Transforming a Plain Dress with Accessories

This dress was featured in Nancy and Shelbee's Bad Buy Book. I had bought it for a particular presentation when I wanted to have gravitas and I wore it with hardly any accessories.  I used to be fairly minimal on the accessories front. But suggestions of adding a scarf and funky bag piqued my interest so I decided to try to brighten up a dull dress.

What I Wore in the Bluebell Wood

We're lucky to have a secret bluebell wood not too far away, in Epping Forest. At this time of year the wonderful delicate English bluebells are out and their sweet scent drenches the forest glade.

White and lilac blouse three ways

My blogger friend Jacqui from Mummabstylish and I both have the same blouse - a complete coincidence, but when we realised, we thought it would be a great idea to style it a few different ways.

The blouse itself is from Marks and Spencer and has a pale lilac stripe. I've been wearing it in winter under a purple cashmere jumper but I've tried three different looks here.

The first is a playful look ideal for going out with friends, or shopping  (see the flat shoes?). The lilac cropped trousers with a delightful fringe are from River Island.  Team this with a circle bag - very "in" - and this one, in lilac, is from Acccessorize - and finally a purple beret. I bought mine on eBay for less than a tenner. The shoes are rose gold delights, old, from Boden.

Next up: we have Melania Trump to thank for this look.  Pencil skirts are de rigeur this spring, and they can be worn with voluminous belted tops. My silver pleather skirt from Next is a bit too big and so it was a better look than tucking the blouse in. This is a more dressy outfit, ideal for a date night dinner.

I added silver shoes, a silver belt, silver lurex tights, a purple evening bag and hexagonal lilac sunglasses from River Island.

Finally, a look for the office. Metallic is the key here.  I'm wearing straight legged navy trousers, several years old, from Marks and Spencer, and a peplum jacket from Phase Eight (now reduced in price).  To add some interest, I have metallic brogue shoes and lurex socks from Sainsbury's, and an embellished circle bag from Accessorize.

Up-to-the-minute bags and sunglasses can instantly update an outfit, and you can buy these relatively inexpensively from retailers like Acccessorize, River Island, Asos. Don't assume that these stores won't have anything for older women. I find they have lots of desirable items, and if you order online, you don't even have the trauma of rubbing shoulders with teenagers.

Now let's see how Jacqui got on.

Jacqui is wearing her M&S blouse with M&S cropped jeans that she DIY'd frayed herself;  M&S navy court shoes,  grey jumper from F & F, and silver Zara bag. Don't forget to visit her blog, Mummabstylish, to see the other outfits Jacqui has created with the blouse.

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Banish stress with Darphin Relax and Glow Set

I love French brand Darphin. For me they are the epitome of luxury and self indulgence. If I ever want to cheer myself up, I visit their website and find a couple of things leaping into the basket, usually because they have such tempting offers.

Today I'm banishing stress and improving the health of my skin with the Darphin Relax and Glow Set.