Creating An Autumnal Capsule Wardrobe With ESPRIT*

As much as I love the heat and the warmth of summer, I do love Autumn, I love the colours of the falling leaves, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and of course I love Autumn fashion.

When you're feeling a bit less than confident about your body, Autumn and Winter fashions give you the perfect opportunity to cover up those bits you're not so keen on. Throw on a few layers and in an instant you'll feel more confident and ready to enjoy all of those occasions and events that Fall has to offer.

I think that what I like most about Autumn fashion though is the colour palette, pop into any store, or take a look online, and you'll be greeted by clothing in all sorts of warm autumnal tones ranging from rusts, to mustard's, tans, browns and reds.

I love colour but if you're a bit scared of it and you're not quite sure how to work some of those fall shades into your wardrobe, then take my advice and start off with a simple piece like this long sleeved striped t-shirt from ESPRIT.

Think of a striped top, and you'd probably automatically think about the classic blue and white, Breton stripe that we're all so familiar with. Nothing looks fresher in the Spring and Summer months then those classic stripes teamed up with either blue, or white, jeans or shorts - the nautical look is a real fashion classic and with good reason, but sometimes as the season changes you need to try something new and mix it up a bit.

This 100% cotton t-shirt, comes in 3 very different but coordinating colour ways, and every option is perfect for adding a little bit of Autumn into your wardrobe. Just team one of these t-shirts with with clothing and accessories that already own such as a pair of blue jeans, and some brown and tan accessories, or even with a pair of white trainers, and with the addition of the mustard, red and brown tones of these shirts, you're all set for the season ahead.

Whilst t-shirts like these can help you update even your oldest clothing and accessory pieces for the new season, you can also use simple pieces like these as a basis for your own Autumn capsule wardrobe, adding carefully chosen pieces to create several different outfits.

You could easily team any of these t-shirts with some plain blue or black jeans but where would the fun be in that. If like me you're a bit braver when it comes to colour then why not pick out some of the colours that you can find in each individual top, and get some coordinating or even contrasting pieces in some of these fall tones to create your own capsule wardrobe. I think that any of these separates, also from ESPRIT, would work perfectly with any of these striped t-shirts. The inclusion of the reds, and the rust tones obviously goes without saying, but don't be frightened to try pieces in almost a clashing colour like these bottle green trousers, or even a piece with a clashing print like the subtle check on this pencil skirt, to create your own individual look.

And of course don't forget about your outerwear, you shoes, your accessories and your layering pieces. Again by picking out some of the colours from the tops, you can create your own stylish grab, run, and go outfits without too much effort or thought. I'm particularly loving the Brass Yellow Cotton Blazer Coat and the Garnet Red Melange Knit Cardigan, to add just a hint of warmth and of course colour to your outfit on those drearier Autumn days.

A lot of people think that creating a capsule wardrobe or changing your wardrobe every season is difficult, but I've hopefully shown you here that putting outfits and different items of clothing together doesn't have to be hard. Start of with a basic piece like a striped t-shirt and then either use items that you already have or buy a few more select pieces either in a coordinating or contrasting colour palette, and have fun creating new outfits. A lot of people are scared of colour and of trying new things, but fashion should be fun, and it should be a way of expressing yourself, and creating your own signature style, so play with colour and with new pieces and you might be surprised at just how easy it is to climb out of your comfort zone.

All of the items in this post are currently available from the ESPRIT website and in selected stores and online. Are you a fan of Autumn colours and fashions? Let me know in the comments.

*Sponsored Post

Chunky Thighs, Summer Clothes And A May 2017 Primark Haul

Whilst the weather in the last few hours has been more reminiscent of a tropical storm or the end of days, it's been hot and sunny in most parts of the UK this week, so at last it looks as though Summer 2017 has officially started. Like most of the UK this week, I opened  my wardrobe and started looking for something cool and more summer appropriate to wear, and rather unexpectedly I closed the door and came out empty handed. In pretty much every Primark haul and video this year I've talked about why I don't need to buy anymore summer clothes, and that is still true, I own plenty of summer clothes, at the moment I just can't get my fat stomach and thighs into them! Talk about disheartening! needless to say I had a good cry, and then I went online and ordered myself a few bits in a larger size, and in an attempt to save myself a bit of money I've made the decision to resume my diet on Monday, so I can actually get some wear out the clothes that I already own.

So anyway back on point - this a Primark haul post, and both of the trips that I made this month were before I realised that I was a bit too chunky for the majority of my bottom half clothes, so clothing wise this haul just included a few basics and a few bits and pieces that I loved on sight.

Yes more stripes, I'm slightly obsessed at the moment, and I'm embracing my love of horizontal stripes and I'm thoroughly enjoying breaking those fashion rules, even if there was something in the news this week, about the Breton stripe inducing headaches hmm! Anyway this was the top that I originally bought last month that was on the wrong hanger. It's an ordinary long line t-shirt in white almost slubby type fabric with a very thin black stripe, it was only £4 and thankfully this one fits perfectly.

Next up more black and white stripes, and although this one is described as a cami dress, on me wearing this as a dress in the UK, could lead to an arrest for exposure! On most people these are probably just a very decent length, long line vest, I already own a couple of these in plain colours, and they are really good for layering. This one is black with a thin white stripe and it was also just £4.

So yeah stripes are huge in fashion at the moment, and something else that is also pretty on trend is the slogan t-shirt, jumper or swimsuit. We all seem to be obsessed with words and quirky sayings, and it's a trend that I'm personally a fan of. Although I'm more obsessed with having French words emblazoned on my clothes (odd but in reality the French accent doesn't do a lot for me!) the odd quirky phrase in English can be a lot of fun.

I already picked up a slogan t-shirt in my previous Primark haul (read it here) and I couldn't resist this one especially since it was just £2.50! It's a tiny bit shorter and snugger than I would have liked but at that price you can't really argue. I'm in the middle of a coffee love in at the moment so this slogan was perfect "Coffee First Then The World".

The final clothing item that I picked up is actually from the swimwear and beachwear range. An overseas holiday is looking pretty unlikely again this year for various reasons, but if I was going I would definitely have taken a closer look and Primark's holiday section. Admittedly I probably wouldn't have been able to squeeze my ass in to much but they had some gorgeous things for not very much money at all. I did pick up one thing though, this off white, crochet, lace effect beach cover up.

Although I think that this intended to be worn on the beach or by the pool over a bikini or a swimsuit, I'm intending to use it as a layering piece over a plain strappy vest to give it a bit more interest and to cover up a little bit. I've bought a few cover ups in the past for exactly this purpose and I think that they look great over a pair of leggings or jeans, with a pair of flip flops or sandals. This was also just £4 and it comes in a few difference colours.

That was it for clothing but i pick up a few pairs of shoes, I originally went looking for the Prada and Valentino copies but they had long gone in the two stores that I went in to. If you follow me on Instagram (i'm @LouLou699 you'll know that I recently picked up a pair of gorgeous pair of metallic pink, cool rose gold, Converse, and I love them. There are a whole range of metallic Converse on the market at the moment and I want all of them. My low Converse are probably my most worn shoes at the moment and if I couldn't wear nothing else bar Converse at the moment I would probably be okay with that. That said they are pricey and as yet I'm yet to see any in this shade.

Okay they aren't the real thing obviously but they are pretty damned close, and I absolutely love the bright metallic teal blue colour. I'm an 8 normally in Converse but I managed to get these dupes in a size 7. At just £8 I think that shoes are a real bargain, and I'm definitely going to try and get my hands on the silver pair as well.

I'm loving metallic anything at the moment, and loving navy and blue and much as I do, these metallic, rope effect, espadrille pumps are perfect and they are ridiculously comfortable as well.

They had these in a few different colours and for just £4 a pair they really are a summer most have. The sizing is pretty generous so in this case I also managed to get a size 7 and with even a little bit of room to spare.

Although I'm trying to cut down on the amount of jewellery that I buy and instead actually start wearing some of the pieces that I already own, on my first trip which was to the Newcastle store I did buy a couple of necklaces. They are both in the bib style and this first one which was £3 features a mixture of gold tone and crystal set discs.

The second necklace is also in the bib style, and it reminds me a lot of the Egyptian style necklaces that you see in images and representation of the likes of Cleopatra. It was £4 and it's comprised of gold tone, snake chain, with semi circles in both gold and silver tone hanging from, to give the illusion of hanging spikes.

I mentioned in my previous Primark haul post that I wanted to have a better look at their new beauty products, and I managed to a good rummage, and whilst I was impressed with a lot of the products for the price, in all honestly I didn't really need anything so I stayed strong, and just picked up one of their new nails polishes.

There was a few of these and I was initially going to be a few of them but since my nails have gone down the drain again, I just ended up buying the one, the PS Holographic Nail Polish in the shade 2 Cute 4 U. I'm not sure whether or it, I would describe it as a true holograph but it's actually a lovely pearlised iridescent with a sprinkling of holographic sparkle. I haven't properly yet so I'm not sure whether or not it's a full coverage polish or whether or not you could use it as a top coat but purely in the bottle it reminds me of one of the limited edition Nails Inc Unicorn colours. This nail polish was £2.

The final thing that I bought was a home item, and as much as I'm loving Primark's cactus and flamingo love in at the moment, I'm running out of space for frippery, so I just bought a reed diffuser. A few people have been talking about the quality of Primark's reed diffusers lately, and since I did really like the last one I tried, I though I'd give this tropical, summer scented Mango and Passion Fruit one a try. It was just £3 and I have really high hopes for it, I just hope that it doesn't disappoint.

So that was my latest Primark haul, giving my rather rotund frame at the moment I think I'm going to be looking elsewhere when it comes to summery bottoms (video or blog post to come when I do buy something elsewhere though ), but I did see a couple of tops that I might go back for. In the meantime don't forget to watch the accompanying video below or via this link.



If you have any questions please leave me a comment below and I'll see you soon with another blog post x

A Late April 2017 Primark Haul - Clothes, Jewellery And Beauty

Following on from Thursday's fashion post I thought I'd share a little Primark haul from last month with you. I'm not really feeling clothes shopping at the moment but I did manage to pick up a few basic, everyday clothing items, and some beauty and home bits.

We'll start off with the clothes, and as I said in my last post, I think we should really start breaking some of those fashion rules, and be proud and confident to wear what we like, when we like. For some many people wearing strips, and especially horizontal stripes when you're a bit bigger is a no, no but I love a stripe and luckily for me the shops at the moment are full of them and Primark is no exception.

Although we're heading towards the summer now and the warmer weather is hopefully around the corner, I've always got room in my drawers or my wardrobe for another long sleeve t-shirt. It looks black in the picture about but I think this one is actually a dark navy blue, with a thin, white stripe. I love long sleeve t-shirts in the colder months, and on cooler dats and I love to layer them up under jumper and cardigans, and on my trying new things day's I've even been known to throw the odd baggy vest on the top. They are a real wardrobe staple no matter how you wear them and this one was just £4.

I also bought another striped top on the day but take a tip from me and always make sure that the size of the top or the clothing item matches the size on the hanger. It's a tip that applies to most shops but particularly to Primark. I haven't been a size 8 for a long time now, and although I did try to try it on, I had to admit defeat before I'd even got it over my head, and return it. Never mind I did manage to repurchase the top in the correct size this week, so I have another Primark haul coming up on the blog next week.

Back to April's visit though, and the only other clothing item that I picked up was another t-shirt, and as soon as I saw this one, I knew I had to have it. It's just a plain over sized t-shirt with the words "I JUST CAN'T TODAY" printed on it in black and it was just £6. This is one of my fibro / CFS flare mottos, and it's one I use all too frequently so why not try and make a joke out of it. It's perfect for when I'm lacking energy or for when the judge and the jury on Twitter and Facebook are getting me down!

That was it for clothes but as per usual I also picked up a piece of jewellery. I'm really getting back into earrings again at the moment which sounds weird for someone with four piercings in each ear but sometimes you do get stuck in a rut. For years and years bar the odd holiday or special occasion change, I just had a small gold or silver hoop in each piercing, but since the start of the year, I've been trying to mix it up and wear different earrings in my first hole.

It can be a bit awkward wearing certain earrings when you have multiple ear piercings and small ears like me, so I tend to either go for different hoops, creoles, studs or for some of drop. These gold tone, crystal spray earrings are perfect, they are really delicate, they are really easy to wear and they were just £1.

I only bought one home item on this visit and it was a storage item. This pink tote / storage bag was just £3 and I think it will be ideal for storing make up, or skincare in either my bedroom, or the bathroom. They are made of a lightweight canvas style fabric, and there are lots of different designs and colours to choose from, This bright pink one has the words "Beauty Is My Business" printed on it in black.

When Primark first launched in the UK, their beauty selection was almost non existent, then as the brand grew, a lot fun and super cheap products started appearing on the shelves. Some of their early make up and beauty attempts were a little bit hit and miss (you can read about some of them here) but their current selection is a world away from those early days. You can now pick up brands like Nivea, Cocoa Brown, Creightons, Hask, and Carmex alongside a wide range of well priced make up, skin, hair and body care lines, and beauty tools sold under their own branding.

There are a couple of Primark's own brand beauty products that I love, their £1 cuticle oil, and the £1 facial wipes that I bought on this trip are now staples in my beauty routine, but I'm really fancying branching out and trying some of their newer make up releases.

This was one of their newer make up products that I fell in love with on site. This is the PS Pure Glow Highlighter in the shade Rose Prosecco.

What can I say about this apart from just look at it! It's beautiful in all senses of the word. Okay the plastic packaging is pretty basic but it's practical, and just look at what it's housing! This fabulous peachy, coral, rose gold, swirly highlighter is just so easy on the eye that it's untrue.

Swatch it and you greeted with pigmented shimmery, metallic loveliness, that you could wear as either a highlighter or as a fabulous blush depending on your skin tone. I did think that was a possibility that it was just an over spray and whilst it is a touch darker in colour there is still plenty of sheen and shimmer underneath.

For just £3 i think that this product is a real bargain, it's looks as beautiful in the pan as it does on the face. I'm not sure if it comes in any more shades but if you love a bit of rose gold, metallic or shimmer, then I would definitely recommend that you pick this up.

Some would argue that I've probably saved the best item till last, and as much as I love the other things that I picked up I think I'd have to agree with them. If you're a regular reader or watcher of my Primark haul's then you will probably already know that I'm a big fan of their make up brushes. I've got quite a few of their matte black brushes with the rose gold ferrules but this set that I picked up last month really takes my Primark make up brush love in to the next level.

Are these not the most Instagram worthy make up brushes that you've ever seen? They're going to be insta famous and they know it. From the small silver cosmetic bag with the words 'INSTA GIRL" printed on the front to the white, and grey marble designed handles, this brush set is social media ready!

For just £7 you get a silver zip fastening cosmetic bag and 5 good sized, make up brushes. You get a Powder Brush, a Stippling Brush, a Concealer Brush, an Eyeshadow Brush, and an Angled Eyebrow Brush.

These brushes don't just look good, the quality is superb as well, the hairs are super soft, and they look and feel as though they are synthetic. The handles are chunky and easy to hold, and been slightly smaller than a full size, and coming with a small make up bag their ideal for travel or when you are on the go. I have a bit of a make up brush addiction but these are a lovely addition to my collection and with the marble handles they're right on trend social media wise- what more could you want for less than a tenner ;)

As per usual with my Primark hauls, I've made a little video to accompany this post, so please have a watch below, or via this link, and if you like what you see, I would love it if you would subscribe to my You Tube channel for lots of exclusive content including hauls and beauty box unboxings x



If you've posted a Primark haul either on your blog or your You Tube channel I love to see it so link me up below x I'd also love to know if you have any Primark beauty or make up recommendation so let me know your favourites below and of course don't forget to subscribe to my blog via the links in the side bar, to stay up to date with all of my new posts, including another Primark haul which should be live next week x