Dressing for Autumn/Winter with Fashion World - Review

Autumn/Winter is my favourite time of the year to shop for, from a fashion point of view. I'm a big fan of chunky knit, jumpers, boots, layering and the A/W colours like maroon, burgundy and mustard are gorgeous.

Being a busy mum of two, I rarely find the time to physically go out to browse in high street stores so I spend a lot of time online shopping but then have a minor panic because I can't try the clothing on and don't want to buy something that doesn't fit and go through the faff of returning it.

My mind has been completely changed by online clothing retailer, Fashion World. They very kindly offered me the chance to choose some items from their website for the season and see what I thought.

I live in black and grey so I knew that I wanted it to change it up a bit so firstly I opted for the Blush Pointelle Jumper. I decided to team that up with the black Chloe High Waist Snake Skinny Jean and grey Edita Stud Detail Boots. I wanted to stick with a jumper and boots for winter but also get some of my beloved black in there too. I couldn't stray too much!

I was quite anxious when the items arrived as, although I went for my normal size, I know some shops differ when it comes to sizes. I needn't have worried though and everything fit perfectly.

The jumper was surprisingly soft and cosy and will definitely keep the heat in when the temperatures get cooler. My wardrobe is devoid of colour (that probably stems from being a self confessed emo kid in the 2000s) so it was nice to inject some pink into it and I found that it was a colour that I actually suited.

The jeans are absolutely amazing with their snake print which is very subtle. My partner originally thought they were simply wet look before taking a closer look. I am a sucker for animal print in all forms and I am a big fan of the snake print trend right now.

The boots are by far my favourite of all three. I'll admit, I always opt for flat shoes as they are easier, mostly reaching for Converse or Vans, but I love the chunky heel on these as well as the stud detailing. It helps that they are very comfy to walk in too.

I was really pleasantly surprised by the range that FashionWorld held and it took me quite a long time to decide what I wanted. They have clothes for every occasion! With the entire outfit costing under £100, I definitely will be purchasing more in the future.

(I received these items for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

My Summer Wedding Guest Outfit Shopping Tips

If you have been lucky enough to be invited to a summer wedding you will no doubt be looking for a new outfit. Weddings provide the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and buy something really special. To help you to buy the best outfit for you I have pulled together a few of my favourite tips.

Try shopping online

Online stores like www.jdwilliams.co.uk offer a fantastic level of choice and do so in practically every size. So, they are a great place to go shopping for a wedding outfit. Plus, they also sell men’s clothes and everything you need for your children too. So, potentially, you could buy everyone’s outfit from this retailer or one like it.

Allow yourself plenty of time

Whether you decide to buy your dress or suit online or in a physical store,start the shopping process early. Ideally, you want to have everything you need at least a month before the actual wedding. This gives you the chance to try your entire outfit on to make sure it all fits and looks right. That way you will have a few weeks to send unsuitable items back and receive the replacements. Or, if you prefer, make the necessary adjustments and enhancements yourself.

Follow the theme

If there is a dress code or theme mentioned in the wedding invitation, try your best to follow it. Doing so will make sure you fit in and feel comfortable on the day. It will also please the bride and groom.

Don’t be afraid to try something a bit different

Weddings provide you with the perfect opportunity to try out something a little different. Never be afraid to try out a fresh look. This guide to choosing clothing that flatters your body type will help you to quickly narrow down your options. Just be sure to try everything on properly. It is especially important to look at yourself from different angles in the mirror. If you are not 100% sure get a friend or family member to take a few photos of you wearing your new look. This will enable you to take a few days to consider if you really should stick with that new style of clothing.

A few practical considerations

Try to think about the practicalities. For example, if the weather is not as you expect, ask yourself whether you will be able to stay dry and warm or cool enough. It is particularly important to select a pair of shoes that will be comfortable enough to wear all day as well as look good.

Getting yourself in shape before the wedding

If you would like to lose a little weight before the wedding, which is something I know a lot of people still like to do, you could try taking the Slimfast Challenge. I did it a while back and found that it worked well for me. You can read about my experience with this type of diet by reading the articles I wrote while following this diet regime. If you are interested in doing so, it is best to start with this post.

(This is a sponsored post.)

Kids Spring/Summer 2018 Wardrobe Wishlist

With all the snow that we are currently getting, you'd be forgiven for thinking that we are in the middle of December and Christmas is around the corner. In reality, we're almost into Spring so it's the perfect time to start thinking about upgrading my children's wardrobes - if we start getting some better weather that is!

Spring/Summer is probably one of my favourite times to shop for as I just love the prints available - especially for girls. I'm a sucker for anything with a pineapple or watermelon whereas three year old E is obsessed with unicorns. I've been doing a little bit of window shopping for the upcoming season for both C and E and here are a few of my favourites!

Even Spring and Summer months in Northern Ireland can be a bit chilly so I always make sure they have a cute little coat or jacket. River Island have some gorgeous boys coats and jackets in at the moment and this blue denim borg collar jacket would match everything plus the collar is detachable too!

I love a pair of chino shorts on C in the summer and I always opt for a beige or stone colour as it isn't too dark and keeps the outfit nice and light. These ones from Next are perfect.

I am a proper money saving type of mum so I love the t-shirt multipacks that I see in supermarkets each season. They are great value, plain so you can style them up however you want and I don't mind if he only wears them for a couple of months because I haven't paid a fortune for them. I love the colours of these four from Tu at Sainsburys - so summery!

I know C is five now and growing up before my eyes but I can't resist anything with a kiddie motif on it and Boden is always my go-to for this. How perfect for summer are these little shark plimsolls?

I always buy the children a new cap every summer and it's always from Sports Direct. They are an absolute bargain and I begrudge spending more than about £5 because we hardly get any sun!

I find shopping for E much easier as there seems to be a lot more choice for girls. My first stop is always dresses because they are so simple to stick on on a summer's day before a fun day out. This broderie frill dress from River Island is so cute that I actually will cry if I don't manage to get it in E's size!

I absolutely love Disney so have no qualms in putting E in character items and I'm so glad that she shares the love too. The little Dalmatian appliqués on this Gap jacket are so understated and adorable.

E is a massive My Little Pony fan so my eyes lit up as soon as I saw these on Primark's website under New Arrivals. She would have tons of fun flipping the sequins to reveal either Twilight Sparkle or Rainbow Dash.

Every little girls needs a gorgeous pair of sandals for summer and oh how I love the pom poms on these Boden ones! I was even more won over when I spotted that the straps are metallic too.

Similarly to C, E needs a cap! She is obsessed with princesses and Ariel is her favourite at the moment.

Have you seen anything in the shops lately that I need to know about!? Let me know in the comments!

(This is a PR collaboration.) 

Kids Summer Clothing Wishlist

Since I became a mother almost five years ago, I've developed an obsession with buying the kids clothes. I wear the same outfits day in, day out and very rarely buy myself anything new but I'll happily spend any spare money I have on cute items for the children that I just happen to see. This means that I am forever window shopping and searching online.

LoveTheSales is a website that aggregates sales from around 600 retailers and displays them all in one handy place. They have tons of top fashion brands listed, as well as toys, electronics and beauty brands. The website is perfect for me as I begrudge paying full price for anything and I will always shop a sale or look for a discount code. I think I spent a good few hours looking through the kids section alone! Just for fun, I've put together a little wishlist of my favourite kids clothing items that would be perfect for this summer!

My first port of call are always shoes! I'm really into the skater look, especially for my four year old son, C, so he (and I!) basically live in Converse so I was delighted to see some offers. I think these two pairs would be perfect for the kids to run around and play in all summer.

 
Joules is one of my favourite stores for clothing with cute prints. The quality is fantastic so whenever I do see their items on sale, I have to snap them up. The monkey tee is super cool and I love the plain grey t-shirt as it would be perfect in hot weather. When it comes to my two year old daughter, E, I'm a sucker for pinks and florals so these jumped out to me right away.

One brand that I'd actually never browsed for clothing before was Ralph Lauren. I just happened to see the brand on the site and thought I'd take a look. I was expecting the prices to still be quite high, even on sale, but I was pleasantly surprised. I do love the famous Polo logo so the cap will be super stylish and I love how bright the joggers are! Moving on to the girl's section and, oh my goodness, how adorable is the peplum polo?! I had no idea that something like this existed and don't get me started on how sweet the checked dress is! I fear for my bank balance!

 

Gap Kids is a store that I always go into when I'm looking for something specific like shoes or clothes for occasions such as Easter or Christmas so I never really spend enough time properly looking at what they stock. I know, I've chosen a jacket for summer but to be honest, living in Northern Ireland means that it still probably will be chilly in the middle of July! I am also obsessed with putting E in watermelon printed clothing and I think she's had about four different pieces in her short life!

They also have a Disney section but I honestly think I'd be here all week collating my favourite pieces as we are all massive Disney fans - especially E who has an obsession with Elsa. Pop over and take a peek - you won't be disappointed!

(Post via LoveTheSales)

#MPBTurns4 - Win a pair of Girls' Huntleys Shoes

Before E was born, I was solely a "boy mother" and buying outfits and matching shoes was so easy. Even now, C only owns three pairs and they match everything. Since having a daughter, I noticed just how many pairs, and colours of, shoes and boots that she needs to go nicely with all her different outfits.

British brand Huntleys stock the most beautiful girls clothes, bows and shoes at really afforable prices. I am obsessed with buying clothes and accessories for E and I think she needs to own everything that they sell. I'm not too sure that Chris would agree with me though!

As part of my blog birthday celebrations, Huntleys are giving my readers the chance to win a pair of Girls Sparkle Leather Buckle Shoes in either Pink, Elsa Blue or Silver. They are available in child sizes 2-9 and even come with a matching hair bow.

To be in with a chance of winning, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck! 

T&C's:

• One winner will win one pair of Girls Sparkle Leather Buckle shoes in a colour and size of their choice
• The giveaway will run from January 27th until February 10th
• Open to entrants aged 18+
• UK residents only
• One entry per person
• No automated entries

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

#MPBTurns4 - Win a £100 Mainline Menswear gift voucher!

At the end of last year in the run up to Christmas, you may have read my gift guide post on Mainline Menswear where I wrote about some great present ideas from the site. If you missed it and aren't familiar with the company, they are the place to shop for designer brands specifically for men. They stock 85 different brands from Lacoste to Ralph Lauren, catering to all budgets and offering trends to suit every man.

My partner Chris owns the Ted Baker wallet set above from Mainline Menswear.

As part of my #MPBTurns4 blog birthday celebrations, Mainline Menswear have very generously offered my readers the chance to win a £100 voucher to spend online. All you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

T&C's:

• One winner will win a £100 voucher code for the Mainline Menswear website which will be emailed to them directly
• The giveaway will run from January 26th until February 9th
• Open to entrants aged 18+
• UK residents only
• One entry per person
• No automated entries

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

#MPBTurns4 - Win a Pair of Blade and Rose Leggings & Socks

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I have a bit of an obsession with buying (and posting photos of!) my children's clothing. There is just something therapeutic about it. Everything looks so cute and sweet and I'd much rather buy clothing for them than new items for myself - no matter how much I need them!

Blade & Rose, if you haven't heard of them before, are an iconic British clothing brand for children. I was only really aware of their leggings with the super cool patterns on the bum but they do so much more such as hoodies, hats, bibs and socks. As part of their Autumn/Winter range you can find the most adorable Car, Tractor and Flamingo sets, although I have to admit that the Superhero range is definitely my favourite. Sizes go from 0-6 months right up to 3-4 years.

Blade & Rose have very kindly offered up a pair of their Rainbow leggings plus matching socks as part of my #MPBTurns4 giveaway celebrations. Perfect for any little boy or girl! Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!

T&C's: 

• One winner will win a pair of Rainbow Blade & Rose leggings and matching socks in a size of their choice
• The giveaway will run from January 25th until February 8th
• Open to entrants aged 18+
• UK residents only
• One entry per person
• No automated entries

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tiger Prints Kids T-shirt - Review

A while ago we were given the opportunity to review a t-shirt from Tiger Prints.

Tiger Prints is a family-run business based in Bedfordshire and the range was created after Mary decided that she wanted to create good quality, fun tops that were made in the UK.

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I have a slight obsession with kids clothing so I was excited to try on out. I let C choose his own and in typical C fashion, he went for a light blue tee with a dinosaur print on it. 

When it arrived, C couldn't wait to wear it. We went for a size 3-4 and as a 3.5 year old, it fits perfectly. The quality is amazing with 100% cotton tee and cotton/Lyrca ribbed neckline which makes it soft to touch and comfortable to wear.

We have had this for a good few weeks now which means it's gone through the wash a lot. I'm really impressed by how the printed picture hasn't cracked and it still looks as good as new. 

The dinosaur tee is available in a wide range of colours and in sizes from age 2 up to 13 and even in adult sizes too. If dinosaurs aren't your thing, there are tons of designs to choose from so you're sure to find something to suit you.

The Stegasaurus Dinosaur t-shirt retails at £12.00. You can find out more about the range at the Tiger Prints website and you can also keep up to date on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

(We received this item for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

 

Tuta Kids Clothing - Review and Giveaway

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I am obsessed with buying clothes for my children. When I had the opportunity to review for Tuta Kids, I jumped at the chance.

Tuta Kids is new to the market and it was launched at The Baby Show. Their aim is to make children look stylish but feel comfortable at the same time. All of their clothes are crafted in Turkey and they have a designer feel but without the designer price tag.

E received one of their gorgeous flower printed jersey dresses (£50.00) in size 12 months and I was excited to receive it just from the photo but once it was actually here, I was blown away. It is a million times better in real life. The quality is amazing.

The skirt is made of a really thick material which makes it perfect for wearing in colder months and it has a super cute tulle material undernearth to help puff it out a bit. The detailing is impeccable. On the front where the belt is, there is a little dangling heart, a huge bow on the back and the zip is invisible which I love! The collar is my absolute favourite part of the dress. It just finishes it off and totally transforms it from a regular dress to a fancy upmarket one.

Invisible zip and bow

It's 100% cotton and I honestly cannot rave about it enough. It's definitely one of my favourite items in E's wardrobe and we've had so many compliments on it. I will definitely buy from Tuta Kids in the future.

If you'd like to get your hands on one for your daughter you can do so at the Tuta Kids website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The lovely people at Tuta Kids are also offering my readers the chance to win £50 to spend on their range. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. 

T&C's:

• The giveaway will run from December 21st until January 4th
• One winner will win £50 to spend at on the Tuta Kids website
• Open to entrants aged 18+
• UK residents only
• No automated entries
• One entry per person

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Disclaimer: We received this dress for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Competitions at ThePrizeFinder

Swim and Beach Wear with Patricia Eve

One thing that really irritates me is how hard it is to find swimwear in Autumn/Winter. I much prefer taking my children swimming when schools are back so the swimming pools are empty. Similarly, not everyone goes on holiday in the summer. As a child, I went away every year at Christmas and this year, my mum and sister will be away in December too. I tend to scour the high street which proves difficult in A/W but at Patricia Eve you can find swimwear all year round. 

I very kindly received two swimming costumes to try out for myself. Both costumes are a size 12 (my regular size) so I was eager to see how comfortable they were. 

The blue swimsuit is a Miraclesuit which claims to make you look 10lbs lighter in 10 seconds. I'm quite cynical so I have to say that I didn't quite believe that a swimsuit could do that because they usually seem to show off all your ugly, wobbly bits but I was pleasantly surprised by this. It is made of Miratex which has three times as much spandex as regular swimsuits. This was obvious as it was much more of a squeeze getting it on - it really does hold you in!

It has a control panel at the tummy and the shape of the outer material does flatter my body shape and actually makes me feel good - something that I hadn't felt in a long time! The blue colour grew on me too and it's quickly become my go-to piece of swimwear. 

Fit-wise, it is absolutely perfect. It doesn't dig or cut in and I love that the bra area is underwired. I really like having that extra bit of support. I am able to move freely when wearing it and still stay comfortable.

The second swimsuit I received was a gorgeous multicolour David Swimwear suit with a very pretty brooch attached to the middle which can be removed for washing. It has a more normal shape and doesn't create that optical illusion of a flatter tummy but it does still pull you in. I prefer the colour of this one and I do love the halterneck aspect. Of both the swimsuits, I have to say I preferred the Miraclesuit as it did make me feel more confident.

Patricia Eve also stock beachwear which is something I didn't know about either. I always struggle with regular clothes when I'm holidaying in a hot country. The clothes that I think will be great, don't prove to be that great when I'm there. Everything seems to cling and make me feel really hot. 

I received one of the Iconique gorgeous hot pink jumpsuits to try out. A jumpsuit isn't something that I would usually wear as it's out of my comfort zone but I really liked how this one looked on me. The material is really thin and floaty, exactly what I want to wear when I'm away! I love that you can tie it at the middle to suit your body shape. It washes well and I think the bright colour is beautiful. My mum will be borrowing it when she goes away in a couple of weeks!

You can browse the range at the Patricia Eve website and you can also keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter.

(Disclaimer: We received these items for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

My Winter Fashion Essentials

Winter is my favourite times of year when it comes to fashion. I find it hard to dress for my shape in spring/summer as I'm not comfortable with my body shape but winter is when I really enjoy what I wear. I've compiled a little list of my winter essentials for this year.

Chunky knit jumpers

I am totally in my element when it comes to chunky knit jumpers. I own an impressive selection and I especially love Christmas themed ones - the cheesier the better!

Jeans

I often hear women say that they are "afraid" of jeans and would much rather wear leggings or 'jeggings' which I've never quite understood! I've pretty much lived in jeans since I was 13 and there are so many different styles to choose from, you're bound to find a pair to suit your body shape. Over at M and M Direct you can even find ones in bright colours like red and green (which is so my style!)

Boots

The possibilities are endless when it comes to boots. Heeled, flats, ankle boots, knee high ones. They are so versatile. I'm partial to a Chelsea boot at the moment!

Parkas

I love, love, love parkas! I know they can be a bit marmite but they are so comfy, warm and stylish at the same time. How can that be wrong? I'm not a fan of khaki but you can get other colours like red and black. I love a black coat as you can wear it with any outfit.

Hat, glove & scarf set

When I was a teenager I'd always moan at my parents for telling me to wrap up with a hat, gloves and scarf but as I've got older I've learned to love them. Now you can buy some really on tread sets with lots of different hat styles so you can find one that suits you.

Woollen dresses
I love dresses but they don't need to be banished to the back of your wardrobe until we get sunnier weather. There are plenty of heavy or woollen dresses on the market and when you team them up with a nice pair of thick tights, you won't even feel the cold!

What are your go-to's for this season?

(This is a sponsored post.)

Squeaky Jumpers - Review

I remember briefly hearing about Squeaky Jumpers about a year or so ago when some of my fellow bloggers hosted giveaways to win one. I thought they looked so cool so when we were given the opportunity to try one out for ourselves, I thought C would love one.

Squeaky Jumpers sell just that - squeaky jumpers! They are available in men's, women's and childrens sizes - from 2 to 12 years - and you can choose from Poppy the Dog, Spot the Pig and Ted the Frog prints (designs and names vary slightly with adult sizes). I opted for Poppy the Dog as firstly, I love C in red and also he loves dogs so I thought it would be more 'him' than the others. He's only just turned three for I chose 3-4 years in the hope that he'd get quite a bit of wear out of it.

When it arrived, I was really impressed with the quality. With a price tag of £24.95, it is definitely worth it. The jumper itself is quite thick so your child will be kept warm and each little dog motif is vinyl so it will last longer than printed. I always check quality of stitching too and I couldn't fault it. I love the round neck and cuffed sleeves so they're great for rolling up when he's eating something messy! Size-wise, it is perfect. It looks so snug and I was right, he will be able to wear it for a while as it's very true to size. He seems comfortable in it too, no itching or complaining.

Now for the squeak test. You can see that the dogs are all black with the exception of one at the corner. This one has a squeaker inside which works when pressed. When I first showed C this, he thought it was hilarious and got himself into a fit of giggles. Even when his daddy came home from work he couldn't wait to show off what his cool new jumper could do. I did worry that washing it might warp it a little but it's been in the machine (on 40) 3 times now and nothing has been compromised.

With Christmas coming up, I think these would make a great unique gift!

You can view the full range of jumpers at the Squeaky Jumpers website and you can also keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter.

(Disclaimer: We received this jumper for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Easybelts - Review

C is at a very weird 'in between' size of clothing some 2-3 are small and some 3-4 are too big (he turns 3 in September). Chris had said to me a few weeks ago that we really needed to get a decent belt for him as more often than not, his trousers were falling down a little. I noticed that Easybelts were looking for reviewers and it couldn't have come at a better time for us. 

Easybelts range include belts for both adults, toddlers and children and you can choose from a range of different colours, even some with motifs on such as footballs or hearts. 

We opted for the grey belt with blue stripe from the children's section. You can get the belts in size 20, 22, 24 or 26 inch depending on your child's size. I chose the 20 inch as he is still quite petite. 

When it arrived, I instantly loved the colour. It would go with any outfit and they would even do older children for school perfectly too. I had to pull the 20 inch quite tight so I love that he will get the use out of it and it will be worn quite a lot over the next few years, I'd say!

The belt is super easy to use. You simply loop it through the belt hooks on your child's trousers, pull the belt through the D-link and fold it over and it Velcros down. You can choose from two different size D-links if your child isn't great with their co-ordination which is a great idea! 

C still isn't taking to potty training but what I love about this belt is that it is so simple to use and I know he will be able to undo and do it up himself when potty time comes. For something so simple, it has been such a great help! I would definitely recommend Easybelts for little ones. 

The belt I chose retails at only £6.00 which is such a bargain! You can browse the range at the Easybelts website and you can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. 

(Disclaimer: We received this product for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)