What I Wore Wednesday: Black and Gold

So I have this really bad habit. I buy clothes on sale and then leave them in the bags and don't wear them. Part of it is I think I might return it and the other that they won't look right or will fit funny and then I'll be late for work because I have to find something else to wear so I might as well wear something I've already worn. It makes absolutely no sense because I've tried everything on before I bought it. I'm trying to break this habit and force myself to wear all the dresses I have because honestly I'm past the 28 day return period on them all!

The weather is definitely starting to get colder in Glasgow. This past week we've had torrential rain every day, all day and I'm getting to the point where I'm going to need to suck it up and buy a new winter coat. However since I bought a super cute new mid-weight coat when I was home in Ohio I want to make it last as long as I can. 

I originally took my semi-traditional bathroom selfie for this post but umm it was a hot mess. I looked back and there is an air-freshener hanging off the wall, paper towels tumbling out of the dispenser and it just looked tragic. Luckily my colleague Steph, who is 1/3 of a new blog we're about to launch (watch this space!), stepped up and snapped a photo for me as we walked back from grabbing lunch.

Black and Gold Skater Dress- Cynthia Rowley, TK Maxx

Black Ponte Moto Jacket with Side Zipper- Mossimo, Target

Black Hoops- Target

Black and Blonde Glasses- Vivienne Westwood, Costco

Black Layering Leggings, Marks and Spencer

Black Studded Pumps- New Look

I don't normally wear a lot of patterned dresses but there was something about this dress I really liked. I really don't have anything else like it so I think that helps. I'm absolutely in love with my asymmetrical zip jacket; I found it on sale at the Target by my Dad's house but not in my size so I drove to the next Target to find it. I might need to layer a cardigan under it to make it last longer in this colder weather. I went for simple black hoops and gold nails since the pattern was fairly loud on its own and I wear the same flats every day at work--boring but comfy!

Do you ever buy things and let them waste away in the bag before you break them out or do you have to wear new outfits right away?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Kate Spade Wrap Dress

Wow. It's been six weeks since I last wrote a blog post. That's got to be a record. Things have been crazy around here. I'm super grateful to Sara, Vick and Zaz for helping me out with guest posts and to all of you for sticking around and still joining in What I Wore Wednesday.

Since I had to fly home to Ohio unexpectedly it meant I had to shop for a dress for my German sister Nadine's wedding while I was home. Nadine was an exchange student who lived with us for a year while I was in the 7th grade and then I went and lived with her for a month right before I turned 15. We've both been back and forth visiting and I think of her as my older sister.

I didn't have tons of time to shop while I was home. Luckily I totally struck gold at Nordstrom Rack. When I was growing up in Cincinnati we didn't have a Nordstrom let alone a Nordstrom Rack but oh my gosh do they have amazing deals. For those of you in the UK Nordstrom is a higher end department store like Harvey Nicks or House of Fraser; Nordstrom Rack is their outlet store. 

I bounced from rack to rack and was pretty excited when I found a Kate Spade dress that was originally $398 reduced to $60! I don't normally wear yellow but after a sad week the dress just screamed happiness to me. When I tried it on it was a little too low cut but I bought it anyway and had the straps shortened when I was back in Glasgow.

Yellow Floral Wrap Dress-Kate Spade

Purple Shrug- HM

Gold Bangles-HM

Gold Chandelier Earrings- New Look

Nude Patent Pointed Court Shoes- New Look

In my head it didn't make sense to wear silver with a yellow dress and I don't own any gold jewellery so I grabbed some cheap and cheerful earrings and bangles to accessorize. Nothing wrong with mixing high street and designer right? If I'm honest I was super self conscious about the um deep cleavage on display so I kept my shrug buttoned up most of the time to cover it up. I finished it all off with a blue gel manicure and I was pretty happy with the look.

The wedding was gorgeous but we ended up leaving after dinner because I was feeling so crappy. We didn't know then but that was probably the start of bronchitis starting to take hold. I'm still glad we were able to go to Germany and be there for her big day. I'm glad I went for the Kate Spade dress but I honestly don't think I'll ever wear it again and will probably try and sell it.

Do you mix and match designer and high street? Do you wear dresses from special occasions more than once or do you sell them? 

Anyone want to buy a Kate Spade wrap dress? ;)

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What I Wore Wednesday: Meet Mama and More

The sub-heading for this post should be "bronchitis is a bitch." I honestly thought I'd be feeling tons better after my anti-biotics but I'm still just feeling really run down. Luckily the fab Zaz from Mama and More has come along so I can wallow in self pity instead of blogging! She always manages to look edgy and hip while doing the most mundane mommy duties--something I've never managed myself!

When my daughter was just two years old, she had already clocked one of the classic feminine tricks - compliments.  I remember being in a restaurant with her, and she leaned over to an "older" girl next to us (about 8), to stroke her leather jacket, saying "hi, I like your jacket,", and then a few minutes later, "I like your skirt too".  Sure enough, the compliments worked, and soon enough they were fluttering eyelashes at each other.  Basically, we girls like to bond over clothes!  So when I was asked if I would like to guest post here on Transatlantic Blonde's wonderful outfit-gawping linky, What I Wore Wednesday, I jumped in with both stilettos without a moment's thought; after all, I've been linking here from my blog, Mama and More for ages now!

It's just now getting cool enough that most of us are resisting turning on the central heating or wearing full on opaques, mainly to prove a point, and also because the weather is still a bit schizophrenic - chilly mornings giving way to muggy afternoons, and then cooler evenings by the time it's time to go home.  So while I'm still showing a little skin while I can, 'tis definitely the season to break out some leather again, to add a little warmth when needed, and I love a leather skirt!

Lurex seater from Scotch and Soda

 Leather panelled skirt from Twenty8Twelve

 Peep toe shoots from LK Bennett

I love the idea of dressing a leather skirt up and down, for work or for an evening out, adding some sparkle or shots of bright accessories.  I'm a massive lover of wearing brights as the days get colder and nights come in earlier, and definitely think this length is age-appropriate, fun and stylish too.  And how about adding a few pops of colour too?

Love it!  Do you have a leather skirt? How do you wear yours???

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What I Wore Wednesday: Meet Mummy's Got Style

I'd fully intended to jump back into What I Wore Wednesday with both nude pumps this week as everything I wore to a wedding was brand-spanking new but what I didn't intend was to come down with bronchitis. So the multi-talented Vicki has very kindly stepped up to the plate in my place this week! Vicki hosts #Fashionfriday over on her blog mummysgotstyle.com every Friday so please do link up your outfits or any of your Friday fashion finds over there too if you like!

Hi, it's a real honour to step into Transatlantic Blonde's high heel shoes this week, or perhaps that's woolly slippers right now as she battles bronchitis. Get well soon lady!

So, today I'm wrapping up in a my slightly warmer clothes as we go through the transitional phase of summer to autumn with sunny yet windy weather here in Yorkshire.

I do love Autumn/Winter style though and have loved lugging out my winter wardrobe from the spare room; big coats, my collection of hats, floral print scarves, knee high boots, brogues and *whispers Uggs!

©Peter Broadbent.

So here I am wearing my new monochrome dogtooth print Marks and Spencer fedora (picked up in charity shop Oxfam in Harrogate (never been worn) for just £8-what a find). My faithful midi length black skirt is Topshop, black long vest, HM and pretty vintage style cardigan is by Darling, all puffed shoulders, pretty pearl buttons and crotchet embroidered collar. It might just be my prettiest cardigan for A/W and I plan to live in it!

©Peter Broadbent.

Of course I've had to toughen it up a little with my leather style Topshop jacket and Clarks leather studded biker boots to give the look some edge. 60 denier tights are also Marks and Spencer.

©Peter Broadbent.

Do you like the look? What are you excited to break out as the cooler weather comes?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Meet Mostly Yummy Mummy

This week the very lovely and very stylish Mostly Yummy Mummy is stepping in and taking over the What I Wore Wednesday helm on my behalf. Unfortunately I've had to fly home to Ohio as my grandfather has passed away. I appreciate Sarah jumping in at the last minute and I hope y'all show her lots of love for helping me out! If you'd like to feature next week for me drop me an email x

(Leila dress - Joules, magenta tights - Marks and Spencer, glitter ankle boots - Primark, pearl bracelet and necklace - Eyre, watch - Michael Kors) 

It's safe to say that Autumn has well and truly arrived in Yorkshire and after a huge wardrobe sort out last week, I'm well and truly ready for it! I think autumn might actually be my favourite time of year and after having what felt like a real summer here this year, I'm ready to say goodbye to my sandals and hello to my boots. Especially when they happen to be glittery ankle boots like these! 

I picked up this dress from Joules earlier in the year in the sale and I love it. In fact, I love it so much that I have it in red too! I like the empire line as it makes it a really easy to wear every day dress and I love the bright floral pattern. Nobody does floral patterns quite as well as Joules. And just in case the dress wasn't bright enough, I've put it with bright magenta pink tights. My teenagers hate me wearing coloured tights but hey, what do they know? Ha! 

So that was me, what are you wearing this week? Are you happy to embrace autumn like me?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Debenhams A/W 13 Preview

So last week was so insane I never managed to get a post up. Oops! On Wednesday itself though I was invited to the Scottish preview of Debenhams Autumn/Winter collections. This season they upped the ante by not only having beauty, women's wear, menswear  and accessories on display but there was a fashion show, too! I really enjoyed the Spring/Summer preview and A/W was just taken to the next level with a fashion show at the gorgeous Blytheswood Square Hotel.

One of my favourite upcoming trends, as I've mentioned before, is tartan. It immediately makes me think of going back to high school sophomore year, post Clueless, in a mini kilt, crop top, knee high socks, black patent Mary Janes and a tiny backpack. Debenhams didn't disappoint my inner Cher Horowitz: there were mini kilts, tartan slippers, tartan backpacks and my favourite these amazing Call it Spring Ankle Boots..

Knits are one of my favourite things about A/W (especially when you live in Scotland!) and this year there are lots of funky and fun patterns from hearts and stars to pirate bears. 

My favourite was this adorable Polka Dog sweater from H! by Henry Holland.  It's sweet without being overly cutesy and the cute Frenchie faces make me think of my sister!

If you are looking for glitz and glam Debenhams have that covered too! There were so many amazing dresses but favourite had a subtle hint of sparkle. Depending on how you style it I think this Marios Schwab Fit and Flare Crystal Belt dress could work for the office or a night out!

There were so many amazing looks during the fashion show but it's not easy to capture them sitting in the front row and armed only with your iPhone! I did manage to get a fairly good video of the models on their closing walk. It was such a great evening and I'm so honoured to have been asked to attend.

I had been feeling pretty upset that summer has already been and gone but with such cute stuff for fall I'm feeling a bit better about it now. Sure I'd much rather warmer weather but you can't wear heritage knits and leather bomber jackets in summer! 
What fall fashion trend are you most looking forward to rocking out this year?



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What I Wore Wednesday: Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress

Summer is slowly but surely slipping away in Scotland. It is getting cooler. the sun has all but disappeared and the grey, rainy season has begun. It makes getting dressed in the morning harder because I don't want to get soaked but it also still isn't quite coat weather yet. Trying to plan an outfit that will go from work to night and factors in the weather is almost impossible. I basically always end up compromising on shoes. I'd love to wear heels but it isn't practical on slick cobbled streets when I'm accident prone so I tend to wear flip-flops on my commute and flats in the office. I'd love to be Carrie Bradshaw running in stilettos but it ain't gonna happen without me falling on my face.

I've gotten into the habit of window shopping online a lot lately. I tend to only shop at online shops with free shipping and with an actual physical store where I can return things if they don't fit. Since I have quite an exaggerated hourglass figure it isn't clear cut what size I am. I'd bought a few dresses from Debenhams sale (I love when they have free shipping!) but they didn't fit quite as I'd like so I returned them to the store. I was super sad as one was a cute striped Red Herring dress but I looked like a line backer as the stripes continued across the bust through to the sleeves. I did however find this Henry Holland striped dress on sale when I returned the others!

Commute

The Office

H! Henry Holland Striped Skater Dress-Debenhams

White Cardigan- Ann Taylor Loft

Black Leggings- Marks and Spencer

Black Studded Ballet Flats- New Look

Silver Heart Bracelet- Merci Maman

Black and Blonde Glasses- Vivienne Westwood

So you can see I wear a cardigan and flip flops (or gyms shoes if it's raining) on my way to work. Also I promise I had a pedicure and my toenails are painted; I have no idea why it looks like they aren't in that photo and I'd never ever ever have my toes out if they weren't painted. I love the full skater skirt and the pleats at the front on the H! dress. I've been trying to find a cute stripey dress all summer so I'm glad I've finally found one. Shopping online is definitely great now I'm working full-time and don't really have time to browse shops like I may have before.

I've just learned about a cool new extension from London fashion startup Shop Of Me that knows the instant something you've looked at goes on sale, sometimes before a retailer even announces they’re having a sale! How freaking cool does that sound? 

It uses your shopping cookies to then send you an email when any items you've browsed have gone on sale! How cool is that? It works in the US and UK with over 100 retailers so far! Just download the extension, enter your email,  window shop til you drop and get an email when what you like goes on sale. How easy is that?

Do you shop online or do you prefer to shop in store?

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