London Fashion Week Day 2 Outfit - Waistcoat & Printed Culottes

Click to items still in stock; Culottes: Topshop. Waistcoat: Topshop. Shoes: c/o Dorothy Perkins. Bag: c/o Dorothy Perkins. Shirt: Zara. Sunglasses: Miu Miu. Earrings: J.Crew c/o ASAP.

Hello all!
My penchant for midi skirts and all things ladylike is no secret online (and in that thing we internet people refer to as 'the real life' too) and because of this, I sometimes feel I can be a bit predictable. So, as London Fashion Week is THE place of all places to experiment with something that's perhaps a little out of your comfort zone. When dressing myself (as opposed to when.. others dress me? lol) I try to always ask myself the same question, especially if I'm feeling a little doubtful about my choices; 'if you saw someone else wearing this, would you think they looked good?' I feel it's quite an insightful question to ask, as we're always more critical of ourselves than we are of others. It's a way to try and see yourself from someone else's perspective.

 I asked myself that same question when styling this outfit for day 2. It's true, shirts, waistcoats and tailored things are very what I'd call 'me', and if this was teamed with a pair of leather trousers I'd be happy as a clam. However, it was just the culottes that I was apprehensive about. But, I asked myself again and again, would I think someone else looked good if I saw them in this? Not to blow my own trumpet, but yes, yes I would. So I did it, I took the plunge and felt good about it. Culottes are certainly something different for me - but since wearing this outfit I've worn them again with a white ruffled bralet on an exceedingly warm day and felt perfectly happy!

Also, you know that rule that says you can't wear blue and black? Well, bugger that rule. The culottes are dark grey/almost black and the shoes and bag are navy. I'm a mad, mad woman. A rule breaking beast who cannot be tamed. I wanted to try and incorporate the cute little satchel and intricately detailed shoes (which I received many compliments on!) somewhere into my outfit choices for the week, so I did. And you know what? I'm delighted with the outcome.

(& Thanks to Holly McGlynn for some of the photographs!)

Sunset in Paris - Magenta Dress and Dinner by The Seine

Belt & Dress; ASOS (the dress was purchased ages ago I'm afraid!) Earrings: J. Crew at Net-a-porter  c/o ASAP. Shoes: Zara (really old again, sorry!)
Hello all!
This post is one that I've been really looking forward to sharing. These photos were taken as we strolled along the Seine at sunset, on our way to have dinner near Notre Dame. Whenever I go to Paris, I seem to always end up eating burgers - not the most sophisticated (or French?) image, I realise. There's just something inexplicably good about burgers in Paris, in my humble, burger-loving opinion. 
Anyway, it also happened to be Bastille Day, so after enjoying the parade (and a little shopping) during the day, we decided upon a late dinner, then a stroll to a nearby bridge to watch the Eiffel Tower fireworks at 11pm. We wondered around enjoying the warm weather, beautiful surroundings and generally glorious atmosphere, until I eventually chose my perfect burger-touting venue (photo included, obviously.) My evening restaurant criteria isn't too unreasonable - it must have cocktails, outside seating & preferably burgers, when I'm in a burger type mood. Essentially that evening I was burger in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Classy gal. 
On to the outfit - I'm afraid I've done that really irritating thing where I parade something in front of you that you (most likely) can't have. I hope if nothing else, it provides some inspiration or even just serves as something nice to look at. I bought this dress from ASOS many, many months ago and decided to save it for a special occasion because it was so elegantly pretty. It's now out of stock, so I've linked the navy version below, which is now in the sale!
You may laugh, but I had to actually psyche myself up to wear this dress due to it's (in my opinion) rather plunging neckline. Call me old fashioned, but when in public I prefer a more demure look. If I'm going to get attention, I'd rather receive it for my outfit, face or personality, not my... assets (not that there's anything wrong with that, if you want to get your assets out, you go for it!) - so for me, this dress is like... flashing the flesh. You know when you're not used to wearing something and so feel self-concious wearing it, like every single person you pass is staring at that area of you? I felt like that. That said - I wanted to push myself to wear it and I'm glad I did. I felt nicely turned out everywhere but that deep V neck. I admit, I'm ridiculous. 
Do you ever feel the same about a piece of clothing? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts! and here's what I'm wearing (in this case, the same style of dress is in the sale, in stock, in navy - so I've tried to co-ordinate the accessories with that!)