A SHOE THAT DIVIDES A NATION

Kitten Heels.  The hottest shoe trend for Spring Summer 17.  Love them or hate them, they are everywhere this season.  From Dior to Gucci, designers couldn't get enough of these sensible shoes and I knew it wouldn't be long until the high street followed.

The mere mention of the name takes me back to my teens in the late nineties and early noughties.  The 'old women' wore them (I'm talking anyone over 25 - yes, that was old to us back then).  I was horrified that someone wanted me to swap my six inch platforms (think ginger, baby and posh spice rolled into one), for a shoe that did nothing for my 5ft1 frame.

This time around I think I am slowly being converted.  The shoes on the high street are bright and bold in a mixture of colours and styles. Marks & Spencer's strappy court shoes definitely pay homage to the beautiful ribbon style that Dior sent down the runway.  Boden's offering are bright and playful sling backs which would look great with jeans or even summer dresses and ASOS orange slip on shoe would look perfect with a pair of fringed jeans and a white shirt.  Hell I may even go all out fashionista and add a bralet over the top. 

I really don't think this trend is going away any time soon.  From Aldo to Zara, everyone is embracing the kitten heel.  If it all sounds just a little too sensible for you, why not add a fishnet sock or stocking underneath?  For many this is the sensible trend that has been long overdue.  A shoe that you can actually run around in without falling flat on your face or will start to make the balls of your feet ache after an hour.  In fact, after writing this short post, I can't actually wait to order a pair and show you all how I have styled them.

Victoria
xx    

High Street Buys

It's taken me nearly two days to write this post, I've had a very clingy little girl not wanting me out of her sight or giving anything else my attention. The minute I sit down, 'mummy, mummy, mummy' and the tugging of whatever clothing I'm wearing ensues until I abandon whatever it was I was trying to do. She's normally on the go constantly and will amuse herself quite happily whilst I potter around or sit at the computer so I fear another cold may be around the corner, we shall wait and see....  but anyway, how can you say no to this face?!

I always find this time of year difficult. We are slowly moving out of Winter and into Spring, hurray!  But most days are still quite dull and dismal and it's usually still cold. So before I start buying my key pieces for spring I want to find a few transitional pieces. Something that can brighten a dull day but also classics that I can team with lots of other items and get use out of.  Since being a mummy, as much as I love fashion, somethings just aren't practical.  Whilst hitting my local shopping centre yesterday, here are my favourite finds for this week that I think suit any age group.

The white shirt.  How can you go wrong with a classic? They are staple for any wardrobe. My two favourite in store right now are from Topshop. Statement sleeves dominated the runway for SS17 and we are starting to see them all over the high street. I love this trend because you can stick to a small fluted sleeve or stand right out with oversized bell sleeves, it entirely up to you. 

"Imputed with glamour and poetry.  Freedom and impetuousness.  The prim white shirt turns out to have a thousand identities".
Gianfranco Ferre

This first shirt is quite boxy, I love the bow tie detail at the back and the puff sleeve. I would add a statement necklace or chocker as the shirt is minimal but it is easy team with anything from jeans to a pleated midi.  It can definitely elevate your wardrobe, adding a fresh trendy vibe.

The second is a crisp white poplin shirt with embroidery detail. I would team this with a high waisted jean or skirt but you could go all out with the western theme and team it with a midi skirt.  Edgy cowgirls and country belles are back again this Spring/Summer so don't be afraid to release your inner cowgirl!

If you're looking for a Spring coat then for me this Marks & Spencer city long coat is perfection. Made from 97% cotton and 3% elastane, the length looks great with trousers or a dress. The yellow just pops, I can't wait to wear this over grey city shorts, a white shirt and tan wedges.

So that's my favourite buys for this week. If you're not sure what to wear with what just comment below and I'll help and advise. 

Mothers Day isn't far away, next week I'll be reviewing my perfect gift ideas for every budget.

Happy shopping all!


Victoria
xx

All item were available in store this week.  Click links below to Oder online.

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/tops-443/embroidered-scallop-shirt-6214475?bi=20&ps=20

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/tops-443/puff-sleeve-top-6231978?bi=0&ps=20

http://www.marksandspencer.com/eyelet-city-long-coat/p/p22491571?image=SD_01_T49_3400U_R0_X_EC_90&color=YELLOW&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

TUESDAY TREATS

Tuesdays are always one of my favourite days.  Harriet attends a lovely music class in the morning and I get to catch up with my lovely mummy friends.  I cherish this time.  Everyone is so busy with work, with families, with life.  I think it's important to see other adults especially for first time mums with young babies.  I have attended since Harriet was 12 weeks old.  I amuse them with my dress sense, (which is never appropriate for running around after a toddler) and we get to chat, the highs and lows of children, fashion, partners and everything else in between. 

My afternoons are always taken up with dog walking, well, nearly every waking hour of my day is taken up with a toddler and dog walking! I should be the fittest person in the world!  I love walking, I love the countryside and we are so lucky here to be surrounded with such beautiful scenery.  Todays walk took me along the picturesque Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.   There's so much wildlife, it's so peaceful, I can walk for miles and get lost in my thoughts.

However, there's never a dull moment walking my boys, they deserve their own post so I won't go in to too much detail now, but no walk is ever straight forward.  You'll get to hear about the trials and tribulations of dog walking, everyone in the village knows my boys.  I'll leave it there for now!

But after a busy day, knowing Nathan would be home late this evening, what better way to spoil myself after putting Harriet to bed than lighting a candle and eating a few cheeky Prosecco Gummies.  These beauties are infused with real Italian Sparkling Prosecco, no artificial flavours and gluten free.  I love to have candles burning in the house and my new Prosecco Bath House candle smells delicious.  The natural soy wax has filled the room with a light fruity fragrance that is a fresh alternative from some of the muskier scents I've been burning lately.  It definitely feels like Spring is on its way.  You can order both at www.ilaandlane.co.uk  They make a perfect pair of gifts, ideal for friends and such excellent value.  Ila & Lane have some wonderful, unique gifts for everyone.  Choose a ready to post gift box or make a bespoke personal gift box for that special someone that they'll never forget. 

Victoria
xx

The weekend

Oh how times have changed. Weekends used to mainly be made up of shopping, hangovers, take away food and trying to piece together the memories that were missing from the night before.  We were #outout before that even became a word!

But I love our family time and wouldn't change it for the world.  This weekend marked an important mile stone.  Harriet completed her first term of swimming. 

I hate swimming.  I'm not confident in the water whatsoever, I can barely make it from one side of the pool to the other, and I most definitely cannot tread water.  For these reasons I wanted to make sure Harriet had lessons from an early age.  I wanted her to love the water and be confident therefore mummy always looks happy in the pool.  When the teacher tells mummy to dunk her head under even though I am literally a spluttering mess the second my nose and eyes are submerged, I smile and cheer so Harriet thinks it's wonderful and not scary at all.  It probably doesn't help that I usually have a full face of make up and most of it ends up running into my eyes.  For a few seconds after every 'dunk' I stagger around the pool waiting for the stinging to stop but when I open them again that beautiful face is staring at me and it makes it all worth while. 

Swimming nearly always results in an early night for Harriet so I was lucky to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine on a Saturday evening and plan our Sunday day.

We have been building an extension on the house for the last nine months.  Living in a building site has not been easy, especially as Nathan has been building it in between his other projects.  Downstairs is nearly completed, a few minor jobs and then the work begins upstairs.  I have the fun job of choosing most of the furnishings.

My love has always been shabby chic, I love upcycled furniture, I love the distressed look but my husband loves modern minimal.  Remind me why I married him?!?  I've been trying to merge the two and have picked up some interesting pieces.  The extension down stairs is mainly white, grey and nude.  I will do another post when it is finally finished and everything that has been ordered arrives but for now I'll give you a sneak peak at the sideboard.

I just wanted to inject a pop of colour.  Matchy matchy isn't me so the turquoise of this beautiful sideboard really stands out against the neutral background.  I just have to decide what to display on it now! 

That's it from me today.  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.  Doesn't matter whether it was spent clubbing, cleaning or crocheting.  Cherish it! Cherish every day.  Victoria xx