Top of the crops

The crop top is a love/hate item for most women. Wear it right and it can be oh so chic. Wear it after that three course meal and the bloat is real. Now the weather is (finally!) returning to normality, the sight of Spring - and indeed Summer - is less dream than reality. And that means it's well and truly time to dig out those mid-driff skimming tops. Hurrah.

When it comes to crop tops, there's no one way to style them. These are my favourite options.

Look 1: Classic crop top + high-waisted skirt.

Quite possibly the easiest way to style a crop top. Just find a skirt that'll do the trick. If out for a classy or formal evening, opt for a longer skirt. Pleated versions or the A-line skirt (which made a comeback last year) work nicely. Otherwise, a shorter skirt presents a more relaxed look, perfect for day outings.

Look 2: With 'mom' jeans. 

A bit more chilled. A crop top worn with wider mom jeans looks effortlessly stylish - and is incredibly easy to do too. Pair with chunky belt and oversized shades for major Jessica Alba just nipped to the supermarket vibes.

Look 3: Go quirky with trousers.

And patterned trousers at that. The top just acts as a complimentary piece during this look, so keep it plain and simple. Choose bold printed trousers and let them do the talking. [Click here for some flared options] Feeling more brave? Choose matching crop top/trouser for a high-fashion catwalk look.

Look 4: Under dungarees. 

This is a wonderful way of styling the crop top, because it exposes your torso only from the side allowing a subtle flash of skin. Think denim dungarees worn with a Breton top underneath. Picnic outfit, sorted. Just match with flat pumps or espadrilles for cute, girl-next-door style.

All images, Pinterest

City break essentials

Recently, I headed to Lisbon, Portugal for a much needed city break. We spent our time there and in Cascais, a seaside town about 30 minutes away. Travelling in March, the weather was the biggest question mark over the holiday - and what to pack. Luckily for us, we experienced a few sunny days. But also some terrible showers too!

Packing the correct clothes for an out-of-season holiday (or indeed any UK holiday all year) can be tricky. That said, there are a few things to take so that you are always be prepared, whatever the weather. 

Image: Pinterest

First up, layers, layers, layers. My friend and I could have clothed a small family with the amount of cardigans, shawls and jumpers we had between us. Layers are a brilliant way of keeping you warm while also allowing you to moderate your temperature when the sun comes out. (Think a cardigan tied around your waist or loosely hung over shoulders). If you know the weather might get a bit too nippy, I would recommend packing a scarf too.

Select your coat wisely. If the forecast shows some chance of rain, a hooded coat is your best option. For the 20 minute showers we experienced in Lisbon, this was an absolute life saver. And THE best protection against the dreaded, humid, frizzy hair look.

Image: Pinterest

Although I spent a lot of the holiday in a pair of good jeans, I also packed some skirts and dresses for the evening. When it's a drizzly but still warm, sheer tights are the answer. They allow you to mix up your outfit from the standard top/jeans look, while giving you some coverage. And if it  gets hotter? Like a jumper, just take it off!

Now let'ts not forget sunglasses. Chances are there will be some sunny moments. Squinting at the beautiful architecture or tourist attractions is not ideal. One pair packed in your bag is all you need.

Speaking of bags, this one is up to personal preference. However, taking into account a) ease of walking and b) safety, a secure rucksack or a sling over bag is probably your best shout. I opted for a compact canvas rucksack so I could fit my umbrella/water bottle/sunglasses/cardigan inside, but a sling over bag works well too if you prefer to have less on you. Both free up your hands for much needed Intsa-gramming and coffee drinking.Win Win.

So there we go - a quick guide to city break essentials, drawn from experience. Now to book that next holiday...

My favourites: the flare hem trouser

Flared trousers used to be all the rage. Well, step aside. It's time for the flared hem trouser: a trouser that has a flare at the bottom, in a distinct shape. The result is a wonderful silhouette and a unique look. Once only appearing on the catwalk/high fashion, these trousers can now be worn for work or play. Choose black for an effortlessly stylish look or try some colour. Here are my favourite five right now.

1. The Elegant ones

Cameo Rose Black Flared Trousers, £19.99, New Look

2. The Gingham ones

Grey Check Frill Hem Trousers, £24.99, Quiz

3. The Fitted ones

Black Flare Hem Trouser, £12, PrettyLittleThing

4. The Coloured ones

Berry Cropped Double Frill Hem Trousers, £24.99, Quiz

5. The Asymmetric ones 

Black Asymmetric Frill Hem Trousers, £30, River Island

Fashion Faux Pas

Fashion is fluid. Trends come and go, often in a cyclical cycle - the A-line skirt we saw in the 50's has had a modern twist, as have the androgynous, flapper style dresses of the 1920's. There are some looks, however, that never come back into fashion. The outfits where you wonder, years later, that old cliché - what was I thinking? 

For me, my biggest fashion errors were in my teens. Reading TeenVogue and Glamour magazine meant I had every trend at my finger tips. Rather than selecting ones carefully, or putting my own spin on them, it seemed a great idea to try multiple trends at the same time. And just wing it.

Here's 10 of my biggest fashion faux paus. Unfortunately - or rather fortunately - no photos exist. But you get the idea...

1. Wearing stripy, multi-coloured knee high socks. With a turquoise waistcoat. There's colour and then there's too much colour. And too little coordination. Send help. 

2. White, baggy, trousers with 'tassles' that I once wore to dance class (and also, strangely, recall climbing a tree in).

3. Dad's 'bug' glasses. No matter if I couldn't see out of them. I thought they were cool. The Specsavers advertisements said so. 

4. Green velvet tracksuit bottoms + matching green velvet hoodie.

5. Peep toe heels, with socks, on 'Mufty day' at school. Probably the only student who wore heels. Bad idea when you have to lug around your lunch and a ton of books. 

6. Shorts that went to my knees, paired with black tights. Enough said. 

7. A pink tutu that I got from dance glass, then decided to wear shopping. Enough said, take 2. 

8. Five hundred necklaces. Worn at the same time. Okay, maybe not five hundred, but certainly five. Less is more? A lesson that was yet to be learnt.

9. Baggy, wide-leg jeans that could have belonged to my brother. The Tomboy look was one I soon waved goodbye too. 

10. Crocs. Famous for their ultimate comfort but ultimate ugliness - the most deadly look of all.  

Laundry - 5 golden rules

There are few things in life that are more chore-some than doing your laundry. It is such a bore. Along with ironing. However, if you want your clothes (and yourself) to look good, it simply must be done. Don't get me wrong, for suits/blazers, I leave this to the dry cleaners (luckily offered as a service at work). But for everything else, it's all hands on deck.

Image:popsugar

The other day I shrunk a wool jumper. It was already the smallest size so once it shrunk it was definitely child size. And it was a Christmas present. And it was from Zara. I was very sad.

Lesson learnt? You can't just bung everything into the washing machine - as I normally do. Needless to say, you really do have to tailor the wash, to the piece of clothing.

With that in mind....

1. Repeat after me: always, always read the label

Had I been wiser, I would have seen that the wool jumper clearly referenced the maximum temperature it could be washed in. Allowing it to be spun at a high temperature shrunk the damn thing. Labels aren't just there for sizing or brand - they contain golden rules for effective washing. Read them. 

2. Learn to hand wash

As a child, my mum would hand wash specific things in our bathroom sink, letting them soak with a special 'delicates' liquid. Pfttt. Too much fuss over nothing. So I thought. In actual fact, garments made from silk, chiffon or other delicate fabrics should indeed be hand washed, submerged in a tub/sink with mild detergent.

3. Separate your whites from your colours

Image: Goodhouskeeping

Why do two washes when you can do one? Yes, it is a huge hassle to double the pain of laundry by doing two sets. But it's less painful than seeing your white blouse turns a lovely yellow-ish colour thanks to being contaminated by other clothes. If you really don't have time to do two washes, try buying a colour catcher sheet which should minimise bleeding.

4. Dry clothing naturally 

If you can, hang your clothing up to dry rather than putting it through the tumble drier. This is because the machine will take those clothes through - surprise surprise - a rough tumble that only really durable clothes can endure. Anything with sequins, lace or embellishment runs the risk of getting torn or ripped.

5. Don't overload the washer

It can be tempting to cram everything into the washing machine, but resist the urge. Think about it: the clothes need space when spinning so that soap can actually work its way through the fabric and clean the clothes. Plus, an overloaded washing machine runs the risk of breaking from too much pressure. And ain't nobody got time for that.

January blues? Try this

Image: yourmovemagazine

It's that time of the year. The joy of Christmas has long gone, the fresh start of New Year wearing off. We've read many an article about how to perk yourself up during the arguably dreariest month of the year - but what about the idea that clothes can too?

It's not as crazy as you might think.

Consider it. When you are looking your best and wearing an outfit that makes you feel good, your mood is lifted too. Just like a new hair-cut boosts your confidence (provided it's what you want!) so  too can the clothes you wear. And it's not just a case of going out and spending a fortune on a brand new wardrobe.

Wearing bright colours - especially yellow - is a subconscious mood lifter. When it's grey outside, why make yourself feel even more gloomy by wearing grey? Fight against the urge and wear a bright colour that'll pick you up instead. Block coloured jumpers in reds, blues and yellows do the trick.

Image: Pinterest

Likewise, I find wearing my heeled boots is an automatic mood booster. I feel taller, walk with more purpose and have a spring in my step - quite literally. As Marilyn Monroe once said, give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. She had a point.

Then there's the joy in getting ready to go out. Try wearing a new dress you wouldn't normally - or something a bit different like a tailored jumpsuit. The feeling of experimenting with a new look can be really empowering. Just what we need in the midst of January blues.

And invest in some new sportswear. We all know that exercise is in itself an amazing way of boosting your serotonin levels, but wearing athleisurewear that makes you feel strong and sexy can enhance this effect. Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and Victoria Secret are my favourites - and all offer discounts at this time of the year.

Image: Pinterest

Truth is, it's all too easy to wear the same thing all day every day, or the same 'go-to' dress on nights out. Trust me, I have my safe options too. But experimenting a little, trying new things or simply buying that new top you've had your eye on for ages, is one way to lift your mood.

My favourites: the blanket scarf

Oh, how I love a blanket scarf. The perfect way to look chic (without really trying) and have an actual comfort blanket (without really trying). Given the chilly weather and my last post on wool, what better time than to reveal my 5 favourite scarves...

1. The Tartan one

Women's Lillia Blanket Scarf, Pepe Jeans, £40

2. The Minimalist one

Logo Blanket Scarf, £195, Bloomingdales

3. The Two-tone one

Two tone wool blanket. £59, And other stories 

4. The Bright one

Super soft scarf, £45, French Connection

5. The Patterned one

Grey Swallow blanket scarf, £160, Alexander McQueen