DOLLY IN HER DOLLY DRESS

Wearing: Kickers Boots @ Schuh | Molo Dress (Last Season but new season here) | M&S Socks | M&Co Cardigan

I may have fibbed when I said Dolly doesn’t do girly because she seemed to love this cool doll-printed dress. I teamed it with a cute cream cardi that reminds me of something I would have worn as a child. Shortly after I took these photos Dolls projectile vomited all over herself en route to creche, meaning I had to strip her off by the side of the road and put my sweatshirt on her instead. All I needed was a cool belt and a matching headband and she would have looked super stylish!

DOLLY THE DENIM DIVA

Wearing: Nike Trainers | MK @ Mothercare Dungaree and Tee Set | My K @ Mothercare Turban Headband Similar | River Island Denim Jacket

Today I accidentally dressed Dolly like a boy. Actually, that's not strictly true because the only thing she's wearing from a boys' department is her denim jacket, and everyone knows that denim jackets are unisex.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is that she didn’t look very girly. The problem is Dolly doesn’t have much hair yet, and if she had a top knot or pigtails people might stop telling me how handsome she is! I added the turban in an attempt to make the overall look a bit less masculine but I’m not sure it worked, especially as she kept pulling it off. Personally I think she looks pretty damn cool, turban or no turban.

DRESSING UP THE BASICS

Wearing: Chloe Boots | ASOS Jeans | ASOS Vest | Gucci Belt | Zara Jacket Similar Tripp NYC Similar Boohoo Similar Missguided

Some days all you need is a pair of jeans, a white tee and some good (read: fabulous) accessories. I bought these Chloe boots about 5 years ago and I know they're stupidly expensive, but I’ve had so much wear out of them they've been worth every single penny. I’m also loving my Gucci belt right now. I first had one years ago, back in the day when I had a part time job at M&S purely so I could buy my first designer pieces and pay for nights out at Cheekos above the Archway Tavern (I was young). Unfortunately I have no idea where that belt disappeared to, which is very upsetting. I’m worried I gave it to charity while I was having a mass clear out one day, and I think that's why I've become such a massive hoarder. Well, that's the excuse I'm sticking to if my husband asks. As for the leopard print jacket well that was a last minute throw on as it was cold. IN JULY! Leopard print is always a good idea as it's the trend that never ends. 

DOLLY'S STYLE

Wearing: Kickers @ Schuh Boots | Zara Trousers | River Island Top | Gap Kids Jacket Similar | Ebay Headband

Dolly is 18 months now (how the hell did that happen?) so she's recently moved up a clothes size, meaning I've been on a little (okay, big) spending spree. I must admit, I'm having so much fun styling her. Dolly is not the girliest of girls, and I’ve been told she likes to chase the older boys around at creche whilst shouting loudly. I'm so proud! Her personality is really coming out now and she's definitely no shrinking violet. As much as I love a pretty dress I think Dolly is more suited to a tomboy look. Don’t get me wrong, I'm not ruling out flowers and frills just yet, but for now it's trousers and boots/trainers all the way. 

GRRR I WANT THIS SWIMSUIT (FOR DOLLY OF COURSE)

River Island Swimsuit

I was having a little browse online today (spending money I don't have on new clothes for Dolly) when I stumbled across THE most awesome animal print swimsuit and matching turban headband from River Island for kids. We all know how much I love a turban so you can imagine how totally devo I am that we have been on our Ibiza holiday with Dolly already. I'm tempted to buy it in her size for when we go next year. But knowing me I'll forget I've got it and it will end up buried in the back of her wardrobe with all the other clothes that have still got tags on.

GINGHAM PLAYSUIT

Wearing: River Island Playsuit | Converse @ Schuh Trainers | Chanel J12 Watch | Astley Clarke Locket

I bought this gingham playsuit at the start of summer but I haven’t worn it as much as I thought I would. I worried that I’m a bit too old for it but then I thought sod it; if I want to dress like a toddler then that’s exactly what I will do. So here I am twinning with Dolly in our playsuits during our day of meetings in London Town. Two things I need to point out about these photos are a) I know I’m browner than I was and that’s all down to St Tropez Self Tan Express Advanced Bronzing Mouse. You need to keep it on for one hour for a light sun kissed glow, two hours for a medium golden tan and three hours for a dark bronze colour. Or you can go to bed wearing it for my deep David Dickinson shade b) Dolly is totally over sitting in her pram and was desperate to go for a walk at this point, which is why she's dragging me down the road. She wasn't at all impressed that I was trying to stop for photos.

BRETON AND BOLD LIPS

Wearing: Zara Top Similar | HM Jeans Similar | Ancient Greek Sandals | Revlon Colourburst Balm Stain in Rendezvous

Let's give praise to the fashion Gods for Breton tops and bold lips. I was awake for most of last night looking after Dolly who had a high temperature, so I'm a little tired and stressed today to say the least (luckily Dolly is feeling much better and a quick dash to the doctors has put my mind at rest). 

Obviously the last thing on my mind this morning was my outfit, so I reached for a Breton top, scraped my hair up into a mum knot and slapped on an amazing new coral lipstick, which my friend kindly bought me. Amazingly I managed to look half awake.

As you know by now I'm a massive fan of a bright lipstick, and this is my new fave. It's actually a balm stain, meaning it leaves a bold colour and moisturises at the same time. Bonus! 

STEAL HER STYLE

I saw this image of The 'Princess of Monaco' Charlotte Casiraghi, aka the muse to Karl Lagerfeld and ambassador for Gucci (lucky lady) in Hello! Fashion recently and fell in love with her outfit. I think it's because it's a bit lairy (I like lairy) but toned down by the khaki trousers. I've always enjoyed a Steal Her Style even before I did the pages when I worked at heat magazine. So here is the high street equivalent to my latest lust have outfit.





Jaded London Jacket

Mango T-Shirt

Topshop Trousers

Office Shoes

SUMMER SEQUINS

All images via Pinterest 

In the fashion world, Christmas in July is an actual thing. We have Christmas press days and shoots months ahead to ensure we’re ready for the festive season. 

Recently I styled a sequinned-filled shoot, and I must admit I loved it. I’m like a magpie when it comes to anything shiny and sparkly. The shoot reminded me that like puppies, sequins aren’t just for Christmas, and they can work just as well in summer (plus you can pick up some great past season bargains).

I’m a fan of toning down the glitzy look with a tee and trainers or a denim jacket so it doesn’t look too girly. Check out my lust list below.

Boohoo Skirt

Ragyard Kimono

Rare London Jumpsuit

Rare London Jumpsuit

Miss Selfridge Skirt

Nasty Gal Dress

Mango Dress

Boohoo Playsuit

Nasty Gal Kimono

I WANT CANDICE BROWN'S SKIRT

Topshop Skirt

I styled Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown for OK! magazine last week. She was a dream to work with and looked amazing in this asymmetric hem skirt from Topshop. I tried it on before I arrived (ever the professional) and now I really want one. It might be a bit dressy for picking Dolly up from crèche but it's definitely worth a place in my wardrobe just in case I have a spontaneous night out. A girl should always be prepared!

Hot tip: It comes up quite big, so if you’re planning on getting one I would recommend going down a size.

LET THIS BE A WARNING TO YOU...

Lazy Oaf Cardigan 

I spotted this rainbow cardi on Instagram a month or so ago. I loved it but the weather was scorchio that day and I was sweating just thinking about it. Since then I've been having rainbow filled daydreams which of course is a sign that it has to be mine. BUT, you've guessed it, this gem has SOLD OUT! I REPEAT, SOLD OUT! I'm beyond gutted and can't believe I made such a schoolboy error. So let my misfortune be a lesson to you. If you like it, buy it. 

HANKY HEM DRESS

Topshop Dress

I bought this dress a little while ago but every time I put it on I'm too busy with Dolly to take a photo. I want you to see it before it sells out because it's really nice. I've been wearing mine with converse boots and a leather jacket when the weather has been dull and sandals and shades when the sun has been out. Try it, I think you'll like it. But be warned, don't do the crab in it after a few too many at your cousin's baby shower because the strap will snap!

TRAPEZE SUNDRESS

Wearing: ASOS Dress | Zara Sandals (last year's but there are some on eBay) | Chloe Sunglasses

I spotted Lacey Turner wearing this dress on Benirras beach in Ibiza. She probably thought I was a crazy fan, but it was actually her dress I couldn't keep my eyes off! It's such a nice shape and looked so cool and breezy. Of course I made it my mission to track it down and I found it on the the ever-amazing ASOS.