And just like that, the Easter holidays were over....the kids only went back today (Tuesday) but they're off again on Thursday for the elections and then again on Monday for the Bank Holiday. I have a feeling this term is going to fly by.
So what have I been wearing over this recent spell of VERY mixed weather? I think the temperature swing was about 15 degrees in the space of a week. Nightmare to dress for and it required lots of mixing the summer with the winter wardrobes. There was a fair bit of logic to our grannies telling us 'ne'er shed a clout till May be out'
Starting with an outfit from a meal out with the family in a new restaurant in Hillsborough - Hara. Fine dining at an affordable price...a real treat for the tastebuds and amazing value with the earlybird offer of 3 course for £20. I'd picked up this jumpsuit in Dunnes Stores earlier that day - it looked great on the hanger and I could tell it would work well casually and dressed up. Looking forward to wearing it with tan sandals and a denim jacket when things warm up again.
Next up, an outfit for work featuring a sleeveless blouse I picked up in M&S the other week at a bargain price. This plum colour is a good one for me so I'm always drawn to it when I see it. The culottes are old but well worn. I have linked to similar ones
Top - M&S (wearing the 10)
Leather Jacket - Reiss via eBay
Some warmer weather outfits next...wasn't that warm spell just fabulous? Hopefully a taste of what's to come.
Leather Jacket - as before
Bag - Hush past season
Trainers - Seven Boot Lane (old)
Glasses - Miu Miu from Dejavu
Proper gorgeous weather this time for a visit to Ikea...I didn't mean to blend with the branding, I promise. This is an old dress from Next and I had SO many questions about it so I've linked to a similar one - same with the sandals and the bag.
These photos are not uploading in order of the day they were taken as this next one is back to cooler weather...so it was a pre-Easter one. Layered my Hobbs trench coat over my Guess red hoodie - loved the colour combination!
Coat - Hobbs (from Kildare Village Outlets)
Sweatshirt - Guess (from The Boulevard Outlets)
Trainers - Nike (past season)
A warmer day one now and I've loved digging my summer favourites out of storage, like this skirt from M&S a couple of years ago. I've linked to a similar one - it's such a great wardrobe basic:
(not sure what the difference is between the skirts on those two links?!)
Bag, Sandals and Jacket - as before
A night out outfit next - I had a few events to go to so wanted to look smart but not too formal. Ripped jeans with heels and a blazer always works well I find!
Blazer - H&M from years ago (wish I bought 2!)
Jeans - H&M sale bargain from 2 years ago
Bag - as before
Another night, another blogger event and this time I wasn't so happy with what I wore. I love the items individually but not together. Definitely won't be pairing these jeans with this jacket/shoe combo again but that's the beauty of taking your photo every day. I thoroughly recommend it - it's a great way to whittle down your wardrobe.
Slogan T-Shirt - Bought at a Gavin James Gig
Jeans - preloved Mih
Shoes - Office from a couple of years ago
Bag - as before
And finishing with a final evening out one - this was worn to the theatre last week..
Blazer - as before
Jeans - Tiffosi One Size Fits all from Alana in Lurgan
Blouse - FreeQuent from Berlin Boutique
Shoes - Franklins (current stock - loads in-store! Wearing size 5)
And there you go - a run down of the photos I have from the past couple of weeks. It's been another busy one as April whizzed by faster than I could keep track of and I hardly had a chance to write blog posts at all. While my day job has quietened as the project I'm working on comes to conclusion, the blog has suddenly got really busy and I've a few lovely collaborations coming up over the next few months. Just a couple - I still turn down about 80% of what I get asked about. Either the brand isn't a good match or there's too much effort required for not enough reward. So I hope you enjoy the ones I did decide to go ahead with.
I've also just booked a couple of days in London with the twins in July so I'm trying to plan a fun itinerary for this. Do shout me any great places to visit. I'm trying to just stick to stuff that's quintessentially London and nothing too spendy. I can't believe how EXPENSIVE everything is though...£60/70 for the 3 of us to go up the Shard or on the London Eye. Not to mention the cost of going to a show in the West End. If you've any great ideas for how to get a good view or a good show without bankruptcy, please do share.
Meanwhile on the exercise front, I'm gearing up to run a leg of the Belfast Marathon on Sunday. It's one of the few marathons that allows relay teams to take part at the same time as full marathon runners so I'll be taking on the final (glory) leg of 5.8 miles with a work team, all in aid of local charity Chest Heart & Stroke. I'm on a 3 short run training schedule this week which I'm hoping prepares me well and doesn't wreck me!
Final bit of new is that I tried out a new facial today at my usual clinic, Woodford. It was called a dermafrac facial and it was completely different to anything I've ever tried before - micro needling with serum infusion. My skin feels amazing! I'll blog about it in a week or so when I've had a chance to asses the results but if you're interested, I've a video of the process over on Instagram Stories Highlights.
As always, I love to get your comments below or by email - avril@alifetostyle.com
Thanks for reading..
Ax
Hello Avril, that M&S top is a complete bargain (£5 off Sparks offer at the moment too), just bought it, plum is a great colour for me as well, thanks for the tip :)
ReplyDeleteAh, amazing! I couldn't believe the price either - and yay to £5 extra off it!!! Enjoy wearing x
DeleteA trip down the Thames is always good. Westminster to Greenwich is a nice trip. Normal TfL boat not a special one. You've got the Greenwich market, curry sark and museum. Top of the hill by the Observatory has incredible views too.
ReplyDeleteThe Tate Modern restaurant has good views across the city. Sky Garden is free if you book in advance.
Not sure how old your twins are and what would most appeal.
Thank you so much Victoria - so many people have recommended the Sky Garden so I've got it in the diary to book a few weeks in advance but I'll look at Top of the Hill too. And I was looking for a water taxi service too - not a tourist boat so thanks for that rec. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply - the twins are 10 so all of that will suit - I really want to keep them outdoors and walking as much as possible! x
DeleteThe Skygarden is great for views And free - but you need to book! Some lovely bars and restaurants too up there 😉😘
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy - that's such a great recommendation! I've put it in the phone for the month before as the tickets seem to come available 3 or 4 weeks ahead of time. Thanks so much x
DeleteYep sky garden is a must and totally free , you're early enough you should get tickets. Love being on the river so definitely do the tfl river boat. Covent garden for the buskers. Trafalgar Square too. M&m store on Leicester Square.
ReplyDeleteMeans spending more but London eye fast passes best money I spent, queue can be unreal...
Oh and check out the accelor mittor slide at Olympic Park if they are thrill seekers!
Hi Gillian - thank you SO much for the amazing recommendations - exactly what I was looking for. I am not a fan of the tourist boats so the water taxi is perfect. Never thought of the M&M shop - I'm addicted to them so that might be my treat :) Thanks again so much x
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