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Winter Florals

So first up, this is an opportunity for me to show you something I'm ridiculously proud of...

I was asked to be Guest Editor of the Editor's Picks at Stella Magazine - which was incredibly exciting (for me - clearly the kids weren't remotely impressed. "Is that it?" said the 11yr old...). And the topic was Winter Florals..

So I "obviously" chose a maxi dress (all yawn), rang the changes with a bomber jacket (whoop whoop - it's GREEN leather. Can I repeat - Green. Leather....) but it has made me think - winter florals are a good idea in any guise.

And thinking towards a blog I'm doing tomorrow about Christmas separates (nothing arse about face with regards to this scheduling at all, is there...), today, I'm about wearing winter florals as a top.

Thinking of festive parties and events - as I always say, not everyone loves a full on dress number so separates are a great alternative. Plus it's not always a full on party. Ok so I'm actually planning on wearing "loungewear" on Christmas Day (much to the utter disgust of my 13yr old - oh the irony, coming from someone who in the holidays can sometimes not get dressed until 4pm!) but lots of people do like to get "dressed up" (I'm assuming not in fancy dress..) for their family lunches.

And be that on Christmas Day or any time over the holiday season, there are definitely times when you want to make a bit more of an effort.

So my suggestion today is... drum roll.. (as I've just realised I already said so hardly a surprise, sorry) - a Winter Floral top. What can you wear these with? Whatever takes your fancy - according to your style, shape or the occasion. Jeans (I'd go with a bit of shoe detail or even belt bling - note to self, MUST do a belt blog), any shape of trousers that work for you or even a skirt - some will work tucked in, some with gathered hems you could wear over the top of the waistband.

Starting with one that does seem to be most ubiquitous this year - the round neck top with a bit of sleeve action.

Black Floral Top from Dorothy Perkins was £24 now £15

A higher neck one in green from Dorothy Perkins again (there is 50% off a lot at DP for Black Friday - alas, this isn't included). Love the gathered hem to this.

Green Floral Print High Neck Blouse £28

But the above does look really good value when you look at the one from Paul Smith. Clearly the stye of the season.

PS by Paul Smith Frill Collar & Cuff Marine Floral Shirt in Navy £175

It's the floral gift that keeps on giving...

Snowdrop Floral Print by Warehouse £29

Higher neck at Glamorous.

Glamorous Long Sleeve Floral Print Top with Frills £35

Vila Floral Printed Long Sleeve Ruffle Top £30

Looser at French Connection. Perfect to hide that mince pie muffin.

Lisette Crepe Round Neck Top £65 from French Connection

Crew neck at Boden with slightly sheer sleeves.

Plus 30% off Boden klaxon. With the code N6D5. It's the start of the Black Friday madness. I'm going to mention that once and leave it there as I can't really get my head around whether I want to do ALL my Christmas shopping this weekend. Or none of it. At the moment, all I can feel is PRESSURE and so am burying my head in the sand.

Erica Top in the navy wisteria £80

Or the dark burgundy wisteria again £80

Then we move onto the shirt, v neck and wrap options (THANK GOD I can hear all of you more blessed in the breast department than me, yell).

Floral Print Bird Shirt from Warehouse £39

Now they call this a blouse, but again, I would say this is a shirt. There is also a matching skirt to go with it which then turns it into a dress, which I think is all sorts of awesome. If you like dresses.. but moving swiftly on. You could always have it as a dress if it takes your fancy and then wear the skirt with another top - or chunky jumper?

Black Floral Print Long Shirt from Warehouse £39

Detachable tie version in two different colourways at Boden. So ideal to wear with the tie - use the tie as a choker or just unbutton for a v neck look (and remember to put the tie in a safe place. But not too safe. Otherwise you'll never find it again. Actually you're probably all mostly a lot more organised than I am. I have reached the stage of entering a room and wondering the chuff I'm doing in there).

Sofia Silk Blouse from Boden £110 pre discount.

Or in the blue version (oh hello navy and black combo).

The wrap versions now - love this one from Gestuz. Perfect to wear into the Spring too. As pretty much all of these are frankly. They're just florals you can wear in Winter. Not Winter Florals. Clear as mud?

Gestuz Moxie Floral Print in Gold £150

Fashion Union Kimono Blouse £26

Wrapping it up again at Anthropologie. And if you use the code "itsyours" you should get 20% off. I can't confirm this as I haven't used it (I've already bought and worn my dresses and coat - DANG IT) but some lovely person messaged it to me on Insta.

Gail Wrap Blouse £88 (am trying to ignore how epic the earrings are...).

And then the simple V necks.

Green Floral Print V-neck Blouse £28 from Dorothy Perkins

V neck again at Anthro - this time one to sit over jeans and trousers - or would be ideal with the elasticated bottom (doesn't sound v glamorous but is rather useful) to sit over the top/at the waistband of a skirt.

Miranda Tie Cuff Blouse from Anthropologie £88 pre discount.

ASOS Plunge top with gathered waist in floral £34

ASOS Kimono Sleeve Blouse £36

Finishing with me in something floral. Ok so it's obviously a dress... duh. This was from Sunday night when I went to Roka on Aldwych for a friend's birthday for dinner. Bottomless brunch (at 5pm...). The food was phenomenal, the wine or prosecco is free flowing (until they serve pud and then it's no more booze but at that point, you really don't need any more. Unless they're espresso martinis....). Highly recommended.

Floral Dress - Anthropologie (this season online now)
Red boots - Zara (this season online now)
Earrings - Zara (this season but sold out)
Half Moon Bag - APC (SS16 but still available)

And here is a sneak preview of what I've got coming up tomorrow, this is me wearing last year's versions but these would work perfectly for most of the tops above. OR how about the jeans from yesterday? Jeans, floral top, heels (or sparkly flats).

Black Blake Blazer - Mos Mosh Jeans (g this season)
Red earrings - Topshop (this season - online now)
Black wide leg trousers - M&S (last A/W)
Sweatshirt - FWP-by Rae (g this season but only XS left)
Tools Bag - Balenciaga (last A/W)
Sunglasses - Victoria Beckham (SS16)
Copeland Trainers - Air & Grace (g SS16 but still available)

Hopefully this is an idea for those who don't want to do full on Christmas but perfect for those who want to treat themselves to a new top which will be versatility itself from now into Spring.

I am off this evening to a book thingy... with the 13yr old. Sarah Jane.. somebody (yup I am the WORST parent on the planet and no I obviously haven't read any of her books, no I don't really know who she is or what we're going to) but she did ask if she could go and I did book the tickets. How you can say no to that? Even though it's in central London on a Wednesday night in the arse end of Westminster. May her love of literature be longlived. I feel I am slightly redeeming myself in the parenting stakes.

Although clearly not enough that I actually got tickets for the Jingle Bell Ball. Big. Fat. Fail... according to all three of my small beggars. I didn't know they would want to go.. or maybe I did and didn't really know it was on. Or what it even really is. I am a Radio One listener as Nick Grimshaw is my spirit animal. Don't ask... The husband says this in itself is grounds enough for divorce....And on that point of oversharing....

Don't blame me...

.. so yes these do happen to be my absolute poison of choice, but I appear to be doing a pretty good job of converting everyone else too.

I have had so so many requests for floral midi or maxi dresses that you don't have to sell a kidney to purchase. And I struck GOLD the other day when I was in London. Not in Libertys, not in Selfridges, not in Fenwicks Bond Street. Ok so it wasn't in Zara either, but it was half way between the two.

Good old Anthropologie. Now I'd love to say I took photos, but I am a MORON and only took videos for insta stories. Which have now disappeared, so one could say this is now the equivalent of a social media big fat fail. Big. Huge.

However, I do have the pictures of the dresses with links - I also have a picture of me in ONE of them and the other that I bought, I'll be wearing tomorrow. Like I say - big fat fail basically but if you hang around until tomorrow, you will see me in the other as well.

But, I have found done another round up of all that is good and glorious with regards to floral midi and maxi action on the high street.

I'm going to start with the ones that I found at Anthropologie. No I had no intention AT ALL of spending this much. But... it's really hard for me to find dresses that work. I am too tall for the majority of dresses on the high street. So I bought two of them. They can both go in the washing machine, they can both be dressed up and dressed down - one of them can easily be worn all year round and the other is a maxi that is lined so is PERFECT for into Winter, whatever the weather (just add tights for extra warmth).

This is the one I am wearing in the below pic. I wore it the day after I bought it. Always a sign of a winning purchase.

Maisie Botanical Maxi Dress from Anthropologie £168

Farm Rio Layla Wrap Dress from Anthropologie £178

And the other I didn't get to try on..

Frais Maxi Dress from Anthropologie £178

Others that I am definitely wanting to try for far more palatable price points.

ASOS Chinoiserie Print Maxi Tea Dress £30

Floral Print Long Dress £69.99 from Mango

Nobody's Child Maxi Wrap Dress in Floral £35

Floral Print Folk Dress at La Redoute was £49 now £39.20 BUT I should probably point out that, if at La Redoute (including sale items), you spend £60, you get £30 off, £100 you get £50 off and £200 you get £100 off with the code XMAS. GO FORTH AND SHOP!

Navy also at La Redoute.

Maxi Floral Dress with Embroidery was £75 now £52.50 but you can add other things to your order to get the discount above.

See U Soon maxi dress at La Redoute £85 (so only £55 with the code XMAS)

Warehouse Floral Print Frill Edge Maxi Dress £66

AND a petite one! So zero excuse from anyone who is on the shorter side saying they can't wear them. Although I will give you that it's not floral.

Boohoo Petite Star Mesh Embroidered Maxi Dress £50

And then I came across a couple which are ideal for now AND for into the Summer. Ideal for anyone who is going away for some Winter sun. Or, I would still wear these with camel or tan boots and a beige trench? There's no reason why you can't wear lighter shades into the Winter.

Belt Floral Dress from Mango £69.99

This is the other one I tried on and BLOOMING LOVED.

Farm Rio Marilla Maxi Dress from Anthropologie £188

Rahi Cali Wisteria Muse Dress £135

A couple more expensive ones again.

Forever New Floral Printed Maxi Dress £120

Then the polar opposite of all the above which I love. I truly, truly love. It's not often I come across something so incredibly different from anything I own but this. It's a tent. It's the DREAM dress. Wear with trainers, with ankle boots, with knee high (or over the knee - no one will know either way) boots, good old Uggs even. With a biker, with a trench, with a blazer, with a denim jacket. Seriously, I adore this. So insanely bonkers, it's right.

So shall we take a guess that it won't be long enough on me? *weeps*

People Tree X V&A Maxi Dress in Floral £135

Then.. I found this one. Which is EVEN BETTER!

Free People Full Maxi Smock Dress £148

And here I am in my Anthro dress.

Maxi Dress - Anthropologie (above)
Military jacket - Zara
Leopard boots - Tabitha Simmons
Tools Bag - Balenciaga

We've had a lovely day today although I have NO idea where it's gone. Lovely coffee date and dog walk with the 13yr old as my friend offered to take the smallest to rugby which was a gazillion miles away, training at another club's ground (why? Why would you even organise to train at another club half way across the county when we have a perfectly good training ground on our doorstep...??!). Family over for mulled wine and general party food (the crap food floodgates have been opened - mid November, which is early even by my standards. They wouldn't let me put Christmas music on which is frankly just mean).

Tomorrow, the husband and I are off on adventure. Well. I'm off on an adventure early doors, he's decided he's got to go to work and will get the train over later. Whatevs... basically, anything he can do to avoid the torture of Bicester.. MEN! Seriously, what are they like? He went to the rugby yesterday - Bicester for me tomorrow. I will be splurging all over Insta Stories if you fancy seeing what I'm up to....

In the meantime, can I just say a big THANK YOU NOT - for asking me to do this blog as I've had to order one of the above dresses. Anyone care to guess which one?..

Flower Power

The sun is out. And whilst I am often decked head to foot in black, there is one thing that is going to persuade me to crack out the colour and that's the sun. Not just colour.. let's do print. Of the floral variety.

Big and bold, in your face, unashamedly jolly and guaranteed to bring a smile at the onset of Summer.

Flower power. And in dress form. I'm off next week on hols with the family and whilst I am crossing everything that the weather holds, my plan is to stack up the dresses.

These are dresses that you can wear on the beach with sandals, go for a walk (ok not the rambling sort of walk but the urban sort. Coastal too - I would happily wear these for a walk along the beach and then to a pub for lunch) or wear out for dinner.

And I'm going to start with shorter. I know that I don't often do short dresses as I have knees like collapsed volcanoes but that's not to say I wish I could. It's part the knees that I can't be bothered to expose and it's part (possibly more) the amount of leg I would have to fake tan. Yes, my laziness knows no bounds.

When I did wear these, when my knees hadn't decided to look like they'd vomited down my shin - and I had a plethora of them, my favourites where those that had a bit of arm coverage with more leg on show. Except for those super scorchio days we have, I've always found these more than adequate (and save your shoulders from the sun and are all bra worthy which, even if you have nothing to bolster, does make a difference).

They do of course double up as long tunics over jeans... a new thing we all need to be embracing apparently. I remember it first time round so I'm holding back at the moment but since I am a complete sucker for a new look, you can guarantee, come Autumn, I'll be layering like the best layering thing ever.

Embroidery Cotton Dress from & Other Stories £59

Anjelica Tangerine Dream from Whistles £149

Floral Crochet Dress £95 from & Other Stories

If you don't mind getting your legs out, these sorts of dresses are perfect for this weather. Ideal to keep cool in but not getting carried away in what isn't tropical weather.

Prairie Blossom Dress from & Other Stories £45

But if you did want to go sleeveless..

Floral Print Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress from M&S £45 And.. they do also do cropped trousers to match these. This, over black skinnies would be a great night out option too. Or obviously with the bare legs.

And that's the great thing about most of these - they really will double as an all day outfit (sweat issues permitting. And I know you're not supposed to mention things like that but let's be honest, most of us do get hot during the day and I for one, like to change if I've been "perspiring" quite heavily. It's only deodorant, it's not magic spray).

Absolutely adore the colours of this one.

Floral Print Flared Sleeve Tunic Dress £45 Yes it's M&S. Although it could so easily be & Other Stories. Or DVF... Or Marni...

Then there are the midis that aren't really midis. Well - to me at 5ft10 they're not midis as they come somewhere on my knee but to most normal people they are the perfect Summer length. Hiding the knees but not ankle length.

Cold Shoulder Garden Dress from Whistles £219

Boleyn Mixed floral Twisted Dress from Finery London £99 pre 25% discount with the code MAY25 until Wednesday.

Similarly perfect for those who don't want a super long midi.

Elsa Blue & White Tulip Dress £69

Midi but still with some coverage.

Floral Print Flared Sleeve Tunic from M&S £45.00

Longer Midi with lots of coverage at Finery. I absolutely adore this one.

Lotus Pleated Peonies Print Dress £149

Sleeveless - this also has an interesting back but still bra enabling.

Berkley Floral Vines Dress £99 pre 25% off from Finery London

Floral Halterneck Dress from & Other Stories £69

Then there are the maxis.

Floral Print Tie Shoulder Slip Dress from M&S £49.50

And again at Finery London

Gladstone Garden Floral Dress £129 pre discount

Another which I bought earlier in the season as I know it's going to be perfect for those warmer days.

Floral Print Long Sleeve Dress £79 from & Other Stories

And finally, Margo eat your heart out. These are for days when it should be sunny and warm but it's not quite sunny and warm enough. Or you're at the beach in Suffolk where the wind blows sideways. How to look summery and chic without the goose bumps.

Floral Print Long Sleeve Maxi Dress £49.50

More subtle at & Other Stories.

Petals Maxi Dress £65

Breaking you into the week gently with a floral maxi. Expect to be inundated with them by the end of the week. I am on a roll in this sunshine. I could genuinely just wear one of these every day all Summer. You have been warned. I bought this one back in the sale in January and I love it.

Floral dress - Somerset by Temperley at John Lewis
Cara sandals - Apiedi
Sunglasses - Walter & Herbert
Earrings - H&M
Red Soho DIsco Bag - Gucci
Off to Chelsea now - outfit sorted - will post on Insta and be back tomorrow! What's your favourite sunshine worthy outfit?

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