WHAT I WORE FOR SOME IMPROMPTU SHOPPING

 

Apologies for my unplanned leave of blog-absence! I'm afraid work and the looming exam period has taken over. Hopefully I'll be able to get the knack of super human time management and not neglect the blog completely over the next two months! 
 

I had a few hours spare this afternoon and had a splendid time pottering around the shops. In addition to some pretty rad silver leather converses which I sadly did not photograph (but trust me, they're the stuff dreams are made of), I encountered the above pieces which will be being included in my spring/summer wardrobe. I made a sort-of promise to myself that I wouldn't buy any more purely winter things seeing as it is SUPPOSED TO BE SPRING. I am a dreadful summer wardrobe planner and summer dresser, and I'm hoping to improve this year by getting my game together nice and early. I'm a winter soul, so summer dressing doesn't come naturally to me. I end up eBaying most of my summer wear when the first leaf  starts to quiver in Autumn, and then by the time the freak early-spring heat wave arrives, I have absolutely nothing to wear. I panic buy and fill my summer wardrobe with awkward things that I don't enjoy wearing. I don't want to do it this year. I won't do it this year. 

In the winter I enjoy quite a simple, minimalist aesthetic which I find quite hard to snap out of in the summer. But in truth I like to add more colour to my summer 'drobe (who doesn't?), and like to compliment simple shapes and colours with an spot of ikat print and tribal detailing. I become obsessed with the idea of tops that conjure up an air of Mama Mia (the film) - don't ask me why. I love Greece, perhaps that's it.

Colour also comes from statement jewellery  - but none of those neon, oversized jewel necklaces that H&M have the market wrapped up for. Oh no, I once again lean towards the tribal. Set against something simple or proudly clashing with a patterned top or dress. The Monsoon blue necklace is perfect for this kind of idea. 

I love this white and blue flowing top from Zara - it's very on the sheer side so I plan to throw it over plain bikinis with cut off denim shorts for afternoon holiday strolls. 

This beautiful lace top, also from Zara, is just perfection. It'll be perfect for home or away, again with denim I think.
 

For my all-to-brief shopping trip my outfit was altogether more wintery, in keeping with our current weather! Uniqlo boucle coat, Whistles cashmere jumper, Topshop Leigh coated jeans, Report Jude biker boots and Balenciaga City bag. 

 

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CITY BREAK WARDROBE PLANNING

I'm off to Bruges in a couple of weeks, and so naturally my mind has begun to wander about what to pack. We're only going for 3 nights so technically, I only need 3 or 4 outfits. I don't think I really need anything dressy. For evening I'll thwack on a pair of razzy earrings, or throw a jazzy clutch at the problem and call it a night. I think casual-chic is mostly the way to go? I might be wrong, I've never been there before!

CLOTHES TO PACK

 

From L - R, starting at the top: Topshop army jacket, Isabel Marant Haca jacket, Jaeger navy jacket, MiH stripe top, Whistles Lisa blouse, Topshop jumper, Topshop Neppy tee, Topshop jeans, Isabel Marant Bazil sneakers, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, Converses, French Sole ballet flats

The weather there seems to be pretty similar to London at the moment - drizzle ahoy - and high-teens-barely-breaking-into-the-twenties temperatures, hence the emphasis on useful little jackets and a light cotton parka to throw over outfits whenever I need it, and a jumper! Also note the shoes - all walkable. Yes, some more walkable than others, but the wedge on the Bazil sneakers (screams quietly with utter joy at how much I love these shoes!!) and the heel on the Dicker boots are definitely of the walkable variety. No tottering around for me - it doesn't suit. Converses are a clear must-pack, and pony flats courtesy of French Sole are perfection. 
All the shoes are mostly interchangeable with any of the potential outfits and each piece will marry up well with the khaki army jacket when necessary or one the the little jackets, which of course can be whipped off if the sun decides to come out. 
It's not quite city break style sudoku, but you get the idea! 

ACCESSORIES AND THE REST

Balenciaga City, Bruges guide book, Tom Ford Cary sunglasses, Topshop earrings, Phoebe Coleman necklace, Alex Monroe Pea Pod bracelet, Carmex lip balm, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Flirty Honey, Jo Molane White Lilac & Rhubarb Cologne, Bliss Triple Oxygen Infusing Mask 

At the moment our plans feature lots of beautiful building gazing, beer supping, chocolate chomping and the like. (Can you tell I haven't read my guide book yet?!)

Any tips for places to go or things to see in Bruges please DO let me know! 

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