Midlife Loves

"Timeless everyday style"

Midlife Loves

Key Accessories For Summer & My Outfit Of The Day

Accessories for me are always a great way of breathing new life into my wardrobe & incorporating & trying new trends.  As a rule I generally don't wear many patterned pieces of clothing (well excluding my beloved leopard print of course!!) so find that a splash of colour or different texture in my accessories is the best way of incorporating a bit of interest to classic pieces & giving an outfit a completely different look & feel.

I was recently allowed by Next to choose a couple of items to review on the blog & while the temptation was great to choose some of their gorgeous clothing I was drawn immediately to their accessories, they have some amazing pieces in at reasonable prices, which is perfect for trying out a new trend.

So after lots of hours spend drooling at their summer collection I eventually chose my two pieces.  The first item being this clutch bag that I've previously featured on the blog.  I seem to be having a bit of a clutch-athon in the past few months & am loving swapping my heavy tote bags full of everything bar the kitchen sink for a colourful clutch that contains the items I need for the day ahead & is a joy to carry rather than lug around a massiiiive bag that eventually gives me backache.

So which clutch did I decide on?  Well it was the Soft Cuff Clutch that is 100% leather outer with 100% polyester lining & whilst it sadly doesn't contain a detachable strap to enable it to be worn across the body it does have a handy cuff which can be detached if you want a full on clutch bag but is great for a daytime look & handy if you find yourself (probably just me) with an armful of clothes staggering towards a changing room!!!  Plus it's the perfect size to fit all the essentials in (20cm x 27cm x 2cm) & has an inner middle zip section for valuables & quick press stud closure.

My only problem was choosing which colour as I could quite easily have picked all four colours but in the end I decided to go for cobalt blue as I don't have a bag of any shape or style in this colour plus its one of my favourite shades of blue.


















The other item I picked was a complete no brainer.....I'd been eyeing up the various pointy slingbacks that seem to be everywhere at the moment & as soon as I saw these beauties (a fraction of the price of the likes of the Boden ones, which are extremely similar) I knew that there was no decision to make.  Can you believe I didn't own a pair of silver shoes, which having fully embraced the gold metallic trend was only a matter of time as either gold or silver accessories literally go with everything in your wardrobe (perfect for capsule holiday packing) & I can't wait to team them with my white jeans.

I will admit that I was a little hesitant at trying any pointed flat style shoe, not because I don't love the style - I do, but because I have quite a wide foot & was concerned the style would be uncomfortable to wear - personally I won't wear shoes that pinch & are too tight as it just puts me in a bad mood & I hate sore feet.  Luckily for me these Next shoes are super comfy & stay on my heels too (another concern I had with the slingback style) but you can easily adjust the strap to fit your foot & despite only being leather on the inner & sock of the shoe they really are very soft & comfortable to wear.  So much so I'm extremely tempted to click the button on the other two colours they do in the same style as for the price you really wouldn't find a better shoe.  Size wise I would advise ordering your normal shoe size, in that past I have found with Next that I've had to go down a half size but for these (& the pair of block heels I brought in March) I've found my normal size to fit perfectly.














And just so you can see both the clutch & slingbacks in all their glory here's a couple of pictures from my outfit today of just one of the ways I'm going to be styling them.










Necklace - J Crew
Vest Top - H&M
Lace Top - H&M
Tuxedo - Zara
Bracelet - J Crew
Bag - Next
Jeans - Zara
Shoes - Next


Shop my style here.


Metallics & Cobalt Blue


Necklace - J Crew £165
Lace Top - Mango £44.99
Crepe Blazer - Mango £44.99
Bracelet - J Crew £95
Bag - Next £32
Jeans - Mango £39.99
Shoes - Next £26


So what do you think?  Are you a lover of a clutch after years of lugging around a Mary Poppins kind of bag?  Perhaps you've been thinking of trying the pointed flat trend but had concerns on comfort, like me?  I'd love to hear if you've embraced these trends & how you wear yours.  And if you are tempted you REALLY do have to give these a try.....you won't be disappointed & just think for the price compared to others out there you could treat yourself to a couple of pairs & not feel guilty ;-) happy days!

Back in the morning with my outfit for Thursday.

post signature

New Outfit Post - Sunny Yellow

Another busy day playing catch up with work so have added a splash of yellow to my casual dressed down outfit for a busy Tuesday.





Top - Zara
Scarf - Zara
Bracelets - Handmade & J Crew £95
Navy Studded Belt - Massimo Dutti
Boyfriend Jeans - Zara
Ballet Pumps - Bought in Majorca


Shop my style.


Denim & Yellow


Scarf - Boden £18.75
Bracelets - J Crew £95 & J Crew £95
Belt - Next £16.50
Boyfriend Jeans - Mango £34.99
Ballet Pumps - Mango £34.99


So what do you think, do you like yellow teamed with denim or do you prefer it with navy or black?

Hope your day isn't quite as busy as I expect mine to be......still it keeps me out of mischief, with no time for internet browsing *shopping*!!!  Have a great day.

post signature

OOTD - Back To The Grindstone!!!

Well my week & a bit off work simply flew by & it's back to reality this morning & my routine :-( So up at silly o'clock & out for my morning run before having to wake our son a couple of times before he got up for school & a full on day of work catching up on emails & trying to get back up to speed as quickly as possible!!!

So have kept things simple & classic with my Zara navy blazer & a white t-shirt plus a pop of 'Bet' & a splash of red!




Blazer - Zara
Top - Zara
Bag - Zara
Jeans - Zara
Necklace - J Crew
Leather Cuff - Banana Republic
Boots - Boden


Shop my style here.


Keeping It Classic


Blazer - Zara £79.99
Bag - Zara £22.99
Jeans - Mango £39.99
Necklace - J Crew £155
Leather Cuff - Massimo Dutti £44.95
Boots - Boden £90.30


So what are you up to today, do you have the Monday blues?!!!  I'm on the countdown to the next Bank Holiday weekend only four days & counting....whoop whoop!!!

See you tomorrow.

post signature

Mellow Yellow - Boden's Summer Offerings & My Outfit Of The Day

When Boden recently got in touch with me asking if I'd like to choose something from their new summer catalogue to review & style I didn't hesitate in saying yes, as I knew there'd be some gorgeous pieces to pick from.

As you'd expect their latest catalogue is full of gorgeous summery colours but as I've said in previous posts the one colour I seem to keep being drawn to for summer is yellow.  Personally I love the fact that it's the perfect colour for lifting your mood or brightening a grey day not to mention it goes with so many basics most of us have lurking in our wardrobes including denim, greys, black, navy, white & creams....not to mention leopard print!!!

Naturally having decided I would plump for something yellow I was then left with the difficult decision of what to choose, as I didn't want to choose something that would only be worn on a handful of occasions, instead I wanted something that I felt would help utilise what's already in my wardrobe.  

So after much umming & ahhing here's what made my shortlist.

No surprises for guessing that the first thing to catch my eye would be a jacket!!! Yes I know I have enough jackets already but I love the boxy shape of this Marina jacket not to mention the mustard tones & it really would be an ideal style for dressing up or down.










Next up is this really pretty pencil skirt.  As soon as I saw this I had visions of teaming it with a denim shirt & leopard print courts, or for a more causal vibe a white t-shrit, denim jacket & sandals.  














Plus you could of course always get the matching top too, so much more useful than purchasing a dress for a special occasion as you'd get far more usage out of separates & how gorgeous would this top look when teamed with distressed boyfriend jeans & a lace up pump for a casual weekend look or with navy cigarette trousers & ballet pumps for a stylish look for the office?














I also love the simplicity of this silk linen jumper, which would be perfect for either layering up either with a shirt underneath or a jacket over the top not to mention worn on it's own with a statement necklace or two.  


















Another idea that appealed was to see if they did any yellow accessories as they're a great way for livening up & transforming an existing outfit plus for those of you that feel yellow doesn't do anything for you or is simply too bright to wear,  it's a great way of incorporating the colour without feeling the colour is wearing you!

Ideally I would have loved some yellow ballet pumps or even pointed flats but sadly despite Boden selling similar none were available in yellow.  They do however do these gorgeous yellow wedges, which also come in either black or silver too.






Plus of course various yellow bags, my favourite of which being this lovely shoulder bag which can easily be made into a clutch.














And this stunning necklace.


















So what did I eventually choose?  Any guesses?!!!!  It may surprise you that I didn't plump for a jacket (yup I know I must of been feeling a little off colour that day!!!) instead I chose the Chelsea Clutch & the Pretty Pendant Necklace as I feel both are going to make great hard working additions to my wardrobe.  Plus of course the clutch will be just perfect for taking away on holiday as it will hardly take any room up in the suitcase & is perfect for slipping the all important lippy, purse & sunnies into when going out of an evening not to mention adding a great pop of colour :-)  

I've already taken delivery of my new bag (see today's outfit post below) & love it.  It really is the perfect size for holding all the essentials without weighing you down plus of course it has the detachable strap & makes a stunning clutch.  I'm also thinking of attaching both sides of the strap to the one loop so that I can just slip it over my wrist & I love the navy & white striped lining.




I've yet to receive the necklace as it's so popular that there's a couple of weeks to wait, but as I've been told on numerous occasions 'all good things come to those that wait' & I've got massive hopes for this beauty.  I always meant to get a plain yellow necklace last summer but never found the right one & I think it going to look fab either worn on it's own or layered up with my J Crew necklace.

So talking of a pop of colour here's my outfit for today.




Jacket - Gray & Osbourn
Shirt - Massimo Dutti
Bag - Boden
Bracelets - Handmade & J Crew
Belt - Banana Republic
Jeans - Zara
Boots - Zara






Re-create my look here.


Navy & Yellow


Shirt - Mango £24.99
Necklace - Boden £29
Bracelets - J Crew £95
Belt - Boden £29.25
Jeans - Mango £39.99


So have you been tempted by the new Boden catalogue that's popped through your door recently?  Not to tempt you further but they currently have 25% off selected items & 11% off everything else plus free delivery & returns too (use code 3BJ7) but hurry offer ends tonight!!!!

I'd love to hear what's tempted you & how you plan on wearing it.

Have a great Sunday, I've got a few remaining things on my 'to do list' for today including the hemming of some curtains....oh the joy!!!

See you in the morning.

post signature

OOTD - It's That Jacket Again!!

Last of our Saturday morning lie-ins this week before the normal karate run re-starts after the Easter holidays, so a cheeky cup of tea & cookies in bed :-)

Off to my Mum's today to help her with a major wardrobe culling, so no doubt a trip down memory lane recalling memories from various items plus lots of fun & laughter too & no doubt non-stop chatter!!

Couldn't resist wearing my new Mango jacket again & today I've teamed it with my light grey jeans & ASOS draped top.




Jacket - Mango
Top - ASOS
Necklaces - Handmade
Vest Top - Zara
Bracelet - J Crew
Jeans - Zara
Boots - Oasis


Shop my style.


Quilted Jacket


Jacket - Mango £59.99
Top - ASOS £30
Necklace - Gemini-Woman £59
Vest Top - Mango £5.99
Bracelet - J Crew £125
Jeans - Mango £39.99
Boots - Boden £83.30


So what do you think?  Do you like the jacket teamed with all grey?  How about you what are you up to today?

Have a fab Saturday & see you in the morning.

post signature

WIWT - Happy Friday :-)

Nothing beats that Friday feeling does it?!  So in celebration of the start of the weekend I'm wearing my favourite shade of red & the Gap blazer I managed to nab in the January sales.  Plus of course a bit of my beloved leopard print!!!




Blazer - GAP
Top - Zara
Pearls - Brought in Majorca
Jeans - Mint Velvet
Ballet Pumps - Brought in Majorca
Bag - Boden


Shop my style here.


Leopard & Red


Jacket - New Look £34.99
Top - Topshop £34
Ballet Pumps - Next
Bag - Boden £66


How about you?  What are you wearing to the start to another weekend?  I'd love to hear.

Have a great Friday :-)

post signature
© My Midlife Fashion | Professional Blog Designs by pipdig