Sophie
Such a memorable afternoon! Do you enjoy a spontaneous drive down the scenic route?
Sophie
I can hardly believe what an amazing backdrop that has been created; golden ears of barley sweeping into the horizon while the gorgeous purple wild flowers have been sown as a field boundary. The colours are rich and match each other so well, nature really does know best working with it's glorious palette.
You may be wondering why I'm wearing such an unusual dress... I was challenged to style up this stunning flower of romance hair flower from Glitzy Secrets in my preferred seventies look; which immediately had me searching my wardrobe for the perfect dress. The hair slide is a thing of beauty indeed; so pretty and delicate looking yet strong and secure, the sparkles make it feel like a really special piece. As well as being a gorgeous hair accessory for people, like me, who wear flowers in their hair it's definitely got that magical bridal feel to it too. I wore my hair down and loose; freshly washed and full of curls and clipped the slide onto one side. You could also have your hair up and clip it in to that as well, plus I also tried out clipping in to a spray of flowers which looked beautiful too.
Necklace is from Lily Blanche and the usual array of accessories from charity shops
When creating my outfit my first reaction was to suspect I didn't own much seventies inspired pieces (wrong, about 65% of my clothes are) so my fears were quelled once I started pulling out items I liked best. Mostly dresses, with prints, except this one which cried out to be worn. It's an amazing vintage piece which has absolutely zero purpose except to hang on the rail and look like a wedding dress. It's another one of those buys which I couldn't resist but can't exactly say I'd ever have cause to wear but at £4 I had to have it.
Obviously I love the dress; when usually I'd shy away from such feature-sized short sleeves I'm embracing them and relishing how they look just right with the rest of the dress. The lace panel-strips are the second detail which makes the dress.
If I ever renew my wedding vows I want to wear this exact outfit again and stand in this very spot, it seems just about perfect to me. Do you think so? I do.
Sophie
Thanks to Glitzy Secrets for sending me such a gorgeous clip to style up
How I've missed all the colours that nature treats us to over spring and summer. The bright yellow fields of oil seed rape in full bloom are utterly incredible, I can't get enough of their sunshine glow. I've seen a few bloggers a-frolicking in the fields in their posts and I feel like nosily enquiring whether they realise the pollen is a bitch to get off. A few years ago we were rambling along footpaths and had to follow a narrow track through an oil seed rape field which was at least hip height, if not shoulder (I'm sure farmers used to grow a taller variety? Someone advise me) and the pollen got everywhere! It was a jolly good thing I'm not a sufferer of hayfever! A friend who had it really bad would pretty much dissolve within eyeshot of a field of the stuff which is a bit of an issue in our part of the world in spring. Personally, I love the thick, overpowering smell of the flowers. It brings back memories of riding down the lanes on horseback when I didn't have a care in the world. Good times.
This smock dress is one I've had a while and would probably get worn more often if it were a few inches longer. I've worn it before with leggings, jeans and shorts underneath but I don't really like that, so throwing caution (and a flimsy hem) to the wind I went out with bare legs. My style isn't complete without a pair of boots; I've settled on these strappy, buckled, cut out boots from Chockers as a go-to choice for summer. My ankles can stay a bit cooler while out walking and this low heel is an undeniably practical compromise between a flat boot and a proper heel. I'm probably going to wear them with socks. Socks and boots rock.
Much love,
Sophie
Sometimes you just happen to be in the right place at the same time. Sometimes you happen to be in the right mood at the same time.
The light was little short of phenomenal last Sunday evening and I just-so-happened to see this beautiful backdrop which was lit up a treat. I am veering towards autumnal prints and materials at the moment; this dress is a recent £1 charity shop buy, which caught my eye with it's almost dull but floral print. The floaty sleeves are a real departure from my usual style but the nature of the dress caught my eye, so who was I to fight my instincts? Anyway, I love this dreamy print so it's staying in my wardrobe regardless.
The rings are my favourites both charity shop finds, the teardrops of fire pendant necklace and cobalt glass bracelet both c/o Pia. Aren't they gorgeous? The simplicity of the necklace works with the open neckline of this dress and the pendant colour is an absolute beauty. Bangles are the usual array.
A huge thank you to Chris for taking these pictures and indeed all the other out-n-about outfit pictures except for the two I shot myself, with a tripod, awkwardly. He is doing a great job and I never heap enough credit on him when it's clearly due.
Sophie
I can't describe just what summer means to me; the sunshine, flora and fauna is so inspiring. They make my heart swell, put a spring in my step and make me beam with happiness.
The sunshine is like a drug, I feel quite literally high as a kite and there is no coming down, I can't get enough and skip through the days with so much joy in my heart.
Quite honestly summer is my raison d'etre, it's something I long for all winter, yearn for. My heart beats for the long hot days, the sleepless nights, the heatwaves that ripple across roads and fields. The trees that hum with the buzz of insects, the fields of golden crops that sway in the odd breeze, the daisies in the grass.
Don't even get me started on wildflowers, I get a little bit squealy and over excited. It's like finding money dropped in the street.
This sun dress is one from ASOS a couple of years ago that to me just shouts summertime and the pockets make it practical, the print and frills make it perfect for everything and the elasticated waist only ever flatters. The conservative length makes it ideal for everything from an afternoon garden party to an afternoon of gardening. Can I just hold my hands up right here, right now and admit being a total shoe bore? These brown leather ankle boots have barely left my tootsies since picking them up at a yard sale a few weeks ago for a single pound. This tassled brown bag has also been pretty much glued to my shoulder since we entered BST too, what a fab blog giveaway win, thanks to Laura from A Daisychain Dream a couple of years ago. Owl necklace from Select originally.
This Johnny Loves Rosie 'Summertime orchid floral garland crown headband has to be my ultimate floral crown for this summer, plenty of flowers, colours and sizes. I love it so much but Norfolk perhaps isn't ready for it. While we were taking these shots an old guy on bike cycled past on the lane and was staring the whole time, I tried not to look at him but had to laugh as he went by. Chris mentioned it looked like I'd fallen headfirst into a flowerbed, which made me roar with laughter. So bloody what, it's so cheerful and makes me feel like I'm fully embracing the season.
Summer is everything to me. What does it mean to you?
Sophie
