The Fab 40s are a group of over-40 seriously stylish ladies from all over the globe. Each month they pick a theme; create an outfit based on their interpretation [of said theme] and then share the results with us all over on their blogs.

What I love about all these ladies is they like to experiment ; they are not carbon-copies. Something I personally admire and try to aspire too myself. Who wants to look like everybody else?

Take inspiration but always make it your own. 

They take it in turns to pick a guest blogger to take part each month … and [drumroll] guess whose been asked to join in this time?!

Yep …only yours truly… little old me ! Ekkk excited much.

I was chosen by Diane the style blogger behind Fashion on the 4th Floor who I have been following for a while now. I adore her and her style. She always owns the look, has the biggest, infectious smile and is quite simply #fierce and very friendly.

I was both honoured and very, very surprised to be invited. So thankyou with all my heart you’ve made a lady from Yorkshire very happy indeed.

The Theme:

So I’ve got to admit I was a bit  like ‘oh oh this will be a disaster‘ when I initially heard that this months theme was DIY. Not for any other reason than I’m rubbish at anything remotely to do with ‘do it yourself!’

Like cooking … I’m rubbish / hampered /a disaster ! I am, as my mums says, cack – handed.

I’m from Yorkshire; we use funny terms of phrase around here . Let me explain.

Cack handed – an awkward or inept way of doing something; originally meaning left handed, stemming from cultures that use their right hand to eat and their left hand to wipe their behind.

“That shelf you put up looks a bit cack handed”

I ‘ummmed and arrhhed’, panicked [ a lot ] and decided in the end to keep it simple and embellish a plain white t-shirt with some fun embroidery transfers. Because that felt a tad too easy I decided to challenge myself and create some ‘fancy-bow’ sleeves to add that ‘something extra’.

I did head over to the web for a boat-load of inspiration. The beauty of good old Pinterest eh?

The weather over here has been absolutely amazing if slightly ‘muggy ‘ for the last week or so.

A perfect white tee is ideal to throw on with practically anything and everything – jeans, shorts or skirts, especially in this weather.

Alfresco style planning [above] …

Placing the transfers where I wanted them [below]

Before I went in with the scissors to create bow detail sleeves which nicely show off my cat tattoo.

I wore it for work with mum jeans and espadrilles for a casual , laid back look.

I also tried it with my denim shorts which looked cute… but only in the safety of my own garden or the beach [below]

Outfit details : Mum jeans : Tu at Sainsburys // T-shirt : Tu at Sainsburys // Espadrilles : H&M // Sun hat : Next

So here’s how I [ Miss Cack Handed here  ] achieved the look.

What you need …

• Any t-shirt – this was as ‘cheap as chips’ from  TU at Sainsburys – £5.00
• Transfers – H&M – £5.99 for 6
• Scissors
• About 10 minutes of your time

The transfers are so very easy to use .I arranged them where I wanted on the t-shirt and ironed them on. It literally took seconds.

I then cut a slit at the top of the shoulder down both the front and back of the sleeve about 5cm long each side making sure I kept within the seam.

I also cut the t-shirt straight across the bottom , again keeping below the seam. The piece of fabric cut off was used to tie and secure the bow.

You then basically pinch and gather the loose fabric on your sleeves and tie it in the middle with the fabric you’ve just cut from the bottom of the t-shirt.

Voila you have pretty bow sleeves. No sewing required! 

I realise its not very exciting but it takes a classic white t-shirt and adds that little bit of fun. For my first attempt at DIY I’m  quite happy with how it turned out.

The BF thinks it’s looks like something a 10 year old might wear …but that’s ok because in my head I still am!

I might start cutting more clothes up.

Here’s what the Ladies behind Fabulous 40s came up with …

Diane – http://www.fashiononthe4thfloor.com

How fabulous does Diane look? See I told you she’s F.I.E.R.C.E.

I love this outfit and I would wear shorts 24/7 if I had those legs.

She has taken her Forever 21 jacket and tie dyed it something she’s apparently been wanting to do for a few months now.

She has kept it casual with  a cropped tee, cutoffs & sandals.

Outfit details – Tie dye jacket : Forever 21 // Cropped Top: Forever 21 // Cutoff Shorts: Express // Sandals: Zara // Earrings: Express

Instagram – @fashiononthe4thfloor

Mary –http://www.curlybyrdiechirps.blogspot.co.uk 

Mary has taken a pair of jeans that she felt were too short for her and cropped them to achieve the above look . They look great don’t they. I’m seriously hankering after the necklace – beautifui.

This has inspired me to maybe try and do the same with a pair of my old flares.

Outfit details – Jeans :   New York and Company // Top: Kohls // Shoes : Jessica Simpson // Bag : Coach // Necklace : Ny and Company

Instagram – curlybydie

Anne – http://www.krembdelakremb.com

OMG look at this jacket. It’s all sorts  of fabulous and makes my attempts at DIY pale into significance ! Something to aspire too me thinks.

If your not familiar with Anne , she is the queen of DIY and has actually got 3 DIY items in her post – jacket, belt and cut offs.

On a separate note Anne is currently based over in Hong Kong and her stories [ over on Instagram ] are always fascinating. She’s very well travelled and some of the places she has visited give me serious wanderlust.

Outfit details : Sunnies : Forever 21// Earrings : H&M // Tee : Girls Zara // Jacket : Kremb de la Kremb DIY // Silver Waist Belt : Kremb de la Kremb DIY // Blue Velvet Fishie Crossover : Louella Odié // Cut Offs : Kremb de la Kremb DIY // Silver Anklets : Narlai, India // White Sandals : Forever 21

Instagram – krembdelakremb

Jennie – http://www.apocketfulofpolkadots.com

Jennie just like the rest of the ladies looks fabulous in her DIY top and step hemmed jeans. I always think she looks striking especially with her beautiful red hair.

After recently discovering Jennie’s Instagram page I have been spending far too much time on there getting inspiration for future outfits.

Outfit details : Top : sewn by me // Camisole : Worthington // Jeans : c/o Royalty for Me : step-hem by me // Shoes : c/o Marmi Shoes // Ring & Bracelet : Charming Charlie // Tote : Amazon // Sunnies : c/o FyshUK

Instagram – apocketfulofpolkadots

Veronica – http://www.cidstylefile.com

Veronica above has customised a camouflage t-shirt and it looks great. We have a saying “cool as a cucumber” and she certainly looks it.

Outfit details : DIY Tee : Unbranded // Faux Leather Leggings : Old Navy // Booties : Melrose & Market // Sunnies : Burberry

So there you have it … I trust your suitably inspired and are in the throws of cutting up clothes as we ‘speak’ AND that you have also been introduced to some fab new style bloggers.

I’d just like to say it’s been an absolute pleasure to be involved in this months Fab 40’s themed post .It’s good to get out of your comfort zone every now and again – dip your toes into pastures new.

To see all the outfit posts in full with lots more piccies head over to the individual blogs.

Go show some love ❤️ and I’ll catch you all soon.

Until next time, Tracey x