Pants to this bank holiday!

The autumn bank holiday weekend can only mean one thing - drunk nights out followed by cosy afternoons moving very slowly (and eating your body weight in carbs!) Oh and to aid a hung-over day and to make my excuses more excusable it peed down with rain on Saturday so I felt no guilt in wearing my pyjama bottoms all day.

Please note there will be no personal photos in the blog as no make up was worn and the camera was well within the drawer.

I could go on and on for days about different materials, lengths and styles but for the purpose of this blog (and because the hangover has really started to kick in) I have narrowed the search to full length, loose fitting, soft lounge bottoms.

I can tell you that the comfiest bottoms known in my wardrobe are from Abercrombie and Fitch. I bought a chocolate brown pair from New York 5years ago and they have been well worn but have kept their softness and shape. There is a great range on their website, some online exclusives. I adore these dark grey with a splash of hot pink bottoms. A&F Lounge Sweatpants

Most popular choice amongst my male and female companions are CK pjs, they are stylish both in the bed and for around the house. 

Available from House of Fraser their Paisley Print Wovens Pyjama Pant print is by far my favourite.

Closely followed by their new Peony Persuasion Print Wovens Pyjama Pant.

A few weeks ago I went to stay with a friend and had packed in a rush, forgetting nightwear. She lent me her Blue Blanc Mange bottoms and I contemplated slipping them into my bag the next day. My friend purchased hers at an event but you can buy online too. They are only in their third year of trade and have a small collection but you cannot beat a check pyjama print.

At £35 a pair for 100% super soft brushed cotton these really are worth their asking price and their website has a great order form with stock details and sizes all on the same page. Something other clothing retailers could benefit from if you ask me.

I am particularly fond of their Monserrat pj's

As well as their yellow/ pink check Alberta pj's

I am a huge fan of Nutmeg Sleepwear as a brand, I think their combination of beautiful prints and fair-trade cotton with their Made in Britain (Lewes, East Sussex in fact) make a lovely present for loved ones and yourself. Available to buy from Not On The High Street and through their own website with a 10% discount if you quote TWEET10 this sleepwear store is one to check out.

Chinoiserie Organic Print features an exotic bird print amongst peach and blue flowers.

Bluebirds Organic Pyjama Trouser features a exquisite bird print on a navy background.

Pants to Poverty is another brand I have huge respect for. Founded in 2005 their company produces pants that are gorgeous and affordable, in a way that supports, rather than destroys, all of the wonderful people that make them! They can be purchased online or through a number of stockists, they have a limited range of pyjama bottoms but their Apple Striped woven pair are easy to wear teamed up with a plain vest or tee and you can lounge in the fact you are part of a sustainable solution for the farmers and factories in India!

 

After writing this blog I now have the huge urge to go and put my pjs on, so excuse me whilst I do and I may even take a nap because after all that is what long bank holiday weekends to me are all about.

Jump For My Love

Yes I know I just quoted a Pointer Sisters/ Girls Aloud song but I do love a good jumpsuit...In fact one of my wardrobe staples, I have four and am still lusting over some newbies.

During the heat wave I went up to London for a night out. Now what does one wear out drinking in the middle of our muggy capital?  To avoid sweat marks, stay clear of thunder thigh chafing and to stand out from the crowd. Low and behold my choice, the Topshop Pop Floral Print Jumpsuit.

Must admit I wasn't smitten when I first saw it on the website but when I tried this on in the shop I had pushed up the legs to reveal more calf and had slipped into a pair of heels I knew this was the outfit for me. £60 I could justify as I could also wear it to work dressed up with a smart jacket and casually during the day and will definitely take on holiday to wear with flip flops or wedges.

The jumpsuit is true to size and although tight fitted there was still room to show Soho my moves without a rip to the seams. The only negative, which reviewers have posted about is that the straps are slightly too long, nothing that a needle and thread can't fix though.

Before finding this beauty, I had tried on Topshop's Strappy V Neck Jumpsuit but for the £45 price tag it didn't give me the wow factor. That together with the fact it made my arse look married to my ankles...no thank you unforgiving elasticated waist and loose material!

Here is the Bright Pink version, however when the jumpsuit doesn't even seem to fit the model correctly...please note her left hand side waist...this does not scream buy me.

Now we are approaching Autumn/ Winter this Michael Kors Blue Long Sleeve Pocketed Navy Jumpsuit has caught my eye. The masculine boiler suit look is offset with the gorgeous colour, detachable leather belt and buttoned front - throw on a pair of heels with subtle jewellery and this girl means business.

If money were no object I would without a doubt buy this Diesel Patterned Jumpsuit from ASOS, however at a bank manager grilling of £220 the closest I will come will be in my dreams.



Not only are the colours beautifully matched, the cut of the v shaped neckline and sleeveless design together with the straight trouser leg is my idea of a perfect Autumn jumpsuit.

If you are looking to buy a jumpsuit, I would recommend the below:

1. Make sure you are comfortable, if it means testing out dropping your purse and picking it up in the dressing room then by all means do. There is nothing worse then a stiff woman in a jumpsuit too scared to move!

2. For the narrow trouser leg that is cut off above the ankle, ensure you have your best heels to hand as this will not long add a dose of sexy but will make your legs appear even slimmer.

3. Long leg jumpsuits are perfect for curvy ladies and playsuits look better on shorter women.

4. If you have got a big bust please avoid bandeau style jumpsuits, a V shaped cut is far more flattering and elegant and will mean your friend will not have to use the "code word" if one of your twins decides on a night out!

5. If you are a jumpsuit virgin start off with a black number. This can be brought in at the waist with a skinny belt and dressed up with some chandelier earrings with either an up do or styled hair. Dressed with a pair of pumps and coloured jacket for a office attraction. Or styled with a hat and long necklace for the beach.

You may be thinking shock horror she has gone a whole blog without mentioning the Z word (Zara) but I am afraid to report, and I do hope you can prove me wrong but their jumpsuits are either non existent, there is nothing in their current range or when they do have them they are not for me. (Sorry Zara your still my number one.)

Do you share my passion for jumpsuits? Which cuts are your favourite?

Until next time ladies, Jump Around!







What do you get when you mix Cornflower and Lemon?

Wow what a great response from my first post, thank you to everyone who read and shared it - hopefully onwards and upwards!

Today, Friday 16 August I had work and I decided to wear my new purchases that I had spontaneously made online over the weekend.

 



Now when I first stepped out the house this morning I was quite pleased with my 8am decision, however at around 1pm I caught sight of my outfit in the mirror and all I could see was this fella....

 

 

 

Turns out I am not the only person who thinks navy and yellow complement each other!

 

Unlike the hero next door I wore a Cornflower Boyfriend Blazer from Hush which was an absolute bargain at £20 from £55.

 

Also available in Fuchsia in all sizes so click away if you like it. The styling on this model is gorgeous and the fuchsia and khaki colours sit very well together for a summer style.

 

 

 





I wouldn't have paid full price for the jacket but at £20 this is a great adaptable wardrobe addition. It is quite long which sits well on my 5ft 6 figure and the sleeves are easily pushed up to show off your arm candy.

It is a cross between a jacket and a cardigan, at 100% cotton you can put at a 30C wash and tumble dry - which it looks like we may soon have to do if this miserable weather stays...eurgh!

Have a look around the Hush website, at 60% off there are some real treats still for grabs. Before the sale I had my eye on their Havana Short Dress so snapped it up when it was also reduced to £20 from £50. Perfect for my upcoming holiday to style for a night out or during the day. I took the reviews advice to get a size up because it is tight around the bust area, so if you would like this or their Havana Maxi Dress I advise you do the same.

 

 

 

Underneath the jacket I wore my trusty Topshop silk vest in navy and another stringed top under that.

Moving on to my trousers I decided to take a punt on the Zara Animal Print Flocked pair, at £9.99 from £39.99 from their Premium Denim Collection I knew these would be comfortable and long lasting. I do love Zara trousers and you can tell the difference between their PDC and TRF collections. The TRF are around £20 but unfortunately every pair I have owned seem to rip! (No, I have not been lunging and star jumping!) Has anyone else found this?

 

 

These pictures give you more of an idea of the lemon colour and print then from my camera.

On my feet I wore these bad boys...they are me down to the last stud. Now I am not one for day time heel, in fact whenever I wear heels I normally end up arse over tit but for work I can manage a wedged heel. So low and behold another Zara £20 bargain however this time from last season so they are no longer available.

 

 

Accessorise wise I wore my Michael Kors watch - more on her in a separate blog soon.

 

A leopard print cuff from Love Is Boutique and this cute necklace from Accessorize.

 

 



What impulsive bargains have you stumbled across recently people I would love to see your comments below...

That was my Friday Fashion, what has been yours?

Here Goes Nothing...

...and therefore this is my first blog. I have been telling my friends for over a year that I will be starting a blog soon. So here we go, August 2013, welcome to Mini Moda Affair.


I have a designer working on a title image but I couldn't hold out any longer on the writing. New look will be revealed very soon.

The purpose of this blog is to chronicle my shopping purchases, give what I think are great tips and styles, and to share items which are pleasing to a range of purse strings.

Ok, so let's start with today. Now would be a good time to confess my two major moda affairs- prints and Zara (more about both of them later) however I was channelling them both in this 'today is Wednesday and I have work' outfit.


                                       

 

      

 

Turns out I need to learn to pose and my photographer (boyfriend) needs some practice...please bear with us!


Zara Camouflage Trousers with Pocket Flaps at a bargainlicious £9.99 from £39.99

 

Zara 3/4 length Sleeve T-shirt -  another sale item at £5.99 from £17.99

 

 

 

Next- peep toe heels which I have been wearing with most of my wardrobe

 
Zara - last season's necklace which is lovely, however very rigid and often has a mind of its own as to which way to sit on my neck...highly annoying but nevertheless gorgeous and if I recall £20 - most of Zara's necklaces are around this price, check them out here!

  

Now that we are talking Zara accessorises I have spotted this beauty which would look fab as a statement piece with a white tee and jeans or navy/black dress. 

and this colourful three tone beaded necklace would look great with a power suit

oh and this green little gem is a holiday purchase I could be persuaded to make!

On that distracted note, this has been my first blog.

Would love to hear your feedback and comments below...
What are your favourite shops and trends? Are you a print fanatic like myself and have a fashion crush on a particular brand?