Pom Pom Mania

Style Theory: Pom Poms, a micro trend that has been bubbling away on the high street since the summer with pom pom covered basket bags and gladiator sandals (these will be huge next year). In the Autumn, Pom Poms are  being added to shoes, hats and bags, they make every item of clothing look cute and fun..kind of Tinkerbell-ish, this trend will not be one of the most long running but for now I love it and am buying into it with gusto..

Images via Pinterest

SO lets start with Pom pom shoes, highly impractical but oh so cute but be warned not to be warn in the rain, nothing worse that soggy pom poms!...

Next Pom Pom Flats £28

As seen on Alex from The Frugality these are super cute, perfect for the Christmas party season, they would look fab with a ankle length blue jeans and a black, silk blouse for a chic, laid back Christmas look (wear with nude pop socks if too cold) Or with your little black/berry coloured dress and black opaque tights. Perfect for looking stylish but still being able to chase the kids around in.

New Look Pom Pom Shoes £17.99

These little shoes from New Look are almost identical to the Next ones but even cheaper so you can dip into the trend without worrying you have spent too much.

Next Pom Pom Court Shoes £36

A higher heeled Next version, these will be super flattering on your legs especially when worn with opaque tights in the winter and a little black swing dress. Or wear these with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans, a black/navy blouse and a tuxedo jacket for a chic evening look. The look below is what I am imagining but swap blogger Anouke's shoes for the pom pom ones above..stunning..

River Island @Asos Pink Pom Pom Shoes £70

So so gorgeous, so much fun, I love these shoes, again entirely impractical but just look at them...pink and fluffy what more could a girl ask for?! Wear with a black jumpsuit for a stunning Christmas party look ** these also come in black click here

Asos Truffle Collection Pom Pom Slipper Shoes now £17.50

Getting a little more back on track with practicality these shoes would lighten up a work suit, or wear with skinny black jeans and an oversized cream knitted sweater.

Asos Darrell Pom Pom Plimsolls £22

These and the slippers below are what started my pom pom mania. I have had these in my Asos basket and think I have to press order as they are adorable. Slightly clownish..actually they will be perfect to wear to the myriad of kids parties I have to go to through the year with Little J (although I may be mistaken for the entertainer..?!)

Boden Velvet Slippers £29

I am officially channelling Tinkerbell in these slippers, albeit an oversized, old Tinkerbell. They are so amazingly comfortable, super soft and cosy perfect for the winter..I LOVE THEM...I am getting old, slippers are an now an exciting addition to my wardrobe!! They come in 5 different colours and have Boden 20% off at the moment making them £25.23 go, go go!

Travelling Bazzaar Cashmere Bobble Hats £55

Apologies for the extreme close up of my face..a little scary on my desktop! but I have to tell you about these hats, it was love at first sight for me when I saw these. I adore a bobble hat and bought one from the Travelling Bazaar a couple of years ago and have worn it non stop every winter but now I think it is time to upgrade it with a red fur bobble hat. I love the oversize fur bobble and the red colour is gorgeous, so eye catching, it will cheer me up on the cold winters days. The hat itself is cashmere mix so soft and warm, perfect winter wardrobe addition...

Aurora London £19.50

Is there such thing as the perfect size, colour and fur texture of a pom pom keying? If there is the ladies at Aurora London will find and stock it,  they are sticklers for stocking the best of the best at affordable prices and this pom pom will look fab on my Aurora London Willow Bag (I use it non-stop) the question is which colour to order?!

What are your feelings on my Pom Pom madness, ridiculouso or kinda fun? My daughter just saw my blog and squealed with laughter at the Asos trainers and said that they  'look ab-so-lute-ly ridiculous' she is 8 and have obviously forgotten that she used to spend 95% of the time dressed like Tinkerbell! So this big Tinkerbell is signing off..as always I would adore to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Lots of love and fairydust Frances xxxx

It's In The Stars

Style Theory: All your need to add a little sparkle to your outfit is a healthy dose of stars. Timelessly cool having been given a rock star edge by Kate Moss, a star print will not date, can be so easily dressed up or dressed down and is a super versatile piece in your wardrobe. This season I have fallen for the star print big time...

images via pinterest

Here is my edit of the best online and on the high street..

Red Soul Star Dress @Travelling Bazaar £70

This is one of those 'wear anywhere' dresses, add a pair of spike heeled, black ankle boots and a black fur jacket for Kate Moss glamour (see image below) or dress down with a pair of black opaques and pointed flat shoes. A shirt and skirt in one, makes outfit decisions perfectly simple.

image via Pinterest

Red Soul @Travelling Bazaar £49

I had to buy this top when I tried it on, it is so versatile, I love it under dungarees or with distressed boyfriend jeans and trainers, In the winter I will be pairing it with black skinny jeans, black ankle boots and a tux jacket for a laid back day to evening look.

Realisation Par €172.44

The star dress that started off my star obsession as seen on Lucy Williams. This is a summer dress, but I am thinking with black opaque tights, black ankle boots and a maxi coat thrown over the top this dress would work all year through. It is available for pre-order delivery 20th October..I think it is worth the wait..

Atterley Road Galaxy Silk Maxi Dress £115

Ok, so not strictly stars...this is actually planets but it is along the theme. I love a maxi dress in the winter..a perfect look with knee high black/brown chunky heeled leather boots and throw a biker jacket over the top for a cool look.

Bella Freud @Net A Porter £260

The Bella Freud obsession continues with this gorgeous star jumper. The softest merino wool adorned with silver studs, super cute, super expensive..one for the wish list..

John Lewis Weekend Collection £49

The combination of grey and red is eye-catching, I would size up in this sweater for a slouchy look, wear with a pair of black skinny ankle length jeans and stan smith trainers and a red cross body bag for a perfect autumn outfit.

Hush £75

Almost a classic but one of those sweaters you will wear again and again.

Esprit @Asos Star Scarf £29

Becksondergaard @Asos was £69 now £34.50

I have a couple of Becksondergaard oversize scarves and wear them so much. They are a fabulous size, keep you really warm and look good on. I would wear this scarf with an all black outfit..

The Perfect Black Ankle Boot

Style Theory: The criteria for the perfect black ankle boot..comfortable, flattering, buckles (very AW15) pointed toe, short ankle height and soft leather. I have found them from non-other than Clarks

Boots - Clarks Stanhope V&A boots £125

Dress - Asos (old season)

Bag - H&M similar here 

The boots are from the Clarks V&A collection, Clarks collaborated with the Victoria and Albert museum to create a cool and slightly more edgier range of shoes. They looked to different periods in history for inspiration, these boots hail from the 80s, the Goth era to be specific. Clarks have smartened the goth look to create a pair of boots that are sharp, chic and completely on trend. The buckles toughen up the look without looking too heavy.

Halloween Outfit

Jacket: H&M old season

Blouse: Zara

Jeans: Topshop

Boots: Clarks Stanhope £125 

Made in soft leather these boots are the perfect height to be worn with dresses and skirts, or with skinny jeans/ leather leggings. I have chopped my black jeans up to just above my ankle so the boots sit below..fine for mild weather and the boots keep my feet warm. As I find with most of Clarks shoes, they are undeniably comfortable with a very small heel, the perfect schoolrun to evening out boots. The leather looks mottled online in real life it is far less so (actually the photo online put me off a little I am glad I ordered them anyway!) They are exactly what I was looking for and the fact that they are super comfy, complete with ' cushion plus' technology makes me even happier!

Here are a few ideas of how I will be styling them...

They will be so useful throughout the autumn/winter and spring, they look fab with bare legs so if I try not to eat too many selection boxes over Christmas I may try the bare leg look in the Spring.....

Have you found your perfect winter boots, how are you wearing yours this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Switching to Autumn/Winter - Some Outfit Inspiration

Style Theory: The transition from one season to another can sometimes leave me a little lost...what to wear, what style to go for, what is cool this season? I always turn to Pinterest to the streetstylers for some inspiration, so here are a selection of my favourite, mainly classic looks, for this Autumn/Winter that will work for a few years to come...

For me this year it is all about over sized knitwear, skinny jeans, or leather/suede look trousers, trainers, slouchy boots, tailored coats or jackets and a healthy dose of lurex thrown in to add much needed Autumn sparkle. I am of to hunt down my key items from the high street, I will report back...

Images above via Pinterest

MY STYLE:

A couple of my winter looks so far...

Sweater: River Island Design Forum £65
Jeans: Topshop Baxter £40
Boots: Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots via EbayUK
Bag: Topshop (old season)

Coat: Zara (old season) similar here
Dungarees: H&M similar here
Blouse: John Lewis similar here
Trainers: Adidas £79.99
Bag: Kipling UK

What is your Autumn/Winter dream look, where do you find your outfit inspiration? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx