My top five picks of Boden's new spring range...

I have always been a huge fan of Boden's Mini range for my two little boys, mainly because of the unique and colourful styling and the excellent quality of the clothes. Obviously when buying for the kids I've sneaked a few things from the womenswear collection into my basket, but often these have had to go back because the easily identifiable prints and bright patterned designs are not really my thing. However, over the last few seasons it has undergone something of a style revolution, featuring less of the busy stuff and a more contemporary look for the modern Mum. I seem to have a few things in my basket already from the spring collection - here are are my top five picks!



1. Bistro Crop Trouser
Love the bright colours but my favourite is the Neutral Bud print below. They look like they are the perfect length and I would wear with heels and a jacket for work or ballet flats and T-shirt for the school run.

2. Evie Knitted Dress
Wear with tights now and with tanned legs later! Perfect transitional piece.

3. Mya bag
My favourite item from the whole catalogue, in the animal print. Utterly gorgeous! Will have to buy this, although not at this price. Will have to wait for a good discount code.

4. Richmond blazer
This floral blazer is really cute and I love how they've styled it in the catalogue over a Breton top. Just add jeans!

5. Ballet Pump
These look just what I am looking for - a lovely classic style and with a stretch back so they stay on. The perfect must-have accessory for spring.

Have you had a chance to look through the catalogue yet? Let me know your favourites!

Finishing with my outfits from the last couple of days. The first is what I wore to have supper at a lovely friend's house last night:

Indigo Double Zip jeans from Mint Velvet available here
Black Boots Office AW12
Grey Long-Length Tank in charcoal grey - Hush - available here
Whistles Nell Sequin Jumper SS13



And at home today before taking the kids to see `Frozen'

Dark purple skinny cords - Topshop (very old)
Grey Long-Length Tank in charcoal grey - Hush 
Grey jumper with star print - St Tropez AW12
Black Bowie Ash Trainers


Back soon, and this time it will be about my favourite Dorset boutique. Can anyone guess what it is?!

Abbi x

Bloke coats...

So we've had boyfriend cardigans, boyfriend jeans and boyfriend T-shirts and now it's the turn of the coat to have its masculine moment. This wonderfully snuggly winter warmer is a classic style that will take you from this season to the next, so it's a great buy if you can find one in the January sales. They are perfect to wear to work and will instantly smarten a casual look. Double or single breasted, bold or classic colours? The choice is yours, but the fit should be oversized, without a belt, and the lapels should be on the larger side. They are also the easiest way to look smaller than you are, always a bonus just after Christmas! And with temperatures set to drop next week, it's time to go shopping...

Pale pink continues as a favourite for spring, so first up is this this soft wool coat from Miss Selfridge at a great pice of £79

Absolutely love the vibrant colour of this Topshop boyfriend coat in hot orange boiled wool. Would look amazing over smart suits for work or with black skinny coated jeans for a night out.

The next one from New Look combines two of this spring season's must have trends - pale pink and all over check - complete bargain at only £54.99

Love this one from Zara in oversize check - and it's in the sale too, down to £99.99 from £149.00

And lastly, a classic from River Island in navy wool at £80.00

Finishing with my outfit from yesterday, on my way to a meeting and the rain had finally stopped, so I was able to wear my own boyfriend coat from Monsoon. It is out of stock in nude but they have the same one in red here

I'm also wearing:
Boden sixties jumper in navy - some still available here
Grey pattern skirt SS13 - Nice Things
Grey Ash Jalouse suede Ankle Boots

Back very soon with a post all about my favourite Dorset boutique...

Abbi x

My best and most surprising purchase of 2013...

The wet and windy start to 2014 has prompted me to share with you my best buy of last year;

The Target Dry Georgia Parka.

;

When I first moved to Dorset I didn't own a practical coat of any kind but after being drenched once too often on the school run I started to look around for something waterproof yet stylish. This was A LOT harder than I thought. All the coats I liked were fashionable but only shower proof at best and all the proper waterproofs were far too shapeless.

It was while reading the School Gate Style blog last year that I first came across Target Dry. The Georgia parka was featured and I immediately loved the look of it before discovering that it was also windproof and 100% waterproof. There are two great colours to choose from - Indigo Blue or a vibrant Beetroot Red and it has a detachable hood with a faux fur trim. I decided to give it a go, especially as the blogger was offering a 15% discount code off the price of £74.99, making it practically a bargain! The code also still works if you enter SCHOOLGATE15 at the checkout.

The coat arrived the next day and I couldn't believe how perfect it was. The shape is super flattering and the adjustable drawstring waist means you can have the parka as fitted or relaxed as you choose. I ordered the size 10 but there is room for lots of layers underneath so I would say there is no need to size up. Another bonus is that the coat covers your bum! It is incredibly lightweight seeing as it's their winter version but beautifully cosy even on really frosty mornings. The hood stays up and I can confirm that it is fully waterproof, having had multiple opportunities to test this out!

So, if you are looking to buy only one thing in January, I would fully recommend this. Ideal for the school run or country walks where you might get caught in the rain but not out of place worn to the pub with friends.

Now I could really do with the lighterweight Emily version for spring.......

The Georgia parka has had more use than ever over the last few days and here it is being worn in the rain today:

And finishing with yesterday’s outfit on the last day of the school holidays, taking the boys to Grandad’s for lunch and then a last treat to Clip ‘n Climb in Exeter with friends, a fantastic place for children on a wet winter’s day!

Ash Bowie trainers – currently on sale at Isabella Oliver 

Karen Millen boyfriend jeans AW13 – currently in the sale at ASOS  

American Vintage Bakerfield top in blackberry – AW12

Maison Scotch Tank Vest – AW11

Zara camouflage scarf - AW13

Back soon with some more January treats..

Abbi x

If you buy only one thing in January....

let it be the simple but stylish Breton striped top! This classic wardrobe essential is a must for any fashionista and will ensure that you always look effortlessly chic even when dressing down. The signature blue and white striped top is synonomous with Parisienne style and was first popularised by Coco Chanel in 1917 after she became inspired by sailors on a visit to the French coast. It has remained a favourite of the fashion elite ever since, seen on everyone from Brigitte Bardot and Jackie Kennedy to modern day icons like Kate Moss and Alexa Chung.

There are multiple reasons why everyone should own one:

1. They are so versatile and can literally be worn with anything. I like to wear mine dressed down with boyfriend jeans and a big statement necklace to jazz it up or if I'm going for a smarter look I would pair with dark skinny jeans and a navy blazer. I also like them tucked into a leather or floral pencil skirt for a chic look for work. 

2. They are casual and easy to wear

3. They are generally well priced

4. They suit everyone

5. They never ever go out of season 

My pick of the best Breton tops around at the moment:

Maison Scotch, Sailor Inspired knitted top

This is my favourite of all the Breton tops around at the moment (and it would be the most expensive!) I know it actually comes under knitwear and is not strictly a top but that makes it perfect for now as it can freshen up your everyday look while still being a cosy option in the colder months. Also love the button detail!

Boden is well known for its Bretons and this one from its new spring collection is a classic:

I love this more unusual version from Seasalt, another retailer who can always be relied upon for their traditional Breton tops: 

And lastly this one from Superdry is a great price and I love the bright blue:

It seems very fitting that my maiden blog post should feature an item of clothing inspired by sailors, as my home for the last four years has been on the beautiful west Dorset coast, less than a mile from the sea. When I relocated here with my husband and two little boys, I had hoped being so far away from any decent shops would cure me of my shopaholic tendancies but instead I am more addicted than ever to constantly updating my wardrobe with the latest must haves! My New Year's Resolution is to start the fashion blog that I have been thinking about for well over a year, in the hope that writing about fashion and chatting to like minded fashionistas will take over and become my new addiction. So this year I intend to mostly wear the clothes that I  already have and share my fashion finds on here instead of buying them.

Finishing with a couple of outfits from the last few days.

This dress was worn to my Mum's on Sunday where we had a lovely day eating a huge roast dinner and playing games before the reality of the end of the holidays set in.

The dress looks like a top and skirt but is a dress and is still on sale at Reiss.

Ankle boots are from Office a couple of years ago.

And this is today having coffee at a friend's house with the kids and then a day of tidying up and taking down the decorations

Stripey long sleeve top from the Gap - old 

Ripped boyfriend jeans - Karen Millen

Black Bowie Wedge trainers - Ash

Back very soon with more ramblings, 

Abbi x