Subscribe to blog via Email

Raisie Bay

Search Results for: fashion

Grab Your Coat! It’s getting cold – An Autumn Fashion Post

by 2 Comments

Autumn is on us and despite the odd peak of sun from behind the clouds, it’s no longer close enough for warmth. People everywhere and grabbing their coats before they leave the house. But what should be we wearing this Autumn and Winter. Ah yes, this is an Autumn fashion post!

My Man likes to look smart, and whenever he goes out it’s more likely he’ll wear something from Suits Men.

I have to admit, I do like to wear a nice dress myself. I guess we scrub up well.

But what do women wear in Autum and Winter? Here’s a few of my picks.

The Dress

I’m a big fan of Joe Browns but in the past I’ve been dissapointed in the length of their dresses. I’m pretty tall and generally have to wear their dresses like a tunic with trousers or leggings. But I found this lovely Joe Browns dress on the JD Williams site and its nice and long.

midi length green floral patterned dress from Joe Brown, perfect for Autumn fashion
Joe Browns midi dress £49

The Coat

I used to wear a coat for driving and a coat for walking. Now, I tend to wear something that will keep me warm and dry in my wheelchair. I adore this lovely oversized coat in fuschia. But I’m not sure I’m brave enough to wear something so bright. Usually, I’m more comfortable in neutral colours like black or navy. Although I do have a nice camel coloured coat.

A model wearing a really bright fuschia oversized coat
Helene Berman Coat in Fuschia £169

Wrapping Up!

The best way to deal with this weather is to wrap up with layers. Then you can keep warm but remove a layer if you get too hot. So how do you layer your clothes, here’s some quick tips for your Autumn fashion wardrobe

  • Nice warm tights
  • A blouse or shirt
  • A quality woolen jumper
  • A blazer or coat on top
  • add extra warmth with scarf and gloves
  • Make sure you have waterproof shoes

As I mentioned before, my husband likes suits, but they don’t have to be just for men. Women look good in suits and they are a great way of layering up and keeping warm.

Here’s a fabulous black jacket from Next that would go with any smart trousers (or even jeans if you can wear them to work!)

A smart, single buttoned black ladies jacket
Black Jacket £45

Skirts or Trousers?

People make a grab for trousers this weather simply because they are warmer. But get the right tights and a skirt is just as warm. I’m a huge fan of The Sock Shop and recently bought my daughter some bamboo tights for shcool which she loves. But they do them in ladies sizes too. Warm legs are no problem in these and you can stick to your Autumn fashion look.

Two pairs of tights modelled on upside down legs, both pairs of tights are black
Ladies bamboo tights, 2 pack £20.99

You can also add a pop of colour, these tights come in 6 different colours and are currently just £4.99.

one pair of red tights modelled on upside down legs
Ladies colour tights

So you are not restricted to trousers, so how about a skirt? This pleated skirt from Next costs just £19 and comes in a wide range of colours, or plain black if that’s your thing.

A pleated grean floral patterened skirt on a model shown from the waist down with silver shoes
Pleated Skirt £19, other colours and patterns available

I used to be a jean person, but now I find that denim makes my legs tingle even more, so my trousers have to be picked carefully. I like to put comfort first, but these tapered trousers look smart and feel comfortable, so they are a winner for me.

black tapered trousers modelled from the waist down wtih red shoes
Tapered Trousers £15

Wardrobe

We have just bought a new wardrobe (As in the actual wooden type, not the huge pile of clothes) and now is the perfect time to sort through and get rid of all the clothes I won’t be wearing for a long time (or never, in which case, they will go into the charity bag.) Then I can focus on updating my clothes with the new season Autumn fashion.

Have you bought any new clothes lately? Do you have to dress formally for work? And my biggest question..would you wear a bright fuschia coat?

Previous Fashion Posts

“3

Disclosure: Thanks for reading, please be aware I’ve included some affiliate links in this post and links to other sites that I cannot be held responsible for.

Summer 2018 Women´s Fashion Trends

by 1 Comment

 

The other day I was browsing online for new clothes and came across Simply Be. This women´s clothing company started life as a plus-size fashion brand. But, from the looks of things they have diversified and now sell clothing for women sized between 8 and 34.

They stock thousands of different garments, so it is a really good place to pick up on the latest trends. As you will see, there is a lot going on in the fashion world right now.

2018 dress and trends

Without a doubt, dresses are back on trend. The range of cuts that is available is amazing. You can pick up anything from full-length maxi dresses to mid-thigh length skater and denim dresses.

There is definitely a more feminine vibe going on. A lot of designers have opted to make their dresses out of soft, floaty and highly-patterned fabrics. However, if you prefer something with a more tailored and formal feel you can still find that too. There are plenty of shift and sheath dresses available. Most of them could just as easily be worn to the office as for an evening meal in a classy restaurant.

model wearing a floral maxi dress

Personally, I love a long, colourful floaty dress like this one.

 

2018 skirt trends

For a while now, it has been far easier to find jeans and trousers than it has been to pick up a skirt. Well, in 2018, that has all changed. The skirt is back and again there is plenty of choice.

It is particularly nice to see classic pencil skirts making a bit of a comeback. They are a surprisingly flattering and versatile skirt that suits most women. However, you do need to buy the right cut for your body type. You can easily find out how to do that by clicking here.

model wearing a white long sleeved top and a black midi pencil skirt

I always wore pencil skirts to work, I like them just below the knee.

A better choice of tops

The fact that more women are likely to be wearing skirts, this year, means that there is a good range of tops available. Generally speaking, it is the bigger and baggier styles that are dominating.

model wearing a plum coloured v neck top with a ring detail at the side

This lovely floaty top would look fabulous with a skirt.

peach coloured top with embroidery

I have this top and it looks great with leggings or skinny jeans

Jeans and trousers

Over the past couple of years, jean cuts have become a little looser. This is a trend that is continuing. It is also good to see the return of the high-waist cuts, which are far more comfortable to wear if you are carrying a little extra weight.

a pair of stonewash bootcut jeans

Bootcut jeans have always been a favourite of mine

2018 summer footwear trends

There are some really lovely sandals and shoes on offer, right now. As usual, the classics dominate. However, they have been joined by a big range of more comfortable flat shoes. Totally, flat sandals are very much in vogue, this year, which is great news if you find that high heels make your feet ache.

flat sandals with gold fabric knots.

Even flat cosy sandals can bring a little glamour

Tips for changing your style

As you can see, right now, there is an amazing choice of different styles available in the shops. So, it is a particularly good time to take the plunge and change your look.

I did it last year, and am so pleased I did. Giving myself a bit of a style makeover worked wonders for me. If you fancy doing something similar I suggest you read the post I wrote about my experience. I am sure you will be able to pick up some tips and tricks to help you to do the same. You can read it here.

 

Disclosure: collaborative post.

The Great Gatsby and Breakfast at Tiffany’s Inspired Fashion

by Leave a Comment

I went out with Eldest Daughter today and she bought a new pair of shoes. I love them too and as we are the same size, I may just borrow them (if she’ll let me)

This reminded me that I had not done a post for Next for a while so here I am.

The Great Gatsby opens in London this week and who can resist the gorgeous fashion of the Twenties? (oh my, not long until it will be the 2020’s!) Dropped waistbands and flapper dresses, I’d certainly give them another go. Any excuse to get out my feather boa. (what you don’t have a feather boa?)

At next you can buy this gorgeous dress for your little girl.

I know my girls would love it especially with all the sequins, I may get them one each. They are available in sizes 3 to 16 yrs.

Fast forward twenty or so years and you’ll you meet my favourite fashionable literary Character, Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Audrey Hepburn looks absolutely gorgeous in this black dress.

Truman Capote writes: “She was still on the stairs, now 

she reached the landing, and the ragbag colors of her 
boy’s hair, tawny streaks, strands of albino blond and 
yellow caught the hall light. It was a warm evening, 
nearly summer, and she wore a slim, cool black dress, 
black sandals, a pearl choker. “

Of course, I’m partial to a sexy black dress and Next doesn’t fail to deliver.

Oh yes, I could see myself swanning into the MAD Blog Awards in this with pearl choker and black sandals. (might need to lose a few pound first though)
This post has been submitted to the Next Bloggers Network. I have not received anything from Next for writing it and all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Kids Fashion – Sky Tops

by 3 Comments

Now my kids are not fashion icons but they do know what they like and what they don’t. Throughout the summer the girls have been wanting to wear dresses, anything floaty and princess like. Not always the best choice, especially for a day at the park but I have been able to get away with floaty tops and leggings which are more practical. I’ve had a real job getting them to wear their jeans, but they are quite happy to put them on if they are brightly coloured or patterned. My eldest daughter likes her jeans skinny like her grown-up sister wears, the brighter the better.
You can dress up any outfit with a nice pair of shoes or boots and sky tops are fashionable this autumn. They don’t have to be boring though, you can get them in exciting colours and decorated with glitter. So it’s a win win situation, I get my practicality and the girls get their pretty pretty.

At next they have a fabulous selection of jeans, here are a few teamed with gorgeous glittery heart tops.

So when my girls have made their choice the next step is a pair of high top boots. Here are three from Next, gorgeous pink glitter boots, grey and glitter boots and just so the little man doesn’t miss out a real trendy pair for younger boys.
glitter boots £15-£18
silver sky tops £20-£22
tan colour block sky tops £20-£22
This post has been written for the Next Blogger Network. The opinions are my own and I have not been paid for this review.

Everybody Hurts, Sometimes

by 6 Comments

Just over a year ago I wrote a post called I Let it Go. I wrote about how I deal with the bad things that have happened (And still happen) to me. It’s my way of coping because I truly believe that not moving on only causes more pain and everybody hurts sometimes.

Yesterday I had a difficult and emotional day. It was no problem of mine but I was trying to help a couple deal with their problems. They exhausted me because they just didn’t know how to let it go. The problem actually started a year ago and instead of moving on from it and improving things from then, they’ve let it fester and not expressed any kind of forgiveness or responsibility on either side. Yes, apologies were given, but not truly accepted. And, of course, each one held on to the view that it was the other ones fault.

Not Forgiving is Bad for Your Mental Health.

At one point, to one member of the couple, I blurted out just a few of the awful things that have happened in my life. I know their life hasn’t been easy, but hey, it’s not a competition. I just wanted to point out that I could let these things consume me and drive me insane. Or, as I do, I could let them just be bad things that happened and get on with my life. I don’t let them consume me. Yes, it hurts to think about them (And talk about them even more) but I can, and I still survive. I take responsibility, because we make choices in our lives. Some things are out of our control be we an still take responsibility on how we deal with them afterwards.

I forgive people who have hurt me because it stops the hurt from continuing. But it’s so hard to explain to those that just don’t ‘get it.’ By forgiving, you are not saying, ‘hey, it’s ok you did that shitty thing to me,’ but it is fixing something in your mind. In your head you can think, ok, that’s done with now, I dealt with it and survived. If I don’t let it go it will consume me and that will mean that it will go on hurting me forever.

Forgiving is good for you, not them.

Everybody Hurts

Everybody hurts, sometimes. A sillouhette of a woman from the back sitting

We hurt in different ways, we deal with things in different ways. One persons worst experience of their life can be a drop in the ocean compared to the other, but it doesn’t stop it from hurting them just as bad.

Yesterday I felt frustrated because this couple’s problems were so insignificant, so futile, so easily solved with just a tiny bit of love and understanding. Yet, they were on the verge of destroying each other.

I don’t know if I helped at all in the end. Honestly, I was exhausted and frustrated and wanted to bang their heads together (And told them so.) But here are the rules I live by, the things that get me through the tough times.

My Rules

  • Listen – when arguing it’s hard because you want to have your say and you are angry. But sometimes you need to listen to the other person. Even if you can’t agree or believe a word they say, if you don’t listen there will never be a resolution.
  • Be Honest – Honesty is key, even if it hurts the other person. Don’t lie, it only makes things worse, even if the lie is told just to resolve the argument or make the other person feel better. Lie’s bite back so always be honest even if it makes things worse for a while.
  • Forgive – possibly the hardest thing to do is to forgive the wrongdoings against you. It may be a person that has hurt you, or just life itself. But by forgiving you are giving yourself permission to move on.
  • Take the Bad Times and Deal With them – Again, something really difficult. But bad times happen and sometimes there is no blame. For example, who can I blame for my illness? It’s just something pretty awful that happened to me, and the timing of it was pretty crap too. But, I can let it consume me or I can get on with things. If I let it consume me then what good will that do? I deal with it in whatever way I can, whether it’s taking advantage of all the downtime I get (i.e. when I can’t even move) to watch tv or read a book without any guilt of feeling lazy because the washing is piling up. Or, looking forward to spending quality time with my family and doing something fun no matter how small. There are always some things good, no matter how small and by appreciating them, you can help alleviate the rest of the crap in life.
  • Don’t Sweat the Small Things – or, under the same category, pick your battles. Some things are just not worth getting stressed out about, it will only make you feel worse. Same as some arguments. Everyone has times when they’ve ‘lost the plot’ over something that on reflection seems petty. Think before you act or speak. Not easy, but something that you can get used to doing and in the long run it makes life a lot smoother.

Disclaimer: I’m not a therapist or psychologist (although I may have some qualifications in that area) but these are the rules that I live by, hence the title My Rules.

Feel the Quiet

Something I have always done, even before mindfulness became a ‘thing’ is to make sure that I have some quiet time to myself. Some time to organise my thoughts and evaluate them. I have found different ways of doing them in the past. As a young teen I’d walk down to the cemetary and sit by my Dad’s grave and talk to him. If he was alive he’d have probably been more annoyed with me that my Mum or anyone else who’d upset me into being there. But the peace and quiet helped me realise what was wrong and give me the leverage to sort it out.

As I got older I found writing things down helped. I have journals and diaries going back years and years.

Sometimes going for a walk or drive alone can help to get your head in order. When I had post natal depression after my first born I found walking to the park with my baby in the pram and just walking and walking, helped so much. (Plus it helped get rid of the baby fat..bonus!)

If things blow up at home then I retire to my room. I rarely get much peace as someone or other will always keep popping in to see if I’m okay. But taking myself away from arguments and (Trying) to find a little peace and quiet helps a lot.

Write things down. I know I’ve already said this, but it’s worth repeating. Even if you don’t keep a journal, get a scrap of paper and write it all down, exactly how you feel. Then you can read it, keep it, or throw it in the bin. It’s all a good form of therapy.

Laughter

Laughter is a good medicine. I like to put something on the television that makes me laugh, or maybe play a game with my kids that we find fun (we have some good games that involve being silly that are helpful.) Laughing is good for you and even if you are feeling really low it can help lift you up a little.

Yesterday when our friends just couldn’t find peace with each other, me and my husband told them things about each other that drive us nuts, but instead of getting angry about them we told them in a funny way and ending up laughing at the stupidity of it all. Yes, even amongst the tears we made them smile. Laughter is good.

If All Else Fails, it’s Ok not to be Ok.

We all feel pretty crap at times. Some people find it difficult to express just how crap they feel. They’ve been through tough times and they are hardened to everything. No-one is going to see them break down and cry because their heart is breaking, or they can’t seem to make someone else understand them.

Life can treat you bad and yes, you can build up your barriers and be strong. Being strong is something that is thrown around a lot, “you’re so strong because of all you’ve had to deal with” seems to be a huge compliment. But it’s ok to be vulnerable too. In fact it takes a very strong person to break down and cry when they are hurting. There is no shame in hurting, we all feel it. Cry if you need to. Show that you are hurting, even if its in private. Without feeling vulnerable you’ll never feel happiness. Just take a listen to Brene Brown on Ted Talks, or read one of her books. She knows what she’s talking about.

Here’s a few pointers from her about vulnerability

  • Say we are sorry and that we’ll fix it
  • let ourselves be seen
  • believe that who we are is enough
  • practice gratitude and joy
  • love with our whole hearts
  • know that all that we do and say has an effect on others
  • Know that emotions cannot be numbed
  • Let go of blame
  • Stop screaming and start listening.

(I think this shows I have learnt a lot from Brene Brown)

Final Words

You are never alone, there is always someone out there that will listen and if there is no-one close by then do ask for help elsewhere.

Resources:

There is no shame in not being strong, brave or feeling vulnerable. There is no shame in seeking help.

Do let me know your tips in the comments, or what you think of mine.

“3

BLOGTOBER 2019 POSTS