An interiors post - upcycling a dresser from the kitchen, to the living room...

I thought that it would be nice to share some pictures of a piece of furniture that we have recently up-cycled, taking it from a kitchen unit to a smarter piece for the living room.

This is how it started out its life, about 13 years ago now. It first lived in the kitchen of our last house (it was based on a John Lewis of Hungerford design and copied for us by a local carpenter). It was then used in the playroom  in our current house to store the children's games and my work files. For a while the doors lived in the shed whilst I went for the "open plan" look. But then they came back again - slightly worse for wear! After the recent works on the house, the furniture was returned from storage and the unit was put in the living room whilst it awaited its Cinderella moment.

As part of the re-modelling the downstairs of the house, I took a look to see what could be done with this piece.  It wasn't cheap to have made and I'm not a fan of chucking things out unnecessarily but it really did need a new lease of life.

So a local carpenter took the top and bottom apart, removed the doors then he sanded and painted it in Moles Breath by Farrow & Ball.*

The four wooden panels in the top doors were taken out and replaced by glass,which I had cut to size. Then the hinges and handles were replaced and the inside of top unit was papered in this Shanghai Garden wallpaper in Fuchsia - a Designer's Guild paper from John Lewis which had a lovely metallic background.

It all sounds so easy doesn't it? But it took 5 days for the work to be completed. It was no mean feat for the carpenter to overhaul this big piece of furniture but I really love it now. It has two shelves to go in it and then it will be used to display photographs and glassware. For something similar, try this bookcase from Ikea (£275). It looks great as it is, or it would be easy enough to paper the inside back of the cabinet before assembling it and change the handles, to give it a twist of your own.

*I bought the water based eggshell from Farrow & Ball which was specifically designed for woodwork. However our carpenter used it as an undercoat only on the basis that being water based, it could just be wiped off.  For the top coat, he sent me packing to a Dulux trade paint centre where they mixed an oil based eggshell which is much harder wearing. Apparently only a few places will mix an oil based paint now as it clogs up their paint mixing machines - but the trade centres will do it. So I hope that's helpful and not just a load of useless waffle!

Dungarees and frills...

So I've dabbled with dungarees in the past but I've never really jumped in with both feet. From time to time a pair catch my eye, as was the case with these denim patchwork dungarees from New Look (£29.99).  I put them with this frilled cotton blouse by H&M £9.99 (which is shown below) just to see what they would look like...

Initially I thought that the shirt on its own was a bit full on frilly for me but the more that I wore it with the dungarees, the more I got used to it. Being 100% cotton and only £9.99, it's a great shirt for anyone thinking of dipping their toe in the "white frilly shirt" water.

I picked up the gold version of the navy Zara shoes that I bought in the sale a few weeks ago. They're currently £15.99 - arguably a little bit bling but not so much that I feel like a rapper.

I'm trying to work out how best to describe this outfit...

A bit Dexys Midnight Runners/the Wurzels/frilly lizard/rapper/suburban Mum of 3. Hmmmm. There's a new one. Not quite sure that I'm selling it! 

Call off the search - the GAP sports luxe bomber jacket is here!

Just so that you know, there really is no need to look any further for the perfect sports luxe bomber jacket for the winter, than this one from GAP. With a pleated skirt, cropped kick flares or culottes, it will make the transition from summer into autumn much, much, easier - well it will in my mind at least!

I can't pretend to have been overly taken with its £174.95 price tag but a 30% offer which pinged through the day after I found it meant that we were at least starting to talk the same language.

So it's currently winging its way to me and I have high hopes - which is always dangerous!

But for another bomber, there's this blue sateen colour block bomber jacket in New Look (£24.99). Whenever I go in to the store it catches my eye. I can see it being a great way to update a work wardrobe. Outside of work it would look fantastic as styled below, or for the evening over a slip dress. 

In fact New Look is by far my favourite choice for bombers this season, so I've included a link to their bomber jackets because, other than watching the Olympics and Suits, what better past time is there for a Sunday night?!

The Zara jumpsuit dress and I. Are we a match made in heaven? (What even is one?!)

If I had a different life, or if I didn't make as many chocolate cakes as I do (big sleeves + chocolate cake mix = disaster), or if I didn't have to unload a dishwasher many times each day, I would keep this poplin jumpsuit dress from Zara (£25.99)

It's 100% cotton, and I love the colour, plus the style too - but the jumpsuit dress and I? The algorithims on Match.com definitely wouldn't put us together.

We would get on famously well on a hot day in an exotic location. But that's not enough.

What about the everyday? We're just not compatible and we definitely wouldn't last the distance. It's too showy, I'm too sensible.

What was that I said about sensible? Who in their right mind would flash their pants to the world? So now we all know what a jumpsuit dress is at least. It was this slightly quirky "what on earth is that and how do I put it on?" type question that attracted me to it in the first place. But I don't think that quirky is enough to keep us together. So goodbye jumpsuit dress, it was good knowing you.

A Topshop Special!

Given that we've got a few days of sunny weather forecast, I thought that I would share this embroidered flute tee from Topshop with you all. It's pretty, it goes with lots of things and you can never have too many summery tops.

I like a pretty, fluted, type sleeve. There's plenty of room in these sleeves - and in the body too, without it all feeling too voluminous. And I'm not sure what's happened to all the Ghillie shoes that everyone bought last summer - they seem to have all trotted off together on a Ghilllie vacation - but I'm resurrecting mine because I still really like them as they are flat and comfortable :)

 Embroidered flute tee from Topshop (£39)

Anyway, must dash. Hope that you all have a super, sunny, weekend! Beth x

The Baukjen striped off the shoulder midi dress - Perfection in a dress...

As part of the review of Baukjen's Pre-Fall collection, I've included a dress to style. I mean, who doesn't love a good dress? Even more, who doesn't love a good striped dress? Especially one that can be worn at different lengths and styled from modern, to smart, to casual? So, let me introduce the Franklin off the shoulder dress (£99).

Having worn this dress, I can see that there is a lot of clever styling that has gone into it, from its ruching on the tummy area, to its subtle slide split, sleeves of a good length and a fantastically versatile neckline.

The day that these photographs were taken was crazily windy - but we persevered, occasionally crossing the road for a quick dose of sunshine to warm up.

Having worn shoe boots and minimal jewellery above, I swapped my shoes for some spotty heels and a navy and yellow tassel/pom pom necklace - for a slightly different feel.

A splash of colour in the shoe department would also work well with this dress and for those who wish to flash their legs, it can be pulled up much shorter than I'm wearing it which would make it great for a beach holiday look. Being a soft jersey fabric, this dress really wouldn't feel out of place at a wedding, in the office, or on the beach.

For an everyday look, of course it had to be the silver Adidas Superstars which I wear with so many outfits and which mean that I can stride out in the way that I like to.

I've pulled the dress up here so it's slightly shorter - more knee length than midi but again, it's one of those great pieces that does what it wants to and which looks good however it sits. The other good thing is that, unlike some dresses which I own and which feel a bit dressy for everyday, I could (and would) wear this casually and still feel "me".

Off to the ice-cream shop to pay the photographer her shoot fee...

So this time she didn't sting me for the most expensive Magnum in the shop, instead opting for the white chocolate one instead - and she was happy for me to pretend to take a bite - as long as I did only pretend.

And if I really wanted to go to town with this dress, I'd wear it with this gorgeous everyday biker jacket which is just fabulous and which would work with so many outfits in my wardrobe :)

For anyone who would like to receive 15% off new season clothes, just quote STYLEG15 at the checkout. The offer is valid until midnight on 8th September. Happy shopping!

A pretty Victorian top from GAP

I will remember this day forever because it's the day that our lovely Flo came back from 4 weeks away in Tanzania. In that time we've had two short texts but nothing else as her phone stayed at home and wi-fi was virtually non-existent. It's been a long old time. At times I thought my heart would break and friends have picked me up and dusted me down. I'm still not used to hearing her voice calling "Mum!" down the stairs. Our once tidy house is strewn with damp, smelly, dusty clothing. And I couldn't be happier.

So I guess that a slightly fancy but everyday type top could better be described as a blouse really couldn't it? It would save on a lot of words! I bought this eyelet Victorian top from GAP yesterday. It is pretty and lightweight - good with skinnies or cut-offs for our Guernsey holiday - and with a nod to Victorian. Predictably I can't find the white online so I've linked to the blue but GAP's new "eyelet" range is pretty well stocked in stores.

They embraced as only siblings can.

 "Why are you so ugly?" she said to her brother.

"Why are you so short?" he replied.

And then we were five again. 

NB. To anyone who has siblings who fight to the point of driving you utterly and totally insane, there may well come a point, in the future, when they stop fighting and actually love - OK like - one another. In our case it happened when our son, who is younger than his sister, grew tall enough and strong enough to pick her up, throw her over his shoulder and remove her to another room when she started to annoy him. Those years of tears and tantrums (often from me in frustration!) are now over. So there is hope. I promise.

Are your shoes from Stella McCartney? No, sadly not...

A lace top is for all year round, not just for Christmas. In fact when the temperature is like it is right now,  namely a bit pants for summer but warmer than most of the year, it's a great time to bring out those tops that otherwise don't get much of an airing. So fancy tops it is from now on!

"I like your shoes..." the girl in Cos said to me "Are they Stella McCartney?" 

I think what she had in mind was something like these - the Stella McCartney binx burgundy loafers (£300). True, there are definite similarities - neither pairs are made of leather and both are flat form loafers. But there's a bit of a divergence on price - a £15 vs £300 divergence in fact. But I do love a bit of Stella and it was a great spot by the girl in Cos.

For similar styles elsewhere, take a look at these from Zara (£39.99). I love a chunky wedge - they get rid of cankles in an instant! There will be so many more styles like this in the upcoming season so do keep an eye out and have a play with a pair. They're great for adding a bit of height without teetering around and they add a style update to any simple outfit.

The Flora Top from Baukjen - the perfect summer top

Quoting STYLEG15 at the checkout will get you a lovely 15% discount on new season stock until midnight on 8th September.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked by the girls at Baukjen whether I might like to write a preview piece ahead of the launch of their Pre-Fall collection. We decided that it would be nice for me to style a few of their pieces in my own way, feeling that if I've worn the pieces about which I'm writing, it adds to the authenticity of the post.  

So this post is all about tops, and in particular the Flora top by Baukjen (£59). 

I have to say that I haven't got on particularly well with off the shoulder tops this summer. The ones that I have tried or bought have generally sidled their way back onto my shoulder, or the elastic has been tight, or the armholes too small or my movement has felt compromised. I've been worried that if I move my arms something will flick up, or off, or ping me where I don't want to be pinged. However I have a one shouldered dress that I find really comfortable and so when I saw the Flora top, I really wanted to try it.

I have to say that I really loved wearing this one shouldered top. If anyone is on the hunt for an all round fab summer top, then for me this would have to be it. Unlike full on "off the shoulder" tops it feels anchored. Securely in place, it doesn't move around.  This top has a little "shelf" inside it. which for some may mean that a bra isn't necessary but for those who do still need to wear one, it keeps the strapless bra in place (we all know how those little blighters can end up around your waist by the end of the day - with its contents not far behind!)

Here I've pulled the shoulder down to make the top slightly more asymmetric. And the good thing about it is that wherever the neckline is placed, it doesn't feel, or look, out of place plus it stays there which makes it hugely versatile and much more interesting to wear and re-style.

Here I've gone even more "off the shoulder" but still it works. It remains comfortable - and I'm all about comfort. 

Now as the shorts are my own, I didn't mind doing a little kerb perching, just so that you can see the top from the back. It's quite a deep frill but as it's jersey it's soft and not too "sticky outy" so it's not one of those tops to feel self conscious in, despite its frill. And because the frill sits quite flat, it would still flatter a curvy bust. Substantial too - yes, that's the word I'm looking for. It feels substantial whilst still being feminine and summery.

Here the frill has flicked itself over on my right shoulder but that's what I love about this top - it can be worn all sorts of ways and it can flick its frill where it wants but it still works.

For information purposes, I'm wearing a size 8 which was perfect so I would say that it is true to size. It was fitted but not tight, with enough room in it to accommodate a BBQ and quite a large slice of oreo cake, plus it had a good length to it too. I think that the sun is due to shine again this weekend so for anyone on the look out for a new top to wear, I can highly recommend this one.

As with all good shoots (OK, Barbie films) my 8 year old Photographer/Creative Director and I decided that we needed to include some Out-Takes....

So of course any photographer worth their salt knows how important it is to take their spoon with them on a shoot so that they can eat the contents of their Cornetto on the way home, which was payment for the taking of these photographs. She doesn't like the cone, hence the spoon. (As it was she stung me for the most expensive Magnum in the shop!) I guess that it was a fair exchange really.

And a passer-by offered to take our photograph together...so that had to go in. 

Oh and how I wish I could do this with my eyes. She's very proud of herself.

But anyway, enough of that. Whilst we're on the subject of tops, here's a selection of tops that Baukjen has this season.

Beacham Top (£59) - Now this is a great colour for people like me who don't look good in paler colours and also for those who want the versatility of a top that can be slightly off the shoulder/asymmetric but still really easy to wear. It also has a great length to it and ruching at the waist, which I can vouch for as being very handy!

Fleur  top (£59) - I'm intrigued by this top and it's definitely on my list of ones to try. Perfect for those who want an off the shoulder look but who just don't do strapless bras. Or for those ladies who do, but who like the double strap idea.

Calvin Top (£69) - I'm loving the slightly 80's vibe about this top. My best friend at University always used to pull the shoulders down on her top so it reminds me of nights at our Friday night disco. I love the volume in the sleeves and the body too - sports luxe meets 80's disco. Very cool and easy to wear. I think that it's fair to say that I have my eye on this top also.

Lila cold shoulder top (£59) - Style it up or down, this is a really versatile top, showing just enough but not too much.

Masham lace up top (£65) - I like this as an option for ladies who want something a little different but who would prefer to keep their shoulders and arms covered. The lace up detail is a nice addition.

I think that one of the things about doing this post that really struck me was just how lovely Baukjen clothes feel when on. I have a t-shirt, some jersey trousers and a jumpsuit of theirs already but in some respects a summer top that is stylish, stays in place, doesn't reveal too much and is fitted without clinging is a REALLY tall order. So maybe I've been looking in the wrong place all along for those summer tops.

Remember, quoting STYLEG15 at the checkout will get you a lovely 15% discount on new season stock until midnight on 8th September.