Making The Most Of Your Wardrobe Featuring Simply Be

The last few years, for us, have been difficult financially, my husband has had to jump from one temporary contract to another far too many times and has sometimes had to sign on in between. This has meant me putting a hold on my clothing budget, meaning I could only buy the essentials, luckily I do get sent clothing items now and then through the blog so that is a bonus.

Making my wardrobe work year round has been very important to me because of this so when I do shop I buy items that are versatile, that can see me through multiple season and be layered for warmth in the winter. Each season I do try to get one or two bits that will help me work with what I already have.
Just before Christmas Simply be sent be a selection of items that I could use to make my winter wardrobe more adaptable for winter into spring.

My first item is something I purchase most winters, Knee-high Boots, as I wear them on a daily basis, I always look for a pair that looks good for day and night.

Anna Scholz Studded Boots

I was sent these fabulous Anna Scholz Studded boots, they are great thrown on over leggings but are smart enough that I can wear them out in the evening, which is perfect for my budget! they are in the sale right now so grab a bargain.

Next up is a dress that is great in the daytime with a jumper or cardigan over the top but easily dressed up for the evening.

High Neck Check Velour Dress

I adore the print of this dress and the colour is beautiful, it is great to wear with tights ankle boots and a chunky knit cardigan, or I can throw it on with heels or my knee boots for an evening out.

A good knit is very important for a versatile wardrobe it helps with layering against the cold, easily dresses down an outfit to make it more casual and works with so many outfits. I often go for cardigans as they are the easy option but this time I went for a jumper, I wanted the option of a skirt and top look if I team it with my dresses.

Fluffy Knitted Shell Top

It is fluffy and warm and wonderful, It is fabulous with jeans and over blouses and dresses.

The last item I was sent were an awesome pair of leggings, I have a ton of plain black legings but sometimes I want to make a plain out fit stand out.

Check Leggings

These are perfection, appealing to my inner 90's teenager.

 Over the coming weeks I am going to try to show you as many outfits as possible including items from this selection to show you how I make my wardrobe work for me on a very tight budget.

Do you shop for key versatile items or are you a trend setter, do you just buy what you love regardless of if it fits in with your current wardrobe?

Mhairi

xxx

OOTD - Simply Be Red Check Dress

The last two weeks have been insanely busy. My step son has been struggling with his school work and bullying, the school have not been able to really help Josh to reach his potential, and have limited his options so much this year with his GCSE's that he has become very frustrated with the whole situation.

We are very lucky that Josh does not have any behaviour related needs but his dyslexia requires different teaching techniques which most of his teachers refuse to use in the classroom which means he struggles to keep up and understand what is required of him.

After more than a year making the decision this week we officially removed Josh from secondary school and as of today we are officially a homeschooling household! This decision has been exciting and scary all at the same time but we know that we are making the right choice for him.

I am able to tech him Maths and science and have my sister helping to tutor in English skills and he will be allowed to explore the other subjects of his choosing to find the best fit for him.

As you can imagine I have been looking for outfits that are comfortable and relaxed as I am sat either in the office or in the kitchen with him while working. Todays outfit is an amazing dress that I was kindly sent by the lovely Simply Be.

While this dress is not the usual figure flattering nipped in waist style that I prefer, it is just so comfortable and makes me feel fabulous anyway! It has false zip pockets (would have loved real ones) and the bold check pattern is fantastic.

I didn't manage to capture the best photo of it today but you get the idea and I think you can see i feel happy and relaxed, excuse the hair, it was stuck up in a ponytail while we ran into town for school supplies.

* Red Check Dress - Simply Be

I also have another amazing tartan inspired outfit for you from Simply Be which is gorgeous so keep an eye out for that this week.

Hopefully now this decision is made and we are all less stressed I can get into a blogging schedule again.

Mhairi

xxx

New Look - Skirts

I have been looking at skirts more often, usually I am a dress or jeans type of girl but recent forays into skirt territory have really made me hanker after more in my wardrobe, This post focuses on New Look they have a huge collection of Skirts in both there Standard Sizes 6-18 as well as in there Plus sizes which are HERE

My current Favourites are this little lot!

Tapestry Print Midi

Asymmetrical Zip Skirt

Red Check Skirt

Black Waffle Skirt

As you can see the coming Autumn/ Winter is making me go for blacks and reds, which I just love!

I like the versatility a skirt offers me, I can wear clashing prints, mixed colour or keeping simple with a complementary colour. Dresses, which I love for there lack of effort, can have a jacket added do dress them up or down but skirts might make me try something more adventurous, which is something I need to do more often.

Are you a skirts kind of girl or do you prefer dresses or trousers?

Mhairi

xxx

*This is a sponsored post, all words are my own opinions and the post was written in full by only me.

In the Spotlight - ASOS Curve

Right now, I am feeling that being plus sized is pretty darn good, there are some new brands out there and the old ones are stepping up their game.

Today I am going to show you some of my favourite peices from Asos Curve.

Now ASOS are very hit and miss for me, I have had some terrible experiences with fit and materials, and always feel a bit insulted that at 32 I am too old to go to one of their fit days, but I am going to put these feelings aside for now as at the moment they are honestly rocking my world with their selection!

First up is this gorgeous Tartan pinafore dress, this is just so cute, I need to have this in my wardrobe! at 32 maybe I am too old for this, but I am in the middle of dying my hair blue so I guess I am aiming to grow old disgracefully!

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I love the colours and mixed prints of this dress it is beautiful, I think I would cinch it in with a belt for nights out and just as it is with leggings for a casual look.

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I have been obsessing over a parka for quite some time now, but I cant be doing with big bulky ones with huge fur trims as I am very short and find the make me look a little like a tiny eskimo! Oh but not this one, I love the leather details and the colour, perfect for my Autumn wardrobe.

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 I ordered a pair of jersey peg trousers from ASOS a while back and had to send them back as I found the material to be a bit too thin for my liking and knew they would become baggy and misshapen around the knee, I think though that for this print I would live with these faults as they are just so cute!

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The last item I am showing you is this onesie, the marmite of the pyjama world, but with the colder weather sneaking in I am getting ready for the comfort of a onesie!

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So they are my top picks from ASOS Curve right now and I really do want to buy them all as well as the skirt, blazer and jeans from my previous lust list post!

Mhairi

xxx

My Never Ending Lust List

Have you noticed when you have money to spare there is nothing in the shops you really want or need, but as soon as you are strapped for cash, the most amazing clothes hit the shops!

At the moment, money in our house is very tight and my lust list is massive! So here are just a few for you to take a look at.

Check Blazer - ASOS || Heart Cardigan - Evans || Neon Skirt - ASOS || Fossil Overlay dress - Evans || Navy Lace Powerfit Dress - Evans || Ripped Jeans - Junarose || Oxblood boots - Evans || Lace Biker Jacket - Evans || Spot Jeans - ASOS

Evans have some gorgeous bits in at the moment, I am loving the Scarlett and Jo and Live Unlimited brands, Junarose is a new brand and these jeans are stunning!

The Check blazer from Asos is just amazing, I need it for the cooler autumn to wear with jeans! Please money tree grow and solve all our money woes!

Have you got your eye on anything new, let me know.

Mhairi

xxx

Jacamo SS13 Flintoff Range - A Little look

I wanted to have a look at the Flintoff by Jacamo range, as you know my husband has reviewed a couple of items from Jacamo. 

The Flintoff range especially is one of his favourites as well as one of mine, he always looks smart and he feels good in the clothing which is fantastic.

I am persuading him to pop up on the blog a bit more often, he is a huge part of me and you should all get to know him.

I have put together a couple of outfits from the range.

I love Marc in a shirt and Tshirt I am not sure why :) 

Shirt 

Long Sleeve Tee

Cargo Pants

Boots

I am not normally a fan of Leather Jackets and usually get Marc to avoid them like the plague as some end up with him looking like del boy.

But not with this on, I love the almost waxed effect, and it just looks supple and soft, I want to get my hands on it and snuggle with it myself! that's worrying I know but I really like this jacket!

Leather Jacket

Military Shirt

Long Sleeve Tee

Jeans