A Blue and Floral Friday

Fridays call for loose fitting clothes, a relaxed casual feel and my favourite colour-navy!

I find it so easy to put on this Batwing cardigan for a chunky, cozy layer on any outfit.

Paired with this floral top, grey denim jeans and my navy boots, this outfit can take me from the mall to a coffee date to the school run!

I even have matching blue floral earrings, which bring some colour to my face.

This outfit is great for layering as I can take off the cardigan if I get too hot, and the boots keep my feet toasty warm.

Do you have a loose fit cardigan in your wardrobe? It is like being able to wear a blanket! This particular cardigan even comes in different colours- the chocolate is on my wishlist.

Top: Ezibuy Capture Shell Top
Cardigan: Boohoo Lucy Loose Knit Batwing Cardigan
Boots: Number One Shoes Dusty Ankle Boots
Bracelet: Whitehot Murano Beads

Leather for Less

I love the look of leather, but on a strict clothing budget I can't afford a drool-worthy $600 leather jacket. I have been searching for some touches of leather or leather-look items to add some luxury to my winter wardrobe.

Leather for Less by laurenmoore-ii featuring a real leather jacket

Real leather jacket, 210 NZD / Witchery Waffle Tights, 19 NZD / Emerge Faux Leather Front Pants Online | Shop EziBuy, 55 NZD / Adalia Leather Look Cut Work Midi Skirt at boohoo.com, 23 NZD / Leather Bracelet/Silver – Whitehot Jewellery / Corrina Leather Ankle Boots - Number One Shoes

These items all feature leather detail (real of leather-look) and will be perfect teamed with neutrals or a fun pop of colour.

If you aren't brave enough to try a full leather pant or skirt, adding accessories such as a clutch, bracelet or even your footwear in leather can be a perfect step into this trend.

Two of my favourite leather items in my wardrobe are shown below.

This black top has leather-look panels on the front pocket and sleeves, bringing some interest and texture to a monochrome outfit.



This leather jacket from Just Jeans instantly lifts any outfit and makes the biker chick look easy!



Do you have any leather in your wardrobe?

Friday Frock Feature 4

Another Friday, another frock!

I had an opportunity to wear my LBD as part of my birthday celebrations. This dress is a bargain from Ezibuy- so easy to wear and comfortable. the material is a bit thin so I wore a nude slip from boohoo underneath.



I paired this dress with some strappy blue, green and black high heels, and added my new Portmans crop jacket for some warmth and colour.



My sister and I had a great time celebrating our birthday at the newly re-opened Yamagen restaurant, complete with a chef who was skilled at upside down salt writing!

Don't forget to check out the reasons behind Frocktober and donate here.

Friday Frock Feature 3

Today I am sharing a fun party dress that I can dress down for daytime events.

This Heidi Heavy Embellished Chiffon Skater Dress from Boohoo has been great for both day and night occasions, and I love the extra sparkle that the top adds, and the gathered waist gives me shape but is still really comfortable to wear.



The back also has gorgeous detailing, with a button clasp and slight gape to show off your skin.



I wore this dress with flat sandals to a daytime children's birthday party, but it is also beautiful paired with wine red lips and black pumps for a night out.



Unfortunately this dress has sold out online, but I have found a similar one here.

Remember that I am wearing a dress each Friday for Frocktober, to find out more about this and to donate to a great cause please click here.

Spin the Pin- Tu-Tu Fun!

Today I am joining in with Jo at iCurvy and her fabulous Spin the Pin challenge!

The idea is to take style inspiration from a fellow fashionista's pinned outfit, and put our own twist the outfit.

I loved the animal print shoes and the tu-tu skirt, so here is my take....



I paired the skirt with a simple black top and added a cord jacket for added texture. The leopard print flats were definitely inspired by this pin, although I can't wear heels that high and so flats were my choice of footwear!

I paired this look with a simple gold necklace (gifted to me from the lovely Lauren!) and matched my lipstick to the skirt for a touch of glam.

This skirt is still in stock at Boohoo.com- and 25% off too!

Jacket: Sportsgirl, T-Shirt: Pagani (exact), Skirt: Boohoo (exact), Shoes: Number One Shoes (similar)

A Ring with a Story

Most of us have pieces of jewellery in our jewellery boxes that have a story behind them. For most of us, our wedding rings are worn everyday, and yet other pieces can add a huge amount of interest and flair to an outfit, and combining the two can be rather special. If you're in the market for a ring or any special piece of jewelry, you can check out Invaluable.com where they have a wide variety of unique jewellery.

Today I would like to share with you one of my favourite sentimental rings that goes well with one of my favourite outfits.

When my mum was younger, she got a job in a jeweler shop. This was her first job and her first paycheck was highly anticipated! She purchased two rings with this first paycheck- a topaz and an amethyst set in gold. These rings symbolised the start of her freedom and adulthood, and as you can imagine, they were very special rings to her.

When my twin sister and I turned 21, my mother passed these rings onto us. I received the purple amethyst ring, and my sister received the brown topaz. It was such a meaningful 21st gift, and I love purple, so this was such a wonderful present to receive. I know how much the rings meant to my mother, and now they will be passed down as a family heirloom.



This ring is such a stunning piece, and although I usually don't wear large stones I love the colour and shape of this ring and wear it a lot more than my other rings.



It also goes perfectly with one of my favourite tops- this purple and gold peacock feather blouse/



The ring paired with this outfit makes me fell confident and glamorous- it is amazing what a piece of jewellery can do to lift an outfit! Wearing it also reminds me of my mum, and although we are close and see each other a lot, it is nice to still have that visual reminder of her.



Do you have any sentimental pieces that work well with your everyday outfits?

Boohoo Fit- Fashionable Fitness

I always find it easier to exercise if I am inspired by my workout clothes, and so when I saw the new Boohoo Fit range I was very excited to see what they had to offer.

Mystery Case is also hosting the Fit Fashion Finds challenge, so this was a perfect opportunity to take part in her challenge and try out some new exercise gear at the same time!

My main needs for workout fashion are coverage, stretch and compatiblity with all types of weather. I quite often run outdoors, so layering pieces in fabrics that will keep me warm or cool are a must.

I decided to try out the Vicky Zip Through Bomber (on sale now!) and matching Loren Sports Legging.

The best time for me to test these out was during a run and stretch at a nearby park. I am just getting back into exercise after surgery, and so I need to take it easy.

These leggings are perfect for light workouts. They keep my lower half cool and do not constrict my movements. The panel adds enough interest without being boring or too over the top, and the shades of blue look great and go with my existing workout gear.



This jacket goes well with the Loren Boohoo Fit leggings, but also works well with jeans or black pants as an extra layer to wear in the cooler weather. The sleeves and body of the jacket are the perfect length for me, and it keeps me warm without being too heavy. It wears well, and I can put it in my bag to pull out after a workout without worrying about it wrinkling.



Isn't this print fun?



It is pretty hard to get a good photo of me running, but these leggings were perfect for the slightly overcast day. The move with my body and do not give me a muffin top or cause me to wriggle around every five minutes trying to get comfortable.



After a run, it is back on with the Vicky Jacket. I love matchy matchy items, so this is my happy place!



The wide waistband on the Loren Print Leggings means that I get a comfortable fit, and it keeps my tummy at bay!



These items are so comfortable that I could stay in them all day. They fit my body so well, and when I do take them off they wash beautifully. I have washed these leggings three times since I got them and they have had no colour fade at all.

I am wearing a generic workout top in these shoots, as when I first looked at the Boohoo Fit range they only had crop tops or racerback tops, both of which are not my cup of tea when working out. However, I see that they now have a Breathable Sports T-Shirt, so I know what my next purchase is!

If you love Fit Fashion Finds, be sure to check out the Boohoo Fit range as they are affordable, fashionable and functional.

Folkloric Fashion for Autumn

One of the big trends coming up for Autumn is Folklore- think fur coats, tapestry inspired jackets, flared pants, blanket cardigans and coats, maxi dresses, winter shorts and floaty blouses.

I can't see myself in some of these items, but it is definitely a trend that I will have some fun with as the days transition from cool, to warm, then cool again.

One of the best things about this trend is the materials. The combination of soft and heavy fabrics such as silk, fur, chiffon and wool can be very versatile for layering. This comes in handy when the days start out chilly and then the sun breaks through at 10am.

Here is an outfit I put together to take advantage of the trend, featuring a sheer blouse, fun tapestry jacket and flared jeans. Some pink accents in the necklace, shoes and handbag keep the jacket from overpowering the look, and I am loving soft pink and navy together at the moment!

Folkloric Fashion by laurenmoore-ii featuring a black flat top

This outfit can take me from school run to coffee dates and then to a craft evening, as the top layer could be easily removed from this outfit and you will still have a polished look. The cardigan fits the tapestry trend without being too over the top, and this particular style of flared jean is wonderful for those of us who are a bit shorter as the flare isn't too dramatic.

Do you have any folklore inspired items on your wishlist for Autumn?

Shorts on a Shoestring Budget

When I saw that The Fashionable Mum and Agent Mystery Case were featuring #shareyourshorts and embracing their legs for summer, I went to my wardrobe and was a bit embarrased to see that the only shorts I owned were three very similar pairs of denim shorts.

Thanks to these two ladies, I have been inspired to find some shorts bargains for summer!

I turned to one of my favourite websites, Boohoo, as they have great prices and a fabulous selection.

Shorts on a Budget by laurenmoore-ii featuring lace shorts

All of these shorts are under $25, and are fun enough to wear during the day but can be glammed up with heels and a black shirt for any evening event. I love those lace tailored shorts so much that I want them in lemon and navy! I

 have included both short and long styles, as I am aware that some occasions call for less leg on show. I can still get away with shorter styles (I think!) but the checked long shorts with the sipper detail would be great for evening occasions or dressier events.

I have also featured a playsuit that comes with leopard shorts- so cute! I can see myself wearing this outfit on playdates with black sandals and a gold chunky necklace. In fact, I can see myself wearing all of these shorts! One of them is even called the Lauren Geo short, so it must be a sign.

Which of these shorts is your favourite pair? Let me know and give me some suggestions on how you would style them.

NB: This is not a sponsored post, I just love Boohoo clothes!

Linking up with Fashionomics Friday.

Frocktober Day 27

It is a public holiday here today, but the fun-filled family activities I had planned have all been put aside thanks to the weather. My husband is happily taking the pantry apart today though, as he decided I need new shelves and paint, so look forward to a pantry update on my blog soon!

This dress has been given a new look with a blue top underneath and paired with leggings and boots to keep me warm.



For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.

Frocktober Day 22

I am getting to the end of my frock wardrobe, and so some of the dresses are being repeated.

I wore this grey Boohoo tiered smock dress again, but this time teamed it with a belt to give it more shape as well as wearing a large necklace. When the weather cooled down I put a grey jersey on.



For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.

Frocktober Days 15 and 16

Yesterday got away on me a bit and I didn't get home until 10pm, so here is yesterday's look as well as what I am wearing today!

Day 15 was a simple black dress, layered with a red merino jersey as it was rather cold. I relied on my trusty black flats to get me through the day, as well as a touch of berry red lip gloss.



Today I am wearing a new dress from Boohoo, which has a fun tile pattern to it. I am being brave and wearing white, although I also have a nude coloured slip underneath. This dress is so soft and it feels luxurious. I have put my navy flats on for this photo, but they are getting a bit old and so I am hoping for some new navy flats soon *hint hint*!



For more information about Frocktober and to make a donation to ovarian cancer research, please click here.

By the way, don't forget to enter my birthday week giveaway!

Linking up with Wardrobe Wednesday and What Wives Wear.