A Welsh mummy's fashion and lifestyle blog. From high heels to hounds and everything in between!

HAIRBANDS, THE NEW HANDBAGS?



Blair Waldorf would be so proud.  Hair bands, hair crowns, hair clips, silk hair scarves.  They've all dominated the fashion world this year and they're still on the rise.  Even Selfridges have increased their hair accessories products by an amazing 700 percent!  From Gucci to Topshop, everyone is stocking them.


But why has this trend suddenly blown up?  One possibility could be that as we become more aware of fast fashion and the affect it's having on our environment, we are making more sustainable fashion choices.


Unless you're buying designer, hair accessories are relatively cheaper than buying a new outfit, especially if you feel under constant pressure to buy new for the 'gram.  Hairbands are an easy way to hide unruly hair, a great alternative the "mum bun" and scrunchies are cool again so whip that hair in a pony girl!

I just find that a glam hair clip, or head crown can jazz up even the most boring of outfits.  A subtle pony tail can look just that little bit more chic if you add a scarf.  So many ways to wear them and so many styles.  There are hundreds of tutorials on You Tube teaching you how to wear a head scarf, or ways to style your hair and then add accessories.


If a full on embellished head band on the school run isn't your thing, just switch up your usual hair grips for one with a little sparkle or simple ribbon or scrunchie.

Always ask yourself, what would Blair Waldorf do?

Love

Victoria
x



PREGNANCY STYLE



THE CLASSIC TRENCH


The trench coat is back again this Spring.  From McQueen to Celine they were everywhere on the Spring Summer catwalks.  Embroidered, embellished, raw edges and patterns.  There's lots to choose from.

When the snow eventually melts and we start to feel a little warmer, the trench coat is the perfect, lighter cover up.  It flatters all shapes and the versatile bugger goes with everything from jeans and trainers to dresses and heels.

Here are my top pics from high end to high street.
























The timeless classic has an update from time to time but it's definitely worth investing in.  It will forever be a go to item in your wardrobe.

Happy shopping!

Victoria
xx

THE JEANS I CAN'T TAKE OFF


If you had told me a few years ago that I would be obsessed with the jeans your mum had in the 80's and 90's I would have laughed at you. Fast forward to 2017/18 and I'm obsessed.

So what is a pair of "mom" jeans? Typically they have a higher waist, sitting around the same height as your natural waist.  The leg is tapered and the crotch area is more relaxed.



Personally, I find these teamed with a heel make the leg appear slimmer. I like to roll mine up slightly and show a bit of ankle (risqué I know!!). You can dress them up or down and they just... work.


I'm not a massive fan of low slung jeans anymore. Back in my early twenties I wore them as low as they could possibly be and teamed them with a cropped, crop top (think Aguilera style). But now I'm all about the mom jeans. The waist is flattering and comfortable (how old do I sound?!?!) but it means I can tuck blouses in, or wear a bodysuit or layer a sweater. Perfect waist height!  My favourites are H&M as I'm quite petite and some brands are too baggy for me and I look like I'm drowning in denim.

My top tip for mom jeans; try not to wear a baggy shirt or top or you will look "vintage" and if that's the look you're going for then great, but for a lot of people it will be too much and you'll lose your shape completely.

My favourite on the high street right now:

These are the pair I never take off!  A slightly slimmer, mom jean fit with pearl embellishment.


Another slightly slimmer leg pair, in washed denim.  Amazing with a skinny knit and white boots!


Slim fit again, in a classic mid wash denim.  I would pop a Tee and mules with this look.


Classic Mom Jean.  Straight outta the 80's and 90's.  Love these!


These work well with a heel or trainers.  Add a classic cult sweater or a slogan Tee.


I would definitely say give them a try, but shop around. The style slightly varies from store to store.  So don't be put off if the first shop you visit, you hate them.  When you find the right colour and style for you, you'll definitely be pleasantly surprised.  They instantly transform an outfit from normal to cool.  You only have to search on Instagram to see any fashionista worth her Gucci belt rocking these bad boys!

Happy shopping

Victoria
Xx




WHY DO YOU BLOG?

It seems that everyone is blogging (me included) these days; businesses and personal blogs, on platforms like Wordpress or Blogger or on social media. But why? What do you blog? What's the point? Who cares? I get asked this all the time by my husband. He isn't a massive fan of social media. A business minded, hardworking man who thinks it's a pointless task unless it's making you money.

My blog hasn't been touched since August. I kind of know what I want to write but taking the time to sit down and execute it is never top of my to do list when I'm looking after my family and home.
Do I blog to get paid? No. Do I blog because I want free stuff? No. (Although I won't say no 😉).  I do it because I love writing. This is my creative outlet. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea. You may think it's boring, not well written, or not enough images and that's ok.  I blog because I like it, but if one person gets a style idea, or some confidence to try something new or it even just makes you smile then that is ok with me.

Blogging is a huge industry that is constantly growing. There's no right or wrong way to do it. It's something anyone and everyone can do.  I find it engaging and supportive. Other bloggers inspire me and give me ideas.


I'm trying to make my blog more interesting with different sections; mum life, fashion, lifestyle. It takes up quite a bit of time because I'm not that tech savvy and I'm still learning.  I'm just a mum, with a passion for fashion (cliche I know 🙈), that enjoys writing and wants to share my ideas with whoever wants to read them. A bit of me time, to shut off from the mundane and use my brain.


So if you take the time to read this, please comment and say Hi! If you also blog let me know your blog name as I love to read others too.

Victoria
Xx


THE GREAT OUTDOORS



It's May, the sun is shining (most days) so we've been able to spend more time outdoors.  It's not that I'm a fair weather kinda gal, but I spend so much time in the rain, in the mud, in the river with the dogs, it's nice to be clean (ish) and feel the sun on my back.

As soon as we have a week or more of nice weather everyone just seems happier.  I meet more people whilst walking the hounds; mind you this can also be a bad thing as they aren't the most obedient of dogs!  I meet up with other mum friends and let the children run wild on the local playing fields, we explore and I can wear nicer outfits.  The latter makes for a happy mummy!


Although it is lovely to go on day trips, we visited Pepper Pig World last week.  Sometimes you have the most fun doing the simplest of things.  We explore the garden, creepy crawlies are her latest favourite.  I'm not a huge fan but I pretend to be as excited as her and not at all scared, even though I want to run a million miles away from anything with eight or more legs!!  We have visited lots of parks and I've come to realise, that my outfit choices are not always suitable when you have to climb up a slide or through a tunnel and you are wearing a rather flimsy, semi see through Zara shirt dress!! 



But the highlight of this week was watching Harriet sit on Ellie, my Section A pony, for the first time. 



A couple of weeks ago we visited my 18hh ex showjumper at his fantastic retirement home Grosmont Farm in Abergavenny.  This superb retirement facility is just what my much loved old boy needs.  A relaxed and calming environment but still enough going on with the lambing and the dairy herd to keep his interest.  Their care of the horses is second to none and I have regular updates via social media and email.  Whilst visiting Lurch, horse mad Harriet was lucky enough to have a ride on Appy, a fantastic bombproof, kind, honest pony owned by the Robinson family.  She enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to arrange a visit to see my pony Ellie who is currently on loan to an older, horse mad little girl. 


From the minute she spotted Ellie and the other horses in the field she was shrieking 'horsey, horsey'.  As we led her around I saw the moment she was hooked.  You see ponies and horses have grace, they have beauty and they have spirit.  It's an addiction  I just can't explain.  From the first moment I sat on a pony I knew they would forever be in my heart.  Watching her have so much enjoyment made me miss riding so much.  I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my passion and encouraging hers as she grows.  Yes I probably will be that push pony club mum!

And finally I actually had a night #outout! One of my lovely, beautiful work colleagues from a previous job is finally getting hitched!  I am so over the moon for her but sadly I cannot make the wedding in India.  I am absolutely gutted so there was no way I was missing out on the hen party!  Delicious Mexican food and far too many cocktails but what a fun  night.  I wore a jumpsuit from Warehouse that is from their Spring/Summer range.  It's still quite cool in the evenings so I teamed it with my ever faithful leather jacket and a statement next necklace.  I love that fact you can add some bold colours to khaki green.  It's so easy to wear dressed up or down, I decided to team it on this occasion with coral strappy sandals. 



Home by midnight for us rock n roll stars.. not like the old days.  But back then I could wallow in self pity in bed until midday and then bribe someone to bring me a McDonalds.  These days I'm woken abruptly around 7 am on a good day and there's no rest all day.  But would I change a thing?  Definitely not!


Victoria
xx








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