HOW TO STYLE: A SMOCK DRESS 3 WAYS

Happy Sunday ya little sugarplums! I'm happy to announce that I've had a far more upbeat and positive week this week, so I'm counting that as one of life's major wins. The weather has turned miserable and for that I'm half deflated (I miss the sunshine in the mornings and evenings so much) and half thrilled (it's deterring customers from pestering us in the shop and I don't feel like I'm missing much not being able to enjoy it). And there's a bank holiday looming next Friday so I'm thinking about all of the endless possibilities for the day (which will likely crumble and wither away with each passing day, but optimism, remember that feeling Sam).

A few weeks back, when shopping was still a thing, I bought a long sleeved smock dress from Primark that I fell in love with immediately and proceeded to spend numerous hours thinking of different ways to style it. I might have only chosen three, but I could have paired it with just about anything. For £15, it's the ultimate Spring/Summer steal.

#1- CHUNKY BIKER BOOTS

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Dress - Primark //  Boots - Primark  //  Bag - Topshop

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These boots are another Primark special! I spied them in the sale after itching for a chunky pair of boots for quite some time, and as soon as I saw them I thought of pairing it with this dress. It was only when I left the store, I saw that's exactly the way it had been styled on the runway and on the mannequins in the shop window. Great minds, eh? These boots also look amazing with everything.

My new Topshop studded bag was originally one my mum bought -  she fell in love with it, I encouraged her to buy it - and then when we returned home she realised it really wasn't her so I saved it at the last hour before it was returned (no, literally, I decided about an hour before she took it back to the store).

#2 - WESTERN BELT, SOCKS & SANDALS 

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Dress - Primark  //  Shoes - New Look  //  Socks - Marks & Spencer  //  Bag - Topshop

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I'm usually the most anti-socks/sandals combo person you could ever wish to meet (even the term makes my skin crawl and blood boil), however there's something about these little stripy socks that I love with these fine strap mules - maybe it's because it's more discreet with the white-on-white or the fact you can't see my toes that really need a good pedicure.

Pairing this dress with a chunky Western belt is sort of a dare for me, a bit of gamble if you will, simply because A) I'm big chested and B) it's already gathered on across the chest, I wasn't sure how I felt about it to begin with but, as long as the belt stay high enough, it cinches the waist in to make the dress appear a more flattering silhouette on my body shape.

And a black basket rope bag is just a must.

#3 - ROPE BAG & MULES

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Dress - Primark  //  Shoes - Topshop (Old)  //  Bag - Topshop (Old)

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This is my 'throw on for the beach or a pop to the shops' sorta deal. The rope bag was my staple last summer and I'm of the belief that it will be this year too, and these shoes pretty much never leave my feet during the summer. 

You really can pair smock dress with anything; sleeveless jackets, denim, chunky boots, dainty sandals, tights, bare legs, - the combinations are endless. Keep up with my Instagram this summer to see how else I style it.

S xo

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IN THE SUMMERTIME

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Honey, I'm home! I'm so over taking extended breaks from my blog, but at the same time I'm struggling to find the words to write from post to post. It's fine, I'll get there, don't worry.

The past 8 weeks have been crazy busy with moving back home, sunning myself in Tenerife and my little job (which was amaze but I'm gonna give you the lowdown on that on my quarterly recap post coming soon), life hadn't slowed down until last week where I finally had a breather, and sleep. A LOT of sleep.

 So back to sunshine and tanning sesh's. I don't think I've ever needed a holiday as much as I needed one this year. With uni, certain financial stresses and life in general, my god did I need 2 weeks to forget the real world existed and to just lie under the sun with a très catchy playlist.

Whilst I'm still trying to finalise said playlist to share with y'all - because it's so damn good that I have to share - I do have some snaps to pass around. Tenerife is surprisingly gorgeous (to me at least), and whilst I've been there a few times, I was only small so I had the chance to see some parts with fresh eyes.

Me and my little travel buddy (that's mum to me) did our fair share of exploring, like walking for about 5 hours on 2 separate days, but mostly we relaxed, and in my case read about 7.5 books in 14 days. And for the nights we really couldn't be bothered finding a restaurant to eat in? Praise takeaway service and a peaceful balcony on a warm evening.

That little gem did take some outfit pictures for me though which I'm super happy about - how lush is that top?!

Now I'm off to continue planning out 5 days in Rome!

  Top - New Look  //  Skirt - Topshop (Similar)  //  Shoes - Topshop (Old)  //  Bag - Primark (Old)

S xo

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I'M FEELING 22

When turning 22, it's only fitting to sing Taylor Swift's '22' at the top of your voice, stick post it notes to your work computer with the lyrics and quote it at every available opportunity on your birthday. I most definitely took advantage 2 weeks ago.

At first I was a little more than devastated when I was told I would have to work on my birthday, with my feelings towards work being the way they are at the moment, I was preparing myself for an absolutely terrible day. Alas it seems I have some wonderful colleagues who made sure I had the loveliest day I could!

I spent my evening with family and good food before spending the whole Saturday in Ikea, Manchester and The Trafford Centre, hello Black Friday sales!

This dress has been sat in my wardrobe for months and I finally found the perfect occasion to wear it. It's just so pretty!

How adorable is this Minnie Mouse balloon? I also couldn't resist a few Instax birthday selfies.

Dress - Topshop, Shoes - Topshop, Clutch bag - Primark

It's rare for me to post outfit posts theses days, despite how much I really want to, and I'm aware the quality of these images is appalling but I couldn't not share my girly birthday style.

SB xo

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HAP-HAP-HAPPY FEET

A few weeks back I made a trip to Manchester to see George Ezra, sadly the show was cancelled (I cried in the middle of the street - sorry everyone!), so I popped into Primark and spent my money on shoes instead of wiping my tears and blowing my nose with fivers. That would be a really expensive sob.

Now I know I don't need anymore shoes, but that doesn't mean I won't buy any when I'm tempted.

I'm a hopeless sucker when it comes to anything black or white, there's no disputing that. As soon as my eyes caught sight of these, I looked like the heart eye emoji. 

These shoes managed to capture everything I love, they're black, pointed, heeled mules. It's like they were made for me and at only £12! It would be rude not to.

I love love love platform shoes and these sliders are perfect for summer especially since I'm going on a few holidays this year. I can't wait to wear these in spring with jeans and dresses in the summer. Again, only £12!

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably recognise the black loafers. After my last pair collapsed inside the heel, I sadly parted with them and received a full refund (thank you for your help Primark, much appreciated), but after a couple of days I realised just how reliant I had been on them and couldn't not replace them. They're so versatile and comfortable (once they've been broken in, my poor feet were ruined on the way to Newcastle last year) so I had to purchase them in pink too because - hello! it's my favourite colour and they're perfect for spring/summer! You can purchase these for £14.

These Dorothy Perkins booties were a sale steal, from £29 down to £13.50, it would have been a crime to leave them on the shelf. They're suede, slightly heeled and pointed black Chelsea boots, literally the shoe for me!

I'm so excited to start wearing these shoes, it's crazy that these 5 pairs all cost me a total of £65.50, you really can't complain can you?

Have you been on a shoe spree lately? Send me pictures and/ links in the comments below or tweet me!

Hope you're enjoying your week so far.

SB xo

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CUPCAKES & CELEBRATIONS

The festivities and celebrations continued just after my birthday, with a family meal on the Friday night and a night out with friends on the Saturday night, it was great to catch up with people and enjoy myself.

How divine are these cupcakes that my mum had made for me? They incorporate all of my favourite things. 

Cupcakes? Check. Pink? Check. Daisies? Check. All for me? CHECK.

Here is what I wore for the meal with family. I've been itching to wear this Primark sheer-back waistcoat with my Topshop cropped trousers. Despite the fact they aren't an actual suit/to-piece, they work quite well together, don't they?

I've been friends with Georga since we were both eleven/nearly twelve years old, it wonderful that despite how different our lives are after school ended, we've still remained good friends. 

Isn't my Topshop x Kate Moss dress incredible? Cannot believe I managed to snatch it up for just £27 in the sale after it was originally £95! I'm also so obsessed with these silver platform shoes from Miss Selfridge, after obsessing over them during LFW (Thanks to Laura Whitmore), I couldn't resist them for £24! They are still available in sizes 7 & 8 here.

All in all, I had a brilliant birthday and I still can't believe I'm 21! I still look so young.

SB xo

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