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

Make a Statement

You have already seen my ideas on wearing statement necklaces, but what about rings?

Statement rings are a great idea to add interest to outfits, especially since you may not have much skin on show during the winter months, and it is nice to draw attention to those parts of your body that are usually overlooked.

The first suggestion I have with a statement ring is to wear one on your next night out!

Here, I wanted to keep the front of my outfit quite neutral as the back of this top has a low cowl back. In keeping with the monochrome feel, a large black and silver statement ring paired perfectly with the greys and blacks of my outfit.



This gorgeous cocktail ring would pair perfectly with your Little Black Dress too!



Mixing metallics is a huge trend this season- so if you are unsure of how to mix and match, get a ring that does it for you!

I love the leaf pattern on this ring, and it blends silver and gold so well. This ring looks great with gold, cream, black and purple hues.
 

Having fun with textures is another great way to wear a statement ring. My clever friend Miriam made me this necklace, and another blogger, Lauren, sent me this ring as a gift. They match together wonderfully and provide some textural interest.



Look at the intricate detail on this ring- isn't it pretty!



As a Stay At Home Mum, I have days where jeans and a knit jersey are my wardrobe staple. Adding a fancy ring and some red lipstick always makes me feel put together and glamorous, even if I am om only folding laundry!



A bold stone or gem ring can be great to pick up a colour in your outfit and make it the star, or simply perk up a neutral colour palette.



I would love to know what your favourite ring is!

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?

Layering with Scarves and Necklaces

I never used to be a scarf lover until last year, when I realised how they can add so much to any outfit. I went on a bit of a scarf shopping spree, and love my collection of scarves to put on during the colder mornings.

I did struggle with jewellery and scarves though, as as the day got warmer my outfit felt bare without some bling if I took my scarf off. I have been experimenting with some looks to wear both a scarf and a necklace together, and I have been very pleased with the results!

The first look is a long necklace paired with a longline scarf. This lets both pieces shine, and still makes the outfit interesting once I take off my scarf. Simply wrap the scarf around your neck and leave both sides hanging down to draw the eye to your necklace.



I call this one 'The Drape' where I have simply draped the scarf over my shoulders for an extra layer of warmth. The necklace still shows through and the scarf ties my shoes to the rest of the outfit.



On chillier mornings, a puffer vest is my best friend! I wrapped my pink print and leopard scarf around my neck a couple of times, tying at the side to make a snood shape. I then left the hearts from my necklace dangle down below the scarf.



This same scarf also does 'The Drape' well, and it added a much needed pop of colour to this black and white outfit. As you can see, this style works for daintier necklaces as well as chunky and statement styles.



For my last outfit, I wanted the bead necklace and the scarf to work as two separates so I tied a knot in the middle of my scarf, placed it around my neck and then brought each end around the back of my neck to drape at the front.



Here is a closer photo so that you can see the knot in the scarf.



Don't be scared to layer your scarves with jewellery, as it can create a beautiful visual point for your outfit and I guarantee you will receive compliments!

If you need more ideas on how to wear scarves this winter, you can check out my post here or look up the #SYscarf16 hashtag on Instagram.

Six Ways with Statement necklaces

Autumn usually finds me in plain layers, and so the best way for me to add interest to an outfit is with a statement necklace.

Statment necklaces are fabulous for anchoring an outfit, pinning down billowy fabric and allowing the eye to focus on a certain point in your outfit. With a statement necklace, you can draw attention to parts of the body you like, and take attention away from the parts you aren't as fond of!

Lets begin with the Chevron necklace, a great silver piece that goes with most things in my wardrobe! A plain gold or silver statement necklace is a must have in your autumn wardrobe.

Here I have paired the Chevron necklace with a striped sweater, black jeans and grey boots. You can see how it instantly creates a focal point to my outfit and ties the shades of grey together.



The Chevron necklace is also stunning with a monochromatic colour scheme. This statement piece helps my outfit to look finished and also provides an extra layer of interest without being too busy.



A coloured statement necklace also does wonders to bring a smile to my face! The 5 Strand Jewel Tone necklace is certainly a show-stopper, and takes my tonal outfit from drab to fab with the addition of extra colour and interest.



It works well with strong colours like the green above, and this purple top. Paired with neutrals, it really holds its own, but would also look fabolous with a patterned top or dress in complimentary colours.



The same coloured top and statement necklace can also work well together if there is a contrast in texture or some feature piece to stand out within the necklace. Here, the Red and Black Cross necklace can be paired with a red top, as the mix of red and grey beads allows the eye to be drawn down to the cross pendant at the bottom. I must admit, this is one of my favourite necklaces to wear with red or black! It also draws the eye down to a great pair of shoes, an interesting belt or some textured pants if you need a secondary feature piece.



I am still getting days of sunshine this early ion May, which has been a great excuse to get my shorts out! A choker-style chunky necklace is a great addition to a wardrobe where you will be wearing plain long sleeved tops with a shorter hem, as it keeps the look balanced. This Fireball and Pearls necklace looks stunning with bold colours, greys and creams, and would be great for an evening out.



As you can see, plain coloured tops get a new lease of life when paired with an eye-catching necklace. Next week, I will be sharing some ways on how to wear statement necklaces with scarves as the weather gets cooler.

I would love to know which necklace is your favourite!

Disclaimer: I was gifted these pieces, however all opinions are my own and I only share products I love with you!