Laura Ashley S/S '15

 

A few days ago I was invited along to have a little mooch around at what Laura Ashley will have to offer next season. It's always such a joy to have a sneak peak.

Their handbag game was immense. They're not a brand that I associate with handbags but I fell in love with every one they had on offer. I adored the gorgeous pastel colours and many reminded me of Michael Kors in the shape. The stunning pink envelope bag would be ideal for a summer wedding - it's big enough to still fit all your junk in!

They really went to town with their patterns for this season. The nautical themed rail was amazing - loved the adorable seagull print. You really can't beat a good thick cotton dress when the weather starts to heat up and the boat print one ticked all the right boxes. The cute buttons on the strap at the back was a lovely detail. My personal favourite has to be the midi white embroidery anglaise dress. It was such a perfect length and the material felt so luxe. Definitely a piece I'm going to look out for!

I was particularly impressed with their range of kitchenware. I'm a sucker for some china and loved the pretty patterns they had on offer. The cake knife would be perfect if you were throwing a family garden party and wanted to impress whilst cutting a yummy Victoria sponge. Who can resist the cute Tobias the dog lamp? Such a handsome chap!

Has anything caught your eye?

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Layering up

Outfit:
Midi beige trench coat: Zara (similar)
Burgundy and navy scarf: c/o New Look
Black across the body bag: Zara (similar)
Black turtleneck jumper: Primark (similar)
White textured drop waist dress: Asos
Leather heeled black boots: Topshop (similar)

You can tell the chill is starting to set in when you resemble the Michelin man when you leave the house thanks to the endless layers. This outfit is the prime example! Gosh it's been a little cold this week hasn't it? This trench still hasn't left my body since the day I bought it but I might have to retire it soon. It's just not thick enough! I'm still not entirely convinced by the drop waist dress. It's a little bit too much like a smock and not too flattering. But it's the ideal piece for layering a jumper underneath and is so comfortable! It definitely looks better with a bit of a heel.

Thank the heavens for Friday eh? This has been one hell of a week!

How are you layering up now the winter months have hit?

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Embracing the junk (in your trunk)

It's hard being a woman. There I said it. Seeing stunning, slim girls in magazines can play havoc with your self confidence. Everyone always has an opinion of how you should look and what is attractive.

I spent years wishing I was built differently. I always wanted to be straight up straight down but alas this wasn't to be. I was born a classic pear shape with my hips being the largest part of my body.

Despite knowing deep down I'm not fat, I'm constantly trying to better my eating habits and lose weight. I'm the girl always moaning about how many calories I'm consuming yet will always have that extra glass of wine or eat everyone's leftovers. I blame the former chubby girl inside who lost three stone at the age of 18 on Weightwatchers. I always see that girl in the mirror. I last a week, maybe two weeks of being a machine with my eating habits then I fall spectacularly. Usually when I get the chance to go out for dinner and stuff my face with three courses. I know I should exercise more and stop eating as much junk food.

But do you know what? I've started to embrace who I am. I'm in a healthy weight range for my height even if it may be at the higher end. My height helps me to carry off any few dreaded pounds that I might be carrying. I have a boyfriends who loves me just the way I am. I would love to lose half a stone but I also love to enjoy life - which to me means eating all the food. In the world. Swings and roundabouts.

At the grand old age of 25 I've finally worked out what clothes suit me and help my confidence grow. I like to wear crop tops as my stomach is flat and my waist is my smallest part. I find the 50's silhouette skims my hips and helps me appear much more slimmer than I am. The midi length is perfect to hide the top half of my legs. I would love to wear trousers but they just cling far too much to my child bearing hips doing me no favours. I ain't ever going to be a jeans and tee kinda girl. My bum doesn't agree with that!

It may be cliché but it really is true that you become more comfortable in yourself the older you get. You just learn to not really care any more. Life is far too short to be counting calories all the time. If you want to have that burger, stuff it in your face. Just try to maybe have a better day the next. It's all about balance. It wouldn't be any fun if everyone looked the same. I bet what you have in your eyes as perfection, someone else has you as perfection.

Fake the confidence until you have it my friends. You're beautiful just the way you are.

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