Apparently embroidery is back in fashion (baby). I think there's a time and place for everything and this dress is worthy of being worn whenever , wherever. I last wore it in summer when bare arms and legs were the accessory of the hour. These days thermal tights are in order, just to err on the side of caution. I popped a dress underneath to keep toasty (and modesty as it's a tad short on it's own) and wore my grey ankle boots which I tend to wear all the time but as yet, haven't appeared on the blog.

Embroidery to the neck and sleeves with a few bangles and a statement necklace - it belonged to my grandmother.
I just adore the swathes of snowdrops on verges, under trees and lurking here and there. You don't need to make a pilgrimage to Walsingham to see a few - take note all those who fall into that cliche.

An alternative little black dressing up.
Sophie

Embroidered sleeves, collar and hems. A simply cut black tunic wouldn't be something I would automatically see myself wearing but the detailing sold it to me. I love the retro feel of the dress. Something which may have been a favourite from many decades ago now becoming a favourite all over again. The three quarter length flared sleeves and matching turned up side seams to the hem give it all the character. A high neckline and cheeky mid thigh mini skirt juxtapose magnificently.

Let down your hair and walk freely, with the breeze blowing cobwebs from your mind. Dance to your own tune, the sweet music only you can hear.
We'll share our hopes and secrets then let the wind scatter them like grass seeds over the land to grow into whatever they can. 
I cannot resist the call of the fields.
Sophie

Maize. Or sweet corn. I'm not really sure whether they're the same thing or slightly different but it's not something you see all that often out our way. When driving on unfamiliar country roads at the weekend I spotted this lush looking field and thought it would be a perfect seasonal backdrop for a couple of outfit photographs.

We'd gone out for a spot of lunch with out much else in mind and it was all white cloud and cool when we left home so I wore this unusual cut of dress. It's clearly got to be worn in the warmer months as it's basically a lace overlay mini dress with elbow length sleeves but equally it's too much for a hot day if the sun is out. I was glad we hadn't planned a whole afternoon's walking as I would have got rather too hot in black. However, for a nice indoor lunch it was perfectly comfortable, not least as the gathering way up under the bust meant that maximum comfort was offered.

The neckline is spot on for me; I adore the high neckline with the buttons and the pretty fabric. I'm not usually sold on half length sleeves but I think they suit the rest of the dress so I'll roll with it.

Red lipstick for a secret smile.

Sophie

I have a wardrobe quite literally bursting with clothes and yet when challenged what to wear for a meal out pretty much all of them are out of bounds. It's frustrating to say the least; I wish that I could just go out wearing anything that should take my fancy but it's just not practical. I have a bigger appetite than you might assume for my size and on most occasions I bloat like mad. Walking into an eatery looking one way and waddling out looking heavily pregnant has been known... In fact Chris once insisted I did a pregnancy test as he just couldn't believe it. Awkward.

It's not always the case, sometimes I'm fine and other times I'm not; I haven't found a common denominator and if I'm honest I love food too much to spend weeks doing food diaries to eliminate something I love from my diet. I'll just put up with the bloat.

On this occasion for a family meal out – more to come on that at some point maybe- I wore this simple vintage dress which has plenty of room for expansion along with a stretchy belt for comfort. The dress itself is one I imagine to be old-ish with an unusual high neck and almost capped sleeves. You may be able to see that there are metallic stripes which make it so much more that just a plain black dress (and I really struggle with plain colours, goodness knows why). This autumn I'm embracing the colour-that's-not-a-colour-at-all; black so I opted for knitted black tights and my practical moderate heeled black buckled boots. Jewellery-wise, I wore an armful of bangles, a handful of rings and a charmed necklace because they are my go-to never fail to go with anything and always make an excellent level of jangling to alert others to my presence.

Do you have to dress in eating-out appropriate clothes too?

Sophie

Make the most of this as it's not my usual style! In a swift departure from floaty dresses and casual shorts I present to you The Little Black Dress. I saw this San Diego dress from French Connection and was rather taken with the simplicity and yet quirky detail. The pinafore top is so unusual, yet perfect for me as I love a high neckline and a fitted waistband is rather welcome too; this dress does volunteer more of a suggestion of a nipped in waist than I rightfully deserve with it's special tailoring. The dress itself is pretty weighty, it's made of lovely thick material with a lining too; the real deal. By far the best quality dress I own and one that will remain a classic for years to come.

Worn with a thin gold belt, pearl necklace as a bracelet, Fiore velvet shoes, Iced Rainbow Daisy necklace (kind of obsessed with this) and heart earrings. The red bag is my absolute favourite from Aluna J, which is so bold yet seems to look right with everything. These pictures were a collaboration between me and the camera, I definitely am less comfortable trying to get shots on my own (and miss the camera expertise Chris has of course). There is something toe curlingly embarrassing about cars driving passed while standing by a field in, arguably, the most inappropriate outfit for the location. There really is no plausible explanation other than just taking pictures of yourself like a weirdo.


The golden hour glow that evening was absolute heaven, it lit up the freshly harvested stubble field as well as me, all very uplifting. Missing your countryside fix? I recommend you head along to Gnowangerup Cottage for a taste of all things delightfully rural, it's a new favourite of mine.

Ready for the weekend? I know I am. Take care everyone.

Sophie

Thanks to French Connection for sending me this dress to review, all opinions my own as always <3 font="">