Monday, November 28, 2016

Chic, Stylish Daytime PJ dressing....


Style Theory: The pyjama suit has broken out of the bedroom and into daytime dressing. Thanks to Celine, Alexander Wang, D&G and Thakoon, the luxe silk pj look is now not only confined to the bedroom. It is a look that takes some getting used to and has a slight feel of 'really?!' but it is a trend to dip your toe into, not only is it possibly the most comfortable trend it looks pretty sophisticated on too. 



Top - Monsoon £69
Trousers - Monsoon £69
Jacket - Topshop £79
Shoes - Dune (old season)

Ph by Victoria Metaxas

So I have gone the 'whole hog' and worn the matching top and bottoms from Monsoon. I absolutely love this suit, the print is stunning, the fabric is a light cotton and the trousers have an elasticated waist..this, without a doubt, will be my Christmas day look this year. It is not for the faint hearted and I have to take a fair amount of stick from family for wearing my PJs during the day but I love this look, laid back but chic.

If you are not ready to take on the full PJ look here are a few beautiful Pyjama style tops that look amazing with jeans and heels, a perfect addition to you Christmas wardrobe...

Topshop £36

This is very Kate Moss-esque, it would look fab with black skinny jeans and ankle boots and a biker jacket, the leopard print gives the pj top a rockier edge.

Topshop £42

This top is utter sophistication, I think it looks so much more expensive than £42, it will look fab at Christmas but also will look just as good in the cool summer evenings with denim shorts and white pumps (just roll up the sleeves) a good investment piece.

Warehouse £35 (today £28)

A beautiful, subtle take on the pyjama trend, this black shirt is sleek and chic, perfect with black trousers or blue jeans and black heels.

River Island £8 (on sale)

This is the perfect way to try out the trend with minimum investment, wear this PJ top with pinks and reds for a perfect 2016 look. It also comes in black - see below.

River Island £8

I think this top would look better tucked in to Mom style blue jeans, add a pair of black/leopard print heels and you have the perfect Christmas night out look.

Asos £45 (take 20% off with code GOGOGO - today only)

Love the chevron pattern, really eyecatching, it will look fab with black skinny jeans and trainers.

Asos £40 (20% off with code GOGOGO - today only)

The cutest top, a reclaimed vintage top - made from vintage fabric, this is another top that will see you seamlessly from winter to spring to summer.

Asos £65 (20% off with code GOGOGO today only)

This Religion top is beautiful, a very sheer top so you would probably need a vest top underneath. Wear with black jeans and flat statement shoes.


A few ideas how to style the pyjama top below..


Images via Pinterest
Pyjama Shirts can so easily be slotted into daytime wear. Comfy and cool...

What are you thoughts on the Pyjama top, would you wear it during the daytime? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

Friday, November 25, 2016

Your Essential Guide to the Black Friday Sales

Bella Freud £385 (take 20% off at Selfridges with code SELFCCE)


Style Theory: The madness has started, the discounts are being thrown at us..here are a few of the best discounts and the items I have my eye on........

Selfridges  - 20% off Christmas shopping with code SELFCCE

&Other Stories - 50% off selected items - click this link 
&Other Stories was £95 now £48

LaRedoute - 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

La Redoute £59 (take 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY)

Asos - 20% off with the code - GOGOGO

ASOS WHITE - £95 (20% off with code GOGOGO)

Topshop - 50% off selected lines 

Topshop - was £69 now £51.75

All Saints - 30% off everything with code CYBER

All Saints £148 (take 30% off using code CYBER)
Whistles - 20% off selected lines
Whistles was £95 now £71.25
Mango 20% off everything with code BLACK 
Mango £89.99 (20% off with code BLACK at checkout)
Marks and Spencer - Gifting weekend up to 50% off 
Marks and Spencer - Rosie for Autograph pjs were £35 now £24.50
Boden - 30% off plus free shipping and returns - code on website F6P8
Boden - £34.50 (with 30% off with code F6P8)
OFFICE - 20% off + free uk delivery 
Vans £64.99 20% off with code WONDER

Avenue 32 - 30% off selected items
Jerome Dreyfuss @Avenue 32 £690 (take 30% off at checkout)
Laura Ashley 30% off all Home and fashion
Laura Ashley Pineapple Lamp was £120 now £57.50
 John Lewis Price Matching all Black Friday deals
Jaeger Wool Cashmere Coat 25% off now £262.50
Very Exclusive UK 25% off selected brands 
Whistles @Very Exclusive UK was £170 now £127.50

Furla Bag was £540 now £405
Good luck and Happy Shopping!! Fran xxxx

Thursday, November 24, 2016

My 5 Luxury Capsule Wardrobe Items...




Style Theory: I have been challenged by Miele to choose five capsule wardrobe items, clothes that I will wear again and again and wash again and again. I tend to invest slightly more on the items that will be the building blocks of my wardrobe, they must be timeless, well made and see me through season to season. Cashmere, wool, beautifully tailored pieces make the grade and I have also picked a 'hero' item my Bella Freud sweater below. Due to the delicate nature of these fabrics they are far too often relegated to the bottom of the wash basket with the never ending cycle of uniforms, towels, underwear and sports kits now taking priority over handwash only cashmere and silks (ie - the kids clothes vs any of my nice things!) 


So in the answer to my washing prayers Miele have developed a washing machine Miele W1 and drier Miele T1 that makes the unwashable, washable...woohooo..and I am putting it to the test..

So lets start with the 'Luxury Capsule Wardrobe'..
Bella Freud £280


I have been longing for this Bella Freud 1970 jumper for ages. I adore the striking red and know that this is one of those sweaters that I will wear all the year through. It looks fab with my everyday uniform of jeans or dungarees and trainers and in the summer I will wear with denim shorts and trainers..this jumper is so expensive and HAS to last... It is 100% wool and yep, it will go in the Miele W1 machine..
Cos £55


A white shirt is an absolute must have and this Cos one looks gorgeous on. The collar sits beautifully, I like a shirt to sit open but the collars not sit flat out (john Travolta style) I like them to stay in the position they should be in (clear as mud?!) This shirt looks great with a few bottons undone and a few fine gold necklaces, preppy but grown up. It is a bright white colour, I cannot wear a white shirt if it looks in anyway grey - so I am hoping this will wash and come out just as white time and time again..
J Brand £215
Next is jeans...I have these J Brand jeans in the blue denim colourway and have worn them non stop. I did have a massive gap in my wardrobe for a pair of black jeans as all of mine have faded to a chalky, grey colour. These crop kick flare ankle length jeans look great with heels and trainers and ankle boots in the winter. A good pair of black jeans can take you from smart to casual so easily, these flatter and hold everything in, the kick flare balances out my hips and thighs creating a flattering silhouette.
Cos £59

The ultimate indulgence, a cashmere scarf, this pink powder one is so beautiful. It looks great with my camel and green winter coats. The perfect travelling companion to wrap around you and make you feel super snuggly..and yes this can go in the Miele machine too..

H&M £29.99

This is my trend buy, it is a jumper I will wear loads this season and wash again and again, an angora mix, I am interested to see how this looks after a wash in the Miele W1.
Zara £69.99

I am completely loving velvet this season and as a black blazer is a capsule must have this Zara jacket is just perfect. It can be so easily dressed down worn over a tee, with jeans and trainers or wear over a dress with heels. The sleeves are bracelet length and pre-ruched to give them a stylish twist.


The velvet jacket completes my luxury capsule collection selection, all these items can be washed in the Miele W1 machine and I will be drying them in the Miele T1. I am known in my family as having the ability to shrink the most washing machine friendly items so I am, with trepidation, interested to see how all these items wash. I have been using the Miele W1 washing machine and Miele T1 tumble drier for the last few weeks (on my normal washing) and I can confirm I absolutely love them. They are both so easy to use, have a touch screen that is simple, lights when you open it, you can stop the washing machine mid cycle to add the random socks I always drop on the way to the kitchen. The washing comes out pristinely clean thanks to the Twindos system that keeps the liquid in the machine and disperses the exact amount the washing requires. The drier is fast, has a huge drum and stops when it detects your washing is dry. Along with the addition of steam pumped into the washing so no ironing is required. They are both amazing, honestly, honestly!!

I will let you know how I get on with 'washing the unwashable' my family and friends have already asked if they can bring their cashmere around to mine to wash! How sad that this excites me so much but it really does!

Updates on Instagram and Instagram stories...

And I have a 20% off code for you to use CRV5QWZNV6

I would love to know what you would buy for your luxury capsule wardrobe? Do you have a Miele machine, what do you think of it?

Until next time Fran xxx

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Cosy, Winter Knits to keep you Snuggly Warm






All images above via Pinterest 
Style Theory: It is getting so much colder, I am yearning for cosy, oversize sweaters to snuggle in to, the warmest boots and sumptuous cashmere scarves. Here is a quick run down of my favourite snuggly but still super stylish knits on the high street now...
All Saints £178
This is the cosiest, softest, pink jumper. It is slightly higher at the front than the back so looks fab tucked in to jeans (as above) I love a pale pink sweater with light blue jeans and trainers, it looks chic but cool.
Topshop £39
Because everyone needs a pop of colour on rainy, dull days, just add jeans and trainers..
Me+Em £149
I have this merino cashmere jumper and I literally want to live it in all winter. It is perfect paired with faux leather leggings as it covers up your bottom and looks flattering on.
&Other Stories £45
This is one of those sweaters that just works with everything. I tried it on and it looked fab (one for payday) Because it is a-line at the bottom it sticks out making hips look thinner in skinny jeans and the high neck is super flattering. This is definitely on my Christmas list.
La Redoute £59 (40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY)
I have been looking at this sweater for a while after seeing on Alex The Frugality and Lindsey Ropes of Holland - it is such a fab chunky knit and with 40% off, well why not?!
H&M £29.99
Love the lace trim at the bottom of this sweater, it would look fab with blue skinny jeans and stan smiths. Any sweater that goes out at the bottom is going to flatter hips and the top of the legs and cover a tummy - those jumpers are most definitely my friends!!
Zara £25.99
So I am not normally a fan of chenille (indulged too much in it in the 90s) but the sleeves on this stopped me in my tracks, it is gorgeous, in fact I love the whole outfit, so much, it looks amazing. One to try on I think, although I fear I may look a little sausage in sausage skin in the trousers but I am willing to give them a try..I will let you know how I get on!
Zara £17.99
So believe it or not this reasonable little jumper (or more a thick top) looks amazing on, If you tuck it in to jeans, blouse it out it does the whole bell sleeve trend without buying into it too heavily, and if you dip your sleeve into your food it is pretty easy to wash ;-)
Hush £80
The cutest, cosiest jumper, another sweater I put on immediately in the morning for the schoolrun it is like a hug in a jumper and it sparkles!
Boden £99
There is something so luxurious about a winter white jumper, it looks amazing with a camel coat, sophisticated and understated and so so Christmassy!

Are you stocked up on winter warmers yet? I must admit I did indulge and buy a pair of UGGs.. they are my absolute guilty secret, I just love love the comfort and ease of them for the school run (in dry weather only obvs) My little sister will now disown me as she has a complete aversion to them, but seriously they are great to slip on in a manic rush, no socks needed, skinny jeans, jumper (any of the above!) and a parka and I am cosy whilst hurrying the kids up to school..

Have you found any beautiful knits on the high street this season, I am so desperate to learn to knit so I can knit myself a few chunky sweaters..one day I will!! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments until next time Fran xxx