Never grow up. Growing older is inevitable but growing up is optional. I like to think I'm maintaining a relatively satisfactory balance at this. It's a toughie, isn't it, when you think back to how your parents or grandparents or even great grandparents may have been behaving at your age. I can say with absolute certainty that none of them would have been wearing this dress in their thirties. As a teenager I thought people in their thirties were old, in the sense of maturity. The more the years creep by the younger my thinking gets. Make up-schmakeup; if you can't handle my natural face then we're probably going to have trouble getting along. Yes, I love to pop a bit of eyeliner and mascara on, but no, I'm no longer painting myself into looking like someone else. It's been around a year now and hand on heart, I feel more comfortable with my skin than ever before.
My hair is wilder than ever after a two year skive from the hairdresser but in reality I really ought to get it trimmed as the ends are so so so dry. But as a general style, every day manangement and the overall appearance is one I am over the moon with. Wild suits me. I'm rustic.



This Dress! A charity shop find a month or so ago. It's Henry Holland and such a delight in all respects; bold summer floral print, almost saintly crochet peter pan collar while verging on being indecently short. The cut is a miraculously flattering one, giving a fitted bodice, a bit of flare to the skirt and styling to the capped sleeves. An instant favourite.

I'm making no compromises on how I choose to dress.
Sophie

Old faithful; that's how I think of this dress. I bought it years ago, via ebay no doubt - at one stage that was my mainstay way of shopping. The postman got quite tired of delivering parcels. Anyway, this dress has remained one of my reliable favourites, suitable for everything. Flattering, practical, warm enough, cool enough, always looks just right. It was, however, too much for a poke around a local auction over the bank holiday weekend... When most of the other locals looked like they were ready to jump back into their tractors I stood out like a floral sore thumb. Maybe the flowers in my hair were the final straw.

The crux of the post was to reach out to you - fellow bloggers - who either never, or hardly ever post outfit pictures of yourselves. I can't emphasise enough how important I consider it to be comfortable with how you dress and how you feel. I started taking outfit pictures back in 2011 and ouch some of them were uncomfortable. Maybe you feel just as awkward as I was. Maybe not.
I used to hate my hair and skin - for years, since I was about 12 or 13 when you start to notice how you compare to other girls. it's only in the last 3 to 4 years that not only have I embraced how I naturally look but actually feel good bout myself. A smile goes a long way. Relaxed shoulders and a twirl for good measure. Knowing who you are is a bit of an unburdening...
It only takes a minute, or four to take some pictures of yourself and reflect on that. I got all of these in four minutes. Of course, if you're after something more specific it may take much longer but I always prefer to pick out a few which turn out the most flattering.
It's too easy to lose sight of who you are, or look like. My advice is to run with it, breathe easy and smile. Pick your fights carefully; there is no point wasting energy fighting yourself. There are plenty more battles out there more worthwhile.


I'm rustic. Little make up, wild curls.... That's who I am. It only takes a minute to see.
Sophie