Fashion - Wardrobe Essential: The Blue Shirt

Just like a LBD, black tailored trousers, perfectly fitting jeans and a breton stripe, a classic blue button down cotton shirt should be part of every woman's capsule wardrobe.  They work brilliantly for the office tucked into tailored trousers or for evening worn with leather pants, a crystal earring and some strappy high heels. You can even pair the shirt with jeans, black, blue or white, styled with a rolled sleeve and trainers for the weekend. It's such a versatile and hard working wardrobe item. 

While I own a classic style from J Crew that I wear frequently, I recently found this blue shirt with a design twist from Zara. I love the cropped side waist detail coupled with the long front and back that at first glance could be mistaken for a shirt dress. Plus it's an incredible price point.

Shirt £22.99 Zara BUY HERE

Here are a few other blue shirts with a twist that I'm coveting.

Balenciaga from Matches Fashion £605 BUY HERE

Boden £79 BUY HERE

COS £55 BUY HERE

Images: Pinterest, COS, Boden, Matches Fashion

Terrific TK Maxx

A little part of me didn't want to write this blog post, but I feel I would be doing a diservice to my fellow bargain lovers if I didn't share this. So here goes...think of it as my Christmas present to you!

I used to visit TK Maxx about a decade ago, visiting the out of town branches, to pick up good designer jeans at a fraction of the price. But in recent years I've been disappointed by the fashion on offer and headed straight to the home wears to rummage for pots and pans.

When prepping for a job at Westfield Stratford recently I thought I'd take a look in TK Maxx. I headed straight to their Gold Label section which showcases designer past season clothes. Wowseroo! What a selection! I grabbed handfuls of Stella McCartney, Helmut Lang, J Brand and Balanciaga.

Sadly this stripe JW Anderson shirt above didn't fit so that stayed instore. 

As did this cream Stella McCartney jacket. At £249 it isn't as cheap as the bargains to be had at the McCartney sample sale, but it's still an incredible price for a beautiful jacket you would love for years.

And it pained me no end that these stunning wool black trousers with tiny button detail by Balenciaga for £149 were too big. I was tempted to buy them and eat more cake but reason prevailed.

I did however score this classic black blazer by Helmut Lang for £149.99. The sharp shoulder creates such a strong silhouette and I know I'll wear it loads.

I also picked up this See by Chloe navy pea coat for £129.99 and have already got lots of wear out of it. It's the perfect weekend coat, working perfectly with a cosy cream knit and jeans.

They also had a large selection of classic skinny J Brand jeans for £49.99 so I thought it only sensible to get some!

Then I went back to TK Maxx a few days later, just for a little look, not expecting to find much. But they get new deliveries 6 days a week and I walked away with possibly my biggest bargain buy ever, I was literally hopping with excitement in the queue to pay!

And here she is. A black silk evening dress with crystal embellished neckline from the summer 2013 Lanvin collection. Yes Lanvin! For the bargain price of £149.99! I couldn't believe my luck and can't wait to wear her over the festive season.

If you manage to bag any bargains at TK Maxx please let me know. 

Happy shopping!

Sx

Happy In Ibiza

The boyfriend and I recently took a few days off to hang out in Ibiza. 

Flying over Ibiza

We chose to stay in the north of the island at a rustic B&B and hired a car so we could zoom around visiting all the gorgeous beaches.

Our pretty apartment

Cala Xucla is down a tiny dirt track but worth the bumpy ride. Only a few locals frequent this tiny sandy cover. The water is crystal clear but beware of the jelly fish, I got stung by one of those evil creatures on the last day and still have the scar!

Tranquil Cala Xucla

Beware the evil jelly fish lurking in the beautiful blue!

Platja Aiguas Blancas is a long stretch of beach with deep crystal clear waters. Down by the nudist section there's a mud pool with people lathering themselves in the goo.

Platja Aiguas Blancas

Las Salinas is a gorgeous long stretch of powdery sand with shallow waters near the beautiful salt lakes in the south of the island. There are 4 great bars on this beach, playing music and serving delicious food and cocktails. On Sunday there's a cute little hippy market around the pool of nearby Boutique Hostal Salinas.

Lovely Las Salinas

Our favourite beach was Benirras and we would head here most evening to watch the stunning sunset with a mojito in hand. The bongo players come out as the sun sets and people start applauding once the sun disappears. It's a special place.

Stunning sun set at Benirras

Of course I did some shopping while in Ibiza! To the side of Benirras beach is the boutique Deseo selling jewellery and beachwear. I picked up a gorgeous kaftan from here.

Tassels and neon, what's not to love!

Las Dalias hippy market on Saturday is worth the trip but it gets very busy so go in the morning. It sells everything from vintage kaftans, to local jewellery, to baskets, to adorable kids clothes to organic juice. 

Trinkets galore at Las Dalias market

The infamous Sluiz is an Ibiza institution. I was blown away by the range of quirky products on offer, the merchandising in store and the mojitos! From the moment you drive by and see the plastic cows grazing outside, then pull into the parking lot and decide to park in the "only gold diggers" space or the "only high heels" space, the store is incredibly stimulating. In a world dulled down by globalisation it was so refreshing to visit a shop selling such unique products. We picked up some bits for the home, but could have bought so much more. You must visit Sluiz, you really must!

Why wouldn't you want a massive plastic crocodile?

Shopping in Sluiz

And of course we went dancing until the sun came up. Glitterbox at Boom! was my favourite.

Glitter balls at Glitterbox

Shoes in hand after hours of dancing in heels.

And here is a little selection of what I wore on La Isla Blanca.

Dress Seed, Sun glasses Balenciaga, Sandals Topshop

Shirt Gap, Shorts and Sandals Topshop, Bag Labour & Wait,  Sunglasses Miu Miu

Dress vintage, Sunglasses Miu Miu

Dress Whistles, Sandals Kurt Geiger, Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs

Top Zara, Swishy Skirt H&M, Sandals Prada

Dress Mango, Bag Anya Hindmarch, Sandals Prada

Thank you for a great holiday Ibiza, we'll be back soooooooon!

Think Pink

It all began with a mug. When in Heal's recently searching for kitchen inspiration my eyes fell upon a collection of pink things. I don't normally find myself drawn to this pretty hue, despite being a massive Barbie aficionado, but I had to have the mug.

Mug £10 Heal's

Then I discovered these gorgeous candle holders next to this pretty vase which I thought would look beautiful potted up with succulents.

Candle holder £42 Heal's, Vase £14 Heal's

Moving on from interiors, I fell in love with this furry coat by MSGM when I was prepping for a photo-shoot recently. I'd feel like a giant Care Bear wearing it, but I don't view that as a negative!

Coat £395 MSGM

So pink is having a moment. It's not a sickly or bright pink, but an understated, more subtle version. Here is a round up of some other pink items I've fallen for.

A simple muted pink pump with a wearable heel height from Zara. These would look so chic with a pair of cropped navy trousers.

Shoes £49.99 Zara

This dress is stunning and such a great price point. Perfect for a summer wedding or balmy evening cocktails. The simple white top tones down the flippy pink skirt making it more wearable.

Dress £65 & Other Stories

And if wearing a piece of pink clothing seems too scary why not integrate the trend into your outfit by wearing this necklace over a simple white or navy top.

Necklace £15 COS

And in a dream world this would be my perfect candy floss hued bag. Yummy!

Bag £1085 Balenciaga at Matches Fashion

Images: Net-A-Porter, COS, & Other Stories, Matches Fashion