It's funny isn't it, how taste changes all the time. I went through a phase of avoiding t-shirts for years but this last year I've totally u-turned and can't get enough of them now. This amazing tee is one of the brand new designs from Chyvonne Le Monnier, an alternative fashion indie designer. All their pieces are eco friendly and ethical which is just great as well as being good quality and really pocket friendly. I adore this tee, it's such a statement piece and really works with my big buckled boots, studded skinny jeans and belt, plus a choker of course.
You remember I wore the Mercury tank tee last year? Well now there is a whole new collection coming really soon and I'm the first one to give a sneak preview. You can thank me later for the tip off.
What design is your favourite? You can preorder them from next Saturday at chyvonnelemonnier.com so keep your eyes peeled and on sale from 2nd May. Let me know what you buy!
Sophie
Thank you to Chyvonne Le Monnier for gifting me the tee to style up and for giving us an exclusive preview

I was a 90's kid, during that decade I went from age 4 to 14 so I'm legit.

I've always been interested in clothes, styling,, trends, fashion (at high street level) and that's been the case for as long as I can remember. In the nineties I went through a whole range of preferred looks but I went through a patch where I loved to wear black a lot; though this was met with parental disapproval as to be expected really. If I could, I would have worn this outfit, it was perfect! Big black boots, full length black skirt (extra 90's points for that cargo pocket), black tee with black sheer overlayer (with that weird sleeve frill we endured), choker necklace and eyeliner.
NAILED IT. Better late than never.
Sophie

Can you believe it's the first post this season with a tartan skirt? I KNOW! My beloved collection of these awkward length pleated skirts is about to come into it's own with some thermal tights – Bob's your uncle. That day I was undecided on the red or the blue skirt so I asked the opinion of my esteemed consultant (husband) and after the very briefest of dithers he chose blue. Things have moved on; roll back 18 months and he assured me he wouldn't be seen dead with me if I wore these skirts, even he has warmed to them.

Oh my gosh, these biker boots have been a godsend, I love them so much. By far one of my favourite buys of the year and touch wood a pair that will last a good while. There is little worse than finding a pair of treasured boots wears out before your love for them wears thin. The idea of forking out a fortune for an expensive well made pair does scare me but it has to be said that cheaper footwear is made pretty shabbily these days so it's little wonder they don't last.

Have a great weekend
Sophie

I've been blogging about my outfits for almost four years now. Things have changed a great deal over this time; I no longer take indoor shots as the light is all wrong and it's no fun at all for starters. The pictures I do get are taken whilst out and about at the weekends, usually at a pretty countryside location if at all possible although only because we're already there spending time together.

I used to read a lot of fashion bloggers' blogs and felt like they were a million miles away from me, with such natural beauty, gorgeous clothes and stunning photography. These days I read posts from my favourite bloggers; most of whom I classify as friends.

The point I am oh-so-slowly coming round to making is that I understand about how the right light, make up, clothes and photography skills can elevate a scenario into a 'moment' captured in time. When we're out Chris can take anything from a dozen to about 50 shots of me and while most are embarrassing and make me want to hide my face in my hands I am over the moon when I find one or two that hit the mark. The whole process has not exactly lifted my spirits, nor knocked anyone down in my estimations, more just levelled off the playing field; anyone can get some pictures of themselves they can be proud of.

Yesterday, I read a great post on Words That Can Only Be Your Own in which Janet talks about how taking outfit pictures has helped her. I can absolutely echo her sentiment; seeing photographs of yourself wearing your entire wardrobe give you a much better idea about how you actually look than standing in front of a mirror ever can. I'd go so far as saying that I've become de-sensitised about myself which has absolutely been one less thing to fret about. Not long ago I wrote about when I stopped caring what other people thought which has no doubt been brought about by looking at endless pictures of myself.

Blogging has been a kind of therapy for me – taking the edge off my anxiety and awkwardness about myself. My advice? Go take some pictures of yourself.

Sophie

Over the past few few years there has been a bounty of colour in my outfits; with bright colours and big prints taking centre stage for the majority of the time. Something has driven me to gravitate towards plenty of darker colours, predominantly black. This lacey top was a chance charity shop find for £2 and is the perfect length and fit to wear alone or under dresses. The main thing to remember is that it's completely see through.

Shorts – ebay, tights – unknown, bangles – Poundland, boots – Yull, belt – Accessorize/ QD, lace top and choker – charity shops

I really like the idea of wearing denim shorts with black tights but for some reason it doesn't look quite how thought it would...? Maybe because black has those inexplicable slimming properties, the contrast of the shorts is almost too much? Perhaps I just need heels or my lovely big biker boots.

I'm embracing darker tones this season so plenty more where this came from.

Sophie

I'm not one hundred percent sure what rockabilly is by definition but to me it has to be a country (& western) style with a whole lot of rock thrown in for good measure. When I saw this dress languishing on a rail in Cancer Research it was always coming home with me; the colour, pattern, fit, frills.... it was a no brainer, except it was completely see through, needing a slip to go underneath (is it called a slip? A lining really). Fortunately, I've got one already which works just fine.

Yes, it is unlike me to wear over-fussy clothes, I'm more of a no-frills girl at heart but ringing the changes is something that floats my boat. This blue dress is way more flattering than I rightfully deserve; the fitted waistband creates a silhouette which I love and the neckline with the little sleeves is both conservative yet a little more revealing than I usually tend to go for. The skirt has just the right amount of swoosh without being impractical plus is an entirely respectable length.

Can I just take a second to say, yeah, my make up is a little heavier than normal which perhaps is something only I would notice but HELLO big hair! The bigger the better I say.

Trusty leather bomber jacket, newish boots – both eBay, old necklace, bangle – gift, bracelets – who on earth remembers.

This dress is one I can just imagine reaching for as one of those items to reach for for when in a “help! I have nothing to wear/ nothing suits me/ I hate my wardrobe” state of panic and then having my concerns quelled.

Is Autumn prompting you to try anything different?

Sophie

Biker boots, I love thee. After a couple of years of adoring everyone else's biker boots and yet never really considering making a purchase for myself I came across the perfect pair in TK Maxx (the place which holds both gems and junk – you never know what you may find but it's always worth a look).
This pair are 'Bronx' and are black leather with a quilted ankle and silver buckles, they are flat and wonderfully comfortable. I dithered after oiking them off the shelf and squirrelling them away in a pull along basket (genius invention), which has got to be done when they are the only pair – you don't want to risk someone else running off with them. I tried them on and paraded up and down the 5 – 5.5 aisle, beaming that they stayed on instead of getting left behind as so many pairs do unless firmly tied on. Then I ummed and ahhed a little more and consulted.
Buying footwear is always a big deal for me; investing in more expensive items is still something I'm not all that comfortable with. Sometimes you spend more and yet they never get worn, other times they never leave my feet and I pat myself on the back for making such a wise purchase. At £50 these are what I'd classify as medium risk, way more than I'd fork out for something I wasn't dead keen on but in this case I was smitten plus being flat boots they tick the practical box in grand style.
A jersey t-shirt style skater dress? Yes, in red no less. Never owned one before, it's not something I've really been drawn to until now. This autumn I'm all over more of a rock chick look, darker, rich colours, more leather and boots, all the boots.

Remember the days I never accessorised? Long gone. I found the beaded chocker in a bowl at a charity shop till for about 50p which has pleased me no end, these were the coolest thing to wear when I was about 10. Ahhh, the good old days of the mid nineties! It's also the first outing for my Iced Rainbow feather necklace* which is a really cute and being white it's going to go with so many things I want to wear.
Do you remember the nineties fondly?
Sophie