Brick Dust & Glitter

Thursday, 26 July 2018

Summer Days & Joules Fashion. {Sponsored}

Let's look at some holiday fashion pieces from JOULES which are perfect for summer and beyond.

I don't think any of us could have predicted a summer like this. Isn't it incredible? The warmth is doing me so much good, all be it a bit too hot some days but it is going to be such a shock to the system when winter comes round. You get so comfortable don't you and I have forgotten what it's like to go out with a jacket. I think mainly I am just loving that summer is summer, it is the season it is meant to be and it feels pretty endless right now.

I was talking to a friend last night about how my usual summer style would usually be a nice midi skirt, a tee and a jumper; a jumper I say! In summers past that is exactly what you would have still needed, but as this summer is off the scale I have struggled slightly. By struggled I mean, had to buy lots of new dresses to keep me much cooler!

You guys already know I am a fan of JOULES and not only have they got some fab summer pieces in their SALE but their NEW IN and HOLIDAY SHOP is also perfect for now and leading into the Autumn. I think it is fair to say that the days are hot but the evenings are cool. Refreshing even, and for me unless I am in a dress or skirt, jeans are my only other option. I have body issues like everyone and like to cover my thighs so nothing mini over here, but these two outfits I want to share really suit my needs in terms of comfort, practicality and style.

Let's be realistic, in summer you want the lightest and most comfortable fabrics. JOULES linen, I have found, is always excellent. I have two of their white linen shirts as I just love wearing them. They are my absolute 'go to' when I just don't know what to pull on. Having seen this beautiful new LINEN DRESS in store I knew straight away that it would be a pretty one to own.

I love blue and this print is a bit old school JOULES and that really resonated with me. In my teens JOULES was a brand that I so wanted, but was just too expensive. I remember my very first purchase with them was a basket bag (not much has changed there) which I got from their stall at the Lincolnshire Show. It was really similar to this one but was plain and had blue striped lining. It was my favourite bag for so long and really quite a grown up one for a young teen, but basket love started young!

I think quite a few people shy away from Linen as it creases so much but I love that. I love that something is so soft it creases from just sitting in it; I have no problem with looking a bit disheveled in linen because it is just one of those fabrics that can pull it off.

This dress is great for day wear for all occasions styled with simple heels or sandals.

The second outfit I wanted to share is something a bit more casual and it includes a hair scarf which I am most excited about!

For a long time JOULES has been producing really beautiful patterned scarves and what is great is that they do a range of really well priced NECKERCHIEFS in their signature prints. These are great for attaching to bags or wearing in your hair!

In fact, in the bee print this NECKERCHIEF is perfect for now and running into autumn. With one of their new season HARBOUR TEES, it really pops! I love a hint of yellow at the minute, I am recently converted and am finding it really does add a colour pop to outfits and even your home!

I love the new HARBOUR TEES, and in this modern spot as opposed to their classic stripe, I am so glad that they are still producing mixed prints on this range. The florals and stripes and florals and spots are both great additions to their plain stripe collection. This one in particular is just gorgeous in colour combinations.

With the ever popular MONROE SKINNY JEANS (These always sell out in the dark indigo) These jeans will see me through many days and nights this summer and in fact all year round. Dark blue jeans are such a nice thing to come across and these JOULES ones are my favourite cut to date. I have a few in black which are a 'go to' for me and I love how they look with trainers, sandals and, in fact, these SUMMER MULES. The perfect SUNSHINE YELLOW colour looks great against denim and they really suit this kind of outfit and are so comfy!

Whether you are walking around in the heat of the day or enjoying the quiet streets at sunset, JOULES CLOTHING makes dressing comfortable and easy.

LINKS TO WHAT I AM WEARING:

* This post is sponsored by Joules.

My First INSTAMEET With Visit Lincoln

VISIT LINCOLN, our local tourist board has been moving with the times now for a little while. With their effort to put Lincoln on the map, they are really seeing the hard work pay off. Lincoln is a must visit place and living in the heart of uphill we really feel lucky to be close to one of the most beautiful areas of town.

The last few weeks VISIT LINCOLN has been celebrating the Uphill area of Steep Hill and the Cathedral Quarter. This area is the most picturesque part of town with the Cathedral and Castle both lining the cobbled streets. The shops and eateries have a beautiful backdrop and it made sense to hold VISIT LINCOLN'S next Instameet at LINCOLN CASTLE on a wall tour.

The wall definitely holds the best views so heading up and round with a camera was a pure joy. This is also my absolute favourite place to take photos of the kids too and having taken an extra prop, oh, I mean child with me, having a little girl in a blue dress really lent itself to my photos. In reality I like taking pictures like the ones I will show you, ones that capture moments as opposed to views and the structure of the Castle wall and the colourings on the day made me feel so very artistic in taking pictures of Etta in this setting.

The whole point of the Instameet is to simply meet people who are there doing the same thing. A social opportunity to go and do something that means it is fine to have your phone out and be taking pictures. As something for the city it is a great little pocket of time to just stop and see what's about. There are also a few competitions running for best shots of something specific, a theme if you will and actually, as something for locals to partake in, free of charge, it is a really great little experience.

For me, I would love to do the next one. I met a girl who I used to go to school with and it is so nice having a love for instagram instantly in common, even after not seeing her properly for well over a decade.
Below is my collection of photos from the day: I was so pleased with the results, the colours were all just perfect!

Lincoln, if you want another social event to add to your list, I would get on board with the VISIT LINCOLN Instameets, a great opportunity to enjoy our city and meet new people.

For more information check out VISIT LINCOLN, their FACEBOOK PAGE and of course their INSTAGRAM for all information about this city.

Did I mention it was free to attend? Just in case!

p.s We also took a little stroll down to Grandma's flower shop and had an ice cream!

Trinkets & Treasures

It seems that slowly my house has been filling up with bits & bobs the more I try to live in a minimal way. I think it is inevitable that through a week you gather things, even just as extras from a supermarket shop. Whether it be candles and bamboo trays {thanks ALDI} or face serums and make up{TKMAXX} I just seem to have accumulated lots of trinkets and treasures in the past weeks and it inspired me to write about it.

I picked up a new book on simple living. The key to all these kinds of books is about buying less and being really, really good at tidying {OK maybe a bit more than that but these are two main points}. Both totally achievable and very satisfying and the root to how you can create a very fulfilling way of life without getting wrapped up in "wanting" that is pumped out to us. I know, and I am not very good at tidying in the grand scheme of things. I can tidy away everything really well, into its designated homes and downstairs is always perfect for living in, upstairs however I really struggle. The kids' room is fine, and my office, but as our bedroom is in the attic it is the last on my list to sort. So what happens is that gets the least attention and as you move down the house there are all these pockets where more time and detail is given.

My office space is a space I really enjoy. It lends itself to me being able to fill it up and just enjoy it. That said, no space gets filled up too much, it just means there is more to dust and actually I don't want to elongate my tidying list! But it seems that actually some small trinkets here and there make the space look better, more lived in with actual life rather than just looking like a perfect selfie. Having a bit more is bringing me comfort to the spaces I try hard to keep clear. I mean, I am not talking over filling, just bringing that bit more colour and shape which just really brings a comfort.

As much as I want to live in a more minimal way, to recognise what I have got and enjoy the calming nature it brings I really want to also enjoy the small things, the things you get distracted fiddling with and just little pockets of space filling up {even if it does mean a bit more dusting I suppose}.