Category: style

STYLE | the LBD

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Contains gifted items , affiliated links marked * and a special guest – my dad

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all black says this: I don’t bother you  – don’t bother me.” – Yohji Yamamoto

Black … one of my favourites.

Black Magic … delicious.

Black … the colour associated with death , with mortality and creatures of the night.

Black is black – I want my baby back ! [ if you know you know ]

Black … kohl pencil smudged into your water line to create a smokey eye. If it’s good enough for Kate Moss then count me in!

Amy Winehouse sang about it in her hit ‘Back to Black ‘ and chances are I’m guessing you have a little black dress , otherwise known as your LBD, lurking somewhere in your wardrobe.

My mum instilled it into me from an early age that it was something I should have in mine.

A wardrobe basic.

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Hello new bathroom and a what’s on my shelves

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[Contains gifted items and affiliated links marked *]

We’ve given our bathroom a little make-over and today I thought I’d introduce you.

I say ‘we’ … to be honest apart from complain about the dust , make tea and choose the fabulous toilet seat I didn’t actually do that much . That was all down to my brother and boyfriend who designed and fitted it using [mostly] bits of stuff we had laying around the house / in the metal factory.

I also thought I would incorporate a what’s on my bathroom shelves , so you can have a nosey at the products I use on a regular basis…

So what do you think?

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STYLE – Occasion Wear with JD Williams

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#AD – this post is a paid collaboration and contains affiliated links

In a few weeks myself and 5 of my favourite lady friends are venturing to Malaga for 4 nights of fun and frolics in the Spanish sun.

We have been escaping on our annual ‘girlie trips’ away every year since we were a group of spritely 17 years old ; give or take the baby years! I believe they are a necessity and are good for the soul. There is something very special about spending time with your closet friends.

This year it is a little more special as it’s one of the ladies 50th. We plan to celebrate in style while we are out there, with a fancy meal on the Saturday night, followed by lots of dancing in one of the numerous roof top bars.

It was therefore absolutely perfect timing when the lovely guys at JD Williams asked me to choose a couple of occasion-wear outfits. With birthday celebrations in mind and the possibility of York Races later in the year I choose these two outfits.

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LIFE – Letters from Mum

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AD | gift only

LETTERS FROM MUM

“I trace the line of each letter with my finger…

Absorbing every single word

I Imagine your face as you wrote each one; no doubt giggling at your own jokes

I smile … but at the same time a wave of heavy, sadness engulfs me and I can’t stop the tears.

Happy tears, sad tears , innocent tears for a time when I naively thought you’d be around forever .

I smell the paper; I’m disappointed that it doesn’t smell of you … year’s stored safely away in a Cigarette box has put pay to that.

I hold the letters against my heart and imagine that you are holding me

A part of you is etched on those precious pieces of paper. Conversations that can’t be erased . Words forever embedded in my heart “

I wrote this poem after I was approached by the lovely Emma from Inscripture to see whether I would like to collaborate with them and choose a piece of their beautiful jewellery.

After looking into the company I couldn’t say no.

It’s no ordinary jewellery … they take special words from letters, cards etc and engrave them onto jewellery –  ‘You live the moments, we create the memories’

It is a beautiful concept and something that would make a special keepsake / gift.

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STYLE | Most Wanted with JD Williams

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#AD – this post is a paid collaboration and contains affiliated links

I am happy to announce that this month I am working with JDWilliams on their ‘Most Wanted Campaign’.

I am sure you are already familiar with this fabulous brand [ and their very catchy, colourful TV advert ] However if you haven’t already been acquainted – JD Williams offer a fabulous selection of clothes , at great prices. Their collections are specifically aimed at ladies over 45 years of age ; ladies of every shape and size.

It’s great that a brand have acknowledged that WE do matter , that aging is fun, style is timeless and we don’t all want to get to a certain age and fall into the twin set and pearl brigade… not that there’s anything wrong with that if you do. It’s all about having a choice.

So back to the campaign. I have been asked to choose an outfit from their Most Wanted Collection and style it my way .

Can you just imagine… I was like a kid in a candy shop. There is just so much choice; a one stop fashion fix.

I eventually decided on the following outfit; as well as being stylish it is also practical for a lady who spends a lot of time outside, in all weathers, with her beloved dog, Mollie.

Single Breasted Belted Red Trench [£45.00]

I am very partial to a trench coat especially after watching the film ‘Atomic Blonde’. Charlize Theron looked absolutely stunning in everything she wore and I decided there and then that I needed more [trench coats] in my life. I guess it’s the secret agent , Bond girl vibe [ I always fancied myself as a Pussy Galore kinda girl ]… As I mentioned above it is single breasted, lightweight and looks equally as good worn fastened or open. It’s ideal to slip over dresses or as I have worn today with jeans , a plain over-sized tee and scarf.

I don’t currently have a red trench coat in my collection. Thinking about it I don’t carry much red in my wardrobe at all . So it has filled a little gap and taken me into a new territory.

Boyfriend Tee– pack of 2 black and white [£15.00 ]

I don’t think you can ever have too many white tee’s. I love the over-size and light-weight feel of this one. Perfect for layering, worn half-tucked to show off your waist / belt or left loose for a more relaxed look and feel.

One black and one white. Perfect; and at just £7.50 each, very affordable.

Shape & Sculpt Control Jean’s – [£40.00 ]

I love wearing jeans . I absolutely hate shopping for them. The few pairs I have received from JD Williams however have always fitted me beautifully.

The pair I have on in these photographs are from the Shape & Sculpt Control Denim collection. As I have entered peri-menopause I’ve found I’m subconsciously curvier without particularly eating anymore than usual. The middle age spread appears to be an actual thing!

These jeans are high waisted so your stomach is concealed; thanks to the hidden magisculpt panel your tummy is also flattened without you feeling as though you are wearing a corset and can’t breath. It also has intelligent seaming to define your bottom. I’m all for anything that makes my bum look perkier.

These are a good pair of jeans; I feel as though everything is held in place without any discomfort

Navy & White Polka Dot Kitten Heel Shoes – [£22.00]

How gorgeous and fun are these ; I do love a statement shoe and I’ve never worn dotty ones before.

I tend to shy away from high-high heels, my dodgey left foot put pay to those days. I prefer a flat , or kitten heel nowadays. The heels on these are just 2 inches.

They are perfect and I can’t tell you how comfortable they are. They come in a regular, wide and extra wide fit . I choose wide because dodgey foot requires me too … and I hate my toes to feel squashed up. Anything that feels like a slipper [ and these do ] is a goer in my books.

For a more casual look and an alternative to shoes I also choose these ankle boots. I love the look of a skinny jean and chunky boot combo.

Suede Pull On Boots [ £50.00 ]

Like I mentioned above I’m all about comfort these days. When I go anywhere I don’t want to be the one sat in the corner complaining about her feet hurting.

Or for exceptionally muddy dog walks these wellies are ideal

Hunter Original Tall Gloss Wellington Boots [£100.00 ]

Scarf [£16.00]

I love my scarves . I have a fairly big collection already ; one for every occasion.

I find adding a scarf to an outfit is one of the quickest and easiest ways to jazz it up or change it around. I choose this particular one because it combines and pulls in all the colours of the outfit. It also feels beautiful and silky.

I’ve worn it tied in a bow and also left it tied loosely around my neck… again there are so many variations you could try.

So there you have it.

I’ve really enjoyed styling this outfit using pieces from the Most Wanted Collection and I would love to know what you think as always in the comments below ?

Until next time, Tracey x

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Linking up with –

ElegantlyDressedandStylish

Notdressedaslamb

Mummabstylish

FASHION | Easy Tiger

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It’s something a little different from me today – a bloody fashion post ! I have featured them on the blog in the past but they are very few and far between.

Hey … What can I say I’m mixing it up for 2019.

I don’t claim to know anything about fashion. I’m a big believer in wearing whatever the hell you like ; I absolutely hate being told what I should be wearing … BUT one thing we can’t ignore and are all fully aware of is that Leopard print has been big business for many years now.

I guess I’ve been channeling my inner Bet Lynch since the late 90’s . I love sporting my Grans vintage leopard print jacket . That jacket is older than me , she’s falling apart at the seams [ quite literally ] but I can’t bear to part with her.

Just recently though my eyes have been swayed … I’m being disloyal to Bet. I’ve found I’ve become slightly obsessed by Tigers, mainly their heads on jumpers !

I know, I know I’m strange and probably very late to the table but what can I say?!

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