Umpie Bags

Hello Lovelies!
Apologies for my lack of posts recently, it's been absolutely non-stop! I've been in full Christmas mode at work, as we had a Christmas Event to showcase all our new products! A lovely interior designer from Leeds wrote a fab blog post about it all which you can read here! Or visit our Facebook page to see the snaps for yourself! Anyway, so that's a bit off topic! A few weeks ago, I had the most amazing opportunity to visit the home of Umpie Bags, a handbag company based in North Yorkshire. All of their products are designed and manufactured in Britain, thus promoting British manufacturing! The meeting went well, and we walked away with a whole boot-full of Umpie Bags to bring back to Skybluepink. And as a sneaky gift from my boss, I was also given one! You may have seen mine on previous outfit posts, but here's a link to one anyway.

So, here's a few photos of my day out to Umpie, enjoy!

Bejewelled Knitwear

Hello Lovelies! Last week, I discovered the most divine piece of knitwear. I like to imagine that if I were to die and come back reincarnated as a jumper, this is what I'd look like. But that's just wishful thinking. This jumper is soft, snuggly, the perfect mix of smart and casual and all round fabulous. Also, with it being a Topshop number, the lovely designers at Head Office have churned it out in three different colours so there's one for everyone! I've opted for the lovely blush colour, but they also have it in grey (not going to lie I'll probably be buying the grey one this time next week), black and burgundy.

I wore my new favourite thing at the weekend for Sunday Funday when my other half came down to visit me for the day! We had a lovely date day and enjoyed a little shopping spree (for him, not me) and then went to see Madagascar 3! Obviously I'm aware this is a children's film, but it was extremely funny and very enjoyable! If you fancy a few hours giggling then it's a must see. Here's a few snaps of my new outfit:

Jumper: Topshop (buy yours here)

Bag: Topshop

Jeans: Topshop

Ballet Flats: H&M

Tweed and Fur

Faux fur, obviously. Today's outfit of the ever classic blue jeans and jumper was my standard uniform. Topped off with this tweed jacket! I've rootled around my Mum's collection of vintage designer wonders (where they all come from I don't know) and found this Laura Ashley tweed coat! Not quite as designer as the fabulous Nicole Fahri LBD (pictures will definitely follow), but lovely all the same.

The real gem here is the faux-fur collar. I'm so happy with my recent purchase! H&M have started twirling out these lovely faux fur collars in black and brown and burgundy for only £12.99, they're the perfect update for any coat or jumper! I strongly recommend you all pick one up asap before they sell out, I've worn mine most days since purchasing it! They're online here.

The bag is by a brand called Umpie Bags. Based in North Yorkshire (yes, just down the road from me!), they're a fabulous brand and they design and manufacture all their products in England! I had the priviledge of visiting their studio in Northallerton for a meeting with work and it was amazing! The Umpleby sisters (Alison, Joanna and Ruth) are all lovely and it was a pleasure to meet them and see the brand first hand in their studio. There's a bit more about them here.

Anyway, here's a few snaps of today's outfit:

Tweed and Fur

The Faux Fur Collar

Leigh Skinny Jeans in Light Blue from Topshop
Ballet Flats from H&M

My Umpie Bag

Splash Of Colour

When it comes to colour, on the whole I'm a scaredy cat. I love blacks, whites, greys, the odd khaki or navy, but that's about it. You'll never see me in turquoise or any lovely zingy colours. They're just not me. Which is why I love throwing on a patterned scarf as a way of brightening up an outfit. My fail safe outfit tends to be jeans and a jumper. Current favourite fail safe is black jeans, black heeled boots and a grey jumper. However, it can look a bit samey same, so I like to lift it with my (one of my many) favourite scarves. This one is the most hardworking accessory I own. It was a gift from a friend when she went to Turkey so I know Topshop haven't knocked out a million like it. When it comes to scarves and more statement pieces, I always think it's best to buy away from the beaten track. If you want a stand-out scarf, necklace, bag, bracelet or whatever, buy it from somewhere new! Somewhere no one else knows about! Buy them on holiday, in one-off boutiques, from little indie websites.

Anyway, here's my fail safe outfit from today! Enjoy your scarf hunting!

Fail Safe Jumper: H&M (here it is)

Scarf: Turkish Market

Black Skinny Jeans: Topshop (here)

Boots: Dune

Watch: Rolex

Orange Pleats

Orange pleats. Now they don't sound very nice do they?! But I dragged an old orange pleated mini skirt out my wardrobe the other day, after buying it for a night out years ago I decided the poor thing needed a run out. I have an awful habit of buying things, wearing them once, then discarding them you see. So, I felt a bit sorry for the little orange skirt. So out it came and paired with my standard black tights and ballet pumps it actually looked alright! Much to my surprise.

The best part? It matched my new ASOS Cross Back Jumper! This jumper is my new favourite thing, mainly because it shows a bit of back! I think things which show off shoulders, backs or shoulder blades are so elegant and effortlessly gorgeous! You definitely need to snap one up before you miss it and regret it!

Wear your hair up to really show it off

Or brush it down and sweep across

 your shoulder for more of a 

"Oh, you can see my back? Oops" look.

The only necklace I wear day in, day out

Thomas Sabo

Orange skirt you are coming out to play again.

Quintessentially English

Hello Lovelies!

I have got such a treat for you to read, I have discovered the most wonderful bath products in the world! Honestly, I promise this isn't an exaggeration. The company is called Quintessentially English, based in Wiltshire and run by four lovely ladies, the brand is passionate about natural ingredients and handmade products!

Check out their website here to read about their brand and shop online for some yummy bath goodies! My personal favourite is undoubtedly the English Rose Melting Moment. The melting moments are mini bath bombs, but instead of fizzing off within five minutes, they gently release petals and shea butter oils into the bath over half an hour! Now, I'm not one to big up a product if it hasn't had an impact on me, so I can safely assure you that the melting moments are my absolute must have for a relaxing bath. The shea butter in them means that you're left with super soft, gorgeous scented skin and the petals can be scooped out the bath and re-added to your next bath!

Here's a few of my favourite products:

Goddess Moisturising Cream

Lavender Fields Melting Moment

My Fave, English Rose Melting Moment

The Formula For A Perfect Night In:

1 x English Rose Melting Moment

1 x Glass of Chateau Le Boscq Red Wine

1 x Scented Candle

1 x Magazine (your choice)

Enjoy!

Beautiful Flat Shoes...

Following on from yesterdays post about my new flat shoes and the trials and tribulations I went through to find them, I thought I'd dedicate a bit of time to sharing the most beautiful flat shoes I've seen recently. Because after all, flat shoes are meant to be beautiful! Lovely little pieces of loveliness, femininity and prettiness. Hopefully someone who designs footwear for Topshop/ASOS (my usual two go-to places for new lovely things...both of which let me down in my never ending hunt for beautiful flats) will see this and make me a pair!

However...if I see one more pair like these...

...I will lose my faith in flats and spent the rest of my life in heels.

My Very Most Favourite New Shoes

I always have been, and always will be, an advocate of beautiful flat shoes. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first girl to step into a pair of heels and skip out the front door for an evening out, but my heart will always belong to flats.

The problem with being so passionate about beautiful flat shoes, is that I can never find beautiful flat shoes for a half-decent price. I'll always pay for quality, but when the price tag goes into triple figures I have to draw the line. My other current flat-shoe-issue is that every single high street store seems to have become obsessed by slipper style shoes (slippers outdoors are always a faux-pas for me) and those studs! Nasty, aggressive studs everywhere! Studs are so three seasons ago, why are they still everywhere I look?! Very frustrating indeed for a lover of beautiful flat shoes.

However...all my angst paled into insignificant when I saw these beauties. A steal from H&M (which I'm sure you'll have guessed by now is my favourite high street store) at £14.99, I promise I won't be offended if you want to copy.

Autumn's Here!

I think it's safe to say that Autumn is officially here boys and girls! The weather is crisp, cold and sunny, the leaves are starting to drop...which means it's time to break out my extensive collection of knitwear! Autumn is my favourite season for fashion, little shorts and thick black tights, massive cardigans, cashmere jumpers, fur collared coats, it's my fashion fantasy! My favourite piece in Autumn is always a big cosy cardigan, they're fabulous to snuggle up into, but I've smartened mine up a bit today by crossing it over and securing it with a little belt.

This morning I was thrilled to pull out my favourite cardigan from H&M's last fall season and pair it with my LBD, also H&M. Thick black tights, ballet pumps and a little waist belt pulled it all together, this is my number one, fail safe Autumnal outfit! What's yours?

Cardigan: H&M

T Shirt LBD: H&M

Belt: Topshop

Ballet Pumps: Topshop

Nails: Chanel Rose Cache

Oh, The Scandal...

News has broken this morning that Kate Middleton has been photographed topless, while sunbathing in France last week with her husband. Reports from the Palace say that both Kate and William are distraught and upset, and why shouldn't they be?! I feel like a line has been crossed by the media recently, with the photos of Prince Harry is Las Vegas partying his ass off, yes they're rather amusing for us 20-somethings to look and laugh at and observe he's just like the rest of us. It's one thing for celebrities to be followed and hounded by the ridiculous paparazzi, but now the Royals seem to be the big target, the ten pointers. 

Kate, William and Harry are the young representatives of the Royal Family, and I dare anyone to say they're not doing an amazing job. Yes they're human just like us all, yes they're doing a job in the spotlight of the world unlike us all, but what is this endless fascination we have with finding flaws in them? Why are the media so obsessed with showing their bad sides? Finding scandals? Are they so pathetic and intellectually incompetent that they can't find anything with value and worth to report? 

So Harry partied in Vegas. I doubt there's a person in the world who's been to Vegas and hasn't behaved in a slightly naughty manner. So Kate sunbathes topless. The girl's got sense! Who wants those irritating bikini tan lines?! Next time you say to yourself "It's the 20th Century, who cares", think how you'd like it if you were doing so much good work trying to pull the country together and represent the United Kingdom and your holiday photos appeared all over the internet. I think it's time for the media to catch a grip on themselves, back off and get a real job.

Here's a few of my favourite Royal photos to finish:

The Latest Addition To My Beauty Regime...

As you may or may not know, I am a certified, self-confessed beauty regime obsessor. I'm constantly in pursuit of a "miracle cream" or an "innovative formula"...and recently I've been very content with my regime. Simple moisturiser, No7 night cream, St Ives microdermabrasion face wash, Garnier BB Cream, I thought I had it nailed!

But when I picked up this months InStyle and tried their Clinique freebie I couldn't quite contain my excitement. I have never used a cream which has given me instant results like the Turnaround Overnight moisturiser! Never! I actually felt like my skin was glowing...and usually I need to apply two kinds of highlighter before I get that feeling.

Anyway...I can't recommend it enough and if you don't believe me, go and snag a copy of InStyle for yourself and try it!

Current Obsession

Recently, I've been obsessed with the All-American look of white tees and pale blue jeans. This racer-back top is my absolute favourite (I have it in three colours but that's a secret), it's a complete steal from H&M for £7.99.

I find when I'm in a rush to get out the house, a white tee and blue jeans with a few simple accessories and a chunky cardigan will always be my fail-safe. Maybe my lazy-fashion side is coming out more, but I see nothing wrong with a jeans and t-shirt day!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone on O2

The Language Of Flowers

In the Victorian era of Britain, the language of flowers was extremely important. People would choose their flowers based on what they wanted their flowers to say. Oppression was at its height, so when words were not allowed, flowers were the love-notes of the day. Forget-me-not's for true love, bluebells for constancy, daisies for innocence, lavender for serenity...the list goes on and it really is fascinating to read and learn about, but rather than type them all out, you can read the rest for yourself here.

I'm not the only one drawn into the history of the language of flowers, London girls Stephanie and Alexandra are currently working to launch their brand, LOFLondon. From their Twitter account, it is clear the tees are going to be a huge hit. With me at least, I already have my eyes on at least ten things! With beautiful illustrations placed on luxe racer back vests and tees, the language of flowers is coming back! The brand is romantic, idealistic, fairytale-esque and thoroughly feminine, it's as if they designed it especially for me! And if that isn't enough, the patriotic duo are designing everything in Britain. Here are a few images pinched from their Twitter account, follow them to keep updated on the progress of my new favourite brand. 

Photoshoot for the LookBook

Designs...Give me one of everything

"In eastern lands they talk in flowers, and they tell in a garland their loves and cares; Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowers, on its leaves a mystic language bears."

Take One LBD...

My general view on fashion is that it should be versatile, it should be classic, it should suit you. One of my all time favourite fashion pieces is the classic LBD, I think I own at least 10, all in varying styles. However recently, I've started straying more into the accessory zone than my usual minimal look.

So, take one H&M LBD (my t-shirt dress is fabulous, flattering and was a steal at £8), add one colourful scarf (mine was a present from a friend from Turkey, but Topshop always have a great selection), throw in an oversized bag (mine's Topshop) because it styles an evening look away from the standard cocktail clutch bag, finish with a statement watch and some heels et voila!

Easy peasy.