Paul Costelloe jacket

Here's a beautiful jacket which I've only worn a couple of times. It's by Paul Costelloe and is such a lovely fabric and style that I don't know why I've held back from wearing it. Actually that's not true. I do know, and the reason harps back to my childhood. When I was young the deal with clothes was school, play and Sunday Best. That mentality has never quite left me and I'm aware that I have a huge raft of clothes in my wardrobe which I feel are special and are being held back as Sunday Best. This jacket comes under that heading and I really think I ought to start getting the wear out of these beautiful items. I know I've kept some dresses for special occasions which have never materialised and after a few years I gradually fell out of love with them. This usually results in me selling them on eBay for a fraction of what I paid which is annoying, but the sadness is more because I really ought to have enjoyed wearing it. 

I have a friend who when she loves something new, she wears and wears it until it more or less falls to pieces. She has such enjoyment wearing her favourite dress/coat/shoes, getting the value from them - it's a lesson for me and maybe all of us. Wear your Sunday Best on Sunday, but wear it any other time too with relish!

Jacket : Paul Costelloe. Shirt : eBay. Trousers : Boden. Rose gold loafers : Vintage Style. Green ring : Leju. Shell pendant : charity shop. Garnet ring : gift. Rose gold bangle : Kate Spade New York.

Blue day

The day may have been blue, but I certainly wasn't as Polly and I stepped out for our morning photo shoot. The backdrop was in fact bright blue and echoed my chosen palette of the day. My recent shopping trip has been a wonderful supplement to my summer wardrobe and these lovely wedge sandals were a great find in TK Maxx. I was torn between these and a pair with a leopard print in the same style and am glad to have opted for the floral as they are already proving to be so useful.
The dress has recently been altered and I'm delighted to have it back in use. I love a simple shift dress, not just for the shape, but as it's an easy no-fuss style for work and cool for the summer months. And the jacket is my go-to jacket at this time of year so you may be seeing quite a lot of it!

Jacket : Benetton. Dress : TK Maxx. Shoes : TK Maxx. Bag : charity shop. Necklace : Leju. Bangle : old. Turquoise ring : old. Silver ring : Diana Porter.

Oriental print palazzo pants

Let's have fun with colour is what I advocate and here I am practising what I preach. I'm so pleased with these palazzo pants which I found in Tesco on my recent trip away. The wedge sandals and handbag are also new and work perfectly with this look. I had previously customised the little purple cashmere cardi with new Mary Goldberg buttons and don't they tie in so well with not only the necklace, but the whole outfit? Sorry if I'm coming across as smug, it's never meant to be, I just take such pleasure in my clothes - they really are a source of joy for me. I want to share that with others and inject some enthusiasm into the wavering or unsure amongst you. Adding a few bright separates to your wardrobe can be a great facelift and a mood enhancer too. Go on, give it a try. It needn't be expensive and who knows where it might take you?

Trousers : Tesco. Cardi : Boden. Vest top : Primark. Sandals : TK Maxx. Necklace : Leju. Handbag : charity shop. Sun glasses : Quay Australia. Blue ring : charity shop. Turquoise ring : old. Bangle : old.

Summer exhibitions: 2 of 6

Here we are again, 10 days later on our second show. As Julie, Beth, Polly and I line up outside the gallery after our opening night we are greeted by a warm blast of summer wind to liven things up. The attending artist is Ellen Watson who has had a great launch to her summer exhibition and who looks suitably pleased (if somewhat wind blasted!)
My outfit for the evening is great little find from my favourite charity shop in Truro. It's by Coast and am not sure if it's ever been worn as the dress straps were still attached to the inside of the dress in their plastic sleeve. It would be perfect as a wedding outfit too, so may well appear again sometime. I've teamed it up with a rather special necklace by Magpie Vintage. These pieces are all sourced from genuine vintage necklaces and brooches which are dis-assembled and reworked with pearls and gemstones to make a unique piece of jewellery. It's a great piece to jazz up a simple black dress too and is really paying it's way as far as cost per wear goes.

Dress and jacket : Coast (charity shop). Necklace : Magpie Vintage. Shoes : Debenhams.