The Ever Growing Pile Of Striped Tops

 It's inevitable, I see a striped top, I want a striped top. The classic Breton literally never gets old and as mine get a lot of wear they can often become discoloured or stained quickly. It is a style that is always on my radar as I find so much of my wardrobe goes with a simple striped top. Whether it's being paired with jeans and boots or worn in a smarter way with a skirt and jacket, a striped top seems to always stand to attention and make outfits look instantly classic.

A casual stripe

I can remember purchasing my first Harbour tee from JOULES. A classic navy blue and white stripe. It was my favourite and it went with everything. That pretty much started the obsession and I have owned a stripe top in every colour ever since. Over the years I have bought many Joules striped tops and have been endlessly pleased with them. This most recent one is another perfect edition, and a bit different to the others. What you can't see under my jacket is that this stripe top is a miss match of stripe patters. Have a look HERE. It really is a firm favourite already.

Wearing Stripes Smartly

I love it when JOULES run a batch of different stripped tops as apposed to their usual Harbour tees. This is because you can find some really individual pieces. The CHLOE ribbed top in grey and cream is a perfect example of this. It is a ribbed fabric, with a closer fit than the boxy harbour and has a beautiful frill detail cuff. I love how it skims the body a bit more and that lends itself to suiting smarter looks. Worn here with a very old but classic pleated skirt, leather overshirt and my GRENSON boots, this striped top sits perfectly and is a great way to show pattern in a minimalistic way.

How many striped tops is too many striped tops? Asking for a friend!

* The tops are a PR gifted to share. The thought are my own.

Emily x 

Continuing To Love What I Wear

I debated whether or not I continue writing about fashion on my blog. Simply because I don't always want to be alerting people to buy new things all the time but I realised, as good as I am at re-wearing my clothes, I LOVE SHOPPING! I love looking for things and making outfits. I love the feeling of new and "modern looks" that somehow are beginning to feel a bit like I have already worn them once before! 

I suppose for me, I just want you as a buyer to always remember that fast fashion will bring no long term joy but buying things that you really love, spending your money well on items that will last and buying less to enjoy more will change your wardrobe and help you become satisfied with what you have.

I have a few key items that over and over again prove to be "Worth It". I happily spend money on boots, coats and knitwear. These are the things that I spend the most money on because my day to day wardrobe through autumn to winter feature these the most heavily. I layer them up, wear them all with jeans, skirts and dress and find they are the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. 

For me I have been loving some new pieces from JOULES and love how perfectly they fit into my wardrobe and wanted to share them with you.

The Ultimate Jumper dress

I have been after a jumper dress for years. I have never found one that was quite right, usually they fit too tight and all I want is a loose dress that just hangs from the shoulders. This Casey Midi Dress in black and beige stripe is a beautiful addition to any autumn wardrobe. Worn with my classic GRENSON and a simple black handbag this dress can be worn layered with a top underneath, with a coat on top or even over jeans for a edgier look. 

A Super Soft Cardigan

One of my favourite things from JOULES is always their cardigans. They are so soft and I wear mine with jeans and skirts ALL THE TIME! I couldn't resist this styled set. As soon as I saw it on the website I really loved it. This Fluffy Relaxed Cardi pairs perfectly with the ELLE Pleated Skirt. I have no floral patterned skirts and the mix of pink and red in this skirt just felt so autumnal. With my black GRENSON and a simple handbag, this is a fabulous look to add to my wardrobe. I am looking forward to layering it with my big beige coat, a bright red or pink wooly hat and maybe a scarf to match, this is another perfect look.

I will continue to share outfit ideas and styling tips so watch out for those blog posts.

*Joules products were PR Gifted to share. My views are my own.

Emily x

 

What Life Is Like At Home

It's so easy to watch days simply pass by. Sometimes one day can feel like the longest ever lived, then before you know it a week disappears, a month, six months, a year. 

So much change has happened for our family this year which in the moment of living it, it felt like time stood still but now, sat down typing away and thinking about them, they are becoming a distant memory.

My life has never really returned to normal post covid. Like so many I was left in this limbo zone, my work drastically changed, the needs of the kids changed and if I am being honest, I have fumbled through the last two years really thankful for my freedom of movement but also knowing that I can't go on like this forever. 

I suppose for most of this year I have found great comfort in my own space. I have watched more TV than ever before, also walked more than ever before and in a vastness of feeling like I have no purpose, I still manage to find it each and every day.

I can often feel a bit useless but actually by the time dinner comes round and we are sat at the table, I realise that without my role in the family the day would never work out like it does.

And my role with the kids, well, one thing Rob and I have always agreed on is that my role in the house has to heavily feature me driving round after them. I have to be honest, this is absolutely something  have always wanted to do. Not ridiculous club drives though, no, but the school pick - ups is a time I have always valued. I have always done them, been the one to get them out the car and bundle them back in again. I have loved it (most of the time). And now as I have two drop offs, I crave the moments where the school run was much simpler!

    I find this easy sense of clarity when I am at home. I think houses can become so overbearing sometimes, with a constant list of things to do to them but because we have kept our life quite small and compact (small house living over here) I find our home helps my mind be open. 

I can find fault or want change in everything round here, I think everyone can always find something to change with regards to bricks and mortar but the reality is our space is enough for me to live in a way that keeps me totally satisfied.

That absolutely doesn't mean I don't want for things, I absolutely do get jealous of Mr and Mrs Jones next door and that's ok, but I know, for me, home satisfies, my role as a parent satisfies, and my work life will be what it's going to be and I will figure that out accordingly. 

Life at home, probably boring for most but for me I do alright with it.

Just thought I would share some snapshots of the house from my camera roll.

Emily x