The FAB 40's | 8 ways to wear a Bomber jacket.

Welcome back to the fab 40's.

I am delighted to be part of this group of international bloggers, called The fab 40's.
The purpose of this diverse group is to show how eight (very different) women interpret a specific style.
Each month there is a new theme chosen by one of the group.

These ladies prove that being in your forties does not mean you have to be dowdy, frumpy, boring or forgettable.
All of these women are 40+ and fabulous!

This month's theme was the Bomber jacket.

Bang on trend, ageless and so versatile.

Today's outfit came together with ease (once I had "borrowed" this jacket from my daughter) and was as simple, and pared back, as I will ever get!

Blue jeans and a white tee.
What could be easier?

I kept my accessories to a minimum.
Adding a simple belt, neutral shoes and a large bag.
Black nail polish finished things off nicely.

{I had accidently left my reading glasses on as we started shooting but liked the look so much I left them. Geek chic!}

JEANS: GAP

T-SHIRT: Fat Face

JACKET: “borrowed” :oP

BAG: Charity shop find

SHOES: Clarks originals

BELT: Tkmax

GLASSES: Converse

NAILS: BarryM (black)

Do you love the look of a bomber jacket but need some more outfit inspiration?
Look no further!
I have 7 fabulous ladies here, to show you how it can be done... with style.

Introducing our Guest blogger this month... 

Grace from Colour and Grace.

Grace is a petite fashion (and lifestyle) blogger who has a fabulous eye for colour and the figure to pull off any look.
She proves that being petite (and over 40) is no barrier to looking stylish and on trend.

I love this entire look but especially those shoes....FAB!
Being petite is perfect for showcasing short hemlines and cropped tops.
Grace does both in this outfit with ease.
So funky and cool.

Check out her blog (link in the title) for more petite outfit inspiration.

Sunglasses-Ray Ban

Matte lips-courtesy of Dollup Beauty

Bomber Jacket - Choies

Cropped Top - Nordstrom Rack

Skirt - BCBG

Bag - Nordstrom Rack

Ring - H&M Malaysia

Watch-courtesy of The Peachbox

Bangle - courtesy of The Peachbox

Shoes - Yesstyle

Sheela from Sheela Writes.

Sheela never fails to bring a fierce attitude to her outfit.
Just look at those shoes!
This look is simple but very effective.
You must check out her blog if you are a heels lover...but prepare for serious shoe envy!

Bomber Jacket - courtesy of Romwe

Striped Top - StitchFix

Embroidered Jeans - NY & Co

Clutch - Zara

Ring - H&M Malaysia

Bangle - courtesy of The Grommet

Sunnies - Poshmark

Heels - JustFAB

Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

Ann looks too cool for school in this funky outfit.
She is bang on the AW16/17 trend for the varsity jacket.
Perfect as the weather cools down.
She keeps the whole look fresh, with classic stripes and her DIY star jeans.
Check out her blog for more details of how to make these yourself.
Those cute star gutties finish things off perfectly.

White Sunnies--Forever 41, op I mean 21

Evil Eye Earrings--Jardine's Bazaar, Hong Kong

"A" Bomber--Boohoo

"K" Striped Tee--Hua Hin Night Market, Thailand

Red Cheetah Belt--Zara so very long ago....

Ring--Istanbul Market

Star Jeans--Eva Chen inspired Kremb de la Kremb DIY on a very, very old pair of HM boyfriend jeans

Star Tennies--Ash via Lane Crawford

Jennie from A pocketful of polka dots.

Jennie is taking the bomber to work.
Literally.
She shows us how a colourful jacket can add some edge to a simple work shift dress and courts.
So much more fun than a boring blazer.
{Notice the studded court shoes? Jennie always adds an edge, no matter how subtle}

Diane from Fashion on the fourth floor.

Diane is looking bang on trend today in her cropped bomber and pleated midi skirt.
This lady can do no wrong in my eyes.
Very cute without being cutesy.
Perfect for any age.
This look is another (seemingly) effortless outfit with maximum impact.
I love it.

Bomber Jacket - Zara

Cropped Tank Top - Forever 21

Pleated Skirt -stolen from my mom's closet while I was there, shhhhhhhh!

Sneakers - Topshop

Rose Gold Bracelet - Charming Charlie

Rose Gold Ring  - Wanderlust & Co.

Mary from Curlybyrdie Chirps

Mary is showing us how to rock a bomber without compromising on femininity.
This outfit is elegant and classy.
Perfect for just about any occasion.
And, the rich colour mix is right up my street!

Jacket - H&M

Skirt - Jones New York 

Shoes -Target 

Bag - Ora Delphine

Necklace - Kohl's

Veronica from CID Style file

Veronica has taken THE most classic of bomber jackets (thank goodness someone did!) and made it look fierce... with a capital F!
The classic unisex cut and colour, with a black jumpsuit and gutties.
What could be easier?
A simple look that packs a punch.

Bomber Jacket - Forever 21+

Jumpsuit - Bongo Plus

Shoes - Vans

Mini Backpack - Stussy Japan

Sunnies - Gift from my sister (Unbranded)

Earrings/Necklace - H&M

Over to you...

Do you wear a bomber jacket?
If not, what puts you off?

Please let me know your thoughts by leaving me a comment.
Or contact me!
I love hearing from you.

GET the bomber LOOK

Linking up to:
I will wear what I like (Monday), Visible Monday, Turning heads Tuesday 

Growing out a Pixie Crop: Part 1 | The first 3 months.

I'm growing out my pixie cut.
Again.

This is my third pixie grow-out, and it's never an easy ride.

It also (unfortunately) gets harder as you get older.

The common tips for growing out your hair, such as wearing pretty clips, headbands, kirbies and headsquares, can look downright pathetic on an older woman.
{Unless it is your usual style.}

The only way to tackle a grow-out successfully is to keep trimming!
Real patience is needed.

Over 40, it is more important than ever for each stage of the grow-out to look like a definite style.
A scruffy, and unkempt, pixie (with the inevitable uneven grow-out pattern) is not a good look.

 My Pixie Grow-out, Part 1

Initially, I asked my hairdresser to shape my hair, but leave a little length all over.
She kept her clippers to herself this time!

To my horror, a mullet began to develop, and I did not like it at all.
Every part of me wanted to scream...

"Chop it off!!"

I wanted my tidy pixie back again.
{The subtle undercut (at the sides) was helping, but this mullet was not for me!}

Help!
I've got Lego hair!

I had another appointment, and I asked to keep the hair growing down (from the top) but to trim the weight out of the back. Remove the dreaded mullet, and tidy me up a little.
Phew!
That's better.

This next stage is super-awkward, and there is very little you can do about it.
Your hair starts to grow over your ears, and is neither one thing or another.
Sitting like a flap ....I call it the Deer Stalker stage.
This is the toughest time.

My hair starts to look chunky and frumpy, so I had another trim to get more weight removed.

Thinning out the sides, to make the lego effect less depressing.

A few more weeks and my hair feels like it's on it's way to where I want it to be.

I am due to go back again soon for another tidy up, and maybe some funky colour.
This business of growing-out takes dedication but it's worth it in the end!

My 9 tips for growing out your pixie cut, as painlessly as possible.

1. Forget about cute clips and pretty hairbands. These can look a little crazy as we get older. Unless, of course, your "normal" style involves this kind of accessory. If it does, lucky you! Growing out your pixie will be a doddle.
2. Keep getting regular trims. It goes against everything logical (especially when those extra millimetres of hair are so precious) BUT you must get them tidied up, and cut into some kind of "style". Hard as it is, this will make the grow-out so much more bearable!
3. Trim it yourself. There is nothing wrong with doing a little DIY (as long as you know what you are doing). I have been trimming my fringe, chopping my mullet and trimming bits of my hair, for years. If you are confident then go for it. However, nothing can replace the skillful cutting of a professional. So, only DIY as a stop-gap between appointments.
4. Get your colour done. Keep on top of your colour. If you regularly cover your greys, keep doing it. Nothing is as depressing as a scruffy, partially grown-out pixie with grey temples. Pass the paper bag!
5. Change your colour. If you hit a wall, and the grow-out is getting too painful, consider changing your colour. A new hue can make an old style seem fresh again. It also gives the impression that your growing hair is a deliberate style choice.
6. Muss it up, and play with texture. Growing out your pixie is hard. There is no easy way to do it, and there will be days where you feel like a mess. On days like these, try and play around with the texture of your hair and mess it up a bit. Making a feature of its non-uniformity makes it easier to bear.
7. Consider an undercut. It does not need to be shaved, just shaped, to stop your hair looking too 'grown-out', and more like a deliberate hairstyle. An undercut can also break up the weight of growing hair, giving it a funky edge.
8. Invest in some nice products. No product will make your hair grow faster, but it will make you feel better! Treating yourself to a nice shampoo is always a good idea.
9. Keep going. When things get tough, remember that your hair will be "bob" length in less than six months... Keep going, you can do it!!

Have you successfully tackled the pixie-grow-out?
Please share any growing tips you have, in the comments.
I would love to hear them!

Wardrobe Malfunction | Clinging Fabrics | Blue Floral Dress

Late summer, in Scotland, is a mad mix of different weather conditions.
One day the thermals are on, the next, the legs are out.
Rain is practically a given, and can strike at any time!

This was one of the "Get your legs out, quick!" days.
So, a dress was in order.

A friend (at work) recently gave me this tunic dress.
She told me that she didn't like the fabric.
Well, it seemed okay to me.
A heavyweight, silk-style polyester.
I was sure it would make a nice summer outfit.
So, I styled this tunic as a dress.

I love the colour combination of blue, yellow and orange and I like the high neckline.
The ditsy floral pattern is not really me, but it is good to try new things, right?

So, I popped on a full slip in order to make it feel less like a long top, and more like a real dress.
Luckily, my blue jacket went perfectly with it, and provided a subtle layer of warmth...as well as smartening me up a little!

Adding a cluster of fun brooches (again) kept things from getting too serious!

A simple pair of flat metallic sandals cancelled out the short hemline, and kept the outfit in "cute" territory.
{See a closeup of these silver shoes, here}

A silver bangle, ring and my trusty grab bag finished things off perfectly....
Simple.

Hmmm....
Not so fast, there was trouble ahead.

I went out for the day, comfortable, colourful and pretty happy with my look.
Totally oblivious to the malfunction about to occur.

At first I thought I had created a little bit of static from moving around (walking) and sitting on a bus.
It seemed strange because my shoes were leather soled, and any static should be earthed easily, so I began to gently un-peel the dress from my body.
Big mistake!

The more I teased and pulled, the more the fabric wrinkled and clung.
The clinging got more fierce and unsightly the more I tried to stop it.
The dress rode up, and started to show a little too much of my body.
I looked like I had been wrapped in cling film.
Truly hideous!

The fabric is polyester, and unlined, but this amount of cling was something I had never experienced before!

My slip had turned out to be a BIG mistake.
(Even with the spritz of hairspray and plenty of body lotion.)

I had to make an emergency detour into the public loo and wriggle out of my slip.
How embarrassing!

Once I had freed myself (very slightly) from the cling (and my slip) I felt a little exposed.
Strange how a layer under my dress gave me a feeling of security.
The cling had subsided (a little) but I felt like I was out in my undies!

Luckily I did not have to be out for long, so I could pop home and change into something more suitable.
(I actually put this dress on, with my slip...much better!)

Thank goodness I was not at work, that would have been mortifying!

Needless to say this little tunic/dress is going into storage for a while.
Maybe it will be better with tights, boots and a poloneck in the winter months?
Although, I suspect not.
Maybe I will produce sparks with more layers!

{This is not the first time I have suffered a wardrobe malfunction.
Read about another funny one here.}

After searching the Internet, I found these hints and tips to help reduce static:

1. Move to a humid country! Humidity reduces static. (I found this one funny)
2. Don't over-dry your items in the tumble dryer, air-dry outside if possible. 
3. If you have to tumble, use tumble dryer sheets or balls of aluminium foil in the drum.
4. Avoid rubber soled shoes. 
5. Make sure your body is well moisturised.
6. Use baby powder on your body.
7. Spray your dress with hairspray.
8. Lightly spray your dress with water.
9. Touch something "grounded" to discharge the static.
10. Wear an anti-static slip.

I had followed tips 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10.
Short of jumping on a plane, I am not sure what else to do!

Please share any wardrobe mishaps you have experienced, in the comments.

Or, share your tips for avoiding static.

I love hearing from you and need all the help I can get!

DRESS: Monsoon (This one is pretty, and won't cling!)

BLAZER: Monsoon (This one is nice for autumn)

SHOES: American Apparel (These are very cool)

BAG: Hidesign (very old)...this one is nice.

Bangles, Earrings and Rings: Various gifts and Charity shop finds

BROOCHES: H&M

SHOP THE (static-free) LOOK

What's so Bad about Cheap Clothes Anyway?

Cheap clothes get a bad name, sometimes, don't they?

Mass produced items (sold at rock bottom prices) are bad for the environment, exploit low paid workers and are generally something to be ashamed of, right?
Well, not always.
And...
Unless you are buying couture, vintage, (small-scale) handmade or recycled clothes, you are buying mass produced clothing.
There is no getting away from it.

At what point does a piece of mass produced clothing become acceptable?
Is it when the retailer adds an enormous mark up on the price tag?
When your mass produced jacket costs £10, it is distasteful, but price it at £200 and it is okay?
The truth is that most of us are wearing mass produced items, it is just a question of how much you are willing to pay to do so!

This whole train of thought came about when the people at everthing5pounds got in touch with me to ask if I would be interested in featuring their clothes on my blog.

I must admit that I initially dismissed the idea.
Retailer snobbery kicked in.

The website looked like it was designed for young girls, and if everything is a fiver, surely it must be a pile of rubbish, right?

Of course, when you are contacted by a brand, the first thing you do is go on to their site for a look around.
This is when I got a bit of a surprise.
I recognised an item that looked very similar to something I had spotted on the high street a couple of seasons ago.
Was it a copy?
Was it a factory second?
How do they do it, for £5?

Curiosity go the better of me, and I agreed to feature some of their products.
I really wanted to see this green coat in the flesh and find out what was going on.

I was not being paid to review the items, so if the clothes were awful I was free to say so!

The E5P people kindly sent me enough items to create a whole outfit (plus extras) and the first thing I took out of the box to have a good look at was this green trench coat.
I could hardly believe the quality for the princely sum of £5.

I easily assembled an entire outfit for £20.
Including a coat and shoes!

You probably have figured out by now that I like a bargain (who doesn't?).
I love rummaging through a sale, and trawling the charity shops.
But, I have to admit that £20 is my best price yet, for whole outfit!
The coat is great quality (I have paid £60-70 for worse).
The top is good enough, not the best finish, but no shabbier than the usual high street shops charging 6x the price.
The jeans are perfect, decent quality and a good fit.
The shoes are chic, well fitting and comfortable.
Okay, so they are not leather...but neither are a lot of the high street shoes.

I  added my favourite necklace, a cluster of brooches, metallic socks and a trusty old bag to finish my look off perfectly.

Have you tried any bargain-tastic websites?
Please share in the comments, or contact me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

One Maroon Shrug, 3 ways | PPP 6

This post is the sixth, in a series, called the Ping Pong Posts.

See the first post here, with details of how this project came about, and how far these clothes have travelled.

This time Anna, Ann and I are styling a maroon shrug, in a super soft knit, with a silk yoke. 

The shrug belongs to me, and I thought that it would be a very versatile item to send to Anna and Ann.
A simple cover-up that could go over anything.

I thought this would be the month that our outfits turned out to be vastly different.
The month that we would come up with three totally unique looks.

Well... did we?

Let's find out!

Before I go any further I must tell you that my photographs were taken back in March (before I sent the shrug off to Anna, then she sent it off to Ann).

So, I am freezing cold in these images.
{Look at the slight grimace on my face.}
I had to imagine it was August, and I was warm.
Hahaha... ridiculous really.

Anyway, the sun came out on this cold March day (which helped a little) but I was still chittering between the shots (sipping a mug of hot tea).

Then, I almost threw a wobbly when my husband (who was wearing his winter coat) decided to have a fiddle with the camera settings in order to "try something new".

Needless to say that I did not want to try anything "new".
I just wanted to go back inside and get my cosy cardigan on!
Brrrr.
Get on with it!!

Back to the outfit...
I initially wanted to wear some jeans, but decided not to go for that look because I honestly thought Anna would be wearing something similar.

I also decided against block colour clashing, because I thought Ann might do something bold, bright and clashing.
I wanted to be different.

So, I reached for this patterned dress.
It is such a fun piece to wear, and always receives a comment or two!

I had been using this leopard bag (almost every day) at the time these photos were taken.
Maybe it would be a bit "too much" for the dress?
A plainer bag would be better.

But, a plainer bag just look boring.
Maybe a clash of patterns was a better idea after all!

Adding a leopard belt (knotted at the waist) pulled the bag and the dress together a little more.

I decided to wear my sheepskin-lined clogs on the day (only because I was worried about looking a toe in the march chill!)
But, now that I have my new boots, I would definitely be wearing them with this outfit.

Simple studs finished my look of nicely.

{P.S....After these photos were taken I ran back inside and grabbed a pair of cosy wool tights, a thermal baselayer and my chunky cardigan!
The kettle went on again too.
Nothing beats a hot cup of tea to warm the cockles, and defrost the fingers.}

Over to my blogging friends...

Anna from Anna's Island Style

What a fun look from Anna!

I love this flirty outfit.
The layered petticoat, and the warm vibrant colours.
That chunky belt is emphasising her waist, perfectly.
{Wide belts are going to be big news this AW}
The whole look is finished off with Anna's signature accessorising, using her charity shop finds.

A great outfit.
But....
I was almost certain she was going to be in trousers this time around!

It just goes to show that you should never assume, especially when it comes to a woman and her style choices.

Follow Anna on instagram

Ann from Kremb de la Kremb

Ann's outfit is another flirtatious one.
{This shrug does feel lovely on the skin so maybe it is texture related?}

I almost laughed out loud (in a good way) when I saw Ann's look...see the "never assume" comment above.

The principles of Ann's outfit are the same as mine.
Okay, she has more of a prairie feel with her cowboy boots, and belt-bag (which I am coveting).
And, her look is more feminine than mine, with a floral pattern and pretty accessories.
But, we are basically in a patterned dress and tan shoes.
The same outfit.
I love it!

Follow Ann on instagram.

We never discuss what we are going to do with the items we send each other, so each month is as much of a surprise for us as it is you!

I love the fact that this month I was convinced we were all going to be SO different, but all three of us have ended up doing something very similar.

I learn something new about these ladies (and myself) every time we work together.

Stay tuned to find out what happens next time...on the 20th September.

How would you have styled this shrug?

Please let me know in the comments.
Or, contact me.
I love hearing your thoughts and opinions!

Linking up to: I will wear what I like (Monday), Visible Monday, Turning heads Tuesday, The Pleated Poppy (Wednesday), Colour and Grace (Wednesday), Brilliant blog posts (Thursday), Hat Attack (Friday), Forage Fashion Friday , Fun fashion Friday

Dungarees and a Tie Neck Blouse, Black and Blue.

I am digging out my dungarees, again, today.
{See them here, and here}

Unfortunately, they are starting to get that washed-out-denim-look about them.
For me, black denim should be BLACK, so I am off in search of some good fabric dye to bring them back to life.
I might have a look for another pair too, maybe in velvet, for the winter.

Anyway, that aside, I am still enjoying wearing them... washed out or not!

These dungarees are so comfortable that it is hard to see past them sometimes.
And, they are so easy to dress up or down.

I know the shape can be unflattering on the body, and can shorten the leg, but that can be remedied with a chunky heel.

These sandals have been my go-to shoe this summer because they are so comfortable!

(To be honest, the shapelessness of these dungarees is a blessing after the past couple of weeks!)

Adding a tie neck blouse, and my eye brooch, keeps the look fun and a little bit tongue-in-cheek!

Do you like the look of dungarees?
If not, what puts you off?

Please share in the comments, or contact me.
I love hearing your opinion!

DUNGAREES: Topshop
SHOES: Vagabond (now half price)
NAILS: BarryM chai
BLOUSE: Charity shop (this one is similar)
BROOCH: Part of a set from H&M (this one is beautiful)
BAG: A gift.. from Monsoon (this one is nice)

GET the LOOK