I decorate my house with things you love

Although being the biggest girlie girl, I usually tend to avoid wearing such feminine shades as purple and pink. This Autumn / Winter however, I have been struggling to resist the dusty pinks and mauves that have been on trend. Most winters I dig out the preppy tartan and collared dresses and then I am set. Though I still love a bit of the Scottish print, I am really enjoying some of the more prettier items that are making up my current Winter wardrobe. 

I got this fur gilet / sleeveless blazer from Missguided about a month ago. I wasn't really getting on board with the whole sleeveless blazer craze; I still feel it is a passing trend like jelly sandals were for 2014, so I didn't see much point in investing. Despite this, faux fur never seems to be out of style during the colder months, so I felt this combination of the sleeveless blazer with a faux fur gilet was a chic compromise. I think this is a really interesting piece due to the layering effect and, although it may not be as trendy in the New Year, the item's uniqueness will urge me to continue to wear it. 

I also bought this lacy, purple dress from Missguided. This was a bit of a risk for me because before buying this dress I did not own anything purple (which is shocking considering the overflowing state of my wardrobe). The dress is a beautiful piece regardless of my initial hesitation towards it. The nude-mesh material offers a body sculpting effect and the purple lace is very feminine and elegant. You cannot really see on the photos but it also has a cut out detail on the waist which creates even more of a slimming effect. 

Fur Gilet / Sleeveless Blazer & Dress: Missguided

Boots: Vintage

Hat & Bag: Accessorize

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Step into Christmas

One of the most extravagant places to visit in the Peak District is Chatsworth House, hidden in the rolling hills of the Derbyshire Dales. I have visited many times, as I am lucky enough to have it on my doorstep and have always been in awe of the decadence of the maze of rooms within the house and the beautiful surrounding gardens. I have never, however, visited near Christmas time. What a treat it was that I got to today, as it was the winter wonderland from many of my day dreams! 

With their Wind in the Willows theme this year, it was purely enchanting to feast my eyes on the abundance of richly decorated Christmas trees and various other trimmings. I can't imagine the fun the staff must have had in embellishing the building. 

There are a lot of events to get involved with at Chatsworth this year. As you strolled through the house there were plenty of actors, taking on the roles of the characters from Wind in the Willows, so if you have children I can imagine this would be very entertaining for them. On particular evenings the Nativity is being put on in the farmyard with live animals. Unfortunately, it was not being run today when I visited, but if you check the Chatsworth website then you can find out when these are being held. 

Chatsworth is definitely worth a visit as it left me with a magical feeling and wishing that I could too turn my house into a festive grotto. It is £22 entry for adults but totally worth it for immersing yourself in the Christmas spirit.

Sorry that the photos are a little blurry! Rain and low-light is not kind to my camera.

Here is what I was wearing:

Blazer: Missguided

Scarf, Bow & Boots: River Island

Tartan Pinafore: Ark Clothing

Shirt: Zara

Handbag: New Look

All of these stars will guide us home

I don't know if anybody else has noticed but I think Christmas has suddenly hit us. Almost overnight, fairy lights have gone up, trees have appeared in windows and festive tunes are dominating the radio stations (and my Spotify account). I am not sure if this Christmas cheer is contagious but I have also seemed to have developed an addiction to mulled wine! So this weekend was spent visiting the most gleeful Christmas displays in my local area. The first stop was the Bottle Kiln, originally an estate sawmill making pit-props for the Newdigate Estate coal mines. It has now been converted into a unique and relaxing contemporary space for fine dining or browsing through a labyrinth of intircate knik-knaks. 

After that we paid a visit to my old work establishment, Reuben Shaw & Sons, which has the most merry Christmas display in the whole of Nottinghamshire! It feels more like a museum than a garden centre and has a fabulous assortment of Christmas decorations. If you are looking to indulge in some yuletide spirit then it is definitely work a visit. Once we had purchased some adorable baubles, it was up into the attic (or rather send the boyfriend up there hehe) and then lavishly trim the tree. So yes, I have definitely been infected with Christmasness. 

And what better way to spend a festive weekend than all snuggled up in a cosy jumper dress? This snugly number is from non-other than Missguided, which I managed to snap up for only £17 because of their brilliant Cyber Weekend. The chic, camel blazer is also another Missguided find which I got for a similar price - amazing considering that when this outfit is put together it looks incredibly more expensive than it is. Of course I am sporting my mustard bag again because it is my fave at the moment, but I have also whacked on some vintage knee-high boots in black to keep my legs nice and cushy. So let me know what you think of this post in the comments box :)

Jumper Dress & Blazer: Missguided

Handbag: New Look

Knee High Boots: Vintage

Guess I need the sun to help me shine

At the weekend I was taken on a spontaneously cute trip to Southwell. For those of you who are not from my local area, I guess Southwell is the closest comparison to Cambridge in Nottingham. It has winding streets with quaint 18th Century houses, interesting little shops and pubs with corners to cosy up in with a glass of mulled wine (I did exactly that, of course). 

The central attraction of Southwell is the 12th Century minister it possesses. It has been well preserved, maintaining much of its gothic, Romanesque architecture, so it is a picturesque spot for some blog photos.

Now let's talk about the fashion. As you may have realised in my last post, I am a bit of a Missguided fan-girl right now. And how could you not be when they had a 'Cyber Weekend' on from Black Friday till Tuesday this week? That is how I managed to snap up this divine faux-fur coat for just £30! Unfortunately it has gone back up to its original price of £60 and is low in stock, so I am pretty chuffed with the deal that I got on this baby. It is gorgeously soft and keeps you suitably toasty. So yes, I am in love! And did I mention its is a beautifully, dusty pink? 

I also purchased the slinky leotard I am wearing in these pictures from Missguided. I was a bit hesitant about this piece when it arrived as it is so low cut, but thanks to the magic of Wonderbra I have managed to find a deep-plunge bra that I can wear underneath that doesn't reveal any tacky straps (it's my pet hate). 

My skirt is a golden oldie from my days when I was obsessed with Ark. However, this continues to be a winner for the Christmas season and who doesn't love a bit of glitter? My boots and handbag are returners from my last post as I find they are great staple items for my wardrobe this Winter and go with pretty much everything I wear. 

Fur Coat, Boots, Leotard: Missguided

Bodycon skirt: Ark

Handbag: New Look 

Where our horizons meet

It has been a while since I last wrote. Due to trying to find my feet in the working world, I haven't had much time for more artistic ventures. I have now, though, made a commitment to myself to keep up with the hobbies that give me peace. 

The transition from a lifetime in education to a full-time job, although still in education, has been interesting. I cannot say that I am fully used to it yet but I am just taking each day as it comes. The trouble I have been experiencing is the inability to shut off from my work mindset. I have now realised that returning home from work to only sit in front of the TV for the rest of the evening is not helpful as my brain does not actually switch off. It is still churning away a vat of thoughts. Yesterday, instead, I indulged in some creative activities which has really helped my brain to focus on something else.

I have been lusting over the Autumn / Winter 70s trends that have been appearing all over the fashion world. Some may say I have invested too much in the two Ms of this season: mustard and mauve, however, I think these two shades are so pretty for Winter and make a lovely alternative to the classic burgundy, brown, orange colours that are thrown together with some tartan year after year! I do still love tartan though.. 

I am also enjoying the boho vibes we are experiencing this Autumn / Winter - floppy hats, floaty dresses, fringing, suede, (faux) fur - YES PLEASE! I bought this hat from Accessorize towards the end of the Summer and I am not sure I can think of a moment when I have been off work duty where I haven't worn it. It is a beaut and with it being beige it coordinates well with most outfits.

I would also like to mention in this post my new favourite online shopping store: Missguided. Well this site is just divine! As my bank balance probably knows.. I am finding that clothes on the high street just haven't got the originality or edginess that I am looking for in an item. Whereas Missguided has hoards of interesting day and night dresses, knitwear, outerwear, accessories and probably much more that I have yet to buy. I bought this dress and the boots from the fashion gem and did they cost me a fortune? Not really considering most people thought the boots were worth the £100 region. Boots: £25. Dress: £20. Not bad eh? 

Anyway enjoy looking at the photos and I will hopefully be updating weeky from now on.

Hat: Accessorize

Fur Gilet: Ark

Dress & Boots: Missguided

Handbag: New Look

Jewellery: New Look & Urban Outfitters