Ok, so it's been a while. What can I say? Life was busy. But, I'm back in the game and completely spurred on by the fact it's autumn. I bl**dy love this time of year especially living in North West London. I'm back from a walk with my parents and the dog, wandering down streets with pretty pumpkins and reddy orange leaves. Absolute bliss.

Any way, back on to the proper stuff. Autumn is my favourite time to both wear and buy clothes. After what felt like a forever-long summer sale retailers are starting to react to the colder weather and the new season feels really exciting. I have quite a bit already so never go crazy, but I've added in a few keys pieces. 

my dress / rust silk dress / velvet black dress / balloon sleeved dress / black and red maxi / square necked dress

One thing I have discovered from this year is that I love wearing maxi dresses and don't want to give that up in the colder weather. So I've got myself a couple of long sleeved maxi dresses (a few more will feature on the blog in coming weeks) including this one from And Other Stories. I absolutely love this brand for their dresses, I must have 3 or 4 now. They always fit me so I can shop online (European sizing, so 38 is a 10, 40 is a 12, etc) and they're always a decent quality and under £100. My ones from three years ago are still going strong too. I've put my favourites from them this season above.

Obviously you shouldn't rely on one store for options, so I've had a look around and picked out my favourites starting with more expensive ones and working my way through to high street. Here are some unintentionally black/navy ones as I find them really easy to wear - pair them up with leather jackets and trainers for day time, and coats and smart ankle boots for the evenings. Ganni features heavily (I own this one and love it), it's just her £200 which I don't mind spending from time to time when the colours are so neutral. I know I'll wear it again and again.


navy floral dress / polka dot dress / gold and navy dress / navy with colour bits dress / floral with stripe / navy with daisies

It's really worth checking out Whistles for this kind of thing and don't be mistaken for thinking the brand is uber expensive still (what on earth were they thinking 6 seasons ago when everything was over £300...). I found this one at Selfridges in the sale, a bargain at half price. This one from Michael Kors is stunning, stunning. Perfect for Christmas parties for people who don't know what to wear.

This Me + Em dress is gorgeous, I spotted it on a lady on the tube a few weeks ago and asked her where it was from. I seem to be the only influencer on the planet who doesn't wear this brand every day - I think this dress might be the push I needed. For a little bit more colour, RIXO is great. This one is brilliant and a new shape for them. Previously I found the brand pretty fatt-ist - I couldn't get into their dresses, but this seems to have improved. 

dress, And Other Stories (also comes in black, here) / bag, Gucci / shoes, Gucci

Here's a round up of some plainer style I've found. The idea here is to be able to wear them to work with tights and boots in winter, and possibly to work as most would work with a jacket on top too. I absolutely love how throw-on they all are. Most of them don't even require ironing which is a total win. My favourite two are this navy Monki shirt dress (also would look awesome with a basic jumper on top with the collar poking out, and this comfy-as-hell wool-sweater dress.


navy shirt dress / grey sweater dress / green khaki dress / navy collar shirt dress / black maxi dress 

This one is on sale, reduced to £35, and would be super for work. This green khaki dress is a brilliant colour for paler, autumnal skin tones and looks great. Ooh and I challenge anyone not to feel good in this. Flattering waist, great neckline, good price point. You're welcome. Finally, these two Marks and Spencer basics will be old faithfuls in no time. This black one is brilliantly easy to wear, and this blue one (comes in various colours) is great for anyone worried about losing their shape in a maxi dress.

Photography by Debs at Bang On Style

The last few weeks have most definitely taken a turn weather-wise (and thats before I even start with our weekend in Stockholm - so cold) and for the first time I've actually had a proper "wardrobe switch" from summer to winter. I packed up my tops and tees and was left looking as a pile of grey, navy and rust. As much as I love all that, it wasn't the most inspiring set of clothing so I set about searching on ASOS for something with a little bit more "oomph." And I found this.

The colour is just really uplifting. I know that sounds a bit silly, but I'd forgotten how much I like wearing green. I have a years-old cashmere knit from Reiss in the same colour and whenever it goes on my mood is instantly brightened. When it comes to this shirt I love the colours, the floaty bits (sorry, I'm sure there is a far more official word), the florals and the fact you can look just as good as it on a skinny day as you can a fat one - a necessity during these bleak, roast-and-wine-induced-bloating months to come...

It's from a Korean brand called Stylenanda which is pretty new to the UK market (I think ASOS are the only ones to stock them) and having done some investigations they're a pretty big deal (2.4 million followers on Instagram). I was a bit worried that the sizing wouldn't work for me as Far Eastern brands often come up incredibly small but this is a small and fits me really well (I'm a standard size 10, with arms and thighs I wish were a tad smaller).

I'm all for adding in a bit of colour and patterns to my otherwise thrivingly-neutral (read: boring) wardrobe and have since spied a few more bits. I'm not prepared to spend a fortune on prints, with the exception of an Equipment shirt I have tracked down to a boutique in Berlin and paying an extortionate amount of money to own... It arrives this weekend. So, with double the reason to by frugal this month I've found this pink top from ASOS and this green kimono dress. I haven't bought them yet but fully intend to this weekend (pay daaaaayyyyyyyy).

The jeans, as pretty much always, are from Paige. You just can't beat them. If someone told me I'd be an advocate for a £200+ pair of denims a few years ago I'd have laughed out loud. However, having worn these beauts for a while now I can honestly say the difference is outstanding. They keep their shape, they actually fit and they're so soft they often fall through my hands when I'm putting them on... Find the majority of their collection at Selfridges here, or as a tip try hunting down a pair on sites like The Outnet here or Paige's own sale page here.

You may have noticed my hair, and thank you to all of you who commented on it over on Instagram, really meant a lot. It's not like I got my head shaved off or anything but cutting my hair really does take a couple of vodkas for me. When I was ill last year it thinned a lot, more out of stress than anything else. So it means I now have lots of new hair coming through thats an awkward 7/8 inches long. Cutting my hair shorter makes it far less noticeable as it blends in with the layers... When I got it done at Sassoon I really thought it would be a short term solution but I think I might stay like this for a while!

Whatever you're doing this week, I hope you have a good one! Nearly payday, Halloween and Bonfire Weekend, etc. Enjoy!

shirt = as worn, Stylenanda at ASOS / similar in pink / similar style in a dress

jeans = as worn, Paige Denim

shoes = as worn, LK Bennett

bag = Celine at Bicester Village / similar pre-owned from Vestiaire Collective

Mentioned: green jumper, Reiss / Stylenanda collection at ASOS 

I wasn't going to do a post about this dress, but having shown it on my Instagram you guys seem to rather like so I thought I'd share some more piccies. They were taken a couple of weeks ago when Lindsey came over for a gym and a dog walk. As you can see, Lopez is very much embarrassed used to me having my photo taken and refuses to participate.

I've taken a bit of a liking to dresses this year which really isn't like me. I'm quite the tom boy, but the fact you can just throw one on with some boots (in this case my brand, spanking new grey suede ones you can find here) and just shoving your hair up appeals to my incredibly lazy personality...

Warning, boys don't like this dress. Mine hates it. To be fair I can see why; it's far from logical. The lovely, floaty bits that I really like do not make sense to boys. For girls, it means you can hides your wider bits and feel all skinny - total win. The midi length is really flattering too as it just shows off the smaller parts of your legs...

The dress is from ASOS, it keeps going out of stock to hurry up and get one here. I think it's a total bargain - I've worn it with trainers and my green lightweight army jacket (apparently called a "shacket" - find it here) to the boy's dismay, with boots like this it was "passable." Personally I really enjoy the "nursery-teacher-mixed-with-mad-old-lady" look. 

My sunnies are by Fendi and I love them. This sounds spoilt, but I forgot about them. The other day I was tidying up and found them in a box of odds and sods from our car journey around Italy. Somehow they'd gone unworn so I'm wearing them at every given opportunity now. Never thought white/cream frames would work for me but they're ace and go with everything!

Hair wise... Lets just not. This was pre haircut and the less we say about it the better... And with that, I'll leave you to the rest of your weekend!

Welcome to my local! When we decided on Hampstead this pub was one of the reasons were we so set on our apartment. Located just up the hill from the tube, you feel a world away from London and more as if you are living in a village 50 miles outside of the capital. If you're looking for somewhere for a girly catch up, Sunday roast or date night - make this place your destination. 

All the locals know each other which feels really lovely and is quite unusual for London. Having a dog massively helps as we walk around the area a great deal, but having only been here for a few months we've already met some brilliant people. When we went away for a couple of weeks in July, it was nice to know the neighbours had realised we were missing... 

I haven't really gone into depths about what I do for a living yet. I'm pretty sure most are assuming I am a "kept woman" as I go to Pilates in the mid mornings and seem to have a infinite number of shopping deliveries and couriers. In a way, I kind of like it. That said, it is making me a little more hesitant about being seen having my photo taken. When these were shot (with Lindsey last week) I was trying my best not to be spotted doing them, whilst "getting the shot" at the same time...

I've started to make a bit of an effort with heels as I really, really see a difference in my posture and appearance when I do bother. Being only 5 foot 4 and quite curvy I can easily look short and dumpy, and wearing even just a little heel really makes a difference. These pumps are the Chloe ones that I've had for a while. I felt guilty over their cost but my god they're comfy. If you can have a splurge, make it on these (or even the new season darker ones here). Aside from their beautifulness, the block heel has also opened up a whole new world to me. Since buying them I've realised how easy the style is to wear, and have picked up lots of them including these super fun ASOS babies here.

I've also discovered the benefits of a high waisted jean having assumed they were meant for the skinnier, taller of my kind. In fact, when I wear them paired with a cropped top or shirt it seems to elongate my jeans and make my waist look smaller. Especially when paired with a heel. These ones are my old faithfuls from Topshop. They come in a variety of washes, these are the "vintage" wash (find them here).

The shirt is a new addition, also from Topshop. I've had a black one for about five years and had been looking for a white version for ages. I've been wearing it with jeans like this, but also with my pencil and midi skirts for work. It's actually not that see through, I've got a nude vest on underneath here and you can't see it at all! Get yours here, see this cheaper version here, or if you're feeling bold they've done a rust and gold coloured one that I've got my eye on here and want to get, very Gucci-like!

After spending twenty minutes trying to subtly take these snaps in front of the pub, we went straight in started the weekend with a shandy. Whatever you've been up this weekend I hope you had a great time and made the most of the last of this year's sunshine!

If you follow me or any sort of similar blogger/influencer on Instagram (pssst follow me here) you'll already know about Obonjan. In fact you probably got a bit sick of it last month as we all pranced around the island looking all relaxed and boho. Problem is, I don't think this is an issue that'll go away in years to come. Forget Ibiza, forget Mykonos, this place is going to be the next "it" destination.

Other reviews have had a mixed opinion, and in truth mine will be no different. This year was Obonjan's opening launch after five years redevelopment and planning. There were some issues, mainly around service and food supplies - but if that was year 1, the years to come really are going to be quite special...

We arrived in Obonjan after a flight to Split, a taxi transfer over to Sibernik (which I've just learned has a super cool new boutique hotel called The Admiral Zaton in which I'm so annoyed I didn't know about as I'd love to have spent more time there) where we waited for about an hour for our boat to the island.  We had read Monica's post here and got the sense it might be an idea to take a few supplies over, so the time in town was perfect to stock up on snacks, water and a few beers. 

Our boat transfer was only about 30 minutes and very exciting, perhaps a little too much as it was so windy and therefore pretty bumpy. I first visited Croatia last year and fell in love with it, Gus had been before too on Yacht Week carnage a sailing holiday and we both itching to get out to sea. 

To give you an idea of a day there, we'd wake up and make our way over to one of the two breakfast places; either a buffet style - not my favourite - place by the pool, or a slightly more avo-and-eggs spot by the port. Food was really good, when they had it. Delivery of supplies was clearly an issue and I'm sure will be fine next year... We'd then sit by the pool and have a swim for a few hours, most likely with an Aperol.

Afternoons were for napping, more sunbathing by the beach and once the temperature came down, a little yoga. We'd then pop over to one of the bars and have some drinks with new found friends, or swim whilst the sun goes down. After dinner (really good grub, same supply issue, but very good all the same) we'd head over to either the amphitheatre or the forest bar to set into some music, or go back to our tents and muck around playing Cards Against Humanity or watch back to back Narcos episodes... You really can choose how much you want to do, we had lazy day and crazy days...

Overall what an incredible experience. I'll be back next year for sure. We loved going as a couple as we're pretty sociable and as much as we love each other's company by about day 3 we kind of want some time to ourselves, so this was perfect. For that reason it would be great to go with a bunch of people too, or even stop off there whilst doing a sailing trip (you'd have to check you can moor up, but I can't see that being an issue). See you there.