Last week, the boyf turned 24. I know, how did that happen?

To celebrate we went out for a meal at a new restaurant as our normal haunt had closed down (slightly still heartbroken, but hey ho)

As we were going to a new restaurant, I wasn’t too sure what to wear… I didn’t want to be massively over dressed, but I still wanted to look dressier than normal. As such, I decided to play it safe (read: boring) then add a splash of colour.

I wore a jersey tube skirt, and black vest top (which is actually pretty similar to this post) but smartened it up with a black crepe jacket. I love how fitted this jacket is, without the need for buttons or central zips, I think the gold zips on either side also just give it a little bit something more.

Sticking with the gold, I went for a gold/metallic smokey eye look. Having never really worn metallic eyes before, I wasn’t too sure how this look would pan out. I love gold eyeshadow when you see it in the magazines, but then again, none of the models are ever quite as pale and pasty as me. The eyeshadow was part of the Poudland haul from a few months back (you can read about it here) and was quite a soft gold, not a glaring, glittery in your face gold. It went on like a dream and stayed put all evening. So that was good. You can kinda see it on this selfie (it is blurry but it was the end of the night, forgive a gal, yeah?) from later on in the night.

As the outfit was quite toned down, I felt it needed something to give it a bit of a punch, so out came these old statement shoe-boots. I say old, because they actually are at least 3 years old from when I worked at Pavers.

Retro in style, with bright orange Italian suede, what’s not to love? I adore these shoes, though I don’t wear them often enough (who knew orange didn’t go with everything) I imagine if you’re a bit taller and more tanned, they would look even better. But even if you’re 5ft 3inch, I think they still look pretty babein.

Don’t we all.

Jokes aside, I chose that title because something about this dress makes me feel a little bit like I’m in holiday mode. I bought it thinking that although it is clearly a holiday dress for throwing over a bikini as you wander into the Old Town for a few drinks, as it had fairly muted colours I might be able to wear it around the UK too.

Maybe it’s the frill and off-the-shoulder combo, but something about it just makes me feel a little bit Mexican or Spanish. Perhaps I should have accessorised with some maracas? Do they actually shake maracas in Mexico? Who knows. I’m saying this, but if you were too look really closely at the panel near the hem you’d see it’s decorated with Elephants in all their blanketed and head-dressed glory. So maybe I should call this The International Dress instead, as the design seems to be incorporating quite a few continents.

Another thing only the eagle-eyed amongst you will notice is that around the frill instead of a plain hem, it is finished with a row of platted threads in a rope-like effect. When I first looked at the photos on the camera screen I was a little worried that this trim had turned out yellow – but I can assure you this dress (a recent steal at Primark) is purely midnight navy and ivory. At one point not too long ago, I would have said black and white; but working with fashion fabrics teaches you a thing or two about the ever-so-slight shade differences, which before you never really gave a crap about.

Although it has an elasticated waist, the one row of shirring is pretty pointless to be honest. It makes you look like you kinda-might have a waist if you step back and squint a bit. As such I’ve teamed it with a fairly thick black belt stolen from good ol’ mum. Living at home still has some perks.

The wedges are from a past New Look collection, but let’s face it: tan leather wedges won’t be hard to find. As these ones have a massive platform at the front, it does mean you can walk for quite a while in them, even down gravelly paths to take outfit of the day photos.

Normally whenever I wear my hair up like this I feel all nude and like I’m missing an integral part of me. How is a gal meant to get through the day without playing with her hair? With this look, I guess we can blame the aforementioned holiday mode – because when it’s near 40° who really wants to straighten their hair? So if this Outfit of The Day post has inspired you to book me a free holiday, just drop me a line. And maybe some spending money too for good measure.

This outfit of the day post, was going to be based around my new camel sleeveless jacket; however the more I took note of my outfit, the more I realised I had a bit of a witchy-poo theme going on.

I’m not sure what that says about me really. I’m not sure I want to know either.

Because everything in this outfit is so loose and laid back, it is mega comfy (perfect if you’ve had a sleepless night at the boyf’s) yet when I wore it to work the big cheese said I looked ‘very smart’ in my waistcoat. Comfy and office appropriate? I think we’ve cracked it with this one folks.

The shirt is an old H&M find, and if you wear it with ripped jeans I guarantee it will make you feel a bit Rhianna*

The sleeveless jacket (or waistcoat to everyone over a certain age – hi mum!) is a newbie from New Look. They have a great selection in at the moment; but I chose this one specifically because I’ve never, ever owned something in camel colour. Plus it’s substantially lighter in weight than the black and khaki variations. I’m smittened with the textured, crepe like finish but also slightly saddened by the fabric, supposedly its 95% polyester but it creases like buggery.

The shoes are also from New Look and they are that great I’m slightly tempted to buy a second pair, just for when these give up the go. Pointed black (fake) suede, lace ups and a gold heel, a shoe of dreams. They also get brownie points because I’ve worn these to two consecutive all day conferences in Manchester and can proudly say I wasn’t crippled at the end of it.

The criss-cross lacey bit (technical term there) that goes over the foot can look a bit witchy if you look straight down at your own feet. This is wasn’t all my witchy-ness though.

On my nails I’m wearing Max Factor’s Gel Shone Lacquer in Teal. Although it is not the shiniest of polishes, it does have minimal chips. I always thought of this colour as a British Racing Car Green… until my sister described it as being ‘a bit witchy’ and now that’s all I see when I look at it.

The rings are just a small part of a collection of stackable rings from Primark, but I like them.

So there you have it, my outfit of the week – witchy-ness and all.

*Though it’s not necessary to get your tits out. Obz.

A taupe dress… it doesn’t exactly sound like something to get excited about does it?

I do like this one, however. I bought it last month from New Look, to wear to a ‘lunch hour wedding’ – Just to explain – this isn’t the latest fad for lunchbreak services (I hope) this was the big boss letting us out for an hour or so to attend a wedding.

Because I would be working before and after, and the wedding was quite a relaxed affair with a quick service, I didn’t want to wear something mega fancy. That said, work pants and a blouse just wouldn’t cut it. So along came this little garment.

A taupe chiffon dress, with an all-over floral dusky pink print, I was wearing a bright-ish lip with this outfit – however the crappy lighting on the day of the photo means both the lip and the dress look a bit more washed out than in the flesh. As this was actually taken on Saturday morning (the day after the wedding) I also look knackered – but apparently I can’t blame the lighting on that one.

The dress has an empire line cut, meaning the skirt starts right under the bust. If you ever want to feel like a low-key Disney princess this is the cut for you, because let’s face… I bet you can’t think of one that hasn’t donned this style of dress.  The frills around the neckline and shoulder also make you feel really feminine and pretty and graceful and the like.

Taupe and beige clothing always reminds me of the post-war era and 1940’s fashion, so I paired this dress with a 1940’s style patent shoe. The fact the dress needs brightening up is another brilliant excuse, because believe me, while red shoes are all well and good, finding an outfit for them regularly is another matter.

The shoes are from Hush Puppies, I know… I sound about 80. I got them from when I worked in a neighbouring department to them in a retail outlet; but they are oh so pretty.

I proper pillar box red, with real ribbon ties. My life feels complete just thinking about them. Although with the ribbon being that chunky they do have the tendency to need tying back up a few times a day. A point in their favour though is that they also have some really pretty scalloped detailing and stitching, just to give them an even more vintage feel.

So there you go; some fashion inspiration for a lunch hour wedding. I bet you don’t get that every day.