is your oyster with this outfit.  I think it's ideal if you're looking for something to wear for an occasion but cost per wear, it will pay for itself being worn as separates. 

Animal Print Top £109




Dresses now.  And of course I just had to try a couple.  I've also found one which is IDEAL for ladies with a larger bust.  This is something I am being asked about constantly and actually yes, it's harder to get fabulous looking dresses that are work for people who are more generously endowed. 

Both of these dresses here would work for a wedding and would work with trainers and a denim or biker jacket for the supermarket and anything in between.  Having a couple of these dresses in your wardrobe for those occasions when you need that something a little bit more special to wear, is invaluable.

Python Print Midi Dress £189




And then finally a maxi which is also a midi.  Asymmetric hem = ridiculously flattering and as versatile as the dress above.

Multicolour Daisy Print Stine Dress £189



So there clearly are loads and loads and loads of amazing things in store and online but all I can say is THANK YOU Whistles, for making my local shopping experience 100% better!