I borrowed this L.K.Bennett dress for an event and absolutely love it. The brand really understand a woman's shape, so as much as it is more expensive than others I also really understand why. It's not my only one, I'm also the proud owner of a beloved Lily and Lionel maxi dress which I absolutely love, even though the fabric is a little light for the colder months. So, here is my edit of favourite finds - and there are some real goodies.

 dress / scarf / bag / boots in black / boots in brown

Before I get started lets talk about the boots because I've had loads of questions about them on my Instagram (follow me here if you don't already). They're from Whistles, I saw them in the window of the Hampstead store about a month ago and knew I had to have them. They only had size 7s for the window display so I very patiently waited for them to be released online, and then pounced. they're wonderful. Every thing I'd ever want in a pair of boots. They're very comfortable (and that says something because my feet flair up at the tiniest thing, the heel is the perfect height in that it's smart enough to go out in but walkable and the leather is a brilliant quality. There is a zip at the side so you don't have to lace them up every time (a major, lazy girl, concern). They didn't rub at all on their first wear which again, really says something. They come in black here, and now brown here. I recommend them strongly.

 dress / scarf / bag / boots in black / boots in brown

You can tell by my face that I really enjoy wearing this dress. L.K.Bennett were one of the first brands that ever gave me any time as a blogger, and I'm so grateful to them for it. It's worked, as I pay really close attention to a lot of what they do and am always so impressed by their clothing collections.  I have a few dresses from them and they get worn so much as I just feel really good in them. My favourite is about 6 years old now, they still do one just like it here if you're interested and you'll probably recognise it from my feed.

I think where people go wrong style wise is they pick a colour or print they like and use that as their only criteria when shopping. What I've learnt recently is that the shape of the dress is more important than anything else. This dress really hits the spot for me and I wasn't actually having a very good day when I shot these photos, but it perked me up as it pulls in, puffs out and draws the eye to all the right places. 

 dress / scarf / bag / boots in black / boots in brown

They've used the same print in a few different styles so it's depending on your usual go-to shapes you can still shop to your hearts content. Yes, their dresses aren't the cheapest, but if we go on the basis of leopard being a neutral and the shapes will be timeless I think it's quite a good purchase.

my dress as worn / dress with pearl buttons / wrap dress / leopard mini dress / silk maxi dress

Have to say, as more of my friends have to consider it now, this dress is great if you're breastfeeding. I saw it in store and it's super soft fabric. I'm learning fast (through various WhatsApp groups) that I'm not allowed to recommend clothing unless you can whip a boob out easily - in a very different way to Zante circa 2002... I'm also, on the opposite end of the scale with a high neck line and short length, love this mini dress. 

 dress / scarf / bag / boots in black / boots in brown

But, it's not like L.K.Bennett are the only store to do a leopard print dress. I'm spotting them absolutely everywhere, it's become the item you need to check and see if any of your friends are wearing (I had a thing with work where 3 of us turned up to present the same presentation wearing one, fail). I just love And Other Stories' options, and Mango's, I think they're probably my favourites to be honest. Here they are:

AOS front tie dress / Mango wrap dress / Mango button front / leopard print mini dress / collared maxi dress / Free People frilled neck dress

Lastly, if I still haven't convinced you go head-to-toe - here is a lovely half way house. It's black, but leopard print detailed. Enjoy...

links to products = navy knit / green skirt / trainers / sunglasses / bag 

From wearing their shoes so much, I've naturally progressed into wearing their clothes as L.K.Bennett's collections have developed. It's been really great to see, I think there was a pivotal moment about three years ago when they created a particular floral print midi skirt. It was everywhere; hands down "the piece" people wanted for fashion week. That led to me taking a closer look at everything else. Their blazers are always good; if you're ever after a premium basic for work you should always consider them as they're really very good. 

links to products = navy knit / green skirt / trainers / sunglasses / bag 

You guys already know I choose their dresses a lot for events, I love the fit and they work for lots of occasions so I don't mind the premium price point. For this shoot though I wanted to show you pieces that were more suitable for off-duty outfits because I don't think things like their knitwear get enough credit. This navy knit is a brilliant staple, I always get compliments when I wear it. It's smartly cut so is perfect for weekends away as you can throw it on during the day, and dress up with trousers or well cut denim and heels in the evening. I've obviously only owned this one for a few weeks, but other knits I have from them (my favourite is now 4 years old) are still going strong even though I treat them terribly and wash them on the wrong setting all the time...

 Now, the next outfit is almost my textbook style. Stripes, midi skirt and flat sandals. I already owned the sandals before the shoot and have been wearing them for months. They are hands down one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I have ever worn and I'll tell anyone who will listen. Unusually for sandals I didn't get any blisters or marks on their first wear and they just seem to get better every time I wear them. Tan sandals are for me a complete essential for summer, and I love how the colour goes with raffia and the buttons on the skirt... Find them here.

links to products = striped top / white midi skirt / raffia tote / sandals / sunglasses

*This is a paid partnership with L.K.Bennett. Photography by Claire Menary. Products were bought myself unless otherwise disclosed. This is a standard footer on all blog pieces; some links used in this post may be created with an affiliate tag meaning I will receive a small % of any purchases made as a result of clicking on them. This does not make any price difference for you, the consumer.

Eeeek it's party dressing time. My worst nightmare... I really hate being told how to dress, particularly when I plan to consume the intake of a small country over the course of the next few days, so usually pyjamas are the way forward. I'm also not really all that dressy... So when Topshop asked me to pick my favourite festive look I initially thought it was going to be tough. Then I found an outfit that makes me feel so carelessly Ziggy Stardust that I'm positively relishing wearing heels inside (seriously, it's the only day we ever do that isn't it?!) this weekend...

For those of you who wear tonnes of colour all the time I apologise, I get that this outfit isn't off-the-scale-groundbreaking. However for me, the idea of wearing sequins is a bit of a revolution. I follow a blogger called Fran who mentioned on Instagram that she was seeking out an all-sequin top and it set the idea in my mind. Then I found this! It's brilliant and so fun to wear, particularly around babies who just stare at you for hours on end. As a further point, it's fitted around your shoulders and then loose everywhere else... So no post-lunch pain.

outfit credits at the base of this post

Next, frayed denim. Followers of my Twitter will no I've been harping on about getting a pair for ages. I originally wanted this pair from Net A Porter but they were so, so expensive. As much as I believe in investing in denim when something is so trend focussed as opposed to a solid investment piece, I just couldn't justify/afford to buy them. Then I found this pair from Topshop and knew I had to have them. They're fun without being mental, and they make denim party-acceptable.

For anyone nervous around sizing (buying Topshop jeans has been known to cause a breakout of hives over sizing) I bought my regular size and although it took an initial wrestle to get them on, they now fit perfectly. As a side note, old people really like these jeans. A lovely lady at the post office told me they were wonderful when I was dropping off some packages last week and it made my week. Find them here, and I've put a couple of colour options at the base of this post.

outfit credits at the base of this post

Accessories wise, I got my red stuff out. It is Christmas after all. My shoes were from a super fun project earlier in the year, find them here. I save them for special occasions which is stupid given how much they cost, I really need to get my cost-per-wear out of them. The block heel is really good for parties as you stand up for ages and look like you made an effort. Bag wise followers of my Instagram (if not do so here, pretty please) will already know what this is = my precious L.K.Bennett x Boyarde Mariel bag (here) and initial stickers (here), which if you are looking for a last minute gift is most definitely the way forward...

Whatever you are doing over Christmas I really hope you have a wonderful time. I'll take this as a little opportunity to say thank you so much for all your hits, clicks and support with the blog this year. I really considered stopping blogging this summer but you guys and your positive words have kept me going and I'm back to loving it again. So thank you from me and from Lopez (who can, thanks to you, continue to eat his organic chicken for dinner and would otherwise be back to Pedigree chum).

Outfit details (click links to go through to their site)

sequin top = as worn, Topshop 

jeans = as worn, Topshop / similar in black here / similar in dark blue

shoes = as worn, Chloe at Net A Porter

bag = as worn. L.K.Bennett / initial stickers, L.K.Bennett

This post was in collaboration with Topshop, all content my own -without editing or input. Photos shot using the Canon 5D available at John Lewis, by Ben.

I plan to wear mine with everything so I apologise for the Instagram bombardment in advance. This outfit is a typical thrown-together-weekender. A striped top is a given for any outfit (in my book). As you know, I have tonnes of them but this was a present from my sister last Christmas from Petit Bateau here. My cape is a couple of seasons old from The Outnet so I've put some similars at the base of this post - it is still available in some sizes here. The jeans are new, and a new length for me which I'm loving. Find them here.

My boots are actually from L.K.Bennett too, here. I have a few pairs of ankle boots from them but these really are another level of goodness. I wore them with a little LBD for my birthday drinks on Friday and they look equally as fab with more dressed-down pieces. I love the gold details on the laces and the heel is just the right height to combine looking smart and being able to walk...

Any way, enough about me and onto what you really want to know about - winning a Mariel tote bag complete with your very own Boyarde initials on courtesy of the lovely team at L.K.Bennett. Here you go: