Sunday 7 – Summer really is here!

Hello,

And welcome to another lovely sunny Sunday 7 from here in Salisbury… hope you had some sun today?

With my weekly Sunday 7’s, the primary motive is to fawn over new-in stock (which helps me get things off my chest that no one in my family of boys is interested in!)

…though sometimes, I like to theme the blogpost to say, big buttoned pieces like last week…

…and other times, like this week, I’m just all over the place with a bit of this and that.

Hope you like my picks:

7. Topshop – Petite Spot Print Midi Slip Dress (£28)

I know I included this dress a couple of weeks back, but that was more of a 7 about ‘best for petites shopping‘ rather than the dress itself.

This time, I’m including it because having ordered and tried the dress… well, it’s super lovely (though please excuse blurry iPhone Instagram Stories pic:)

For reference this is a size 4.

My usual size 6 was far too gapey under the arms…

The fabric is 100% polyester, so there is a danger of static, but this is a lovely length and versatile little number.

I imagine it would be a great length on most average height ladies (just above the knee) and the dress has a little slit at the back for ease of walking:

As you can see I’ve belted mine in the Stories photo, but I’d wear it unbelted on holidays, and probably with a little tee or singlet underneath if wearing it here at home.

The dress would look lovely with a sweatshirt or knit over the top as well.

This exact style isn’t available in the regular range, but a short regular range version is and indeed, a very short petites version too!

6. Topshop – Corduroy Cropped Wide Leg Trousers (£45)

As you all know by now, wide leg crops are something of an obsession of mine.

I am completely taken with these dusky pink cord crops.

Just gorgeous!

Unfortunately, this dusky pink colour was only available in the regular range.

So I ordered the beige petites cord crop (fractionally different style, fractionally cheaper at £42:)

(again, please excuse blurry pic… and if you’re liking that pink raglan sleeve top – also Topshop – £19, available in baby blue and pale grey – it is the softest, slouchiest, loveliest drape of a top, ever: I’m wearing a size 6 for a good level of slouch!)

Although initially I wasn’t sure about the beige colour, having really wanted the dusty pink but actually, the beige are pretty cool:

The petites crops are high waisted, and I bought a size 24, which frankly is a bit of a squeeze and not the best fit after a meal… but my usual 25s were out of stock and the size 26 gave me that unattractive ‘drop crotch’ vibe which, well… is most definitely not my cuppa tea!

Given I only picked the cord crops up on Thursday ago, I managed to wear them two days straight: a definite new favourite which will get worn well into Autumn and maybe even winter!

5. ASOS – Whistles Backpack (£35)

So I picked this up as a holiday bag for a relative bargainous £35 from ASOS.

Bargainous because it was £55 on the Whistles website (now sold out), and indeed, is still showing as £55 at John Lewis!

Go, go, go!

4. Notes from the Heart – Handmade Bracelets (from £8 – £19.50)

I was recently gifted some bracelets by Jude who runs her own Etsy Shop selling these very sweet friendship bracelets, in a variety of colour, stone, charm, string colour and I just love mine!

Whilst I may not be big on jewellery in the winter, simply because I need sleeves longer than my arms (covering my hands usually) and a great big roll neck (virtually covering my entire face) to stay warm…

…in the milder months, it’s lovely to add a little bling and colour to my outfits.

I wasn’t asked to blog about these bracelets – but as I have worn them every day since receiving them, I thought it was high time they made my 7!

One of my favourites of the four I have is the Neon Coral bracelet from the Ibiza Range (£16)

But I also have my eye on the Mango Yellow Ibiza with Lightening Bolt Charm (£18.50)

There are *so* many colours (muted and brights) to choose from, it’s well worth a look for some summer arm candy: and it’s always a good feeling supporting a small indie business!

3. Dune – Jazzy Cross Strap Block Heel Sandal (£70, from John Lewis)

I’m in the market for a somewhat boring but oh so useful small, block heeled tan sandal… and these Dune Jazzy Sandals are currently floating my boat.

Just wondering if any of you have tried these and whether they’re comfortable etc?

2. ASOS – BA&SH Printed Tea Midi Dress (£240)

What is going on here then?

Me… including a pretty, floral, pastel dress?

What I can tell you?

Every year, the sun comes out and goes to my head.

I’m slightly obsessed with this dress… the apricot-peachiness of it, the sleeves… the shape.

But at £240, you can rest assured I won’t be buying it anytime soon!

It’s just too pretty to not include, so altogether now: *swoon*

1. Hari and the Gang – Rainbow Raw Hem White Tee (£26)

Another gifted item, and another no obligation to blog… however, this t-shirt is simply too gorgeous to not shout about, and here’s why:

• The jersey is soft, flowy with a beautiful drape.
• It’s lightweight and thin, without being see-through.
• I love the rolled-hem cap sleeves, and it has a raw hem which is slightly longer at the back.
• Plus it has a rainbow on the front!

It is quite simply, the perfect summer tee!

{and yes, I’m wearing my Notes from the Heart, London bracelets!}

So those are my 7 picks this week… I know last week some of you missed the next two features… but fear not: they’re back this week!

Stinker of the Week: Topshop Frill Detail Cold Shoulder Flipper Dress (£36)

I’m well aware that I often include a lot of Topshop stuff… but as I always say, there’s a heck of a lot on their site which isn’t tailored for an older 40-something market.

And this dress is one such item in my opinion.

It’s also a style of dress that I wouldn’t have opted for even when I was young.

Nope.

Not for me.

At all.

#soz

Wildcard of the Week: Whistles Gingham Linen Blend Trousers (£135)

What’s so wild about these you ask?

Especially given how much I love wide legged crops as well as both black and white?

Well, it’s the large, tablecloth gingham.. it’s kinda loud, don’t you think?

Though I’m pretty certain I could tone them down… here’s how:

Look 1 – Fail-safe Black:

Given the black and white Gingham print of the crops, wearing all black with them would certainly tone them down into a more sedate print for me.

Something like this Topshop Asymmetric Blouse (£29) and balance the look out with a chunkier style sandal, something like these Modern Rarity Kalara Flatforms (£89)

Sticking with a neutral Mini Black & Wicker tote (£29.99), I’d add a dash of colour with your preferred shade of red lippy and some Red Cat’s Eye Sunglasses (£15.99)

Look 2 – All White:

I know… I should be employed by NASA for my sheer genius, but let’s face it, the obvious stuff sometimes eludes us because we over think things, right?!

A simple plain white top like this H&M Crepe Top (£12.99) and some box fresh white sneaks like these H&M Twill Trainers (£9.99) and you’re set.

Just pop your Topshop Oversized Denim Jacket (£46) in your Straw Bag with Rounded Handles (£29.99!) and head out of a mooch round the market.

Look 3 – Bumble Vibes:

We all know how well yellow goes with a black and white outfit… probably best not to go too crazy, but yeah… a dash of yellow will liven things up without being too OTT!

Throw on your Whistles Saturday Sweatshirt (£79)  and slip on some Topshop Woven Sliders (£24).

{I’d probably wear a plain black or plain white vest top under the sweatshirt which I’d tie around my waist should it get very hot!}

This Zara Striped Tote (£19.99) would make for a perfect pattern clash with the gingham of the trousers, and match your sunnies to your sweatshirt… something like these River Island Yellow Square Oversized sunnies (£16) might work.

So!

What do you think: can you see me in the large-print-gingham crops?

Would you go for them?

Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend… after spending much of the week painting a few coats of chalk paint & copper leafing a corner of my bedroom, we finally finished the corner off with hanging a lightbox and some prints.

Here’s a before and after pic of the labour of love that was the distressed wall painting:

Not everyone’s cuppa, but I’m super chuffed with how it turned out!

And yesterday evening we popped round to my sisters for a bite to eat followed by the obligatory family-wide, catty commentary about the Eurovision songs as well as everyone’s outfits: it’s gotta be done!

Love hearing from you – leave a comment and I’ll get back to you?

Thanks for reading.

Bx