My New Favourite Jeans... and how I found them!

I've got a lot to share with you today!
Not just outfit details (and the fact these jeans are SO different from my usual in every way!) but also about my recent shopping experience.
It's been AGES since I've felt good about shopping.
Shopping has been leaving me feeling a mixture of guilt, frustration and disappointment.
That all changed when I went to buy my new jeans!

Tartan and Denim | Cold Weather Spring Outfit

This tartan dress is proving to be more of a versatile piece than I thought it was going to be.

Even though it's a very distinctive item... no blending into the background here!... I've worn it a few times already, and it seems to make a different statement each time.

See it styled with leopard boots HERE.

How to Layer Loungewear for a Stylish Look

Let's cut straight to the truth here...
Most of the time I spend blogging (i.e. typing away on my computer) I'm wearing distinctly un-blogworthy outfits!

{Sometimes I'd even be embarrassed to answer the door in my blogging garb.}

This morning, for example, I'm frantically typing while still in my PJs and goonie (dressing gown)... but it is early on a Saturday morning so I'm giving myself a break for that! 😊

How I Wear a (boring) White Shirt

White shirts...
Hmmm

They're undoubtedly a classic.
Timeless style.
Many women look AMAZING in them... (I'm thinking crisp lines, edgy hair and red lips!)

They're chic.
A wardrobe essential?
Boring as hell??

For me, a white shirt reminds me of three items of clothing I have been forced to wear in my life...

• My school uniform... groan.
• My waitress's uniform. Complete with a starched collar!
• My lab coat... ugh...need I say more?

Much as I admire the style on other women, on me a white shirt feels drab, dreary and downright frumpy.

I feel like the white of the shirt makes my dark spots darker, my eye circles darker, my lips paler my eyes duller.
In short, nothing good happens!

Having said all of that, this year I'm on a mission to shop less and focus on developing my personal style further.
I'm experimenting with pieces I already own.
I'm re-working my (unworn) classics as well as my trusty old friends.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not going to pretend I don't still LOVE a real 'shopping trip' and won't be giving them up any time soon.
BUT going on a shopping trip doesn't really mean doing a lot of shopping!
You can read more about how to execute and enjoy the perfect shopping trip HERE.

Of course, as a style and fashion blogger, I'm still a BIG fan of following the latest trends.

By following, I mean checking them out and trying to recreate them using my own pieces.

I'm shopping a lot less and intend to concentrate on buying items that I know I'll be wearing for years to come.

Clever items that can be re-worked and re-worn over and over.

Today I'm focusing on re-wearing old clothes and adding little something 'extra' using accessories.

Accessories are a brilliant way to transform pieces you already own without spending too much.

Accessories, like scarves, can also be worn in multiple ways with many different outfits.

I'm using layers and a pretty silk scarf to make a classic (read: BORING) white shirt feel a little less "classic"! 

This pretty silk scarf was kindly sent to me from a small company called Karen Hanvik.

{The scarves were gifted to me but this post is not sponsored I am just more than happy to share this brand with you.}

The ethos of Karen (and her brand) is to inject colour into more muted wardrobes using timeless pieces that will never date.

The scarves are made in the UK and feature floral designs that are bold and beautiful!

This brand ticks lots of boxes for me.

A good friend of mine put it perfectly...

"That scarf of yours would be perfect for the silk scarf connoisseurs out there."

She is spot on with that!

Top quality timeless accessories are the perfect way to refresh items in your wardrobe you may be ignoring.

I'm styling this white shirt (yawn) with a few contrasting layers as well as my yellow trousers.
These trousers are still going strong and I know Karen's ethos is to inject colour into more muted wardrobes but there is nothing wrong with adding colour to colour.
Colour is the perfect pick-me-up and I need all the help I can get!

I'm just doing what I always do.
Layers and more layers.

It's dull and chilly here in Scotland so it's all about the thermal baselayers (top and leggings) plus sheepskin shoe liners.

SCARVES: c/o Karen Hanvik I'm wearing two tied together in the style of a low-slung gent's tie... This one and this one. The second scarf is so fine it would be perfect inside the collar of a blouse and around your hair too. (I'll be doing that as the weather warms up)
SHIRT: Older than time itself!
TOP: George
TROUSERS: Next (past season)
SHOES: Zara
BAG: borrowed!

You can see more white shirt inspiration HERE (gosh my hair was dark and I really didn't suit that dress! Thankfully I had the good sense to pass it on to a friend who looks amazing in it.)
AND Here are some all-white outfits that you might like... including a couple of white shirts!

8 Ways to Shop Less | Shopping Addiction

Would you like to shop less?
Save money?

Jump off the wheel of mind-numbing consumerism?
Do your bit to help the planet?

Sounds great, right?
EASY even?

Buy less.
Shop your wardrobe (a naff phrase but a great idea).
Be style savvy!

BUT...

What if shopping is becoming a daily activity for you?
What if it feels like the urge to shop is becoming a bit of a problem?

What if 'popping to the shops' always ends up with you buying and/or spending more than you wanted to?
More than you can afford?

What if you shop just a little too much?

"I must be a shopping addict... Hahahahaha!"

Shopping addiction is often seen as a bit of a joke.
Trendy even.

"I'm addicted to shopping" is often used as a throwaway comment to a friend after a day out or a cheeky hashtag on Social media.

"Check out my lastest ASOS haul #oniomaniac #shopaholic #addictedtoshopping 😝"

All just a bit of fun and nothing to worry about......right?

Well... NO, not really.

Getting what you need, having fun and enjoying an occasional treat is what shopping should be about but genuine Oniomania is no laughing matter.

Vintage Spots and OTK (over the knee) Boots | Cold Spring Style

I have to tell you that I'm not entirely sure this dress really IS vintage.
It was sold as vintage.
It LOOKS like vintage.

BUT... You know that feeling when something is not quite right?
A little niggle.
No tags.
No obvious modern touches but I still have my doubts.

However, regardless of its real age, I still LOVE it!

Tartan & Leopard | Mixing Patterns | Asymmetric Dress & Booties

Today I'm wearing a mixed checked pattern dress with my leopard boots and I'm loving the clash!
Cold days call for a burst of cheer and a bold outfit can be a great way to do that.
It's so easy to simply pop on your own sunshine.
Or, in this case, a riot of pattern and colour... grounded with some comforting black.

Goodbye Winter... Hello Spring! 7 Favourite Winter Outfits 2019

My 7 favourite Winter outfits

Here in Scotland winter has gone quite easy on us this year.
We've only had an average amount of snow.
Not too much rain.
Plenty of crisp winter sunshine.

BUT... never say never in Scotland.
You can't rest on your laurels.

The weather can turn on you at any moment.
It can easily snow well into spring and don't even start on the rain... that can strike at any time.
Even when you least expect it!

Today, however, the sun is shining and there's a feeling of optimism.
The first of March always feels like the beginning of spring to me.
{Of course, it's not officially spring until the 20th but I'm ignoring that minor detail 😎}

So today is the perfect time to share my 7 favourite winter outfits.